MacRumors

Apple today released tvOS 16.3.2, a minor update for the tvOS 16 operating system that originally came out in September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and ‌Apple TV‌ HD, tvOS 16.3/1 a week after tvOS 16.3.1.

apple tv 4k red image
The tvOS 16.3.2 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the ‌‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌‌ by going to System > Software Update. ‌‌‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to ‌tvOS 16.3.2 automatically.

tvOS updates are usually minor in scale, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes.

Apple shares information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Apple recently shared an iPhone 14 ad featuring former NHL stars P.K. Subban and Joe Thornton on its YouTube channel in Canada. In the video, the pair search for Subban's missing tooth on an outdoor ice hockey rink in the middle of the wilderness.


Using their iPhones as flashlights, they appear to find Subban's tooth, but it wasn't his tooth after all and they continue their long night of searching. The ad conveys that the search is made possible thanks to the iPhone 14 Plus having long battery life.

"Our longest battery life ever on iPhone 14 Plus — for when the hunt is on, and you need it the most," says Apple, in the video description. "Relax, it's iPhone."

Apple's tech specs say the iPhone 14 Plus lasts up to 26 hours for offline video playback, up to 20 hours for streaming video playback, and up to 100 hours for audio playback. For many tasks, the iPhone 14 Plus does have the longest battery life of any model ever, but Apple says the iPhone 14 Pro Max can last up to 29 hours for offline video playback, likely due to the device's power-efficient ProMotion display.

Subban and Thornton both retired from the NHL following the 2021-22 season.

Related Roundup: iPhone 14
Related Forum: iPhone

Apple's supply chain started production of display panels for a new 15.5-inch MacBook Air this month, according to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has a very good track record with rumors about future Apple products over the past few years.

MacBook Air M2 Chip Purple Feature
In a tweet shared with his subscribers today, Young said he expects the new MacBook Air to launch in "early April" given that display production is now underway, but it is possible that an announcement and pre-orders could occur sooner. Apple often holds a spring event to announce new products, such as in March 2022 and April 2021.

A new 15-inch display size option would be the largest ever for the MacBook Air and would presumably be offered alongside the existing 13-inch model. The current 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip was released in July 2022 and starts at $1,199.

Young did not provide any additional details about the new model, including whether it would be equipped with the M2 chip or the next-generation 3nm-based M3 chip, which Apple has yet to announce. Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, but it's unclear if the M3 chip would be ready by April.

The launch of a 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip this spring has been the subject of debate given that Apple is also rumored to be planning to update the MacBook Air with the M3 chip later this year, and there would only be around six to eight months between these refreshes in this scenario. As the release of the new MacBook Air models approaches, hopefully additional rumors will help to clear up the situation.

Young is the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). In the past, he accurately revealed that iPhone 13 Pro and high-end MacBook Pro models would feature ProMotion, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with an 8.3-inch display, that the current MacBook Air would have a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, and more.

Related Roundup: MacBook Air
Related Forum: MacBook Air

Former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive's latest project, the official emblem of the coronation of King Charles III, has been unveiled by Buckingham Palace.

jony ive coronation emblem
The image depicts flowers forming the shape of St. Edward's crown, which will be used during the coronation. Ive chose roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks because they are icons from across the United Kingdom. He attempted to convey the "optimism of spring" and the King's love of nature.

Ive was Apple's chief design officer from 1997 until 2019, when he departed to found LoveFrom with fellow Apple designer Marc Newson. In 2021, LoveFrom designed the "Terra Carta Seal," a special award for King Charles, who served as Prince of Wales at the time, to bestow upon companies that are leaders in creating sustainable markets.

When Ive left Apple, Apple signed a multiyear contract with him that was valued at more than $100 million. Under the terms, Apple was LoveFrom's primary client, but the deal came to an end last year. Ive has said that his design process at LoveFrom is the same as it was at Apple.

Ive's logo is set to be used for events over the coronation long weekend in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in May.

The Apple Watch Ultra has hit a new all-time low price in multiple configurations today on Amazon, now available for $729.99, down from $799.00. Every model in this sale requires you to add the Apple Watch Ultra to your cart in order to see an automatic discount worth $19.01 get applied to your order.

apple watch ultra purpleNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This is the lowest price we've ever tracked on any model of the Apple Watch Ultra, beating the sale price we saw over the holidays by about $10. In total you'll find five configurations of the Apple Watch Ultra priced at $729.99 today on Amazon, including multiple size options for the same band style.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.

