MacRumors

Apple Savings account holders are currently receiving push notifications informing them that Goldman Sachs has raised the interest rate on the account to an annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.25% from 4.15%. This is the first increase in the interest rate since the feature launched back in April.

While the increase is a welcome one for Apple Savings customers and is a fairly competitive rate, there are some other high-yield savings accounts on the market that currently offer even higher rates.

The interest rate hike comes as Apple and Goldman Sachs are working out how to terminate their partnership for Apple Card and Apple Savings as Goldman Sachs seeks to exit the consumer business.

Recent reports have indicated that Apple has submitted a proposal to Goldman Sachs that would wind down the partnership over the next 12 to 15 months, but for the time being, there have been no changes to the availability of ‌Apple Card‌ and Apple Savings.

Apple and Goldman Sachs are reportedly looking for a new partner or partners to take over management of ‌Apple Card‌ and Apple Savings, and it's unclear how the offerings may be affected by such a shift.

(Thanks, KPOM!)

Recently, MacRumors has received information indicating that Apple intends to implement the tetraprism telephoto lens on both iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max in 2024.

Our findings align with claims made by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo back in September, which were recently reiterated. The Elec also published a report earlier this month which makes the same claim about tetraprism availability, albeit with more details.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a tetraprism telephoto camera. The folded glass structure within it uses a tetraprism design which repeatedly reflects light, allowing for up to 5x optical zoom, up from 3x on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

This year, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro was released without the new-and-improved tetraprism telephoto camera, likely due to spatial constraints. The components necessary for the tetraprism camera occupy significantly more space than the telephoto camera currently found on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and consequently would not fit in the smaller 6.1” device.

With the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌, Apple intends to increase the overall size of the devices, with the displays of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max measuring roughly 6.3" and 6.9", respectively. The increased device sizes would provide ample room for the new tetraprism telephoto camera, and internal documentation seen by MacRumors corroborates this change.

Internal documentation detailing the camera module design for the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ reveals that the module bears significant resemblance to the module used in the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max. At a glance, the area containing the tetraprism components can be easily identified.

It is important to consider that the information provided here constitutes pre-production information and may not reflect the hardware found on final mass production units. The ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ is still many months away and changes are always possible.

For more details on what to expect, check out our rumor roundup page for the iPhone 16 Pro.

While iOS 17 updates continue to roll out periodically, work is well underway on the next major version, iOS 18, due to be released in beta in June and to the public in September, based on past patterns. Through our sources, MacRumors has received information on early development versions of ‌iOS 18‌ and the hardware referenced in the code.

The operating system, codenamed "Crystal," contains references to four unreleased iPhone models, which aligns with existing information on the iPhone 16 line up. The models referenced are:

• D47 – ‌iPhone 16‌
• D48 – ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus
• D93 – iPhone 16 Pro
• D94 – ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max

In contrast to previous rumors, we have so far found no evidence of an alleged "iPhone Ultra" as part of the ‌iPhone 16‌ range. While it is theoretically possible that an additional model could fall under the "D94" device identifier, such a device would more than likely use a separate identifier (D95 or D94a) to clearly differentiate it from the hardware of other configurations.

For the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple developed an alternate version with the device identifier "D84S" for use in proprietary 5G modem testing. The "S" in "D84S" likely stood for "Sinope," the project codename for Apple's in-house 5G modem. Although this device was never released to the general public, it provides insight into Apple's nomenclature in terms of device identifiers.

Code from the operating system also indicates that the entire ‌iPhone 16‌ range will use a new system-on-chip – t8140 – Tahiti, which is what Apple calls the A18 chip internally. The A18 chip is referenced in relation to the base model ‌iPhone 16‌ and 16 Plus (known collectively as D4y within Apple) as well as the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and 16 Pro Max (referred to as D9x internally).

This aligns with a previous rumor concerning the ‌iPhone 16‌ range, and represents a notable change from Apple's previous releases. In the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup, the base model ‌iPhone 15‌ uses the older A16 chip from the iPhone 14 Pro, while the top-of-the-range ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro features an all-new A17 Pro chip with an additional GPU core and increased clock speed, and it is built on a more efficient 3nm platform compared to the A16.

