United this week announced that it has updated its iPhone app to add support for Live Activities and the Dynamic Island, allowing United passengers quicker access to flight tracking information.
With Live Activities integration, customers have access to their boarding passes, gate, and seat number, as well as a countdown clock to their departure time. The information is visible on the Lock Screen even when the iPhone is locked and the United app is closed, and on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, it can also be viewed in the Dynamic Island.
According to United, it is the first U.S. airline to implement support for Live Activities, and the feature was added as United customers check their mobile boarding pass and flight status nearly 800,000 times each day.
When it's time to board the plane, the Live Activities widget can be tapped to open up the boarding pass, and during the flight, there's an in-flight countdown. The United Live Activities integration also offers access to flight number, flight status, inbound aircraft status, estimated departure and arrival times, departure and arrival gates, and baggage carousel information.
United said that Live Activities would be widely available to all United customers by the end of May, but there are already many users who have reported being able to access the feature. Requirements include an up-to-date United app and an iPhone running iOS 16.1 or later.
Google today announced that it is opening up access to Search Labs, allowing testers to try out its new Search Generative Experience. The AI-powered Search option is limited to those who have signed up to be a part of Google Labs, with Google letting in a small number of people who have joined the Google Labs Waitlist.
Google says that AI Search is designed to "take some of the work out of searching," which can make it easier for users to understand new topics, uncover different viewpoints, and "get things done more easily."
Google suggests that AI search can break down complicated searches into smaller parts, offer quick tips for specific questions, and provide background on what should be considered when searching for items to buy.
The addition of generative AI to search is a new concept for Google, and the company says that it will be making "many updates and improvements over time" based on user feedback. Access is limited to those in the U.S. right now, with the Google app or Chrome desktop browser required. Google customers eligible to use Google Labs will receive an email.
We kicked off the month of May with an exclusive partnership with OWC, which nets our readers an extra 20 percent off their purchase of select memory cards with the code MACRUMORS. This code lasts through the end of May, and right now OWC has another flash sale on memory cards going on that stacks with our promo code.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
OWC's flash sale is offering up to an additional 40 percent off already-discounted memory cards, and the company says this sale will end later today. This discount stacks with our existing 20 percent off promo code (MACRUMORS), delivering major savings on these memory cards.
We've listed all of the memory cards on sale below. The higher storage memory cards will have the best discounts during this event, with as much as $175 off these cards. Remember to enter the promo code MACRUMORS on the cart page prior to checkout to get the total savings of each card.
Apple has started preparations for the Worldwide Developers Conference that's coming in under two weeks, and today, the Apple Developer app was updated for those who are attending or planning to join sessions and labs.
The Apple Developer app outlines the 2023 session videos, 1-on-1 labs, Slack activities, and more, plus it introduces new WWDC 2023 stickers. When iOS 17 and the other new software updates are introduced, the Developer app will include videos and sessions organized into specific topics, as well as scheduling for sessions and activities.
Thank you for your feedback! New in this release: - Explore all WWDC23 has to offer, including session videos, activities in Slack, 1-on-1 labs, and more. - We've also fixed bugs and added various other enhancements.
Apple's 2023 WWDC event is set to begin on June 5 with a 10:00 a.m. keynote that will see the company unveil iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14, and more, including the long awaited AR/VR headset.
Developers will be able to watch the WWDC keynote using the app, and can also access all of the new development content. The Apple Developer app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. It is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. [Direct Link]
Apple today began selling refurbished M2 Pro Mac mini models in its online store in the United States, offering the latest high-end version of the desktop machine at a discounted price for the first time.
Refurbished M2 Pro Mac mini models are priced starting at $1,099 for the entry-level version with a 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. That's a $200 discount off of the original $1,299 price tag for that machine.
Apple is selling a range of Mac mini models with various RAM, Ethernet, and SSD upgrades, both with the M2 chip and with the M2 Pro chip. Standard M2 Mac mini models were added to the refurbished store earlier this week, but the M2 Pro models just surfaced today.
Prices range from $1,099 to $2,799 depending on Mac mini configuration, with savings up to $400. Customers purchasing a refurbished Mac mini can expect to get between 12 and 15 percent off.
The M2 and M2 Pro Mac mini models came out in January 2023, replacing the prior M1 and Intel Mac mini options. There have been no external updates to the Mac mini, with Apple instead focusing on internal upgrades that include the M-series chip.
