MacRumors

Apple today announced the new iPhone 14 and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, which are available with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. Key new features include improved front and rear cameras, a slightly improved A15 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU, and satellite connectivity for emergency texting in the United States and Canada.

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As was widely rumored, the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus feature the ability to connect to satellite networks in emergency situations where normal cell towers may be out of reach. When emergency messages are sent using the new feature, they'll appear as gray bubbles within the Messages app to distinguish them from iMessage or SMS messages.

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The ‌iPhone 14‌ and the new ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus include the same overall design as iPhone 13 models, but a larger 6.7-inch size replaces the previous 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini size. Both models have the same Retina XDR OLED display with True Tone, Haptic Touch, and up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness. Internally, the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus feature the same A15 Bionic chip found in ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro models for faster graphics.

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Rear camera improvements on the Pro models include a larger sensor for the Wide lens that improves low-light performance and makes Night mode exposure twice as fast as before. On the front, there is a new 12-megapixel front-facing camera with autofocus.

The ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus also include a new feature called the "Photonic Engine":

Through a deep integration of hardware and software, Photonic Engine improves mid- to low-light performance for photos across all cameras: up to 2x on the Ultra Wide camera, 2x on the TrueDepth camera, and an impressive 2.5x on the new Main camera. Photonic Engine enables this dramatic increase in quality by applying the computational benefits of Deep Fusion earlier in the imaging process to deliver extraordinary detail, and preserve subtle textures, provide better color, and maintain more information in a photo.

The ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus will be available in midnight, blue, starlight, and purple in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. Pre-orders for the new ‌iPhone 14‌ models open on Friday, September 9, and the ‌iPhone 14‌ will begin shipping on Friday, September 16. The larger ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus will begin shipping to customers on Friday, October 7.

Apple today announced the second-generation AirPods Pro with an upgraded H2 chip that provides up to twice as much active noise cancellation and more.

AirPods Pro Second Generation
The new AirPods Pro look similar to the original. A new Touch Control feature on the stem allows users to adjust the volume with a swipe up or down, while the silicone ear tips are now available in a new XS size alongside small, medium, and large.

With a combination of the H2 chip and a new low-distortion audio driver and custom amplifier, Apple says the new AirPods Pro offer "richer bass and crystal-clear sound across a wider range of frequencies." Active noise cancellation is improved by up to 2x, while Transparency mode has also been enhanced to better reduce loud environmental noises, such as a passing vehicle siren, construction tools, or loud speakers at a concert.

Apple says the new AirPods Pro provide longer battery life, with up to six hours of listening time per charge, which matches the third-generation standard AirPods released last year. The charging case now provides up to 30 hours of total listening time, compared to up to 24 hours of total listening time for the original AirPods Pro.


The new charging case features Find My support with a built-in speaker, IPX4-rated water and sweat resistance, and an integrated lanyard loop. The new case still has a Lightning connector for wired charging, and can now be wirelessly charged with an Apple Watch's magnetic charging puck in addition to MagSafe charging.

Apple says customers can personalize the new AirPods Pro charging case with Memoji featuring custom poses via the Apple Store app.

The new AirPods Pro will be available to order this Friday, September 9, with pricing set at $249 in the United States, which is the same price as the original. The second-generation AirPods Pro will be available on September 23.

"The new AirPods Pro deliver even better sound quality, a more immersive listening experience with Personalized Spatial Audio, and transformative audio features like Adaptive Transparency," said Apple marketing executive Bob Borchers. "With up to double the noise-cancelling power of their predecessor, the world's bestselling wireless headphones just got even better."

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: AirPods

Apple today announced that iOS 16 and watchOS 9 will be available to all users with compatible iPhone and Apple Watch models on Monday, September 12.

iOS 16 Customizable Lock Screen
iOS 16 was first previewed by Apple in June, and over the last several months, it has undergone beta testing with app developers and members of the public beta program. iOS 16 is a significant release, with major features including an entirely redesigned and customizable Lock Screen, the ability to temporarily edit iMessages, and much more.

