Apple has postponed production of its rumored 2018 MacBook Air model to the second half of the year, according to supply chain sources (via DigiTimes).
A new version of Apple's most affordable MacBook was expected to go into mass production in the second quarter, but the company has reportedly already informed supply chain partners of the deferment, without revealing its reasoning behind the decision.
The sources said that Apple has informed supply chain partners that mass production of its new notebook model for 2018 will not kick off until the second half of the year, yet without explaining the rescheduling move. Some partners speculated that the postponement might be caused by problems with some key components such as processors.
DigiTimes was first to report on Apple's intention to release a new entry-level 13-inch MacBook, due in the second half of 2018, which would serve as a replacement for the MacBook Air. Two months later, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a research note claiming Apple has a "more affordable MacBook Air" set to be released at some point in 2018.
Kuo didn't offer any details on what to expect in an updated MacBook Air beyond a lower price tag, but DigiTimes believes Apple could upgrade the MacBook Air with a Retina display, which has led to speculation about whether the machine will be an updated MacBook Air or a lower-cost MacBook.
Bolstering these claims, Taiwanese site Economic Daily News believes Apple is working on a more affordable version of the MacBook Air with a price point of $799 to $899, while Bloombergclaims Apple is working on a new MacBook that costs under $1,000, but it isn't clear whether it's in the MacBook Air family or a new sub-$1,000 machine in the MacBook line.
The original plan for a second-quarter introduction pointed to an April–June timeframe, which indicated the new model could be announced at WWDC in June, but news of the deferred production makes that suggestion seem less likely, with an October release looking more probable.
As a result, some MacBook Air supply chain partners who have readied their material inventories to support second-quarter production now reportedly face low capacity utilization before starting to deliver shipments in the third quarter, according to DigiTimes' sources.
The current MacBook Air models haven't seen any substantial updates in three years. Since that time, Apple has discontinued the 11-inch model, while the only recent upgrade to the 13-inch model has been a bump to the base processor option last June, but it's still a Broadwell chip from the 2014–15 timeframe.
Twitter has updated the way its main timeline treats trending news stories, so that tweets from users linking the same story get grouped together (via BuzzFeed).
The change means users will now see a banner at the top of their feed that lists links to a particular story from people they follow, and should prevent users from seeing multiple shared links to the same story in their timeline.
The update represents the latest move in an ongoing strategy to make the social media platform more news-centric, with recent experiments focusing on algorithmically curated timelines for major events, combining news reports with tweets by the public.
Image via BuzzFeed
Twitter has also been testing a "camera-first" feature that's designed to put more emphasis on video and images. The feature combines location-based photos and videos with Twitter Moments around notable events, with companies able to sponsor events or put ads between tweets.
Twitter already shows live news broadcasts in a live-streaming window next to its timeline during major breaking news events. In 2016, the app also got moved to the News category in the App Store to highlight the change in direction for the company.
Sprint and T-Mobile have finally reached a merger agreement, which means if approved by regulators, two of the four major carriers in the United States will combine into one entity in an all-stock deal worth billions.
The new combined company will be named T-Mobile and current T-Mobile CEO John Legere will serve as the Chief Executive Officer. Sprint and T-Mobile say the company will be a "force for positive change" in the U.S. wireless, video, and broadband industries, supercharging T-Mobile's Un-carrier strategy and allowing the new company to "lead in the 5G era."
The New T-Mobile will have the network capacity to rapidly create a nationwide 5G network with the breadth and depth needed to enable U.S. firms and entrepreneurs to continue to lead the world in the coming 5G era, as U.S. companies did in 4G. The new company will be able to light up a broad and deep 5G network faster than either company could separately.
T-Mobile deployed nationwide LTE twice as fast as Verizon and three times faster than AT&T, and the combined company is positioned to do the same in 5G with deep spectrum assets and network capacity.
