Apple Daily | California Adds Digital IDs to Apple Wallet; iPhone "Plus" Replaced by "Air" in 2025

【iPhone】

Apple has ceased signing iOS 17.6, preventing downgrades to this version following the release of iOS 17.6.1, which includes bug fixes and security updates. This policy ensures users remain on the latest, most secure version of iOS.

California will roll out support for digital driver's licenses and IDs in the Apple Wallet app, becoming the sixth state to do so. The feature, still in a pilot stage, allows residents to use their digital IDs for TSA screenings and age verification but requires carrying a physical ID for law enforcement and most businesses.

Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" model in 2025, replacing it with an iPhone "Air." This new model is rumored to feature a significantly thinner design, a relocated camera system, and ProMotion technology, among other upgrades.

【Mac】

Apple plans to refresh the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 chips by the end of the year. These updates will focus on internal improvements, with no design changes expected. The M4 chips will offer enhanced performance, efficiency, and AI capabilities.

The Mac mini is set for a design refresh, becoming Apple's smallest computer to date. It will feature M4 and M4 Pro chips, notable performance improvements, and a smaller aluminum body with multiple USB-C ports and an HDMI port.

The 24-inch iMac will also be updated with the M4 chip this year, maintaining its current design and color options. A larger ~30-inch iMac is being explored but is not expected until at least 2025.

With macOS Sequoia, Apple will prompt users to reauthorize screen recording app permissions monthly, a change from the previous weekly prompts. This aims to balance security with user convenience.

Display panels for the 14-inch and 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro models are shipping to Apple, confirming a launch in the fourth quarter. Alongside these, the Mac mini will be refreshed with a smaller footprint. The MacBook Air, Mac Pro, and Mac Studio will receive M4 updates in 2025.

Apple released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, including fixes and updates for various web technologies. This experimental browser aims to test features for future releases of Safari.

【Apple Watch】

The Apple Watch Ultra is more popular than the entry-level Apple Watch SE, despite its higher price. The Series 9 is currently the most popular model, capturing 43% of U.S. sales. The Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 contribute 20% to total sales, while the SE holds a 12% market share.

【Others】

T-Mobile was fined $60 million by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US (CFIUS) for failing to prevent or disclose unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, violating a national security agreement signed during its merger with Sprint.

Threads announced new features including performance analytics for creators and support for writing and saving multiple drafts of posts on the web. Scheduling posts will be available soon, with these features expected to roll out to mobile apps in the future.

Primate Labs officially launched Geekbench AI, a benchmarking suite optimized for AI-centric workloads. The tool measures hardware performance under various AI tasks and includes an accuracy measurement for developers.

Apple reminded developers distributing apps in the EU to submit their trader status. This requirement, part of the EU's Digital Services Act, mandates the display of contact information on the App Store. Non-compliant apps will be removed from the store starting February 2025.

Beats and Kim Kardashian have expanded their collaboration to include Beats Studio Pro headphones in three neutral colors. These headphones offer advanced features like Active Noise Cancellation and up to 40 hours of battery life, available online and at select retailers.