Apple will announce new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in "a matter of days," respected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman said today in his latest Power On newsletter.
The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, codenamed J617 and J620, will be the first update to the higher-end iPad since April 2021, where both models gained the M1 chip and a new 12.-9-inch mini-LED display. For their first update in a year and a half, the upcoming iPad Pro models are expected to gain the M2 Apple silicon chip, offering faster performance and possibly new charging capabilities.
For design, the new iPads will look like the current models, with no significant changes expected. Early rumors said that the smaller 11-inch model would gain a mini-LED display, currently only available on the larger 12.9-inch model, but that is no longer expected to happen.
The new iPad Pro models could also feature some form of MagSafe charging capabilities, as per previous reports. There is also the possibility the new iPad Pro models could feature reverse-wireless charging capabilities, allowing users to charge their iPhone or AirPods on the back of the iPad.
Given the incremental update expected for the upcoming iPads, Apple is no longer planning an event for October. Apple is expected to launch the new iPads and updates to the Mac lineup through press releases and updates on its website.
Alongside the new iPad Pro models, Apple is also expected to release iPadOS 16 later this month. Unlike in past years, this year's iPadOS and iOS updates were not released simultaneously. Instead, Apple delayed iPadOS 16 until later in the fall to allow it more time to refine the update and work on Stage Manager. Stage Manager is a new multi-tasking and windowing system for specific iPad models that continues to face bugs, despite iPadOS 16's release in just a few weeks.
We're right around the midpoint of October now and we've yet to see any signs of an Apple media event to introduce new iPad and Mac hardware, so it's looking increasingly likely that rumors of the announcements coming via press release rather than an event are correct. The last week of the month may end up being fairly busy with iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura releases and potentially some of that rumored new hardware.
Other news this week included the release of iOS 16.0.3, delivering a number of important bug fixes while we await the larger iOS 16.1 release before the end of the month. We also shared some rumors about the next-generation iPhone SE and Apple TV, while we took a look at Google's new Apple Watch competitor, the Pixel Watch, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Releases iOS 16.0.3 With iPhone 14 Bug Fixes and More
While the new iPhone SE is expected to be similar to the iPhone XR from 2018, it is unclear if the budget device would be equipped with Face ID or have a Touch ID power button like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models. The device is currently rumored to launch in 2024.
Five New Features Coming to Your iPhone With iOS 16.1
iOS 16.1 is expected to be released later this month with several new features for the iPhone.
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 Penn Square employees have voted to unionize, according to Bloomberg's Josh Eidelson. The store, located in Oklahoma City, is the second Apple retail location to form a union in the U.S. following a store in Towson, Maryland earlier this year.
The employees reportedly voted 56 to 32 in favor of joining the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union following an election open to all staff at the store this week. The union now needs to be certified by the U.S. National Labor Relations Board.
In response to Apple Penn Square employees unionizing, an Apple spokesperson shared the following statement with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman:
We believe the open, direct and collaborative relationship we have with our valued team members is the best way to provide an excellent experience for our customers, and for our teams. We're proud to provide our team members with strong compensation and exceptional benefits. Since 2018, we've increased our starting rates in the US by 45% and we've made many significant enhancements to our industry-leading benefits, including new educational and family support programs.
Unionizing gives employees at the store the ability to negotiate for more favorable working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining.
"Apple workers are determined to organize for better wages and dignity on the job," said CWA Secretary-Treasurer Sara Steffens. "Despite Apple's illegal and aggressive anti-union campaign, Apple retail workers across the country will continue to organize, especially after this momentous victory. The Penn Square Apple retail workers are an amazing addition to our growing labor movement, and we are thrilled to welcome them as CWA members."
Earlier this week, Apple announced plans to offer retail employees additional education benefits and improved healthcare coverage in some states, but it was reported that unionized employees at the Towson store will not receive these benefits automatically and must negotiate through their union, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), as part of their collective bargaining agreement with Apple.
