Apple is likely to bring on board another supply partner for the iPhone 15 Pro Max as it seeks to recruit an additional lens module specialist for the device's new periscope camera.
This year's iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to include a periscope camera system, in which light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera's image sensor.
The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer "folded" telephoto setup inside phones, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness or other reduction in quality. The system is expected to add a 5-6x optical zoom to Apple's next premium iPhone model (the current iPhone 14 Pro supports up to 3x optical zoom).
Previous reports suggested Largan Precision would be the sole supplier of the periscope system. Largan's periscope lenses were first to launch in 2019, when they debuted in the Huawei P30 Pro smartphone.
However, industry sources cited by DigiTimes now claim that Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) has been identified as an additional supplier of the module. GSEO shipped periscope lenses to a Japanese handset vendor in 2021, the outlet's sources said.
Apple industry analyst Kuo believes both iPhone 16 Pro models in 2024 will use the same or similar periscope lens as the one used exclusively in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with Apple continuing its trend of setting apart standard and Pro models by reserving certain higher-end hardware features for the latter.
Early on in the iPhone 15 development process, Apple created a version that included a Lightning port, according to Apple leaker Unknownz21. In a tweet, Unknownz21 said that Apple tested an iPhone 15 with a Lightning port "very early on" but that it was "quickly scrapped" in favor of the USB-C version.
iPhone 15 models equipped with USB-C instead of Lightning were in testing as early as January 2022, and all designs after March 2022 focused on a USB-C port.
Apple's transition to USB-C on the iPhone has been one of the most consistent rumors, and the company is expected to ditch the Lightning port for all four models that are coming this year. Both Pro and standard models alike will charge via USB-C instead of Lightning, a first for the iPhone.
Some details about USB-C on the iPhone 15:
It was in testing as far back as January 2022, and pretty much all designs since March 2022 have had the USB-C port instead of lightning.
There was a version with a lightning port very early on, but it was quickly scrapped.
— Unknownz21 🌈 (@URedditor) April 18, 2023
USB-C ports have been included in the Mac lineup since 2015 and the iPad line since 2018. All iPads that Apple sells now feature a USB-C port, in fact, so the only iOS devices that still use Lightning are the iPhones. Apple is planning to transition to USB-C for the iPhone because of European regulations that mandate a common charger for electronic devices.
The Lightning port is not permitted under these rules, so Apple had the option of introducing USB-C just in Europe and sticking with Lightning everywhere else, or using USB-C worldwide and eliminating Lightning entirely. USB-C across all Apple devices will make charging simpler because iPhones, iPads, and Macs will be able to share the same cable and power adapter.
Apple will eventually need to update the third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Magic Keyboard, and original Apple Pencil, all devices that continue to charge with Lightning.
Apple may not need to rely on USB-C charging for too long, as the company has been pushing MagSafe wireless charging. iPhones since the iPhone 12 have incorporated MagSafe, and Apple could be planning to add similar technology to future iPad models. There have been rumors that Apple's eventual goal is to have a portless, all-display iPhone, and with MagSafe and the upcoming launch of Qi2, that may be possible at some point. The Qi2 standard will allow for faster MagSafe-like charging speeds and will serve as a more open alternative to MagSafe.
Niantic, the company behind the popular augmented reality iPhone game Pokémon Go, is developing a similar augmented reality title in the Capcom Monster Hunter franchise. For those unfamiliar with Monster Hunter, it is a roleplaying game where the goal is to team up with others to take down giant monsters, harvesting their components for weapons and armor.
"Monster Hunter Now" is set to launch in September 2023, and it is a game that is being developed by both Niantic and Capcom. Like Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now will send players out in the real world to find augmented reality creatures to battle.
Classic Monster Hunter monsters like Rathalos, Pukei-Pukei, Great Izuchi, and others will be located in real world areas, and players will need to go out in the world to find them. The monsters can be viewed in real world locations using the iPhone's camera, and multiple players will be able to work together to defeat them. Items in the game will allow monsters to be lured to different locations, so they can be discovered while out on a walk and fought at home.
Components from the monsters will be able to be collected to create upgraded weapons, armor, potions, and other accessories. The game will use the well-known weapons and attack tactics that have been used in prior titles, with options for completing quests to progress. Hunters will have a companion Palico.
Niantic says that Monster Hunter Now will be designed for "everyone to enjoy at their own pace," so the game should appeal to both Monster Hunter fans and those who are new to the series.
While the game is not set to launch until September 2023, Capcom and Niantic are accepting signups for a closed beta test that is set to begin on April 25. Closed beta test access will be open to approximately 10,000 participants, and invited testers will be informed via email.
Both Apple and Alphabet have asked Amazon to improve content moderation for its Kindle app after it was found that children could use the app to access sexually explicit images, reports Reuters.
Amazon's Kindle platform sells adult-oriented books that include photographs that are not suitable for children, with the content first discovered by parents who contacted Reuters. The parents had purchased Kindle Unlimited for their pre-teen children because it included age appropriate books that were not available on Amazon's separate Amazon Kids+ subscription service.
Kindle Unlimited also offers books with full color nude photographs, which the children were able to download for free and with no parental checks as Kindle Unlimited provides all content for one $10/month subscription price. The books are self-published through the direct publishing feature of the Kindle service, which allows authors to publish their books instantly and make them available through Kindle Unlimited.
Apple did not provide detail on its communications with Amazon, but the company told Reuters the following: "We've shared these concerns with the developer and are working with them to ensure their app is compliant with our guidelines." Apple also changed the age rating of the Kindle app to 12 years or older from 4 years or older.
Apple's App Store guidelines do not allow apps that depict "overtly sexual or pornographic material," and app developers are "responsible for moderating the user-generated content on their platforms."
Google too said that it had contacted Amazon and that Google Play does not allow apps that contain or promote sexual content, while Amazon said that it is "reviewing all of the available information and taking action" based on its findings. Amazon said it is "committed to providing a safe shopping and reading experience" for customers and their families.
At the current time, the Kindle Unlimited service does not offer parental controls, and Amazon has not yet made any changes to the Kindle app or Kindle Unlimited.
Apple's legal battle with pulse oximetry company Masimo has been taking place over the course of the last two weeks, but we've heard little about it. The judge overseeing the case sealed some parts of the trial, but legal affairs journalist Meghan Cuniff, who has been following the dispute, today shared some details on what the two sides are arguing over in court.
For a refresher, Masimo has accused Apple of poaching employees and stealing trade secrets for the Apple Watch. Masimo believes that Apple developed five pulse oximetry patents using trade information stolen from Masimo. Masimo wants co-ownership of the patents and a payout of $3.1 billion. It is worth noting that Masimo previously targeted Apple with patent infringement claims, but the United States Patent and Trademark Office invalidated all but two of the patents, which is when Masimo turned to theft of trade secrets.
Apple hired Masimo Chief Medical Officer Michael O'Reilly in July 2013 and Cercacor Chief Technical Officer Marcelo Lamego in early 2014 (Cercacor is a Masimo spinoff company) to work on the Apple Watch. Masimo claims that Apple was deliberately stealing employees and that Lamego in particular shared secret Masimo information with Apple, while Apple claims that the hiring of the two had nothing to do with their prior experience at Masimo and was based on their talent. Apple maintains that the former Masimo employees did not divulge Masimo's intellectual property rights when they worked on the Apple Watch, despite Masimo's accusations.
Lamego was only at Apple for six months, but he filed for 12 patents in that time and was named as an inventor on several future Apple patents. He worked on the same kind of sensor that he had worked on at Masimo, which Masimo has taken issue with. Lamego was hired at the recommendation of O'Reilly, who at the time warned Apple that "most of his knowledge" would be "considered confidential information of Cercacor or Masimo." Apple, meanwhile, pointed to an email Lamego sent to Apple CEO Tim Cook where he said that he could "add significant value" to Apple without relying on the work he did for Masimo. Hiring emails suggest that Apple was interested in his "specialized experience" needed for Apple Watch sensors.
Lamego claims that when he worked on the Apple Watch's heart rate detection algorithm, he had to "exercise extra care to avoid IP conflict." Lamego said that his work for Apple was stunted after Masimo sent a threatening letter not long after his hiring, which caused Apple to pull back on the resources provided to him. He ultimately left, but Masimo maintains that what he shared with Apple during that time was instrumental to the development of the Apple Watch. The patents that were issued to Apple in 2019 were "on [Masimo's] stuff," according to Masimo CEO Joe Kiani.
