Category: Apple

Apple is set to introduce an updated Vision Pro headset in 2025, featuring the yet-to-be-announced M5 chip, as reported by supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The current version of the Vision Pro utilizes the M2 chip, which was launched in 2022. While Kuo confirmed the chip update, details about any additional features or changes in the new headset compared to the existing model, which debuted earlier this year, remain unclear. Furthermore, Kuo highlighted that Apple has postponed the production of a more affordable version of the Vision Pro until “beyond 2027.”

The current model, priced at $3,499 in the U.S., has faced challenges in terms of sales due to its high cost. Apple CEO Tim Cook acknowledged this situation during a recent interview, noting that at such a price point, the Vision Pro is not aimed at the mass market but rather at early adopters seeking cutting-edge technology. In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman corroborated Kuo’s assertions, indicating that Apple is planning a chip upgrade for the Vision Pro. However, he did not confirm whether this would occur in 2025.

Gurman also mentioned ongoing developments for a more budget-friendly version of the headset with simplified technologies, though no specific release date has been provided. Additionally, he pointed out that Apple is contemplating a glasses-like device that connects to an iPhone. This device would potentially function as an accessory for watching movies, reminiscent of offerings from companies like Xreal. Such a product could further solidify the iPhone’s role as the nucleus of Apple’s product ecosystem while providing a more accessible alternative to the high-priced Vision Pro.

In March, Apple announced plans to include support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages in future software updates for its Messages app across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. However, as of the latest third developer beta of iOS 26 released recently, this upgrade is still not available on iPhones. The announcement of end-to-end encryption for RCS was part of version 3.0 of the RCS Universal Profile, a global standard for RCS features and specifications.

By committing to support RCS Universal Profile 3.0, Apple is leveraging numerous enhancements akin to those found in iMessage, which were originally part of the earlier RCS Universal Profile 2.7. One factor contributing to the delay in implementing these features is the necessity for mobile carriers to adopt RCS Universal Profile 3.0 as well. Here are five capabilities that users can anticipate for RCS conversations on iPhones, iPads, and Macs once the support is fully rolled out:

1.

End-to-end encryption, ensuring that both Apple and third parties cannot access messages and attachments during transmission, similar to iMessage. 2. In-line replies for more conversational threading.

3. The ability to edit previously sent messages. 4.

A function to unsend messages. 5. Comprehensive Tapback support for RCS messages without needing special workarounds.

In many respects, RCS will be playing catch-up with iMessage, which has supported end-to-end encryption since iOS 5. Additionally, in-line replies were introduced in iOS 14, while the edits and unsend functionalities debuted with iOS 16. It is anticipated that Apple will roll out these RCS enhancements during the software cycle for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and watchOS 26.

Apple has announced plans to support a new Rich Communication Services (RCS) specification that includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages exchanged over this protocol in upcoming software updates. An Apple spokesperson highlighted the company’s commitment to privacy and security, stating that E2EE has been a fundamental feature of iMessage and expressing excitement about leading a collaborative industry effort to enhance RCS with this technology. The GSM Association (GSMA), which oversees the development of the RCS standard, has been working since September of last year to implement E2EE for messaging between Android and iPhone devices. Although the GSMA has just released the updated RCS specification with E2EE support, it’s unclear how long it will take for Apple to integrate these updates into its software, but it has confirmed that improvements are on the way.

Apple previously incorporated RCS with the release of iOS 18.1, which transitioned SMS messaging to RCS for communications with Android users. This update introduced several features, such as high-resolution media sharing and read receipts, but notably lacked E2EE, a standard feature of iMessage. The addition of E2EE in cross-platform RCS messages would significantly enhance security by ensuring that third parties, including mobile carriers and messaging services, cannot access the contents of users’ texts. Currently, Google Messages provides E2EE by default for RCS messages, but this security applies only to conversations between Google Messages users, leaving exchanges with iPhone users or other RCS clients unencrypted.

As Apple works to implement E2EE support in RCS messaging, users can anticipate a more secure messaging experience across platforms.