The ‌iPhone 16‌ range will, however, apparently feature the same general chip on both base model and Pro iPhones. While the operating system indicates the use of the same t8140 chip for the entire ‌iPhone 16‌ range, Apple may opt to differentiate the chips used on different tiers of iPhones, such as by using A18 and A18 Pro branding.

In addition to the A18 chip, the operating system contains references to a Broadcom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module seemingly planned for the ‌iPhone 16‌ range, but beyond this it does not contain any further details. While the operating system contains codenames related to different hardware components, there is no additional information of note, as the operating system is seemingly too early in development to contain any noteworthy changes compared to iOS 17.

For additional details on what to expect, check out our dedicated rumor roundup pages for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

The U.S. International Trade Commission today denied Apple's motion to stay a looming Apple Watch ban while Apple files for appeal [PDF via The Verge], which means one avenue avoiding a pause in sales has been exhausted.

Apple filed the appeal on October 30, aiming to prevent an import ban from going into effect while an appeal was underway, but the ITC said no to the request. The ITC has ordered Apple to stop importing Apple Watch blood oxygen sensor equipment that infringes on patents owned by medical device company Masimo.

U.S. sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are set to stop online after 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21. In-store sales will stop after December 24. The sales ban is limited to the United States and only impacts Apple. Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and other retailers can continue to sell the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌ and Series 9 until supplies are exhausted.

The ITC implemented the import ban after deciding that Apple had indeed violated Masimo patents with the blood oxygen monitoring technology in the Apple Watch, which Masimo has been claiming for years.

Apple could avoid an import ban if the White House vetoes the ITC's decision, but it is so far looking like that might not happen. The White House has until December 25 to decide whether it will step in. Back when the iPhone was facing an import ban because of a patent dispute with Samsung, then-President Barack Obama did veto the ITC's ruling, but this time Apple is in a dispute with an American company and it is over a product that is not as pivotal as the ‌iPhone‌.

Apple is working to update the algorithms used in the Apple Watch blood oxygen sensor in an attempt to skirt the ban, and the company said that it plans to submit a workaround. While Apple thinks it can avoid patent infringement through a software update, Masimo has said that a software update will not work.

Apple wants to launch the Vision Pro by February and is ramping up production to meet that release date goal, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Production has been "running at full speed" for the last several weeks to ensure the Vision Pro is ready by the end of January, with a retail launch planned for February. Apple introduced the Vision Pro back in June, and at the time, the company said it would be released in early 2024.

Since then, release timeline rumors have varied, with initial rumors suggesting March and later rumors pointing to January.

Sales of the Vision Pro will be limited to the United States to begin with, and it sounds like customers will need to purchase in a retail store or pick up an online order in store. Apple wants to ensure that customers have the right headband size and Light Seal for an appropriate fit. Without a tight fit that blocks out all ambient light, content won't look right, and without the right headband size, the device could feel too heavy. Some customers will also need custom Zeiss prescription lenses, so Apple plans to do headset assembly in its retail locations.

Apple is preparing to display and demonstrate the Vision Pro in some of its retail stores. Locations will need to have headsets on hand and all of the accessories, including the different-sized headbands and Light Seals. Apple is sending employees from each of its retail stores to Cupertino to learn how to prepare the device for customers.

According to Gurman, employees will learn how the Vision Pro functions, what features to point out in conversations with potential buyers, and how to attach the headband, Light Seal, and prescription lenses. It is a delicate process because employees will need to learn how to put a device on a person's head and fit the right Light Seal on the face. There will be an app able to scan a customer's face to determine the proper headband and Light Seal, but the app's recommendation will have to be confirmed by an employee.

Apple is not expected to hold another Vision Pro event when the device launches, due to the limited U.S. release, the $3,500 price tag of the device, and the limited supply that Apple has available. If demand for the Vision Pro is high, it could be months before Apple is able to manufacture enough units.

