Top Stories: iOS 18 Beta 5 Features, Ultra-Tiny Mac Mini Rumor, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple's work on iOS 18 continues, with a new Distraction Control feature and refinements for the Photos app, among other tweaks, coming in the latest beta. We're only about a month away from the official release, so Apple should be firming things up shortly.

In another news, we've known for a while that Apple is planning to update its entire Mac lineup with variants of the M4 chip, but we learned this week that the Mac mini is apparently set to get a redesign as part of its update, so read on below for details on this and all of our other top stories from this week!

Hands-On With Safari's New Distraction Control in the iOS 18 Beta

Apple has released the fifth developer beta and third public beta of iOS 18. The key new feature in the latest betas is Distraction Control, which gives you the option to hide distracting elements on a website, such as newsletter sign-up fields and embedded video players. Apple said the feature is not designed to be an ad blocker, and it cannot permanently hide ads.

We went hands-on with Distraction Control in a recent video shared on our YouTube channel, so check that out for a closer look at the feature. Also read our initial story about the feature.

Apple Tweaks iOS 18 Photos App in Fifth Beta

iOS 18 features a completely redesigned Photos app on the iPhone, but the changes have not been well received by all users. As a result, Apple has been making some tweaks to the app's user interface while the software update remains in beta testing.

For instance, the latest iOS 18 beta removes the carousel from the Photos app for a more simplified experience. Read our coverage of this change for more details.

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 5

In addition to Distraction Control in Safari and design tweaks in the Photos app, the latest iOS 18 beta includes a handful of other changes for the Home Screen, Control Center, and more.

Check out our list of everything new in iOS 18 beta 5 to learn more about the latest changes. iOS 18 should be widely released to the public in mid-September, alongside the launch of the iPhone 16 series.

M4 Mac Mini Rumored to Become Apple's Smallest Computer Ever With Complete Redesign

The next-generation Mac mini will feature a "far smaller" footprint, with the computer set to become nearly as small as an Apple TV box, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Gurman expects the new Mac mini to be released later this year. He said there will be two models of the computer, including one with the M4 chip that debuted in the iPad Pro, and one with an all-new M4 Pro chip.

Next Apple Watch SE Could Be Made From Plastic

In his latest newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said it is increasingly likely that the next Apple Watch SE will have a plastic casing, whereas the current model of the device has an aluminum casing.

Gurman said a plastic casing could allow for the Apple Watch SE to have a lower price, and a more kid-friendly design with colorful options. The next Apple Watch SE is expected to be announced in September.

15+ New Features Coming to the iOS 18 Messages App

iOS 18 includes many new features for the Messages app on the iPhone, and we provided an in-depth look at these changes in a guide shared this week.

You can now use any emoji as a Tapback, send messages over a satellite connection in certain locations, add text effects to individual words in a message, schedule messages to be sent later, and much more. iOS 18 also adds RCS support to the Messages app for an improved messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices.

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.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Article Link: Top Stories: iOS 18 Beta 5 Features, Ultra-Tiny Mac Mini Rumor, and More

 

[Phaseangle]

lets hope the M4 Mac Mini also has more TB ports

 

[MDomino]

I mean it's great that they'll plan to introduce the smallest Mac ever, only: I do not need to carry that around all day long. I'd much rather have some small iPhones again.

 

[nylonsteel]

i'm a mac mini person for years
new footprint feels odd to me
what is the design philosophy?
going for a rubiks cube?

 

[hagjohn]

Not sure how I would like a smaller Mac Mini. Hopefully the new mini won't tip up once you have all the cords in the back. Less space means more heat. Hopefully improvements to the SOC will keep heat low.

 

[xxFoxtail]

I might be interested in the Mac mini. Maybe not right away, possibly in 5-6 years when my M2 MBA is no longer getting updates and I’d be fine with trading it in.

With my first child coming in a few months, that 5-6 years time frame seems like a good time to introduce her to a computer. A Mac Mini would make a nice family computer.

I’d be happy if it was the size of an Apple TV.

 

[Ramchi]

Mac Mini looks awesome ! Hope it has impressive RAM and minimum 1 TB storage option. That would really make many consider this. This along with a foldable or rollable screen would make it even better.

 

[TheOldChevy]

A smaller and lighter mini that will keep numerous ports, yes.
A smaller mini with reduced ports, no, we already have the AppleTV for that purpose.

 

[ChrisA]

A smaller Mac Mini would need to use a power brick. I doubt they could fit a DC power supply inside such a small space. Maybe it might use the same kind of "charger" that notebook computers use (except of course it would not technically be a charger.)

The Mac Mini has been the same size since the days of mechanical spinning disk drives. Reducing the size reduces manufacturing costs.

 

[Tevos]

I'm all in for MacMini redesign, but not form over function kind. Much thicker case would certainly help better heat dissipation especially with 10G NIC. MM should ditch 8GB/256 GB model. Selling today any kind of PC with base 8GB of RAM or base storage of 256 GB is simply criminal (& corporate greed).

 

[phrehdd]

Hey Apple here is your new design - Make the ports all perform great on the back. Add ports to the front. Rework the cooling design. Done.

 

[erihp]

Smaller means byebye to any potential upgrades, and generally repairability goes down. Apple please top using so much glue in place of screws, thanks!

