MacRumors

Apple plans to release an Apple TV+ Android app as soon as today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The app will allow Android smartphone and tablet users to watch ‌Apple TV‌+ content in a native app rather than having to rely on watching through a web browser.

Apple has long offered an ‌Apple TV‌ app for iOS devices, and it also has dedicated ‌Apple TV‌ apps for various Android-based smart TVs and set-top boxes. The new ‌Apple TV‌ Android app will be installable on Android smartphones, and it is aimed at increasing ‌Apple TV‌+ subscriber numbers.

The new ‌Apple TV‌+ for Android app will join other Android apps that Apple has created, such as Apple Music and ‌Apple Music‌ Classical for Android.

‌Apple TV‌+ is priced at $9.99 per month, but new Android subscribers will be able to get a free trial.

iPhone users are upgrading their devices at a slightly faster rate, reversing a long-term trend of increasingly long upgrade cycles, Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) reports.

According to data from the quarter ending in December 2024, more ‌iPhone‌ buyers retired their devices at an earlier point compared to previous years. Specifically, 36% of those who purchased a new ‌iPhone‌ during the period had owned their previous device for two years or less. This marks an increase from the 31% reported in the same quarter a year earlier. Meanwhile, the percentage of users who kept their previous ‌iPhone‌ for three years or more declined slightly, falling to 33%.

This shift represents the first notable deviation in upgrade cycles since CIRP began tracking the data in 2014. While a long-term trend toward extended ownership remains, recent factors appear to be accelerating upgrades among a segment of users. CIRP says that the proportion of users upgrading after two years has returned to levels last seen in 2020.

The firm attributes this change to a variety of factors, including ongoing carrier promotions and incentives that encourage earlier upgrades. A major factor influencing upgrade behavior may also be the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI-powered features.

The timing of this shift coincides with Apple's recent financial performance, which has indicated some weakness in ‌iPhone‌ sales. CIRP speculates that the composition of Apple's customer base could be influencing the trend.

If ‌iPhone‌ sales are slowing overall, those who are upgrading may be the most engaged segment of Apple's user base—individuals who are more likely to adopt new hardware sooner than more casual users. CIRP suggests that slower upgraders may be delaying their purchases even further, waiting for a more compelling reason to replace their current devices.

Today we're tracking a handful of Apple accessory discounts on Amazon, including all-time low prices for both the Apple Pencil Pro and AirTag 4-Pack. Neither deal requires a coupon code this time around, as both have been applied automatically by Amazon.

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.

Starting with the Apple Pencil Pro, you can get this accessory for $99.00, down from $129.00. This is a match for the record low price on the Apple Pencil Pro, and it's a deal that doesn't typically stick around long on Amazon, so if you've been waiting for it to return, be sure to check it out soon.

Secondly, Amazon has the AirTag 4-Pack for $69.99, down from $99.00. This is another best-ever price, and you can find the 1-Pack on sale as well on Amazon, available for $22.99, down from $29.00.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple is exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots as future smart home products, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. However, he does not expect the robots to launch for several more years, if ever.

Kuo today said Apple's robot projects remain in the proof-of-concept stage within the company. In the event that Apple decides to move forward with launching the robots, Kuo believes that mass production likely won't begin until 2028 or later.

Kuo's prediction comes after a team of robotics researchers at Apple designed and prototyped a lamp-like robot with lifelike movements.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last year reported that Apple was developing a tabletop robot with an "iPad-like display" attached to a "robotic limb." Barring any setbacks, he said Apple was aiming to announce the device as early as 2026 or 2027. As mentioned above, though, Kuo's current prediction for the robots is 2028 or later.

The tabletop robot would be primarily controlled with Siri and Apple Intelligence, according to Gurman. He said the device could respond to commands such as "look at me," which would position the screen on the user's face during a FaceTime video call. The device would also understand different voices, he said.

The tabletop robot could become a higher-end version of Apple's rumored smart home hub, which is expected to launch this year. Apple is aiming for a price of around $1,000, according to Gurman, but the plans could change.

Woot today introduced a new sale on earbuds and headphones, including solid discounts on a few Beats products. Every accessory in this sale is in new condition, and all of the Beats headphones come with a one year Apple/Beats manufacturer limited warranty.

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.

