Apple has scaled up its orders for iPhone 14 components, in contrast to faltering Android devices, DigiTimes reports.
Ahead of the launch of the iPhone 14 lineup in September, Apple has reportedly increased its component orders from suppliers. This comes in stark contrast to a range of Android brands, which continue to face sluggish sales, according to supply chain sources speaking to DigiTimes.
Apple is believed to be the only smartphone vendor that has sustained stable sales in recent months, with a noticeable year-on-year rise in sales. After cutting initial chip orders for the iPhone 14 models in expectation of falling market demand, good sales performance for the current iPhone lineup encouraged Apple to boost preparations for later this year. This lines up with a report from earlier this month that said Apple's iPhone 14 models are forecasted to sell even better than the iPhone 13 lineup.
iPhone sales normally slow down in the July-August period as customers anticipate the launch of new models in September, but iPhone 13 shipments were reportedly one-third higher this July than at the same time last year, suggesting that the device has ongoing demand. Apple is said to have informed suppliers that the initial sales of the iPhone 14 will be higher than those of the iPhone 13.
Meanwhile, the mid- to low-end of the smartphone market, which is dominated by Android devices, has struggled over the past year as demand has waned. As an indication of this, Android chip supplier MediaTek has reportedly seen its clients cut orders by as much as 30 percent.
Apple is believed to have already begun trial production of the iPhone 14 lineup and plans to begin mass production in August ahead of launch in September.
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will both feature 6GB of RAM and a newer and faster type of memory, according to a report today from DigiTimes.
The report claims that the high-end models of the upcoming iPhone lineup will feature 6GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a faster and more efficient type of memory compared to older standards. Current iPhones feature LPDDR4X, and that's expected to continue to be the case for the standard iPhone 14 models.
Unlike the iPhone 13 series, which starts at 4GB of memory, all models of the iPhone 14 lineup will feature 6GB of RAM. LPDDR5 memory on the higher-end iPhones will mean better and more energy-efficient performance compared to the standard models. The lineup will look as follows:
iPhone 14: 6GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 14 Max: 6GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 14 Pro: 6GB (LPDDR5)
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6GB (LPDDR5)
In a shift from precedent, only the higher-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models are rumored to be powered by the new "A16" chip. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to report on the newer memory standard in March, alongside saying the standard iPhone 14 models will retain the A15 chip.
We're just roughly two months away from when Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 during its annual fall event. Apple is rumored to have a busy fall planned for this year, with new iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods all on the horizon.
The new iPhones are rumored to feature several new features and changes, ranging from significantly improved cameras, to a potential new purple color, a hole-punch and pill-shaped notch replacement, and more. You can learn more about everything we know about the upcoming iPhones with our roundup.
Apple is preparing to launch a rare bundle of discounts for the iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and the iPhone SE in China next week, alongside accessories such as the AirPods and the low-cost Apple Watch.
The promotion will run from July 29 until August 1 and will apply to not only iPhone models but also the third-generation AirPods, the AirPods Pro, and the Apple Watch SE, according to a notice on Apple's website (via Bloomberg). The savings are as follows:
iPhone 13 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro, you can save RMB 600 immediately. iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 mini, you can save RMB 600. iPhone SE (3rd generation) can save RMB 200. iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini, you can save RMB 500 immediately. Save RMB 200 on Apple Watch SE. AirPods Pro can save RMB 250. AirPods (third generation) can save RMB 150.
Apple's footnotes state that only Chinese buyers using certain payment methods at checkout will be eligible for the promotion. Apple is also limiting customers to only two purchases per product category.
A single order must be paid with one of the aforementioned methods, and no other payment methods can be used at the same time. Each customer is limited to 2 pieces per product category (iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods are three different categories), and products that exceed this limit are no longer eligible for immediate discounts (for example: each customer can only buy 2 at a discounted price) an eligible iPhone, regardless of model).
While Apple does often run promotions for certain products, a wide-scale discount on iPhone models is rather rare in China. Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone 14 and new Apple Watch models later this fall.
Apple has detailed which of its products are eligible for upcoming sales tax holidays in select U.S. states, including Arkansas, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Sales tax holidays provide a limited-time opportunity to purchase select Apple products online or in store without paying sales tax. Eligible products and price limits vary from state to state, with complete details outlined on Apple's website. Apple says tax savings may not appear during checkout, but will be reflected on the final receipt.
