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Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today reiterated that iPhone 15 Pro models will be equipped with solid-state volume and power buttons, and he added that other high-end devices could follow suit in the future if the change is well received. Presumably, this would include the iPad Pro, and perhaps the Apple Watch Ultra.

Kuo previously said iPhone 15 Pro models will be equipped with two additional Taptic Engines that provide haptic feedback when the buttons are pressed, without the buttons actually moving. This would be similar to the solid-state Home button introduced on the iPhone 7 and the Force Touch trackpad on recent MacBooks.

In a series of tweets today, Kuo noted that Cirrus Logic will benefit from the change as the supplier of Taptic Engine chips for iPhones.

Solid-state buttons on iPhones could allow for even better water resistance and would eliminate moving parts that can wear out or break over time. The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are still expected to have mechanical buttons.

Apple is expected to unveil the entire iPhone 15 lineup in September as usual, so the devices are still around eight months away from launching.

A free Business Connect tool announced by Apple today allows businesses to customize their location card in the Maps app with a brand logo, images, and other key information, such as special promotions or seasonal menu items at a restaurant. Businesses can also highlight various actions, such as ordering groceries via Instacart, making a dinner reservation via OpenTable, booking a hotel at Booking.com, and more.

Apple says these new capabilities are available to businesses in the U.S. starting today, and will be available to businesses globally in the coming months, so it will take some time for businesses to update their information. Businesses can also customize the way key information appears across the Messages app, Wallet app, and Siri interface.

Once a business has logged in to Business Connect with a new or existing Apple ID and Apple has verified the business, they can claim their location(s) and begin updating and personalizing their place card using the self-service website, free of charge.

"We created Business Connect to provide Apple users around the world with the most accurate information for places to eat, shop, travel, and more," said Apple's services chief Eddy Cue. "Apple Business Connect gives every business owner the tools they need to connect with customers more directly, and take more control over the way billions of people see and engage with their products and services every day."

More information is available on the Apple Business Connect website.

Amazon today has Apple's 2021 11-inch iPad Pro (2TB Wi-Fi) for $1,299.97, down from its original price of $1,899.00. This is the lowest price we've ever tracked for this previous-generation M1 model of the iPad Pro.

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.

You can get this price in both Space Gray and Silver on Amazon, and we are seeing stock dwindle on the latter option. Fastest delivery options are set for as soon as Saturday, January 14, while free delivery will arrive on January 18.

The M1 and M2 iPad Pro models share a majority of their features, with the biggest advantages of the newer models coming with the performance boost from the M2 chip. If you prioritize saving money over owning the newest Apple accessories, Amazon's $599 markdown today is a solid offer on the previous-generation iPad Pro.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Apple supplier BOE is in talks to rent dozens of hectares of land in north Vietnam to build a plant dedicated to making OLED display panels that will likely be used in future iPhones.

The Chinese company is seeking to invest a total of up to $400 million on 100 hectares of land, half of which could be used to build a $250 million factory specializing in the creation of OLED screens, according to Vietnamese newspaper VNExpress. BOE intends to complete all of the building work by 2025.

The plan highlights efforts by Apple to move away from having its supply chain predominantly based in China, amid geopolitical tensions and disruption caused by the country's COVID-19 lockdown measures. Taiwan's Foxconn and China's Luxshare Precision Industry already make or plan to make a number of Apple products in the area, including MacBooks and iPads.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, BOE is set to become the largest supplier of displays for new iPhones by 2024. The company has reportedly beaten Samsung for orders for the upcoming ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, and by 2024, it will start mass shipments of high-end LTPO displays for the ‌iPhone‌, making it the largest display supplier.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that Apple plans to use in-house, custom-designed displays for some future mobiles devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch, although the displays would likely still be manufactured by an outside supplier.

Twitter has made the algorithmic "For You" timeline the default feed that users see when they open the iOS app, a controversial change that the company has tried previously before rolling it back due to a pronounced backlash.

In a change that is sure to draw the ire of some users, Twitter has removed the sparkle-shaped icon from the top-right of the app's interface that let users switch between "For You" and "Latest" and replaced it with two tabs called "For You" and "Following."

"For You" still shows users tweets from people they follow out of order, sprinkled with algorithmically suggested tweets from people they don't, while "Following" shows tweets in pure reverse chronological order.

