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Mark Zuckerberg Says Apple's iMessage is Facebook's 'Biggest Competitor by Far'

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imessage logoFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday singled out Apple's iMessage mobile messaging service as Facebook's "biggest competitor by far." (via CNBC).

The comments were made to investors during an earnings call for the company's third quarter performance, in which the Facebook CEO admitted the social platform was losing out to iMessage in "important" territories like the U.S., where iPhone sales are highest.

"Our biggest competitor by far is iMessage," Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in an earnings call on Tuesday with investors, referring to the messaging service built into the iPhone and other Apple products.

"In important countries like the U.S. where the iPhone is strong, Apple bundles iMessage as a default texting app and it's still ahead," he said.

The Facebook chief said the company had identified a shift in the way users are communicating, with many transitioning from publicly shared content to private messaging, thanks to services like Messenger, WhatsApp, and Apple's iMessage.

Zuckerberg also responded to vehement criticism from Apple CEO Tim Cook about companies that use people's personal information as a business model for profit.

"It's worth noting that one of the main reasons people prefer our services, especially WhatsApp, is because of its stronger record on privacy," Zuckerberg said.

"WhatsApp is completely end-to-end encrypted, does not store your messages, and doesn't store the keys to your messages in China or anywhere else. And this is important because if our systems can't see your messages, then that means that governments and bad actors won't be able to access them through us either."

Zuckerberg's reference to China is likely a dig at Apple, which recently transferred its China iCloud services from a hosting location in the United States to servers owned and operated by a state-run Chinese company.

The move means the Chinese government can use its own legal system to ask Apple for users' iCloud data, whereas before the government had to go through the U.S. legal system. Human rights and digital security advocates have questioned whether Apple will be able to maintain and protect its customers' privacy under the new Chinese laws.

During the earnings call, investors learned that Facebook had surpassed analysts' estimates on earnings per share in the third quarter, but had fallen short on revenue and active user projections.

Tags: Facebook, iMessage
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'Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition' Coming to Mac Next Year

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Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition is coming to Mac next year. The critically acclaimed role-playing game from Larian Studios featured in yesterday's Apple event in New York, where Apple unveiled new Macs and iPad Pros.

divinityorigsin feature
The RPG title is being developed in partnership with Mac porting studio Elverils and Apple's Metal engineering team, and promises to feature all the content from the PC version as well as the following additional features exclusive to Mac, as confirmed by MacGamerHQ:

  • 64-bit Metal 1.2 support
  • eGPU support (10.13+ only)
  • V-sync support (10.13+ only)
  • Support for Apple MFI controllers and rumbling support on selected controllers
  • MacBook Touch Bar support
  • MacBook trackpad and selected gestures support


Elverils plans compatibility with systems running macOS 10.13 and 10.14 macOS, with potential for 10.12 support further down the line, while MacBook Pro Touch Bar support should equate to quick access to in-game features like the journal or map.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 will also support HDR, iCloud backups, and cross-play between Windows and macOS systems.


More information including pricing is expected as the game gets closer to its Q1 2019 release, when it should be available to purchase on both Steam and the Mac App Store.

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How to Make a Group FaceTime Call

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Group FaceTime, which lets you chat with up to 32 people at one time, is relatively easy to use, but it may not be immediately obvious how a call is initiated nor how all of the group chat options work, which is why we've taken an in-depth look at the new feature. To use Group ‌FaceTime‌, all participants must have iOS 12.1.4 or later installed.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

Placing a Call

There are two ways to initiate a Group ‌FaceTime‌ call, using the ‌FaceTime‌ app or the Messages app.

FaceTime App

groupfacetimeapp

  1. Open up the ‌FaceTime‌ app
  2. Tap on the "+" button in the upper right hand corner.
  3. In the "To" field, type a name and tap it.
  4. Type another name.
  5. Continue typing in all of the names of the participants who you want to chat with.
  6. When ready to place the call, tap on either the audio or the video option and participants will receive a popup letting them know that you want to ‌FaceTime‌ with them.

Messages App

groupfacetimemessages

  1. Open up an existing multi-person conversation or create a new iMessage chat thread.
  2. At the top, where the names of the chat participants are listed, tap to bring up a menu bar.
  3. Choose the "‌FaceTime‌" option to transition from a text-based conversation to a video or audio call.

The Messages ‌FaceTime‌ interface works with just one person or with a group of people, and it's perhaps the easiest way to initiate a multi-person ‌FaceTime‌ call.

