Rumors have suggested Apple's upcoming AirTags Bluetooth item trackers will come with various accessories to allow them to be attached to items, and now an alleged AirTag keychain has surfaced on Twitter.
Leaker Fudge (@choco_bit) shared what might be an AirTag carrying accessory in a Saddle Brown color.
A patent for an 'AirTag' accessory
As Fudge points out, the design of the ring is similar to what's been seen in an AirTag patent, but it is something that's easy to fake and therefore the legitimacy of the accessory in the photo cannot be confirmed. Fudge suggests taking the leak with a "bit of salt" because it's easy to reproduce, but if legitimate, this could be our first look at an AirTag accessory.
Another AirTag accessory patent image
AirTags themselves are believed to be small, round discs that can be attached to items to allow those items to be tracked in the Find My app right alongside iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices.
A rendering of what AirTags could look like
There have been a lot of mixed rumors on when AirTags first launched, and there's still no clear word on when we might see them. It's possible AirTags will make an appearance at the November event, but it may not be likely given the event's expected Mac focus.
Instead, Apple could hold AirTags until sometime in 2021. For more on what to expect when Apple launches AirTags, check out our guide.
With the iOS 14.2 update and the HomePod 14.2 software, Apple enabled full functionality for Intercom, a new feature that was introduced alongside the HomePod mini. Intercom is now fully functional and works across all of your devices, and we thought we'd test it out so MacRumors readers can see just how it works.
Intercom, as the name suggests, is designed to let you use your devices as an Intercom platform to communicate with members of your household. It is designed primarily as a feature for the HomePod and the HomePod mini, and to use it, you need at least one HomePod. Intercom is managed and activated through the Home app in the Settings section, and if you want instructions on setting it up and using it, make sure to check out our how to.
With Intercom, you can use Siri to send a message to the people in your home through the HomePod. Just say "Hey Siri, Intercom [message]" and it will be relayed right to all of the HomePods in the household using your voice. You can use any of your devices to send an Intercom message to the HomePod using Siri.
You can also use the little waveform in the top of the Home app to record and send an Intercom message instead of using Siri, but it's generally quicker to use Siri commands.
A HomePod is required for Intercom, but there are some neat little features that involve other devices. If you have multiple HomePod or HomePod mini devices, you can put them in different rooms and direct Intercom messages to all rooms or to specific rooms of the house.
Family members that are not at home can get the Intercom messages on other devices, with the voice memos sent to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, CarPlay, and AirPods, so no one in the household will miss an important message.
Replying to an Intercom message is as simple as activating Siri and then saying "reply [message]" for the response to be relayed back to the person who sent the original message.
Intercom is a feature that Apple designed with the HomePod mini in mind, and it is at its most useful when multiple HomePod minis are in the home in different rooms allowing for hands-free room to room communication without the need to shout. Have you tried out Intercom? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Apple today received FCC approval for its MagSafe Duo Wireless Charger accessory, which means it could be launching in the near future. An imminent release also makes sense given that MagSafe Duo reviews went live today.
The FCC filing covers a "two coil charger" with a model number of A2458. The filing includes images, user manuals, and RF exposure reports.
Apple announced the MagSafe Duo at its October event that saw the unveiling of the iPhone 12 lineup and the new MagSafe accessories, but the charger continues to be listed as "Coming Soon" on Apple's site.
The MagSafe Duo is priced at $129, combining a MagSafe charger for iPhone with an Apple Watch charging puck for Apple Watch in a fold-over design ideal for travel.
Reviews suggest the charger works well, but the build quality with the rubber casing is questionable, it does not come with a power adapter for charging purposes, and it's lightweight enough that it doesn't stay on the desk when you pick up a charging MagSafe iPhone. TechCrunch, in fact, called it "a bit underwhelming" and said it's not really worth the money.
Apple has also received regulatory approval for the MagSafe Duo in other countries such as Korea ahead of its official launch.
Mann's review a must-read review for anyone who is interested in the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its camera, because this is the first year in some time that Apple has introduced different cameras in the Pro and Pro Max models. The Pro Max has a larger sensor and larger pixels, plus a different telephoto lens.
