MacRumors

Apple is rumored to be working on updated 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with iPhone-style triple-lens cameras, and alleged renderings of the new iPads have been shared by iGeeksblog and OnLeaks.

The new ‌iPad Pro‌ models are said to feature the same dimensions as the 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, and based on the renders, the design will also be close to identical with the exception of a triple-lens camera.

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There were some rumors indicating Apple would release new ‌iPad Pro‌ models in 2019, but that didn't happen, and current information from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple plans to release an ‌iPad Pro‌ update during the first half of 2020.

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We've already seen dummy models said to be of the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models, which featured a triple-lens camera, but those may not be quite accurate when it comes to the camera design.

The new ‌iPad Pro‌ models could potentially feature a time-of-flight (ToF) camera system that is also rumored to be coming to 2020 iPhones. A time-of-flight camera system uses a laser to determine the distance between objects to create a 3D image of the surrounding area.

This kind of technology could allow for more accurate depth perception, improved augmented reality capabilities, and perhaps photos with more advanced depth information.

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The new ‌iPad Pro‌ models are rumored to be coming in the first half of 2020 and the time-of-flight camera is expected to be a 2020 iPhone feature, so it's not entirely clear if Apple plans to put the time-of-flight functionality in the iPad as the company may first want to bring the feature to the ‌iPhone‌.

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If there is no time-of-flight camera capability, the ‌iPad Pro‌ models could still get the same triple-lens camera system that's in the current ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and Pro Max models, featuring telephoto, wide-angle, and ultra wide-angle lenses.

We've also heard that in late 2019, Apple could be planning to release a 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ with a mini-LED display, so it's not clear if Apple will release two ‌iPad Pro‌ updates in 2019 or if the early 2020 release timeline includes just the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ model.

Update: According to OnLeaks, the ‌iPad Pro‌ models were rendered with both aluminum and glass backings because he has no information on the casing material, so he wanted to depict both possibilities. The original iGeeksblog article suggested that one ‌iPad Pro‌ model would have a glass backing and one would have an aluminum backing, which is incorrect. Our article has been updated to reflect this new information.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Caution)

Apple is donating funds to support fire fighting efforts in Australia, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced on Twitter yesterday.

For the last two months, bushfires have been burning across Australia due to one of the worst droughts in history and record-breaking heat waves. More than nine people have died and more than 800 homes have been destroyed. Koalas and other wildlife have also been impacted by the ongoing fires.

More than nine people have died and more than 800 homes have been destroyed. Koalas and other wildlife have also been impacted by the ongoing fires.


Australia has more than 1,500 firefighters working to extinguish fires threatening homes near Sydney. Half of the bushfires in Australia have been contained as of this week, but the country is facing another heat wave and there are severe fire danger ratings in South Australia.

Apple often provides donations during major disasters and most recently donated money to help fight the wildfires in California.

2019 is coming to a close in just a few days, and we thought we'd share some of our favorite apps this year.

Over the course of the 2019, we've highlighted useful Mac and iOS apps primarily picked out by MacRumors readers in a YouTube series. For today's video, we've rounded up five iOS apps and five Mac apps that MacRumors readers found most useful from those videos.

Mac Apps

  • One Switch ($4.99) - One Switch is a Mac menu bar app that adds various switches to the Mac's menu bar. You can add toggles that will do things like hide desktop options, activate dark mode, keep the Mac awake, connect to headphones, toggle on Do Not Disturb, activate Night Shift, bring up the Screen Saver, and more. Options are customizable so you can make your One Switch menu do just want you need.
  • Stack (Free) - Stack is a Mac app that's sort of an internet launchpad for web apps, describing itself as an "internet OS." It houses all the websites you might want to keep tabs on like Facebook, Messenger, Gmail, Slack, and more, keeping them in one convenient place. You can organize your different apps into categories, and the app provides unified notifications so you don't miss anything.
  • Pock (Free) - Pock is a simple app that's designed to make your Touch Bar more useful by adding your dock to your Touch Bar so you can quickly access your apps and even files within folders. The Pock options are customizable, so you can choose what you need most, adding options like a now playing widget for controlling music, a status widget for getting info like WiFi connection of battery level, and more.
  • Moom ($9.99) - Moom is designed to let you quickly and easily move and resize windows on your Mac. It has preset sizes and locations, and also lets you draw grids to create custom window display sizes. There are also custom controls for moving, zooming, moving windows to a secondary display, centering, resizing and more, and window layouts can be saved.
  • Little Snitch ($45) - Little Snitch monitors all of the traffic on your Mac so you can see what apps are sending data, and where. It basically makes all of your Internet connections visible and gives you control over them, letting you approve or restrict what's being sent from your Mac. There's a world map so you can see where connections are being made, and there are modes for getting instant notifications or letting it run in the background.

