iOS 17.5 Adds Cross-Platform Location Tracking Alerts
Apple has released a large set of operating system updates, including iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5 Sonoma, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, HomePod Software 17.5, macOS Ventura 13.6.7, macOS Monterey 12.7.5, iOS 16.7.8, and iPadOS 16.7.8. New features include alerts for Android-paired tracking devices moving with you and a new game and leaderboard for Apple News+ subscribers.

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iOS 17.5: Here’s how to find the new ‘Quartiles’ game
One of the updates with iOS 17.5 is a new, original word game from Apple called “Quartiles.” However, it’s not part of Apple Arcade and is actually found in the News app. Here’s how to find and play Quartiles in iOS 17.5. more…

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Vision Pro should go on sale outside US soon
The wait to get Apple Vision Pro is apparently nearly over for lucky consumers in Europe and Asia. Broader availability could come in summer. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple releases macOS Sonoma 14.5, iPadOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod Software 17.5
Apple on Monday released macOS Sonoma 14.5, iPadOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod Software 17.5… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Do You Use It? macOS Versioning Sees Low Awareness and Adoption
The results of our poll asking how often you use macOS’s versioning feature show that nearly three-quarters of TidBITS readers either never use versioning or don’t even know what it is. But versioning could save you from losing work—it’s worth trying.

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Our favorite new covers and keyboard cases for Apple’s M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air
Some of the best M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air cases have arrived and we are here to take a closer look. Apple’s M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are just days away from being loaded up and shipped across the country, and now it’s time to look at some accessories for them. Pre-order deals have already arrived on both the M4 Pro and Apple’s latest-generation iPad Air, not to mention a slight price drop on its new for the M4 pro-grade tablet, but some of our favorite brands have now unleashed their latest offerings as well. From the best leather M4 iPad Pro covers (Burton Goods we are looking at you), to the latest premium DODOcase models, keyboard models from Logitech, and the first first-party magnetic Smart Folios, some of the best cases, covers, and keyboards are here with more to come soon. Head below for our roundup of the best M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air cases.  more…

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Save up to $50 on new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air
Don't miss these deals on the newest iPads: Save big on the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air with discounts on various configurations. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple asks U.S. court to dismiss ‘implausible’ lawsuit alleging iCloud monopoly
Apple is asking a San Jose, California federal judge on Friday to dismiss a proposed consumer class-action lawsuit claiming the company… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iOS 17.5 is now available: Here’s everything you need to know
9to5Mac is supported by Incogni: Keep Your Private Data Off The Dark Web with Incogni. Help protect yourself from identity theft, scams, and spam calls. Use the code “Apple55” for -55% off the annual plan. Apple has officially released iOS 17.5 with developers to the general public. The update brings a handful of new features and changes for iPhone users. Head below for everything we know right now. more…

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Here’s how the new Cross-Platform Tracking Detection works in iOS 17.5 works
Apple on Monday released iOS 17.5 to iPhone users. The update brings some new features to Apple News+ and also introduces Cross-Platform Tracking Detection – an anti-stalking feature announced last year in partnership with Google. Read on as we detail what this means and what changes now. more…

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Denon speakers can now invoke Siri, but only if you have a HomePod too
When it comes to smart assistant availability, Apple has taken a vastly different approach with Siri than Amazon has with Alexa. Whereas the latter assistant can come baked into a variety of non-Amazon smart devices, Apple has largely restricted Siri to its own first-party products. One exception came in late 2021 when ecobee added support for Siri in its SmartThermostat. Now, three years later, a second product has received Siri integration. more…

