MacRumors

Ahead of the Apple Vision Pro launching on February 2, developers are in the process of preparing their apps for the mixed reality headset. So far, over 250 apps with native support for visionOS have been submitted to Apple, according to a source.

By natively supporting visionOS, apps can take full advantage of "spatial" design elements and offer more immersive features.

In addition to some Apple apps, well-known third-party apps that will natively support visionOS at launch include Airmail, Box, CARROT Weather, Fantastical, Facades, JigSpace, MUBI, Night Sky, OmniPlan 4, Parcel, PCalc, Red Bull TV, Sky Guide, Tides, Webex, Zoom, and more, according to data compiled by app analytics firm Appfigures.

Microsoft will offer a variety of native visionOS apps at launch, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams, based on App Store marketing images shared by developer Steve Troughton-Smith on Mastodon and @M1Astra on X/Twitter. Additional images show native apps for Crunchyroll, J.Crew, LEGO Builder's Journey, Lowe's, and others.

In addition to native apps, iPhone and iPad apps will automatically be available on the Vision Pro, unless a developer opts out using the App Store Connect tool. As a result, Apple says more than one million apps will be available for the headset at launch.

Apple last week listed some additional entertainment apps that will be available on the Vision Pro at launch, including Disney+, ESPN, NBA, MLB, PGA Tour, Max, Discovery+, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Peacock, Pluto TV, Tubi, Fubo, IMAX, and TikTok. Some of the apps will be native, while others will be compatible iPad apps.

Disney+ will natively support the Vision Pro at launch, and its app will offer users a selection of 3D movies to watch on the headset, such as Avatar: The Way of Water, Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Elemental, and Encanto.

"At launch, viewers can transform their space into one of four Disney+ environments, bringing them even closer to the story," said Disney, in a press release last week. "Each environment includes animations and sounds that make the space feel alive, and Easter eggs from films and franchises that will surprise and delight fans."

Some popular apps will not offer Vision Pro apps of any kind at launch, including Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, according to Bloomberg, but users can still access these services via Safari. It's also unclear if Meta-owned apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp will be available on the headset at launch.

With around two weeks remaining until the Vision Pro launches, there is still time for developers to prepare their apps, so expect more to follow soon.

Apple plans to release new iPad Air, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air models in the spring this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the devices could be released as early as this March or April. After the devices are released, he said attention will shift to Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June.

Below, we outline rumored features and expectations for these upcoming devices.

iPad Air

The next iPad Air is expected to be available with 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch display sizes.

Rumored and/or likely features for the next iPad Air models include Apple's M2 chip for faster performance, a redesigned rear camera bump, Wi-Fi 6E support, and Bluetooth 5.3. No major external design changes are expected.

The current fifth-generation iPad Air with the M1 chip was released in March 2022.

iPad Pro

The next 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models are widely expected to be the first iPads equipped with OLED displays.

OLED technology would enable the next iPad Pro displays to offer increased brightness, higher contrast ratio, lower power consumption, and other benefits compared to existing models with LCD panels. Apple already uses OLED displays for the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, excluding the lower-end iPhone SE.

Due to the switch to OLED, the next iPad Pro models are expected to be more expensive.

iPad Pro models released in 2017 and later support ProMotion, allowing for a variable refresh rate between 24Hz and 120Hz. The switch to OLED would likely allow for the refresh rate to drop down even further to 10Hz or lower to save battery life. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models can reach as low as 1Hz while in always-on display mode.

Other rumored and/or likely features for the next iPad Pro models include Apple's latest M3 chip for faster performance, MagSafe wireless charging, and a redesigned Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and an aluminum top casing. As with the iPad Air, changes to the rear camera bump are also possible for the iPad Pro.

The current iPad Pro models with the M2 chip were released in October 2022.

MacBook Air

Gurman said Apple plans to release multiple MacBook Airs with the M3 chip in the spring, so it sounds like the next 13-inch and 15-inch models will be released simultaneously this year, rather than separately like in the past.

