Dig out your old iPod and fire up your ‘Songs to cry to’ playlist, I come bearing sad news. After more than 15 years covering everything Apple, it’s with a heavy heart I announce that we will no longer be publishing new content on iMore.

I want to kick off by thanking you all for your support over the many years and incarnations of the site. Whether you were a day-one early adopter in the ‘PhoneDifferent’ days, came on board with ‘The iPhone Blog,’ or recently started reading to find out what the hell Apple Vision Pro is, it’s been a privilege to serve you a daily slice of Apple pie.

Launching in the wake of the very first iPhone back in 2008, a game-changing device not just for Apple but the world at large, it’s somewhat fitting that we wrap publication here in 2024 on the precipice of the launch of a new industry-shifting technology from Apple in the shape of Apple Intelligence. Just as Apple wasn’t the first company to make a smartphone, it’s not the first to test the waters of artificial intelligence, either — but just as the iPhone became world-conquering, so too may Apple Intelligence reshape the way we interact with technology for years to come.

It’s a keen reminder that the world of technology never stands still: The term ‘artificial intelligence’ was the reserve of science fiction in the early days of the iPhone. The world of publishing is forever evolving too, as do the forms of technology journalism that look to shine a light on the industry. iMore leaves the stage at a pivotal crossroads for online publishing, where the battle for readers' time and attention is more demanding than ever before, and the aforementioned AI advances and search discovery methods further complicate the playing field. It’s been a joy to serve such a passionate readership over the years, but it’s time to pass the baton to new writers, new sites, and new formats.

I would like to take this moment to thank everyone from the iMore community, past and present, for their support and passion for what we’ve created over the years. A massive thanks goes to iMore’s previous leaders, Lory Gil, Serenity Caldwell, and Joe Keller, and of course, the inimitable Rene Ritchie who kickstarted this wonder all those years back. I hope we’ve done you all proud. 

I’d like to give a particular shout out to the final iMore team that I’ve worked most closely with, and that has been an honor to lead over the past few years: Stephen, Tammy, John-Anthony, Daryl, and James, as well as our many regular contributors — thanks for putting a smile on my face each and every day. I can’t wait to see what you all do next. 

iMore will stay online so readers can continue to access articles from the archive, and the forum at https://forums.imore.com/ will remain active until November 1 to serve our community. Our sister sites TechRadar.com and TomsGuide.com will also continue to publish all the latest news, reviews, and more from the world of Apple-based computing, while our buddies at WindowsCentral.com and AndroidCentral.com have the privilege of continuing to serve you class-leading news, reviews and features from the other side of the tech fence, keeping you up to date with the latest from Microsoft and Google.

Now it’s time to close those Watch rings, put a gag on Siri, and guzzle down the iBeer app one last time. Thanks for letting us think different for all these years. We’ll see you in the great iCloud backup in the sky.

—Gerald and the iMore team

He brought Apple’s hardware design to new heights — could Jony Ive do the same for the burgeoning market for AI-focussed hardware?

That’s the hope for Ive’s next project, which will see the veteran designer team up with ChatGPT developer OpenAI for a new hardware device leveraging the company’s fast-growing artificial intelligence products.

The partnership — rumored earlier this year — has now been confirmed in a New York Times profile which explores Ive’s post-Apple independence, including discussions with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. 

The pair have agreed to partner on a new “artificial intelligence device company” for a product “that uses AI to create a computing experience that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone,” according to the article. Not that Apple itself is averse to AI integrations — the latest iOS 18 release is set to get an update that will include baked-in access to ChatGPT and OpenAI tech. 

But iPhones, including the brand new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, still make use of AI as a feature rather than a product unto itself, and that will be the differentiating factor for this new device. OpenAI will be at the core. What industrial design form that will take is “still being determined”, but Ive’s team has exemplary pedigree — some of his new crew worked alongside him on iPhone designs over the years.

A device revolution to come?

Ive’s project won’t be the first to try to make a bespoke, built-for-purpose AI hardware design. But early forays into the market have been mixed at best.

The Rabbit R1 released earlier this year, and charmed with its cutesy phone-like design. But its actual usefulness, swapping out traditional apps for generative AI responses, proved clunky. Likewise, the Humane AI pin launched to great hype, but soon fell flat of the limitations its wearable form factor presented.

But if anyone can create an AI device form factor that actually works, it’s Ive. His meticulous attention to detail has been hugely influential in the world of tech, revolutionizing computing device design. If his focus was ever in question, take this secondary snippet from the article: he’s just spent five years working on a book about the history of buttons.

More from iMore

• After Jony Ive left Apple, here's what's changed
• Jony Ive killed skeuomorphic design with iOS 7
• Jony Ive leaving Apple, starting LoveFrom, working... for Apple

You probably have a large TV as big as 80 inches in your front room. But have you considered a projector that can deliver video as big as 200 inches? This is where the NEBULA Cosmos 4K SE Projector comes in.

Priced at $1299 / £1299, Nebula's latest product wants to redefine what it means to use a projector, which brought me back to a time when I was back in school. Back then, projectors were used to showcase Microsoft PowerPoint presentations to large classrooms, but the image would be so dark and grainy that it would be hard to decipher what the slides displayed.

Fast forward to 2024, and projectors have come a long way. Compact projectors can generate gigantic images with no degradation with very high brightness. The Cosmos 4K SE Projector takes this to the next level, with the ability to project your videos and photos in crisp 4K Dolby Vision, with a brightness technology called HybridBeam that can display content at 1,800 lumens. There's even a handle, perfect to bring along for family vacations, especially for when the kids might want to watch some shows on the Cosmos 4K SE.

Lights, Projector, Action

Since testing the Cosmos 4K SE for a few days, we've found it to be a fantastic option for your front room or when traveling. Being able to use it almost anywhere with a flat surface, as well as maintaining picture quality for watching movies and playing games is second to none. In fact, I'm considering replacing my LG C2 TV and using the Cosmos 4K SE full-time instead. The convenience of moving it around my home when needed is hard to resist.

Granted, this projector may be a bit steep price-wise, but for what the Cosmos 4K SE offers, you could argue that the £1299 is justified, especially if you like to live the full van life.

When you combine the brightness levels that the Cosmos 4K SE is capable of, as well as the ability to watch the best Apple TV Plus shows, as well as use apps like Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube thanks to Google TV, you've got a fantastic projector that you can take anywhere, bringing the full cinema experience with you.

If you’re about to upgrade to a new iPhone 16 or Apple Watch Series 10, you're going to need a power bank to keep them charged, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

Earlier this month, Anker launched several accessories for its new MagGo range. This is the company’s effort to offer products that quickly charge multiple devices at once, wherever you are. These include:

• Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Foldable Pad)
• Anker MagGo Wireless Charger (Stand)
• Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, 35W, For Apple Watch)
• Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, Slim) out October 5
• Anker MagGo Magnetic Case with Stand (360° Ring Stand, For iPhone)

A Foldable Winner

While the power banks explain themselves, the 3-in-1 Wireless Foldable Charging Station looks to be the highlight of the new MagGo range. When folded, the 3-in-1 is the size of an Apple Watch — but when unfolded, three Qi chargers appear, each with a respective label to help you tell which device to place on them.

I've been able to try out the 3-in-1 foldable, and I've already found it to be incredibly useful and compact. I've had it in the back pocket of my jeans when I was on a commute at the weekend that required me to be on multiple trains. Plugging the foldable into the mains with its USB-C port, followed by placing my iPhone and AirPods Pro 2 on them for a quick charge was very useful.

However, while the 3-in-1 foldable has already helped me on my travels, there are some other products in the new MagGo range that are also worth mentioning, available now:

More from iMore

• Best stands to charge both iPhone and Apple Watch
• Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station Review
• Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe review

With the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro arriving on September 20, I've been looking at the accessories I've used over the past 12 months and decided it's time for a few upgrades to mark my 16 Pro purchase.

I usually carry a backpack around with me, filled with accessories to help me in any situation for my iPhone, Mac, and Nintendo Switch. This includes power banks, spare USB-C wires, and a cloth for when my Mac's screen gets too dirty.

Granted, these accessories still work perfectly with the best iPhones such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone SE — but why not mark a new upgrade with a new power bank, game controller, and more? With that in mind, I've listed seven accessories below that I'll be buying for my iPhone 16 Pro. Some could give you an idea of how they could help you as well, especially if you're considering an iPhone upgrade too.

Seven accessories I'm buying for my iPhone 16 Pro

There you have it: seven accessories I'll have ready to use for my iPhone 16 Pro. Granted, some of these may not fit everyone's needs, such as the Thermal Camera, but if you're starting to play a lot of games thanks to emulators like Delta and Gamma, the GameSir G8+ Controller is a solid choice. Are you thinking of refreshing your accessories in the lead-up to the iPhone 16 line? If so, what's on your list? Let us know in the iMore forums.

After owning an M1 Pro MacBook Pro for several years, I decided it was time to look at some new accessories to mark the arrival of macOS Sequoia, the latest software update for compatible Macs.

Having tested the public beta during the Summer, I found Sequoia to be a solid update, featuring great improvements when running games through its Game Porting Toolkit 2 framework via Whisky, and iPhone Mirroring Mode, which lets me use the best iPhones directly on my Mac.

After exploring these new features, I began to consider some new accessories to complement the arrival of Sequoia, released on September 16. Since I use my Mac everywhere, I wanted to see if there were some peripherals to help my workflow and gaming sessions.

With this in mind, I've found four great options — all at an affordable price.

Four accessories I've bought for my Mac

There you have it — four accessories that are already helping me use macOS Sequoia. Granted, some or all of these may not suit how you use your Mac. Are there any accessories you're thinking of buying? Let us know in the iMore Forums.

Rejoice! iOS 18, the latest software update for compatible iPhones arrived on September 16. Along with it comes a wave of updated third-party apps that take advantage of iOS 18's new features.

Since this latest version of iOS was made available to developers after it was announced at WWDC in June — Apple's yearly developer conference — many developers have been working on new features for their apps. For example, Control Center, a menu that you can swipe down from the top-right of your iPhone's display, has been redesigned, which now allows third-party controls.

As you update your iPhone to iOS 18, you may notice a slew of app updates ready for you to download from the App Store. With so many changes, you might find yourself at a loss to see what's new in your everyday apps. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of apps that have been updated to take full advantage of iOS 18, including some that make use of the exclusive features on iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models.

Focus

Developed by Kerstin Schmidtmann, Focus is designed to help you structure your day with 25-minute work sprints, followed by five-minute breaks to keep you fresh and productive.

In a new update for iOS 18, Focus now supports widgets in the redesigned Control Center, giving you quick access to its features. In addition, you can use tinted App Icons on your home screen, and new App Intents have been added for deeper use with Apple Shortcuts.

Things 3

We've featured Things 3 on our 101 best iPhone apps list, and for good reason. Developed by Cultured Code, Things 3 is a fantastic to-do list app that offers a lot of power in an easy-to-use user interface.

You can create projects with lists, create more lists within lists, fantastic interactive widgets to help tick off any completed tasks, and so much more.

For iOS 18, Things 3 gets a slight glow-up, starting with tinted and dark app icons, as well as support for the redesigned Control Center, where you can add two controls:

• Create a new to-do
• Jump into a list. (Flip it over to choose which list)

The latest update also lays the groundwork for Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI tools coming to iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 later this year. Once released, users can choose between 4 different actions when talking to Siri, as well as integrating Writing Tools into Things 3.

You can buy the app for a one-time fee of $9.99.

Dark Noise

Dark Noise lets you set a range of background sounds to help you focus on something, or go to sleep with. From heavy rain sounds to the inside of a plane - it’s a great app to use if you’re struggling to concentrate.

Developed by Charlie Chapman, the latest update to Dark Noise features tinted app icons for the home screen, and the ability to place widgets in the redesigned Control Center to easily play background sounds whenever you need them.

Available from today, you can also purchase a ‘Pro’ subscription for $2.99 a month, $19.99 a year with a three-day trial, or a one-time purchase for $49.99. This offers the ability to add custom sounds, alternate app icons, and exclusive themes.

TV Remote

Developed by Adam Foot, TV Remote is a fully customizable remote app for iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro. You can change the look of the app through themes, as well as change its layouts and much more. The app can also change sources and lets you enter text via a keyboard.

