The report claims that Apple is developing three Mac processors based on the A14 chip in upcoming iPhone 12 models. At least one of these processors will apparently be much faster than the A-series chips in the iPhone and iPad. Like the A14 chip, the Mac processors are expected to be manufactured by TSMC based on its 5nm process.
Apple's first Mac processors will have 12 cores, including eight high-performance cores and at least four energy-efficient cores, according to the report. Apple is said to be exploring Mac processors with more than 12 cores for further in the future, with the company already designing a second generation of Mac processors based on the A15 chip.
The first Arm-based Mac is likely to be a notebook, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects at least one Mac desktop with an Apple processor next year too.
Following a conference call with Apple CEO Tim Cook, EU industry leader Thierry Breton has said in a statement that Apple has a "responsibility" to make sure that contact tracing apps work on its iPhones, reports Reuters.
It is "the responsibility of companies such as Apple to do their utmost to develop suitable technical solutions to make the national apps work. Coordination with EU member states' health authorities is paramount," Breton said in a statement.
The two did not talk about any specific case, an EU official said.
The comments follow a spat between Apple and the French government, which has demanded that the company change the privacy settings of its iPhones to make them work with France's planned contact tracing app.
iOS prevents apps like the one France is working on from using Bluetooth in the background if the data collected is going to be moved off of the device, which is a rule designed to protect user privacy. With this limitation, a contact tracing app is only able to access Bluetooth when an iPhone is unlocked and the app is open.
France is aiming to launch a contact tracing app by May 11, but it has complained that Apple's restriction is standing in the way. However, Apple is developing its own Bluetooth-based smartphone tracking solution to allow governments and health agencies to reduce the spread of the coronavirus while also protecting user privacy.
iGeneration reports that Cook gave Breton a release date for its contact tracing API during their call. In a press conference following the talks, Breton revealed that Cook told him the first version of the API will be available on April 28.
Apple's original statement about the API on April 10 said it would be released in May, and would enable interoperability between Android and iOS devices using apps from public health authorities.
In the coming months, Google and Apple will work to enable a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform by building this functionality into their underlying platforms. Apple says that this solution is more robust than an API and will allow more individuals to participate, if they choose to opt in, and it will enable interaction with a broader ecosystem of apps and government health authorities.
Skype has introduced support for custom backgrounds in video calls, following the recent popularity of an equivalent feature in Zoom.
The option to use custom backgrounds is part of the version 8.59.0.77 update for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, which began rolling out on April 16. As Skype's release notes describe the feature:
"Want to look like you're calling from the beach, or from space? Now you can, with custom backgrounds for your video calls."
Once you've received the update, follow these steps to use a custom background while on a call. The second set of steps in this article explain how to set up a custom background for all your calls.
How to Add a Custom Background to Your Skype Call
Launch Skype and initiate a call.
Once you're connected, click the More menu (the three dots) or hover over the video button.
Click Choose background effect.
Add a new image to customize your background effect, or select one you've previously added. You can also Blur the real background of the room you're in.
How to Set Up a Custom Background for All Your Skype Calls
Launch Skype and click your profile picture.
Click the Settings button (the cog icon), then click the Audio & Video button (the mic icon).
Add a new image to customize your background effect, or select one you've previously added. You can also Blur the real background of the room you're in.
In addition to custom backgrounds, this latest Skype update also makes it easier to share files directly from your Mac to your Skype contacts and offers quicker access to call controls in the chat window. You can learn more about the update on the Skype website.
Apple last week surprised us with the early launch of the new Magic Keyboard designed for the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models, and as of this week, orders are arriving to customers. We picked up one of the new Magic Keyboards for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and tested it out to see how it works and whether it's worth the $350 selling price.
Apple actually sells the Magic Keyboard in 11 and 12.9-inch sizes, and while the 12.9-inch model is $350, the 11-inch version is priced at $299. Though sized to fit the 2020 iPad Pro models, the Magic Keyboards are also compatible with the 2018 iPad Pro models, so 2018 iPad Pro owners won't need to upgrade to take advantage of the keyboard.
Apple has offered an iPad keyboard in the form of the Smart Keyboard (and Smart Keyboard Folio) for quite some time, but this is the first time that Apple has developed an iPad keyboard with a trackpad with the intention of turning the iPad into something more akin to a MacBook.
