Apple's 33rd Worldwide Developers Conference officially kicks off on Monday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time with a keynote where the company will reveal iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, tvOS 16, and possibly some new hardware.
While WWDC is a software-heavy event, Apple has previewed and announced hardware during the conference in past years. Ahead of this year's conference and amid rumors of a possible Mac-focused announcement on Monday, we thought it'd be fun to take a trip down memory lane and relive some of Apple's biggest hardware news at WWDC.
WWDC 2017: HomePod, iMac Pro, and More
To kick this list off, we'll start at WWDC 2017, where Apple announced and previewed a host of new and updated products. The most notable announcement at that WWDC was the HomePod, a now-discontinued smart speaker that struggled to gain momentum.
The second most notable was the preview of the all-new iMac Pro, an also now-discontinued product that was a 27-inch high-end iMac that Apple hoped would cater to the needs of professional customers. The iMac Pro retained the same design as the standard 27-inch iMac, also now discontinued, but in a "badass space gray finish."
While Apple announced the iMac Pro in June, it didn't begin shipping to customers until December. Apple also gave its lineup of MacBooks a spec bump with Intel's Kaby Lake processors. Apple also refreshed the 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMacs, now both discontinued, with brighter displays, faster storage, and performance.
Outside the Mac and the HomePod, Apple replaced the 9.7-inch iPad Pro with an all-new 10.5-inch model and a redesigned 12.9-inch design. Both iPads were the first to feature Apple's ProMotion technology which has since expanded to the iPhone and MacBook Pro.
WWDC 2018: Nothing
Following a jam-packed hardware WWDC a year before, at WWDC 2018, Tim Cook seemingly intentionally kicked the conference right off by dismissing any hope that the event will include any hardware announcements. "Today is all about software, and we've got some very exciting updates," Cook said.
WWDC 2019: Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR
At Apple's last in-person WWDC in 2019, the company previewed the completely redesigned Mac Pro and accompanying Pro Display XDR.
The Pro Display XDR and the Mac Pro were made available to customers later that year. Apple likely decided to preview both new products at WWDC since they targeted professional customers, not mainstream consumers.
WWDC 2020: Apple Silicon Transition
At WWDC 2020, Apple didn't explicitly announce a new hardware product, but it did announce a major change for the Mac: it would be moving to Apple silicon. Intel processors had powered the Mac since 2005, and Apple announced its transition away from Intel during the conference.
As part of the transition announcement, Apple gave select developers access to Developer Transition Kits, including a Mac mini outfitted with an A12Z chip. The Mac mini helped developers prepare their apps for the Apple silicon architecture. The first Apple silicon Mac would not get announced until November, but the announcement at WWDC paved the way for the next generation of Mac hardware.
WWDC 2021: Nothing, Again
Like WWDC 2018, WWDC 2021 included no new hardware, and it focused on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
WWDC 2022: Time Will Tell
Other than a relatively significant number of changes and new features coming to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, we don't know what Apple has in store for WWDC 2022. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has cast doubt that Apple will showcase its long-rumored AR/VR headset on Monday. Instead, Gurman believes that if any hardware announcement occurs, it's likely to be a redesigned MacBook Air.
Apple teased the release of an Apple silicon Mac Pro during its last event in March, and it remains unclear when a high-end Apple silicon Mac could launch. Given that Apple previewed a Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR at WWDC 2019, one could assume we could hear some news about a new Mac Pro on Monday, but only time will tell.
Apple plans to live stream the WWDC keynote on its website, the Apple TV app, and YouTube, but for those unable to watch, we'll be covering the event on MacRumors.com and through the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
We'll also have in-depth coverage of all of Apple's announcements throughout the rest of the week and going forward as we test the new software.
We're recapping the week's best deals today, including all-time low prices that are still up for grabs on the Apple TV 4K and Apple Watch Series 7, along with steep markdowns on AirPods and AirTag.
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.
One of the first notable deals of the week was on the 32GB Apple TV 4K, which dropped to $149.99 on Amazon, down from $179.00. This is a record low price on this model of the Apple TV 4K, and the 64GB device is also seeing a record low discount to $169.99.