Receiving an Incoming Call Request

When a Group ‌FaceTime‌ chat is initiated either via ‌FaceTime‌ or through the Messages app, you will get a notification letting you know that a ‌FaceTime‌ call is initiating, which you can tap to join.

groupfacetimejoin

Joining an Existing Group FaceTime Call

When you're in a group chat in the Messages app and someone initiates a Group ‌FaceTime‌ conversation, any person in the chat can join the call at anytime.

groupfacetimejoin 1
In the Messages interface, there's a chat popup that lets you know a call is ongoing, with a "Join" button available and the number of people active in the conversation.

Joining a conversation is as simple as tapping that "Join" button, which automatically adds you to the call. There's no approval interface, so be aware that if you're in the middle of a conversation, anyone from a group Messages chat can interrupt and join in.

While in a Group ‌FaceTime‌ call, you'll also see a chat bubble that lets you know how long the call has been going on.

groupfacetimecalllength

Adding Another Person Through FaceTime

While in a ‌FaceTime‌ call, you can easily add another person to the chat.

addpersongroupfacetime

  1. In an active call, tap on the icon that features three dots.
  2. Tap on "Add Person."
  3. Choose a name from the list to send them a notification to join in.

Leaving a Group FaceTime Call

As with a standard ‌FaceTime‌ call, exiting a Group ‌FaceTime‌ chat is as simple as tapping the big red "X" button to end the chat.

groupfacetimeendcall

Focusing on Chat Members

All Group ‌FaceTime‌ calls are displayed with a tiled interface that highlights the person who last spoke. If you have a call with multiple people, you'll see tiles of various sizes focusing on main participants, with those who haven't spoken recently minimized in small tiles.

groupfacetimefocustap
You can double tap on any person's tile to make it the focal point in your ‌FaceTime‌ view, enlarging the tile to its biggest possible size. Tap again to go back to the standard tiled view.

groupfacetimeunfocusedmaintile

Applying Effects

In addition to multi-person ‌FaceTime‌ calls, iOS 12 adds a new ‌FaceTime‌ effects camera that you can use while chatting. While in a ‌FaceTime‌ call, tap on the star-shaped icon to the left of the end call button to access options that include Animoji and Memoji, filters, stickers, shapes, and text.

groupfacetimeeffects
Multiple effects can be applied at once, which are displayed to all chat participants. The people you're chatting with can also choose different effects to use, leading to chats filled with different Memoji and Animoji characters. Memoji and Animoji are limited to devices with the TrueDepth camera system.

Tag: FaceTime Guide
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Dark Mode Coming to Microsoft Office for Mac

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With the release of macOS Mojave in September, Apple introduced a Dark Mode to its desktop operating system that some users prefer the look of, or just find more forgiving on the eyes. Many third-party apps have followed suit with their own darkened interfaces, and now it looks like a similar interface option is also headed for Microsoft Office.

microsoft office dark mode

MS PowerPoint in Dark Mode

Microsoft Office product manager Akshay Bakshi has been teasing as much on social media, with two tweets posted on October 29 and 30 indicating that users of Office for Mac will soon have the ability run at least some apps included in the productivity suite in a new native Dark Mode.


According to the tweets, Dark Mode will be available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, featuring new dynamic ribbon and icon styling. Users signed up to the Insiders Fast community getting access to the visual refresh first in build 181029.

Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Office
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Everything Apple Didn't Announce at Today's Event

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Apple held a second hardware-centric fall event this morning in New York City, where the company launched updated iPad Pro models, a refreshed version of the MacBook Air, and a new Mac mini.

Prior to the event, though, there were rumors suggesting we'd also see some other products that didn't end up making an appearance.

iMac

Rumors suggested Apple was working on updated iMac models with new processors, but it doesn't look like the iMac lineup is going to get a 2018 refresh at this point.

27inch5kimac
There wasn't a lot of detail on what to expect from a new iMac, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo did say Apple was working on a version with an upgraded processor and a "significant display performance upgrade."

With no new iMac making an appearance at today's event, we don't know when we'll see an updated version.

MacBook

Prior to today's event, there was a lot of confusion over a rumored lower-cost notebook, which turned out to be a MacBook Air. It wasn't clear if the device would be in the MacBook Air or the MacBook family for good reason - it was rumored to be a 13-inch machine with a MacBook Air style design, a lower price tag, and a Retina display.

Those options turned out to be true, and the new MacBook Air is slimmer with thinner bezels, a faster processor, built-in Touch ID, and a Retina display, the feature previously differentiating the MacBook Air from the 12-inch MacBook.

rosegoldmacbook
Now that this new $1,199 MacBook Air with 8th-Gen Intel processors, Touch ID, T2 chip, and a slimmer chassis exists, it's not entirely clear what Apple plans to do with the 12-inch MacBook lineup, which starts at just $100 more.