TV Remote supports televisions from LG, Samsung, Sony, and more manufacturers around the world, meaning you don't have to launch the required app every time.

Available on the App Store for free but with an optional subscription that starts at $1.99 a month, it’s very useful for cord-cutters around the world. For iOS 18, TV Remote has had its layout refreshed, as well as the ability to manage a TV through the redesigned Control Center, and the option to choose from dark and tinted app icons for your iPhone's Home Screen.

It should be mentioned that Foot has a lot of apps that he's been working on that all take advantage of iOS 18. Be sure to check them out if you need ways to help watch TV on your Apple devices.

Sticky Widgets

If you're someone who likes to place a bunch of sticky notes around your home or place of work, Sticky Widgets could help reduce that.

It's a simple app but it does one thing incredibly well — you can create a sticky note as a widget, and place it on your iPhone's (or iPad's) Home Screen. If you need to add or remove anything, you simply tap it to update the note.

For iOS 18, you can now customize these notes with 'Super Gradients', allowing you to choose from up to 16 different colors to make them pop. You can also place a favorite note in the new Control Center, making it easier for you to reach them.

Sticky Widgets is a free download from the App Store, but there are a variety of prices to unlock even more features, starting from $1.49 a month.

Vinyl Fetish

No, it's not the kind of app you may be thinking from its name. Instead, Vinyl Fetish is a fantastic app that transforms your music library into a record player, with support for 7-inch 45s with standard or large spindle holes, as well as 10-inch 78 RPM records.

You can browse albums in 'crate mode', seamlessly simulating flicking through records in a box like you usually would, and you can even create labels from Discogs or generate automatic labels.

For iOS 18, Vinyl Fetish has been refreshed with new dark App icons and more. The app is free to download but does have an optional subscription or one-time fee to unlock features like more customization options and last.fm support. 

Bills to Budget

Balancing a family budget every week can be a stressful time, especially as you try to manage everyone's outgoings and any sudden changes due to rising prices of a product, or a job change.

With Bills to Budget, developed by Matt Corey, you can easily view detailed overviews of what's been spent in a month so far with elegant graphs and lists to help you keep track.

For iOS 18, there are a few new features to note. Account Insights lets you link your Apple Card, Apple Cash, or Apple Savings Account in the Wallet app. This way, you can discover how your spending and saving habits can help help manage your finances more effectively — all done privately and securely. Shopping Spree is a very useful feature that lets you keep track of your spending in real time while shopping. Powered by Live Activities, you can see how much is left in your budget as well as allowing you to quickly log purchases with one tap. Alongside these new features, Bills to Budgets adds support for the new Control Center, as well as the Action button.

Bills to Budget can be downloaded for free from the App Store, but there are a variety of paid subscription options, as well as a one-off fee to unlock all of the app's features.

Söka

If you've ever created a bucket list but not followed through with it, or you've lost it, this is where the brilliant Söka comes in. Not only can you create and manage bucket lists with this app, but features AI that can help give you ideas of a location you've picked within Söka.

For iOS 18, the app has been redesigned, adding controls to the redesigned Control Center to quickly reach your lists, as well as a new "Our Recommendations" section. This can help you browse a wide selection of activities that you can add to your lists, which is constantly added to help with current real-world events, such as sports and more.

Söka can be downloaded for free from the App Store, which includes a 'Söka+' tier that unlocks features such as unlimited bucket lists, the ability to archive them, and more that costs from $1.99 a month.

Mango Baby

Mango Baby is a fantastic app for new parents ( such as this very writer). You can log your newborn's activities in a variety of ways, from their last sleep, diaper change, and more.

For iOS 18, keeping track is even easier. In the new Control Center, you can quickly log new diaper changes as well as being able to switch on and off timers for things like tummy time and bath time. These timers also work seamlessly with live activities, so you can have this display on your iPhone's Lock Screen. In addition, there are plenty of tinted app icons you can choose from for your iPhone's Home Screen.

You can download Mango Baby for free on the App Store, but you can also purchase Mango Baby Premium for a one-time fee of $9.99 which unlocks exclusive features like iCloud Sharing, Growth Charts, and Data Import/Export.

Obscura

At iMore, we've long considered Obscura as the best third-party camera app you can use for your iPhone. Obscura 4, released in 2023, features a clean aesthetic with powerful controls, ensuring you to capture photos in the best light.

With iOS 18, developer Ben McCarthy has updated Obscura to support the new Lock Screen Camera Extension. This means, instead of having the Flashlight and Camera icons, found at the bottom of an iPhone's Lock Screen for years, these can now be replaced with whatever supported app you wish — including Obscura. McCarthy also confirmed to iMore that a further update will enable iPhone 16 and 16 Pro users to assign the Capture Control button to Obscura.

Slopes

If you're a lifelong skier, you've likely heard of Slopes, one of the best apps on iPhone for tracking your adventures. Slopes offers official trail maps for thousands of resorts worldwide, and the app can learn about every ski you take — tracking details like your top speed, elevation, season totals, and lifetime stats.

One standout feature is the ability to find your friends who also use Slopes. The app's detailed maps make it easy to find where they are, measured in feet.

With iOS 18, Slopes delivers its biggest update yet, and it's not just about the new tinted and dark app icons. First off, the app now features elegant data cards in key sections, providing you with important details about your activities, your record of what you've been doing since you arrived at a ski resort, and much more. A new Resorts Section allows you to navigate and explore nearby resorts or search for your favorite locations. This section provides quick access to resort information, ski maps, current conditions, and snow forecasts.

You can download Slopes from the App Store for free, but there are several in-app purchases and subscriptions available that unlock every feature. These include the ability to search for Trails & Lifts information, find out where you hit top speeds, identify your best run, and much more.

Email Me

At first glance, Email Me may seem like a normal note-taking app, but it offers a twist that may evoke nostalgia for some. Developed by Manuel Escrig, the app lets you jot down any quick thoughts that may come to you much like any other notes app, but instead of saving them within Email Me, you can send them to an email of your choice. This way, you have a record of your notes, wherever you use your email account. But Email Me doesn't stop there — it also uses the share extension in iOS to send a post in X or a link to an article, right to your email inbox.

With iOS 18, the app has been updated to include App Intents, tinted App icons, and Apple Intelligence once iOS 18.1 arrives later this year. Email Me is free to download from the App Store, but there is a subscription that starts at $2.99 a month, which unlocks unlimited email sending.

Noir

Dark Mode has been available since iOS 13 in 2019, transforming the entire operating system into a dark shade. iOS 18 expands this to include dark App icons on the home screen — but what about websites?

This is where Noir comes in. Available to download from the App Store for $2.99, the app works as an extension for the Safari web browser. If you're on a website that doesn't offer a dark mode option, simply press the aA button in Safari's address bar, tap Noir, and voila!

For iOS 18, Noia is adding support for the new Control Center, allowing users to quickly enable or disable Noir from there. Additionally, the update adds support for the new dark and tinted App icons to use for your Home Screen.

OmniFocus 4

Since its debut in 2008 for the Mac, OmniFocus has become one of the best go-to task manager apps to use on iPhone. It allows users to easily create tasks and organize them with projects, tags, and dates — all within a redesigned user interface introduced with OmniFocus 4 in December 2023.

Now, with the release of version 4.4 to coincide with iOS 18, OmniFocus brings new Controls that allow users to access features such as Quick Entry, Quick Open, and Open Perspective on the Lock Screen and Control Center. These Controls can also be configured for the iPhone's Action Button, supported on the iPhone 15 Pro and the entire iPhone 16 lineup.

In addition, OmniFocus' widgets and App Icon support iOS 18's tinted Home Screen feature.

OmniFocus 4 is free to download on the App Store, but unlocking all of its features requires a subscription, starting at $9.99 per month. There's a 14-day free trial to try out its features, but there are one-time-purchase options available (if you don't want a subscription) starting at $74.99.

Please Don’t Rain

Created by Chris Wu, Please Don’t Rain gets to the point by letting you know whether it will rain or not, getting rid of that anxious morning thought.

The design of it is simple, but fun. If there’s a good chance that it will rain, a photo of a sad animal, such as a cat, will appear when you load the app up. But if it’s not looking likely, a photo of a happy fox will appear instead.

For iOS 18, the user interface has been redesigned, enabling users to view sections for different types of weather for the month, such as rain, snow, and temperatures. 

Please Don’t Rain is free to download, but these new features and more are available as a ‘Pro’ subscription feature. You can either pay $0.99 for three months, or $2.99 for a year.

Orbit

Orbit is a new task manager app designed to help you keep track of your daily errands. Built from the ground up for iOS 18, Orbit features interactive widgets for your iPhone's Home Screen, Lock Screen, and the revamped Control Center.

The app has a simple yet attractive design which makes it easy for users to add and complete tasks quickly. You can download Orbit for free, but there is a premium subscription available that allows you to change the user interface, as well as the ability to view past tasks. To celebrate Orbit's launch, developer Rob Owen has the following offers:

- ORBITLAUNCH - 30% discount on individual annual subscription which includes a seven-day free trial

- ORBITLAUNCHFAMILY - 30% discount on family annual subscription which includes a seven-day free trial

Chronicling

While you can use Apple’s Journal app on your iPhone, Rebecca Owen has a fantastic alternative called Chronicling.

Available for free or as a subscription for $0.99 a month or $9.99 for a year, you can track anything you want. From meals to fitness, or to help keep track of a book you're reading, Chronicling makes it easy but fun to journal all of these.

The app features a great design that takes no time at all to learn the ins and outs of. Its widgets and Apple Shortcuts support can help you refine how you want to track certain projects each week. Owen makes this part fun as well, making you want to keep going in whatever you're trying to accomplish.

In Chronicling's update for iOS 18, you can add events and open the app within the new Control Center, as well as dark/tinted App Icons and support for new journal suggestion types. These include reflection, state of mind, generic media, and motion activity.

Flyleaf

Have you ever been on a website to read an article, but left it soon after because of its poor design and over-reliance on ads? Flyleaf, developed by Max Melzer, endeavors to solve this by transforming any web page into a sleek magazine-style article.

Once converted, articles appear in a layout similar to an eBook that you can buy from Apple's Book Store, allowing you to easily swipe through pages, depending on how the length of the article. Flyleaf's latest update for iOS 18 includes tinted and dark App Icons, along with some bug fixes.

The app can be downloaded from the App Store for free, but there is a monthly or yearly subscription at $2.00 and $17.00 respectively, offering the ability to customize the app with themes, and to use tags to better sort the articles you've saved.

Rain Viewer

If you're a fan of weather radar maps, Rain Viewer could be the perfect app for you. Developed by MeteoLab, it provides detailed radar views of severe weather conditions such as rain, snow, and hurricanes. Unlike apps like CARROT Weather, which offers a huge range of weather-related features, Rain Viewer focuses on weather conditions through detailed radar maps and nothing else. If you live in an area that's prone to conditions like heavy wind, rain, and snow, Rain Viewer could be the ideal app to use.

With its iOS 18 update, the app now supports widgets in the redesigned Control Center, allowing for quick access to weather radar maps, as well as App Intents, letting users ask Siri questions like chance of rain.

Rain Viewer is free to download on the App Store, but there is a subscription starting at $4.99 per month, which unlocks features like the removal of ads, extended daily and hourly forecasts,  48-hour map archives, and lots more.

NowPlaying

At first glance, NowPlaying seems like a different take on Shazam, another music recognition app. But this offers so much more when you start to look at the details. NowPlaying gathers info from various public sources, giving you a list of all music trivia related to the track. You can find out everything about any song, artist, or record easily by scanning the barcode of an album, or by facing your iPhone to a track.

For iOS 18, users can ask Siri to tell you more about the song that’s currently playing, as well as the ability to find more info about a song by pressing a new button in the redesigned Control Center. NowPlaying is also dipping its toe into editorial content with 'Album of the Day'. By checking the app daily, you'll be able to discover info about a new album.

NowPlaying is free to download but you can upgrade to its 'Gold' subscription with the following price points:

$1.99 / month

$11.95 / year

$49.99 / one-time-fee

Countdowns

Countdowns is exactly what you think it is. The app lets users count down to something that they're looking forward to, such as a birthday, an anniversary, or the launch of a new game. The app has a simple yet colorful design, featuring useful widgets, tinted icons for your iPhone's home screen, and plenty of customization options.