While Apple is planning for a February launch, Gurman warns that production issues or other problems could lead to a delay.

Aston Martin and Porsche today previewed the first vehicle dashboards with support for Apple's next-generation CarPlay experience, which launches in 2024, according to a Car and Driver report spotted by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Aston Martin confirmed that it will release its first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay in 2024, including an updated DB12 sports car, but it's unclear exactly when in the year this will happen. Porsche did not provide a timeframe or reveal any specific details.

Apple first previewed the next-generation CarPlay experience in June 2022, promising deeper integration with the instrument cluster and climate controls, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, a dedicated FM radio app, widgets, and more.

The next-generation CarPlay interface can be tailored to each specific vehicle model and automaker's brand identity, as pictured below.

Aston Martin previewed CarPlay integration with the instrument cluster and climate controls:

Porsche showed off a custom elongated CarPlay interface on the central screen, along with widgets for apps like Calendar, Music, and Weather on a second display:

With next-generation CarPlay, a connected iPhone will provide app-related data, while the vehicle will provide driving-specific data and info like tire pressure. Apple said the connected iPhone will not store or track this vehicle information.

When first unveiling next-generation CarPlay last year, Apple said committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo. Beyond the addition of Aston Martin, it's unclear if this list has changed since that initial announcement.

Below, we have recapped five key features to expect from next-generation CarPlay, as previewed by Apple last year.

Instrument Cluster Integration

The new CarPlay experience will provide integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster, including the speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, engine temperature gauge, oil pressure gauge, and more. Apple says drivers will be able to choose from several gauge cluster designs and layouts, including brand‑specific options.

Climate Controls

You'll be able to access your vehicle's climate controls directly within the new version of CarPlay, allowing you to adjust the temperature of the A/C or heat, fan speed, heated seats, heated steering wheel, and other options.

Multi-Display Support

The new version of CarPlay will be able to appear across all of the displays in a vehicle, providing a consistent experience across the infotainment system, instrument cluster, and any additional screens on the dashboard. Apple says CarPlay will be tailored to each new vehicle model to accommodate unique screen shapes and layouts.

Widgets

Widgets will be a key part of the new CarPlay experience, offering at-a-glance information such as trip duration, fuel economy, distance traveled, calendar events, weather, phone calls, the status of a HomeKit-enabled garage door, and more. It will also be possible to view and scroll through the widgets within the instrument cluster.

FM Radio App

The new version of CarPlay will include an all-new Radio app that allows you to easily control the FM radio in your vehicle, such as to change the station.

Apple on Tuesday released iOS 17.2.1 for the iPhone, and the update supposedly improves battery life in at least some countries.

In the U.S. and most other countries, the iOS 17.2.1 release notes only mention "important bug fixes," and do not provide any specific details. In China and Japan, however, the notes also indicate that the update "addresses an issue that can cause the battery to drain faster under certain conditions," based on a computer translation of the text.

The release notes discrepancy was highlighted in a social media post on X by Brandon Butch, who runs an iOS-focused YouTube channel. We have reached out to Apple for clarification, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

Following the release of iOS 17.2.1, Apple continues to beta test a larger iOS 17.3 update, which will likely be released in January or February. iOS 17.3 adds a new "Stolen Device Protection" security option, and reintroduces collaborative Apple Music playlists, a feature that was originally intended to launch with iOS 17.2 last week.

It's getting harder and harder to order products online with a guaranteed Christmas delivery, but Best Buy still has a big last-minute holiday sale event going on, and it has same-day delivery options as well as in-store pickup. Deals include all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 9, AirPods, MacBook Pro, iPhone, iPad, and much more.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Some of the deals shared below require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership. These start at $49.99 per year and grant members exclusive access to select deals, sale events, and extended return windows. Of course, there's also much more beyond Apple products on sale right now with potential for Christmas day delivery, including video games, sound bars, small kitchen appliances, TVs, and more.