As we've seen over the past few weeks, Apple's line of AirPods remain at solid low prices on Amazon. You can get the AirPods 2 for $99.99 ($29 off), AirPods 3 for $149.99 ($29 off), AirPods Pro for $179.99 ($69 off), and AirPods Max for $449.99 ($99 off). These are all among the best prices we've seen so far in 2022.
This week saw an ongoing string of great discounts across the Apple Watch family, including record lows on the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE. The former model saw prices starting at $329.00 for the 41mm GPS device, and reaching up to $70 off on Amazon.
There was also a rare ultra-low discount on the 45mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 7, available for $410.00, down from $529.00. This $119 off markdown is the best deal we've seen on any Cellular Series 7 model, and it's still on sale now.
AirTag and MagSafe
What's the deal? Take up to $19 off Apple's AirTag and MagSafe accessories
Apple's AirTag 4-Pack dropped to $89.00 this week on Amazon, down from $99.00. Along with that sale, we saw discounts arrive for the MagSafe Battery Pack at $79.99 ($19 off) and the MagSafe Charger at $34.00 ($5 off).
Flexibits Premium
What's the deal? Take 75% off your first year of Flexibits Premium
In our latest exclusive deal we partnered with Flexibits to offer our readers 75 percent off their first year of Flexibits Premium, which includes access to Fantastical and Cardhop. The deal can be acquired by clicking on the header on Flexibits' website to redeem 75 percent off your next purchase.
You'll need to create a Flexibits account and begin a 14 day free trial of Flexibits Premium, either for an Individual or Family Plan, and the 75 percent off sale will be applied to either option. Fantastical is a calendar app that can sync across apps for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Similarly, Cardhop can sync across Apple devices and provides a more in-depth contact management platform.
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 today updated its iOS 15 installation numbers for the first time in five months, giving us a clearer picture of just how many devices are running the latest update nine months after it launched and ahead of the introduction of iOS 16.
iOS 15 is now installed on 89 percent of iPhones introduced in the last four years, while 10 percent continue to run iOS 14. Just one percent have an earlier version of iOS installed.
When taking into account iPhones released more than four years ago, 82 percent of all devices are running iOS 15. 14 percent are running iOS 14, and four percent are running an earlier version of iOS.
Apple last updated its iOS 15 installation numbers in January, and adoption rates have risen since then. Back in January, just 72 percent of iPhones introduced in the last four years were running iOS 15. Since January, Apple has added multiple new features through iOS updates, including iOS 15.4, a major update that broughtFace ID with a Mask support, Universal Control, and new emojis.
As for iPadOS, 79 percent of all iPads introduced in the last four years are running iPadOS 15, while 18 percent still have iPadOS 14 installed, and three percent are running an earlier version of iPadOS. 72 percent of all iPads, including those released more than four years ago, have iPadOS 15 installed. 18 percent are running iPadOS 14, and 10 percent are running an earlier version of iPadOS.
Apple splits its installation numbers into separate groups because there are still devices in the wild that are not capable of running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 installation numbers had lagged behind prior updates like iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 since launch, but things have evened out.
In June 2021, iOS 14 was installed on 90 percent of iPhones released in the last four years, while 85 percent of all devices were running the update, which is not too far off of the iOS 15 installation numbers.
Earlier today, we shared iOS 15 installation numbers from Mixpanel. Mixpanel estimated that the update was installed on 90 percent of devices, which was close to Apple's own numbers.
Next Monday, Apple will introduce iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, and work on iOS 15 will taper off as Apple works to get the new software ready for a fall launch. We'll get a few bug fix updates before iOS 16 launches, but we are not expecting any more major features to come in iOS 15.
Samsung is planning to build a new production line in South Korea to make larger OLED displays suitable for tablets and notebooks, with the company ultimately aiming to fulfill orders for future Apple products, according to The Elec.