Despite the improvements in the iPhone 12 Pro Max over the Pro, Mann said that in his testing, he could "barely see a difference" between the two iPhones in most lighting conditions. The exception was semi-low-light scenes, such as just after sunset or in a night urban scene.
In these situations, the iPhone 12 Pro needed two seconds of Night Mode recording, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max needed just one second because of the larger amount of light let in by the sensor. That resulted in better photos from the Pro Max because there's less shake and subject movement.
Mann also saw improvements when shooting in very low light scenes in Night mode with a tripod and a 30-second exposure, and there's also, of course, the 5x optical zoom range enabled by the 2.5x optical zoom lens in the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 12 Pro Max's telephoto lens has a longer focal length and a faster minimum shutter speed, so you can zoom in further.
All in all, Mann said that while he came into the review expecting the iPhone 12 Pro Max to notably outperform the iPhone 12 Pro, the differences between the two were limited to "very specific scenes." He enjoyed the extra telephoto length of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the low light capabilities, but he wasn't a fan of the massive size that made it hard to operate as a single-handed camera.
Both models are a "massive jump in imaging capability" and Mann says that regardless of which model is selected, people will "thoroughly enjoy" shooting with the new camera.
Mann took a whole range of photos in all lighting conditions in Zion National Park in Utah, and it's well worth clicking over to his full review to see what the iPhone 12 Pro Max camera is capable of.
Designer Philip Lee, known for his line of Classicbot toys modeled after Apple products, earlier this year came out with his latest figurine, the iBoy.
The palm-sized iBoy is an homage to Apple's iPod Classic, first released in 2001. Design wise, the iBoy is a cross between an iPod and a robot, and it makes for a fun desktop toy or shelf decoration.
iBoy's body looks similar to a classic iPod, with a fake screen that houses a robot face and a functional click wheel with buttons that can be pressed. The wheel in the middle turns just like on an iPod, and all four buttons around the wheel can be pressed in, as can the middle button.
The buttons have a satisfying click that will remind iPod fans of their classic music players, and the weight is also similar to an original iPod. iBoy's buttons were my favorite part because in addition to being a cute desktop accessory, iBoy is also fun to fidget with.
None of iBoy's components are functional electronics, but the detail of the design is impressive. The standard iBoy is in white just like a classic iPod, but there's also a special edition "2U" version in black and red (modeled after the U2 iPod) that makes for striking desktop decor
iBoy's front is made from white or black plastic much like the iPod, while the back is made from chrome. The chrome can be prone to scratches and scuffs, especially where the iBoy logo is located, so this is a figurine you'll want to take care of. With the chrome body, there are headphone antennae, arms, and legs, all of which give the iBoy a robot-like look.
These appendages attach to the iBoy using magnets, and there's a bit of setup involved. iBoy's magnetic parts have a small plastic covering to prevent iBoy from scratching during shipment, and these little plastic coverings need to be removed. It's not difficult, but it takes a bit of time.
The magnets that adhere the limbs to iBoy are not strong even with the adhesive removed, so it's best to take care when moving iBoy to make sure not to accidentally lose a limb. The fear of losing parts due to the magnetic attachment is the biggest concern I have about iBoy because it feels like I could knock the toy off a desk and easily misplace a limb.
The magnetic parts are strong enough to stay in place when iBoy is stationary, though, and the iBoy can also stand up on the magnetic legs. Because the arms and legs attach magnetically, they can be arranged in different ways if desired. This mostly applies to the arms, which can be raised or lowered in different positions, and the headphones, which can be positioned up or down. The legs can be positioned under iBoy or placed at the front to make it look like iBoy is sitting.
iBoy's arms and legs can be removed from iBoy entirely so it can be displayed in MP3 player mode with the headphones attached through an included headphones cable that attaches to the small headphone jack at the top of the toy. When in MP3 player mode, iBoy's extra parts can be stored in a bag that comes with the toy.
Bottom Line
Apple fans seeking Apple-related desk decor will love the iBoy, as will those who have a special fondness for Apple's original MP3 player. iBoy's iPod inspiration is unmistakable, and it looks great on a shelf. With the clickable buttons, iBoy is the most interactive of the Classicbot line of toys, and it also makes a fun desktop distraction.
