MacRumors

An iPhone that was expelled from the cabin of Alaska Airlines flight 1282 on Friday survived a fall of more than 16,000 feet and was discovered intact.

Vancouver, Washington resident Sean Bates shared images of the device on Sunday after he found it on the side of Barnes Road in Portland, Oregon. The ‌iPhone‌ was in full working condition and was in fact still open to an Alaska Airlines email. There were no cracks on the display, though it was protected by a case and presumably landed in a forested area with soft ground cover.

Bates alerted the National Transportation Safety Board, and officials came out to collect the device. The NTSB told Bates that it was the second phone to be found from the flight in the area.

The ‌iPhone‌ was expelled from Alaska Airlines flight 1282 after a portion of the plane blew out shortly after it took off from the Portland International Airport. The aircraft was able to safely land back at the Portland airport, and all passengers and crew members survived.

The sudden depressurization in the cabin of the plane caused items like smartphones to be sucked out, where they fell to the ground below. In 2011, Wired wrote a piece on the terminal velocity of an ‌iPhone‌ falling from a plane, which is a good explainer on how the device was able to survive. In a nutshell, the low weight and maximum speed of the ‌iPhone‌ leads to a limited amount of force on landing despite the height of the fall, so the end result isn't too much different from dropping it from a lower height.

There were two smartphones found from the plane, along with other debris such as the plug door that may give some insight into what went wrong.

Apple today released Xcode 15.2 and TestFlight version 3.5, both of which have been updated with support for the Vision Pro headset that is set to come out in early February.

Xcode 15.2 is equipped with the visionOS SDK, and the release notes suggest that Apple has implemented several fixes for ‌visionOS‌ into the software. Xcode 15.2 can be used by developers to create ‌visionOS‌ apps for the Apple Vision Pro headset, and it also includes SDKs for iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, tvOS 17.2, watchOS 10.2, and macOS Sonoma 14.2.

As for TestFlight, version 3.5 of the app allows for the beta testing of ‌visionOS‌ apps for the first time, plus it allows compatible iOS and iPadOS apps to be used on the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ headset.

Apps created for ‌visionOS‌ can be submitted to the ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ App Store starting today. Many iPhone and iPad apps will work on ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ unmodified, but developers can make device-specific tweaks. Apple plans to publish ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ apps on the Vision Pro store by default, but developers can opt out through ‌App Store‌ Connect.

The Vision Pro headset will launch on Friday, February 2 at retail stores in the United States. Pre-orders for the device will be accepted starting on Friday, January 19 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

Apple has announced that it will be opening a new retail store in the Hongdae neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea on Saturday, January 20 at 10 a.m. local time. To celebrate the occasion, Apple has released a special wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac that can be downloaded for free by visiting the store's page.

The wallpaper features an Apple logo in a colorful graffiti style, symbolizing the Hongdae area's artistic and youthful culture. As noted by Michael Steeber in his Tabletops newsletter, the logo has "홍대" (Hongdae) hidden within it.

The store will be located at 140 Yanghwa-ro, near Hongik University, and it will offer Genius Bar appointments and Today at Apple creative sessions.

January 20 is also the day that Apple will be permanently closing its Infinite Loop and Royal Hawaiian stores in the United States.

A second wave of Apple customers eligible for a payment under a $95 million Apple refurbished device lawsuit are today receiving emails letting them know that the funds will be sent out starting tomorrow.

As Settlement Administrator for the matter, we're sending you this courtesy email to inform you that by January 9, 2024, you will receive a payment notification email that contains a link to claim your payment electronically. Once you receive that email, you will have until May 15, 2024, to claim your payment.

Back in 2021, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle an AppleCare-related lawsuit that accused the company of violating U.S. law by providing customers with refurbished replacement devices instead of new devices when AppleCare repairs were required.

The settlement was approved in April 2022, and Apple sent out some payments starting in August 2022, but a new wave of emails went out to customers today. The lawsuit covered iPhones and iPads purchased between July 20, 2012 and September, 30, 2021 and replaced with a refurbished device.

A second wave of payments that are being sent out to disburse remaining funds after the first payments were received. Only 31 percent of those eligible claimed the first payment, leaving money for a second payment.

While Apple paid $95 million to settle the lawsuit, the company admitted no wrongdoing and has denied that refurbished devices are inferior to new devices.