Version 10 is available now for free, but there is a subscription option that enables your countdowns to sync across your devices, lists, custom notifications, and more. You can buy this for $0.99 a month, $7.99 yearly, or $19.99 for a lifetime pass.

Control Mark

Control Mark is a brand new app for iOS 18 that offers one simple function — to let you bookmark any web page from the redesigned Control Center or the Lock Screen as a widget.

It sounds very simple, and you'd be right. The ease of use here will be very appealing to those who use their iPhones to browse the web — Control Mark simply makes adding a bookmark an easier experience.

Control Mark can be downloaded from the App Store for $0.99.

Ambre

If you're passionate about cooking, Ambre is the perfect app for organizing any recipes you find. You can import them from anywhere, including Instagram, and store them in one place.

With its update for iOS 18, Ambre now offers widgets for the revamped Control Center, allowing you to scan cookbooks, schedule a dinner, and more. If you've spotted a recipe in a different language, Ambre can now translate it directly on your device. Additionally, tinted and dark mode app icons can be used for your iPhone's Home Screen.

Ambre can be downloaded for free but a premium subscription at $1.99 a month, unlocks additional features like widgets, meal plans, unit conversions, and more.

Timelines

Timelines, a powerful time-tracking app, has been updated for iOS 18 to enable Control Center widgets, enabling users to quickly start and stop specific timers. Like other apps in this list, Timelines supports tinted app icons and the ability to change its app icon to a darker gradient on the home screen.

Zenitizer

Developed by Manuel Kehl, Zenitizer is a powerful app designed to help you create and manage meditation routines. These can be viewed through widgets on your iPhone's Home Screen, as well as being able to choose from a bunch of calming background sounds to help you meditate.

With the iOS 18 update, Zenitizer adds support for your favorite meditation routines on the media playback pages of the redesigned Control Center. Additionally, you can pick tinted app icons and widgets to customize your iPhone's Home Screen further.

Zenitizer is free to download, but there is a subscription that has access to a full selection of bell sounds, the ability to log mindful minutes, and much more, starting at $2.99 a month.

Pockity

With the cost of living still enduring, budgeting your income and expenses is more important than ever. Budgeting apps can help manage all of this, without relying on a table you've created in Apple's Notes app.

This is where Pockity comes in, free to download with an optional $10.99 one-time fee to unlock all features, the app lets you set up automatic expenses and income tracking. Additionally, notification reminders can be set for anything that might impact your budget, all within an elegant interface.

In an update for iOS 18, there are tinted and dark app icons to choose from, as well as Lock Screen and Control Center widgets to create a new budget entry or scan receipts quickly.

MusicHarbor

Popular music tracking and discovery app MusicHarbor has been updated for iOS 18, which includes a new method to quickly launch the app from the new Control Center, as well as the Lock Screen or Action button. New App Shortcuts now enable users to view upcoming releases. This means you can ask Siri the following: “Siri, show upcoming releases in MusicHarbor”, and Apple's assistant will display what's coming up.

Saturn

If you've recently switched from X to Mastodon and you've been searching for a dedicated iOS app, Saturn, developed by Shihab Mehboob, might be just what you need.

This is an app tailor-made for both Mastodon and iOS 18. You can use App Intents (Shortcuts), Control Center widgets, Translations, and more. Its interface is reminiscent of X's own iOS app but with an orange color scheme.

You download Saturn for free from the App Store, but there is a yearly subscription of $12.99 or a one-time unlock fee of $39.99.

Dumb Phone

Do you just want to use your iPhone with minimal distractions? Dumb Phone, developed by Michael Tigas, aims to help with that. This is a simple app launcher that allows you to display a curated list of apps.

Available to download for free with an optional $2.99 monthly subscription to start with, Dumb Phone does exactly what it promises. With the iOS 18 update, you can launch the app from the redesigned Control Center and choose between a light or dark app icon.

Snbd

Snbd (short for Soundboard) lets you create custom soundboards by adding sounds from your Photos, Music, and Voice Memo recordings. It's a simple yet powerful app that might inspire you to create music you hadn't previously considered.

In a new update to mark iOS 18's arrival, users can add their soundboards to the redesigned Control Center, making them a swipe away from the top-right of your iPhone's screen. Additionally, Snbd's Home Screen widgets now match the new tint themes available in iOS 18.

Snbd is free to download, but there is a $3.99 Pro option that unlocks a bunch of extra features. This includes live sound recording and the power to add them to your soundboard, as well as the ability to change the speed, pitch, and looping of your audio.

It's important to note that submitting a review of an app in the App Store is a great way to give awareness to new users. If you've downloaded any of the apps mentioned above and you want to rave all about it, follow these steps:

• Find the app on the App Store
• Open its details page
• Tap on 'Reviews'
• Tap on 'Write a Review'

Of course, this is only a small slice of the apps that have been updated to take advantage of iOS 18. If there's an app you'd like us to feature, do get in touch.

At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled visionOS 2. While it is advertised as the 2nd generation of visionOS, the new software seems like a smaller update, intended to make the experience of using Apple Vision Pro every day just a little better.

visionOS 2 now lets users turn their existing 2D photos into spatial photos using the power of AI. VisionOS 2 also features new controls to open the Home view and quick access to the Control Center.

Later this year Apple, will add higher display resolutions and sizes for its Mac external display feature, including Ultra wide, the equivalent of two 4K monitors side-by-side.

To update to visionOS 2, head into the Settings app on your device. Go to General and then Software Update. You'll see the option for visionOS 2 available, then press Update Now. Note that updates may take a while to install while the update is so new, as many users will be scrambling to download it.

We recommend making an iCloud backup of all your important content. From spatial videos to apps and backgrounds, it's always a good idea to prepare your Vision Pro before updating its software.

What else is new in visionOS 2?

Apple's Travel mode also now supports trains, as well as planes, a response perhaps to the well publicized videos of people trying to use the device on New York City subwways.

Developers are also getting some love, with new features and APIs to create new apps, including Volumetric APIs and a new TabletopKit that lets apps anchor to flat surfaces, perfect for creating board games and the like. 

Apple is also making it easier for users to create spatial content. One notable introduction is a new Spatial lens for the Canon EOS R7. Apple has also announced a new Vimeo app for Vision Pro and a new partnership with Blackmagic Design. VisionPro is getting new extreme sports experiences from Redbull, and new titles are also coming to the Apple TV app.

More from iMore

• Here is every new feature coming to Apple Vision Pro with visionOS 2
• Upstaged by AI, Apple Vision Pro needs more than visionOS 2 if it wants its moment in the sun
• Apple patches terrifying Vision Pro bug that could fill your headset with animated bats and spiders

macOS Sequoia is the name of macOS 15, now available for all of Apple's best desktop Macs. Announced at WWDC 2024 and previously available through the macOS Sequoia beta, the headline feature is of course Apple Intelligence. Apple has jammed AI into every corner of macOS, with generative tools for images and text, file organization, and more.

Beyond that, there's an epic new iPhone Mirroring feature that lets you use any iPhone on your Mac, even when it's in standBy Mode. There's a new Windows tiling feature, and the new Passwords app also features. 

To update to macOS Sequoia head into the System Settings app on your device. Go to General and then Software Update. Select macOS Sequoia, and you'll begin your Mac update. Note that updates may take a while to install while the update is so new, as many users will be scrambling to download it.

We recommend making an iCloud backup of all your important content. From photos to documents and apps, it's always a good idea to prepare your Mac before updating its software.

What else is coming with macOS Sequoia?

The Calculator app has been entirely redesigned and will pair with Notes for smarter number note-taking. Passwords, a new password manager is also coming with Sequoia, making the Apple ecosystem even easier to use. The biggest change coming to Mac is the implementation of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI suite. This will make Siri much faster and more efficient and will allow you to more easily create Shortcuts and customize your device. ChatGPT integration will be coming alongside it, allowing you to query the chatbot for information and advice. 

Finally, one that Mac fans have been waiting a long time for, tiling is arriving for program windows, allowing you to snap windows together while you work. Silicon Macs are about to get so much better. 

More from iMore

• I'm a Windows user, here are my honest macOS Sequoia first impressions
• How to download macOS Sequoia beta — the latest operating system for your Mac
• macOS Sequoia just changed using your iPhone forever with iPhone mirroring

watchOS 11 is the latest software coming to all of the best Apple Watch models later this year. Unveiled at WWDC 2024, watchOS 11 features a couple of distinctive new apps to elevate your wearables status as a device focused on health. After months of beta releases for the new update, it is finally available to all Apple Watch users with a Series 6 or newer.

There are also a couple of new customization options and the advent of Live Activities on Apple Watch for the first time. Despite the lack of Apple Intelligence, the new AI features coming to iPhone, iPad, and Mac, watchOS 11 is a fairly decent update.

To update to watchOS 11, head into the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Go to General and then Software Update. If you don't see watchOS 11 immediately, select the option at the top of your screen where you can pick between watchOS 10 and watchOS 11. Note that updates may take a while to install while the update is so new, as many users will be scrambling to download it.

We recommend making an iCloud backup of all your important content. From watchfaces to apps, it's always a good idea to prepare your Apple Watch before updating its software.

Which Apple Watch models support watchOS 11?

As always with new software, Apple has ceased support for some older models of the wearable. Here are the Apple Watches that have been dropped since watchOS 10:

• Apple Watch Series 4
• Apple Watch Series 5
• Apple Watch SE (1st generation)

Still not entirely sure if you're going to be able to use watchOS 11 when it comes out later this year? Here are all the watches we know will work with the latest version of watchOS:

• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch Series 9
• Apple Watch Ultra
• Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple says on its website that not all of these watches will support all of the features, thanks to some not having certain sensors that are necessary like blood oxygen measuring. If you're not sure, check out Apple's even further breakdown.

More from iMore

• Forget the X - Apple Watch Series 10 unveiled
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes in 'gorgeous' Satin Black
• watchOS 11: Every new feature

Apple announced iOS 18 at its WWDC developers conference on June 10, releasing the first developer beta of the update immediately after the opening keynote. After several months of beta releases, Apple is today finally rolling out iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to everyone – just in time for the new iPhone 16 release.

Aside from the focus of Apple Intelligence, there's a redesigned Photos app, there are more customization options for your Home Screen (begone, grid!) and icons can be tinted. RCS messaging is also now available, too. 

To update to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 head into the Settings app on your device. Go to General and then Software Update. If you don't see iOS 18 immediately, select the option at the top of your screen where you can pick between iOS 17 and iOS 18. Note that updates may take a while to install while the update is so new, as many users will be scrambling to download it.

We recommend making an iCloud backup of all your important content. From photos to videos, it's always a good idea to prepare your iPhone before updating its software.

No Apple Intelligence features just yet

As you might expect, the headline feature of iOS 18 is the new Apple Intelligence suite of AI features – but you won't find it in the first release of iOS 18. Apple Intelligence will be available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro later this year, offering features like live transcribing, Writing Tools, generative image creation, and more. 

It also features new emergency features like Messages Via Satellite and Emergency SOS Live Video, as well as Roadside Assistance via Satellite. 

Apple Intelligence will debut as part of iOS 18.1 and beyond in October. The first rollouts will be U.S. English only, with localizations for English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. coming in December. There's support for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish coming next year, too. 

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever
• This gaming case could be the perfect accessory for your iPhone 16

Apple has added a new 'Repair Assistant' to iOS 18, the latest update for compatible iPhones, to better help users manage used genuine parts when repairing their handset.

First announced in a back in April, MacRumors has since uncovered more details about the tool. With 'Repair Assistant', users can now pair genuine parts, such as a display, battery, camera module, and more, with an iPhone themselves, or by a third-party repair provider. Previously, this step of the repair process was handled by Apple, but iOS 18 enables users to complete the step solo. Apple says that 'Repair Assistant' only works with iPhone 12 models and later.

In addition, iOS 18 allows users to check any replacement parts by going to Settings > About > Parts and Service. 

This update is packed with new features, including the ability to customize your Home Screen with dark app icons, as well as the ability to place your apps anywhere. iOS 18 is set to be released later today for compatible iPhones.