The new Lock Screen allows customers to customize various visual elements to create their perfect Lock Screen. Customers can choose different fonts and colors for the clock, add widgets, add new wallpapers with depth effects, and more.

ios 16 lock screen customization
Besides the newly redesigned Lock Screen, Apple has also brought highly requested features to the Messages app. Users in iOS 16 can now edit messages up to 15 minutes after they've been sent and can unsend a message up to 2 minutes after they may have accidentally sent it. Improvements to SharePlay and collaboration within Messages are also a part of iOS 16.

iMessage
In other core apps such as Mail and Safari, Apple is also improving features like Spotlight search and adding new ones like undo and schedule send for emails, Shared Tab Groups, Safari Passkeys, and more. Apple Maps is also gaining noteworthy features, including multi-stop routing and transit card support.

Unlike in previous years, Apple is not releasing iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 simultaneously. While iOS 16 will be available to ‌iPhone‌ users on Tuesday, September 13, iPadOS 16 will be available later this fall. iOS 16 is compatible with the following iPhones, but some features may require newer models:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 13
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XR
  • ‌iPhone‌ X
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

watchOS 9 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer.

For a complete rundown of every new feature and change coming part of iOS 16, be sure to read our comprehensive roundup.

Related Forum: iOS 16

The all-new Apple Watch Ultra unveiled today is available to pre-order starting today in the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, the U.K., and more than 40 other countries and regions around the world, with pricing set at $799. Apple Watch Ultra will launch in stores and begin arriving to customers on September 23.

Apple Watch Ultra Pricing
Inspired by the "most extreme activities," the Apple Watch Ultra features a durable design with a 49mm titanium case, a larger display with a flat sapphire crystal cover, new bands designed for the outdoors, water resistance up to a depth of 100 meters, a customizable bright orange "Action" button on the left side of the case, and more.

A new Wayfinder watch face designed for the Apple Watch Ultra's larger display includes a compass and space for up to eight complications. There are also new workout views, such as Segments, Splits, and Elevation, that provide important metrics at a glance.

"Inspired by explorers and athletes from around the world, we created an entirely new category of Apple Watch designed for new and extreme environments — it's the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet," said Apple's operations chief Jeff Williams, who oversees the Apple Watch team. "Apple Watch Ultra is a versatile tool that empowers users to push their boundaries with adventure, endurance, and exploration."


Apple Watch Ultra is advertised as having up to 36 hours of battery life per charge during normal usage, and a new low-power setting with reduced frequency of GPS and heart rate readings that extends battery life to up to 60 hours per charge will be available in a future watchOS 9 software update later this year, according to Apple.

For more details about the Apple Watch Ultra, read our announcement coverage.

Related Forum: Apple Watch

Apple at its "Far Out" media event today announced the Apple Watch Ultra, a new feature-rich smartwatch for athletes and explorers, coming with an all-new design, a large flat sapphire crystal display, an additional programmable Action button, and cellular as standard.

Apple Watch Ultra Pricing
The 49mm titanium case has the brightest Apple Watch display yet at 2,000 nits – two times brighter than previous models – and a bigger Digital Crown that's more rugged and capable. It features 36 hours of battery life, and will be capable of up to 60 hours of battery life with a new low-power battery optimization setting coming later this fall. Apple says the Apple Watch Ultra has enough battery life for most users to complete a long-course triathlon, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and full marathon at 26.2 miles.

The new Action button in high-contrast international orange can be customized for instant access to a variety of features, including Workouts, Compass Waypoints, Backtrack, and more. For example, it can instantly begin workouts and move users to the next interval of a Custom Workout or the next leg of a Multisport workout. It can also be used to mark segments, complementing the new Track running experience, which automatically provides the ultimate pacing and distance estimates for runners at a track.

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The Apple Watch Ultra also features three built-in microphones to improve sound quality in voice calls, and new advanced wind noise-reduction algorithms to deliver clearer and intelligible audio for calls. There's a new Dark Mode, a Wayfinder watch face with a built-in compass and space for up to eight complications. The watch also has a built-in depth gauge, and a new dual-frequency GPS with custom position algorithms to receive GPS signals in hard-to-reach locations.