Design wise, coming out of the box, the Magic Keyboard looks similar to the Smart Keyboard that was previously sold, but it's a lot thicker and a lot heavier.
The Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro weighs more than the iPad Pro itself, in fact, at 1.6 pounds (the iPad Pro weighs 1.4 pounds). When you put the keyboard on the iPad Pro, that's a combined weight of three pounds, which is heavier than a MacBook Air and close to the weight of a MacBook Pro.
It is a hefty keyboard that absolutely adds a lot of bulk to the sleek and slim iPad Pro. The 11-inch Magic Keyboard is smaller and not quite as heavy, but you're still doubling the weight of the iPad.
The Magic Keyboard is made from the same polyurethane material that Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio was made from, and design wise, what sets it apart is a hinge that enables a "floating" design. The case attaches magnetically but pulls away at the bottom when the keyboard is in use, with lower part of the iPad kind of floating in space to allow for adjustable viewing angles with the hinge.
The magnetic attachment is strong enough that you don't need to worry about the iPad Pro shifting or being shaken loose if you move it, and the case itself provides a minimal amount of protection, similar to the Smart Keyboard case.
The hinge at the bottom of the case is made from aluminum and it has a built-in USB-C port for passthrough charging so you can charge your iPad Pro while the Magic Keyboard is connected. The USB-C port on the iPad Pro isn't obscured by the Magic Keyboard, but a cable from the side of the keyboard itself and out of the way looks nicer than one coming out of the middle of the iPad while it's used in landscape mode.
The USB-C port is limited to passthrough charging and it does not support data transfer, so you'll still need adapters for doing things like connecting the iPad Pro to an external display. Charging is also not quite as fast as it is when plugging a USB-C cable directly into the iPad Pro.
When it comes to the hinge, it's sturdy and strong, and when the Magic Keyboard is opened, it locks right into place and is in an upright position, but then you can make adjustments to the viewing angle. Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio only had two viewing angles, but the hinge can be fine tuned and set at more angles, though the range of motion is similar to the Smart Keyboard Folio.
There is no way to fold the Magic Keyboard back behind the iPad Pro to get to an ideal sketching angle for the iPad Pro, but flipping the whole thing backwards kind of works. The best solution for drawing is probably to pop the Magic Keyboard off of the iPad Pro, but it's definitely a disappointment that there's no built-in drawing angle.
The keyboard itself feels great, and it's nothing like Apple's previous Smart Keyboards. The keys have a good amount of travel and feel nice under the fingers, plus there's backlighting for the keys. Unfortunately Apple did not include a row of function keys so there's no quick way to adjust backlighting, change brightness, or access media playback controls from the keyboard itself.
The backlighting changes based on the ambient lighting in the room so users shouldn't need too much manual adjustment, but it's still a disappointment not to have the function keys, including an escape key. Command + the period key typically serves as an alternative to an escape key or another key can be remapped to that function, but it would have been nice to have a dedicated escape key.
Apple's main selling point for the new Magic Keyboard is, of course, the trackpad, and it works great. It's similar to using a trackpad with a Mac, though much smaller of course. Many gestures are supported, such as swiping down with three fingers to access the Home screen, swiping up with three fingers to get to the multitasking view, and more. We have a list of gestures in our Magic Keyboard guide, if you're looking for more comprehensive gesture info.
Having a trackpad to use with the keyboard and the touch screen makes the iPad Pro experience much more similar to a traditional laptop, but you are, of course, still limited to iPadOS rather than macOS, which is still a major factor when it comes to multitasking, app selection, and more.
The Magic Keyboard is heavy and it definitely reduces the portability of the iPad Pro, but for those who plan to use the iPad Pro as a full computer replacement, it adds so much utility that it's most likely worth the weight and the price tag. If the iPad Pro is a secondary machine and you already have a Mac, the Magic Keyboard might not be as worthwhile, but it certainly provides the most Mac-like experience on an iPad to date.
What do you think of the Magic Keyboard? Are you getting one? Let us know in the comments.
Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson today participated in the Earth Day Live series on Twitch, where she talked about Apple's environmental efforts.
Jackson started things off by speaking a bit about her background and what inspired her to advocate for the environment and join the EPA prior to taking on her current role at Apple.
