MacRumors

Google today announced an overhaul of its Google Play Music streaming platform, with new contextually aware, opt-in music recommendation features that promise a more personal music listening experience.

Building on its stated aim of helping users find the right music for any moment, Google says the fresh take on its streaming service is "smarter, easier to use, and much more assistive", thanks in large part to deeper integration with machine learning technology that allows it to offer content based on user location, time of day, current activity, and music preferences.

Central to the overhaul is a redesigned home screen that Google likens to "the ultimate personal DJ", which learns what you like to listen to and when you like to listen to it, presenting content accordingly. Examples include suggesting a users' workout playlist when they arrive at the gym, offering music for unwinding after a day at the office, and recommending additional songs from new artists the user has previously expressed an interest in.

To provide even richer music recommendations based on Google's understanding of your world, we've plugged into the contextual tools that power Google products. When you opt in, we'll deliver personalized music based on where you are and why you are listening — relaxing at home, powering through at work, commuting, flying, exploring new cities, heading out on the town, and everything in between. Your workout music is front and center as you walk into the gym, a sunset soundtrack appears just as the sky goes pink, and tunes for focusing turn up at the library.

In addition to the new opt-in personalization features, the overhauled service also includes a new regularly updated offline playlist based on what users listened to recently, enabling subscribers to listen to their favorite music even if they lose their connection.

Powered by the company's machine learning systems and teams of human curators, Google promises the experience will "keep evolving" and improve the more it's used, whether that's through the company's recently launched Google Home smart speaker, on Chromecast devices such as the new 4K Chromecast Ultra, or its Google Pixel smartphones, which were unveiled last month.

The price of Google Play Music remains $9.99 per month and the company says it's rolling out the revamped service globally this week across iOS, Android, and the web.

After entering the "Preparing for Shipment" stage on Thursday, the first wave of MacBook Pros with Touch Bars have begun shipping to customers for delivery next week. While Apple is quoting Wednesday, November 16 as the estimated delivery date, UPS is telling some customers that they can expect their new MacBooks on Monday, November 14.

When the Touch Bar MacBook Pros became available for pre-order on October 27 customers received shipping estimates ranging from November 17 to November 25, making UPS' delivery estimates a couple of days earlier than expected. Thus far, the majority of the MacBook Pros that have begun shipping have been 15-inch models and custom orders, according to MacRumors readers who have notified us of their shipping status.

Many 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar orders still haven't shipped, according to MacRumors readers. It's unclear when these models will begin shipping, but it could happen shortly after the 15-inch and custom-ordered MacBook Pros begin their transit.

The new MacBook Pros sold out quickly, with shipping estimates moving from 2 to 3 weeks to 3 to 4 weeks hours after they went on sale. Current shipping estimates are 4 to 5 weeks. Apple's Phil Schiller said that the company has received more online orders for the new MacBook Pro than any previous model. Slice Intelligence sales estimates suggest the new model has already outsold all competing laptops in 2016.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar starts at $1,799 while the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar starts at $2,399.

Those interested in tracking their orders and discussing their configurations and shipping status can join our dedicated MacBook Pro pre-order shipping thread.

Update: Users are now reporting significant numbers of 13-inch models also shipping.

A day after the first 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Touch Bars began preparing for shipment to customers, Apple and LG's UltraFine 4K Display has begun shipping. Shipments are expected to arrive next week, with one MacRumors forum member noting November 15 as their delivery date.

The 21.5-inch UltraFine 4K Display went up for pre-order at the same time as the new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. At the time, deliveries were estimated to arrive on November 15 at the earliest. Current delivery estimates are quoted at 5 to 6 weeks.

Apple debuted the UltraFine Display at its MacBook Pro event last month in 4K and 5K variations. While the 4K display has been available for pre-order since the event, the 5K display is not yet available. The Cupertino company said it partnered with LG to develop the displays specifically for the new MacBook Pro, with Apple making sure that the displays are optimized for its products. Shortly after announcing the displays, Apple confirmed it was out of the standalone display business.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar can power either one 5K UltraFine display or two 4K UltraFine displays, while the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar can power either two 5K displays or four 4K displays. Additionally, both displays include three downstream USB-C ports and can charge a MacBook Pro over the same cable that carries the video and data signals.

In early November, Apple dropped the prices of both displays in an effort to smooth the transition for new MacBook Pro owners. The move was combined with price drops for all of Apple's USB-C adapters. The 27-inch 5K UltraFine display is now $974, a $325 price cut from the original price of $1,299. The 4K UltraFine display is now $524, a $175 price cut from the original price of $699. The lowered prices are only available until the end of the year.

AT&T today announced a new "Stream Saver" feature, which it says is a "free and convenient" data-saving option that allows customers to watch more video by downgrading video quality.

Stream Saver mimics T-Mobile's Binge On option, automatically streaming video at "about 480p," or standard definition quality instead of high definition quality.

AT&T is making Stream Saver an optional feature, with customers able to turn it on and off at will using myAT&T or Premier for business customers. According to AT&T, Stream Saver can be toggled off at any time with no charge to AT&T customers. While it is available for most streaming video, AT&T says Stream Saver is not able to detect and optimize all video due to the way some content owners deliver video streams.

As an optional feature that isn't limited to specific content partners, Stream Saver does not seem to raise the same questions about net neutrality that have caused T-Mobile's Binge On feature to be scrutinized by the FCC.

