OpenAI has announced a few new updates for its iOS app, including Shortcuts integration. Now you can create a ChatGPT prompt in Shortcuts and save it as a link between the AI tool and different apps. For example, ask ChatGPT to answer a problem or look up a fact and then message the response to your friend or save it as a note. You can also now ask Siri to bring up ChatGPT or create these Shortcuts. ChatGPT for iOS already utilizes OpenAI's Whisper speech recognition for voice input, with Siri further expanding its accessibility. 

A new drag and drop feature further integrates ChatGPT across iOS devices, letting you pull messages out of its interface and into other apps. It's a bit like the physical version of Shortcuts, so it's up to you which method to use. 

ChatGPT is also going to be better supported across iPads moving forward. Previously, iPad users weren't getting a full-screen experience when using the app — OpenAI had only formatted it for iPhone-sized displays. Now it will take up all the screen real estate you have, ideally providing a less wonky experience. 

The updates follow ChatGPT's recent expansion across Apple's platforms, with OpenAI first launching an iOS app for US users in mid-May and soon taking it to 11 more countries. Before these updates, the app already synced conversations to your computer and provided access to GPT-4 for ChatGPT Plus subscribers. While ChatGPT continues to advance its presence on Apple devices, Android owners still have to wait for an app. 

Reddit is changing its controversial new API policy for the makers of some apps that are focused on accessibility, provided they don’t monetize their services. As The Vergereports, Reddit has decided to offer the developers of select “non-commercial” apps that emphasize accessibility features an exemption from its controversial new pricing structure.

“We’ve connected with select developers of non-commercial apps that address accessibility needs and offered them exemptions from our large-scale pricing terms,” Reddit spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt said in a statement. He declined to name any specific services or share how many apps might be covered by the new exemption, citing ongoing conversations with developers.

The concession comes amid growing anger with Reddit over the planned changes, which many developers say will put them out of business. Last week, Christian Selig, the developer of Apollo, said the new pricing would cost him $20 million a year to keep the app running in its current state. Other developers have voiced similar concerns about the changes, currently slated to take effect July 1st.

As The Verge points out, the API changes have also sparked widespread concern among Reddit users who depend on services that make it easier to use the site with screen readers and other accessibility aids. Earlier this week, the moderators of r/Blind said they were planning to join the upcoming Reddit blackout in protest of the changes. The effort, which more than 1,000 subreddits have signed onto, will see participatingcommunities “go dark” for 48 hours.

While the latest change from Reddit could bring some relief to the members of r/Blind and others who depend on apps specifically tailored to their needs, the rule change won’t help the majority of third-party app developers. Apps like Apollo, RIF and BaconReader are monetized and thus don’t qualify for an exemption even though some also offer robust accessibility features. Unless Reddit makes further concessions, those developers are still facing the possibility that they will be forced to shut down, or drastically alter, their services.

Wordpress is getting an AI writing assistant of its own called Jetpack AI, and it's built into the content management system's editor. For Wordpress blogs hosted elsewhere, owners will still be able to access the tool through the Jetpack plugin. Like any other generative AI tool, Jetpack can spit out content based on the prompt users type in, whether it's a traditional article, a list or a table. The assistant can also switch the tone of the post, depending on what the user is going for: It could sound informative, optimistic, humorous or even sarcastic. 

If the user wants to write their own post, they could still ask Jetpack for help. They could either make the tool generate a headline based on what they'd written or use it to automatically check their grammar or correct any spelling mistakes. And if they want to include a translation of their article, they can use Jetpack AI to quickly translate it into any of its 12 available languages, including Spanish, French and Korean. According to TechCrunch, Jetpack is free to use for all WordPress.com customers for the first 20 requests as sort of a free trial period. After that, users will have to pay $10 per month to be able to access the tool. 

While Jetpack AI can be especially useful for people already using Wordpress, it's just one of the AI-powered writing tools that have recently popped up. The Microsoft 365 Copilot, for instance, can create a proposal on Word based on spreadsheet data or change a written report's tone. Google also recently imbued its Workspace apps with AI capabilities and gave Docs the power to generate text based on the topic written on the page.

Ubisoft is bringing its guitar-learning app to mobile devices this week. Rocksmith+ will be available on iOS and Android on June 9th, nine months after the service landed on PC. The company previously said the mobile app would arrive last fall. Meanwhile, there's still no word on when the Xbox and PlayStation versions will be available.

