Apple has announced its annual product upgrade event will take place on September 12th, where the company will unveil the release of the new iPhone and the Apple Watches, CNN reported.
The event will be held in Cupertino, California, at the Steve Jobs Theater, and live-streamed at 10 a.m. PST.
The “Wonderlust” event comes as Apple has experienced a bit of a sales slump, reporting its third straight quarter of declines in August. In Q3 2023, Apple had a 1.4% decline in revenue and, if declines persist, it would mark the longest streak of losses for the company in nearly two decades, according to Bloomberg.
Among the products that are slated to be announced are the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, along with new Apple Watch iterations, including a second-generation model of the Apple Watch Ultra, which first debuted in September.
Leaks suggest that these new iPhone models will bring substantial enhancements, such as fresh color options, improved battery performance, a transition from Apple’s exclusive lightning connector to USB-C, faster charging, and significantly upgraded camera capabilities, CNN reported.
With the upcoming event, Apple could turn things around and end Q4 strong, as the unveiling of new iPhones and Apple Watches before the holiday season, and together account for 58.6% of the company’s overall revenue generation, per Bloomberg.
Why is the Apple event called “Wonderlust?”
Apple is using the tagline “Wonderlust” for the event and, with a track record for using hints in invitations, the word could allude to bigger announcements being made on September 12th.
In 2016, the invite for the annual product upgrade event had blurry lights in the background, ultimately foreshadowing the release of Portrait mode. The 2020 invite used the tagline “Time Flies” and an image of a brush stroke, hinting at the ultimate release of the iPad Air 4 and Apple Pencil 2.
According to MacWorld, the “Wonderlust” tagline could hint at the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s rumored periscope zoom lens with 6X optical zoom. Also, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 release aligns with travel, possibly introducing new hiking features or the advanced GPS system from the Apple Watch Ultra.
In a dreary smartphone market, Apple Inc. could do something it’s never done before.
The consumer-electronics giant has a chance to finish the year as the global leader in smartphone shipments for the first time, according to analysts at Counterpoint Research.
Consumers continue to hold on to their smartphones for longer, one reason that the Counterpoint team expects overall shipments to fall 6% this year, to 1.15 billion units. That would be the lowest level in a decade.
“But we’re watching [the fourth quarter] with interest because the iPhone 15 launch is a window for carriers to steal high-value customers,” Jeff Fieldhack, Counterpoint’s North America research director, said in a release.
With a big base of current iPhone 12 owners due for upgrades, “promos are going to be aggressive, leaving Apple in a good spot.”
Counterpoint notes that premium smartphones have been picking up share within the market and called out China as a region where that trend holds true. Apple AAPL, -0.12%
focuses on the premium market and is expected to debut its next lineup of devices, the iPhone 15 family, in September, and sales likely will begin later that month or in early October.
Projections from Counterpoint put Apple the closest its ever been to capturing the top spot. “We’re talking about a spread that’s literally a few days’ worth of sales,” Fieldhack said. “Assuming Apple doesn’t run into production problems like it did last year, it’s really a toss-up at this point.”
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. 005930, +0.45%
was the market leader in shipments last year, and it held the top spot in the first quarter of this year.
Millions of iPhone owners whose older devices slowed down after software updates may soon receive a payday.
Apple will soon be paying out between $310 million and $500 million to up to roughly 3 million users of many pre-2018 model iPhones, lawyers for Apple customers said in a statement. The payouts will go to affected users who filed claims against the tech giant in 2020 for an issue that became known as “batterygate.”
“[W]e can finally provide immediate cash payments to impacted Apple customers,” said Mark C. Molumphy, a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, one of the firms handling the suit on behalf of Apple customers.
The settlement comes after a judge dismissed Apple’s appeal to challenge a class-action lawsuit filed against the tech giant in 2017, clearing the path for “consumers impacted by software throttling” to receive settlement payments, the claimants’ lawyers said.
“Software throttling” refers to software updates provided by Apple for its earlier iPhone models which had low-capacity batteries that wore out over time. The iOS updates purposefully slowed down the overall performance of users’ iPhones when an aging battery was detected in order to prevent the devices from shutting down completely during “peak current demands.”
Unbeknownst to iPhone users at the time, software updates provided by Apple for its earlier iPhone models purposefully slowed down the devices’ performance to prevent shutdowns caused by aging batteries.