Refurbished products from Apple are almost identical to new devices, with each one undergoing a refurbishment process that includes full functionality testing, blemish-free external enclosures, and more. Refurbished products are eligible for AppleCare+ and have the same 14-day return period as new Apple devices.
ZAGG is celebrating Memorial Day this year with a massive 40 percent off sitewide discount. This sale will last through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time and you can purchase up to three products at once to receive 40 percent off your order.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with ZAGG. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You won't need any coupon codes for this sale, which also excludes anything that is already discounted. Overall, this is a huge sale that covers items from ZAGG, Mophie, Invisible Shield, and Gear4. You can find a bigger list of Mophie-specific products on sale in the lists below.
For Mophie products, this even includes the company's car vent mounts with MagSafe that launched earlier this week. The Wireless Charging Vent Mount with MagSafe is just $59.97, down from $99.95. This is the first major discount we've tracked on this accessory.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Belkin. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The BoostCharge Pro has a 10,000mAh capacity, allowing it to charge an Apple Watch Series 8 fourteen times or an iPhone 14 twice. The power bank features a 20W USB-C PD port, which is also used to fast charge the power bank itself, and a built-in Apple Watch charger. When the USB-C port and Apple Watch charger are both in use, each can operate at up to 20W and 7.5W, respectively.
The Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Ultra support fast-charging with compatible chargers. The BoostCharge Pro is MFi certified and able to charge the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 from 0% to 80% in around 45 minutes, and charge an Apple Watch Ultra from from 0% to 80% in an hour. Since the second-generation AirPods Pro can charge via an Apple Watch charger, the power bank can also wirelessly charge the AirPods Pro.
The power bank includes a 12-inch USB-C cable. The BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K is available now for $99.99 on Belkin's website and ships starting in June.
Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models will support the new Qi2 wireless charging standard, according to ChargerLAB, a reliable source of charging-related information. The first Qi2-certified chargers are expected to be available in time for the 2023 holiday season, according to the Wireless Power Consortium.
Qi2 is based on Apple's MagSafe standard, meaning that Qi2 chargers will likely be able to charge iPhone 15 models at up to 15W speeds like Apple's MagSafe Charger. With current iPhones, non-MagSafe wireless chargers are limited to 7.5W speeds.
ChargerLAB notes that Qi2 chargers do not need to use Apple's pricy MagSafe module, and are not required to be certified under Apple's "Made for iPhone" program, which will bring more affordable MagSafe-like chargers to the market. The website confirmed with supply chain sources that the wholesale price of Apple's MagSafe module is about $16, while the Qi2 module apparently costs less than one third as much.
ChargerLAB and its Chinese sister website Chongdiantou appear to be the source behind the rumor from earlier this week claiming that iPhone 15 models will support 15W charging with third-party chargers. The websites have leaked several accurate charging-related details about future iPhones and Apple power adapters in the past.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 15 lineup in September. MagSafe is expected to remain supported on the devices alongside Qi2.
Last week, the Apple Pencil 2 hit a new all-time low price on Amazon and quickly went out of stock. Today, Amazon has returned with this record low price of $85.00 on the accessory, down from $129.00, and it's in stock and ready to deliver between May 26 and 31.
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.
The Apple Pencil 2 is compatible with the following iPads: iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th generation and later), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), and 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later). The second generation Apple Pencil is a perfect accessory for anyone planning to use the new Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro apps now available for the iPad.
If you have the newest iPad Pro models, the second-generation Apple Pencil can now be detected while hovering up to 12mm above the display. This allows users to see a preview of their drawing before they make it, and with Scribble text fields automatically expand when the pencil gets near the screen.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
WhatsApp appears to have a username feature in the works that could potentially provide people on the messaging service with an additional layer of privacy.
As things stand, if someone wants to add you as a WhatsApp contact, you're required to share your phone number with them, even if they add you via the QR code method.
That's how it's always worked in WhatsApp, but it looks as if Meta's developers understand that users might sometimes prefer to add certain contacts without revealing their phone number.
WABetaInfo has spotted a WhatsApp username field in the latest beta Android app, allowing users to choose unique usernames for their accounts. The likelihood is that WhatsApp intends to let users reach other people by entering a username instead, much like Telegram.
