Apple's upcoming "FineWoven" cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, designed to be a replacement for its leather cases, will match a new Apple Watch band and be available in ten different color options, according to the device collector and leaker known as "Kosutami."
In a recent tweet, Kosutami explained that the new line of cases will be available in Black, Mulberry, Taupe, Evergreen, Pacific Blue, Wisteria, Antique White, Butter Yellow, Orange, and Pink color options. As illustrated by several of the alleged pictures of the new cases that have recently circulated online, Kosutami added that the cases have rubber-wrapped edges that are a little darker than the color of the rear "woven" part of the case. The leaker believes that "FineWoven" is Apple's officially chosen name for the new material.
Kosutami previously claimed that Apple is planning to release a new woven fabric band with a magnetic buckle alongside the Apple Watch Series 9. Now, the leaker has clarified that the band is set to be made out of the same material as the new line of premium iPhone cases. The magnetic band will apparently retail for $99, the same price tag as the Braided Solo Loop, and could be similar to the Modern Buckle in terms of design.
Earlier this month, rumors suggested that Apple plans to eliminate leather cases for the iPhone 15 lineup, and subsequent information pointed toward the possibility of a leather alternative with a woven fabric look, with some reports pointing to the name "FineWoven."
Images of iPhone cases with the "FineWoven" name have been shared online in recent weeks, but the pictured accessories are almost certainly Chinese clones. As such, they are likely based on legitimate information about what Apple is expected to release, but could deviate from the final product in unexpected ways.
Apple will host a special event on Tuesday, September 12 with the tagline "Wonderlust." It is expected to see the official unveiling of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, and a range of new accessories such as a USB-C AirPods ProMagSafe charging case, "FineWoven" iPhone cases, and a new Apple Watch band.
Apple's most important event of the year has finally been confirmed, and we're looking forward to new iPhones, Apple Watch models, and more.
In the run-up to the event, we're continuing to hear more tidbits about what to expect for the major new hardware, as well as some other smaller announcements Apple may have in store, so read on for all the details!
Apple Announces 'Wonderlust' Event Expected to Feature iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9 and More
Apple Reportedly Plans to Unveil New AirPods With USB-C Charging Case at iPhone 15 Event
All four iPhone 15 models are widely expected to be equipped with a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. Alongside this change, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week reported that Apple plans to announce updated AirPods with a USB-C charging case during its event on Tuesday, September 12.
It's unclear if Apple will announce any other changes for AirPods beyond the switch to USB-C.
iPhone 15 Rumors: New Colors, Production Issues Resolved, and More
Kuo corroborated previously rumored color options for the Pro models, including gray, silver/white, black, and blue. He also said the switch from a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame will result in the iPhone 15 Pro models weighing less than iPhone 14 Pro models.
6 New AirPods Pro Features Coming in iOS 17
Apple should release iOS 17 to the public in September. The software update includes at least six new features for the AirPods Pro, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and others.
iOS 17 is compatible with the iPhone XS and newer, and currently remains in beta testing for developers and public beta testers. Apple released the eighth beta of iOS 17 this week, with testing now nearing completion.
Redesigned Magic Keyboard Expected to Accompany New iPad Pro
Apple is rumored to be planning new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with OLED displays and an M3 chip for release in the first half of 2024.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple satellite partner Globalstar is paying Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch new satellites that will be used to update the communication network for the Emergency SOS via Satellite iPhone feature, reports Nola.
Globalstar will pay SpaceX $64 million according to the details of the arrangement, which were disclosed in an SEC filing. Payments will be made from 2023 to 2025, which is when SpaceX plans to launch the satellites.
Apple introduced Emergency SOS via Satellite last year alongside the new iPhone 14 models. The technology allows the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max to contact emergency services when no WiFi or cellular connection is available.
Globalstar is Apple's partner for the initiative, handling the satellites that allow the feature to function. Apple at launch said that Emergency SOS via Satellite would be free for two years, and so far has not provided insight into what it might eventually cost.
The $64 million that Globalstar is paying SpaceX is likely just a fraction of the cost of running the satellites, and that cost is being passed along to Apple, so it stands to reason that Apple will eventually be charging at least a small fee for those who want to use the SOS option.
