Apple today updated its beta.music.apple.com site for Apple Music, introducing support for viewing song lyrics on the web. When listening to Apple Music content via a web browser on the beta site, there's now an option to see the lyrics by clicking on the speech bubble at the top right of the display.
The design of the lyric interface mimics the design of song lyrics available through the Apple Music app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with the lyrics scrolling in time to the music on the right side of the screen. The feature is only on the beta web player as of right now, but Apple will likely roll it out to the music.apple.com website in the future after it has been fully tested.
Apple has offered a web-based Apple Music player since 2019, with the website offering the same content available on iOS devices and Macs. The website allows Apple Music subscribers to listen to music on any device as songs play right in the browser.
Anyone can view the web player and listen to snippets of songs, but full access requires an Apple Music subscription tied to an Apple ID. It provides access to all library and playlist content, along with the same recommendations and mixes available in the Apple Music apps for iOS, Mac, and Android.
Apple today shared a YouTube video that's designed to highlight the iPhone 14 Pro's camera capabilities, focusing specifically on Action Mode.
Action Mode is designed to offer extra stabilization when capturing video while moving, making it ideal for fun shots that otherwise would not be possible without expensive equipment. Apple designed Action Mode to replicate the video quality you might get using a gimbal.
Apple's video demonstrates a number of Action Mode shots using 360 rotating, aerial tracking, rolling, and more. Each demo includes a side-by-side of the video with and without Action Mode enabled, clearly showing the difference and the benefit of the feature.
Action Mode is available on all of the iPhone 14 devices.
Apple this week lowered its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models in the United States, resulting in customers receiving less money for their existing devices heading into the holiday shopping season.
Macs have some of the most significant trade-in value reductions, with the iMac Pro now fetching up to $600 versus up to $1,150 previously and the MacBook Pro now worth up to $630 compared with up to $850 previously. iPhone trade-in values have decreased by up to $70, although the iPhone XS and iPhone XR have each increased by up to $10.
Trade-in values have also been slashed for Android smartphones, while Apple Watch Series 3 trade-ins are no longer accepted.
You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 today on Amazon for $399.99, down from $499.00. This remains the best deal we've ever tracked on the iPad mini 6, and it's available in three colors: Starlight, Space Gray, and Purple.
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The iPad mini 6 is shipped and sold directly from Amazon, with the fastest Prime delivery estimated for November 17. As of writing, only Amazon is offering these $99 discounts on the iPad mini 6.
This time around, only the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 6 is on sale at an all-time low price. We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.
Apple today confirmed in a press release that Emergency SOS via Satellite for iPhone 14 models will be launching in the U.S. and Canada later this month. Apple has still not provided a specific release date or iOS version required for the feature.
Apple also announced that it is investing $450 million from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund towards the development of critical infrastructure supporting Emergency SOS via Satellite, with a majority of the funding going to Apple's satellite partner Globalstar.
Apple said its investment will provide critical enhancements to Globalstar's satellite network and ground stations in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Puerto Rico, and Texas to ensure iPhone 14 users are able to connect to emergency services when off the grid.
All four iPhone 14 models will be able to connect directly to Globalstar satellites, enabling users to send text messages to emergency services when outside the range of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and share their location via satellite using the Find My app. The feature will help users point their iPhone towards a satellite with on-screen visuals.
Apple says a satellite message might take 15 seconds to send in ideal conditions with a direct view of the sky and the horizon, but it could take over a minute for the message to send "under trees with light or medium foliage." In environments with "heavy foliage" or "other obstructions," an iPhone might fail to connect to a satellite entirely.
As a result of the investment, Globalstar's ground stations have already been upgraded to use new high-power antennas designed and manufactured specifically for Apple. Apple shared more details about how the feature works:
When an iPhone user makes an Emergency SOS via satellite request, the message is received by one of Globalstar's 24 satellites in low-earth orbit traveling at speeds of approximately 16,000 mph. The satellite then sends the message down to custom ground stations located at key points all over the world.
Once received by a ground station, the message is routed to emergency services that can dispatch help, or a relay center with Apple-trained emergency specialists if the closest emergency services location is not able to receive text messages.
