The iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 release date is here. They bring in the second wave of Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, the Image Playground, optional ChatGPT integration and more.
watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2 and visionOS 2.2 also went out, though these don’t include any AI features.
Apple on Wednesday honored the winners of its 2024 App Store Awards. These come in a range of categories, like iPhone App of the Year, Mac Game of the Year, and many more.
“We are thrilled to honor this impressive group of developers who are harnessing the power of Apple devices and technology to deliver experiences that enrich the lives of users and have a profound impact on their communities,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The remarkable achievements of this year’s winners demonstrate the incredible ingenuity that can be unlocked through apps.”
Another generation of MacBook Pros recently launched without Face ID, meaning Apple once again missed an opportunity to make its premier laptops easier to use. Adding the facial-recognition authentication system seems like a no-brainer, since it would enable Mac users to unlock their computers simply by looking at them.
Instead, MacBooks continue to depend on Touch ID, even though multiple reasons make Face ID a far superior security option. And Apple’s excuse for sticking with its fingerprint sensor is lame.
Monday isn’t the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 release date, as some had hoped. Instead, Apple sent out another round of pre-release versions for testing, a slightly unusual step.
UPDATE: Apple just announced that iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 are set to launch on Wednesday, December 11. They are not yet out at the time of this writing, and the most likely time is 10 A.M. Pacific/1 P.M. Eastern.
UPDATE 2: It’s here!
When they debut, these operating systems bring to iPhone, iPad and Mac a new collection of Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, the Image Playground and more, so there’s plenty of anticipation.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 reportedly will let hikers and other travelers send texts via a satellite connection when cellular communication isn’t available. Anyone who gets into trouble in a remote location could turn to Apple’s top-tier smartwatch to ask for help — a potential lifesaver.
In addition, Apple is still working to add blood-pressure monitoring to the wearable.
The updated version of Capcom’s classic Resident Evil 2 horror game can now be played on recent iPhone, iPad and Mac computers. And the cost has been slashed by 75% for a short time.
It’s the latest in the long-running series to hit Apple devices.
★★★★☆
The Tizag Digital Canvas iPhone Case makes cases with single pictures obsolete. It includes a screen you can update with new images whenever you want, and so offers almost endless personalization.
It won’t drain your phone’s battery, but the case does protect your device when you’re on the go.
I tested the case, and I really like it, despite some screen limitations.
Apple intends to introduce its first MacBooks with an OLED screen in 2026, according to industry analysts. And the iPad mini will allegedly go OLED that same year. Apple’s full transition to OLED will take until 2028, though.
And that’s supposedly the same year the company will introduce a computer with an 18.8-inch foldable display.
Support for Sony PlayStation VR2 hand controllers is reportedly coming to Apple’s Vision Pro headset. The goal is supposedly to make playing virtual reality games easier on the AR headset.
Apple and Sony allegedly worked together for months to make this happen.
“The gorge is the door to Hell.” That’s all we learn about it from the trailer for the Apple TV+ thriller of the same name coming in February. Two agents tasked with protecting the world from whatever’s hidden in the depths are strictly forbidden to go in — but you know they’re going in.
The upcoming film stars Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy and Sigourney Weaver.
A MacBook capable of directly connecting to 5G cellular wireless networks is one potential result of the modem that Apple intends to introduce in 2025, according to a reliable source of insider information.
The 5G modem will supposedly go first into iOS handsets, including the extra-slim one dubbed the “iPhone 17 Air” that Apple is allegedly preparing to launch next year.
iOS 18.2 will go out to iPhones everywhere next week, but you don’t need to wait. It’s possible to go ahead and install the iOS 18.2 release candidate — the final version before Apple pushes it to the public — this weekend. That way you’ll have time to play around with the AI-powered Image Playground and other new Apple Intelligence features.
Getting iOS 18.2 now doesn’t require doing anything dodgy or risky. You’ll download the final version of the upgrade straight from Apple … just a little earlier than scheduled.
The alternate-history comedy Fly Me to the Moon starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum launched on Apple TV+ on Friday. The film covers events that definitely did not happen during the 1969 moon landing.
It premiered in theaters over the summer, and is only now reaching streaming.
New Mexico just joined the list of states whose residents can store a digital version of their driver’s license and state ID in Apple Wallet on their iPhone.
With Thursday’s addition, there are now nine U.S. states that support the feature.
British actor David Oyelowo stars in the new “surrealist family comedy” Government Cheese, coming to Apple TV+ in spring 2025.
Oyelowo is always good — he also features in Apple’s very popular sci-fi series Silo — so it may be worth checking this one out.
With Thursday’s introduction of the release candidates for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2, we’re likely a week away from the debut of the second wave of Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, the Image Playground and more.
Release candidates for watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2 and visionOS 2.2 also went out.
Third-party accessory-maker Polysoft stepped in to make something Apple won’t: upgrade SSDs for the Mac Studio. These will allow owners of the powerful desktop to increase the storage capacity with relative ease, which is not possible now.
And the product raises the possibility that Mac mini SSD upgrades will launch at some point, too.
The interest rate earned by cash stored in Apple Card Savings accounts dropped on Thursday, continuing a series of such drops touched off by the Federal Reserve cutting its benchmark interest rate twice now. Money in these accounts now earns 3.9% in annual interest.
Over the past year and half, Apple and Goldman Sachs boosted and lowered in the rate multiple times. And the current rate is still well above what’s earned by typical savings accounts.
The newly launched GameSir X3 Pro Mobile Gaming Controller packs Hall Effect sticks, dual rumble motors, micro switch triggers and detachable grips. And its USB-C connector and telescoping design means it fits a range of iPhone and Android models.
A stand-out feature is a cooling plate designed to prevent the handset from overheating while playing very demanding games.
The HomePod with a built-in 6- to 7-inch display that’s been the subject of previous rumors will launch after Apple’s developer conference in June, according to a report on Wednesday from a reliable source.
It will supposedly be part of Apple’s drive to offer more smart home products.
Apple picked Hysterical as the winner of the Apple Podcasts Award for 2024, which honors quality and innovation in podcasting.
It’s not a comedy. The seven-part series by Dan Taberski investigates a mysterious illness that spreads among a group of high school girls in upstate New York, and looks for parallels with one that affects American diplomats.
Anya Taylor-Joy, perhaps best known for starring in The Queen’s Gambit, is coming to Apple TV+. She’ll star in an adaptation of the bestselling crime thriller Lucky by Marissa Stapley.
A rumor from early November said the iOS 18.2 launch day would be the week of December 2, but that’s now impossible. There are steps that must take place before the operating system can be introduced, and not all of them have happened yet.
The release will probably be in the second week of December. Right now, the earliest likely date is December 10, though December 11 is looking increasingly likely.
Whenever the launch finally happens, it’ll usher in some of the most-anticipated new Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, the Image Playground and more.
Update: The much-anticipated release candidates for iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 went out December 5, which means Apple Intelligence phase 2 will likely launch December 12.
The latest iPhones show the devices’ battery cycle count, helping users track the long-term “health” of the battery. Displaying this data is simple, though it’s somewhat hidden.
In addition, you can check when the iPhone 15 or 16 was manufactured and first activated. (Note: This does not work with previous iPhones.)
The Samsung T9 SSD is quick and it’s very portable. Plus, for Cyber Week means it’s up to 40% off. Opt for 1TB, 2TB or even 4TB of additional storage for your Mac or iPad.
For an even more affordable option, the older Samsung T7 series is available for as much as 44% off.