iOS Apps

  • Spotify Stations (Free) - Spotify Stations is a standalone Spotify app that came out earlier this year. It's designed to let you create radio stations based on your favorite songs and artists, much like Pandora. Radio stations in Spotify aren't new, but Spotify Stations makes the feature a lot easier to use.
  • Microsoft Math Solver (Free) - For our readers still in school, we wanted to highlight Microsoft Math Solver, which is a super handy app that can help you with math problems. Microsoft Math Solver lets you write a math problem on screen or use the camera to snap a photo of a problem and it provides you with a step-by-step explanation on how to solve it. The app can also generate similar math problems so you can practice. It works with elementary math, pre-algebra, algebra, word problems, basic calculus, and statistics.
  • Halide ($5.99) - Halide is a camera app that offers up full manual controls for shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, along with a live histogram for perfecting exposure. The swipe-based interface is easy to use, and you can capture photos in RAW, JPG, TIFF, or HEIC formats. There are depth controls for newer iPhones, manual and autofocus tools, and for iPhone XR, there's a Depth Capture feature that works with pets, food, and other items, unlike the native Depth Control feature.
  • Unsplash (Free) - Unsplash is a community-based image sharing app that provides royalty-free photographs for you to use as wallpaper or for other purposes. It's not focused solely on wallpapers, but there's an interesting range of content and a huge number different options. There are featured categories along with a robust search tool for finding just what you're looking for. Along with an iOS app, Unsplash also has a website so you can get Mac wallpapers too.
  • What the Golf? (Free, but requires Apple Arcade) - ‌Apple Arcade‌, which offers tons of games for $4.99 per month, is a great deal, and we've come across quite a few games that make the subscription price worth it. One such game is What the Golf, a fun action game that takes golf to new places. What the Golf is described as the game for people who hate golf, so don't let the name fool you - this is a fun little game where the goal is to get an object (not always a golf ball) to a hole. There are fun puns, silly levels, ragdoll mechanics, and genuinely difficult content to contend with. It's the perfect game to pick up for a few minutes when waiting in line.

What were your favorite Mac and iOS apps in 2019? Let us know in the comments.

MacRumors readers who were lucky enough to receive a new Mac for the holidays will want to check out our collection of Mac how tos and guides to learn the ins and outs of your new machine.

m1 macbook air
Whether you're new to the Mac or are upgrading from an older model, there's likely to be a useful tip or two here for you. These how tos apply to Apple's latest Macs, from desktops to notebooks, and it includes macOS Big Sur tutorials plus some useful info just for the M1 Macs.

Beginner Tips

Just for M1 Macs

Security Tips

Continuity and Other Product Tips

Mac App Features

iCloud

Hidden Tricks

Advanced Features

In-Depth Mac Guides

➜ Click here to read more...

Related Roundups: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, MacBook Air

Luxshare Precision and Goertek, two Chinese companies who create components for Apple's AirPods, are in talks with banks for funding to expand production in Vietnam, reports The Information.

The two companies are seeking "hundreds of millions of dollars" to begin moving some production out of China amid continued trade tensions between the United States and China, and have already been trialing AirPods production in Vietnam.

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Though there has been a recent deal between the U.S. and China to stave off additional tariffs, companies in China have no guarantee the deal will last, leading to uncertainty.

According to The Information, manufacturing in Vietnam is a "natural alternative" for Apple, given that Chinese components can be transported to Vietnam via land, sea, or air, and labor costs are roughly one-third of China's. Vietnam's workforce is also said to be "flush with fresh engineering graduates." The Vietnamese government is offering subsidies and tax breaks to manufacturers who want to set up in the country.

Since their 2016 launch, Apple's AirPods have exploded in popularity and there have been many months where Apple's available AirPods supply has been unable to meet demand. Just this year, Apple released the AirPods 2 and the AirPods Pro, both of which have seen strong sales so far. Apple recently asked Luxshare Precision to double production of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ given the "much higher" than expected demand.

Both Luxshare Precision and Goertek have seen strong growth thanks to the AirPods, with their stock tripling on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since the beginning of the year.

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

Get a new iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air or iPad Pro for the holidays? If so, you may want to check out our extensive collection of iPad how tos and guides to learn the ins and outs of your new tablet.