Before coming to Apple, I led the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama. But long before that, I was an 8-year-old girl who saw my neighbors in New Orleans battling illness caused by chemical plants in our backyard. A girl who in 1970, wrote a letter to President Nixon imploring him to do something to protect the health of the people and the environment. That same year, we celebrated Earth Day in the U.S. for the very first time. And by the end of 1970, the EPA had officially opened its doors.
At the time, I had no idea I'd go on to work at the EPA and one day lead it, but I did know that at the heart of my concern for the planet was the health of people. Communities, families, people who deserve a healthy place to live, clean water to drink, and clean air to breathe.
Jackson went on to explain that every individual, business, and organization must take action to address climate change. "Policy is one solution, innovation is another," she said before delving into Apple's environmental efforts.
As Apple has said many times in the past, all of its facilities worldwide are run on renewable energy, and it has a program to help suppliers transition to 100 percent renewable energy as well. Apple has also been focusing heavily on using recycled materials in its products, with an ultimate goal of a closed-loop supply chain that relies solely on recycled materials and does not require minerals mined from the earth.
Jackson wrapped up her appearance with an inspiring message for up and coming environmental advocates.
On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we have much to be proud of, much to hope for, and much more to accomplish. Today's eight year olds are facing even greater challenges, but they also know a thing or two about the urgent work that lies ahead and that the health of our planet and our neighbors is a cause worth fighting for.
Jackson's full appearance can be watched on Twitch. To celebrate Earth Day, Apple is also highlighting Earth Day related apps in the App Store, but as stores are closed there are no retail store decorations nor is there an Apple Watch activity badge to earn.
Verizon today announced that it is planning to provide an additional 15GB of LTE data to all consumer and small business plans in May to continue to support its customers who are working from home.
The 15GB of data will be automatically added to consumer and small business shared data plans, hotspots, and jetpacks, and can be used from May 1 through May 31.
Verizon continues to support customers who may find themselves needing additional data in order to learn, work or keep connected during this challenging time. That's why today, we announced we are automatically adding an additional 15GB of 4G LTE data to consumer and small business* shared data plans, hotspots and jetpacks to be used from May 1 through May 31. There is no action needed as this data will automatically be added to consumer and small business accounts.
Verizon in April provided customers with an extra 15GB of data to use, and the extra data is available to all postpaid metered customers, prepaid customers, and Jetpack owners. Customers with unlimited data plans are able to use the extra data as hotspot data, but data caps remain in place.
During the ongoing health crisis, Verizon has waived overage charges and has promised not to terminate service for customers who are unable to pay at this time.
Other wireless carriers have also been providing additional benefits to customers. T-Mobile scrapped smartphone data caps entirely for 60 days, while AT&T provided extra hotspot data.
Every year on April 22 we celebrate Earth Day in support of environmental causes, and during a normal year, Apple goes all out with Earth Day-related initiatives, green leaf logos on Apple retail stores, green T-shirts for employees, Earth Day Apple Watch challenges, and more.
This year, amid the ongoing health crisis, Apple's celebrations are muted, as with retail stores closed, there's no opportunity for in-store celebrations. Instead, Apple is promoting Earth Day-related apps in its App Store and has shared an Earth Day-themed Apple TV+ short film.
More than ever before, we can see the crucial role each of us plays in our collective wellbeing—for humanity and for our planet. Apple embraces this every day as we work to operate on clean energy and use fewer of the world’s resources—and we aren’t slowing down. #EarthDay2020
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 22, 2020
There are several Earth Day categories in the Today section of the App Store, highlighting a wide range of apps that are focused on the environment.
In the "Lend a Hand From Home" category, for example, Apple highlights Ecosia, an app that lets you plant trees with searches, and Poshmark, an app for buying second-hand clothes. Happy Cow, an app for finding plant-based food options is promoted, along with Green Kitchen, an app filled with vegetarian recipes.
A "Reconnect with Nature" section features apps for learning about local flora and fauna through pictures taken with the camera, while a Disney+ section highlights new Disneynature films on elephants, dolphins, and penguins.
There's also an "Explore the Deep Blue Sea" section in the Today portion of the App Store that highlights Apple Arcade game "Beyond Blue, which is described as an open-world adventure where players take on the role of Mirai, a marine biologist who explores a myriad of ocean life.
Last Friday, Apple released a new Earth Day short film narrated by Meryl Streep. "Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth" teaches children about the wonders of the planet.
