MacRumors

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming macOS 10.15.4 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fifth beta and over a month after releasing macOS Catalina 10.15.3.

The ‌‌macOS Catalina‌‌ beta can be downloaded using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper software from the Developer Center.

macOS Catalina 10.15.4 includes Screen Time Communication Limits, a feature first brought to the iPhone in the iOS 13.3 update, and it brings a new Head Pointer Accessibility option that allows the cursor to be controlled with head movements using the Mac's camera.

Real-time lyrics are included in macOS 10.15.4, bringing an iOS feature introduced in iOS 13 to the Mac. Real-time lyrics allow the lyrics for a song to scroll in real-time to the music so you can follow along with what's being sung.

References to AMD processors have also been discovered in the macOS 10.15.4 beta, leading to speculation that Apple is working on AMD-based Macs, but these references could simply be for internal testing rather than evidence of an AMD Mac.

Though not directly part of macOS Catalina 10.15.4, Apple is adding a new universal purchase option for macOS and iOS apps, which will allow Apple device users to purchase one app that works across multiple platforms.

Following the launch of brand new models of the MacBook Air and iPad Pro, Apple today refreshed its certified refurbished storefront with new markdowns on previous generation devices.

To start, you can get a 2018 refurbished 13-inch ‌MacBook Air‌ (1.6GHz, 256GB) for $719.00, down from an original price of $1,199.00. Apple's 2020 ‌MacBook Air‌ has a new scissor switch keyboard and enhanced processors and graphics, but this is a solid deal for anyone willing to save money on an older model.

The 11-inch and 12.9-inch 2018 ‌iPad Pro‌ models are also further discounted on Apple's refurbished site. The 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ (64GB, Wi-Fi) is available for $549.00, down from $699.00, while the 12.9-inch (64GB, Wi-Fi) is available for $699.00, down from $899.00.

All refurbished iPad models come with a new battery, new outer shell, free delivery and returns, and are backed by a one-year warranty. They've been tested, cleaned, and repackaged in a brand new box with all accessories and cables.

For Macs, Apple promises that each model has been fully tested and cleaned, and they include genuine Apple part replacements if necessary. iMacs and MacBooks also include one-year warranties, and brand new boxes with the necessary accessories and cables.

Apple today announced that its iWork suite of productivity apps, including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, will soon be updated to take full advantage of trackpad support coming in iPadOS 13.4, which will be released on March 24.

From its press release for new iPad Pro models today:

Writing and editing text is a breeze in Pages, working with multiple objects in Keynote is easier than ever, and added levels of precision make working with even the largest spreadsheets a snap. Additional new features include gorgeous new templates in Pages and Keynote, giving users a head start on creating beautiful documents and, for the first time in iWork, users can add a drop cap to make a paragraph stand out with a large, decorative first letter.

Apple added that collaboration will also become easier with support for iCloud folder sharing, a feature expected to be available in iPadOS 13.4.

Apple today announced that iPadOS 13.4 will feature trackpad support for all iPad Pro models, the iPad Air 2 and later, the fifth-generation iPad and later, and the iPad mini 4 and later. The software update will be released on March 24.

Trackpad support paves the way for Apple's new Magic Keyboard for 2018 and later iPad Pro models, coming in May, as well as third-party options.

Logitech today introduced new keyboard cases with built-in trackpads for the 10.2-inch iPad and the 10.5-inch iPad Air, both priced at $149.95 in the United States. The keyboards have been listed on Apple's online store, although they are not yet available. The keyboards will connect to the Smart Connector on each iPad, with no batteries required.

The full-sized keyboards feature an integrated trackpad with Multi-Touch gesture support, backlit keys, a full row of iPadOS shortcut keys, a kickback stand with 50-degree tilt, and four usage modes for typing, viewing, reading, and sketching. The case adds some protection to the iPad and includes a holder for the original Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon.

The keyboard case for the 10.5-inch iPad Air is also compatible with the older 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

We'll provide an update when the keyboards are available to order.

In related news, Logitech has also released updated folio cases for the new iPad Pro models to accommodate the larger rear camera cutout.

Apple today announced that its new 2020 MacBook Air supports up to a 6K external display for the first time ever, including the Pro Display XDR.

Apple's Pro Display XDR is a 32-inch 6K monitor with a P3 wide color gamut and true 10-bit color support, 1,600 nits of peak brightness, a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a super-wide, off-axis viewing angle. It is also compatible with the new Mac Pro, 15-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models released in 2018 or later, and 2019 iMac models.

Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup earlier today with faster processors and graphics, a scissor switch Magic Keyboard, a lower starting price of $999, and more, with online availability beginning today. Read our announcement post for more details.

Alongside big new product releases, Apple today refreshed its online storefront with a wide variety of fresh accessories for the spring. This includes new colors for iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands, and updated versions of Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad.

