Apple recently introduced a new security feature with the iOS 18.1 update that rolled out to users on October 28 that could prove to be troublesome for both thieves and law enforcement officials. According to a report, police officials in the US noticed that some iPhone models that were stored for forensic examination were rebooting on their own, making it much more difficult to bypass the security of the smartphone. A security researcher has confirmed that the reboots were due to a new feature added to iOS 18.

iOS 18.1 Introduces ‘Inactivity Reboot’ Feature on iPhone

According to a report by 404 Media, police officials in Detroit discovered that some iPhone units that were in storage and waiting for forensic examination were rebooting, making it harder to unlock those devices using tools designed to gain access to seized devices.

The publication also referred to a Michigan police document that suggested Apple had introduced a feature that allowed an iPhone to “communicate” with other devices, sending them a signal to reboot. However, this theory was debunked after a security researcher dug into the iOS 18.2 code

Security researcher Jiska (@jiska@chaos.social) explained in a post on Mastodon that Apple actually added a feature called “inactivity reboot” that appears to have nothing to do with the phone’s network state. Instead, the feature is designed to reboot any iPhone running iOS 18.1 if it hasn’t been unlocked for a while.

How Apple’s ‘Inactivity Reboot’ Feature Impacts Thieves and Law Enforcement

Apple encrypts user data on a smartphone in two states — Before First Unlock (BFU) and After First Unlock (AFU). The former is the state when an iPhone has been restarted, and the handset can only receive calls. This is a heightened mode of security, which is lowered when the user unlocks it for the first time and enables support for Face ID or Touch ID.

An iPhone remains in AFU mode until another reboot is performed, which means that law enforcement officials (or thieves) can use specific tools (from companies like Cellebrite or GrayKey) designed to unlock the device and access its contents. However, when an iPhone is in BFU state, it is much harder for these tools to gain access to the device using brute force techniques.

This is not the first time that Apple has introduced a feature that protects the iPhone from unauthorised access. After the company refused to unlock an iPhone for the FBI in 2016 (the FBI eventually used a third-party to unlock the phone), the company added a setting that disabled USB debugging on its smartphones,

Apple’s recently launched MacBook Pro (2024) and Mac Mini (2024) are equipped with the company’s new M4 chip lineup, and the computers went on sale in India and global markets on Friday. The company’s latest laptop and desktop computer supports the “High Power Mode” that is designed to boost performance while using video editing and 3D applications on macOS, according to details shared in ArsTechnica’s review of the M4 Mac Mini. The feature was previously supported on select MacBook Pro models equipped with the company’s more capable chips.

MacBook Pro (2024), Mac Mini (2024) Support High Power Mode on macOS

ArsTechnica’s review of the Mac Mini (2024) with an M4 Pro chip confirms that the High Power Mode on macOS is available on the compact desktop computer. When enabled, the feature provides a marginal improvement in performance, while increasing the speed of the fans on the device, according to the publication.

Enabling the High Power Mode on macOS
Photo Credit: Apple

 

According to Apple’s support page for the ‘High Power Mode’ feature, users who have specific Apple Silicon Mac computers will be able to access the feature. It is designed to offer improved performance for demanding workflows, such as colour grading 8K ProRes 4444 and 8K DNxHR video.

High Power Mode is currently supported on the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M3 Max, 2023) and MacBook Pro 16-inch (M1 Max) while the 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Max and M3 Max chips also include the feature. It appears that Apple hasn’t updated the support page for the feature since March, and the latest MacBook Pro and Mac Mini are yet to be listed as compatible models.

macOS also offers a “Low Power Mode” that does exactly what the name suggests — it makes the Mac reduce its energy usage in order to preserve battery life. This feature is available on most Mac computers, unlike the high performance mode It comes at the cost of slower performance, but it can be handy when using a MacBook on the go.  

Apple is reportedly working on equipping its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with OLED screens, and these improved variants were expected to arrive in 2026 and 2027, respectively. However, a new report suggests that the launch of the OLED MacBook Air model could be delayed beyond 2027, due to issues related to the price of the device, as well as supply chain challenges. Apple’s first handset with an OLED screen was the iPhone 12 which arrived in 2020, while the company unveiled the iPad Pro (2024) as its first OLED-equipped tablet earlier this year.

MacBook Air With OLED Screen Could Be Delayed Beyond 2027

All of Apple’s current MacBook models — including the recently launched MacBook Pro (2024) models with M4 chips — are equipped with Liquid Retina and Liquid Retina XDR screens, and the company is expected to upgrade the MacBook Pro with an OLED screen in 2026, while the MacBook Air was tipped to arrive a year later. However, recent reports have suggested that the OLED MacBook Air could face additional delays.