According to the terms of the deal, T-Mobile plans to exchange 9.75 Sprint shares for each T-Mobile share. Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile's parent company, will own 42 percent of the combined company and SoftBank, Sprint's parent company, will own 27 percent. Deutsche Telekom will have voting rights over 69 percent of the new company and will appoint nine of its 14 directors, while Sprint will appoint four.
T-Mobile CEO John Legere said that the combined company will "create a fierce competitor" that's able to "deliver more for consumers and businesses in the form of lower prices, more innovation, and a second-to-none network experience," while current Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, who will serve on the board of the new company, said that the merger will make the U.S. a "hotbed for innovation."
"We intend to bring this same competitive disruption as we look to build the world's best 5G network that will make the U.S. a hotbed for innovation and will redefine the way consumers live and work across the U.S., including in rural America. As we do this, we will force our competitors to follow suit, as they always do, which will benefit the entire country. I am confident this combination will spur job creation and ensure opportunities for Sprint employees as part of a larger, stronger combined organization, and I am thrilled that Kansas City will be a second headquarters for the merged company."
Along with the faster rollout of 5G technology, Sprint and T-Mobile say the merger will lead to job creation, lower prices for consumers, improved coverage, and "unprecedented network capacity."
The deal between Sprint and T-Mobile still needs to be approved by antitrust regulators in the United States, but if it goes through, the U.S. will have three major carriers rather four. The combined Sprint and T-Mobile company will have nearly 100 million customers, putting it second only to Verizon.
Sprint and T-Mobile are aiming to close the deal "no later" than first half of 2019. More information about the merger can be found in the press release and in a new "All for 5G" website the two companies have created.
Apps designed for the Mac don't typically receive as much attention as apps for iOS devices, so we've launched a monthly series that highlights useful, interesting Mac apps that are worth checking out.
This month's app selection, outlined in the video and the post below, includes apps for managing and organizing your files, getting info about your Mac, accessing your favorite content quickly, and more. Many of the apps we've included this month were chosen by our forum members.
DaisyDisk ($9.99) - DaisyDisk is an app that's been around for quite some time, but it was just recently updated with extended support for Apple File System (APFS), the file system on macOS High Sierra. DaisyDisk is designed to show you all of the files on your Mac, so you can see what's eating up your disk space. Using simple drag and drop gestures, you can delete unnecessary content, freeing up storage.
Hazel ($32) - Hazel is a little bit more expensive than the typical Mac apps we feature, but it has a unique function -- it automatically sorts and organizes all of your files. You can assign Hazel to watch folders on your Mac, such as the download folder, and using user-specified rules, Hazel will organize all incoming files into categories like Movies, Music, Pictures, Old Files, New Items, and more. Hazel can be used to open, archive, tag, rename, and upload files, and there are tools for cleaning up support files when you delete an app.
Shortcut Bar ($8.99) - Shortcut Bar is a simple menu bar app that lets you access your favorite files, folders, apps, web bookmarks, and text snippets, essentially putting all of the files and apps you use most on your Mac right at your fingertips.
Station (Free) - Station is an app that's designed to house and aggregate all of your web applications in one easy to access location. Instead of having dozens of tabs open with things like Gmail, Twitter, Instagram, and Slack, you can relocate them all to Station for quicker, more streamlined access. Station is, essentially, a web browser that has a more thoughtful layout for accessing web apps.
iStat Menus ($9.99) - iStat Menus is a fairly well-known app that's worth checking out if you haven't already. It provides a wealth of information about your Mac that's accessible through your menu bar. You can track battery life and health, processor usage, memory usage, network details, weather information, and more, and it can send notifications based on your custom parameters. Want to know if your CPU usage has exceeded 60 percent for over 10 seconds or if your internet is down? iStat Menus can do that. It's free to download in a trial capacity, but unlocking full functionality costs $9.99.
Do you have favorite must-have Mac apps that we haven't highlighted yet? Let us know what they are in the comments and we might feature them in a future video. Many of this month's picks came from our forum members.
For more of our Mac app picks, make sure to check out our lists from February and March.
Apple is working on a powerful headset that will support both augmented reality and virtual reality applications, according to an inside source that spoke to CNET.
