Category: Apple

I find myself uncertain about Apple’s direction, especially after the disappointing experience with iOS 18. The operating system is glitchy and prone to crashes, and I regret updating my iPhone 15 Pro from the more stable version 17.7.

One of the most frustrating aspects is the Photos app. Previously, it boasted a cohesive design language that made navigation intuitive.

Now, buttons and search bars are scattered randomly across the screen, creating a disjointed experience. Often, the screen fails to recognize my touch, leading to repeated attempts at scrolling back to the main photo area.

This lack of fluidity is aggravating. The new Control Center is another source of dissatisfaction.

It’s overly complicated, resembling the cluttered design found in Android systems. The introduction of multiple pages for the Control Center seems unnecessary.

To navigate through it, I find myself swiping down from the top right, then swiping back up to access the second page. Returning to the Home Screen involves an awkward sequence of swipes that feel counterintuitive and frustrating.

I used to be an Apple advocate, appreciating the seamless integration across devices. However, this OS has fallen short.

It appears that different teams were working independently on various features, lacking coordination. I often reminisce about my old jet black iPhone 7, running iOS 15, which was clean and user-friendly.

In contrast, my high-tech 15 Pro overheats while gaming and is burdened by a disorganized operating system. Apple should prioritize a “back to basics” approach in next year’s update, concentrating on cohesion and design.

Streamlining the user experience is essential to restoring their reputation for excellence.

Apple is reportedly preparing to unveil a redesigned version of the Milanese Loop Apple Watch band at the “It’s Glowtime” event today. Recently, images claiming to be prototypes of this new version have spread on various Asian social media platforms. The redesigned Milanese Loop is said to feature a clasp mechanism rather than the traditional magnetic closure, and it appears to be available in a 49mm size specifically for the Apple Watch Ultra. Currently, the Milanese Loop is offered only in 41mm and 45mm sizes.

The clasp design could provide a more secure fit, addressing issues with the magnet’s tendency to slip and loosen the band. Initially introduced with the original Apple Watch in 2014, the Milanese Loop has been a popular option within Apple’s premium band collection. Inspired by 19th-century Milanese watch bands, its woven stainless steel construction offers both flexibility and durability. Over the years, it has been available in different finishes like Silver and Space Black, maintaining its status as a classic choice among Apple Watch users.

During the “It’s Glowtime” event, Apple is expected to announce several new products, including the third-generation Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Series 10, and a new dark color option for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Speculation around potential changes to the watch band system has been downplayed, with a leak from reliable source “Instant Digital” suggesting that the compatibility of existing bands will remain intact this year. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage from MacRumors on the event, set to open at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. They will provide a live blog and updates via their channels, keeping fans informed on all upcoming announcements.

Apple is actively pursuing an exclusive television deal with FIFA for streaming rights to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, which is set to be revamped and launched in 2025. This iteration of the tournament will feature 32 teams from six different confederations, and a deal could be officially announced as early as this month.

Notably, the tournament’s inaugural event will be hosted in the United States next summer. Reports indicate that Apple may potentially invest around $1 billion for these rights, although it remains unclear whether any games will be available for free over the air.

If not, access to the entire tournament may be limited solely to Apple TV+ subscribers. Apple has already made significant investments in sports media, having previously committed $2.5 billion for global broadcasting rights to Major League Soccer.

The matches from MLS and the League Cup are available for streaming on Apple TV+, with various pricing options for both subscribers and non-subscribers. Apple views live sports as a strategic avenue to attract new customers to its Apple TV+ service.

In addition to the MLS partnership, the company has also secured a deal with Major League Baseball. Though negotiations for NFL Sunday Ticket did not come to fruition, recent reports suggest that Apple is still vying for streaming rights to NBA games.

Earlier this year, Apple launched a dedicated Apple Sports app, allowing users to access real-time scores and stats for their favorite teams, enhancing the overall sports viewing experience on the platform. With these developments, Apple’s ambitions in the realm of live sports streaming continue to grow, aiming to establish a stronger foothold in the competitive streaming landscape.

Apple, Disney, and Amazon have all placed bids for the NFL’s out-of-market Sunday Ticket package in recent weeks. Reports indicate that these companies are currently awaiting a response regarding the streaming rights. The NFL is in discussions with all three bidders as it evaluates its options, despite earlier rumors that a deal with Apple was already finalized.

