Scosche today introduced a second-generation version of its BaseLynx Modular Charging System, which is able to charge multiple Apple devices at once. The updated BaseLynx 2.0 is more compact than its predecessor, and it uses magnetic connectors to snap together.
Available modules include a 2-in-1 Charging Stand with MagSafe for the iPhone and the AirPods, a Magnetic Charger for the Apple Watch, a Vertical Multi-Device Charging Station that can be used with smartphones or tablets, and a Powered End Cap that is equipped with a USB-C port and a 120V outlet.
Multiple modules can be connected together and powered with a single cord, so Apple users can build the setup that works best for them. Scosche plans to sell kits that combine multiple modules as well as individual modules, with prices ranging from $50 to $100 for each module.
Scosche also debuted a range of 7.5W magnetic chargers and mounts, the most interesting of which is the MagicMount MS Hydro, a 24-ounce water bottle that has a built-in MagSafe mount that can hold the iPhone 12 or later. The cap with mount is designed to fit popular water bottle brands and it includes a carrying handle.
Scosche's white BaseLynx 2.0 will be available from Apple starting in Spring 2023, with individual modules available for $50 to $70, and a Pro Kit priced at $250. The Pro Kit will feature the MagSafe 2-in-1 Charging Stand, Apple Watch Charger, Vertical Multi- Device Charger, Powered End Cap with 6 foot power cable, and three braided charging cables.
A black version of the BaseLynx will be available in Summer 2023 from Scosche's website. The MagicMount Hydro will be available in Spring 2023 and it will be priced at $40.
Today we're tracking the best New Year's deals on Apple's iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models from carriers including AT&T, Visible, and Verizon. This also covers a few side offers from these companies, like free AirPods Pro 2 at Visible when purchasing a brand new iPhone 14.
Visible
Starting with Verizon-owned Visible, you can save $15/month for your entire first year of service with the company thanks to their New Year's offer. You'll need to join Visible and bring your own smartphone (via eSIM or pSIM) with an existing number.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
When placing your order for the new Visible plan, you'll also need to enter the code 15OFF12 at the checkout screen. With this discount, you can get the Visible plan for $15/month (regular $30/month) or Visible+ for $30/month (regular $45/month).
This promotion will last for twelve months, after which your service will return to its regular price. You can find more information about the sale on Visible's website, including the type of plans and details of each.
There are a few other offers from Visible going on in the new year, including a gift card worth up to $200 plus free AirPods Pro 2 with select iPhone models. You'll need to join Visible and transfer your number from an eligible carrier to get this deal.
After three full months of service payments, you'll get an email with a code to redeem your free AirPods Pro 2 and virtual gift card. You can browse the list of compatible smartphones on Visible, including the iPhone 14 Pro, Pro Max, Plus, and more.
AT&T
Holiday deals have carried over into 2023 at other carriers as well, with AT&T still offering up to $1,000 off the iPhone 14 Pro with eligible trade-in on select installment plans. This also works for the iPhone 14 Pro Max; you can get the iPhone 14 at no cost or the iPhone 14 Plus for $5/month as well.
In terms of trade-ins, you can get up to $1,000 bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $230 or higher, up to $800 bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $130 to $229, and up to $350 bill credits with smartphone trade-in value of $34 to $129. These credits start within three bill cycles after trade-in is completed.
Verizon
Similarly, Verizon is still hosting its "Welcome Unlimited" holiday deal, where you can get $25/line per month for four lines when signing up for Verizon Unlimited, with this price guaranteed to be locked in for three years. You'll need to add four new smartphone lines and a $180 credit will be applied per smartphone over 36 months.
Otherwise, you'll find Verizon matching AT&T's iPhone 14 deals. You can save up to $1,000 when you trade in an older smartphone and purchase any iPhone 14 device on a Verizon Unlimited plan. If you're buying two, you can buy one iPhone and get another at up to $800 off as well.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
Plugable today unveiled a new Thunderbolt 4 dock that is ideal for use with the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. The dock features 16 ports and will be available to purchase for $299 on Amazon starting January 17.