Mairo Cinquetti/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Apple said its reason for reducing, or throttling, performance, was not to deceive customers into unnecessarily upgrading their iPhone — which only required a new battery — but to prolong the lifespan of the devices, the company told the Verge in 2017. The iPhones would return to their normal speeds once the deteriorated battery was replaced.
The settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Apple, according to the claim website.
Here’s what you need to know about the settlement:
How much will eligible iPhone users get paid?
If you filed a claim, you can expect to receive roughly $65 from Apple, Tyson Redenbarger, a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, told the Mercury News.
Redenbarger and other attorneys at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy didn’t immediately return requests for comment.
However, the exact sum of that payout will ultimately depend on the number of approved claims. Fewer complaint submissions generally means bigger payouts for each individual claimant.
According to a legal document, about 3.3 million iPhone users submitted claims prior to the deadline, which means they could each receive $128, less any court-ordered deduction for attorney’s fees and other costs.
Owners of iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus and SE models running iOS 10.2.1 or later and iPhone 7 and 7 Plus running iOS 11.2 or later before Dec. 21, 2017 may be eligible to receive payments, the settlement website shows.
However, only affected users who filed claims before the Oct. 6, 2020 deadline are potentially eligible to receive a check.
When will people get the settlement money?
It’s unclear when exactly eligible users will receive their settlement checks.
Neither Apple nor lawyers for Apple customers immediately responded to CBS MoneyWatch’s requests for comment.
Why has it taken so long for people to get their money?
In general, most class actions take between two and three years to resolve, though some may take longer, particularly if a court ruling is appealed, according to class-action consumer resource, ClassAction.org.
Court procedures and the appeals process have dragged out the batterygate class-action lawsuit, prolonging the amount of time until claimants get their money.
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CEO Warren Buffett says he’s not concerned about the Fitch downgrade of the U.S. government’s credit rating, saying his company continues to buy $10 billion of Treasury bills each week.
Hey, quick question: If you had a spare $200,000 laying around in your bank account, what would you spend it on? You’d probably spend it on a house, or maybe a new car (several new cars?). What you probably wouldn’t do is drop that kind of cash on a 16-year-old iPhone. But that’s what happened over the weekend.
The Week In Games: What’s Releasing Beyond Pikmin 4
The original iPhone was released all the way back in June 2007. At the time, Apple released two versions of what would become its most successful product ever: a 4GB storage model that cost $499 and an 8GB model that cost $599. And it’s that 4GB model that has become a bit of a collector’s item. This is because back in 2007 the 4GB version sold more slowly than its 8GB counterpart. Most people just paid the extra $100 to double the phone’s storage, and as a result, Apple discontinued the 4GB version just two months after its release, in September 2007. So there weren’t nearly as many of them out in the wild, and even fewer remained sealed in their boxes. That (sort of) explains why a sealed, mint condition iPhone 4GB from 2007 just sold at auction for $190,372.80.
LCG Auctions’ item description suggests that the old Apple phone is the “Holy Grail” among phone collectors. The phone up for auction was still factory sealed in its original box, and apparently in “exceptional condition.” LCGAuctions claimed the consignor was part of the original engineering team at Apple during the iPhone launch, possibly explaining how they got their hands on such a rare device and why they never opened it.
Other iPhones have sold for similarly high prices
This isn’t the first iPhone to sell for a large sum of money at auction. LCGAuctions cites a few other Apple devices that have, over the preceding nine months, sold for hard-to-believe prices, including two factory-sealed 8GB iPhones from the same era. One sold in October of last year for $39,339, and another hit $63,356 this past February. And yet another one of these old, original, and still-sealed iPhones sold this year for $40,000, bought (and opened) by YouTuber Marques Brownlee.
Marques Brownlee
What’s happening here? Well, some have suggested that many of these big-ticket auctions involving old tech, video games, and collectibles are part of some kind of money-laundering or price-fixing shenanigans. For example, some believe that video game auctions involving sealed copies of Nintendo gamesgoing for tens of thousands of dollars are part of some alleged racket involving item graders, auction houses, and rich clients. All companies involved have denied the claims, however, and there’s no direct evidence that suggests these recent iPhone auctions are part of some larger conspiracy or otherwise tied to illicit activities.