A win for everyone, especially for retail workers

In what feels like a previous life, I used to work as tech support for a phone store, fixing software issues on countless smartphones and tablets. Often, customers would bring in iPhones that couldn't be fixed on-site.  In these cases, we had to send the handset off for diagnosis through the store's repair program. Once a technician looked at the iPhone, we'd receive a quote for the repair. If the customer accepted it, the device would be fixed — but the whole process would take at least three weeks.

Being without a device like an iPhone for that long is frustrating, especially if it's used for work. From experience, I can say that retail staff often bore the brunt of frustrations from customers with these long turnaround times.

Now, with 'Repair Assistant' in iOS 18, that frustration will mostly become a thing of the past. Customers will have greater flexibility to repair their iPhones as third-party repair shops will be able to pair a used genuine part without having to send the device off to Apple. This reduces the risk of compatibility issues with parts and saves valuable time for the customer.

Ultimately, this new change benefits everyone. Customers will enjoy faster repairs, and retail staff can guide them to local repair services — or, if they're comfortable, customers can buy a part and attempt a repair themselves.

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever
• This gaming case could be the perfect accessory for your iPhone 16

New reports suggest that the Apple Watch SE 3 is still in 'active development', and will feature a new casing.

According to Mark Gurman's 'Power On' newsletter at Bloomberg, a "new Apple Watch SE with plastic shell remains in development", with the company intending to bring down the price of the wearable with this more affordable material. Gurman also anticipates this new SE will come equipped with a new chip, but didn't say whether it would be the S10 chip, currently found in the Apple Watch Series 10, which is set to be made available on Friday (September 20).

There had been rumors that an Apple Watch SE 3 would be announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on September 9, but that didn't come to pass. Instead, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 10 and introduced a new Satin Black finish for the existing Apple Watch Ultra 2. 

The current SE model has been available since 2022, but doesn't have an ECG to help measure your heart's electrical activity, nor does it have an always-on screen. A plastic casing could lower the SE's price while introducing features like ECG at a more affordable price.  

Still, the current Apple Watch SE remains a great purchase, especially as a Christmas gift for anyone new to Apple's wearables.

How much could the price drop for the Apple Watch SE 3?

Apple Watch SE has always been positioned as the cheaper model in the entire Watch line. It's the entry point for anyone looking to explore the benefits of an Apple Watch for the first time, especially to see if it can help with their health and fitness. At $249 / £219, it's a good price, but the SE faces fierce competition from wearables such as Fitbit's Versa 4, which includes ECG heart rate and sleep tracking for $199. 

Switching the material from aluminum to plastic could be a key move to help drive the price down of the Apple Watch SE 3, potentially below $199 — perhaps even toward $149. If Apple manages to incorporate ECG and sleep tracking in this new model, these efforts could make the Apple Watch SE 3 a very enticing buy for someone on a budget.

More from iMore

• Forget the X - Apple Watch Series 10 unveiled
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes in 'gorgeous' Satin Black
• watchOS 11: Every new feature

While there are more streaming services than ever, Netflix is likely to be one of the first ones you think of. From Stranger Things to Squid Game, the streaming giant has consistently pulled in millions of subscribers, but if you're watching it on an older iPhone or iPad you may need to trade up to get your next binge-watch fix.

Netflix's app will soon no longer support iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, as per MacRumors. That means you'll need to update to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 to continue using the app, but older devices won't be able to make that jump.

Notably, 2017's iPhone X and iPhone 8 models will be stuck with iOS 16, as well as anyone using the original iPad Pro.

Netflix won't work on these devices soon

The full list of affected devices is as follows:

• ‌iPhone‌ 8 and 8 Plus
• ‌iPhone‌ X
• ‌iPad‌ (5th gen)
• ‌iPad Pro‌ (1st gen)

While you, the discerning iMore reader, has likely upgraded since those devices were launched, it might be worth letting family members know their options to stop them from being marooned without Wednesday, Money Heist, or Bridgerton.

Netflix recently stopped letting users pay for their subscriptions via the App Store in order to get around Apple's cut of payments.

More from iMore

• Ridley Scott's Napoleon just got 48 minutes longer for Apple TV Plus subscribers
• The best show on Apple TV Plus is back — Slow Horses season 4 returns with 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating
• Switching from Apple Music to YouTube Music just got easier

If you're excited about Apple Intelligence on your iPhone and were hoping for a way to get in a little cheaper, you'll need to stick to the iPhone 16.

Apple has discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, meaning that iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models are the only way to get access to the new AI features.

That's thanks to the new phones having enough RAM (8GB, as it turns out) and means that anyone looking to leverage Apple's clever new features on a Pro phone may have to spend a little more than they anticipated.

Apple discontinues multiple products after Glowtime event

It's not just the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max that got the axe this week, as the company also finally removed 2021's iPhone 13.

Apple Watch Series 9 was removed from sale, with the Apple Watch Series 10 taking its place, while AirPods 2 and 3 have been superseded by AirPods 4 and the original AirPods Max are finally gone, too - after almost 4 years. A new USB-C version replaces them.

One thing not entirely gone is FineWoven, however. The controversial material isn't used for iPhone cases anymore, but can still be seen in a number of accessories.

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

This year's iPhone 16 Pro models could outperform an M1 chip, a new Geekbench result has suggested.

The Geekbench score, uploaded earlier this week, is tied to iPhone 17,1, which is the designation for this year's 'Pro' models with the A18 Pro chip.

Offering a Single-Core Score of 3429 and a Multi-Core Score of 8790, that marks an increase from last year's Pro phones in line with Apple's own keynote numbers from the Glowtime event.

Aside from comparing it to last year's iPhone, however, the A18 Pro seemingly stacks up favourably compared to the M1 that made its debut in Mac systems with the advent of Apple Silicon.

Could your iPhone outperform your laptop?

While the caveat of this being a benchmark and not real-world testing naturally applies, it's interesting that the A18 Pro, found in a device you can carry in your pocket, is now starting to compete with Apple's laptop and desktop chips (albeit those from a few years ago).

With M1 benchmarking around 8300 for multi-core performance, the A18 Pro is seemingly a hair more impressive, and while the comparison may seem like apples to oranges to some, it shows just how far Apple has come in just a few years - let alone the rest of the industry which is keeping pace or following closely behind.

In case you missed it, Apple's Johny Srouji confirmed Apple's latest iPhone models have 8GB of RAM, too - the same as the base M1 chip.

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

When you pick up your new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, you may feel like the box is missing something.

After removing power bricks some time ago, and earbuds, too, Apple has seemingly decided to finally remove the classic white Apple stickers from their device packaging, too.

That's via a report from 9to5Mac, who reported that you'll be able to request the stickers when buying your phone but that carriers won't have them, and neither will third-party retailers.

The end of an era

As 9to5Mac points out, it seems Apple won't be offering stickers across any products soon.

The company didn't include them in the M4 iPad Air, M2 iPad Air, or the Vision Pro, but it's still a little bit of whimsy the company has seemingly left behind in its understandable pursuit of environmental goals. 

Apple still aims to become carbon neutral by 2030, with this year marking the removal of additional plastic from iPhone packaging.

What did you do with your old Apple stickers? I'm pretty sure I have a bundle of them somewhere - who knows, they might be worth something one day!

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

We're almost a week out from the Apple Glowtime event that finally lifted the lid on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, and many have been curious about how much RAM is in each device.

It's perhaps more interesting this year because Apple has previously mentioned a certain RAM threshold is why iPhone 16 can run Apple Intelligence features while the iPhone 15 can't, but a new interview with Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, Johny Srouji, has confirmed the amount in each of the new phones.

Geekerwan spoke with Srouji (thanks 9to5Mac), who explained the rationale behind packing 8GB of RAM into all iPhone 16 models.

Johny Srouji on 8GB of iPhone RAM

“Our goal is to build the best products, delivering the absolute best user experience. As it relates to Apple Intelligence, DRAM is one aspect. And when we look at what we’re building, whether it’s silicon, hardware, or software, we don’t want to be wasteful in many ways," Srouji explains.

"We have lots of data that tells us what is going to enable a certain feature, and Apple Intelligence is one of those very, very important features that we want to enable."

"And we look at different configurations, both for computation and memory bandwidth and memory capacity. And then we make the right trade-off and balance of what actually makes the most sense. So, Apple Intelligence was a major feature that led us to believe that we need to get to 8GB."

Srouji also notes how 8GB of RAM will help other facets of the iPhone experience, including "high-end, AAA-titled games".

He also extolled the virtues of Apple's efficiency cores, pointing to single-thread performance throughout the Apple lineup.

“When you look at the single-thread of performance core across all of our silicon, it’s the absolute best in the industry. We’re leading the industry. If you look at the efficiency cores, same, we’re at the absolute best. We’re leading in a big way."

More from iMore

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro preorders are now live — as well as Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more
• iPhone 16 has a secret charging upgrade Apple didn't even mention
• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever

Apple's long-running list of concessions in the European Union continues, as the company has confirmed users will be able to install apps via third-party app stores on iPad starting tomorrow, September 16.

That's the same day as iPadOS 18 releases, meaning it's a big day for users of Apple's tablet lineup.

Announced via a post on Apple's developer site, starting on September 16 "Users in the EU can download iPadOS apps on the App Store and through alternative distribution."

"As mentioned in May, if you have entered into the Alternative Terms Addendum for Apps in the EU, iPadOS first annual installs will begin to accrue and the lower App Store commission rate will apply."

"Apple also says alternative browser engines can be used in iPadOS apps" as it relinquishes at least some of its grasp following the arrival of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

iPad users could get Fortnite, and much more, in the EU

In many ways this is the logical next step after the same principles have already been applied to the iOS platform, but it's still noteworthy as this means iOS, iPadOS and (as always) macOS will now allow sideloading - at least in Europe.

Apple was given six months to ensure iPadOS would be DMA compliant, and the company confirmed it would oblige in May of this year.

Epic Games' storefront is available for EU users, meaning they can install Fortnite on iOS, but the developer has expressed an interest in bringing it back to iPad, too.

More from iMore

• Popular iPad design app Procreate slams generative AI and promises no plans to offer it — "We're never going there"
• More affordable iPad Magic keyboard in the works
• Plans to give free iPads to 'digitally excluded' Scots have been axed so the money can be given to council workers instead

The wait is over! After the Apple Store went down earlier today, you can now pre-order the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max.

After being announced at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event on September 9, plenty are looking forward to what the new handsets offer. This includes a new 'Camera Control' button on both models, enabling users to quickly access a camera app and camera functions, as well as a faster A18 and A18 Pro chip respectively.

With these new phones now available to pre-order, Apple has also brought down the price of other iPhones in the lineup, such as the iPhone 15, last year's flagship — now available for $699.

However, if you've decided to hold off on upgrading, you can also pre-order the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Satin Black, AirPods Max USB-C, and AirPods 4.

How do you pre-order?

Pre-ordering is a simple affair, much like in previous years. Your best option is to do it through the Apple Store and the Apple Store app. Once you've selected your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro, you can choose whether to have AppleCare Plus, which extends the handset's warranty to three years and includes accidental damage protection.

If you're on a carrier plan, these companies likely have some enticing deals to tempt you to upgrade to the new iPhones. In the U.S., carriers like AT&T and Verizon are already offering some great trade-in deals. Meanwhile, in the UK, O2 is offering double data on new and upgraded contracts. In addition, Three is offering up to £747 when trading an older iPhone for a new handset. If you're also looking at an Apple Watch Series 10, Three is offering the wearable for a £25 upfront cost, followed by £18.17 per month, with six months of free smartwatch pairing when a customer takes a 24-month smartwatch pairing plan on its network. As you can see, there are already plenty of appealing deals out there if you want the phones and other products on a monthly plan.

However, we recommend acting fast if you want a certain color — the new Desert Titanium shade, exclusive to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, is likely to sell out fast, potentially delaying its shipping date from September 20 to October.

If you've decided which iPhone you're getting, let us know in the iMore Forums!

