Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.1 update to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the update coming one week after the launch of the third 14.1 beta.
Registered developers can opt-in to the beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. Under Beta updates, toggle on the Sonoma Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the developer beta. Public beta testers will need to follow the same steps after opting in to the beta through Apple's public beta testing website.
macOS Sonoma 14.1 includes updates for the Music app, introducing an option to favorite songs, albums, artists, and more, plus there's a new Coverage section in System Settings for keeping track of AppleCare+. No other major new additions have been found in the beta as of yet, and Apple's release notes don't add much.
This update provides enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac including: - Favorites expanded in Music to include songs, albums, and playlists, and you can filter to display your favorites in the library - Apple warranty status for Mac, AirPods, and Beats headphones and earbuds are available in System Settings - Fixes an issue where the System Services settings within Location Services may reset - Fixes an issue that may prevent encrypted external drives from mounting Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
macOS Sonoma is likely to see a public launch next week following a week of RC testing.
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of an upcoming watchOS 10.1 update to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the beta coming a week after the release of the third watchOS 10.1 beta.
To install the watchOS 10.1 update, developers will need to open the Apple Watch app, go to the Software Update section under "General" in Settings, and toggle on the watchOS 10.1 Developer Beta. An Apple ID linked to a developer account is required. Public beta testers will need to follow the same steps after opting in to the beta through Apple's public beta testing website.
Once beta updates have been activated, watchOS 10.1 can be downloaded under the same Software Update section. To install software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life and it must be placed on an Apple Watch charger.
watchOS 10.1 adds NameDrop support for sharing contact information with another Apple Watch or an iPhone, plus it includes Double Tap.
NameDrop can be used by tapping into the Apple Watch Contacts app, selecting your profile, and tapping on the "Share" option. From there, touching the Apple Watch to another Apple Watch running watchOS 10.1 or an iPhone running iOS 17 will initiate a contact transfer.
Double Tap is a gesture exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra, and it allows users to tap their thumb and index fingers together to do things like bring up the Smart Stack, start a call, pause a song, and more.
Apple today seeded the release candidate of an upcoming tvOS 17.1 to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming a week after the launch of the third tvOS 17.1 beta.
Registered developers can download the tvOS 17.1 update by opting in to the beta through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A registered developer account is required. Public beta testers will need to follow the same steps after opting in to the beta through Apple's public beta testing website.
tvOS updates are often minor in scale compared to other operating system updates, focusing primarily on bug fixes and smaller improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes. tvOS 17.1 adds a new favoriting option to the Music app on the Apple TV, along with some other minor Music changes.
Apple shares some information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch, but Apple does not provide notes during beta testing.
Though we don't often know much about what's new in tvOS betas, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download new software upon release. Apple has also seeded a new beta of HomePod 17.1 software for developers.
Over the past four days, there were several conflicting rumors about Apple announcing new iPads, a new Apple Pencil, or a combination of those two things. In the end, the only product announced was a lower-cost Apple Pencil with a USB-C port.
Below, we have put together a rumor report card that recaps all of the reports and speculation leading up to Apple's press release today.
Apple's 10th generation 64GB Wi-Fi iPad is on sale for $399.00 today on Amazon, down from $449.00. Amazon has all four colors at this price, including Blue, Pink, Silver, and Yellow.
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.
This is an overall second-best price on the 2022 iPad, but an all-time low price has not appeared since late September. Amazon has a delivery estimate ranging from October 19 to October 22 for most models.
You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi model on sale for $549.00 ($50 off), the 64GB cellular model for $549.00 ($50 off), and the 256GB cellular model for $699.00 ($50 off). All of these sales are also second-best prices on the 10th generation iPad, with delivery estimates for late October.
The 10th generation iPad is compatible with Apple's new Apple Pencil, which was just announced today. The new model includes a USB-C port hidden behind a sliding cap and it runs at a cheaper price of $79. The new Apple Pencil won't launch until early November.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Apple today unveiled an all-new, more affordable Apple Pencil model featuring a USB-C port hidden behind a sliding cap.
