Apple is likely to launch the HomePod mini in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden in the foreseeable future based on Siri language support.
In recent software updates, the HomePod and HomePod mini gained support for Siri in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish. Danish is still not supported on HomePods, but a report earlier this year indicated that the language was being tested.
First released in October 2020, the HomePod mini is currently available in 20 countries and territories, including the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Apple made the HomePod mini available in yellow, orange, and blue last year, alongside space gray and white. In August, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claimed that Apple was considering launching an updated version of the $99 smart speaker in the future, but he did not provide a specific timeframe or details about potential new features.
Less than a week after the launch of the iPhone 14 Plus, yet another report of unexpectedly low sales for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus has emerged, suggesting that Apple may actively reduce stock and orders of components for the devices as soon as this month.
The paywalled report from DigiTimes claims that sales of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are considerably overshadowed by an "enthusiastic" response to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Sources speaking to DigiTimes say that despite differences in sales performance between the Pro and non-Pro iPhone models this year, total iPhone 14 model shipments will likely be around the same as those for the iPhone 13 lineup in the second half of 2021.
If sales of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus "remain flat" in the near term, Apple purportedly may cut orders of parts to make the devices in the second half of October. If Apple cuts orders more aggressively than expected, then the total iPhone 14 lineup shipments by the end of the year may even fall compared to the iPhone 13 series in the same time frame last year. Research indicates that Apple expected to make approximately 90 million new iPhones overall in the second half of 2022, but this could fall to 80 million units due to "sluggish demand."
The information mirrors multiple other reports that suggest the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have not met Apple's sales expectations. Shortly after launch, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that demand for the two devices is "lackluster," with worse pre-order results than the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 mini. He went as far as to claim that "Apple's product segmentation strategy for standard models fails this year" and Apple is believed to have shelved plans to increase production of the two devices. Display analyst Ross Young says panel orders for the iPhone 14 are down 38 percent versus the iPhone 13 at the same time last year, while in the resale market, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are losing their value twice as fast as the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 last year.
On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max reportedly continue to see high demand. Apple is believed to have shifted production away from the non-Pro models to make more iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max devices, as evidenced by increased component shipments.
Microsoft Office will soon officially be renamed "Microsoft 365," in the biggest rebranding of the company's office productivity software in more than 30 years (via The Verge).
You may have heard of Microsoft 365 already – that's because Microsoft renamed Office 365 subscriptions to Microsoft 365 two years ago.
But in the coming months, Office.com, the Office mobile app, and the Office app for Windows will all share the name of a new Microsoft 365 app, "with a new icon, a new look, and even more features," according to a company FAQ.
As part of the rebrand, traditional Office apps like Excel, Outlook, Word, and Powerpoint will all come under the Microsoft 365 umbrella, rather than be referred to as part of Microsoft Office.
For Apple device owners, the name change will likely be seen first in the Office iOS app. The Microsoft 365 mobile app replacing it will include a new apps module for commonly used cloud-based 365 tools, a central content hub and workflow feed, and a new tagging system for organizing content.
Perhaps somewhat confusingly however, Office 2021 for Windows and Mac will continue to be offered as a one-time purchase under the same name for the foreseeable future, as will Office LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel), even though Microsoft Office is now essentially a legacy brand.
Microsoft says changes will begin rolling out for Office.com in November 2022, and then changes will begin rolling out for the Office app on Windows and the Office mobile app in January 2023.
1Password on Apple Watch gives users customizable access to "nearly anything" in their 1Password account, even when they don't have their iPhone or an internet connection, according to the developers. The rebuilt app also brings full support for watch face complications. From the AgileBits blog post:
1Password now offers complications you can configure for quick access to nearly any kind of information from your 1Password account. Need to keep your booking code handy while traveling? Add it as a complication to your current watch face so you can get to it in a single tap. Always logging into a particular account for work that needs a two-factor code? Pin it to your watch face for at-a-glance access.