With the M3 chip, the next MacBook Air models will gain hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading for improved graphics rendering in games, including more accurate lighting, reflections, and shadows. Apple already updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and 24-inch iMac with the M3 chip last year.

No major design changes are expected for the MacBook Air this year, but the laptop will likely gain support for Wi-Fi 6E like other Macs.

Apple last updated the 13-inch MacBook Air in July 2022, while the first-ever 15-inch MacBook Air was released in June 2023.

Apple today premiered an iPhone 15 ad entitled "New Driver" on its YouTube channel, using the stress of being a parent of a new teenage driver to highlight the Check In feature of the Messages app in iOS 17.

Check In allows you to automatically notify a friend or family member when you've arrived at your destination, reassuring them of your safety. In the new ad, an anxious father watches as his daughter awkwardly backs a car out the family's driveway, hitting a skateboard and a garbage cart on her way.

The scene then transitions to the father nervously sitting at the family's dining room table until he receives a Check In alert letting him know his daughter has arrived at school. The father breathes a sigh of relief as the tagline "Relax, it's iPhone" appears onscreen.

The design of Apple's upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air model has today allegedly been revealed in new CAD renders shared by 91Mobiles.

As expected, the renders show an overall appearance that is very similar to the ‌iPad Air‌ design used for the fourth- and fifth-generation models, but simply scaled up to accommodate a larger display.

The most striking difference on the device is a redesigned rear camera unit, which now protrudes from the rear in a longer pill-shape, unlike the single, round protruding cutout on the current ‌iPad Air‌. This new design seems to be somewhat reminiscent of the rear camera unit of the iPhone X and ‌iPhone‌ XS.

On the front of the tablet, the ‌iPad Air‌ looks very similar to the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but with noticeably thicker bezels, just like how the 10.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ has thicker borders around the display compared to the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌.

The device is expected to be targeted at those who want a bigger tablet than the current, 10.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌, but have no need for the high-end features of the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ such as ProMotion or a LiDAR scanner. This is similar to Apple's approach with the 13.6- and 15.3-inch MacBook Air, as well as the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus.

91Mobiles also reiterated reports that the next-generation ‌iPad Air‌ will feature the M2 chip. The device is rumored to enter production in the first quarter of 2024, so it could already be underway. It is expected to launch "early" this year, likely in March.

After years of rumors and months of waiting following its unveiling, Apple's headset is finally just about here, with pre-orders going live in the U.S. ahead of an early February launch.

While Vision Pro was the biggest news of the week, there were also big developments in the ongoing Apple Watch blood oxygen patent dispute, with Apple being forced to start selling Series 9 and Ultra 2 models with the sensor disabled for the time being.

We also got a release time frame for upcoming iOS 17.3 and associated updates, while Apple is now begrudgingly allowing developers to offer non-Apple Store payment options for in-app purchases, so read on below for all the details!

Apple Vision Pro Now Available for Pre-Order

Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro, the company's first spatial computing device. Orders are live in the U.S. online store ahead of the February 2 launch date with the Vision Pro limited to the United States for the time being, although shipping estimates for new orders quickly began slipping into March.

Alongside the start of pre-orders, Apple shared some additional details about the Vision Pro, including full tech specs such as storage options up to 1TB, AppleCare+ pricing, available accessories, and more.

Apple Begins Selling Series 9 and Ultra 2 Watches Without Blood Oxygen Feature in U.S. Amid Dispute

Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models sold in the U.S. no longer have a functional Blood Oxygen app starting this week, allowing Apple to sidestep a sales ban on these models. Previously-sold watches and models sold in other countries are not affected.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) last year ordered an import and sales ban on Apple Watch models with blood oxygen sensing after ruling that Apple violated Masimo's pulse oximetry patents. Masimo has accused Apple of stealing trade secrets and poaching employees.