In a support document, Apple says Emergency SOS via Satellite will be available with an iOS 16 software update coming in November. The service will be free for the first two years, suggesting that Apple plans to charge for it in the future.
Apple reportedly confirmed that the feature will expand to additional countries by the end of next year, but it has not elaborated on these plans.
Lighting company Signify today announced new Festavia string lights that are being added to the Philips Hue lineup ahead of the holidays.
The Philips Hue Festavia string lights include 250 mini smart LEDs on a 20-meter cord, which can be used on a Christmas tree, stairway, mantel, and more.
As with other Hue products, the Festavia lights can be set to more than 16 million colors, and a single strand supports multiple colors for a gradient effect. Festavia lights are HomeKit-compatible and pair well with other Philips Hue products.
The lights can be controlled with Siri, the Hue app, and the Home app. Lights can be turned on or off, dimmed, and the colors can be changed. With Spotify integration, the lights can be set to flash, dim, and brighten in tune with a song that's playing.
With the launch of the Festavia lights, the Hue app is gaining a sparkle effect that can make the strand twinkle, plus there is a new Scattered option that spreads five colors randomly along the light string.
The Festavia lights are priced at $160 and will launch on November 15. They will be available from the Philips Hue website.
It's been almost two weeks since Apple introduced the revamped 10th-generation iPad, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using it on a daily basis for the purpose of a more in-depth review for those considering it as an upgrade or a holiday gift for a family member.
The 10th-generation iPad is priced starting at $449, which makes it $120 more expensive than the 9th-generation iPad that Apple is still selling alongside it. At $449, it is $150 less than the iPad Air, a tablet that it shares many features with.
The iPad lineup is somewhat confusing now because the 10th-generation iPad and the iPad Air are so similar, but for most people, it is a good deal because it offers a solid set of features for an affordable price. Design wise, the new iPad has the same 10.9-inch display as the iPad Air, but it's not quite as advanced in terms of color and reflectivity.
Apple's newest iPad has the same general design as the iPad Air, featuring an edge-to-edge display with a Touch ID power button rather than Face ID integration. It also uses USB-C instead of Lightning, offering a more universal charging option, but it does not have Thunderbolt or the quicker transfer speeds you'll see on other iPad models.
There is an A14 chip inside the iPad, which is a good deal faster than the A13 chip in the prior-generation version. It is not as advanced as the M1 in the iPad Air, but it will last for years to come. There's a landscape FaceTime camera for the first time, which is a nice feature for those who prefer to use the iPad as a replacement for a Mac in a landscape orientation.
As a major downside, the iPad only works with the Apple Pencil 1, an unusual choice because it charges via Lightning and there is no Lightning port. You need a confusing set of adapters if you want to charge the Apple Pencil with your iPad, and it isn't clear why Apple didn't just add Apple Pencil 2 compatibility.
On the plus side, Apple designed a new Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad, and it goes hand in hand with the landscape camera to turn the iPad into a Mac alternative. It is a two-piece accessory that works as both a cover and a keyboard, plus there is a built-in stand. Apple also added a function row, something not even available for the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
If you opt for the iPad Air instead of the iPad, you're paying $150 for an M1 chip, a jump in display quality, and support for Stage Manager multitasking, and if you opt for the cheaper 9th-generation iPad, you're losing quite a bit of screen real estate and opting for a much slower chip.
The 10th-generation iPad is a solid compromise between price and feature set, and it will appeal to many people who are seeking an updated tablet. What do you think of the iPad? Let us know in the comments below.
Twitter today rolled out its updated Twitter Blue subscription offering, which is priced at $7.99 per month. The new subscription is $3 more expensive than the prior $4.99 per month price, and it was introduced at the insistence of Twitter CEO Elon Musk.
Musk initially floated a $20 price point for Twitter Blue before settling on $8. The new subscription does away with ad-free articles for Twitter Blue subscribers, but it adds the same blue and white badge that Twitter previously limited to verified accounts.
Musk has pledged to make the badge available to all Twitter users, this morning calling it "the great leveler." He has expressed distaste at the verification badge being provided only to accounts of public figures, businesses, celebrities, journalists, and other high-profile users who are in danger of being impersonated on the social network.