As the feature is still in development, it's too early to tell how usernames will work when they are rolled out. They may allow users to safeguard their phone numbers when communicating with particular accounts, like businesses, but the hope is that they will provide more general private communication between users.
Mimestream, the Gmail client for macOS founded by former Apple Mail engineer Neil Jhaveri, this week ended more than two years of beta development with the official release of Mimestream 1.0.
As a native app written in Swift and designed with AppKit and SwiftUI for a clean, stock appearance, Mimestream's UI will be familiar to many Apple Mail users, but the app is exclusively for accessing Gmail (support for other services is being considered).
Mimestream uses the Gmail API rather than a standard IMAP connection to support features like categorized inboxes, aliases and signatures, server-side filters, templates, labels, vacation responses, mentions, undo send, archive, and more.
Support for multiple Gmail accounts is included with a unified inbox, and the app integrates fully with macOS to offer system-level notifications, system-level Dark Mode support, keyboard shortcuts, swipe gestures, and linking email profiles to Focus Filters.
Among several new features for its 1.0 release, Mimestream also supports Profiles, so separate Gmail accounts can be divided into "Work" and "Personal," for example, and different icons and colors can be assigned to them. There's also a Mimestream menu bar item for quickly checking for unread messages without opening the app.
During its lengthy free beta phase, more than 220 updates and over 100 features were added to the app, and the startup has expanded from its original solo developer to a five-person team.
Now that beta development has ended, it's becoming a paid-for client. Mimestream 1.0 is $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year, but the annual plan is being offered at a discounted launch price of $29.99 for the first year until June 9. A free 14-day trial is also available, with no credit card required.
Of the more than 167,000 people who have been using the app in beta in macOS 12 or later, access to the app will expire on May 26, 2023, but users will be able to move onto the 14-day trial in Mimestream 1.0 to try the new features. For users on macOS 11 or 10.15, the existing beta versions will continue to work on those OS versions. Interested users can check the company's roadmap to learn about what else is planned for the app.
Apple today added refurbished M2 Mac mini models to its online store in the United States, offering the latest 2023 version of the desktop machine at a discounted price for the first time.
Refurbished M2Mac mini models are priced starting at $509 for the version with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD. That's a $90 discount off of the original $599 price tag for that machine.
Apple is selling a range of Mac mini models with various RAM, Ethernet, and SSD upgrades, but all of the available models have the M2 chip, with no M2 Pro options for sale at this time. The lower prices come in at around 15 percent off, with the biggest discounts available on pricier machines.
The M2 Mac mini models came out in January 2023, replacing the prior M1 and Intel Mac mini options. There have been no external updates to the Mac mini, with Apple instead focusing on internal upgrades that include the M2 chip.
Refurbished products from Apple are almost identical to new devices, with each one undergoing a refurbishment process that includes full functionality testing, blemish-free external enclosures, and more. Refurbished products are eligible for AppleCare+ and have the same 14-day return period as new Apple devices.
Late last year, Anker debuted a 3-in-1 charger available through Apple that offers support for charging an iPhone via MagSafe, an Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously, all in a unique cube-like form factor. I found the charger to be a nice bedside charging accessory, so when Anker introduced a similar charger in a different form factor a couple of months ago, I was definitely interested in checking it out.
The Anker 737 MagGo Charger sports another unique design, this time a triangular form factor that offers a fixed-angle MagSafe charger for your iPhone, a charging surface for your AirPods tucked inside the base of the triangle, and a fixed arm for charging your Apple Watch. It offers similar charging features as the Cube charger, with official 15-watt MagSafe charging and 5-watt AirPods charging. Unlike the Cube, however, Apple Watch fast charging is unfortunately not supported on the 737 MagGo.
Also unlike the Cube, the 737 MagGo has no moving parts, which has both positive and negatives. The Cube offers a hinged top with an adjustable angle for the MagSafe charging surface, while the Apple Watch arm retracts into the body of the cube. This makes the Cube more compact and portable, but some users expressed concern over a tendency for the unit to tip forward when a phone is attached, while others reported that the spring-loaded retractable Apple Watch arm sometimes required a bit of finessing to function properly and the bulky Apple Watch Ultra just barely fit on the charger.