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Even if you've had an iPad before, if you're upgrading to a new model, there are new features to get acquainted with, such as the addition of Face ID and the lack of a Home button in the iPad Pro, the Touch ID power button on the iPad Air, and Apple Pencil support across the entire lineup. Below, we've organized our most useful iPad-related how tos into categories for quick access.

Beginner Tips

Useful iPad Features

App Tips

Using a Keyboard and Mouse

Hidden Tricks

Important Security Tips

In-Depth Guides

If there are iOS and iPadOS features you want to learn more about, make sure to take a look through the list of in-depth guides that we have below. We also have guides covering Apple's most popular services and products.

➜ Click here to read more...

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad Air , iPad Pro, iPad mini
Related Forum: iPad

Apple today announced that it will be holding a one-day New Year's shopping event in Japan on Thursday, January 2, offering customers an Apple Store gift card worth up to ¥24,000 with the purchase of select Apple products.

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Full details have yet to be revealed, but last year, Apple Store gift card values ranged between ¥3,000 and ¥24,000 for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Beats models. New products like the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, Apple Watch Series 5, and AirPods Pro will likely not qualify.

The event will take place in the Apple Store app and at Apple Stores in Japan. It is similar to Apple's four-day Black Friday shopping event held in the United States and other countries earlier this year.

Apple used to run a "Lucky Bag" promotion in Japan, offering customers an assorted bag of products and accessories, but it stopped doing so after 2015.

Tag: Japan

Since their launch in 2016, Apple's AirPods have become wildly popular and are an oft-gifted item. In 2019, Apple released AirPods Pro, and this year the company debuted a pair of over-ear headphones called AirPods Max, offering more choice for consumers this holiday season.

If you received AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max as a gift, make sure to take a look through all of the how tos in this guide, because there are plenty of tips and tricks worth knowing.

airpods family

Basic Features

Must-Know Tutorials

Connectivity With iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac

Tips and Tricks

Troubleshooting

Just for the AirPods Pro

Just for the AirPods Max

AirPods Guides

➜ Click here to read more...

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Max, AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

If you got a new Apple Watch for the holidays, this is the article for you. We've collected all of our Apple Watch-related how tos and guides to help you learn the ins and outs of your new wrist-worn device.

applewatchse
Even if you've had an Apple Watch before, the newest Series 6 models have updated features like blood oxygen monitoring and an always-on display that you might not be familiar with, and the Apple Watch SE is an all-new model that many people new to the Apple Watch might be receiving.

Below, we've organized our Apple Watch-related how tos into quick access categories, so browse through to see if there's something new to learn.

For Beginners

Useful watchOS Tips

Hidden Features

Advanced Tricks

Apple Music and Apple Watch

Using Apple Watch with AirPods

In-Depth Guides

Apple Fitness+

Apple introduced a new Apple Watch-focused service this year that's designed to help Apple Watch owners get fit. Apple Fitness+ lets you watch workouts on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, with your Apple Watch tracking your progress. As you work out, your Apple Watch metrics are displayed right on the screen so you can keep an eye on how you're doing. Make sure to check out our how tos to get up and running, and for more details, we have an Apple Fitness+ guide.

Must-Watch Videos

We've created a selection of useful videos that highlight tips, tricks, and other information that's useful if you're a new Apple Watch owner. Make sure to check them out!

More Info

Do you have useful Apple Watch tips and tricks that we've missed in our how tos and that new Apple Watch owners should know? Make sure to share them in the comments.

If you want to know more about the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and watchOS 7, the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch, make sure to check out our Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and watchOS 7 roundups.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Did you get a new iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max for the holidays? If so, make sure to take some time to browse through this article, which is packed with helpful tips, tricks, and guides for the iPhone 12, 12 mini 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and earlier iPhone models.

Whether you're new to iPhone or have upgraded to a new model, there's likely to be something in here for you. There are hundreds of features and hidden tricks available on the iPhone, so it can be easy to forget the full range of what the iPhone can do.

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Below, we've rounded up our most useful iPhone-related how tos and tutorials, both for general iPhone usage and for getting used to iOS 14.

Tips for Beginners

Using iOS 14

iOS 14 in More Detail

For iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Owners

Must-Read Security Tutorials

Hidden Tricks and Tips

In-Depth Guides

We have in-depth guides on many of the features found on the iPhone as well as Apple's services and iOS features, so make sure to check those out if there's a particular aspect of the iPhone that you're interested in learning more about.

Selling Your Old iPhone

If you're planning to sell or give away your old iPhone now that you have a new model, make sure to check out our detailed guide on how to cleanly erase your old devices to get rid of all your data.

➜ Click here to read more...