Beyond complications, 1Password for Apple Watch lets users view custom fields (including multi-line notes) and custom item icons. Users can designate individual items in their 1Password account using their iPhone to have them sync securely to Apple Watch.
In addition, 1Password for Apple Watch supports Markdown for notes, as well as the ability to view passwords in Large Type, making them more comfortable to read on a smaller display.
1Password for Apple Watch is bundled with the iOS app, and those who don't have Automatic App Downloads enabled for their watch can install 1Password from the Watch app on their iPhone.
1Password 8 for iOS is available to download on the App Store. A subscription is required, with individual pricing set at $3.99 per month for unlimited access across several platforms, including iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and others. A 30-day free trial is available.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has criticized Apple's pricing strategy by claiming that the tech giant typically "charges as much as it can" for hardware, whereas Meta will take a different approach by selling products like its new $1500 AR/VR headset at a "break even" price point, or in some cases even a loss (via Business Insider).
In a podcast interview following the launch of Meta's new "Quest Pro" headset, Zuckerberg said it's natural for hardware companies to want to make a profit on product sales, but that Apple seeks to charge customers as much as possible. In contrast, Zuckerberg said Meta will take a different route with its portfolio of hardware products, and claimed his company may make no profit from some of its sales and will instead rely on revenue generated by software and services offered in the metaverse.
I think the business model will be disruptive, in that it's typically people build hardware and they try to make a profit off of it, where if you're Apple, you build hardware and you charge as much as you can for it. I do think that having someone come into the space and basically say, "We're going to build the best hardware in the space and we're going to basically sell it at a break-even point and in some cases, maybe even slightly at a loss in order to basically help grow the ecosystem with the business model of basically having the revenue come through software and services", that business strategy I think is aligned with the mission of basically connecting people and having people there because if you want to build a social experience, you have to have the people there.
This week, Meta announced the Quest Pro, its latest AR/VR headset for the so-called "metaverse." At $1500, the Quest Pro is the high-end successor model to the Meta Quest and boasts a more comfortable design, more advanced display technology, and sensors that can read a user's emotions and facial movements, according to Meta. Apple's AR/VR headset is rumored to be announced in January, and you can learn more about it by checking out our AR/VR roundup.
Apple today began offering refurbished Studio Display models in the United States, with the display available at a lower price for the first time since its March 2022 launch.
There are multiple variants of the Studio Display available for purchase, including the base model with tilt-adjustable stand and the model that has nano-texture glass. The base Studio Display is available for $1,359, down from the original price of $1,599. The nano-texture model with tilt adjustable stand is available for $1,609, with the nano-texture add-on meant to minimize glare.
The 27-inch Studio Display features a 5K resolution, 600 nits brightness, True Tone, Wide color support, and more. It is equipped with multiple ports and is compatible with modern Macs.
Studio Display supplies will vary as available models are added to the refurbished store over time, so we could also see discounted height adjustable models in the future.
Apple’s refurbished products are essentially identical to new products and go through Apple’s refurbishment process that includes full functionality testing. Refurbished products are eligible for AppleCare+ and have the same 14-day return period as new Apple devices.
German airline Lufthansa today said that it will not be banning AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers from checked luggage. After receiving guidance from German Aviation Authorities, Lufthansa confirmed that AirTags do not pose a safety risk in luggage because of their low battery and transmission power.
The airline made headlines over the weekend after informing passengers that AirTags would need to be turned off in checked baggage because of guidelines imposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Lufthansa suggested AirTags were subject to the ICAO's dangerous goods regulation because of their transmission function, and that they needed to be "deactivated" during flight as a result.
The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrtbundesamt) confirmed today, that they share our risk assessment, that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety risk. With that these devices are allowed on Lufthansa flights.
— Lufthansa News (@lufthansaNews) October 12, 2022
AirTags are not able to be turned off without taking the battery out of the device, so the only solution would be not to have an activated AirTag in checked luggage. Many Apple users have taken to including AirTags in their bags for tracking purposes, so Lufthansa's stance was a surprise to consumers.