There were rumors the 12-inch MacBook lineup would also be updated at today's event, but it wasn't refreshed.

Is this the end of the MacBook? It's not clear what Apple has in store for its thinnest, lightest machine, nor when it might see an update. With faster 8th-Gen processors and a Retina display in the new MacBook Air, the only real distinguishing feature between the MacBook and the MacBook Air is the MacBook's smaller size.

iPad mini

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said just ahead of Apple's event that a new iPad mini is in the works, but he wasn't sure if it would be included in the October 30th product unveilings. As it turns out, it wasn't, and if a new iPad mini is in development, there's no word on when we'll see it launch.

ipad mini 4 best buy deal

AirPower and AirPods

There was some speculation that Apple could still debut the AirPower charging mat and compatible AirPods at its October event, but that didn't happen.

airpower airpods
We have no idea when we might expect to see the AirPower launch, if it is indeed still in the works, nor when Apple will launch updated AirPods. At this point, it looks like we may not see these products until sometime in 2019.

Mac Pro

We were hoping to get a little peek at Apple's work on its promised high-end high-throughput modular Mac Pro that Apple is developing for release in 2019, but it looks like we're going to have a longer wait to get our first glimpse at Apple's pro-focused machine.

Missing iPhone XR Cases and iPad Smart Covers

It's still not clear why Apple hasn't introduced cases for the iPhone XR, especially after mentioning special clear cases for the device in the iPhone XR press release in some countries, but following today's event, there's still no sign of Apple-designed iPhone XR cases.

Apple also did not introduce new Smart Covers for its updated 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, but there are new Smart Folio options and the new Smart Keyboard Folio.

Related Roundups: iMac, iPad mini
Tag: October 2018 Event
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Caution), iPad Mini (Neutral)
Related Forums: MacBook, iMac, iPad
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Everything Apple Announced Today in Just Six Minutes

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Apple today held a special October event in Brooklyn, New York, which saw the debut of revamped 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, an updated MacBook Air, and a refreshed Mac mini.

It took Apple an hour and a half to introduce the new Space Gray Mac mini with updated hardware, the new MacBook Air with Retina display and Touch ID, and the entirely redesigned iPad Pro models with Face ID, but we've recapped the entire event in just six minutes for our readers who want a no-frills overview of all the announcements.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

Apple's new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were the star of the event with an overhauled look that includes an edge-to-edge display, no Home button, a TrueDepth camera system with Face ID, USB-C instead of Lightning, no headphone jack, and an A12 Bionic chip.

We also got some great new Mac updates, though, including a $1,199 MacBook Air with a Retina display, 8th-Gen Intel chips, faster solid state storage up to 1.5TB, much slimmer bezels, and a thinner, more refined chassis that takes up less volume.

There's also no forgetting the Mac mini, which got its first update in four years. The new model features quad and 6-core 8th-Gen Intel chips, up to 2TB of solid state storage, support for up to 64GB RAM, and a new Space Gray enclosure.

We've rounded up all of our coverage of today's event in the post below, so make sure to check out everything so you don't miss any of the updates.

iPad Pro

MacBook Air

Mac mini

Software Updates

These weren't part of the event, but Apple today released major software updates for iOS devices, the Apple TV, Macs, and the Apple Watch, which you won't want to miss out on.

Other Announcements

You can order the new iPad Pro models, the new Mac mini, and the new MacBook Air starting today from Apple's website, with deliveries set to begin on November 7.

Tag: October 2018 Event
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Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile Won't Support eSIM Until Later This Year

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Apple today released iOS 12.1 with support for the digital eSIM that will allow for dual-SIM functionality on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, but eSIM support isn't going to be immediately available from U.S. carriers.

AT&T, for example, is telling customers that eSIM activations are being delayed until later in the year due to technical issues in part related to Visual Voicemail.

appleesim
According to one AT&T store manager who spoke to MacRumors, retail outlets have been told that AT&T is not supporting dual-SIM or eSIM at the current time, with stores advised not to sell eSIM cards to customers.

Verizon and T-Mobile will also not be supporting the eSIM at the current time, according to company spokespeople who talked to PCMag. T-Mobile said that eSIM support is in the works and will be available "when its software is ready" with no timeline provided. Verizon, meanwhile, said that eSIMs will be available after some kinks are worked out.

It's also worth noting that Verizon customers should not activate eSIMs from other companies at this time because of performance issues. As outlined by PCMag, when a physical Verizon SIM is relegated into a "secondary" position by an eSIM from another company, the Verizon connection gets downgraded to the 2G CDMA network.

Verizon says it is working with Apple to resolve this issue to allow its customers to use eSIM without a performance hit.