Apple plans to start offering Vision Pro demonstrations at U.S. Apple retail stores on Friday, February 2, Apple said today in emails that are going out to select customers. February 2 is the official launch date of the Apple Vision Pro headset.

The demo sessions will be available at Apple retail stores in the United States. Apple says that demo times will be offered through the weekend on a first-come, first-served basis, with signups to take place starting at 8:00 a.m. on February 2.

It is likely that the available demo spots will fill up quickly, especially in areas with a limited number of Apple Stores, so those interested in testing the headset should plan to sign up early.

Apple plans to begin accepting pre-orders for the Vision Pro on Friday, January 19, with deliveries on February 2. The headset will be available in all U.S. Apple locations on February 2.

The annual CES event kicks off this week, and we sent MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera to hunt down cool new products and technologies that are being previewed this year. CES officially starts tomorrow, but Dan attended CES Unveiled last night, and was able to get an early look at devices from Samsung,

Samsung showed off new OLED TVs with an updated anti-reflective coating that makes them much better in bright rooms and with reflective lights, plus there was a new 8K projector and some very impressive transparent OLED screens.

Samsung had a neat 2D/3D display that uses cameras and eye tracking to display content in 3D without the need for glasses, and Dan was also impressed with a customizable music frame that holds artwork but also serves as a speaker for a subtle surround sound system.

At Unveiled, Dan checked out a pet-focused robot vacuum and mop combo from Narwhal, Belkin's Qi2 wireless chargers and StandDock Pro, a Keurig sort of device for ice cream, and some retro Mac power adapters from Sharge.

Make sure to watch the full video to see the products in action, and stay tuned to MacRumors because we'll be sharing CES videos and articles for the next few days.

Shazam, Apple's music discovery and identification platform, today shared a Shazam Predictions 2024 playlist, available on Apple Music. The playlist provides songs from more than 50 artists that are set to "have a breakthrough year."

The predictions playlist is an annual release from Shazam, and the 2024 list includes everything from French pop to contemporary gospel, with content from creators in 21 countries.

Have you ever scanned your Shazam history and spotted a big star-someone you discovered months or years before they became a household name? Every day, the app gets millions of requests from users around the world who are curious about the artist behind a song. These Shazams come from all over-TikTok videos, car commercials, coffee shops, overhearing something in the wild-which makes it a powerful tool for predicting tomorrow's heavy hitters. This playlist features 50 emerging artists who, based on Shazam data reviewed by our editors, are poised to have a breakthrough year.

Shazam highlighted five artists to keep a close eye on, including Nigerian singer-songwriter Bloody Civilian, hip-hop duo Flyana Boss, South African singer Kenya Grace, indie rock band The Last Dinner Party, and K-pop group RIIZE.

The full playlist can be listened to on Apple Music.

Clear is a to-do list app that was first launched in 2012, and while it has received few updates since that time, it has remained popular with users due to its easy-to-use design and simple layout.

Impending, the team behind Clear, has been working on a major revamp for the last several months, and Clear 2 is launching today. Clear 2 has the same general design and function as the original app, but there are new gestures for more fluid list making, new color themes, an edge-to-edge design, updated fonts, quote packs, sound themes, app icon options, and more.

Creating and managing lists in Clear has not changed. Tap anywhere to add an item to a list, and swipe to either check it off or delete it. A tap at the bottom of the app goes to a list overview, and a second bottom tap leads to personalization options, rewards, the shop, and an archive of completed items.

Users can have an unlimited number of lists and items on the list, and the simple design of the app puts the focus on what's upcoming. Items on the list can be dragged and dropped between lists, and a swipe and hold to the left allows a time and a date to be added. Screenshotting a list brings up a share sheet so you can share a text or image version of the contents with a friend.

As with the original version of Clear, using the app unlocks collectibles like unique colors for lists, and just using the app will provide users with new themes and fonts to choose from. There are also haptics and sounds when checking items off, adding new items to the list, and using other app features.

Clear is no longer a paid app and it is free to use, and Impending has a clever monetization strategy. There is an entirely optional store with themes, fonts, sound packs, and app icons that change on a daily basis. The cosmetic options available for purchase do not affect the core functionality of the app, but do offer unique customization options.