Depending on the state, eligible Apple products may include Macs, iPads, iPhones, and/or peripherals like the Apple Pencil and Studio Display.
Florida's sales tax holiday begins this Monday and runs through August 7, while many other states offer sales tax holidays in the first week of August. Apple's website provides a complete list of dates for each state's sales tax holiday.
Sales tax holidays are especially beneficial to students, as the tax savings can be combined with Apple's ongoing Back to School promotion, which offers students up to a $150 Apple gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, as well as 20% off AppleCare+ plans. Apple also offers students an educational discount on select purchases.
The upcoming high-end variant of the Apple Watch Series 8 will feature the device's first redesign in years and a new titanium casing, but will not feature the long-rumored squared-off look, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that this year's high-end Apple Watch model will be "a good bit bigger" than the current Apple Watch models, so much so that "it might only appeal to a subset of customers." The device is expected to feature a display that is seven percent larger.
Gurman reaffirmed rumors that the high-end Apple Watch will feature the first new design since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018. It will apparently not be circular, and contrary to reports of a squared-off design, "it also won't have those rumored flat sides." Instead, Gurman described the new design as being "an evolution of the current rectangular shape."
He added that it will have a casing made of "a more durable formulation of titanium to make it extra rugged." The device is also expected to feature longer battery life that could last multiple days on a single charge via a new Low Power Mode, according to Gurman.
The only new health feature expected for the Apple Watch Series 8 is still a body-temperature sensor, with blood-pressure monitoring not expected to arrive until 2025, and blood-glucose monitoring not set to be ready until "nearer to the end of the decade."
Gurman added that "the upcoming Apple Watch release is shaping up to be one of the company's more exciting product launches this year."
The AirPods Pro launched 1,000 days ago today and are the oldest current-generation Apple device still on sale.
Apple announced the AirPods Pro on Monday, October 28, 2019. The earbuds went on sale immediately and orders started arriving to customers on Thursday, October 31.
Apple went on to release the AirPods Max in December 2020 and the third-generation AirPods in October 2021. After the discontinuation of the iPod touch earlier this year, which itself is 1,153 days old today, the AirPods Pro are the oldest current-generation Apple device still on sale, followed by the 2019 Mac Pro, which is 957 days old today.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes have repeatedly said that the AirPods Pro 2 will launch in the second-half of 2022, so the new model is now likely just a matter of months away. According to reports from a range of sources, the AirPods Pro 2 are expected to feature:
It has also been suggested that the AirPods Pro 2 will feature an updated chip, self-adaptive noise cancellation capabilities, heart rate and temperature sensors, hearing aid capabilities, and a USB-C port, but Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have cast doubt over this information.
It seems likely that the AirPods Pro 2's sound-emitting charging case will integrate into the Find My app, similar to how users can currently emit a sound from their individual AirPods inside the case to help find them. This lines up with alleged leaked photos of the next-generation AirPods Pro, which showed a charging case with speaker holes to emit a sound for location tracking, allowing the earbuds and the case to be located separately.
Support for Lossless audio is among the biggest upgrades expected for the AirPods Pro 2 and could have ramifications for the AirPods lineup in the future. All of Apple's current AirPods products, including the third-generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, do not support Lossless audio.
This is because AirPods play audio via Bluetooth, limiting them to the AAC codec. Higher quality Apple Lossless Audio Codec files may need to be streamed to AirPods directly to circumvent Bluetooth and enable a Lossless listening experience, but it is possible that Apple could develop an alternative solution to bypass the current limits of Bluetooth.
Kuo has narrowed down the launch of the AirPods Pro 2 to the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December of the year. This means the AirPods Pro 2 could arrive around three years after their predecessors. For more information, see our detailed AirPods Pro 2 guide.
Earlier this week, Apple agreed to a proposed $50 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging that the butterfly keyboard used in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models is defective, which can result in usability issues.
Image via iFixit
The settlement still needs to receive final court approval. In the meantime, here is everything to know about the agreement as currently proposed.
Eligible Customers
The proposed settlement applies to any U.S. resident who meets all three criteria:
Purchased any MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro equipped with a butterfly keyboard between 2015 and 2019 in the United States (except for resale purposes)
Obtained a qualifying keyboard repair from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider
The repair did not resolve your keyboard issues
The class action lawsuit does not apply to MacBook models sold outside of the United States.
