So far, GameClub is seeing early successes, and in addition to raising $2.5 million in seed funding, GameClub already has a handful of Early Access games that you can play right now.
GameClub games like Run Roo Run, Cubed Rally World, and Incoboto are available through TestFlight and you can check them out right now for free. Links are below:
To install these, you need to download Apple's TestFlight app and then click one of the links above to open it up in the TestFlight app. From there, just tap on "Install" and you'll be able to play the game.
In the future, a few titles that were super popular back in the day will be introduced on GameClub, including Super Crate Box from Vlambeer, Plunderland from Glitchers, and Space Miner from Venan Entertainment. All of these games are from the early days of the App Store and many fans will undoubtedly be thrilled to see them available to play once again.
Super QuickHook
More than 50 titles in all are in the works at the current time, and GameClub plans to add more games in the future. There's a tentative fall launch date for GameClub, and while details on pricing have yet to be announced, there will be no ads or microtransactions in any of the games available through GameClub, a rarity in an App Store dominated by freemium titles.
GameClub's creators are focusing on creating a robust catalog of games and making sure early access testers are satisfied with quality of the updates and the direction of the GameClub catalog before details like pricing are solidified, and with funding in place, GameClub says it has time to experiment with what works best for its customers.
Incoboto
There are hundreds of now-defunct gaming titles that have disappeared from the App Store, which leaves a lot of potential for GameClub in the future. Developers of some early titles have been unable to keep up with the changes implemented in the App Store over the years, but with GameClub handling the modernization process, many older titles could see re-releases.
The iPhone has been around for more than 10 years, which has given accessory manufacturers time to come up with all manner of useful add-ons that enhance, protect, and charge your iPhone.
There are so many iPhone accessories on the market that we can't go through them all, but in this guide, we're highlighting some products that we think are among the best accessories you can get for the iPhone. We'll be updating this guide over time to add new items, remove old items, and highlight great products we come across, so make sure to check back in from time to time.
Cases and Screen Protectors
There are an endless number of iPhone cases and screen protectors on the market, and here at MacRumors, we've tested much of what's available. I'm not going to go through every iPhone case that you can get because that list would be endless, but will instead highlight some of the favorites that we've used over the years and some of the favorite brands of our readers.
- Silicone Cases from Apple ($35 to $39) - Apple designs iPhone cases to go along with its iPhones, and because these are Apple created, they're a perfect fit for every iPhone. Apple's silicone cases are grippy, thin enough not to add a lot of bulk, and, most importantly, protective. I've been using silicone cases almost exclusively on my iPhones since the iPhone 6, and through many, many drops, some quite significant, my iPhones have always survived intact. If you don't like the feel of silicone, which some people don't, Apple also has a great selection of leather cases that are just as protective.
- Smart Battery Case ($129) - Apple has a series of Smart Battery Cases for all of its modern iPhones, which extend the battery life of your iPhone. These cases are similar to the Silicone Cases from Apple, but have a bump for a battery pack on the back. If you're regularly running out of battery life during the day or want extra battery for an upcoming trip or outing, these cases from Apple are your best bet for extra power in a convenient way without having to carry another accessory. Apple's Battery Cases can charge wirelessly and you can see the battery life left right on your iPhone.
- Velvet Caviar iPhone Cases ($30) - If you're looking for a case that's a bit out of the ordinary and more eye catching than your standard case, make sure to check out Velvet Caviar. Velvet Caviar cases are lightweight and don't add a lot of bulk, but will protect your iPhone from drops and bumps. There's a front bumper to keep your display safe too, and there are plenty of unique patterns.
- Spigen's Liquid Air Case ($19.99) - Spigen cases are super popular with MacRumors readers because they're protective, dependable, well-made, and won't break the bank. Spigen offers a ton of iPhone case options and all are pretty great, but the Liquid Air in particular is thin, making it perfect if you hate bulk, easy to get on and off, and protective. Another favorite is the Liquid Crystal, similar to the Liquid Air but clear so it lets the design of the iPhone shine through.
- iCarez Glass Screen Protectors (~$8) - There are a lot of screen protectors on the market at wildly different price points, and most of them function in a similar way. MacRumors videographer Dan vouches for iCarez's screen protectors, which are affordable, offer a perfect fit, and have an easy installation process. You can get iCarez screen protectors for all of Apple's iPhones at a discounted price on Amazon.
Chargers
- Logitech POWERED 3-in-1 Dock ($130) - The Logitech POWERED 3-in-1 Dock is a new entry in Logitech's lineup of wireless chargers, and a new favorite. It features an upright charger for charging the iPhone, an Apple Watch charging puck, and a small space to charge the AirPods or another iPhone. Upright chargers are great because your iPhone always goes in the right spot for wireless charging, and this model doesn't take up too much desk space.
- Scosche BaseLynx Modular Charging System Kit ($90) - Scosche's BaseLynx is a modular charging kit that lets you buy just the components you need, snapping them together to form a customizable charging dock for all your devices. There's an Apple Watch charger, a wireless charger for the iPhone, a slotted dock for charging an iPad and other devices, plus an add-on USB-C unit. Individual pieces are around $30 to $50, and kits with multiple pieces are available starting at $90.
- Zens Liberty Wireless Charger ($140) - The Liberty Wireless Charger from Zens features 16 coils, which means overlapping charging power no matter where you place your iPhone or AirPods to charge. It also includes a USB-A port for charging an extra device or attaching an Apple Watch charger, which is available for an additional $30.
- Nomad Base Station Apple Watch Edition ($139) - Nomad's Apple Watch Base Station has an Apple Watch charging puck for charging the Apple Watch, along with a double coil Qi wireless charging pad, making it a great alternative to the now-canceled AirPower. You can use the wireless charging pad to charge the iPhone horizontally, but if you put the iPhone vertically, it frees up a little spot for charging the AirPods, so all three devices charge at one time. It's pricy, but it's one of the best multi-device chargers on the market.