Prior to when Lamego worked at the company, Apple's internal emails reflected trouble with the development on the Apple Watch. "Frankly, I think this is a mess," wrote now-retired Apple executive Bob Mansfield about early work on the Apple Watch sensor, adding that the sensor would "fail" on its "current path." Apple vice president of corporate development Adrian Perica also expressed concerns about the device, writing that the Apple Watch was "already way behind" other wearables on the market.
Masimo presented emails between Mansfield and Perica, who discussed acquiring Masimo during the time period when the Apple Watch was in development. Apple decided against it because the company's large size isn't Apple's "style" and wouldn't "accelerate [Apple's] roadmaps and products," according to Perica. Perica at one point referred to extending an "olive branch" to Masimo by offering tickets to an Apple event, which Masimo lawyers cited as evidence that Apple knew it had wronged Masimo in some way.
Apple claims that Masimo is targeting it with the lawsuit because Masimo saw the success of the Apple Watch and decided to make its own smart watch. Masimo has largely been focused on large medical devices created for hospitals rather than wearables. In a trial brief, Apple said that what Masimo claims are "trade secrets" are ideas "long known and used by multiple companies."
The eight-person jury hearing the case is expected to begin deliberations as soon as next week as Apple and Masimo finish their legal arguments. The U.S. International Trade Commission has already ruled that Apple infringed on Masimo patents with the Apple Watch, a ruling that Apple is fighting.
Netflix is planning a "broad rollout" of the password sharing crackdown that it began implementing in 2022, the company said today in its Q1 2023 earnings report [PDF].
The "paid sharing" plan that Netflix has been testing in a limited number of countries will expand to additional countries in the second quarter, including the United States. Netflix said that it was "pleased with the results" of the password sharing restrictions that it implemented in Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and Portugal earlier this year.
Netflix initially planned to start eliminating password sharing in the United States in the first quarter of the year, but the company said that it had learned from its tests and "found opportunities to improve the experience for members." There is a "cancel reaction" expected in each market where paid sharing is implemented, but increased revenue comes later as borrowers activate their own Netflix accounts and existing members add "extra member" accounts.
In Canada, paid sharing resulted in a larger Netflix membership base and an acceleration in revenue growth, which has given Netflix the confidence to expand it to the United States.
When Netflix brings its paid sharing rules to the United States, multi-household account use will no longer be permitted. Netflix subscribers who share an account with those who do not live with them will need to pay for an additional member. In Canada, Netflix charges $7.99 CAD for an extra member, which is around $6.
Prices are per person, and up to two additional people can be added to an existing Netflix Standard or Premium plan. The extra price provides each person with a profile, personalized recommendations, login, and password. Alternatively, people who share a Netflix account with someone outside of their household at the current time can initiate a profile transfer process that will allow the person who has free access to the account to make their own separate, paid account.
Netflix users will need to establish a primary location, and subscribers who are not at this location will not be able to use the service through that account. There are allowances for travel or second homes, with Netflix requiring users to open the Netflix app at the primary location once per month.
Netflix claims that more than 100 million households are sharing accounts, which is impacting its ability to "invest in and improve Netflix" for paying members.
Google in June plans to join Samsung in the foldable smartphone market with the launch of the Pixel Fold, reports CNBC. The device is expected to be priced around $1,700, which is in line with Samsung's pricing.
The Pixel Fold will be introduced at Google I/O in May, and Google plans to market it as a device with the "most durable hinge" on a foldable smartphone. When opened, the Google Fold will feature a 7.6-inch display (the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 4), and it will open up like a book. It will be water-resistant, sized to fit easily in a pocket when folded, and it will have a battery that is able to last for up to 24 hours.
Most of Google's Pixel devices are relatively affordable, but the Pixel Fold will have a high price tag due to the cost of the display and the hinge. Google has already been adapting Android for foldable devices, and CNBC says that the Pixel Fold will allow it to better demonstrate what a Google-made foldable phone experience is like.
With the Pixel Fold coming in June, Google will beat Apple to foldable smartphones. There are rumors that Apple has been experimenting with foldable iPhones, but the company could actually introduce the technology in the iPad first.
At the current time, there is no solid word on just when Apple might introduce its first foldable iPhone, but analysts have suggested it won't come until 2025 at the earliest.
Withings today announced the launch of the Body Smart, a new iPhone-connected smart scale that is meant to provide advanced features at an affordable $100 price point.