Apple hasn't shared any other Earth Day-themed features as of yet this year, and unfortunately, with most people social distancing and remaining indoors, Apple has opted not to do an activity challenge for Apple Watch owners. It's not yet clear if there will be more Earth Day-themed features coming from Apple for the weekend.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of celebrating Earth Day around the world, and the theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action.
ZecOps claims that one of the vulnerabilities enables an attacker to remotely infect an iOS device by sending emails that consume a significant amount of memory, while another could allow remote code execution capabilities. Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities is said to allow an attacker to leak, modify, and delete a user's emails.
Targets of the vulnerabilities have apparently included corporate executives and government officials rather than average end users.
The vulnerabilities are said to impact all software versions between iOS 6 and iOS 13.4.1. ZecOps said that Apple has patched the vulnerabilities in the latest beta of iOS 13.4.5, which should be publicly released within the coming weeks. In the meantime, ZecOps recommends using a third-party email app like Gmail or Outlook, which are apparently not impacted.
Verizon and Nimble today announced a new partnership that will bring Nimble's eco-friendly accessories to Verizon.com and over 1,600 Verizon retail locations across the United States. The partnership is part of Verizon's new initiative to offer customers low-impact alternatives to popular tech accessories.
On Nimble's side, the accessory maker is well known for its environmentally friendly and ethically sourced accessories, which it's been selling since 2018. Nimble manufactures its devices from recycled plastic and aluminum, organic hemp, plant-based bioplastic, and more, and every accessory comes in a plastic-free package built from recycled scrap paper.
“The world is changing. People are seeking more ethical options in all product categories from apparel to home goods. Personal technology should be no different,” said Ross Howe, Nimble Co-Founder and CEO. “We created Nimble to push consumer electronics in a better direction. Today, thanks to Verizon’s vision, we’re helping play an even larger role in reducing the impact these products create.”
Nimble sells portable chargers, wireless chargers, Lightning cables, and iPhone cases. Every device purchased from Nimble also comes with a biodegradable envelope, which encourages customers to recycle their old electronics for free by mailing them in to Nimble.
With the new Verizon partnership, this will mark the first time that Nimble products are being sold in physical retail stores. The first set of products that will be sold at Verizon include the Wireless Pad ($49.99), 3-Day Portable Charger ($79.99), USB-C to Lightning Cable ($24.99), Fast USB-C to USB-C Cable ($24.99), and Fast USB-C Wall Charger ($24.99).
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Woot today launched a new sale on Philips Hue smart lighting products, including the brand's smart hub, LightStrip+ Extension, various starter kits and bulb sets, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Prices start at $14.76 for the LightStrip+ Extension, which works as a way to expand the length of an existing Philips Hue LightStrip. This accessory typically sells for around $25.
Other standalone products on sale include the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Smart Bulb at $32.79, and the Hue Smart Hub at $33.59. We've rounded up the rest of the refurbished Hue accessories on sale below:
All of the Hue products on sale today have been tested and certified to look and work like new, and also include all relevant accessories and at least a 90 day warranty. Woot does note that some devices may ship in generic packaging. Head to Woot to shop the full sale.
Facebook has announced the launch of Messenger Kids in over 70 more countries as well as several new features for parents to help their children connect with friends and family during the global health crisis.
The new features include Supervised Friending, which gives parents the option to allow their kids to accept, reject, add or remove contacts.
When a child takes a friending action, parents will be notified through Messenger and can override any new connections made by going to the Parent Dashboard, where they will also be able to see a log of recent activities.
Facebook is also letting parents approve other adults to connect their child with other children through group chats in the Messenger Kids app. Facebook likens the feature to how a teacher might "help their child navigate classroom or team friendships" in the real world.
Lastly, parents in the U.S., Canada and Latin America can now make their children's name and photo visible to certain users.
Facebook originally launched Messenger Kids in the United States in December 2017, aimed at kids under the age of 13. The app has arrived in a handful of additional countries since then, but today's announcement is its broadest rollout by far.
Facebook said that it developed the app with guidance from the National PTA, as well as experts in child development and online safety. Messenger Kids does not require children to create a Facebook account, but instead asks parents to download the app, authenticate it, and then create a miniature profile of their kid that is linked to the parent's Facebook account.