- ElevationDock 4 ($50) - If you prefer charging over Lightning to wireless charging (it's faster!) the ElevationDock 4 is one of the best docks on the market. It's slim and doesn't take up much room on a desk, and the suction material on the bottom means that you can dock and undock your iPhone one handed. That might not seem like a big deal, but it's huge when it comes to convenience.
- Logitech 7.5W Powered Wireless Charging Stand ($69.95) - Working at MacRumors, I've tried endless wireless charging options and the upright chargers are my preference. It's easy to get your iPhone in the right spot for charging with no fuss and you can see the screen. Of the upright chargers I've tested, I like Logitech's Powered Wireless Charging Stand best. It always works, I can put my iPhone in when it's dark at night and I know it's charging, it's 7.5W, and it doesn't take up too much space on my desk. It's pricier than the cheap chargers on Amazon, but it's sturdier, looks better, and Logitech is a trusted brand so I know it's safe. Belkin's $70 Boost Up Wireless Charging Stand is a close second.
- Anker Wireless Charger ($50) - If you're looking for a high-quality Qi-based wireless charging stand for your iPhone that's not too expensive, you might want to check out the Anker PowerWave. It features 7.5W wireless charging, is equipped with a fan to keep your iPhone cool for faster charging, and it's an upright charger so you can see the screen while your iPhone charges. If you want something cheaper, we also like Anker's $22 PortPort Wireless Stand.
- Zens Dual+Watch Wireless Charger ($112) - If you want an AirPower replacement that can charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch all at once, the Zens Dual+Watch Wireless Charger is worth checking out. It has an arm with a magnetic Apple Watch charging puck built in along with a base with dual wireless charging coils where you can put your iPhone and your AirPods Wireless Charging Case. It's available in both black and white, and it's MacRumors editor Mitchel's favorite wireless charger. Check out his review here.
- Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge ($60) - If you need an in-car Qi-based wireless charger, MacRumors editor Mitchel recommends the Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge, which charges the iPhone at 7.5W and can be attached to a window or dashboard so your iPhone is at eye level while you're driving. It uses magnets to hold the iPhone in place, and it can also be used in the house. Check out our Scosche MagicMount Pro Charge review here.
Photography and Videography
- Moment iPhone Lenses ($99+) - There are a lot of iPhone lenses out on the market that promise to improve your iPhone photography, but Moment's are some of the best I've used. Moment has super high quality telephoto (58mm) and wide-angle (18mm) that won't distort your images or lower the quality, and if you want to capture cinematic video (or photos) the anamorphic lens is a must have. Moment's lens system is super streamlined and attaches to your iPhone using a special iPhone case, which is sleek and protective in its own right. Moment also has a great collection of lens storage accessories.
- GorillaPod Stand Pro ($41) - I've been using Joby's GorillaPods for years now, both with my DSLR and my iPhone. You can manipulate them into any position thanks to the bendy legs, and you can put them anywhere for the perfect shot. The GorillaPod is super stable, works in landscape or portrait, and can be used with or without a case.
- DJI Osmo Mobile 2 ($130) - DJI's first Osmo smartphone gimbal for capturing video was expensive, but the Osmo Mobile 2 is more reasonably priced at $130, a standard price for a good gimbal. If you want to capture professional looking video on an iPhone, a smartphone gimbal is the way to go for stabilization. The Osmo Mobile 2's sensors and motors make sure your smartphone stays steady no matter what you're doing, and the battery lasts up to 15 hours.
- Zhiyun Smooth II 3 Axis Gimbal for iPhone ($190) - If you like to capture video with your iPhone, a handheld camera mount is invaluable to make sure you're getting smooth, shake-free footage. Zhiyun makes a range of gimbal camera mounts, including the Smooth II, which offers full 360 degree rotation and a 5-way joystick for adjusting angle. Check out our review here.
- SandMarc Camera Lenses ($90 to $100) - SandMarc makes a range of add-on lenses for Apple's modern iPhones, offering a 2x wide-angle lens, a fisheye lens, a macro lens, and a 2x zoom telephoto lens. These are high-quality lenses that produce crisp, clear images, and they're a favorite of MacRumors editor Tim. They're around $99 each, but you can get a discount if you buy a bundle.
- Kenu Stance Tripod ($9.95) - If you just need a simple, inexpensive tripod for photos or video watching, the Kenu Stance is a great little device at an affordable price. It fits into the Lightning port of your iPhone and can be used to prop it up in either photo or video mode.
Headphones
- AirPods 2 ($199) - No iPhone recommendation list would be complete without Apple's AirPods, because there's a reason these are some of the most popular earbuds on the market. There are no wires, connecting to the iPhone is super fast (and even faster with AirPods 2), battery life is impressive, they're comfortable, and there's "Hey Siri" support and wireless charging compatibility so you can charge them up with any Qi-based wireless charger.
- Sony WH1000XM3 Headphones ($348) - Sony's WH1000XM3 Headphones are a solid choice if you need noise canceling, and they're a favorite of several of us here at MacRumors. These headphones aren't cheap, but the noise canceling technology is excellent, they're super comfortable, and the audio sounds great. If you use Alexa, they're also Alexa enabled so you can get hands-free access to your music. Neat features like a touch gesture for temporarily turning down your music and ambient sound adjustment also make these an appealing pick.
- Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones ($280) - Apple's Beats headphones are sometimes maligned for poor audio quality, but the Beats Studio3 Wireless sound great, offer excellent battery life, and are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The Active Noise Canceling is useful, and with the included W1 chip, they connect to the iPhone as quickly and as easily as AirPods.