Rocksmith+ is designed to help folks learn how to play the electric, acoustic or bass guitar. Features include note detection, real-time feedback and practice tools. There are now more than 6,000 songs in the library, with more being added each month.

You'll need a subscription to use Rocksmith+. It costs $15 for one month, $40 for three months and $100 for a year. There is a seven-day trial available, but you'll need to sign up for the annual plan and swiftly cancel if you don't want to keep using the app after the first week.

Ubisoft also offers a free guitar tuning app on iOS and Android. You can connect your instrument directly or use your mobile device's microphone to make sure you're in tune. The app has more than 30 presets, so it can help you try a variety of non-standard tunings.

Acura is preparing to launch its first fully electric vehicle, the 2024 ZDX, and just announced integration with a full suite of Google products, including Android Auto. These features will be available on all ZDK trims and bring apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps to the vehicle, offering a “personalized and more streamlined” experience.

Google Assistant lets you issue voice commands while keeping your eyes on the road to initiate phone calls, text friends, set reminders, change the cabinet temperature and more. Of course, this is fully integrated with Android Auto, so use Assistant to play favorite media tracks, skip to the next track, rewind a podcast and download a wide range of third-party apps.

Acura

While Google Assistant isn’t a vast departure from any other iteration, this version of Google Maps boasts some features just for EV drivers. It offers optimized route planning with an emphasis on finding EV charging stations and an estimation of the charging time required to reach any destination. It even preconditions the battery when preparing to enter a DC fast charging station.

There’s a large center touchscreen that acts as a primary dashboard for navigation, media selection and the like. The touchscreen integrates with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with regular “fast and secure” Over the Air (OTA) software updates to enhance various functionalities.

This move comes as auto giant GM begins phasing out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in its vehicles to make room for the more robust Android Automotive software platform. The Acura ZDX and ZDX Type S EVs will be available early next year, with all sales taking place online and not at brick-and-mortar dealerships.

Apple is supposed to release an iOS 17 public beta in July, but the company inadvertently gave users an early peek. As AppleInsiderexplains, Connor Jewiss and other users have noticed that the iOS 17 developer beta was available to install in the Beta Updates section of Settings whether or not you paid for the necessary account. The macOS Sonoma and watchOS 10 previews have been available this way, too. 

We wouldn't count on any of the developer betas being available as we write this. As it is, you likely won't want to install them. These are the first pre-release versions available to people outside of Apple, and they're the most likely to include bugs and app compatibility issues. That could cause problems if you install them on must-have devices. Unless you're a developer who wants to start preparing app updates, you're probably better off waiting until either the public beta or the finished version releases this fall.

iOS 17 is an iterative upgrade, but it adds more than a few features you might appreciate, such as live voicemail transcripts, easier sharing, more intelligent autocorrection and a journaling app. MacOS Sonoma adds perks like desktop widgets, Safari privacy updates and a Game Mode, while watchOS 10 is a significant revamp that centers on quick-glance widgets. For the most part, there's no rush to try them right away.

Apple is supposed to release an iOS 17 public beta in July, but some recent changes made the developer betas more accessible this year. The iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and macOS Sonoma betas were released yesterday and for the first time, those with free developer accounts can access these preview software. As AppleInsiderexplains, Connor Jewiss and other users have noticed that the iOS 17 developer beta was available to install in the Beta Updates section of Settings whether or not you paid. The macOS Sonoma and watchOS 10 previews have been available this way, too. 

For some context — previously, to access the various OS betas right after the WWDC keynote, you'd have to be have a paid developer account, which cost about $100 a year. While a free tier was always available, the developer betas weren't included in that option. 

That technically means that since you won't have to pay for a developer account for access to these betas, you can probably sign up for Apple's Developer Program to check them out. But you likely won't want to install them. These are the first pre-release versions available to people outside of Apple, and they're the most likely to include bugs and app compatibility issues. That could cause problems if you install them on must-have devices. Unless you're a developer who wants to start preparing app updates, you're probably better off waiting until either the public beta or the finished version releases this fall.

iOS 17 is an iterative upgrade, but it adds more than a few features you might appreciate, such as live voicemail transcripts, easier sharing, more intelligent autocorrection and a journaling app. MacOS Sonoma adds perks like desktop widgets, Safari privacy updates and a Game Mode, while watchOS 10 is a significant revamp that centers on quick-glance widgets. For the most part, there's no rush to try them right away.