The dock is equipped with six USB-A ports (three 10 Gbps, two 5 Gbps, and one 480 Mbps), two USB-C ports (one 10 Gbps and one that provides up to 100W of charging to a MacBook Pro or other device connected), two HDMI ports, two DisplayPorts, an Ethernet port (2.5 Gbps), SD and microSD card readers (UHS-II), and an audio in/out jack. The dock has a separate power supply and connects to a MacBook Pro with a Thunderbolt 4 cable.
The dock can be used to connect up to two 4K displays at 60Hz to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
A variety of brands have released Thunderbolt 4 docks for the Mac over the past few years, including OWC, CalDigit, Belkin, Satechi, and others. The selection of ports and pricing varies for each dock, so it may be worth shopping around.
Plugable also introduced an 11-in-1 USB-C hub, available now for $79 on Amazon. The hub can be used with the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and other Apple devices equipped with USB-C ports. Plugable will showcase both the Thunderbolt 4 dock and USB-C hub at the CES 2023 event Pepcom in Las Vegas later today.
Eve Systems today announced that Eve Door and Window, Eve Energy, and Eve Motion accessories with built-in Matter certification will be available for purchase in March 2023. The accessories will work with Matter out of the box, with no firmware updates required.
To be clear, Eve Systems has already rolled out Matter support for these devices, but if the accessories are purchased now, an update is required to add the Matter integration. Starting in March, Matter will be available out of the box.
Matter-compatible smart home products are able to work with HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings thanks to the unified Matter technology.
Eve today also announced that it is adding Eve MotionBlinds for Honeycomb and Venetian blinds from Coulisse, allowing for more HomeKit-enabled design options. Eve MotionBlinds are also set to get Matter integration later in the quarter.
The new Matter-certified Eve Door and Window, Eve Energy, and Eve Motion will be available from the Eve website and from Amazon on March 28.
Belkin, known for its accessories created for Apple devices, today announced plans to revamp its product lineup with more environmentally friendly materials. Several power banks, wireless chargers, and wall chargers will be updated with plastic-free packaging and will be constructed from 73 to 75 percent post-consumer recycled plastics (PCR).
The change will save approximately 7,000 metric tons of carbon emissions and will reduce CO2-eq emissions for included products by up to 67 percent. Belkin plans to update some of its most popular products first, including a selection of wall chargers.
BOOST↑CHARGE Magnetic Wireless Car Charger 10W
BOOST↑CHARGE USB-C PD 3.0 PPS Wall Charger 25W
BOOST↑CHARGE Dual USB-C PD Wall Charger 40W
BOOST↑CHARGE PRO 4-Port GaN Charger 108W
BOOST↑CHARGE PRO Dual USB-C(R) GaN Wall Charger with PPS 45W
BOOST↑CHARGE PRO Dual USB-C(R) GaN Wall Charger with PPS 65W
Belkin is making this change as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. The company is already set to become 100 percent carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, with today's update to PCR materials aimed at reducing scope 3 emissions.
The PCR that Belkin is using will remove plastic waste from landfills, and it will reduce Belkin's dependence on virgin plastics.
"When we think about the difference a company of our size and influence can make on the planet, moving away from using virgin plastics in our products is an obvious decision," said Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin. "I am proud to work alongside the teams that made this shared vision a reality. Their dedication to doing the right thing inspires me and together, we will continue to work towards a more sustainable future."
MacRumors was able to see Belkin's new PCR products and there is virtually no difference between the updated accessories and the existing accessories, so consumers will not be able to tell what's changed by looking at the products themselves. Belkin will denote new PCR products with callouts on the packaging and product pages online.
Belkin will ship the new accessories throughout 2023, and the company has plans to expand the PCR material to additional devices going forward.
Dell is looking to take head-on Apple's $4,999 Pro Display XDR with a new 32-inch 6K UltraSharp display that has a built-in 4K webcam, a variety of ports, and an included stand that rotates, swivels, tilts, and more.
The new "game changer" display was announced this week as part of CES and is the world's first 6K display with IPS Black panel technology, according to Dell. With the new IPS panel, the 32-inch 6K UltraSharp delivers "high contrast and deeper blacks." In actual specs, the display is 6,133 by 3,456 pixels with 223 PPI (pixels-per-inch), slightly higher than Apple's Pro Display XDR. The Pro Display XDR is 6,016 by 3,384 pixels with 218 PPI (pixels-per-inch).
