Did you know that iOS makes it very, very easy to instantly remove the background from any image? This feature was first introduced with iOS 16 last year, and I’ve found it to be one of the best and most useful capabilities. Here’s how it works.
Expand Expanding CloseAuthor
Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, helping oversee and manage coverage for the entire staff of 9to5Mac writers. He first joined 9to5Mac in 2013 and has published daily coverage of Apple and related topics since then.
Over the years, Chance has worked alongside his 9to5Mac colleagues to publish industry-leading stories about Apple. In the spring of 2020, Chance and the 9to5Mac team exclusively reported a variety of upcoming iOS 14 features prior to the official announcement from Apple.
In addition to serving as Lead Editor of 9to5Mac, Chance is also the host of the 9to5Mac Daily podcast. Published five days per week, 9to5Mac Daily is a recap of the day’s Apple news in 5-10 minutes. You can subscribe to 9to5Mac Daily on Apple Podcasts, Overcast or via the dedicated RSS feed right here.
Chance is also a guest host on the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast with Benjamin Mayo and Zac Hall.
Connect with Chance
- Tips/typos/podcast sponsorship inquiries: chance@9to5mac.com
- Signal: 469-383-8069
- Twitter: @ChanceHMiller
- Mastodon: @ChanceHMiller@mastodon.social
- Instagram: @ChanceHMiller
Apple to settle trade secrets lawsuit with chip startup Rivos
Apple has decided to settle with the chip startup Rivos, two years after first suing the company for stealing trade secrets. According to a filing released on Friday, Rivos and Apple informed a judge that they are planning to finalize a settlement by March 15.
Expand Expanding CloseWirecutter content now available in Apple News for free
Back in December, Apple announced that sports publication The Athletic had joined Apple News+. At the time, Apple also said that Wirecutter would join Apple News in early 2024, and it now appears that day has come.
Expand Expanding CloseA new iPad Air is coming soon: Here are three things to expect
In addition to a new iPad Pro lineup, there’s also a new iPad Air on the way this year. In fact, this could be the biggest update to the iPad Air lineup ever, with Apple planning a big-screen model for the very first time.
Here are three things to expect from the new iPad Air lineup…
Expand Expanding CloseCord-cutting live TV app ‘Channels’ adds playlists feature, big Apple TV upgrades, more
Channels, the fan favorite live TV and cord-cutting app, is getting a nice update today for Apple TV and iOS users. The update includes a new playlists feature, library management improvements, and more. Plus, some good news for Vision Pro users.
Expand Expanding CloseWhy Apple believes Vision Pro will be popular in the enterprise world
As part of the first visionOS 1.1 beta, Apple added MDM – or mobile device management – support for Vision Pro. In an interview with TechCrunch, the company once again reiterated how it thinks Vision Pro can play an essential role in the business and enterprise world.
Expand Expanding CloseApple’s anti-stalking features credited with alerting woman to AirTag hidden on her car
Apple’s robust set of anti-stalking features for AirTag alerted a Connecticut woman to a tracker hidden on her car. According to a report from local news outlet WTNH, the woman received a notification on her iPhone that an AirTag had been following her, which prompted her to contact the police.
Expand Expanding CloseHere are the 20+ states exploring support for Apple’s digital IDs in Wallet feature
One of the most highly anticipated features announced at WWDC back in 2021 was support for storing IDs in the Apple Wallet application. Touted by Apple as the last step before you are “fully free of your physical wallet,” the feature is still only supported by a small number of states.
Nonetheless, there are now over 20 states working towards adopting digital IDs for citizens…
Expand Expanding CloseFormer Apple engineer who stole Project Titan trade secrets sentenced to prison
For the last six years, we’ve been following the case of Xiaolang Zhang, a former Apple engineer who pled guilty to stealing Project Titan trade secrets.
This week, Zhang has officially been handed his sentencing: 120 days of imprisonment and 3 years supervised release. Zhang will also pay restitution of $146,984.00. California federal prosecutors had asked the judge for a one-year prison sentence in the case.
Expand Expanding CloseApple rolling out App Store Connect and TestFlight changes to support alternative app stores in the EU
Last month, Apple announced a wide range of changes coming to the App Store in the European Union as part of iOS 17.4, including support for third-party app marketplaces. Ahead of iOS 17.4 being released to the general public in March, Apple is rolling out new features in App Store Connect for beta testing.