You can get the Beats Studio Buds+ for $99.99 during this event, down from $169.95. Woot also has the Beats Fit Pro on sale for $129.95, down from $199.95, and both of these deals represent all-time low prices on each accessory.

Other brands in the sale include Samsung, Skullcandy, LG, JBL, Google, Bowers and Wilkins, Sennheiser, and more. Woot says that this event will run through February 19, or until stock sells out, so be sure to check out the sale soon if you're interested.

• JBL Endurance Peak 3 - $39.95, down from $99.99
• Skullcandy Hesh ANC Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones - $54.99, down from $134.99
• Beats Studio Buds+ - $99.99, down from $169.95
• Powerbeats Pro - $109.99, down from $249.99
• Beats Fit Pro - $129.95, down from $199.95
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro - $134.99, down from $199.99
• Bowers and Wilkins Over-Ear Headphones - $189.99, down from $399.99

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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As the wait continues for Apple's long-rumored, fourth-generation iPhone SE, French electronics retailer Boulanger has prematurely published a product listing for a "new" model of the iPhone SE. The placeholder page says the device is "coming soon," but it offers no further information, and the price shown is obviously not real.

The listing was spotted by a reader of the French technology news website Numerama. It is unclear if Boulanger has received a heads up from Apple that a new iPhone SE is coming, or if the placeholder page was created in light of rumors.

While the page does not reveal anything specific, it is yet another sign that a new iPhone SE is seemingly coming soon. Unfortunately, it seems like the rumored timeframe has shifted slightly. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the new iPhone SE was "coming this week," but he has since said it "should be announced by next week."

Whenever the new iPhone SE is finally announced, it is rumored to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, and the first Apple-designed 5G modem. With a rumored A18 chip, along with a rumored 8GB of RAM, the device is also expected to support Apple Intelligence.

Apple has yet to schedule an event in 2025, so the new iPhone SE will likely be announced in a press release published on the Apple Newsroom website.

A new comprehensive Apple Health Study is launching today in the Apple Research app. Apple says U.S. residents can participate in the study if they meet the minimum age requirements, and complete the informed consent process.

The new Apple Health Study aims to further understand how technology, including the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, can "play a role in advancing and improving physical health, mental health, and overall wellbeing."

The research study will also "explore relationships between various areas of health, such as mental health's impact on heart rate, or how sleep can influence exercise."

This is Apple's most holistic research study yet. It will track how technology impacts many aspects of health and diseases, including activity, aging, cardiovascular health, circulatory health, cognition, hearing, menstrual health, mental health, metabolic health, mobility, neurologic health, respiratory health, sleep, and more.

The all-encompassing Apple Health Study builds upon the Apple Women's Health Study, Apple Hearing Study, and Apple Heart and Movement Study.

Apple is conducting the study in collaboration with Brigham and Women's Hospital, a leading research hospital and Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate.

Apple Research is available in the App Store for the iPhone and Apple Watch. The app was updated today with the Apple Health Study.

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that will allow users to link their social media accounts to their WhatsApp profile, according to findings in the latest iOS beta version of the app (via WABetaInfo).

Based on the beta's current state, the upcoming feature adds a dedicated section within WhatsApp's Account settings where users can input links to their social media profiles. The beta currently only supports Instagram integration, but other Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Threads are expected to be included in the official update.

Any social media links are displayed on a user's WhatsApp profile alongside existing information such as their name, phone number, and "About" section. According to the report, WhatsApp will use privacy controls similar to those already available for profile photos, allowing users to manage who can see their linked social media profiles.

Business accounts on WhatsApp can already display social media links after completing an authentication process, so it's likely WhatsApp will introduce similar authentication requirements before the feature's public release, which could arrive in a matter of weeks, if past beta features are anything to go by.

Apple's designs on its first foldable device appear to have ramped up a notch, with the company said to be tapping suppliers of ultra-thin glass (UTG).

Chinese manufacturer Lens Technology is set to become Apple's primary supplier of UTG for upcoming foldable devices, according to a new report from The Elec (via DigiTimes). The company is expected to secure approximately 70% of Apple's UTG orders, with US-based Corning likely to provide the raw materials.

Lens Technology has reportedly demonstrated significant advantages in mass production capabilities and financial resources for UTG manufacturing. The company is said to be particularly good at glass strengthening and minimizing side cracks after cutting, and also possesses glass etching technology.