We've collected all models below, and the sales focus on the Alpine Loop for the Apple Watch Ultra. We aren't currently tracking any discounts on Trail Loop or Ocean Band options. Remember that you won't see the $729.99 price tag until you add the appropriate Apple Watch Ultra to your cart and head to the checkout screen.

Configurations include:

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

A technician has added a USB-C port to an iPhone 12 mini in addition to the Lightning port, in what appears to be a first-of-its kind modification.


YouTube user "Hyphaistos3672" disassembled the ‌iPhone 12 mini‌, removed the speaker, and created space for an additional port, before linking the new USB-C connection to the existing hardware. Upon modifying the speaker to fit in the reduced internal space and reassembling the device, the resulting fit and finish is surprisingly good.

Connecting the device to a Mac demonstrates that both the Lightning port and USB-C port are fully functional. It therefore seems to be possible to simultaneously charge the device and listen to audio via a wired connection – something that has been impossible on the iPhone without an adapter since the removal of the headphone jack in 2016.

The modification garnered considerable attention on social media over the weekend. Adding USB-C ports to iPhones have become a popular modification in recent years. This year, Apple is expected to finally transition the iPhone lineup to USB-C amid regulatory pressure.

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple has no plans to launch a new 24-inch iMac until late 2023 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his newsletter today, he reiterated his expectation that Apple will skip updating the iMac with the M2 chip and instead wait to release a model with the M3 chip, which has yet to be announced.

Hello Tim Cook iMac
"I haven't seen anything to indicate there will be a new iMac until the M3 chip generation, which won't arrive until the tail end of this year at the earliest or next year," wrote Gurman. "So if you want to stick with the iMac, you'll just have to sit tight."

Apple's M3 chip is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's latest 3nm process, providing additional performance and power efficiency improvements. The M3 chip is also expected to be used in a new MacBook Air rumored to launch by the second half of 2023, and potentially in future versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini. By comparison, the M2 chip is built on TSMC's second-generation 5nm process.

Apple last updated the iMac in April 2021 with the M1 chip and a new ultra-thin design available in seven colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. It is currently the only iMac available new, as the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro were both discontinued within the past two years. Gurman has previously claimed that a larger iMac could return, but he did not share any new info about that possibility today.

Related Roundup: iMac
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iMac

We're into a bit of a quiet period for Apple following the flurry of product announcements and launches kicking off 2023, but that doesn't mean we aren't still seeing lots of news and rumors about what's coming up in the future.

top stories 11feb2023
iPhone rumors continue to circulate about both this year's iPhone 15 lineup and potentially the iPhone 16 lineup for 2024, while we also heard some rumors about Apple's Mac plans and an upcoming return of the new Home app architecture that got pulled from iOS 16.2 due to widespread issue, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!

Apple Considering New High-End iPhone Alongside Pro and Pro Max

Apple has discussed selling a new top-of-the-line iPhone "Ultra" model alongside the Pro and Pro Max in 2024 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later.

iPhone 14 Pro Purple Side Perspective Feature Purple
Gurman speculated that the Ultra model could feature additional camera improvements, a faster chip, a larger display, and perhaps a portless design without Lightning or USB-C. He said the device would be pricier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099.

Apple Still Working to Allow iPhone to Wirelessly Charge AirPods and Other Devices

Apple is reportedly continuing development on a reverse wireless charging feature that would allow the iPhone to charge other devices like AirPods.

airpods iphone reverse charge
With the iPhone 12, an FCC filing hinted at reverse wireless charging capabilities that might be hidden inside the hardware, but Apple has never enabled this functionality in the years since and it's unclear exactly when the feature would be available, if ever.

Apple May Not Launch New Mac Studio With M2 Ultra Chip Due to Similarity With Upcoming Mac Pro

Apple released the all-new Mac Studio desktop computer in March 2022 with M1 Max and M1 Ultra chip options, which offer impressive performance. In fact, the higher-end model with the M1 Ultra chip is the fastest Mac ever, until the Apple silicon Mac Pro arrives.

mac studio pink
Unfortunately, the Mac Studio might not be updated with an M2 Ultra chip this year, as it would make the computer too similar to the upcoming Mac Pro with the same chip. We're also hearing that a new 27-inch display with mini-LED backlighting and 120Hz ProMotion may not launch in the first quarter of this year as previously predicted.

iPhone 15 Pro 'Buttonless Design' Rumors: What We Know

The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are rumored to feature a "buttonless" design with solid-state volume and power controls. Here is everything we know about this rumor so far.

iPhone 15 Pro Mock Feature Buttonless
Instead of moving, the solid-state buttons would provide haptic feedback when pressed, like the trackpad on modern MacBooks. The devices would have two additional Taptic Engines to power this functionality.