- Bowers & Wilkins PX Active Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones ($400) - Bowers & Wilkins is known for excellent sound quality, which makes them MacRumors editor Marianne's favorite headphones. They feature active noise canceling, which is great for travel, and they're comfortable. These are wireless, so they connect to your devices using Bluetooth and have up to 22 hours of connectivity with ANC activated and 29 hours without it. You can also use these with a wired connection if desired for even longer battery life.
Gaming
- SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Gaming Controller ($50) - If you like to play games on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, many game titles support Made for iPhone Apple-certified controllers, so you can play like you would play a traditional console title, using a controller instead of the touchscreen. SteelSeries has long had its Nimbus controller available, and it's one of the better Made for iPhone controllers we've tested.
Cables, Power Adapters, and Battery Packs
- 45W ZMI 20,000mAh USB-C Battery Pack ($70) - If you're looking for a USB-C battery pack to power everything from your MacBook to your iPhone, the 20,000mAh USB-C battery pack from ZMI is a solid choice. It can charge most of your device multiple times over, it's affordable, and it's small enough to carry with you. You can also use it as a hub thanks to an extra USB-A port and hub functionality. We did a comparison of the most popular USB-C chargers on the market, and ZMI was one of our favorites.
- 45W Jackery Supercharge 26800mAh USB-C Portable Charger ($120) - Our other favorite USB-C battery pack comes from Jackery. The 26800mAh Supercharge has enough power for your MacBook Pro, and at 45W, it charges reasonably fast too. It can fast charge your iPhone (with appropriate cable) and iPad, making it perfect for all of your devices. There's a clear readout of remaining battery, which we loved, and it includes a 45W power adapter so you can charge it up fast.
- Anker PowerPort II USB-C PD Charger ($30) - Anker's 49.5W PowerPort II Charger comes equipped with USB-C port that offers up to 30W of power along with an extra USB-A port, so you can charge your MacBook or iPad or fast charge an iPhone along with another accessory that uses USB-A. It's affordable and a great alternative to a 30W charger from Apple.
- Anker 30W PowerPort Atom PD1 USB-C Power Adapter - If you need a 30W USB-C power adapter for fast charging purposes, Anker's PowerPort Atom PD1 is an excellent choice. It's much smaller than your average power adapter because it's using new Gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor components, making it more portable and ensuring it takes up less space when used with a power strip. Anker's also known for its high-quality line of iPhone accessories and is a favorite of MacRumors. Make sure to check out our full review.
- Mophie Charge Force Powerstation ($57) - Mophie makes a wide range of external battery packs for iOS devices, all of which are reliable. The Charge Force Powerstation is a middle-of-the-road option that offers a respectable 10,000mAh capacity, enough to charge your iPhone a couple of times. Passthrough charging is supported, as is Qi-based wireless charging so you don't even need a cable with Apple's latest iPhones.
Other Accessories
- Fuse Cable Organizers ($10 to $30) - Fuse has a whole line of cable organizing products designed to wrangle messy cables, with options for Macs, iPhones, iPads, and more. If you're looking to get your cables in order, Fuse's products are well worth checking out. They're simple, affordable, and effective.
- Phone Loop ($4.99) - Phone Loops are a useful and inexpensive iPhone accessory that adds a bit of extra grip without adding any bulk. These are designed to fit underneath your iPhone case, and they work with a wide variety of case designs. The Loop goes through the camera cutout on the smartphone and wraps underneath the iPhone, cleverly providing a strap you can hold on to.
- PopSockets ($10 to $15) - PopSockets are incredibly popular because they're useful for holding an iPhone in one hand for photos, web browsing, and more, and the PopSocket also serves as a stand. Because these things are absolutely everywhere you might already have one, but if not, it's $10 well spent. You can use PopSockets with or without a case.
- Cable Bites ($5 to $10) - Cable Bites are little rubber animals that are designed to fit over the end of a Lightning or USB-C cable. They're cute, but they're also designed to be functional, preventing wear and tear on the cable from bending.
Guide Feedback
Know of an awesome iPhone accessory that isn't in our guide but should be? Let us know in the comments below or Send us an email.
Apple today sent out emails for a new Apple Pay promotion, offering a $15 discount on 1-800-Flowers just ahead of Mother's Day, which takes place on Sunday, May 12.
To get the discount, you'll need to use Apple Pay and shop the Mother's Day Collection in the 1-800-Flowers app. You can also visit the 1-800-Flowers website to receive the special pricing.
The discount will be applied automatically during the checkout process and will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 10, 2019. Apple says some restrictions and exclusions may apply, based on availability and other factors.
The Mother's Day Collection includes a variety of different floral arrangements featuring roses, lilies, mixed flowers, chocolates, orchids, and more. Pricing with the discount starts at $35.
Apple's promotion also provides links to Macy's, Print Studio, and Etsy for Mother's Day gift ideas, and it suggests that you "split a gift for mom" using Apple Pay Cash.
Spotify is beginning to test new podcast features for a select group of users, beginning with a playlist that suggests podcast episodes for you to listen to, interspersed with songs.
The playlist is aimed at users who commute frequently in their vehicles and is called "Your Daily Drive" (via The Verge). The podcasts seen in the playlist mainly center around news shows.
Spotify has been slowly gearing up for a strong push into podcasts for a few years now, but it has yet to introduce any sort of podcast curation feature or used its algorithms to recommend podcasts to subscribers. In the new playlist, the company is testing out doing just that, albeit with a few song recommendations thrown in as well.