Apple in a statement this week to The New York Times said that AirTags were not dangerous and were in fact "compliant with international airline travel safety regulations for carry-on and checked baggage."
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration also confirmed to The New York Times that AirTags are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage, as are other Bluetooth-based trackers from companies like Tile.
Last month, Zagg's charging brand Mophie released several new charging accessories through both Apple and Zagg's own storefront, and I've spent the past few weeks testing out a couple of the more interesting ones to see how they measure up.
Powerstation 10K Stand With MagSafe
First up is the Powerstation 10K Stand with MagSafe, which combines a solid MagSafe-certified charger with a portable power bank for charging on a desk or on the go.
The Powerstation 10K Stand includes a sturdy metal kickstand that folds flat for travel and storage but also has a significant amount of resistance in the hinge so that it remains stable across a range of opening angles depending on your needs. A rubber pad around the bottom edge of the kickstand keeps the metal from scratching your desk or other surfaces.
As an officially certified MagSafe accessory, the Powerstation 10K Stand can charge your iPhone at up to 15 watts, as opposed to the 7.5-watt limit imposed on non-certified MagSafe-compatible and other Qi wireless chargers. In practice, I found Mophie's charger to be slightly slower than Apple's own MagSafe Charger, but definitely still faster than non-MagSafe wireless chargers.
I found MagSafe charging speeds to be the same regardless of whether the Powerstation 10K Stand was charging in pass-through mode while connected to a power source or unplugged in battery-only mode.
Another convenient feature of the Powerstation 10K Stand is its 20-watt USB-C port, which can be used not only as an input to refill the integrated battery and pass power through to an iPhone on the MagSafe charger but also as an output to charge devices via a cable.
If you're after the fastest charging speeds, you'll want to use that USB-C port with a cable rather than MagSafe, but that obviously means another thing to carry with you.
And while you can charge two devices simultaneously (one wired via the USB-C port and one wireless via MagSafe), it's worth noting that the total output of the charger is limited to 25 watts, so that will be split between the two charging points.
That means if you're trying to charge two iPhones, for example, neither will be able to charge at its 15-watt or 20-watt maximum depending on charging method. But if you're charging an iPhone via MagSafe and a lower-power device like an Apple Watch or AirPods via the USB-C port, for example, you'll still see full-speed charging for the iPhone.
When it comes to the internal battery in the Powerstation 10K Stand, the "10K" refers to its capacity of 10,000 mAh. That should in theory be able to fully recharge an iPhone 14 Pro Max's 4,323 mAh battery more than twice, though you won't see that level of performance in real-world use due to some of the inefficiencies of wired and especially wireless charging.
In my testing, I was able to get about 1.2 charges for my iPhone 14 Pro Max out of the battery when charging via MagSafe, so that's definitely a significant reduction compared to the stated capacity of the battery, but it's still enough for an overnight trip while off the grid, for example.
The Powerstation 10K Stand has one other feature that I likely won't get much use out of but is still worth noting, and that's a standard ¼"-20 tripod socket on the bottom edge for users who might want to rig the accessory up as a more stable mount out in the field or in other situations where simply placing it on a flat surface isn't sufficient.
Overall, the Powerstation 10K Stand with MagSafe is a convenient accessory with a solid build quality, and I've found it works well as a desk stand while also being easy to toss in a computer bag for peace of mind that I'll have some extra power available wherever I am.
The one major downside, however, is its price, which is regularly a fairly hefty $129.95. Fortunately, Zagg is currently running a 30% off sale on its own site that brings the price down to $90.96.
Even so, potential customers might want to look at the Mophie Snap+ Powerstation Stand, which offers a very similar feature set with the exception of official MagSafe support, but at a much lower price point. You'll only get 7.5-watt charging from the magnetic charging pad, but if that's an acceptable trade-off, you can get the Snap+ stand for a regular price of $69.95 or just $48.96 in the current sale.
