MacRumors

Apple today began informing developers of upcoming App Store pricing changes in several countries due to tax changes, with the prices of apps and in-app purchases affected.

Prices are shifting in Chile, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

• Chile: New value-added tax of 19%
• Mexico: New value-added tax of 16%
• Saudi Arabia: Increase in value-added tax from 5% to 15%
• Turkey: New digital services tax of 7.5% (in addition to the existing value-added tax of 18%)

According to Apple, developers will see their proceeds from ‌App Store‌ sales adjusted accordingly, with revenue calculated based on the tax-exclusive price.

‌App Store‌ proceeds will also be adjusted in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK due to tax changes, though ‌App Store‌ pricing will not be shifting.

• Germany: Reduced value-added tax rate from 19% to 16%
• France: New digital services tax of 3% (in addition to the existing value-added tax of 22%)
• Italy: New digital services tax of 3% (in addition to the existing value-added tax of 22%)
• United Kingdom: New digital services tax of 2% (in addition to the existing value-added tax of 20%)

Developers are able to download updated pricing charts from Apple's developer site to prepare for the upcoming changes. Developers are able to change the prices of apps, subscriptions, and in-app purchases, and can opt to preserve pricing for existing subscribers if desired. Apple says the price changes will go live "in the next few days."

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple today released iOS 13.7, a major update that comes more than a month after the release of iOS 13.6. iOS 13.7 is an update that's being introduced to roll out a new Exposure Notifications System that does not require an app to be downloaded for the feature to be turned on.

The iOS 13.7 updates are available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released a new version of iPadOS 13.7, but as Exposure Notifications don't work on the iPad, the ‌iPad‌ update focuses on bug fixes.

With iOS 13.7, Apple is adding Exposure Notifications Express, a feature that lets public health authorities that choose to participate provide an Exposure Notification system without having to do the work to develop an app.

After updating, iOS 13.7 users will see a new ‌Exposure Notification‌ section in the Settings app (it used to be in the Privacy settings) where there's a toggle to "Turn on Exposure Notifications."

Activating Exposure Notifications lets you know if the feature is available in your country, state, or region through a contact tracing app. In areas that are participating in the Exposure Notifications Express program, users will be able to turn on Exposure Notifications without the need to download an app.

Apple this morning said that Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. will soon be adopting Exposure Notifications Express, and more U.S. states could follow in the future. Using Exposure Notifications Express will require iOS 13.7, and even though it works without an app in some areas, it is still entirely opt-in.

In areas that do not participate in Exposure Notifications Express, attempting to toggle on Exposure Notifications will direct users to an app created by a public health authority in their state if one is available, or it will let them know that Exposure Notifications are not yet available in their area.

iOS 13.7 is likely to be one of the final updates to the iOS 13 operating system as Apple shifts its focus to iOS 14. We could see iOS 14 released in the coming weeks if the update is decoupled from new iPhones, or in October when the new iPhones are expected to debut.

Apple is today releasing iOS 13.7 with a major step forward in the Exposure Notification API that's available for public health authorities to use for their COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. Exposure Notifications Express is designed to provide simpler deployment of regional exposure notifications without the need to develop or maintain an app.

The new Exposure Notifications Express system will also let users in participating states opt into the system more easily, while still maintaining focusing on privacy and security.

When upgrading to the new iOS 13.7 update, users in states who have agreed to use Exposure Notifications Express will be provided with a notification letting them know that exposure notifications are now available in their state. Tapping the notification will open up the Settings where they can turn on ‌Exposure Notification‌ without downloading an app. From Apple and Google:

"As the next step in our work with public health authorities on Exposure Notifications, we are making it easier and faster for them to use the Exposure Notifications System without the need for them to build and maintain an app. Exposure Notifications Express provides another option for public health authorities to supplement their existing contact tracing operations with technology without compromising on the project's core tenets of user privacy and security. Existing apps using the Exposure Notification API will be compatible with Exposure Notifications Express, and we are committed to supporting public health authorities that have deployed or are building custom apps."

To develop Exposure Notifications Express, Apple consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC Foundation, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the American Public Health Association, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the Task Force for Global Health.

States that use Exposure Notifications express will not need to develop an app and can instead provide Apple and Google with information about how to reach the public health authority, guidance for residents, and recommendations on potential actions. Public health authorities provide a name, logo, criteria for triggering an exposure notification, and the materials to be presented to users in case of exposure, with Apple and Google using this information to offer an Exposure Notifications System to customers on behalf of the public health authority.

Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. will be the first areas to use Exposure Notifications Express. iOS and Android Exposure Notifications will be fully interoperable with one another and existing Exposure Notifications apps that have rolled out. Public health authorities can still choose to build their own custom apps instead of using Exposure Notifications Express.

More than 20 countries and regions have already created and launched apps that use the ‌Exposure Notification‌ API, with more on the way. In the U.S., 25 states, territories, and the District of Columbia have been working on ‌Exposure Notification‌ solutions, with apps launched in Virginia, North Dakota, Wyoming, Alabama, Arizona, and Nevada.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu yesterday shared several details about new Apple products that are expected later this year, including four new iPhone 12 models with OLED displays, flat-edged designs, and 5G support.

The report also corroborated a rumor that Apple plans to introduce a new dark blue color option for iPhone 12 Pro models to replace the Midnight Green finish offered for iPhone 11 Pro models. The dark blue color option was mentioned by leaker Max Weinbach back in January and also in a DigiTimes report earlier this week.

iPhone 12 Pro models are expected to feature a flat-edged stainless steel frame, similar to recent iPad Pro models, while sticking with frosted glass on the back.

Rumors suggest that there will be two sizes of the iPhone 12 Pro, including one with a 6.1-inch display and another with a 6.7-inch display, the latter of which would be the largest iPhone ever. By comparison, the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max have 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch displays, respectively. The devices are expected to be introduced in October.

A photo of what appears to be the rear glass of the upcoming iPhone 12 Pro have been shared online by Twitter user "Mr. White."

The images appear to show two ‌iPhone‌ rear glass parts in Space Gray, with one having an extra cut out below the ultrawide lens hole, likely for a LiDAR scanner. There are also holes for three camera lenses and a TrueTone LED flash, which suggests these are both from "pro" models.

The exact models that each of the rear glass panels is from are unclear since no other edges are visible in the picture. It is possible that one is the 6.7-inch "iPhone 12 Pro Max", and the other is the smaller 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro. This would mean that the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro does not have the LiDAR scanner, leaving it exclusively for the 6.7-inch "‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌," which has been supported by previous rumors.

Alternately, if both ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro models are to feature LiDAR, then the glass without the additional hole for the scanner may in fact be from the current ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro.

At least one model of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro has been widely reported to have a LiDAR scanner, first seen on the 2020 iPad Pro, to sense depth and improve AR experiences.

Update: An alleged ‌iPhone 12 Pro Max‌ case recently surfaced on Chinese social media website Weibo (via MyDrivers) with a matching triple-lens camera and LiDAR Scanner layout.

Ridley Scott, director of the original "1984" Apple Macintosh advertisement, has commented on Epic Games' recent parody of his ad, in an interview to IGN.

When ‌Epic Games‌ launched its campaign against Apple over alleged anticompetitive App Store policies, it premiered a shot-for-shot remake of Apple's famous "1984" Super Bowl commercial directed by Ridley Scott, titled "Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite." The original commercial was based on the novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four" by George Orwell and was meant to convey Apple as a rebel against an oppressive regime believed to be IBM.

Whereas Apple's ad portrayed IBM as the evil "Big Brother," ‌Epic Games‌ aimed to show that Apple is now the oppressive authoritarian power. In a blog post, ‌Epic Games‌ encourages Fortnite players to fight against Apple's "app tax" by using the hashtag #FreeFortnite on social media platforms.

"‌Epic Games‌ has defied the ‌App Store‌ Monopoly. In retaliation, Apple is blocking Fortnite from a billion devices. Join the fight to stop 2020 from becoming '1984,'" text at the end of the ad reads.

Scott confirmed to IGN that he has seen Epic's parody, and explained that while he feels that the Fortnite ad was well produced, it could have had a more powerful message.

I sure have and I wrote to them because on the one hand I can be fully complimented by the fact they copied [my commercial] shot for shot. But pity the message is so ordinary when they could have been talking about democracy or more powerful things… And they didn't use it.

I think the animation was terrific, the idea was terrific, the message was "ehh."

Fortnite has been in violation of the ‌‌App Store‌‌ rules since August 13, when it introduced a direct payment option that avoided Apple's in-app purchase system by allowing payments directly to ‌Epic Games‌. Shortly after Epic blatantly disregarded ‌‌App Store‌‌ policies, Apple removed the app from the ‌‌App Store‌‌, leading to a lawsuit from Epic and a quickly escalating legal battle between the two companies. On Friday, Apple terminated ‌Epic Games‌' developer account.

Apple Pay with Express Transit mode today appears to have gone live for the Washington Metro.