According to Withings, the scale uses Withings Precision Technology that combines multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, precision weight transistor sensors, and advanced algorithms to provide a weight and body composition analysis.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis uses electrical signals to measure the resistance and reactance of body tissues to determine water weight, fat, muscle mass, and visceral fat. The Body Smart can measure Basal Metabolic Rate as well, which is the number of calories that a person burns at rest. The scale also includes health measurements like standing heart rate and metabolic age.
Withings added an "Eyes Closed Mode" that hides weight from the scale screen for those who prefer not to look or who want to be discreet when using the scale around others. When activated, the scale will instead offer up encouraging motivating messages or daily information like step counts, air quality, and weather. In this mode, weight is still added to the Withings app so that it can be checked later.
Up to eight family members can use the Body Smart, and there are built-in modes like athletic, pregnancy, and baby, so even small children can be monitored. This is Withings' lowest priced smart scale with body assessment technology, and it is sold alongside the $200 Body Comp and the $300 Body Scan. The Body Comp is able to calculate vascular age, while the Body Scan includes vascular age and a 6-Lead ECG.
Apple is working on a new version of the 2021 Beats Studio Buds called the Beats Studio Buds+, and a launch could be nearing based on the fact that Apple has submitted FCC filings for the device. There are two listings, one for each Bluetooth-enabled earbud.
We first heard about the Beats Studio Buds+ in March following the launch of the iOS 16.4 release candidate. The Beats Studio Buds+ look similar to the Beats Studio Buds and will have similar functionality, according to details obtained by MacRumors.
The earbuds will continue to use a Beats chip, but Apple is planning to add improved Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency to the Beats Studio Buds+.
There is no word as of yet on when Apple plans to launch the Beats Studio Buds+ or what the pricing will be, but with potential advancements over the current $150 Beats Studio Buds we could see them priced a bit higher.
Apple is preparing to unveil its AR/VR "mixed" reality headset at WWDC in June, and the company is working to create appealing app experiences to encourage people to adopt the device. Apple is working on dedicated sports, gaming, wellness, and collaboration apps for the device, reports Bloomberg.
Apple is planning to adapt iPad apps for the headset, and users will be able to access existing App Store content through the 3D interface of the device. Apple-designed apps such as Safari, Calendar, Contacts, Home, Files, Messages, Notes, Photos, Music, Reminders, and other built-in apps will be optimized for the device. Multiple apps will be able to be run at one time, and there will be a geolocation aspect for swapping between apps when the user is in different rooms.
A Fitness+ app will allow users to exercise while watching the Fitness+ instructor in a virtual reality setting, and there will be a Health app for guiding users through meditations with graphics, sounds, and voice-overs. With Apple's deeper push into sports, there will be a focus on immersive viewing experiences for MLB and MLS content, plus there will be a dedicated TV app for watching videos in virtual reality environments.
There is a dedicated FaceTime experience that will use Memoji-like avatars and virtual meeting rooms, and Apple is designing a Books app for reading in virtual reality. A Camera app will be able to take images from the headset's cameras, and a version of Freeform will be adapted to a 3D interface for working on collaborative projects with others.
Apple has been working with a select number of gaming developers to help them update their existing content for mixed reality, and Apple will also have a robust set of tools available for creating AR/VR experiences.
The AR/VR headset is expected to be priced at around $3,000, and Apple is not planning for it to sell well to begin with. In fact, the company is expecting sales of approximately one million units in the first year, which is low for an Apple device.
Apple employees have expressed concerns about the usefulness of the headset given its price point. Some have questioned whether the device is a is a "solution in search of a problem" and not "driven by the same clarity" as other Apple devices.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in early April that the AR/VR headset is the "last hope" for persuading investors that AR/VR devices will become the "next star product in consumer electronics." Other devices from companies like Meta have lacked appealing software, and this is a major hurdle that Apple will need to overcome.
To get people to purchase the mixed reality headset, Apple will need to convince users that the software experiences are worth it. That will require compelling first-party experiences as well as innovative third-party apps from developers.
The upcoming watchOS 10 software update for the Apple Watch will feature a new Home Screen layout, according to information shared today by anonymous Twitter account @analyst941. Apple is expected to announce watchOS 10 at WWDC on June 5.
