Satechi today announced the launch of new accessories designed for Apple's devices, including a 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger and a Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub.
According to Satechi, the 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger is its most powerful charger to date, offering two USB-C PD 3.1 ports and four USB-C PD 3.0 ports, charging up to six devices at the same time. With power distribution management, the power provided to each port changes depending on the number of devices plugged in.
The PD 3.1 ports can provide up to 140W of power, suitable for Apple's largest 16-inch MacBook Pro model, but the power will vary based on what's being charged.
Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub offers three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports for daisychaining up to six Thunderbolt devices, along with a USB-A port and an upstream Thunderbolt 4 port that supports charging at up to 60W for connected devices.
With Thunderbolt 4 support, the hub offers transfer rates up to 40Gb/s. The three Thunderbolt 4 ports offer 15W charging for smartphones and tablets, along with the aforementioned fast transfer speeds, while the USB-A port supports transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s.
The hub is designed for Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 Macs that run macOS 11 and later, and it is able to support two 4K displays at 60Hz, one 8K display at 30Hz, or one 6K display on M1 and M2 Macs. It ships with a 100W power supply, which Satechi says will provide optimal power efficiency and distribution.
The 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger can be preordered from the Satechi website for $150, though there is a 20 percent "CES20" discount code available. It will begin shipping in the second quarter of 2023.
As a sign-up bonus, customers who open an Apple Card account between December 13 and January 31 via the apple.co/wsj promotional page and subscribe to The Wall Street Journal Digital for one year via subscribe.wsj.com/applecard will receive $55 Daily Cash to offset the full cost of the subscription and sales tax, according to Apple.
Customers must subscribe to The Wall Street Journal Digital within 60 days of the Apple Card account being opened in order to qualify for the $55 Daily Cash, which will be reflected on their Apple Cash balance after the transaction has posted to the account. The subscription plan automatically renews for $38.99 per month after the first year's promotional price until cancelled, so make sure to set a reminder to cancel if necessary.
Launched in 2019, the Apple Card remains available in the U.S. only. Apple's credit card can be managed completely through the Wallet app on the iPhone, with a physical version available for use at stores that do not accept contactless payments. The card has no fees beyond interest and offers up to 3% cashback in the form of Daily Cash.
It's been weeks since we tracked solid discounts on the Apple Watch Series 8, and today Amazon has introduced the first of such deals for 2023. Below you'll find sales on both 41mm and 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 models, as well as a few Apple Watch Ultra markdowns.
Apple Watch Series 8
Starting with the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8, you can get the PRODUCT(RED) Aluminum version for $349.00, down from $399.00. This is a match for the all-time low price on this watch, and it's only available in (PRODUCT)RED as of writing.
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.
Moving to the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 8, you can get (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum for $379.00, down from $429.00. Shipping on this one has been delayed into February, but it is another record low price that you can lock in today.
Lastly, the 45mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 8 is on sale for $479.00, down from $529.00 in a few colors: Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), Midnight, and Silver. This is another best-ever price, and most models are available to ship and deliver this month.
Numerous models of the Apple Watch Ultra have dropped to $749.00 today on Amazon, down from $799.00. This is just about $10 higher compared to the all-time low price we saw during the holidays on the Ultra, so it's a solid second-best price for January.
You'll find sales on Apple Watch Ultra with the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, all with various size options available. The best sale you'll find on any Ultra model this week is $50 off.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a tweet thread today that ongoing delays with development of Apple's mixed-reality headset have likely pushed mass shipment of the device back to the end of the second quarter or into the third quarter of this year.
As a result, Apple probably will not hold a January event to introduce the device as Kuo had predicted last June. Kuo now believes it is "more likely" the headset will be introduced at a spring media event or at WWDC in June.
(2/3) As a result, it is increasingly unlikely that Apple will hold a media event for the new device in January. At this point, it seems more likely that Apple will announce the AR/MR headset at a spring media event or WWDC based on the current development progress.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) January 6, 2023
Kuo says the development delays with the headset currently stem from "issues with mechanical drop testing and the availability of software development tools."