Apple to Re-Release New HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4

Apple in its upcoming iOS 16.4 update will re-introduce the revamped HomeKit architecture it originally pulled in December due to widespread issues.

homekit showdown 2 thumb
Backend code for the Matter smart home standard indicates that Apple is ready to re-introduce the updated Home architecture in iOS 16.4. It was originally released with the iOS 16.2 update, only to be pulled a week after launch because of bugs and installation issues.

iPhone 14 Pro Over 20% Faster Than Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in Benchmarks

Samsung's newly announced Galaxy S23 Ultra hasn't quite hit the market yet, but unearthed benchmarks for the device suggest Apple still has the world's fastest mobile processor by a considerable margin.

samsung s23 ultra rear
Geekbench scores reveal that that the iPhone 14 Pro's A16 Bionic chip offers up to just over 20% faster CPU performance than Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip.

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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.

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February has been a relatively quiet month for Apple so far beyond the new HomePod arriving to customers, but things should pick up soon. Apple is rumored to have at least three new product announcements planned for the period of March through June, including a new Mac Pro, a 15-inch MacBook Air, and its long-awaited AR/VR headset. Apple often introduces a new iPhone color or two in the spring too, and that tradition could continue this year.

Mac Pro VR Headset New iPhone Color Triptych Feature
Below, we have recapped what to expect from Apple this spring based on the latest rumors. As always, Apple's plans could change at any time.

New Mac Pro

Mac Pro Feature Teal
Apple is widely expected to release a new Mac Pro with Apple silicon this year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the high-end desktop computer will be available with a new M2 Ultra chip, which would make it the fastest Mac ever. He expects the new Mac Pro to have the same design as the 2019 model, but lack user-upgradeable RAM. A higher-end "M2 Extreme" chip for the computer was apparently cancelled.

Last month, Gurman said Apple was internally testing a new Mac Pro running macOS 13.3, which is expected to be publicly released this spring. Given this, it's possible that Apple could release the new Mac Pro and macOS 13.3 around March or April, but there is still no definitive timeframe for the computer's release this year, so there remains a chance that the new Mac Pro is announced at WWDC 2023 in June or later in the year.

AR/VR Headset

apple ar headset concept 1

Apple Headset mockup by Ian Zelbo

Apple has been rumored to be working on a headset with both augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities for years now, and rumors suggest the company will finally introduce the device in 2023. Last month, reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the headset is likely to debut at an Apple Event this spring or at WWDC in June.

Apple's headset will reportedly feature dual 4K micro-LED lenses, over a dozen cameras, M2 and H2 chips, advanced eye and hand tracking, a physical knob similar to the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch, an iOS-like interface with a grid of apps, the ability to function as an external display for a Mac, and more. Apple is expected to give developers time to create AR and VR apps for the headset before releasing it later in the year.

15" MacBook Air

MacBook Air M2 Chip Purple Feature
Apple's supply chain started production of display panels for a new 15.5-inch MacBook Air this month, according to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has a very good track record with rumors about future Apple products over the past few years.

Young expects the new MacBook Air to launch in early April, but it is possible that an announcement and pre-orders could occur sooner. Apple often holds a spring event to announce new products, such as in March 2022 and April 2021.

A new 15-inch display size option would be the largest ever for the MacBook Air. Young did not provide any additional details about the new model, including whether it would be equipped with the M2 chip or the next-generation 3nm-based M3 chip, which Apple has yet to announce. Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, but it's unclear if the M3 chip would be ready by April.

New iPhone Color?

purple iphone 12 and 12 mini
Apple often releases at least one new iPhone color in the spring, and that tradition could potentially continue this year.

At its March 2022 event, Apple introduced a new Alpine Green color for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a new Green color for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. In April 2021, Apple made the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini available in Purple.

In the past, Apple released a new (PRODUCT)RED color for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 series.

Related Roundup: Mac Pro
Buyer's Guide: Mac Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Mac Pro

This week saw a variety of deals hit Apple products and related accessories, with the highlights being AirPods Pro 2 and HomePod mini dropping to the best prices we've seen so far in 2023. We're also still tracking a solid sale at Sonos, offering deep discounts on speakers and soundbars through the end of the weekend.