The new Apple Pencil is a cheaper model that sits below the first- and second-generation Apple Pencils in the lineup with a price tag of just $79. It features a sliding cap at the top that reveals a USB-C port, allowing users to charge and pair via a USB-C cable, with a matte finish and design reminiscent of the second-generation Apple Pencil. When magnetically attached to the side of an iPad, the new Apple Pencil enters into a sleep state to preserve battery life. Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said:
Apple Pencil has revolutionized note taking, sketching, and illustrating, unleashing endless possibilities for productivity and creativity. Combined with the versatility of iPad, the new Apple Pencil unlocks another great option to experience the magic of digital handwriting, annotation, marking up documents, and more.
The new Apple Pencil features low latency and tilt sensitivity like the other Apple Pencil models, but misses out on pressure sensitivity, wireless pairing and charging, double tap to change tools, and free engraving. However, unlike the first-generation Apple Pencil, it does support Apple Pencil hover on the latest iPad Pro models. It is compatible with all iPad models that feature a USB-C port.
The new Apple Pencil is priced at $79 and launches in early November. The first- and second-generation Apple Pencil models continue to be available for $99 and $129, respectively.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has made a surprise visit to China amid reports that iPhone 15 sales are down in the country compared to last year's iPhone 14 models (via Bloomberg).
Cook visited an Apple's Taikoo Li store in Chengdu to watch a local gaming tournament for the major Tencent game "Honor of Kings" and talk to shoppers and staff. Cook later posted about the event on Weibo with a short video, saying that "the energy tonight was off the charts!" Cook then visited a Yucheng elementary school to see how students use the iPad to support local culture.
The appearance comes just a day after two Counterpoint Research studies claimed that iPhone 15 sales are down 4.5% versus last year's iPhone 14 lineup in China, causing Apple's share price to fall. As a result, Cook's visit is being widely associated with concern about iPhone 15 sales in China across various mainstream media outlets.
Cook's posts on Weibo during the trip have also aroused a usual amount of ire. For example, Cook shared a photo of Chengdu at night shot on an iPhone 15 Pro Max. The post was then "flooded with complaints" about the ostensibly poor quality of the image and unfavorable comparisons to pictures from Chinese devices like Huawei's recently Mate 60 Pro.
Apple is rumored to be introducing a new Apple Pencil as soon as tomorrow, so with a potential announcement on the horizon, we thought we'd round up a list of the features that are said to be coming in the next update.
The Current Rumors
While we've been hearing about a third-generation Apple Pencil for several months now, it was just this weekend that Japanese site Mac Otakara said that a new model is set to launch imminently.
The rumor came in response to another rumor about new iPads. Apparently, Apple has media briefings scheduled for this week with some YouTubers, and those meetings are said to be focused on the iPad. No more specific information has been leaked, so it's unclear whether we're going to get iPads, iPads and an Apple Pencil, or just an Apple Pencil.
What seems clear is that some kind of announcement is happening tomorrow via press release.
Magnetic Tips
The Apple Pencil 3 is said to have swappable magnetic tips that are for different activities like drawing, sketching, and writing. Apple could go with tips of different thicknesses and shapes.
A thin tip, for example, would be ideal for writing, but those who are sketching and drawing might want the option for something thicker or a tip in a different shape.
Majin Bu, the leaker who shared the rumor, said the tips would be used for different purposes, but there is also a possibility that the tips will be the same, but magnetically detachable to make it easier to swap them out when one wears down.
Design Changes
Way back in 2021, there was a leaked third-generation Apple Pencil with a shorter length and a glossy, rounded finish, but it is not clear if that is an accurate depiction of the planned third-generation Apple Pencil given that it was so long ago.
That model did, however, have a larger tip component that could actually make sense with swappable magnetic tips.
Color
There were rumors that the next Apple Pencil could be available in white and black, but that rumor dates all the way back to 2020, so it's unlikely to be accurate at this point in time.
USB-C and Consolidation
Right now, Apple sells two Apple Pencils, the first-generation model that's compatible with the low-cost iPad, and the second-generation model that works with everything else.
With the transition to USB-C, an update to the Apple Pencil makes sense. Apple could design a third-generation model that works with all iPads, including future low-cost models to eliminate the need to have two Apple Pencils, or it could design a new version of the original Apple Pencil that charges over USB-C to accommodate the USB-C port that's already been introduced in the low-cost iPad.