Eligible MacBook Models
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
To identify your Mac, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and click on "About This Mac" in the dropdown menu.
Payout Amounts
Eligible class members may be able to receive a payout of up to $395 from Apple, but it depends on how many people submit a claim and other factors.
Class members who obtained two or more top case replacements from Apple or an Authorized Service Provider within four years after purchase of an eligible MacBook model, based on Apple's records, will be paid automatically without the need to submit a claim, according to the proposed settlement. Apple's payment to each class member in this group is estimated to be between $300 and $395.
Class members who obtained one top case replacement from Apple or an Authorized Service Provider within four years after purchase of an eligible MacBook model, and who attest on a claim form that the repair did not resolve their keyboard issues, are estimated to receive up to $125.
Class members who obtained one or more key cap replacements (but no top case replacements) from Apple or an Authorized Service Provider within four years after purchase of an eligible MacBook model, and who attest that the repair did not resolve their keyboard issues, are estimated to receive up to $50.
If you received a record of the repair from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, it will specify whether you received a top case replacement or a key cap replacement. The top case refers to the component including a MacBook's keyboard, trackpad, glued-in battery, and speakers. Key caps refer to individual keys.
Each of the 12 named plaintiffs/class representatives will receive up to $5,000 as an award for their time and effort, and lawyers will receive up to 30% of the Settlement Fund in attorney fees, according to the proposed settlement.
Settlement payouts are only available to class members who received repairs performed by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The settlement does not provide reimbursement for any repairs completed by unauthorized third-party repair providers or any other out-of-pocket expenses, according to the proposed agreement.
Request for Exclusion
All individuals who fit the description of the proposed class have the right to exclude themselves from the settlement. By excluding yourself from the settlement, you are not eligible to receive a payout as part of the settlement, but retain your individual rights to sue Apple for the same allegations outlined in the class action lawsuit.
Class members will be able to submit a request for exclusion through the forthcoming settlement website or by U.S. mail to the settlement administrator. The deadline for exclusion will be 95 days after preliminary approval of the settlement.
Apple Denies Any Wrongdoing
Despite agreeing to a $50 million settlement, Apple said it denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit, according to the proposed settlement:
Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit, denies that any MacBooks are defective, and denies that Apple did anything improper or unlawful. Apple asserts numerous defenses to the claims in this case. The proposed settlement to resolve this case is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing of any kind by Apple.
Apple nonetheless concluded that a settlement "is in its best interests" to avoid additional time and legal expenses involved with prolonged litigation.
Given the settlement, the court did not decide in favor of Apple or the plaintiffs.
Next Steps
If and when the proposed settlement receives final approval by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a settlement website will be created where class members can file a claim, submit a request for exclusion, and learn additional information.
Apple will provide the settlement administrator with the email addresses of each class member for whom it has an email address on file. The settlement administrator will then notify class members by email in due time. Some class members may also be notified by U.S. mail. If you do not receive a notice but meet the description of the proposed class, it will be possible to submit a claim through the settlement website once live.
A final hearing to decide the fairness of the settlement will be held at least 130 days after preliminary approval of the settlement, so there are likely still several months remaining until things are finalized and payments to class members begin.
Apple's Free Keyboard Service Program
In 2018, Apple launched a Keyboard Service Program after it determined that a "small percentage" of the keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:
Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
Letters or characters do not appear
Key(s) feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner
As part of the worldwide program, Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge, for up to four years after the first retail sale of the affected notebook. However, a problem with the repair program is that Apple replaces the butterfly keyboard with another butterfly keyboard, which means that the same issues may reoccur over time.
Apple says customers who believe their MacBook was affected by this issue and paid to have their keyboard repaired can contact Apple about a refund.
In March 2019, Apple apologized about the matter. "We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry," an Apple spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal. "The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard."
Starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in November 2019, Apple ditched the butterfly keyboard and returned to using a more reliable scissor keyboard. Apple no longer sells any Macs with butterfly keyboards, putting an end to years of complaints.
This week saw Apple news on both the software and hardware fronts, as the company released iOS 15.6, macOS 12.5, and related operating system updates while we also got our first good looks inside the brand-new M2 MacBook Air.
Other Apple news this week included the first major batch of Apple Arcade games leaving the service in the near future, while Jonathan Morrison joined us on this week's episode of "The MacRumors Show" podcast, so read on below for details on these stories and more!