The supplier plans to expand its UTG production line in 2025, ahead of Apple's anticipated launch of its first foldable device in the second half of 2026, according to the report. Apple's design approach apparently focuses on thinning only the central part of the UTG, which allows for greater overall thickness and improved durability.

South Korean firms Dowoo Insys and UTI are said to be potential secondary suppliers. Notably, Dowoo Insys secured two patents in October 2024 specifically related to the thinning of UTG's central part, with one patent showing similarities to Apple's own patent from the same period.

Samsung Display could be the exclusive supplier of foldable panels for Apple's first foldable device, which could be a foldable iPhone. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Jeff Pu, The Information, and The Wall Street Journal have all targeted late 2026 or early 2027 for a potential launch.

Google appears to be tackling one of smartphones' most persistent design quirks – the camera bump. According to leaked renders published by Android Headlines, the upcoming Pixel 9A will feature an almost flush camera housing, which would be a significant departure from the bumper-sized camera bumps common in modern smartphones.

The mid-range device's camera module sits nearly level with the phone's chassis, based on side-view renders. That said, the design choice comes with at least one trade-off in camera specifications, as the Pixel 9A will reportedly feature a 48MP main lens, down from the 64MP sensor in its predecessor, the Pixel 8A. The phone will retain a 13MP ultrawide lens and a 13MP front-facing camera, according to the outlet.

Despite housing the camera components further inside the device, which will start at $499, Google has apparently managed to include what could be the largest battery ever in a Pixel phone. The 5,100mAh capacity battery exceeds even that of the premium $1,299 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, suggesting Google has found innovative ways to utilize the internal space.

Could Future iPhone Camera Bumps Get Smaller?

The camera bump on iPhones has been a contentious design element since its introduction with the iPhone 6 in 2014. Apple adopted the protrusion to maintain device thinness while accommodating more advanced camera technology, although the design prevented phones from lying flat on surfaces – a complaint that has persisted as camera bumps have grown increasingly prominent.

However, the trend toward slimmer profiles that is gaining momentum across the industry could see ever smaller camera bumps. Apple is reportedly developing an iPhone 17 Air model that will prioritize thinness over camera capabilities, according to rumors. The device is expected to feature a runway-style horizontal bar across the top of the phone, similar to the design seen on the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

• iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far

To achieve the slimmed down design, the device is expected to have only one camera, as opposed to two or three. It's not clear whether that will reduce the extent to which the camera module protrudes from the case, but the Pixel 9A suggests the smartphone industry's new obsession with thinness could be coming after the camera bump next.

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max has been comprehensively beaten by the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in a real world app speed test conducted by PhoneBuff, with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM winning out over the A18 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM in Apple's smartphone.

The performance test measured how long it took each phone to open and process tasks across a series of apps. Each smartphone cycled through identical apps, including Facebook, Starbucks, Microsoft Office apps, Snapseed, and various games.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra established an early lead through productivity apps and maintained its advantage in image editing tasks, with Snapseed exports completing significantly faster than on the iPhone. Most notably, the Galaxy processed video in LumaFusion approximately 25% faster than the iPhone 16 Pro Max – an area where Apple's smartphones have traditionally excelled.

Even in gaming performance, which historically has been an iPhone strength, Samsung's flagship maintained its edge. The S25 Ultra matched or outperformed the iPhone in most games tested, including Subway Surfers and Flip Diving, but the iPhone did manage slim victories in Going Balls and Forward Assault.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra completed the first lap of app launches in 2 minutes and 18 seconds, a full 15 seconds ahead of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In the second lap, which tests how well the phones maintain apps in memory, the iPhone managed to reduce the gap slightly, but the Galaxy still secured what PhoneBuff called Samsung's "biggest speed test win in years."

Samsung's impressive performance is likely a consequence of its overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and a 40% larger cooling system, combined with Android 15 and One UI 7 running with an extra 4GB of RAM available. Both devices demonstrate exceptional real-world performance, but the test results suggest Samsung has taken a significant lead in raw processing capability, despite the extra time Apple has had to optimize iOS 18 for its hardware.

Apple typically upgrades iPhones with faster and more efficient chip technology each year, so it will be interesting to see how the iPhone 17 performs when the new series debuts in September. Apple's A19 chip technology is likely to be built on an upgraded 3-nanometer process, which TSMC calls N3P, and the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to include an A19 Pro chip.