Apple's retail chief Deirdre O'Brien has attempted to dissuade store employees from unionizing in videos played during company meetings, and Apple has been accused of anti-union tactics over the last several months. A vote to unionize at an Apple store in Atlanta was withdrawn earlier this year after Apple reportedly intimidated staff there.
"We have a relationship that is based on an open and collaborative and direct engagement, which I feel could fundamentally change if a store is represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement," said O'Brien, in one of the videos. "And I worry about what it would mean to put another organization in the middle of our relationship."
Apple has over 270 retail stores in the U.S. and over 520 worldwide.
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 next year is planning to enter a new product category, launching its first mixed reality headset. Rumors indicate that the upcoming headset will support both AR and VR technology, and that it will have features that will outshine competing products.
Render created by Ian Zelbo based on rumored information
With the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, Apple's hardware and software led it to dominate those categories within a few short years after entering a new market, and it's likely the same thing will happen with augmented and virtual reality. We've rounded up 10 features rumored for the AR/VR headset that will set it apart from competitors.
4K Micro-OLED Displays
Apple is using two high-resolution 4K micro-OLED displays from Sony that are said to have up to 3,000 pixels per inch. Comparatively, Meta's new top of the line Quest Pro has LCD displays, so Apple is going to be offering much more advanced display technology.
Micro-OLED displays are built directly onto chip wafers rather than a glass substrate, allowing for a thinner, smaller, and lighter display that's also more power efficient compared to LCDs and other alternatives.
Apple's design will block out peripheral light, and display quality will be adjusted for peripheral vision to cut down on the processing power necessary to run the device. Apple will be able to reduce graphical fidelity at the peripherals of the headset through the eye tracking functionality being implemented.
More Than a Dozen Cameras
Apple is outfitting its AR/VR headset with more than a dozen cameras, which will capture motion to translate real world movement to virtual movement. It is said to have two downward-facing cameras to capture leg movement specifically, which will be a unique feature that will allow for more accurate motion tracking.
The cameras will be able to map the environment, detecting surfaces, edges, and dimensions in rooms with accuracy, as well as people and other objects. The cameras may also be able to do things like enhance small type, and they'll be able to track body movements.
Iris Scanning
For privacy and security, the AR/VR headset will integrate an iris scanner that can read the pattern of the user's eye, allowing for an iris scan to be used in lieu of a password and for payment authentication.
Iris scanning on the AR/VR headset will be akin to Face ID and Touch ID on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It could allow two people to use the same headset, and it is a feature that is not available on competing headsets like Meta's new Quest Pro.
Facial Expression Tracking
The cameras in the AR/VR headset will be able to interpret facial expressions, translating them to virtual avatars. So if you smile or scowl in real life, your virtual avatar will make the same expression in various apps, similar to how the TrueDepth camera system works with Memoji and Animoji on the iPhone and iPad.
Thin and Light Design
Apple is aiming for comfort, and the AR/VR headset is rumored to be made from mesh fabric and aluminum, making it much lighter and thinner than other mixed reality headsets that are available on the market. Apple wants the weight to be around 200 grams, which is much lighter than the 722 gram Quest Pro from Meta.
3D sensing modules will detect hand gestures for control purposes, and there will be skin detection. Apple will allow for voice control and the AR/VR headset will support Siri like other Apple devices. Apple has tested a thimble-like device worn on the finger, but it is not yet clear what kind of input methods we'll get with the new device.
Interchangeable Headbands
The mesh fabric behind the eyepieces will make the headset comfortable to wear, and it will have swappable Apple Watch-like headbands to choose from.
One headband is rumored to provide spatial audio like technology for a surround sound-like experience, while another provides extra battery life. It's not clear if these will make it to launch, but headbands with different capabilities are definitely a possibility.
Unique App Experiences
The headset is going to run a new operating system called rOS, aka "Reality OS." Apple is designing unique apps made specifically for a virtual reality experience. Apple is said to be planning for a VR FaceTime-like experience with Animoji, where you might see a 3D Animoji or Memoji character version of a person instead of the person itself.
