MacRumors

MacRumors readers have a chance to save up to $409 on a collection of custom configuration 16-inch MacBook Pro models this week, thanks to our new exclusive partnership with Apple reseller Expercom. These notebooks are slight variations on the two base models offered by Apple, with added storage of up to 8TB, more RAM, and improved graphics.

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

The first model on sale is an upgrade on Apple's $2,399.00 16-inch MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. Expercom's custom configuration has an upgraded 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory; it's available for $2,597.94 ($201 off of Apple's original price).

The rest of the custom configurations are iterations on Apple's second base model with a 2.3GHz 8-core Intel Core i9 processor, 16GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory, which runs for $2,799.00. Expercom's models add 64GB RAM, up to 8TB SSD, and improved graphics with up to 8GB of GDDR6 memory. In total, these prices are the lowest you'll find online for the custom configuration MacBook Pros listed below.

Because they're custom configurations, shipping estimates are also slightly longer than normal, and the notebooks are estimated to be delivered within 10 to 19 business days. Expercom automatically discounts each 16-inch MacBook Pro below Apple's prices on the same custom configurations, but our readers can receive deeper discounts by entering the promo code macrumors at checkout.

Lastly, below you'll find a few sales on the Apple TV 4K and one model of the Apple Watch Series 5. The 32GB Apple TV 4K is on sale for $159, down from $179, representing one of the best prices currently available online for the streaming box. Expercom's deal on the Apple Watch Series 5 is for the 44mm Space Gray Aluminum model at $399, which is also a current low price for this version of the Apple Watch.

16-inch MacBook Pro

Use promo code "macrumors"

• 2.6GHz 6-core, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 5300M (4GB) - $2,597.94, down from $2,799.00 ($201 off)
• 2.3GHz 8-core, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 5500M (4GB) - $2,969.22, down from $3,199.00 ($230 off)
• 2.4GHz 8-core, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 5500M (8GB) - $3,618.96, down from $3,899.00 ($280 off)
• 2.4GHz 8-core, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 5500M (8GB) - $3,990.24, down from $4,299.00 ($309 off)
• 2.4GHz 8-core, 32GB RAM, 8TB SSD, 5500M (8GB) - $5,289.72, down from $5,699.00 ($409 off)

Apple TV 4K

• 32GB - $159, down from $179 ($20 off)
• 64GB - $179, down from $199 ($20 off)

Apple Watch Series 5

• 44mm GPS Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - $399.00, down from $429.00 ($30 off)

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

As noted on Reddit, Apple recently released a new batch of underwater screensavers for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

The new screensavers showcase marine life and ecosystems, ranging from dolphins off the coast of Costa Rica to coral reefs in the Red Sea near Egypt. Other additions display moon jellyfish off the coast of Alaska, waves breaking on the shores of Tahiti, golden cownose rays off the coast of Mexico, and more.

Apple TV displays a screensaver after it has been idle for a short period. To change the number of minutes before a screensaver starts, go to Settings > General > Screen Saver and select Start After. You can also start a screensaver at any time by pressing the Menu button on the Siri Remote while on the tvOS home screen.

A tap on the Siri Remote provides information on where a screensaver was filmed, while a swipe left or right will change the location of the screensaver that is displayed if multiples have been downloaded.

New screensavers can be downloaded daily, weekly, or monthly via Settings > General > Screen Saver > Download New Video. While it is not possible to choose a specific screensaver on the Apple TV, 9to5Mac's Benjamin Mayo maintains a website that showcases all of the available scenes.

Apple WebKit engineers have put forward a proposal to make one-time passcode SMS messages more secure by developing a standardized format for the two-step verification process, reports ZDNet.

Two-step verification logins require a user's password and another element that only the user would know – in this case, a one-time code sent via text message – to gain access to an online account.

As it stands, these SMS messages can arrive in a variety of formats, making it difficult or impossible for apps and websites to detect them and automatically extract their information.

Apple's proposal has two goals. The first is to introduce a way that one-time passcode SMS messages can be associated with the website, by adding the login URL inside the message itself.

The second goal is to standardize the format of the SMS messages, so that browsers and other apps can identify the incoming message, recognize the URL, and then extract the OTP code for automatic insertion into the appropriate login field on the website.

The idea behind automating OTP entry is that it eliminates the risk of users falling for a scam and entering an OTP code on a phishing site with a different URL.

Apple developers provided the following example of the new format SMS message for OTP codes:

747723 is your WEBSITE authentication code.
@website.com #747723

The first line is intended for the user, enabling them to determine the website that the SMS OTP code came from, while the second line is processed by browsers and apps so that they can automatically extract the OTP code and complete the 2FA login operation.

If auto-complete fails, users will be able to check the URL of the website that sent the text against the site they're trying to log in to.

According to the report, Google Chrome engineers are already on board with Apple's proposal, but Mozilla's Firefox team have yet to provide official feedback on the standard.