"Wireless customers will be able to activate Verizon service eSIMs as soon as we're confident you'll be able to have the great, high-quality service you expect from us on both your primary and secondary line. If you are a Verizon customer and you activate another carrier's service on your iPhone's eSIM, your Verizon service will be degraded due to the current software configuration.

"Based on our discussions with Apple, we believe these concerns will be resolved quickly and you should be able to add our great Verizon service on your secondary line before the end of the year. Until the secondary line can deliver Verizon's full suite of voice and high-speed data services, we won't activate Verizon service on any eSIM. This includes our own customers' iPhones with dual SIM capabilities as well as iPhones on competitors' networks."

The fourth major carrier in the United States, Sprint, is not on Apple's list of carriers that are going to be implementing eSIM support, but Sprint has said it will add support at some point.

The eSIM, or digital SIM, is a non-physical SIM card slot that pairs with the physical SIM card in the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR to enable dual-SIM dual-standby, a feature that lets iPhone users have two phone numbers available at once.

With dual-SIM support, iPhone users are supposed to be able to swap between the two phone numbers readily, alleviating the need for a second phone or SIM swapping for work and travel.

While eSIM support will not be available from the major carriers in the United States at this time, it is available in other countries around the world. Apple has a list of all the carriers supporting eSIM functionality on its website.

On Apple's site, eSIM support for AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile says "coming later this year," suggesting the three carriers are aiming to launch the feature before the end of 2018.

Related Forums: iOS 12, iPhone
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Apple's New MacBook Air Uses MacBook-Class Amber Lake Chip [Updated]

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Apple's newly upgraded MacBook Air is equipped with a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 Processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz, a chip configuration that does not match any of the 8th-generation chips that Intel has announced to date.

Intel, in fact, lists only a single 1.3GHz dual-core processor in ARK, which does not line up with the chip Apple is using in the MacBook Air.

macbookair
Instead, Apple appears to be using an unannounced Intel chip that, according to AnandTech, is part of the 5W Y-Series Amber Lake chips. Intel announced these Amber Lake chips, traditionally used in the MacBook, back in August.

And while the company never names the specific processor models they use, the specifications here - 3.6GHz turbo with Intel UHD Graphics 617 - do not match any known Intel chip, even when factoring in various cTDP options. We've heard rumors of Intel putting together a Core i5-8210Y, and we've reached out to Intel to try to confirm.

Historically, Apple has used 15W U-series chips in its MacBook Air upgrades, but power wise, this will put the new MacBook Air on par with any future MacBook upgrades that also use Intel's Amber Lake chips.

Though the MacBook Air is now using a lower power Y-series chip, because the previous-generation MacBook Air was still equipped with a Broadwell chip, the new model is still going to see significant performance improvements. Unfortunately, the performance gain isn't going to be as impressive as it would have been had Apple stuck with U-series chips.

Using a 5W chip has allowed Apple to significantly cut down on power consumption, which explains why the MacBook Air has the longest battery life out of any of Apple's notebooks.

The new machine offers up to 12 hours of battery life when web browsing and 13 hours when watching iTunes movie playback, which is two hours more battery life for web browsing and one to three hours more when watching movies compared to the MacBook and MacBook Pro.

Apple is only offering a single processor for the MacBook Air, and there are no build-to-order options to upgrade it to a faster speed.

Using a MacBook-class chip in the MacBook Air makes some sense if Apple plans to keep the MacBook in its lineup. With the MacBook Air's slimmer bezels and new Retina display, there's not a lot separating it from the 12-inch MacBook. If it also used U-series chips, it would outperform future MacBook models, and it would make little sense to purchase a MacBook.

This way, the MacBook Air offers a Retina display, MacBook-class performance, and a slimmer body, while the MacBook retains its position as Apple's thinnest, lightest machine, presumably with faster Y-series chips once an upgrade is released.

Apple's revamped MacBook Air can be purchased from the online Apple Store for $1,199, $100 cheaper than the MacBook, but $200 more expensive than the previous-generation MacBook Air.

Update: Intel has added the new MacBook Air chip to its ARK database. As AnandTech guessed, the MacBook Air is using a Core i5-8210Y Amber Lake Y processor, but at 7W, not 5W.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Tag: October 2018 Event
Buyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Caution)
Related Forum: MacBook Air
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watchOS 5.1 Update Bricking Some Apple Watches [Update: Apple Temporarily Pulls watchOS 5.1]

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It appears the watchOS 5.1 update that was released this morning is causing problems for some Apple Watch owners. Multiple MacRumors readers have had issues installing the new software and are reporting that the update has bricked their devices.