The aforementioned facial expression detection would allow the headset to read facial expressions and features, matching that in real time for a lifelike chatting experience. Apple is working with media partners for content that can be watched in VR, and existing services like Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade are expected to integrate with the headset.
A recent rumor of unknown reliability has indicated that Apple is working on a new version of the Messages app that could feature a new home view and chat rooms specifically for virtual and augmented reality chat features.
Apple Silicon Chip
Rumors suggest that Apple is going to use two Mac-level M2 processors for the AR/VR headset, which will give it more built-in compute power than competing products. Apple will use a high-end main processor and a lower-end processor that will manage the various sensors in the device.
Independent Operation
With two Apple silicon chips inside, the headset will not need to rely on a connection to an iPhone or a Mac for power, and it will be able to function on its own.
Apple last Friday introduced the iPhone 14 Plus, a new 6.7-inch device that replaces the prior-generation iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 14 Plus marks the first time that Apple has sold a more affordable larger-screened iPhone that is not classified as a "Pro" model since the company started debuting four smartphones at a time.
MacRumors editor Dan Barbera spent a full week using the iPhone 14 Plus to see how it fits in Apple's iPhone 14 lineup and whether it's worth considering over other iPhone 14 options.
The iPhone 14 Plus is an iPhone 14 but with a bigger battery and a bigger screen. It has no features that are not available in the iPhone 14, so it's worth picking up only if you want that larger screen.
At $899, it's $200 cheaper than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but it lacks ProMotion display technology, an always-on display, a faster processor, and more advanced camera technology including a 48-megapixel Main lens and a Telephoto lens. If you don't care about these features, you can save $200 by picking the Plus over the Pro Max, but if you want all the bells and whistles, it's not worth the savings.
Make sure to watch the full video to see Dan's thoughts, and let us know what you think of the iPhone 14 Plus in the comments below.
Apple is rumored to be a frontrunner for streaming rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket package, but CNBC today reported that "existing restrictions around Sunday Ticket have slowed negotiations between Apple and the NFL in recent months."
The report claims that Apple is not interested in "simply acting as a conduit for broadcasting games" and instead is seeking more comprehensive partnerships with sports leagues. In June, for example, Apple announced that its TV app will exclusively stream every live MLS match beginning in 2023, without any local blackouts or restrictions. MLS highlights, analysis, and other content will also be available across the TV app and Apple News.
"For the first time in the history of sports, fans will be able to access everything from a major professional sports league in one place," said Apple's services chief Eddy Cue. "It's a dream come true for MLS fans, soccer fans, and anyone who loves sports. No fragmentation, no frustration — just the flexibility to sign up for one convenient service that gives you everything MLS, anywhere and anytime you want to watch."
At a media conference in New York this week, Cue said the lack of contractual restrictions will allow its partnership with the MLS to thrive. CNBC claims that Apple wants this sort of flexibility with the NFL too, such as the freedom to offer games globally.
Sunday Ticket currently offers all regional NFL games on Sunday afternoons to out-of-market viewers. The U.S.-only package has been exclusively distributed by DirecTV since 1994, but the deal is set to expire ahead of the 2023 NFL season and DirecTV is reportedly not interested in renewing its rights to the package.
Previous reports said the NFL was looking for more than $2 billion annually for Sunday Ticket streaming rights, along with a minority stake in NFL Media, which oversees the NFL Network channel, NFL.com, and more. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said a new Sunday Ticket partner would be announced before the end of this year.
Sunday Ticket would add to Apple's growing portfolio of live sports content available through the TV app. Apple already partnered with the MLB to air a weekly "Friday Night Baseball" doubleheader on Apple TV+ during the 2022 regular season, while its 10-year partnership with the MLS begins next year. It was also reported that Apple considered bidding on a package of UEFA Champions League games that ultimately went to CBS.