Update (at 9:50pm ET): This article was edited to correct some mistakes around how and why access to these developer betas is now available for free. We also added context to explain the difference this year. We apologize for the error.

Google's Slack-like business app Chat, previously known as Hangouts, is getting an AI update on web, the company announced. As with Docs and Gmail, Google is introducing "smart compose," suggesting relevant phrases in context as you write, effectively saving time by reducing repetitive typing. The aim, the company said, is to help you communicate with colleagues quicker "to move conversations or projects forward more efficiently."

Google has notoriously confusing communications around its messaging apps, so as a reminder, Chat is its enterprise chat app originally introduced among a slate of business offerings. It has features similar to the original Hangouts experience, but with upgrades like reactions and reply suggestions. While designed for enterprises, it's available for free to individual users as well. 

Google

Chat got Google's Material Design treatment earlier this year, tying it more closely to Gmail, from where it can be directly launched. Along with new fonts, colors, panel sizing and other aesthetic changes, Google introduced a new topic button designed to make project collaboration easier. 

Since Chat has a lot in common with Gmail, it makes sense to have the smart compose option in both apps. Google notes that it will be turned ON by default and can be disabled by unchecking "Enable predictive suggestions as you compose a message on web and desktop" under smart compose. As mentioned, the update only pertains to the web version — it's now rolling out to rapid release domains, and will arrive to others starting on June 26th. 

It’s an Apple-heavy TMA today, so strap in. After years of speculation, at its WWDC 2023 keynote yesterday, Apple revealed almost everything about its first spatial computing headset, the Vision Pro. In typical Apple style, it looks almost completely different to existing headsets. As Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar put it during his time with the device, the Vision Pro is like the iPod to MP3 players of old, the iPhone to the BlackBerry.

Apple

The Vision Pro is a standalone headset (well, with battery pack) that forgoes controllers. Instead, through external and internal sensors and cameras, you use the Vision Pro with voice input and hand/eye gestures. You can finger pinch to select things and use pinch-slide motion for scrolling up/down or left/right. Unlike the Oculus Quest series, you can even make those hand gestures comfortably on your lap – you don't have to hold your hands up dramatically like a Minority Report cosplayer. The most unusual twist might be EyeSight. Apple uses the curved display on the headset's exterior to display your eyes and reactions while you’re wearing the device.

Apple's visionOS, made for this new kind of product, feels like a cross between iOS and macOS, powered by a new R1 chip and an M2 processor to deliver what Apple describes as responsive, "lag-free" standalone performance. Tapping the digital crown (yes, like the Apple Watch) brings up your app icons, while in some demos, rotating the crown will blend the augmented reality vision into a more immersive one. Read our full impressions testing out the headset right here, but expect to wait (and save up): the Vision Pro will be $3,499, and it won't be available until early 2024. Countries outside the US will have to wait longer still.

– Mat Smith

The Morning After isn’t just a newsletter – it’s also a daily podcast. Get our daily audio briefings, Monday through Friday, by subscribing right here.

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Apple finally announces the 15-inch MacBook Air for $1,299

Another device that’s been a long time coming.

Engadget

As expected, the new MacBook Air is extremely similar to the redesigned 13-inch version announced at WWDC one year ago – just a bit bigger. But it marks the first time Apple has released a laptop with a screen this size that wasn't part of its "pro" lineup of devices, stretching all the way back to the PowerBook era of Apple laptops. The 15-inch MacBook Air has the same M2 chip as the smaller model, but Apple hasn't said exactly what the resolution of the 15-inch MacBook Air display is yet. It doesn't have the ProMotion adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz – this one tops out at 60Hz. Apple says it should offer 18 hours of battery life and is only about 3.3 pounds and 11.5mm thick. The laptop starts at $1,299 and is available to pre-order.

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Apple's iOS 17 adds Live Voicemail, StandBy and a Journal app

It also has improved sharing and a smarter Siri.

Apple

The big update to your iPhone brings a raft of improvements to smartphone basics. Incoming calls can now include custom posters for certain contacts, and you'll get Google-style live transcripts for voicemail. Messages, meanwhile, offers easier replies, audio message transcripts and a check-in feature that automatically lets people know if you've arrived or are delayed. You’ll even be able to leave voicemails through Facetime.