While the change technically makes it easier to switch timelines – users can now just swipe between them instead of tapping the star icon – users on iOS will now always see the algorithmic "For You" tab when opening the app, whether they want to or not.

Another notable result of the change is that people who use pinned lists for alternative timelines will now need to perform more swipes to get to those lists.

The move comes after CEO Elon Musk last month tweeted that the "main timeline should allow for an easy sideways swipe between top, latest, trending, and topics you follow," and said that the company would be making the changes soon. As of writing though, there are no options to swipe to trending or followed topics, while the old star button still exists on Android and the web.

Twitter originally used a reverse chronological feed, showing the newest tweets at the top of the app, before it switched to a timeline that placed a selection of top tweets first. That caused consternation among users, and Twitter eventually added the option to switch back to the pure chronological timeline.

As many will undoubtedly observe, Twitter's decision to prioritize its algorithmic timeline now makes it more akin to the way TikTok works. TikTok learns what users tend to view and pushes them to more of the same suggested content with a similar "For You" feed, which boosts engagement. Whether Twitter's algorithms will have the same success rate remains to be seen.

Apple infringed on one of medical technology company Masimo's pulse oximeter patents when it launched Apple Watch models that use light sensors to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood, an International Trade Commission (ITC) judge ruled on Tuesday.

Masimo, which designs pulse oximetry devices, has been embroiled in an ongoing battle with Apple over several health capabilities found in some Apple Watch models, and Masimo has been pushing to have the models banned in the United States.

Medical grade pulse oximetry devices are what Masimo specializes in, and pulse oximetry is a feature that Apple added to the Apple Watch with the Series 6 model. The feature found in the Series 6 and later Apple Watch models uses light to detect the amount of oxygen in the blood, with the feature joining heart rate monitoring and ECG capabilities.

In June 2021, Masimo filed a patent infringement lawsuit with the ITC asking it to halt imports of the Apple Watch Series 6 because of patent infringements related to blood oxygen monitoring.

In Tuesday's ruling, the judge concluded that four other patents at issue were not infringed. The ITC will now consider whether to implement an import ban on Apple Watch models that include the blood oxygen monitoring feature, according to the medical device maker. The final determination is expected to be completed by May 10.

"We are happy that the judge recognized Apple's infringement of Masimo's pulse oximetry technology and took this critical first step toward accountability," said Masimo CEO Joe Kiani in a statement given to MD+DI. "Today's decision should help restore fairness in the market. Apple has similarly infringed on other companies' technologies, and we believe today's ruling exposes Apple as a company that takes other companies' innovations and repackages them."

"We respectfully disagree with today's decision, and look forward to a full review by the Commission," Apple said in a statement reported by Reuters.

Masimo initially sued Apple in January 2020, accusing the company of stealing trade secrets and improperly using Masimo inventions. In the prior filing, Masimo claimed that Apple sneakily poached Masimo employees and used patented Masimo technology when developing the sensors used in the Apple Watch.

Apple plans to release the first MacBook with an OLED display by the end of 2024 at the earliest, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a series of tweets today, Kuo said OLED technology would allow for thinner and lighter MacBook designs.

All existing MacBooks have LCD panels, with the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring mini-LED backlighting and ProMotion. Unlike LCDs with mini-LEDs, OLED displays have self-emitting pixels and do not require backlighting, which would give MacBooks even better contrast ratio and allow for longer battery life.

Kuo did not specify whether the OLED MacBook would be a Pro or Air model. Last month, however, display industry analyst Ross Young said Apple planned to introduce a new 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display in 2024. He also expects Apple to release new 11.1-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with OLED displays next year.

While it appears that Macs and iPads will transition to OLED displays over the next few years, the Apple Watch might start moving away from the technology. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that a new Apple Watch Ultra with a microLED display could be released by the end of 2024. MicroLED technology would offer even higher brightness and improved contrast ratio compared to existing Apple Watch models with OLED displays.

Starting in 2024, Apple plans to use custom displays that it designs in-house for mobile devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch, reports Bloomberg. The shift to its own displays will allow Apple to rely less on display partners that include Samsung and LG.

Apple's transition will begin with the high-end Apple Watch Ultra at the end of 2024, with the device set to adopt microLED display technology. After introducing microLED displays in the Apple Watch, Apple will expand them to the ‌iPhone‌ and other devices. The displays will likely be manufactured by an outside supplier, but designed by Apple.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is making a "sweeping effort" to make more of its own components for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so that it does not need to work with as many third-party component suppliers. Apple is now creating its own A-series and M-series chips for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and it is also working on modem chips and other wireless chips that will let it end its relationships with suppliers like Qualcomm and Broadcom.