Citing sources at South Korean component manufacturers, The Elec reports that Apple could postpone the launch of the first MacBook with an OLED screen beyond 2027, and that the delay is primarily due to the expected increase in price of the device, and the company’s concern that an OLED screen upgrade might not be enough to convince customers to upgrade from older models.

Shipment forecasts for the iPad Pro (2024) — Apple’s first tablet with an OLED screen — have reportedly been lowered by analysts after sales of the tablet fell in Q3 2024. Analysts now expect Apple to ship up to 7 million iPad Pro models, down from around 10 million users, according to the publication.

Another factor that could affect the launch of the MacBook Air model with an OLED screen is Apple’s supply chain. The publication says that Apple has only two OLED display panel makers — LG Display and Samsung Display — which makes it difficult for the Cupertino company to keep prices low.

While the MacBook Air is expected to feature a single layer OLED panel, Apple is tipped to equip upgrade the MacBook Pro with a two-stack OLED panel — it used a ‘Tandem OLED’ panel on the iPad Pro (2024). It is currently unclear whether the purported timeline for the OLED MacBook Pro will also be delayed, alongside the company’s OLED MacBook Air model.

iOS 18.2 will reportedly allow users to “trust” a new computer without entering their passcode. The next iOS update is expected to arrive in December, and Apple rolled out the second developer beta version earlier this week. Unlike iOS 18.1, which mostly added support for a couple of Apple Intelligence features on eligible iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers, the company is expected to introduce more features with the iOS 18.2 update next month, including the ability to share the location of lost items with trusted people and the ability to change focus and exposure lock on the Camera Control button.

iOS 18.2 to Let Users Trust New Computers Using Face ID on iPhone

Apple’s security feature that requires users to enter their PIN, passcode, or password to “trust” a new computer will soon become a lot easier to use, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user Aaron Perris (via 9to5Mac). Apple will let users allow a new computer to access the data on the device after authenticating using Face ID.

It’s worth noting that the new functionality is currently limited to beta testers, and is expected to roll out to users next month. It comes more than a decade after Apple added support for the “Trust This Computer” feature to the iPhone, allowing users to decided which devices would have access to the information on their smartphone.

If a user chooses not to trust a computer, they will see the prompt every time they connect the phone to that device — this is also the case when an iPhone running on iOS 16 or later is connected to a trusted computer where local backup (not iCloud backup) is enabled, according to Apple’s support document.

Other iOS 18.2 Features Expected to Arrive in December

When iOS 18.2 rolls out to users next month, it is expected to bring new Apple Intelligence features that are already available to beta testers. These include the new Visual Intelligence (iPhone 16 models), ChatGPT (and ChatGPT Plus) support, Genmoji, and the Image Playground feature, while the Notes app will also get some AI-backed improvements. This is the second wave of Apple Intelligence features, following the release of iOS 18.1 last month that brought support for Writing Tools and AI-powered Focus modes.

For users who are less concerned about AI features — or don’t have an Apple Intelligence-compatible device — the iOS 18,2 update will also add support for sharing the location of lost items on Find My with airlines or trusted people. It will also upgrade the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 series with the ability to control focus and exposure lock. The icons for apps shown in the Settings app will also match the tint selected on the Home Screen on iOS 18.2. 

iOS 18.2 will reportedly allow users to “trust” a new computer without entering their passcode. The next iOS update is expected to arrive in December, and Apple rolled out the second developer beta version earlier this week. Unlike iOS 18.1, which mostly added support for a couple of Apple Intelligence features on eligible iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers, the company is expected to introduce more features with the iOS 18.2 update next month, including the ability to share the location of lost items with trusted people and the ability to change focus and exposure lock on the Camera Control button.

iOS 18.2 to Let Users Trust New Computers Using Face ID on iPhone

Apple’s security feature that requires users to enter their PIN, passcode, or password to “trust” a new computer will soon become a lot easier to use, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user Aaron Perris (via 9to5Mac). Apple will let users allow a new computer to access the data on the device after authenticating using Face ID.

It’s worth noting that the new functionality is currently limited to beta testers, and is expected to roll out to users next month. It comes more than a decade after Apple added support for the “Trust This Computer” feature to the iPhone, allowing users to decided which devices would have access to the information on their smartphone.

If a user chooses not to trust a computer, they will see the prompt every time they connect the phone to that device — this is also the case when an iPhone running on iOS 16 or later is connected to a trusted computer where local backup (not iCloud backup) is enabled, according to Apple’s support document.

