Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 16.4 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the launch of the third tvOS 16.4 beta.
Registered developers are able to download the tvOS 16.4 update by downloading a profile on the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are usually minor, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes. There is no word as of yet what's included in the tvOS 16.4 update, but we'll update this article if we find anything new.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
Apple this week announced that it will be opening its fifth retail store in South Korea on Friday, March 31 at 5 p.m. local time. The new store will be located in the central Gangnam district of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea.
To celebrate the occasion, Apple has made a special wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac available to download on the store's page. The Apple Gangnam wallpaper has a black background with an Apple logo in a unique style.
The new store will offer typical Apple Store services, ranging from Genius Bar appointments for product repairs to Today at Apple creative sessions.
Apple Gangnam is Apple's first new retail store to open since Apple American Dream opened in New Jersey in December. Apple operates over 520 retail stores around the world, including four other locations in Seoul.
Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien shared an animated version of the Apple logo on Instagram.
Apple's rumored 5G modem project has multiple suppliers interested in assisting with final assembly of the chip, according to a new report.
While the custom-designed modem will likely be manufactured by Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC, the final packaging stage may be handled by other suppliers. Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes today reported that ASE Technology and Amkor Technology are "competing" to package the modem chips. The two companies already have experience packaging Qualcomm's modem chips, the report states.
Qualcomm is currently the exclusive supplier of 5G modems for Apple devices, including the entire iPhone 14 lineup, but Apple has long been rumored to be designing its own 5G chip as an in-house replacement. Last month, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon said he expected Apple's 5G modem to be ready in 2024, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that it could take up to three years for Apple to fully transition away from Qualcomm.
The first device expected to be equipped with Apple's custom 5G modem is the fourth-generation iPhone SE, which will likely be released around March 2024. It's unclear how Apple's chip would perform compared to Qualcomm's modems, but the switch to an in-house design would likely reduce Apple's production costs over time.
In the meantime, all iPhone 15 models are expected to be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X70 modem, which has further cellular speed and power efficiency improvements compared to the Snapdragon X65 in all iPhone 14 models.
Apple has shared a new "Hello Yellow" ad promoting the new Yellow finish that launched today for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. The ad features a mix of live action and animation and is set to the song "Le Banana Split" by Lio.
The new color option gives the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus some renewed attention after the devices launched in September 2022. Pre-orders began on Friday, and the first deliveries to customers and in-store availability began today. There are no changes to the devices beyond the new Yellow finish, and pricing remains the same.
As a refresher, the iPhone 14 is equipped with a 6.1-inch display, while the iPhone 14 Plus is a larger 6.7-inch model. Key new features of the devices include camera enhancements like Action mode, longer battery life, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS via Satellite. In the U.S., the devices are compatible with eSIMs only. Other color options available include Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and (PRODUCT)RED.
Customers should be aware that Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 series in September as usual, so all-new devices are around six months away.
Apple's 64GB Wi-Fi 10.2-inch iPad from 2021 has returned to its all-time low price of $249.99 today on Amazon, down from $329.00. Delivery dates for this iPad have slipped into late March, and as of now only Amazon has this record low price.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Although we've tracked sales on the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad model a few times this year, discounts on the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet have been more difficult to come by. As of writing, Amazon only has the Space Gray color on sale at this price.
For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Update: Amazon's stock on this iPad has been fluctuating today, so if you don't see it available to purchase be sure to check back soon and it'll likely reappear.
Apple today announced that customers in the U.S. can now connect with an Apple Specialist over a live video session while shopping for an iPhone on the company's online store. With this new service, customers can learn about the latest iPhone models and features, switching to iOS, trade-in offers, carrier deals, and financing options.
"Shop with a Specialist over Video" is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time every day on the Shop iPhone page of Apple's website. During the one-way session, Apple says the retail employee will be on camera sharing their screen, but they will not be able to see the customer. Apple promises that the video session is "safe and secure."
"With Shop with a Specialist over Video, our team members are excited to connect with customers and provide exceptional service as they learn about which iPhone best suits them," said Karen Rasmussen, the head of Apple's online store.
Apple's online store continues to allow customers to connect with a Specialist via phone, online chat, or an American Sign Language session.