An extensive report from The Information earlier this week detailed a long list of features for the long-rumored device, including a Digital Crown-like dial for transitioning between virtual and physical view modes and potentially a waist-mounted battery pack.
The AirPods have been around since 2016, and at this point, there have been several iterations along with the launch of the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max. With three options available, you might be having some trouble figuring out which you should buy.
This guide walks through the different AirPods models that you can purchase right now, highlighting the similarities and the differences between them to help you pick the best option.
AirPods vs. Sony, Bose and Other Third-Party Options
First off, if you're curious why you should choose AirPods at all when there are so many headphone brands on the market, it's because AirPods offer the best integration with Apple's iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs.
There are features that third-party manufacturers cannot match, such as quick one-tap device pairing, one-tap switching with devices where you're logged in to your Apple ID, Spatial Audio for TV shows, movies, and music, Hey Siri integration, and Find My support for some models. If you have an Apple device, Apple-designed headphones are your best bet.
All AirPods models are wire-free and are designed to connect to your devices using Bluetooth.
Beats Headphones vs. AirPods
Apple owns the Beats by Dre brand, and there are several wireless earbud options that are competitive with AirPods, including the Beats Fit Pro, Beats Studio Buds, and Powerbeats Pro. These earbuds offer many of the same quick pairing and automatic switching features as the AirPods, and could be worth checking out if you prefer the Beats style and fit.
Beats earbuds are more fitness oriented than the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, with the Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats both aimed at those who need a more secure in-ear fit.
In-Ear AirPods vs. Over-Ear AirPods
There are two general types of AirPods, including the over-ear AirPods Max and the in-ear AirPods and AirPods Pro that are smaller and designed to fit in the outer ear. If you're looking for ear cups connected by a headband that are worn over the ears and on the head, the AirPods Max are the only option that Apple offers.
AirPods and AirPods Pro have a similar small earbud-like design, and the difference between them is that the AirPods Pro have silicone ear tips for a better sound seal, while the AirPods do not.
AirPods vs. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max - Noise Canceling
Aside from design, the major difference between the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max is noise cancellation. The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max offer Active Noise Cancellation, and the lower-cost AirPods do not have noise cancelling capabilities.
AirPods 2 and 3 Overview
The first earbuds that Apple came out with were the AirPods, and as of now, there have been three iterations in total. The AirPods 3 are the most recent version, priced at $179, while the AirPods 2 are a prior-generation version available at a more affordable $129 price point.
When you think of AirPods, it's probably the AirPods 2 and 3 models that come to mind, as they feature Apple's tipless in-ear design with longer white stems that come down. Compared to AirPods 2, AirPods 3 feature a Force sensor for more music control gestures, Spatial Audio support with dynamic head tracking, better water resistance, longer battery life, improved sound quality, a better skin detection sensor for improved accuracy when pulling them out of your ears, and a MagSafe charging case (or Lightning, for a $10 discount).
If you can afford it, the AirPods 3 are enough of an upgrade over the AirPods 2 to justify the extra $50, and these are your quintessential earbuds perfect for yourself, kids, giving as gifts, and more. The AirPods were last refreshed in 2021, which was when Apple introduced the third-generation AirPods.
AirPods 3 Key Features:
In-ear design with vent system
Force sensor controls
H1 chip
MagSafe Charging Case with Find My
Spatial audio
Skin detect sensors
5 hours battery with Spatial Audio
24 hours listening time with charging case
IPX4 water/sweat resistance
Dual-beamforming microphones
Bottom Line: The AirPods 3 are Apple's iconic earbuds that have a universal comfortable fit for everyday use when listening to music, making calls, and more. They're simple, affordable, easy to use, and they pair perfectly with Apple devices.