If you're looking for a unique gift for an Apple enthusiast, you won't go wrong with iBoy. Philip Lee's Classicbot company also makes a whole range of other classic Mac products that are worth checking out, but I think iBoy is his best yet.
Apple is planning to hold a third fall 2020 event tomorrow on Tuesday, November 10 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through a livestream. The event will see Apple unveiling Apple Silicon Macs, and there's a possibility of a surprise like AirTags or AirPods Studio, but for the most part, we're expecting new 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with Apple Silicon chips. See everything that's coming in our What to Expect guide.
There are multiple ways to watch the November 10 event, with details listed below. We've also included a useful guide on when the event will take place in your particular time zone.
Apple Events Website
With the Apple Events website, you can watch the event live on a Mac, iPhone, iPad, PC, or any other device with a web browser. The Apple Events website works in Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and other main browsers.
Just navigate to www.apple.com/apple-events/ using a web browser at the appropriate time to watch. You can visit the site now to add an event reminder to your calendar.
YouTube
Apple also plans to stream the event live on YouTube, which is perhaps the easiest and most efficient way to watch because the YouTube livestream can be viewed on every platform where YouTube is available, which is pretty much all platforms, from smartphones and tablets to consoles and smart TVs.
Apple already posted a placeholder for the November 10 event on YouTube, and you can visit it now to set an event reminder through YouTube.
Apple TV App
Apple used to have a dedicated Apple Events app on the Apple TV, but ahead of WWDC in June, it folded into the Apple TV app. On event day, there will be a prominent Apple TV app section dedicated to the livestream, which can be watched on any device where the Apple TV app is available.
This includes the Apple TV, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and some smart TVs. If you have an Apple TV, the Apple TV app is one of the best ways to watch the event live. Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV app with the new event as of yet, but it should be added soon.
Event Time Zones
Apple's event will take place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, like most events. Event times in other time zones are listed below.
Honolulu, Hawaii -- 8:00 a.m. HST
Anchorage, Alaska -- 9:00 a.m. AKST
Cupertino, California -- 10:00 a.m. PST
Vancouver, Canada -- 10:00 a.m. PST
Phoenix, Arizona -- 11:00 a.m. MST
Denver, Colorado -- 11:00 a.m. MST
Chicago, Illinois -- 12:00 noon CST
New York, New York -- 1:00 p.m. EST
Toronto, Canada -- 1:00 p.m. EST
Halifax, Canada -- 2:00 p.m. AST
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- 3:00 p.m. BRT
London, United Kingdom -- 6:00 p.m. GMT
Berlin, Germany -- 7:00 p.m. CET
Paris, France -- 7:00 p.m. CET
Cape Town, South Africa -- 8:00 p.m. SAST
Moscow, Russia -- 8:00 p.m. MSK
Helsinki, Finland -- 9:00 p.m. EET
Istanbul, Turkey -- 9:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- 10:00 p.m. GST
Delhi, India -- 11:30 p.m. IST
Jakarta, Indonesia -- 1:00 a.m. WIB next day
Shanghai, China -- 2:00 a.m. CST next day
Singapore -- 2:00 a.m. SGT next day
Perth, Australia -- 2:00 a.m. AWST next day
Hong Kong -- 2:00 a.m. HKT next day
Seoul, South Korea -- 3:00 a.m. KST next day
Tokyo, Japan -- 3:00 a.m. JST next day
Brisbane, Australia - 4:00 a.m. AEST next day
Adelaide, Australia -- 4:30 a.m. ACDT next day
Sydney, Australia -- 5:00 a.m. AEDT next day
Auckland, New Zealand -- 7:00 a.m. NZDT next day
MacRumors Coverage
If you're not able to watch or just want to follow along with us as we watch the event unfold, visit MacRumors.com for our liveblog or follow us on Twitter at MacRumorsLive for our live tweet coverage.