MacRumors readers with children who believe in Santa Claus may be interested to know that Google today launched its annual Santa tracking feature, allowing Santa to be tracked in real time on his journey to the North Pole as he prepares to deliver presents to kids around the world.

Google has provided its Santa tracking feature for a total of sixteen years now, giving children around the globe access to a little digital magic.

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Santa can be tracked using a web browser on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by visiting Google's official Santa Tracking website. The site offers up a live map of Santa's current location, his next stop, a live video feed of his journey, and the estimated time that he will arrive in each specific location.

The Santa site provides pictures of locations that Santa has already visited, a live count of gifts that have been delivered, and Santa's current distance from your location. There are also a selection of games to play and videos to watch.

Other Santa tracking services are also available, such as the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app and website, but Google's site is often the most interactive and detailed.

Tag: Google

The official YouTube app for iOS has gained a new voice search feature that aims to make searching for content easier when you're casting YouTube video to a smart TV.

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Once you've connected your iPhone or iPad to a smart TV, you can search with your voice via the mobile app, as well as use it to pause, play, and adjust the volume on your TV. Here's how it works.

  1. Download and launch the YouTube app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
  2. Tap the Cast button at the top of the Home tab.
  3. Launch the YouTube app on your smart TV.
  4. If you haven't connected your iOS device to your smart TV before, select Link with TV code and then tap LEARN NOW under "Learn how to get a TV code." Otherwise, tap YouTube on TV to connect.
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  5. When your iOS device is connected to your TV, you'll see an overlay on your device's screen with a volume slider, a Remote button, and the new Voice search button – tap it.
  6. Tap the red microphone icon, and when you hear the audible prompt, say the word or phrase that you want to search on YouTube.
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You should see the results of your voice search appear on your TV. And don't forget, you can use the Remote option in the YouTube app's mobile interface to navigate and select the content that shows up on your TV.

According to German site SmartDroid, YouTube is currently working on improving the remote interface for controlling YouTube casting. The updated controls are said to include quicker access to captions and playback quality settings, but there's no word on when we can expect them to roll out for the iOS YouTube app.

Tags: TV, YouTube

twitterlogoTwitter has banned the use of animated PNG image (APNG) files on its platform, after attackers targeted the Epilepsy Foundation's Twitter account using images that could potentially causes seizures in photo-sensitive individuals.

The company said it had discovered a bug that allowed users to bypass its autoplay settings and enabled several animated images to be attached to a single tweet using the APNG file format.

"We want everyone to have a safe experience on Twitter," the company said in a tweet sent from its Accessibility account on Monday.

"PNGs were fun, but they don't respect autoplay settings, so we're removing the ability to add them to tweets. This is for the safety of people with sensitivity to motion and flashing imagery, including those with epilepsy."


The attacks on the Epilepsy Foundation's Twitter account occurred in November, which was National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Twitter said that it was not aware that APNG files had been used, but the bug meant that they had the potential to be harmful, so it had decided to ban them on the social media platform.

It's unknown how many people may have been affected by the animated images, which exploited strobing light effects with malicious intent. The Epilepsy Foundation said it had filed criminal complaints against the accounts believed to have been responsible.

In addition to the seizure risk, Twitter said the APNGs also used up a lot of data and in some cases could be a direct cause of app crashes. As such, from now on only GIFs will be able to animate images.

Twitter also said that it would look into building a similar feature in the absence of APNGs, such as adding alt-text to GIFs, which will help make them more accessible to people who depend on screen readers to navigate the internet.

Tag: Twitter

Apple this evening sent out emails promoting holiday content in a selection of games that include Fortnite, PUBG, Candy Crush Saga, Minecraft, Homescapes, and Clash of Clans.

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Some of the available bonuses are free, while others appear to be holiday-themed in-app purchases, as outlined below:

  • Fortnite - Get an exclusive holiday outfit pack for a limited time, starting December 24.
  • PUBG - Limited-edition Santa suit and supply crates are now available.
  • Candy Crush Saga - Get extra-special items that last two times longer than normal.
  • Minecraft - Claim 1 free skin and 1 free world right now.
  • Homescapes - A free small-size pack of coins and items is all yours!
  • Clash of Clans - Receive 5 times more goodies with limited-edition Christmas bundles.

Apple's promotional email also highlights other games, such as Pocket City and Knights of Pen & Paper 2, though there are no specific holiday bonuses in these games.

Apple is going to be offering a separate bonus on December 24, as discovered in Australia and New Zealand this morning. In those countries, Apple is highlighting "surprises" from December 24 to December 29, with the first two being a discounted in-app purchase bundle for Looney Tunes World of Mayhem and a three-month subscription for the price of one month in Canva.