It continues to be unclear if Twitter will implement a method of identity verification now that the blue badge is no longer a verification symbol. Earlier today, Twitter rolled out "Official" labels some accounts that had previously been verified, but Musk said he "killed" the feature and now its status is unknown. As of now, accounts that had verification prior to the new Twitter Blue rolling out retain their verification badges, but Musk has said these will be removed for those who do not pay.
Twitter Blue will also include "half the ads," the ability to post longer videos, and access to new Twitter Blue features. At the $7.99 price point and with 50% fewer ads, some have speculated that Twitter Blue could end up costing Twitter money, especially for those who subscribe to Twitter Blue through the iOS app as Twitter will need to give Apple a cut of the subscription price.
Musk today also held a meeting with Twitter advertisers, where he spoke on his moderation plans and future features. Twitter plans to build a content moderation council to make policy decisions, and he said that Twitter should honor freedom of speech, but viewpoints "don't need to be amplified."
Musk floated the idea that users would be able to send money to others on the platform in the future, and perhaps link their Twitter accounts to bank accounts. Twitter is also working on infrastructure for longer form video, with content payment options for creators. According to Musk, Twitter will be changing rapidly in the coming months, and some mistakes might be made. Features that do not work out will be rolled back. "If we do not try bold moves how will we make great improvements?" Musk said.
Apple announced many new products this year, such as the Mac Studio and the Apple Watch Ultra, but we also said goodbye to some other familiar products. Below, we've recapped five products and accessories discontinued by Apple throughout 2022.
27-inch iMac
Following the introduction of the Mac Studio and Studio Display in March, Apple discontinued the 27-inch iMac, which was the final iMac model with an Intel processor. With the iMac Pro also discontinued last year, the 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip is currently the only all-in-one desktop computer sold by Apple. Reputable sources like Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo have claimed that the iMac Pro could make a comeback in 2023.
iPod touch
Apple announced that it was discontinuing the iPod touch in May, and the device was removed from Apple's website in June. iOS 16 is not compatible with any iPod touch models, marking the end of software compatibility for the portable music player.
First introduced in October 2001, the iPod was one of Apple's most iconic products, but the device's discontinuation became inevitable over time given the wide array of Apple products that can now play music, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod mini, and more. The final generation of the iPod touch was introduced in May 2019.
Apple Watch Edition models had been available since the launch of the original Apple Watch in 2015. Over the years, these models set themselves apart with higher-end casing material options like gold, ceramic, and titanium. Apple Watch Ultra is now the only model to offer a titanium casing, while Hermès models remain available as a luxury option.
The new Apple TV 4K starts at $129, whereas the Apple TV HD was priced at $149 prior to being discontinued. Originally launched as the fourth-generation Apple TV, and later renamed to the Apple TV HD, the streaming box is limited to 1080p video quality and was the first Apple TV to feature tvOS, an App Store, and a Siri-enabled remote.
5W Power Adapter
Apple appears to have discontinued its compact 5W charger for the iPhone in the U.S. around August, as the power adapter has been sold out since then.
Apple included the 5W charger with the iPhone 3G through the iPhone 11, although the charger received a few minor revisions over the years, in part due to two voluntary safety recalls issued by Apple in select countries. Unlike Apple's newer USB-C chargers, the 5W charger is equipped with a USB-A port and is not capable of fast charging.
iPhone 11 Pro models came with a faster 18W USB-C charger in the box, and Apple stopped including a charger at all with the iPhone 12 and newer.
Microsoft today announced that iCloud Photos integration in the Photos app on Windows 11 is beginning to roll out today with an update to the app on the Microsoft Store. Microsoft expects the update to be available to all Windows 11 customers by end of the month.
iCloud Photos integration allows iPhone users to access all of their photos in the Photos app on Windows 11 devices. In a blog post, Microsoft says users simply need to download the iCloud for Windows app from the Microsoft Store, enable iCloud Photos syncing, and the photos will appear in the updated Photos app automatically.
Microsoft previously announced that standalone Apple Music and Apple TV apps are coming to Windows next year. 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 would be available on the Microsoft Store starting later this year.