The Elec previously reported that Apple plans to release its first iPad Pro models with OLED displays in 2024 and said that Samsung would produce displays for those models at one of its existing lines. Samsung's future production line would be located at a different factory and be capable of creating OLED displays large enough for notebooks, paving the way for a MacBook Pro with an OLED display, which is rumored to launch in 2025 or later.
Apple has been transitioning its iPad and MacBook lines to mini-LED displays over the last year, and OLED would be the next step after that. Unlike mini-LED displays, OLED panels use self-emitting pixels and do not require backlighting, which could improve contrast ratio and contribute to longer battery life on future iPad and MacBook models. Apple already uses OLED displays for its latest iPhones and all Apple Watch models.
In the meantime, Apple is rumored to be planning more devices with mini-LED displays, including a new 27-inch monitor that could essentially be a Studio Display Pro.
Satechi today launched the USB-C Slim Dock accessory for the 24-inch iMac, priced at $149.99. For a limited time, you can save 20 percent on this accessory by entering the code IMAC20 at checkout, dropping the price of the dock to $120.00.
The USB-C Slim Dock was designed to fit the 24-inch iMac and provides a built-in enclosure to add external storage to the iMac, as well as easier access to various ports. These ports include 1x 10 Gbps USB-C data port, 1x 10 Gbps USB-A data port, 2x USB-A 2.0 ports, micro/SD card reader slots, and a built-in NVMe/SATA enclosure.
The NVMe/SATA enclosure lets you add external storage to your 24-inch iMac, which is not possible to do internally on this iMac lineup. The accessory fits M.2 NVMe SSDs or M.2 SATA SSDs within a small slot underneath the USB-C Slim Dock.
The dock comes in silver and blue color options, matching the respective colors of the 24-inch iMac. You can get the USB-C Slim Dock on Satechi's website for the discounted price of $120.00 today, just remember to enter the code IMAC20 at checkout. This deal will last through June 13 before it expires.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Satechi. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
The 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE is down to $229.00 on Amazon today, from $309.00. Only the Silver Aluminum model with the Abyss Blue Sport Band is available at this price.
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.
This is an all-time low price on this version of the Apple Watch SE, and only Amazon is offering the discount. The watch is in stock now, with a delivery estimate of early next week for most places in the United States.
If you're shopping for the Apple Watch Series 7, be sure to visit our recent article covering a few different discounts across GPS and Cellular models. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
iOS 15 is nearing an estimated 90% adoption rate more than 250 days after its launch and nearly a year after Apple first previewed the update at WWDC 2021, according to mobile analytics company Mixpanel.
According to Mixpanel, at the time of writing, iOS 15 has an estimated adoption rate of 88.9%, an increase of nearly 10% from just ten weeks ago. Mixpanel bases its number on tracking visits to apps and websites that use its mobile analytics SDK, so the numbers are not entirely accurate. Apple last provided adoption numbers for iOS 15 in January, claiming that 72% of iPhones released in the last four years are running the company's latest iOS release.
iOS 15 adoption numbers shared by Apple in January 2022
iOS 15 had suffered from a slower adoption rate compared to iOS 14, partially due to it being a relatively smaller update and an initial handful of bugs that impacted users when the update first launched. iOS 15 included refinements to some system apps, introduced a redesigned Do Not Disturb and Focus Mode system, Live Text, and more.
Next week, Apple will preview iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 during its Worldwide Developers Conference that kicks off on Monday, June 6. According to Bloomberg'sMark Gurman, the new update is expected to be a significant update for users. Bloomberg has reported that Apple is planning a redesign of the Lock Screen and improvements to stock apps, new Apple apps, new ways of interaction, and more. Apple is also planning major changes to iPadOS to make it more Mac-like.
While Apple will preview iOS and iPadOS 16, alongside macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16 next week, the updates will not be available to all users until later in the fall. Instead, Apple will beta test all the updates over the summer with members of the public beta testing program and developers. For everything we know about iOS 16, see our detailed roundup.
Apple is planning to make employee schedules at retail locations more flexible in an attempt to improve working conditions, reports Bloomberg. The changes come as employees in some Apple stores have been working toward unionization.