More from iMore

• Apple hints that the iPhone SE 4 is closer than ever
• Apple Intelligence will arrive in beta next month, and iPhone 16 owners get something special
• Apple releases new firmware for AirPods Pro 2 with features for iOS 18

The Apple Store has gone down ahead of iPhone 16 pre-orders, which begin at 5 am PDT on Friday. 

Apple unveiled its new best iPhones earlier this week. As is customary, there's a one-week pre-order window before the phones go on sale next Friday. With demand expected to be just as high as most other years, customers who want to get their iPhone on day one should look to pre-order as soon as the website comes back online to be in with a shot. 

The launch time of 8 am ET, or 1 pm in the UK, will also apply to carriers for those who want to get their iPhones attached to their contracts. 

iPhone 16 pre-orders, but that's not all

The launch today will also signal the start of pre-orders for Apple's new Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4. The former is a larger Apple Watch with a more advanced display, faster charging, and more. AirPods 4 iterate on the design of Apple's popular in-ear headphones and the for the first time bring noise cancelling to the masses without a rubber tip. 

Friday will also see pre-orders of the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 color, but there are no other changes to speak of. 

The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro delivers a hefty upgrade to the internal processor of both models thanks to the A18 lineup. There are also significant camera upgrades including a new 48MP Ultra Wide lens and a new Camera Control button for tactile pointing and shooting. 

When Apple unveiled the AirPods 4 at its iPhone 16 event and also provided a small upgrade to the AirPods Max — adding USB-C and some new colors — it also announced some new features coming to AirPods Pro 2. The biggest feature coming to the earbuds is the ability to use them as clinical-grade over-the-counter hearing aids.

The one thing Apple needed was FDA clearance for the feature, and now the company has it. In a press release, the FDA announced that it has provided clearance for AirPods Pro 2 to serve as a hearing aid. In the announcement, the agency said "Once installed and customized to the user’s hearing needs, the Hearing Aid Feature enables compatible versions of the AirPods Pro to serve as an OTC hearing aid, intended to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment. "

In a statement, Michelle Tarver, M.D., Ph.D., acting director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health said "Today’s marketing authorization of an over-the-counter hearing aid software on a widely used consumer audio product is another step that advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.” 

There's even more coming to AirPods Pro 2

The hearing aid industry is a huge one. According to the FDA, "more than 30 million American adults report some degree of hearing loss," so this is an industry that is ripe for disruption and Apple is in a perfect place to do so.

While being able to use your AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid is certainly the biggest feature coming to the earbuds this fall with iOS 18, there are two other major health features on the way. The first is Hearing Protection which is on by default and ensures that you don't blast your audio so loud that you cause permanent damage to your ears. In fact, you can now use AirPods Pro 2 as earplugs at live concerts.

The other feature coming to the AirPods Pro 2 is a hearing test that anyone can take from home to test the health of their hearing. Apple says that the test is "clinically validated" and can be performed in just five minutes at home. The company says that the test uses real-world data and builds on the learning it has made with its Apple Study programs. Once you are finished with the test, you'll get a personalized hearing profile.

While AirPods 4 might be the only "new" AirPods the company is releasing this fall, AirPods Pro 2 might even feel like new with all of these new features. Hooray, earbuds becoming updatable products!

More from iMore

• I might downgrade from my AirPods Pro 2 to the AirPods 4
• Apple announces brand-new AirPods 4 and they're more like the ...
• AirPods 4: Everything you need to know

Apple's new iPhone 16 lineup boasts a big charging upgrade that Apple didn't even mention when it unveiled its new flagship lineup earlier this week. 

Apple's iPhone 16 was unveiled on Tuesday, replete with a new series of A18 processors, a new Camera Control button, new colors, big camera upgrades, and Wi-Fi 7 across the board. 

Apple has also introduced significant battery life increases across the entire lineup, but one charging upgrade it didn't mention comes by way of speedier wired juice. Turns out the iPhone 16 lineup supports 45W charging via USB-C across the board. That's a big increase on the 29W supported by the previous generation. 

iPhone 16's big charging upgrade

The news, spotted by ShrimpApplePro on X, is exciting for prospective iPhone owners for two reasons. Not only is this a big jump on the current wired charging speeds, letting you power up your phone faster than ever before, but it's also rare to see hefty upgrades like this applied to the entire lineup. We'd expected iPhone 16 Pro to support faster charging, so the revelation that all four phones are getting the upgrade is great news. 

Likewise, Apple has also beefed up MagSafe charging with iPhone 16. Each model now supports charging up to 25W via MagSafe, compared to 15W in the previous generation models. Coupled with big battery life gains, iPhone 16 users can expect their phones to last for longer day-to-day, and for charging to take less time when that juice does run out. 

Another major reason for the more power-efficient performance is the advent of the new A18 chip, which uses much less energy at similar speeds compared to the previous A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro, and the A16 in the iPhone 15. 

iPhone 16 pre-orders begin Friday, with pricing across the lineup identical to last year's models. 

If you were wondering when a new iPhone SE model may drop, Apple may have just given its biggest hint yet that it could be soon.

Michael Tigas, the developer of Focused Work and Dumb Phone, spotted that developers no longer need to upload screenshots of their apps running on an iPhone SE. When submitting an app to Apple's App Store, developers have to follow specific guidelines in order for Apple to approve their app. The company has a page all about this process, but it's the change in requirements at the 'Product Page' stage that Tigas noticed.

This could suggest that Apple's budget iPhone SE handset could be refreshed soon. Rumors point to an iPhone SE 4 that may finally get rid of the Home Button in favor of a 6.1-inch LTPS OLED 60Hz display, similar to the iPhone 14. As the upcoming iPhone 16, out on September 20, also features a 6.1-inch screen, this would make it easier for developers to submit screenshots to Apple, as they would be showcasing their app on two iPhone models.

In the meantime, if you don't want to wait for the iPhone SE 4, we've created a guide on where to pre-order the iPhone 16 from September 13.

What else is rumored for iPhone SE 4?

If you're holding out for an iPhone SE 4, there are plenty more features rumored to be in store. A USB-C port will allegedly replace the Lightning port, and the cheaper iPhone will finally get 5G, something the best iPhones have had since 2020.

On the camera front, a report from 2023 suggests the iPhone SE 4 will still have one lens, featuring an IMX503 sensor, a 1/2.55 sensor size, and f/1.8 aperture. It's also rumored to support Cinematic Mode and Portrait Mode, allowing for photos and videos to have the smooth 'bokeh' effect.

Finally, the same report hints that the Action button, featured on iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhone 16 models, will be coming to the iPhone SE 4. However, there's no word if it will also include the Camera Control button as well.

While we still don't know when this upcoming iPhone SE handset will arrive, this update could be its biggest yet if many of these rumors come true.

More from iMore

• AT&T reveals its iPhone 16 deals — get up to $1,000 off with an eligible trade-in
• Apple Intelligence will arrive in beta next month, and iPhone 16 owners get something special
• Apple releases new firmware for AirPods Pro 2 with features for iOS 18

AT&T has revealed the slate of deals, offers, and incentives its offering to customers trying to get their hands on Apple's brand-new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. 

Apple unveiled its new flagship lineup earlier this week. Headline upgrades for the iPhone 16 include the new Camera Control button and a powerful A18 chip that delivers hefty performance gains over the iPhone 15, powering gaming and AI features through Apple Intelligence. Likewise, the iPhone 16 Pro gets a boost thanks to new screen sizes, an A18 Pro chip, and better battery life across the board. 

AT&T is offering its usual suite of trade-in deals and discounts, with iPhone 16 pre-orders opening on Friday, September 13.

AT&T's iPhone 16 deals

At a glance, AT&T is offering the following iPhone 16 deals:

• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro: On us, guaranteed with eligible trade-in 
• iPhone 16 Plus: Up to $830 OFF, guaranteed with eligible trade-in 
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: Up to $1000 OFF, guaranteed with eligible trade-in + NEW AT&T Fiber customers are eligible to get the iPhone 16 Pro Max on us.    

If you buy the new iPhone 16 on one of AT&T's installment plans, you can add Next Up Anytime, which lets you upgrade to the new iPhone every year. 

Of course, the amount of trade-in value you'll get for a new device depends on its age and condition, so it pays to check your specific model before trying to turn it in. AT&T is also offering customers the new Apple Watch Series 10 and the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 color. 

Other highlights from the event include new AirPods 4 (both with and without noise canceling) and some big health upgrades to AirPods Pro 2. 

If you watched the Apple Event yesterday as a huge Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch SE fan, you were likely left pretty disappointed.

While Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 with the biggest display ever on an Apple Watch while being 10% thinner than its predecessor, there was almost nothing going on with Apple's other watch models. Sure, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes in a sweet Satin Black color, but that was all we got — no Apple Watch Ultra 3 or Apple Watch SE 3.

Thankfully, it does not seem like we have a long time to wait for Apple to bring us the next update to these models. According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will release both the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch SE 3 next year. The leaker says "Apple Watch Ultra 3 was absent from this year's media event, which is in line with my prediction from about a year ago...The 2025 new Apple Watch models will include the Ultra 3 and SE upgrade version."

What can we expect from the new models?

While we don't know much about what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and the Apple Watch SE 3, you should be safe in assuming they might pick up some of the features that were announced with the Apple Watch Series 10.

For one, they'll likely adopt the new Wide Angle OLED screen shipping on the Series 10 which makes the screen 40% brighter when glancing at it from an angle. It's also more power efficient, allowing the Always On display to refresh every second instead of every minute.

The Apple Watch Ultra will also most definitely support Sleep Apnea detection — especially since that feature is also coming to the second generation of the Apple Watch Ultra. It's a toss-up whether or not it will come to the Apple Watch SE 3, though. Apple seems to reserve some health features for its flagship models.

I'm sure we'll learn more leaks about the Ultra 3 and SE 3 as we make our way through 2025!

More from iMore

• The Apple Watch Series 10 has me considering a downgrade from ...
• Forget the X - Apple Watch Series 10 unveiled
• A love letter to Apple Watch Ultra (or why we often want what we don ...

If you've got a pair of AirPods Pro 2, you to have a new firmware update to enjoy (once iOS 18 rolls out next week).

Apple has released a new firmware update for AirPods Pro 2. Firmware version 7A294 replaces version 6F8 and is available for both the USB-C and Lightning versions of the wireless earbuds. Unlike the previous betas, this update is available for all AirPods Pro users.

The update likely brings with it the usual round of bug fixes and performance improvements along with a number of features that are coming with iOS 18 when it launches to everyone on Monday, September 16th.

iOS 18 brings new features to AirPods Pro 2

The first feature now available on AirPods Pro 2 through the firmware (once your iPhone is running iOS 18) is Siri Interactions, the new feature that lets you shake or nod your head to interact with Siri announcements while you're wearing your earbuds. As Apple explains, "Siri Interactions allow users to answer or dismiss calls, interact with messages, manage notifications, and so much more — all without speaking."

Voice Isolation is also available with iOS 18 which Apple is bringing directly to the earbuds after originally launching the feature on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The company says "machine learning, running on the H2 chip in AirPods Pro and the paired iPhone, iPad, or Mac, isolates and enhances voice quality while removing significant background noise — like wind around the caller — for the listener."

The last feature available now through the firmware update is Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking for games. While that is also coming to the AirPods 3 and AirPods Max, the company is reserving "improved voice quality, including 16-bit, 48kHz audio" for games with AirPods Pro 2.

AirPods Pro 2 are also getting a number of new health features this fall including the ability to use the earbuds as a clinical-grade hearing aid. You can also take a hearing test and get a completely personalized audio profile. 

More from iMore

• I tried living without AirPods Pro 2 — I lasted two weeks
• Apple announces brand-new AirPods 4 and they're more like the ...
• Apple unveils surprise new health features for the AirPods Pro 2 ...

This appears to be the year that I realized that I am no longer a Pro. Instead of moving on to the iPhone 16 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro, I'm planning on preordering the iPhone 16. Instead of getting that sweet Satin Black Apple Watch Ultra 2, I preordered the Apple Watch Series 10 in Jet Black.

And now, I'm even considering ditching my AirPods Pro 2 for the new AirPods 4. I already have a preorder in and am ready to potentially replace the last Pro Apple product I will have (after I switch from the Pro iPhone to the Apple Watch Ultra which is basically the Pro Apple Watch).