Apple is already testing microLED displays for the Apple Watch, and the technology will bring brighter and more vibrant colors, along with improved viewing angles. Bloomberg says that the displays "make content appear like it's painted on top of the glass."

The company initially planned to swap to microLED displays as early as 2020, but there were technical challenges to overcome. Apple also planned to use microLED for larger displays, but for cost reasons, decided to focus first on the Apple Watch. Apple has spent several billion dollars developing display technology, and the transition is said to be one of Apple's most "critical projects."

Bloomberg warns that the 2024 target date could potentially slip to 2025, or if there continue to be production difficulties, a limited supply of the new devices could be offered to begin with. There will be an Apple Watch refresh in 2023, but with few new features.

Samsung today announced that it will hold its first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2023 on Wednesday, February 1, unveiling new flagship smartphones that will directly compete with the iPhone 14, ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max from Apple.

Like Apple, Samsung has a regular release cycle for its smartphones, and new Galaxy models come out in the spring. This year, we're expecting the Galaxy S23 lineup.

Rumors so far suggest that the new S23 models will adopt the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip from Qualcomm, which is the chipset that will support Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Satellite feature. Snapdragon Satellite is similar to Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite ‌iPhone 14‌ function, and Qualcomm is partnering with satellite company Iridium to allow Android users to contact emergency services when WiFi and cellular connections are unavailable.

Notably, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip will be used worldwide, with Samsung no longer opting for separate Exynos chips for devices sold in Europe and other countries. The specific chip that Samsung is using has an overclocked GPU, according to leaked Geekbench benchmarks. Based on those benchmarks, the Snapdragon chip Samsung is using will not be as fast as the A16 in the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models.

Samsung's high-end S23 Ultra could feature a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera, an upgrade from the 108-megapixel version in the S22, with more modest 50-megapixel cameras for the S23 and S23+. Apple's ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models are equipped with a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera.

As for design, there will be no major changes to the S23 lineup, and the S23 Ultra will look similar to the S22. Display improvements are a possibility, as are updated fingerprint sensors and new color options.

We often pay attention when new Galaxy models come out because it gives us an idea of what Apple's competitors are up to and how the latest Android phones measure up to Apple's iPhones. We'll be sharing Samsung's news on February 1, and will also have some comparison videos pitting Samsung's new smartphones against Apple's flagship lineup.

For those interested in one of Samsung's S23 smartphones, there's already a reservation page available that provides a $50 credit for the pre-order of a single device or a $100 credit when pre-ordering two devices. Samsung's reservation system does not charge automatically, requiring only a name and an email address to reserve devices. Credits will be able to be redeemed when pre-ordering after the devices debut.

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

While there are still around five months remaining until Apple unveils iOS 17, we're already able to piece together a few details about the upcoming software update based on Apple's previous announcements and reported information.

Below, we've recapped everything that we have heard about iOS 17 so far. Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 alongside iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June, so it's still early, and we'll likely learn about additional features planned over the coming months.

Alternative App Stores

Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was preparing to allow "alternative app stores" on the iPhone in order to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. The changes, which the report said are initially planned for Europe only, would allow iPhone users to install apps outside of Apple's App Store.

Gurman said Apple was aiming for the changes to be ready as part of an "update to iOS 17," meaning that the changes could be rolled out in a point update like iOS 17.1 or later. The law will become fully enforceable in March 2024.

Next-Generation CarPlay

At WWDC 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, which will feature support for multiple displays, widgets, and integration with vehicle functions like the instrument cluster, climate controls, and FM radio.

Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, and it's likely that the connected iPhone will require iOS 17 or later. Apple said committed automakers include Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others.

Apple Headset Support

Apple is widely expected to announce its long-awaited AR/VR headset this year, and iOS 17 would likely include support for the device before it launches. Apple could also announce other developer-focused software tools for the headset at WWDC.

Fewer Changes Expected

iOS 17 may have "fewer major changes than originally planned" due to Apple's focus on the "xrOS" operating system for its AR/VR headset, according to Gurman. This could result in iOS 17 having more of a focus on bug fixes and stability improvements, but it's still early, so we haven't heard much about exact features yet.