Regardless of what’s going on, if you want an old iPhone or other collectible tech item, you should probably buy it now before prices get even higher in the future. Maybe it’ll pay for your kid’s college, or the AI apps that they’ll need to compete in the 2040s job market or something.
A first-generation iPhone sold for a whopping $190,372.80 at auction on Sunday.
The unopened 4GB model was bought for nearly 400 times its original price after 28 bids on LCG Auctions. The sale comes months after another iPhone from 2007 was sold in February for $63,356.
“The original 4GB model is considered a ‘Holy Grail’ amongst iPhone collectors,” LGC Auctions wrote in its listing for the latest sale. “Its extreme scarcity is directly related to its limited production.”
The starting bid was $10,000. LGC Auctions, which expected the phone to sell for $50,000-$100,000, noted it’s “proven to be a popular high-end collectible.”
Apple is currently selling the iPhone 14 at prices that start at $799.
The original 4GB iPhone, released on June 29, 2007, was discontinued just over two months after it was launched because of lagging sales, even after the company slashed the price by a third to incentivize customers. It was initially priced at $499 for the 4GB model and at $599 for 8GB of storage.
The iPhone was unveiled at Apple’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue on June 29, 2007 in New York City.
Michael Nagle / Getty Images
Company CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in early 2007. He said it would “reinvent” the telecommunications sector, calling it “magic” and “super smart.”
The one that sold on Sunday was still in its original factory wrapping. It has a 2-megapixel camera and a web browser. The phone has never been activated.
“The phone’s provenance is pristine as the consignor was part of the original engineering team at Apple when the iPhone first launched,” LGC Auctions wrote in its listing for the phone. “Collectors and investors would be hard pressed to find a superior example.”
Apple fans have a history of paying big bucks for original products from the company’s past. Someone bought a first-generation iPhone for $35,414 in August and another was sold for $39,339 in October through LCG. Last year, an Apple-1 Computer prototype from the mid-1970s sold at auction for more than $677,000.
The company’s founding documents, co-signed in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, sold for a staggering $1.59 million in 2011.
AirPods under $100? You can find them at Amazon Prime Day 2023 — one of many hot tech sales we’re seeing. Just about anyone will love the budget-minded 2nd generation Apple AirPods. They’re not the latest model, but they’re still one of the most sought-after earbud models on the market.
Retailing for $159 at Apple, they’re on sale for just $90 at Amazon today. These AirPods boast more than 24 hours total listening time (with the wireless charging case), a foolproof, one-tap setup for Apple device owners and a low-latency wireless connection (for full immersion when consuming movies and music). Plus, you truly can’t beat the price.
The latest Apple AirPods Pro 2 earbuds offer 30 hours of listening time with the included charging case. They have an upgraded wireless chip for improved audio functionality, a new low distortion driver for clearer audio and improved active noise cancellation. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 provide truly custom sound: You can use your iPhone’s camera to analyze your unique ear anatomy and find the perfect audio settings for you.
The design of the AirPods Pro 2 is fairly similar to the previous generation, but Apple has introduced touch control to the AirPods Pro 2 to help users more seamlessly control their AirPods. Users will also get a new extra-small tip with their AirPods. The case did get a notable design upgrade with a new lanyard loop and a built-in speaker to help track the location of your AirPods case.
Apple AirPods with MagSafe case (3rd generation): $140
Apple
The latest generation of Apple AirPods are a nice upgrade over the second-generation model. They support 3D spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. You get more listening time, too — up to 30 hours with the included MagSafe charging case. You’ll save $40 on them when you buy at Amazon as an Amazon Prime member.
Apple AirPods Max use active noise-cancellation technology to block out unwanted noise and feature a transparency mode so you can hear what you need to. These headphones feature 20 hours of listening. They come in a variety of colors including blue, green, red and silver. They’re also compatible with Siri.
From the new luxury Apple Watch Ultra to the more affordable Apple Watch SE, these smartwatches make excellent accessories. They’re all on sale now at Amazon.
Apple Watch Series 8 GPS: $280 and up
Apple
Apple Watch Series 8, the latest addition to the Apple Watch lineup, features the new S8 chip for improved performance. It also includes an always-on display and new watch face options. The Apple Watch 8 will has a larger battery than previous models: Battery life can be extended to 36 hours when in low-power mode. The Apple Watch 8 features a durable design and is swim-proof, dust-proof and crack-resistant.