Other iOS 18.2 Features Expected to Arrive in December

When iOS 18.2 rolls out to users next month, it is expected to bring new Apple Intelligence features that are already available to beta testers. These include the new Visual Intelligence (iPhone 16 models), ChatGPT (and ChatGPT Plus) support, Genmoji, and the Image Playground feature, while the Notes app will also get some AI-backed improvements. This is the second wave of Apple Intelligence features, following the release of iOS 18.1 last month that brought support for Writing Tools and AI-powered Focus modes.

For users who are less concerned about AI features — or don’t have an Apple Intelligence-compatible device — the iOS 18,2 update will also add support for sharing the location of lost items on Find My with airlines or trusted people. It will also upgrade the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 series with the ability to control focus and exposure lock. The icons for apps shown in the Settings app will also match the tint selected on the Home Screen on iOS 18.2. 

ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode, a feature that first started rolling out in September, is now being added to the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot’s desktop apps. Announced on Thursday, OpenAI’s native chatbot will now offer a human-like voice chat experience to Mac and Windows users. The feature was first unveiled at the OpenAI Spring Updates event in May and it can express emotions, modulate the voice, and react to what the user is saying. So far, only the paid subscribers of the platform have access to the feature.

ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode Comes to Desktop Apps

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the official handle of OpenAI announced that the Advanced Voice Mode has been rolled out to macOS and Windows desktop apps. The move is interesting as major AI firms have started focusing their attention towards the desktop to offer more powerful and comprehensive AI capabilities to users.

On the same day, Anthropic released its desktop apps for Mac and Windows, paving the way for the Computer Use tool. Google is also reportedly working on a new agentic AI browser tool that will be able to complete tasks such as booking movie tickets and purchasing a product. Now, with OpenAI’s Advanced Voice, users can finally utilise the full capability of voice-based AI in a desktop environment. Notably, so far the feature was only available to Android and iOS apps.

Some of the ways users can take advantage of the ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode is by verbally prompting the AI to write a code, or having a back-and-forth while writing a research paper or college assignment. Users can also upload data files and then have a two-way conversation about its analysis and insights.

ChatGPT app users will find the option to turn on the Advanced Voice Mode by tapping the waveform icon placed next to the text field. Tapping on the icon activates the new voice mode. Users now have five new voices to choose from — Vale, Spruce, Arbor, Maple, and Sol. Each of these voices has a different pitch, tonality, and regional accent.

However, the feature is still only available to the ChatGPT Teams and Plus users. Additionally, those residing in the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein will not get the new feature.

Apple Intelligence began rolling out to users in the US earlier this week, as part of the company’s iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 software update. The most notable AI feature that is available on compatible iPhone and Mac computers is called Apple Writing Tools, and it allows users to proofread or summarise text on their device, make changes to tone and length, or simply rewrite it altogether. While the feature works with most apps designed for macOS, users can also access it on Windows apps running in a virtual machine on macOS.

Apple Intelligence Writing Tools Support for Windows Apps Introduced

Users with a Mac computer running on macOS Sequoia can use the new Apple Writing Tools feature that is part of the first Apple Intelligence feature rollout, while accessing Windows applications running inside a virtual machine, according to a support document shared by virtualisation software maker Parallels.

After updating to macOS 15.1, users who have a Parallels Desktop virtual machine on their Mac computer can begin using the new Apple Writing Tools feature while running Windows applications like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence will need to be activated on the computer before support for Windows applications can be enabled via an update.

According to the virtualisation software firm, users will need to open the Parallels Desktop Control Center, start up their Windows virtual machine, then click on the following options in the menu bar at the top of the screen: Actions > Update Parallels Tools.

Apple Writing Tools running on the web version of Microsoft Word on Microsoft Edge
Photo Credit: Parallels

 

Once this process is complete, users can select a block of text inside an app like Microsoft Word running on their virtual machine on Parallels Desktop, then press the Shift + Command + W keyboard shortcut to access the Apple Writing Tools menu.     

Apple Intelligence is available to users in the US, on Mac computers that have an Apple Silicon chip. This means that if a user is running a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, or Mac Pro with an M1, M2, M3, or M4 series chip, they will be able to access Apple Intelligence, as long as their system language is set to English (US). 

Apple Intelligence began rolling out to users in the US earlier this week, as part of the company’s iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 software update. The most notable AI feature that is available on compatible iPhone and Mac computers is called Apple Writing Tools, and it allows users to proofread or summarise text on their device, make changes to tone and length, or simply rewrite it altogether. While the feature works with most apps designed for macOS, users can also access it on Windows apps running in a virtual machine on macOS.