Accessories

Accessory sales currently include the AirTag 4 Pack for just $78.99, which is a solid second-best price on the tracking accessory. You'll also find great deals on the MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Duo Charger on Best Buy.

AirPods

Best Buy has the AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case for $139.99, down from $169.99. This is an all-time low price for this model of the AirPods. You can also get the new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C for $199.99, which is a great second-best price.

Beats

An all-time low price on the Beats Studio Pro has returned this month. The headphones are now available for $179.99 in multiple colors, down from $349.99.

MacBook Pro

14-inch MacBook Pro

Apple's 512GB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is available for a record low $1,349.00 for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, down from $1,599.00. Non-members can still purchase the notebook at a solid second-best price of $1,399.00.

Secondly, Best Buy has the 1TB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro for $1,549.00, down from $1,799.00. This one is a also a new all-time low price at $250 off, and it's again only available for My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members. The non-member price of $1,599.00 is still an excellent discount, however.

16-inch MacBook Pro

You'll find similar discounts on the 16-inch models of the new MacBook Pro, with up to $300 off select models for My Best Buy Plus/Total members and second-best prices for everyone else.

13-Inch M1 MacBook Air

Apple's 13-inch M1 MacBook Air is available for $749.99, down from $999.00. This one is available to all shoppers and does not require a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership.

13-inch M2 MacBook Air

Best Buy has all four colors of the 13-inch MacBook Air at $949.00. This is a second-best price on the 13.6-inch 256GB M2 MacBook Air, and likely the last discount we'll be tracking on the computer before the holidays end.

Best Buy also has the 512GB model of the 13.6-inch M2 MacBook Air on sale, available for $1,199.00, down from $1,399.00. Compared to past sales, this is a second-best price and still a solid discount on the 2022 notebook.

15-inch M2 MacBook Air

Perhaps the most notable MacBook deal during this event is the 15.3-inch M2 MacBook Air for $999.00, down from $1,299.00, which is a rare record low price at $300 off, and you don't need to be a My Best Buy Plus/Total member to see this deal.

There's also the 512GB 15.3-inch M2 MacBook Air at $1,199.00, down from $1,499.00, which is another steep $300 markdown on the 2023 MacBook Air. You'll find every color on sale for both of these computers.

9th Gen iPad

Moving to iPads, Best Buy has the 64GB Wi-Fi 10.2-inch iPad for $249.99, down from $329.99. Additionally, the 256GB Wi-Fi model has hit $399.99 for all shoppers and $379.99 for My Best Buy Plus and Total members, down from $479.99.

10th Gen iPad

Moving up a generation, Best Buy has an all-time low price on the 10th generation iPad. You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi 10.9-inch iPad for $349.00, down from $449.00. Likewise, the 256GB Wi-Fi model is at $100 off, as are both cellular models in every color, making every model of the 10th generation iPad at a record low price right now on Best Buy.

iPad mini 6

iPad mini prices start at $399.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, down from $499.99. Similar to the 10th generation iPad, every model of the iPad mini 6 is on sale at Best Buy right now, so you can get $100 off the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini as well as both cellular devices.

iPad Pro

iPad Pro deals include low prices on both 11-inch and 12.9-inch tablets, and you'll need a My Best Buy Plus or Total membership to see all the deal prices listed below. 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $699.00 for 128GB Wi-Fi ($100 off) and 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $949.00 for 128GB Wi-Fi ($150 off).

Apple Watch Series 9

Starting with the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9, this model is on sale for $329.00, down from $399.00. This is a match of the previous all-time low price, and it's available in all five colors on Best Buy.

Additionally, Best Buy has all-time low prices on the 45mm GPS model and both cellular models of the Apple Watch Series 9, all at $70 off. These sales are available to all shoppers and do not require the My Best Buy Plus or Total membership.