Customers who are affected are seeing their Apple Watches stuck at the Apple logo loading screen after initiating the watchOS 5.1 update.

applewatchseries4watchfaces
Some customers who contacted Apple were initially told that the update could take a few hours, but multiple people have seen no progress after three or more hours. From MacRumors reader Bazooka-joe:

So my series 4 sssb has been stuck on installing 5.1 For an hour and a half now with nothing showing on the watch except the bright white Apple icon. Spoken to Apple Support who said that they are getting calls from other people experiencing the same issue and they have advised me to leave it for 2 to 3 hours. WTF Why would an update that supposed to take 10 minutes to install take 2 to 3 hours

It appears affected users have the Apple Watch Series 4, which is the newest Apple Watch that was released in September.

Some MacRumors readers have said that Apple is going to be shipping out replacement watches for those who have been affected.

Not all customers who have an Apple Watch Series 4 have had problems installing the watchOS 5.1 update, but as a cautionary measure, it's worthwhile to hold off downloading and installing the software until Apple pushes a fix. Apple has not pulled the watchOS 5.1 update as of yet.

Update: Apple has temporarily pulled the watchOS 5.1 update.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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B&H Photo Kicks Off Pre-Orders for New Apple Devices, Offering Tax-Free Purchases in Some States

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Pre-orders for the 2018 MacBook Air and iPad Pro have kicked off on Apple.com, and because the devices are brand new, we won't see discounted prices on them for a while. Still, third-party retailers like B&H Photo offer the chance to save a bit of money at the onset of your new Apple purchase, depending on the state you live in.

According to B&H Photo's guidelines, the retailer currently collects sales taxes in Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Vermont, Washington (state), and Wisconsin. For all non-listed states, residents won't have to pay sales taxes on orders placed within those states, although B&H Photo informed me that more states will be added to the tax collection list soon.

bh photo new apple stuffNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with B&H Photo. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

B&H Photo is selling 24 models of the new MacBook Air, including quite a few custom configurations. According to a company representative, customers can expect launch day shipping for all base models of the new products, but it's not a guarantee. Some devices indicate a shipping date of November 8 and later, following Apple's launch on November 7.

Note: B&H Photo appears to be dealing with a traffic volume issue, so some links may appear temporarily broken, but they all should work after a few refreshes.

For MacBook Air, the full list can be found on B&H Photo, and we've provided a few below:

The retailer also has numerous configurations of the Mac mini up for pre-order already:

Lastly, you'll find Apple's new iPad Pro on B&H Photo as well:

Lastly, B&H Photo has the second generation Apple Pencil up for pre-order at $129.00, also matching Apple's price. On Apple.com, you can also order a few accessories for the new MacBook Air and iPad Pro, including the Leather Sleeve, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Smart Folio.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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MacRumors Hands-On Photos of Apple's New iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini

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Following today's Apple event at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, where the company unveiled new iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini models, MacRumors received some hands-on time with the products at a nearby location.

oct 2018 hands on
For more first impressions, check out our roundups of hands-on articles about the new iPad Pro and Macs from other publications.

iPad Pro

As the iPhone X was to the iPhone, the new iPad Pro represents the most significant redesign of the iPad in its eight-year history, complete with a nearly edge-to-edge display that eschews the home button. That also means no Touch ID, replaced by Face ID, but the TrueDepth sensors fit in the top bezel without a notch.

ipad pro hands on
The new iPad Pro looks and feels incredibly sleek. The bezels have been dramatically reduced in size compared to the previous generation, although they aren't as slim as those on the iPhone X and newer. As good as Apple's palm rejection technology is, the extra space helps prevent unintended tapping and swiping.

ipad pro front
I'm not a display expert, but the Liquid Retina display on the new iPad Pro looks crisp with vivid colors. Apple said it is using the same anti-aliasing and other technologies as the iPhone XR to stretch the LCD nearly edge to edge, which is a truly impressive engineering feat. This is the best display on an iPad yet.

The new iPad Pro feels more like a true slate, with sharper, flatter edges complemented by more traditional rounded corners. And at just 5.9mm, the tablet is remarkably thin, with the 11-inch model weighing just over a pound. Both it and the new 12.9-inch model feel about the same weight as their 2017 equivalents though.

ipad pro bezels
Apple has replaced the Lightning connector with a USB-C port to provide creative professionals with a more versatile connectivity solution for pairing accessories and peripherals, such as a 5K external monitor. The USB-C port also has power-out, meaning the new iPad Pro can charge an iPhone and other devices.