Going forward, Apple will make sure that there are at least 12 hours in between each shift an employee must take on, up from the current 10 hour minimum. Employees will not have to work past 8:00 p.m. for more than three days a week unless they choose to work late shifts.
Employees will no longer be scheduled to work more than five days in a row, down from six days in a row, though there could be exemptions during holidays and new product launches, and full-time employees will be eligible for a dedicated weekend day off for each six month period that they work.
Workers that spoke to Bloomberg said that Apple plans to implement these scheduling changes in the coming months, and they will be in addition to new benefits introduced in February. Apple in February bumped up the number of available paid sick days, is offering more vacation days, and has upped parental leave.
Apple retail locations in Washington State, New York, Maryland, and Atlanta have taken steps toward unionization with employees asking for higher pay, more vacation time, better retirement options, and other benefits, but none of these efforts have been successful to date.
Apple's head of retail Deirdre O'Brien in May sent out a video to employees to dissuade them from unionizing. "It is your right to join a union - and it is equally your right not to join a union," O'Brien said in the video. She said that employees should "consult a wide range of people and sources" to have a full understanding of what it would mean to "work at Apple under a collective bargaining agreement."
O'Brien said that a union would make it more difficult for Apple to implement "immediate, widespread changes," and it could "make it harder for [Apple] to act swiftly to address things" that employees bring up.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
The 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference is set to kick off on Monday, and like the 2020 and 2021 events, it will be held digitally with all developers able to participate for free. WWDC is aimed at developers who create apps for Apple's platforms, but Apple holds a keynote event that is of interest to the general public.
Apple's keynote event is set to take place on Monday, June 6, and it will give us a first look at new software that's coming this fall. Apple is expected to unveil iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, plus we could see new Macs, including a refreshed MacBook Air.
You can watch the WWDC 2022 keynote event using one of the methods outlined below. The live stream is set to start at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time from Apple Park in Cupertino, California. We have a full list of when the event will begin in other time zones in the United States and around the world.
Honolulu, Hawaii -- 7:00 a.m. HAST
Anchorage, Alaska -- 9:00 a.m. AKDT
Cupertino, California -- 10:00 a.m. PDT
Phoenix, Arizona -- 10:00 a.m. MST
Vancouver, Canada -- 10:00 a.m. PDT
Denver, Colorado -- 11:00 a.m. MDT
Dallas, Texas -- 12:00 noon CDT
New York, New York -- 1:00 p.m. EDT
Toronto, Canada -- 1:00 p.m. EDT
Halifax, Canada -- 2:00 p.m. ADT
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- 2:00 p.m. BRT
London, United Kingdom -- 6:00 p.m. BST
Berlin, Germany -- 7:00 p.m. CEST
Paris, France -- 7:00 p.m. CEST
Cape Town, South Africa -- 7:00 p.m. SAST
Moscow, Russia -- 8:00 p.m. MSK
Helsinki, Finland -- 8:00 p.m. EEST
Istanbul, Turkey -- 8:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- 9:00 p.m. GST
Delhi, India -- 10:30 p.m. IST
Jakarta, Indonesia -- 12:00 a.m. WIB next day
Shanghai, China -- 1:00 a.m. CST next day
Singapore -- 1:00 a.m. SGT next day
Perth, Australia -- 1:00 a.m. AWST next day
Hong Kong -- 1:00 a.m. HKT next day
Seoul, South Korea -- 2:00 a.m. KST next day
Tokyo, Japan -- 2:00 a.m. JST next day
Adelaide, Australia -- 2:30 a.m. ACST next day
Sydney, Australia -- 3:00 a.m. AEST next day
Auckland, New Zealand -- 5:00 a.m. NZST next day
Watch the Keynote on YouTube
Watching the WWDC keynote on YouTube may be one of the quickest and easiest ways to catch the event because YouTube is generally available on most devices, including TV sets and consoles.
The YouTube live stream above will be accessible on June 6 when the event kicks off.