On the back of Dell's 32-inch 6K UltraSharp display, there are a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt 4 with up to 140W of power delivery, USB-A, ethernet, HDMI, and DP 2.1. On the front of the display, there is also access to two USB-C and one USB-A port through a pop-out compartment, providing quicker access to connect accessories and peripherals.
Unlike the Pro Display XDR which does not come with a stand, Dell's display has a built-in stand that can swivel, tilt, rotate, and move the display higher or lower depending on user preference. The display also has a built-in 4K webcam that uses AI to improve image quality and keep users in the frame during video calls.
Dell says the display will be available later this year and has not provided any pricing details for the display. Apple's Pro Display XDR costs $4,999 for the standard texture version and $5,999 for the nano-texture version. The Pro Display XDR's stand must be purchased separately for $999.
Apple has placed orders with display supplier BOE for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus for the second half of 2023, with the supplier potentially overtaking Samsung as the iPhone's largest display provider by 2024.
Writing in his Medium blog, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says BOE has beaten Samsung for orders for the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and that by 2024, BOE will start mass shipments of high-end LTPO displays for the iPhone, making it the largest display supplier.
BOE has beaten Samsung and secured most 2H23 new iPhone 15 and 15 Plus display orders. If development and production proceed smoothly over the next few months, BOE will become the largest display supplier for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, with a market share of around 70% (compared to Samsung's 30%).
BOE is expected to start mass shipments of LTPO displays for high-end iPhones in 2024, with Samsung and LG Display also being suppliers. If BOE can obtain orders for 20–30% of the 2H24 high-end iPhone LTPO displays and maintain a market share of around 70% for 2H24 low-end iPhone displays, then BOE will likely become the largest supplier of displays for the new iPhone in 2H24.
BOE has had unsuccessful attempts in the past to become a more prominent player in Apple's supply chain after reportedly failing product validation tests. Until now, Samsung has been Apple's largest display supplier, including for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, which required more advanced manufacturing thanks to the pill-shaped display cutout.
Throughout 2022, we heard a multitude of reports about an OLED iPad Pro and even an all-new 14.2-inch iPad – but rumors about all of the next-generation iPad models have otherwise been thin on the ground, so can we really expect any new iPad models to launch this year?
2023 appears to be shaping up to be a quiet year for iPad hardware refreshes, and while it is possible we could see some new models, the current picture suggests that new iPads this year are unlikely on the whole. 2024, on the other hand, is looking like it will be a much more significant year for the iPad lineup. Below, we have consolidated all of the latest rumors about each of Apple's upcoming iPad models to get a sense of what may or may not be in store for this year.
11th-Generation iPad: Unlikely
When Apple introduced the 10th-generation iPad last year, it added the device to the lineup above the ninth-generation model from 2021. As a result, Apple currently sells both the ninth- and 10th-generation iPad for $329 and $449, respectively. It appears to be able to do this more easily since the devices are well-differentiated, offering different designs, chips, display sizes, ports, keyboard accessories, and more.
The A15 Bionic chip is the most plausible upgrade for the 11th-generation iPad, since each new entry-level iPad since the eighth-generation model from 2020 has gained a chip that is one generation newer. The 10th-generation iPad features the A14 Bionic chip, so the A15 is the most likely upgrade for the next model – not least because this chip is now widely used across devices like the iPhone SE, iPad mini, and Apple TV.
The entry-level iPad could, perhaps, also benefit from second-generation Apple Pencil support and a newer chip, but it is not immediately clear what else could justify offering a new version of the device this year. Since an 11th-generation iPad would be unlikely to have much new to offer over the 10th-generation model at the current time, a new model anytime soon seems unlikely. There have also been no concrete rumors about the new entry-level iPad as yet.
This year, Apple may be more likely to eliminate the ninth-generation iPad from the lineup and bump the 10th-generation model down in price, rather than release an 11th-generation model.
Seventh-Generation iPad Mini: Possible
Apple launched the sixth-generation iPad mini in September 2021, bringing the first major redesign to the device in its entire history. Like the 11th-generation iPad, a chip upgrade is the most certain feature coming to the next iPad mini – an aspect supported by recent reports.