 

[The Clark]

Smaller means byebye to any potential upgrades, and generally repairability goes down. Apple please top using so much glue in place of screws, thanks!

This will never happen, sorry.

 

[God of Biscuits]

Macintosh Apple Pi, but already in a case, of course.

 

[mazz0]

I’ve long thought the Mac Mini could be made smaller since the switch to ARM, but I’m not sure about making it thicker. It’s just right to fit under many monitor risers/desk shelves at the moment, it won’t be if you make it thicker.

 

[erihp]

This will never happen, sorry.

I think eventually they (or someone) will innovate beyond glue. It wont be screws, but glue is not the end all solution.
Laser welding? I'm sure it will not be repair friendly

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I'm all in for MacMini redesign, but not form over function kind. Much thicker case would certainly help better heat dissipation especially with 10G NIC. MM should ditch 8GB/256 GB model. Selling today any kind of PC with base 8GB of RAM or base storage of 256 GB is simply criminal (& corporate greed).

Never will I understand why providing a lowest-end box "is simply criminal (& corporate greed.)" As long as more RAM and storage are made available for a cost IMO y'all just want more for the same price = cheaper prices, yawn. We all would like cheaper prices.

 

[erihp]

Never will I understand why providing a lowest-end box "is simply criminal (& corporate greed.)" As long as more RAM and storage are made available for a cost IMO y'all just want more for the same price = cheaper prices, yawn. We all would like cheaper prices.

Its because its a computer. It would be trivial for them to allow and heck encourage an upgrade path for components that make sense.

one sku, lots of customer flexibility when they purchase.

how about a case where a single RAM module starts spitting errors? scrap the whole board?
bad/worn ssd, dead computer? not cool.

the benefits for everyone is obvious. it's ok if it makes the product 1cm taller. hell make the connectors proprietary if you must, but give us some options.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

The Mini already seems like a very slick, well-designed product to me. I get it that the unwashed masses like to see new design just for the sake of new - - but I do not have to like it.

Personally I am far more interested in what the specs (things like available RAM, ports, display support, etc.) of new Minis may be, and the pricing. At the Mini's product placement tiny differences in spec/price make a huge impact on appropriate usages. Physical design changes I could care less about, except insofar as they affect ports or performance.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Its because its a computer. It would be trivial for them to allow and heck encourage an upgrade path for components that make sense.

one sku, lots of customer flexibility when they purchase.

how about a case where a single RAM module goes bad?
scrap the whole board?

the benefits are obvious for everyone is obvious. it's ok if it makes the product 1cm taller. hell make the connectors proprietary if you must, but give us some options.

Regarding the essential issue, RAM, you are wrong when you say "It would be trivial for them to allow..." Read up on Apple's Unified Memory Architecture.

You may wish for device engineering to retrogress to the 20th century, but it is not rational 2024 tech engineering.

Note: I too wish RAM upgrades were less costly.

 

[Siliconguy]

Its because its a computer. It would be trivial for them to allow and heck encourage an upgrade path for components that make sense.

one sku, lots of customer flexibility when they purchase.

how about a case where a single RAM module starts spitting errors? scrap the whole board?
bad/worn ssd, dead computer? not cool.

the benefits for everyone is obvious. it's ok if it makes the product 1cm taller. hell make the connectors proprietary if you must, but give us some options.

Besides, Apple has competition now.

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"SER8 supports dual-channel DDR5 5600MHz RAM of up to 256GB, allowing you to complete commands in just a blink of an eye. There are also dual M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots under the hood, supporting up to 8TB of fast internal storage."

32 Gb/ 1TB for $650. The M4 will use less power, but on a desktop who cares. Most of the time the CPU will be idling in low power mode anyway.

 

[jcvaughters]

It would be amazing if they chose to make a sub-$400 Mac for everyone. The specs could be light, and would be ideal for students or others who didn’t necessarily want to go the iPad or MacBook Air route. Since the introduction of the M series chips, I’ve wondered why Apple has yet to make a Mac with this design/configuration. The components shouldn’t have an exorbitant cost, so I’d imagine they could keep their traditionally higher profit margins.

 

[MysticCow]

Smaller Mac mini = more than likely a FANLESS Mac mini

And a fanless mini just isn’t for me.

 

[erihp]

Regarding the essential issue, RAM, you are wrong when you say "It would be trivial for them to allow..." Read up on Apple's Unified Memory Architecture.

You may wish for device engineering to retrogress to the 20th century, but it is not rational 2024 tech engineering.

Note: I too wish RAM upgrades were less costly.

im aware of the architecture, but there are custom unified memory architecture that exists decoupled from a single SoC. its cost, device shrinking and potential to isolate and reduce thermals and power consumption are all compelling reasons to go the route the did.


that doesnt mean its consumer or repair friendly (therefore neither ecofriendly), and impossible.

 

[arkmannj]

A smaller Mac Mini would need to use a power brick. I doubt they could fit a DC power supply inside such a small space. Maybe it might use the same kind of "charger" that notebook computers use (except of course it would not technically be a charger.)

The Mac Mini has been the same size since the days of mechanical spinning disk drives. Reducing the size reduces manufacturing costs.

I was thinking it would be USB-C powered via one/any of the TB ports. Which could be really nice if there were ports on both sides of the back, giving some flexibility and easier way to replace the “power supply”