On the right edge of the new iPad Pro is a new Magnetic connector. A redesigned Apple Pencil attaches magnetically and begins wirelessly charging instantly. I shook the iPad Pro slightly and the Pencil maintained a strong hold.

ipad pro magnetic connectoripad pro pencil

Magnetic connector on new iPad Pro

The new Apple Pencil supports a double-tap gesture that can be customized to switch between drawing tools or to show the color palette.

ipad settings apple pencil
Apple generally doesn't allow benchmarks to be run during its hands-on sessions, so we'll have to wait for that, but the new A12X Bionic chip with an eight-core CPU and seven-core Apple-designed GPU is said to provide up to 90 percent faster multi-core performance with up to twice as fast graphics.

The new iPad Pro packs smaller speakers, yet they are louder and produce stereo sound. Apple's hands-on room was not a good environment to test the speakers, so we'll have to wait until we get the tablet in our hands.

The new iPad Pro starts at $799 in the United States with 64GB of storage. It's available to order starting today ahead of its November 7 release date.

MacBook Air and Mac mini ahead…

➜ Click here to read rest of article...

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini
Tag: October 2018 Event
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now), 13" MacBook Air (Caution), Mac Mini (Neutral)
Related Forums: MacBook Air, Mac mini
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Apple's New iPad Lineup, From Mini to Pro: $329 to $1,899

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With the launch of the new iPad Pro, Apple offers 28 different models of tablet, not including colors. Here's a top-to-bottom look at Apple's full iPad lineup, from the iPad mini up to the brand new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Curiously, Apple is charging a $150 premium on the new cellular-equipped iPad Pro models, up from $130 in the rest of the lineup.

image 1

iPad mini 4 - 7.9-inch

$399 - 128GB
$529 - 128GB + Cellular

iPad 9.7-inch

$329 - 32GB
$429 - 128GB
$459 - 32GB + Cellular
$559 - 128GB + Cellular

iPad Pro 10.5-inch (old)

$649 - 64GB
$799 - 256GB
$999 - 512GB
$779 - 64GB + Cellular
$929 - 256GB + Cellular
$1,129 - 512GB + Cellular

iPad Pro 11-inch

$799 - 64GB
$949 - 256GB
$1,149 - 512GB
$1,549 - 1TB
$949 - 64GB + Cellular
$1,099 - 256GB + Cellular
$1,299 - 512GB + Cellular
$1,699 - 1TB + Cellular

iPad Pro 12.9-inch

$999 - 64GB
$1,149 - 256GB
$1,349 - 512GB
$1,749 - 1TB
$1,149 - 64GB + Cellular
$1,299 - 256GB + Cellular
$1,499 - 512GB + Cellular
$1,899 - 1TB + Cellular

At the top of the lineup is the $1,899 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 1 terabyte of storage plus cellular, the most expensive iPad ever. That's more expensive than a good chunk of Apple's Mac lineup.

Tag: October 2018 Event
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Apple's New Mac Lineup, From Mini to iMac Pro: $799 to $13,199

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With the updating of the Mac mini and MacBook Air this morning, here's a list of the wide range of Macs that Apple offers, from the new $799 mini up to the fully loaded iMac Pro at a credit-card busting price of $13,199. With the exception of the top-of-the-line iMac Pro, These are all stock configurations available online or at Apple Retail Stores, while custom configurations of processors, RAM, storage and graphics cards will change these prices significantly.

image

Mac mini

$799 - 3.6GHz 4-core 8th-gen Core i3, 128GB SSD, 8GB
$1,099 - 3.0GHz 6-core 8th-gen Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB

MacBook

$1,299 - 1.2GHz 2-core 7th-gen Core m3, 256GB SSD, 8GB
$1,599 - 1.3GHz 2-core 7th-gen Core i5, 512GB SSD, 8GB

MacBook Air

$999 - (old non-Retina) 1.8GHz 2-core 5th-gen Core i5, 128GB SSD, 8GB
$1,199 - 1.6GHz 2-core 8th-gen Core i5, 128GB SSD, 8GB
$1,399 - 1.6GHz 2-core 8th-gen Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB

MacBook Pro

$1,299 - 13-inch, 2.3GHz 2-core 7th-gen Core i5, 128GB SSD, 8GB
$1,499 - 13-inch, 2.3GHz 2-core 7th-gen Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB

$1,799 - 13-inch w/Touch Bar, 2.3GHz 4-core 8th-gen Core i5, 256GB SSD, 8GB
$1,999 - 13-inch w/Touch Bar, 2.3GHz 4-core 8th-gen Core i5, 512GB SSD, 8GB