The iPad mini currently contains the A15 Bionic. While it is slightly downclocked, the A15 Bionic puts the iPad mini on a level footing with the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, third-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation Apple TV 4K. These six devices with the A15 chip are expected to remain on sale throughout 2023, meaning that the chip is likely to remain quite prevalent in Apple's product lineups.
As a result, the current iPad mini will contain relatively modern chip hardware throughout the entirety of this year. With features like second-generation Apple Pencil support and Center Stage, there is no pressing need to update the device this year and it is not clear what a new model could offer.
While Apple updated the iPad mini annually from 2012 to 2016, updates thereafter became more infrequent, with just one minor refresh in March 2019 before 2021's redesign. As a device that now seems to stick around for longer in between updates, a hardware refresh in 2023 is not certain, but the seventh-generation iPad mini is the only iPad model actively rumored to potentially launch this year.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in December that the seventh-generation iPad will begin mass shipments towards the end of 2023 or in the first half of 2024. Most recently, Kuo said mass production is now likely to start in the first quarter of 2024, so while it could still be unveiled this year, 2024 seems most likely. There have been no other concrete rumors about the new iPad mini as yet, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently said that an update this year with a minor "spec bump" is not out of the question.
Sixth-Generation iPad Air: Unlikely
The iPad Air is another device with no solid rumors about its successor. The current model was introduced in March last year, adding the M1 chip, Center Stage on the front-facing camera, a faster USB-C port, and several new color options, but it was overall a minor upgrade over the previous model from September 2020.
As such, as of 2023, it has been some time since the iPad Air had a major hardware refresh. Yet due to its positioning between the entry-level iPad and the iPad Pro, it is not immediately clear what a new iPad Air model could gain without cannibalizing the iPad Pro.
A horizontally oriented front-facing camera, the M2 chip, and a Thunderbolt port are among the potential features for the sixth-generation iPad Air, but little is known about the device at this time. Similar to the iPad mini, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that a minor update this year is possible. While a refresh to add the M2 chip is possible in 2023, it may be more likely that Apple again waits two years to update the device, and targets 2024 for a more worthwhile upgrade.
Seventh-Generation iPad Pro: Very Unlikely
The next-generation iPad Pro models are the most-rumored upcoming iPads. The current 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models were released in October 2022, adding the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover, Smart HDR 4, Wi‑Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 – another minor refresh like the fifth-generation iPad Air.
With the current- and previous-generation iPad Pro models featuring M-series chips, and the 2022 refresh making the leap to the M2 chip, the M3 chip is the most likely chip to be included in the next-generation iPad Pro. The M3 chip is expected to be manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process, bringing the biggest performance and efficiency boost to Apple's chips in several years. The first Apple devices with M3 chips are not likely to appear until the second half of 2023, which seemingly rules out a new iPad Pro anytime soon.
Moreover, the main feature rumored for the next-generation iPad Pro is OLED displays – an upgrade that has been rumored for over a year. Dozens of reports from multiple sources are consistent that iPad Pro models with OLED displays are scheduled to launch in 2024, rather than this year. The OLED displays Apple is planning to use will reportedly be more durable and enable thinner and more lightweight device designs, and they could have slimmer bezels with the display size options increasing from 11- to 11.1-inches and 12.9- to 13-inches.
The iPad Pro has had the same design for four successive generations since 2018, and it looks like the device could finally get a redesign in its next incarnation. It is not entirely clear what the new design could look like, but a thinner and lighter device with a glass back or larger glass Apple logo to enable wireless charging seems plausible based on current rumors. The device could also switch from a default portrait orientation to a landscape design – something seemingly supported by the relocation of the iPad mini's volume buttons and the latest entry-level iPad's landscape front-facing camera.
The iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to move to an iPhone 5C- or MacBook Pro-like design with a flat front and a rounded back, so a design like this for the iPad Pro is also not out of the question.
The one thing that is clear about the next major iPad Pro update according to rumors is that it will not launch in 2023, meaning that any new iPad Pro models this year seem very unlikely. Apple waited over 18 months between the 2021 and 2022 iPad Pros, and if a similar timeline was followed again, the next-generation iPad Pro would launch in May 2024.