Last month, the Apple Music app launched on the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One.
iPhone and Apple Watch owners in Colorado are now able to add their IDs and licenses to the Wallet app to serve as a form of identification in lieu of a physical card for TSA checkpoints at select airports.
Colorado's Department of Revenue announced the news today, and said that the Wallet-based ID or license can be presented at select TSA checkpoints at the Denver airport. Digital IDs are available to individuals with a current, valid Colorado-issued driver license or ID.
The Department of Revenue says that the Wallet ID is designed to be a companion to the physical driver's license or ID, and it is not a replacement. Coloradans must continue to carry their physical driver license or ID with them, and the Wallet ID can only be used at airports.
Apple with iOS 15 added support for allowing users from participating U.S. states to add their licenses and state IDs to the Wallet app, and so far, Arizona, Maryland, and Colorado support the feature.
Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Utah are also working on support.
Apple today seeded the second beta of macOS Ventura 13.1 to its public beta testing group, allowing non-developers to try out the new features ahead of the software's release. The public beta comes two weeks after Apple released the first public beta.
Public beta testers can download the macOS 13.1 Ventura update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the proper profile from Apple's beta software website.
macOS Ventura 13.1 introduces the Freeform app, which Apple has designed for creative collaboration. The app can be used for brainstorming, planning out ideas, jotting down notes, and more. Users can insert drawings, sticky notes, shapes, text boxes, photos, videos, PDFs, links, and other documents, with Freeform serving as a blank canvas.
Freeform "boards" can be shared with other people and discussed over FaceTime, with updates from all participants synced to everyone in real-time.
The update also introduces support for an updated Home app architecture that improves performance for smart home devices.
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 updates to public beta testers, providing the software to the general public. Today's beta comes two weeks after Apple released the first public betas.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's free beta testing program can download the iOS and iPadOS 16.2 betas over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website.
iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 introduce the Freeform app, which can be used for jotting down notes, sketching, drawing, brainstorming ideas, creating mood boards, and more. Multiple people can work on the same Freeform board, with changes synced for all participants in real time.
For the iPad, the update brings external display support to the Stage Manager multitasking feature, allowing up to eight apps to be used at once. External display support is available for the M1 and M2 iPad models.
There is a new Home app architecture coming in iOS and iPadOS 16.2, which Apple says is designed to bring faster, more reliable performance, especially in homes with a lot of smart home accessories. The new architecture requires the HomePod 16.2 beta software, and it causes the Home app not to work with devices updated to iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, or macOS Ventura 13.1.
Unintentional Emergency SOS calls can be reported to Apple in iOS 16.2, and there are a few other minor changes that can be found in our iOS 16.2 feature guide.
Apple today released macOS Ventura 13.0.1, a minor update to the macOS Ventura operating system that was released in October. The new software comes two weeks after the official launch of Ventura.
The macOS Ventura update can be downloaded on eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.
macOS Ventura 13.0.1 is a bug fix update, and it addresses two security vulnerabilities that could allow for unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution by a remote user. Neither was known to have been exploited in the wild.
Apple today released iOS 16.1.1 and iPadOS 16.1.1, minor bug fix updates that that come two weeks after the launch of iOS 16.1, an update that added support for iCloud Shared Photo Library, Matter, Live Activities, and more.
The iOS 16.1.1 and iPadOS 16.1.1 updates can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
iOS 16.1.1 fixes a few unspecified bugs that iPhone users have been dealing with, according to Apple's release notes. Users have been afflicted with widespread Wi-Fi bug, for example. The Wi-Fi bug resulted in random disconnects, with some users unable to stay connected to their Wi-Fi networks.
It is not clear if the Wi-Fi bug is fixed as Apple did not provide a specific list of bug fixes, instead only saying that the update "includes bug fixes and security updates."
iOS 16.1.1 will be followed by iOS 16.2, an update that is being beta tested and is expected to see a launch in December. iOS 16.2 introduces the Freeform app, new Home app architecture, and other features.
Apple and Amazon worked together to raise the price of iPhones and iPads by eliminating third-party Amazon sellers who offered Apple products at a lower cost, according to a new antitrust lawsuit filed today in Washington.