Speedport 120 4-Port GaN Wall Charger Travel Kit
The second Mophie accessory I've been trying out is the Speedport 120 4-port GaN Wall Charger Travel Kit. The name is a mouthful, but it's a handy kit centered around a four-port USB charger than can deliver up to 120 watts of charging power in a compact package thanks to GaN technology.
It uses a detachable power cable design that frees up outlet space while allowing for flexible placement such as on a desk or nightstand, although that comes at the cost of extra bulk for the cord compared to having prongs integrated directly into the charger.
The charger features three USB-C ports and a USB-A port for flexibility in charging up an array of devices. Two of the USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 watts, while the third USB-C port maxes out at 20 watts and the USB-A port can deliver 12 watts.
Keep in mind that with a total output of 120 watts from the charger, you won't be able to use all of those ports to their maximum simultaneously, but overall it allows for a solid amount of power to charge a full set of devices at reasonably fast speeds.
Also included in the kit is a 1-meter USB-C to Lightning cable and a 1-meter USB-C to USB-C cable. The two USB cables and the power cable all arrive neatly coiled with velcro wraps to hold them together, and the whole setup is packaged in an attractive felt pouch that secures via an elastic loop that hooks over a button.
The pouch is divided into three compartments to house the charger, the power cable, and the USB cables, and it makes for a convenient package to take on the road. While the contents are efficiently packed inside the kit, there's enough extra room that you can fit in an extra cable or two such as an Apple Watch charging cable, so long as you wrap them fairly tightly and they're so long that they take up a lot of space. The elastic closure also helps provide flexibility to keep the pouch closed even with a few extra items inside.
The felt pouch offers a stylish look while also providing protection to both the contents inside it and other items that might be tossed in a larger bag with the kit.
The Speedport 120 4-port GaN Wall Charger Travel Kit is regularly priced at $139.95, which feels a bit on the high side even with the number of ports and overall power output. With Zagg's current sale, however, the 30% discount brings the price down to a more reasonable $97.96.
Note: Zagg provided MacRumors with the Mophie charging accessories for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Zagg. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Google last week unveiled the Pixel Watch, a Wear OS-based smart watch that has a round display and a suite of health tracking features. We picked up a Pixel Watch and thought we'd compare it to Apple's newest flagship wristworn device, the Apple Watch Series 8.
Since the Apple Watch launched in 2015, Apple has not strayed from a rectangular watch face, while other Android manufacturers have toyed with round designs more like traditional watch faces. Google has opted to go with a round design, and the end result is one of the better round smart watches that we've seen.
Unfortunately, there are some thick bezels on the Google Watch because of the round face, but Google has adopted a dark UI that goes a long way toward reducing their obviousness. Apple has cut down on bezel size over the years, so you're getting more display area on the Series 8. The round form factor works well most of the time, but it's not great when notifications are coming in because it's a rectangular notification box attempting to fit in a circular display.
In terms of size, the Pixel Watch is delicate. It's 41mm in diameter, so it feels more petite than the 44mm Apple Watch Series 8. It's more akin to the 41mm Apple Watch, and it's dwarfed by the larger and more feature rich Apple Watch Ultra.
There's a side button and a crown on the Pixel Watch for control purposes, and the buttons are reminiscent of the Apple Watch. The bands are too, with Google coming out with some Sport Band-like straps, among other options. Bands click in like they do on the Apple Watch, with a slide in and twist motion.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Pixel Watch are direct competitors, offering many of the same features. Google has incorporated features from Fitbit, and the Pixel Watch basically does the same thing the Apple Watch does.
It has heart rate tracking, ECG capabilities, and detailed workout tracking with heart rate zones and support for around 40 types of workouts. Emergency SOS is built in, sleep tracking is included, and fall detection is coming later in the year. There is no temperature sensor, a feature new to the Series 8, and while a blood oxygen sensor is included, it is not activated.