The new proposals would add another layer of security to Apple's existing security code autofill feature, introduced in iOS 12, that can detect one-time passcodes in Messages and display them conveniently above the user's keyboard.

Despite criticism from Apple, EU lawmakers on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in favor for new rules to establish a common charger for all mobile device makers across Europe (via Reuters).

Members of the European Parliament voted by 582-40 for a resolution urging the European Commission, which drafts EU laws, to ensure that EU consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new device.

The resolution said voluntary agreements in the industry had significantly reduced the number of charger types, but had not resulted in one common standard.

The Commission should adopt new rules by July, the lawmakers' resolution said, calling for "an urgent need for EU regulatory action to reduce electronic waste, empower consumers to make sustainable choices, and allow them to fully participate in an efficient and well-functioning internal market."

The proposed charging ports for portable devices include Micro-USB, USB-C, and the Lightning connector. Thursday's resolution didn't specify what the mobile charging standard should be, but non-Apple mobile devices and increasingly laptops and tablets are charged by USB-C. Even Apple's own 2018 iPad Pro models adopted USB-C wholesale, so the EU is highly unlikely to choose Apple's Lightning connector.

Apple last week pushed back against proposals for binding measures to make smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices use a standardized charging port such as USB-C. Responding to the proposals, the company issued the following statement:

Apple stands for innovation and deeply cares about the customer experience. We believe regulation that forces conformity across the type of connector built into all smartphones stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, and would harm consumers in Europe and the economy as a whole.

More than 1 billion Apple devices have shipped using a Lightning connector in addition to an entire ecosystem of accessory and device manufacturers who use Lightning to serve our collective customers. Legislation would have a direct negative impact by disrupting the hundreds of millions of active devices and accessories used by our European customers and even more Apple customers worldwide, creating an unprecedented volume of electronic waste and greatly inconveniencing users.

We do not believe there is a case for regulation given the industry is already moving to the use of USB Type-C through a connector or cable assembly. This includes Apple’s USB-C power adapter which is compatible with all iPhone and iPad devices. This approach is more affordable and convenient for consumers, enables charging for a wide range of portable electronic products, encourages people to re-use their charger and allows for innovation.

Prior to 2009, the Commission considered mandating that all smartphones use only USB Micro-B connectors which would have restricted the advancement to Lightning and USB Type-C. Instead, the Commission established a voluntary, industry standards-based approach that saw the market shift from 30 chargers down to 3, soon to be two — Lightning and USB-C, showing this approach does work.

We hope the Commission will continue to seek a solution that does not restrict the industry’s ability to innovate and bring exciting new technology to customers.

The European Commission, which acts as the executive for the EU, has been pushing for a common charger for more than a decade. However, the latest resolution makes legislation more likely, with the EU executive having included the common charger standard as one of the set of actions it plans for this year.

Update: There has been some confusion regarding the EU's resolution for a common charger standard, and whether the proposed legislation would cover just the charger brick or both the charger and connector cable – and thus the mobile device's port.

While the EU hasn't been particularly clear on this point, their recent Impact Assessment Study on Common Chargers of Portable Devices does suggest any regulation should cover the port as well as the connecting cable and charger. The key passage reads:

In summary, the most effective approach to addressing the consumer inconvenience that results from the continued existence of different (albeit mostly interoperable) charging solutions would be to pursue option 1 (common connectors) in combination with option 4 (interoperable external power supply).

Whether the commission accepts the recommendation of its impact assessment and enshrines it in EU law remains to be seen.

Apple today confirmed that its redesigned Maps app is now available for all users across the United States, offering better road coverage, more accurate pedestrian data, more precise addresses, and more detailed views of roads, parks, buildings, airports, and more.

Apple began testing an expansion of the new Maps app to the Southeast and Central United States in late December, which were the final two regions to get the Maps app, but the full rollout was not completed until today.

In an article announcing the completed launch of the new Maps app, Apple's vice president of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue said that Apple is "deeply invested" in creating the "best and most private" maps app in the world.

"We set out to create the best and most private maps app on the planet that is reflective of how people explore the world today. It is an effort we are deeply invested in and required that we rebuild the map from the ground up to reimagine how Maps enhances people's lives -- from navigating to work or school or planning an important vacation -- all with privacy at its core. The completion of the new map in the United States and delivering new features like Look Around and Collections are important steps in bringing that vision to life. We look forward to bringing this new map to the rest of the world starting with Europe later this year."

Along with announcing the new design features in the Maps app, Apple highlighted Maps features added in iOS 13 such as the street-level Look Around view, which is available in New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston and Oahu, plus Collections, for creating lists of favorite places.

Favorites, another new iOS 13 feature, lets users save directions for places that are frequently visited, while other major Maps features include Share ETA, flight status info, indoor maps for malls and airports, Siri natural language guidance for directions that are easier to follow, and real-time transit information in cities that include San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.