One of the Wallet features introduced in iOS 15 last year was support for home keys, which lets users add digital keys for compatible HomeKit door locks to the Wallet app on their iPhone and Apple Watch.
Few third-party smart home locks support home key yet, but today, Apple retail stores are stocking popular smart home accessory maker Level's first home key compatible smart lock, the Level Lock+.
Available to begin with in a satin nickel color, with a matte black model arriving soon, the Lock+ system is an updated version of its existing HomeKit-compatible Level Lock - Touch Edition which includes support for key cards.
With the addition of home key support, Lock+ users can take advantage of their Apple device's NFC connectivity to quickly unlock their home by simply bringing their device close to the lock.
After being added as an accessory in the Home app, the Lock+ can function in Express Mode, which allows you to unlock the door just by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock, or alternatively it can be set up to require Face ID or your passcode after holding your device near the lock.
The new Lock+ with home key support comes with a strike plate, CR2 battery, six screws, two keys, two key cards, and a long bolt cap. Priced at $329.95, Level Lock+ is only available in Apple retail stores for now, but a listing on Apple's online store is expected to arrive on October 21, when the matte black edition will also be available to order.
This week saw the first big shopping event of the fall, thanks to Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale. The best Apple deals of the week were all found within this sale, and some can still be purchased today.
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The highlight of Prime Early Access was the 32GB Apple TV 4K down to $109.99, from $179.00. You can still get this model and the 64GB model for $69 off on Amazon. We did see a slightly lower price at the height of the event, but these prices are still solid deals and very steep discounts on the streaming device.
Amazon introduced a solid price on the AirPods 2, available for $89.99 ($39 off), during its Prime Early Access Sale, and you can still get this deal right now. Compared to past sales, this is a second-best price.
Apple Watch Series 8
What's the deal? Take $50 off Apple Watch Series 8
New $50 discounts on the Apple Watch Series 8 also emerged this week, and they're still available to purchase. The 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8 is on sale for for $349.00, down from $399.00, and the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8 is discounted to $379.00, down from $429.00. Both prices are record low discounts.
The iPad mini 6 has one of the biggest sales still available on Amazon, with nearly every model getting discounted. You can get $99 off every version of the iPad mini 6, although some don't have every color on sale. Prices start at $399.99 for 64GB Wi-Fi, an all-time low price.
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.
Apple is reportedly working on a new version of the Messages app that could be released alongside its mixed-reality headset next year.
Twitter leaker known as "Majin Bu" today claimed that Apple is working on a completely new version of iMessage, featuring a new home view, chat rooms, video clips, and more. The app purportedly offers "new chat features in AR" and, as such, it "should" be released next year alongside Apple's headset.
iOS 16 introduced a range of new features for the Messages app, including the ability to edit or delete a recently sent message, mark conversations as unread, and collaboration invitations and activity updates, so further iteration next year seems believable – especially if it is linked to the launch of Apple's headset.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who often reveals accurate insights into Apple's plans, has said that Apple's mixed-reality headset will focus on gaming, media consumption, and communication. He believes that Memojis and SharePlay could be central to the experience. iOS 16 brought SharePlay to Messages, making it possible for multiple users to enjoy synced content like movies or songs with shared playback controls while chatting. This would necessitate a convenient experience for initiating SharePlay sessions in the Messages app on Apple's headset.
The headset itself is rumored to run an entirely new operating system called "rOS" or "realityOS," internally codenamed "Oak." Apple's work on realityOS has been rumored since 2017, but the existence of the operating system was finally confirmed earlier this year when references to it were found in App Store upload logs and Apple open source code. realityOS will presumably feature versions of many of Apple's existing apps, so a wider revitalization of the Messages app seems plausible, particularly if the app will be important to collaborative experiences on the device.
