Apple

OpenAI is slated to close the largest funding round in history at $6.5 billion next week, and as the Wall Street Journal reports, Apple has just pulled out of the round in the eleventh hour.

Apple’s involvement was already surprising—it’s rare for the iPhone maker to invest in external companies. The reporting of a potential investment came after Apple announced a ChatGPT integration into Siri.

The Apple IIGS (graphics and sound) debuted in 1986 with enhanced multimedia capabilities, but software developer Matt Chesters remembers it best for the sleek mechanical keyboard the computer shipped with.

In a 15-minute YouTube video they detail how they revived a used Apple Desktop Bus Keyboard and upgraded it with wireless Bluetooth connectivity, a rechargeable battery, a tiny OLED screen, and a dedicated volume control wheel.

Rich Whitehouse, whose also the Head of Digital Conservation for the Video Game History Foundation, shared a screenshot on X of an Atari Jaguar emulator they’re developing for iOS, as spotted by Time Extension.

Whitehouse is hoping to have the emulator ready for release in October 2024, bringing classic titles like Tempest 2000 and Cannon Fodder to the iPhone.

It has zero bearing on the experience of actually using your phone, but I agree with iFixit that Apple’s choice to explore new battery tech in every iPhone 16 except for the Max is... odd.

The 16 / 16 Plus have a very cool new removal method. The standard Pro’s battery is encased in metal. But the Max? Regular battery like always.

This time from 9to5Mac, citing unnamed sources who say that the “HomeAccessory” device referenced in code is a smart home accessory with an A18 chip, that’s capable of handling Apple Intelligence features, apps, and acting as an AirPlay receiver.

They also report a camera for gesture control and that the “current” J490 device has a square display instead of a rectangular one.

Long live the HomeScreenPod.

After 12 years, today EA announced that its free-to-play city building mobile game is shutting down. D’oh!

We have made the difficult decision to sunset Tapped Out. In-app purchases have been disabled, and the game will be removed from the app stores October 31, 2024. You may continue playing until January 24th, 2025, at which point servers will be turned off and TSTO will not be accessible.

MacRumors logs show that Apple is testing the new update, which will probably just fix bugs. Some iOS 18 users have run into touchscreen responsiveness issues, so perhaps that’s one change for the rumored update.

The $44 Geo Wallet looks like a normal-sized wallet but has Apple’s location tracking built-in so you don’t have to carry a thick AirTag or one of those bulky “credit-card sized” trackers. The wallet can’t be located with Apple’s “Find Nearby” ultra-wideband tech but it shows up on a map and emits a decently-loud tone when left in a cab or just down the hall.

The AI Act came into law on August 1st, but some rules for “high risk” systems won’t be enforced until August 2027. Now, companies like Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and Samsung are promising to make a head start.

Meta and Apple (which have been critical of the EU’s AI stance) are notably absent, but OpenAI has signed the pledge despite previous grumblings.

The company with the blood oxygen sensing tech causing issues for Apple Watches has announced its CEO — who we just interviewed — is out after investors voted to remove him from the board amid a proxy battle with Politan Capital Management.

In a filing, Masimo said Kiani filed a claim against the company in California state court related to his employment agreement. Michelle Brennan has been appointed interim CEO.

Instead of buying the new iPhone 16, I decided to change the look of my trusty iPhone 15 Pro instead. The name might suck, but I’ve fallen in deep like with the $39.99 Torras 360-degree Ostand R Rotated Stand MagSafe Case anyway.

I had no idea I was a kickstand guy!

The new trailer for Alfonso Cuarón’s upcoming series Disclaimer reveals a bit more of the secrets Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett) desperately wants to keep hidden.

It seems like there’s a bit of infidelity in her past, which isn’t all that monstrous, but the idea being exposed is enough to send Catherine into a book-burning frenzy.

How do you explain why a camera app needs camera permissions? Spotted by 9to5Mac.

(The update, version 2.16.2, did eventually get approved!)

Along with Apple Intelligence, the new iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 betas introduce a handy new way to transfer files when mirroring your iPhone, as spotted by 9to5Mac. Apple previously said the drag-and-drop capability would arrive later this year.

It’s one of a few new features in the fifth iOS 18.1 developer beta, reports MacRumors. You’ll also be able to reset your Control Center layout if you don’t like your customizations.

Another nice change: the ability to get to the selfie camera from the Camera Control button.

Update: Noted the new Camera Control feature.

Apple has updated its vintage and obsolete products list. MacRumors notes that the company now considers the 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro to be vintage, while the 27-inch 5K iMac from late 2015 is officially obsolete, as is the 2016 12-inch MacBook.

“Vintage” products are still generally eligible for repair by Apple service providers, while those deemed obsolete may not be.

The second-gen AirPods Pro with USB-C introduced last September are now available in Apple’s Certified Refurbished online store for $209 — $40 cheaper than a brand new pair.

But they’re also available new from Amazon and Best Buy for $189.99, and have sold for cheaper.

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