The headset, which is codenamed T288, features an 8K display for each eye that would be untethered from either a computer or a smartphone.
Instead, it would connect to a "dedicated box" using a high-speed short-range wireless technology called 60GHz WiGig. The box would be powered by a custom 5-nanometer Apple processor that's "more powerful than anything currently available" and similar to the custom chips that Apple will use in future Macs. At the current time, the box resembles a PC tower, but it "won't be an actual Mac computer."
The future of VR is expected to be cordless devices -- and Apple wants to bring its trademark simplicity to the setup. The box would use a wireless technology called 60GHz WiGig, the person familiar with Apple's plans said. A second-generation version, called 802.11ay, would boost speeds and range and make the technology more attractive for high-end VR headsets that aren't tethered to computers.
Users will not need to install special cameras in a room to detect their location as with some available VR headsets. All of the technology will be built into the headset and the box.
Past rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a number of virtual and augmented reality prototypes using a secret research unit, but recent information has been specific to a set of augmented reality smart glasses. It is not clear if the smart glasses mentioned in previous rumors are the same as this new AR/VR headset.
Those rumors have suggested Apple is developing an augmented reality headset with a dedicated display, a built-in processor, and an "rOS" or reality operating system that's controlled using input methods like touch panels, voice activation, and head gestures.
Apple has been heavily focused on augmented reality with the launch of ARKit in iOS 11, and Apple CEO Tim Cook has said multiple times that he believes augmented reality is more important than virtual reality. Augmented reality, says Cook, is the "larger of the two" because it allows people to "be very present," but he has admitted that virtual reality has interesting use cases for education and gaming.
Apple is said to be aiming to launch the headset in 2020, but CNET's source warns that work on the device is in the early stages and plans could be changed or scrapped.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Satechi to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Type-C 75W Travel Charger for powering both USB-C and USB-A devices.
Ideal for travel, the Satechi USB-C Multiport Charger comes equipped with one USB-C port compatible with Apple's USB-C MacBook and MacBook Pro models, two standard USB 3.0 ports that offer 2.4A for charging iPads and iPhones at fast speeds, and a Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 port that charges compatible Android devices faster.
The built-in USB-C port delivers 60W of power, which is suitable for the 13-inch MacBook Pro but won't be able to charge the 15-inch MacBook Pro at full 87W speeds. It is, however, likely enough power for non-system intensive tasks and it will keep your machine topped up and ready to go.
You can also use the USB-C port with a USB-C to Lightning cable for fast charging the iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPad Pro models.
All four of the ports can be used at the same time to provide a max of 75W of power to your devices. An LED light at the top indicates when something is being charged, and the removable AC plug lets it collapse down for portability.
Priced at $64.99, the USB-C Travel Charger has been designed specifically with travel in mind, so it supports a broad input range (100 to 240V) to meet international voltage requirements.
We have 10 of Satechi's USB-C Travel Chargers to give away. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (April 27) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 4. The winners will be chosen randomly on May 4 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Following my review of the Yale Assure Lock SL deadbolt with HomeKit support last month, a number of readers highlighted the Schlage Sense as another satisfactory HomeKit option worth considering. As it turns out, I've been using the Schlage Sense on my front door for quite some time, so it's worth taking a look at how Schlage's offering has held up over time.
The Schlage Sense deadbolt was one of the first HomeKit-enabled smart locks, launching over two years ago, yet it remains one of the most popular smart locks on the market among Apple users. In fact, Apple continues to feature the Schlage Sense in its online and retail stores, although it is currently listed as unavailable for both online orders and in-store pickup even though it remains on the shelves at some Apple retail stores.
Unlike the Assure Lock SL that comes in only a single design (albeit with a few color options), the Schlage Sense comes in two different styles that fit in with many of Schlage's other hardware products: a classic Camelot style and a more modern Century style, with Matte Black, Satin Nickel, and Aged Bronze finishes available depending on style.