The complaint, filed by Hagens Berman law firm, says that Apple and Amazon had an "unlawful horizontal agreement" that reduced the "competitive threat posed by third-party merchants," a violation of federal antitrust laws. There were around 600 third-party sellers of Apple devices on Amazon Marketplace, which was whittled down to just seven.
Amazon began eliminating third-party sellers after it signed a 2019 deal with Apple to limit the number of resellers on Amazon marketplace to 20 per country. In exchange, Apple provided Amazon with a discounted wholesale price for iPhones and iPads.
By restricting third-party sellers from offering Apple products, Amazon made itself the dominant seller of Apple products on Amazon Marketplace, which Amazon and Apple both "stood to benefit from" even though it "would harm the public."
The lawsuit claims that prior to the agreement, third-party resellers were offering "prices steeply discounted" from those Apple wanted to have for its online storefront, which resulted in lower prices for consumers. There is no word on specific devices that went up in price due to the agreement, and no explanation of whether sellers were offering older devices or current products, nor if these were refurbished devices.
"When Apple and Amazon renewed their existing reseller agreement in 2019, the only losing party to their plan was consumers, who were blindsided by the price increases," Berman said. "Where consumers used to be able to find discounted prices of upwards of 20% for iPhones and iPads for sale on Amazon Marketplace, now they get locked into Apple's premium pricing."
Hagens Berman is aiming for an injunction to prevent Amazon from blocking third-party Apple resellers and reimbursement for consumers who "overpaid for iPhones and iPads."
Twitter will not be moving forward with an "Official" label that would be used to identify companies, major media outlets, public figures, and others who are in danger of being impersonated on the social network, Twitter CEO Elon Musk said today.
Just hours after Twitter began rolling out the "Official" checkmark that was provided to some accounts alongside the standard white and blue verification badge, Musk said that he has "killed" the feature.
"Blue check will be the great leveler," Musk added in another tweet. The white checkmark on a blue background was traditionally provided to higher-profile accounts that went through a verification process, but with Musk's takeover of Twitter, the badge will be provided to all Twitter Blue subscribers who pay $7.99 per month for a Twitter Blue subscription.
Blue check will be the great leveler
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 9, 2022
When the checkmark becomes available to any Twitter subscriber who pays, there will no longer be any kind of identity verification system on Twitter, which some users have expressed concerns about.
Twitter product executive Esther Crawford explained the two-badge system just yesterday, explaining that Twitter would add an "Official" label to select accounts. Government accounts, commercial companies, business partners, major media outlets, publishers, and some public figures were going to be provided with the now-defunct "Official" label.
It is not clear if Twitter will implement some other method for differentiating between account types and providing identity verification, but it sounds like Musk will not allow such a feature. Musk has said that any Twitter handles "engaging in impersonation" without a clear parody label would be "permanently suspended," a move he enacted after verified users began changing their names to Elon Musk.
Update: Crawford now claims that the official label is still going out as part of the launch of Twitter Blue, but Twitter is focusing on "government and commercial entities to begin with. She says that what Musk meant is that Twitter is not focusing on giving the "Official" label to individuals. As of right now, though, the official labels that were provided to some accounts earlier today have been removed and have not been reinstated as of yet. There is no word on when the labels will return, nor if this is indeed what Musk meant.
The official label is still going out as part of the @TwitterBlue launch -- we are just focusing on government and commercial entities to begin with. What you saw him mention was the fact that we're not focusing on giving individuals the "Official" label right now.
— Esther Crawford ✨ (@esthercrawford) November 9, 2022
Spotify today announced it is rolling out a redesigned Apple Watch app with a "new and improved listening experience" that allows users to more easily browse music and podcasts in "Your Library" and more quickly download music for offline playback.
In a blog post, Spotify said the new design includes larger artwork, new animations, the ability to swipe to like a song, a blue dot next to new podcast episodes, and more. The new design will require an updated version of the Spotify app rolling out on the App Store — it doesn't yet appear to be available for all users as of this writing.
As noted by The Verge, Spotify remains silent about its Hi-Fi audio tier that it promised to launch back in 2021. Apple Music offers lossless audio at no additional charge.
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