Apple Watch mockup shared by @analyst941
The source claimed the new layout would be easier to navigate and have more iOS-like aspects, including folders for apps. However, they are unsure if the new layout would be enabled by default or available as a secondary option. The source did not share any additional information, but said they will provide more details soon.
In his newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said watchOS 10 will be the Apple Watch's biggest software update since 2015. Notably, he said one of the planned enhancements for the Apple Watch is an "updated interface," which would align with a redesigned Home Screen. Apple Watch apps have been organized in a honeycomb grid since the device launched in 2015, with a scrollable list view also available.
The anonymous source behind this rumor leaked accurate information about the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island on the MacRumors Forums before the device was announced last year. However, they do not have a long-term track record with rumors yet, so there is no guarantee the latest information they shared will prove to be accurate.
While the iPhone currently maxes out at 3x optical zoom, rumors suggest that will change this year. The next-generation iPhone 15 Pro Max is widely expected to feature a so-called "periscope lens" that would allow for up to double the optical zoom.
In July 2022, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a periscope lens would be exclusive to the high-end iPhone 15 Pro Max and enable 5-6x optical zoom. Periscope technology would be built into the Telephoto lens and allow for up to 6x zoom when shooting photos with the rear camera, without any blurriness or reduction in image quality.
With a periscope lens, light absorbed by the image sensor is bent or "folded," allowing for a greater distance between the camera elements within the compact design of a smartphone. This technology allows for increased optical zoom and is already used by some Android brands like Samsung, Google, and Huawei, with phones like the Pixel 7 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra offering between 5x and 10x optical zoom.
5-6x optical zoom would be a significant camera upgrade for the iPhone. Following the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Kuo said the periscope lens would remain limited to the iPhone 16 Pro Max next year, meaning that the technology would only be available on the most expensive iPhone model for at least the next two generations of devices.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup in September. For more details, read our guide about iPhone periscope lens rumors.
Update: We have confirmed that Kuo still expects the iPhone 15 Pro Max to have around 5x optical zoom, as he first predicted in July 2022.
The Sound Recognition feature that is built into the latest version of the HomePod and the HomePod mini is now able to detect the beeping of a smoke alarm, sending you an alert if there is an emergency situation.
Announced when the new HomePod debuted in January, the Sound Recognition option is available as of today, according to TechCrunch. It can detect both activated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, sending a notification to an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
If you're at home, you're going to hear a smoke alarm go off, but if you're away, it is a useful feature to ensure that you're alerted as soon as possible when smoke or carbon monoxide is detected. Some smoke detectors are smart and are able to send alerts, but for those who have standard hardware, the HomePod offers peace of mind.
Smoke alarm Sound Recognition can be set up using the Home app on an Apple device. HomeKit setups that incorporate a camera will be able to send a video along with the alert so that you can see at a glance what might be wrong and react accordingly.
Sound Recognition is done through the HomePod or HomePod mini and the alert is sent from device to device, with no involvement of Apple's cloud servers.
Apple is working on an updated 24-inch iMac and an all-new "Pro" iMac ahead of an approximate launch time frame at the end of this year, according to key reports from over the past year.
In mid-2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested that Apple is working on at least two iMac models, likely using the "M3" series of chips. He said that Apple will likely launch an updated 24-inch iMac featuring the standard M3 chip in 2023 and is continuing work on a high-end iMac model:
I also still believe that Apple is working on a larger-screened iMac aimed at the professional market. I'd imagine this will use a variation of the M3 chip, likely an M3 Pro and M3 Max. That would match the chips inside of the MacBook Pro. I don't think the combination of a Mac Studio or Mac mini plus an Apple Studio Display cuts it for many pro users who want more screen real estate.
Apple discontinued the iMac Pro in March 2021 and it discontinued the 27-inch Intel-based version of the iMac in March 2022, leaving the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip as the only remaining iMac model. For now, Apple has effectively replaced the 27-inch iMac with the Mac Studio and its matching Studio Display.
While some reports claim that there is no high-end iMac in development, several high-profile sources believe that a more powerful, larger iMac is still in the works. Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young has said since 2021 that Apple is working on an iMac with a 27-inch mini-LED display with ProMotion, which would seemingly line up with a future "iMac Pro" model in terms of feature-set. Likewise, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that a new, 27-inch iMac Pro model will launch in 2023 alongside a new Mac Pro.