I've been using a Camelot-style Schlage Sense on my front door, paired with a matching non-locking Camelot doorknob to ensure I can't be accidentally locked out of my house due to a locked doorknob. The pairing looks good together, with the Camelot style offering a hint of elegance even with a prominent keypad.
Installation
Installation of the Schlage Sense is straightforward, and Schlage includes step-by-step directions to walk you through the process. As long as you're replacing an existing deadbolt and everything is lined up properly, installation takes just a few minutes and only requires a screwdriver. Just slide the deadbolt assembly into the edge of the door and sandwich it with the interior and exterior portions while connecting the two sides with a cable. A few screws pull everything together, and once you insert the batteries you should be ready to configure the lock.
As is common with smart deadbolts, the interior portion of the Schlage Sense is quite large, which is a rather unfortunate visual look. But with space required for the lock cylinder, electronics, and four AA batteries, there's only so much that can be done to reduce the size.
Setup and App
Programming and setup are handled through the Schlage Sense app [App Store], which walks you through the process of pairing the lock with your phone over Bluetooth and configuring your lock options such whether the lock beeps as you press the keypad, automatic relocking, and one-touch locking where you don't have to enter a code. The lock also has an optional alarm mode which can beep when the door is opened or closed or sound an alarm when forced entry is detected.
You can register for a Schlage account and add the Sense or just go straight to HomeKit, allowing the deadbolt to integrate with other HomeKit accessories. The HomeKit setup process is dead simple, requiring just a few steps. With an Apple TV, iPad, or HomePod around the house, you can use HomeKit to view the lock status and lock or unlock from anywhere, but if you don't want to use HomeKit, Schlage offers a $70 Wi-Fi adapter to provide remote access.
The app also lets you set up multiple user codes to limit access to your home. When adding a code, you'll have the option of specifying certain days and times when the code will work, which is handy for pet-sitters and others who need only temporary access to your home.
The main screen of the app gives you quick access to lock status, and a simple tap anywhere on the large lock graphic locks or unlocks the deadbolt. Of course, with HomeKit integration, you can use the Home app or Siri to perform the same functions.
The app also lets you see a history of lock events, showing what days and times the deadbolt was locked and unlocked, with details such as whether it was locked or unlocked via the exterior touchscreen or interior thumb turn, as well as which user code was used for an exterior unlock.
The app won't win any design awards and there's a little layout issue on iPhone X, but it doesn't interfere with any of the app's functions.
General Operation
The Schlage Sense operates smoothly, with a satisfying heft to the thumb turn on the interior and simple keypad operation on the outside. Entering a user code on the keypad requires pressing the "Schlage" button at the top of the pad, which lights up the keypad, and then entering the four-digit code that unlocks the door. The same process locks the door from the outside unless you've turned on one-touch locking, which immediately locks the door when you press the Schlage button without the need to enter a user code.
While unlocking and locking, the Schlage Sense can utilize two different power levels to assist with moving the motorized deadbolt. The lock will first attempt to extend or retract the deadbolt at a lower power level, but if it is unsuccessful due to alignment being off or pressure being placed on the door that provides more resistance, the lock will increase power and try again. The motor is fairly noisy at both power levels.
The higher power undoubtedly burns through batteries more quickly (how much I'm not sure), but if your installation has everything lined up properly the higher power should rarely be needed. About the only time I've had the high-power mode activate is when trying to lock and I didn't quite get the door closed all the way. I've also triggered it a few times when I failed to wait for unlocking to complete before trying to push the door open and the pressure of pushing the deadbolt against the door jamb prevented the bolt from retracting under the low-power mode.
HomeKit
Adding the Schlage Sense to your HomeKit home is a simple process of scanning the HomeKit code during the setup process. Once it's part of your home, you can view and control the lock via the Home app on iOS or through Siri. You can also add it to automation routines with rooms, scenes, and triggers such as a "Good Night" scene to secure your house at bedtime.
Schlage Sense also works with Amazon Alexa and should be receiving an update soon to offer support for Google Assistant.