Hero0006Note: 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.

AirPods Pro 2

airpods pro 2 red pink

  • What's the deal? Take $50 off AirPods Pro 2
  • Where can I get it? Amazon
  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Last weekend Amazon introduced a new discount on the AirPods Pro 2, and that sale is still available today. You can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $199.00, down from $249.00, which is just about $2 away from the best price we've ever seen on the earbuds and one of the best prices of 2023 so far.

HomePod mini

homepod mini pink red

  • What's the deal? Take $15 off HomePod mini
  • Where can I get it? Verizon
  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Verizon this week introduced the best price of 2023 so far on the HomePod mini, available for $84.99, down from $99.99. You'll find all five colors of the HomePod mini on sale at this price, and Verizon offers free two-day shipping for most residences in the United States.

Sonos

sonos pink red

  • What's the deal? Take up to $280 off Sonos speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers
  • Where can I get it? Sonos
  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Sonos' Super Bowl sale is still going on as we head closer to the big game, allowing you the chance to get up to $280 off speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers through February 12. All of these discounts have been automatically applied on the Sonos website, and they represent some of the best prices on Sonos products since the holidays.

M1 iMac

imac pink red

  • What's the deal? Take $199 off M1 iMac
  • Where can I get it? Amazon
  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here


Earlier in the week, we tracked fresh deals on Apple's M1 iMac lineup, and a few of these are still available. You can get the 8-core GPU, 256GB M1 iMac for $1,299.99, and the 8-core GPU, 512GB M1 iMac for $1,499.99, both of which are $199 discounts and all-time low prices.

MacBook Pro (2021)

2021 macbook pro pink red

  • What's the deal? Take up to $500 off 2021 MacBook Pro
  • Where can I get it? Amazon
  • Where can I find the original deal? Right here



In addition to iMacs, this week we tracked solid markdowns on Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro lineup, including up to $500 off these models. You'll find one discount on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and two on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and all sales can be found on Amazon.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Apple's rumored 27-inch external display with mini-LED backlighting is no longer expected to launch in the first quarter of 2023, according to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has a very good track record with rumors about future Apple products.

mac studio and studio display
Young today informed MacRumors that he has not seen any signs of the display entering mass production, suggesting that a launch is not imminent. It appears that the display has been pushed back several times, as Young initially expected it to launch around June 2022, and then in October, and most recently in the first quarter of 2023. He has not provided an updated timeframe for when the display might be released.

Young previously said the display will support ProMotion, allowing for up to a 120Hz refresh rate. Given the rumored 27-inch size, it's possible the display will be a next-generation version of the Studio Display, but it could also be a new model positioned between the Studio Display and the higher-end Pro Display XDR. The current Studio Display features a 5K resolution without ProMotion and is priced starting at $1,599.

Apple released the Pro Display XDR alongside a new Mac Pro in December 2019, while the Studio Display launched in March 2022 alongside the Mac Studio.

Young is the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). In the past, he accurately revealed that iPhone 13 Pro and high-end MacBook Pro models would feature ProMotion, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with an 8.3-inch display, that the latest MacBook Air would have a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, and more.

Related Forum: Mac Accessories

If you're in the Apple ecosystem with a range of devices, you're probably often looking for useful accessories to go with them. In our latest YouTube video, we've rounded up some new products for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac that are worth checking out.

  • HyperPack Pro Tech Backpack ($120) - Sure, you can stick an AirTag inside any backpack for Find My tracking, but Hyper's HyperPack Pro has a built-in Location Module that facilitates tracking with the ‌Find My‌ app. The backpack is made from a durable cordura fabric and it has tons of pockets for your MacBook, water bottle, sunglasses, accessories, and more.
  • Lululook Rotating Laptop Stand ($80) - Available for Apple's MacBooks, the Lululook Rotating Laptop Stand has an adjustable height and it is able to rotate, so you can get it in just the right position that you need. It has a heat dissipation surface and an aluminum build, plus it works with Mac notebooks up to 16 inches.
  • Nomad Volta Case ($40) - Nomad has a range of case options that have sleek designs while still offering good protection for the ‌iPhone‌, and the latest color, High Volta, is a bright, neon shade that really stands out. There's also a matching Apple Watch band for $60.
  • Momax Airbox Go With MagSafe ($215) - This 10,000mAh power bank is able to charge MagSafe-compatible iPhones at up to 15W thanks to a built-in MagSafe Charger, plus there are 5W charging spaces for the AirPods and the Apple Watch. If you need to charge another device like an ‌iPad‌, there's a 20W USB-C port, and the whole accessory is small enough that it's a useful portable charging solution when traveling.
  • OtterBox 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station with MagSafe ($149.95) - This OtterBox charger has a ‌MagSafe‌ charging space that is able to charge compatible iPhones at up to 15W, plus there are spaces for charging the Apple Watch and the AirPods at 5W. It has a unique design that positions the Apple Watch charger out on an attached arm, which keeps it compact, while the AirPods charge at the bottom.