Majin Bu has revealed some accurate information about Apple's plans, particularly with regards to cases and color options, and shared the rumor of a 14.1-inch iPad before display analyst and heavyweight Apple leaker Ross Young did. That being said, their reputation with regards to software is much more variable. In March, Majin Bu shared information about a new smart multitasking system for iPadOS that would be exclusive to M1 iPads. It is unclear whether this information was legitimate since it could have referred to an early version of what is now known to be Stage Manager.
iOS 16 adds native support for the Dvorak keyboard layout on the iPhone, providing users with an alternative to the standard QWERTY layout.
Dvorak was designed to make two-handed typing faster and more ergonomic compared to QWERTY. Patented by August Dvorak in 1936, the layout reduces finger motion by placing all vowels in the middle row on the left side of the keyboard and commonly-used consonants like R, S, T, N, and L on the right side. However, given that typing on a smartphone involves your thumbs only, Dvorak is not as beneficial on the iPhone.
On an iPhone running iOS 16, the Dvorak layout can be enabled in the Settings app under General → Keyboard → Keyboards → English → Dvorak, alongside existing QWERTY, AZERTY, and QWERTZ options. Dvorak is only available for English right now.
Prior to iOS 16, using Dvorak on the iPhone required installing a third-party keyboard from the App Store or connecting a capable external hardware keyboard. Dvorak has also long been supported on the Mac and can be enabled in the System Settings app under Keyboard → Input Sources by clicking the plus sign and selecting Dvorak.
Apple's mixed-reality headset will feature iris scanning to authenticate payments and log into accounts, setting itself apart from Meta's new Quest Pro headset, according to a paywalled report from The Information.
Two individuals, who apparently helped develop Apple's headset, told The Information that users will be able to scan their irises to quickly log into their accounts and make payments, similar to Face ID and Touch ID – a feature first rumored by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Iris scanning is also said to make it easier for multiple people to use the same headset and sets the device apart from the Quest Pro, which lacks any such feature.
To enable iris scanning, internal cameras track where users are looking. Eye tracking also allows Apple to reduce graphical fidelity in a user's peripheral vision, thereby reducing the amount of processing power required for the headset's graphics. Apple's purchase of German startup SensoMotoric Instruments in 2017 is said to have allowed it to build the technology.
The report reiterated the rumor that Apple's headset will feature 14 cameras, compared to just 10 on Meta's Quest Pro headset, designed to capture motion to accurately represent real-world movements on digital avatars. Two downward-facing cameras apparently capture the wearer's legs, offering another feature that the Quest Pro does not have.
The headset purportedly resembles "a pair of ski goggles" and look different from the Quest Pro. Apple's design is said to rely heavily on "mesh fabrics, aluminum and glass," and conceals its outward-facing cameras better than the Quest Pro. The device is also apparently thinner and lighter than the Quest Pro, which weighs 722 grams.
In addition, the report claims that Apple's headset allows those who wear glasses to magnetically clip on custom prescription lenses inside the device.
On the exterior of the headset, an outward-facing display is said to allow other people to see the facial expressions of the wearer. Despite concerns over how the display may use additional battery life, it is reportedly able to operate at a low refresh rate to conserve power, similar to the always-on displays of the Apple Watch and iPhone.
The Information warned that some previously planned features may not make it into the final version of the headset when it is unveiled next year.
Google has now rolled out all of the promised Lock Screen widgets for its iPhone apps, including the Google app, Gmail, Google Maps, Chrome, Google News, and Google Drive.
The rollout was completed today with two Lock Screen widgets for Maps, following five widgets for the Google app that were released on Wednesday. In version 233.0 of the Google app, the widgets include the following descriptions, with two widget sizes for Search:
Search: Access Google Search from your Lock Screen
Voice Search: Ask a question, hum a song or search for content with your voice
Lens: Search with your camera or any image
Lens shortcuts: Easily access your favorite Lens feature. Translate, shop, or solve homework with your camera.
Version 6.40 of Google Maps adds widgets for Search and Frequent Trips, with the latter displaying the location, estimated time of arrival, and traffic conditions:
Frequent Trips: Get directions and an estimated time of arrival for your frequent trips.