Accessory company ESR is launching a new crowdfunding campaign today for what it says is the first MagSafe-compatible wallet accessory for iPhones with full Find My support, the HaloLock Geo Wallet Stand. I've been testing out an early review unit for a couple of weeks now, and I've found it to be a handy accessory while on the go.
While Apple offers a first-party MagSafe wallet with Find My support, the accessory does not include any location tracking of its own with the Find My app only able to determine the location where the wallet was last detached from your phone.
ESR's new wallet accessory goes a significant step further by including full Find My support, enabling much more useful location tracking thanks to an onboard module that can leverage the hundreds of millions of Apple devices out in the wild to report its location. An onboard speaker can also help you audibly locate a misplaced wallet within relatively close range.
As a wallet, the Geo Wallet Stand is capable of holding around three physical cards whether they be driver's licenses, credit/debit cards, membership cards, or other similarly sized cards.
With the onboard Find My module, the Geo Wallet Stand obviously requires a power source, and ESR says its rechargeable battery should last about three months. Charging is accomplished using an included 0.5-meter USB-C cable that terminates in a magnetic three pogo-pin connector that snaps onto charging contacts on the wallet.
ESR says it takes about 90 minutes for a full recharge, and a small status light next to the charging contacts shines orange while charging and green once fully charged. There is also a power button that lets you turn the unit off, but of course it won't be able to be tracked while powered off.
I haven't had my review unit long enough to fully test the battery life and charging time estimates, but after several weeks of use the rough battery status displayed in the Find My app still shows as full.
Setup takes place in the Find My app just like any other supported accessory, with a long press on the wallet's button putting it into pairing mode. Once you walk through the setup process in the app to give the wallet a name and emoji icon, it shows up on the Devices tab of the Find My app just like AirTags and other Find My-compatible accessories.
As you might guess from its name, the Geo Wallet Stand has another trick up its sleeve, and that's its ability to function as a phone stand in either portrait or landscape mode. The wallet is constructed of two flaps with a hinge at the top connecting the card-holding half to the MagSafe and Find My half, allowing the card portion to swing out and act as a kickstand.
There's enough tension in the hinge that you can set it at a range of angles from 15º to 170º for optimal viewing in virtually any setting.
The two-part design certainly makes the Geo Wallet Stand thicker than Apple's MagSafe wallet, but I don't find it too thick or heavy for my liking, though that's of course a subjective assessment. The full Find My support in the wallet unavoidably adds some weight and bulk compared to Apple's accessory, and ESR's hinged design is a clever way to wring some extra functionality out of it.
Still, there's no getting around the fact the the Geo Wallet Stand is more than twice as thick and nearly three times as heavy as Apple's MagSafe wallet. I've used various magnetic batteries and battery cases on my iPhones from time to time over the years, so an extra hump on the back of my phone isn't a deal-breaker for me, and the Geo Wallet Stand feels similar in bulk to something like Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack.
I weighed the Geo Wallet Stand at 84 grams empty and 107 grams with a driver's license, a regular credit card, and a hefty Apple Card onboard. That compares very closely to Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack at 113 grams and it has a similar thickness. Both are of course substantially thicker and heavier than Apple's MagSafe Wallet, which weighs just 32 grams empty.
The extra weight and bulk doesn't really bother me considering the functionality the wallet offers, but if a slim feel in the hand is a priority for you or you're going to be taking it in and out of a pocket in skinny jeans on a regular basis, it's definitely something to be aware of.
Of course, there's little reason to keep the wallet attached to your phone at all times unless you're really interested in using the stand functionality around the house, so outside of my extra review testing I only slap the wallet on my phone when I'm headed out of the house.
For a little bit of extra security, the card slot section includes a finger loop on the back if you like to hold your phone that way. That's not my preferred way to hold my phone, but the loop sits fairly flush with the wallet when not in use so I don't find it bothersome.
ESR says the Geo Wallet Stand's magnetic holding force is more than twice that of Apple's official MagSafe standard, which helps ensure that it stays attached however it's being used. I can definitely tell the difference in strength compared to Apple's MagSafe accessories like the wallet and the battery pack, and I have no concerns about ESR's wallet coming detached accidentally.