First impressions and reviews of the new iPhone SE are now out, with many praising the device's flagship performance at a budget-friendly price.
The second-generation iPhone SE has a similar design as the iPhone 8, including a 4.7-inch display and a Touch ID home button, but it takes a big leap forward in performance. Despite starting at just $399, the device is powered by the latest-and-greatest A13 Bionic chip, the same processor found inside the high-end iPhone 11 Pro.
If I were buying the iPhone SE, I'd seriously consider spending the extra $50 to upgrade the storage to 128GB, just in case I'd want it three or five years down the road. That timespan is the reason the iPhone SE is a big deal. No other phone that costs less than $500 can claim to be this good, nor last that long.
The iPhone SE is not just a good deal. It's also a really good smartphone.
The new iPhone SE can be pre-ordered on Apple.com in the United States and more than 40 other countries and regions. Pricing starts at $399 for 64GB of storage, with 128GB and 256GB options available for $449 and $549 respectively. The first deliveries to customers and in-store availability at select resellers will begin Friday, April 24.
Well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman recently took questions from followers on Periscope about Apple's product roadmap. Gurman's sources are usually very reliable, and the journalist is known for breaking Apple stories, so we took it as an opportunity to summarize his current expectations of the company in the near term.
Unsurprisingly, many viewers asked Gurman about the so-called "iPhone 12," Apple's next-generation 5G smartphone lineup due to drop this fall. Apple is expected to offer four iPhones in three different sizes this year: A 5.4-inch iPhone, a 6.7-inch iPhone, and two 6.1-inch iPhones. One 6.1-inch model and the 6.7-inch model will be higher-end iPhones, while the other 6.1-inch iPhone and the 5.4-inch iPhone will be lower-end models and successors to the iPhone 11.
Gurman believes that Apple will add LiDAR cameras to the two higher-end iPhone 12 models, similar to the ones found on its latest iPad Pro models. He also doesn't rule out the possibility of faster 120Hz Pro Motion displays being exclusive to these two devices. Apple already uses variable refresh rate technology in iPad Pro, but they still use LCD panels rather than OLED.
Gurman reiterated reports of an iPad Pro-esque design for this year's flagship lineup, with flat stainless steel edges and a flat screen. He also doubled down on his previous report of a slimmer notch on the iPhone 12. To achieve a more compact package, Gurman said Apple will move the TrueDepth camera's ambient light and proximity sensors together within the notch and relocate the speaker by building it directly into the bezel.
Here are the other main Apple-related takeaways from Gurman's half-hour broadcast:
Apple plans a "substantial" iMac refresh this year, with a possible redesign in the offing. Gurman says rumors of a 23-inch iMac sound about right.
Upcoming 14-inch MacBook Pro will mirror design changes seen in Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro, such as increased screen size and scissor-switch keys.
Gurman says there's a dedicated team at Apple tasked with "saving the HomePod" after lackluster sales. To that end, the rumored smaller, cheaper HomePod coming this year will also feature big improvements to Siri.
New Apple TV coming this year, but unlikely to be 8K.
16-inch MacBook Pro refresh expected around October-November.
Facebook appears to be working on a dark mode for its flagship iOS app. WABetaInfo managed to enable the hidden setting, which is still under development and not yet available to public or beta users.
9to5Mac followed suit, and their screenshots suggest Facebook is aiming for a theme that's closer to greyscale than the true blacks used in Apple's dark mode for iOS 13. Facebook offers a similar theme in its Android app.
It's unclear why Facebook is preferring a greyscale theme, as this negates the potential energy-saving benefits of its dark mode for OLED iPhones (pixels on an OLED panel are individually powered and true black pixels remain inactive).
Still, the alternative new look should be easier on the eyes when viewed in dark environments. WABetaInfo says the feature can be turned on and off manually or set to adjust based on the device's system settings.
Some UI elements still need working on to make the interface look consistent in dark mode, and there's no word on when Facebook intends to launch the feature, which could change in the interim. Facebook Messenger got its own dark mode in April 2019. Last month, Facebook started rolling out an optional dark mode for users accessing the social network from a web browser.
Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 10, in the United States and other countries, and ahead of the event, Apple has put together a Mother's Day gift guide filled with Apple product recommendations for moms.
The gift guide highlights the 7th-generation iPad or the iPad Air and their accessories that include Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, plus the Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 5 models.
It also features the AirPods and the AirPods Pro, with a mention of Apple's engraving feature so gifts can include a sweet emoji message.
The gift guide suggests the iPhone 11 with its dual-lens camera system along with mentions of the iPhone SE, 11 Pro, and iPhone case accessories. Apple's full gift guide can be viewed on the Apple online store website.
HBO Max, WarnerMedia's new streaming service that combines HBO content with shows and films from Warner Bros and Turner TV, is set to debut on Wednesday, May 27, the company announced today.
HBO Max will have all of the existing HBO content, but will also add classic movies and TV shows, such as "Friends." The service will also feature original content, offering more total content than HBO Now and HBO Go, the two existing HBO streaming services.
TV shows and films will be added from CNN, TNT, TBS, The CW, TCM, Adult Swim, and more, with series like "The Big Bang Theory" and "South Park" included. Some of the original content will include "Toyko Vice" with Ansel Elgort, a "Grease" spinoff, and a sequel to "Gossip Girl."
HBO plans to provide existing HBO subscribers on AT&T and HBO Now direct billing subscribers with access to HBO Max for free, and customers who subscribe to AT&T's premium mobile and broadband packages will also be offered HBO Max access at no cost.
Specifically, DirecTV, U-Verse, and AT&T subscribers who already pay for AT&T will get access to HBO Max at no additional cost. Free access will be included in the following packages: DirecTV Premier, U-Verse U400, U-Verse U450, and AT&T TV Now Max.
New AT&T TV and DirecTV Choice, Xtra, or Ultimate customers will get one free year of HBO Max, while other tiers will receive a three-month free trial. Wireless customers who have AT&T's Ultimate Elite plan will get HBO Max for free, other plans will get one-month free trials.
Customers who have the AT&T Internet 1000 plan will also get HBO Max for free. More info on who will get free access to HBO Max can be found in the press release for the service.
HBO Max will feature more than 10,000 hours of programming, and will cost $14.99 per month during the first year. In 2021, WarnerMedia also plans to launch an ad-supported version of the service that is more affordable.
Apple today began selling certified refurbished Apple Watch Series 5 models for the first time in the United States. Refurbished models are discounted by around 15 percent compared to the equivalent brand new models.
A wide selection of GPS and GPS + Cellular models are available in aluminum or stainless steel, with various bands to choose from. A refurbished 44mm Apple Watch Series 5 with GPS + Cellular and a Stainless Steel Case with White Sport Band is available for $639, for example, a savings of $110 compared to Apple's regular price of $749.
Apple says all refurbished Apple Watch models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged with a new box and all manuals and accessories, including a magnetic charging puck and a power adapter. In our view, Apple's refurbished products are generally indistinguishable from brand new ones.
Any refurbished Apple Watch comes with Apple's standard one-year warranty effective on the date the device is delivered. The warranty can be extended to up to two years from the original purchase date with AppleCare+ for Apple Watch.
Keep in mind that third-party resellers frequently offer better deals than Apple's refurbished prices, so be sure to monitor our deals roundup.
The merger between T-Mobile and Sprint in the United States was completed at the beginning of April, and the two companies are wasting no time combining their networks.
T-Mobile today announced that Sprint's 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum is now live in parts of Philadelphia and is coming soon to New York City, adding "critical depth and additional speed" to T-Mobile's 5G network.
With the addition, T-Mobile users in New York will be the first to be able to access low-band, mid-band, and mmWave 5G. Later this month, current Sprint customers who have a Samsung Galaxy S20 5G smartphone will be able to tap into T-Mobile's 5G network in 5,000 cities and towns across the United States.
This marks the first giant step toward supercharging the Un-carrier's nationwide 5G network by beginning to combine the assets of T-Mobile and Sprint, just weeks after completing their merger. The company's unique combination of low, mid and high-band mmWave spectrum makes T-Mobile the only company with the resources to create a transformative network capable of driving innovation across the country and providing people in cities and rural areas with a 5G network the other guys can't match.
As of now, Sprint customers can roam on the T-Mobile network, providing access to more than double the number of LTE sites than on Sprint's network alone, expanding cellular availability to everywhere T-Mobile's network covers.
Skype has introduced support for custom backgrounds in video calls, following the recent popularity of an equivalent feature in Zoom.
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