Senegal's government says at least nine people have been killed in violent clashes between police and supporters of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko

Apple is about to hold its Worldwide Developers Conference, a major live event where it will update all of its platforms. The event is usually notable for bringing new software updates to all Apple products, including the latest versions of major operating systems like the iPhone’s. But this year, it is expected to be most significant not for updates platforms but entirely new ones. Apple is due to show off its headset at the event, after years of waiting. But that won’t be all. Here’s everything you need to know about what might be coming when Apple kicks off the conference on Monday. Headset The headset is likely to be the star of the show. There’s still lots we don’t know about it – but it seems fairly clear that it is going to be announced, in some form, during the WWDC keynote. You can read our full rundown on everything expected from the headset here. New Macs Nominally, WWDC is intended as a software event. But hardware is sometimes released during it – and it tends to be the kinds of professionally-focused, high-end hardware that developers like to see. This time around that’s rumoured to be new Macs. And potentially lots of them. Reports have suggested thatApple is working on a brand new 15-inch MacBook Air, as well as updated versions of the Mac Studio and 13-inch MacBook Air and Pro. All of them are likely to get new Apple Silicon chips, presumably versions of the M2. One final Mac might be conspicuous in its absence: the Mac Pro. Apple has committed to update that computer with its own Apple Silicon processors, but it is yet to arrive; it might have been written off entirely, had Apple not hinted that it was still on its way. There are no rumours to suggest that it is coming this time around, either. But WWDC would be a good opportunity to surprise people with one, especially given that developers are probably going to need powerful computers to develop all those mixed reality apps. iOS 17 The new version of iOS is usually the headline star of WWDC, though it is likely to be upstaged by the headset this year. Nonetheless, a number of big changes are expected this year. Chief among them may be changes to the Lock Screen, which follow similar additions such as widgets last year. One of the most intriguing is a report from Bloomberg that the phone will be able to turn into a smart home display when it is laid on its side, and you can read more about that here. The Wallet and Control Centre are also likely to get their own big upgrades, according to various reports. But it’s not clear what exactly those changes might be. The new update is also rumoured to be bringing new mental wellbeing features, in the form of a journal and mood tracking tools that will integrate with the Health app. The Health app itself might also launch on the iPad. Apple will probably make the new update available to developers straight after the event, and then release it for a public beta a few weeks after that. It will then come to everyone around the time of the release of the iPhone, in September. (All of the other updates detailed below will probably arrive on much the same schedule, though MacOS sometimes takes a little longer.) WatchOS 10 The Apple Watch is also rumoured to be getting some significant upgrades, which could quite fundamentally change it actually works, according to a number of rumours. The headline part of that is rumoured to be a new focus on widgets, of the kind that are already on the iPhone, according to reliable Apple reporter Mark Gurman. They will become the “central part” of the Apple Watch’s interface, he said. That will presumably mean moving away from standalone apps. That in itself might not be so much Apple’s choice: while apps for the Watch were a key part of the marketing early on, reports suggest that users are a lot less interest in downloading new applications for their watch than they are for bigger platforms such as the iPhone. But the change should also make it easier to flick between information from various apps more quickly, too. You’ll be able to see information quickly, at a glance. (Something like this was available on the first version of the Watch, and it was actually called Glances.) It will also mean that there may be more services available on the iPhone. Apple is likely to use the same frameworks for Apple Watch widgets as those on the iPhone – meaning that developers will be able to port them over without much extra work. The Watch could also benefit from some of the same health features that are coming to the iPhone. Those tend to work in concert, and are likely to do the same this time around: so that users can track their wellbeing on their watch and have it sync with their phone, for instance. All of this is notable in part because the Apple Watch’s hardware is expected not to change much, with the exception of the first upgrade to its performance in a number of years. Last year saw the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra and other upgrades – but this year it seems to be the software that is bringing fresh updates to the Apple Watch line. ... and other software updates Every Apple product always gets its own operating system update at WWDC: expect everything from the Mac, to the TV and even the HomePod to get software updates. But little has been leaked about what we should expect on those systems. And in recent years, those updates have been modest, at least on some platforms; tvOS’s update last year only really added support for game controllers, for instance. This time around, much of the work is presumably happening on the headset, and engineers may have been redirected to that. That might mean two things: there could be relatively few updates given the lack of resources, and those updates that do come might be focused on building compatibility with the headset. Surprises WWDC usually packs time for a few surprises, even if they are small or not especially significant. This time around, the scope for surprises is probably lower – Apple will probably have its hands full explaining the headset – but there is always the chance that something unexpected and un-leaked will be announced. Read More Apple is about to launch its biggest product in years. 