The AirPods 2 are a more affordable version of the AirPods 3 but without MagSafe charging, and neither version of the AirPods feature noise cancellation, so if that's a feature you're looking for, you need to upgrade to AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro Overview
The AirPods Pro are Apple's newest earbuds, refreshed in September 2022. The second-generation AirPods Pro are Apple's in-ear noise cancelling earbuds, offering the ANC capabilities of the AirPods Max in an earbud size similar to the AirPods. Notably, the AirPods Pro have Adaptive Transparency, which lets you hear what's around you while drowning out extra loud sounds like sirens, noisy concerts, and more, which can damage hearing.
As Apple's newest product, the AirPods Pro feature an updated H2 chip with more advanced noise cancellation technologies, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, and longer battery life. If you want small, portable earbuds that have noise cancellation features for everyday use, the AirPods Pro are the way to go. Apple sells the AirPods Pro for $250, a price that includes a MagSafe Charging Case.
Key Features:
In-ear design with silicone ear tips and vent system
Force sensors and touch-based controls
H2 chip
MagSafe Charging Case with Find My
Spatial audio
Skin detect sensors
5.5 hours listening time with Spatial Audio
30 hours listening time with charging case
IPX4 water/sweat resistance
Active Noise Cancellation
Adaptive Transparency
Dual-beamforming microphones
Lanyard loop
Bottom Line: If you want an in-ear form factor with Active Noise Cancellation, the AirPods Pro 2 are the earbuds to pick up. Apple improved ANC this year compared to the original AirPods Pro, plus battery life has increased and there's now a MagSafe charging case that can charge via Lightning, MagSafe charger, Qi charger, or even an Apple Watch charger, so it's super versatile. The AirPods Pro are Apple's best in-ear earbuds.
AirPods Max Overview
The AirPods Max are Apple's first and only Apple-branded headphones that are designed to be worn over the ear. Offering higher quality audio than the AirPods or AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max are on par with over-ear options from companies like Sony and Bose.
The AirPods Max feature Active Noise Cancellation and a Digital Crown for volume adjustment, plus they have the longest battery life of any of the AirPods at 20 hours. There is no charging case, though, so there's no extra battery life. For over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max are comfortable, but some users find them heavy and tight on the head, and they are not as universally comfortable as the AirPods or AirPods Pro for all people.
Apple has not updated the AirPods Max since 2020, and they are due for a refresh.
Key Features:
Over-ear design with magnetic ear cups
Aluminum build, padded headband
Noise control button, Digital Crown for volume adjustment
Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency
H1 chip
Position and case-detect sensor
Up to 20 hours listening time
Spatial Audio support
Three microphones for voice pickup
Smart Case preserves battery charge
Charges via Lightning
Bottom Line: For those looking for an over-ear headphone solution, the AirPods Max are worth picking up, though it is worth noting that the AirPods Max have not been updated since 2020 and so we could see a refresh soon. AirPods Max are similar to the AirPods Pro with Active Noise Cancellation, but with an over-ear fit. They're much larger than Apple's in-ear options, and have a high-quality aluminum build with comfortable fabric-covered ear cups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AirPods Are Cheapest?
The prior-generation AirPods 2 are Apple's cheapest earbud option at $129, but they can sometimes be found on sale for under $100 from third-party retailers. They have many of the same features as the AirPods 3, but lack the Force sensor for additional gestures, Spatial Audio, and MagSafe charging case. Battery life is also lower.
If you don't need bells or whistles like Spatial Audio, the AirPods 2 can save you some money, but the AirPods 3 offer better sound quality, better voice quality for calls, and they work with Spatial Audio for TV shows, music, and movies.
Which AirPods Have the Best Noise Cancellation?
Both the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods Max have Active Noise Cancellation functionality, but it differs somewhat because the AirPods Max are over-ear headphones and the AirPods Pro are in-ear.