Apple Releases iOS 15.6 With New Live Sports Features and More
Gurman said the new Mac Pro will include "M2 Ultra" and "M2 Extreme" chip options. At present, the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio is Apple's most powerful chip available, featuring a 20-core CPU and up to a 64-core GPU, along with a 32-core Neural Engine for machine learning.
iPhone X vs. iPhone 14 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade
Launched in 2017, the iPhone X was a major evolution of the iPhone, with new features like Face ID, an OLED display, wireless charging, and more.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Apple today replenished its stock of certified refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models in the U.S. for the first time since early April. A variety of storage capacities and color options are available to choose from, with pricing starting at $759.
Apple's online refurbished store currently has refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage, with Gold, Silver, Graphite, and Pacific Blue color options. Orders placed today are estimated for delivery as early as next week, and in-store pickup is also an option at select Apple Store locations.
When the iPhone 12 Pro was first released in October 2020, pricing started at $999, meaning refurbished pricing is around 15% off. Apple stopped selling the iPhone 12 Pro brand new when the iPhone 13 Pro was released last year.
The refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models are all unlocked and SIM-free. All refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a new white box that includes all manuals and a USB-C to Lightning cable. All refurbished iPhones are covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty and are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.
Apple says its refurbished iPhones are thoroughly tested and cleaned, and in our view, they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new iPhones. One of the only notable differences with a certified refurbished iPhone is that it comes in a plainer box.
Key new features of the iPhone 12 Pro compared to the iPhone 11 Pro included a new design with flat edges, the A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, MagSafe, improved durability with the Ceramic Shield front cover, the LiDAR Scanner, and camera improvements.
Apple has yet to begin selling certified refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max models via its U.S. store.
Apple today announced that it has renewed popular Apple TV+ space drama "For All Mankind" for a fourth season. Introduced when Apple TV+ launched in November 2019, "For All Mankind" is one of the longest running Apple TV+ shows.
"For All Mankind" imagines what the world might be like if the global space race had never ended and the space program had remained a priority in the United States. The first season saw a Russian cosmonaut making it to the moon first, devastating morale at NASA and pushing the U.S. to catch up.
The second season jumped forward a decade, picking up in 1983 at the height of the cold war with the United States and USSR fighting over resources available on the moon. Season three introduced another time jump, moving on to the early 1990s with the US and the Soviet Union racing to get to Mars. There is no word yet on what will happen in the fourth season, but filming is set to begin next month.
Apple TV+ is priced at $4.99 per month and it offers dozens of original TV shows and movies.
Apple last week launched a redesigned version of the MacBook Air that's equipped with a next-generation M2 chip. If you own the original M1 MacBook Air and have been thinking about upgrading, or if you're simply new to the MacBook Air and are trying to choose between the two machines, we've done a hands-on comparison video pitting the M2 MacBook Air against the prior-generation M1 MacBook Air.
Most Mac updates are iterative and focus on the internals of the machine, but that's not the case with the M2 MacBook Air. Apple overhauled the entire design, getting rid of the tapered look in favor of a flat-edged shape that's much more similar to the MacBook Pro.
The new MacBook Air is thinner and lighter than the prior-generation version, and it's available in new colors that include Midnight and Starlight. The design is a notable update that's fresher and more modern, plus the display is 100 nits brighter.
The M2 chip has the same 8-core CPU as the M1 chip, but it's just a bit faster and more efficient, plus the base machine has an extra GPU core so GPU performance has been boosted. Both entry-level M1 and M2 machines feature 8GB unified memory and a 256GB SSD, but it's worth noting that the M1 has two 128GB NAND flash chips, while the M2 has just one, which has resulted in slower performance on benchmarks.
While the M1 MacBook Air was limited to two USB-C ports, the M2 MacBook Air adds a MagSafe port to allow for extra port access and a better charging experience. The keyboard and trackpad are largely the same, but Apple did introduce some major changes that make the speakers sound better.
Apple is selling the base M2 MacBook Air for $1,199 and the base M1 MacBook Air for $999, so is the M2 worth the extra money? For most people, yes. The M2 offers faster performance, a larger display, MagSafe, and Apple's latest design, which is worth the $200 premium if you can swing it. If you already have an M1, you should probably wait to upgrade because the M1 still offers stellar performance. Make sure to watch our full video up above to see these two machines side by side, and see our M1 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air guide for a more in-depth comparison.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with ColorWare to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted third-generation AirPods, available in hundreds of unique color combinations.