MacRumors reader Errin submitted screenshots showing the SmarTrip fare card ready for public transport use in the Wallet app on iPhone. Several Twitter users have also shared news of the card appearing in the Wallet app for them, too.

Riders in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area should now be able to add their reloadable SmarTrip fare card to the Wallet app, and simply hold their ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch near a contactless payment reader at Metrorail stations or on Metrobus buses to pay their fare.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced in December 2019 that ‌Apple Pay‌ with Express Transit would be coming to the Washington Metro this year.

Express Transit mode allows for tap-and-go payment, eliminating the need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. The device does not need to be waked or unlocked, either.

Facebook has said it will stop users in Australia from sharing news on the social network if a proposed law from the country's competition regulator comes into force that would require it to pay local media companies for their content (via CNET).

The threat comes after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) submitted a draft regulatory code that would "address the bargaining power imbalances between Australian news media businesses and digital platforms" and allow Australian news publications to "negotiate for fair payment for their journalist's work."

If the proposed regulation becomes law, technology companies like Facebook and Google will have three months to negotiate with Australian media organisations. 

In a blog post on Tuesday, Facebook Australia and New Zealand's managing director Will Easton pushed back against the draft regulation, claiming that the code "misunderstands the dynamics of the internet and will do damage to the very news organisations the government is trying to protect."

Assuming this draft code becomes law, we will reluctantly stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram. This is not our first choice – it is our last. But it is the only way to protect against an outcome that defies logic and will hurt, not help, the long-term vibrancy of Australia’s news and media sector.

[...]

The ACCC presumes that Facebook benefits most in its relationship with publishers, when in fact the reverse is true. News represents a fraction of what people see in their News Feed and is not a significant source of revenue for us. Still, we recognize that news provides a vitally important role in society and democracy, which is why we offer free tools and training to help media companies reach an audience many times larger than they have previously.  

In a statement given to CNET, ACCC Chair Rod Sims said Facebook's threat was "ill-timed and misconceived."

"The draft media bargaining code aims to ensure Australian news businesses, including independent, community and regional media, can get a seat at the table for fair negotiations with Facebook and Google," said Sims.

"Facebook already pays some media for news content. The code simply aims to bring fairness and transparency to Facebook and Google's relationships with Australian news media businesses."

In a move possibly related to the ACCC's draft code, Facebook has sent a notification to all users, explaining that its terms of service will be updated from October 1 to allow it to remove or restrict access to any content it thinks could cause the social media company legal problems.

Google also opposes the draft regulation, and sent an open letter to the ACCC claiming that it would put the free services that it offers users at risk. The ACCC responded by saying the letter "contains misinformation" and said that "a healthy news media sector is essential to a well-functioning democracy." It also noted that charging users is not a requirement of the draft regulation, and if Google chose to go down that route, it would be Google's choice alone.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 models will all include 5G support, and several rumors have suggested that some if not all the new iPhones coming this fall will support both sub-6GHz and mmWave networks, which are two different 5G technologies that carriers are rolling out.

The fastest technology, mmWave, will be used in dense areas like major cities. The longer-distance sub-6GHz networks will be available more broadly in urban, suburban and rural areas. Due to the impact of the global health crisis, however, shipments of Apple's mmWave-enabled 5G iPhones could be weaker than expected this year and next year, according to reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a new investor's note for TFI Securities, seen by MacRumors, Kuo says shipment estimates for Apple's mmWave-enabled 5G iPhones are likely to be several million units lower than expected due to delays in the global rollout of mWave base stations.

We believe that due to the impact of [the health crisis], the global 5G millimeter wave base station installation is lower than expected. Therefore, we estimate that the shipments of millimeter wave iPhones in 2020 and 2021 will be about 4-6 million and 25-35 million, respectively, which is lower than the market consensus of 10-20 million and 40-50 million units.

Kuo's note harks back to a DigiTimes report in June that claimed shipments of mmWave 5G iPhones could be much weaker than expected this year because of a combination of production challenges and the impact of the health crisis.

However, that report said shipping estimates of mmWave-enabled 5G iPhones slated for launch this year would reach only 15-20 million units in 2020, compared to a previous supply chain estimate of 30-40 million units.

Prior to the global health crisis, Kuo said Apple was still on track to release both sub-6GHz and sub-6GHz-plus-mmWave ‌iPhone‌ 12 models simultaneously in the second half of 2020, with shipments beginning in the late third or early fourth quarter. Kuo has not indicated whether those plans have since changed, but some analysts believe that models with support for ultra-fast mmWave technology will likely launch after sub-6GHz models.

Meanwhile, the latest Bloomberg report on Apple's product launch plans claims Apple plans to stagger its iPhone launches this year.