The AirPods Pro 2 are newer and Apple introduced a more advanced Active Noise Cancellation technology. Both work to drown out typical noises that you might want to block like airplane sounds, fans, air conditioners, and road noise, but the AirPods Pro 2 require a good in-ear fit for the best noise cancellation, while the AirPods Max don't need much adjustment as over-ear headphones.
The best ANC is a matter of opinion and it's best to pick based on fit preference. If you want in-ear buds, get the AirPods Pro, but if you prefer larger over-ear headphones, it's best to go with AirPods Max.
Which AirPods Are Most Comfortable?
The AirPods Pro and the AirPods are both regarded as highly comfortable for most people with their ergonomic designs and included vents, but the AirPods Pro may have the edge because of the silicone tips.
Ears are all different, so it may be best to try out the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max in the store to see which is the best for you.
Which AirPods Have the Best Microphone Quality?
If you're getting AirPods primarily for phone calls, microphone quality may be a concern. Both the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro 2 have dual beamforming microphones so you sound clear to the person on the other end of the call, and call quality between the two is similar.
Noise cancelation in the AirPods Pro will block out more sound that you're hearing so you may be able to hear the person on the other end better, and the AirPods Pro have Bluetooth 5.3 vs. Bluetooth 5 for the AirPods 3, so there may be some sound improvements because of that. For the best possible sound quality, the most recent AirPods Pro 2 are ideal.
As for the AirPods Max, they have three microphones that are used for voice pickup, including two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and then one additional microphone. There are also multiple microphones for Active Noise Cancellation, so you can count on high quality sound for phone calls.
Which AirPods Have the Most Features?
The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple's newest AirPods and they have the most advanced feature set. There's next-generation Active Noise Cancellation technology, Adaptive Transparency for drowning out loud noises like sirens and construction work, a lanyard loop, a case with built-in speakers for locating them via Find My, and more.
If you want the newest and best AirPods, it's the AirPods Pro you're looking for. The AirPods were last updated in October 2021 and the AirPods Max haven't been updated since their December 2020 launch. We are expecting an AirPods Max update at some point in 2023 or 2024, which prospective buyers should be aware of.
Read More
We have dedicated roundups for all of the AirPods options, which go into much more detail on all of the available features.
Qualcomm today announced plans to bring satellite-based connectivity to next-generation Android smartphones, giving smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Google a way to compete with the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that Apple rolled out alongside the iPhone 14 models.
Snapdragon Satellite is a two-way satellite-based messaging solution provided through satellite company Iridium. Qualcomm says support for messaging using satellite connectivity will be built into the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, with smartphones that use the technology set to come out starting in the second half of 2023.
Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon Satellite functionality will be used for emergency messages to begin with, similar to Apple's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature that is made available through a partnership with Globalstar. Qualcomm also mentions SMS texting and connectivity in remote, rural, and offshore locations as possible use cases for Snapdragon Satellite, suggesting that it may not be limited to use in emergencies in the future.
While Snapdragon Satellite will launch first in smartphones, Qualcomm says that it can also be used for laptops, tablets, vehicles, and IoT devices, with OEMs and app developers able to differentiate and offer unique branded services that use satellite connectivity.
Snapdragon Satellite will use the Iridium satellite constellation, which uses L-band spectrum that Iridium says is "more resilient to weather" than frequencies used by other networks. Android smartphones that adopt Snapdragon Satellite will still need a clear view of the sky to function, and messages can be sent in as little as 10 seconds with a solid connection.
In addition to working with Iridium, Qualcomm also plans to partner with Garmin to provide emergency response services for users. There is no word yet on how Iridium, Qualcomm, and Android smartphone makers plan to charge customers for satellite access.
The multi-day Consumer Electronics Show is continuing on this week and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera is in Las Vegas to check out all of the new products. Our day 2 roundup features new hardware from Dyson and LG, along with a handful of new Apple products shown off at the Pepcom event.
LG has a fancy new 97-inch TV that uses "zero connect" technology for wireless audio and video transmission. It only needs to be plugged into the wall, with all of the other components like set-top boxes, sound bars, and more able to be located elsewhere and transmitted to the TV wirelessly.