For those unfamiliar with ColorWare, it is a customization company that's been offering custom painted devices, electronics, and accessories for many years. ColorWare provides unique painting options and skins for everything from consoles to iPhones to earbuds like the AirPods.
Custom-colored third-generation AirPods can be purchased from ColorWare for $319 for just the AirPods, or $369 for the AirPods and the Wireless Charging Case together. There's a premium price tag for ordering from ColorWare, but it's the only way to get AirPods in a color other than white because Apple still doesn't sell alternate color options like black.
ColorWare offers solid and metallic color options, with gloss and matte finishes to top it off. You can get the traditional black, gold, or silver colors to match Apple's devices, but there are also bright shades in every color of the rainbow. If you want AirPods in yellow, orange, teal, green, deep purple, blue, pink, or one of dozens of other colors, ColorWare is the best option.
ColorWare even has an Illusion finish for the AirPods in multi-chrome colors that shift depending on the lighting in the room, plus there's a Retro version designed after classic Macs.
Each AirPod can be custom painted in the same color as the case or you can order the case and the earbuds all in different colors, so there are tons of color combinations to choose from.
Because ColorWare has been offering custom painted devices since 1998, the company has perfected the painting process. ColorWare uses a multi-step coating process that includes a primer, the application of a proprietary color formula, and an X2 liquid plastic coating that protects the color. ColorWare's custom painting is guaranteed for 12 months or 24 months with the purchase of an additional warranty.
ColorWare uses standard AirPods from Apple and paints them, which leaves the full AirPods functionality intact. There's an H1 chip for quick and easy pairing, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, and more.
We have two sets of custom-painted third-generation AirPods and Wireless Charging case to give away, with each winner able to choose the color and finish of their choice. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (July 22) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on July 29. The winners will be chosen randomly on July 29 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
We tracked a few solid deals this week, including all-time low prices on the iPad mini 6, 2021 MacBook Pro, and iPad Air. You'll find these deals, plus a last-minute chance to get 25 percent off Adobe Creative Cloud, all still available to purchase below.
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.
Although Prime Day low prices on the AirPods lineup have expired, Amazon and B&H Photo still have a solid second-best price on the new AirPods 3. You can get this model of AirPods for $159.99, down from $179.00, with better delivery estimates found at B&H Photo this week.
iPad mini 6
What's the deal? Take $99 off cellular iPad mini 6
This week, Amazon introduced a new all-time low price on the cellular models of the iPad mini 6, with the 64GB cellular iPad mini available for $549.99, down from $649.00. This one is still available in three colors today.
On Wednesday we shared a deal on the 2022 iPad Air models, and now we're tracking an even better sale on the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet in Blue. It's available for $549.00, down from $599.00, and in stock right now on Amazon.
13-Inch M2 MacBook Pro
What's the deal? Take $65 off 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro
Expercom restocked the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro this week, offering discounts on a few models as well. The 256GB is available for $1,234.05, down from $1,299.00. You can also get the 512GB 13-inch MacBook Pro for $1,424.05, down from $1,499.00.
14-inch/16-inch MacBook Pro
What's the deal? Take up to $300 off 2021 MacBook Pro
Numerous models of the 2021 MacBook Pro hit new all-time low prices on Amazon this week, with as much as $300 off these notebooks. You can get the 14-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/1TB) for $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00; the 16-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/512GB) for $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00; and the 16-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/1TB) for $2,399.00, down from $2,699.00.
Adobe Creative Cloud
What's the deal? Take 25% off Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan
Adobe is offering 25 percent off the first year of its Creative Cloud All Apps plan for new subscribers, dropping the monthly cost of the service to $39.99, down from $54.99. This sale will end this Sunday, July 24, so be sure to check out Adobe's website if you're interested.
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.
Apple has added a new "Test Alerts" toggle to the Settings app in iOS 15.6 and the third beta of iOS 16. The toggle is visible only on iPhones connected to a U.S. carrier and allows users to enable test emergency alerts from the U.S. government.
Turning on "Test Alerts" enables test emergency alerts to be received on both the iPhone and Apple Watch. The toggle is located in the Settings app under Notifications → Government Alerts and is turned off by default. Apple says the government is responsible for the content and the frequency of the test alerts.