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Apple is about to launch its first new platform in almost a decade, and what could be its most decisive product since the iPhone. A new mixed reality headset is due to be launched during its Worldwide Developers Conference event on Monday, though it might not arrive then. When it is revealed, it could decide the future of Apple, its users and the devices that everyone uses. Here’s everything we know about the headset, ahead of Monday’s likely big reveal. Price One thing has been discussed at length about the headset: how much exactly it will cost. And most of that discussion has agreed that the answer will be a lot. Rumours have pointed at $3,000 for the first version of the headset, which would make it very expensive even among the otherwise expensive Apple products. That high price is likely to be a result of the high-end components that are required to power the headset, which is rumoured to have significantly higher performance than its competitors. Apple is said to be expecting far fewer people to buy the headset than would buy its other products. As such, the high price might not translate to high revenues, and Apple might not be expecting it to. There is some chance, however, that all of those rumours are wrong; when the iPad was released, everyone though it would cost $999, and Steve Jobs took great joy in delighting in having proven the “pundits” wrong when he unveiled it at $499. It’s helpful for Apple if people think that it will cost more and they can then reveal that it’s actually just quite expensive, rather than very expensive. Release date Monday is almost certain to be the day the headset is revealed. But it would be very surprising indeed if it went on sale any time after that. Recent rumours have suggested that it will not actually be on shelves – or however it is sold – until much later in the year. It’s likely that Apple will want it ready for the important holiday period, which would mean getting it on sale in October or November. Apple, under Tim Cook, has developed a much-envied knack for announcing products and having them ready to go soon after, even when they are sold in such vast quantities as the iPhone. But it has still left big gaps between the announcement and the introduction of a product in the past, especially when they represent a whole new platform. The Apple Watch was announced during the September release event for the iPhone 6, but it did not actually arrive until the end of the following April. The move to Apple Silicon for Macs was announced in June 2020, at WWDC, but the first computers using it did not actually arrive until the following November. Those delays meant that Apple could be prepared, ensuring that it could have enough of the hardware made in time and not have to worry about the design or other details leaking. But waiting also meant that developers could be prepared, too, and ensure that their apps and other software were ready for the new platform. Spec Apple is said to be very focused on ensuring that the headset brings a high-quality experience. That means a much more luxurious specification than existing headsets at this kind of price point. That includes very detailed and powerful displays. Reports have suggested that it could offer up to 5,000 nits of brightness – enough for HDR – and a total 8K resolution from two Micro OLED displays that should allow for rich detail and fast response times. It is set to be powered by equally high-level hardware. It will have two chips that ensure it is able to work on its own without a companion device, reports have indicated, and provide stable and quick output. Design Leaked designs have suggested that the headset will look something like the AirPods Max combined with an Apple Watch: the same unapologetic aluminium used on both of those devices, and the soft material that it is combined with to make them actually wearable. That would certainly make sense, since Apple has always been focused on ensuring that its products do not just look nice on their own but sit well together, too. And it will no doubt have learned plenty from its earlier work in wearable devices, including headphones and watches. But little has leaked about what the headset will actually look like. Apple could opt to go for some other look entirely. Sensors VR headsets need sensors both to know where they are and to know what their user is doing. The headset is expected to include a strong array of them. It will use 3D sensors to know where users hands are, as well as any other objects. They are likely to be similar to the LiDAR tools that are in the iPhone and iPad, and can already be used for mapping rooms, for instance. It wil also have tools to detect more about the person wearing it, too. Reports suggest that it will be able to see people’s facial expressions, as well as including microphones for voice control through Siri. It is also expected to include more standard cameras, that will allow users to see the real world and overlay virtual objects on it. That will be controlled using a dial similar to the one on the Apple Watch and AirPods, which can be used to add more or less of the real world, reports have indicated. The headset is also likely to be able to connect to the iPhone for some uses, such as text input. And it will probably be able to use other earphones, such as the AirPods – Apple has already been working hard on “spatial audio” features for them, which would slot in nicely with virtual reality. Software Apple is said to be working on a new AR/VR operating system for the headset, with rumours suggesting that it could be called xrOS or realityOS. But there has been little reported about how exactly that software will work. It will probably be based on Apple’s other platforms – which all have a fairly consistent look – tailored so that users can see it in 3D space. Apple has been rumoured to be working on augmented reality versions of its own apps, such as FaceTime. And part of the reason for launching at WWDC is probably so that it can help developers start working on their apps, too. But one of the key unanswered questions is how the will all work, both individually and within that broader operating system. Problems? No major platform of this kind could be without problems. But numerous reports have suggested that the new headset could have a few more than most. Throughout its development, some both within and outside Apple have argued that the product is either not a good fit or is not ready yet in its current form. At the same time, others have pressed on, arguing that it is better to get some version of the headset out into the world and develop it from there. Even in recent days, as the release of the headset nears, reports have suggested issues. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that even in current testing the headset appears to be getting hot, for instance. Another headset? The mixed reality goggles, due to be released at WWDC, are thought to be just one part of Apple’s big plan for augmented and virtual reality. Apple is also said to be working on a separate headset that could be released at a later date, and for a lower price. Eventually, too, Apple might want to take some of the technology from the goggles and integrate them into glasses that allow people to see the world normally but with virtual objects imposed on top. Rumours have long suggested that is the eventual aim – but it might never come. Read More Apple is about to update all its products – and release a very big new one Mark Zuckerberg reveals new VR headset ahead of Apple Apple gives update on the App Store ahead of expected headset reveal Major leak reveals details of Apple’s VR headset days before unveiling Apple is going to reveal something else alongside its headset, rumours suggest Trust and ethics considerations ‘have come too late’ on AI technology