The "Surprise" bonuses will likely be live in the United States when December 24 rolls around.

Apple this afternoon announced that developers who create Mac apps outside of the Mac App Store will need to submit them for the notarization process starting on February 3, 2020.

Apple temporarily relaxed the notarization requirements for non ‌Mac App Store‌ apps in September after the launch of macOS Catalina, and at the time, said developers would have until January 2020 to get used to the new rules.

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The January 2020 deadline has been extended to February 2020, but at that time, developers will need to adhere to Apple's requirements.

Apple suggests that developers upload their software and review the developer log for warnings, as these warnings will become errors starting on February 3. Apple says that all errors will need to be fixed by that date for software to be notarized.

In June, we announced that all Mac software distributed outside the Mac App Store must be notarized by Apple in order to run by default on macOS Catalina. In September, we temporarily adjusted the notarization prerequisites to make this transition easier and to protect users on macOS Catalina who continue to use older versions of software. Starting February 3, 2020, all submitted software must meet the original notarization prerequisites.

If you haven't yet done so, upload your software to the notary service and review the developer log for warnings. These warnings will become errors starting February 3 and must be fixed in order to have your software notarized. Software notarized before February 3 will continue to run by default on macOS Catalina.

As a reminder, all installer packages must be signed since they may contain executable code. Disk images do not need to be signed, although signing them can help your users verify their contents.

Apple has been requiring new software distributed with a Developer ID outside of the ‌‌Mac App Store‌‌ to be notarized in order to run since macOS Mojave 10.14.5, with the notarization process designed to protect Mac users from malicious and harmful apps.

For the notarization process, Apple provides trusted non ‌‌Mac App Store‌‌ developers with Developer IDs that are required to allow the Gatekeeper function on macOS to install non ‌‌Mac App Store‌‌ apps.

Notarization is not required for apps that are distributed through the ‌‌Mac App Store‌‌. More information on notarization can be found on Apple's developer site.

On Amazon, a new Anker sale has kicked off today and it's offering solid discounts on a range of Anker's best portable batteries. You can get everything from the PowerCore 5,000 mAh to the 26,800 mAh model at a discount this week.

anker holidayNote: 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.

Most of the accessories will remain on sale through December 29, making this a perfect opportunity to purchase a reliable portable battery for anyone preparing for a trip over the holidays.

Anker Sale

Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Apple is planning to offer some kind of holiday App Store promotion that may see the company giving away free apps and games.

In Australia, where it is December 24, ‌App Store‌ users are waking up to an App Store story that mentions a "surprise" for Tuesday and explains that users can expect a treat every day from December 24 to December 29.

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Tuesday's surprise isn't live yet, but it will be shortly! Make sure you come back soon to check it out.



Have you seen today's goodies? Look for the unwrapped presents on the App Store's Today, Games, and Apps tabs.

From December 24 to 29, you'll find a new surprise every day on the App Store. Come back daily to discover which treat we have waiting for you!

The wording of the story suggests that Apple is planning to give away free apps and games in a promotion similar to the 12 Days of Christmas promotion that the company used to run several years back.

We don't know yet what app or game Apple plans to give away on December 24, but we should find out soon from Australian users. ‌App Store‌ users in other countries like the United States can expect to see the same promotions when December 24 rolls around.

Update 10:39 a.m.: The surprises have gone live in New Zealand, and MacRumors readers tonyduffe and @Ldeverell report that the deals include a special in-app purchase bundle Looney Tunes World of Mayhem and a three-month subscription for the price of one month in Canva. We'll have to see if offers are the same around the world.

app store 2019 surprise

Update 2: Based on reader reports, the daily surprises appear to only be available in Australia and New Zealand, with a subset of them also seen in India.

Apple is offering free two hour delivery when customers purchase any Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, or Mac, which is ideal for last minute shoppers.

Through December 24 at 4:00 p.m. local time, customers who live in an area where courier delivery is available can get their orders for free. Apple normally charges $9 for same-day courier delivery.

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Apple says that its courier delivery is available "in most metros," and it applies to the total order whenever an Apple Watch, ‌iPad‌, ‌iPhone‌, or Mac is ordered. AirPods aren't available for free courier delivery on a standalone order basis, but can be included with other purchases.

For deliveries that do not include an Apple Watch, ‌iPad‌, ‌iPhone‌, or Mac, courier options are still available, but Apple is charging the standard $9 fee. Delivery cutoff is December 24 in most areas, but Apple says that December 25th delivery is available in New York City, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.

Those who are not in an area where courier delivery is available can still get items before Christmas by using in-store pickup options.