Some of the health tracking features do require a Fitbit premium subscription, priced at $10 per month. You'll need to pay this fee if you want options like the traditional Fitbit readiness score. Google does include six months free, but eventually, some features will be locked.
Battery life varies quite a bit on the Pixel Watch. With the always-on display, it drains quickly, plus there's a feature that constantly monitors heart rate that can drop it down. With those options turned off, it can last for up to 24 hours, beating out the Series 8.
All in all, the Pixel Watch is a decent smart watch that could one day inspire Apple to offer another display design. You're obviously not going to want to pick one of these up if you have an iPhone, but Android users have an Apple Watch-like device to choose now.
What do you think of the Pixel Watch? Let us know in the comments.
Apple does not plan to provide recently announced employee perks to workers at a Maryland store who have unionized, reports Bloomberg. Apple this week announced plans to offer employees additional funds for education and new health care features in some states, but unionized employees at the Towson, Maryland Apple Store will not receive these benefits.
Towson workers were told that the store would need to negotiate benefits with Apple through the union, which is something that Apple's head of retail, Deirdre O'Brien, warned employees about in anti-union messaging sent out in May.
"We have a relationship that is based on an open and collaborative and direct engagement," she said at the time. "Which I feel could fundamentally change if a store is represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement."
Despite Apple's efforts, the Towson store unionized in June, becoming the first Apple retail location in the United States to do so. Bloomberg suggests that Apple's decision to withhold perks from the Towson store could dissuade other stores from unionizing, but it could also lead to further worker upset. Other companies like Starbucks that have been fighting unionization have also provided exclusive benefits at non-union stores.
Employees at non-union Apple retail locations are eligible for advanced tuition reimbursement at select colleges, a free Coursera membership, and in Connecticut, New York, Georgia, Washington, and New Jersey, employees have access to a health care plan that waives co-pays for Apple-approved doctors.
Apple has been continually improving benefits for retail workers in an effort to prevent unionization. Apple in February announced more paid sick days, more vacation days, and more parental leave, and in June, the company agreed to make employee schedules more flexible to prevent overworking.
The Towson, Maryland store is represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union and formal negotiations are set to begin with Apple soon.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
If your Apple Card has suddenly stopped working, you are not alone. Apple's system status page indicates there is an issue that has resulted in some Apple Card users receiving a "this card cannot be used" error in the Wallet app since early Tuesday.
Apple says affected users should tap the "Remove Card" option and then re-add the Apple Card to the Wallet app by tapping the plus sign in the top-right corner, choosing Previous Cards, and following the on-screen instructions. Apple says transaction history will reappear after the card is re-added, suggesting this an annoying but harmless glitch.
It's unclear how widespread the issue is or if only certain iOS versions are affected. Apple did not share any additional details.
Launched in 2019, the Apple Card remains exclusive to the United States. 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.
Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming watchOS 9.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming one week after Apple released the fourth watchOS 9.1 beta.
To install watchOS 9.1, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 9.1 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 must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
We don't yet know what's included in the watchOS 9.1 update as no new features have been found in the betas, but watchOS 9 brought a number of changes including a redesigned Compass app, a new medication tracking feature, updated watch faces, improvements to Workouts, new features for the ECG app, and more.
While it looks increasingly likely that Apple will not be holding an October event this year, the company still has a lot on its agenda this month, with multiple new product launches and software releases expected over the coming weeks.
With the iPhone 14 Plus launch in the rearview mirror, we have recapped what else to expect from Apple through the remainder of October below.
iPadOS 16 With Stage Manager
Apple said iPadOS 16 will be released in October, and while the company did not provide a specific day of the month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the software update is on track to be released during the week of Monday, October 24.