There are four new iPhones in the works in 5.4, 6.1, and 6.7-inch sizes. Bloomberg says the two lower-end 5.4 and 6.1-inch devices are expected to ship out ahead of the Pro devices, but it's not clear whether the phased launch relates in any way to different models supporting different 5G technologies.

Apple employees also told Bloomberg that a few testers have found 5G disappointing, with the current 5G networks "not improving connection speeds much."

Kuo has previously said he believes ‌iPhone‌ models with mmWave and sub-6GHz support will be available in main markets like the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan, while in some other countries, Apple may offer iPhones with just sub-6GHz connectivity. Sub-6GHz could also be disabled in countries that do not offer 5G or have shallow 5G penetration, allowing them to connect only to 4G networks.

Apple is working on a new version of the Apple TV that includes an upgraded remote with Find My-like capabilities, reports Bloomberg. The tidbit was shared in a wider report on Apple's fall product launch plans.

Apple has been rumored to be working on an upgrade to the 4K ‌Apple TV‌ for some time, and it's been believed that the device could launch at any time, but Bloomberg says that the new set-top box might not ship until 2021.

Along with a faster processor for gaming, the upgraded ‌Apple TV‌ is expected to include a redesigned remote, which is something that we've heard in prior rumors. The new remote is said to have a feature similar to Find My iPhone, which would make a lost remote easier to locate within the house.

We don't know much else about the ‌Apple TV‌ from prior rumors, except that it might come with higher capacity 64 and 128GB storage options.

Bloomberg does not provide details on when the new ‌Apple TV‌ might launch in 2021, but given that signs of the device have been popping up in betas since January 2020, it could see a launch early in the year.

Apple has a number of products in the works that are set to debut this fall, and this evening, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu shared details on Apple's launch plans, reiterating many of the rumors that we've previously heard about the upcoming product lineup.

There are four new iPhones in the works in 5.4, 6.1, and 6.7-inch sizes, with Apple planning to stagger the iPhone launches. The two lower-end 5.4 and 6.1-inch devices are expected to ship out ahead of the Pro devices, and the 2020 launch timeline is set to be the latest relase since the ‌iPhone‌ X came out in November 2017.

Bloomberg confirms design rumors that have indicated the 2020 iPhones will feature iPad Pro-style squared edges and a new dark blue color option for the Pro models, which will replace midnight green. Pro models will feature stainless steel edges while standard models will use aluminum, similar to the current ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

As for LiDAR, "at least" the largest of the Pro phones will get the same LiDAR Scanner that was built into the 2020 iPad Pro models. Apple employees have told Bloomberg that the 6.7-inch display of the largest ‌iPhone‌ is one of this year's "most notable improvements," and a few testers have found 5G disappointing with the current 5G networks "not improving connection speeds much."

Apple is preparing to build 75 million 5G iPhones, which Bloomberg says suggests demand for the ‌iPhone‌ is "holding up" despite the ongoing public health crisis. Apple anticipates shipments of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup could hit 80 million units in 2020.

As for other fall launch products, Apple is working on an iPad Air with an edge-to-edge ‌iPad‌ Pro-style display, and though not mentioned by Bloomberg, prior rumors have suggested it will either feature under-display Touch ID or a ‌Touch ID‌ power button and a 10.8-inch display.

Other products coming this fall include two new Apple Watch versions (Series 6 and a new replacement for the Series 3 that will serve as a low-cost option), over-ear headphones that prior rumors have suggested will be called the AirPods Studio, and a smaller, more affordable HomePod. Past rumors have indicated that the Apple Watch models will feature blood oxygen monitoring, but Bloomberg does not confirm or deny the rumor.

AirTags are in the works with no information on a launch timeline, and while Apple is developing a new Apple TV with a faster processor and upgraded remote control, Bloomberg believes it might not ship until 2021. The remote is expected to come with a new feature similar to Find My for locating the remote when it's lost inside the house.

There are no specific launch details included in the report beyond the mention of the staggered ‌iPhone‌ release, so it's still unclear when we can expect to start seeing new devices from Apple. Leaker Jon Prosser said that we can expect iPads and Apple Watch models to launch as soon as next week, while Japanese site Mac Otakara today said that Apple will unveil the iPhones, AirTags, and new Apple Watch models at an October event. Both Prosser and ‌Mac Otakara‌ have mixed track records when it comes to rumors.

Alongside new iPhones each year, Apple unveils an updated version of the Apple Watch, introducing new features and improving on existing functionality. We're expecting the sixth-generation Apple Watch in 2020, and we could perhaps see some useful new health tracking functionality.