Clear 2 can be downloaded from the App Store for free, and those who have the existing version of Clear will get the update without having to redownload the app. [Direct Link]

Under cover of its Vision Pro headset launch date announcement, Apple has revealed that the external battery supports up to 2.5 hours of 2D video playback, half an hour more than it offers in "general use" on a single charge.

Apple quietly updated its product page for the device with the extra detail, qualifying its claim of 2.5 hours of "video playback" based on tests "in conjunction with an Environment, using 2D movie content purchased from the Apple TV app." Environments let users transform the space around them, and Cinema Environments can turn a room into a personal movie theater.

The company defines "general use" as performing tasks that include video playback, internet browsing, spatial video capture, and FaceTime.

This is the first time Apple has said anything about the Vision Pro's external battery pack being optimized to run for longer when watching 2D video content, with Apple previously saying only that the battery lasted two hours on a single charge. Apple also previously said the Vision Pro could be used indefinitely if the battery was itself plugged into an external power source, but that text has been removed from the Vision Pro product page.

Apple says Vision Pro users will be able to watch movies and TV shows from Apple TV+, Disney+, Max, and other services on a screen that feels 100 feet wide with support for HDR content. Elsewhere, within the Apple TV app, users will be able to access more than 150 3D titles.

Pre-orders of the Vision Pro start on Friday, January 19 and the device goes on sale in the United States on Friday, February 2.

Apple has announced that its first earnings call of 2024 will be held on February 1, one day before the Vision Pro launches in the United States.

On the call, Apple's CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will discuss the company's earnings results for the first quarter of the 2024 fiscal year. The executives will almost certainly provide some additional commentary about the Vision Pro.

A live audio stream of the call will be available on Apple's Investor Relations page, and a recording will be available later in the day for replay.

The quarter ran from October 1 through December 30 of 2023. During this period, Apple released new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M3 series of chips, updated the iMac with the M3 chip, and debuted a lower-cost Apple Pencil with a USB-C port. Apple also expanded its online store to Chile during the quarter.

Apple has not provided formal guidance since early 2020, but analysts expect the company to report quarterly revenue of around $117.8 billion on average, according to Yahoo Finance. Apple reported $117.2 billion revenue in the year-ago quarter.

AAPL closed at $181.18 on Friday, down from a 52-week high of $199.62.

Anker has kicked off its first big sale of the year, and it's happening across Amazon and Anker's own website. You'll find low prices on portable batteries, USB-C chargers, and more in this sale.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Shoppers should note that some Amazon deals require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts. At Anker.com, you'll find discount codes are also required, but these should be automatically applied once you add the products to your cart and head to checkout.

On Amazon, the highlight is the 60,000 mAh portable power station for $114.99 with an on-page coupon, down from $169.99. If you're looking for a smaller portable battery, there's the 10,000 mAh Nano Power Bank with built-in USB-C cable for $44.99, down from $49.99.

Anker has a few deals of its own, and some match Amazon's prices. You can get the Prime 20,000 mAh Power Bank with Smart Digital Display for $117.00, down from $129.99. Another notable accessory is the Prime 6-in-1 Charging Station for $89.99, down from $109.99.

Portable Batteries

• Nano Portable Charger with Built-In USB-C Connector - $18.89, down from $22.49
• Nano Portable Charger with Built-In Lightning Connector - $19.99, down from $22.49
• Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $44.99, down from $49.99
• Portable Power Station - $114.99 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99
• SOLIX Portable Power Station - $699.00 with on-page coupon, down from $999.00

Wall Chargers

• 20W USB-C Charger - $13.99, down from $16.99
• 65W 3-Port USB-C Charger - $39.99, down from $55.99
• 100W 3-Port USB-C Charger - $44.99 with on-page coupon, down from $74.99
• 6-in-1 Nano Charging Station - $45.99, down from $65.99
• Prime 67W 3-Port Charger - $59.99, down from $65.99

Hubs

• 4-Port USB-C Hub - $12.99, down from $19.99
• 10-in-1 USB-C Hub - $99.99, down from $149.99

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

In its announcement of the launch date for its Vision Pro headset earlier today, Apple revealed that the optional optical inserts will begin at $99.

Because of the way the headset fits against the face, it does not accommodate glasses, but Apple has a solution for those who need reading or prescription lenses. Apple is partnering with ZEISS to offer optical inserts that can be customized to each person's vision requirements.