With AirPods Pro 2 getting some software upgrades and still having what seemingly will be better noise cancellation, why would I get rid of them? Well, it has to do with two things.

Noise cancellation and fit are the factors

The first reason — and the big reason — I'm considering a switch from the AirPods Pro 2 is due to the fit. While the AirPods Pro 2 are great, the biggest issue I've always had with them is that they — whenever I've done any kind of exercise or chewed gum too much — would fall out of my ears.

If I go for a run, I'm going to be adjusting the ear tips of the AirPods Pro over and over and over again. If I go for a hike, it's going to be the same deal. And don't even try to do sit-ups or push-ups — those babies are coming out regardless of how much I try to secure them.

I've found that open-ear earbuds are more comfortable, so I really want to give the AirPods 4 a try to see if they not only live up to this but if they actually end up being more secure in my ears. That's a big ask since AirPods Pro 2 offer four different ear tips for a more custom fit, but I've heard from multiple people that the regular AirPods have actually stayed in their ears better than the Pros did. I'll have to see if I fall into that camp as well.

The second reason I'm considering a switch is that the AirPods 4 are getting the one feature that I really stuck with the AirPods Pro for: noise cancellation. This is the most important feature of my earbuds, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Being able to drown out external noise when trying to focus at work, on a plane, or during a workout is a required feature nowadays.

With noise cancellation coming to the AirPods 4 with that open-ear design, I'm wondering if they'll be a better choice for someone like me who has fit and comfort issues with the AirPods Pro 2. I know the AirPods 4's noise cancellation won't be as good as the noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro 2 but as long as they are good enough, I'll sacrifice a little bit of performance here.

So that's where I'm at. If the AirPods 4's noise cancellation is good enough for my use cases and fix my fit and comfort issues with the AirPods Pro 2, they could make me jump once again from a Pro to a non-Pro Apple product.

We'll see what happens when they come out on September 20th. I have my preorder in now!

More from iMore

• Apple announces brand-new AirPods 4 and they're more like the ...
• AirPods Max, two years on: Have AirPods Pro 2 made Apple's over ...
• Apple unveils surprise new health features for the AirPods Pro 2 ...

Apple just hosted its September event, announcing the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more. But there was a surprise new product from Beats that didn't get mentioned in the keynote: iPhone 16 cases.

These Beats-branded cases are meant to protect your precious new device, naturally. They’re rocking a hardshell polycarbonate back,” which is essentially tough plastic that’ll probably survive a decent drop. The real kicker, though? They’re compatible with Camera Control, which is a huge plus.

Of course, Apple didn’t forget MagSafe – these cases are fully kitted out with that too. Plus, Apple wants you to know they’re “precisely crafted” for the iPhone 16. So, they should hug your phone like a second skin, caressing its buttons and edges with the utmost care.

If you fancy a bit of choice, you’ve got four colourways to pick from: Midnight Black, Summit Stone, Riptide Blue, and Sunset Purple. At $49 a pop (that’s about £39 or €46), they’re right in line with Apple’s other offerings, but with that Beats flavour sprinkled in. If you’re quick on the draw, you might even get one in hand as soon as Wednesday.

What else is new from Apple?

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness for new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. AirPods 4 gain active noise cancellation, and launch an even cheaper $129 model without ANC. AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple just hosted its September event, announcing the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more. In the iPhone 16 keynote, Apple said the new devices have bigger batteries, but didn't go into the specifics. Now, we can see the battery life stats offer hours of extra battery.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max now gives you up to 33 hours of video playback, while its smaller sibling, the 16 Pro, stretches to 27 hours. The iPhone 16 Plus also clocks in at 27 hours for video, and even the regular iPhone 16 can handle up to 22 hours.

If you’re all about audio, the Pro Max takes the lead again with a staggering 105 hours of playback, with the others offering anywhere from 80 to 100 hours, depending on the model.

The iPhone 16 series doesn’t just settle for battery life improvements, either; it’s also packing faster charging, thanks to a new MagSafe charger that supports Qi2 wireless charging. If you were tired of watching your battery percentage crawl up slowly, this is the fix you've been waiting for with 25W speeds.

How does the iPhone 16 battery compare to iPhone 15?

The biggest leap in battery life comes with the Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro Max gets 4 extra hours of video playback compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, taking it from 29 to 33 hours. Audio playback also jumps by 10 hours, from 95 to 105.

The iPhone 16 Pro follows a similar trend, with video playback climbing from 23 to 27 hours and audio playback ticking up from 75 to 85 hours.

For the iPhone 16 Plus, the difference is more subtle. Video playback goes from 26 to 27 hours, while audio remains steady at 100 hours, just like the iPhone 15 and 14 Plus.

The standard iPhone 16 offers more noticeable improvements over its predecessors, with video playback increasing to 22 hours – 2 more than the iPhone 15 and 14, and 3 more than the iPhone 13. Audio playback stays the same as the iPhone 15 and 14 at 80 hours, but it still surpasses the iPhone 13’s 75 hours.

Whichever of the new best iPhones you get, you can be sure that your shiny new iPhone 15 will give you a good few extra hours of battery.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is Apple's new best Apple Watch thanks to a huge redesign, and it offers plenty of compelling features to upgrade. The new Apple Watch Ultra 2 color option is pretty sweet too. Want in on the action without a new smartwatch? Good news, the newest bands are compatible with older Apple Watch models.

The Milanese Loop and Link Bracelet have been given a little makeover to perfectly match the new titanium cases. No more mismatched metals ruining your watch aesthetic. And for those with a taste for the finer things in life, there’s a new Hermès collection, because of course there is. This includes their first metal band, the “Grand H.”

Nike’s also back in the mix, with updated Sport bands in some new colours for when you want to feel sporty, even if you’re just heading to the shops. Oh, and for the bougiest of the bunch, the Apple Watch Ultra has now gone full-on Hermès, complete with a water-resistant “En Mer” band and an exclusive Regatta countdown face.

Now, there were whispers that Apple might force us all to buy new straps for the Series 10 by tweaking the connector, but that’s not happening. Your old bands, whether they’re for the 41mm or 45mm models, will still fit the new 42mm and 46mm versions. And vice versa. So, if you’ve already invested in a small fortune of Apple Watch straps, rest easy.

What else is new from Apple?

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness for new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. AirPods 4 gain active noise cancellation, and launch an even cheaper $129 model without ANC. AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple has lost its landmark tax battle against the EU and will have to pay some $14.5 billion in unpaid taxes to Ireland. 

The European Court of Justice announced its ruling less than a day after the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro were unveiled. It marks the end of a 10-year battle over Apple's tax payments in Ireland, and questions over whether Apple had been given illegal tax benefits from the country over the course of some 20 years. Adding some strangeness to the case, both Apple and Ireland have protested the ruling, which would see Apple on the hook for (and Ireland in benefit of) 13 billion euros.

The EU originally ruled against Apple in 2016 following a two-year investigation, a ruling annulled by the EU General Court in 2020 following an appeal from Apple and Ireland. Now, the European Court of Justice, the bloc's highest legal body, has set aside that ruling. 

Apple's EU tax saga finally over

The money at stake has been held in escrow for some ten years, so the material impact on Apple should be minimal. However, Apple remains defiant against the verdict. In a statement to iMore, the company said "This case has never been about how much tax we pay, but which government we are required to pay it to. We always pay all the taxes we owe wherever we operate and there has never been a special deal. Apple is proud to be an engine of growth and innovation across Europe and around the world, and to consistently be one of the largest taxpayers in the world. The European Commission is trying to retroactively change the rules and ignore that, as required by international tax law, our income was already subject to taxes in the US. We are disappointed with today’s decision as previously the General Court reviewed the facts and categorically annulled this case."

Apple further noted that it has paid more than $20 billion in tax to the United States on the same profits the EU claims should be taxed in Ireland. Apple says that between 2003 and 2014, the decade scrutinized by the EU, the company paid $577 million in tax to Irish Revenue, 12.5% of the profits it generated in the country. 

If you're buying a new iPhone 16 model in the US, it'll come without a SIM card tray, and you'll need to switch to an eSIM – as is the new Apple norm. But if you're picking one up anywhere else, you'll still get a device with the tray.

Ever since the iPhone 14, Apple has been nudging the US toward a SIM-free existence. The latest best iPhone doesn't come with a SIM card tray, but that isn't the case anywhere else. In fact, the US iPhone 16 models have different model numbers, indicating that they're the odd ones out. It still seems weird, as eSIMs are used all over the world. I've been using an eSIM since 2020 in the UK, even on devices with a SIM card tray.

But the SIM card tray isn't the only difference to US and non-US iPhone 16s. All iPhone 16 models outside of the US lack support for 5G mmWave. This tech promises blistering download speeds, but only if you're standing on top of a 5G tower in the middle of an open field. 5G mmWave has been a mixed bag, so this isn't a particular loss for anyone. But, it still seems odd for Apple to continue to only add it to US iPhone models.

eSIMs are still supported

While it sounds inconvenient at face value, removing the SIM card tray and switching to eSIM can actually be highly beneficial to iPhone users. Notably, you can use up to eight eSIMs on your device, so you can have multiple numbers and networks support on one device. This is particularly useful if you travel frequently to different countries, or you are Walter White. You can swap your number and network without removing your SIM card, and gone are the days of losing that pesky SIM pin you need to pop the tray open. 

Removing the SIM card tray also makes manufacturing the iPhone easier for Apple, saving time and money, and it's one less port for water and dust ingress, keeping your iPhone's internals safer and sounder.

Fortunately, you can still use eSIMs on any recent iPhone model with a SIM tray. So, you've got the option to go fully digital if you wish.

I've been a "Pro" iPhone person for years — all the years, almost. Other than a short stint as an iPhone 13 mini user, I've chosen the iPhone Pro option every year the company has offered one.

And it wasn't just for the iPhone. I also used to be the person that owned the MacBook Pro, Apple Watch Ultra (not technically Pro but you know what I mean), the AirPods Pro, the iPad Pro — if Apple slapped a Pro on the name, that was the one I was buying.

However, over the years, the regular versions of Apple's products started to gain a lot of the features of the Pro versions. First came the 6th generation iPad mini, which won me over as a reading device. Then came the M2 MacBook Air, which pulled me away from my Intel MacBook Pro.

Today, after announcing the iPhone 16, I think Apple is getting me to admit that I'm no longer what the company would consider a "Pro" user.

I'm downgrading in name only

After seeing all of the features announced with the iPhone 16 — Apple Intelligence, the Camera Capture button, the Action Button, and the camera features — I realized that the features offered in the iPhone 16 Pro like Pro Motion, the Always On display, and the even more insane camera features weren't things I would actually use or feel justified in spending the extra $200.

The iPhone 16 is great. I actually prefer how Aluminum holds up to smudges to Titanium as my iPhone 15 Pro has gotten smudgy all over the sides. The regular iPhone is also smaller and lighter, two things I appreciate having loved the iPhone 13 mini. I'm also not a photographer or videographer who is ever going to come close to using the features that the iPhone 16 Pro camera system packs in.

So, while I plan to downgrade in name and features, switching from a Pro iPhone to a regular iPhone is actually going to feel like a bit of an upgrade to me. I'll save money and get a phone that is better tailored for what I use it for. I'll also feel less anxious about smashing it to bits since it is slightly less premium.

The iPhone 16 isn't the only place I'm thinking of downgrading from a Pro. I'm also considering downgrading from the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the Apple Watch Series 10. It's once again a case of getting almost all of the features that matter to me in a more affordable and lighter option — things that I appreciate.

After next week, it could be that the only Pro Apple product I retain are the AirPods Pro. While Apple did come out with AirPods 4 and bring noise cancellation to the regular earbuds, it appears that the noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro 2 are still much better. As someone who uses my AirPods Pro 2 on the plane to cut out engine noise (and boy are they good at it), I think I'll stick with them for now.

Other than that, however, I think it's time to admit that I'm no longer a Pro user, and that's just fine.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Earlier today, Apple hosted its "It's Glowtime" special event. At the event, Tim Cook and the team announced the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more.

Whether you missed the prerecorded stream or just want to watch everything all over again, there are a number of ways to do so.