Apple also shared details on the privacy features built into the Maps app. Maps is not connected to the Apple ID, personalized features are all done on-device, data collected by Maps is associated with random identifiers that continually reset, and Apple servers "fuzz" location searches by converting precise locations where searches originated to a less-exact location after 24 hours.

With the rollout of the new Maps completed in the United States, Apple plans to also bring the redesign to Europe "in the coming months."

As noted on Reddit, unlocked aka SIM-free iPhone models now qualify for Apple Card Monthly Installments, which allows customers to purchase an iPhone with the Apple Card and pay for it over two years with no interest or fees in the United States. Previously, the installment plan was limited to carrier-activated iPhones.

When using Monthly Installments, the cost of your new iPhone is divided into 24 interest-free monthly installments. Each installment is included in your Apple Card minimum payment and is due every month for 24 months. Monthly Installments are billed to your Apple Card statement on the last day of the month.

Apple already offered interest-free iPhone financing through its iPhone Upgrade Program, but the Apple Card plan has a few advantages, including managing payments in the Wallet app and no late fees. iPhone purchases via Apple Card Monthly Installments also qualify for instant 3% Daily Cash.

How to View and Pay Apple Card Monthly Installments

Paying for an Apple Card Monthly Installment is as simple as paying off your minimum payment or higher each month.

To see and manage your Apple Card Monthly Installments, update to iOS 13.2 or later. Then, open the Wallet app, tap on your Apple Card, tap the button with three-dots in the top-right corner, and tap Installments.

The installments screen shows the total amount paid off so far, the remaining balance, the due date and amount of your next monthly installment, and a history of your monthly payments. There is also a Pay Early option that can reduce the number of payments, but this requires paying off your entire Apple Card balance first.

If you tap Total Financed, you can review other details like a description of the iPhone you purchased and how much Daily Cash you received.

As a shortcut, when you purchase an iPhone with Apple Card Monthly Installments, you will receive a notification on the iPhone or iPad you use to manage your Apple Card that can be tapped to view installment details.

Apple Card Monthly Installments are available for purchases made at Apple Stores, Apple.com, and through the Apple Store app.

Apple matched or overtook Samsung to become the world's biggest smartphone maker in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to new data from market tracking firms.

A new report by Strategy Analytics put Apple's iPhone shipments for the fourth quarter of last year at 70.7 million units, slightly ahead of Samsung's estimated 68.8 million.

Apple grabbed first position with 19 percent global smartphone marketshare, while Samsung claimed second position, staying flat at 18 percent. Huawei dipped to 15 percent share in third place. Full-year smartphone shipments totaled 1.4 billion units in 2019, according to Strategy Analytics.

"Apple iPhone shipments rose 7 percent annually from 65.9 million units worldwide in Q4 2018 to 70.7 million in Q4 2019. This was Apple's best growth performance since 2015. Apple's global smartphone marketshare has lifted from 18 percent to 19 percent in the past year. Apple is recovering, due to cheaper iPhone 11 pricing and healthier demand in Asia and North America."

Research firms are forced to estimate global smartphone sales because Apple stopped providing its own ‌iPhone‌ figures in January 2019, while Samsung gives a total number that includes smartphones and feature phones.

As a result, there are inconsistencies between market researchers' data. For example, IHS Markit have the positions of the two biggest players flipped, with Samsung at 70.7 million and Apple at 67.7 million. As Bloomberg notes, the consensus is that there's essentially no longer any daylight between the two dominant brands in mobile phones.

Apple's approximate tie with Samsung is due to a recent surge in ‌iPhone‌ sales, which brought in $56 billion in revenue for 8 percent growth during the December quarter, according to the company's latest financial results.

The ‌‌iPhone‌ 11‌ was the top-selling ‌‌iPhone‌‌ every week during the quarter, and the three new ‌‌iPhone‌‌ models were Apple's most popular iPhones. The company reported $22.2 billion in profit on $91.8 billion revenue, making the last quarter the best in Apple's history in terms of revenue and profit, topping the first fiscal quarter of 2018.

Meanwhile, Samsung this week reported a 38 percent decline in profit. The Korean company saw a boost in its mobile business, but it wasn't enough to offset declines in its component operations, mainly due to falling memory chip prices.

Samsung's mobile business increased 67 percent to $2.13 billion, while its revenue increased 7 percent to $21.1 billion. But soft demand in its display business and sliding LCD prices saw its operating profit slump 57 percent, while revenue dropped 11 percent.

Looking at the broader picture, IHS Markit's figures suggest Samsung shipped significantly more smartphones than Apple over the whole of last year – 295 million in total, compared to Apple's 193 million.

According to Strategy Analytics, so did Huawei – the Chinese manufacturer reportedly shipped around 240 million phones, allowing it to overtake Apple and become the world's second best-selling smartphone manufacturer in 2019.