As a longer-term solution, Apple is reportedly working on changes to the Blood Oxygen app's algorithm in an attempt to avoid Masimo's patented technology, but it's unclear when these changes will be ready.

Apple Releasing iOS 17.3 Next Week With These New Features

In its press release unveiling a new Black Unity Sport Band for the Apple Watch, Apple confirmed that iOS 17.3 will be released next week.

The software update includes a few new features and additions for the iPhone, including Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, the ability to connect an iPhone to select hotel room TVs via AirPlay, a Unity Bloom wallpaper for the Lock Screen, and more.

U.S. Developers Can Now Offer Non-App Store Purchasing Option, But Apple Will Still Collect Commissions

In adherence with a U.S. court ruling, Apple is now allowing App Store apps to feature a single link to a developer website that leads to an alternative payment option for in-app purchases, but Apple plans to continue to collect a 12 to 27 percent commission on content bought in this manner.

This change comes after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear both Apple's and Epic Games' appeals in their trial related to App Store rules, and Apple now wants Epic to pay its legal fees.

Kuo: Apple Vision Pro to Launch Internationally Before WWDC

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the Vision Pro will launch in additional countries beyond the U.S. by WWDC 2024 in June.

Apple previously announced that the Vision Pro would be released in additional countries later this year, but it did not list any specific countries. Canada, the UK, and other English-speaking nations are reportedly among the places where the headset is likely to launch next.

Apple Vision Pro Virtual Keyboard Blasted As 'Complete Write-Off'

Vision Pro's keyboard floats in mid-air, allowing you to input text in your spatial computing environment while wearing the device.

However, anyone planning to ditch their physical keyboard may want to hold onto it for a little while longer. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the virtual keyboard experience in visionOS 1.0 is "a complete write-off," and most people will want to use a Bluetooth keyboard instead.

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As previously announced, Apple will be permanently closing its Infinite Loop and Royal Hawaiian retail stores in the U.S. later today. Apple said all employees at both stores would be given the opportunity to remain with the company.

Infinite Loop served as Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California from 1993 until 2017, when Apple Park opened nearby. The store on the campus is located at street level near the entrance to the main office building, and it has sold a mix of Apple products and Apple-branded merchandise, such as shirts, reusable bottles, mugs, and notebooks.

After the Apple Park Visitor Center opened in 2017, the Infinite Loop store became redundant. The newer and larger Visitor Center carries Apple-branded merchandise, and it features a café, a rooftop terrace, and an augmented reality model of Apple Park. Apple also has a store at the Valley Fair shopping mall to serve customers in the area.

"After many years of serving customers at our stores in the Bay Area, we plan to close our store at Infinite Loop," said Apple, in a statement shared last month. The store will permanently close its doors at 6 p.m. local time today.

Apple's store at Infinite Loop first opened in 1993 as The Company Store, and it mostly sold Apple-branded merchandise. The location became a more traditional Apple retail store in 2015 following renovations, but it still lacked a Genius Bar.

Apple Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu will follow suit and permanently close its doors at 9 p.m. local time today, after over 15 years of operations.

"Apple continuously evaluates its retail footprint to ensure it is in the best possible position to provide exceptional customer service and support for its customers," the company said in a letter to Hawaii's Department of Labor and Industrial Relations last year. Apple has two other stores in Honolulu at Ala Moana and Kahala.

Apple operates 271 other retail stores across the U.S., and it opened a new store in Seoul, South Korea earlier today.

Apple has proposed opening its NFC payment technology to third-party developers in Europe, allowing direct rivals to Apple Pay to operate on the iPhone for the first time.

Historically, the use of Apple's NFC chip in iPhones and Apple Watches for payments has been exclusively utilized by ‌Apple Pay‌, limiting the ability of banks and other financial services to offer their own contactless payment solutions on Apple's platforms. In a statement to Reuters, Apple said:

We have offered commitments to provide third-party developers in the European Economic Area with an option that will enable their users to make NFC contactless payments from within their iOS apps, separate from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.