Watch the Keynote on Mac, iPhone or iPad
You can watch the WWDC keynote on any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using Apple's native Safari browser or another browser like Chrome. iOS devices must be running iOS 10 or later, and Macs need to be running macOS Sierra 10.12 or later to access the stream.
You can watch the WWDC keynote via Apple's TV app on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, with the link in the TV app becoming available on the day of the event or just before.
Open the TV app on your chosen device.
Scroll down the Watch Now category and select WWDC 2022. Alternatively, type "WWDC" into the Search field and select WWDC 2022 from the results.
Click Play.
The app may tell you to tune in at your local time to watch the event live prior to when the WWDC keynote begins.
Watch the Keynote on a Windows PC
If you don't have an Apple device handy, you can still watch the WWDC 2022 keynote on a PC running Windows 10. Open Microsoft Edge browser and follow this link to the WWDC 2022 Livestream.
While Apple offers no guarantees, other platforms may also be able to access the WWDC 2022 keynote using recent versions of Chrome or Firefox (MSE, H.264, and AAC codecs/extensions must be installed).
Watch in the Apple Developer App or Developer Website
For those unable to watch the live stream, or who prefer to read a text version of the announcements, we'll have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, so make sure to follow.
An original and functional Apple-1 computer is up for auction on eBay, where it could fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Apple-1 computer available for sale is known as the "Schlumberger 2" Apple-1, and it has been restored to full working condition.
One of only dozens of Apple-1 computers remaining, the device is said to feature "almost all period-correct components" with the appropriate "make, part, and production date for an Apple-1 'NTI' board," with the exception of some multiplexor ICs.
The Schlumberger 2 Apple-1 is a second-batch Apple-1 computer that was originally purchased by an executive at oil services company Schlumberger Overseas in 1977. The Apple-1 is believed to be one of the last Apple-1 computers assembled in the Jobs family garage in late 1976 or early 1977.
The AAPL Collection's Jimmy Grewal owns the Apple-1 computer, and it is expected to sell for around $485,000 due to its condition and original components. The Schlumberger 2 Apple-1 has been signed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, and the auction is set to last until June 12.
The Apple-1 was the first Apple product created by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak when Apple Computer was founded, and there are few left in existence of the original 200 that were manufactured.
A first batch Apple-1 went up for auction in May and sold for more than $460,000, and back in November 2021, an Apple-1 in a koa wood case sold for $500,000. Other Apple-1 computers have sold for upwards of $815,000, with rarer machines fetching more money.
Just days ahead of WWDC 2022, the lucky winners of this year's Swift Student Challenge have started to receive free WWDC 2022 souvenirs and AirPods Pro from Apple. The winners also receive one year of membership in the Apple Developer Program.
The souvenirs include a WWDC22-branded sweater, a beanie with a yellow Apple logo, and a customized WWDC22 pin set.
As part of the prize package, winners received a card from Apple that reads as follows:
Your coding skills were tested, and they passed with flying colors. You're a confirmed WWDC22 Swift Challenge winner. The Swift Playgrounds app project you created demonstrates your commitment to coding and dedicated effort to bringing your design to life. At Apple, we value these qualities and are thrilled to present you with this exclusive award for your hard work. We appreciate your enthusiasm for Apple technologies and look forward to supporting your future coding efforts.
The annual Swift Student Challenge is a coding challenge that tasks students with creating a Swift Playgrounds project on the topic of their choice.
WWDC 2022 will be held online from June 6 through June 10, with sessions and other content to be made available on Apple's website and in the Apple Developer app free of charge. During the opening keynote, Apple is expected to announce its latest software platforms, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, and there is always a chance of a hardware announcement or two at the event.
There will be one in-person component of WWDC 2022, as Apple will be hosting a special day at Apple Park on June 6 for some randomly selected developers to watch the Keynote and Platforms State of the Union videos and tour some areas of the campus.
BMW this week announced two new vehicles with support for its Digital Key Plus feature, including the 2023 X1 and an all-new electric SUV called the iX1.