Starting with iPhone, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max Silicone Cases now have new colors. This includes Cactus, Grapefruit, and Surf Blue. This is especially good news for iPhone 11 owners, whose previous options for Silicone Cases were just White and Black.

The Leather Folio for iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max is now available in Peacock. There are no new Leather Case colors for the iPhone 11 family this season.

Moving to Apple Watch bands, you can get these same three new colorways in Sport Bands as well, matching your iPhone 11's Cactus, Grapefruit, or Surf Blue accessory.

In Sport Loop there are five new colors: Sunshine, Vitamin C, Surf Blue, Neon Lime, and Neon Pink.

Nike Sport Bands were refreshed with Black/Lime Blast and Midnight Turquoise/Aurora Green. Additionally, Nike Sport Loops now have World Indigo/Lime Blast and Hyper Crimson/Neptune Green. All Sport Bands and Sport Loops cost $49.

You can now get the Modern Buckle in Raspberry and Deep Sea Blue for $149. There's a new Peacock Leather Loop as well, priced at $99.

Lastly for Apple Watch, the high-end Hérmes brand has five new options: Noir/Blanc/Gold Swift Leather Single Tour, Orange Swift Leather Single Tour, Noir Swift Leather Allover Print Double Tour, Blanc Swift Leather Allover Print Double Tour, and Noir Gala Leather Single Tour Rallye.

For the iPad, you can get a new Smart Keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro, priced at $179 for 11-inch and $199 for 12.9-inch.

There is also the Smart Folio for iPad Pro in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, featuring the new Cactus and Surf Blue colors. These cost $79 and $99 respectively.

If you have an iPad (seventh generation) or iPad Air (third generation), you can get a new Smart Cover in Cactus or Surf Blue for $49.

Finally, an iPad mini Smart Cover is also on sale in Cactus and Surf Blue options, priced at $39. None of the iPad cases include Grapefruit as a color option, seen in the iPhone and Apple Watch accessories.

To catch up on the rest of today's news, be sure to check out our posts on the new iPad Pro, new MacBook Air, and updated Mac mini.

Apple has shared two ads on its YouTube channel highlighting the power of its just-updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, including a new Magic Keyboard.

The first video, titled "Your next computer is not a computer," showcases the new features in the updated ‌iPad Pro‌, including the new A12Z Bionic chip, LiDAR Scanner for AR, triple-lens cameras, and the new Magic Keyboard with integrated trackpad.

The second ad, titled "How to correctly use a computer," features an ironic retro voiceover offering a "beginner's guide to proper computing," which basically goes against everything shown visually in the video as far as using an ‌iPad Pro‌ goes.

When the voiceover says "Start by taking a seat at your desk, sit up straight, and focus on only one task at a time" a girl is shown lounging around in a park while multi-tasking on an ‌iPad Pro‌, using a new Magic Keyboard, and wearing AirPods Pro.

The ad continues in a similar vein, showcasing the ruggedness of an ‌iPad Pro‌ when dropped into a bag, ("Treat your computer with respect"), the game-playing and AR capabilities ("It is not a toy"), and multi-touch gestures ("Do not touch the screen").

The ad finishes by highlighting the new Magic Keyboard's multi-touch trackpad ("Your computer comes with a standard arrow cursor") and the LTE-equipped ‌iPad Pro‌ model ("Must stay within reach of a Wi-Fi signal").

The new ‌iPad Pro‌ is available to order starting today on apple.com and in the Apple Store app. ‌iPad Pro‌ will be available in stores starting next week. The 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ starts at $799 for 128GB Wi-Fi, while the 12.9-inch model starts at $999 for 128GB Wi-Fi. More storage capacities include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, and cellular options are available.

The Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌ will be available to purchase in May in two versions: $299 for the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and $349 for the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. There are also new Smart Keyboard Folio accessories out today, priced at $179 for 11-inch and $199 for 12.9-inch.

Apple today announced that iPadOS 13.4 will launch next Tuesday, March 24 as a free software update for all iPad Pro models, the iPad Air 2 and later, fifth-generation iPad and later, and iPad mini 4 and later.

iPadOS 13.4 will introduce trackpad support for iPads. While this is mainly aimed at the upcoming Magic Keyboard accessory for ‌iPad Pro‌, Apple confirmed that any ‌iPad‌ running iPadOS 13.4 will be able to connect a Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, or third-party mice via Bluetooth or USB.

The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro won't launch until sometime in May. It will be priced at $299 for the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and $349 for the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, and include layouts for over 30 languages.

For more information on the all-new ‌iPad Pro‌, be sure to visit our post on the refreshed tablet right here. Apple today also announced a new MacBook Air and updated the Mac mini with double the storage capacity.

Apple today introduced a new iPad Pro with a faster A12Z Bionic chip, a new Magic Keyboard accessory with a built-in trackpad, an Ultra Wide camera, a LiDAR Scanner, and more. In Apple's description of the new tablet, it calls it "faster and more powerful than most Windows PC laptops."

The updated iPad Pro has a new camera system that features a 12MP Wide camera and a 10MP Ultra Wide camera, which can zoom out two times to capture a wider field of view. This brings the iPad Pro family in line with the most recent iPhones, which also sport the square-shaped triple-lens camera bump.

The device's new A12Z Bionic chip supports an eight-core GPU, enhanced thermal architecture, and tuned performance controllers. Apple said that professionals working on the iPad Pro can edit 4K video and design 3D models thanks to the internal update, and the new tablet has a 10 hour battery life, faster Wi-Fi, and gigabit-class LTE that's 60 percent faster than the previous generation.

The iPad Pro is still available in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, with an edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display and ProMotion technology. The tablet also now features five studio-quality microphones and four speakers that adjust to any orientation.

The new LiDAR Scanner measures the distance to surrounding objects up to 5 meters away, and enables advanced experiences with augmented reality on the iPad Pro. Apple said this means that ARKit apps on the new iPad Pro will get improved motion capture and people occlusion, leading to AR experiences "never before possible."

Lastly, Apple is adding trackpad support to iPadOS 13.4 and the new Magic Keyboard. This new accessory attaches magnetically to iPad Pro and includes a floating design that works well on both a lap or a desk. The Magic Keyboard features cantilevered hinges for smooth adjustments of the viewing angle up to 130 degrees, including a full-size keyboard with backlit keys and a scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm travel.

The Magic Keyboard also has USB-C pass-through charging and the new trackpad. With this, Apple said that users will be able to enhance their workflows in multiple ways: scrolling through web pages in Safari, photo libraries in Photos, precisely edit text in Notes, organizing Mail, and more. Most third-party apps will work with the trackpad as well, without any update required.

The new iPad Pro is available to order starting today on apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 30 countries and regions, including the US. iPad Pro will be available in stores starting next week. The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for 128GB Wi-Fi, while the 12.9-inch model starts at $999 for 128GB Wi-Fi. More storage capacities include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, and cellular options are available.

The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro will be available to purchase in May in two versions: $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. There are also new Smart Keyboard Folio accessories out today, priced at $179 for 11-inch and $199 for 12.9-inch.

Apple today updated its MacBook Air lineup with faster processors and graphics, a scissor switch Magic Keyboard, a lower starting price of $999, and more.

The new MacBook Air features Intel's latest 10th-generation Core processors, including up to a 1.2GHz quad-core Core i7 with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.8GHz, resulting in up to two times faster performance compared to the previous generation. And with Intel Iris Plus Graphics, the new MacBook Air delivers up to 80 percent faster graphics performance.

First introduced on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, the new MacBook Air features a Magic Keyboard with a redesigned scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm of key travel, plus a new inverted-"T" arrangement for the arrow keys. Most importantly, this keyboard should prove to be far more reliable than the problematic butterfly keyboard on the previous MacBook Air.

The new MacBook Air has a starting price of $999 with 256GB of storage in the United States, compared to $1,099 with 128GB of storage for the 2019 base model. Education pricing starting at $899 is available to current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff and homeschool teachers of all grade levels.

Overall, the new MacBook Air has a similar design as the previous model, including a 13-inch Retina display with True Tone, Touch ID, a Force Touch trackpad, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, stereo speakers, an Apple-designed T2 security chip, and three microphones.

The new MacBook Air can be ordered on Apple.com or in the Apple Store app starting today in most countries. It is available in space gray, silver, or gold.

Apple today updated the Mac mini so that standard configurations now come with double the storage capacity.

The $799 configuration now comes with 256GB of PCIe-based SSD storage, while the $1,099 configuration features 512GB of storage as standard. All ‌Mac mini‌ models use solid state storage, with up to 2TB of storage available for build-to-order purchases.

The new base configurations are live on Apple's website and currently ship in one business day. Apple Store Pickup is currently unavailable.

The ‌Mac mini‌ was last refreshed in October 2018, after more than four years without an update.

Announced earlier this week, Apple's new Powerbeats are now available through its online store for $149.95 in black, white, and red.

The new Powerbeats feature the same Apple-designed H1 chip as the Powerbeats Pro, second-generation AirPods, and AirPods Pro, enabling hands-free "Hey Siri" voice commands and faster pairing with iOS devices. The new Powerbeats also have up to 15 hours of battery life and a similar design as the Powerbeats Pro, but with a wire between each earpiece.

For more details about the new Powerbeats, read our announcement post earlier this week.