Apple's mixed reality headset will have two ports including a USB-C interface for data transfer and a new proprietary charging connector for the external battery, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple mixed reality headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane
Most AR/VR headsets on the market have an integrated battery, but reports suggest that Apple's headset will connect to a separate, external battery that is worn at the waist, which allows the headset to be lighter and more comfortable.
Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that the charging cable that goes from the battery pack into the headset has a round tip that inserts magnetically.
According to Gurman, the round tip must be rotated clockwise to lock it in so that it doesn't fall out during use, while "the cable itself connects to the battery pack, and those two pieces aren't separable."
The external battery pack is said to look like an iPhone MagSafe battery pack and is "about the size of an iPhone but thicker," reports Gurman. It is designed to be charged via USB-C, and can be powered up using the same adapter included with the MacBook Pro.
The battery will power the headset for approximately two hours, and it will be able to be swapped out for continuous usage while a second battery charges. Given the short battery life, the presumption is that Apple will offer additional battery packs for sale separately.
Apple's headset is rumored to be called "Reality One" or "Reality Pro" and is expected to debut at WWDC in June, along with xrOS, Apple's new mixed-reality operating system. For more information on the purported features of the headset, be sure to check out our most recent breakdown.
Apple in iPadOS 17 will drop support for the first-generation 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro as well as the fifth-generation iPad, according to French tech website iPhoneSoft.
This is the second time we have heard claims regarding iPad device compatibility for the next operating system Apple is developing. Early last month, a source with a proven track record for upcoming software updates said the same three models will not be supported.
iPhoneSoft's information is said to come from an internal Apple source. If accurate, that means the following devices will be compatible with iPadOS 17 when it's released in the fall.
iPad Pro (2017 and later)
iPad Air (third generation and later)
iPad (sixth generation and later)
iPad mini (fifth generation and later)
It's worth noting that just because an iPad makes Apple's compatibility list doesn't necessarily mean it will fully support everything the software has to offer. For example, iOS 15 is compatible with all devices that can run iOS 14, but some features are not available on older iPhones.
As for which iPhones will run iOS 17, we've heard conflicting reports. The same source that first revealed which iPad models would be dropped from iPadOS 17 also claimed that iOS 17 will drop support for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.
However, this was immediately disputed by another leaker who has shared accurate information in the past. According to a post on the MacRumors forum by the anonymous tipster, all iPhones that support iOS 16 will support iOS 17, including all devices powered by A11 chipsets (i.e. the iPhone X and iPhone 8/8 Plus).
Last year, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 dropped support for quite a few devices, including the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, original iPhone SE, final iPod touch, second-generation iPad Air, and fourth-generation iPad mini.
With roughly six weeks to go until WWDC, rumors are continuing to fly about what we might see at the event. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joined us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to give us his take on things, but there's still lots up in the air.
This week also saw the launch of the savings account companion to Apple Card and the promised smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sound recognition feature for HomePod, while Tim Cook was surprised by one user's vintage Mac as Apple opened its first two retail stores in India, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Card Savings Account Launches With Over 4% Interest Rate
Six months after being announced, the Apple Card's savings account is now available in the United States. With a competitive 4.15% APY, the account allows Apple Card users to earn interest on their Daily Cash cashback and money deposited from a linked bank account.
The savings account is offered by Goldman Sachs and can be completely managed in the Wallet app on the iPhone. The account has no fees and no minimum balance requirement.
15-Inch MacBook Air to Offer Two M2 Chip Options, No M2 Pro Configuration
The first Macs with the M3 chip are likely still months away. Kuo said Apple's next-generation M3 chip will enter mass production in the second half of 2023, slightly ahead of higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max chips destined for the next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
The MacRumors Show: Mark Gurman Talks WWDC 2023, Apple Headset, and New Macs
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joined us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk through all of the latest rumors about the software updates and new hardware expected to be previewed at this year's WWDC, which starts on June 5.
watchOS 10 Described as Apple Watch's Biggest Software Update Since 2015
watchOS 10 will be the Apple Watch's biggest software update since the initial version of the operating system was released in 2015, according to Mark Gurman. Apple is expected to announce watchOS 10 at WWDC in June.