The concession comes as part of Apple's efforts to address antitrust charges levied by the European Commission, which accuse the company of stifling competition by restricting third-party access to NFC capabilities on iOS devices.

Under the proposed commitments, developers of payment, banking, and digital wallet applications in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be able to integrate their own solutions with the NFC chip on Apple devices. This change means that consumers could have the option to use NFC-enabled apps from other providers, alongside or instead of ‌Apple Pay‌. The commitment reportedly includes additional functionalities such as defaulting to preferred payment apps and integrating with Apple's security features like Face ID.

While the focus of these changes is within the EEA, a region broader than the European Union, the implications of the shift could have a broader impact on the mobile payments market globally. The EEA covers the overwhelming majority of the European market, and Apple's decision could set a precedent for its operations in other areas of the world in the future as antitrust scrutiny increases.

As part of the review process, the European Commission is currently seeking feedback from rival companies and customers on Apple's proposed concessions. The final decision will consider the responses from these stakeholders. If approved, the implementation of Apple's proposed commitments will be monitored by a trustee reporting to the Commission.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

With pre-orders now available for the Vision Pro, the first accessories for the upcoming device are starting to come out. So far, both Belkin and Spigen have announced Vision Pro-related products.

Belkin worked with Apple to design a Battery Holder for the Vision Pro Battery Pack. Priced at $50, the Belkin Battery Holder for Apple Vision Pro is the only non-Apple accessory that Apple is selling for Vision Pro at this time.

The Vision Pro battery fits inside the Battery Holder, which can be worn with a cross-body strap or a cable clip that clips on to a belt or pants. Apple is selling the accessory as an add-on for those that do not have a pocket to put the battery in while wearing the Vision Pro.

Spigen has debuted a Vision Pro pouch that offers protection for the device when it's not in use. Priced at $90, Spigen's case is more than $100 cheaper than the $200 Vision Pro Travel Case that Apple is selling.

Spigen's case features a nylon exterior, leather carrying strap, and an EVA shell for protection. There's a padded interior that secures the Vision Pro in place, along with a secret AirTag compartment for tracking the Vision Pro. It also appears to have space for the Vision Pro battery pack, cable, and ZEISS lens inserts. The case is set to deliver between February 21 and 23, so it won't be available right at launch day.

Other accessory makers like Speck have started teasing Vision Pro products ranging from carrying cases to battery holders, so it shouldn't be long before we see a whole range of Vision Pro accessory options.

The Vision Pro comes with a number of Apple apps that are also available on the iPhone and the iPad. We've seen some of the apps over the past few months in tidbits of information that Apple has provided, but the Vision Pro technical specifications that went live today alongside pre-orders list every app that the device comes with.

Pre-installed apps optimized for Vision Pro:

• App Store
• Encounter Dinosaurs
• Files
• Freeform
• Keynote
• Mail
• Messages
• Mindfulness
• Music
• Notes
• Photos
• Safari
• Settings
• Tips
• TV

Pre-installed apps not optimized for Vision Pro:

• Books
• Calendar
• Home
• Maps
• News
• Podcasts
• Reminders
• Shortcuts
• Stocks
• Voice Memos

Curiously, while there is a Keynote app that's pre-installed, Apple does not list the other iWork apps like Pages and Numbers. Find My is not on Apple's list, nor are the Health, Clock, Contacts, and Weather apps. FaceTime is not on the list, but the fine print confirms that there is indeed a FaceTime app and also a Capture app for taking video and photos on the device.

There may be some Apple apps that are not pre-installed but able to be downloaded from the App Store after launch, and there will be a number of third-party apps designed for the Vision Pro.

We'll be sharing a list of Vision Pro apps closer to when the headset debuts, and it is also worth noting that many iOS apps will run on the device automatically unless developers opt out.

Content that is displayed on the Apple Vision Pro display can be mirrored to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, or AirPlay-compatible smart TV using AirPlay, Apple confirmed today.

