A dummy iPhone 15 Pro has surfaced in a video shared on the Chinese version of TikTok today, providing a closer look at the device's rumored design. Key hardware features expected include solid-state buttons, a USB-C port, and a titanium frame.
The video doesn't reveal anything new beyond existing rumors, but it does provide a 3D view of what the iPhone 15 Pro could look like. Overall, the device looks similar to the iPhone 14 Pro, with the most notable differences being an elongated volume button and what will supposedly be an Action button replacing the Ring/Silent switch.
The dummy model is likely based on leaked CADs from iPhone case makers. It's unclear if the rear camera bump or other aspects of the dummy iPhone are perfectly to scale, or if a physical SIM card slot will remain in some countries as shown, after being removed from all iPhone 14 models in the U.S. last year. It's also possible the final design of the buttons and other parts could have more detail than revealed by this basic mold.
All four iPhone 15 models are expected to adopt USB-C, but Pro models could support USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 for faster data transfer speeds than the standard iPhone 15 models, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. All four models are also expected to feature the Dynamic Island, which is currently limited to iPhone 14 Pro models.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup at a September event as usual. Other rumored features for the Pro models only include the A17 Bionic chip, thinner bezels around the display, faster Wi-Fi 6E, increased RAM, and more.
Apple has abandoned its plans to release a 27-inch external monitor with mini-LED backlighting, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Young initially expected the monitor to launch in 2022, but a release has yet to materialize.
In a tweet shared with paying subscribers today, Young said that Apple has "killed off" the display "for now" for reasons unclear, despite shipping some display panels for the monitor last year. He did not provide a reason for Apple's decision, and it's unclear if the company will ever release the monitor in the future or if it will remain cancelled.
Young previously said the display would support ProMotion, allowing for up to a 120Hz refresh rate. Given the 27-inch size that was rumored, it is possible the display could have been a next-generation version of the Studio Display, but it also could have been a new model positioned between the Studio Display and the higher-end Pro Display XDR. The current Studio Display starts at $1,599 with a 5K resolution and no ProMotion.
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022 alongside the Mac Studio. The monitor has not received any hardware updates since launching.
Young has a good track record with display-related information about future Apple products. In the past, he accurately revealed that ProMotion was coming to the iPhone 13 Pro and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with a larger 8.3-inch display, and many other details.
Update — April 11: Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the display will enter mass production in 2024 or early 2025.
YouTube Premium subscribers will soon have access to SharePlay and an enhanced 1080p video quality option with a higher bitrate on the iPhone. In a blog post today, YouTube said both features will be available in its iOS app "in the coming weeks."
SharePlay will let you watch YouTube videos with friends and family while on a FaceTime call together, while the enhanced 1080p option will make videos look "extra crisp and clear," especially when there is a lot of detail and motion, according to YouTube. The standard 1080p video quality option will remain available to all YouTube users.
Other perks available to YouTube Premium subscribers starting today include an option to queue videos in the iOS and Android app, the ability to continue watching a video where you left off when switching devices, and an option to have recommended videos automatically downloaded while on Wi-Fi for offline viewing at a later time.
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 per month in the U.S. and provides ad-free video playback, the ability to play videos while using other apps or while a device's screen is locked, an option to download videos for offline playback, and more.
Amazon is kicking off the week with a fresh discount on Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M2 Pro, 512GB), on sale for $1,849.99, down from $1,999.00. You can get this notebook in both Space Gray and Silver on Amazon, with delivery dates estimated around April 18 - 21.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This is a solid second-best price on the 2023 14-inch MacBook Pro, which hasn't seen a record low discount since February. Given that this computer is now just about three months old, Amazon's $149 markdown is a great option for anyone wanting to buy a MacBook Pro this week.
There are also a few sales on the 2023 16-inch MacBook Pro on Amazon, starting with the 12-Core M2 Pro, 512GB model for $2,349.99, down from $2,499.00. For more storage, you can get the 12-Core M2 Pro, 1TB model for $2,549.99, down from $2,699.00. Last is the 12-Core M2 Max, 1TB notebook for $3,199.00, down from $3,499.00.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
Domino's Pizza today announced that customers in the U.S. can now place a pickup order using Apple CarPlay. However, you can't freely choose toppings in the car, as the functionality is only available for preselected or recently placed orders.