Compared to earlier versions of 3nm chips, the N3P chips offer increased performance efficiency and increased transistor density. All iPhone 17 models will also reportedly include a vapor chamber heatsink to improve thermal performance.

Exact timing for the debut of the fourth-generation iPhone SE remains up in the air, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reporting in a tweet tonight that the device "should be announced by next week." Last week, Gurman indicated that it could arrive as early as this week and later claimed that it would be arriving this week, but there once again appears to be some uncertainty about the timing.

Interestingly, Gurman now says that Apple has a few other imminent announcements up its sleeve, including a "smaller announcement" planned for tomorrow. Apple's PR representatives for Vision Pro are also "reaching out to press about an announcement to come."

New iPhone SE is still imminent and should be announced by next week, when the company is holding product briefings. Tomorrow there's a smaller announcement. For Friday, Apple Vision Pro reps are reaching out to press about an announcement to come. M4 MacBook Air within weeks.

The M4 MacBook Air is expected to be introduced "within weeks," according to Gurman, though timing remains unclear as a launch has been thought to be imminent for a while now and was originally rumored to be planned as Apple's first hardware launch of the year.

M3 iPad Air and iPad 11 introductions are also expected within the next few months.

If you have two Apple Accounts with multiple digital purchases between them, Apple now has a way for you to consolidate the accounts by migrating content from one account to another.

As noted by Stephen Hackett of 512 Pixels, Apple today published a support document that provides instructions for moving purchases from a secondary Apple Account to a primary Apple Account.

Apps, music, books, TV shows, and movies that have been purchased on a secondary account can be migrated to a main account, which is useful for people who have separate accounts for iCloud and for making media purchases.

Apple says that to migrate purchases, the primary email address, phone number, password for both accounts is required, neither account should be shared, and two-factor authentication must be turned on. When the migration takes place, the Apple Account that's signed in for use with ‌iCloud‌ will be the primary Apple Account, and the Apple Account signed in for Media and Purchases will be the secondary Apple Account.

To go through the process, you'll need to sign in with two different accounts on an iPhone or iPad, one for ‌iCloud‌ and one for purchases. There are several steps to go through, such as making sure that both accounts are set to the same country, and ensuring the secondary account does not have a remaining balance.

If you're interested in merging accounts, you should go through the checklist that Apple has outlined, and read through Apple's info on what happens during an account migration and how to undo it.

The actual merging process can be done by opening up the Settings app, going to Media and Purchases, tapping View Account, and then choosing the Migrate Purchases option. After migration, the secondary account can no longer be used for purchases, and you will need to sign in with the primary account on all Apple devices.

When combining accounts, all payment methods associated with the secondary account will migrate to the primary Apple Account, and subscriptions will also transfer over. The secondary account's Up Next queue in Apple TV will also migrate over and replace content from the primary account, as will any podcast library data.

Migrating Apple Account purchases is not available in the European Union, United Kingdom, or India at the current time.

ColorWare today launched a new line of custom-painted AirPods, offering the AirPods Max, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4 in various shades of brown. The new shades are meant to be neutral, standing out less than white AirPods when the earbuds are in the ears.

There are three colors available for each product, including a light, cream colored "Glaze" shade, a mid-toned brown called "Toasty," and "Java," a darker brown color. The colors are reminiscent of the neutral color options Apple has introduced for its Beats line in partnership with Kim Kardashian.

ColorWare is known for custom painting Apple devices, and has been making electronics in custom colors for more than a decade. The company offers tons of other colors for the AirPods, employing a proprietary painting method that ensures longevity for the added paint.

Custom AirPods come with a premium price. The Blended ‌AirPods Max‌ are $849, the ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 are $439, and the ‌AirPods 4‌ are $329 for the standard version and $379 for the ANC model. Other than the custom color, the AirPods are unchanged so performance and feature set remains the same as standard AirPods from Apple.

ColorWare also recently came out with custom "Mac mini Retro" colors, featuring a rainbow Apple logo. The light version is the same cream color that Apple used for classic Macs, while the black version is a classic, matte black. Pricing starts at $899.