Spotify confirmed the test to The Verge with the usual statement: "We're always testing new products and experiences, but have no further news to share at this time." Because of this, it's unclear if this new playlist will launch to a wide audience on Spotify. As of now, the playlist's podcast recommendations are in Portuguese so it appears the test is happening only outside of the United States.
Spotify appears to have a new (?) algorithmic playlist for morning commutes that mixes news podcasts and music, but all the podcasts are in a foreign language? pic.twitter.com/8HZyq6Ji3J
— dan seifert (@dcseifert) May 1, 2019
In 2019, Spotify's podcast goals began taking clearer shape with a trio of acquisitions revolving around podcasts, including Gimlet Media, Anchor, and Parcast. These acquisitions give Spotify a suite of high-profile shows to launch on its platform, as well as Anchor's podcast creation tools that could let users create and share their own podcasts on Spotify.
Once it fully launches, Spotify's podcast initiative will be a direct competitor to Apple Podcasts, which has long dominated the market, although some creators and listeners have ongoing gripes with the platform. To get an edge on Apple Podcasts, Spotify plans to focus on exclusives and improved podcast discovery -- like with this week's test -- to challenge Apple as the go-to destination for podcasts.
Apple Watch remained the world's most popular smartwatch by a significant margin last quarter, with an estimated 35.8 percent market share during the January-March period, according to Counterpoint Research. In other words, one in every three smartwatches shipped last quarter was an Apple Watch.
Samsung was a distant second with an estimated 11.1 percent market share last quarter, although that is up from 7.2 percent one year prior.
Niantic, known for Pokémon Go, has been working with WB Games on a new augmented reality project set in the Harry Potter universe, called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Today, Niantic officially made an open beta of the game available in Australia and New Zealand for both iOS and Android users.
In the game, players become recruits of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force and must investigate and contain a "Calamity" that has befallen the wizarding world. To that end, players must cast spells and collect artifacts and memories, and rescue characters to level up, all with the goal of keeping magic hidden from muggles.
The collecting mechanic is similar to Pokémon Go, with players locating magical artifacts instead of Pokémon, and using spells rather than Pokéballs to capture them.
Niantic notes that in the beta version of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite the features, available languages, design, and overall appearance are not final, and the product might be buggy and unstable at times. The idea of the beta is to get feedback from players so that the developers can improve the game experience.
The open beta launch in Australia and New Zealand follows a similar pattern to Pokémon Go, which was initially released in the two countries first before launching worldwide. A global release date hasn't been announced yet for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, but Niantic plans to release the game later this year. Interested gamers can sign up to receive updates on the Wizards Unite website.
The United States Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday sent out letters to Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint questioning the carriers about their data selling practices, reports Motherboard.
The carriers have been found selling real-time location information from customer devices to data aggregators, leading the location data to end up in the hands of private investigators, bounty hunters, law enforcement, credit companies, and more.
Companies like LocationSmart and Zumigo obtained location information from U.S.-based cellular carriers and passed that data on to dozens of other companies, putting real-time customer location information in the hands of those who should not have it.
After coming under scrutiny for their location sharing practices, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile, pledged to stop doing so, but many had not actually stopped entirely as of January.
The FCC is now demanding answers from the four carriers. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel asked the heads of each company to provide details on whether the data aggregators were allowed to save phone location data and what steps carriers are going to take to make sure shared data has been deleted. From the letter to AT&T:
Real-time location information is sensitive data deserving the highest level of privacy protection. But it is evident from press reports that this data may have been sold without the explicit consent of consumers and without appropriate safeguards in place.
Accordingly, I appreciate your decision to end these location aggregation services by March of this year. To that end, I kindly request that you provide an update on your efforts and confirm by what date AT&T ended its arrangements to sell the location data of its customers. Please also confirm whether and by what date the company ended arrangements to sell assisted or augmented GPS data.
Finally, the public still has very little detail about how much geolocation data is being saved and stored-including in ways that may be far too accessible to others. Even de-anonymized location data may be combined with other information in ways that could make it personally identifiable again. Accordingly, please explain whether AT&T's agreements permitted aggregators or others to save and store location data they received from your company. If so, please confirm what steps your company is taking to ensure that these companies delete or destroy previously shared data and any derivative data. Alternatively, please explain what steps AT&T is taking to safeguard such data from use or onward sale that is inconsistent with consumers' original content.
Similar letters were also sent to Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile, and all four carriers have been asked to provide responses to the FCC by May 15, 2019.
Last weekend, The New York Times reported that Apple has removed or restricted many of the most popular screen time and parental control apps on the App Store since launching its own Screen Time feature in iOS 12 last year, raising concerns over potentially anticompetitive behavior.
Apple was quick to respond. In both an email to a concerned customer and a press release, Apple indicated that it became aware over the last year that some parental control apps were using a technology called Mobile Device Management or "MDM" that puts users' privacy and security at risk.
MDM technology is intended for enterprise users to manage their company-owned devices, and Apple says the use of MDM by consumer-focused apps carries privacy and security concerns that resulted in Apple addressing the situation in its App Store review guidelines in mid-2017.
"Contrary to what The New York Times reported over the weekend, this isn't a matter of competition," wrote Apple. "It's a matter of security."
Apple added that when it found out about these App Store guideline violations, it communicated with the necessary developers, giving them 30 days to submit an updated app to avoid being removed from the App Store.
In the days since, a handful of developers behind parental control apps including Qustodio, Kidslox, OurPact, and Mobicip have responded to Apple's press release with open letters, calling for the company to make the APIs behind its Screen Time feature available to the public for use in third-party apps.
If safety is such a great concern to Apple, why not share the APIs used in Apple's own Screen Time competitive service and instantly make the environment safer and open for everyone?