Apple recently made headlines by briefly reaching a market capitalization of $3 trillion, marking it as the first company to achieve this milestone. This significant achievement followed a remarkable increase in the company’s stock price, which rose over 40% over the past year.

The milestone was reached when Apple’s stock hit $182.86 during intraday trading. This accomplishment not only highlights Apple’s impressive growth but also follows its previous milestones of $2 trillion and $1 trillion reached in 2020 and 2018, respectively.

However, it’s worth noting that by the end of the trading day, Apple’s market capitalization fell slightly below the $3 trillion mark. The company has consistently reported strong earnings, particularly since the onset of the pandemic.

The demand for its products and services surged as many people turned to Apple’s offerings for work, learning, and socializing from home. Estimates suggest that Apple’s revenue could exceed $118 billion in the current quarter, surpassing its previous quarterly record of $111.4 billion set a year ago.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, has emphasized that while financial milestones like these are notable, they are not the ultimate measure of the company’s success. He believes that the true achievements of Apple stem from its focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.

Analyst Dan Ives remarked that reaching $3 trillion is a significant moment for Apple as it continues to counter skepticism regarding its growth prospects. Looking ahead, Apple plans to expand its product lineup in 2022, with rumors of new Macs, a redesigned iPad Pro with wireless charging, a rugged Apple Watch, second-generation AirPods Pro, and an AR/VR headset, among other anticipated releases.

During years when a complimentary accessory is available, customers often have the opportunity to upgrade to a higher-tier model for a reduced price. For instance, they may choose to receive AirPods Pro instead of the standard AirPods, merely covering the difference in price.

The timing of this promotion varies by country, aligning with local school calendars. Generally, in North America and Europe, the promotion is introduced during the June to July period.

Conversely, it typically starts in the Asia-Pacific region between January and February. Overall, these promotional offers usually span approximately two months, providing students and parents ample time to take advantage of the deals.

This flexible approach allows customers to select products that best fit their needs while also benefiting from the promotion. By offering various upgrade options, the promotion caters to a wider audience, ensuring that many can experience the advantage of high-quality accessories at a lower cost.

Apple has officially kicked off its 2025 Back to School promotion, offering eligible students, educators, and parents a chance to receive free accessories valued up to $199 with the purchase of select Mac and iPad models. This special campaign runs through September 30, making it an excellent opportunity for those in the education sector. This year’s promotion marks a significant shift from last year’s gift card format, which provided up to $150 in value. Instead, customers can now choose from a range of popular Apple accessories, enhancing their overall purchase experience.

Some accessories are available for free, while others may require an additional fee based on their value. For those purchasing MacBooks, the selection of accessories includes AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation free of charge, as well as a variety of other options like the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, which does come with a fee. iPad buyers can enjoy options such as the Apple Pencil Pro and different AirPods models, with certain premium keyboard options available at an additional cost. iMac buyers can also benefit from the promotion, having the choice of accessories like AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation.

This offer is inclusive of K-12 employees, higher education staff and students, and parents purchasing for college-bound kids, aligning with Apple’s ongoing education pricing discounts. This enticing Back to School sale began today and continues until September 30, 2025. Full terms and details are provided through Apple’s education store, ensuring customers understand all aspects of the promotion. In addition to this sale, Apple continues to evolve its product lineup with various anticipated releases later this year, including the iPhone 17 series and updates to iOS, ensuring there’s much to look forward to in the world of Apple products.

Meta has recently made headlines by offering over $200 million to entice one of Apple’s leading artificial intelligence executives to join their ranks. Ruoming Pang, who formerly led Apple’s foundation models team, has transitioned to Meta’s Superintelligence Labs. This newly founded division aims to develop advanced AI systems that can operate at or exceed human-level intelligence. During his tenure at Apple, Pang managed a team of around 100 employees focused on large language models.

The innovations from his group have been integral to Apple’s AI features, including email summaries, Priority Notifications, and Genmoji. Insiders have disclosed to Bloomberg that Meta’s lucrative offer to Pang comprises a substantial base salary, a signing bonus, and a significant stock award, which constitutes the bulk of his compensation. This total payout is contingent upon meeting performance milestones and continued employment over several years. Notably, Apple did not attempt to counter the offer, as it far surpassed the pay of all Apple employees—except for CEO Tim Cook.