Globalstar has agreed to allocate 85 percent of its current and future network capacity to Apple's iPhones, with Globalstar providing and maintaining all personnel, software, satellite systems, and more, while also maintaining minimum quality and coverage standards. Prior to when the iPhone 14 models launched, Globalstar bought $327 million worth of satellite equipment from a Canadian company, with Apple loaning Globalstar $252 million.
Emergency SOS via Satellite is available in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the UK, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and Portugal.
Apple today dropped the price of the MLS Season Pass to $29 for the rest of the season, allowing soccer fans to get access at a discount.
As noted by TechCrunch, MLS is $14.99 per month or $29 for the remainder of the 2023 season. Apple TV+ subscribers can get the MLS Pass for $13 per month, or $25 for the rest of the season. When the season began in February, access was priced at $79 for Apple TV+ subscribers or $99 for those without a subscription.
The 2023 Major League Soccer season will run through October 21, and the MLS Season Pass will also include live coverage of the playoffs that are set to take place from October 25 to December 9.
If you're in the market for a new iPad, you might want to go ahead and hold off. Apple hasn't introduced updates to any of its iPad models in 2023 so far, and rumors suggest that refreshes aren't coming until 2024.
MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera recaps all the latest iPad rumors in his latest video, so watch that to get an overview of the current status of each iPad.
Basically, iPad Pro, iPad mini, and iPad Air refreshes are coming in 2024, so if you can hold off on buying a new tablet, you should. This is especially true for the iPad Pro, because we're expecting a major overhaul soon.
OLED displays are coming to new 11 and 13-inch iPad Pro options in 2024, plus the tablets are going to get Apple's latest M3 chip with more power and improved efficiency, so it's worth waiting.
As for the iPad mini, it hasn't been updated since 2021, and the iPad Air has been around since March 2022, so both are on the older side. The standard iPad was refreshed last year and Apple has thus far updated it every year, so it's the one tablet we might possibly see updated in 2023, though rumors have said nothing about it.
Unless you have an urgent need for an iPad or come across a great deal, it's worth holding out for updated hardware at this point. For more on what to expect from future iPads, check out our recent rumor recap.
Apple in recent months began providing customers in the U.S. with an extended opportunity to purchase AppleCare+ coverage for their iPhone after a qualifying out-of-warranty repair at an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, according to internal Apple documentation reviewed by MacRumors.
The so-called "AppleCare+ Enrollment Exceptions" policy began in late 2021, but it was originally limited to one year after an iPhone's original purchase date. Now, the eligibility window has been extended to two years after purchase for iPhones in the U.S. only. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can only inform customers that this policy exists after an iPhone has been serviced, and customers have 10 days to act on it.
Normally, a customer has only 60 days after purchasing an iPhone to add AppleCare+ to the device in the U.S., but this policy gives customers who experienced a costly out-of-pocket repair a chance to reconsider AppleCare+ coverage for future repairs. The repaired iPhone must pass a visual and mechanical inspection in order to qualify.
MacRumors confirmed this policy with multiple sources, but given it is not publicly announced by Apple, we cannot guarantee that it will always be honored.
A few months ago, Volvo and Polestar announced updates for their infotainment systems to support dual-screen Apple Maps displays from CarPlay, allowing a supplementary Apple Maps view to appear in the driver display separate from the main infotainment screen.
While an increasing number of vehicles are supporting text-based Apple Maps navigation prompts in the driver display and/or head-up display, Volvo is one of the first to adopt a full map view on a second screen, and I recently had a chance to test it out in a 2024 S60 Recharge.
The driver display Apple Maps screen is only active when there is a navigation route running in CarPlay, and it provides a familiar Apple Maps view with your vehicle position and your route, including upcoming traffic lights as well as surrounding streets, points of interest, and other features. At the bottom of the screen is a thin black box displaying your arrival time plus the time and distance remaining in the current trip.
This secondary Apple Maps screen doesn't show a visual text prompt of your next turn or exit, the distance until that movement, or lane guidance, but with Siri voice prompts and the visual representation of your route, you shouldn't have much trouble staying on course even if you don't have navigation up on the center infotainment screen. It also would be nice if the turn prompts were sent to the Head-Up Display, but they are not for Apple Maps.