Rumors about a new iMac Pro have faded in recent months, but the updated 24-inch model still seems to be on track to launch at the end of this year or early next year. Last month, Gurman said that the next-generation iMac had reached an "advanced stage of development," adding that it likely "won't arrive until the tail end of this year at the earliest or next year" because it contains the M3 chip – which also has yet to launch.
The M3 family of chips are expected to be built on TSMC's 3nm technology, unlike the M1 and M2, which are built using a 5nm process. The more advanced manufacturing process is expected to bring significant performance and efficiency improvements. Apple chip supplier TSMC is expected to begin commercial production of 3nm chips in the second-half of this year, meaning that the first Macs with the M3 chip would likely only be able to launch around the third quarter of 2023 at the earliest.
Little is known about the specifics of the two machines, but a larger, ~27-inch mini-LED display with ProMotion, M3 Pro and M3 Max chip options, and a slew of ports brought over from the MacBook Pro are the most likely prospective features for the iMac Pro. Given the fact that the 24-inch iMac was a fully redesigned machine upon its debut in 2021, major changes beyond the M3 chip may be less likely, but a refreshed selection of color options seems highly probable.
Whether an iMac with a larger display and a more powerful chip aimed at the professional market will emerge this year is yet to be seen and only the 24-inch model is currently rumored to be in an advanced stage of development. At minimum, Apple seems firmly poised to launch the new 24-inch iMac with the M3 chip later this year, but a new iMac Pro is still very much on the table, especially going into 2024.
Today we're tracking a trio of accessory sales offered by ZAGG, Hyper, and Belkin. These sales offer a variety of discounts on portable batteries, USB-C accessories, wireless chargers, and much more.
ZAGG
ZAGG's Tax Day sale is offering 25 percent off up to three products sitewide, excluding already-discounted items. You don't need a coupon code for this one, as all sale prices will be reflected once you add them to your cart.
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.
Since this sale is for Tax Day, it will end later tonight at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time. In regards to Mophie products, this includes wireless chargers, power banks, and battery cases.
Note: The 25% discount will be applied in the cart.
There are a variety of power banks on sale at Mophie, including the Snap+ Juice Pack Mini, which is compatible with MagSafe and is down to $37.46, from $49.95. There are regular portable batteries as well, including the Powerstation XXL ($44.96), Snap+ Powerstation Stand ($52.46), and more.
For higher-priced items, you can save big on Mophie's 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe, priced at $112.46, down from $149.95. There's also the Powerstation Pro at the same price of $112.46, down from $149.95.
Hyper
Hyper's sale includes a collection of USB-C hubs and other accessories at 50 percent off with the code SPRING50 at checkout. This steep discount makes a few of Hyper's higher-priced accessories more affordable at some of the lowest prices we've ever seen.
Below we've rounded up a few examples of the best deals going on during this event. You can visit Hyper's landing page for the Spring Sale and use the code SPRING50 at checkout on any accessory to get a full 50 percent off these items.
Belkin is celebrating its 40th birthday this week, and to kick off the event it has up to 40 percent off select products on its website. You'll find wireless chargers, docks, earbuds, wall chargers, screen protectors, power banks, and more on sale during this event.
Belkin's sale does require codes, but they will change for each product. You can find each code under the regular price of the accessory on their page, and enter the code at checkout to see the discounted price.
Shoppers should also note that not every product on the sale page has a compatible code. If you're interested in an item, be sure to check under its regular price on its product page to double check whether it's seeing a discount at up to 40 percent off.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Google today announced it will begin rolling out Matter support for the Nest Thermostat model released in 2020. Notably, this means the smart thermostat can now be controlled with Apple's Home app and Siri on the iPhone and other devices.
In a blog post, Google said Matter support will be rolling out to the Nest Thermostat with an automatic over-the-air software update starting today, and the rollout will be completed over the next few weeks. Matter is a universal smart home standard that supports Apple's HomeKit, Google's Home, Amazon's Alexa, Samsung's SmartThings, and other smart home platforms all in one, meaning the Nest finally supports HomeKit.
In the Home app, users can adjust the Nest Thermostat's temperature, change the thermostat's mode, and more, according to Google. The Verge notes that iPhone users will need to be updated to iOS 16.4 or later in order to take advantage of this functionality.
Google is "exploring" adding Matter support to older Nest thermostats, according to The Verge, but they remain incompatible with HomeKit for now.