One of my complaints about Apple's MagSafe wallet is that cards typically sit deep enough in the card slot that you can't get a grip on the edge of one to easily pull it out. Apple intends for users to remove the wallet from their phone and use an opening on the back of the wallet to push the cards out when needed. While this helps keep cards secure in the wallet, I find the inconvenience outweighs the benefit, and even then cards can feel quite loose in the slot if you're only carrying a single card.
The Geo Wallet Stand's slot holds cards more tightly with what ESR calls a "dynamic tension spring" down inside the card slot. It provides a little extra stability regardless of how many cards are inserted, and I don't have much concern about them falling out. A small cutout at the bottom of the slot makes it easy to push the cards up to access them without having to remove the wallet from your phone, which I find to be a much better design than Apple's.
The ESR HaloLock Geo Wallet Stand is being offered in two colors, midnight black and caramel brown, and the crowdfunding campaign is live now with worldwide shipping available. The regular price for the Geo Wallet Stand will be $39, but ESR is offering a variety of limited-quantity discounted offers starting at around $27.
ESR says that relevant certifications and quality testing for the wallet stand have been completed, and the review unit I've been testing certainly looks and feels like a completed product, so ESR appears to be in a good position to meet its shipping estimate of May once the Kickstarter campaign wraps up late next month.
Note: ESR provided the HaloLock Geo Wallet Stand to MacRumors for hands-on impressions, and no other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Kickstarter/ESR. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
India plans to force smartphone makers like Apple to allow removal of pre-installed apps and mandate screening of OS updates under proposed new security rules, reports Reuters.
Under the new rules, smartphone makers will need to include an uninstall option for pre-installed apps and new models will be checked for compliance by a lab authorized by the Bureau of Indian Standards agency, according to people with knowledge of the plan.
Apple already allows many of its own apps to be deleted, but core apps like Messages, Photos, and Phone cannot be deleted, only removed from the Home screen and hidden in the App Library.
According to the report's sources, India's IT ministry is considering the rules over concerns about spying and abuse of user data, with explicit references to the risk from China.
"Pre-installed apps can be a weak security point and we want to ensure no foreign nations, including China, are exploiting it," said an unnamed official. "It's a matter of national security."
Since a border clash with China in 2022, India has banned more than 300 Chinese apps in the country, including TikTok. It has also intensified scrutiny of investments by Chinese firms.
According to government documents seen by Reuters, a closed-door meeting was attended by representatives from Xiaomi, Samsung, Apple and Vivo to discuss the plan.
The government is said to be giving smartphone makers a year to comply with the rules when it comes into effect, but there are concerns that they could delay launch timeframes for new smartphones and lead to business losses. Currently it takes about 21 weeks for a smartphone and its parts to be tested by India's IT ministry for safety compliance.
Apple's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus in a new Yellow color launches today, with the new model available for pickup at Apple Stores in the U.S. and select other countries. Online pre-orders also begin arriving to customers today, and pre-ordering is no longer required.
Apple customers can use the Apple online store or App Store app to order a yellow iPhone 14 for Apple Store pickup. Simply select the "I'll pick it up" option at checkout, enter your ZIP or postal code, and select the most convenient Apple Store location. Customers can then select a pickup date and 15-minute check-in window.
There are no changes to the devices beyond the new Yellow finish, announced last this week. Pricing also remains the same, with the iPhone 14 starting at $799 and the iPhone 14 Plus starting at $899. Apple first released the devices in September with Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and (PRODUCT)RED color options.
Apple also made its iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus Silicone Cases available in new Canary Yellow, Olive, Sky, and Iris color options last week.
The iPhone 14 models come in 6.1- and 6.7-inch sizes and are identical in design to the iPhone 13 models, featuring flat edges, an aerospace-grade aluminum enclosure, and a glass back that enables wireless charging. Key new features of the devices include camera enhancements like Action mode, longer battery life, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS via Satellite.
The new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are available from today in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, the U.K., the U.S., and more than 60 other countries and regions.
Apple today added refurbished iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max devices to its online store in the United States, offering the smartphones at a discounted price. The iPhone 13 is available starting at $619, the iPhone 13 Pro is available starting at $759, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max is available starting at $849.
The iPhone 13 models initially came out in September 2021, and while they were available at discounted prices in several European countries starting in January, this is the first time that Apple has sold refurbished iPhone 13 devices in the United States.