Ultimately, making the "Screen Time" API's public is the solution to this issue which would truly prove Apple's commitment to the safety and welfare of children. This would allow 3rd party developers like us to create effective products that give users genuine choices, while also complying with Apple's self-set standards.
If Apple truly believes that parents should have tools to manage their children's device usage, and are committed to providing a competitive, innovative app ecosystem, then they will also provide open API's for developers to utilize. Now, more than ever, the focus should be on building better and more diverse solutions for families to choose from.
Knowing that parental controls apps using MDM have been around for years, wouldn't it have been a better option for Apple to support an officially supported API before pulling the plug?
Tony Fadell, a senior executive at Apple in the 2000s, agrees that Apple should create and provide developers with APIs for Screen Time.
2/ Apple’s Screen Time still has many holes & deficiencies. Their v1.0 solution was a rush job & it’s very non-intuitive to use. Apple should be building true APIs for Screen Time so the “privacy” concerns are taken into account instead of limiting users App Store choices. https://t.co/rGRwB6HT4r
— Tony Fadell (@tfadell) April 28, 2019
The developers also refute parts of Apple's press release, with OurPact claiming that its parental control app for children was removed from the App Store on October 6, 2018 without any prior communication from Apple, just three weeks after iOS 12 was publicly released with Screen Time.
Three out of four of the developers add that Apple was slow to respond and did not provide any resolution for the sudden guideline violations.
While Apple is firm in stating that competition did not play a role in its crackdown on these apps, the timing is certainly curious. Many of the removals occurred shortly after Apple rolled out its Screen Time feature in iOS 12 last September, despite several of these apps having used MDM for a number of years.
At face value, public APIs for Screen Time does appear like a viable solution for both the privacy and security of users and ensuring a competitive landscape on the App Store. Whether that happens remains to be seen.
Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced three years ago in March 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.
Safari Technology Preview release 81 includes bug fixes and performance improvements for Dark Mode, JavaScript, WebRTC, Media, Layout, Accessibility, Web API, Storage, Security, Web Inspector, WebDriver, and Web GPU. Today's update adds the privacy preserving Ad Click Attribution API as an experimental feature, according to Apple's notes.
The new Safari Technology Preview update is available for both macOS High Sierra and macOS Mojave, the newest version of the Mac operating system that was released to the public in September 2018.
Apple’s aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.
Qualcomm today announced its quarterly earnings results and shared details on the amount of revenue that it will be receiving in the coming quarter as part of its recent settlement with Apple.
As pointed out by Axios, Qualcomm will record $4.5 to $4.7 billion in revenue from the Apple settlement, which includes a "cash payment from Apple and the release of related liabilities."
Apple and Qualcomm announced a settlement in mid-April, dropping all lawsuits and litigation against one another. Apple at the time said the settlement included a payment from Apple to Qualcomm, but both companies declined to provide specific details on just how much Apple paid out in backdated royalties.
An analyst estimate put the number at around $5 billion to $6 billion, but it appears Apple didn't shell out quite that much.
Apple's deal with Qualcomm also includes a direct six year licensing agreement and a multiyear chipset supply agreement, which will see Qualcomm supplying modem chips to Apple for future devices.
Apple appears to have had no alternative but to settle with Qualcomm as it needed 5G modem chips for its 2020 iPhone lineup. Apple originally planned to use Intel chips, but rumors suggested Intel wasn't meeting development goals, leading to tension between Apple and Intel.
Just hours after Apple and Qualcomm announced a settlement deal, Intel said that it was exiting the 5G smartphone modem business and would not be making 5G smartphone chips at all, a decision the company later said was based on Apple and Qualcomm's settlement.
Yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple "feels good" about the resolution with Qualcomm. "We're glad to put the litigation behind us and all the litigation around the world has been dismissed and settled," said Cook. "We're very happy to have a multi-year supply agreement and we're happy that we have a direct license arrangement with Qualcomm that was important for both companies."
Trading in an old iPhone, iPad, or Mac can get you some extra cash to spend on a new device. Depending on where you decide to sell your device, you can get cash back or a gift card for a specific company like Apple, Amazon, or Best Buy.
What's most important to know when trading in a device is that there's no one best site or service. There are so many options out there and prices vary based on device and promotions that might be running, so your absolute best bet if you want to do a trade-in using a trade-in site is to spend 15 to 20 minutes doing price checks on some of the most prominent trade-in sites listed below.
Using a comparison site like Flipsy, uSell, or SellCell to compare trade-in prices can also be beneficial when you want to do some shopping around to get the best price for your particular device.
Trade-in Options
There are generally three options when you have an old device you want to get rid of: Trading it in through a company like Apple or a service like Gazelle, selling it in person via a service like Craigslist, or selling it to a person online through a service like eBay or Swappa.
Using a trade-in service is always going to be more simple than selling to a person, but the convenience of doing so will cost you. You're never going to get quite as much money from a trade-in service as you can get from direct sales, but there are some tips and tricks worth knowing before considering a trade-in.
Device Condition
Device condition is going to make a huge difference in the amount of money that you're able to get back for an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Most trade-in sites offer tiered payback based on condition, like Good, Fair, and Poor.
A functional device in good condition with no scratches or other damage is going to fetch the most money. Some sites will let small wear and tear issues slide, while others will deduct cash if a device isn't in perfect condition.
All trade-in sites will ask you specific questions about the condition of your device, making sure it powers on, is fully functional, has no display issues, and no cracks.
Cracks, display issues, and other problems will drastically lower the amount of money you can get for a device, and some trade-in sites will refuse to take broken devices at all.
Services that receive your device will inspect it on their end to make sure the quality of your device matches up with how you described it. Most services have an option to pay less if the condition doesn't match up or send it back to you.