Through Binge On, T-Mobile offers free video streaming at 480p when customers watch content from select partners. T-Mobile has dozens of audio and video partners, including YouTube, Amazon Video, Netflix, Sling TV, VUDU, HBO NOW, Showtime, Hulu, and more.

AT&T plans to make Stream Saver available to customers starting in early 2017.

Ever since Apple delayed the launch of its all-new AirPods beyond the late October timeframe it originally promised, saying it needed "a little more time" before they are ready for customers, there have been conflicting rumors about when the wireless earphones will actually be released.

The latest word comes from investment bank Barclays, which in a research note we saw said AirPods should enter production in December. That means AirPods could still feasibly be released in time for the final weeks of the holiday shopping season, although a January 2017 launch as previously rumored, or later, is possible.

Barclays said the initial production run will be "fairly small," totaling between 10 million and 15 million AirPods to start. Depending on demand, the limited supply could result in a scenario where AirPods stock is quickly depleted upon launch, resulting in extended shipping estimates akin to a new iPhone launch.

Earlier this week, an employee at Apple reseller Conrad reportedly told a customer it will receive AirPods stock on November 17. As we noted at the time, it is entirely possible the employee provided inaccurate information. Apple lists AirPods as both "coming soon" and "currently unavailable" on different parts of its website.

Apple will launch a trio of new iPad Pro models in March, including refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions and an all-new bezel-free 10.9-inch model, according to Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Christopher Hemmelgarn, Thomas O'Malley, and Jerry Zhang, citing sources within the company's Asian supply chain.

In a research note obtained by MacRumors, the analysts said the 10.9-inch model's borderless design will allow for it to be the same physical size as the current-generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro. That means the display itself will need to have an edge-to-edge design, possibly signaling the removal of the Home button.

Multiple rumors have claimed Apple is developing a new iPad in the 10-inch range, but the exact screen size has varied in each report. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro will launch in 2017, while Japanese website Mac Otakara said a new 10.1-inch iPad Pro will launch in early 2017.

Barclays, like Kuo, expects the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro to be a "low-cost" model alongside the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which the analysts do not believe will be refreshed alongside the larger tablets. Instead, the research note said Apple will continue to produce and sell the iPad mini 4, released in September 2015.

Mac Otakara previously said the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will feature a True Tone display like its current 9.7-inch counterpart, using advanced four-channel ambient light sensors to automatically adapt the color and intensity of the display to match the light in the surrounding environment.

That report said all three new iPad Pro models will gain quad microphones, compared to the current dual setup, and retain 3.5mm headphone jacks.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is also said to gain the 9.7-inch model's same 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and True Tone flash.

More "revolutionary" changes to iPads, including a switch to OLED displays, are expected in 2018, according to Kuo's earlier report.

Apple will release new 5-inch and 5.8-inch iPhones with curved, bezel-free designs next year, according to Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Christopher Hemmelgarn, Thomas O'Malley, and Jerry Zhang.

The analysts, citing sources within Apple's supply chain following a trip to Asia this week, said the borderless design will allow for the new iPhones to be the same overall size as current 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models.

Larger and Bezel-less - iPhone 8 design didn't sound 100% locked down but we believe the move is to a bezel-less design with screen sizes getting larger and curved edges in the original envelope. The iPhone 8 moves to 5" (from 4.7") and the Plus moves to 5.8" (from 5.5").

In a research note obtained by MacRumors, the analysts said only the 5.8-inch model will use OLED display technology, which can be sharper, brighter, and more energy efficient than LCD technology. Apple's primary OLED suppliers are said to be Samsung and LG, joined by Foxconn-owned Sharp by 2018.

The research note corroborates KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in March said Apple will launch a 5.8-inch iPhone with a curved OLED display and glass casing next year. Japanese website Nikkei said the larger-screened iPhone will be a premium model, positioned alongside 4.7-inch and 5-inch iPhones with LCD displays.

It has been widely rumored Apple will achieve a bezel-free design by removing the iconic Home button on the next iPhone. Barclays, however, does not believe the Home button will move to an in-screen solution. It does expect the screen will "extend vertically as well as horizontally," but exactly how remains to be seen.

The first 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with a Touch Bar will soon be making it into the hands of customers, as initial MacBook Pro orders have shifted into the "Preparing for Shipment" stage.

Customers who ordered a MacBook Pro right when it became available for purchase on October 27 received shipping estimates ranging from November 17 to November 25, and with orders ready to go, it appears customers will begin receiving their machines next week.

According to reports from MacRumors readers, it looks like 15-inch MacBook Pro models and custom ordered machines will be shipping out in the near future. We aren't yet seeing reports of order changes for 13-inch machines, but those should also be going out soon.

New MacBook Pro models sold out quickly, with shipping estimates slipping from 2-3 weeks to 3-4 weeks within a matter of hours after they went on sale. It is not yet known when stores will begin receiving supplies of the new MacBook Pro, but right around November 17 is a good guess.

Last week, Apple's Phil Schiller said Apple has received more online orders for the new MacBook Pro than for any previous-generation MacBook Pro. Sales estimates from Slice Intelligence have also suggested the new MacBook Pro has already outsold all competing laptops in 2016, despite its high price tag.

Pricing on the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar begins at $1,799, while pricing on the 15-inch Touch Bar model begins at $2,399.

Update: Several MacRumors readers are now seeing "Preparing for Shipment" updates on 13-inch MacBook Pro orders as well.