Dyson was showing off its $949 Dyson Zone headphones and personal air purifier, which looks absolutely ridiculous but offers great noise cancellation technology. The air purification visor is detachable and connects to the headphones via magnets, and Dyson intends for it to be used in situations where there's poor air quality, or a lot of crowds, like a subway.
Ember has a new mug with Find My support for tracking the cup down if it gets lost or misplaced, OtterBox demoed a portable MagSafe dock for the iPhone and Apple Watch, Eve showed off new roller shades, and OWC demoed the first Thunderbolt 4 dock with integrated power supply.
Today we're tracking a pair of discounts on the 2022 iPad Air, including all-time low prices on a Wi-Fi and a cellular model. These deals can only be found on Amazon, and stock is fluctuating for most of the tablets.
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.
Shoppers should note that for both of these sales, you will not see the correct deal price until you head to the checkout screen. At that point, Amazon will automatically apply the appropriate coupon so you can get these best-ever prices.
Starting with the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad Air, this model is back down to $499.99 at checkout, down from $599.00. This one is only available in Purple and Blue, and it's a match for the all-time low price on these colors.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
Next is the 64GB cellular iPad Air for $649.99 at checkout, down from $749.00. This one is available in Purple, Blue, and Starlight, and it's another match for the best-ever prices seen on these colors last year.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
Smart home accessory maker Aqara today announced several new devices with support for features like HomeKit Secure Video and Home Key in Apple Wallet.
The Video Doorbell G4 is compatible with HomeKit Secure Video and local streaming to Amazon and Google smart displays, and will work with Matter after the specification is officially ready for cameras. The doorbell features local AI facial recognition, which can trigger specific automations, and optional local storage via a microSD card slot. It can be battery-powered or wired for continuous power.
The Smart Lock U100 is Aqara's first deadbolt lock and supports HomeKit and the Home Key feature in the Apple Wallet app on iPhones and Apple Watches. Other than Home Key, users can also authenticate using the built-in fingerprint scanner, a numerical password, the Aqara app, and NFC cards, as well as a mechanical key. It uses the Zigbee protocol and supports Matter.
Alongside the Video Doorbell G4 and Smart Lock U100, the company also today announced the Presence Sensor FP2 and the LED Strip T1 with HomeKit and Matter support.
With the introduction of an always-on display in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, many users have wondered how much impact the feature has on battery life. A new video takes a careful look at just how much battery drain there is with the always-on display and whether turning off the wallpaper reduces that drain.
At launch, users were unable to customize different aspects of the always-on display, but as of the iOS 16.2 update released last month, Apple has given users options to enable or disable the wallpaper and notifications while the Lock Screen is dimmed.
By disabling the wallpaper, the always-on display is black other than for the clock, date, any widgets you have set up on your iOS lock screen, and recent notifications, if enabled. YouTuber PhoneBuff tested whether or not enabling or disabling the wallpaper impacts overall iPhone battery life.
In the test, it was found that by having the wallpaper enabled for the always-on display, an iPhone 14 Pro will drain around 0.8% per hour, compared to 0.6% an hour for the wallpaper disabled on the always-on display.
In the video, PhoneBuff also compared the iPhone 14 Pro's always-on display technology to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. One interesting point found in that comparison was that over time, the Galaxy S22 Ultra would move the clock on the always-on display around, presumably to prevent OLED burn-in from a static image being shown on display for prolonged periods.
On the iPhone, no such thing occurs, as time and all other information stay in place. The iPhone 14 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra drained at the same rate during the test, reaching 84% after 24 hours of the always-on display.
Now that holiday shopping and deal season are over, we haven't seen many all-time low prices on Apple products in a few weeks. There are, however, solid second-best prices available, today including the AirPods 2 for $99.99 on Amazon, down from $129.00.
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.