Stage Manager was initially exclusive to iPad Pro and iPad Air models with the M1 chip, but Apple recently expanded the feature to older iPad Pro models with A12X and A12Z chips released in 2018 and 2020. The feature lacks external display support on the older models, which limits the feature to four apps on the built-in display.
iPadOS 16 is compatible with all iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the fifth-generation iPad mini and later, and the fifth-generation iPad and later.
New iPad Pro
Apple is expected to release updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models this month, with key new features rumored to include the M2 chip and support for MagSafe wireless charging. Given that Apple apparently does not plan to hold an October event this year, the new iPad Pro would likely be announced with an Apple Newsroom press release.
Apple last updated the iPad Pro line in April 2021, with new features including the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G support for cellular models, a brighter display on the 12.9-inch model, and an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Apple's Center Stage feature, which helps keep you within the frame in video apps like FaceTime.
Apple is also expected to update its entry-level iPad this month with a new design consisting of a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, and a flat-edged chassis with a rear camera bump. Other rumored features include an A14 Bionic chip and 5G support for cellular models.
Apple is also expected to release iOS 16.2 before the end of the year, as there are still promised iOS 16 features such as Emergency SOS via Satellite and Apple's new collaborative whiteboard app Freeform that have yet to launch.
macOS Ventura
Apple said macOS Ventura will be released in October, but the company did not provide a specific date. It's likely that macOS Ventura will be released alongside iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 in the final week of October, especially given that macOS Monterey, iOS 15.1, and iPadOS 15.1 were all released on Monday, October 25 last year.
macOS Ventura features its own version of Stage Manager for keeping windows front and center, a redesigned System Settings app, support for using an iPhone as a Mac's webcam, all-new Clock and Weather apps, and more.
New Macs
In late August, Gurman said Apple had been working on new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models with M2 series chips, adding that we were "likely to see at least a pair of those machines about two months from now," which lines up with October. Gurman now believes the new Mac Pro is more likely to launch in 2023, but there is still a possibility of updates to the MacBook Pro and Mac mini alongside macOS Ventura this month.
Back to School promotion in Europe ends soon: Apple's annual Back to School offer ends on October 17 in European countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, so act fast if you are a student interested in up to a £120 or €150 Apple gift card with the purchase of a qualifying new Mac or iPad.
Ask Apple sessions: Apple this week announced Ask Apple, a new series of interactive Q&As and one-on-one consultations that will allow developers to connect directly with Apple employees for insight, support, and feedback. The first Ask Apple sessions will take place on October 17-21.
Earnings report: Apple will announce its fiscal Q4 2022 earnings results on October 27 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Amazon Prime Early Access is coming to a close later today, so we're quickly recapping all of the best Apple deals that are still live on Amazon right now. Shipping may be slightly delayed, but all of the products listed below remain at some of the lowest prices we've ever seen.
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 will need an active Amazon Prime subscription to see these deals. You can get one month of Amazon Prime for free when signing up this week, and afterwards the service will renew at $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Apple TV 4K
Prices on the Apple TV 4K fluctuated numerous times during Prime Early Access, and as things wind down have once again settled on their lowest-ever prices of $104.49 for the 32GB model and $123.49 for the 64GB model.
Although we didn't see many discounts across the AirPods lineup this time around, Amazon did provide solid markdowns on two models. The AirPods 2 are still available for $89.99, down from $129.00, and the AirPods Pro 2 are on sale for $223.24, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked yet on the brand new AirPods Pro 2.
Prior to Prime Early Access we tracked $50 savings on the new Apple Watch Series 8 models, and Amazon kept these deals going during the event. They're all still available on the last day of Prime Early Access, with prices starting at $349.00 for 41mm GPS.
Lastly, we have an Apple-related sale still going on today, with Anker offering several solid markdowns across its best charging accessories. You can save up to 44 percent on USB-C chargers, portable chargers, and more, all of which are listed below. Eufy also has a few deals of its own among its health and security products, including its Smart Scale P2 Pro for $49.99, down from $79.99.
