John Voorhees

3093 posts on MacStories since November 2015

John is MacStories’ Managing Editor, has been writing about Apple and apps since joining the team in 2015, and today, runs the site alongside Federico.

John also co-hosts four MacStories podcasts: AppStories, which covers the world of apps, MacStories Unwind, which explores the fun differences between American and Italian culture and recommends media to listeners, Ruminate, a show about the weird web and unusual snacks, and NPC: Next Portable Console, a show about the games we take with us.

@johnvoorhees@macstories.net
@johnvoorhees.macstories.net
voorhees@macstories.net

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Apple’s September 2024 Media Event: All the Small Things

Apple’s presentation moved fast yesterday, and since the event concluded, more details have emerged about everything announced. We’ve been combing Apple’s product pages, social media, and other sources to learn more about everything announced, which we’ve collected below:

You can follow all of our September 2024 Apple event coverage through our September 2024 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2024 Apple event RSS feed.

Apple Announces AirPods 4, Minor AirPods Max Update, and New AirPods Pro 2 Features

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

At today’s Glowtime event, Apple unveiled new AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Pro Max with a range of new features.

One of the biggest updates was to the AirPods 4, which now come in two varieties. Both versions look more like the AirPods Pro than before, but without the in-ear silicone tips and are powered by the H2 chip, which Apple says provides better audio range, adaptive EQ, and clearer phone call quality. The AirPods 4 are IP54 rated for sweaty workouts too.

The AirPods 4 also feature a smaller case that can be charged using a USB-C cable or Qi-compatible wireless charger. With the new case, the AirPods 4 have 30 hours of listening, too. The updated headphones also add gestures, allowing users to shake their heads or nod to respond to Siri prompts. Apple says it has updated the force sensor in the device for toggling playback and muting or ending phone calls.

The biggest change, though, is that Apple is offering a second model of the AirPods 4 that includes Active Noise Cancellation. That’s not unheard of in an open-ear style set of headphones, but it’s rare. Apple claims that the AirPods 4’s upgraded microphones and H2 chip allow it to offer noise cancelation as well as Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, and Conversational Awareness. I’m very keen to see how well these work.

The AirPods 4 can be ordered today for delivery on September 20th. The base model AirPods 4 are $129 and the model with active noise cancelation is $179.

New features were also announced for the AirPods Pro 2 to help prevent hearing loss, test for hearing loss, and assist people with mild to moderate hearing loss. For more on these features, be sure to check out Niléane’s story.

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Finally, the AirPods Max received a minor update with new colors and USB-C connectivity. The latest iteration of the headphones comes in midnight, blue, purple, orange, and starlight and adds Personalized Spatial Audio too. The price remains $549, with ordering available today for delivery on September 20th.

You can follow all of our September 2024 Apple event coverage through our September 2024 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2024 Apple event RSS feed.

Apple Announces Release Dates for New iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and OS Updates

Source: Apple

Source: Apple

Apple announced a lot of dates today. Here’s a rundown of all the dates mentioned in the keynote and press releases:

iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max

In Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the U.K., the U.S., and 58 other countries:

Pre-Orders: Friday, September 13, 2024
In Stores and Deliveries: September 20, 2024

In Macao, Vietnam, and 19 other countries, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will be available starting September 27, 2024.

Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra

In Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the U.K., the U.S., and more than 49 other countries and regions:

Pre-Orders: Today
In Stores and Deliveries: September 20, 2024

AirPods 4 and AirPods Max

Pre-Orders: Today
In Stores and Deliveries: September 20, 2024

AirPods Pro 2

AirPods Pro 2 are available online and in stores today.

iOS and iPadOS 18.0

Release Date: Monday, September 16th

watchOS 11

Release Date: Monday, September 16th

macOS 15.0, Sequoia

Release Date: Monday, September 16th

visionOS 2.0:

Release Date: Monday, September 16th

You can follow all of our September 2024 Apple event coverage through our September 2024 Apple event hub or subscribe to the dedicated September 2024 Apple event RSS feed.