Search: Search in Google Maps for restaurants, petrol stations, and more.
Equivalent widgets can be found in Google News, Gmail, Drive, and Chrome. Once the apps are updated on your device, launch the new versions first before trying to add the widgets, otherwise they won't appear in the Lock Screen editor.
Back in August, a video of an AirPower prototype gave us a closer look at Apple's abandoned wireless charging device, but the unit was not functional in any practical way. Now, thanks to a collaboration between YouTube channels Apple Demo and Unbox Therapy, we can see an AirPower prototype that actually charges devices – albeit with some major caveats.
Announced in 2017 alongside the iPhone X, AirPower was designed so that an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch could be placed on any portion of the mat and the devices would charge, which meant that multiple overlapping charging coils (22 in all) had to be included.
To demonstrate the charging, Apple Demo provided Unbox Therapy with a rare AirPower prototype with one functioning coil in the bottom right corner of the mat, along with an explicit set of instructions on how to use the ill-fated device without damaging the unit or injuring oneself in the process, given its propensity to overheat.
To power on the AirPower, Unbox Therapy uses a MacBook Pro's USB-C port with a genuine Apple Lightning to USB-C cable, as advised. Like other AirPower prototypes, the unit does not feature the white exterior shell that Apple marketed the device with, exposing its internal circuitry on the back. Apple Demo cautions not to touch this side of the AirPower, as they had done so by accident and received a bad electric shock.
Apple Demo warns that only Apple devices should be charged on the AirPower, and preferably only iPhone X models or AirPods. The AirPower prototype is unable to charge any Apple Watch models or any newer devices with MagSafe magnets. Additionally, "Max" devices (like iPhone XS Max) should be avoided as well because they could cause damage if they draw more power.
Apple Demo also advises not to leave the AirPower connected to power for an extended period of time – up to a maximum of one minute – and to leave the unit for five minutes to cool down and prevent damage before placing anything else on it.
Respecting these instructions, Unbox Therapy places an iPhone X on the corner of the mat, whereupon it begins to charge wirelessly – and stays charging for the short time the phone is left on the mat. After a cooldown period, an AirPods case is placed on the mat that also responds to the working coil.
AirPower missed its original 2018 launch date goal and Apple shelved the project in March 2019 due to problems with overheating, buggy inter-device communication, and mechanical and interference issues. But the video also highlights the fact that in some ways AirPower was a product of its time and technology has moved on since Apple came up with the idea.
For example, Unbox Therapy makes the salient point that AirPower is poorly designed for many of today's Apple Watch bands that don't lie flat when taken off the wrist and placed down (the Solo Loop, for example). Whether this factored into Apple's reasoning to abandon the AirPower is unknown, but it's the main reason why most third-party multi-device wireless chargers come with a raised stand that enables the band to loop behind the charging pad without having to take it off.
Rumors in subsequent years about Apple's work on a smaller wireless charger may have been related to MagSafe or the MagSafe Duo charger, rather than another AirPower-like device. That said, a report from reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman last year said that Apple is still looking into AirPower-like charging solutions for the future.
A Brazilian court today levied a $19 million "social damages" fine (100 million reais) against Apple for selling iPhones without a charger, reports Reuters. The Sao Paulo state court said that Apple must offer battery chargers with iPhones that are sold in the country, providing a decision in a lawsuit brought about by the Brazilian association of borrowers, consumers, and taxpayers (AMBCC).
Apple has said that it stopped offering chargers with iPhone purchases in order to cut down on carbon emissions. The company has argued that many customers already have chargers available, and it continues to sell chargers on a standalone basis.
The court presiding over the case did not look favorably on Apple's environmental explanation. "It is evident that, under the justification of a 'green initiative,' the defendant imposes on the consumer a required purchase of charger adapters that were previously supplied along with the product," read the ruling.