737 MagGo (left) vs. Cube (right)
The 737 MagGo is definitely bulkier without the collapsing design elements, but I've found that it does help with stability as the fixed angle of the MagSafe surface and the larger base of the triangle keeps everything from tipping over. The fixed Apple Watch arm also comfortably fits even the Apple Watch Ultra, though I really wish it had been upgraded with fast-charging support.
In my testing, it took the 737 MagGo charger 2 hours and 43 minutes to charge my Apple Watch Ultra from 20% to 80%, while the same test took just 1 hour and 4 minutes on the Cube charger. That's a very significant difference if you wear your watch most of the time and want to take it off only for short spurts to charge such as while showering or eating.
The Cube was one of the first MagSafe accessories to move away from the traditional Apple-style white charging surface, offering a dark gray surface that blends in with the body of the charger. The same is true with the 737 MagGo, and it's a much more subtle look compared to many other MagSafe chargers. With official 15-watt MagSafe charging, I found it able to charge my iPhone just as quickly as Apple's official chargers and other MagSafe-certified third-party units.
The Apple Watch charging puck features the standard white plastic surface and is oriented in a fixed horizontal position as on the Cube, which means it doesn't play particularly nicely with Nightstand mode on the watch. That's not a huge deal if you're also charging your phone on the angled MagSafe surface and you can just tap your phone's screen to get a glance at the time in the middle of the night, but I think it's worth mentioning.
One of my issues with the Cube's Apple Watch charger was its relatively low height, with bulky bands such as the Apple Watch Ultra Ocean Band potentially interfering with positioning of the watch on the charger. Thankfully, the watch charger on the 737 MagGo sits a good bit higher than on the Cube, making that issue much less of a concern.
Just like the Cube, the 737 MagGo comes with a compact 30-watt USB-C adapter with folding prongs in the U.S., as well as a black 1.5-meter (5-foot) USB-C to USB-C cable to power the accessory. A rubber-like ring on the bottom of the unit protects your surfaces from scratches and other damage while also helping keep the charger in place.
Bottom view of 737 MagGo
When it comes to charging your AirPods or other earphones that support wireless charging, the 737 MagGo includes a weak magnet to help orient MagSafe-compatible AirPods cases on the charger, which is a very nice improvement compared to the 3-in-1 Cube where free placement on the surface can be a little finicky. On the 737 MagGo, you can sort of just toss your MagSafe-compatible AirPods case into the charger and they'll usually nestle right into place.
A thin blue LED along one side of the 737's base also briefly lights up when AirPods charging initiates, letting you know you've got a good connection. If your AirPods aren't seated properly, the light will blink to alert you. Otherwise the light remains off except for a brief moment when the unit is plugged in, so nighttime disruptions are not an issue.
AirPods charging status light
The 737 MagGo charger comes in just a bit cheaper than the 3-in-1 Cube at $139.99 compared to $149.99, and Anker is currently offering a 15% off coupon code for the 737 MagGo on both its own site and on Amazon that brings the price down to around $119.00.
That's still on the pricey side for chargers, but it's not wildly out of line for accessories like this with official MagSafe certification. My biggest gripe with the 737 MagGo, however, is the lack of Apple Watch fast-charging support. Granted, I'm usually charging overnight when speed isn't a factor, but there are times when I also want to use it during the day, and particularly with the larger battery in the Apple Watch Ultra, fast charging is a key feature that's missing in this accessory.
Some users might find that missing feature a reasonable trade-off for the cheaper price point compared to the Cube model, especially with the current discounts available on the 737 MagGo, but it may be a dealbreaker for others.
Otherwise, I really like the overall design. It's not super portable, but on a nightstand or desk it offers some visual interest without being overwhelming, and the color-matched MagSafe charging surface maintains a relatively coherent overall look.
Note: Anker provided MacRumors with the 737 MagGo Charger for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
According to Gurman, the app is indeed slated for inclusion in iOS 17, and it will introduce "note taking and a stronger social element" to the iPhone.
There are no other details on the app in the report, but The Wall Street Journal previously said that the app will let users keep track of their daily activities and their thoughts. Apple will give people topics to write about such as a workout or a meeting, and there will be an "All Day People Discovery" feature that determines when a user is in close proximity to other people. The app will know when users receive text messages, phone calls, and other notifications, but privacy will be a focus and everything will be done on-device.
