MacRumors

Apple today announced that it will be providing special coverage of the 2020 presidential election in the United States starting today, complete with news and analysis from dozens of sources, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, FiveThirtyEight, Fox News, NBC News, ProPublica, Reuters, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, TIME, USA Today, and others.

The election coverage will be available through the Today tab of the Apple News app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple says users must update to iOS 13.3, iPadOS 13.3, or macOS 10.15.2 to access all of the content, including a series of curated guides, state and national polling data, infographics, and other resources.

Beginning with the next Democratic debate in New Hampshire on February 7, Apple News will feature live-streaming video from ABC News, along with real-time analysis and updates from FiveThirtyEight and other outlets. Apple says a livestream of the debate will also be available through its TV app.

The special coverage will last through the 2021 presidential inauguration.

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.

An allegedly leaked video showing Samsung's upcoming "Galaxy Z Flip" has been shared online, offering a hands-on preview of what the company's second attempt at a folding phone will look like.

Shared on Twitter by mobile leaker Ben Geskin, the short clip shows the clamshell-like device in action for the first time. The Galaxy Z Flip is reminiscent of a traditional flip phone that folds up into a compact palm-sized phone, making it small enough to easily fit into a pocket.

The handset appears to have two cameras on the back next to a digital clock readout, similar to the alleged leaked images we saw in December. What isn't clear is whether the model uses the previously rumored "ultra-thin glass" that Samsung is said to have developed in an effort to avoid the display issues that plagued the Galaxy Fold, which uses a plastic screen.

The 6.7-inch Galaxy Z Flip is expected to be more affordable than its book-style predecessor, which costs $1,980 in the U.S. Motorola announced in November the resurrection of its Razr brand in the form of a similar-looking vertically folding Android phone. The new mid-range Razr will cost $1,499 when it's released next month.

The Galaxy Z Flip is expected to be revealed alongside the Galaxy S11 (possibly called the "Galaxy S20") at Samsung's Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 11.

There are no rumors suggesting that Apple has plans to release a foldable smartphone anytime soon, but Apple is undoubtedly looking into foldable devices given that rival companies are coming out with them. In the past, Apple has patented some foldable display technology, and a rumor earlier this year suggested Samsung has provided folding display samples to Apple.

A new ad for Apple Arcade released today blends the real world with the virtual one while showcasing several games available on the service, including LEGO Builder's Journey and Ultimate Rivals: The Rink.

Apple Arcade launched in September, providing iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac users with access to over 100 games with no in-app purchases or ads for $4.99 per month in the United States. The latest titles include co-operative augmented reality game Secret Oops! and family-friendly battle royale game Butter Royale.

The one-minute ad is accompanied by an animated "livestream" of Oceanhorn 2, another game available on Apple Arcade.

Apple Arcade has also taken over Apple.com, possibly as part of a larger advertising campaign timed with the Super Bowl today.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has lowered his iPhone shipment forecast by 10 percent to 36-40 million units in the first quarter of 2020, noting that the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak is affecting iPhone supply in China.

For example, multiple reports have indicated that assembly of the rumored "iPhone 9" or "iPhone SE 2" could be disrupted. The lower-cost device, expected to be a revamped version of the iPhone 8, was rumored to enter mass production in February ahead of a March release. Apple could still announce the device in March, but initial supply could be limited until production can ramp up.

In his research note with TF International Securities, seen by MacRumors, Kuo added that smartphone shipments in the Chinese market declined by 50-60 percent year-over-year during the Chinese New Year holiday period, possibly due to declining consumer confidence in the country stemming from the coronavirus outbreak.

Out of an abundance of caution, Apple said it has closed all of its corporate offices, stores, and contact centers in mainland China through at least February 9 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. More information about the virus and how to protect yourself is available on its website.

Apple today began selling certified refurbished third-generation iPad Air and fifth-generation iPad mini models in the United States for the first time since the devices were released in March 2019.

A wide selection of refurbished iPad Air and iPad mini 5 models are available, including configurations with Wi-Fi or LTE, 64GB or 256GB storage, and Space Gray, Gold, or Silver finishes. Prices are discounted by around 15 percent compared to the equivalent brand new models on Apple.com.

Apple says certified refurbished iPad models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged in a new white box, with all accessories and documentation included. Every refurbished iPad receives a new battery and a new outer shell, making them virtually indistinguishable from brand new iPads.

Every refurbished iPad is covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty effective on the date the tablet is delivered. The coverage can be extended to two years from the refurbished purchase date with AppleCare+, which costs $69 or $3.49 per month for the latest iPad Air and iPad mini in the United States.

While certified refurbished iPads represent a decent opportunity for savings straight from Apple, better deals are often available from resellers like Amazon and Best Buy. Be sure to monitor our Apple Deals roundup.

(Thanks, Shanmugam Senthivel!)

Apple today announced that it has closed all of its corporate offices, stores, and contact centers in mainland China through February 9 due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, out of an abundance of caution.

In a statement shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple said it will continue to closely monitor the situation:

Our thoughts are with the people most immediately affected by the Coronavirus and with those working around the clock to study and contain it. Out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts, we're closing all our corporate offices, stores and contact centers in mainland China through February 9. Apple's online store in China remains open. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and we look forward to reopening our stores as soon as possible.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak a global public health emergency. More information about the virus and how to protect yourself is available on its website.

Apple is now offering an onsite repair option for customers in select cities who need issues with their Apple devices addressed but aren't able to visit a repair shop or Apple Store.

The onsite repair options are available through Apple Authorized Service Provider Go Tech Services, which promises to repair your device "at your home or office."