Activation Lock
You'll also be asked to make sure Activation Lock has been disabled by turning off Find My iPhone, which is standard operating procedure when trading in a device. Companies ask this to make sure the device will be usable after it's turned in.
Apple Trade-ins
If you're trading in an Apple product and want to upgrade to another Apple product, going the Apple trade-in route is a great idea. As seen in the price comparison listings below, Apple offers fair prices -- sometimes much higher than other trade-in sites -- and provides money for your old products in the form of an Apple gift card.
There's a caveat, though. To get Apple's top prices when trading in an iPhone, you need to do the trade-in when purchasing another device. For example, Apple offers $349 for an iPhone X in good condition when using the standard trade-in site, but when purchasing another device, you can get $450 for that same iPhone.
There are no special trade-in prices for Macs, iPads, and Apple Watch devices, so this only applies to iPhones. Apple sometimes shifts the trade-in prices that it offers, so it's worth shopping around.
The Apple gift card you receive for a standard trade-in can be put towards a purchase from the Apple online store or an Apple retail store, but Apple trade-ins are limited in scope because there's no option to get cash. Apple will send you a full trade-in kit so you can box up your device properly and send it in conveniently without having to hunt down a box and shipping materials.
If you don't want to hassle with sending a device in, you can also do trade-ins right in Apple retail stores.
Major Retailer Trade-in Programs
Companies like Best Buy, Amazon, and Target have trade-in programs, but they're generally not as good as Apple's trade-in program and are not the best for Apple devices.
Best Buy's trade-in program offers Best Buy gift cards, Amazon's offers Amazon gift cards, and Target's offers Target gift cards or cash via PayPal.
If, for some reason, you prefer to do a trade-in in person to get a gift card or cash right away, Target and Best Buy both offer in-store trade-ins. Other big box retailers like Walmart, Game Stop, and all carrier stores offer trade-in options. With carriers, you can often trade your device in when purchasing a new smartphone to get a discount.
There are so many that we can't go through them all, but it's worth knowing that all of them offer similar prices for devices, though some stores will sometimes do promos.
Other Trade-in Sites
There are dozens of trade-in sites that want to buy your old gear. We'll list a few of the most popular below, but remember, as noted above, it's a good idea to shop around and visit a few sites to get price comparisons for your specific device.
Gazelle - Gazelle is perhaps one of the best known independent trade-in sites. Gazelle's prices are not always the best, but it does offer promotions at times when new devices come out, and it's streamlined with a free shipping label provided. Gazelle has trade-in ecoATMs at various locations where you can get cash back instantly.
SellYourMac - If you need to trade-in or sell a Mac, SellYourMac is a solid choice with good reviews and prices that are competitive and often higher than other trade-in sites. Despite the name, SellYourMac also takes in iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. MacRumors readers can get an extra $10 on any trade-in worth $25 or more when entering the promo code "macrumors."
Decluttr - Based on our pricing spot checks, Decluttr offers trade-in prices on Apple devices that are higher than most other trade-in sites. There are a few mixed reviews to be aware of, though, with reports that Decluttr sometimes drops price offers or takes several days to provide payment.
BuyBackWorld - BuyBackWorld is another site that offers higher than average trade-in prices. Most reviews are positive as with Decluttr, but there are some negatives such as complaints about checks taking a long time to arrive. The site's customer service is also said to be lacking.
MacRumors Trade-in - Lots of tech sites, MacRumors included, offer trade-in programs that will give you cash back for your devices. These services are usually comparable to buyback sites like Gazelle, but aren't typically the best deal you can get. MacRumors' program is through MyPhonesUnlimited and while it's convenient and quick because a box is sent right to you, you can do better if you want to put in more effort.
It's Worth More - It's Worth More is similar to Decluttr, offering higher than average prices than you'll get from big box trade-in programs. Reviews for It's Worth More seem to be largely positive, but as with all of these trade-in programs, there are some complaints of offers being lower than expected once the devices are inspected.
Beyond the list here, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of other sites that will buy your old devices, but most of them are fairly similar. We'll be adding to this list if we come across any standout trade-in services that are worth highlighting.
Selling a Device Outright
You're always going to get the best price for an older device selling it yourself either in person using a platform like Craigslist to arrange a meetup or through a service like Swappa or eBay.
When using one of these sites to arrange a sell, your best bet is to search for similar devices to your own so you can see what the general price is, which will help you set your own price. You're generally going to want to price your device in the vicinity of the asking price of other devices so it will sell in a timely manner.
eBay - For smartphones and other electronics, eBay has an Instant Sale feature that estimates how much you can get on the site, which is handy. With Instant Sale, you can get an eBay voucher (rather than cash) right away from eBay. Not all devices are eligible for Instant Sale, so you may need to do a traditional listing and ship directly to a buyer. If you want cash, you can also do a standard listing.
Craigslist - Craigslist is designed to let you find buyers in your immediate area so you can cash for your devices quick. Setting up an in-person sale can be a hassle, and it will require meeting up with the potential buyer. Craigslist can let you sell your stuff without having to ship, and because it's a direct sale, you often get a lot more money than you do using a trade-in site.
Swappa - Swappa is basically like eBay, in that you can list your device for sale and sell it directly to a person to make more money than you'll get selling to a trade-in site. To sell on Swappa, your devices need to be fully functional, ready to activate (not locked or blacklisted) and without any cracks.
Sample Price Comparisons
Below, we priced out two devices. A newer iPhone and an older iPad to give you an idea of the differences you'll see on different trade-in sites. Remember, every device is going to vary in price from site to site, so it's best to shop around. Prices can even vary day to day, and we didn't always get the same price checking a few days after getting a price quote.
A 64GB iPhone X in silver color from Verizon in good or excellent condition, equating to no damage but some minor scratches from general use.