Right now, the original Apple Pencil has a Lightning connector, and charging it with the low-cost iPad requires an adapter, an unwieldy and inconvenient setup.
Will There or Won't There Be an iPad Refresh?
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple does not have plans to introduce new iPads tomorrow. Gurman said over the weekend that while new iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models are in the works with faster chips, an iPad refresh "won't happen this month." Kuo said back in September that new iPads are "unlikely" to launch in 2023.
Both 9to5Mac and Supercharged News have claimed that Apple will announce updated iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models this week.
It would be unusual for Apple to debut a new Apple Pencil without introducing new iPads, but Kuo and Gurman often have reliable insight in to Apple's plans, so it doesn't seem out of the question. It is possible that we could see Apple introduce a new Apple Pencil and a new low-cost iPad, as that is a tablet that is typically refreshed yearly and it is also the sole remaining tablet that uses the original Apple Pencil.
Refreshing the low-cost iPad would allow Apple to introduce a new Apple Pencil that works with all iPad models, doing away with the split Apple Pencil lineup.
If we do get new iPads, there are no major redesigns or flashy features in the works. All of the rumors so far suggest that only minor spec bumps like chip improvements are in the works.
Which source do you think is right? Will we see iPads or an Apple Pencil tomorrow? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple will introduce a new low-cost 11th-generation iPad tomorrow, according to leaker Majin Bu. Majin Bu claims that the new iPad will have the same design as the 10th-generation model, and that accessories "will be perfectly compatible."
Last week, the same leaker claimed that Apple would debut a third-generation Apple Pencil with interchangeable magnetic tips, and today's rumor comes following conflicting reports about products that Apple might be introducing tomorrow.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday that while new iPads are in development, new models are not expected this month, while reports from 9to5Mac and Supercharged News claimed that Apple plans to introduce new iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad models as soon as Tuesday. Separately, Japanese site Mac Otakara reported that Apple doesn't have plans to introduce new iPads, but will debut a new Apple Pencil 3 instead.
Majin Bu's report of an 11th-generation iPad does not mention the iPad Air or the iPad mini, and it also seems to suggest that the iPad will be accompanied by compatible accessories, perhaps a new Apple Pencil as suggested by Mac Otakara.
Majin Bu is known for sharing rumors from Weibo and other sources, but the information that we hear is often hit or miss. At this point, it is unclear whether we're going to get new iPads, an Apple Pencil, or some combination of both, but we'll find out more in the morning.
Apple's quarterly iPad revenue will significantly decline in the fourth quarter of 2023 on a year-over-year basis, according to estimated figures shared today by Erik Woodring, an analyst at investment firm Morgan Stanley.
Morgan Stanley estimates that Apple will report iPad revenue of $7.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023, which would be a decline of approximately 23% compared to the $9.4 billion that Apple reported for the segment in the year-ago quarter.
The year-ago quarter will be a tough comparison for iPad revenue, according to Morgan Stanley, as Apple announced updated iPad Pro models and the 10th-generation iPad last October. Over the weekend, two reports indicated that Apple plans to announce updated iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models this week, although some credible sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman have cast doubt on this rumor.
It's unclear if Morgan Stanley expects new iPads to launch this month, but given the firm expects iPad revenue to significantly decline this quarter, the firm is at least not expecting any iPad updates that are major enough for revenue growth. Only minor changes are expected for the next iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad whenever the devices are released, including an M2 chip for the iPad Air and an A16 Bionic chip for the iPad mini.
Apple has yet to release any new iPads this year. If that trend continues for the remainder of 2023, it would be the first calendar year with no new iPads released in the device's 13-year history. The two reports expecting new iPad models this week said Apple's announcement would likely be on Tuesday, so we'll see what happens tomorrow.
We're over a month away from Black Friday, but as always we're already seeing a few retailers kick off very early "pre-Black Friday" events. Today that includes Anker, which is offering up to 50 percent off select charging accessories, as well as a buy one, get one half off sitewide through October 18.
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.
In terms of the BOGO sale, you'll need to purchase two charging products that are not already discounted in order to get the discount. If two or more items are purchased, Anker will automatically take 50 percent off the least expensive item.