When visiting Apple's Support site to initiate a device repair, there's now a mention of an onsite option when scheduling a repair. "Look for an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Genius Bar. In select locations, onsite service may be available."

Onsite repairs from Go Tech Services appear to be available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas. When choosing a repair option in one of these cities, Go Tech Services can be selected as one of the repair providers.

Go Tech Services is listed as the top option in cities where it is available, and selecting it warns that an onsite visit fee may be charged in addition to the provider's standard repair cost. Apple's support site does not include additional details about the fee, and clicking the "Book through this provider" option redirects users to Go Tech Services' website, where an appointment can be scheduled.

On the site, users are instructed to select a date and a time for a repair, but this part of the booking process also does not include information on fees. In San Francisco, there are no available same-day appointments, with the earliest appointment available on Monday.

Apple offers onsite repairs for its enterprise customers, but until now, there has never been a similar repair option for regular consumers. Go Tech Services is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, so the repairs aren't coming directly from Apple, but it's akin to visiting a similar AASP like Mobile Kangaroo or Best Buy.

It's not clear the extent of the problems that can be addressed by the onsite service provider. We were able to choose Go Tech Services for a cracked iPhone display, but not for a battery replacement.

Go Tech Services appears to operate exclusively through Apple, as visiting the company's website redirects to a notice that repairs must be initiated through Apple's support site.

Customers who have AirPods Pro that also purchased an AppleCare+ protection plan for $29 appear to be able to receive free replacement tips for their ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Multiple MacRumors readers have reported being provided replacement tips at no cost after going through Apple's support repair steps for the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

From MacRumors reader Boshii:

I'm not sure if it's an AppleCare+ thing or not but I set up the replacement online and there was no fee. I was under the impression that there will be a cost even with AppleCare+.

AirPods Pro owners with ‌AppleCare‌+ who want to order replacement tips can do so by going to the Apple support site, choosing the ‌AirPods Pro‌, picking the option to replace an AirPod or an ear tip, selecting the option to replace the ‌AirPods Pro‌ ear tips, and then choosing the order replacement option.

When ordering replacement tips, Apple sends one pair in a specified size only, and it's not clear if there's a limit on the number of free replacement tips that can be ordered.

Apple's support site and the ‌AppleCare‌+ page for headphones don't mention the possibility of free replacement tips, instead suggesting the tips will have a $3.95 replacement fee. Ordering AirPods tips without ‌AppleCare‌+ incurs the aforementioned $3.95 fee.

One or more wireless carriers violated federal law by failing to protect sensitive customer information like real-time data location, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai confirmed today in letters sent to Congress as part of a wireless location investigation [PDF].

As noted by Bloomberg, Pai's letter comes after the U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce in November accused the FCC of "failing in its duty to to enforce the laws Congress passed to protect consumers' privacy."

The accusation was referring to major wireless carriers disclosing real-time consumer location information to third-party data services, with data services then selling that sensitive info to a variety of companies without customer consent.

The location selling practices surfaced last year after Motherboard reported that Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile were selling subscriber geolocation data to third-party companies like LocationSmart and Zumigo, with those companies then passing it along to bounty hunters, bail bondsmen, and more.

The FCC's letter confirms that one or more wireless carriers violated the law by sharing location data with third-party services, though it does not specify which carriers have done so. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have all been questioned about their data selling practices in the past.

Pai says that he's committed to ensuring that carriers comply with the Communications Act and the FCC's rules, and the carriers that have been found in violation of the law could be facing fines.

A class action lawsuit accusing Apple of violating consumer laws and breaching its warranties over an alleged iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus audio chip defect has been allowed to proceed, but the case has been narrowed.

U.S. district judge Jon Tigar on Thursday denied Apple's motion to dismiss the plaintiffs' claims for breach of implied warranty under California law, violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and unjust enrichment in the form of an alternative remedy. The court granted Apple's motion to dismiss the remaining claims, but the plaintiffs have an opportunity to amend their complaint within 21 days.

Filed in May 2019, the class action lawsuit alleged that "the materials used in the ‌iPhone‌'s external casing are insufficient and inadequate to protect the internal parts," eventually resulting in the audio chip losing electrical contact with the logic board due to "flexion" of the device during regular use.

The defect results in multiple issues on affected devices, ranging from a grayed-out speaker button to customers not being heard during phone calls and FaceTime video chats, according to the complaint.

The initial complaint sought an order that would require Apple to repair, recall, and/or replace the affected iPhones and to extend the warranties of the devices for a reasonable period of time. The plaintiffs also sought damages "likely in the millions of dollars" that would be divided among affected customers.

The class action has been consolidated in Northern California court.

"Loop Disease"

In an internal document obtained by MacRumors in May 2018, Apple acknowledged a microphone issue affecting some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models. The memo to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers described the same audio issues mentioned in the class action lawsuits.

The alleged defect is commonly referred to as "Audio IC issues" and it is also informally known as "Loop Disease" on the web.

Apple's document said service providers could request a "warranty exception" for affected iPhones, which resulted in free repairs for at least some customers, but that abruptly ended in July 2018 after Apple deleted the document.

Since then, some Apple employees have failed to acknowledge the internal guidelines ever existed, resulting in many customers having to pay an out-of-warranty fee of over $300 in the United States for a fix. Of course, some customers have managed to argue their way to a free repair, but mileage varies.

‌iPhone‌ 7 and ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus devices still within Apple's limited one-year warranty period or covered by AppleCare+ remain eligible for a free repair, but the audio chip issues usually take time to manifest, and warranty coverage has lapsed on many of the devices since they were released in September 2016.

MacRumors has repeatedly contacted Apple for comment regarding the audio chip issues, but we have never received a response.

The full order on Apple's motion to dismiss is embedded below.

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