The Apple Watch 8 has a number of health-tracking features, including an optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor and a new body temperature sensor.
The Apple Watch 8 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizing options. Shoppers can choose between stainless steel or aluminum casing and several different colors.
The Apple Watch Ultra is designed to be a more rugged and durable option for athletes and adventurers. It provides up to 36 hours of life on a single charge with standard use, or 60 hours of battery life with the soon-to-be-released battery optimization setting. It is made with a stronger titanium alloy material for improved impact resistance. It also offers a larger (49mm), brighter display and a second speaker for better sound and display visibility during outdoor use. Apple says it’s also optimized for diving and water sports.
The Apple Watch Ultra provides enhanced GPS functionality to trace your steps and improve navigation for outdoor expeditions. There is also an action button that can be used to more accurately track your workouts by marking segments of your workout.
The Apple Watch Ultra is now at its lowest price ever at Amazon, so pick it up while you can.
The Apple Watch SE, the most affordable model in the Apple Watch lineup, is even more affordable now with this deal. The smartwatch offers a 40mm screen and boasts a wide range of health and fitness features. It can also be used to play music, check your tests and make calls when paired with your iPhone.
If you want to save on a new MacBook, consider these highly-rated options.
The new 15.3″ Apple MacBook Air: $1,199
Apple via Amazon
The new MacBook offers a larger display while maintaining the sleek, lightweight design that MacBook Air users know and love. The updated laptop includes the powerful Apple M2 chip for ultra-fast processing. It features a fanless design, which Apple says allows the laptop to run almost silently.
The new 15.3-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299 on Apple’s website, but select color options are on sale now at Amazon. Right now you’ll score the best deal on the 256 GB Apple MacBook in the shade “space gray.”
The new 2023 MacBook Pro features Apple’s latest M2 processor chip for faster performance and improved processing capabilities. It also offers an improved 18-hour battery life and an improved camera.
The latest MacBook is available in two screen sizes: 14.2 inches and 16.2 inches. The screen features Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR display.
Buyers also have a number of choices when it comes to specs. There are two versions of the M2 chip to choose from: M2 Pro and M2 Max. M2 Pro has up to 12 CPU, up to 19 GPU and up to 32 GB of memory. M2 Max has 12 CPU, up to 38 GPU and up to 96 GB of memory.
This is one of the best deals you’re going to be able to find on a MacBook. Right now, the 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip is only $800. This lightweight MacBook features Retina display, an impressive 18-hour battery life and fast performance. There is a 2022 edition out, so this is a slightly older model — however, it is unbeatable deal for a new MacBook.
A step up from the MacBook Air, the slightly weightier (three pounds) 14-inch MacBook Pro boasts a powerful active cooling system, which helps keep the 8-core CPU running fast. It delivers up to 21 hours of battery life on a single charge, and features a Retina display that’s brighter than the MacBook Air.
Find these iPads on sale now at Amazon for Prime Day 2023.
Apple iPad 10: $380
Apple Store via Amazon
The latest edition in Apple’s classic iPad lineup is the iPad 10th generation. This 10.9-inch tablet features a Liquid Retina display with Apple’s True Tone technology. It has Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, an upgrade from the iPad 9’s A13 chip. The iPad 10 is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and 5G internet for fast performance. It also offers all-day battery life, so that you can easily take it to school, work or on your holiday travels without having to worry about plugging it in mid-day.
The new iPad 10 comes in four vibrant colors: yellow, pink, blue and silver. You can also choose between 5G cellular and WiFi-only models.
The 10.2-inch iPad 9, released in 2021, is the most affordable of Apple’s iPad offerings. It offers a 8 MP wide-angle back camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle front camera. It boasts stereo speakers, too. This iPad is powered by a A13 Bionic chip. It boasts up to 10 hours of battery life, and is compatible with the Apple Pencil ($99) for drawing or note-taking.
Want to protect your new tablet investment? Get the 64 GB Apple iPad 9 bundled with a two-year subscription to Apple’s protection plan, Apple Care+. That bundle’s on sale on Amazon, too.
Introduced in 2022, the 10.9-inch Apple iPad Air 5 is the latest in the lightweight iPad Air line. The iPad Air 5 offers performance up to 60% faster than the prior model, thanks to Apple’s turbo-charged M1 chip. The device boasts a 12 MP wide-angle back camera that supports 4K video. It also offers touch ID, and Apple’s Liquid Retina display.