Gurman expects watchOS 10 to include an updated interface, with an anonymous leaker claiming that the Home Screen will be redesigned, though Gurman says he does not expect the core design of the platform to change.
HomePod Can Now Alert You If Your Smoke Alarm Goes Off
As promised earlier this year, Apple has now expanded the Sound Recognition feature on the second-generation HomePod and the HomePod mini to be able to detect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds and send a notification to the user's iPhone.
Sound Recognition was first introduced on the iPhone in 2020 and can detect a wide variety of sounds, including a doorbell, a baby crying, a car horn, a door knock, and others.
Watch Tim Cook's Reaction as Fan Brings Vintage Macintosh to Apple Store Opening
Cook has been touring India this week, meeting with the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many other prominent local figures during his trip.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple will transition almost all of its iPad, MacBook, and external display models to OLED displays by 2027, according to technology research firm Omdia.
Omdia's latest IT OLED display forecasts, seen by OLEDInfo, claim that worldwide OLED shipments will rise rapidly from around 9.7 million units in 2022 to over 70 million in 2028. Most of this growth will be driven by laptops, but the number of OLED tablets will also increase sharply during this period.
The main contributor to this expected increase is said to be Apple's expanded use of OLED displays across its devices. In line with other rumors, Omdia believe that Apple will begin using OLED panels for the iPad starting with new iPad Pro models next year, followed by an OLED MacBook Pro in 2026. Apple will almost entirely phase out LCD and mini-LED displays on mobile devices by 2026. The report also mentions a foldable 20-inch iPad Pro model with an OLED around this time frame.
In 2027, Apple will apparently begin using QD-OLED or WOLED panels for 32-inch and 42-inch displays, likely for future iMac or external display models. The Pro Display XDR is Apple's only existing product with a 32-inch display and there is no currently 42-inch device.
Three new Mac model identifiers were recently added to a Find My configuration file on Apple's backend, as discovered by Nicolás Álvarez (via @aaronp613).
The new identifiers are Mac14,8, Mac14,13, and Mac14,14, and they appear in a list alongside Mac14,3 and Mac14,12, the identifiers for the latest M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models. The list in Apple's configuration file relates to overriding "separation monitoring," which suggests these could be desktop Mac models that do not need to be actively tracked via Find My for separation from the user as portable Macs do.
Exactly what these new Mac models are is unclear, as Apple has recently shifted from using more specific model identifiers like "MacBookAir10,1" to generic "Mac"-based ones that can apply to any member of the family. The most imminent desktop Mac update we're expecting is the Mac Pro, although Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes it won't be ready to launch at WWDC in June.
Gurman also believes the Mac Studio will not see an update until high-end members of M3 chip family are ready, and that seems unlikely until perhaps early 2024. With the Mac mini having just been updated in January, the only other apparent possibility for a desktop Mac update is the iMac, but that too isn't expected to be updated until M3 chips are available in the latter part of this year at the soonest.
It is also unclear just how many product lines these three new model identifiers represent. As seen with the Mac mini and other recent Macs, models with multiple chip options can have several identifiers, so it's possible these new identifiers could represent three variants of a single product, or something like two variants of one product and a single variant of a second product.
We'll likely hear more about the potential for Mac updates as we get closer to WWDC, but for now it appears the most likely Mac launch expected at the event is a new 15-inch MacBook Air, not a desktop Mac.
Apple in less than two months is planning to enter a new product category, debuting its first mixed reality headset. Rumors suggest that the upcoming headset will support both AR and VR technology, and that it will have a number of features that will outshine competing products.
Render created by Ian Zelbo based on rumored information
With the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, Apple's hardware and software led it to dominate those categories within a few short years after entering a new market, and it's possible the same thing will happen with augmented and virtual reality. We've rounded up 10 features rumored for the AR/VR headset that will set it apart from competitors.
4K Micro-OLED Displays
Apple plans to use two high-resolution 4K micro-OLED displays from Sony that are said to have up to 3,000 pixels per inch. Comparatively, Meta's new top of the line Quest Pro has LCD displays, so Apple is going to be offering much more advanced display technology.
Micro-OLED displays are built directly onto chip wafers rather than a glass substrate, allowing for a thinner, smaller, and lighter display that's also more power efficient compared to LCDs and other alternatives.