There are plenty of other Anker accessories with straight cash discounts right now on Anker's website and on Amazon as well. All of the accessories listed below have codes that will be applied once you add them to your cart, and there are a few products being matched at Amazon.
As we get closer to Black Friday on November 24, be sure to keep an eye on our Black Friday Roundup, which will track all of the best Apple and Apple-related deals of the season. You can also head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
The seventh-generation iPad mini will feature four main upgrades and changes, according to a Weibo leaker with an early track record for disclosing accurate information about Apple's plans.
The account, known as "Instant Digital," claims that the seventh-generation iPad mini will feature four key differences, with no other other notable improvements other than the following changes.
A16 Bionic Chip
The next-generation iPad mini will apparently sport the A16 Bionic chip, offering a modest upgrade over the current model that features the A15 Bionic.
The A16 Bionic would put the iPad mini on par with the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Plus. The chip would deliver around 10% better performance, 50% more GPU memory bandwidth, and a new image processor (ISP) compared to the current model. The chip upgrade is by far the most widely reported upgrade rumored for the seventh-generation iPad mini.
Upgraded Front and Rear Cameras
Instant Digital also claims that the iPad mini will receive upgraded front and rear cameras, but further details about what exactly this will entail are unclear.
The current iPad mini has a 12-megapixel rear camera with an ƒ/1.8 aperture and a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front-facing camera with an ƒ/2.4 aperture. This is the same front and rear camera unit used across all of Apple's iPad models at the moment.
The change could take the form of a tangible upgrade to the iPad mini's camera hardware, or it could encompass software features like Photonic Engine, which has not yet been offered on any iPad models. ProRes video recording, Audio zoom, stereo audio recording, Portrait mode, and Portrait Lighting support are all plausible upgrades in this area.
New Color Options
The seventh-generation iPad mini will be available in a selection of new color options, Instant Digital claims.
The current iPad mini is available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, and Purple. Apple could retain some of these colors and swap one or two out for new options, or it could overhaul the entire selection. It is not clear what new finishes could be in store, but it is possible Apple could take inspiration from the iPhone 15's Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink color options.
Display With Reduced 'Jelly Scrolling' Effect
Last week, Instant Digital said that the seventh-generation iPad mini's screen assembly will be rotated to reduce the effect of "jelly scrolling" that some users complain about with the current model.
"Jelly scrolling" refers to screen tearing, which can cause text or images on one side of the screen to appear to be tilted downwards because of a mismatch in refresh rates. It can cause one side of the display to look as if it is responding faster than the other side in a visual disturbance that is hard to ignore once noticed.
Apple says the phenomenon is normal behavior for LCD iPads. Since LCD screens refresh line by line, there is a tiny delay between when the lines at the top and lines at the bottom are refreshed. But while this may be normal behavior for LCD screens, it can appear more obvious when observed on the iPad mini's smaller screen.
Users have generally only complained about jelly scrolling when the iPad mini is in portrait orientation. The issue is not reproducible in landscape orientation when scrolling, indicating this is a vertical refresh issue. According to the latest rumor, Apple plans to rotate the screen assembly to reduce the jelly scrolling effect in portrait orientation. Whether it will now become more prominent when the iPad mini is in landscape orientation is yet to be seen, but Instant Digital simply claims that the effect is reduced on the new model.
Next-Generation iPad Pro Details
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning a complete revamp of its Magic Keyboard accessory for the iPad that makes the device more laptop-like.
The updated version of the Magic Keyboard for iPad will apparently offer a larger trackpad, addressing criticisms of the current model, and "makes the iPad Pro look even more like a laptop than the current setup." The area around the keyboard itself will be made of aluminum, resembling the top case of MacBooks, to provide a sturdier structure. The exterior shell of the keyboard will retain the silicone cover material used on the current model and a single USB-C port. Gurman mused that the redesign using more premium materials could lead Apple to raise the accessory's $299 price point.
Now, Instant Digital claims that the next-generation Magic Keyboard will also be 100% carbon neutral thanks to its redesign and use of different materials. Last month, Apple unveiled its first carbon neutral products: The aluminium Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE when paired with a new Sport Loop, as well as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 when paired with a new Trail Loop or Alpine Loop. The company plans for all of its products to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The next-generation iPad Pro models are rumored to feature OLED displays, in a significant first for Apple's tablet lineup. Instant Digital added that Apple plans to use Samsung's Gen 6 OLED panel production lines to supply displays for the next-generation iPad Pro models. Chinese supplier BOE is also apparently still trying to obtain orders from Apple for iPad OLED displays, and is currently trying to improve the quality and suitability of its panels. The devices are not expected to launch until next year.