$2,399 - 15-inch w/Touch Bar, 2.2GHz 6-core 8th-gen Core i7, 256GB SSD, 16GB
$2,799 - 15-inch w/Touch Bar, 2.6GHz 6-core 8th-gen Core i7, 512GB SSD, 16GB

iMac

$1,099 - 21-inch, non-Retina, 2.3GHz 2-core 7th-gen i5, 1TB HDD, 8GB
$1,299 - 21-inch, 3.0GHz 4-core 7th-gen Core i5, 1TB HDD, 8GB memory
$1,499 - 21-inch, 3.4GHz 4-core 7th-gen Core i5, 1TB Fusion, 8GB

$1,799 - 27-inch, 3.4GHz 4-core 7th-gen Core i5, 1TB Fusion, 8GB
$1,999 - 27-inch, 3.5GHz 4-core 7th-gen Core i5, 1TB Fusion, 8GB
$2,299 - 27-inch, 3.8GHz 4-core 7th-gen Core i5, 2TB Fusion, 8GB

Mac Pro

$2,999 - 3.5GHz 6-core Intel Xeon E5, 256GB SSD, 16GB
$3,999 - 3.0GHz 8-core Intel Xeon E5, 256GB SSD, 16GB

iMac Pro

$4,999 - 3.2GHz 8-core Intel Xeon W, 1TB SSD, 32GB, Radeon Pro Vega 56 w/8GB
$13,199 - 2.3GHz 18-core Intel Xeon W, 4TB SSD, 128GB, Radeon Pro Vega 64 w/16GB

With the revamp of the Mac mini and MacBook Air, the Mac Pro once again finds itself as the oldest machine in the lineup (aside from carryover legacy machines kept around for pricing reasons). The MacBook and iMac (and Pro) were last refreshed in 2017, so they're due for updates as well.

Tag: October 2018 Event
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AppleCare+ for New iPad Pro Models Priced at $130, Out-of-Warranty Repairs Cost Up to $649

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Alongside the release of updated 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, Apple has increased the price of AppleCare+ for the iPad Pro from $99 to $129 in the United States.

AppleCare+ for all 10.5, 11, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, which is the entire device lineup, will now cost $129.

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AppleCare+ extends the warranty on the iPad Pro to two years from the date of purchase, and it covers two incidents of accidental damage subjected to a $49 service fee. The protection plan also covers the Apple Pencil.

AppleCare+ must be purchased alongside a new iPad Pro or within 60 days, with Apple using an online or in-store verification process for AppleCare+ purchases made after an iPad Pro purchase.

Sans AppleCare+, out-of-warranty repairs on the new iPad Pro models are expensive. Repairs on the new 11-inch iPad Pro will cost $499, while repairs on the new 12-inch iPad Pro will cost $649. Repairs for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro will cost $449.

The new 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models can be purchased today from the Apple online store, with shipments set to arrive on November 7. The 11-inch model is priced starting at $799 and the 12.9-inch model is priced starting at $999.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: October 2018 Event
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Shares T2 Security Chip Guide Detailing Privacy Features 'Never Before Seen on Mac'

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Apple's event today included brief details about the company's T2 security chip coming to the MacBook Air and Mac mini (it's already in the 2018 MacBook Pro), but a new security guide has shed light onto what exactly the chip does for user privacy (via TechCrunch). According to the guide, on MacBook Air and Pro the chip includes a hardware microphone disconnect feature that ensures the microphone is disabled when the lid is closed.

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This is accomplished through hardware so that the microphone becomes physically disabled from the rest of the MacBook hardware every time the lid is closed, preventing any software from engaging the microphone when the user shuts the MacBook. Apple points out that the camera is not disconnected in hardware, because its field of view is already completely obstructed when the MacBook lid is closed.

All Mac portables with the Apple T2 Security Chip feature a hardware disconnect that ensures that the microphone is disabled whenever the lid is closed. This disconnect is implemented in hardware alone, and therefore prevents any software, even with root or kernel privileges in macOS, and even the software on the T2 chip, from engaging the microphone when the lid is closed. (The camera is not disconnected in hardware because its field of view is completely obstructed with the lid closed.)

Apple says that the T2 chip gives Macs a solid foundation for encrypted storage, secure boot, and Touch ID, all based on dedicated security hardware and the Secure Enclave coprocessor included on the T2 chip. Combined with the security and convenience of Touch ID, Macs with the T2 chip provide "a level of privacy and security protections never before seen on Mac," according to Apple.

Besides its security features, the new 13-inch MacBook Air includes a Retina Display, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a headphone jack, 50 percent smaller display bezels, a reduced footprint, and more. Pre-orders for the device are live today, starting at $1,199.00, and the MacBook Air will officially launch on November 7.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Tag: October 2018 Event
Buyer's Guide: 13" MacBook Air (Caution)
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PSA: Group FaceTime's Video Chat Not Available on Older iOS Devices

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Apple today released iOS 12.1, which reintroduces the Group FaceTime feature that was removed during the iOS 12 beta testing process.

