MacRumors

Popular streaming service Netflix is planning to put an end to password sharing starting in early 2023, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. There have been persistent rumors about the end of password sharing, and Netflix has been exploring methods to crack down on it, but the changes are set to officially go into effect next year.

Netflix has long known that password sharing is a problem affecting its profits, but the uptick in subscriptions in 2020 allowed the company to avoid addressing it. With revenue falling this year and Netflix's first subscriber loss in 10 years, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings decided it was time to act on the issue, which had been put off for too long.

Starting in 2023, Netflix plans to ask people who share accounts with others outside of their household to pay to do so. Netflix has been testing add-on payments for password sharing in some Latin American countries, charging around $3 extra. In these countries, the primary account owner must provide a verification code to anyone outside the household who wants to access the account, with Netflix repeatedly asking for the code until a monthly fee is paid to add non-household subscribers.

A similar tactic could be used in the United States, with Netflix possibly charging just below the cost of its $6.99 ad-supported plan for non-household subscribers who share someone's plan. Netflix wants those who have a shared password to sign up for their own subscription.

Netflix will enforce password sharing rules through IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity. To keep from alienating customers, Netflix may slowly phase out password sharing rather than putting a stop to it all at once. One method Netflix reportedly considered was adding pay-per-view content that could make users not want to share their passwords with people who might rent content, but Netflix ultimately decided against it.

The Netflix terms of service have never allowed for multi-household sharing, but Netflix has looked the other way for so long that implementing fees for offering account access to friends and family could upset some of its subscribers. An estimated 222 million paying households share passwords with an additional 100 million households that Netflix wants to monetize.

Pricing on Netflix plans includes watching on multiple supported devices in addition to affecting streaming quality, but Netflix does not want multiple viewers watching outside of the same household. Netflix's premium plan, for example, allows for Ultra HD 4K streaming and support for watching on four supported devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs at one time, as long as those devices are owned by people in the same household.

In addition to boosting revenue by eliminating password sharing, Netflix has also introduced a more affordable ad-supported tier that is priced at $6.99 per month in the United States.

The Apple Watch Series 3 was originally announced in 2017 and remained in Apple's lineup until earlier this year as a low-cost option. The Series 3's longevity in the lineup sparked jokes and memes, and despite being discontinued earlier this year, the Series 3 remains as a possible holiday shopping option for customers, but you shouldn't buy one.

In Apple's refurbished store, the company still sells the Apple Watch Series 3 with stainless steel cases for $369, $230 cheaper than the original price. The Apple Watch Series 3, in 2022 and onwards, is not a wise buy. The Series 3 no longer receives software updates and has an outdated design, health features, performance, and poor battery life.

At $369, the refurbished Series 3 is more expensive than the recently updated Apple Watch SE, which starts at $249 and has considerably better and more advanced features.

In its refurbished store, the company does sell some more sensible Apple Watch models, including select configurations of the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Series 7. With Christmas just around the corner, refurbished products make for a good last-minute gift if customers are unable to order a brand-new gadget in time or want to save a bit of cash.

With the holidays just around the corner, you may be doing some last-minute shopping, possibly hoping you may be able to order an Apple gadget for a friend or loved one in time for Christmas.

To make Christmas shopping a little easier every year, Apple lists on its website what date you’ll need to order specific products by if you want to receive them before Christmas. Today, December 21, is the deadline for the vast majority of products, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, all Apple Watch models, all iPad models, all Macs, AirPods, HomePod mini, and the latest Apple TV.

Don't lose hope, though! While you may be pushing it if you want certain products delivered in time, you may still be able to find your desired gadget at your local Apple Store and available for pick-up or through a 2-hour delivery courier service. Check your local store's availability on Apple's online store.

Alternatively, you may also be able to find certain Apple products in Apple's refurbished store. Refurbished products from Apple are products that have been used and have been inspected and meet Apple's standards. Refurbished products come at a lower price than brand-new products, offering a nice way to save a bit of cash. Several products are available in the refurbished store, including the new M2 MacBook Air, Apple Watch Series 7, and older ‌iPhone‌ models, like the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 12.

Best Buy has the HomePod mini in every color for $79.99, down from $99.00. We haven't seen this sale since Black Friday, and it'll only be around for one day, ending later tonight around midnight.

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

There are a few ways you can still get the HomePod mini in time for Christmas on Best Buy. You can choose in-store pick-up and see if a local Best Buy has stock, or you can get free two-day shipping with delivery dates estimated for December 23.

Best Buy is also offering a bonus deal on Nanoleaf smart lighting products when purchasing a HomePod mini. You can save $20 on select Nanoleaf packs, including the Nanoleaf Essentials A19 LED Bulbs 3-Pack and Essentials Smart LED Lightstrip. Just add the HomePod mini and one of the Nanoleaf items to your cart to see the discount.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

From the MacBook Pro to the Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and MacBook Air, it can sometimes be exhausting to keep up with each product's latest rumors and leaks for what's coming next.

To help MacRumors readers get a quick digest of everything they need to know, we've consolidated the latest rumors about each Mac product below, including when new models are expected, new features, and more. For more information on each product, check out our dedicated guides.

MacBook Pro

The latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros were announced in October 2021, making them over a year old. The redesigned MacBook Pros were the first high-end Macs from Apple with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. Apple was widely expected to announce updated models this past fall but delayed plans to launch in 2023.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chip options are on track to launch in the early half of 2023. Last year, Apple held an April event to announce the M1 iMac, a new Apple TV, AirTags, and iPad Pros. With an early half of 2023 expectation, Apple could hold another spring event to announce the new MacBook Pros and other new products.

The new MacBook Pros are not expected to feature significant changes, sticking to the design introduced last year. Instead, they'll benefit from the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which will offer higher performance and battery efficiency compared to the current M1 Pro and M1 Max variants.

• 2023 MacBook Pro Guide

iMac

The current iMac was announced in April 2021 with the M1 chip. Thanks to the efficiency of the M1 chip, Apple was able to completely redesign the iMac into a thinner form factor. The current iMac features a thin design with a 24-inch display and comes in various colors with matching accessories.

The 24-inch iMac is the only iMac in Apple's lineup, as the company discontinued the 27-inch and 21.5-inch models. For the next iMac, we aren't expecting any major changes. According to Gurman, a follow-up to the existing 24-inch iMac is in the works but is unlikely to ship until later in 2023 with the M3 chip, which Apple has not yet announced.

The updated iMac is unlikely to feature any major design changes but will benefit from the M3 chip. There are also reports that Apple is working on a higher-end version of the iMac dubbed the "iMac Pro," a name used for a discontinued iMac model. Gurman says Apple remains interested in the more high-end iMac option but that the product has faced delays internally.

• Apple's Next iMac Pro: Everything We Know

Mac mini

The Mac mini is Apple's smallest and most portable Mac, a popular option for customers who enjoy its portability and versatility. The latest Mac mini was one of the first Macs to gain the M1 chip in November 2020, and since then, Apple has not provided Mac mini lovers with a newer model. Countless rumors suggested Apple was working on a redesigned Mac mini, but those plans have since reportedly faded.

According to Gurman, Apple is testing Mac mini models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips for a possible launch sometime in 2023. The updated models are unlikely to feature the rumored redesign and will instead keep the same design as the existing model. The aluminum unibody design of the current Mac mini has been used on every new ‌Mac mini‌ since 2010. Apple continues to sell an Intel-based Mac mini alongside a model with the M1 chip.

• Apple's Next Mac Mini Refresh: Everything We Know

MacBook Air

The M2 MacBook Air is the latest Mac from Apple, announced just this past June. The new MacBook Air has a new design that ditches the wedge-shaped look of previous models for a thin, light form factor. The MacBook Air has a 13-inch display, is powered by the M2 chip, and comes in four distinct colors.

Given that the MacBook Air was announced recently, we aren't expecting a direct successor anytime soon. But we are expecting a new addition to the MacBook Air family in 2023. According to reliable display analyst Ross Young, Apple will announce a MacBook Air with a 15.5-inch display as soon as the spring of next year.

The new MacBook Air is expected to feature the same overall design as the existing 13-inch model, with flat edges, a large Force Touch trackpad, a keyboard with function keys, MagSafe charging port, and more. At 15.5 inches, the upcoming MacBook Air will sit between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and will be the largest ‌MacBook Air‌ to date.

• What's Next for the MacBook Air

Mac Pro

The Mac Pro is the most powerful Mac from Apple. The current Mac Pro is over three years old, making it overdue for an upgrade. The ‌Mac Pro‌ is the only Mac in Apple’s lineup that has not yet transitioned to Apple silicon and is still entirely powered by Intel chips.

Apple has been testing an Apple silicon Mac Pro for some time, but the development of the product has reportedly faced some challenges. According to Gurman, Apple's original plan to offer the upcoming Mac Pro with M2 Ultra and M2 Extreme chips may not go to plan. According to the journalist, Apple has abandoned plans to offer the Mac Pro with the most powerful Apple silicon chip, the M2 Extreme. Instead, the Mac Pro will be offered with only the M2 Ultra chip and have different configurations and the ability for expandability.

An exact timeframe on when to expect the upcoming Mac Pro is not yet known, but it can presumably be expected sometime in 2023.

• Apple's Mac Pro Refresh: What We Know So Far

Mac Studio

The Mac Studio was announced in March 2022 as the highest-end Mac desktop until the Apple silicon Mac Pro arrives. The Mac Studio features a similar concept as the Mac mini, but in a larger form factor with more ports and performance. The current Mac Studio is offered with M1 Max and M1 Ultra chip options. For an update to the Mac Studio, we haven't heard much regarding any significant changes but could see an update with the M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips.

Recently unearthed Geekbench scores and database spottings have revealed Apple is testing the M2 Max chip internally, with what could be an upcoming Mac Studio. If Apple is sticking to an annual update schedule, we'll see a Mac Studio refresh this spring, but that remains to be seen.

Samsung is prioritizing the development of OLED displays that Apple plans to use in upcoming iPad models, according to a report today by The Elec.

According to the report, Samsung has prioritized the development of a particular display type that uses two-stack tandem OLED panels, which is what Apple plans to use in future ‌iPad‌ and Mac models. Prioritization of this display type means the South Korean tech giant will focus less on developing full-cut OLED displays, which use just a single OLED layer, according to The Elec.

Samsung is Apple's main display supplier and has been supplying the company with OLED displays for high-end iPhone models since 2017. Other products, like the iPhone SE, Mac, and ‌iPad‌, still use LCD displays and mini-LED technology on select products.

Apple is expected to release the first OLED iPad Pro in 2024 in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, according to the reliable display analyst Ross Young. Also in 2024, Apple is also rumored to bring OLED display technology to the Mac with a 13-inch MacBook Air.

The iPhone 15 series will continue to feature Qualcomm 5G modems, according to a report today by DigiTimes, as development at Apple on a custom-made chip continues.

Apple is currently developing an in-house 5G modem that aims to replace Qualcomm's Snapdragon 5G chips within the coming years. The report today says that TSMC will be the main supplier of the Qualcomm 5G chip for use in the ‌iPhone 15‌ series, using the 5nm and 4nm process.

The iPhone 14 series includes the Snapdragon X65 modem, which helps improve 5G speeds and battery life. The ‌iPhone 15‌ is rumored to include the more advanced X70 chip, which features artificial intelligence capabilities for faster average speeds, improved coverage, better signal quality, lower latency, and up to 60% improved power efficiency.

Reports initially suggested Apple would make its switch to in-house 5G modems as soon as 2023, but follow-up reports suggested Apple had "failed" on the chip's development and will continue to use Qualcomm modems for the foreseeable future.

Apple will cancel or postpone mass production for the planned 2024 iPhone SE 4, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a series of tweets. Kuo said that he believes Apple will delay or scrap the device due to consistent lower than expected shipments of middle tier and lower-end smartphones like the ‌iPhone SE‌ 3, the iPhone 13 mini, and the iPhone 14 Plus.

Kuo also said that the full screen design that Apple has in mind for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will require higher costs and selling prices, so Apple may need to "reconsider the product positioning and return on investment" for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4. Reducing unnecessary product development costs will also help Apple navigate the "challenges of the global economic recession in 2023," according to Kuo.

Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a new version of the ‌iPhone SE‌, with the device set to launch in 2024. Apple is developing a device that could look similar to the ‌iPhone‌ XR, with an all-display design that does away with the Touch ID Home button and instead adopts either Face ID or a ‌Touch ID‌ power button.

Rumors indicated that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 could have a 6.1-inch LCD or OLED display, along with a notch at the top much like the current ‌iPhone 14‌ models. Apple's plans for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 have not been finalized, and earlier this year, Apple analyst Ross Young said Apple had not decided between an OLED or LCD display for the device.

Apple opted not to offer a 5.4-inch option with the ‌iPhone 14‌ lineup after poor sales of mini-sized ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 models, and rumors have also indicated that the more affordable ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus has seenlower than expected sales. For that reason, Apple could instead focus on its flagship iPhones in 2023 and 2024, pushing development on the ‌iPhone SE‌ line back or going with cheaper components that will allow for a lower price point than the planned design changes.

After the launch of iOS 16.2 on December 13, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.1.2, the previously available version of iOS. With iOS 16.1.2 no longer being signed, it is no longer possible to downgrade to an earlier version of iOS after installing the iOS 16.2 update.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, which means it is not unusual that the updates are no longer being signed.

iOS 16.1.2 was a minor update that added improved compatibility with wireless carriers and crash detection optimizations on iPhone 14 models.

The iOS 16.2 update that replaces it is the biggest update to iOS 16 we've seen yet, with Apple adding the Freeform app, support for Apple Music Sing, expanded iCloud encryption with Advanced Data Protection, and much more, with all of the changes outlined in our dedicated iOS 16.2 guide.

Car manufacturer Tesla last week rolled out a holiday software update that added Apple Music support to Tesla vehicles, so we thought we'd check it out for those who are interested in a hands-on demo of how Apple's streaming music service works on the Tesla platform.

Apple Music support for Tesla cars is something that Tesla owners have long been waiting for, as the electric car company has previously only worked with streaming services like Spotify.

The experience works as you might expect, and the full ‌Apple Music‌ service is available. The navigation experience is superior compared to Spotify, such as options for tapping into songs from a playlist to get to the entire album along with better interface interactions.

Navigation is also straightforward, though it's worth noting that it does not appear that iTunes Match content is available for access. Lossless and Dolby Atmos also do not appear to be available at this time in Teslas, and it is not clear if that functionality is going to be enabled at a later date.

If you're a Tesla owner, you will need the 2022.44.25 Tesla Holiday Update to access ‌Apple Music‌, which has been rolling out over the last seven days.

Major League Soccer today announced its 2023 regular season schedule, with every match to air live in the Apple TV app in over 100 countries, as part of a new 10-year partnership between the league and Apple. A subscription to MLS Season Pass is required for most matches, but Apple TV+ subscribers will be able to watch some matches for free.

MLS Season Pass will be available starting February 1 for $14.99 per month or $99 per season, and Apple TV+ subscribers will be able to subscribe at a discounted price of $12.99 per month and $79 per season, according to Apple. MLS season ticket holders will receive a complimentary subscription to MLS Season Pass as a perk.

Apple says the majority of matches in the 2023 season will be played on Saturdays and select Wednesdays, with 7:30 p.m. local start times. Select matches will also be available on Fox networks in the United States, and on TSN and RDS in Canada.

Apple's press release lists highlights of the 2023 season schedule, including "MLS is Back" opening weekend matches on Saturday, February 25.

The Apple TV app is available on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV box, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Roku and Amazon Fire TV streaming sticks, Roku TVs, and select smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio. Earlier today, it was rumored that the app will also be launching on Android smartphones soon.

Dark Sky, the weather app that Apple purchased in March 2020, is set to shut down on January 1, 2023. Ahead of the planned sunsetting of the app, Apple is reminding users of the closure and has also published a support document highlighting the Dark Sky features that have been integrated into the Weather app to encourage Dark Sky users to transition to the built-in options.

The Dark Sky app functionality was added to the Weather app in iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. Apple has introduced down-to-the minute precipitation forecasts for snow and rain, an hourly forecast for the next 10 days, and weather modules that provide expanded information on humidity, precipitation levels, visibility, wind speed, and more.

There are high-resolution weather maps available, according to Apple, as well as hyperlocal weather forecasts. Apple has been warning of the upcoming Dark Sky shutdown for several months, but information is ramping up now that there are less than two weeks to go before app support ends.

Apple today expanded its self-service repair program to include Mac desktops with Apple silicon, as noted by Jason Snell at Six Colors. Parts, tools, and repair manuals are now available for the iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Studio with the M1 series of chips, and the Studio Display, allowing customers to complete do-it-yourself repairs.

Availability of parts for Mac desktops and the Studio Display is limited to the U.S. for now, despite the program expanding to Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the UK earlier this month. Repair manuals for Mac desktops with Apple silicon and the Studio Display can be found on Apple's website.

Tool kits for Mac desktops and the Studio Display can be rented from Apple's self-service repair store for $49 each and must be returned after seven days.

The program first launched in the U.S. in April, providing customers with access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and manuals to complete do-it-yourself repairs of iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and third-generation iPhone SE models. The program was expanded in August to include MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with the M1 series of chips.

Apple says the program is intended for individuals who are "experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices." For the "vast majority" of customers, Apple says visiting a "professional repair provider" like an Apple Store is a better choice.

Apple plans to make its TV app available for Android smartphones, according to Twitter user ShrimpApplePro, who accurately leaked the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island hardware design and the box for the device. The leaker claims Apple is testing the app internally and plans to release it soon, but they did not provide a specific timeframe.

With the Apple TV app, Android smartphone users would have a more convenient way to access the Apple TV+ streaming service, instead of having to rely on tv.apple.com on the web. The app would also provide Android users with access to MLS Season Pass next year. In the Android ecosystem, the Apple TV app is currently limited to streaming devices powered by the Android TV operating system, including the Chromecast with Google TV.

Other non-Apple devices with the Apple TV app include the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Roku and Amazon Fire TV streaming sticks, Roku TVs, and select smart TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio. The app can be used to stream Apple TV+, buy or rent TV shows and movies from the iTunes Store, and more.

Availability of the Apple TV app on Android smartphones could help to increase Apple TV+ viewership and boost Apple's services revenue.

If you've been on the hunt for one of Apple's iPad or Mac keyboards, Amazon still has numerous models on sale and in stock with Christmas delivery.

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.

iPad Keyboards

Starting with the iPad keyboards, you can get the 11-inch iPad Pro Magic Keyboard for $209.99 in Black, down from $299.00. This remains the best price we've ever tracked on the accessory, which also supports the fourth- and fifth-generation iPad Air.

Secondly, Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has hit the low price of $139.99, down from $199.00 on Amazon. Similar to the 11-inch Magic Keyboard, you can get this the Smart Keyboard Folio delivered by December 24 with the fastest delivery option.

Mac Keyboards

For Mac keyboards, Amazon has the Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad at $99.98, down from $129.00. This is a wireless keyboard and it does not have Touch ID support. Besides Mac, it can be used with iPhone and iPad as well.

If you're looking for a Touch ID model (and don't need a numeric keypad), Amazon has the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID at $137.97, down from $149.00. It can be delivered by December 24 with the fastest shipping option.

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

Apple has released two firmware updates for its AirTag item trackers since November, but at the time the company didn't provide any information on what was changed. Earlier this week, Apple finally updated a support document explaining what's new.

According to Apple, firmware update 2.0.24 allows AirTag owners to use Precision Finding to help locate an unknown AirTag with their iPhone.

Also introduced in update 2.0.24, if a user's iPhone is awake, a new notification alerts them when an AirTag that's been separated from its owner is nearby and emitting a sound to indicate it has been moved. It can then be tracked down by sound or Precision Finding if the feature is available. Apple says that this change will also help if the AirTag sound is hard to hear or if the speaker has been tampered with.

The two features were promised by Apple earlier this year in a bid to prevent AirTags from being used for stalking purposes.

In addition, Apple says the latest firmware update, 2.0.36, resolves an issue with the AirTag accelerometer not activating in certain scenarios. All the features outlined above require iOS 16.2 or later, while the features that use Precision Finding require an iPhone 11 or later models with the U1 Ultra Wideband chip.

It is not possible to force an AirTag update, as it's something that's done over-the-air through a connected iPhone. To make sure the update happens, you can put your AirTag in range of your ‌‌iPhone‌‌, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device. You can check your current AirTag firmware version through the Find My app, with instructions available in our how to.

WhatsApp has rolled out a new group chat feature that lets you undo the "Delete for Me" action, to avoid potentially embarrassing scenarios where you accidentally delete a message only for yourself instead of removing it from the conversation for everyone.

Called "Accidental Delete," the new feature adds a five-second window to let users reverse an unintentional Delete for Me action and completely delete it from the group chat.

Previously, if you accidentally tapped Delete for Me, there was no way to undo it, leaving the message inaccessible to you but freely viewable to everyone else. By introducing a small time window to roll back the action, Accidental Delete aims to help users avoid such situations.

WhatsApp says the new feature is available to all users on Android and iOS.

WhatsApp introduced the ability to delete and revoke messages up to seven minutes after they've been sent in October 2017. WhatsApp later extended the time window in which users can delete a message they already sent to a person or group to over an hour.

Apple plans to begin producing MacBook models in Vietnam for the first time next year, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia.

Citing sources briefed on the matter, the report says that Apple has tapped Foxconn to start making MacBooks in the country as early as around May.

Taiwan's Foxconn was granted a license in January 2021 to construct a $270 million plant in Vietnam for the express purpose of manufacturing MacBooks and iPads.

The new plant, developed by Fukang Technology, will be located in the northern Vietnamese province of Bac Giang. Upon completion, the location is projected to be able to produce eight million laptops and tablets annually.

Apple has been working to add production sites outside of China for all of its major product lines to diversify its supply chain, with Vietnam becoming a major benefactor.

MacBook production has taken longer to transfer due to the complex supply chain involved. Alongside Apple Watch and MacBook production moving to Vietnam, Apple is also said to be potentially moving HomePod production to the country.