Apple's design will block out peripheral light, and display quality will be adjusted for peripheral vision to cut down on the processing power necessary to run the device. Apple will be able to reduce graphical fidelity at the periphery of the headset through the eye tracking functionality being implemented.
Integrated Cameras
Apple is outfitting its AR/VR headset with more than a dozen cameras, which will capture motion to translate real world movement to virtual movement. It is said to have two downward-facing cameras to capture leg movement specifically, which will be a unique feature that will allow for more accurate motion tracking.
The cameras will be able to map the environment, detecting surfaces, edges, and dimensions in rooms with accuracy, as well as people and other objects. The cameras may also be able to do things like enhance small type, and they'll be able to track body movements.
Iris Scanning
For privacy and security, the AR/VR headset is expected to integrate an iris scanner that can evaluate the pattern of the user's eye, allowing for an iris scan to be used for payment authentication and as a password replacement.
Iris scanning on the AR/VR headset will be akin to Face ID and Touch ID on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It could allow two people to use the same headset, and it is a feature that is not available on competing headsets like Meta's new Quest Pro.
Facial Expression Tracking
The cameras in the AR/VR headset will be able to interpret facial expressions, translating them to virtual avatars. So if you smile or scowl in real life, your virtual avatar will make the same expression in various apps, similar to how the TrueDepth camera system works with Memoji and Animoji on the iPhone and iPad.
Control Methods
3D sensing modules will detect hand gestures for control purposes, and there will be skin detection. The headset will support voice control and the AR/VR headset will support Siri like other Apple devices. Apple has tested a thimble-like device worn on the finger, but it is not yet clear what kind of input methods we'll get with the new device.
Air Typing
For text input, the AR/VR headset will support "in-air typing" functionality, with the headset recognizing the fingers as they move using the built-in cameras.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says air typing is "finicky," but Apple will offer the feature when the headset launches.
Thin and Light Design
Apple is aiming for comfort, and the AR/VR headset is rumored to be made from mesh fabric and aluminum, making it lighter and thinner than other mixed reality headsets that are available on the market. Apple reportedly wants the weight to be around 200 grams, which would be significantly lighter than the 722 gram Quest Pro from Meta.
In March 2021, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said current prototypes were around 200 to 300 grams, but it is not clear if Apple was able to stick to that weight later in the development process.
External Battery Pack
Most of the AR/VR headsets on the market have an integrated battery, but Apple is planning to have the headset connect to a separate, external battery that is worn at the waist. The external battery will power the headset for approximately two hours, and it will be able to be swapped out for continuous usage while a second battery charges.
App Experiences
The headset is going to run a new operating system called xrOS, aka "Reality OS." Apple is designing unique apps made specifically for a virtual reality experience. Apple is said to be planning for a VR FaceTime-like experience with Animoji, where you might see a 3D Animoji or Memoji character version of a person instead of the person itself. The aforementioned facial expression detection would allow the headset to read facial expressions and features, matching that in real time for a lifelike chatting experience.
Apple is working with media partners for content that can be watched in VR, and it will integrate with Apple TV+. Users will be able to watch movies and TV shows in a virtual reality environments, with the display over a background like a desert or a mountain.
Sports content will be a focus, with Apple providing immersive viewing experiences for MLB and MLS content. Apple is working with third-party developers on gaming experiences, and there are 3D versions of standard iPhone apps like Safari, Calendar, Contacts, Home, Files, Messages, Notes, Photos, Music, Reminders, and more in development.
There will be a Fitness+ app that will allow users to work out while watching Fitness+ instructors in 3D, and Apple is creating a meditation app that will guide users through meditative experiences. A Camera app will be able to snap photos, a Books app will allow for reading in virtual reality, and a version of Freeform will be available for working on collaborative projects with others.
The headset will also be able to run thousands of existing apps that are designed for the iPad, with the apps showing up in a 2D format on the headset.
Apple Silicon Chip
Rumors suggest that Apple will use two Mac-level M2 processors for the AR/VR headset, which will give it more built-in compute power than competing products. Apple will use a high-end main processor and a lower-end processor that will manage the various sensors in the device.