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The Apple Watch Ultra also comes with the new Series 8 features including a new Low Power Mode for up to 36 hours of battery life, a body temperature sensor, advanced cycle tracking, international roaming on cellular models, and car crash detection. The latest watchOS 9 also brings new advanced running metrics to measure performance, like Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, Vertical Oscillation, and Running Power, while new Workout Views, such as Segments, Splits, and Elevation, provide important metrics, which can take advantage of the larger display on the Ultra by showing up to six metrics at once.

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"Inspired by explorers and athletes from around the world, we created an entirely new category of Apple Watch designed for new and extreme environments — it's the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet," said Jeff Williams, Apple's chief operating officer. "Apple Watch Ultra is a versatile tool that empowers users to push their boundaries with adventure, endurance, and exploration."

Apple is also offering different bands aimed at hikers, divers and runners, with an Alpine loop band, Ocean band, and a super-thin Trail Loop, respectively.


The Apple Watch Ultra starts at $799 and pre-orders open today with availability set for September 23.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Apple today announced that watchOS 9 will feature a new Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer. When the Low Power Mode is enabled, the Apple Watch will be able to get up to 36 hours of battery life per charge.

Apple Watch Low Power Mode watchOS 9
Apple says Low Power Mode will temporarily disable or limit select sensors and features, including the always-on display, autostart workouts, heart health notifications, and more. Other features like activity tracking and fall detection will remain available.

The new Low Power Mode in watchOS 9 is separate from the Apple Watch's existing Power Reserve mode that only displays the clock when enabled.

Low Power Mode is just one of many new features that will be available on the all-new Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE, which are available to pre-order starting today and will launch on September 16. Other new features for the Apple Watch Series 8 include a body temperature sensor focused on women's health and car crash detection.

As for the new high-end Apple Watch Ultra, Apple said a new battery optimization feature will be available later this year that allows the device to get up to 60 hours of battery life per charge. It sounds like this feature will be separate from the Low Power Mode.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Apple today unveiled the second-generation Apple Watch SE, featuring the S8 chip, Crash Detection, and new color options at a lower $249 price point.

apple watch se 2
The second-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ offers the core Apple Watch experience at a more affordable price. The ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is now 20 percent faster thanks to the S8 chip, the same chip from the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. The S8 chip allows the ‌Apple Watch SE‌ to deliver Crash Detection, international roaming, and Low Power Mode.

The back case has been redesigned with a new, color-matched nylon composite material to reduce its weight. The second-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ is available in a refreshed series of color options, including Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.

apple watch se nylon composite back
The second-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ starts at $249 for the GPS model and $299 for the cellular model. Orders open today and it will become available on September 16.

The second-generation ‌Apple Watch SE‌ follows the now-discontinued first-generation model released in September 2020, which started at $279.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch SE
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Apple today introduced the Apple Watch Series 8 with the same overall design as the Series 7, including a larger display that curves around the edges. One of the headline new features of the Series 8 is a new body temperature sensor designed for women's health purposes, such as knowing when ovulation has occurred.

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The new sensor in the Series 8 measures the wearer's wrist temperature every five seconds overnight, and can alert the user to shifts in their baseline temperature through the Health app, which could result from exercise, jet lag, or illness. The body temperature sensor enables retrospective ovulation estimates and estimates of cycle deviation.

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The new sensor joins the standard heart rate sensor and the ECG app to offer users a comprehensive suite of health features, according to Apple.

Series 8 models also have a new car crash detection feature, which can enable automatically connect you with emergency services, provide location, and notify emergency contacts in the unfortunate event of a severe car crash. To enable this, the Series 8 features a new three-axis gyroscope and high g-force accelerometer.