With Apple Maps taking up residence in the driver display, that frees up the main infotainment screen for other functionality, whether it be for another CarPlay app like Music or Podcasts or for the native infotainment system. And if you're in another CarPlay app, you'll still get pop-up text instructions for upcoming turns from Maps just like when when you're in a non-Maps app while using single-screen CarPlay.
Volvo is notable for its portrait infotainment screens typically measuring 9 inches diagonally, although other manufacturers are increasingly adopting the form factor, particularly in electric vehicles. CarPlay on the main screen adapts to the portrait aspect ratio, with the usual sidebar containing status items and recent apps moving to the bottom and individual apps adjusting their layouts to fit.
The CarPlay Dashboard view looks particularly nice in portrait orientation, with a horizontal view from the Maps app taking up the full width at the top and then plenty of room for generously sized tiles from other apps appearing below.
At least on this Volvo model, Apple Maps in the driver display appears in dark mode at all times, regardless of whether the main CarPlay screen is in light or dark mode. While it initially seemed a bit jarring for the two screens to display differently, it does make sense to always use dark mode in the 12-inch driver display to match the rest of the display elements like the speedometer. It results in a more cohesive look for the driver display and means you don't have a bright screen almost directly in your line of sight.
Native Google Maps on the driver display
The native Volvo infotainment system now runs on Android Automotive from Google, so it features built-in Google Maps support that also shows up on the driver display, complete with upcoming turn prompts and lane guidance. The overall infotainment system was a bit sluggish to use at times, but Google Maps routing and features are solid, so it works well once you've got your route going. And with access to the Google Play Store, additional Android apps can be installed right on your vehicle's system.
Volvo SiriusXM Now Playing screen
I have some mixed feelings about the overall look of the Volvo infotainment system. While individual app screens are generally fine, the application manager view in particular has a rather dated look with app icons broken up into sections by type. It's functional and you can rearrange apps however you like, but it just doesn't look very slick or modern to me.
Volvo infotainment application view
Thankfully, the main home screen sports a more modern look. It offers quick access to frequently used functions upon first entering the car or when pressing a hardware button below the display, although it could stand to be a bit more informative given all of the available screen real estate.
Volvo infotainment home view
Volvo has also unfortunately embraced one of my pet peeves in the form of software climate controls on the main infotainment screen. They reside in a strip along the bottom of the display that remains visible even while in CarPlay, but I do wish at least the main controls such as temperature adjustments were hardware buttons and/or knobs to make things easier to adjust by feel.
There is a strip of hardware controls below the main screen with buttons for the defrosters, hazard lights, and basic audio controls like play/pause and track skipping, plus a knob for controlling the volume. I appreciate the inclusion of these, although they are a bit awkwardly placed low on the center stack with the shifter a bit in the way. Of course, steering wheel buttons or voice control can be used to perform many of these functions as well.
CarPlay in Volvo vehicles remains wired-only for now, although wireless CarPlay will be arriving in the upcoming EX90 and EX30 models. There have been rumors of a future software update to enable wireless CarPlay in some existing models, but Volvo hasn't officially confirmed its plans for that.
With a wired connection currently being the only CarPlay option at the moment, that means you need access to a USB port, and the S60 Recharge has a pair of USB-C ones inside the center console. One is outlined in white to designate it as the data port for CarPlay, while the other is charge-only.
The storage compartment in the center console of the S60 is incredibly shallow and not very large, so I couldn't even fit my wired-up iPhone 14 Pro Max inside and had to route the cable out of the compartment and leave my phone in a cupholder. I do typically prefer to have my phone available to grab if needed, even if only for convenience when entering and exiting the vehicle, so it wasn't a huge deal to me, but the option to tuck everything away in the console compartment would have been really nice.
For rear-seat passengers, there are two additional charge-only USB-C ports behind a spring-loaded cover on the back of the console.
Overall, the dual-screen Apple Maps CarPlay experience is a nice enhancement, and I'm glad Volvo has embraced it. A few other manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover also appear to be adopting it, but it's of course only a teaser for what's to come with CarPlay given Apple's WWDC 2022 announcement about the next-generation CarPlay. With that, CarPlay will be able to essentially take over a vehicle's entire screen setup and bring both native vehicle functions and CarPlay functions into a single interface.
