The first week of February brought quite a bit of Apple news and rumors, led by a fresh set of operating updates entering the beta testing process. The star of the show was the iOS 13.4 beta, which included a number of new features and tweaks, as well as some hidden signs of Apple's upcoming plans.
Apple was granted an interesting patent this week covering a hinge mechanism for devices with folding displays, while the Wuhan coronavirus continues to make news in general for its public health impact and more specifically for Apple in the form of delays to product production and temporary retail store closures.
Read on for more details on this week's top stories, and make sure to watch our news wrap-up video!
Everything New in iOS 13.4: iCloud Folder Sharing, Updated Mail Toolbar, New Memoji Stickers, and More
Apple this week released the first beta of iOS 13.4 with several new features, including the enabling of iCloud Folder Sharing, an updated Mail toolbar with a relocated trash button to avoid accidentally-deleted emails, a new collection of Memoji stickers, and more.
Namely, the iOS 13.4 beta contains strings of code that reference an unreleased "CarKey" framework that would enable an iPhone or Apple Watch to lock or unlock compatible vehicles and start the engine to drive.
"CarKey" would be built into the Wallet app and could be shared with others, giving them full unlocking and driving capabilities. This promises to be a really interesting feature and we've got all of the details right here.
The new Apple TV is expected to sport a faster A12 or A13 chip, while maintaining a max supported resolution of 4K with HDR. The faster processor would certainly benefit Apple Arcade gaming and overall performance.
It is unclear if or when the new Apple TV will be released. Apple typically holds its first media event of a calendar year in March. The current Apple TV 4K model was released in September 2017.
Apple Patents Foldable Device With Movable Flaps to Prevent Display From Creasing
Granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the patent explains that the hinge mechanism would ensure adequate separation between the first and second portions of the display. When the device is unfolded, movable flaps would extend to cover the gap, and then retract when the device is folded.
FBI Has Still Not Managed to Unlock iPhone Used by Mass Shooter in Florida Last Year
FBI director Christopher Wray said his agency is "currently engaged with Apple hoping to see if we can get better help from them so we can get access to that phone."
The service is being offered in partnership with authorized service provider Go Tech Services, which promises to repair your device "at your home or office."
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
After years of rumors, the highly anticipated foldable iPhone is almost here, but that's not all we're expecting to see at next week's big event, and we've got full coverage of expectations for the "Surprise and Shine" event.
Beyond the event, this week also saw John Ternus take over from Tim Cook as Apple CEO, while we learned a bit more about what's coming in iOS 27 and how Apple has been...
The Apple rumor mill never stops, and this week MacRumors was able to break the news of details on several upcoming products.
We're also still learning more about the just-released iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max plus the upcoming iPhone Duo, while this week saw the debut of new Beats 360 headphones and the start of claim acceptance for the class action lawsuit over Siri AI delays, so read on...
All of Apple's products introduced at last week's event with the exception of the iPhone Duo are now available, with the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and AirPods 5 all launching on Friday.
While new hardware is always a welcome arrival, users of existing hardware also got big upgrades this week with the releases of iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate and more. Apple is ...
Don't need to unlock car - my car - walk up to it with key in pocket and touch handle and it unlocks - vs. with this have to take phone out of pocket. Late on this one Apple
Apple needs to add VP9 support to at least if only AppleTV!!! It’s not a laptop. It’s a set-top media device. MEDIA. 4K MEDIA. YouTube is one of the if not largest media companies out there. GIVE US 4K YOUTUBE!!!!!
I'm all for new stuff, don't get me wrong, but let's hope that it is quality new stuff since some have been a bit buggy recently.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t break any old stuff! I can make a talking T-Rex emoji but I can’t currently unlock my the door in my house. We need less frequent, more stable updates.
Sort of surprised to see a new Apple TV. With the app going 3rd party and all...
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a 5.4-inch outer display and a 7.6-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