Shipping is slightly delayed on this pair, but it has improved over the past few days. It's estimated to arrive by the end of the month for all delivery options, with January 27 set as the fastest option.
This model of the AirPods launched in 2019 and comes with the Wired Charging Case. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
At CES in Las Vegas this week, temperature-controlled mug maker Ember said that it plans to release a new Travel Mug 2+ with support for Apple's Find My app in the second quarter of 2023, according to TechCrunch and Engadget.
This new functionality will enable users to track the location of the Travel Mug 2+ in the Find My app in the same way as an iPhone, iPad, AirPods, or another device. The new mug will also have a built-in speaker that can emit a chime to help users find it when it is misplaced. The mug will otherwise have identical features and pricing as the existing Travel Mug 2, which is available for $199.95 in the United States.
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 mug can be connected to an iPhone via Bluetooth and controlled with the Ember app, and the Travel Mug 2 also has built-in touch controls for setting a preferred temperature between 120°F and 145°F.
The new Travel Mug 2+ will eventually replace the existing Travel Mug 2.
Apple today announced that kickboxing is coming to Apple Fitness+ as a new total-body cardio workout type alongside a brand-new Sleep meditation theme, new Artist Spotlights, the fifth season of Time to Walk, and more.
Apple says that kickboxing workouts can help to build full-body fitness, strength, stamina, coordination, and balance. Each workout will involve a distinct round of moves followed by a final round that combines the previous moves. No equipment is required, and workouts will be 10, 20, or 30 minutes long. It will be led by Jamie-Ray Hartshorne and Nez Dally – a new trainer joining the Fitness+ team. Kickboxing will launch on the platform starting on Monday, January 9.
Fitness+ will also launch two new workout Collections, including "6 Weeks to Restart Your Fitness" and "Level Up Your Core Training," on January 9 and January 23. Other than Nez Dally, two other new trainers are also set to join the Fitness+ team, with Brian Cochrane for HIIT and Jenn Lau for Strength.
Sleep joins the nine other themes in the Apple Fitness+ Meditation library, helping users to wind down before bed and drift off to sleep. Users are encouraged to begin with the Introduction to Meditations for Sleep program. New sleep meditations will be added every week.
Artist Spotlight, which dedicates an entire workout playlist to a single artist, will offer seven new workouts featuring Beyoncé and songs from her latest album, "RENAISSANCE." Artist Spotlights on the Foo Fighters will be available from January 16, followed by a spotlight on Bad Bunny from January 23.
The fifth season of Time to Walk will feature guests including Golden Globe-nominated actor Jamie Lee Curtis, late-night talk show host Amber Ruffin, actor and MacRumors fan Jason Segel, Spanish chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, Olympic champion figure skater Nathan Chen, actor and writer Colman Domingo, and German actor Nina Hoss.
While the majority of iOS features are available internationally, there are some that remain exclusive to the United States, such as the Apple Card, Apple Cash, IDs in the Wallet app, Advanced Data Protection, and Clean Energy Charging.
Below, we've provided more details about some iPhone features available in the U.S. only and Apple's future expansion plans if any for the features.
Apple Card
Launched in 2019, the Apple Card remains available in the U.S. only. Apple's credit card can be managed completely through the Wallet app on the iPhone, with a physical version available for use at stores that do not accept contactless payments. The card has no fees beyond interest and offers up to 3% cashback known as Daily Cash.
While there have been clues that the Apple Card might expand to additional countries in the future, such as an Apple Card trademark filing in Canada, Apple has not confirmed any immediate plans to launch the card internationally.
Apple Cash
Apple Cash is a Venmo-like payment feature that allows iPhone users in the U.S. to send, request, and receive money in the Wallet and Messages apps. Users can transfer their Apple Cash balance to a connected bank account.
Apple Cash remains available in the U.S. only and despite clues like a trademark filing in Canada, it is unclear if the feature will expand to other countries.