Volvo is one of over a dozen car brands announced as initial partners for the CarPlay revamp, and Apple said the first announcements of vehicles supporting it should come late this year.
Following Anker and Belkin, accessory maker Mophie today announced its upcoming lineup of products that will support the Qi2 wireless charging standard.
The accessories will include a 5,000 mAh magnetic battery pack with an aluminum kickstand for $69.95, a 3-in-1 charging stand for an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch for $129.95, and two car vent mounts for an iPhone for $29.95 and $69.95. The battery pack and car mounts will be available to order later this year on Mophie.com and at select retail stores worldwide, while the stand will be available in the first quarter of 2024.
Qi2 is based on the MagSafe standard that Apple introduced with the iPhone 12. However, accessories that support Qi2 are not required to use Apple's official MagSafe module or be certified under Apple's Made for iPhone program, which should effectively result in availability of more affordable MagSafe accessories.
All four iPhone 15 models will support both Qi2 and MagSafe, according to ChargerLAB, a reliable source of charging-related information. Qi2 accessories will likely be able to charge iPhone 15 models at up to 15W, just like official MagSafe accessories. First-generation Qi chargers are limited to 7.5W charging speeds on current iPhones.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 series during its September 12 event.
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk over Apple's recently announced "Wonderlust" event and some of the latest news about what to expect.
Apple plans to hold a special event on Tuesday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple's September event is always an iPhone event, and this year, we are expecting the 6.1-inch iPhone 15, the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max to be announced. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to come in black, pink, yellow, blue, and green, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are rumored to be available in black, blue, gray, and silver.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up with our discussion with Jon Rettinger about the iPhone 15 lineup and what it will take to make the iPhone exciting again.
Apple on Thursday provided its fullest explanation yet for last year abandoning its controversial plan to detect known Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) stored in iCloud Photos.
Apple's statement, shared with Wired and reproduced below, came in response to child safety group Heat Initiative's demand that the company "detect, report, and remove" CSAM from iCloud and offer more tools for users to report such content to the company.
"Child sexual abuse material is abhorrent and we are committed to breaking the chain of coercion and influence that makes children susceptible to it," Erik Neuenschwander, Apple's director of user privacy and child safety, wrote in the company's response to Heat Initiative. He added, though, that after collaborating with an array of privacy and security researchers, digital rights groups, and child safety advocates, the company concluded that it could not proceed with development of a CSAM-scanning mechanism, even one built specifically to preserve privacy.
"Scanning every user's privately stored iCloud data would create new threat vectors for data thieves to find and exploit," Neuenschwander wrote. "It would also inject the potential for a slippery slope of unintended consequences. Scanning for one type of content, for instance, opens the door for bulk surveillance and could create a desire to search other encrypted messaging systems across content types."
In August 2021, Apple announced plans for three new child safety features, including a system to detect known CSAM images stored in iCloud Photos, a Communication Safety option that blurs sexually explicit photos in the Messages app, and child exploitation resources for Siri. Communication Safety launched in the U.S. with iOS 15.2 in December 2021 and has since expanded to the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and the Siri resources are also available, but CSAM detection never ended up launching.
Apple's latest response to the issue comes at a time when the encryption debate has been reignited by the U.K. government, which is considering plans to amend surveillance legislation that would require tech companies to disable security features like end-to-end encryption without telling the public.
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 is weighing up the use of micro-lens technology to maintain or increase the brightness of OLED displays on next year's iPhone 16 models while potentially reducing their power consumption, reports The Elec.
According to the Korean outlet, Apple display suppliers Samsung and LG have offered to apply micro-lens arrays (MLA) to the OLED panels, but the technology has both pros and cons that Apple needs to consider.
MLA works by using a uniform pattern of billions of lenses inside the panel that reduces internal reflections. These lenses turn the path of light reflected backwards from the inside of the panel towards the screen, which can serve either to increase perceived brightness while maintaining the same level of power consumption, or maintain brightness levels while consuming less power compared to conventional OLED panels at the same luminance.
However, while MLA straightens the path of light to increase frontal luminance, in some use cases it can also reduce side luminance, which from a user perspective narrows the display's field of view. Not only that, applying MLA to the OLED panels would increase the manufacturing cost.