Apple is in the process of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and changes are already being made to the Apple Maps app. When searching in the Maps app for Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico name is shown or the name is blank, but tapping into the area shows the "Gulf of America" wording.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is rolling out the Maps change in the United States today, so the name should shift for most U.S. users in the near future. Apple plans to change the name for all users globally in the future.

Google this week also made good on its promise to adopt the new naming, and "Gulf of America" is now visible in both Google Maps and Waze.

Google and Apple use data from the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) when naming world locations, and GNIS updated its database with the "Gulf of America" name change this week.

Google has explained that Maps users in the United States will see "Gulf of America" instead of "Gulf of Mexico," while users in Mexico will continue to see Gulf of Mexico. In the rest of the world, the name for the body of water between Mexico and Florida will continue to be named Gulf of Mexico, but Gulf of America is shown in parentheses below. Apple might adopt similar changes outside of the United States.

When U.S. President Donald Trump took office on January 20, one of his first orders was changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Other countries do not refer to the area as the Gulf of America and are not required to accept the U.S. name.

Trump also said that Alaskan mountain Denali was being renamed to Mt. McKinley, but Google Maps and ‌Apple Maps‌ have not yet made that change.

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's upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will have a day one firmware update available, as Apple has just released new software for the earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 will ship with 7B15 firmware, and the new firmware has a 7B24 version number.

There's no word on what's included in the new firmware, but the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 have heart rate monitoring functionality that's never before been included in Apple earbuds. The ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 have built-in optical LED sensors that measure heart rate through blood flow in the ears.

Along with heart rate monitoring, the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 include Active Noise Cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio, Apple's H2 chip for connectivity, and improved sound thanks to a redesigned acoustic architecture.

As for design, the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 have an earhook that's 50 percent smaller than the earhook from the original Powerbeats, more ear tip sizes, 20 percent lighter weight, and a slimmed down case with better battery life.

The updated firmware can be installed on the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 by connecting them to power and ensuring that they are in Bluetooth range of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi. Firmware can be checked on the ‌iPhone‌ by going to Settings > Bluetooth and tapping the Info button next to the Beats headphones in the list. Android users can download new Beats firmware through the Beats app for Android.

The ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 can be ordered from Apple's website starting today, and they are set to launch on Thursday, February 13. Apple is selling the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ 2 for $250.

Best Buy's Presidents' Day sale kicked off yesterday, and we've already covered all of the iPad discounts you can find during the event. Today, we're focusing on MacBook Air deals, including a new all-time low price on the M2 model.

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.

You can get the 16GB RAM/256GB 13-inch M2 MacBook Air for $749.00 if you're a My Best Buy Plus/Total member, down from $999.00. Everyone else can purchase the computer at the typical $799.00 discount price, and you can find that price matched at Amazon.

In regards to the M3 MacBook Air, prices start at $899.00 for the M3 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB SSD, down from $1,099.00, and also include both 512GB models at both Amazon and Best Buy. If you're shopping for the bigger MacBook Air, prices start at $1,099.00 for the M3 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB SSD, down from $1,299.00, and reach up to $200 off for both 512GB models.

M3 13-inch MacBook Air

• 8-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $899.00 ($200 off)
• 10-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $1,099.00 ($200 off) [matched at Amazon]
• 10-Core GPU, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $1,299.00 ($200 off) [matched at Amazon]

M3 15-inch MacBook Air

• 10-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,099.00 ($200 off) [matched at Amazon]
• 10-Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $1,299.00 ($200 off) [matched at Amazon]
• 10-Core GPU, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $1,499.00 ($200 off) [matched at Amazon]

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Pixelmator last year announced that it was being acquired by Apple, and today the company confirmed that the acquisition has been completed after Apple received regulatory approval. The Pixelmator for iOS, Pixelmator Pro, and Photomator apps were today updated with a new splash screen announcing the deal.

Pixelmator is a well-known image and photo editing app that competes with Photoshop and other Adobe image editing tools, while focusing on ease of use and performance. The apps are exclusive to Apple's platforms.

No changes to the Pixelmator Pro, Pixelmator for iOS, or Photomator apps have been made at this time. Apple could eventually integrate these apps into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, but for now they remain separate and available from the App Store.

Apple has photo editing tools available in the Photos app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but the company used to maintain a separate photo editing app called Aperture. Aperture was discontinued in 2015, and the app was removed from the Mac App Store at that time.