To get started, download the Domino's app for the iPhone, open the app on CarPlay, and select "Tap to Order" or "Call to Order." The first option allows you to order a preselected "Easy Order" saved to your Pizza Profile, or repeat a recently placed order, while "Call to Order" allows you to order by phone. The app also allows you to view nearby Domino's locations and track the status of your order using the Domino's Tracker.
Coupled with Domino's available Carside Delivery option, customers ordering via CarPlay can pick up their pizza without leaving their vehicle.
Domino's says it is the first major pizza chain to offer CarPlay integration, as part of the company's focus on innovating with technology. Domino's also lets customers place an order using the Apple Watch, by texting an emoji, and more.
WWDC is now just two months away, and we're starting to hear a bit more about what we might see with upcoming iOS 17 and watchOS 10 updates that should be unveiled during the keynote.
This week also saw the release of an iOS 16.4.1 bug fix update, another rumor about Apple's timeline for transitioning some of its Mac notebooks to OLED display technology, and a curious Bitcoin-related discovery in macOS, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
iOS 17 Rumored to Feature 'Major' Changes to iPhone's Control Center
Control Center was introduced with iOS 7 nearly a decade ago and has looked largely the same since iOS 11 was released. The menu provides iPhone users with convenient access to controls for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, display brightness, volume, and many other system functions.
Apple released the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip and a colorful ultra-thin design in April 2021. Later this month, it will have been two years since the all-in-one desktop computer was last updated.
Rumors suggest that a new 24-inch iMac with an M3 chip could be released later this year. We've put together a guide covering the latest rumors about the next iMac, including new features and changes to expect.
watchOS 10 to Feature 'Notable Changes' for Apple Watch
Apple is expected to announce watchOS 10 during the WWDC 2023 keynote on June 5, alongside iOS 17, macOS 14, and other new software. On the hardware side of things, Gurman said only modest upgrades are planned for the next Apple Watch models coming later this year.
Apple Releases iOS 16.4.1 With Fixes For Siri Response Issues and Other Bugs
A parallel macOS Ventura 13.3.1 update with fixes for the emoji issue and a bug with the feature that allows you to automatically unlock your Mac while wearing an Apple Watch. Both the iOS and macOS updates also address a pair of security vulnerabilities that Apple says may have been actively exploited, so be sure to update your devices.
Apple Has Included Bitcoin Whitepaper in Every Version of macOS Since 2018
Anyone with a Mac running macOS Mojave or later can see the PDF for themselves by typing this command into Terminal. The document provides an overview of Bitcoin as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pros Reportedly Not Getting OLED Displays Until 2026
Apple is unlikely to release high-end MacBook Pro models with OLED displays until 2026, according to display industry analyst Ross Young.
In the meantime, Young said Apple plans to release a 13.4-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display as early as next year. The switch from LCD to OLED technology would allow for increased brightness, improved contrast ratio, and decreased power consumption for longer battery life.
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.
Following the release of iOS 16.4.1 today, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.3.1, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to that software version. iOS 16.4, iOS 16.4.1, and the iOS 16.5 beta remain signed at the time of writing.
iOS 16.3.1 was released on February 13 and was a minor update with bug fixes, security improvements, and additional Crash Detection optimizations for iPhone 14 models. Apple routinely stops signing older iOS releases over time in order to prevent users from downgrading to an outdated software version.
iOS 16.4 will likely be unsigned later this month, so iPhone users who wish to downgrade to that version have limited time remaining to do so.
Today apple unsigned:
iOS 16.3.1 iPadOS 16.3.1 tvOS 16.3.2 audioOS 16.3.2
— Aaron (@aaronp613) April 8, 2023
Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1 for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, respectively, and it's a good idea to install them as soon as you can because all three updates include important security fixes.
According to Apple's security support documents for iOS and macOS, the new software includes fixes for two separate vulnerabilities, both of which were known by Apple to have been actively exploited in the wild.