The 256 GB iPad Air 5 is also available in five colors; prices vary. The best deal we saw was for the space gray model (pictured) with Wi-Fi-only connectivity.
Apple’s high-end tablet, the iPad Pro, features an 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, a pro camera system and a Thunderbolt port for lightning-speed data transfers. Looking for a traditional laptop experience? It’s compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
Available in two colors; prices vary. The sale prices listed below are for the space gray iPad Pro with Wi-Fi-only connectivity.
The iPad Mini 6 is a compact tablet with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display screen. Released in 2021, the Apple tablet is powered by an A15 Bionic chip. It features a 12 MP wide-angle back camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle front camera. It boasts landscape stereo speakers. Available in four colors.
Note that the Apple iPad Mini is not compatible with Apple’s external Magic Keyboard. It can, however, be used with other Bluetooth-enabled external keyboards.
The Apple iPad Mini retails for $499 on Apple’s website, but Amazon currently has it marked down to $380 for Amazon Prime members.
Once you’ve found the perfect iPad, be sure to protect it with a top-rated cover. Here are top-rated accessories for the Apple iPad, including the Apple Pencil 2 and Apple Smart Folio cover. And while they’re not all on sale right now, they’re all worth a look.
Apple Pencil 2: $89
Apple via Amazon
The Apple Pencil is designed for drawing or writing on the Apple iPad. The second-generation device is the latest Apple Pencil. It is compatible with all the latest models of the iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad Mini.
The Apple MagSafe Battery Pack magnetically attaches to your iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro, providing a portable, wireless phone charge. If need be, your MagSafe Battery Pack and iPhone can be charged at the same time. Listed at $99 at Apple, it’s just $94 Amazon.
Other retailers are running competing Amazon Prime Day sales. Walmart, for example, has announced it will be holding its Walmart Plus Week sale that started on Monday, July 10.
Check out these Amazon Prime Day deals on top brands for you and your family. And be sure to check out even more great Prime Day deals to shop, handpicked by our friends at ETOnline, CBS Sports Essentials and ComicBook.com.
Carolin Lehmann is an expert in health, fitness, furniture, apparel, gift guides and books for CBS Essentials. She’s always testing new products to recommend. Some of her current favorites include Stanley cups, Alo Yoga workout sets and the Cuzen matcha maker.
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Platform provider Chargebacks911 named Guy Harris as its chairman of the board and Eric Hoffman as president of interbank solutions and board member. Chargebacks911 is “a technology platform provider for chargeback management and dispute resolution,” Chief Executive Monica Eaton told Bank Automation News. The two new hires bring experience from the finance industry, Eaton said. […]
Tom Holland said he’s taking off a “year off” after filming the new Apple+ TV series, “The Crowded Room.”
The “Spider-Man” star, who also served as an executive producer on the psychological drama, told Extra this week that he enjoyed playing both acting and producing in it, but acknowledged that it was a “tough time.”
“We were exploring certain emotions that I have definitely never experienced before, and then on top of that being a producer dealing with the day-to-day kind of problems that come with any film set added that extra level of pressure,” he told the outlet.
Tom Holland at the premiere of “The Crowded Room” held at the Museum of Modern Art on June 1, 2023 in New York City.
Nina Westervelt/Variety via Getty Images
The British actor, 27, said the show “did break” him and led him to take some time away from his craft.
“There did come a time where I was sort of like, ‘I need to have a break,’” he added. “I disappeared. I went to Mexico for a week and had some time on a beach. And I’m now taking a year off, and that is a result of how difficult this show was.”
According to Apple’s description, “The Crowded Room” is set in New York City in 1979 as Danny Sullivan, played by Holland, is arrested for a shocking crime, and an investigator is trying to solve it. Sullivan is a character loosely based on Billy Milligan, who was the first person to successfully use multiple personality disorder as a defense in court. The 10-episode series premieres on Friday.
“I just was terrified by the idea of playing this character, and for me that’s a really good thing, so I said yes,” Holland said.
Last month, Holland told Entertainment Weekly he has been sober for over a year in part because of the project. The actor in the past has been vocal about his own mental health and said viewers will have “more respect and more sympathy for people who are going through mental health issues.”
