Welcome to our monthly Apple News Roundup. This column recaps the top 10 most significant Apple news announcements from each month, giving you a glance at all the headlines you need to know. This edition features the highlights from November 2022.
1. Apple raises trade-in values for select iPhone models
Apple adjusted the trade-in values for many older iPhone models in preparation for the upcoming holiday shopping season. This applied to models such as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 12 series, and many others (see article for the complete list with corresponding prices). In some cases, the trade-in values increased, and for other models, they decreased. You can also trade in your iPhone to Apple in exchange for a credit toward your next purchase, or an Apple Gift Card. ]
2. Apple Music names Bad Bunny Artist of the Year for 2022
Bad Bunny was announced as Apple Music’s Artist of the Year and acknowledged for his artistic excellence and influence on global culture. His album Un Verano Sin Ti was Apple Music’s most streamed album of 2022 and is now the biggest Latin album of all time. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Bad Bunny, whose influence on every corner of culture could not be ignored in 2022,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats.
3. Emergency SOS via satellite now available on iPhone 14 series
Emergency SOS via satellite is now available on the iPhone 14 lineup in the US and Canada. iPhone 14 users can connect with emergency services in the instance that cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is not available. This service will extend to France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in December. Users can also inform friends and family of their location while traveling off the grid using the Find My app and sharing their location via satellite. The service will be included for free for two years upon activation of a new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
4. Apple launches Oceanic+ app on Apple Watch Ultra
The new Oceanic+ app on Apple Watch Ultra provides users with a powerful and easy-to-use dive computer. The app was designed in collaboration with Huish Outdoors and allows scuba divers to take the watch to depths up to 40 meters or 130 feet with its all-new depth gauge and water temperature sensors. “At Huish Outdoors, our purpose is fueling the human spirit for adventure,” said Mike Huish, the company’s CEO. Apple Watch Ultra is certified to WR100 and EN 13319, an internationally recognized standard for dive accessories and depth gauges.
5. Apple releases macOS Ventura 13.0.1 to the public
On November 9, Apple released the first public update to macOS Ventura with 13.0.1 alongside the arrival of iOS 16.1.1. This new software eliminates a range of bugs including fixes for two security flaws for libxml2 (see article for complete details on the impact). For users running Ventura, macOS 13.0.1 is now accessible. Navigate to System Settings > General > Software Update to find out if it’s available for your Mac.
6. New Apple Pacific Centre opens in Vancouver
On November 18, Apple’s new Pacific Centre opened to customers in Vancouver, Canada at the intersection of West Georgia and Howe streets. This reimagined and enhanced center doubles the size of the previous store. Customers can discover, learn about, and buy Apple’s latest products and services while receiving top-notch support from specialists. On opening weekend, the center hosted free Apple sessions led by local artists, musicians, and photographers.
7. Apple Music launches new Replay experience
Apple Music’s redesigned Replay experience offers expanded listening insights and new functionality — subscribers can learn about their top songs, artists, albums, genres, and more. Also new in 2022 is a year-end experience including a personalized highlight reel. Additionally, fans can discover if they rank in the top 100 listeners of their favorite artist(s) or genre. To get started, visit replay.music.apple.com and log in with the same Apple ID used for Apple Music.
8. Apple slashes budgets and implements hiring freeze
Apple has acknowledged that it has slowed hiring due to concerns about an economic downturn. 9to5Mac alluded to a new report from Insider on Apple’s internal plans to “pause almost all hiring”. Tim Cook has said that Apple will still hire on a “deliberate basis” but sources say that the hiring freeze could run through the end of Apple’s fiscal year in September 2023.
9. Apple expands its coding education resources
Apple will be introducing a new coding session — Coding Lab for Kids: Code Your First App on December 5 as part of the Today at Apple program. This new offering will coincide with Computer Science Education Week and will be introduced at Apple Store locations around the world. The sessions will be free and are designed for participants ages 10 and up. Registration is currently open to anyone at apple.co/coding-sessions.
10. Apple announces 2022 Apple Podcasts Award winner
The recipient of the Apple Podcasts Award is Slate’s narrative history series, Slow Burn, for its latest season, Roe v. Wade. The show, hosted by Slate executive editor Susan Matthews, was honored for its outstanding quality, innovation, and impact. The four-episode season provides listeners with an in-depth perspective on the events leading up to the 1973 Supreme Court decision. Users can explore six Slow Burn Extras — brand new episodes for free exclusively on Apple Podcasts.