Apple is offering several configurations of the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max, but the company does not appear to be selling refurbished iPhone 13 mini devices at this time. It is likely that the 13 mini will be added in the near future, as the device is sold in European refurbished stores.
Multiple colors and capacities can be purchased as of the time of writing, but stock will fluctuate over time as Apple refreshes what is available, so you may need to check back often if you're looking for a specific color or capacity.
Apple is charging $619 for the refurbished 128GB iPhone 13, which is a 12 percent discount off of the $699 price of a brand new iPhone 13. Apple is no longer selling the iPhone 13 Pro or the Pro Max, but prices are around 25 percent lower than the original price when the devices were new. The refurbished store is the only way to get an iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max from Apple.
Refurbished iPhones from Apple are unlocked and can be used with any carrier. Apple outfits all refurbished iPhone models with new batteries, outer shells, and a fresh USB-C to Lightning cable, so they are essentially identical to new in the box iPhones.
Apple offers the same one-year warranty on refurbished iPhone models, as well as the option to purchase extended AppleCare+ coverage.
Alternative browser company Brave today announced that its Firewall + VPN service has expanded to the desktop, which means it is available for use on Macs and PCs in addition to iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.
Brave has long offered a VPN service on the iPhone and iPad, but now it will be available cross-platform for Brave users. The Brave VPN subscription is priced at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year, and with the new cross-platform functionality, it can be used on a total of five devices at once.
Brave's browser is designed to block ads and trackers for a more private browsing experience that prevents tracking across websites, but the Brave Firewall + VPN protects against trackers outside of the Brave browser as well. It blocks websites and apps from accessing IP address and location information, while the firewall portion of the service blocks trackers and "other online nuisances."
Brave VPN subscribers can activate the service on Mac by opening up the Brave browser, going to the Settings menu, and toggling on the VPN.
The desktop VPN option is rolling out to users in various regions over the next few days, and Brave says that users should check back "soon" if it is not already available today. iPhone and Android users can log into their accounts and link more mobile or desktop devices.
A new Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display will be released in 2024 or 2025, according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. The report claims that Apple plans to extend the technology to iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks too eventually.
The report reiterates that Apple has been actively developing microLED technology since it acquired California-based company LuxVue in 2014. Given that microLED display production remains challenging, manufacturing costs are higher, which is why Apple will start rolling out the technology with the Apple Watch Ultra before larger devices.
European company ams OSRAM will be the primary supplier of microLED chips for Apple, but there is potential for Taiwanese suppliers like Epistar to become additional suppliers of microLED chips by 2026-2027, according to the report.
Pu said the new Apple Watch Ultra will likely feature a larger 2.1-inch display, and microLED technology would allow for increased brightness compared to existing Apple Watch models with OLED displays. The current Ultra has around a 1.9-inch display.
In the meantime, Apple is still completing its lengthy transition from LCD to OLED display technology. The Apple Watch has used OLED since it launched in 2015, and iPhone models gradually switched to OLED starting in 2017. Rumors suggest the first iPad Pro and MacBook models with OLED displays will be released in 2024.
Amazon today has returned with the year's best price on the AirPods Pro 2 at $199.99, down from $249.00. The last time we saw this deal was earlier in March when Verizon was offering it, but as of this week only Amazon has the AirPods Pro 2 at this price.
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.
This is the best price on the AirPods Pro 2 that we've seen so far in 2023. Amazon is providing a delivery estimate of March 15 for Prime members. Additionally, Amazon also has the AirPods 2 for $99.00, down from $129.00, which is another best price of the year so far.
Apple's AirPods Pro 2 earphones feature better noise-canceling technology than the previous generation, improved Transparency mode, and an H2 chip. Overall, the earphones are similar in design to the original AirPods Pro, featuring a rounded design with silicone ear tips and a short stem.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Images of what appear to be components for Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset have today been shared online.
The images come from a Twitter user with a protected account who has a track record for sharing accurate information about Apple components. Three of the pictures show shaped ribbon cables that contour around a user's eyes, and may be used to connect display components to a board. Another appears to show an array of three sensors or cameras along another flexible ribbon of a similar length.