14-Inch iPad: Cancelled
A 14.1-inch iPad was previously rumored to launch in in early 2023, but the latest reports suggest such a device is no longer in the works.
While it was initially said to feature a mini-LED display and ProMotion technology, it was later believed to feature an LCD display like the iPad Air. This suggests that it was not an iPad Pro model, but rather an all-new kind of iPad that focused on a large display without advanced features present on the high-end iPad models.
With the cancellation of the 14.1-inch iPad, which was ostensibly the most far developed larger iPad model on account of the corroborated rumors surrounding the device, as well as the only iPad rumored to launch in the first half of the year, it now seems to be the case that any larger iPad models are off the cards for 2023.
Apple could be one of the only major device makers in 2023 to adopt the newer and more advanced 3nm process technology, as Qualcomm and MediaTek are unclear on whether the newer process is worth it.
According to a report by DigiTimes, Qualcomm and MediaTek, two of the largest chip makers, remain unsure on whether they want to follow in Apple's footsteps and start producing 3nm chips in 2023. The chip makers are reportedly undecided given the "unclear sales prospects for Android handsets."
Qualcomm and MediaTek, however, have not yet made a clear decision on whether to join the 3nm camp this year, despite both hoping to keep up with Apple's process upgrade for their flagship mobile SoCs, the sources continued.
The sources stressed that uncertain market outlook for non-Apple handsets and 3nm manufacturing cost already exceeding US$20,000 per wafer are likely to deter both handset AP specialists from launching 3nm SoCs later in the year.
Both Qualcomm and MediaTek are "caught in a dilemma over whether to follow Apple's process upgrade in 2023," the report notes. Qualcomm provides chips for many high-end Android flagships, including Samsung phones. The report notes that Qualcomm may have no choice but to adopt 3nm process technology if Samsung wants to "meet competition from Apple in the flagship handset market."
Apple is widely expected to adopt TSMC's 3nm technology this year, including for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Ultra's A17 Bionic chip. TSMC's mass production of 3nm chips has already started ahead the launch of the first Apple devices that will use the technology later this year.
Withings today announced the U-Scan, a miniaturized health lab that attaches to a toilet bowl and collects urine for home urine screening. Withings says that urine screening can provide an immediate snapshot of the body's balance, and provide useful monitoring and detecting of a "large variety of health information."
Measuring in at 90mm in diameter, the pebble-shaped U-Scan is designed to collect urine through a collection inlet. When the presence of urine is detected through a thermal sensor, a pump is activated that sends the urine to a specific test pod where a chemical reaction is read by an optical module. The U-Scan can channel urine through multiple pods to take several readings at one time. When the measurement is complete, the urine is purged through a waste outlet and the U-Scan is cleaned when the toilet flushes.
The U-Scan is equipped with dozens of miniaturized test pods that can provide various health readings, with the information sent to the Withings app on the iPhone over WiFi. Each cartridge of test pods lasts for three months before it needs to be replaced, and the reader itself is rechargeable. The Withings app is able to provide results, actionable insights, and guidance based on the urine results.
Withings says that the U-Scan can be used by multiple people as it is able to distinguish between users through a Stream ID feature. Sensors in the reader measure multiple variables to identify an individual user's urine stream by determining the movement and distance of the stream.
U-Scan will launch first in Europe with Nutri Balance and Cycle Sync3 cartridges. The Cycle Sync shows menstrual cycle predictions and an ovulation window for women based on hormonal detection, specific gravity, and pH levels, plus it offers a water balance assessment and a protein-vegetable balance reading.
The Nutri Balance offers an analysis of specific gravity, pH, vitamin C, and ketone levels. It is also able to provide fluid and water balance for finding ideal hydration levels and protein-vegetable balance for optimizing nutritional intake.
Withings is launching the U-Scan in Europe in the second quarter of 2023, and it will be priced at 499.95 euros for the reader and one cartridge. U-Scan will be available in the United States following future FDA testing.
Nanoleaf, known for its line of HomeKit-enabled light panels, bulbs, and strips, today announced the launch of several new Matter-compatible accessories that are set to come out in 2023.