Apple Watch SE

Best Buy is taking $50 off nearly every model of the Apple Watch SE, starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS device. You'll also find both cellular models on sale in multiple colors, and all of these discounts represent record low prices for the Apple Watch SE.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

There is an Apple Card, Apple Cash, Apple Pay and Wallet outage that is causing some users to experience issues with Apple Cash transaction notifications, ‌‌Apple Pay‌‌ web payments, and in-app payments using ‌‌Apple Pay‌‌.

According to Apple's System Status page, the outage began at 06:15 a.m. Eastern Time, and it is ongoing. Apple says that only "some users" are affected, but no other information on numbers is given.

The problem does not seem to be impacting payments that are made using ‌‌Apple Pay‌‌ in retail stores, with those ‌‌Apple Pay‌‌ purchases working fine. There is no word yet on when the ‌‌Apple Pay‌‌ outage might be resolved, but we'll update this article when Apple says that the ‌‌Apple Pay‌‌ issues have been addressed.

Update 7:53 a.m.: Apple says the issues have been resolved.

YouTuber Marques Brownlee has chosen the iPhone 15 Pro as the standout device in the best camera category of MKBHD's Smartphone Awards 2023.

Brownlee justified his choice by admitting that while there are smartphones on the market that can produce better results when using zoom, the iPhone 15 Pro offers the most solid all-round performance across the biggest variety of use cases, and its ease of use when taking photos and videos remains unrivaled.

Brownlee particularly highlighted the quality of video recorded on the iPhone 15 Pro, calling it the best and most consistent in various situations. He also applauded Apple for introducing Log recording to its feature set, as well as the ability to save video directly to an external storage device.

In MKBHD's blind smartphone camera test that was run online, the iPhone 15 Pro was also found to capture the best low-light photos. An honorable mention in the category went to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, for its stills camera performance when using the zoom lens.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Plus won the best battery category, which is judged not only on the biggest capacity, but the overall battery experience. The iPhone 15 was chosen for its less power-hungry 60Hz display that allows the device to keep going beyond most rivals.

MKBHD said that the iPhone 15 Plus should be the choice for those looking for a "risk-free, no-brainer" device with great battery life. Brownlee also gave a shout-out to the ROG Phone 7, which does not have wireless charging but has the biggest battery capacity (6000 mAh) of any phone.

Phone of the Year went to the Google Pixel 8. Despite costing $100 more than its predecessor, Brownlee praised its great stills camera, dramatically better display, several excellent software features, and the promise of seven years of software updates.

All of the category winners for the MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2023 are as follows:

You can watch the full video of MKBHD's Smartphone Awards above and on the YouTube website. What are your opinions on this year's winners? Let us know in the comments.

Next-generation Apple Watch models will feature a completely redesigned band connector, rendering them incompatible with all current bands, according to the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami."

In August, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the upcoming "Apple Watch X" could feature a different way to attach bands to the device. Kosutami's latest tidbit now appears to support this possibility.

Individuals involved in developing new Apple Watch models told Gurman that the existing band system takes up a large amount of space that could be better utilized for bigger batteries or other internal components. As such, Apple is apparently considering a magnetic band attachment system, but it is currently unclear if this specific method will be present on the ‌Apple Watch X or if the company will choose something else‌.

The mechanism for connecting bands to the Apple Watch's casing has been consistent since the device's introduction in 2014. The Apple Watch has a slot along the top and bottom edges, allowing a band to be slid in, and clicked into place via a small spring. When a button beside the slot on the underside of the device is pressed, the band is released and can be easily slid out.

This system has remained the same throughout all of the Apple Watch generations to date, enabling users to freely collect and swap bands regardless of which generation they have, providing the casing has the same width. Overhauling this system is bound to be controversial given that all existing bands will no longer be compatible and therefore, ultimately, obsolete.

The band connector change is expected to be part of a broader redesign of the Apple Watch next year, which is said to see the arrival of thinner casings and larger displays. The device is also rumored to offer blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection.

Kosutami's corroboration is notable given that the leaker was the first to say that Apple would replace its leather Modern Buckle band with a FineWoven version earlier this year. They also went on to provide the first real-world images of the FineWoven Apple Watch bands prior to their official unveiling.