Make sure to watch the video to see all of the devices in action, and if you have a favorite accessory, let us know in the comments below.

YouTuber and podcaster Andru Edwards joins us on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show to discuss the rumored "iPhone Ultra" model that could emerge next year.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos

According to a recent report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has discussed offering a new top-of-the-line iPhone alongside the "Pro" and "Pro Max" models in 2024 at the earliest. Based on this timeframe, the device would be part of the iPhone 16 lineup or later.

Gurman initially said there was "potential" for an "iPhone 15 Ultra" to replace the "‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max" this year, but he has since revised that prediction, suggesting Apple might release an even higher-end "Ultra" model above both Pro variants next year instead.

Gurman speculated that the future device could feature additional camera improvements, a faster chip, a larger display, and perhaps a portless design without Lightning or USB-C. He also said the device would be "pricier" than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099.

iphone ultra concept daehnertiPhone Ultra concept by Jonas Daehnert

We take a look at some of the biggest news from the past week, including reports that Apple may not update the Mac Studio with the M2 Max and ‌M2‌ Ultra chips due to its similarity with the upcoming Apple silicon Mac Pro, ‌iPhone‌ reverse wireless charging for accessories like AirPods is still in the works, and the second-generation AirPods Max may not launch until the second half of 2024 at the earliest.

Andru also tells us about his recent experience interviewing Apple's Laura Metz, the Director of Product Marketing, Anand Shimpi of Hardware Engineering, and Tuba Yalcin from the Pro Workflow team to discuss the design process behind Apple silicon, the ‌M2‌ chip, the ‌M2‌ Max MacBook Pro, the ‌M2‌ Pro Mac mini, and more. See the full interview over on his YouTube channel, and follow him on Twitter @AndruEdwards.

Finally, we also take a look at when Apple's next event could be and what it could entail, as devices like the company's mixed-reality headset and Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌ seemingly approach announcement.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion on Samsung's newly announced Galaxy S23 lineup, reviews of the new HomePod, and the latest rumors around Apple's first foldable device.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, Rene Ritchie, and Mark Gurman. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

Satechi is offering 20 percent off sitewide this week, marking a great chance to save on the company's best accessories. In order to get the discount, you can shop on Satechi's website and then enter the code DONATE at checkout. Satechi will be contributing 10 percent of website sales during this event to the Turkiye Earthquake Relief Fund.

satechi 3 in 1 dockNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Satechi is known for its wireless chargers, USB-C hubs, keyboards, cables, and other accessories, many of which are compatible with Apple products like the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, iMac, and iPhone. We've collected a few examples of the accessories you can buy during this sale below, but remember that the code DONATE will work sitewide through February 17.

The sale will end in one week, so browse Satechi's website soon if you're interested in using the coupon code before it expires. Additionally, be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

The iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro's USB-C port and accompanying charging cables will feature a Lightning-like authenticator chip, potentially limiting their functionality with Apple-unapproved accessories, a rumor shared on Weibo suggests.

iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature sans arrow
The rumor declares that Apple has developed its own variant of USB-C for this year's ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup and comes from a user who claims to be an integrated circuit expert with 25 years of experience working on Intel's Pentium processors.

Integrated circuit (IC) interfaces are semiconductor chips used to manage the sharing of information between devices. Since their introduction in 2012, first-party and MFi-certified Lightning ports and connectors contain a small IC that confirms the authenticity of the parts involved in the connection. Non-MFi-certified third-party charging cables, for example, do not feature this chip, often leading to "This accessory is not supported" warnings on connected Apple devices.

The authenticator chip allows Apple to encourage customers to buy genuine iPhone peripherals and receive a commission on MFi-certified accessories, but it also allows Apple to tackle counterfeit and potentially dangerous accessories.