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While the Apple Watch Series 8 still features up to 18 hours of battery life like previous models, watchOS 9 introduces a new Low Power Mode that limits some functionality, such as the always-on display and workout detection, to extend battery life. With Low Power Mode enabled, the Apple Watch Series 8 can last up to 36 hours per charge.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is available for pre-order today and will be available on Friday, September 16. The Series 8 starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for cellular models. It's available in aluminum Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and PRODUCT(RED). For stainless steel Series 8 models, finish options include Silver, Gold, and Graphite.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Alongside the launch of the iPhone 14, Verizon today introduced a new "One Unlimited" plan for the iPhone with unlimited 5G data, 25GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data, and the Apple One bundle of services included for $90 per month with auto-pay enabled.

Verizon Plus Apple One Bundle Feature
As a free perk, the plan includes Apple One's individual tier with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage.

Verizon's existing 5G Get More plan, which is also $90 per month, includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ for as long as a customer is subscribed to the plan, but the One Unlimited plan only includes free Disney+ for six months. One Unlimited also lacks one free TravelPass per month while roaming and does not include 600GB of Verizon Cloud storage.

With this plan, Verizon becomes the first U.S. carrier to bundle Apple One with a smartphone plan, following in the footsteps of British carrier EE.

More details about the plan are available on Verizon's website.

Apple's "Far Out" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the iPhone 14 lineup, several new Apple Watch models, updated AirPods Pro, and perhaps some other announcements.

MR Logo Far Out Event Live Article
Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We will also be updating this article with live blog coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the keynote unfolds. Highlights from the event and separate news stories regarding today's announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.

As usual, Apple's online store is currently down in advance of the event.

Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with Apple news and rumors.

Live blog transcript ahead...

➜ Click here to read rest of article...

Apple will be hosting a special event at Steve Jobs Theater today starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. As usual, the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models are expected to be unveiled, but there will likely be several other announcements as well.

Apple Event Far Out Feature
Below, we've put together a list of four announcements to expect today beyond the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, and Apple Watch Pro.

New AirPods Pro

airpods pro black background
Apple plans to announce its long-awaited second-generation AirPods Pro at its event today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Rumors suggest the new AirPods Pro will have many new features, including improved audio quality, longer battery life, a revamped charging case with Find My support and water resistance, improved in-ear detection, fitness tracking capabilities, and more. The new AirPods Pro might also feature support for Bluetooth LE Audio, which would have several benefits, such as allowing AirPods Pro to connect to an iPhone and Mac simultaneously.

New iPhone Cases and Apple Watch Bands

2022 Pride Apple Watch Bands feature
As usual, it's likely that new iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands will be released in a variety of fresh colors. The new cases and bands sometimes become available to order on Apple's online store just minutes after the event ends.

There could also be new colors for some other iPhone-related accessories, such as the MagSafe Wallet and the AirTag Key Ring.

iOS 16, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16 Release Dates

iOS 16 Lock Screen Customize
iOS 16 for the iPhone, watchOS 9 for the Apple Watch, and tvOS 16 for the Apple TV are all expected to be released in September following several months of beta testing, and Apple will likely provide exact release dates for these software updates today.

Apple previously announced that iPadOS 16 will be released at some point after iOS 16, with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman having reported that the update will be released in October alongside macOS Ventura. It's likely that Apple delayed iPadOS 16 to give the company more time to improve Stage Manager following widespread criticism of the feature.

Apple One News

Verizon Plus Apple One Bundle Feature
There could be at least two announcements related to the Apple One bundle of services today.

As reported by MacRumors last week, Verizon is planning to become the first U.S. carrier to offer Apple One as a free perk with an eligible smartphone plan — likely it's most expensive 5G Get More plan, which costs $90 per month for one person. Verizon may announce this news at some point today alongside the iPhone 14 reveal. Apple One includes services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ storage.

Second, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in his newsletter that Apple is "gearing up to launch an iPhone subscription service tied to Apple One" by the end of the year. It would be fitting for Apple to announce this service at its annual iPhone event.