The IOSurfaceAccelerator vulnerability could allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple addressed the out-of-bounds write issue with improved input validation. The WebKit vulnerability could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code. Apple fixed this issue with improved memory management.
Google's Threat Analysis Group and Amnesty International's Security Lab are credited with finding and reporting both issues to Apple.
Apple has also released a new Safari 16.4.1 update for macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur, which likely addresses the WebKit vulnerability.
Apple today released macOS Ventura 13.3.1, a minor update to the macOS Ventura operating system released last October. macOS Ventura 13.3.1 comes almost two weeks after the launch of macOS Ventura 13.3.
The macOS Ventura 13.3.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.
According to Apple’s release notes for the update, it introduces a fix for a bug that could cause Auto Unlock with Apple Watch not to work, plus it includes a fix for an issue that caused the pushing hands emoji not to show skin tone variations.
macOS Ventura 13.3.1 provides important bug fixes and security updates for your Mac including:
- Pushing hands emoji does not show skin tone variations - Auto Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch may not work
Apple is already beta testing macOS Ventura 13.4, an update that will follow macOS Ventura 13.3 and should see a release in the next month or so.
Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, a minor update to the iOS 16 operating system that first came out last September. iOS 16.4.1 is a bug fix update that comes almost two weeks after the launch of iOS 16.4, an update that introduced new Emoji, Safari Web Push notifications, Voice Isolation for phone calls, and more.
iOS 16.4.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple's release notes, iOS 16.4.1 add a fix for an issue that could cause Siri not to respond in some cases, and it adds skin tones variations for the pushing hands emoji.
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including:
- Pushing hands emoji does not show skin tone variations - Siri does not respond in some cases
Apple is already testing iOS 16.5, a follow up to iOS 16, and the company will soon transition to working on iOS 17, the next-generation version of iOS that is expected to see an introduction at WWDC in June.
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the design of Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset with professional product designer Marcus Kane.
Marcus is an industrial designer and UX consultant who uses virtual and augmented reality headsets on a daily basis to support his workflow. He recently created detailed concept renders of what he expects Apple's mixed-reality headset will look like with YouTuber David Lewis based on rumors, Apple patent filings, and his own expertise.
We talk through Marcus's approach to the design and what existing Apple products inspired him, looking at some of the key aspects that Apple will have had to consider with the device. We also discuss the broader user experience with the headset, including its rumored waist-mounted battery pack – which Marcus has envisioned as enclosed in a pouch on a shoulder-strap that also contains a cable to power the device, potential restriction to indoors use only, and real-world passthrough with a "reality dial."
Since Marcus uses existing headset products to support his design work, we learn about some of practical use-cases for this category of device, where Apple could compete, and what key software features the company could deliver. See more of Marcus's work over in David Lewis's latest video, and follow him on Instagram and Twitter.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about WWDC 2023 and whether Apple's headset will finally emerge at the event.
Back in December, Tesla announced the launch of a $300 multi-device wireless charger able to charge three Qi devices at one time. There are notable parallels to Apple's now-canceled AirPower charging mat, so we thought we'd check it out to see what it's like.
Design wise, the charger is a flat, angular platform made from aluminum with an alcantara fabric top, which Tesla says was inspired by the Cybertruck. There's some subtle Tesla branding at the front, an LED light to let you know when charging is taking place, and an integrated USB-C cable.
The charger is heavy and well made, but the integrated cable is a negative because if it breaks, there's no way to replace it. Tesla includes a 65W wall adapter that's also modeled after the Cybertruck, plus a removable stand that can be used to transition the charger from a flat orientation to more of an angled orientation.
The Tesla Wireless Charging Platform is able to charge up to three devices at one time from any position on the charging base, which is how Apple wanted the AirPower to work. Three devices can receive up to 15W of power, though iPhones will be limited to 7.5W since this is Qi charging.
Unlike the AirPower, Tesla's Wireless Charging Platform does not work with the Apple Watch, but it is compatible with Qi-based iPhones and AirPod models. Given the size of the device, you're probably not going to be able to charge three large smartphones, but two smartphones and a set of AirPods works.