It was already possible to enable test alerts on previous versions of iOS by installing a special profile from Apple or dialing a code in the Phone app. The toggle simply provides users with an easier way to opt in to receive test alerts.
While Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, Samsung is about to unveil a new series of foldables for the third consecutive year at its Unpacked event on August 10. Meanwhile, Samsung's mobile president TM Roh believes that we are already seeing the mainstream acceptance of foldable smartphones play out as consumers switch to the devices in increasing numbers.
In a blog post titled "The Mainstream Moment for Foldable Smartphones is Here," Roh says that nearly 10 million foldable smartphones were shipped worldwide in 2021, a figure that is 300 percent higher than the previous year. "I predict this fast-paced growth will continue," says Roh. "We are reaching the moment where these foldable devices are becoming widespread and staking a bigger claim in the overall smartphone market."
As The Verge notes, Samsung's figures could be slightly inflated: Display analyst Ross Young believes 7.9 million foldables were shipped last year, while IDC believes the actual number to be around the 7.1 million mark. Either way, when you compare it to the 272 million smartphones that Samsung alone shipped in 2021, Roh's figure doesn't sound quite so impressive.
Nevertheless, foldable adoption by consumers is steadily increasing, and Samsung has a clear foothold on the market. According to Young, brand Samsung was on 87.8 percent of all foldable phones shipped in 2021, while Huawei only accounted for 9.3 percent of shipments, with Xiaomi, Royole, and Oppo taking even tinier shares.
According to IDC, overall shipments are expected to reach an estimated 27.6 million in 2025, which makes it seem more likely that Apple's entrance into the foldable market is just a question of when. Indeed, Apple is known to have been working on foldable display technology for some years now, filing multiple patents regarding the technology. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in April that Apple is actively testing a foldable display, although he believes Apple's first foldable device may be a hybrid iPhone and iPad, or simply a foldable iPad.
Young said earlier this year that Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone has been delayed until 2025. The news of the delay reportedly came after discussions with supply chain sources, suggesting that Apple is in no hurry to enter the foldable market. Until then, Samsung will continue to do its best to capture even more of a growing market, beginning with two new Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models which are expected to be released next month.
Apple has added to its list of suppliers for the iPhone 14 series in a bid to avoid potential supply chain shortages when mass production of the devices begins, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a series of tweets, Kuo said components from SG Micro have passed quality certification for the high-end iPhone 14 models, meaning the Chinese company has been greenlighted to supply components for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
SG Micro specializes in integrated circuits, and Apple will use its power management integrated circuitry in the upcoming iPhones. Kuo notes that this is the first time SG Micro has provided components for high-end iPhones, implying that its technical capabilities have reached the "tier-1 level" required for use in premium consumer electronics.
Kuo recently said that some iPhone 14 components such as display panels are facing supply chain issues, but the analyst believes the issues will have a limited impact on upcoming mass production of iPhone 14 models, which are expected to be announced in September.
The lineup is expected to include the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, but there will be no "mini" device this year.
With every iteration of iOS, Apple makes improvements to the built-in Siri voice assistant, and iOS 16 is no exception. Offline support has been expanded, Siri can finally hang up calls, and there's improved guidance on when and where you can access Siri.
This guide outlines everything that's new with Siri in iOS 16, which is available now for all eligible devices, plus it includes details on the updates to Dictation.
Siri
Simpler Shortcuts
Shortcuts activated by Siri no longer require a setup process to use them. When you download and install an app, shortcuts can be activated by Siri right away.
Emoji in Texts
When you're sending a message using Siri, you can ask Siri to insert an emoji into your message. You'll need to be specific about the character that you're requesting, and it's also helpful to say "emoji" after each request so Siri doesn't get confused.
Hanging Up Calls
If you're having a hands-free conversation with someone and it ends, you can ask Siri to hang up the call.
In the Settings app, the Siri and Search section has a new option for automatically sending a message with Siri, which removes the confirmation step that you have to go through when sending text through Siri.
Having to approve each message can be a frustration if you're having a long conversation with someone and you don't have access to your phone to type, so this streamlines the process, plus it works with CarPlay. It is an opt-in feature and it can be toggled off for the car and headphones if desired.
If you want to know more about how you can take advantage of Siri, just ask. When you're in an app or doing something on your iPhone, say "Hey Siri, what can I do here?" to get details on what Siri is capable of.