Digital Key Plus allows for compatible BMW vehicles to be locked, unlocked, or started with an iPhone or Apple Watch, eliminating the need for a physical key. The standard NFC version of the feature requires the iPhone or Apple Watch to be held near the driver-side door to unlock the vehicle, but Digital Key Plus utilizes Ultra Wideband technology to detect when you are near the vehicle, allowing you to keep your iPhone in your pocket.
Digital Key Plus also improves security, as Ultra Wideband's precise location awareness helps to prevent relay attacks, where the radio signal between the iPhone and vehicle is jammed or intercepted by another party.
Digital Key Plus requires an iPhone 11 or newer, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, with the digital keys stored in Apple's built-in Wallet app. The feature is gradually rolling out to more BMW models, such as the 2022 iX and now the 2023 X1 and iX1. BMW also offers the standard NFC-based Digital Key feature on a wider range of 2021 and newer vehicles, with a complete list available on Apple's website.
Digital Key Plus can be set up using the My BMW app, and digital keys can be shared with up to five other users. Even if your iPhone runs out of battery, the feature still works for up to five additional hours through a Power Reserve mode.
Apple wants to make the iPad behave more like a laptop than a smartphone and plans to implement changes in iPadOS 16 to further that goal, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
iPadOS 16 will feature a redesigned multitasking interface that makes it easier to swap between tasks and see which apps are open, plus it will allow users to resize windows. Apple plans to implement new ways for users to deal with multiple apps at once, in what sounds like a much more Mac-like multitasking experience.
The revamped iPad experience will be one of the biggest upgrades announced at WWDC, according to Gurman.
Apple's iPad Pro models are as powerful as its Macs as they use the same M1 chip, but the software experience has always lagged behind and prevented the tablet from being used in the same way as a laptop or desktop machine.
The new iPadOS 16 experience will premiere on Monday, June 6, with Apple previewing the software for developers. Developers will get beta access that same day, and Apple will refine the iPadOS 16 software over the course of several months before launching it in the fall alongside iOS 16.
Digital payments platform Square today announced the launch of an early access program that adds support for Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhone feature to the Square Point of Sale app.
Small businesses and independent sellers who use Square will be able to accept in-person contactless payments using an iPhone and the Square app, with no additional hardware required.
Square's Tap to Pay on iPhone feature will launch in full later this year, but an early access program is available for select sellers starting today, allowing the company to test Tap to Pay before it debuts. Square users interested in Tap to Pay can sign up to test it on the Square website.
Apple introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone back in February, with the feature designed to let NFC-compatible iPhones accept payments through Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets with no add-on hardware.
At the current time, Square's payment solution requires a dongle that is connected to the iPhone over Bluetooth or plugged into the phone through the Lightning port. The new solution will not require Square's typical hardware.
Stripe and Dutch payment processing company Adyen have already implemented support for Tap to Pay. As of right now, the Tap to Pay option is limited to the United States.
Apple today shared a new AirPods ad starring singer Harry Styles, following the release of his new album "Harry's House" last month.
The ad features Styles and others with colorful, silhouette-like appearances as they dance while listening to music in Spatial Audio on AirPods.
"The magical listening experience of AirPods with Spatial Audio meets Harry Styles' new album 'Harry's House," says Apple. "With dynamic head tracking, to hear sound all around, you'll hear Harry Styles like never before."
The ad draws similarities to Apple's iconic iPod ads with silhouettes of people dancing or rocking out to music from the mid-2000s.
The third-generation AirPods were released in October 2021 with a new design, Spatial Audio support, and IPX4-rated water resistance.
DJI recently announced the Mini 3 Pro, its lightest weight Pro drone that is a successor to other Mini drones that it has sold in the past. The Mini 3 Pro brings high-end camera quality, a tri-directional object avoidance system, and an expansive feature set to one of the smallest form factors that DJI offers.
I'll start this review with the disclaimer that I am by no means a drone expert, so everything I have to say is from the perspective of a casual drone user. I have a DJI Mavic Pro that I like to break out every now and then, but this is the first "Mini" drone I've experienced. As someone not accustomed to using a drone on the regular, the Mini was the perfect form factor for me.