Another complicating factor is that the material sets being developed by the two suppliers are different, and both are still said to fall short of Apple's standards. Apple has yet to give a final response to the MLA application proposal from the Korean companies, according to the report.
Apple's decision appears to hinge on whether the efficiency of the OLED material set can be improved upon between now and when iPhone 16 mass production begins in the second half of 2024.
If the amount of light sent to the front of the panel can be at least maintained at a reduced power consumption rate while avoiding a narrowing of the viewing angle, then MLA implementation may be considered worthwhile. However, this depends on the performance of the OLED material set, and the sets of the two domestic panel companies are said to be different.
Samsung has more experience applying MLA to OLED panels. For example, it has used the technology in some of its own Galaxy S Ultra models, and has also delivered MLA-applied OLED panels to Chinese mobile vendors such as Vivo. LG meanwhile has applied MLA to some of its larger OLED smart TVs, but has little to no experience of applying it to small and medium-sized panels, where the direction of light is adjusted differently.
Looking further ahead, a separate report in May claimed that Apple intends to mass produce more advanced microLED displays in order to lessen its reliance on Samsung and increase its own control over supply, laying the groundwork to realize its ultimate goal of bringing the next-generation technology to iPhones.
The optional Pro Stand for Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR monitor is currently sold out on Apple's online store in the U.S., as reported by 9to5Mac's Zac Hall. It's unclear if or when the $999 stand will be in stock again, or if this hints at an upcoming refresh to the Pro Display XDR, which was released in December 2019.
Christian Selig's tongue-in-cheek photo of a Pro Display XDR without the Pro Stand
The stand remains available on Apple's online store in some other countries, such as the U.K. and Canada, but it faces a 2-3 week shipping estimate or longer.
The Pro Display XDR itself also faces a lengthy shipping delay. In the U.S., Apple currently provides a late September delivery estimate.
There haven't been any credible rumors about a new Pro Display XDR launching imminently, but in December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on multiple new monitors, including an updated Pro Display XDR. The nearly four-year-old monitor features a 32-inch screen with 6K resolution, and starts at $4,999 without the Pro Stand. For the next model, customers are hoping for a webcam, speakers, and a higher refresh rate.
In March 2022, Apple released a more affordable Studio Display with a 27-inch screen and 5K resolution, and it remains in stock on the company's online store.
Apple announced that it will be holding an event on Tuesday, September 12, but Mac-related announcements are more likely in October. At the September event, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 15 series, new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra models, and updated AirPods with a USB-C charging case.
Update: According to AppleInsider's Mike Wuerthele, the Pro Stand has been out of stock at least seven times since September 2022, including most of January, and half of February. Therefore, this appears to be another routine shortage, and is unlikely to be indicative of an imminent Pro Display XDR refresh.
Update: The Pro Stand is back in stock on Apple's online store in the U.S. as of September 1. Nothing to see here!
Photography app Obscura was today updated to version 4, and developer Ben McCarthy says it's a revamp that has been in the works for more than a year. Much of the app has been rebuilt from scratch to make the app more intuitive to use.
Aimed at photography enthusiasts, Obscura has a wide range of features, but it is also simple enough that it can be used casually. The updated design puts the camera controls that you need most front and center so they're easily accessible, with additional tools packed into radial menus.
Exposure, focus, white balance, and other parameters can be dialed in using the control options, and haptic feedback makes it feel similar to using an actual camera. The new layout is meant to make it easy to reach controls one-handed, so a shot can be set up within a few seconds.
Videos, photos, Live Photos, and portraits are supported, so it has much of the same functionality that's available in the built-in Camera app on the iPhone, plus there are multiple filters that can be applied before a shot is taken so you know exactly what your image will look like.
The newest version of Obscura works not only on the iPhone, but also on the iPad. The camera controls on iPad are the same as the iPhone, but it has a sidebar for navigating through albums.
Obscura has been updated with a subscription model. It can be downloaded for free from the App Store, but unlocking all of the features will require the Ultra upgrade that's priced at $9.99 per year. Through September 11, the app can be purchased for $7.99 for the first year.
A free trial is available, and customers who already had Obscura 3 will have all of the features included in that update. New premium features will require an Ultra subscription going forward, however, and current users can upgrade for $4.99 for the first year.