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Here’s what’s new in the macOS 14.5 update for your Mac
Macworld Less than a month ahead of WWDC, Apple has released macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to all compatible Macs, likely the last update before we get our first look at macOS 15. There are a few new features in the update but it’s mainly filled with performance and security fixes. macOS 14.5: Release notes Apple’s release notes for macOS Sonoma 14.5 state that the update includes the following improvements and bug fixes: Quartiles is a new and original daily word game that is now available in Apple News+ Scoreboard in News+ Puzzles gives you access to new player data for Crossword, Mini Crossword and Quartiles, including stats and streaks Apple notes that some features may not be available for all regions or Macs. macOS 14.5: New features The only known new features for macOS 14.5 are for News+ subscribers. There is a new game called Quartiles that joins the Crossword and Crossword mini games in the Puzzles section. The iOS 17.5 update also includes a new Scoreboard that shows stats and streaks as well as an offline mode that still gives you access to the Today feed and News+ tab when you don’t have an internet connection, so it’s likely the macOS update 14.5 includes those features as well. macOS 14.5: Bug fixes and security updates The Sonoma 14.5 update includes nearly two dozen security patches, including several that may lead to arbitrary code execution. Additionally, Apple has also fixed the following issues that affected some users: Users might not be able to approve or decline a FaceTime link call because notifications might not be received on the caller side for them to accept or decline the call. macOS might launch the wrong version for (Designed for iPad) apps after double clicking the icon or after building from Xcode. macOS 14.5: How to install the update Here’s how to install the update on your Mac: Go to System Settings Go to the General tab, then Software Update. Tap Update Now next to macOS 14.5 Follow the onscreen prompts Restart your Mac MacOS

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Denon adds Siri functionality to its lineup of smart speakers
You can now use Siri on select Denon Home Series speakers — provided you already have a HomePod in your house.The Denon Home Sound Bar 550Denon, a company known for its wireless receivers and smart speakers, has quietly rolled out a feature that allows you to control Siri on select smart speakers. This includes the Denon Home Soundbar 550, which also features support for Dolby Atmos.Like the EcoBee Smart Thermostat lineup, you still need to have a HomePod or HomePod mini added to your Home network. Because Siri is only available on first-party Apple devices, Denon's speakers are only relaying the information to the Apple speakers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Meta unveils travel mode for using Quest headsets during flights like Vision Pro
Update: Three weeks later, Meta has announced the feature alongside a new partnership with an airline. Original coverage from April 18 below… Today I learned two things. First, apparently Meta Quest headsets don’t work on planes? I guess Apple knew to prioritize that feature for Vision Pro. And second, support is reportedly on the way. Add this to the list of ways competition from Vision Pro is making a better product. more…

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9to5Mac Daily: May 13, 2024 – Will the new M4 iPad Pro have a bending problem?
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock: Ad-free versions of every episode Monthly bonus episodes  more…

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iOS 17.5 helps detect unwanted Bluetooth tracking tags
iOS 17.5 updates bring cross-platform tracking notifications for pesky Bluetooth trackers plus new Apple News+ features for subscribers. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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OpenAI launches GPT-4o just in time for rumored iOS 18 partnership with Apple
Today OpenAI held a spring update event, where it outlined some of its latest work on the ChatGPT platform. One key announcement was the arrival of a new Mac desktop app, but the larger focus was on a new flagship model of ChatGPT. This new model, GPT-4o, arrives just in time for a rumored deep integration into iOS 18 at WWDC. more…

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MagSafe Monday: After a cracked and scratched iPhone screen, the ESR for iPhone 15 Pro Case is my solution
Maybe it’s me, or maybe it’s the iPhone 15 Pro, but I finally cracked my first iPhone screen ever. I used my local Best Buy for the repair as they handle authorized Apple repairs. They did a fantastic job, and it was done within a few hours. A few weeks later, after a day of yard work, I noticed a small scratch on my screen. Ugh, right? Thankfully it wasn’t cracked, but I clearly cannot be trusted at this point. I decided to upgrade my iPhone case to one with a built in screen protector. I ended up with the . more…

