Today at WWDC, Apple demoed its new Game Mode feature for the iPhone, mirroring the feature that was recently introduced to MacOS last year. Mobile gamers will be stoked to learn that they can activate the mode on the iPhone to maximize immersion in games by giving it more access to the device's CPU, jacking up performance, and improving frame rates. 

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Game Mode doesn't just pause background app activity; it also temporarily pauses notifications from other apps that can pull you out of the game. It's quite literally a game-changer.

Game Mode will also bump up the audio quality on your phone by doubling the Bluetooth sampling rate, reducing audio latency and improving the performance of wireless accessories such as controllers and AirPods. Even better, certain games will support spatial audio, providing an even more immersive experience. 

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These new features suggest that Apple wants to push the iPhone as a capable mobile gaming device with high-end audio and optimization features. 

During the demo, Apple demoed a quick video for the mobile racing game Need for Speed, one of the first games to support spatial audio, slated for release later this fall. It'll also open up a dedicated API for game developers to build around the AirPods' spatial audio technology.

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• Everything Apple announced at WWDC 2024, including iOS 18, Siri, AI, and more
• What is 'Apple Intelligence': How it works with on-device and cloud-based AI
• Here's every iPhone model that will support Apple's new AI features (for now)
• Forget LastPass: Apple unveils 'Passwords' manager app at WWDC 2024