The latest rumor seems to suggest that Apple has developed a similar custom IC for the USB-C ports on the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and presumably its charging cables. As well as the ‌iPhone 15‌ lineup, the new IC is apparently destined for new MFi-certified peripherals.

It is worth noting that the USB-C interface currently used by Apple in the 10th-generation iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, do not contain an IC chip for authentication, meaning that this would be a first for ports of this kind offered by the company.

It is unclear if this addition could have any major implications for the functionality of the new devices, but it is possible that Apple could limit features like fast charging and high-speed data transfer to Apple and MFi-certified cables.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the USB-C port on the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus will remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds – the same as Lightning. Only the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max models will apparently get faster transfer speeds. As a result, the only major difference between Lightning and USB-C on the standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models could simply be the physical shape of the connector.

The report is particularly believable since this would effectively mirror the split between the entry-level ‌iPad‌ and the ‌iPad Pro‌. While both ‌iPad‌ models feature a USB-C port, the 10th-generation ‌iPad‌ is limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps, while the ‌iPad Pro‌ offers fully fledged Thunderbolt speeds up to 40 Gbps.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Related Forum: iPhone

Uber is adding CarPlay support to its Driver app, allowing the iPhone app to be accessed from a vehicle's dashboard display, according to TechCrunch. The report says CarPlay integration should be available to all Uber drivers in the U.S. by the end of the month.

Uber Driver App CarPlay

Image Credit: Uber via TechCrunch

As on the iPhone, the CarPlay version of the app allows Uber drivers to view a map with surge pricing areas, navigate with turn-by-turn directions, view and accept trips, add rides to their queue, view if their status is set to online or offline, and more.

Uber competitor Lyft also offers CarPlay support for its Driver app.

Related Roundup: CarPlay
Tag: Uber

Apple today shared a new support document explaining how to accept iCloud terms and conditions for an Apple TV without owning an iPhone or iPad.

iCloud General Feature
Apple says customers who do not have an iPhone running iOS 16 or later or an iPad running iPadOS 16 or later can accept the new terms and conditions on the iCloud.com website. The support document outlines the steps to take:

1. Go to iCloud.com, then sign in with your Apple ID.
2. If necessary, follow the prompts to review and update your account settings.
3. Review and agree to iCloud Terms and Conditions.

Last month, Google employee Chris Koch said he was unable to accept the new iCloud terms and conditions for his Apple TV since he did not own an iPhone, iPad, or any other Apple device. He noted that he tried signing into iCloud.com at the time, but said he was not prompted to accept any new terms and conditions on the website.

While it's a simple workaround, Apple evidently felt this issue was worth addressing in a support document after Koch's tweet received nearly one million views. In a follow-up tweet, Koch said signing out of his Apple ID account under Settings → Users and Accounts → [Name] → iCloud and then signing back in led him to be prompted to accept the new iCloud terms and conditions directly on his Apple TV, with no other device needed.

Update February 10: Apple has pulled the support document for unknown reasons.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tag: iCloud
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Apple today added refurbished iPad mini 6 and 2021 iPad Pro models to its online refurbished store, offering the tablets at a discounted price for the first time.

ipad mini purple
Pricing on the iPad mini 6 starts at $419 for the 64GB model, an $80 discount off of the original $499 starting price tag. Apple is offering multiple color options, with a 256GB model also available for $549, a $100 discount.

The ‌iPad mini‌ 6 initially came out in September 2021, and it features an edge-to-edge display and iPad Air-like design with Touch ID power button. It measures in at 7.9 inches and is Apple's smallest tablet option.

Pricing on the refurbished third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $639 for 128GB of storage, while pricing on the fifth-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ starts at $889, also for 128GB of storage. Space Gray and Silver color options are available, and there are higher storage tiers and cellular ‌iPad Pro‌ models at discounted prices as well.

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The 11-inch and 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ models that Apple added to the refurbished store today were initially introduced in 2021 and they feature prior-generation M1 chips. Apple in October 2022 refreshed the ‌iPad Pro‌ lineup, introducing M2 chips.

Supplies of the refurbished ‌iPad‌ models will shift over time as Apple adds new devices and as devices sell out, so those wanting a specific configuration or color may want to check back often.

Refurbished products from Apple are almost identical to new products, and are subject to a refurbishment process that includes full functionality testing. Refurbished products are eligible for AppleCare+ and have the same 14-day return period as new Apple devices.

(Thanks, Dave!)