Microsoft today announced that dedicated Apple Music and Apple TV apps will be available on Windows devices next year. The company also announced that iCloud Photos integration is coming to the Photos app on Windows 11 devices later this year.
The standalone Apple Music and Apple TV apps will provide a much improved experience for Windows users who use these services. Currently, Windows users must access the Apple TV+ streaming service on the web at tv.apple.com, while Apple Music is available on the web or within the antiquated iTunes for Windows app. Microsoft said previews of both apps will be available on the Microsoft Store starting later this year.
iCloud Photos integration will allow iPhone users to access all of their photos in the Photos app on Windows 11. Microsoft said users will simply need to download the iCloud for Windows app from the Microsoft Store, enable iCloud Photos syncing, and the photos will appear in the app automatically. iCloud Photos integration is available for Windows Insiders to test starting today and will launch for all Windows 11 users in November.
GRID Studio is known for offering wall art showcasing vintage devices that are an important part of Apple's history. Each device is disassembled and the components are artistically displayed in a frame that can be hung on the wall of any Apple fan.
The first-generation MacBook Air is GRID's first ever disassembled Mac, selling for $699. Prices for GRID's pieces start at $40 for an A-series chip, and the MacBook Air is its most costly frame, but there are all kinds of options priced at around the $200 mark.
The first thing to be aware of with the GRID Studio MacBook Air is just how large it is, with the frame measuring in at 29.9- by 18.5-inches. While the device itself weighs just 3.0 lb (1.36 kg), the large wooden frame adds a considerable amount of weight. The packing parcel is, of course, even larger and heavier, so buyers should be prepared for this upon purchase.
GRID's frames come well-packaged to protect them in transit and are enclosed in thick black paper, finished with a ribbon and a wax seal to make the iconic device within feel truly special. While GRID's products come impressively packaged, I'd warn customers about getting small paper cuts from the packaging – something that has happened to me repeatedly when opening GRID products.
The black wooden frames GRID uses contrast well with the white card upon which the device components are glued and go relatively easily with most interior designs. Unfortunately, the black frames seem to immediately attract quite a lot of fingerprints and dust, but they are mostly easy enough to wipe away with a damp cloth.
The frame contains a pane of transparent plastic rather than glass, and it seems to be thinner than that used in the smaller GRID frames. I would have probably preferred glass, but this would add even more weight. To remove the film protecting the clear plastic, you need to open the frame from behind, which is easy to accomplish, just like any other picture frame. This also enables you to wipe away any excess fingerprints or dust from inside the frame or the components.
The weight of the MacBook Air seems to put a lot of stress on the white card backboard and causes it to flex quite a bit, so care should be taken when opening it. The device's fan had detached inside my frame, but it was easy enough to slot back in place when I opened it up.
The first-generation MacBook Air redefined what could be expected from a laptop's design, and cemented principles that continue to be seen on Apple's laptops today. Steve Jobs introduced the MacBook Air at the 2008 Macworld conference, pulling the device out of a manilla envelope to emphasize its thin design. At the time, it was promoted as the world's thinnest notebook at just 1.9cm thick.
It featured an Intel Merom CPU and GMA GPU, an anti-glare LED backlit display, a full-size Magic Keyboard, and a multi-touch trackpad. It was also Apple's first notebook since the PowerBook 2400c without an optical drive, and the first Mac to be available with an SSD. As such, it is a particularly important piece for Apple enthusiasts with iconic status. The device is now obsolete, so GRID is able to give it a new lease of life by displaying its components in a frame.
Like GRID's other displays, the disassembled MacBook Air's components are methodically laid out inside the frame with printed details. Annotations explain what each of the components are, a bit of the device's history, and provide a quote from Steve Jobs.
The device's components are well organized inside the frame, showing off the main board, hard drive, fan, top and bottom case, and more. I would have preferred further disassembly, such as of the trackpad, keyboard, and display, but I appreciate that there is limited space, even inside a frame this big, and things are still displayed in a visually engaging way.