IDs in Wallet App
In early 2022, Apple started rolling out a feature allowing residents of participating U.S. states to add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age. The features requires iOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.4 or later and is currently available in Arizona, Colorado, and Maryland only, with at least nine more states to follow.
Apple said it was working to offer the ID feature across the U.S. in the future, but the company has yet to announce any plans to expand the feature to other countries, so it's unclear if or when the feature will launch internationally.
Advanced Data Protection
Apple last month introduced an optional Advanced Data Protection feature that expands end-to-end encryption to many additional areas of iCloud when enabled, including iCloud Backups, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Voice Memos, and more. On the iPhone, the feature was introduced with iOS 16.2 for users in the U.S. only and will start rolling out to the "rest of the world" in early 2023, according to Apple.
It's unclear exactly when Advanced Data Protection will be available in additional countries, but given Apple's early 2023 timeframe, it's possible that the feature will be expanded to more iPhone users with iOS 16.3 or iOS 16.4.
Clean Energy Charging
iOS 16.1 introduced a Clean Energy Charging feature that "aims to decrease the carbon footprint of the iPhone by optimizing charging times for when the grid is using cleaner energy sources," according to Apple. When the feature is toggled on, the iPhone will attempt to charge when "lower carbon emission electricity" is available.
Clean Energy Charging is available in the U.S. only, and Apple has not indicated if or when it will be expanded to additional countries.
OWC today announced the Thunderbolt Go Dock, which it claims is the world's first full-featured Thunderbolt dock with a built-in power supply. With support for Thunderbolt 4, the dock is suitable for use with the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Thunderbolt docks typically have a separate power supply, while bus-powered docks that are powered by a Mac or other device they are connected to usually have fewer ports. OWC's new dock aims to solve this problem by offering both a built-in power supply and a plentiful 11 ports, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-C ports, three USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an Ethernet port (2.5 Gbps), an SD card reader, and an audio jack. The dock connects directly to a power outlet with a cord, with no external brick.
The dock is capable of providing up to 90W of pass-through charging to a connected MacBook Pro and is compatible with a wide range of other Apple devices with Thunderbolt or USB-C ports, including the MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and more. The dock can also be used with Chromebooks and other Windows PCs.
Priced at $399, the Thunderbolt Go dock will begin shipping in April. You can enter your email address on OWC's website to be notified when the product is available.
BMW today announced the i Vision Dee electric sport sedan at CES, a concept car seemingly positioned to rival Apple's long-rumored electric vehicle.
The i Vision Dee uses some Amazon voice-recognition technology, but primarily showcases BMW's own software-first approach to next-generation vehicles with features designed to pre-emptively tackle tech companies like Apple that are seemingly on the brink of entering the auto industry. BMW has offered over-the-air software updates for millions of its vehicles since 2019, and going forward, it is says it is focused on data protection, guiding developers, and seamless digital integration.
In the i Vision Dee, drivers can choose from five different levels of information to display using a "Mixed Reality Slider" on the dashboard, including augmented reality directional cues and social media notifications. The entire windshield functions as a large projected display. BMW's next-generation voice assistant, called Dee, can provide driver assistance, recognise the identity of the driver, open the doors automatically, and more.
It also features 240 invidiually-controlled e-ink paintwork segments that can change the car's entire color and display patterns. The i Vision Dee will be available as soon as 2025 as part of the launch of a wider software-led vehicle platform.
Following the announcement, Bloomberg noted how the i Vision Dee appears to be set to rival Apple's future electric vehicle and could offer tangible signs of the sort of features to expect from it when it is finally announced.
There have been hundreds of insightful reports about Apple's car plans, but the latest information from Bloomberg claims that the company recently scaled back its initial plans and dropped its proposed $120,000 price point, eliminating ambitions for a full self-driving vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, and an interior design focused on communal seating.
Now, the car is expected to have a much more conventional design with limited self-driving capabilities, for a price under $100,000. This could position Apple's electric vehicle as a much more direct competitor to the likes of Tesla's Model S than previously thought.