The journaling app appears to be a health-related initiative that will analyze what each user's typical day is like, and it could integrate with a mood tracking feature that Apple also has planned for iOS 17. The emotion tracking app will let users keep track of their mood, answer questions about their day, and view the results over time.
With the journaling app and the mood tracking functionality, Apple plans to bring the Health app to the iPad for the first time, allowing iPad owners to view their health-related data even when an iPhone is unavailable.
Third-party app developers like Day One have long offered journaling platforms for the iPhone and the iPad, and based on early reports, it sounds like Apple's offering could be similar to what's possible with Day One.
Back in April when news of Apple's journaling app came out, Day One said that it is "excited" Apple will bring journaling to a wider audience, and that it plans to ensure that the Day One app "remains the very best option" for those interested in journaling. More on the journaling app can be found in Gurman's full report.
Apple's upcoming iOS 17 update for the iPhone will include improvements across several apps and features, including Wallet, Find My, SharePlay, and AirPlay, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is expected to preview iOS 17 during its WWDC keynote on June 5, and the update should be released to all users in September.
In a report today, Gurman said the Wallet app in particular will have "significant changes," but he did not provide specific details. He added that Apple is planning location services enhancements for the Find My app, without elaborating further.
Apple is also working on upgrades to its SharePlay feature for watching content with family and friends over a FaceTime call, and improvements to its wireless streaming protocol AirPlay. Gurman said Apple has been in discussions with hotels and other venues in an attempt to make it easier to AirPlay content to TVs/devices they do not own.
An updated Lock Screen interface in iOS 17 will turn the iPhone into a "smart-home display," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. When not in use and positioned in a horizontal orientation, the iPhone will show information that includes calendar appointments, weather data, notifications, and more, allowing it to serve as a home data hub.
With the iPhone attached to a MagSafe charging stand in a horizontal orientation, for example, the smart home interface will show up, mimicking what users might see with a device like an Echo Show or Google Nest Hub. The functionality will build on the widget options that Apple added to the Lock Screen in iOS 16.
Apple wants to make iPhones more useful when they're not being actively used and are positioned on a desk or nightstand. Apple plans to use a dark background with lighter color text to make the information on the display easy to read.
Apple is developing a horizontal interface for the iPad as well, but that may not be ready to launch in iOS 17, and the company is also working on a low-cost tablet that would magnetically attach to walls and stands to serve as a dedicated home hub.
iOS 17 is set to be announced at the June 5 keynote event that kicks off the 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference. For more on what to expect, we have a dedicated iOS 17 roundup, and Gurman's full report can be read over at Bloomberg.
Apple this week began selling Ember's temperature-controlled Travel Mug 2+ with recently added support for the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The mug launched earlier this year and is priced at $199.95 on Apple's online store in the United States.
The addition of Find My support enables users to track the location of the mug in the Find My app, and a new built-in speaker can emit a chime if the mug is misplaced. Otherwise, the Mug 2+ offers the same functionality as the Travel Mug 2.
Ember's temperature-controlled mugs are designed to keep your coffee or other hot beverage at your desired drinking temperature for up to three hours, or all day if the mug is kept on the included charging coaster. The Travel Mug 2+ can be connected to an iPhone via Bluetooth and controlled with the Ember app, and it has built-in touch controls.
Today we're tracking a selection of Anker discounts on Amazon, with notable discounts on USB-C cables, MagSafe-compatible chargers, Bluetooth speakers, and more. Many of these discounts will only run this week, so if you're interested be sure to place an order soon.
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.
Most of these deals require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the discounts at the checkout screen. There are multiple types of products on sale this time around, including Anker's SmartTrack line of Bluetooth trackers with 2-Pack and 4-Pack options for non-Prime members. If you're a Prime member, you can get a 1-Pack for $13.99 and a SmartTrack Card for $16.99.
Another notable discount this time around is on the PowerHouse 757 Portable Power Station, which is available for $949.99, down from $1,399.00. This is a big markdown on one of Anker's popular portable power stations, and this one features a 1229Wh capacity and 1500 wattage, with six AC outlets, four USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with OWC. 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 ZAGG. 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 Belkin. 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 Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
737 MagGo (left) vs. Cube (right)
Bottom view of 737 MagGo
AirPods charging status light
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.