MacRumors - $390
Amazon - $357
Target - $330
Best Buy - $360
Verizon - $370
Gazelle - $352
It's Worth More - $516
BuyBackWorld - $480
Decluttr - $517
Apple - $349 ($450 w/ purchase)
Craigslist - ~$600
Swappa - ~$600
eBay - ~$550
A 32GB Wi-Fi only iPad mini 2 in good or excellent condition, equating to no damage but some minor scratches from general use.
MacRumors - $35
Amazon - $55
Target - $59
Best Buy - $70
Verizon - $45
Gazelle - $48
It's Worth More - $65
BuyBackWorld - $70
Decluttr - $63
Apple - $76
Craigslist - $75 - $100
Swappa - ~$100
eBay - ~$100
How to Get Your Device Ready to Sell or Trade-in
You're going to want to erase your iPhone, iPad, or Mac before you trade it in to make sure your personal data is gone and safe, and you'll also need to disable Find My iPhone and remove it from your iCloud account to make sure it's no longer Activation Locked.
If you're selling an Apple device to buy another Apple device, going with Apple's trade-in program is a good idea. Apple sends you a box to make it easy, provides decent prices that beat out many other trade-in sites, and gives you an Apple gift card to put towards another Apple purchase.
If you want cash and convenience, a site like Gazelle or Decluttr is worth checking out, but if you want the absolute most money, use eBay, Swappa, or Craigslist to sell a device directly to a person.
When you need to buy a new phone from a carrier, many carrier trade-in programs could be worth checking out just for the convenience, but no carrier or big box retailer is going to offer the best prices.
Guide Feedback
Know of a great trade-in option we left out or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.
Anker in late April announced the launch of its latest power adapter for charging Apple devices, the PowerPort Atom PD 2. Anker's newest PowerPort offers two USB-C charging ports and up to 60W of power in an enclosure that's smaller than standard stock laptop chargers.
The PowerPort Atom PD 2 uses Gallium nitride or GaN, a new material that allows semiconductor components to be shrunk down, leading to smaller charging accessories. Anker has been updating its power adapter line with GaN, bringing more compact charging options that take up less space.
Design wise, the PowerPort Atom PD 2 is smaller than your standard 61W or 87W charger for the MacBook Pro, but it's not as small and compact as the lower power 30W PowerPort Atom PD 1. It measures in at 2.68 inches by 2.72 inches and it's just over an inch thick.
Comparatively, Apple's 61W USB-C Power Adapter is 2.85 by 2.85 inches, and it's about the same thickness, so you're not saving a lot of space with the PowerPort Atom PD 2, but as explained below, it's a lot more versatile.
It's made from a shiny white plastic material with a gray face, an Anker logo at the side, and a charging indicator to let you know when it's in use. At the back, there's a set of retractable prongs that you can fold up when the power adapter isn't in use to make it easier to carrying around.
There are two USB-C ports built into the PowerPort Atom PD 2, which none of Apple's chargers can boast. With two USB-C ports, you're not limited to charging one USB-C device at a time. There are no cables included, so you're going to need to supply your own.
With the Atom PD 2, you can charge a MacBook and an iPad Pro at the same time at full speed using USB-C to USB-C cables, or charge a MacBook or iPad Pro and fast charge an iPhone using a USB-C to Lightning cable. There's a maximum of 60W of power available, so it can charge a 13-inch MacBook Pro at normal charging speed, just like the standard 61W power adapter from Apple.
You could also potentially use this to charge a 15-inch MacBook Pro, though it would charge your machine more slowly than an 87W power adapter. Still, 60W is enough to keep your MacBook Pro going with a moderate work load.
When you're charging a higher watt device like the 13-inch MacBook Pro, you're not going to want to have another device charging at the same time to make sure all 60 watts are going to the MacBook Pro. If you plug in multiple devices, the power is split and managed between devices.
I don't have a 13-inch MacBook Pro, but the PowerPort Atom PD 2 was able to charge my MacBook at the appropriate speed and fast charge my iPhone XS Max at the same time, providing a 50 percent charge from near dead in approximately 30 minutes. It also worked well with my 15-inch MacBook Pro for my standard workload, which involves web usage, Photoshop and other image editing tools, writing apps, and other miscellaneous apps.
Like all Anker devices, the PowerPort Atom PD 2 uses high quality components and features UL certification to ensure its safety.
Bottom Line
Anker's charging $54.99 for the PowerPort Atom PD 2, while Apple charges $69 for its 61W USB-C Power Adapter, which makes the PowerPort Atom PD 2 the obvious choice if you need an extra power adapter. Not only is it more affordable, you also get two USB-C ports that can be used for charging a single device at the full 60W or two devices with the 60W of power split between them.
If you have multiple USB-C devices at this point or want to be able to fast charge your iPhone with a USB-C to Lightning cable, Anker's PowerPort Atom PD 2 is a good buy.
Google today announced a new privacy-focused auto-delete option for automatically removing Location History and Web & App Activity after a set period of time.
You can now choose to delete your information manually, every three months, or every 18 months. With these settings enabled, Google will regularly clear out your data at the three month mark or the 18 month mark.
Prior to this change, Google allowed Location History and Web & App Activity to be disabled or manually deleted, but there were no controls for regular deletion, which may encourage more people to use these features.
Google's Location History feature tracks the locations that you've visited, while Web & App Activity tracks websites you've visited and apps that you've used. Google uses this information for recommendations and cross device syncing.
Google says the new controls for Location History and Web & App Activity will be rolling out "in the coming weeks," and has suggested the auto-delete functionality will be coming to additional features in the future.
Netflix today announced a new feature for its streaming TV and movie service, high-quality audio, which Netflix says takes its sound quality "to another level."