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Apple set to expand Vision Pro sales outside of U.S. next month
Apple is reportedly preparing to start selling its Apple Vision Pro spatial computer in markets outside the U.S., including Germany, France… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple Vision Pro: Available in more markets after WWDC
Macworld Apple Vision Pro went on sale in the U.S. on February 2, 2024. It’s a mixed reality headset (Apple calls it a “Spatial Computer”) that marries an M2 processor with a lot of custom silicon, sensors, cameras, and more. The starting price of $3,499 and limited availability means that it’s a niche product, but it’s the first in a new category that Apple believes will be critical in the coming years. Update May 13, 2024: A new report from Bloomberg says Apple is preparing to expand Vision Pro beyond the U.S. market after WWDC in June, but with no specific territories or dates given. Apple Vision Pro release date: UK, Canada, Europe, Australia Apple is yet to say when Vision Pro will be available to buy outside the U.S. beyond saying that it will be shipping to “more countries” later in 2024. With WWDC in just a few weeks, we don’t expect any international launches prior to that event but will probably hear more about the timing of broader availability at that time. A new report from Bloomberg says that Apple is training workers Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China, so those may be some of the first markets outside the U.S. to be able to buy Apple Vision Pro. Apple Vision Pro price and availability Apple Vision Pro Read our review Price When Reviewed: $3,499 Best Prices Today: $3499 at Apple The headset was first announced at WWDC in on June 5, 2023, with pre-orders starting January 19, 2024 and availability on February 2. The starting price is $3,499 for 256GB of storage, with a 512GB model available for $3,699 and a 1TB model for $3,899. Apple Vision Pro is only available in the United States to start, with other territories coming throughout 2024. You can only buy it online directly from Apple or at an Apple Store. Part of the reason for this is the necessity to get a proper fit and optical inserts. Apple takes a scan of your face (you do this yourself with your iPhone if you are buying online) to select a proper face seal size. If you wear prescription eyewear or need readers, you can order special Zeiss inserts for $99 (readers) or $149 (prescription); the headset does not work with your own eyewear. If you want to buy the Vision Pro you can order one from Apple’s website, or by using the Apple Store app on your iPhone. You can also go to an Apple Store for a fitting and to purchase one. Apple Apple Apple There are also other accessories available for purchase, including a travel case ($199), battery ($199), Belkin Battery Holder ($50), Solo knit Band ($99), Dual Loop Band ($99), Light Seal ($199), and Light Seal Cushion ($29). AppleCare+ is also available for $499. Apple Vision Pro review In our Apple Vision Pro review, we found the technology very impressive, but the comfort and software—both apps and operating system—quite limited. There’s a lot of potential there, but it will take quite a while for the software to mature enough to unlock it, and for most users, the Vision Pro will never be worth the price. Will there be a cheaper Apple Vision Pro? We take the fact that the Vision Pro has the word “Pro” in its name as a big hint that a more affordable version will be coming down the line. An “Apple Vision Air,” if you will. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that a cheaper headset will arrive in 2025. He reported in October that Apple is already working on the sequel to the headset, which will be cheaper than the original model. However, new rumors about the successor to Vision Pro – both what it will be and when it will arrive – change frequently. They all have one thing in common, though: there isn’t expected to be any new hardware in 2024. The Vision Pro is likely to follow the example of the HomePod with the expensive pro model paving the way for a cheaper option down the line. But it could be a while before the economies of scale and advancements in technology make a cheaper Apple Vision product viable. Apple Vision Pro compatibility The Vision Pro is its own product with its own software ecosystem. It has its own App Store, and runs software independent from other Apple products (though apps like Messages and Photos can sync via iCloud with your other Apple products). There is support for iPad apps, however. By default, all iPad apps are made available for use on Vision Pro and can be found in the Vision Pro app store, but developers can opt not to allow their apps to be used on the device. White many iPad apps are available, prominent exceptions include YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix. Apple Vision Pro specs The Vision Pro is powered by an M2 processor with 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores–the same as you would find in a MacBook. It has 16GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of flash storage. There are 14 cameras on the inside and outside, a LiDAR scanner, multiple IR illuminators, an accelerometer, gyroscope, and multiple microphones. A custom R1 processor is made to process the vast amount of data from these sensors very quickly, for lightning-fast eye tracking and a delay for the video pass-through of only 12 milliseconds. When wearing the Vision Pro you look through custom catadioptric pancake lenses at a pair of micro-OLED displays, one for each eye. About the size of a postage stamp, each of these displays has a stunning resolution of about 3,386 pixels per inch, more than 4K per eye. Of course, what matters is pixels per degree when looking through the lenses, which on Vision Pro is around 34 pixels per degree (less than you’d see looking at an iPhone display, but more than most other VR headsets). Apple does not disclose the field of view for the Vision Pro, but it appears to be somewhere around 110° horizontally and 90° vertically. The Vision Pro is actively cooled, with a fan inside, but the fan runs so quietly you can’t hear it. There are two individually amplified drivers inside each audio pod on the side of the headset near the headband connection. They deliver Personalized Spatial Audio based on the user’s own head and ear geometry. As a result, the sound feels like it is coming from the space around you. Vision Pro also matches the sound to the room using audio raytracing. The Vision Pro also recognizes the user’s iris via a new method to unlock the device and authenticate passwords and purchases called Optic ID. Like the iPhone and Mac, all data is stored on a dedicated Secure Enclave processor. On the outside of the headset is an OLED display with a lenticular lens over it that Apple calls EyeSight. It projects a rendered image of your own eyes with correct perspective, so others can see you looking at them. If you are in a fully immersive environment and can’t see anyone, the EyeSight display shows a blueish haze. Apple Vision Pro battery life Apple Vision Pro connects to an external battery via a custom tether, and the battery lasts for around 2 to 2.5 hours. The battery pack has a USB-C port that can only be used to recharge it, though you can use the Vision Pro with the battery plugged in. Weight & Dimensions According to Apple Vision Pro tech specs, the headset weighs 21.2 to 22.9 ounces (600 to 650 grams) depending on the Light Seal and headband configuration. That’s about the weight of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (24 ounces/682 grams). It’s not necessarily heavier than other VR headsets but quite a bit heavier than the Meta Quest 3, which weighs 18.2 ounces (516 grams). The weight is very front-heavy, mostly in the metal and glass out in the front of the face seal instead of distributed around the sides. The battery pack weighs 12.5 ounces (353 grams). What it is like to use Vision Pro With a Vision Pro headset users will be able to watch a movie, listen to music, browse photos, look at 3D objects, and even collaborate on a presentation. Users experience a three-dimensional interface and input system that they control with their eyes, hands, and voice. You select things by looking at them and pinching your fingers together, then dragging objects around or flicking your hand to scroll. A virtual keyboard is used to enter text where appropriate, either by poking at the keys or looking at each key in succession and pinching your fingers together. You can also use voice input to enter text, or a bluetooth keyboard. Apple has posted a 10-minute guided tour explaining how navigation and gestures work as well as several apps.  Apple Apple Apple When you first put on Vision Pro you see your surroundings. You can freely move apps to fill the space around you and they can expand into your space. The digital crown lets you adjust volume or the degree of immersion in your environment–from fully immersed in a virtual space to seeing “passthrough” video of your own space. Here’s an primer on what the Vision Pro buttons do. A user can bring Mac wirelessly into Apple Vision Pro just by looking at it and choosing to connect to it, if it is logged into the same Apple ID. The Mac display will blank out and be replaced by a big 4K virtual display in your Vision Pro environment; you’ll continue to use the Mac keyboard and touchpad, however, and audio will still play from the Mac. Apple Vision Pro software and apps The Vision Pro headset runs visionOS, an operating system that Apple has designed from the ground up for visual computing. The latest version is visionOS 1.1, which includes support for managed profiles, improved Personas, and lots of bug fixes and minor improvements. There will also be a number of well-known Apple apps available at launch, such as Safari, Messages, and FaceTime. Apple launched Vision Pro with more than 600 optimized apps. Apple Vision Pro terms As with many Apple products, the company has some of its own branding around things that may be better understood by other names. Here are some of the things you may see associated with Vision Pro and what they mean. Spatial Computing: Computing that appears to happen in the environment around you rather than inside a computer (or phone). A sort of umbrella-term that encapsulates AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality). It is not inaccurate to call Vision Pro and Mixed Reality headset. Spatial apps: Apps designed with the Vision Pro hardware in mind, as opposed to iPad apps running in a window. Some Spatial apps are fully immersive experiences, others are almost indistinguishable from iPad apps. Fully immersive: A “fully immersive” experience is one in which your surroundings are not visible: you’re completely surrounded in a virtual environment. In other words Virtual Reality. Spatial Audio: Audio that seems to come from specific places in your environment. Persona: A 3D digital recreation of you, created by scanning your face using the Vision Pro cameras. It is meant to be used to represent you in video conferencing apps like FaceTime or Zoom, since the Vision Pro has no cameras that can actually see your face (just specialized internal cameras for eye tracking). Spatial Video: A new 3D video format that can be captured with either the Vision Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro. Spatial Videos can be viewed using a Vision Pro or even a Quest headset, and look a bit like a 3D diorama of a memory. It’s an emotionally charged and effective way of capturing the moment. Apple Inc, Computer Accessories, Virtual Reality

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