Unlike my Mavic Pro, the Mini is small enough that I can tuck it into my backpack or pop it into a suitcase (in a protective casing, of course), and I am less worried about damaging it in travel or during flight. Like most DJI drones, it has fold-in legs and propellers that collapse down, and this is a new design for the Mini line.
The Mini 3 Pro is a 249 gram drone, but it is right at the 250 gram limit, so battery swaps (to DJI's "Plus" battery) and other accessories will bring it up over 250 grams. At 249 grams, the Mini 3 Pro is under the weight limit that requires registration with the FCC, for those who prefer not to have to do paperwork. It's supposedly safer to fly too, as sub-250g drones don't need to be registered because they aren't considered to be as risky.
Coming in under the weight limit is not a free pass to do whatever you like though, because even small drones are subjected to all FAA regulations in the United States.
In flight, the Mini 3 Pro is responsive, smooth, and basically a joy to fly, it's a much better experience than my 2016 Mavic Pro, and one of the primary reasons is the controller that can be purchased alongside it. The DJI RC has the DJI app pre-installed, and it includes a 5.5-inch display that's easy to see even in direct sunlight thanks to 700 nits brightness.
You can purchase the DJI Mini 3 Pro with no controller at all if you already own the RC-N1 (which is the controller that attaches to a smartphone like an iPhone), and that's $699. With the RC-N1, it's $759, and with the premium DJI RC controller, the drone is priced at $909. So compared to the RC-N1 cost, you're paying a $150 premium for the better controller.
I prefer the DJI RC controller because it's just so easy to pick up the drone and start flying. You don't need to attach a smartphone to the controller and get the DJI app up and running, it basically just works. It's a pleasant experience, and it's nice not having my smartphone in use. I don't think it's going to be worth the extra $150 if you're already familiar with the RC-N1 controller, the DJI iPhone app, and prefer easy access to footage, but if this is your first drone experience or you're not an RC-N1 fan, the RC is a decent buy.
The Mini 3 Pro has the same general build quality as other DJI drones, and it is crafted from a lightweight plastic material, but it doesn't feel cheap even though it was built to fit into the sub 250 gram category. It comes with extra propellers and there are a ton of built-in safety measures, but it's still possible to crash. My test unit had a minor encounter with a tree, but luckily survived with just a couple scuffed propellers. There is a gimbal cover, and it pops right on and off, so it's easy to pack up the drone when you're done flying.
You can get DJI Care for the Mini 3 Pro, and if you're new to drones or a not so great flyer like I am, it's worthwhile. It's basically AppleCare for drones, and it's priced at $79 for a year or $125 for two years. You can get three fixes if you break or lose your drone, with a $65 replacement fee for damage and a $235 replacement fee for a flyaway (only usable once).
As for camera quality, there's a 1/1.3-inch sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, and video and photo quality is top notch. It records up to 4K 60fps video and can capture 48-megapixel RAW or JPG images, which is a notable improvement over the Mini 2, which was limited to 4K 30fps video. I've shared some photos and videos in the review to give you an idea of what you can expect, and in my experience, I got crisp, high-quality video with vivid colors even when the lighting outside was not the greatest. It's not up to par with some of the higher-end drones like the Mavic 3, as it doesn't have the micro four thirds sensor.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is supposed to last for up to 34 minutes on a single charge (extra batteries can be purchased), but that metric is with no wind and there's not often zero wind at all. I didn't get 34 minutes, and I think 25 to 30 minutes of battery life on average is more realistic. The Mini 3 Pro is super quiet, so if that's a concern, this is the drone to get.
Moving on to software, the Mini 3 Pro is a "Pro" drone because it has safety and flight features are typically reserved for higher-end DJI drones, and that's the main reason you might want to shell out extra for the Mini 3 Pro over the more affordable Mini 2. Drones are expensive and when I fly I have constant anxiety about crashing into trees and other objects, or flying too far away. All of the DJI drones are fairly good about preventing you from destroying them, but the Mini 3 Pro goes a little above and beyond.