While the product is costly relative to GRID's other frames at $699, it is currently available for $599 discount for a limited time, and it's worth bearing in mind that the MacBook Air model in the frame originally sold for $1,799.
The device does have some slight wear and tear in places due to its age and because it is used, and I found this most noticeable on the keyboard. Nevertheless, it is clear that GRID has selected devices with only minimal wear, and it seems to be very clean and more than adequate for display.
All in all, the first-generation MacBook Air is a very good addition to GRID's product lineup, elevating the design of one of the most iconic Apple devices. With attention to detail and plenty of nice touches to make the device feel special, GRID's frames are the perfect items for any Apple fan looking to bring some of the company's most well-known designs into their home in a thoughtful way.
How to Buy
GRID Studio's products are available from its website, gridstudio.cc, and the first-generation MacBook Air frame is currently $100 off.
Note: GRID Studio provided MacRumors with a framed MacBook Air (first-generation) for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. Since receiving this review unit, GRID Studio has slightly changed the design of the first-generation MacBook Air frame.
Apple Music is now available on the Microsoft Store for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One, providing subscribers with access to the streaming music service, complete with large album art, full-screen time-synced lyrics, and more. As noted by users on Reddit, music can be played in the background while gaming.
The app is similar to the one available on tvOS for the Apple TV, with a top navigation bar for Listen Now, Browse, Videos, Radio, Library, and Now Playing. Apple Music launched on the PlayStation 5 last year and is also available on select Samsung and LG smart TVs, Roku, Android, Amazon Echo, Sonos, Google Nest, and Windows via iTunes.
Apple Music recently surpassed 100 million songs available, but Apple has not revealed how many subscribers the service has in several years now. Apple Music's largest rival Spotify was already available on Xbox, along with Amazon Music, Deezer, and others.
The Verge's Tom Warren shared a brief preview of the Apple Music app for Xbox:
Apple has reportedly held discussions with media agency and network executives about the prospect of selling ad time on its Apple TV+ streaming service, leading to speculation that an ad-supported tier could eventually be in the offing, possibly as soon as next year.
According to DigiDay, Apple's advertising chief Todd Teresi has led meetings with holding company executives to sell video advertising space, with more discussions reportedly on the cards in 2022. Citing an anonymous source, the report claims Apple has not asked one agency's network to put aside client dollars in the fourth quarter, suggesting the ad time could be available in early 2023.
Apple is aiming to triple its ad revenue from $4 billion per year to double-digit figures by expanding its advertising to more apps and services, and Apple executives clearly see TV+ as having untapped potential.
Currently, Apple's advertising spots are spread over display ads in its News and Stocks apps, as well as for apps in the App Store, across iPhone, iPad and Mac. Apple also already generates revenue on Apple TV+ with commercials during MLB Friday Night Baseball streams, although those spots are sold by MLB. In 2023, it will be the exclusive home of Major League Soccer for the next 10 years, with ad space and sponsorship deals shared by both Apple and MLS.
It's not clear how Apple might intend to inject ads into its $4.99-a-month TV+ streaming service, but it could potentially be a lucrative revenue driver if the company was to follow the lead of Netflix and Disney+ by providing an ad-supported tier.
Apple still has a limited amount of original content compared to other streaming services, and it is unable to draw the same subscriber numbers as Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+. By offering an ad-supported or even free subscription plan, Apple could increase its low audience figures without sacrificing its commitment to premium original programming and movie content.
In May it was reported that Apple's senior vice president of services Eddy Cue had restructured services management with the aim of focusing more on streaming and advertising. As a result, Teresi has taken on more responsibility and has been reporting directly to Cue since the beginning of the year.
With each effort Apple makes to ramp up its sports offerings, another window of opportunity for ad revenue presents itself. Whether the ad sales strategy that evolves from these moves will fundamentally change the perception of TV+ as a privacy-first player in the streaming services market remains to be seen.
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