The car is now expected to launch in 2026, but it could be announced sometime in 2025, especially as it will need to undergo regulatory approval and widespread testing for some time ahead of its public release to consumers.
Apple has now launched Apple Books digital narration, offering a new way for publishers to automatically generate high-quality AI-narrated audio from written text.
The feature, first announced in December via the Apple Books for Authors webpage, allows publishers on the Apple Books platform to opt-in to have their written books converted into a narrated audio form using AI. Samples of the voices developed specifically for the feature are available on the same webpage.
More and more book lovers are listening to audiobooks, yet only a fraction of books are converted to audio — leaving millions of titles unheard. Many authors — especially independent authors and those associated with small publishers — aren't able to create audiobooks due to the cost and complexity of production. Apple Books digital narration makes the creation of audiobooks more accessible to all, helping you meet the growing demand by making more books available for listeners to enjoy.
Apple Books digital narration brings together advanced speech synthesis technology with important work by teams of linguists, quality control specialists, and audio engineers to produce high-quality audiobooks from an ebook file. Apple has long been on the forefront of innovative speech technology, and has now adapted it for long-form reading, working alongside publishers, authors, and narrators.
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Digitally narrated titles are a valuable complement to professionally narrated audiobooks, and will help bring audio to as many books and as many people as possible. Apple Books remains committed to celebrating and showcasing the magic of human narration and will continue to grow the human-narrated audiobook catalog.
Apple is offering different AI voices for different genres and the feature is only available for some genres at this time, but more will be added in the future. Apple says that it can take up to one month for an AI-narrated audiobook to be created and approved, suggesting that there is an element of manual review in the process. Publishers are also free to offer a traditional, human-narrated audiobook alongside the AI-narrated version.
As highlighted by The Guardian, the first AI-narrated audiobooks are now available in Apple Books, highlighted by the tag "Narrated by Apple Books."
At CES this week, AMD announced a suite of new chips for notebooks and desktop computers, with one notable announcement being the company's new AMD Ryzen 7040 series of processors for ultrathin notebooks that will compete with Apple's M1 Pro and M2 chips.
The AMD Ryzen 7040 series of chips are "ultrathin" processors based on the 4nm process, and the highest-end chip part of the family is the Ryzen 9 7940HS. The Ryzen 9 7940HS has eight cores, 16 threads, and 5.2GHz boost speeds. Announcing the new chip, AMD CEO Lisa Su made bold claims about its performance, saying it's up to 30% faster than Apple's M1 Pro chip. In specific tasks, AMD claims the chip is 34% faster in multiprocessing workloads than the M1 Pro and 20% faster than the M2 in AI tasks.
One cornerstone of Apple silicon is energy efficiency, and in that area, AMD claims the new AMD Ryzen 7040 series will offer 30+ hours of video playback in ultrathin notebooks. Built directly into the series of chips is Ryzen AI, a dedicated AI engine embedded in the processor. AMD chips configured with Ryzen AI are 20% faster in AI tasks than Apple's M2 chip while being 50% more energy efficient, according to the company.
To showcase the new chip's performance, AMD compared the performance of a high-end Intel chip, the M1 Pro, and its new Ryzen 9 7940HS processor rendering an object in the popular application Blender. In the time-lapsed video shown on stage, the M1 Pro lags behind the Ryzen 9 7940HS in rendering the object. AMD says it made its performance claims against a MacBook Pro with M1 Pro, 32GB of unified memory, and 1TB of SSD storage running macOS Monterey. The M1 Pro is not Apple's highest-end and most powerful chip for laptops, which is the M1 Max, and AMD did not compare its chip to the M1 Max.
It's worth noting that the M1 Pro is over one year old, while AMD's Ryzen 7040 series will start becoming available in commercial laptops in March 2023. In the coming months, rumors suggest Apple will announce its next generation of high-end chips, the M2 Pro and M2 Max, which will build on the performance of the M1 Pro and M1 Max for updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
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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 Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