Apple's technical specifications page for the Vision Pro says that what's on your Vision Pro can be mirrored to any AirPlay-enabled device at up to 720p, which will allow you to show people what you're seeing on your headset.

iPhones and iPads were updated with the ability to receive content from the Vision Pro in iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, and to use the feature, the ‌AirPlay‌ Receiver toggle must be turned on under General > ‌AirPlay‌ & Handoff.

While the Vision Pro's display can be mirrored to an ‌AirPlay‌ device, the headset can also serve as a display for a Mac. With the Mac Virtual Display feature, ‌AirPlay‌ 2 connects the Vision Pro wirelessly to a Mac, and a virtual representation of the Mac's display can be placed anywhere in space. Used this way, the Vision Pro essentially serves as an enormous, portable 4K display, according to Apple.

Note: Apple's specifications page previously said that content could be AirPlayed at 1080p, but later updated it to say 720p.

Apple today made a tweak to the iTunes Store app in iOS 17.3, giving users access to their TV show and movie wishlists. Apple with iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, and tvOS 17.2 killed wishlists without warning when it moved the option to purchase TV shows and movies from the iTunes Store app to the TV app.

Wishlist access was actually re-added to tvOS 17.2 just a few days after the update went live, but there has been no way to access a wishlist on an iPhone or iPad updated to iOS 17.2 or iPadOS 17.2.

With Apple's over-the-air update, iPhones and iPads running the iOS 17.3 beta will now have a "Go to Your Wish List" button under the Movie and TV Show sections, which provides access to everything that's been added to the list in the past. The list was first noticed by Twitter user Federico.

It may be a good idea to write down the TV shows and movies that are in the list because it might not be around forever. The Apple TV app that Apple has transitioned to does not have a wishlist function and instead adds content to the "Up Next" interface.

iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 are set to be released to the public next week.

In a support document published online today, Apple detailed using its Vision Pro headset with certain medical conditions.

Apple says customers with pre-existing medical conditions should consult with a healthcare provider before using the Vision Pro, as using the headset could "aggravate symptoms or increase the risk of injury or discomfort."

Apple says these medical conditions include:

• Heart conditions
• Migraines or chronic headaches
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Eye or vision conditions, such as binocular vision conditions
• Psychological conditions
• Inner ear conditions
• History of dry eyes, itchiness, or swelling of the eyelids
• Skin allergies or sensitivities
• Seizures
• Balance or gait conditions

Apple adds that pregnant individuals should exercise additional caution when using the Vision Pro due to an increased risk of nausea or loss of balance.

"If your medical provider confirmed that it's safe for you to use Apple Vision Pro, use the device seated and start with a less immersive experience," says Apple. "Use the device over short increments of time and take frequent breaks."

Apple also warns that the Vision Pro and its battery pack could interfere with nearby electronics, including cardiac pacemakers, hearing aids, and defibrillators.

"If you have a pacemaker or other implanted medical device, consult a medical provider or the manufacturer of your medical device before using Apple Vision Pro," says Apple. The headset and battery should be kept at a safe distance from these medical devices.

Apple says customers should stop using the Vision Pro if they experience symptoms related to a medical condition or skin reactions.

For more details, read Apple's support document.

The information above is presented for reference only, and it does not substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

The Vision Pro features an aluminum frame that houses a single piece of laminated glass for the front of the device, and as we've learned from the iPhone, glass is quite breakable. If the Vision Pro's glass cracks or the device is damaged in some other way, you could be facing an expensive repair without AppleCare+.

On Apple's Vision Pro service page, repair fees are listed. It will cost $799 to fix cracked cover glass, but if you need any other component repaired, the cost shoots up to $2,399. That's just $1,100 less than the full cost of the Vision Pro to begin with.

‌AppleCare‌+ is priced at $499 for two years of coverage, or customers can choose to pay $24.99 per month for ‌AppleCare‌+, with the coverage lasting until payments are canceled, so it's not cheap.