The Sunday Ticket package allows out-of-market viewers to watch all regional NFL games on Sunday afternoons. For nearly three decades, DirecTV has held exclusive rights to distribute the package. However, with the current deal set to expire before the 2023 NFL season, DirecTV is reportedly not looking to renew its exclusivity.

The NFL is reportedly seeking more than $2 billion for the streaming rights and an equity stake in NFL Media, which manages NFL Network and NFL.com. Acquiring Sunday Ticket would significantly enhance Apple’s growing portfolio of live sports content available through its Apple TV app. The company has already forged a partnership with Major League Baseball to stream a weekly “Friday Night Baseball” doubleheader and has secured a 10-year deal with Major League Soccer, allowing every game to be streamed via Apple TV without blackouts.

As for when the NFL will announce the future of Sunday Ticket, the timeline remains uncertain. Given that DirecTV retains rights for the upcoming season, there isn’t immediate pressure for a public announcement. In other news, various Apple products are generating buzz, including the anticipated public beta for iOS 26 expected in July, and the upcoming iPhone 17 models, which have seen a surge of rumors regarding their features and design.

The excitement surrounding the next-generation products continues to grow as their release dates approach.

Apple is poised to acquire the rights to stream Formula 1 races in the United States following a substantial $150 million bid, as reported by Business Insider. Sources close to the negotiations indicate that Disney will not match Apple’s offer, which significantly surpasses its current yearly payment of approximately $85 million.

Other potential bidders, including Netflix, have shown limited interest, positioning Apple as the primary contender for the broadcasting rights. If Apple secures these rights, it will add Formula 1 to its growing list of sports available on Apple TV+, which already features Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer.

This move aligns with the recent success of “F1: The Movie,” Apple’s first major box office success, earning over $300 million worldwide and expected to debut on Apple TV+ in 2025. In addition to this development, more updates from Apple have surfaced.

Reports indicate that the public beta for iOS 26 is anticipated to be available around July 23. Consumers can look forward to testing new features in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 scheduled for release next week.

On the hardware front, speculation surrounds the upcoming iPhone 17 series, with leaks hinting at new color options for the iPhone 17 models. Additionally, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is rumored to feature satellite connectivity and 5G support, enhancing its capabilities for users.

Moreover, an anticipated foldable iPhone could be the most expensive model to date, with an expected starting price between $1,800 and $2,000. As Apple prepares for these releases, it continues to reshape its product offerings and expand its digital content portfolio.

Manfred announced that he intends to select a winner for the rights in question within the month. He mentioned that these rights may potentially be divided between two bidders, which could offer more flexibility in the negotiations. In addition, Manfred revealed that he is currently in discussions to incorporate the local broadcasting rights of five Major League Baseball teams into these ongoing talks. This move indicates a broader strategy to enhance the value and reach of the league’s media rights agreements.

Vimeo, the popular video hosting and sharing platform, has announced the launch of an updated Apple TV app. This marks the app’s return to the Apple TV App Store after a two-year absence. The revamped app is now available for Apple TV devices running tvOS 18 or later. The redesigned Vimeo app allows users to discover, search, and watch videos uploaded to the platform.

Key features include a Library for organizing content, a “Watch Later” list, a section for On Demand purchases, and curated Staff Picks. Users can also enjoy enhanced playback options such as chapters, speed controls, multi-language support, and 4K viewing capabilities. During the app’s absence from the Apple TV App Store, users had limited options, relying on AirPlay from their iPhones or iPads to view content on larger screens. The decision to reintroduce the app was significantly influenced by community feedback, as Vimeo users expressed a strong desire for a means to access premium, ad-free content directly on their Apple TV devices.

Vimeo operates on a freemium model, allowing users to access basic features at no cost. For video creators seeking advanced functionalities, Vimeo offers a range of paid plans—Starter, Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise—starting at $20 per month. Overall, the return of the Vimeo app to the Apple TV platform promises to enhance the viewing experience for users, reaffirming the platform’s commitment to catering to the needs and preferences of its community.

Meta has made significant moves to bolster its artificial intelligence capabilities by attracting talent from Apple. Following a substantial $200 million pay package to recruit one of Apple’s top AI executives, Meta has now also recruited two of his team members, Mark Lee and Tom Gunter. Both will be joining Meta’s newly established Superintelligence Labs, which is focused on developing advanced AI systems that can operate at or above human intelligence levels.

