Good morning and happy February! ☀️

We have a LOT to cover in the first issue of 2024 (I know, I know). Apple Vision Pro, new Apple products, controversial software changes, iOS 18, and more.

On the Menu Today:

• 📊 Poll

• 😎 Favorites of the Week

• 📲 iOS 18 Will Be Huge

• 🥽 Vision Pro Tidbits

• 📰 Quick News Bites

• 🎨 Set Wallpaper

In the last poll, I asked: Do you wear an Apple Watch daily..

Here are some of my favorite replies:

This week: Do you think iOS needs a full redesign?

I usually ignore the hype for Apple’s upcoming software releases, but I have a more optimistic feeling for 2024…

Will iOS 18 be the biggest iOS update ever? Probably not.

Will it be one of the most important updates ever? Probably.

Here’s what we’re expecting:

AppleGPT

• Apple is set to finally implement Generative AI technology that "should improve how both Siri and the Messages app can field questions and auto-complete sentences"

• Apple has also explored generative AI features for other apps, including Apple Music, Pages, Keynote, and Xcode

• A 2023 report mentioned that Apple has already created its own Large Language Model (LLM), which has been dubbed AppleGPT

• I suspect Siri will be able to handle much more sophisticated tasks in 2024

• The Shortcuts app will likely benefit greatly as well

RCS

• Apple confirmed they’ll be supporting RCS in the Messages app in 2024, so this is all but guaranteed to come in iOS 18

• This will allow Android users to text with iPhone users without an iPhone user complaining.

• That’s because RCS will add read receipts, typing indicators, the ability to leave a conversation with Android users, Wi-Fi messaging, & more

• This is up there with sideloading in terms of the biggest features to ever come to the iPhone

I’m sure there will be a lot more included with iOS 18, but just these two features alone are some of the biggest, most requested iPhone features of all time.

Everyone has wanted Siri to improve since day 1. Everyone has wanted texting with Android users to improve since day 1.

So, if Apple delivers on both of these major pain-points, I think iOS 18 will be a monumental update.

I mean sure a visual upgrade would be cool, but I’m more about function and usefulness. Aesthetics are currently good enough for me as-is, but I’m in the minority here. What do you think?

At the time of writing this, we are less than 24 hours away from the launch of Vision Pro. After watching/reading every early review, here are some of my pre-release thoughts:

• There will be 600+ native apps at launch!

• Apple appears to have under-promised & over-delivered on battery life

• I love the idea of EyeSight and Persona. I believe it will look better in person/while wearing the headset. Persona reminds me of NBA 2K cut-scenes - that's not a bad thing

• When you FaceTime someone, it's as if you're looking at them IRL. Their voice also comes from the direction of their persona in the call. Very cool

• The cable on the battery pack can be removed with a SIM-eject tool. And the connector is very lightning-esque.

• The Control Center is activated via a gesture with your eyes and head motion. And there's a screen recording toggle in the CC!

• I dislike the look & UX of the keyboard, but it’s not bad for a “virtual keyboard.” Magic Keyboard will be a must, at least for work

• You can't hot swap batteries. Vision Pro will shut down if the battery dies/is disconnected

• Weight seems to be a non-issue for most, even after 2+ hours of use. Using the included dual loop band is a must for prolonged sessions

• The NBA app is slick! This looks like the future of watching sports. I know the Quest can do something similar, but Apple's implementation/UI looks far better

• There is no “off” button. The headset acts similar to the AirPods Max, where they are always in a standby mode

I'll have additional thoughts & tidbits to share next week after using my Vision Pro!

• Jony Ive wanted to combine MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines

• Are Bots Behind the Apple Vision Pro Pre-Order Sell Out?

• The Psychology of Apple's Packaging

• Apple extends deal with Qualcomm until 2027 as it delays its own 5G modems

• Kuo: iPhone 16 Models to Lack Significant Design Changes Beyond Larger Displays and Capture Button

• tvOS 17.4 Code References Mysterious homeOS

• Apple announces changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union

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