Will New iPads Launch This Week?
Instant Digital's discussion of the seventh-generation iPad mini's features comes in anticipation of a new model that could be announced as soon as tomorrow. Last week, the Weibo user said that seventh-generation iPad mini is among several devices that Apple could launch this month. A modified first-generation Apple Pencil with a USB-C connector instead of Lightning and the sixth-generation iPad Air with the M2 chip are also apparently on the table for announcement toward the end of October.
After evidence of a refreshed first-generation Apple Pencil with a USB-C connector was discovered in iOS 17.1 beta code, Instant Digital said that "Apple has not given up on the original Apple Pencil, and a USB-C version is expected to be coming soon." The account has also recently discussed a third-generation Apple Pencil model.
Over the weekend, multiple websites made independent claims that Apple plans to announce updated iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models this week, citing sources. Instant Digital has been making claims about new iPad models set to launch this month since early September.
A post on the Korean social media site Naver from a user with a track record for posting Apple rumors also shared information from a different Weibo user, separate to reporting over the weekend about new iPad models being released this week, claiming that the next-generation iPad Air and iPad mini models will be available starting this week.
Despite these reports, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman yesterday said that new iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models are all in development with faster chips, but believes they "won't happen this month." Similarly, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently remarked "new iPad models are unlikely before the year's end."
Interestingly, a report from Mac Otakara yesterday claimed that a third-generation Apple Pencil with a replaceable magnetic tip is more likely to be announced instead of new iPads. Last month, the leaker known as "Majin Bu" said the new Apple Pencil would feature interchangeable magnetic tips for drawing, technical drawing, and digital painting.
As a result, the exact picture of what to expect this month is unclear. At the start of the month, MacRumors learned about imminent changes to Apple's trade-in policies that could align with the launch of new products. Overall, the rumor mill is currently quite a mixed picture when it comes to details about new Apple product launches this month, but two things are for sure: Almost all of the chatter relates to the iPad or iPad accessories, and it will not be long before we know for sure whether Apple really is going to launch anything this month.
Apple has announced that its online store is now available in Chile, providing customers located in the country with a way to purchase iPhones, Macs, iPads, and more directly from Apple.
As in other countries, Apple's Chilean online store offers a full range of Apple products and accessories, with shopping assistance from Apple Specialists, a trade-in program for iPhone sales, free one-on-one online training sessions with certain product purchases, build-to-order Mac options, and multiple payment options including financing.
Previously, customers in Chile could only purchase Apple products through third-party Apple Authorized Distributors. Apple's online store allows customers from Chile to purchase from Apple directly and have their orders shipped for free to all regions in the country.
"We're thrilled to be expanding in Chile with the launch of the Apple Store online," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's Senior Vice President of Retail. "We love creating magical experiences for our customers, and whether they're looking to unleash creativity or embrace an entrepreneurial spirit, we now have an incredible Apple experience for everyone in Chile who wants to discover and shop for our amazing products, including the all new iPhone 15 lineup and Apple Watch Series 9."
Apple says customers in Chile will be able to pre-order the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max starting October 20.
This story was originally published on October 11 and updated on October 16.
Apple is planning to implement an innovative new system that allows retail store staff to wirelessly update iPhones inside their sealed boxes, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the most recent "Power On" newsletter, Gurman outlined how Apple plans to tackle brand new iPhones being sold in retail stores with outdated software. For example, the iPhone 15 lineup shipped with iOS 17, but iOS 17.0.1 was already available upon its launch and the devices required a update to iOS 17.0.2 to fix an issue that prevented the transfer of data directly from another iPhone during the setup process.
Apple wants customers to receive iPhones with the latest version of iOS to avoid users having to update themselves, especially if important updates have been pushed to address high-profile bugs. Before the end of the next year, Apple will apparently provide a new system to retail stores to address this. It features a "proprietary pad-like device" that retail store staff can place a sealed iPhone box on top of. The system then wirelessly turns on the iPhone, updates its software to the latest version, and powers it off, with no need to open the device's packaging.