WhatsApp, Signal, and other messaging services have penned an open letter to the British government appealing for it to urgently rethink the Online Safety Bill (OSB), a piece of legislation that would allow regulators to ask the platforms to monitor users in order to identify child abuse images.
Under the bill, the government could force chat services to apply content moderation policies such as client-side scanning that are impossible to implement without circumventing end-to-end encryption, which ensures that only the user and the person they are communicating with can read or listen to what is sent.
"Around the world, businesses, individuals and governments face persistent threats from online fraud, scams and data theft," reads the letter. "Malicious actors and hostile states routinely challenge the security of our critical infrastructure. End-to-end encryption is one of the strongest possible defenses against these threats, and as vital institutions become ever more dependent on internet technologies to conduct core operations, the stakes have never been higher.
As currently drafted, the Bill could break end-to-end encryption, opening the door to routine, general and indiscriminate surveillance of personal messages of friends, family members, employees, executives, journalists, human rights activists and even politicians themselves, which would fundamentally undermine everyone's ability to communicate securely.
The Bill provides no explicit protection for encryption, and if implemented as written, could empower OFCOM to try to force the proactive scanning of private messages on end-to-end encrypted communication services - nullifying the purpose of end-to-end encryption as a result and compromising the privacy of all users.
In short, the Bill poses an unprecedented threat to the privacy, safety and security of every U.K. citizen and the people with whom they communicate around the world, while emboldening hostile governments who may seek to draft copy-cat laws.
The open letter is signed by Element chief executive Matthew Hodgson, Oxen Privacy Tech Foundation and Session director Alex Linton, Signal president Meredith Whittaker, Threema chief executive Martin Blatter, Viber chief executive Ofir Eyal, head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart, and Wire chief technical officer Alan Duric.
Last year, Apple abandoned similar controversial plans to detect known Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) stored in iCloud Photos. Apple planned to report iCloud accounts with known CSAM image hashes to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a non-profit organization that works in collaboration with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
The plans were criticized by a wide range of individuals and organizations, and Apple ultimately dropped the proposal. "Children can be protected without companies combing through personal data," said Apple at the time. "We will continue working with governments, child advocates, and other companies to help protect young people, preserve their right to privacy, and make the internet a safer place for children and for us all.
Under the U.K. bill, if a messaging service refused to apply the content moderation policies, it could face fines of up to 4 percent of its annual turnover. WhatsApp, Signal, and Proton have already stated that they would halt their encrypted services in the U.K. and pull out of the market if the bill required them to scan user content.
The U.K. government's Online Safety Bill is expected to return to parliament this summer.
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.
Apple CEO Tim Cook today officially inaugurated the company's first retail store in India, opening its doors, welcoming the first customers, and posing for selfies outside Apple BKC.
The new flagship store is situated in the country's financial capital of Mumbai, located in a high-end shopping mall at Bandra-Kurla Complex – hence 'BKC' in the title – in the city's main business district. Apple says it is one of the most energy-efficient Apple Store locations in the world, with a dedicated solar array and zero reliance on fossil fuels for store operations. The store is operationally carbon neutral, running on 100% renewable energy.
The store opening is the culmination of sustained efforts by Apple to meet regulators' demands, which included making some of its products locally. Apple is set to open another store in the capital New Delhi on Thursday, and Cook is scheduled to attend. Cook is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. It is the Apple CEO's first trip to India in seven years.
Until now, Apple products have been sold in India either online or through Apple's regional website or through a network of resellers. Beyond bringing Apple branding cachet, the physical stores will offer a premium buying experience in a country where the premium smartphone market is relatively untapped. Only about 4% of India's nearly 700 million smartphone users have iPhones, with the majority owning low-cost Android phones.
The energy, creativity, and passion in Mumbai is incredible! We are so excited to open Apple BKC — our first store in India. pic.twitter.com/talx2ZQEMl
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 18, 2023
Apple's sales in India hit a new high of almost $6 billion in the year through March. Revenue in India grew by nearly 50%, from $4.1 billion a year earlier, according to a source with knowledge of the matter cited by Bloomberg.
Apple has been working to build out a manufacturing supply chain in India, which is home to the world's second biggest smartphone market. In an indication of the country's perceived importance as a production hub, Apple shifted iPhone 14 assembly from China to India in the weeks following its release.
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