Tesla's charging mat is using FreePower, a technology from Aira that we have seen used in other Qi-based wireless chargers. The Base Station Pro from Nomad, for example, used FreePower and it was remarkably similar to the Tesla product. The Base Station Pro ran into trouble because it was not able to work properly with the iPhone 12 and later due to firmware issues, and it remains to be seen if the Tesla charger will have similar problems with future smartphones.
The Tesla Wireless Charging Platform works as advertised, and generally, you can place a device anywhere on the platform to get it to charge. Position does still matter somewhat, though, because you still need to make sure you have a good alignment with a coil to get the full charging speed.
At $300, and with only Qi-based charging, it's not worth buying the Tesla Wireless Charging Platform unless you're a Tesla superfan. At this point, a MagSafe charger is a much better use of your money if you're in the Apple ecosystem.
What do you think of Tesla's charger? Let us know in the comments below.
As we head into the Easter weekend, various retailers have kicked off notable deal events to coincide with the holiday. Alongside these sales, you'll find all-time low prices on Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch SE, and iPad Air still available this weekend.
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.
Easter Deals
Easter is coming up this Sunday, April 9, and coinciding with the holiday are a few deal events at retailers like Belkin, Casetify, Meross, and Pad & Quill. With these sales, you can save on wireless chargers, USB-C docks, iPhone cases, Bluetooth speakers, HomeKit-compatible products, leather iPad folios, and much more.
Most of these deals will last through Sunday, so you only have this weekend to take advantage of the sales. Also note that some do require you to enter a coupon code at checkout, and we've noted what codes you'll need in the list below.
Belkin - Save up to 20 percent off chargers with code CHRGA23 and up to 25 percent off docks with code DOCKA23
Casely - Buy one Power Pod, get an iPhone case for free
Casetify - Buy one case, get 50 percent off a second case with code Easter23
JBL - Save up to 50 percent on Bluetooth speakers and headphones
Meross - Save up to 30 percent on smart home products
Moment - Save up to 70 percent on photography equipment and more
Pad & Quill - Save on leather iPad folios and iPhone cases
AirPods
What's the deal? Take up to $49 off the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods 2
Amazon has Apple's AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro 2 for solid second-best prices this weekend, starting at just $99.00 for the AirPods 2 and rising to $199.99 for the AirPods Pro 2. There is also a deal on the AirPods 3 at $149.99, down from $169.00, but stock on this model has been very inconsistent on Amazon this year, so don't expect it to last long.
Amazon kicked off this week of deals with $99 discounts across nearly every model of the 2022 iPad Air, starting at $499.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model and $649.99 for the 256GB Wi-Fi model. You can also still save on cellular versions of the tablet, and Amazon is providing mid-April delivery estimates for most models.
A match of the all-time low price on the Apple Watch Ultra returned this week on Amazon, with a few models hitting $729.99, down from $799.00. You can find the full list of watches on sale in our original post, and note that you won't see this deal price until you add the wearable to your cart on Amazon and head to checkout.
Similar to the Ultra, the Apple Watch SE saw a return of its best-ever price this week on Amazon, starting at just $219.00 for the 40mm GPS model and $249.00 for the 44mm GPS model.
Anker
What's the deal? Save on Eufy smart trackers and Anker accessories
Later in the week, Anker and Eufy opened up new deals that are still offering savings on Bluetooth smart trackers, portable batteries, USB-C cables, and more. Eufy's smart trackers are down to $16.99 for a 1-Pack on Amazon and Anker is offering up to 25 percent of accessories on its own website. You can find out more details about each sale in our original post.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
TP-Link’s Kasa Smart brand today announced the launch of its first Matter-certified smart plug, the KP125M. The KP125M is able to connect to HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings setups because of the Matter connectivity.
Matter-compatible devices that are added to a HomeKit setup work the same as HomeKit-enabled devices as long as there is a HomeKit Matter hub, which includes the HomePod, HomePod mini, iPad, and Apple TV. If other people in the home use a different device compatible with a smart home platform from Amazon, Google, or Samsung, the Kasa Smart Plug can be used with that platform as well provided an appropriate Matter hub is available.