You can also ask Siri about a specific app with a command like "Hey Siri, what can I do with [insert app name]?"
More Offline Functionality
Siri is able to do more on device in iOS 16 without having to contact an Apple server, which means there are a wider array of functions that are available when you don't have an internet connection.
Siri can process HomeKit, Intercom, and Voicemail requests when you are offline.
Accessibility Features
In the Accessibility section of the Settings app under the "Siri" heading, there are new options to change Siri's pause time, which causes the voice assistant to wait for you to finish speaking for a longer period of time. Siri Pause Time can be set to Default, Longer, and Longest.
There's also an option to "Announce Notifications on Speaker" to have Siri speak notifications aloud, and a "Prefer Spoken Responses" option can be toggled on to cause Siri to speak aloud in situations such as the phone being silenced.
Apple with iOS 16 entirely overhauled the dictation experience, making it easier to swap between voice and touch. When you're dictating text on the iPhone or iPad, you can tap into the text field and type with the keyboard to make edits and insert QuickType suggestions without having to stop the dictation process.
There's also a new cursor popover that's available when you're dictating text, and if you tap it, you can stop the dictation more quickly.
Automatic Punctuation
While you dictate text, your device will intelligently add punctuation, putting in commas, periods, and question marks where appropriate.
The iPhone or iPad will listen to what you're saying, wait for you to finish, and then add commas and periods based on the structure of your words. It's not always perfect, but it's better than having to speak punctation as is required in iOS 15 and earlier.
Emoji Support
As with Siri, the built-in dictation feature also supports inserting emoji by voice command.
Dictation in Messages
In the iOS 16 Messages app, the Dictation icon is right in the messages text box, making it much easier to get to. If Dictation is enabled, you'll see a tappable microphone icon that starts a dictation setting.
The Dictation icon replaces the voice message icon that was at the right side of the Messages text entry box in iOS 15. If Dictation is not enabled, there is no icon in the text box.
Guide Feedback
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Released in February 2018, the original HomePod received rave reviews for its sound quality, but its initial $349 price was significantly more expensive than competing smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Even after Apple lowered the HomePod's price to $299, sales of the speaker remained lackluster, according to estimates.
Since the full-size HomePod was discontinued, the speaker has fetched high prices on eBay and has become something of a collector's item.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a new HomePod with the same S8 chip rumored for the Apple Watch Series 8. Gurman said the new HomePod would be "closer to the original HomePod" than the HomePod mini in terms of size and audio performance, and added that the new HomePod will have an "updated display on top."
Launched in March 2015, the 12-inch MacBook featured a thin and light design that weighed just two pounds. Key attributes of the 12-inch MacBook included a fanless design, a single USB-C port for data and charging, a new Force Touch trackpad, and an innovative battery design that allowed for a larger battery to fit inside the notebook.
A big reason why the 12-inch MacBook was discontinued is because many customers found it to be underpowered. The original 12-inch MacBook was equipped with a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, and while later models included up to a Core i7 processor, Intel processors were simply a poor match for the notebook's thin and light design.
With the transition to Apple silicon chips in the Mac, however, the 12-inch MacBook could easily make a comeback. Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was considering launching an all-new 12-inch notebook by 2024, but it is unclear if the notebook would be a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.
iMac Pro
Apple discontinued the iMac Pro in March 2021. At the time, Apple said the 27-inch iMac was the preferred choice for the vast majority of pro iMac users, and added that customers who needed even more performance and expandability could choose the Mac Pro. Apple has since discontinued the 27-inch iMac as well, leaving the colorful 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip as the only all-in-one desktop computer in the Mac lineup.
Released in December 2017, the iMac Pro received no substantial hardware refreshes over its lifetime, which resulted in the 27-inch iMac eventually becoming faster and more affordable than the standard iMac Pro configuration.
Rumors have persisted about the iMac Pro making a comeback with Apple silicon chips. In his newsletter last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he still believes a larger iMac or iMac Pro is in the works and "could arrive as early as next year." Based on that timeframe, the computer could be powered by M2 Pro and M2 Max chips.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are Apple's newest iPhones and follow last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but how different are the two latest models, and what exactly does a "Pro" device offer?
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are Apple's newest iPhones and follow last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but how different are the two latest models, and what exactly does a "Pro" device offer?
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