The Nanoleaf Skylight modular ceiling fixture is similar to the Nanoleaf wall-mounted panels, but designed for use on the ceiling. Skylight includes square LED panels that can be set to one of 16 million colors and arranged in multiple designs.
Like all Nanoleaf products, the Skylight connects to a smart home setup via WiFi and offers Rhythm Music integration, screen mirroring, light scenes, and group scenes. It supports Matter (and therefore works with HomeKit), plus it works as a Thread Border Router for improving the connectivity of other Thread devices.
Nanoleaf is also launching a 4D TV Smarter Kit that includes a Matter-compatible Lightstrip that can be attached to a TV and a Screen Mirror Camera that detects what's on your TV to match the lights to the content. The Lightstrip has 50 separate addressable zones and comes in two lengths for 55" to 65" TVs and 70" to 80" TVs. The Lightstrip can mirror the TV, and it can also synchronize all of the Nanoleaf lighting products in the room for a comprehensive entertainment experience.
In the near future, Nanoleaf plans to launch Matter-certified Essential Lightstrips and Bulbs (A19, BR30, GU10, and a Recessed Downlight), which will be able to work with HomeKit and other Matter-capable smart home platforms. Nanoleaf's full line of light panels and bars will be Matter upgradeable later in the year, with Nanoleaf providing a software update to add Matter support.
Along with new lighting products, Nanoleaf is working on a Sense+ Controls line that includes a hardwired Smart Light Switch, Wireless Smart Light Switch, and Nala Learning Bridge. These products all include built-in motion and ambient light sensors for creating automations and schedules that match with daily routines.
Sense+ products, which are Thread and Matter-compatible, work with Nanoleaf's Nala Automations Learning Assistant to learn each user's lighting preferences to create personalized automations. Nanoleaf says that Nala will suggest turning lights on and off, adjusting colors, adjusting brightness, and more, based on usage.
All of Nanoleaf's new products are set to launch later this year. Matter-enabled Essentials Bulbs and Lightstrips will come in the first quarter of 2023, while the 4D Smarter Kit will launch in the second quarter of the year. The Skylight and the Sense+ Controls are coming in the third quarter of 2023. More information is available on the Nanoleaf website.
Nvidia today announced the launch of a new "Ultimate" tier for the GeForce NOW cloud gaming service, providing up to 240 fps gaming with servers powered by the GeForce RTX 4080.
The Ultimate tier is priced at $20 per month (or $100 for six months), the same price as the prior plan that allowed gamers to access the GeForce RTX 3080. Full ray tracing and DLSS 3 frame multiplying technology will be available, and Nvidia is introducing Reflex support for reduced latency for those who have a G Sync display. With Nvidia Reflex, GeForce NOW can provide click-to-pixel latency below 40 milliseconds.
Nvidia says that the GeForce NOW RTX 4080 SuperPODs will provide more than 64 teraflops of graphics horsepower to an individual user, which is 5x more than the Xbox Series X. Nvidia is introducing support for ultrawide resolutions, allowing 4K display owners to play games at up to 120 frames per second. GeForce Now users who subscribed to the RTX 3080 tier will be migrated to the Ultimate tier automatically in the first quarter of 2023.
The GeForce RTX 4080 is one of the most powerful GPUs available for purchase, but the $1,200 price makes it inaccessible for many. The GeForce NOW streaming service will allow those who are willing to pay the monthly access fee to play games using servers equipped with the GPU. GeForce NOW includes more than 1,500 game titles, and it is available on Apple's Macs.
OtterBox today announced the upcoming launch of OtterGrip Symmetry Series cases, which offer both MagSafe compatibility and an included grip that doesn't need to be removed for charging.
The OtterGrip cases have an integrated grip that is designed to sit flush with the back of the case when not in use, which allows the case to work with MagSafe charging accessories. With many grip cases and grip accessories like the PopSocket, the grip component does not work with MagSafe because of the thickness, and it needs to be removed when charging.
OtterBox's pop-out grip is made from a soft touch material that fits over the fingers, allowing for a secure grasp on the phone. The case offers OtterBox's 3x MIL STD drop protection, and the built-in grip is able to rotate 360 degrees.
