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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 break down the exciting announcements from Apple’s It’s Glowtime event and grade their event predictions.

It’s all challenge this week as the gang brings (and defends) their phone home screens. Rules were followed by all, but of course there’s a little twist this time as well.

This week, as we approach the release of Apple’s updated OSes, Federico and I check in on where our reviews stand and the one distraction we’ve both allowed ourselves in the final stretch.

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Apple Will Make Alternative App Marketplaces and Browser Engines Available on the iPad in the EU Starting Monday

Next week is going to be fun. Not only is every OS being updated on Monday, but Apple is opening up the iPad to alternative app marketplaces and browser engines in the EU according to a post by the company on its developer news site.

You may recall that in April, the European Commission has added iPadOS to the products and services subject to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Before then, the DMA only applied to the iPhone, meaning that, if you live in the EU, changes to iOS, like browser default choices and alternative app marketplaces, are currently only available on your iPhone. That changes on Monday, according to Apple:

Starting 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.
  • Alternative browser engines can be used in iPadOS apps.
  • Historical App Install Reports in App Store Connect that can be used with our fee calculator will include iPadOS.

It’s good to see this change happening alongside the update to iPadOS. The App Store and browser experiences on iOS and iPadOS are effectively the same, and having that be different based on which platform users were on didn’t make much sense. It may have taken a nudge by the EC to make it happen, but it’s the right call for Apple’s EU customers.

The Latest from NPC: Next Portable Console and AppStories

Enjoy the latest episodes from MacStories’ family of podcasts:

This week, Federico and John finish their tour of the apps they use for work and play to be productive.

On AppStories+, Federico has an iPad surprise for John.

This episode is sponsored by:

  • Memberful – Help Your Clients Monetize Their Passion

This week, Anbernic comes through with another retro handheld, PC makers announce new Windows handhelds, an iPhone case built for the Delta emulator, and Federico declares his love for a gaming pillow.

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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 the New Apple Watch Series 10 and a New Color for the Apple Watch Ultra 2

Going into today’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event, there were high expectations for a significant redesign for this, the tenth version of the Apple Watch. We’ve been burned before by rumors of a redesign, but thankfully, this year’s rumors turned out to be true. The new Apple Watch Series 10 looks like a noticeable upgrade; however the Apple Watch Ultra wasn’t upgraded and only received a new color option.

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iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: The MacStories Overview

Source: Apple.

Source: Apple.

Today, Apple unveiled this year’s iPhone lineup consisting of four devices: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. There are noteworthy improvements and additions across the line, so let’s dive in to what these phones have to offer.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus

The iPhone 16 and its larger-screened variant add not one, but two new hardware buttons this year. They also include improved cameras and an important processor bump.

The A18 chip is built on a second-generation 3nm process. It features a six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, a five-core GPU that enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing in games, and Apple’s new 16-core neural engine. Its increased memory and bandwidth make the iPhone 16 capable of running Apple Intelligence, the first non-Pro iPhone to do so. The chip is also more efficient, which, in combination with a bigger battery and better heat dissipation, results in what Apple calls a “big boost” to battery life.

The Action button is the latest iPhone Pro feature to make its way down to the standard line. Everything true of last year’s Action button applies to this one: its size and shape, the fact that it’s physically pressable, and its software capabilities. I imagine many iPhone 16 buyers will just use the Action button as a slightly nicer mute switch, but for those who wish to, they can customize it to open the camera, turn on the flashlight, run Shortcuts, or perform any number of other actions.

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Apple Unveils New Health Features Coming to the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2

Source: Apple

Source: Apple

Today at their September 2024 event, Apple unveiled a series of major new health features coming to the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2. The new features, centered around sleep apnea and hearing loss prevention and assistance, will be released as part of software updates this fall.

Sleep Apnea Detection on the Apple Watch

Later this month, the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will gain the ability to detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea in adults who haven’t previously been diagnosed with the disorder. This detection will be based on a new metric called Breathing Disturbances, which will use the watch’s accelerometer to, in Apple’s words, ” detect small movements at the wrist associated with interruptions to normal respiratory patterns during sleep.” Apple says the data will be analyzed on a monthly basis to detect consistent signs of sleep apnea and send sleep apnea notifications.

In addition to watchOS 11, the Breathing Disturbances metric will be added to the Health app in iOS 18, where you will be able to consult and export the data to share with a healthcare professional.

Source: Apple

Source: Apple

Apple expects to receive marketing authorization for sleep apnea notifications from the FDA and other health authorities soon and plans to make the feature available this month in over 150 regions, including the U.S., the EU, and Japan.

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