Such a payout ranks among the highest ever offered in corporate America, comparable to compensation packages for executives at leading global banks. In a recent podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that Meta has been extending signing bonuses reaching as high as $100 million to attract top talent, indicating the competitive landscape for skilled professionals in the AI sector. Following Pang’s departure, Apple has appointed Zhifeng Chen to lead its Foundation Models team and has adopted a more distributed management structure, assigning responsibilities to multiple senior engineers. Meanwhile, Meta’s Superintelligence Labs is bolstered by significant talent, including former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and founders from notable AI startups, further enhancing its capability in the AI domain.

I am feeling quite disappointed with beta 3. It seems to lack the charm that beta 2 had. The experience with beta 2 was much more enjoyable for me, and I believe a simple toggle option could address some of the issues I’ve encountered in beta 3.

This would allow users to switch between the different versions and choose the one that suits them best. Additionally, I’ve heard that beta 1 was even more visually appealing than beta 2, though I haven’t had the opportunity to try it myself. From what I’ve gathered, it was a well-received version that set a high standard.

The introduction of a toggle would not only enhance user satisfaction but also provide flexibility for those who have preferences that align more closely with earlier versions. It’s a straightforward solution that could significantly improve the overall user experience. In summary, I genuinely loved beta 2, and I believe that incorporating a toggle feature would be beneficial for users like me who found beta 3 to be a letdown.

Offering options and respecting user preferences can make a world of difference in software development.

Amazon is currently offering a great deal on Apple’s AirTag 4-Pack, now priced at $67.99, a significant drop from its original $99. This price is the lowest we’ve seen since February, making it an excellent Prime Day offer for those in the market for location tracking devices. Prime members may enjoy fast delivery options, potentially receiving their order as soon as today.

It’s important to note that there’s no need to use an on-page coupon to access this discounted price. For those interested in purchasing a single AirTag, Amazon has the AirTag 1-Pack available for $19.99, also at a record low price. In addition to the AirTag deals, shoppers are encouraged to explore the broader selection of Apple-related products and accessories available on Amazon.

Meanwhile, Apple continues to innovate and develop new products. Rumors suggest significant changes forthcoming for high-end iPhone models, particularly the iPhone 17 Pro series set to debut later this year. These upcoming models may see a shift from the long-standing stainless steel and titanium frames to aluminum designs.

The company is also refining its iOS system, with the latest beta version introducing subtle changes and preparing for a public beta release promised for July. The anticipation surrounding Apple’s product launches is heightened as the year progresses, with multiple new devices expected before the year’s end. As we move further into July 2025, the excitement surrounding these upcoming releases builds, along with ongoing developments in Apple’s software offerings, signaling a busy second half of the year for the tech giant.

Apple has recently released the third developer betas of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 for testing. These updates come just two weeks after the second beta versions were made available. Developers registered with Apple can download the new beta software through the Software Update section within the Settings app.

The latest iterations of iOS and iPadOS showcase Apple’s new Liquid Glass design, emphasizing transparency and a glass-like appearance throughout the interface. This aesthetic extends to the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center, along with various menus and buttons in applications. The updates also bring enhanced functionality to apps like Messages, Phone, Shortcuts, and Apple Music, along with revamped features in CarPlay.

Notably, iPadOS 26 introduces a new multitasking system that allows users to manage multiple app windows simultaneously, akin to a Mac experience. While currently exclusive to developers, Apple intends to release a public beta soon, aiming for a full launch in the fall of this year. The third beta presents minor changes compared to the second version, including additional adjustments to the Liquid Glass design, as Apple continues to refine its software.

In other news, the upcoming iPhone 17 series is anticipated to introduce a shift from stainless steel and titanium frames to aluminum for the Pro models. Expected to be unveiled in September, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will also feature different display sizes: 6.3 inches for the Pro model and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. These advancements are part of a wider array of new Apple products that are rumored to be launched later this year, ensuring that the tech giant remains active during the summer months.