Group FaceTime is designed to let iPhone, iPad, and Mac users conduct video and audio chats with up to 32 participants at one time, with new camera effect features like filters, stickers, Animoji, and Memoji included.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

Unfortunately, Group FaceTime is limited on older Apple devices. On the iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus, it is available in an audio-only capacity with no video. In its recently released iOS 12.1 user guide, Apple says that Group FaceTime video is not compatible with these devices.

"Note: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus support only audio Group FaceTime calls. Group FaceTime may not be available in all regions."

Group FaceTime is also limited to audio-only on the iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad Air, and iPod touch.

According to Apple's official Group FaceTime support document, Group FaceTime with full video is limited to the iPhone 6s or later, iPad Pro or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad mini 4, and iOS 12.1 is, of course, required for the feature to work.

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Group FaceTime calls can be initiated via the FaceTime app or through a group conversation within the Messages app. When you're on a Group FaceTime call, the interface is organized into tiles, with the tile of the person speaking at the time getting larger so you can focus on each person.

Like regular FaceTime calls in iOS 12, Group FaceTime calls support a range of camera effects so you can use stickers, Animoji, Memoji, and filters during your calls.

Group FaceTime supports ringless notifications to let people join calls without disrupting conversations already in progress, and there are built-in tools for seamlessly adding or removing people from your chat. For more details on how to use Group FaceTime, make sure to check our our Group FaceTime walkthrough and how to.

Related Forum: iOS 12
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iOS 12.1 Addresses Two Major iPhone XS/XR Issues: 'BeautyGate' and Cellular Connectivity

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Amid product refreshes for the iPad Pro, Mac mini, and new MacBook Air, Apple today released iOS 12.1, a major update that brings features like eSIM support for the new iPhones, Group FaceTime, real-time Depth Control, and new emoji.

iOS 12.1 also addresses a couple of bugs that iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR users have been facing since the new devices were released. We mentioned these new features in our full iOS 12.1 release post, but we didn't want anyone to miss out on the news that Apple has implemented fixes for two key problems.

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Image via Reddit

Following the launch of the iPhone XS and XS Max, new iPhone owners began complaining about excessive skin smoothing when taking selfies with the two new devices, an issue dubbed "BeautyGate" after people began speculating that Apple was using some kind of beauty filter for the camera.

As it turns out, the new Smart HDR functionality on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR was to blame. Apple said Smart HDR, which is designed to preserve more detail in highlights and shadows by combining multiple images into one, was picking a base frame that wasn't sharp enough, resulting in excessive blur and noise reduction.

In iOS 12.1, Apple introduced a bug fix that chooses a sharper reference frame that should result in less skin smoothing when taking photos. From Apple's release notes:

Fixes an issue where the sharpest reference frame was not always selected in front-facing photos for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR

The second issue addressed in today's update relates to LTE. iPhone XS and XS Max users have been complaining of significant LTE connectivity issues after noticing different cellular reception between iPhone XS and older iPhone models.

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According to Apple's release notes, today's update introduces unspecified improvements to LTE connectivity.

Improves cellular connectivity for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR

Hopefully customers who were affected with poor cellular connectivity will see some significant improvements following the update to iOS 12.1.

Have you updated? Is your LTE connection better? Do you see less skin smoothing with the front-facing camera? Let us know in the comments.

Related Forum: iOS 12
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2018 iPad Pro With 1TB Storage Has 6GB RAM, Lower Capacities Have 4GB

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Following Apple's event in Brooklyn this morning, more information has come to light about the new iPad Pros, particularly how much RAM is included in each model of the updated tablets. Using Xcode, developer Steve Troughton-Smith has discovered that the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with 1TB of storage have 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB for previous generation iPad Pros.

ipad pro 2018 both sizes

This is the first time that any iPad Pro model has supported 1TB of storage, and 6GB is the highest amount of RAM seen on Apple's pro-level tablets, if the data is accurate. For any storage capacity below 1TB, including 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, each iPad Pro model retains the previous generation's 4GB of RAM. RAM isn't an aspect of the iPad that Apple details to customers, so this information hasn't been confirmed, but the Xcode test appears largely accurate.

At 1TB, Apple sells the 11-inch iPad Pro for $1,549.00 and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $1,749.00, making them the most expensive iPad models ever sold. Apple has increased the RAM in both iPad and iPhone over the years. The iPhone X, for example, had 3GB RAM, while the iPhone XS and XS Max have 4GB RAM. The lower-cost iPhone XR retains the iPhone X's 3GB RAM.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: October 2018 Event
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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