How to rewatch Apple's "It's Glowtime" event

One way to re-watch today's special event is through the Apple TV app. The Apple TV app is available on a ton of devices, so you should be able to tune in on many of your favorite streaming devices, including the best MacBook to enjoy the event all over again in 4K quality. You can re-watch the "It's Glowtime" special event on the Apple TV app by searching for Apple Event or asking Siri to "watch the Apple Event."

Another way to re-watch the special event is through YouTube. Apple has been streaming all of its live events on YouTube for a few years now and is nice enough to keep the events on its official YouTube channel for years after they occur.

You can watch Apple's "It's Glowtime" event on YouTube below:

While it might not be the first place you think of, Apple does drop its live events into a feed on Apple Podcasts as well. It's not a bad way to watch if you want to turn it on, tuck your iPhone in your pocket, and listen to the audio of the event. You can watch the special event on Apple Podcasts app at the Apple Events area.

The last way to re-watch the Apple Event is through the Apple Events website. Apple, in addition to all of the other outlets, always makes its events available to re-watch on its website in case you don't have access to the others.

You can re-watch the special event on the Apple Events website.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Earlier today, Apple hosted its "It's Glowtime" special event. At the event, Tim Cook and the team announced the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more.

If you are on the edge of your seat to pre-order the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple has a way to lock in that pre-order configuration ahead of time to make things even faster when preorders go live on Friday, September 13th.

Tonight, the company launched its pre-approval process for those who want to pre-order an iPhone 16. The process allows you to check your eligibility, choose the iPhone model and configuration you want, confirm your upgrade with your carrier, and get pre-approved for the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Going through this process gives you a noticeable advantage over others who try to complete all of these steps when the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro goes live for preorders at 5:00 AM PDT on Friday, September 13th (spooky). Those who complete this process are able to log in at that time, confirm their order, and keep moving about their day.

Should I get pre-approved?

Trying to complete all of these steps when preorders go live could set you up for delayed shipping if enough people get their preorders in before you. It's always a mad dash to grab the exact iPhone you want and you are competing with potentially millions of other people, so make sure to give yourself every advantage.

The nice thing about this program is that you can still change up your iPhone up to the point of preorders going live — you'll just need to go through the pre-approval process for the loan again. You can also still choose to either ship your iPhone to your home or pick it up from your local Apple Store.

You can get pre-approved for your iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro on the iPhone Upgrade Program through the Apple Store app or on the Apple Store website.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

At Apple’s iPhone 16 launch, the 4th-gen base-level AirPods got some much-needed updates, stealing features from the Pro line, like active noise cancellation. They might be the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users. But the biggest focus is on the new starting price: $129.

The $129 AirPods 4 offer all the new features, except for active noise cancellation. That includes the more comfortable design, new case Find My features, and wireless charging. But, ANC is reserved for a slightly more expensive version of AirPods 4, priced at $179.

I'm very glad to see this, and it makes sense. $179 is still a little steep for the cheapest AirPods in a world where decent wireless earbuds can be had for around $50. While $129 is still pricier, it makes AirPods much more accessible for those that don't care about the latest and greatest features.

But (and this is a big but), the AirPods line-up is now far too confusing. AirPods 4 have the same name, but one has ANC and is $179 while the other has no noise cancellation and is $129. AirPods Pro 2 can now be had in three configurations: Lightning case, MagSafe and USB-C case, and USB-C case with the new hearing features. And then there's AirPods Max at the high end. Try explaining all that to your grandma or in less than 20 words.

Apple is using the same name for too many devices at once. The $129 AirPods 4 should be AirPods SE, while the $179 AirPods 4 should maintain their 4th-gen name. As for the Pros, Apple should just slap a 3 on there already, as a third minor upgrade is dragging on a little. As for AirPods Max keeping their name, I'll allow it since the only changes are USB-C and colors – but next time must add a number on there.

Everything else Apple released at its September event

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness for new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. Alongside these new AirPods 4, AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is Apple's new best Apple Watch thanks to a huge redesign, and it offers plenty of compelling features to upgrade. While the new speaker is cool, I'm more excited about phone calls. They're even better on the newest Apple Watch.

Thanks to a new voice isolation neural network, running on a beefy 4-core Neural Engine, the Apple Watch Series 10 is all about cutting through background noise. No more shouting into your wrist over the sound of baristas frothing lattes, or the wind turning your voice into a muffled mess. Instead, you’ll come through loud and clear, as if you’re in a room with perfect acoustics.

It’s a big upgrade for anyone who actually uses their Apple Watch to make calls. Now, your voice will be crystal clear, even if you’re wandering down a busy street or being battered by a breeze.

Apple marked the tenth anniversary of its smartwatch with the Apple Watch Series 10. Sporting a larger, wide-angle OLED display that’s even bigger than the Ultra models, it's 30% larger than the Series 6 and 10% thinner than the Series 9. The revamped body features new colors, including Jet Black (iPhone 7 vibes, anyone?) and polished aluminum options.

Powered by the new S10 processor with a 4-core Neural Engine, the watch introduces features like Apple Intelligence and improved battery life, with 80% charge in just 30 minutes. Notably, it includes sleep apnea tracking, a speaker for music playback, and advanced snorkelling features. Pre-orders are open now, starting at $399/£399, with shipping set for 20 September.

What else is new from Apple?

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness for new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. AirPods 4 gain active noise cancellation, and launch an even cheaper $129 model without ANC. AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple Watch Series 10 marks the return of Titanium to Apple's wearable, but there's a catch if you want it in this material.

Alongside the new Titanium option, Series 10 features a larger, brighter display, faster charging, a new SiP (System in Package) S10 chip, and a louder speaker. But it's the new colors that Titanium offers that make this new Apple Watch stand out — available in Natural, Gold, and Slate shades. This replaces the high-end option of Stainless Steel, which Apple says "weighs almost 20 percent less than a stainless steel Series 9."

However, Titanium is only available with the Cellular models, starting at $699. This means you can use features on the Watch such as calling, streaming music and podcasts, and replying to messages without needing to keep your iPhone nearby.

What else is new in Apple Watch Series 10?

If the $699 price point for the Titanium Series 10 doesn't deter you, there are plenty of improvements to help justify the cost. The new, larger OLED display can be viewed at wider angles, which means you can read an additional line of text in notifications, and you can use the built-in keyboard to reply to messages. 

Another highlight is the new Reflections watch face, which features a dial that shimmers and reacts as you move. It's designed to help complement the reflective quality of the new titanium designs.

More significantly, Series 10 can help identify signs of sleep apnea, a potentially serious condition where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep. By using the accelerometer to monitor small movements at the wrist associated with interruptions when breathing, the new Apple Watch tracks this with a new metric called Breathing Disturbances.

Overall, Series 10 is a huge upgrade worth considering, especially if you own a Series 6 model or older.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18, and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Ever since Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra, I've been an Ultra user. I immediately upgraded from my Apple Watch Series 7 and haven't looked back. With the larger display, signature features, and larger battery life, the Ultra was the Apple Watch that was made for someone like me.

However, there's always been a problem with the Ultra: the price. While the regular Apple Watch starts at $399, the Apple Watch Ultra is twice the price at $799. That's a huge jump — imagine if the iPhone 16 Pro was twice the price of the iPhone 16 and started at $1600!

So, while I've enjoyed the Apple Watch Ultra since its release, I haven't enjoyed the money I've had to spend to enjoy the features that such a watch provides. Now that Apple has announced the Apple Watch Series 10, I'm wondering if the Apple Watch Ultra is still for me or if a downgrade is in my future.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is almost Ultra

When Apple was going through all of the features of the Apple Watch Series 10 it announced at the company's "It's Glowtime" iPhone 16 event, I was saying to myself "That's an Apple Watch Ultra feature" over and over again. Apple basically stole most of the features of the Ultra and brought them to an Apple Watch that is much more affordable.

The screen size of the Series 10 is actually slightly bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra now. It also gets what Apple is calling a Wide Angle display, which makes it much brighter — 40% brighter in fact — when glancing at it from an angle. While it doesn't get as bright as the Ultra 2's 3000-nit display, it does not match the original Ultra's 2000 nits. Despite all of these upgrades, the Series 10 is almost half the weight of the Ultra 2 (as low as 36.4 grams compared to the Ultra's 61.4 grams).

It also packs in a ton of the features that the Ultra provides. While you don't get the Siren feature, you still get Waypoints, Backtrack, and Elevation view as well as Compass, an always-on altimeter, and more. The Ultra was the watch that was made for adventures, but it seems that most of those have now come to the Series 10.

The Ultra still gets more "pro" features like deeper water resistance (100 meters instead of 50) for recreational scuba diving and the battery life is still twice that of the Series 10 (18 hours on the regular Apple Watch compared to the Ultra's 36 hours), but that's honestly the biggest difference. Plus, the Series 10 can now get 80% battery in just a 30-minute charge.

So, I'm left to wonder if the $800 price point of the Ultra is still worth it for me. With the Series 10, I can get most of the features of the Ultra as well as some that it doesn't have in a watch that comes in at almost half the weight and about $130 cheaper if I grab the cellular model. That's a pretty compelling argument that the Series 10 could pull some people back from the Ultra.

I think I'm going to preorder the Series 10 in that new Jet Black Aluminum and give the non-Ultra Apple Watch a try again. I'll have a couple of weeks to compare it to my Apple Watch Ultra 2 and see where I land. It's crazy that I'm even considering it, but Apple has made such a fantastic Apple Watch that I might just not need an Ultra anymore. Of course, that's until the Apple Watch Ultra 3 drops.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event has wrapped up at Apple Park, featuring a bunch of announcements that could tempt a lot of fans to upgrade devices across the board.

In just under two hours, Apple CEO Tim Cook and his team revealed the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, the Apple Watch Series 10, and a line of new and refreshed AirPods, all launching on September 20. iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia will also be available on September 16.

If you missed the event, we've rounded all the announcements up below in bite-sized chunks.

Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 features a new S10 chip and a larger wide-angle OLED display, available in two sizes: 42MM and 46MM. You can now play media out of the speaker, and there's all-new Sleep Apnea detection. A new Titanium model replaces Stainless Steel, offered in natural, gold, or dark slate. The watch can be pre-ordered right now for $399 for the GPS model or $499 for the cellular model. Both versions will be available on September 20.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (in black!)

If you were expecting the Apple Watch Ultra 3 — surprise! The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is staying but now comes in a Satin Black finish. There's also a new range of 'Ultra' Milanese bands to compliment this new shade. Additionally, a new band by Hermes will be made available too, complete with an exclusive watch face for the Ultra model. Otherwise, the watch still features the S9 chip and a bright display that can reach 3000 nits, as well as the same 36-hour battery life, or 72 hours on Low Power mode.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 line introduces several upgrades over the iPhone 15, such as the Action Button and a new 'Camera Control' button that enables users to take photos and videos instantly. It can determine between a light and a hard press, as it's a haptic button. For example, a light press will show you a preview; or you can press harder for additional controls. iPhone 16 also comes with 8GB of memory and an A18 chip, enabling Apple Intelligence when it's made available later this year. Pre-orders for iPhone 16 and 16 Plus begin on September 13, with a September 20 release date.

iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro line is mostly the same as the iPhone 15 Pro but with a few worthwhile differences. First off, screen sizes have seen an increase from 6.1 and 6.7 inches to 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively. There's also a new 'Desert Titanium' color, replacing Blue Titanium from last year. Like the iPhone 16, a new 'Camera Control' button can be found below the Power button, with the same tactile and gesture features when taking photos and videos. Pricing starts at $999 for the 128GB Pro or $1,199 for the 256GB Pro Max version. 

AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2

The entire AirPods line saw a big update at Apple's 'It's Glowtime' event. First off, AirPods 4 now comes in two versions — one with and one without Active Noise Cancellation. The case now features a USB-C port and Find My support, as well as a speaker that can emit a loud chime when you can't find your new AirPods.

AirPods Max have been refreshed with Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Starlight color options, and a USB-C port, which finally replaces its Lightning port. Both AirPods 4 and AirPods Max are available for pre-order today, shipping on September 20.