Bugs
I did have an issue related to the release of iOS 10.2 where I became unable to apply firmware updates to my Schlage Sense. At the time, Schlage customer service told me it was a known issue with some users and that I would be notified when an app update was released to address the issue. Over time, I also began getting less and less life out of each set of batteries, and I was never able to get firmware updates working again on the lock. After a couple months of waiting for a fix that never came and my battery life running down to just a week per set rather than the 6–12 months I should have been seeing, I contacted support again and they quickly sent out a free replacement.
Since that time, the only issue I've run into is an occasional bug where the deadbolt has been unlocked but still thinks it's locked. It's a very rare issue that I only notice when I try to one-touch lock the door from the keypad and nothing happens because it's waiting for me to enter an unlock code.
Other than these two issues, the Schlage Sense has been reliable throughout the time I've owned it, and I've never found myself unable to gain access to my house. I do have smart locks and keypads on all of the entrances of my house to help provide peace of mind should any of them fail, and as a result I haven't carried house keys on me when leaving the house in years.
Wrap-up
Over two years after its launch, the Schlage Sense remains one of the most popular HomeKit-enabled smart locks, and it's easy to see why. It comes from a trusted brand that has helped it gain visibility in Home Depot, Lowe's and other retailers where homeowners shop for their door hardware, and the exterior keypad has a nice look that's not too bulky while still able to accept a traditional key. The two different styles give you options to fit in with different looks, and when I had an issue with the lock Schlage was quick to send out a replacement.
The Schlage Sense is available in Camelot and Century styles, with the Camelot available in Satin Nickel or Aged Bronze and the Century available in Satin Nickel or Matte Black. The list price is $229, but some retailers such as Amazon typically have prices closer to $200, with third-party retailers through Amazon sometimes going even lower.
Note: Schlage/Allegion provided the Schlage Sense to MacRumors free of charge for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and may earn commissions on purchases made through links in this article.
Nintendo this week revealed a new smartphone game coming to iOS and Android devices this summer, called "Dragalia Lost." The game was created through a partnership with Japanese mobile developer Cygames and is described as an all-new "original action RPG" for smartphones. Nintendo co-developed Dragalia Lost and will "jointly operate" the app with Cygames once it launches (via TouchArcade).
For now, not much is known about the game's story or gameplay mechanics. The Japanese website includes a trailer, which shows off a few of the game's characters and glimpses of the RPG gameplay. The game is also up for pre-registration for users in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
The payment structure of the game is also unknown, but previous apps by Cygames have been reliant upon Japan's popular "gacha" system, which encourages players to spend real money on in-game currency that they can use to unlock random items. In terms of payment, most of Nintendo's other smartphone games so far have been reliant upon a free-to-play system, which helped turn Fire Emblem Heroes into Nintendo's "most successful mobile game to date."
Nintendo's new partnership with Cygames confirms a previous rumor that the company is seeking additional game developers to add to its slate after its partnership with DeNA fell behind schedule. DeNA helped Nintendo launch Miitomo, Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. The next smartphone game inspired by a Nintendo property will be Mario Kart Tour, expected to launch by March 2019.
Draglia Lost will launch first in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau this summer, and then afterwards debut in North America and Europe. Nintendo also noted that it has obtained an approximate 5 percent stake in Cygames "for the purpose of facilitating the partnership."
As part of its ongoing spring sale event, Best Buy today has discounted Apple's HomePod by $20, bringing the cost of the smart speaker to $329.99, down from $349.99. The speaker is available in both White and Space Gray. While not a massive discount, this is one of the first straight price drops on HomePod since its launch earlier this year, outside of sitewide promo codes on eBay.
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.
Best Buy is also discounting a collection of refurbished Apple Watch devices today only. The 20 percent off Deal of the Day savings include limited stock of the 42mm Space Gray Aluminum Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) for $287.20 and the 38mm version for $263.20, as well as some GPS + Cellular options. The Geek Squad certified refurbished Apple Watch models are restored to a like-new state, verified to work properly, and include all parts and accessories. Best Buy also upholds its regular return and exchange policies for refurbished devices.