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
In the words of Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, the Apple Vision Pro is “tomorrow’s engineering, today.” This headset, packed to the brim with cutting-edge technology, is Apple’s daring vision for the future of personal computing. Having helped 24 companies figure out their hybrid work policies, I can tell you that the Vision Pro isn’t just a shiny new toy for the retail consumer – it’s a game-changer for companies. Its impact on hybrid and remote work is akin to swapping a bicycle for a rocket ship when it comes to connectivity and collaboration.
Picture this: You’re at home, yet you’re also in a business meeting, observing a product prototype, or brainstorming with your team as if you were in the same room. As Tim Cook explains, we can “connect with people as if we’re sharing the same space.” That’s the magic of the Vision Pro.
Imagine having the future at your fingertips, or rather, on your face, today. That’s the promise of the Vision Pro. It’s not a mere enhancement to our tech-saturated lives, but a transformative leap forward, pushing boundaries and shattering expectations.
This device, hailed by Apple as the “most advanced personal electronics device ever,” takes augmented reality (AR) and brings it down from the realm of science fiction into your living room. Cook rightly views AR as a profound technology and the Vision Pro as a “huge leap” in this next chapter of technological evolution. This isn’t just a step forward; it’s a quantum leap, ushering in a new era of connectivity and collaboration in remote settings.
The Vision Pro is designed as a headset that doesn’t require any physical controllers. Instead, it relies on a person’s body movements for input. The headset is equipped with 12 cameras, five sensors, and six microphones, allowing it to track a user’s hands, eyes and voice. For instance, to select objects in an app, the user merely has to look at the object and then pinch their finger in the air. This is a departure from other headsets on the market, such as Meta’s Quest, which generally require a physical controller. Despite this, Apple’s demonstrations showed that hand-based control works well, and it is presumed that a Bluetooth-based gamepad could be used with the Vision Pro, as these are already supported on iOS1.
One important aspect to note is that, given its high price — $3,500 -—the Vision Pro might initially be bought for use by executives and managers, rather than rank-and-file employees. However, Apple believes that this product could integrate into everyday life, similar to how the iPhone revolutionized the smartphone industry. It’s expected that the price will come down over time, making the Vision Pro more accessible to a broader audience.
The influence of the Vision Pro extends beyond the realm of personal computing and entertainment, it also promises to reshape the world of work, particularly in hybrid and remote settings. The device turns immersive video calls, once a concept restricted to the realm of science fiction, into a tangible reality.
The Vision Pro employs front-facing cameras to scan a user’s face, leveraging machine learning algorithms to construct a 3D digital representation of the user. Internally positioned sensors detect and replicate the user’s facial movements onto this digital persona, effectively translating real-life expressions into the virtual realm. When both participants in a call are using the Vision Pro, they can view each other in complete 3D form. This creates a profound sense of presence and enhances communication, a feature that will prove invaluable in hybrid and remote work environments.
However, the Vision Pro’s capabilities are not limited to improving virtual communication. The device redefines remote collaboration, facilitating simultaneous tasking during calls within a shared virtual space. Whether it’s reviewing a project proposal with your team, brainstorming innovative ideas, or conducting a training session, the Vision Pro simulates the experience of physical proximity, eliminating the constraints of distance.
One of the notable challenges in remote work is managing distractions in the home environment. The Vision Pro addresses this issue head-on, enabling users to create a personalized work zone that blots out the chaos and clutter of their surroundings. The device’s proprietary “EyeSight” technology allows users to seamlessly transition between deep immersion in their work and awareness of their immediate environment with just a glance. According to Tim Cook, with the Vision Pro, users can “immerse themselves” in their work and “live in the future” today.
Ironically, Apple itself is at odds with flexibility. Tim Cook is threatening to discipline Apple employees who aren’t fully compliant with his demand that they come to the office three days a week. This inflexible, top-down approach is at odds with the vision of a flexible and dynamic future promised by Apple Vision Pro. It’s possible that the apparent contradictions will undermine both the narrative that Apple is using to drive Apple Vision Pro sales while also undermining employee engagement, who see it as hypocritical that Apple is offering products that facilitate flexibility while denying it to their employees.