Vision Pro ‌AppleCare‌+ includes unlimited repairs for accidental damage, Apple-certified service and support, Express Replacement Service, and 24/7 priority access to "Apple experts." It is worth noting that there is a $299 deductible for any ‌AppleCare‌+ repair to the device itself (including a cracked display), and a $29 service fee for any accessories such as the Light Seal that are in need of repair.

Given the price of the Vision Pro headset, ‌AppleCare‌+ might be worth purchasing. As repairs are expensive, it will be worth finding some kind of protective case to use at a minimum to keep it safe if you plan to bring it from one location to another. Apple sells a case for $200, but there should soon be multiple third-party options available.

This week's best deals include all-time low prices on AirPods Pro, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch. You'll also find an ongoing sale at Samsung with big discounts on popular monitors like the ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor and the Smart Monitor M8, as well as a few pre-order offers on the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Smartphones.

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

Samsung

• What's the deal? Save on Samsung monitors and the new Galaxy S24 smartphones
• Where can I get it? Samsung
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Over at Samsung, you can find a few solid discounts on computer monitors, including the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 5K Smart Monitor ($400 off) and the 27-inch Smart Monitor M8 ($170 off).

For the new smartphones, customers can get up to $750 off the S24 Ultra with a trade-in, along with an exclusive $50 Samsung credit, a free storage upgrade (doubling storage at no cost), and a $100 eCertificate, plus students can get a 15 percent discount.

For the S24+, up to a $650 trade-in credit is available with a $50 Samsung credit, storage upgrade, $75 eCertificate, and a 7.5 percent student discount. For the S24, up to a $550 trade-in credit is available, along with a $50 Samsung credit, a storage upgrade, a $25 eCertificate, and a five percent discount for students.

AirPods Pro

• What's the deal? Take $60 off AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Apple Vision Pro pre-orders went live today, and if you've got your order in and want to add lossless audio to the experience, be sure to pick up a pair of AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C. Amazon has the earbuds for $189.00 right now, down from $249.00.

Apple Watch

• What's the deal? Save on Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2
• Where can I get it? Best Buy
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Best Buy is hosting a big sale on Apple Watch models this weekend, with the Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra 2 all available at a discount.

MacBooks

• What's the deal? Take up to $250 off MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
• Where can I get it? Best Buy
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

In addition to Apple Watches, Best Buy's sale has big savings on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks. Some of these require you to have a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership, which start at $49.99/year.

• 256GB M2 15-inch MacBook Air - $1,049.00, down from $1,299.00
• 512GB M2 15-inch MacBook Air - $1,249.00, down from $1,499.00
• 512GB M3 14-inch MacBook Pro - $1,399.00, down from $1,599.00
• 1TB M3 14-inch MacBook Pro - $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00
• 1TB M2 15-inch MacBook Air - $1,649.00, down from $1,899.00

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Plugable to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an 11-inch iPad Pro and two Plugable accessories to go along with it: the TBT4-UD5 Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station, and the magnetic AMS-STAND-11.

Plugable makes a range of docks, hubs, cables, stands, and other accessories for Apple's Mac and iPad lineup, and the TBT4-UD5 and AMS-STAND-11 are two of its newest devices.

Priced at $180 with a limited-time $20 discount, the TBT4-UD5 Thunderbolt 4 Dock includes all of the ports that you might need for a Mac. It is equipped with dual-display HDMI support at 4K 60Hz (or a single 8K display), a downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, a 10Gb/s USB-C port, two 10Gb/s USB-A ports, two 5Gb/s USB-A ports, SD and microSD card readers, a gigabit ethernet port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The dock supports up to 100W power delivery, so it is able to provide power to even the 16-inch MacBook Pro. While it can drive dual 4K displays at 60Hz through the Thunderbolt 4 port, this requires an M-series Pro or Max chip. 15W of power is available for charging peripheral devices such as an ‌iPad‌.