As a reminder, our exclusive discount code for Twelve South's HiRise Duet stand expires tomorrow, April 28. If you're interested and haven't used the code yet, head over to Amazon, add the HiRise Duet to your cart, then enter the code 30DUET at checkout to get $30 off the accessory, marking it down to $89.99 from $119.99. Twelve South's HiRise Duet provides a dual-charging solution for iPhone and Apple Watch, with a Lightning connector and Apple Watch charging puck embedded in the device.
Additionally, DirecTV Now is still offering a 32GB Apple TV 4K at no cost when pre-paying for three months of the streaming TV service. With the deal, you can get a brand new Apple TV for $105, and cancel DirecTV Now before the three months ends if you don't wish to keep paying for the service.
To check out more of the latest sales and offers happening this week, be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup.
Designed for 2016 and 2017 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, the new Pro Hub with Ethernet comes equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI port, a USB-C Power Delivery port that supports 87W of power, two type-A USB 3.0 ports, and a micro SD card slot.
Like other Satechi USB-C hubs, the Pro Hub with Ethernet comes in a brushed aluminum that's available in either silver or Space Gray to match Apple's notebooks.
The Pro Hub with Ethernet's integrated Gigabit Ethernet port is invaluable in a situation where Wi-Fi is either unavailable or unreliable. It supports 10/100/1000Mb/s.
In addition to an Ethernet connection, the Pro Hub supports a 4K monitor through the HDMI port and the USB-C port allows for power delivery. The microSD card slot can be used for importing images and files, while the two USB 3.0 ports allow for data transfer from USB-A accessories.
Apple is encouraging customers who have previously trialed Apple Music, but were not convinced to pay for the service, to try it again.
For several months, some users who have already taken advantage of Apple Music's initial free three-month trial period, but do not currently have a subscription, have been offered an additional month of complimentary access.
Apple has been alerting users to the offer at random with push notifications and emails in several countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. It's unclear what the exact parameters are to qualify, but it may be limited to users who trialed Apple Music prior to its iOS 10 redesign.
"Come see what you've been missing in the new Apple Music, like a simpler design that makes finding what you want, and discovering new music, easier than ever," says Apple's email, which contains a unique code to redeem the offer.
For users who are alerted about the offer via push notification, tapping on it brings them to a landing page with steps to redeem the code.
Apple has been carrying out this promotion for at least six months, but the only way to take advantage of the offer appears to be by waiting and hoping for the push notification or email to arrive. It's unclear if the offer extends to customers who used the three-month trial, paid for a period of time, and later canceled.
Apple Music has around 40 million paid subscribers across 115 countries, plus around eight million people enrolled in a trial, according to Apple.
Earlier this month, reports suggested Sprint and T-Mobile had once again resumed merger talks, and now it appears the two U.S. carriers may be close to inking a deal.
According to Reuters, Sprint and T-Mobile have "made progress" negotiating merger terms and are aiming to complete deal talks as soon as next week.
T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom and Sprint parent company SoftBank are said to be discussing an agreement that would "dictate how they exercise voting control over the combined company."
This could allow Deutsche Telekom to consolidate the combined company on its books, even if it does not have a majority stake in the combined company, one of the sources added. Deutsche Telekom owns more than 63 percent of T-mobile, while SoftBank owns 84.7 percent of Sprint.
Previous merger talks between Sprint and T-Mobile failed after the two companies were unable to reach "mutually agreeable terms." Sprint parent company SoftBank was said to be unsatisfied with the deal because of ownership terms, with SoftBank concerned about losing control of the combined company after Deutsche Telekom requested a controlling stake.
If T-Mobile and Sprint are able to establish a satisfactory deal, the combined company would have more than 100 million customers.
Sources that spoke to Reuters said there is "no certainty" a deal will be reached, given the dissolution of the previous merger talks.
iTunes, Apple's software for downloading, purchasing, and managing content on iOS devices and playing Apple content on Macs and PCs, is now available for download through Microsoft's Windows 10 Store.