Conclusion
The Apple Vision Pro stands at the forefront of AR technology and personal computing, but its influence goes far beyond these domains. This revolutionary device has the potential to fundamentally transform hybrid and remote work models, dismantling barriers, and fostering a new, immersive, and connected work experience. The Vision Pro not only serves as a window into the future of technology but also offers a glimpse into the future of work. It presents a solution to the pressing challenges posed by the new work norms, including improving communication, enhancing collaboration and managing distractions.
As the device becomes more affordable and accessible over time, it is likely that its adoption will accelerate, and its impact will become more pronounced. In a world where the boundaries of workspaces are continually blurring, the Vision Pro promises a future where distance and location are no longer constraints. Indeed, with the Vision Pro, we are one step closer to a future where everyone can experience the freedom and flexibility of working from anywhere, yet feeling as connected and productive as if they were in a traditional office setting. In essence, the Apple Vision Pro offers more than just a technological leap. It provides a fresh perspective on the concept of work, enabling us to envision a future where technology and human potential harmoniously intertwine to create an engaging and efficient work environment, irrespective of physical location.
For iPhone users, texting curse words hasn’t traditionally been an easy task, with “duck” being the stand-in for many people’s favorite f-word. But Apple announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference yesterday that the G-rated autocorrection will come to an end with its newest update.
“In those moments where you just want to type a ducking word, well the keyboard will learn it,” Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering Craig Federighi said on Monday.
That change will come with the soon-to-come iOS 17, which is set to debut sometime this autumn, Federighi said at the conference. The new autocorrect system will “improve the experience every time you type,” he said, with a “state-of-the-art” machine learning system that now includes a “transformer language model.”
iPhones’ autocorrect function has left some users frustrated, spawning an ongoing series of “damn autocorrect jokes” around the world on virtually every social medium. It’s even led to a dedicated Reddit page.
The new update will also allow users to revert back to the word they originally spelled out, when autocorrect seems to think that they spelled something wrong, just by tapping on the word in question. Predictive text will also now allow users to finish words and sentences by clicking on the space bar.
The autocorrect update is just one of several new upgrades and updates coming from Apple, including leaving messages on Facetime and using Facetime on Apple TVs, search filters, live stickers, and more.
Also new to Apple is the company’s Vision Pro virtual reality headset, the first big product to be released by the company in years. The headset, which costs nearly $3,500, has been called the world’s first spatial computers, according to Apple, and will be available next year.
Apple also announced several new features it plans to roll out for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users when iOS 17, the latest iteration of its internal operating system, officially launches in September. Consumers will have to wait until fall to test out the new features, but until then here’s what to expect.
Leave messages on FaceTime
iPhone users can now leave video voice messages for other FaceTime users when their calls go unanswered. The message’s recipient will receive a notification that they’ve received the message and will be able to replay the video whenever they want. It’s just like voicemail, but for the Marco Polo video-chat age.
Autocorrect improvements
With iOS 17, users might finally stop apologizing for autocorrect. That’s because the update will include an autocorrect feature powered by a more advanced language model that aims to improve Apple devices’ word prediction abilities.
“In those moments where you just want to type a ducking word, well, the keyboard will learn it, too,” Apple Software Engineering Chief Craig Federighi said in Apple’s presentation Monday.
Inline predictive text recommendations will appear on users’ screens as they type, allowing them the option to complete words and sentences with the tap of the space bar.
Live voicemail transcription
Second-guessing whether to let a call go to voicemail or pick up might become a thing of the past. With live voicemail transcriptions, users can view a real-time transcription of incoming voicemails from their iPhone lock screens as the message is being recorded. This will allow users to know more about who is calling them — and why, before they pick up the phone.
Live voicemail transcribing let’s users see the content of voicemails as they are being recorded (Apple).
Apple
Live stickers
Apple customers can now turn photos of their family, friends and pets into stickers with the press of a finger. For added fun, users can also customize stickers with different effects, such as outline, comic, puffy and shiny. The update also introduces a new sticker drawer, where users can easily access their customized stickers to send in chats.
Live stickers allow users to customize their photos and bring them to life (Apple).
Apple
Tap-to-share features
The new NameDrop features allows contact information to be shared between two iPhones or an iPhone and an Apple Watch. The same tap-to-share gesture will also allow users to easily share music, videos and other content between Apple devices.
John Dickerson reports on a migrant plane sent to Sacramento, an update on union negotiations impacting Hollywood production, and Apple’s virtual reality headset.
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