The 2023 remake of popular game Resident Evil 4 is available from today on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Capcom released the Resident Evil 4 remake on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC back in March.

Compared to the original 2005 title, the updated version includes overhauled graphics, new characters, and updated gameplay elements like crafting items and ammo from resources.

Cutting-edge technology and creativity have breathed new life into this standout entry in the Resident Evil series. With juiced-up visuals and a reimagined story, this new title aims to honor its predecessor's successes by digging even deeper into its core message. Dodge death with a greatly expanded repertoire of character actions in this heart-pounding experience!

Resident Evil 4 can be played on iPhone 15 Pro models thanks to the A17 Pro chip, which features hardware-accelerated ray tracing and improved GPU capabilities that make console-quality gaming possible. The game is also compatible with iPads that are equipped with an M1 or later, and all Apple silicon Macs.

Resident Evil 4 can be downloaded for free from the App Store, and though the full IAP unlock is usually priced at $59.99, the main game can be bought for half that price until the discount ends on January 17. The Separate Ways mini game is available for $9.99, while an additional DLC pack is priced at $14.99, and several weapon packs are available at prices ranging from $2.29 to $7.49.

Apple today stopped signing iOS 17.1.1 and iOS 17.1.2, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to those versions of iOS. Apple is no longer signing the updates following the release of iOS iOS 17.2 on December 11 and the launch of iOS 17.2.1 today.

It is not unusual that iOS 17.1.1 and iOS 17.1.2 are no longer being signed. Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date and to prevent users from downgrading to older, less secure versions of the software.

iOS 17.2.1 is the current version of iOS 17 that is available to the public. It introduced unspecified bug fixes, but the iOS 17.2 update that preceded it brought the Journal app, spatial video recording on the iPhone 15 Pro models, updates to Messages and Apple Music, and more.

Apple is also testing iOS 17.3, an update that is expected to come out in January.

An enormous TestFlight leak could see the reappearance of thousands of classic iOS apps and games that have disappeared from the App Store. As noted by Eurogamer, a huge number of TestFlight files were found archived on Wayback Machine and were shared anonymously on X, previously known as Twitter.

The files, which include prototype and beta versions of apps and games, are from 2012 to 2015 and predate when Apple acquired TestFlight. It appears that the content may have come from a cloud storage server that had the wrong configuration, and it was actually uploaded in March 2015 from the old TestFlightApp.com website. Content went unnoticed until it was surfaced on Twitter.

The @teraleak account is sharing game and app files that have been found, and so far, some of the titles that have appeared include unreleased versions of Angry Birds, canceled game Infinity Blade Dungeons, a prototype of Sonic Dash, and more.

There are many apps and games that have been removed from the ‌App Store‌ and can no longer be downloaded from Apple, so the leak will preserve some of those older titles. Downloads from the leaked files will not be able to run on modern devices, but people may come up with workarounds in the future.

Google parent company Alphabet has agreed to pay $700 million and update the Google Play app in order to settle a 2021 U.S. antitrust lawsuit over the Play Store, reports Reuters.

The United States Department of Justice and all 50 states accused Google of charging unnecessary fees for in-app purchases and restricting the distribution of apps on Android devices, resulting in higher fees for consumers.

Google will pay $630 million in restitution to customers, and $70 million into a fund that will be used by states should the settlement get final approval from a judge. Customers who purchased an app on Google Play between August 16, 2016 and September 30, 2023 will receive at least $2.

News of a settlement was announced in September, but the terms were kept under wraps to avoid impacting the Google vs. Epic Games lawsuit. Google lost that lawsuit last week after a nine-member jury unanimously agreed that Google had abused its power by operating an app store monopoly.