Apple's next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will feature new chips, but few other changes, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

14 vs 16 inch mbp m2 pro and max feature 1
In a post on Medium today, Kuo said Apple has lowered its fourth quarter shipment forecast for the new MacBook Pro models by 20% to 30% before mass production of the notebooks begins due to lower than expected demand. Kuo said signs of a recession and fewer people working from home are two reasons for Apple's reduction in orders, while "limited new selling points" for the new MacBook Pro models may also impact demand.

"The main upgrade of the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros is only the adoption of new processors," wrote Kuo, in the Medium post. "The limited new selling points may also result in lower-than-expected demand."

It's unsurprising that few changes are planned for the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models given the notebooks launched with a significant redesign in October 2021 that included a notch at the top of the display, the return of ports like MagSafe and HDMI, and more. MacBooks often go multiple generations between major hardware changes.

The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models are expected to be equipped with Apple's M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which Kuo believes will remain 5nm. Apple is expected to hold an event in October focused on new iPad and Mac models, but it's unclear if the new MacBook Pro models will be announced at that event or at some point next year.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Apple's "Far Out" media event kicks off at 10:00 am Pacific Time with members of the media in attendance for what is expected to be an at least partially pre-recorded presentation. We know that some MacRumors readers who can't follow the event as it's being broadcast are interested in avoiding all of the announcements and waiting until the event video is available for on-demand viewing so as to experience it without already knowing the outcome.

Apple Event Far Out Feature
For those individuals, we've posted this news story, which will be updated with a direct link to the presentation once it becomes available from Apple. No other news stories or announcements will be displayed alongside this story.

Apple's recent virtual events have been made available to view almost immediately following the conclusion of the broadcasts, and we expect similar timing for today's event.

Users waiting for the video to be posted are welcome to gather in the thread associated with this news story, and we ask that those who follow the events as they occur refrain from making any posts about Apple's announcements in this thread.

Update: The full video is available on Apple's website as a direct link to the video file with no spoilers.

Apple has taken down its online storefront hours ahead of its "Far out" event in preparation for the announcement of the new iPhone 14, new Apple Watches, AirPods Pro, and more.

apple store down far out
The event, being held at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park, will include a wide range of new announcements and updates. Apple is expected to announce the ‌iPhone 14‌, the ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro, and the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max as the new iPhone series.

The two higher-end models of the lineup, the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max, are expected to feature the biggest changes, including a new pill-shaped notch replacement, an always-on display, longer battery life, and more advanced cameras. According to rumors, the ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus will have relatively few new features and changes.

For the Apple Watch, Apple is planning an updated Apple Watch Series 8 that is rumored to feature an all-new body temperature sensor but retains the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7.

The bigger Apple Watch news is likely to be the new Apple Watch Pro, which will feature an all-new larger design with a more expansive display targeted toward athletes. Apple is also expected to announce the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ during the event, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

MacRumors will have in-depth coverage of Apple's event, which kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, including a live blog on our website and tweets via @MacRumorsLive on Twitter. For a full rundown of everything we expect to see, be sure to check out our guide.

YouTube TV on the Apple TV has been updated with 5.1 audio support, YouTube announced today. The updated audio works with compatible live, DVR, and video on-demand content that's watched on YouTube TV.

youtube tv 5 1 audio
5.1 audio offers surround sound and has brand names that include Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, THX, and DTS.

YouTube says that content that supports 5.1 surround sound will play in that format automatically when using the YouTube app on a compatible device, which now includes the ‌Apple TV‌. YouTube TV users can check if content supports 5.1 audio by playing a video, selecting the More option, choosing the Bug, and checking stats for nerds.

The Justice Ministry in Brazil today ordered Apple to stop selling iPhones without a charger in the box, reports Reuters. Brazilian officials say that Apple is giving customers an incomplete product when the power adapter is not included with the purchase, a move the government claims is a "deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers."

iphone 12 no charger earpods
Apple has been fined 12.275 million reais (~$2.34 million) for selling iPhones without chargers, and Brazilian officials are forcing the company to cease offering any iPhone that does not come with a power adapter, including the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and newer.