With two Apple silicon chips inside, the headset will not need to rely on a connection to an iPhone or a Mac for power, and it will be able to function on its own.
The Apple silicon Mac Pro will not be among the new hardware announcements at WWDC 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes.
Speaking on the latest episode of The MacRumors Show, Gurman explained that while he still expects the new Mac Pro to launch this year, it is unlikely to emerge at WWDC in June. This is a significant delay over when the machine was originally expected to launch.
He added that the next-generation Mac Studio will likely not contain M2-series chips, with Apple postponing a refresh of the device until the M3 generation to avoid cannibalizing the new Mac Pro.
Gurman also said that the new 15-inch MacBook Air, which will contain an M2 chip, was originally supposed to launch last year. This apparently means that the 13-inch MacBook Air could run on a separate chip upgrade cycle to the 15-inch model, with the smaller device potentially set to receive the M3 chip well before it comes to the larger model. How Apple plans to align the chip upgrade cycle of the two devices in the long term remains to be seen.
Following up on an earlier report, Gurman said that he now expects the "in-air typing" text input method to be present on Apple's mixed-reality headset when it launches, despite its "finicky" experience. He added that the device's two-hour battery life may be likely to remain through successive generations of the mixed-reality headset, much like how the two standard Apple Watch model sizes have had no battery life improvements since their announcement in 2014.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with DearMob to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPhone 14 Pro and a lifetime licensed copy of the DearMob iPhone backup software. While there are iPhone management tools available from Apple in the form of iCloud, Finder, and iTunes, DearMob goes above and beyond the built-in tools with the iPhone Manager.
The DearMob iPhone Manager is a robust app for iPhone backups, management, and switching. Unlike iTunes or iCloud, you can choose selectively what you want to back up or transfer from your Mac to your iPhone and vice versa, with encryption included and conversion tools built in for changing file types.
You can transfer all kinds of iPhone and iPad files, like photos, videos, movies, TV shows, songs, contacts, ringtones, books, documents, and PDFs, plus you can save data from apps. DearMob's aim is to make it simple for anyone to manage an iOS device, importing, exporting, and dealing with files with useful customization options.
With the backup tool, you can back up everything on an iPhone or iPad, or opt to export specific categories like photos or movies. Backed up content can be migrated from iPhone to iPhone, including at the file level. So if you have a collection of music on one device and want to transfer it to another, you can use DearMob. With complete backups, you can do a one-click restore for an iPhone or an iPad.
For photos, 100 4K photos can be transferred in approximately eight seconds, and it can handle thousands of photos within minutes, allowing you to free up iPhone storage. You can even transfer photos by day, month, year, or album, change Live Photos into videos, and convert HEIC photos to JPG. There are also tools for deleting photos by media type like Recently Deleted, Hidden, and Selfies. Videos transfer just as quickly, and you can move video content from your iPhone to your Mac for storage purposes or transfer videos from your Mac to your iPhone to watch on the go. Built-in conversion software will auto convert any video into a type compatible with iOS devices.
File transfers can be done over WiFi or a USB connection, and the management tools are useful if you have contacts, music, playlists, photos, and albums that need to be edited. You can export, add, create, modify, delete, and edit all of your content, and export files by metrics like day, week, month, artist, folder, and more. Contacts can be exported in a number of formats, and you can import videos, music, and ebooks, all of which will be converted to a file type readable by your device.
According to DearMob, the software uses military-grade encryption for photos, videos, contacts, and device backups to keep your data safe while storing it or transferring it between devices. Local files can be encrypted as well, and password protected so your content is inaccessible to someone who might get ahold of your computer.
More information on the DearMob software and how it works can be found on the website. We have one iPhone 14 Pro to give away to a lucky MacRumors reader, along with a lifetime copy of DearMob. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook 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 (April 21) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on April 28. The winner will be chosen randomly on April 28 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.
iOS 17 will feature changes and improvements to the Wallet app and Find My, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
On The MacRumors Show podcast, Gurman said that he would compare iOS 17 to iOS 15 in so far as it will focus on updates to core system apps, rather than revolutionary changes or standout new features like iOS 14's widgets or iOS 16's Lock Screen redesign.