In addition to paying money to consumers, Google will make several changes to its Play Store under the terms of the settlement with the government. Developers will be able to pay through in-app billing systems other than Google Play Billing for at least five years, and will be able to direct consumers to non-Google billing systems by advertising cheaper prices in their apps. Google's full concessions are listed below [PDF]:

- Give all developers the ability to allow users to pay through in-app billing systems other than Google Play Billing for at least five years.
- Allow developers to offer cheaper prices for their apps and in-app products for consumers who use alternative, non-Google billing systems for at least five years.
- Permit developers to steer consumers toward alternative, non-Google billing systems by advertising cheaper prices within their apps themselves for at least five years.
- Not enter contracts that require the Play Store to be the exclusive, pre-loaded app store on a device or home screen for at least five years.
- Allow the installation of third-party apps on Android phones from outside the Google Play Store for at least seven years.
- Revise and reduce the warnings that appear on an Android device if a user attempts to download a third-party app from outside the Google Play Store for at least five years.
- Maintain Android system support for third-party app stores, including allowing automatic updates, for four years.
- Not require developers to launch their app catalogs on the Play Store at the same time as they launch on other app stores for at least four years.
- Submit compliance reports to an independent monitor who will ensure that Google is not continuing its anticompetitive conduct for at least five years.

‌Epic Games‌ CEO Tim Sweeney today shared several tweets decrying the terms of the settlement. He said that it is an "injustice to all Android users and developers," and that the decision "endorses Google's misleading and anticompetitive scare screens."

While Google has agreed to these terms to settle the antitrust lawsuit, ‌Epic Games‌ will also be able to make recommendations for changes to the Play Store as part of its separate lawsuit against Google. ‌Epic Games‌ policy head Corie Wright told Reuters that the ruling "did not address the core of Google's unlawful and anticompetitive behavior" and that ‌Epic Games‌ will push to "truly open up the Android ecosystem" in the next phase of its trial.

Google plans to appeal the decision in the ‌Epic Games‌ case, and the company said it will "continue to defend the Android business model."

Google's settlement and loss in the ‌Epic Games‌ case could have implications for Apple in the future. Apple was successful in its lawsuit against ‌Epic Games‌, but the company has been ordered to change its "anti-steering" rule that prevents iOS developers from directing users to make purchases outside of the App Store, circumventing Apple's 15 to 30 percent cut of in-app purchases.

Apple and ‌Epic Games‌ have both filed appeals in their dispute, and the Supreme Court will need decide whether to hear the case.

Apple accessory maker Nomad today announced the upcoming launch of a new Stand Qi2 Magnetic Wireless Charger that works with the new Qi2 charging standard.

Available in black or white, the Qi2 Stand features the same design as the prior Stand and Stand One chargers from Nomad, offering an upright charging base with a round magnetic charging pad.

The Qi2 Stand supports 15W charging on Qi2 compatible devices, which includes the iPhone 15 models and iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models that have iOS 17.2 or later installed.

Qi2 is the next-generation version of the Qi wireless charging standard. It incorporates the magnetic charging profile from MagSafe, and it supports faster 15W charging on compatible ‌iPhone‌ models. The current Qi standard is limited to 7.5W.

With Qi2 available, manufacturers do not have to license official ‌MagSafe‌ charging functionality from Apple, so we can expect to see more affordable 15W wireless charging options. Nomad's Stand will work with any ‌MagSafe‌ or Qi2-enabled device, and it comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable, but customers will need to supply a 20W+ USB-C power adapter.

Nomad plans to begin selling the Qi2 Stand in the coming weeks from the Nomad website, and customers can sign up to be notified when it becomes available.

Alongside iOS 17.2.1, Apple today released iOS 16.7.4 and iPadOS 16.7.4 updates that fix an issue with built-in apps. In some cases, if a user deleted a built-in Apple app on a device running iOS or iPadOS 16.7.3 or earlier, the app would not be able to be reinstalled.

From Apple's release notes for the update:

This update fixes an issue where built-in Apple apps that may have been deleted may not reinstall.

While we haven't heard many complaints about the issue, that is likely because the majority of users have transitioned over to iOS 17. For those who are having a problem with reinstalling a deleted app in iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, the new update will address the problem.

Apple's iOS 17.2.1 update also included bug fixes, but Apple did not provide specific details.