Microsoft first announced plans to bring the iTunes app to the Windows 10 Store in May 2017, and said at the time that the app would be available by the end of 2017. In December, though, an Apple spokesperson said that the two companies would not hit that deadline.
"We have been working with Microsoft to deliver the full iTunes experience to our customers and we need a little more time to get it right," Apple said.
iTunes has been available on the Windows platform for many years as a standalone download for most Windows users, but its addition to the Windows Store will make it easier for Windows users to find the software. Windows 10 S users have not been able to download the iTunes software as the mode only supports software downloaded from the Microsoft Store, so this will be a welcome addition for those Microsoft customers.
The addition of iTunes to the Windows Store is a win for Microsoft, as iTunes is reportedly one of the apps that Windows users search for most often.
"We're discontinuing the Apple AirPort base station products. They will be available through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last," an Apple spokesperson told iMore.
Apple has not updated its AirPort products since 2012 (Express) and 2013 (Extreme and Time Capsule), and in late 2016, Bloomberg said that Apple had stopped development on the AirPort lineup with the AirPort engineers reassigned to other products.
Apple reportedly began shutting down its AirPort unit in early 2016, in an effort to "sharpen" its focus on the "consumer products that generate the bulk of its revenue."
Following news that Apple had shuttered the AirPort unit, the company began selling third-party routers in January of 2018 when it offered the Linksys Velop Mesh Wi-Fi System.
Apple's AirPort base stations provided unique benefits that are not available through third-party options like built-in Time Machine backup support in the Time Capsule and AirPlay functionality for the AirPort Express.
While the AirPort line is being discontinued, Apple will be providing service and parts for current generation AirPort Base Stations for the next five years. iMore says Apple also plans to share some knowledge-base articles in the coming weeks to assist customers who are transitioning away from the AirPort Express, Extreme, and Time Capsule.
Apple plans to continue to sell the three AirPort products online and in its retail stores until available supplies are exhausted. No price drops have been implemented at this time.
Update: Apple has shared a new support document offering tips on choosing a Wi-Fi router to use with Apple devices. The company recommends a router that offerrs 802.11ac, dual-band support, WPA2 Personal encryption, and MIMO or MU-MIMO.
Apple's upcoming 6.1-inch LCD iPhone may not feature 3D Touch due to cost constraints, according to a new note shared yesterday by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and published by Chinese site Feng.
Kuo says that the 6.1-inch iPhone will use what he calls "Cover Glass Sensor" (CGS) technology, relocating the iPhone's touch module from the display panel (in-cell technology) to the surface glass. The CGS method reportedly results in a display that's lighter and more shock resistant.
With this display technology, Apple will add a thin-film sensor to the touch film sensor included in the CGS, but the purpose of the new layer is unknown. It will, however, result in a 15 percent increase in the cost of the touch panel, resulting in a higher purchase price of $23 to $26.
To offset the cost of the new display it plans to use, Kuo believes Apple will remove the 3D Touch functionality on the 6.1-inch iPhone, which would be a curious move as 3D Touch is well-integrated throughout the operating system that runs on the iPhone at this point.
The other two iPhone models Apple is expected to release in 2018, the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X successor and the 6.5-inch OLED device that can be thought of as an "iPhone X Plus," will continue to offer 3D Touch functionality.
Because Apple plans to incorporate the CGS display technology into future iPhones, including OLED models starting in 2019, 3D Touch could potentially be removed from all future iPhones.
It's not clear what the mystery thin-film sensor mentioned in Kuo's note will do, but it could be some kind of 3D Touch replacement system. Apple is said to be planning to release iPhones with touchless gesture controls in the next few years, and this could be the first step towards that goal. A gesture-based system is around two years away, however, so it the film could be some other new input method to replace 3D Touch.
Kuo believes the 6.1-inch iPhone will make up 65 to 75 percent of iPhone shipments during the year, given its lower price point and its feature parity with the two OLED devices Apple plans to introduce.