Plugable's AMS-STAND11 Magnetic iPad Stand is compatible with the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and the 10.9-inch iPad Air. It is made from an aluminum alloy that matches well with the ‌iPad‌, and it includes strong N52 magnets and anti-slip silicone padding to keep the ‌iPad‌ in place.

The stand has a 180-degree adjustable hinged arm that supports multiple viewing angles, along with a 360-degree rotatable panel for swapping between landscape and portrait orientations. With the adjustable arm, the stand can be folded down so far that it turns into a suitable surface for drawing and sketching.

When not in use, the stand is able to fold flat, which makes it easy to transport and take to school or work. Plugable is selling the stand for $80, but there is a $5 coupon available to celebrate the stand's launch. For those with the larger ‌iPad Pro‌ model, there's also a 12.9-inch version.

We have an 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, Thunderbolt 4 dock, and ‌iPad‌ stand for one lucky MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (January 19) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 26. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after January 26 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss CES 2024, Samsung's S24 lineup, and the latest news surrounding Apple's Vision Pro headset.

We take a look at some of the latest advancements in TV technology, including transparent models from LG, and AI assistants like Rabbit R1. We also look at some of the tentpole features of Samsung's new Galaxy S24 lineup, such as a 50-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and a wave of AI tools designed for enhancing photography and videography, editing text, and more.

Following Apple's announcement of the impending launch of the Vision Pro headset on February 2, we discuss the device's potential to redefine the AR/VR space, especially in the context of productivity workflows. We also address potential concerns regarding comfort and design, storage configurations, and our sense of anticipation about the device's launch.

The MacRumors Show is now exclusively on its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.

If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our look forward at all of Apple's biggest rumored announcements for 2024.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests like Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

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Apple today provided a behind-the-scenes look at how its upcoming Vision Pro headset is manufactured in a video uploaded to its YouTube channel. The video was also shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook on social media platform X.

"A peek behind the scenes to see how we make Apple Vision Pro, our first spatial computer," said Apple, in the video's description on YouTube.

Apple began accepting pre-orders for the Vision Pro in the U.S. today, with pricing starting at $3,499. The headset launches February 2.

Best Buy has opened up a new 3-day weekend sale today, offering sitewide discounts on laptops, TVs, video games, headphones, tablets, sound bars, and much more. In terms of Apple products, this sale includes discounts on MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods, and iPads.

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 these deals require a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total membership, which start at $49.99/year. In addition to exclusive access to select discounts, you'll get free 2-day shipping, an extended 60-day return window, and more.

For MacBooks, the highlight is Apple's 512GB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro for $1,399.00 for My Best Buy Plus/Total members, down from $1,599.00. Best Buy also has the 1TB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro on sale for $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00. Both of these are matches for the all-time low price on each computer.

Apple Watches

• Apple Watch SE (40mm GPS) - $199.00, down from $249.00
• Apple Watch SE (44mm GPS) - $229.00, down from $279.00
• Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm GPS) - $329.00, down from $399.00
• Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm GPS) - $359.00, down from $429.00
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 - $749.00, down from $799.00

AirPods/Beats

• AirPods 2 - $99.99, down from $129.99
• Beats Fit Pro - $159.99, down from $199.99
• AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) - $189.99, down from $249.99

MacBooks

• 256GB M2 15-inch MacBook Air - $1,049.00, down from $1,299.00
• 512GB M2 15-inch MacBook Air - $1,249.00, down from $1,499.00
• 512GB M3 14-inch MacBook Pro - $1,399.00, down from $1,599.00
• 1TB M3 14-inch MacBook Pro - $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00
• 1TB M2 15-inch MacBook Air - $1,649.00, down from $1,899.00

iPads

• 64GB Wi-Fi 10th Gen iPad - $349.00, down from $449.00
• 256GB Wi-Fi 10th Gen iPad - $499.00, down from $599.00
• 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air - $499.99, down from $599.99
• 256GB Wi-Fi iPad Air - $649.99, down from $749.99

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