Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max introduce a variable-aperture 48-megapixel main camera that can switch between f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0, unlike the fixed f/1.78 lens on last year's iPhone 17 Pro. The new models also add manual controls for shutter speed and white balance, an on-screen histogram, rear-camera Cinematic mode video up to 4K/60fps, and a feature called Apple Reference Image that stores sensor-signed RAW data alongside processed photos. Ultra Wide and Telephoto camera specs remain unchanged from the prior generation.
A federal jury in San Diego ruled Friday that Apple's Taptic Engine, used in iPhones and Apple Watches, infringed two haptics patents held by Taction Technology, awarding Taction more than $5.7 billion in damages. The case, filed in 2021, was initially dismissed in 2023 before the Federal Circuit revived it, leading to a trial that began September 14. Jurors deliberated two days and found the infringement was not willful.
A week after Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launched with new colors like Glacier, Burgundy and Deep Black, a 9to5Mac reviewer tested numerous third-party cases and shared personal favorites. Highlighted picks include Pitaka's ultra-thin Edge case, made of aramid fiber at 20g and 1mm thick with MagSafe magnets, priced at $59, and Nomad's Sport Case, which offers a soft-touch exterior, metal buttons and microfiber lining for everyday protection.
Apple's Always-On Display keeps a dimmed Lock Screen visible on supported Pro-model iPhones, but some users find it fully turns off instead of staying dimmed. The feature is limited to iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro models plus the iPhone Air, and can be toggled in Settings under Display & Brightness. Several common settings issues can cause it to malfunction, each with a simple fix.
Engadget published a monthly review roundup covering Apple products released after Labor Day, alongside the return of Sonos. The lineup includes the iPhone 18 Pro with upgraded cameras, the Apple Watch Series 12 with expanded health tracking and unreleased audio features, revamped AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation on both models, and updated Mac mini and Mac Studio units with new chips at higher prices.
Developer Matt Birchler tested Apple's iPhone 18 Pro's A20 Pro chip for thermal throttling during transcription benchmarks, finding speeds dropped from a peak of 447.9 words per second to about 320 after several runs. He then placed a cold can of La Croix sparkling water on the back of the phone during a 20-run benchmark session and recorded a 25% improvement in sustained performance compared to the uncooled test.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 8 alongside two other foldables at its July Unpacked event, introducing a shorter, wider form factor distinct from prior Z Fold models. The device measures 123.9mm tall, 9.7mm thick folded and 4.5mm unfolded, weighing 201 grams, making it lighter than the Z Fold 8 Ultra. A hands-on review after two weeks of use found it a strong but not flawless entry into the wide-foldable category.
Apple maintains a Dimensional Drawings section within the Accessories area of its developer website, offering precise technical schematics for 96 devices. The library covers current and recent hardware including iPhones, Apple Watch models, AirPods, MacBooks, the Siri Remote, AirTag, and Vision Pro accessories like its ZEISS Optical Inserts. Each drawing details exact measurements for buttons, cameras, sensors, speakers, connectors, and keepout zones where certain materials must be avoided.
Apple released TestFlight version 4.4.0, adding landscape orientation on iPhone and support for the resizable iPhone Mirroring window in macOS 27 Golden Gate. The update also switches TestFlight's app list to a two-column layout in landscape and rearranges app detail screens to use extra horizontal space. The update follows Apple's rollout of resizable iPhone Mirroring aspect ratios in macOS 27 Golden Gate.
In episode 83 of the Overtime podcast, hosts Fernando Silva and Jeff Benjamin discuss Apple's rumored screenless fitness tracker and why it appeals to them. Silva also recounts hands-on impressions of the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4, while the pair note disappointing findings on aftermarket SSD upgrades for the M6 Mac mini.
A hands-on review of Apple's iPhone 18 Pro finds the design largely unchanged from the iPhone 17 Pro, with the main additions being a variable aperture camera system, a new chip, improved battery life and better thermal management that keeps the phone cooler under load. The reviewer notes Apple is reserving bolder design experiments for other models like the iPhone Air and the new iPhone Duo.
Amazon has expanded its early fall Prime Day promotions with a $50 discount on the new M5 Max Mac Studio, AirPods Pro 3 at $199 (down from $249), and Powerbeats Pro 2 at $50 off. Additional deals include a two-pack of Beats USB-C cables for $14, a 60% price cut on the Ring Battery Doorbell 2K to $40, and discounts on iPhone 18 Pro cases and chargers.
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