While the 6.1-inch iPhone will not feature OLED technology, it is said to have an edge-to-edge screen design and support for Face ID, like the OLED phones in the 2018 iPhone lineup.
Citi today announced that its credit cards issued in Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong can now be used with Apple Pay, followed by Taiwan later this year.
Citi cardholders can activate Apple Pay by opening the Wallet app, tapping the plus sign in the top-right corner, tapping the continue button, and positioning the credit card into the on-screen frame or entering the card details manually.
In related news, Apple today announced that Apple Pay will soon be offered by BBVA, the second largest bank in Spain. Bankia, the fourth largest bank in Spain, also remains listed as coming soon on the localized Apple Pay page for Spain.
German company brezzl today announced it is now accepting pre-orders for its Cablewings cable management solution for Apple power adapters.
Cablewings
Cablewings are small plastic pieces that attach to an Apple power adapter and have small spikes that can hold a wrapped up power cord. They are compatible with Apple's USB-C power adapters for all 2015 and later MacBook and 2016 and later MacBook Pro models, and they also work with Apple's iPad and iPhone chargers.
The product is inspired by Apple's older Mac power adapters that used to have pop-out cable holders. Apple's latest USB-C power adapters for MacBooks no longer have this feature, as the power cord is no longer affixed to the charger.
Apple's previous Mac power adapters with pop-out cable holders
Cablewings are a simple but useful product, especially for those who travel, and recently received a 2018 Red Dot Design Award in Germany. They are a rather pricy $18 each or available in a two-pack for $30 in the United States, with prices varying in other countries. Orders are estimated to begin shipping in June.
A video shared on Chinese social media website Sina Weibo this week has possibly revealed a second-generation iPhone SE, but the device could easily be a knockoff, so treat this rumor with a healthy dose of skepticism.
The short clip, which we've reuploaded to YouTube, shows what appears to be an unreleased iPhone SE with a glass back, a design change that would enable support for wireless charging. The rear shell on the current iPhone SE is largely aluminum, with small glass panels along the top and bottom.
Otherwise, the device looks virtually the same as the current iPhone SE, retaining an iPhone 5s-like design with a four-inch display sandwiched between top and bottom bezels housing Touch ID, an earpiece, and a front camera.
The device also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, despite a report last week claiming it will be removed. It would make sense for Apple to keep it if the new iPhone SE continues to have virtually the same design and thickness, as rumored, but removing it could perhaps lead to improved water resistance.
One other minor difference on the device in the video is the absence of all regulatory labels and text on the rear shell, beyond a single "iPhone" word mark, in line with the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.
iPhone knockoffs are common in China, and the source of the video is unclear, so we stress that the footage's authenticity is unconfirmed. One possibility is that the device is an accurate dummy model based on supply chain information, but it's also very possible that this device isn't the real deal.
Last week, Apple filed several unreleased iPhone models with the Eurasian Economic Commission, as legally required, and this action has often foreshadowed product launches. Apple submitted a new tablet to the database in February, for example, and a new 9.7-inch iPad debuted in March.
If history repeats itself, the regulatory filings in April do lend credence to a new iPhone SE debuting next month. However, it's worth noting that Apple has only debuted new products in May twice in the past five years, including the fifth-generation iPod touch in 2013 and a refreshed 15-inch MacBook Pro in 2015.
iPhone SE rumors have been all over the map in recent months, but there is increasing consensus that the device will be powered by an A10 Fusion chip, up to 40 percent faster than the A9 chip in the current iPhone SE.
If there is a new iPhone SE whatsoever, a rumor that KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is skeptical about, Apple is likely most focused on making under-the-hood improvements to the device, as it is now outdated by a few years. At $349, the device is unlikely to adopt an iPhone X-like design or Face ID.
Apple hasn't fully refreshed the iPhone SE since it launched in March 2016, but it did double its available storage capacities to 64GB and 128GB in March 2017. It also dropped the device's starting price to $349 last September.
Twitter has updated the way its main timeline treats trending news stories, so that tweets from users linking the same story get grouped together (via 
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.