Expand Expanding Close9to5Mac Happy Hour: The one-week hands on review of Apple Vision Pro
Chance has had his Apple Vision Pro for about one week, and we all have a lot of thoughts about Apple’s brand new platform. A truly new Apple product doesn’t come along very often, and this is a particularly special one. We go deep on the Vision Pro hardware, comfort, what it’s like using Vision Pro for media and productivity, Personas, FaceTime, real-world battery life, and so much more.
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Expand Expanding CloseTesla adopts UWB connectivity on iPhone to improve Phone Key performance
Tesla now supports the iPhone’s Ultra Wideband chip for improved Phone Key performance, at least on some cars. Apple started including the Ultra Wideband chip with the iPhone 11, allowing for better nearby interaction between an iPhone and other devices equipped with UWB technology.
Expand Expanding CloseDisney+ nabs exclusive streaming rights for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour movie
Disney has announced that it’s secured the streaming rights to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film. After first debuting in theaters and eventually on video-on-demand, Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) is coming exclusively to Disney+ on March 15.
Expand Expanding ClosePlex says it’s not currently developing a dedicated Vision Pro app
Plex is joining the likes of Netflix and not currently developing a Vision Pro app. In a post on Reddit, a Plex employee confirmed: “There is currently no Plex app in development for the Apple Vision Pro.”
Expand Expanding ClosePlex now lets you rent movies as it continues expansion beyond its media server apps
Plex, the popular media streaming app, is now rolling out support for renting movies. When you rent a movie from Plex, the company says:
- You have 30 days to start playback.
- Once you begin watching, you can play it as many times as you want within 48 hours.
iFixit shares in-depth look at Vision Pro’s display: ‘You can fit 50 of these pixels into a single iPhone pixel’
After sharing an initial video over the weekend, iFixit is back with part two of their Apple Vision Pro teardown. This time around, the focus in on the Vision Pro’s dual 4K screens, and iFixit questions whether the display are actually 4K resolution.
Expand Expanding CloseApple handed a victory in Apple Watch antitrust lawsuit with AliveCor
Apple has been handed a victory in its ongoing legal battle with AliveCor over the Apple Watch’s heart monitoring technology.
AliveCor had alleged that Apple restricted third-party access to certain Apple Watch heart rate data, a move that it deemed was anticompetitive. A US District Court judge, however, has ruled entirely in Apple’s favor and said the company will not have to face the lawsuit in a trial.
Update 3:54 p.m. PT: Added AliveCor’s statement below. AliveCor says it will appeal.
Expand Expanding ClosevisionOS 1.1 lets Vision Pro users bring virtual 3D objects closer
The first beta of visionOS 1.1 doesn’t include many changes, but there is an update to app placement that appears to be somewhat notable. Here’s what to expect.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to use Vision Pro as an external display for your Mac
One of the most popular features for Vision Pro is the ability for it to serve as an external display for your Mac. Here’s how this feature works and how to enable it on your Apple Vision Pro.
Expand Expanding CloseApple releases first visionOS 1.1 beta for Vision Pro, here’s how to enroll
Apple has released the first beta for Apple Vision Pro users. visionOS 1.1 beta 1 is now available and rolling out via the Settings app. Here’s how to enroll and update.
Expand Expanding CloseThis hospital system just bought 30 Vision Pro units and launched a new ‘Spatial Computing Center of Excellence’
A new report from The San Diego Union-Tribune today offers a fascinating look at how the San Diego hospital system’s new “Spatial Computing Center of Excellence.” The report explains that Sharp Healthcare recently took delivery of 30 Vision Pro units and is “giving them to health care workers doing all sorts of jobs.”
Expand Expanding CloseOLED iPad Pro price increase won’t be as painful as initially rumored: report
Apple is widely expected to announce a new iPad Pro lineup as soon as March. While there have been rumors that there will be a painful price increase coming, a new report from DigiTimes suggests that the price hike might not be as painful as we initially thought.
Expand Expanding CloseTesla driver admits he wasn’t actually arrested for idiotic Vision Pro stunt (sadly)
We’ve seen a lot of idiotic stunts since Vision Pro launched on Friday, perhaps none more viral and stupid than Dante Lentini driving a Tesla while wearing Vision Pro.
And while Lentini’s video would lead you to believe he got pulled over by the police for the stunt, that’s sadly not actually the case.
Expand Expanding CloseApple opens 2024 Swift Student Challenge applications with new ‘Distinguished Winners’ category
Apple has officially opened applications for the 2024 Swift Student Challenge. “Apple is proud to support and uplift the next generation of developers, creators, and entrepreneurs with the Swift Student Challenge,” Apple touts.
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