In addition to changes to the Wallet app, Gurman emphasized that there will be improvements to Find My amid a bigger push on location- and Find My-related features. He added that he has more to share on iOS 17 in the coming weeks.
Gurman also said that he expects sideloading to be a Europe-only feature to comply with the Digital Markets Act, that developers may have to incur an additional fee to make apps available via a third-party service, and that these features will likely not be mentioned during the WWDC keynote. Instead, Apple is likely to deal with the implementation similar to how it quietly accommodated regulatory changes in the Netherlands that forced Apple to allow third-party payment systems in dating apps, Gurman said.
Gurman has previously said that watchOS 10 will be the most significant update to watchOS since its introduction. In spite of this, Gurman remarked that he would not compare the update to scale of the leap from iOS 6 to iOS 7 in 2013. He does not expect the core design of the platform to change, but there will apparently be many new ways to use and interact with the system. He also said that he has not heard any information to support the presence of app folders.
Finally, Gurman suggested that macOS 14 will not be a "groundbreaking or significant" update. Instead, he believes Apple is focusing on simply baking in support for features brought to its other operating systems for a consistent cross-platform experience.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to talk through all of the latest rumors about the software updates and new hardware expected to be previewed at this year's WWDC, which starts on June 5.
Mark is known for his accurate insider knowledge about Apple's plans and he is behind many of the major reports covered here on MacRumors. He expects watchOS 10 to be the most significant update to the operating system since its debut, so he tells us more about what to expect and Apple's tradition of offering major hardware and software updates in tandem. He also gives us a clearer picture of what to expect from iOS 17 and macOS 14.
We dissect some of the major questions surrounding the two major hardware announcements anticipated for WWDC this year: the 15-inch MacBook Air and the "Reality Pro" mixed-reality headset. We also touch on the status of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, which has been rumored for over two years but has yet to emerge.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion some of the top features and changes we would like to see in the next major update to macOS.
This week we saw a wide variety of Apple products on sale, reaching from the AirPods to the M1 iMac and brand new 14-inch MacBook Pro. Highlights of these sales include a return of the $99 discount on the AirPods Max at $449.99 and the Apple Watch SE available from $219.00.
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.
AirPods
What's the deal? Take up to $99 off the AirPods Max, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods 2
All of Apple's current AirPods models are available at a discount this week across Verizon and Amazon. This includes solid deals on the AirPods Pro 2 ($199.99, $50 off), AirPods 3 ($149.99, $20 off), and AirPods 2 ($99.00, $30 off). We're also tracking the first $99 discount of 2023 on the AirPods Max, priced at $449.99 in multiple colors on Amazon.
Apple Watch
What's the deal? Take up to $70 off the Apple Watch SE, 8, and Ultra
We're tracking a large selection of Apple Watch discounts on Amazon today, including a few record low prices on the Apple Watch SE ($219.00, $30 off) and Apple Watch 8 ($329.00, $70 off). There's also the Apple Watch Ultra for $749.00 in numerous configurations, which is $50 off and a solid second-best price.
MacBook Pro
What's the deal? Take $200 off the new 14-inch MacBook Pro
Earlier in the week, Amazon and B&H Photo introduced a new deal on the 14-inch MacBook Pro, available for $1,799.00, down from $1,999.00. This deal on the 10-Core M2 Pro, 512GB notebook is a match of the best price we've ever tracked on the notebook.
Following the MacBook Pro, Amazon also introduced an all-time low price on the M1 iMac this week. You can get the 8-Core, 256GB computer for $1,199.99, down from $1,499.00, and it's still available in multiple colors as we head into the weekend.
Additionally, there are a few other 24-inch iMacs on sale today on Amazon, including the 7-Core GPU, 256GB model for $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00. Lastly, the 8-Core GPU, 512GB M1 iMac is on sale for $1,499.99, down from $1,699.00.
iPad Air
What's the deal? Take up to $119 off the 2022 iPad Air
Nearly every model of the 2022 iPad Air saw a discount on Amazon this week, and they're still available right now. Prices start at $499.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air and $649.99 for the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad Air. If you head to our full article on the sale, you'll also find discounts on both cellular devices.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Aqara this week released the Presence Sensor FP2 – a brand new millimeter wave sensor that goes far beyond the capabilities of more conventional motion sensors to facilitate powerful automations, with support for Apple HomeKit.