The Brazilian state of São Paulo previously fined Apple close to $2 million for not providing a charger with modern iPhones, which the São Paulo consumer protection agency said was a violation of Consumer Law Code. Apple also lost a 2022 lawsuit in the country after a customer who did not receive a charger sued.

Apple has told Brazilian officials that not including a power adapter with the ‌iPhone‌ offers environmental benefits and cuts down on waste, but Brazil has thus far rejected this argument.

Apple stopped providing chargers with iPhones starting with the 2020 launch of the iPhone 12 lineup. In most countries, Apple no longer ships iPhones with EarPods or a power adapter, including just a USB-C to Lightning charging cable. Apple says that most customers already have power adapters on hand to charge with, and has told customers that removing these accessories is part of its effort to "reach [its] environmental goals."

The Justice Ministry's order comes one day ahead of Apple's iPhone 14 announcement, which will see the debut of updated ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro models.

Update 1:40 p.m.: In a statement to Bloomberg, Apple says it will appeal the ruling:

"At Apple, we consider our impact on people and the planet in everything we do," the company said in an emailed statement. "Power adapters represented our largest use of zinc and plastic and eliminating them from the box helped cut over 2 million metric tons of carbon emissions -- equivalent to removing 500,000 cars from the road per year." [...]

"We've already won a number of court decisions in Brazil on this topic and are confident our customers are aware of the various options to charge and connect their devices," the Cupertino, California-based company said.

Tag: Brazil

Professional storage and networking accessory company Sonnet Technologies today announced a pair of solutions for Mac Studio users who are looking to rack mount their machines alongside other components.

sonnet rackmacstudio hero
The RackMac Studio is a 3U rackmount enclosure measuring 9.5 inches deep that can support a pair of ‌Mac Studio‌ units while preserving access to the front ports and offering front access to a USB-A port and the power button for each machine right from the front of the enclosure. Space beneath the ‌Mac Studio‌ units can also be used to house small peripherals like bus-powered external SSDs. It will be priced at $449.99 and will be available starting the week of October 24.

sonnet xmacstudio hero
The xMac Studio is a larger enclosure that still measures 3U high but 16.5 inches deep and which can pair a single ‌Mac Studio‌ with Sonnet's Thunderbolt to PCIe card expansion systems. The enclosure is available in three configurations for maximum flexibility: with either an Echo I or Echo III module or without a module in case you want to reuse an existing one. All versions also include a four-port USB-A hub fed from the ‌Mac Studio‌, as well as a front-mounted power button and space underneath for small peripherals.

The Echo I module includes a single x16 PCIe slot for one full-height, full-length card, a single 40Gbps Thunderbolt port, dual fans, and a 400W power supply, while the Echo III module bumps that up to three PCIe slots (one x16 and two x8) and two Thunderbolt ports. The version without an expansion module will be priced at $549.99, while the Echo I version will be priced at $1,249.99 and the Echo III version will be priced at $1,649.99. The xMac Studio systems will begin shipping the week of September 26.

Tag: Sonnet

Solid deals have returned for the AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro on Amazon, offering up to $69 off these popular headphones.

AirPods Combo Discount Feature DuoNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

AirPods 2

You can get the AirPods 2 for $99.99, down from $129.00. This remains the best price we've seen on the AirPods 2 since their all-time low sale during Prime Day. At just $10 higher today, this is still a solid second-best price.

new airpods 2 blue

This is the model of AirPods that comes with the Wired Charging Case. Apple discontinued the AirPods 2 with the Wireless Charging Case so we haven't seen any notable deals on that accessory in months.

AirPods Pro with MagSafe

Secondly, Amazon has the AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case for $179.99, down from $249.00. This is the second-best price we've ever tracked on the new AirPods Pro.

airpods pro spring blue

The new AirPods Pro launched in 2021, and are essentially the same as the 2019 model with the addition of the new MagSafe Charging Case. Shoppers should note that we are expecting new AirPods Pro at Apple's "Far Out" event tomorrow, but there likely won't be any significant deals for a long time.

We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals