New sales have rolled out this Halloween, with Amazon marking down a selection of refurbished MacBook Pro models from 2018 and Adorama introducing the lowest price we've seen on Apple's iPhone XR Smart Battery Case.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Refurbished 15-Inch MacBook Pro (2018)
Amazon has a trio of refurbished 15-inch MacBook Pro models from 2018, with prices starting at $1,779.99. These sales are for the high-end configurations with 16GB RAM and Intel Core i7 processors, with savings reaching as high as $709 off the original prices of these models.
Amazon's "renewed" products are promised to work and look like new, and have been inspected and tested by Amazon-qualified suppliers. Each MacBook Pro comes with a 90-day guarantee, so if you aren't satisfied you can return the computer during that period.
If you're on the hunt for a Smart Battery Case for the iPhone XR, Adorama has marked down this accessory to the low price of $99.99, down from $129.00. At $29 off, this is the lowest price we've seen the iPhone XR Smart Battery Case at any of the major Apple resellers.
Apple's Smart Battery Case increases talk time up to 39 hours, Internet use up to 22 hours, and video playback up to 27 hours. It's also compatible with Qi-certified wireless chargers, so you'll be able to refuel the case and your iPhone at the same time. Head to Adorama to check out the sale before it ends.
Also note that the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max versions of this accessory are on sale for $102 on Amazon right now.
Head to our full Deals Roundup for a more detailed look at all of the latest Apple-related sales going on this week.
While it is unclear if the widely rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro will launch in 2019 or 2020, the latest report from DigiTimes claims that Apple will begin receiving volume shipments of the notebook in the fourth quarter of this year. Taiwan-based manufacturer Quanta Computer is said to be the key supplier.
The report reiterates that the 16-inch MacBook Pro will have an ultra-thin-bezel design, suggesting the overall size of the notebook might be similar to the existing 15-inch MacBook Pro despite having a larger display.
16-inch MacBook Pro concept by MacRumors
Apple receiving volume shipments of the 16-inch MacBook Pro in the fourth quarter does not necessarily mean the notebook will launch in the fourth quarter. Apple may simply be planning to stockpile the 16-inch MacBook Pro ahead of the U.S. government's proposed 15 percent import tariff on an additional round of Chinese goods, including notebooks, slated to take effect December 15.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo originally said the 16-inch MacBook Pro would launch in the fourth quarter of 2019 with an all-new design, including a scissor switch keyboard. As of late, however, Kuo has more vaguely stated that a "new MacBook model" with a scissor keyboard will launch in mid 2020. It's unclear if the "new MacBook model" that Kuo has referred to more recently is the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
The leaked Touch Bar design lends credence to the Esc key also being a separate, physical key again, as can be seen when zooming in to the previously leaked 16-inch MacBook Pro icon.
MacRumors has confirmed the location of the Touch Bar image in macOS Catalina. The filename includes "Device16."
Leaked 16-inch MacBook Pro vs current 15-inch MacBook Pro image. Touch Bar and size differences pic.twitter.com/b1qJvuo2hM
— MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) October 31, 2019
DigiTimes previously said the 16-inch MacBook Pro would launch by the end of October, and today is the final day of the month. The site does not have the best track record when it comes to the timing of new Apple products, but its connections within Apple's supply chain are occasionally accurate.
Apple has bought the "AirTag" trademark for its rumored item tracking device from a Russian group of companies that specializes in RFID technology, according to a Russian media outlet.
RBC reports that a group called ISBC, which describes itself as "The leading smart card and RFID tag manufacturer in Russia," recently sold Apple the "AirTag" trademark as part of an agreement that would see the group develop its products under a single brand, according to a source familiar with the details of the transaction.
In a statement posted on the ISBC website today, the group confirmed that it had completed a transaction to transfer the rights to the "AirTag" trademark, but said that details about buyer would not be disclosed under the terms of confidentiality.
ISBC® group of companies have decided to bet on enhancing development of its own products under a single namesake trademark ISBC®. This rebranding decision is very much conditioned by international deal on assignment of the trademark AIRTAG®.
[...]
Transfer of RFID keyfobs from AIRTAG® brand to our flagship one - ISBC® - evidences our confidence in future of the product and solutions related. Confidentiality agreed does not allow us to disclose the deal in detail. But we may express our confidence the the future of AIRTAG® trademark we have envisaged and registered internationally will be bright, the whole world will learn and love the new product so named.
On Monday, the public release of iOS 13.2 revealed information suggesting Apple may be planning to call its rumored Tile-like item tracking accessory "AirTags."
Looking into the status of trademark activity surrounding the term, MacRumors came across some curious recent developments that could be signs of Apple acquiring the trademark rights, although a smoking gun concretely linking Apple to the activity was unavailable at the time.
Apple is rumored to be working on Tile-like Bluetooth trackers that can be used to keep track of items that are often lost, such as keys, wallets, and more.
Multiple rumors have confirmed Apple's work on AirTags, which are expected, based on leaked assets, to be little round circles that can be attached to your items to make them locatable through the Find My app right alongside your Apple devices.
AirTags will connect to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more via Bluetooth, and will leverage the ultra-wideband U1 chip in the newest iPhones for more precise indoor tracking that's unmatched by competitors.
As we found earlier this year, there will also be an augmented reality component that will let you use your device's camera to pinpoint exactly where a lost item might be. Longer-range tracking will also be available, and AirTags will likely take advantage of the offline crowd-sourced tracking feature that was added in iOS 13.
There is no word on when AirTags will be released, but given that Apple has been adding new details to each beta, there's a possibility that the accessories are coming this year, perhaps even quite soon.
iFixit today shared a teardown of the new $249 AirPods Pro, and perhaps unsurprisingly, the organization awarded Apple's latest wireless earphones the same zero repairability score as both versions of original AirPods.
Apart from the replaceable $4-a-pair proprietary silicone tips that provide noise isolation and enhanced fit on the AirPods Pro, it's the same story as Apple's previous generation AirPods as far as repairs go. But there were a couple of new tidbits of information that the disassembly did reveal.
In terms of weight, each AirPod Pro bud comes in at 0.19 oz (5.4 g), which is fully a third heavier than the prior version AirPod earbuds. The new charging case is also notably chunkier, weighing 1.61 oz (45.6 g), compared to the original case's 1.34 oz (38 g).
iFixit also discovered a 1.98 Wh watch-style button cell battery inside each AirPod, replacing the pin-type battery found in the original AirPods. iFixit notes that this could be the same battery found in Samsung's Galaxy Buds, and those are replaceable, but Apple has tethered the battery to a soldered cable, so AirPods customers will have no such luck.
As noted by iFixit, Apple apparently confirmed on Wednesday that the new AirPods Pro are no more repairable than previous versions of the wireless earbuds because of their size and build process.
An update to Monday’s report: Apple has confirmed that the new AirPods Pro are no more repairable than previous versions of the wireless earbuds. The pods are made partly with recyclable materials but due to size and build process (i.e glue) it doesn’t repair. Just replace.
— Lauren Goode (@LaurenGoode) October 30, 2019
For its part, however, iFixit believes Apple could theoretically replace the in-ear portion of the earbuds and re-use the original stems – which include the System on Package (SiP), antennas, microphones, and Force sensor – but the company has chosen not to do so, for whatever reason. iFixit's teardown concludes:
While theoretically semi-serviceable, the non-modular, glued-together design and lack of replacement parts makes repair both impractical and uneconomical.
From a customer perspective, this means that once the battery dies in the AirPods Pro, it will need to be completely replaced. The left and right AirPod cost $89 each to replace in the United States, totaling $178 for a pair.
However, the fees are lower if a customer has purchased AppleCare+ for Headphones. The plan costs $29 upfront, plus charges a $29 fee to replace a pair of damaged AirPods Pro or their case. This coverage applies for up to two years from the date AppleCare+ is purchased and is limited to two incidents.
This article explains how to delete your Siri audio interaction history and opt out of sharing audio recordings with Apple on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
In 2019, it was discovered that Apple hired contractors to listen to a small percentage of anonymized Siri recordings to evaluate the virtual assistant's responses with the purpose of improving accuracy and reliability.
The Guardianrevealed that Apple employees working on Siri often heard confidential details while listening to the audio recordings. Apple was subsequently criticized for not making it clear to customers that some of their Siri recordings were being used to improve the service.
Soon after the report, Apple suspended its Siri grading practices and promised users that it would introduce tools in a forthcoming update that would allow them to opt out of sharing their audio recordings.
With the release of iOS 13.2 in October 2019, those new tools arrived on iPhone and iPad, allowing users to delete their Siri and Dictation history and opt out of sharing audio recordings. Apple also subsequently made the same tools available on its HomePod smart speakers.
It's important to note that HomePod's Siri settings are independent from your iOS device's Siri settings, so if you want to opt out of Siri Audio Sharing and delete your Siri audio history completely, you'll have to disable them separately.
Launch the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Tap the HomePod card on the main Home screen.
Tap the cog icon in the bottom-right corner of the HomePod card to take you to the device's settings.
Tap Analytics & Improvements.
If you don't want to let Apple review your recordings, toggle off the switch next to Improve Siri & Dictation.
Note that you can tap the link under the toggle for more information relating to Apple's Siri analytics policy.
How to Delete Your Siri Audio History on HomePod
Launch the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
Tap the HomePod card on the main Home screen.
Tap the cog icon in the bottom-right corner of the HomePod card to take you to the device's settings.
Tap Siri History.
Tap Delete Siri History.
Apple will inform you that your request was received and that your Siri and dictation history will be deleted. That's all there is to it.
In addition to these new Siri and Dictation-related privacy features, Apple also says it is making further changes to its human grading process that will minimize the amount of data that reviewers have access to.
Apple's chief financial officer Luca Maestri has provided a clue that the iPad Pro might not be refreshed in 2019.
Speaking on Apple's earnings call this afternoon, Maestri said that Apple's revenue guidance for the holiday quarter accounts for the fact that the iPad Pro will have different launch timing on a year-over-year basis. Apple's holiday quarter runs from late September through the end of December.
In other words, while Apple refreshed its iPad Pro lineup in October 2018, Maestri is suggesting that there will not be another iPad Pro refresh until at least 2020 and that Apple has factored that decision into its guidance.
While multiple reports indicated that Apple planned to refresh the iPad Pro this October, it is unlikely with only one full day left in the month. One report did claim the iPad Pro will be updated in March 2020, a common month for an Apple event, and that timeframe is looking more likely in light of Maestri's comments.
The next iPad Pro models are expected to feature 3D sensing added to the rear-facing camera system, which could be expanded to three lenses like iPhone 11 Pro models. On a speculative note, the iPad Pro could also potentially beat iPhone 12 models to 5G, in line with the iPad gaining LTE support before the iPhone in 2012.
March 2020 would make sense given the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has been refreshed once every 18 months or so on average. A refresh this fall would have been around only 12 months after the October 2018 refresh. But, nothing is for certain.
Multiple users complained that the update rendered their HomePods nonfunctional, locking it into a boot loop, especially after resetting the device or removing it from the Home setup after installing the update.
Apple pulled the 13.2 software after a few hours, and warned customers against resetting their HomePods or removing them from the Home app.
The new 13.2.1 version of the software presumably does not feature the same bricking issue, and its release notes are the same as the 13.2 update:
iOS 13.2.1 provides support for new HomePod features:
- The ability for HomePod to recognize the voices of different family members to provide a personalized experience - Handoff music, podcasts, or phone calls by bringing your iPhone close to HomePod - Add music to your HomeKit scenes - Play relaxing high-quality soundtracks with Ambient Sounds - Set sleep timers to fall asleep to music or Ambient Sounds
The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.
Customers who did install the 13.2 update and ended up with a bricked HomePod will need to contact Apple for a replacement unit.
With the launch of Apple TV+ approaching, Apple CEO Tim Cook was today asked about Apple's plan to offer a free Apple TV+ subscription to customers who purchase an Apple device, and whether that's something that Apple plans to continue doing in the future.
According to Cook, Apple made the decision to offer a free Apple TV+ subscription to customers who purchase a new Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch because it would be a "good gift" for customers and because it would get the content into the hands of more people.
"We look at each service and decide what's best to do for it," Cook explained. He said that if you look at Apple's other services, this isn't something that's happening beyond Apple TV+, so it's not part of a broader pattern.
"I won't rule out that we won't see another opportunity in the future," Cook added, leaving the door open for the possibility of future hardware and services bundling options.
Apple CEO Tim Cook today said that Apple set new fourth quarter revenue records for wearables in every market that it operates in thanks to strong sales of the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Beats headphones.
Cook said that Apple saw "amazing results" in the wearables, home, and accessories category with revenue hitting $6.5 billion. That's up from $4.2 billion in the year-ago quarter, which is impressive growth. Cook said that Apple is "thrilled" with its wearables category specifically.
We're thrilled with the results. As to what's driving it - it's the totality that's driving it. For some people, it's about fitness, for some people it's about health, for some people it's about communication, and for some people, it's about all of the above. I think always-on for the Series 5 is a game changer for many of our users.
According to Cook, three quarters of Apple Watch buyers were new to Apple Watch. Apple is still "significantly in the build mode" in terms of getting them in the hands of more consumers.
Cook also touched briefly on Apple's focus on health. Cook said that Apple plans to improve on Health related efforts that it has now such as medical records and health research, but that there are also "things that we aren't going to talk about just yet," perhaps referring to future Apple Watch features.
"There will be a day that we look back and see Apple's greatest contribution to people's health," Cook said.
Ahead of today's earnings call covering the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an interview with Reuters that iPhone 11 sales are off to a "very, very good start" so far, and the launch has led to improved sales in key markets like China.
In China in particular, the lower $699 starting price of the iPhone 11 is "more similar to the price points that [Apple] had great success with in the past," Cook said, which helped drive sales.
Apple is predicting strong holiday quarter sales with guidance between $85.5 billion to $89.5 billion, and Cook said that the guidance is based on strong sales of services and wearables as well as promising early sales of the new 2019 iPhones. Apple no longer provides specific sales data on the iPhone, so it's difficult to determine how many of the new devices that Apple sold.
Cook said that the numbers also reflect Apple's belief that the United States and China will resolve their trade dispute. "I don't know every chapter of the book, but I think that will eventually happen," Cook said. "I certainly hope it happens during the quarter, but we'll see about that."
Lowering iPhone prices for older iPhones in China has also helped slow mid-year sales declines. iPhone sales in China picked up towards the end of the quarter, and Apple also saw double-digit services revenue growth in China. Cook attributed it to several factors during the earnings call:
We had a very good September in the lead of that is sort of the reception of iPhone 11 and 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max and so we feel really good about how we've gotten started there. As you can tell from the numbers, we've significantly improved from the beginning of the year.
There's a very slight growth there. We obviously want that to be better, but we feel good about how we're doing. I think it's a combination of things that have turned things around. On a macro basis, I think the trade tension is less, which clearly looks positive.
Secondly, the products have been extremely well received there. Third, the things that we've done from a pricing, financing, and trade-in point of view, all of these things have moved the dial. It's the sum of all that.
Cook also said that services, wearables, and other devices played a role in growing revenue in China alongside the iPhone. "Lots of positives there," he said.
In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, Apple's services segment brought in $12.5 billion, up from $10.6 billion in the year-ago quarter and $11.46 billion in the third quarter of 2019. Services grew 18 percent year-over-year, and Apple said that it saw growth in all regions around the world.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that almost every one of Apple's services set new all-time revenue records, including its search ad business, Apple Music, Apple Care, cloud services, and the App Store. Apple's services category is now the size of a Fortune 70 company by revenue.
450M paid subscribers across its services. Apple well on the way to surpassing the 500M mark during 2020.
For Apple Pay, revenue and transactions more than doubled year over year with more than 3 billion transactions, growing four times as fast as PayPal. Apple now has 450 million paid subscribers across its services, and is on its way to surpassing the 500 million mark in 2020.
Apple later this week will unveil Apple TV+, a new $4.99 per month streaming television service. Apple TV+ revenue will be limited for the first year as Apple is giving it away for free to customers who have purchased a new device, but along with Apple News+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Card, Apple TV+ could drive significant services growth in the future.
During today's earnings call for the fourth quarter of 2019, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a new feature that's coming to Apple Card later this year -- fee free iPhone payments.
Customers will be able to purchase a new iPhone using Apple Card and pay for it over 24 months with no interest. Customers will continue to get three percent cash back for the purchase as well.
There's no specific word on when the iPhone payment plan will be available, but Cook did say that it's coming this year, so it could perhaps be introduced ahead of the holiday season.
Cook said that Apple has been "thrilled" with the reception to Apple Card since its August launch. He said that Apple believes it was the "most successful launch of a credit card in the United States ever."
Apple today announced financial results for the third calendar quarter and fourth fiscal quarter of 2019.
For the quarter, Apple posted revenue of $64.0 billion and net quarterly profit of $13.7 billion, or $3.03 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $62.9 billion and net quarterly profit of $14.1 billion, or $2.91 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Earnings per share set a new fourth quarter record, while services revenue set an all-time quarterly record.
Gross margin for the quarter was 38.0 percent, compared to 38.3 percent in the year-ago quarter, with international sales accounting for 60 percent of revenue. Apple also declared an upcoming dividend payment of $0.77 per share, payable November 14 to shareholders of record as of November 11.
This quarter marks a full year since Apple changed the way it reports its results, with the company no longer providing unit sales data for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. As a result, Apple is only providing revenue figures for its various segments, leaving analysts to estimate unit sales based on their own calculations
For the full fiscal year, Apple generated $260.2 billion in sales with $55.3 billion in net income, compared to $265.5 billion in sales and $59.5 billion in net income for fiscal 2018.
“We concluded a groundbreaking fiscal 2019 with our highest Q4 revenue ever, fueled by accelerating growth from Services, Wearables and iPad,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “With customers and reviewers raving about the new generation of iPhones, today’s debut of new, noise-cancelling AirPods Pro, the hotly-anticipated arrival of Apple TV+ just two days away, and our best lineup of products and services ever, we’re very optimistic about what the holiday quarter has in store.”
Apple's guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 includes expected revenue of $85.5-89.5 billion and gross margin between 37.5 and 38.5 percent.
Apple will provide live streaming of its fiscal Q4 2019 financial results conference call at 2:00 PM Pacific, and MacRumors will update this story with coverage of the conference call highlights.
Today's the official launch date for the AirPods Pro that Apple surprised us with on Monday, so of course we went to pick some up at an Apple retail store this morning to give MacRumors readers a rundown of the new features and our first impressions.
In this video, we'll go over the new design, the AirPods Pro capabilities, and determine whether Apple's newest earbuds are worth the $249 price.
Design wise, the AirPods Pro are recognizable as AirPods, but there are some distinct differences compared to earlier AirPods. The stem, for example, is much shorter, and it now has a new Force sensor feature that supports gestures.
Squeeze the stem to play or pause your music, squeeze it two times to skip forward a track, and squeeze it three times to skip back. Pressing and holding will also switch between different listening modes, which we'll get to in a second.
The other major AirPods Pro design change is the inclusion of new silicone tips that are designed to fit inside of the ears. The AirPods Pro ship with silicone tips in three sizes, and the tips just snap right on and off. Apple has even designed a fit test that makes sure you're using the right size tip for your ear size.
We found the AirPods Pro to be comfortable and secure in the ears, though they definitely have a different feel from the original AirPods. Those silicone tips enable a key AirPods Pro feature -- Active Noise Cancellation. Apple has included Active Noise Cancellation in some Beats headphones in the past, but this is the first time the company has released earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation functionality.
Active Noise Cancellation worked well in our testing, drowning out the sound of a loud furnace fan and people in nearby offices. There's also a Transparency mode that Apple added, which tunes down Active Noise Cancellation so you can hear the environment around you.
Swapping between Active Noise Cancellation and the Transparency mode that lets you hear traffic, announcements, and more, can be done with a press and hold on the stem of the AirPods Pro. You can also turn it off and on using the Control Center on the iPhone.
Apple touts audio quality as a major improvement in the AirPods Pro, and they do indeed sound good. There is a noticeable difference in quality between the AirPods and the AirPods Pro, so if you were satisfied with the AirPods, you'll be even more impressed with the AirPods Pro.
There's an Adaptive EQ feature in the AirPods Pro, which Apple says automatically tunes the low and mid frequencies of the music to the shape of an individual's ear for a "rich, immersive listening experience." In practice, we were better able to distinguish between each instrument, and everything was crisp and clear.
It's worth noting that the AirPods Pro are IPX4 water resistant, which means they're going to hold up to sweat and perhaps some light splashing from the rain, but you shouldn't submerge them and should make an effort to keep them dry when possible.
There's an H1 chip in the AirPods Pro, which was also included in the AirPods 2, so all of the quick setup and device swapping features are present, plus hands-free "Hey Siri" commands are supported.
When it comes to the Wireless Charging Case for the AirPods Pro, it looks a lot like the standard AirPods case but it's fatter than the previous version because it needs to accommodate those silicone tips.
It has the same capabilities as the original case, offering up somewhere around 24 hours of battery life for the AirPods Pro, with a 5 minute fast charge feature that provides an hour of listening time. It can be charged using the included Lightning to USB-C cable or via a Qi-based wireless charger because it does support wireless charging.
As for the AirPods Pro themselves, the battery lasts for up to 4.5 hours with Active Noise Cancellation turned on, or up to five hours if it's disabled. If you're talking on the phone, expect 3.5 hours of talk time with ANC on.
AirPods Pro are $50 more than the AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case, and with the Active Noise Cancellation, comfortable fit, and superior sound, choosing AirPods Pro over AirPods 2 makes a lot of sense.
Whether or not they're worth the upgrade for those that already have AirPods is something everyone will need to decide for themselves. They sound great and have ANC, but the AirPods and AirPods 2 are also fantastic little headphones and some people may not need to upgrade if they're happy with what they have now.
Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors because we'll also be doing an in-depth comparison between the AirPods Pro, the standard AirPods, and the Powerbeats Pro in the coming days.
Apple is rumored to be working on a Tile-like Bluetooth tracking device called AirTags, which we've been seeing signs of in various versions of iOS for the last couple of months.
We have additional AirTags screenshots to share today, sent in by a MacRumors reader. The updated images are similar to images that we found in an early version of iOS 13 back in September, but with some updates that are more in line with the current look of the Find My app.
Both screenshots depict an updated Find My app with a bar at the bottom for "People," "Devices," "Items," and "Me." The earlier screenshots that we saw didn't have the "Me" option in the bottom bar, suggesting Apple was still in the process of refining the look of the app.
The placeholder suitcase emoji that was used in the original screenshot has also now been updated with a backpack emoji.
The screenshots are otherwise the same, referring to the AirTags by their codename, "B389." The AirTags setup process, as we discovered earlier this week in a separate screenshot, will consist of pulling the tab on the AirTag and then bringing it close to the iPhone to begin the setup process.
From there, the AirTags will presumably connect to the iPhone and that's when users will see the "Add" option with Apple's wording: "Tag your everyday items with [AirTags] and never lose them again."
The AirTags name was first unveiled earlier this week in assets found in the iOS 13.2 update. We've also previously seen placeholder images that suggest the AirTags could perhaps be small, circular white tags that can be attached to items to make them locatable through the Find My app.
AirTags will connect to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and more via Bluetooth, and will leverage the ultra-wideband U1 chip in the newest iPhones for more precise indoor tracking that's unmatched by competitors like Tile.
We're also expecting an augmented reality component that will take advantage of a device's camera to pinpoint exactly where an item might be. Longer-range tracking will also be available, and AirTags will likely take advantage of the offline crowd-sourced tracking feature that was added in iOS 13.
We don't yet know when AirTags might be released, but Apple has been adding new AirTags info to each beta, so there's a possibility that we could potentially see AirTags launch before the end of the year.
We've been hearing rumors about the 16-inch MacBook Pro for months now, and saw possible reference images of the device in the macOS Catalina 10.15.1 beta.
Now macOS Catalina 10.15.1 is out, and it appears the update was hiding even more 16-inch MacBook Pro secrets -- including an image of the machine's updated Touch Bar and Touch ID layout.
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature a Touch ID power button that's separate from the Touch Bar, as first found by 9to5Mac. That's a design change that's distinct from the 15-inch MacBook Pro, which has its Touch ID button positioned as an extension of the Touch Bar.
There have also been hints based on the previously leaked images that the 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature a separate ESC key that is an actual physical key that's no longer a part of the Touch Bar. That's not confirmed in the image found today, but given that the Touch ID button is separate, it would make sense for the escape key to be separate as well.
GIF depicting current MacBook Pro and the new 16-inch MacBook Pro design
The original 16-inch MacBook Pro icon that was discovered earlier in October has now been removed from macOS Catalina 10.15.1, which suggests that the images being found in the update are not signs of an imminent release as previously thought.
We were expecting the 16-inch machine to see a launch in October, but the month is close to over and Apple made no announcements beyond the AirPods Pro this week, so it's not entirely clear when the new MacBook Pro is going to launch.
It could, of course, still come in November or December, but historically, Apple hasn't done many late fall updates. Chances of a fall event also seem highly unlikely because October is almost over and Apple hasn't held a non-October fall event.
A recent investor's note from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested a new MacBook with a scissor keyboard is going to launch in the late second quarter or early third quarter, and given that he previously said the 16-inch MacBook Pro would use such a keyboard, it's possible (but not confirmed) he's referring to the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
In that case, we would be waiting until 2020 for the new higher-end 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Apple's original high-end AirPods Pro feature several improvements over the second-generation AirPods, including active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and water and sweat resistance. To help decide between the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, read our side-by-side comparison of the earphones below.
AirPods vs. AirPods Pro Differences
AirPods Pro features in bold:
$249 vs $129
Three Ear Tip Sizes vs. One
Noise Cancelation vs. None
Water Resistance vs. None
Design and Fit Differences
AirPods Pro sport an in-ear design with three sizes of soft, flexible silicone tips that click into place, including small, medium, and large. Meanwhile, the standard AirPods have a one-size fits all design. While many people found this adequate, some users had issues with the original AirPods design falling our or hurting their ears. Apple says the new tips are designed to conform to your ear shape, keeping the AirPods Pro secure, while a vent system equalizes pressure to minimize discomfort.
AirPods Pro also have a feature named the Ear Tip Fit Test that checks the fit of the earphones in your ears to determine which size of ear tips provides the best seal and acoustic performance. Ear Tip Fit Test can be accessed by tapping the info icon next to your AirPods Pro in Settings > Bluetooth.
Apple says advanced algorithms work together with the inward-facing microphones in each AirPod to measure the sound level in the ear and compare it to what is coming from the speaker driver. In just seconds, the algorithm detects whether the ear tip is the right size and has a good fit, or should be adjusted.
AirPods Pro and AirPods both have a familiar white plastic design with a stem dropping below the ear. However, while the regular AirPods are also placed in the ear, they do not have silicone ear tips.
Size and Weight Differenes
AirPods Pro are very slightly heavier than regular AirPods at 5.4 grams per earphone versus 4.0 grams, respectively. Apple says the AirPods Pro are engineered for comfort and fit, something many early reviews back.
AirPods Pro Only: Noise Cancellation and Transparency Modes
AirPods Pro feature active noise cancellation, removing background noise and allowing a user to focus on what they're listening to.
Two microphones assist with this feature. The first is outward-facing and detects external sound, which the AirPods Pro then cancel out with anti-noise before it reaches the listener's ear. A second inward-facing microphone listens toward the ear so that the AirPods Pro can cancel out any remaining noise detected.
Apple says the noise cancellation feature continuously adapts the sound signal 200 times per second for the best results.
If a user wants to hear something around them, they can simply press and hold the force sensor on the stem of the AirPods Pro to jump between active noise cancellation and "Transparency" mode, which lets outside sound in when necessary, such as when paying for a coffee or talking to someone nearby.
AirPods Pro have a "force sensor" on the stem to switch between active noise cancellation and Transparency mode. Press the force sensor once to play, pause, or answer a phone call; press twice to skip forward; press three times to skip back; and press and hold to switch between the listening modes.
The regular AirPods do not have a force sensor, active noise cancellation, or a Transparency mode.
Sound Quality Improvements in AirPods Pro
Apple says the AirPods Pro deliver "superior sound quality" thanks to "Adaptive EQ," which automatically tunes the low- and mid-frequencies of the music to the shape of an individual's ear.
Apple on the AirPods Pro:
A custom-built high-excursion, low-distortion driver delivers powerful bass. A super efficient high dynamic range amplifier produces pure, incredibly clear sound while also extending battery life. And Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to suit the shape of your ear for a rich, consistent listening experience.
Early reviews have generally agreed that the AirPods Pro sound better than the regular AirPods, but there will always be some subjectiveness.
AirPods Pro also feature an expanded mesh microphone port that Apple says improves call clarity in windy situations.
Battery Life Similar
Apple says the AirPods Pro last up to 4.5 hours per charge with noise cancellation and Transparency mode enabled. With those features disabled, the AirPods last up to five hours, consistent with the regular AirPods.
AirPods Pro also provide up to 3.5 hours of talk time per charge, up slightly from three hours with the second-generation AirPods.
Both the AirPods and AirPods Pro come with charging cases that provide additional charges for more than 24 hours of total listening time and more than 18 hours of total talk time. AirPods Pro have a wider charging case to accommodate the ear tips, but the battery does not appear to be much larger.
Added Water Resistance in AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro feature IPX4-rated water resistance, while the AirPods have no water resistance rating.
The "4" in "IPX4" means "water splashing against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effect." Apple says the AirPods Pro are "sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise," so the earphones should not be submerged in any amount of water or else damage may occur.
What's in the Box for Each
AirPods Pro come with a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box, whereas regular AirPods have a Lightning to USB-A cable. AirPods Pro also ship with three sizes of ear tips, a wireless charging case, and documentation.
"Hey Siri" and Bluetooth: Same
Both the second-generation AirPods and AirPods Pro feature an Apple-designed H1 chip that enables hands-free "Hey Siri" support for calling someone, controlling music playback, having messages read aloud, and more with voice commands. The first-generation AirPods do not support this feature.
Both the AirPods and AirPods Pro support Bluetooth 5.0.
Pricing Difference
In the United States, AirPods Pro are priced at $249 with a wireless charging case. The second-generation AirPods are available for $129. In other words, the AirPods Pro are $120 more expensive than AirPods.
AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Bottom Line
The regular AirPods are a perfectly fine choice for truly wireless earphones, with roughly the same battery life as the AirPods Pro. Choose the higher-end AirPods Pro if you desire improved sound, noise cancellation, and water resistance.
This article shows you how to perform an AirPods Pro Ear Tip Fit Test, which checks the fit of your AirPods ear tips to determine which size provides the best seal and acoustic performance.
How Does the AirPods Ear Tip Fit Test Work?
Unlike previous generation AirPods, AirPods Pro come with three sizes of silicone tips for a customizable fit. These tips help to form a seal appropriate for optimizing the audio experience and the noise cancelling and Transparency modes, so it's important that you choose the right size tip for your ears.
The Ear Tip Fit Test is designed to help you with that, by testing the quality of the seal and identifying the best ear tip size for you. After placing AirPods Pro in each ear and running the test, algorithms work together with the microphones in each AirPod to measure the sound level in the ear and compare it to what's coming from the speaker driver.
The algorithm detects whether the ear tip is the right size and has a good fit, or should be adjusted to create a better seal. Here's how to perform the test.
How to Run the AirPods Pro Ear Tip Fit Test
Allow your AirPods to connect to your iPhone or iPad in the usual way, by opening the case next to your device and inserting the buds in your ears.
Launch the Settings app on your iOS device.
Tap Bluetooth.
Under My Devices, tap the information icon (the circled "i") next to AirPods Pro in the list.
Tap Ear Tip Fit Test.
Tap Continue.
Make sure you're wearing both AirPods, then press the blue Play button at the bottom of the screen.
Check your Ear Tip Fit results under the corresponding left and right AirPod images. A good seal is shown in green, while a sub-optimal seal shows up in yellow.
Tap Done.
If you get a yellow result for an AirPod, adjust the earbud or try a different ear tip, then run the test again to see if it's been fixed.
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