Apple in 2022 enhanced the Wallet app with a new feature that is designed to allow driver's licenses and state ID cards to be stored in the Wallet app, but states need to implement support for the option, and only a handful have done so as of now.

California has been developing a digital ID for some time now, and the California DMV received permission to start testing mobile driver's licenses and ID cards with a limited number of people back in 2021. The state has not yet confirmed specifically that its mobile ID solution will integrate with the Wallet app function that Apple has introduced, but we may not have long to wait to find out what California has planned.

California governor Gavin Newsom today outlined the 2023/2024 California budget proposal, and as part of his speech, he said that the state is ready to roll out some kind of digital ID solution in "a matter of months," with plans to implement support in a unique way compared to other states.

Know this, in just a matter of months, we're finally going to have those digital wallets, where you can get your driver's license on a digital wallet. And we're going to do it like no other state has done it. There's only a few that have. But there's issues. Ours we think it'll be next level. We're so excited about what the DMV can look like.

Little is known about California's digital identification plans, as the state has not shared details at this time, but the California legislature has been privacy focused. As outlined by The Los Angeles Times last year, digital IDs and corresponding mobile apps are not able to collect or hold any information beyond what's needed to perform stated functions, and all information is limited to what's on a physical driver's license or ID card.

The legislation also specifies that digital IDs be opt-in and that digital ID users cannot be forced to hand over a smartphone to verify ID, nor does using a device for an ID provide consent for law enforcement to search a smartphone.

As of right now, digital driver's licenses and IDs in the Wallet app are supported by Arizona, Maryland, and Colorado.

Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah have all committed to allowing residents to add a state ID or driver's license to the wallet app, but timing is not yet clear. Apple has been discussing support with many other states as well as Puerto Rico, but no California-specific announcements have been made.

It is possible that California could eschew the Wallet app and offer driver's licenses through a state-operated app similar to what Florida and Louisiana do, but California has supported other integrations with the iPhone and Apple is based in California, so it is likely the Cupertino company will be able to convince California officials to participate.

In states that do support IDs and driver's licenses in the Wallet app on the ‌iPhone‌, the information can be used in lieu of a physical ID at select airports, including the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

Digital IDs can also be used in select ‌iPhone‌ apps for identity or age verification purposes as of iOS 16, and Apple is also working with retailers and venues to begin accepting digital identification verification.

Brydge in December introduced a new ProDock Thunderbolt 4 Docking Station that's designed for Apple's latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. We picked one up and thought we'd check it out to see if it's worth the $400 asking price.

The ProDock is designed as a vertical dock, meaning it takes up a limited amount of space on a desktop. A MacBook is designed to slot into the dock, functioning in clamshell mode with external displays.

The dock includes an upstream Thunderbolt 4 plug that provides 40Gb/s transfer speeds and 90W power delivery for keeping even Apple's largest ‌MacBook Pro‌ charged up, plus it includes 3x downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-C port, three USB-A ports, an Ethernet port, a 3.5mm audio jack, an SD card reader, and a built-in Qi-based wireless charger with included magnets for charging an iPhone at up to 7.5W. It is powered by a 135W power supply that uses DC-in.

Brydge designed the ProDock to be used with the 14 and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models and the 2022 ‌MacBook Air‌, and it is able to fit any of these machines. Along with a large variety of ports to support anything you might need to connect, the ProDock also offers instant grab and go connectivity so you can slot your MacBook in the dock to get your desktop up and running, and then pull it out when you need a mobile work experience.

At $399, the dock is definitely not cheap, and that's our biggest complaint with it. There are other docks on the market that are more affordable, but the Brydge does have an edge with the design and the number of available ports. What do you think of this dock? Let us know in the comments.

Comcast today added AirPlay support to its Xfinity Stream app, allowing Comcast cable subscribers to use AirPlay to stream content from an iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV or another AirPlay-enabled speaker or set-top box.

Comcast says that Xfinity customers can stream live news and sports, on demand movies and shows, DVR recordings, and more, providing "new ways" for customers to enjoy programming both when at home and at other locations.

The Xfinity Stream app has been available on the ‌Apple TV‌ since mid-2022, but ‌AirPlay‌ support will give Xfinity subscribers a more convenient option for viewing their content on devices they do not own, such as when visiting a friend or staying in a hotel that has an ‌Apple TV‌ or other AirPlay-enabled device.