The sensor uses millimeter wave radar technology to detect human presence in a room with greater precision than traditional passive infrared sensors, allowing for more specific automations and a more reliable experience. Aqara says that FP2 detects even the slightest movement, such as breathing, to ascertain human presence. This level of precision means that users can set up automations to turn on lights and keep them on when someone is in an area, even when there is very minimal motion that more conventional sensors would not be able to sense, for example.
The sensor comes with a two meter USB-A to USB-C power cable, two adhesive magnetic mounting plates, a screw, a wall anchor, and an instruction manual. You need to provide your own USB-A wall adapter to power the device.
Design
The sensor sports an extremely compact design with a rounded body and matte white finish. At the top, there is a pairing button and an ambient light sensor. The design is sufficiently discreet to tuck in the corner of a room or leave on a tabletop.
The base of the sensor swivels out and fully extends, helping you to position it exactly as you wish. The base is magnetic, allowing you to adhere it to one of the included magnetic plates if you plan to install the sensor on a wall or ceiling. Swivelling out the base also reveals the USB-C port required to power the device and a HomeKit pairing code sticker.
The FP2 is IPX5 rated against water and dust, which allows it to be installed in humid environments like bathrooms or even some outdoors areas.
Set Up, Functionality, and HomeKit Support
While the Presence Sensor FP2 can be used with an Aqara hub, of which there are multiple options to choose from, such as the M1S or M2 hub, the device can operate without a hub via wi-fi. Setting up the FP2 follows the same process as many other Aqara accessories. Simply connect the FP2 to a power source, open the Aqara app, hold down the small button on the accessory, and follow the on-screen instructions.
To take full advantage of the FP2's features, you need to use the Aqara app. The sensor has separate modes depending on where you plan to position the sensor, each with subsequent options for fine-tuning to your exact needs. Users can set up various detection zones and targets, as well as exclude certain areas from the sensor to prevent movement in these areas triggering automations.
The app allows you to define up to 30 zones within a room, each with their own automations. After setting up these zones in the Aqara app, the configuration can be synced to Apple's Home app as multiple motion or occupancy sensors, allowing you to use the FP2 natively in a HomeKit setup and create automations. The built-in light sensor is also exposed to HomeKit.
The sensor can detect presence up to eight meters away and pinpoint the exact location of individuals in the room with extraordinary accuracy, as visible in the Aqara app. It can also track up to five people at once, allowing for the control of different zones based on the real-time location of each individual. The detection of presence is impressively instantaneous and noticeably more accurate than simpler motion sensor accessories.
The FP2 also offers some unique features such as fall detection in the Aqara app. Other capabilities, including posture, standing, sitting, and lying detection, are set to be added with an update to the device. The FP2 may even be able to support sleep monitoring and respiratory rate detection in the future via an update, according to Aqara.
Bottom Line and How to Buy
With its range of advanced features, Presence Sensor FP2 is one of the most precise, versatile, and unique smart home sensors available on the market. At $82.99, it is costlier than a simple motion sensor, but it offers far better functionality.
The FP2 can function as up to 30 individual motion sensors in Apple's Home app with an extremely high level of sensitivity and accuracy, making it easy to recommend over buying a more limited motion sensor. Matter compatibility is set to come to the FP2 Presence Sensor via an over-the-air update, and Aqara has more features planned for the device in the future, making it a good choice for any smart home setup.
The need for constant power via USB-C is virtually the only caveat to the FP2, since many of the less capable motion sensors on the market use battery power, which makes it easy to place them exactly where you want them. The need for wired power means you just have to think a little more carefully about where you plan to use the FP2.
The Presence Sensor FP2 is available from Amazon in North America and Europe, as well as selected Aqara retailers worldwide. Aqara is currently offering a 15% discount on the new device on the Amazon through April 22 with the following discount codes:
Amazon North America: FP2USCA1 (applicable to Amazon US & Canada)
Amazon Europe: EU5PSFP2 (applicable to Amazon France, Germany, Italy, Spain & UK)
Note: Aqara provided MacRumors with a FP2 Presence Sensor for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
Apple is planning to launch a Day One-style iPhone journaling app to let users compile their daily activities, as part of its efforts in the physical and mental health market, reports The Wall Street Journal.