With NameDrop, a new feature, you can share contact details just by bringing your iPhone close to someone else's device. You can also share photos that way and leave AirDrop transferring content even when you have to step away. As rumored, you’ll also get a new Journal app, which will send shockwaves to the litany of third-party journaling and diary apps already out. The iOS 17 developer preview is available today, with a public beta coming in July. The software will officially debut this fall.

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Apple drops support for the iPhone 8 and X with iOS 17

All the compatible devices for Apple's upcoming operating systems.

If you're still clinging on to an iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X, you won't be able to update it to iOS 17. In other words, your iPhone will need to have an A12 Bionic or later chip to install the new OS. If you have an iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, iPhone SE (second-gen) or later, you'll have access to features including Live Voicemail transcripts, the StandBy display mode and improved autocorrect.

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The Apple Watch embraces widgets again in watchOS 10

A new version of the old Glances feature.

Your Apple Watch may look very different when watchOS 10 arrives. As expected, the company is giving the smartwatch user interface an overhaul as part of one of the firmware's biggest updates yet. The original Apple Watch UI was designed, in part, around Glances – a carousel of widgets for different apps and features. You’ll be able to rotate the Digital Crown to access a smart stack of relevant widgets. Things like timers, stopwatches and podcasts will show up as widgets when they're in use. You can even have a widget with your favorite complications. A public beta will arrive next month, and Apple plans to release watchOS 10 this fall.

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Reddit communities are 'going dark' to protest changes that would hurt third-party apps

The subreddits object to pricing that could hurt apps like Apollo.

Reddit's potential threat to third-party apps is prompting a high-profile protest. Dozens of subreddits, including major examples like Earthporn, LifeProTips, ReactionGIFs and Videos, have declared they're "going dark" (that is, going private) starting June 12th in response to an API pricing increase they believe will shut out third-party clients. Some will resume public access after 48 hours, but others will "permanently" isolate themselves until Reddit addresses their concerns.

Christian Selig, the creator of popular client Apollo, says the API pricing would cost him $20 million per year. The developers of other apps, such as Narwhal and Reddit is Fun, have also warned they can't afford the new prices and will likely shut down soon as a result. Moderators are concerned because third-party Reddit apps frequently include customizations and other features that help keep subreddits in check.

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To say that Apple's WWDC 2023 keynote was packed would be an understatement. The company introduced the Vision Pro, its first foray into mixed reality headsets, as well as a 15-inch MacBook Air. There was also an updated Mac Studio and Mac Pro, both of which use the equally new M2 Ultra chip. As you'd expect Apple announced significant upgrades to all its software platforms.

Apple Vision Pro

Photo by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

It's safe to say the Vision Pro was Apple's marquee device at WWDC. It's a standalone mixed reality headset with very powerful specs, including an M2 chip (plus an R1 companion chip), 4K displays for each eye and nearly a dozen cameras and sensors that allow for hand gesture input and 3D photography. There's even an external screen that shows your eyes and notifies others when you're using apps.

The Vision Pro runs visionOS, a new platform designed from the ground up for spatial computing. It centers on a mixed reality 3D interface that makes apps, FaceTime calls and other tasks effectively float in physical space. You can control your Mac, play games and run iPad apps using a virtual screen. Disney is even planning a suite of experiences that include a Disney+ app.

The headset won't be cheap. Apple will sell Vision Pro for $3,499, and it won't be available until early 2024. This is a wearable computer for developers, and Apple is pricing it accordingly.

15-inch MacBook Air

Apple

Apple's first hardware announcement at WWDC might also have been the most important one for everyday users. The company launched the 15-inch MacBook Air, its first truly large laptop aimed at everyday users. It has the same fanless M2 chip, MagSafe connector and twin Thunderbolt 4 ports as its 13-inch counterpart, just with a 15.3-inch display and a longer 18-hour battery life. It's billed as the "world's thinnest" 15-inch laptop at 0.45in thick, and relatively light at 3.3lbs.

The 15-inch MacBook Air ships on June 13th starting at $1,299. And if it's larger than you need, Apple has cut the price of the 13-inch Air to $1,099.