High-quality audio is designed to provide audio that more closely matches with what creators hear in the studio, resulting in a "richer, more intense experience."
Netflix's audio bitrate now goes up to 640 kb/s on devices supporting 5.1 surround sound and 768 kb/s for devices that support Dolby Atmos. For the improved Dolby Atmos sound, a Netflix Premium subscription is required.
Most TV devices that support 5.1 or Dolby Atmos are capable of receiving better sound. Depending on your device and bandwidth capabilities, the bitrate you receive may vary:
5.1: From 192 kbps (good) up to 640 kbps (great/perceptually transparent)
Dolby Atmos: From 448 kbps up to 768 kbps (Dolby Atmos is available for members subscribed to the Premium plan)
For those with bandwidth or device limitations, the high-quality audio feature is adaptive, so it will provide the best possible audio to match your device or connection's capabilities.
Netflix says its new bitrates will "evolve over time" as its encoding techniques get more efficient.
Apple recently objected to the logo of a new German cycling path in an appeal filed with the German Patent and Trademark Office, according to German outlets General-Anzeiger Bonn and Westdeutscher Rundfunk.
Apple reportedly takes issue with the logo's green leaf and supposed "bitten" right side, attributes the company believes are too similar to its own logo.
The logo, registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office in 2018, was designed for a new cycling path named Apfelroute that is set to open in the Rhine-Voreifel region of Germany on May 19. Rhine-Voreifel Tourism has already used the logo on uniforms, bike racks, cycling maps, banners, signposts, and more.
In addition to the appeal, lawyers representing Apple have reportedly sent letters to Rhine-Voreifel Tourism ordering them to stop using the logo, but the tourism agency believes it would be very expensive to do so.
"With the Apfelroute we have a completely different product and it is unbelievable that such a large company is attacking us," said one company official.
While it may sound unfair that a company as large as Apple is going after a small German tourist agency's cycling path logo, keep in mind that companies have an obligation to police and enforce their trademarks, as failure to do so could be viewed as abandonment, possibly resulting in the loss of trademark rights.
German reports suggest that Rhine-Voreifel Tourism narrowing the scope of the Apfelroute trademark will likely be enough for Apple to withdraw its opposition. If not, there is also the chance of an out-of-court settlement.
Best Buy is back with another sale today, offering discounts on a variety of Apple products and accessories. These include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPhone X, Apple Watch Series 4, and numerous products from Beats.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The most notable discount today is for the latest MacBook Air with 8GB RAM and 128GB of flash storage, priced at $949.99, down from $1,199.99. This is the lowest price ever seen for the notebook, and Best Buy has it in all three colors: Gold, Silver, and Space Gray.
Our Deals Roundup has more information on other sales happening this week, like discounts on the new AirPods and an exclusive discount on the ElevationDock 4.
Apple recently unveiled its revamped TV app with a new "Channels" feature that enables users to subscribe to TV networks on an à-la-carte basis and watch them all in the TV app without having to open another app.
Image: The Streamable
When the new TV app became available to test in the iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 betas in late March, subscription options were limited to Showtime, Starz, Smithsonian, and Tastemade. As noted by The Streamable, however, additional channels have been added as of the fourth betas of iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 this week.
The most notable addition is HBO for $14.99 per month, in time for the final three episodes of Game of Thrones, while other recently added channels include Cinemax, EPIX, Sundance Now, Lifetime Movie Club, and UMC.
When the new TV app is publicly released on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV later this month, other networks that will be supported in Apple TV Channels include CBS All Access, Nickelodeon, Mubi, The History Channel Vault, Comedy Central Now, Acorn TV, Britbox, Noggin, MTV Hits, and Shudder.
MacRumors is pleased to announce our Tenth Annual MacRumors Blood Drive, throughout the month of May 2019. Our goal is to save lives by increasing the number of life-saving blood and platelet donations. While most blood drives are specific to a geographic location, our blood drive is online and worldwide.
Over the past nine years, MacRumors Blood Drives have recorded donations of 544 units of blood, platelets, and plasma, and celebrated new signups for organ donor and bone marrow registries. We've heard from people whose lives were saved by blood, platelet, or bone marrow donations, including lives saved by complete strangers.
How to participate in the month of May
If you are eligible, schedule a blood or platelet donation (see FAQ), at any donation center near you. Then post in the MacRumors 2019 Blood Drive! thread to tell us about it and to accept our thanks. Or tell us if you register as an organ donor and/or register for the bone marrow registry (see FAQ).
If you aren't eligible to donate blood for reasons of age, health, height/weight, a recent donation, or because you are deferred as a donor, please encourage someone else to make a donation, and let us know. If they donate, you both belong on our Honor Roll. See our Blood donor eligibility thread for news about the deferral policies for gay men in different countries.
Share our message and help this cause by convincing friends and relatives to participate as well. The Honor Roll lists this year's donors. Please congratulate them for their generous acts on behalf of strangers.
From June 2019 to April 2020
In between MacRumors Blood Drives, join Team MacRumors and get credit for your interim donations in next year's drive. Anytime you donate, let us know, as follows:
Go to our team page and click PLEDGE TO GIVE BLOOD. (Bookmark the page for the future.)
Fill in your MacRumors username as your first name. Fill in @ macrumors as your last name.
In the comments field, tell us what type of donation and how many units, e.g., 1 unit of whole blood, 2 units of platelets, etc.
The email address and zip code fields don't matter. MacRumors won't use that information.
We look forward to another successful MacRumors Blood Drive. Thank you to our many donors over the last 9 years!
Spotify is beginning to test new podcast features for a select group of users, beginning with a playlist that suggests podcast episodes for you to listen to, interspersed with songs. 
Apple today 
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