Apple will offer two versions of the ZEISS Optical Inserts at different price points. "ZEISS Optical Inserts — Readers" will be available for $99, while "ZEISS Optical Inserts — Prescription" will be available for $149. The inserts will attach to the Vision Pro lenses magnetically, allowing for precise viewing and eye tracking.

Glasses wearers will need a valid prescription to get the inserts, and not all prescriptions will be supported, so there will be some limitations that might prevent some people from using the headset.

The inserts are the only optional purchase directly for the Vision Pro headset that Apple has announced so far. The Vision Pro headset comes with a Solo Knit Band, a Dual Loop Band, a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, a cover for the front of the device, a polishing cloth, battery unit, USB-C charging cable, and USB-C power adapter.

Pre-orders of the Vision Pro start on Friday, January 19 and the device goes on sale in the United States on Friday, February 2.

Apple today announced that its Vision Pro headset will launch in the U.S. on February 2, with pre-orders starting January 19. In its press release, Apple listed some items that will be included with the Vision Pro, including a Dual Loop Band, an Apple Polishing Cloth, an external battery pack, a USB-C power adapter, and more.

Here's everything included with the Vision Pro:

Apple Vision Pro comes with a Solo Knit Band and Dual Loop Band — giving users two options for the fit that works best for them. Apple Vision Pro also includes a Light Seal, two Light Seal Cushions, an Apple Vision Pro Cover for the front of the device, Polishing Cloth, Battery, USB-C Charge Cable, and USB-C Power Adapter.

On the Vision Pro product page, Apple says the Dual Loop Band features "a pair of adjustable upper and lower straps for a personalized fit."

Apple also confirmed that the Vision Pro starts with 256GB of storage for $3,499, and higher storage capacities will likely be available.

Apple today announced that the Vision Pro headset will launch in the United States on Friday, February 2.

The headset will be available at all Apple Store locations in the United States, as well as via the online ‌Apple Store‌. Apple CEO Tim Cook today said:

The era of spatial computing has arrived. Apple Vision Pro is the most advanced consumer electronics device ever created. Its revolutionary and magical user interface will redefine how we connect, create, and explore.

Apple says that the Vision Pro is "a revolutionary spatial computer that transforms how people work, collaborate, connect, relive memories, and enjoy entertainment."

The Vision Pro is set to be available starting at $3,499 with 256GB of storage. Pre-orders begin two weeks prior to launch, opening on Friday, January 19 at 5 a.m. PST.

Chipolo today announced the launch of a series of "Perfectly Imperfect" CARD Spot wallet trackers, which are identical to its standard Chipolo CARD Spot trackers, but with flaws in the plastic casing.

This limited edition series takes advantage of plastic that would otherwise have been discarded and wasted. The item trackers have a blemish on one side and a "Perfectly Imperfect" engraving on the other side.

"Chipolo is excited to introduce the 'Perfectly Imperfect' limited series of CARD Spot trackers, as it's another testament to our dedication to create products that make our lives easier -- both physically, through functionality and mentally, by helping to bring people peace of mind", said Primož Zelenšek, Co-founder and CEO at Chipolo. "Through this campaign, we want to inspire a shift in perspective, encouraging people to embrace their imperfections and recognize the real beauty in what makes each of us irreplaceable."

The Chipolo CARD Spot is designed to fit inside a wallet, and it works with Apple's Find My network. The CARD Spot can be tracked right alongside Apple devices and the AirTag in the ‌Find My‌ app.

Chipolo plans to donate $1 to a non-profit organization for each of the CARD Spots that are sold, and each one is priced at $35, the same as the standard CARD Spots.

Samsung at CES has announced its popular Smart Monitor M8 is getting a refresh for 2024, with some extra software features seemingly aimed at deepening the display's support for other devices in the company's ecosystem.

The upcoming "M80D" model includes a Multi Control feature that allows images and text to be moved between the display and a Galaxy Book, Tablet, or Phone, while a Galaxy Buds owners will be able to pair their earphones for a spatial audio experience with head tracking.

Samsung says it has also added the ability to pair a Galaxy Watch for those looking to perform guided workouts using the display, and an easier way to control monitor settings with the click of a mouse, where previous models only allowed for adjustments via a remote.

Otherwise, it looks like the iMac-style 4K flat-panel monitor hasn't changed in the hardware department from last year's M8 model, which features 400 nits of brightness, a 60Hz refresh rate (non variable), 99% sRGB, and adaptive picture technology.