As TechCrunch points out, this is functionality that the Xfinity app has long been lacking. Comcast competitor Charter has offered ‌AirPlay‌ support in its Spectrum app for several years.

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming macOS Ventura 13.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming four weeks after the release of the first macOS Ventura 13.2 beta.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.

The macOS Ventura 13.2 update introduces support for Security Keys for the Apple ID, allowing users to verify their identity with physical hardware rather than a digital device code. Security Keys offer additional protection for the ‌Apple ID‌, replacing the current verification codes provided on a secondary device when signing into a new device, signing into iCloud, using the Apple Store, and more.

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new betas coming a month after the introduction of the first betas.

Registered developers can download the iOS 16‌.3 and iPadOS 16.3 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the beta will be available over the air.

iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 add support for physical Security Keys that can be used as added protection for an Apple ID. Any FIDO Certified physical security key can be linked to an ‌Apple ID‌ to be used for authentication when logging into a new device or otherwise accessing an ‌Apple ID‌.

Security Keys replace the digital verification codes sent to an Apple device when using an ‌Apple ID‌, and Apple says that the physical key provides strong protection against phishing and unauthorized account access. Note that two physical security keys are required when using this feature as there needs to be a backup in case one is lost. Losing a security key would revoke access to an ‌Apple ID‌, as Apple cannot override the protection.

In addition to Security Keys, the beta also adds more instruction for transferring music from an iPhone over to a HomePod using handoff. No other new features have been discovered at this time.

Apple today seeded the second beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming almost a month after the release of the first watchOS 9.3 beta.

To install the new ‌watchOS 9.3 update, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center.

Once installed, ‌watchOS 9.3 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it has to be placed on the charger, and it will need to be in range of the ‌‌iPhone‌‌ it is paired with.

We don't yet know what's included in the watchOS 9.3 update, and no new features were discovered in the first beta. We'll update this article should anything new show up in the second beta.

Apple today highlighted the success of its services in 2022, including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, Apple Maps, Apple Pay, Apple Card, Apple Podcasts, iCloud, and others.

One notable statistic shared by Apple is that App Store developers have earned more than $320 billion since 2008. Meanwhile, Apple Fitness+ now has 3,500 workouts and meditations available in its library and Apple Music has over 100 million songs. More highlights are available on the Apple Newsroom website.

The press release includes a letter from Apple's services chief Eddy Cue, who reflected on a "groundbreaking year for entertainment."

2022 was a groundbreaking year for entertainment. At some point over the past year, you probably discovered a new app, a new song, a new TV show or movie, or game. An experience that made you laugh, taught you something new, or helped you see the world in a new way — and moved you to share it with others.

It's remarkable how much great content is at our fingertips; that's a testament to the extraordinary work of creators worldwide. Never before have we enjoyed instant access to more cinematic original series, more engaging films, more global music, more creative apps, more essential journalism, and more immersive games and sports — no matter where you are, across all your favorite devices.

At Apple, we have the privilege of partnering with creators of all kinds, while building products and services that enable even more creativity. Our mission has always been to enrich people's lives and to leave the world better than we found it, and we know that takes more than technical skill. It requires leading with our values in everything we do. We believe that our products and services should be made for everyone. We believe that privacy is a fundamental human right, and that our highest obligation to our customers is security. We believe that a culture where everybody belongs can drive innovation, and that we must stand up for the change we want to see in the world.

When we started Apple TV+ a few years ago, we did so to tell stories that reflect our broader humanity. And whether it was CODA winning the Oscar for Best Picture or Ted Lasso winning back-to-back Emmys for Best Comedy, we have seen, in so many ways, the validation of this kind of storytelling and the strong desire for more of it.

And believe me: There's much more to come. Moments to anticipate, enjoy, and reflect upon. Moments that will have us jumping up with excitement or at the edge of our seats, or that make us want to get up and dance. Moments that can create lasting memories and bring us closer to one another.

Last week marked my 34th anniversary at Apple, and I've never been more excited about what's ahead. This new year of Apple services will be our most exciting yet — and we can't wait to share it with you.

The press release comes one day after it was reported that Apple's vice president of services Peter Stern plans to depart the company at the end of January. Stern, a former Time Warner Cable executive, joined Apple in 2016 and was considered to be a candidate to succeed Cue as the company's services chief in the future. Apple has shared a similar press release highlighting its services in January since 2020.