Apple Intelligence Writing Tools Support for Windows Apps Introduced

Users with a Mac computer running on macOS Sequoia can use the new Apple Writing Tools feature that is part of the first Apple Intelligence feature rollout, while accessing Windows applications running inside a virtual machine, according to a support document shared by virtualisation software maker Parallels.

After updating to macOS 15.1, users who have a Parallels Desktop virtual machine on their Mac computer can begin using the new Apple Writing Tools feature while running Windows applications like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. It’s worth noting that Apple Intelligence will need to be activated on the computer before support for Windows applications can be enabled via an update.

According to the virtualisation software firm, users will need to open the Parallels Desktop Control Center, start up their Windows virtual machine, then click on the following options in the menu bar at the top of the screen: Actions > Update Parallels Tools.

Apple Writing Tools running on the web version of Microsoft Word on Microsoft Edge
Photo Credit: Parallels

 

Once this process is complete, users can select a block of text inside an app like Microsoft Word running on their virtual machine on Parallels Desktop, then press the Shift + Command + W keyboard shortcut to access the Apple Writing Tools menu.     

Apple Intelligence is available to users in the US, on Mac computers that have an Apple Silicon chip. This means that if a user is running a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iMac, or Mac Pro with an M1, M2, M3, or M4 series chip, they will be able to access Apple Intelligence, as long as their system language is set to English (US). 

Cyberpunk 2077, the first-person open-world sci-fi adventure game, was first unveiled in 2020. The game is currently available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. However, Mac users will soon be able to enjoy the game as well. During the announcement of the latest M4 chip-powered MacBook Pro laptops, Apple confirmed that the game will be available on Mac devices in early 2025 alongside a few more titles. Game developer CD Projekt RED confirmed that the Ultimate Edition of the game will be available to Mac users early next year.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Coming to Silicon Macs

The Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be available on Mac with Apple silicon chipsets in early 2025, according to a press note by the game developers. An exact release date has yet to be confirmed. This version will include the Phantom Liberty “spy-thriller” expansion. Mac users will be able to experience immersive features like path tracing, frame generation, and inbuilt Spatial Audio.

CD Projekt RED confirms that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be available on the Mac App Store, GOG.com, Steam and Epic Games Store. Players who own Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam can access the Mac version without a new purchase.

Apple revealed in its M4 MacBook Pro announcement video that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a game developed by Ubisoft Quebec, which is scheduled to launch in February next year, will be available to Mac users too. 

Notably, Apple refreshed the MacBook Pro lineup with its latest 3nm M4 chipsets on Thursday. The 14-inch base model starts in India at Rs. 1,69,999, while the M4 Pro version is listed at Rs. 1,99,900. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro SoC is marked at Rs. 2,49,900, and the 16-inch M4 Max variant costs Rs. 3,49,900.

Apple has announced a RAM upgrade for the MacBook Air lineup alongside new MacBook Pro models with M4 chips. In a surprise move, the Cupertino-based company has doubled the base RAM configuration on M2 and M3 MacBook Air models to 16GB, from the current 8GB, without a corresponding price increase. Besides RAM, nothing else will change about the laptops. Both models will feature 13.6-inch Liquid Retina displays. The model with M3 offers 512GB storage, while the M2 version has 256GB storage.

MacBook Air Base Model Gets 16GB of RAM

During the Mac event on Wednesday (October 30), Apple announced that it has increased the base memory of its M2 and M3 MacBook Air models to 16GB without changing pricing. Both versions of the MacBook Air were sold with 8GB of RAM. The lineup still starts at $999 (roughly Rs. 83,000) in the US. It is offered in Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Space Gray colours.

In India, the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chipset is priced at Rs. 1,14,900 for the base 16GB RAM variant. The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 chipset with 16GB RAM can be purchased for Rs. 1,34,900.

The increased memory will offer more resources for Apple Intelligence features announced in the macOS Sequoia update. It is likely to enhance app operation and multitasking capability as well. Apple launched the latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M3 chipset in March this year. The brand is likely to bring new models with the M4 chip same time next year. 

Beyond a RAM update, the hardware features of the MacBook Air will remain unchanged. They’ll keep the same 13.6-inch Liquid Retina panels with a peak brightness of 500nits. The M3 version packs 512GB SSD for storage, whereas the M2 starts at 256GB. The MacBook Air models also include MagSafe 3 charging port, and two Thunderbolt/ USB 4 ports for connectivity.