In addition, the display retains key features like USB-C charging connectivity, AirPlay 2 support, an integrated webcam, and several smart TV features that enable it to be used when not connected to a PC.

Samsung's M8 doesn't support the P3 color gamut and isn't as bright as Apple's 5K Studio Display, but as a more affordable alternative it is likely remain appealing to some Mac users.

The original M8 comes in 27-inch (~$650) and 32-inch (~$700) sizes, although Samsung only mentioned a 32-inch version of the M80D. Regardless, both sizes have a 11.39mm thick chassis, which is 0.1mm thinner than Apple's iMac, and include a flat back, thin bezels, and a height and tilt adjustable stand. Expect Samsung's refreshed monitor to arrive in sometime later in the year.

Mophie today unveiled new Juice Pack battery cases designed for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max. Priced at $100, the Juice Pack is designed to add additional battery life to Apple's latest iPhone models.

The ‌iPhone 15‌ case has a 2,400 mAh battery, while the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ model has a 2,600 mAh battery. The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max version has a larger 2,800 mAh battery. At this capacity, the cases won't provide a full charge for any of the ‌iPhone 15‌ models, but they will provide a partial charge for long days of ‌iPhone‌ usage.

When connected to a USB-C charger, the case will direct power to the ‌iPhone‌ first, and when the ‌iPhone‌'s battery is full, the case itself will charge. Mophie says that ergonomics and design were taken into account with the Juice Pack, leading to its soft-touch exterior. Raised corners and a high impact protection system are designed to protect the ‌iPhone‌ from scratches and cracks.

Mophie plans to accept pre-orders for the new Juice Pack options starting in February.

Mophie also provided launch details for its first Qi2 devices, which were announced back in September. The $70 Snap+ Powerstation Mini With Stand, the $130 Snap+ 3-in-1 Stand, and the $70 Snap+ Wireless Charging Vent Mount are set to come out in March and will be available on the Mophie website.

All three products offer support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard and will be able to charge the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and ‌iPhone 15‌ models at 15W (12W for the 13 mini), the same speed as MagSafe.

Mophie's Snap+ Powerstation Mini received a 2024 CES Innovation Award. It features an integrated stand that can charge an ‌iPhone‌ in landscape or portrait orientation, along with a 5,000 mAh battery so that it can be used anywhere.

Apple's upcoming OLED iPad Pro will start at $1,500, rising to between $1,800 and $2,000 depending on size and configuration, representing a major increase in prices compared to Apple's current equivalents. That's according to a new report on the news aggregator account "yeux1122" on the Naver blog.

This is the second time a Korean source has claimed that Apple's new iPad Pros will be vastly more expensive that the company's existing models. Last March, a report by The Elec estimated prices starting at $1,500 and $1,800 for the 11-inch and 13-inch models, respectively.

The $2,000 figure for the 13-inch model in the latest report could refer to a new, higher storage capacity offered by Apple, although that would actually present a slightly lower top-end price – the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro maxed out at 2TB starts from $2,100, depending on Wi-Fi or cellular configuration.

If accurate, these price hikes would make the new 11-inch device over 80% more expensive than the existing 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with LED Liquid Retina display, which starts at $799. As for the 13-inch model, assuming a base configuration costing $1,800, it would be around 60% more expensive than the current 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display, which starts at $1,099.

For further reference, the OLED iPad Pro price estimates far exceed the starting price of some MacBook configurations that Apple currently sells, with the 13.6-inch MacBook Air with M2 chip starting at $1,199. The main reason for the price hikes is believed to be the large proportion of material costs taken up by Apple's OLED panel procurement from the likes of LG and Samsung.

Today's report suggests that Apple will justify the higher prices by increasing storage and emphasizing the benefits in quality of OLED over existing iPad screens, particularly the higher contrast and brightness offered at an equivalent or lower level of power consumption. The report also implies that Apple will promote the new devices' thinness and lightness compared to rival tablets and/or previous-generation iPads.

MagSafe charging is a possibility for the upcoming iPad Pro models, and the devices will also be accompanied by a refreshed version of the Magic Keyboard that includes a larger trackpad to make the iPad Pro look more like a laptop than the current model, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

New ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ models and accompanying accessories are expected to launch around the end of March, which is also when Apple plans to release iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4. Apple is likely to hold a spring event to introduce the new devices, according to Gurman.