The OtterGrip Symmetry Series cases will be priced at $60, and can be purchased in February 2023.
With the iPhone 15, which we expect to be announced in September, Apple is seemingly looking to bridge the gap between the standard models of its iPhone series and higher-end models, according to recent rumors.
"Seriously concerned" about how certain models of the iPhone 14 lineup are doing, Apple is reportedly looking to reevaluate how it treats the lower-end and higher-end models of this next iPhone series.
Rumors suggest that several features that currently remain exclusive to just the higher-end "Pro" iPhones will expand to all models, and some other newer features will be made available on all models of the iPhone lineup. Below, we've outlined five features you can expect to find on both the standard and higher-end models of the upcoming iPhone 15 series.
Dynamic Island
Dynamic Island is a feature currently on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max that incorporates the new pill-shaped cutout with iOS to show different system alerts, notifications, and more. Dynamic Island is a combination of both hardware and software integration, and it's expected to come to all models of the iPhone 15 series later this year.
New 'State-of-the-Art' Image Sensor
A report in November said Apple will use Sony's upcoming "state-of-the-art" image sensor that produces richer, brighter, and sharper images. The new sensor uses semiconductor architecture that puts photodiodes and transistors in separate layers, allowing for more photodiodes. For example, the new sensor could help with portrait photos and ensure a subject doesn't appear washed out, even with strong backlighting. While we do expect improvements from the sensor to be applied across the lineup, Apple could ultimately decide to keep this as a "Pro" feature.
USB-C
All iPhones since the iPhone 5 have featured a Lightning port, whether they're high-end or standard models of any particular iPhone lineup. With the iPhone 15, that's set to change as a newly passed law in the EU is going to force Apple to transition the iPhone, as well as its other products, to USB-C. The new law will impact all models of the iPhone series, including both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but there's a catch.
While all models of the lineup are expected to feature USB-C, only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which could be called "iPhone 15 Ultra," will benefit from faster transfer speeds. While the Pro models of the lineup will have a USB-C port with at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3, the standard models of the lineup will only have USB 2.0 speeds like the existing Lightning port.
48MP Camera
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max feature a new main camera lens that can take pictures in 48MP quality. With a 48MP sensor, the iPhone 14 Pro series takes images with greater detail than photos taken with the standard 12MP resolution. According to a report, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be gaining this same advanced, high-end camera feature.
Camera features and hardware capabilities have typically been one of the largest differentiators between high-end and standard models of the iPhone lineup. To help further the separation of the models, we're expecting the iPhone 15 Pro to feature a periscope lens, something we don't expect to make its way to the entire lineup.
Faster and More Efficient 5G Modem
All models of the upcoming iPhone 15 series are expected to feature Qualcomm's X70 modem chip, which will offer several improvements to the 5G experience on iPhone. Compared to the X65 chip in the iPhone 14 series, the X70 makes use of artificial intelligence capabilities for faster average speeds, improved coverage, better signal quality, lower latency, and up to 60% improved power.
Intel today announced the launch of its 13th-generation processor lineup, which is headlined by the flagship Intel Core i9-13980HX, a 24-core 5.6GHz laptop chip that Intel says is the "world's fastest mobile processor" in terms of clock speed.
Apple no longer uses Intel chips in its Macs, with the exception of the Mac mini and the yet-to-be-updated Mac Pro with Intel Xeon chips, but Intel is now a direct competitor, supplying processors that compete with Apple's own M-series Apple silicon chips.
Intel claims that the 5.6GHz turbo boost clock speed of the new Core i9 chip is the fastest mobile processor as of December 2022, with 11 percent faster single-thread performance and 49 percent faster multitask performance over the prior-generation Intel Core i9-12900HK chip. The Intel Core i9-13980HX features eight performance cores, 16 efficient cores, and 32 threads, along with support for up to 128GB RAM.
The prior-generation chip outperforms everything but the M1 Ultra on multi-core Geekbench benchmarking tests (barely beating out the M1 Max), but it cannot compare when it comes to power efficiency as Apple silicon chips consume much less energy. The new Intel Core i9-13980HX from Intel will likely be faster than current Apple silicon chips, but designed for performance-focused power-hungry laptops that do not directly compete with Apple's Mac lineup.