In addition to the fine, Apple is expected to sell iPhones with chargers and also provide chargers to all Brazilians who purchased their products after October 13, 2020, according to Brazilian news site Estadão. Apple ceased providing chargers with iPhones when it launched the iPhone 12 models in 2020. In most countries, Apple no longer ships iPhones with EarPods or a power adapter, offering just a USB-C to Lightning cable.
Back in September, the Brazilian Justice Ministry ordered Apple to stop selling iPhones without a charger and also levied a fine of $2.34 million, claiming that Apple was giving customers an incomplete product.
Apple has not complied with that order as it is appealing the ruling, with the company also planning to appeal today's Sao Paulo decision.
Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak and software engineering head Craig Federighi will be two of the speakers at The Wall Street Journal's Tech Live event that is set to be held on Tuesday, October 25.
The topic of the session has yet to be announced, but it will be hosted by The Wall Street Journal technology columnist Joanna Stern. Joswiak and Federighi will be speaking from 7:35 p.m. Pacific Time to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Slipped under the radar, but @gregjoz and Craig Federighi are speaking on Oct. 25th at the WSJ conference in Laguna Beach. Something tells me they will have plenty to discuss.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) October 13, 2022
Based on the timing of the event, the duo will likely discuss iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura, both of which are likely to launch during the week of October 24. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said last week that iPadOS 16 will be released in the final week of October, and macOS Ventura will probably come out alongside it as it is in an advanced stage of beta testing. Apple is also gearing up to debut new Macs and iPads, so it's possible that the Tech Live conference will be timed with new product announcements.
Other speakers at WSJ Tech Live will include Disney CEO Bob Chapek, Intel CEO Patrick Gelsinger, Boston Dynamics CEO Robert Playter, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, and more.
Netflix today announced the upcoming launch of the ad-supported tier that has been in the works for the last several months. The new "Basic With Ads" plan is priced at $6.99 per month in the United States, $3 cheaper than the standard Basic plan.
Basic With Ads will be available alongside the Basic, Standard, and Premium plans, offering 720p streaming video. Netflix is also updating the standard Basic plan with 720p support when the Basic With Ads plan launches.
Netflix's new plan will offer most of the same TV shows, movies, and "personalized viewing experience," but subscribers will see between four and five minutes of ads per hour. Ads will vary from 15 to 30 seconds in length, and will play before and during shows and films.
There will be a selection of movies and TV shows that will not be available due to licensing restrictions, but Netflix has not provided a list of content that will be inaccessible.
Unlike with the plans without ads, the ad-based tier will not support downloading movies and TV shows for offline viewing.
Netflix Basic with Ads is set to launch on Thursday, November 3 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. It will be available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, the UK and the US.
The Apple Maps app appears to be experiencing issues at the current time, with Apple's System Status page listing an outage. According to Apple, users are seeing problems with Maps Display, Maps Routing and Navigation, Maps Search, and Maps Traffic.
Apple Maps is not able to display traffic conditions at the current time, and search and routing are unreliable for some users. Apple says that the outage began at 1:00 Eastern Time, so if you are having trouble with Apple Maps, you are not alone.
There is no word on when the Maps outage will be fixed, but we'll update this article when Apple addresses the issue.
Update 2:00 p.m. ET: Apple says the outage has been resolved.
Amazon has marked the price of the 32GB Apple TV HD down to $79.00, down from $149.00. This model is the Apple TV that launched in 2015, but it now comes with the new 2021 Siri Remote.
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As of writing, shipping is delayed on the Apple TV HD, with delivery dates estimated for early November. You can still lock in this all-time low price today ahead of those dates, and Amazon may ship sooner if more stock is made available.
This is a particularly steep discount on the Apple TV HD, and the best price we've ever tracked to date. The Apple TV HD lacks support for 4K resolution and other features, which you can read more on in our comparison guide, but it's still a solid streaming device for those okay with 1080p resolution, especially at this price point.
For the newer models with 4K, the 32GB Apple TV 4K is $109.99 on Amazon, down from $179.00, and the 64GB Apple TV 4K is $129.99, down from $199.00. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Images via 
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