The most notable new feature we could see in Apple Watch Series 6 models is blood oxygen monitoring, which would allow the Apple Watch to detect and monitor the oxygen levels in the blood. Normal blood oxygen is between 95 and 100 percent, and when blood oxygen levels drop, it can be indicative of a health problem that needs immediate medical attention.

Code in iOS 14 suggests that Apple will provide notifications when blood oxygen levels drop below a healthy threshold, allowing Apple Watch owners to get quick help when affected by a respiratory or cardiac problem. Blood oxygen monitoring would be a useful feature amid the ongoing pandemic, as the virus can cause oxygen levels to drop, and people experiencing reduced oxygen intake need emergency help.

We're expecting some new hardware in the Apple Watch Series 6, including a new system-on-a-chip for performance improvements. There may be an improvement in water resistance and improved wireless transmission for faster WiFi and cellular speeds.

We've seen a battery allegedly for the Apple Watch that features a capacity of 303.8mAh, which is not too far off from the 296mAh battery in the Series 5 models, so we're not expecting significant gains in battery life other than what comes through software improvements.

There have been some murky rumors about mental health capabilities that would let the Apple Watch Series 6 detect panic attacks or high levels of stress and provide breathing exercises to calm people down.

If this feature exists, it could rely on heart rate data or it could take into account blood oxygen levels as well as breathing rate to make determinations about stress levels.

New Apple Watch models have always released alongside iPhones in the past, but the 2020 launch dates are unclear given the iPhone delays. Leaker Jon Prosser, who has something of a mixed track record, believes Apple will introduce the Apple Watch via press release next week, well ahead of when new iPhones launch.

Since Apple has never decoupled Apple Watch launches from ‌iPhone‌ launches, it's not clear if this information is accurate, but we don't have long to wait to find out. If an Apple Watch launch doesn't happen next week, Japanese site Mac Otakara believes the Series 6 will be unveiled at an October event alongside the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models.

Apple in late August registered eight new Apple Watch models with the Eurasian Economic Commission, a filing that's required ahead of any new product release. Oftentimes these filings herald an upcoming product launch, so there are definitely new models on the horizon.

For more on what to expect from the Apple Watch Series 6, make sure to check out our roundup.

Apple is planning to hold an event in the latter half of October that will see the unveiling of the iPhone 12 models, Apple Watch Series 6, and long-rumored AirTags, according to a report from Japanese site Mac Otakara.

Citing rumors from "Chinese suppliers," Mac Otakara suggests that Apple initially planned to release the AirTags around the same time that the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ SE was launched, but it was delayed.

Apple in late July confirmed that this year's iPhones are going to be a little bit late, launching a "few weeks later" than the normal September timeframe. The ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup is expected to be released at some point in October, and the delay has led to speculation and uncertainty about when Apple might hold its annual fall event.

The ‌iPhone‌ unveiling event normally takes place in the first or second week of September, and it's not clear if Apple will hold the event in its usual timeframe and then delay the launch of the iPhones until October, or wait until October for the unveiling.

‌Mac Otakara‌'s information contradicts information shared by leaker Jon Prosser, who has suggested Apple plans to unveil the Apple Watch and new iPads via press release in September and then hold an event in October for the iPhones. Apple has never decoupled ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch launches, so there has been some skepticism about this prediction.

As for the AirTags, code for the Tile-like Bluetooth tracking devices have been spotted in iOS updates as far back as the iOS 13 betas, so they've been in the works for quite some time. It's never been clear when the AirTags are going to launch, but there have been rumors about a 2020 debut, and we're closing in on the end of 2020.

‌Mac Otakara‌ suggests that AirTags will work with Apple's App Clips feature that lets users download small snippets of an app without downloading the entire thing, such as for ordering from a restaurant, but it's not clear how this would work given that AirTags are meant to work inside the Find My app.

For more information on what AirTags are and how we expect them to work, make sure to check out our AirTags guide.

Update: A new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Debby Wu has also discussed AirTags, the ‌iPhone‌ 12, and the Apple Watch Series 6.

The report says that the two lower-end 5.4 and 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 12 devices are expected to ship out ahead of the 6.1 and 6.7-inch Pro devices, and the 2020 launch timeline is set to be the latest release since the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ X came out in November 2017. Two new Apple Watch versions, including a Series 6 model and a new replacement for the Series 3 that will serve as a low-cost option, are also reported to be coming this fall.

The report explains that AirTags are in the works, with no further information on a potential launch timeframe. Gurman has previously said that AirTags will be a premium product and come with a leather carrying case.

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