Mac Pro and Mac Studio with M2 Ultra

Apple

It took three years, but Apple has finally finished transitioning its computer line to in-house silicon. The company has introduced a Mac Pro that uses a brand new M2 Ultra system-on-chip at its heart. While the workstation shares the same cheese grater look as its Intel-based predecessor, the 24-core CPU, 76-core GPU chip is reportedly up to three times faster. You can't upgrade the RAM yourself, unfortunately, but seven PCIe slots and eight Thunderbolt 4 ports promise the expansion heavy-duty users demand.

The Mac Studio, meanwhile, is a straightforward refresh of last year's compact pro machine. It comes in M2 Max and M2 Ultra configurations with a higher-bandwidth HDMI port that supports up to an 8K resolution and 240Hz refresh rates.

Both systems are due to ship June 13th. The upgraded Mac Studio starts at $1,999, while the Mac Pro begins at $6,599.

iOS 17

Apple

Apple unveiled iOS 17 at WWDC, and this upgrade focuses as much on basic apps as it does extending the iPhone's functionality. Calls now include contact-specific "posters," with live transcripts for voicemail. Messages offers a sleeker interface, transcripts, a more powerful sticker feature and location-based check-ins with friends. FaceTime lets you leave video messages. Sharing has improved with proximity-based data and contact sharing, plus AirPlay sharing in hotels and to in-car infotainment systems. Siri is more powerful with support for back-to-back commands that don't involve the "Siri" keyword, and autocorrect includes sentence-level correction as well as predictions.

A new Journal app in iOS 17 lets you document your activities and thoughts, while mood tracking in Health can help you identify medically relevant emotional changes. Your iPhone can also double as a smart display through StandBy, which shows useful info on widgets while your phone is in landscape mode.

iOS 17 is due in the fall, although a developer preview is available now. A public beta will be ready in July. Notably, Apple is dropping support for the iPhone 8 and iPhone X with this release.

iPadOS 17

Apple

If iOS 17 is about revamping the iPhone experience, iPadOS 17 is about catching up. The newly-announced iPad update adds iOS 16-style lock screen customization, complete with widgets. Those widgets are now interactive on the tablet, though, letting you take actions without jumping into apps. Health is also available on the iPad for the first time, and takes advantage of new iOS features like mood tracking.

The Notes app will let you annotate and collaborate on PDFs for the first time. Stage Manager multitasking will give you more control over windows, and you can use an external monitor's webcam for video calls. iOS 17's Journal app, contact posters and Messages refresh will be available here as well.

iPadOS 17 doesn't arrive until the fall, but a developer preview is available now. A public test release is expected in July.

WatchOS 10

Apple

The Apple Watch is getting its first true interface overhaul with watchOS 10. The new OS includes a Smart Stack of widgets for timers, podcasts and other content you can quickly access by spinning the Digital Crown. Key apps like Activity and World Clock are adding more functionality, too. Cyclists will appreciate bike sensor support as well as heart rate and power data, while hikers may like automatic waypoint creation for emergencies as well as topographical maps (including trail searching) and 3D waypoints.

Other additions are more in line with iOS and iPadOS. The Mindfulness app now includes mood tracking, and you'll get outdoor time tracking to help prevent nearsightedness. You can view FaceTime video messages and join FaceTime group audio chats. If you're a Fitness+ subscriber, you'll have custom workout and meditation schedules.

A developer preview of watchOS 10 is available now, with a public beta arriving in July. The finished upgrade surfaces this fall.

MacOS Sonoma

Apple

Mac software upgrades tend to both match iOS releases while introducing a few new tricks, and that's certainly the case for the just-announced macOS Sonoma. The refresh adds interactive desktop widgets that can sync with your iPhone. Video calls get an upgrade with a presenter overlay, reactions and improved screen sharing. Safari adds stricter anti-tracking measures in Private Browsing as well as web apps in the macOS dock. Gamers will appreciate Game Mode's performance prioritization, and there's even Apple TV-style video screensavers. Accessibility is improved, too.

Developers can try a macOS Sonoma preview today, while a public beta is slate for July. The finished product is due this fall.

Apple TV and AirPods

Devindra Hardawar/Engadget

There were a few nice-to-have updates across the ecosystem. Apple TV users running tvOS 17 will get FaceTime calls using an iPhone. Control Center has been redesigned, and you can use Siri to find a lost remote. If you own the second-generation AirPods Pro, you'll have a new Adaptive Audio feature that adjusts active noise cancellation and transparency mode based on your environment. The earbuds will even predict your volume preferences, and automatically lower the volume when you start speaking to someone else.