The series of images are accompanied by a "smiling face with sunglasses" emoji, and while they are not explicitly tied to Apple's headset, the shape of the ribbon cables reinforces indications that they are indeed designed for the upcoming device.
The first-generation mixed-reality headset is expected to be unveiled in June at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, followed by a launch sometime later in the year. To date, other no real-world images of components for Apple's mixed-reality headset have leaked online, but as the device's announcement looms and mass production begins, more images are likely to emerge.
Amazon today has the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE for the all-time low price of $219.99, down from $249.00. Deals on the second generation Apple Watch SE have been rare so far in 2023, making this a good opportunity for anyone who's been waiting for deals on the lower-cost version of the Apple Watch.
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.
Specifically, you can get the Midnight Aluminum and Silver Aluminum Apple Watch SE in S/M and M/L for this price, although some models are seeing delivery dates stretch into April. The Starlight Aluminum is available but only in the S/M option.
It's been months since we've tracked record low prices on the Apple Watch SE, and today's deals on Amazon even beat the prices we saw on Black Friday by about $10. We currently aren't tracking any all-time low prices on the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE, although Amazon does have a solid second-best price on the Midnight Aluminum model at $249.00, down from $279.00.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Apple's online store will begin selling the Chipolo CARD Spot on Tuesday, March 14, according to a Chipolo spokesperson. Like the AirTag, the CARD Spot supports Apple's Find My app. The circular Chipolo ONE Spot will not be sold by Apple.
Priced at $35, the Chipolo CARD Spot is a card-shaped item tracker designed for use with wallets. The accessory allows you to easily track the location of a wallet in the Items tab of the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple does not offer a card-shaped version of the AirTag, giving the CARD Spot a unique advantage for wallets. For additional information, read our hands-on review of the CARD Spot published last year.
B&H Photo and Amazon today are offering new discounts on Apple's 2023 MacBook Pros, including both 14-inch and 16-inch models. The majority of the sales can be found on B&H Photo this time around, but Amazon is matching a few of them.
14-Inch MacBook Pro
Starting with the 10-Core M2 Pro, 512GB 14-inch MacBook Pro, this model is on sale for $1,899.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo], down from $1,999.00. At $100 off, this is actually a second-best price on this version of the MacBook Pro, as we saw a $200 discount in February for a very brief time.
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.
The only other 14-inch MacBook Pro model on sale is the 12-Core M2 Max notebook with 1TB, and it's priced at $2,899.00, down from $3,099.00. This is the first time we've ever seen a discount on an M2 Max version of the new MacBook Pro, and it's now an all-time low price.
For the larger display models, the 12-Core M2 Pro, 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $2,299.00, down from $2,499.00. For more storage, the 12-Core M2 Pro, 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro is available for $2,499.00, down from $2,699.00.
Lastly, the 12-Core M2 Max, 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro has been discounted to $3,299.00 [Amazon / B&H Photo], down from $3,499.00. All three 16-inch MacBook Pro sales represent best-ever prices for these computers.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Samsung's "Space Zoom" feature has come under fire amid complaints that images of the moon are being artificially enhanced to an extreme extent.
Samsung introduced a 100x zoom feature with the Galaxy S20 Ultra in 2020, becoming a mainstay on recent flagship handsets from the company. Since its debut, Samsung has touted its devices' ability to take impressive pictures of the moon. Unlike brands such as Huawei, which simply overlay a PNG of the moon on such images, Samsung says that no overlays or texture effects are applied.
Yet on Friday, a Samsung user on the subreddit r/Android shared a detailed post purporting to "prove" that Samsung's moon shots are "fake." Their methodology involved downloading a high-resolution image of the moon, downsizing it to just 170 by 170 pixels, clipping the highlights, and applying a gaussian blur to heavily obscure the moon's surface details. This low-resolution image was then displayed on a monitor and captured at a distance from a Samsung Galaxy device. The resulting image has considerably more detail than its source.
Samsung devices seemingly achieve this effect by applying machine learning trained on a large number of moon images, making the photography effect purely computational. This has led to accusations that a texture is functionally still being applied to images of the moon and that the feature is a disingenuous representation of the camera hardware's actual capabilities, triggering heated debate online, even bringing into question the iPhone's reliance on computational photography.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
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.
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.