Both the MacRumors site and our Twitter account are excellent ways to discuss the new announcements with other Apple enthusiasts as Apple unveils new products. Later in the day and throughout the week, we'll also have much more in-depth coverage of all of Apple's announcements, so make sure to stay tuned.
iPhone Product Line Manager Francesca Sweet and Apple Camera Software Engineering Vice President Jon McCormack have provided a new interview to PetaPixel, offering insight into Apple's approach to camera design and development. Crucially, the executives explained that Apple sees camera technology as a holistic union of hardware and software.
The interview reveals that Apple sees its main goal for smartphone photography as allowing users to "stay in the moment, take a great photo, and get back to what they're doing," without being distracted by the technology behind it.
McCormack explained that while professional photographers go through a process to fine-tune and edit their photos, Apple is attempting to refine that process down to the single action of capturing a frame.
"We replicate as much as we can to what the photographer will do in post," McCormack said. "There are two sides to taking a photo: the exposure, and how you develop it afterwards. We use a lot of computational photography in exposure, but more and more in post and doing that automatically for you. The goal of this is to make photographs that look more true to life, to replicate what it was like to actually be there."
He went on to describe how Apple uses machine learning to break down scenes into natural parts for computational image processing.
"The background, foreground, eyes, lips, hair, skin, clothing, skies. We process all these independently like you would in Lightroom with a bunch of local adjustments," McCormack continued. "We adjust everything from exposure, contrast, and saturation, and combine them all together... We understand what food looks like, and we can optimize the color and saturation accordingly to much more faithfully.
Skies are notoriously hard to really get right, and Smart HDR 3 allows us to segment out the sky and treat it completely independently and then blend it back in to more faithfully recreate what it was like to actually be there."
McCormack explained why Apple chose to include Dolby Vision HDR video capability in the iPhone 12 lineup.
"Apple wants to untangle the tangled industry that is HDR, and how they do that is leading with really great content creation tools. It goes from producing HDR video that was niche and complicated because it needed giant expensive cameras and a video suite to do, to now my 15-year-old daughter can create full Dolby Vision HDR video. So, there will be a lot more Dolby Vision content around. It's in the interest of the industry to now go and create more support."
The executives also discussed the camera hardware improvements of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, commenting that "the new wide camera, improved image fusion algorithms, make for lower noise and better detail." The specific camera advancements of the iPhone 12 Pro Max were also an area of interest:
"With the Pro Max we can extend that even further because the bigger sensor allows us to capture more light in less time, which makes for better motion freezing at night."
When asked why Apple has only chosen to increase the sensor size now with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, McCormack revealed Apple's perspective:
"It's not as meaningful to us anymore to talk about one particular speed and feed of an image, or camera system," he said. "As we create a camera system we think about all those things, and then we think about everything we can do on the software side... You could of course go for a bigger sensor, which has form factor issues, or you can look at it from an entire system to ask if there are other ways to accomplish that. We think about what the goal is, and the goal is not to have a bigger sensor that we can brag about. The goal is to ask how we can take more beautiful photos in more conditions that people are in. It was this thinking that brought about deep fusion, night mode, and temporal image signal processing."
Read the full interview with Sweet and McCormack at PetaPixel.
Reviews are now out for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, providing us with a closer look at the super-sized device before it begins arriving to customers on Friday. We've rounded up a handful of reviews from media outlets below. For video reviews, see here.
Image: The Verge
With a 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest iPhone ever, eclipsing the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max. Given that the iPhone 12 Pro has already launched, this review roundup focuses on what sets the iPhone 12 Pro Max apart from its smaller sibling, including its larger display, more advanced camera improvements, and longer battery life.
Large Display
With its super-sized 6.7-inch display, the iPhone 12 Pro Max won't be for everyone, as The Verge's Nilay Patel explains:
The combination of the size and flat sides basically demands a case to make it easier to hold, which makes the whole thing even bigger. It's still workable, but it is right on the edge of being too big. I think the size is a reflection of increased choice: this year Apple has more phone sizes available than ever before, including the diminutive iPhone 12 mini, so it had the ability to push the Max even farther.
But: it's still big. I strongly recommend finding a way to safely see the 12 Pro Max's size in person before making a call on ordering one.