The Kasa Smart KP125M provides scheduling and timer capabilities, plus it can be used to monitor energy consumption over time for keeping an eye on energy costs.
According to TP-Link, the KP125M features a compact and flame-retardant design that is meant to keep it from blocking additional outlets. It is designed to work over Bluetooth, and with HomeKit setups, it can be used with the Home app and with Siri voice commands.
The KP125M Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim is priced at $40 for a two-pack, and it can be purchased from Amazon.com.
Apple today announced that its revamped Maps app is rolling out across Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia. The new experience provides more detailed road coverage, better navigation, custom-designed 3D models of popular landmarks, Flyover, and more.
Maps can also help drivers in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Poland with certain electric vehicles plan trips that include appropriate stops for charging by analyzing elevation changes and other factors along a route. Meanwhile, transit riders in Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia can find nearby stations more easily and pin favorite lines. Riders will also receive notifications when it’s time to get off at their stop.
Look Around is also expanding to all of these countries starting today, offering high-resolution street-level imagery in the Maps app. The feature is similar to Google's Street View, but with smoother transitions when panning and zooming.
As noted by Apple Maps expert Juston O'Beirne, this is the eighteenth time that Apple has expanded its new map data since its public launch in September 2018. It has expanded to the U.K., Ireland, Canada, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Germany, and select other countries and territories.
An Apple Store at the Alderwood Mall was burgled last weekend, with thieves infiltrating the location through a nearby coffee shop. According to Seattle's King 5 News, thieves broke into Seattle Coffee Gear, went into the bathroom, and cut a hole in the wall to get to the Apple Store backroom.
The burglars were able to bypass the Apple Store's security system by using the adjacent coffee shop, stealing a total of 436 iPhones that were worth around $500,000.
According to Seattle Coffee Gear manager Eric Marks, the coffee shop is not noticeably adjacent to the Apple Store because of the way that the store is laid out. "I would have never suspected we were adjacent to the Apple Store, how it wraps around I mean," Marks told King 5 News. "So, someone really had to think it out and have access to the mall layout."
Good morning Twitter fans! Yesterday was a weird day...
1. Two men broke into one of our retail locations. Why? To cut a hole in our bathroom wall to access the Apple Store next door and steal $500k worth of Iphones🙄
2. Later that night on the way to the grocery store my wife… pic.twitter.com/DcUld6ULEd
— Mike Atkinson (@coffeemikeatkin) April 4, 2023
Police were able to obtain surveillance footage of the theft, but as it is part of an active investigation, it has not yet been released. Nothing was stolen from the coffee shop, but it will cost $1,500 to replace locks and repair the bathroom wall.
No employees were at the Apple Store when the theft happened as the Alderwood Mall had closed for the night. An Alderwood spokesperson said they were working with the police to solve the incident, but Apple has not yet commented.
T-Mobile today announced that it has renewed its partnership with Major League Baseball through 2028, providing T-Mobile subscribers with free access to MLB.TV for years to come.
Through T-Mobile Tuesdays, T-Mobile subscribers can get access to MLB.TV, which is valued at $150. According to T-Mobile, MLB.TV access has been one of its most popular offers for the past eight years. With MLB.TV, T-Mobile users get home and away broadcast feeds that offer live and on-demand access to out-of-market regular season games.
The 2023 MLB.TV access window ran through March 28 to April 4, but this is a perk that T-Mobile plans to continue offering in the future.
T-Mobile's MLB partnership also provides 5G access at select MLB stadiums across the United States, and T-Mobile plans to work with MLB to test the automated ball-strike system over the T-Mobile 5G Private Network during select Minor League Baseball games this season.
Best Buy today announced that it now sells unlocked iPhones in the U.S., but only older models are available, including the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE. An unlocked iPhone can be used with a wide variety of carriers.
The unlocked iPhones are in brand new condition and are available at all Best Buy stores and on BestBuy.com starting today, a Best Buy spokesperson said in an email.
Best Buy already sold iPhones locked to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and availability of unlocked models will give customers more flexibility. Best Buy operates over 1,000 stores across the U.S., including in many communities that lack an Apple Store.
Best Buy is not carrying unlocked iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro models at this time.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