Four new MacBook models with M3-series chips are on schedule to launch next year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.
In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips have now reached design validation testing (DVT), meaning that the devices are nearing mass production. He believes that progress on the new machines indicates that they are likely to launch between early 2024 and the spring, which would mirror the approximate time frame in which the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models launched earlier this year.
New 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M3 chip have also apparently reached engineering verification testing (EVT), an earlier production testing phase on prototype devices. Gurman says this puts the next-generation MacBook Airs on schedule for launch between the spring and summer of next year at the earliest, which could also mirror the time frame of the current models' launches that took place at WWDC in June 2022 and 2023.
Apple's upcoming low-cost variant of the Vision Pro headset will lose out on features including EyeSight and an M-series chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Both The Information and Bloomberg have previously claimed that Apple is working on a more affordable version of the Apple Vision Pro headset. The initial version set to launch early next year will be priced at $3,500, placing it out of reach of many Apple customers.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple has planned to launch a cheaper mixed-reality headset since before the announcement of Vision Pro and is now actively funneling resources toward the lower-end device. The company has apparently shifted staff away from developing a standalone AR glasses product toward the lower-cost headset. Apple has purportedly discussed pricing it at around $1,500 to $2,500.
Gurman previously mentioned that Apple plans to bring down the price of the headset using lower resolution displays and a chip designed for the iPhone, rather than the Mac. Now, he also believes that Apple is likely to remove EyeSight, Vision Pro's external display that shows the wearer's eyes, as well as reduce the number of cameras and sensors on the device.
Gurman also reiterated his report from last week that Apple is continuing work on the second-generation of the fully fledged Vision Pro headset, featuring a slightly smaller and lighter design to make it more comfortable to wear. Apple is also exploring integrating prescription lenses directly into the device to simplify its design.
While multiple reports have indicated that Apple plans to announce updated iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models this week, Japanese blog Mac Otakara believes a third-generation Apple Pencil is more likely to be announced instead of new iPads.
An excerpt from the report, computer translated by Bing:
MacOTAKARA believes that rather than an update to the iPad itself, the Apple Pencil 3 will be launched, which will come with a replaceable magnet tip.
Last month, leaker "Majin Bu" said the new Apple Pencil would feature interchangeable magnetic tips for drawing, technical drawing, and digital painting.
The second-generation Apple Pencil was announced on October 30, 2018. It comes with one non-magnetic tip, with replacement tips available. The second-generation Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to 2018 and newer iPad Pro models, 2020 and newer iPad Air models, and the latest iPad mini. In the U.S., it is priced at $129.
Apple also continues to sell the first-generation Apple Pencil with a Lightning connector for the tenth-generation entry-level iPad and some older iPad models. It has been rumored that this Apple Pencil model might be updated with a USB-C connector soon. The original Apple Pencil was released in November 2015 for $99.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said Apple is making progress on new iPad models, but he believes that the release of these devices "won't happen this month."
Apple is making progress on new iPad and MacBook models, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that the release of these devices "won't happen this month."
"More often than not, the company debuts new laptops and iPads in October — about a month after the latest iPhone and watch get out the door," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "And while I reported in July that Apple was planning such a release this year, the latest indications are that it won't happen this month."
Gurman went on to say that new iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models are all in development with faster chips, but he does not believe that "updates of any significance are imminent." This wording is more vague compared to his above claim that iPad releases "won't happen this month" whatsoever.
Last month, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said "new iPad models are unlikely before the year's end." If this claim is accurate, 2023 would be the first calendar year with no new iPads announced in the device's 13-year history.
As for MacBooks, Gurman expects the next 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 15-inch MacBook Air models to launch in the first half of 2024. He did not comment on the iMac or other Macs.
New iPads This Week?
Supercharged and 9to5Mac this weekend both independently reported that Apple plans to announce updated iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad models this week, citing sources. Both publications said the iPad Air will be updated with the M2 chip, and said the iPad mini will be updated with the A16 Bionic chip.
It should be a fascinating week ahead for the rumor mill. Who will be right? We will soon find out.
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.