Apple’s September 2024 Glowtime Event: Replay Today’s Keynote

If you didn’t follow the livestream of today’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ Apple event, you can replay it on Apple’s Events site or YouTube.

The keynote video can be streamed here and on the Apple TV using the TV app. A high-quality version will also be available through Apple Podcasts as a video and audio podcast. An American Sign Language version of the event keynote is available on the Apple Events page too.

We’ll be adding links to the product videos released by Apple today as they appear on YouTube after the break.

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Dezeen Highlights The Observatory, a New Event Space at Apple Park→

Architecture and design site, Dezeen has an exclusive first look at The Observatory, a new events space built into the side of a hill at Apple Park. The building, which is near the Steve Jobs Theater, will open officially later today, presumably for the iPhone media event.

Apple’s global head of design (real estate and development) John De Maio told Dezeen:

When we built Apple Park, we wanted the entire campus to be seamlessly integrated into the landscape, and this building follows that same approach,

With its stunning views of the campus greenery and the mountains ringing the horizon, The Observatory truly is an extension of Apple Park, showcasing the best of California and the best of the natural environment around us,

The building brings in the natural stone, terrazzo and wood elements that are featured in The Steve Jobs Theater and across Apple Park. It’s a design that complements both the landscape and its neighboring buildings on campus.

The Observatory looks spectacular. Don’t miss the photos shared by Dezeen on its site.

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The Latest from Magic Rays of Light, Comfort Zone, and MacStories Unwind

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

Sigmund and Devon highlight the triumphant return of Slow Horses and rate tvOS streaming apps based on how well they take advantage of system features.

Niléane and Chris have upgraded their desk setups, but Matt didn’t get the memo and brought a hard drive or something. Then we see who can bend the rules the most to survive the challenge.

This week, a surprise apology for rain, an update on our annual OS reviews and what we plan to do with our free time once they’re finished, and a TV pick.

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Balatro+ Is Coming to Apple Arcade on September 26th

Balatro+. Source: Apple.

Balatro+. Source: Apple.

Earlier today, Apple announced several new and updated games are coming to Arcade, including one of my favorites of 2024: Balatro. Balatro is a roguelike deck-builder that mixes the familiarity of poker with special joker and other cards for combos that result in an incredibly fun roller coaster ride that’s hard to put down.

The game was originally released earlier this year on consoles and PC, but the potential for a mobile version was immediately obvious. My and many others’ wish for an iOS version of Balatro will come true on September 26th as part of the Apple Arcade service with Balatro+, which will also be available on the iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

Other notable Arcade announcements today include NFL Retro Bowl ‘25 and Monster Train+, which are out today along with Puzzle Sculpt, a spatial puzzle game for the Apple Vision Pro. NBA 2K is returning with NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition on October 6th, too.

Of all these games, though, I’m mostly excited about Balatro+. We’ve discussed this on NPC and elsewhere many times, but this is exactly the sort of game that Apple Arcade needs. There’s plenty of room for variety on Apple Arcade, but for a while, it’s felt like the artistic, indie corner of the catalog has been in decline. Balatro+ is just one game, but it’s an important one that many consider a contender for ‘Game of the Year,’ so I’m very happy to see it on Arcade.

Apple Music Vibes with Five New Mood Stations

Today, Apple Music introduced five new mood stations:

The music featured by the stations is automatically updated from Apple Music’s catalog of over 100 million tracks and tuned to your listening tastes.

This isn’t the first time Apple has introduced mood stations. You may recall that it released Love and Heartbreak stations on Valentines Day. All seven mood stations are in a new ‘Find Your Mood’ section in Apple Music’s Home tab.

I haven’t spent a lot of time with Apple Music’s new mood stations yet, but as I sampled each, I was met with a familiar song or band, with every track matching the mood I picked. I’ll be digging into each of these station more as I edit my macOS Sequoia review.