It is crazy to me, however, that Apple hasn't enabled us to do more on a phone that is practically iPad-size. Why can't I view my inbox on the top half of the screen and my calendar on the bottom, like Samsung allows with its Multi-Window mode? Why does the tiny iPhone Mini allow the same number of rows of home-page app icons and widgets as the iPhone Giant? Why can't I use an Apple Pencil to take notes on the notebook-size device? Apple declined to comment on future software updates.
Long Battery Life
The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern found the iPhone 12 Pro Max to have impressive all-day battery life. In a YouTube video streaming test, she found the device lasted 17.5 hours, compared to 14.5 hours for the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12, and 10.5 hours for the iPhone 12 mini. Of course, heavy 5G usage will result in lower battery life than this.
I tried—really tried—to get the Pro Max's battery to die by bedtime. I've been unsuccessful. It’s simple: Bigger phone = bigger battery = longer battery life. See the iPhone Mini review for the inverse proof.
While the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro also last until bedtime, the Pro Max wasn’t even down to 15% territory by 11:30 p.m. most days. My video-streaming YouTube test showed the same: The Pro Max lasted a crazy 17½ hours; the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro went 14½ hours, and the poor little Mini lasted 10½. Expect shorter times if you're tapping the 5G network a lot.
Overall, I've been able to use the Pro Max for full workdays and still have quite a bit left in the tank the following morning. Full disclosure: Rather than setting this phone up as new, I restored it from a backup the way many iPhone users do. Apple has said previously that background processes related to device restoration can continue for up to a few days after the fact, so it's possible that battery life could improve a bit in time. Anyway, I wouldn't sweat it: Even with a restore, the Pro Max will still get you through a long day with a little extra left over for the next one.
Camera Upgrades
Apple's camera improvements this year go a few steps further on the iPhone 12 Pro Max compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. Unique to the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a larger ƒ/2.2 aperture for the telephoto lens, a 47 percent larger sensor for the wide-angle lens, and what Apple refers to as sensor-shift optical image stabilization.
The Verge's Nilay Patel believes the iPhone 12 Pro Max has "the best smartphone camera you can get," noting that photos shot on the device "are generally less noisy" than those shot on the iPhone 12 Pro. However, Patel said that these improvements are mostly only noticeable in lower-light environments, as he found both devices produce virtually indistinguishable photos in brighter, sunlit conditions.
Under slightly darker conditions, most of the phones automatically shifted to their respective night modes, where they take multiple long exposures and merge them together. But the iPhone 12 Pro Max's bigger sensor, with its higher maximum ISO, means it doesn't automatically go into Night mode as often. And when the iPhone 12 Pro Max does go into Night mode, it does so with shorter exposures than the 12 Pro — in situations where the 12 Pro would take a three-second exposure, the 12 Pro Max only needed a one-second shot, resulting in a sharper photo.
Patel shared a side-by-side comparison of a photo shot on the iPhone 12 Pro Max (left) and iPhone 12 Pro (right) in lower-light environment, noting that the 12 Pro took a three-second Night mode shot, while the Pro Max only needed a one-second exposure:
TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino had a similar assessment, finding the iPhone 12 Pro Max to outperform the iPhone 12 Pro in lower-light conditions:
Wide angle shots from the iPhone 12 Pro Max display slightly better sharpness, lower noise and better color rendition than the iPhone 12 Pro and much more improvement from the iPhone 11 Pro. In bright conditions you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two iPhone 12 models but if you're on the lookout the signs are there. Better stabilization when handheld in open shade, better noise levels in dimmer areas and slightly improved detail sharpness.
Parallels kicked off an early Black Friday promotion today, bundling Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac with Fantastical Premium (one year) for free. This sale runs from today through November 18 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, and is available only to new Fantastical customers.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This promotion is available to both new and current customers of Parallels Desktop. New customers can head to Parallels.com and choose a "new license" for $79.99, and the Fantastical app will be added automatically to the cart.
The $79.99 tier is specifically aimed at home and student use, and is a one year subscription to Parallels Desktop at $6.66 per month (billed annually at $79.99). You can choose to switch to a one-time purchase option at $99.99 as well.
Likewise, current Parallels customers can choose the "upgrade" option for $49.99 to upgrade to Parallels Desktop 16, and also get Fantastical for free. This is specifically for a one year subscription to Fantastical Premium, representing savings of $39.99.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
First impressions of the iPhone 12 mini have now been shared by select media outlets and YouTubers, providing a closer look at Apple's small form factor smartphone. Reviewers praised the iPhone 12 mini's size and full feature set, but were disappointed about the device's battery life.
The Verge's Dieter Bohn believes that surprisingly little is lost on the iPhone 12 mini's smaller display:
Despite the smaller screen size, you don't miss out on as much as you might expect. Compared to the regular iPhone 12 with a 6.1-inch screen, there are maybe one or two lines of text that are cut off. What you actually miss out on is that sense of immersion you can get from a bigger screen when you’re playing a game or watching a movie. Those were the only times this screen felt cramped.
TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino similarly noticed that the display size felt surprisingly similar to that of the iPhone 11:
If you look at this and an iPhone 11, because of the way that the screen is rendered, you’re going to see pretty much the same amount of content.
He also experienced an improved typing experience on the smaller device compared to a number of older models:
I am happy to report that the typing experience on the iPhone 12 mini is far superior to the 4.0-inch first generation SE. It even gets a leg up on the 4.7-inch iPhone SE introduced earlier this year because the screen is the same width but taller... This additional size, especially for the spacebar, improves the typing experience measurably. The key spacing is a bit less generous than the iPhone 12, but this is a workable situation for typing.
Bohn noted the iPhone 12 mini's smaller size leads to significantly better ergonomics:
Because it's a bit narrower, it's easier to reach the opposite side of the screen with your thumb. Because it's a bit shorter, a lot of people will be able to reach the top for the swipe-down gestures without contorting their hands into awkward claws or risking dropping the phone.
Performance
In benchmarks, Panzarino found that the iPhone 12 mini's A14 Bionic processor underperformed slightly compared to other iPhone 12 models, but it was close enough to not be noticeable:
While it appears that either heat management, scaling or power management in general has made Apple tweak the processor ever so slightly, the benchmarks are close enough to make it a wash. There is zero chance you ever see any real-world difference between the iPhone 12 mini and any other iPhone 12.
Battery Life
Engadget's Chris Velazco was highly critical of the iPhone 12 mini's battery life:
While the mini offers the same great performance as the larger model, its battery life leaves much to be desired... Sure enough, on my first day of using the 12 mini as my daily driver, I pulled it off the charger at 8AM and it was on its last legs by 4PM.
By contrast, Panzarino had a surprisingly positive experience of the iPhone 12 mini's battery life compared to the larger iPhone 12:
Apple says that the iPhone 12 mini’s battery life is better than the 4.7” iPhone SE and that bore out in my testing. I got through a day easily, with maybe a few percentage points difference between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12.
Bohn found battery life to be a key limitation of the device, but remarked that it was a variable experience that could be improved by a more diligent approach:
The battery life on the iPhone 12 mini is noticeably worse than on the iPhone 12, which itself was a step down from the battery-champ iPhone 11. For me, it's good enough, but it does mean I'm already using it differently than I use bigger phones.
Without making any effort at it, I have consistently drained the iPhone 12 mini’s battery by early evening... So it's not bad, but it's definitely not great. My feeling after a little less than a week is that getting through a day requires a little bit of battery management. Holding yourself back from putting an hour into an Apple Arcade game, knowing where your next opportunity to charge might be, and above all being more willing to turn on the low power mode.
Value for Money
Velazco expressed some concern over the price of the iPhone 12 mini when compared to the iPhones of previous years:
Another reason I can't fully get on board with this thing is that it sits in a strange place in Apple's iPhone lineup. At $699, this is the cheapest version of the iPhone 12 the company makes, but last year you could get a phone with a bigger screen and much better battery life for the same price.
Framed as a budgeting decision, this is the most accessible of Apple's newest iPhones, but that doesn't mean it's going to make sense for most people. And despite the 12 mini's improved performance and better screen, I'd still probably recommend that shoppers who don't want to drop $800-plus on a phone consider last year's iPhone 11 instead.
On the other hand, Panzarino believes that the iPhone 12 mini offers excellent value for money:
The iPhone mini is by far the best value per dollar in Apple's 2020 lineup. With this you get all of the power and advances of the iPhone 12, everything but the telephoto camera (and 60fps/4k video) of the iPhone 12 Pro and everything but the new sensor in the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Those additions will cost you anywhere from $300-$400 more over the life of your device if you choose to step up.
For early unboxings and first impressions, check out our summary, which compiles over a dozen of the latest videos reviews.
The iPhone 12 mini is now available to pre-order in the United States and numerous other countries, with deliveries to customers and in-store availability beginning Friday, November 13.
Amazon this week is discounting Apple's AirPods Pro to the notable low price of $194.00, down from $249.00. This is now the lowest price that we've tracked so far on the AirPods Pro, slightly beating Woot's previous sale price of $195 earlier in the month.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The AirPods Pro launched in 2019 with a look similar to the original AirPods, but sporting a design with a wider front to accommodate silicone tips for comfort, fit, and noise cancellation purposes. Tips come in three sizes to fit different ears.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
Apple's embargo has lifted on reviews for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max ahead of the devices launching on Friday. In addition to our more detailed review roundups, we've gathered a handful of unboxing videos and reviews of the devices below. There are also unboxing videos for Apple's upcoming MagSafe Duo Charger and Leather Sleeve accessories.
The first thing that comes to mind with these devices is size. Despite having a 5.4-inch display, the iPhone 12 mini is smaller than the 4.7-inch iPhone 8, as the latter device has thicker bezels and a Home button. By contrast, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest iPhone ever, sporting a massive 6.7-inch display.
Key features of both devices include a new flat-edge design, 5G connectivity, a faster A14 Bionic chip, a new MagSafe system with easy-to-attach magnetic accessories, improved durability, and camera upgrades. The camera improvements go much further on the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which features a telephoto lens with a larger ƒ/2.2 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and a LiDAR Scanner for improved low-light photography.
The most recent YouTube App update (15.45.2) has added HDR support for the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. YouTube has supported HDR on its iOS app since the iPhone X but has required updates to support new hardware.
To check to see if you are watching YouTube videos at their highest quality, you can simply press the three dots on the top right of the video, and you should see "HDR" options listed on supported videos.
HDR options are also only available on devices released since 2017 that have OLED displays (so that excludes all iPad models and the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR).
Apple has suspended its partnership with Pegatron after it discovered that the major iPhone supplier was committing labor violations at a student workers' program.
Bloomberg reports that several weeks ago Apple found Pegatron had been falsifying paperwork to cover up the violations of Apple's code of conduct for suppliers. Specifically, the Taiwanese manufacturer had misclassified student workers, which allowed some to work nights and overtime. Employees reportedly then "went to extraordinary lengths" to cover up the violations.
"Pegatron misclassified the student workers in their program and falsified paperwork to disguise violations of our Code, including allowing students to work nights and/or overtime and in some cases to perform work unrelated to their major," Apple said in a statement to Bloomberg. "The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms."
Pegatron said the violations took place at its Shanghai and Kunshan campuses in eastern China and that students working night shifts, over-time, and in positions unrelated to their majors were "not in compliance with local rules and regulations." Pegatron has since fired the manager who oversaw the student worker program.
"Upon discovery of this non-compliant activity, we immediately took the student workers off production lines and worked with our customer and third-party experts to make appropriate arrangements for them to return to their homes or schools with proper compensation alongside all necessary support and care," Pegatron said in a statement.
Apple has put Pegatron on probation as a result of the violations, and while supplier's current iPhone business is not expected to be affected, it could lose some iPhone 12 orders to Luxshare next year.
This isn't the first time Pegatron has been accused of worker abuse. A 2013 report by China Labor Watch found evidence of unpaid overtime and underpayment of student workers at Pegatron's Shanghai assembly plant. Other companies in Apple's Chinese-based production chain including Foxconn and Catcher Technology have also flouted local regulations in the past, forcing Apple to tighten standards and audit the companies that manufacture components for its devices.
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Pre-orders for Apple's new HomePod mini smart speaker began last Friday, and shipping times have already started slipping into December.
The first wave of HomePod mini pre-orders are expected to arrive in customers' hands on Monday, November 16 at the earliest, but supply constraints have started to hit stock of both white and space gray variants, with the latter color faring worst.
Taking a HomePod mini through Apple's online checkout today, the space gray color delivers between December 2 and December 9 with Express Shipping selected, and selecting Standard Delivery shows delivery dates between December 3 and December 10.
Meanwhile the white color delivers between November 24 and December 2 with Express Delivery selected, and between November 25 and December 3 if choosing Standard Delivery.
The difference in delivery wait times could mean the space grey is proving more popular. On the other hand, it could just be indicative of manufacture and supply chain issues for that particular model. Either way, if you're looking to pick up a HomePod mini as soon as possible, the white color is the one to order.
Lest we forget, pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max also began last Friday, and while supplies appear to have been adequate enough to meet initial demand, the 256GB iPhone 12 mini in some colors and some iPhone 12 Pro Max colors and capacities will not arrive until later in November or early December for orders placed now.
Apple last month introduced the MagSafe Duo Charger, which features a foldable design with a built-in MagSafe Charger and Apple Watch charging puck. A new video recently shared on Instagram goes hands-on with the accessory.
The video showcases the accessory being used to charge an iPhone 12 and Apple Watch. Similar to the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, the Apple Watch charging puck can be pushed up to allow the watch to be docked on its side, enabling Nightstand mode.
The MagSafe Duo has the ability to wirelessly charge a compatible iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods or AirPods Pro case, and other Qi-certified devices. Priced at $129, the charger ships with a USB-C to Lightning cable, but the recommended 20W power adapter is sold separately for $19. An exact release date has still yet to be announced for the accessory.
Apple today launched a new iPhone 12 Studio page, accessible on the web on mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad. The page allows you to customize iPhone 12 models with various MagSafe cases and wallets to see how the color combinations look.
After loading the page, the first step is to choose the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max. Then, you can scroll down to personalize the iPhone by choosing a color for the device, choosing a MagSafe case and color, and choosing a MagSafe wallet and color. You can then name and save a photo of the combination you choose.
The feature is similar to the Apple Watch Studio that allows customers to mix and match various Apple Watch casings and bands.
The hashtag #iphone12studio has gained a new hashflag from Apple. The hashflag may indicate that a new Apple Watch-style studio is on its way for the iPhone 12, but it is not yet known exactly what it will be used to promote.
The new hashflag, first highlighted by Twitter account @hashflagsio, is the first to be used by Apple for something other than an event. Apple launched its logo hashflag for its upcoming Apple event this week, and the company has also launched similar logo hashflags for its previous two events.
The #iphone12studio hashflag is now live, displaying an image of an iPhone 12 Pro Max case and an iPhone 12 Pro case with a MagSafe Wallet.
After the launch of the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019, Apple launched the Apple Watch Studio on the Apple Store. The feature allows customers to combine different Apple Watch case sizes, finishes, and bands to create a unique look. According to Apple, the Apple Watch Studio offers over 1,000 different watch combinations.
The hashtag's tease of an equivalent iPhone 12 Studio may suggest that a similar feature for the iPhone 12 and its MagSafe accessories is on the way. Apple offers a wide variety of color-coordinated MagSafe cases and accessories alongside the iPhone 12, so Apple may be seeking to capitalize on its growing accessories market and allow users to see how different combinations may look.
However, it is strange that Apple has launched the hashflag before announcing the new feature. Ahead of Apple's "Time Flies" event in September, Apple customized the #AppleEvent Twitter hashtag before announcing the event, thereby revealing that the release of invitations was imminent. Whether Apple has intentionally launched the #iphone12studio hashflag early is unknown.
Twitter allows brands to add custom emojis next to hashtags as a marketing strategy. According to Agency Creative, Twitter hashflags can cost upwards of one million dollars, and they are commonly used for large events like the Super Bowl or holidays.
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