Premium features available to existing Obscura 3 users and new Obscura 4 Ultra subscribers include RAW and ProRAW capture, Portrait and Live Photos capture, 48-megapixel images, image filters, manual exposure, and more, with more information available on the Obscura website.
Apple accessory maker Belkin today introduced several new products that are available now or coming in the future, including two Qi2 wireless chargers, a Thunderbolt 4 hub, wall chargers, and more.
The BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2 and the BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Pad to Stand will both feature the newest Qi wireless charging specification. With Qi2, Apple's iPhones that support the protocol will be able to charge at up to 15W without the need for Apple's specific MagSafe charging equipment.
Qi2 allows accessory makers to make more affordable wireless charging hardware because there is no need to license technology from Apple. Apple plans to support Qi2 in future iPhones, but it is not yet clear how the technology will work with existing iPhones. The 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad will be able to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, plus it is designed to be compact so that it can be used for traveling. The Wireless Pad to Stand is convertible and also easy to fold up and take on the go.
Belkin's BoostCharge Pro 140W 4-Port GaN Wall Charger has three USB-C ports and a USB-A port, allowing it to charge a MacBook Pro, iPhone, and iPad at once with the power split between the ports.
The 25W Hybrid Wall Charger and 5K Power Bank is wall charger that also serves as a power bank so that users can charge from a wall socket or from the built-in battery.
Belkin today also introduced a new Connect 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub that is equipped with four Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB-A port. It supports 40Gb/s speeds for data transfer, and it works with two monitors. Up to six devices can be daisy chained, and 96W power delivery is available.
Belkin's 3-in-1 Qi2 Charging Pad is set to be available later this year, while the Wireless Pad to Stand will be available in the first quarter of 2024. The Hybrid Wall Charger and Power Bank will also be available later this year, while the 140W 4-Port Wall Charger and 5-in-1 Thunderbolt 4 Hub can be purchased starting today.
Apple today updated its iTunes Movie Trailers app for the iPhone with a notice that the Apple TV app is the new home of movie and TV show trailers. It is no longer possible to use the iTunes Movie Trailers app, which launched in 2011.
"Apple TV app is the new home of iTunes Movie Trailers," says the release notes for version 2.0 of the iTunes Movie Trailers app. "Open the Apple TV app to watch trailers."
The accompanying iTunes Movie Trailers website is also no longer available following the transition to the Apple TV app, which began earlier this month.
In the Apple TV app, there is now a "Watch the Latest Trailers" section in the Store tab, although it might not be visible in all countries.
Apple has been gradually retiring the iTunes brand in recent years. Since the release of macOS Catalina in 2019, the iTunes app has no longer been available on the Mac, as it was split up into separate Music, Podcasts, and TV apps. iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch syncing functionality from iTunes was moved to the Finder app.
Apple today added 2017 models of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar to its vintage products list worldwide.
Apple classifies a device as vintage five years after it was last distributed for sale. Vintage products are no longer guaranteed to be eligible for repairs at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, with service subject to parts availability.
Apple also added the Mid 2015 model of the 15-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar to the vintage products list. This model remained sold until 2018.
The upcoming macOS Sonoma update is compatible with 2018 and newer MacBook Pro models.
Apple first introduced the Touch Bar in 2016. Nowadays, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is the only model that remains available with the Touch Bar. Apple reverted to physical function keys with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro in 2021.
Eve Systems today announced the upcoming launch of the Eve Play, an audio streaming interface created for AirPlay 2. Eve Play adds AirPlay streaming capabilities to existing amplifiers, active speakers, and sound bars, allowing them to be synchronized with other AirPlay speakers for whole-house audio.
The Eve Play includes RCA connectors, optical digital outputs, and coaxial digital outputs, along with an Ethernet port and the option to connect to either 2.4 or 5GHz WiFi. According to Eve, the digital-to-analog converter has a signal-to-noise ratio of 112 dB for an "audiophile sound experience."
When used with the Apple Home app and Apple Music, the Eve Play can be integrated into automations similar to other AirPlay-equipped devices.
Alongside the Eve Play, Eve today introduced the Eve Thermo Control, a wireless temperature sensor and controller for rooms that are equipped with the Eve Thermo smart radiator valve. The Eve Thermo radiator valve is sold in Europe, so the new temperature sensor is also designed for the European market.