IRVINE, Calif. & EVERETT, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 2, 2023--

Airbnb on Thursday sued New York City over its restrictions on short-term housing rentals, in a legal dispute that pits the company's concerns about its ability to operate in a key market against the city's efforts to address an affordable housing crisis.

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 2, 2023--

Twitter has lost its head of trust and safety amid ongoing criticism of the site’s protections against harmful content. Ella Irwin said on Thursday that she had stepped down as the company’s head of trust and safety, a key role in ensuring that Twitter is able to avoid showing dangerous content and compromising relationships with advertisers. Ms Irwin, who joined Twitter in June 2022, took over as head of the trust and safety team in November when previous head Yoel Roth resigned. She oversaw content moderation. An email to Twitter returned an automated reply with a poop emoji. Irwin declined further comment and Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Irwin’s departure comes as the platform has struggled to retain advertisers, with brands wary of appearing next to unsuitable content. Musk announced earlier this month that he hired Linda Yaccarino, former NBCUniversal advertising chief, to become Twitter‘s new CEO. Fortune earlier reported that Irwin’s internal Slack account appeared to have been deactivated. Since Musk’s acquisition, Twitter has cut costs dramatically and laid off thousands of employees, including many who had worked on efforts to prevent harmful and illegal content, protect election integrity, and surface accurate information on the site. Musk has promoted a feature called Community Notes, which lets users add context to tweets, as a way to combat misleading information on Twitter. The company is also facing increasing scrutiny from regulators over its moderation efforts. Twitter withdrew from a voluntary agreement with the European Union to tackle disinformation, while saying it was committed to complying with upcoming internet rules in the EU. EU industry chief Thierry Breton warned Twitter last week that it would not be able to avoid legal obligations in the EU after quitting the voluntary agreement. Additional reporting by Reuters Read More Twitter’s head of trust and safety resigns from Elon Musk’s platform Elon Musk is once again world’s richest person Trust and ethics considerations ‘have come too late’ on AI technology

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 2, 2023--

Twitter has lost its top content moderation official just weeks before the company is set to undergo a regulatory stress test by European Union officials focused on its handling of user content, in the latest sign of turbulence at the company under owner Elon Musk.

Next week, Apple may unveil its most ambitious new hardware product in years, but it's in a product category that is anything but a proven winner.

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