Finally, AirPods Pro 2 will get three new software features later this year designed to help with your hearing. The first is Hearing Protection, which ensures that your audio isn't so loud that you cause permanent damage to your ears. The second is a hearing test that anyone can take for no more than five minutes. You'll be able to view the results in the Health app on your iPhone running iOS 18, which can then be shared with your health provider. Lastly, the third feature allows you to use AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. They will be able to isolate speech and other important audio around your surroundings. Apple says these three updates will arrive later this year in over 100 countries.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements from earlier today. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 2, iOS 18, and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple Watch Series 10 may not be the "Apple Watch X" we hoped for, but it's certainly impressive.

With a huge display, faster charging, and an improved speaker, there's a lot to like - and that's before we get to the new SiP (System in Package). The S10 powers the new Apple Watch, and it has four Neural Engine cores.

One of the ways it's leveraging those is in the Translate app, making its watch debut in watchOS 11.

Translate could be Apple Watch Series 10's 'killer app'

The Translate app will allow for translation on your wrist, which could be a huge help for anyone asking for directions and not wanting to switch apps away from Apple Maps, or when you're ordering at a restaurant while on vacation and don't want to reach for your phone.

According to Apple's press site, the S10 is what powers the Translate app in watchOS 11, but we're waiting to see if it'll be available for other Apple Watch models or whether they'll have a version of it that doesn't run on-device.

Would you use translation on the Apple Watch? Would you use translation at all? Let us know in the comments.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Earlier today, Apple hosted its "It's Glowtime" special event. At the event, Tim Cook and the team announced the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4, and more.

The announcements today were very wide-ranging regarding new features. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have been built from the ground up for Apple Intelligence, the Apple Watch Series 10 gained a ton of the features previously exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, and the AirPods 4 are more like the AirPods Pro than they ever have been.

One of the customs of any good Apple event is the music that helps power it and today's event was no different. Apple is known for featuring a ton of music during its events as well as its ads and so on. The "It's Glowtime" event was no exception, featuring a wide range of music from artists like The Weeknd, Jungle, and Leon Bridges.

If you're interested in checking out all of the music from today's special event, we've put together an Apple Music playlist that you can stream or even add to your own library. Check it out below.

The Weeknd's new song "Dancing in the Flames," while featured in the event, is not on the playlist because it is not yet available on Apple Music. I'll be sure to add it once it is available because that song sounded great during the video showing off the new video capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple Music is the company's music streaming service that boasts a library of 90 million songs to play on your best iPhone or other Apple device. It is available for $9.99 per month or as low as $4.99 per month for students. It is also part of all three tiers of Apple One, the company's subscription bundle service.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple has today confirmed that, alongside the Apple Watch Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 will support Sleep Apnea detection in a future wearables update. 

Apple says that an estimated 1 billion people are affected by the condition, where breathing momentarily stops during sleep, depriving your body of oxygen. Untreated it can lead to significant health issues including hypertension and diabetes. 

Apple Watch will feature a new Breathing Disturbances metric that detects wrist movements associated with interruptions to your breathing pattern. Apple turns this into a 30-day report to "notify users if it shows consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea." This data can be shared with your health provider to help you get a diagnosis and treatment. 

Apple's sleep apnea detection

Apple says its sleep apnea detection was developed "using advanced machine learning and an extensive data set of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests." The new features join some other massive health upgrades announced at the iPhone 16 event, notably AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid functionality and tools to prevent hearing loss, as well as a new hearing test you can do at home in just five minutes. 

The new Apple Watch Series 10 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, a new jet black color, and a new Titanium finish. It's available for pre-order now starting at just $399, and will be released on September 20.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

We pretty much got what we expected from Apple's Glowtime event today, with the reveals of the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, AirPods 4, AirPods Max and Apple Watch Series 10. One thing we didn't expect, however, was FineWoven.

While last year's iPhone models were a hit, Apple took no small amount of criticism for its FineWoven accessories. The material, intended to replace leather on the company's case lineup, didn't feel particularly premium and would quite often fray.

In fact, for the first time in my life, I bought an Apple case, only to have to request a refund. And yet, from the ashes, Apple has brought back FineWoven a year later - sort of.

Apple has resurrected FineWoven

If you were hoping for a FineWoven case for your new iPhone 16 model, you'll be disappointed - Apple has deemed that experiment a failed one it seems.

Still, you can grab a FineWoven MagSafe wallet in one of four new color options on the Apple Store; Dark Green, Black, Dark Blue, or Blackberry.

Even more surprising are a range of new FineWoven Key Ring options for your AirTags at $35 each and in the same color options as above, with the added addition of Chartreuse.

Is this Apple testing the waters for a FineWoven comeback? That remains to be seen, but it appears there's life in it yet.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple just announced the new iPhone 16 series. While the latest iPhones are the biggest focus, Apple saved a surprise MagSafe announcement until the end.

MagSafe is faster than ever, perfectly complementing the new iPhone 16 Pro and ready to compete with the best charging stands. A new puck gives even faster charging speeds – up from 15W to 25W. It also supports the new Qi2 charging standard, which is being rolled out across lots of new smartphones.

Plugging in your iPhone and leaving it to charge on your nightstand is so last decade. Why have it laying flat, useless while it charges, when you can have it standing up, acting like a bedside clock? MagSafe only makes the whole thing easier even, as you can use an arm to keep that iPhone suspended for an even better look at the clock while it is in Standby mode.

What was announced at the iPhone 16 event?

The iPhone 16 launch event saw plenty of announcements from Apple. There's a new Camera Control on the new iPhones, which gives better access to taking photos and videos. The screens across the line-up are better than ever, and more durable. Apple is showing a fondness to new colors this year, with plenty of options to pick from.

Apple Watch Series 10 was a big upgrade, with a bigger screen than ever before. The body is the slimmest it's ever been, things are faster on the inside, and moves the antennas to the backside of the case. Apple Watch Ultra 2 got a new colour option, and a third-gen Apple Watch SE never materialized.

AirPods also saw some big changes. AirPods 4 gain active noise cancellation, and launch an even cheaper $129 model without ANC. AirPods Max get a minor refresh with USB-C and new colours, while AirPods Pro 2 got a third iteration with new hearing tech added.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Update: Apple's new Voice Memos update appears to be restricted to iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models. We're not sure why, but it's likely tied to the improved microphone array and A18 Pro chip.

As part of Apple's Glowtime event, we got to see the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, and the company revealed how it'd be leveraging Apple Intelligence on its latest and greatest devices.

While things like the Visual Intelligence feature look great, one particular feature struck a literal chord with me - the update to Voice Memos.

You see, I was a professional musician up until COVID hit. You can hear me singing the theme for a documentary, and I have been playing shows regularly for over a decade. Now that I'm a homeowner, I have a full-time job, and I freelance for the likes of iMore, and I'm a parent, I just don't have time to go through the rigamarole of finding backing tracks to sing to since I can't get to practices regularly.

Voice Memos update could inspire a whole new generation of musicians

Now, iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will offer what Apple dubs "studio quality mics", with the option to edit sound within videos.

It'll also let you layer tracks onto an existing recording, potentially taking a lot of the time-intensive components of recording a quick vocal track of a pop song I enjoy.

More importantly, it could inspire new singers and musicians to mix things up a little bit and help them shape their own sound in a way expensive multitrack recorders did back when I was younger.

It feels like there's a very high ceiling for new musicians now, and Apple could really help inspire those just starting out.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

Apple has confirmed its massive iOS 18 update for iPhone, replete with Apple Intelligence, will debut September 16. 

Apple today unveiled its new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro alongside a new Apple Watch Series 10, new AirPods, and new health features for its existing models. In a press release, the company stated:

"iOS 18 will be available as a free software update on Monday, September 16." 

Apple Intelligence arrives

As you might expect, the headline feature of iOS 18 is the new Apple Intelligence suite of AI features. Apple Intelligence will be available on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro, offering features like live transcribing, Writing Tools, generative image creation, and more. 

It also features new emergency features like Messages Via Satellite and Emergency SOS Live Video, as well as Roadside Assistance via Satellite. 

Apple Intelligence will debut as part of iOS 18.1 and beyond in October. The first rollouts will be U.S. English only, with localizations for English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. coming in December. There's support for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish coming next year, too. 

As you might expect, the new iPhone 16 lineup is designed to take advantage of iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence with powerful new processors, the A18 and A18 Pro chips, housed in the 16 and 16 Pro respectively. Other notable features include image editing tools, and integration with ChatGPT. The iPhone 16 lineup includes a specific visual intelligence tool, which uses the new Camera Control button to help you find out information about objects and places with just one click. You can use it to pull up restaurant reviews, add an event to a calendar, or even find out the breed of a dog, using just your camera and AI. 

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

It wouldn't be an Apple September event without an iPhone Pro. This year, the company has unveiled the iPhone 16 Pro.

The first big improvement to the iPhone 16 Pro is a boost to the screen size with a 6.3-inch display for the regular Pro and a 6.9-inch display for the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The bezels are also thinner — in fact, they are the thinnest borders on any iPhone product ever made. They also get the latest generation of Ceramic Shield and a new microblasted texture.

The iPhone 16 Pro comes in four colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and a new Desert Titanium which features a warmer hue on the band. The phone also features a new machined chassis with better thermal performance. It features larger batteries and better power management for a boost in battery life. Apple says it results in the best battery performance they've ever achieved for an iPhone.

The new phone also comes with a new chip: the A18 Pro. This new chip features 2nd generation 3nm transistors — the first phone in the world to use the technology. It's packed with a 16-core neural engine and is capable of reaching 35 TOPS or a trillion operations per second. It also features more memory than the previous generation.

The company says that the A18 Pro is 15% faster with Apple Intelligence operations compared to the A17 Pro. With its 6-core GPU, it's also 20% faster graphically than the iPhone 15 Pro. For example, Death Stranding is capable of 2x faster ray tracing on the iPhone 16 Pro.

The A18 Pro features 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. The CPU is 15% faster than the A17 Pro chip which results in the same performance at 20% less power usage. Apple has added a new display engine to power its Pro Motion and Always On technologies with faster USB-C 3 performance and a new video encoder and image signal processor.

For the camera, the iPhone 16 Pro packs a new 48MP Fusion Camera so the new iPhone has 2 48MP cameras now (main and Ultra-Wide). It features a Quad Pixel Sensor. The 12MP telephoto lens is now capable of 5X telephoto zoom on both the Pro and Pro Max. Later this year, the Camera Control button is getting a two-stage shutter control (just like a DSLR).

With video, Apple is bringing its Cinematic feature to Slow-Motion video. The camera is capable of recording 4K in 120 frames per second with Dolby Vision. You can even do Slow Motion after the fact to switch between frame rates. You can even record in Pro Res and have it stored directly on an external storage device.

The iPhone 16 Pro features 4 studio-quality microphones that feature a lower noise floor and support Spatial Audio Capture. The new audio mix feature lets you edit the sound from a scene using artificial intelligence. It lets you separate sounds in a video and adjust them. The Voice Memos app will now let you layer a track on top of a previous one without the original recording bleeding into the new one.

The company has announced an update to its MagSafe lineup as well. The new MagSafe charger is faster and comes in a 2 meter cable for the first time (thank you, Apple). It is also releasing new Clear and Silicone cases for the iPhone 16 lineup. The iPhone 16 Pro also features Wi-Fi 7 like the regular.

The iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 with the Max version coming in at a starting price of $1199. It is available to preorder on Friday with a September 20th release date.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch X, Apple Watch Ultra 3, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.

As part of Apple's Glowtime event, the company dug deep into Apple Intelligence features.

While there wasn't a great deal that's new after its big WWDC unveiling, we did learn that Apple Intelligence will arrive in beta next month.

It'll debut in US English and then move to most regions around the world. In December, Apple will bring localized English versions to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.

It'll be released in Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish next year - and if you're in the market for an iPhone 16, you'll get a unique feature.

iPhone 16 adds Visual Intelligence

iPhone 16 owners will have access to a visual lookup feature called Visual Intelligence that will let users leverage AI to find restaurant reviews, event details, and even, um, dog breeds using the camera.

It can work with third-party options, too, letting you tap into Google or ChatGPT for assistance or information. It's coming later this year, but is only available for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 16 event announcements live as they happen. Don't miss all our iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 10, iOS 18 and watchOS 11 coverage so far.