The Eve Thermo Control senses the ambient temperature and relays it to the smart radiator valve for more accurate climate control.
In November, Eve plans to release a Matter update for Eve MotionBlinds roller blind motors and the Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit, adding Adaptive Shading as a free upgrade feature. Adaptive Shading allows the blinds to open and close automatically based on location, date, and time.
Eve Play is priced at $150 and it will be available starting on November 14. The Eve Thermo Control is priced at €79.95 and will also be available on the same day. More information is available on the Eve website.
Anker is announcing updates to two of its most popular charging accessory lineups today: the USB-C Nano series and the MagGo wireless charger family.
The new USB-C Nano updates complement existing power adapters and primarily involve two new power banks that are well-timed for the iPhone's imminent transition to USB-C. The first is a new Anker Nano Power Bank with integrated folding USB-C connector. The company introduced a similar version with a Lightning connector earlier this year, but the new USB-C version will offer flexibility to charge a wider array of products. The folding USB-C connector makes it ideal for travel and means no additional cable is needed to recharge your devices.
In addition to the built-in USB-C connector that allows for both input and output, there is a USB-C port that can be used to recharge the power bank or to charge other devices via cable at up to 22.5 watts depending on the charging protocol.
Overall, the power bank measures in at just 3.0 inches by 1.4 inches by 1.0 inches, and it has a capacity of 5,000 mAh, which was enough to add about 40% charge to an 11-inch iPad Pro in my testing. It's available in five colors and is priced at $29.99 at Anker and Amazon.
The second new power bank is a higher-end 10,000 mAh model with a clever built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a short lanyard for carrying the bank. The power bank supports up to 30 watts of input or output power for efficient charging speeds, and smart temperature monitoring helps maintain battery health.
As with some of Anker's other recent higher-end power banks, this one includes a screen that displays charging data such as the percent of charge remaining and the amount of time remaining until it's charged or depleted, calculated based on the real-time input or output. Aside from the integrated USB-C cable, there's an additional USB-C port and a USB-A port, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. With its bigger capacity, it was able to add about 80% charge to my 11-inch iPad Pro.
Like the smaller power bank, this one is also available in five colors, and it's priced at $49.99 at Anker and Amazon.
Beyond the two new power banks, Anker's Nano series is also adding a new thin-profile 6-in-1 power strip featuring a pair of power outlets plus two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports. The USB-C ports support up to 67W USB Power Delivery 3.0. It's available for $67.99 at Anker and Amazon.
And while not strictly part of the Nano series, there's a new 10-foot version of Anker's USB-C to USB-C cable option with a bio-based braided design for strength, durability, and eco-friendliness, and it supports up to 240-watt charging. It's priced at $18.99 at Anker and Amazon.
The second product family seeing announcements today is Anker's MagGo wireless chargers, and while the new products won't be available until late this year, their unveiling provides an initial look at the Qi2 standard that is essentially an open version of MagSafe supporting 15-watt wireless charging speeds.
Upcoming products in the MagGo Qi2 family include:
A 10,000 mAh Qi2 battery pack with kickstand and charging status display plus a USB-C port that supports up to 27-watt wired charging.
A foldable wired 3-in-1 charging station optimized for travel with 15-watt Qi2 phone charging, Apple Watch fast charging, and AirPods charging.
A foldable power bank with 6,600 mAh capacity that doubles as a phone stand.
A desktop/bedside charging station with elevated spots for 15-watt Qi2 phone charging and Apple Watch fast charging, plus a spot for AirPods charging on the base
A portable desktop charger with collapsible Qi2 phone charging and Apple Watch fast charging modules and a center spot for AirPods or other devices.
An updated version of the existing 8-in-1 MagGo charging station with support for Qi2 phone charging plus a trio of power outlets, two USB-C ports, and two USB-A ports on the rear.
A simple Qi2 wireless charging pad with 15-watt support and a 5-foot cable to compete with Apple's standard MagSafe Charger.
We'll have more details on the new MagGo accessories closer to their launch.
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Native Google Maps on the driver display
Volvo SiriusXM Now Playing screen
Volvo infotainment application view
Volvo infotainment home view