The software will compete in a category of so-called journaling apps, such as Day One, which lets users track and record their activities and thoughts. The new Apple product underscores the company's growing interest in mental health.
The Apple journaling app, code-named Jurassic, is designed to help users keep track of their daily lives, according to the documents describing the software. The app will analyze the users' behavior to determine what a typical day is like, including how much time is spent at home compared with elsewhere, and whether a certain day included something outside the norm, according to the documents.
Based on documents seen by WSJ, a personalization feature will highlight potential topics for users to write about, such as a workout, while the app will also offer "All Day People Discovery" to detect a user's physical proximity to other people.
According to the report, Apple's app will have the ability to gather much more user data than third-party journaling apps, and will have access to text messages and phone calls, but privacy and security will be central to the software's design. The analysis of the user's day will take place on-device, and journaling suggestions will remain in the system for four weeks, after which they will be removed.
It's not known when the app will be released, but it could be announced as soon as WWDC in June, when iOS 17 is set to be previewed, and could be a feature of the new operating system. The documents seen by WSJ offered no indication as to whether Apple plans to charge for the journaling app. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment.
WhatsApp has announced a new option for disappearing messages conversations that lets recipients keep individual messages if the sender approves the request.
"Keep in Chat" enables users to long press a disappearing message and ask to keep it, which sends a notification to the sender: "Someone kept your message so they can refer back to it." The sender can then either allow the save to go ahead or veto the request.
Today we're introducing "Keep in Chat," so you can hang on to texts you need for later, with a special superpower for the sender. We believe if you've sent the message, it's your choice whether others in the chat can keep it for later.
WhatsApp says that if a user decides their message can't be kept by others, their decision is final – no one else can keep it and the message will be deleted when the timer expires.
If a recipient asks to save a disappearing message and the sender allows it, the message gets a bookmark icon to indicate that it can be found in the user's kept messages folder, which is organized by chat.
WhatsApp says the feature is rolling out globally in the next few weeks.
United States Facebook users who had an active Facebook account between May 2007 and December 2022 can now apply to receive a portion of the $725 million that Meta paid to settle a class action lawsuit over the Cambridge Analytica data scandal.
Claims can be submitted on the Facebook User Privacy Settlement website through August 25. Facebook users who want to get a payout will need to supply information like name, address, phone number, and information about their Facebook account, along with selecting an option to receive the payment. Payout options include PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and a prepaid Mastercard.
There is no word yet on how much money each claimant will receive, but given the number of Facebook users, lawyer fees, and the fact that Meta only paid $725 million, it is likely that payments will be small. The payout will depend on the number of Settlement Class Members that submit claims and the length of Facebook usage during the time outlined in the lawsuit.
Following the Cambridge Analytica discoveries in 2018, Facebook was hit with several lawsuits. The company was accused of sharing user data and data about users' friends without permission. The information was provided to third-party app developers, business partners, advertisers, and data brokers with no oversight by Facebook.
Data firm Cambridge Analytica was one of the companies that collected data from tens of millions of Facebook users, creating targeted political advertisements with the information.
With the settlement, Meta denied all wrongdoing and says that it did not violate any laws. Both sides opted to settle to avoid the costs and risks of a trial. After the scandal, Facebook changed its data privacy practices to better protect user data.
Ahead of the unveiling of Apple's AR/VR product, there has been skepticism that the device will be well-received, both because of its rumored $3,000 price tag and the lackluster performance of competing products from companies like Sony and Meta.
At least one person testing the device is enthused about it, however. Leaker Evan Blass, who has provided accurate insight into Apple's plans in the past, claims to know a person who has had opportunities to "demo" the headset. Blass said that over the course of the last few months, the tester has gone from "lamenting its 'underwhelming' capabilities" to being "blown away" by the experience and the hardware.
"The leap they've made since [late last year] is giant," the Apple tester told Blass. "I was so skeptical; now I'm blown away in a 'take my money kind of way,'" they said. Blass shared the details on his Twitter account, which is private.