It is worth noting that Intel has long offered faster turbo boost clock speeds than Apple silicon chips, as the M2 reaches just 3.5GHz. Intel last year made the same "fastest mobile processor" claims for the Intel Core i9-12900HK, comparing it to the M1 Max, but it did get beat by the M1 Ultra that Apple debuted later in the year. Apple is working on M2 Pro, Max, and Ultra chips that could better compete with the 2022 Intel Core i9-13980HX.
Intel today also announced the launch of a suite of more efficient 13th-generation P-series and U-series chips with up to 14 cores that will be available for thinner, lighter laptops.
Next-generation Qi charging technology will incorporate Apple's MagSafe magnetic charging functionality, the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announced today. Qi2 is a new unified wireless charging standard that is built on MagSafe charging technology supplied by Apple.
Qi2 incorporates a Magnetic Power Profile, which means that devices that adopt Qi2 in the future will use the same MagSafe magnetic technology that is available in MagSafe devices created for the iPhone 12 and later.
The WPC says that the Magnetic Power Profile in Qi2 will make sure that phones and other battery-powered mobile products are perfectly aligned with chargers for improved energy efficiency and faster charging. Qi2 will allow for new accessories that would not be chargeable using existing flat surface-to-flat surface devices.
Faster charging will be available for some devices, and the updated standard will also "pave the way for significant future increases in wireless charging speeds."
The Qi2 standard will debut later this year, and it will replace the current Qi standard. Qi2 smartphones and chargers are expected to be available starting in the 2023 holiday season.
Apple shares are down around 4% today, resulting in the company's valuation falling below $2 trillion for the first time since 2021. Apple's stock is at its lowest price since June 2021 as concerns mount about iPhone supply constraints in China and weakening demand for its products due to persistently high inflation and a looming recession.
While the stock market has experienced a broader downturn, the Financial Times today reported that Apple has fared better than some of its peers, losing 27% of its value in the past 12 months, versus a 33% loss for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite as a whole. Apple has reported 14 consecutive quarters of growth, but the company is estimated to report around a 1% drop in revenue in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn has faced iPhone production constraints due to COVID-19-related workplace protests and labor shortages over the past few months, leading to shipping delays for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. However, Foxconn said that its main iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, China was operating at 90% of its peak capacity as of December 30, indicating that the situation is improving.
Nikkei Asia on Monday reported that Apple notified several suppliers to build fewer components for AirPods, the Apple Watch, and MacBooks in the first quarter of 2023 due to weakening demand. Shipments of all of those products and the iPhone are set to decline on a year-over-year basis in 2023, according to research this week from Jeff Pu, an analyst at Hong Kong investment firm Haitong International Securities.
Apple briefly became a $3 trillion company in January 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic fueled strong demand for its products in 2020 and 2021. Apple products were in high demand as more people worked, learned, and connected with others from home.
GE Lighting today announced that it will release its first Cync smart home accessories with support for Matter throughout 2023, starting with the Cync Full Color Direct Connect Smart Bulb and the Cync Indoor Smart Plug.
Unfortunately, GE Lighting said there are no plans for previously produced Cync products to receive retroactive Matter support at this time.
Matter is a connectivity standard that enables smart home accessories to work together seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Apple's HomeKit, Amazon's Alexa, Google's Home, and others. Apple added support for Matter on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV with iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16, and tvOS 16.1 last year, with a HomePod or Apple TV required to control Matter accessories in the Home app or with Siri.
As part of CES 2023 this week, GE Lighting introduced several new Cync products, including the Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Hexagon Panels, Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Neon-Shape Lights, and Cync Dynamic Effects Smart Bulbs. Pricing and availability information is outlined below, with additional details available in GE Lighting's press release.
Cync Dynamic Effects Indoor and Outdoor light strips are available today at Best Buy and Lowe's stores, and bestbuy.com and lowes.com, starting at $89.99. Extensions are also available for purchase. The roll out of the four new Cync Dynamic Effects products will begin March 2023 and prices range from $19.99-199.99.
Cync was previously known as C by GE. The rebrand occurred after GE Lighting was acquired by Savant Systems in 2020.
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