Before their transition to Meta, Lee and Gunter were integral parts of Apple’s foundation models team, which is responsible for key features like email summaries, Priority Notifications, and the Genmoji. The recent hire of Ruoming Pang, who formerly led Apple’s foundation models team, signaled a significant shift in talent dynamics between the two tech giants. Pang’s departure opened doors for Lee and Gunter, who were considered to be key contributors to the team’s success.

In response to these high-profile exits, Apple has begun offering raises to some engineers to retain talent, although these incentives reportedly still fall short compared to Meta’s lucrative offers. Bloomberg highlights that this brain drain reflects ongoing instability within Apple’s Foundation Models team. As a result, Apple is contemplating a strategy overhaul, which may include leveraging external models from companies like OpenAI or Anthropic to enhance their AI offerings.

Apple is currently balancing the development of its proprietary models with exploring third-party technologies. The company has yet to finalize which approach will underpin its Apple Intelligence features starting next year. This situation indicates a pivotal moment for Apple as it reevaluates its AI strategy amidst rising competition in the field.

Meta has reportedly attempted to attract one of Apple’s leading artificial intelligence executives, Ruoming Pang, by offering him a staggering sum of over $200 million. Pang, who recently led Apple’s foundation models team, has made the leap to Meta’s newly established Superintelligence Labs. This division is focused on creating advanced AI systems that aim to perform on par with or surpass human intelligence.

At Apple, Pang was responsible for a team of approximately 100 employees dedicated to developing large language models. The work produced by his team supports various Apple Intelligence features, including email summaries, Priority Notifications, and Genmoji. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that Meta’s enticing offer to Pang includes a generous base salary, along with a sizable signing bonus and a significant stock award.

The total payout will be contingent upon achieving certain performance milestones and his continued employment over several years. Interestingly, Apple did not attempt to match Meta’s offer, which surpasses the compensation of most of its employees, with the exception of CEO Tim Cook. Pang’s compensation package is among the highest ever seen in a corporate context, rivaling those typically reserved for CEOs at major global banks.

In a recent podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman noted that Meta has been offering eye-catching signing bonuses exceeding $100 million to secure top talent, indicating a highly competitive landscape for skilled professionals. In the wake of Pang’s departure, Apple has appointed Zhifeng Chen to lead its Foundation Models team and has restructured its management to distribute responsibilities among several senior engineers. Meanwhile, Meta’s Superintelligence Labs is bolstering its ranks with notable figures, including former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman and AI startup founder Daniel Gross.

Earlier this year, YouTuber Jon Prosser released a series of videos that showcased what he claimed were renderings of iOS 19, which was later announced by Apple as iOS 26 during the WWDC event in June. In his first video, posted in January, Prosser demonstrated a redesign of the Camera app featuring a more streamlined button layout for switching between photo and video modes.

In March, he continued the series on his Genius Bar podcast where he revealed a mockup of the Messages app. This version included rounded navigation buttons at the top and a keyboard design with rounded corners.

Prosser concluded this series in April with a video that provided a comprehensive look at a redesign called Liquid Glass, which featured rounder app icons and pill-shaped tab bars in various Apple applications. While the redesigns were not exact replicas of what Apple ultimately unveiled, many elements were strikingly similar, leading Apple to take legal action against Prosser and fellow YouTuber Michael Ramacciotti for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets.

According to Apple’s complaint, the lawsuit stems from claims that Ramacciotti accessed a development iPhone owned by Ethan Lipnik, an Apple employee, and provided Prosser with access to its contents. The lawsuit outlines that Prosser and Ramacciotti planned to retrieve Lipnik’s phone passcode and used location tracking to identify when Lipnik would be away from home.

Reports indicate that Ramacciotti accessed the development iPhone and made a FaceTime call to Prosser, showcasing iOS 26, which Prosser recorded and subsequently used to create content for his videos. Lipnik’s employment with Apple has been terminated due to breaches of protocol in protecting unreleased devices and information.

Following the events, Prosser expressed his eagerness to discuss the situation with Apple, contesting the portrayal of the events as presented in the lawsuit.