Apple has been working on the AR/VR headset for years now, and its debut has been pushed back multiple times as the company has aimed to solve development issues with the design and the software. Apple is now ready to preview it, and is expected to do so at the Worldwide Developers Conference.
Back in March, The New York Times reported that several Apple employees it had spoken to were skeptical about the headset's potential for success. The employees have questioned whether the headset is a "solution in search of a problem" and if it is "driven by the same clarity" as other Apple devices.
Apple CEO Tim Cookin April said that with everything the company has done, there have always been "loads of skeptics." It comes with the territory of doing "something that's on the edge," Cook said.
The AR/VR headset is shaping up to be similar to the Apple Watch in terms of early functionality. It will be expensive at over $3,000, and limited in usefulness to begin with. Apple plans to iterate on the headset over time, and there are already new models in development. With the Apple Watch, Apple made notable strides in its technical capabilities, and within a few generations, the device became indispensable to many.
Apple's headset will be its first new product category since the Apple Watch. Expected to be called the "Reality Pro" or "Reality One," the headset will feature dual 4K micro OLED displays from Sony, for 8K total resolution. It will be equipped with more than a dozen cameras for mapping the area around the user, reading facial expressions, interpreting gestures, and more.
Design wise, it is said to feature a sleek, curved visor made from aluminum, glass, and carbon fiber, with Apple aiming to keep weight low. In fact, it does not even have a battery built in, with the battery instead worn at the waist to prevent the headset from being too heavy.
Apple is working on updating its apps for the device, with a specific focus on communication and collaboration, television and sports, gaming, and health and fitness.
T-Mobile today announced "Phone Freedom," which it is calling its latest Un-carrier move. Phone Freedom includes multiple facets, such as a new upgrade plan and options to help customers get out of their smartphone contracts when switching.
Go5G Plus is T-Mobile's new wireless plan that includes an upgraded device every two years. T-Mobile says that it ensures new and existing customers will get the "same great device deals" along with $270 "in added value every month" for families that have multiple lines.
The Go5G Plus plan includes 50GB of hotspot data per month and 15GB of data in Mexico and Canada each month. Right now, T-Mobile is offering a promotion that includes a free 5G phone with an eligible trade-in, along with a free third line.
There are caveats, though. Go5G Plus is T-Mobile's most expensive plan at $90 per month for a single line with AutoPay enabled. Prices get cheaper with more lines, with two and three lines both priced at $150/month and a fourth line available for $185/month total for all four lines. It is on par with Magenta MAX at the three line level, but more expensive for four lines. T-Mobile's Magenta and Essentials plans are cheaper, as is the "Go5G, a plan that does not offer unlimited high-speed data.
For customers who want to swap to T-Mobile but who are locked into AT&T with a three-year device contract, T-Mobile says that it will pay off the old phone and give customers a new phone on the T-Mobile network through the "Easy Unlock" option.
There is also a "Go Back Guarantee" for switchers who try T-Mobile and then decide they want to return to their prior carrier.
T-Mobile says that it is making these changes because "millions of people" are locked into three-year device financing contracts with carriers like AT&T and Verizon, which means many people can only upgrade their phones every three years.
The Phone Freedom options will be available starting on Sunday, April 23.
Apple's next-generation M3 chip will enter mass production in the second half of 2023, according to info shared today by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a tweet, Kuo said M3 chip production will begin "slightly ahead" of the M3 Pro and M3 Max. Apple should use the M3 chip for future models of the 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, 24-inch iMac, and Mac mini, while the higher-end M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are destined for the next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects to be released in the first half of 2024.
The M3 chip is expected to be manufactured based on Apple chipmaking partner TSMC's latest 3nm process, compared to 5nm for the M2 chip. As a 3nm chip, the M3 should offer significant performance and power efficiency improvements.
As for the long-rumored 15-inch MacBook Air, Kuo said the laptop will be equipped with the M2 chip. Back in June 2022, Kuo predicted that the 15-inch model would also be available with the M2 Pro chip, but he no longer expects this.
The key takeaway from Kuo's latest information is that the first Macs with the M3 chip are likely still months away from launching. This makes sense given that the next Mac Pro desktop tower is rumored to feature the M2 Ultra chip, and it is likely that Apple would finish its rollout of the M2 series of chips before announcing the M3 chip.
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