It includes forward, backward, and downward tri-directional dual-vision obstacle sensing, and for the most part, this safety feature did indeed keep me from flying into any trees. When near an object, the drone wouldn't get too close, but it is worth noting that it's not entirely foolproof because there are blindspots at the sides that can cause trouble.
The Mini 3 Pro is using DJI's Advanced Pilot Systems 4.0 technology, which is the latest software. DJI promises a stable feed at up to 12km, and I don't know if it was all the trees around or my location, but I couldn't make it to that distance before I lost connectivity and the drone had to safely bring itself home. Luckily, the Mini 3 Pro's Return to Home safety features let it come right back to its starting point if it can't communicate with the controller.
DJI's multitude of safety features, modes, and sensors result in a safer flying experience, but reading through everything available and the shortcomings is essential, so make sure to download the manual and look it over thoroughly if you pick up the Mini 3 Pro. Some of the vision systems, for example, do not work over highly reflective surfaces, water, in drastic lighting changes, or over super dark or bright conditions, so you need to know the ins and outs of the drone to keep it safe.
There are a lot of fun little features that the Mini 3 Pro supports, and these weren't available with the Mini 2. They're useful for social media videos and capturing sports and other action. There are three modes, Cine, Normal, and Sport, along with several different photo and video options.
Cine adopts a lower flight speed (13mph) and dulls the sensitivity of the flight for less choppy video, while Sport mode, which is the fastest mode, ups the maximum speed to over 35mph. Normal is in between and allows for flight speeds up to 22mph. Notably, Sport mode does not support object avoidance, so it should be used with caution. The various video options are outlined below.
FocusTrack: ActiveTrack 4.0 - There are two ActiveTrack modes. Trace follows a subject (moving or stationary) at a constant distance and altitude, angled toward the subject. Parallel is the same, but follows from the side.
FocusTrack: Point of Interest 3.0 - You can set a subject and then the drone will track it in a circle based on a set radius and flight speed. This mode disables obstacle avoidance, so use with caution. As with Spotlight, distance, altitude, and framing can be adjusted.
FocusTrack: Spotlight 2.0 - You can set the camera to lock on a specific subject, and the drone will keep it in the field of view. You can still manually control the Mini 3 Pro, circling the subject, changing distance from the subject, and adjusting altitude. It works with both stationary and moving objects, so it's fun for recording sports.
MasterShots - In MasterShots, you can set the drone to keep a subject at the center of the frame while the drone pulls off different flight maneuvers to create a cinematic video.
QuickShots - There are several QuickShot shooting modes that have different effects. With Dronie, the drone flies backwards and then flies upward while the camera is locked on the subject. Rocket causes the drone to fly up with the camera pointing down, Circle sends the drone in a circle around the subject, and Helix goes up and around the subject in a spiral pattern. There's also a Boomerang mode that causes the drone to fly around the subject in an up and down pattern, and Asteroid causes the drone to fly backward and then upward, taking several photos and then returning to the starting point.
Hyperlapse - Hyperlapse creates various timelapse videos, there are a few modes like Circle (sends the drone in a circle), Course Lock (to fix a direction), and Waypoint, which takes photos on a flight path of pre-set waypoints.
True Vertical Shooting - The Mini 3 Pro supports vertical shots with a gimbal that rotates 90 degrees, so you can do Panoramic vertical videos.
Bottom Line
If you want a feature rich drone that is not overly expensive, has a raft of safety features and a ton of different shooting modes, the Mini 3 Pro is worth checking out. It's relatively durable, easy to fly, and comes in under the 250 gram weight limit so it is not subject to some of the same registration restrictions as bigger drones.
The RC Controller is a great flight addition and a solid alternative to the iPhone-compatible controller, and the safety features and improved camera capabilities are nice to have over the Mini 2.
How to Buy
The Mini 3 Pro can be purchased from the DJI website. The drone alone is $669, and the bundle with the DJI RC-N1 (iPhone) controller is $759. The mini 3 Pro with DJI RC is $909. There are also various Fly More kits with additional batteries and other accessories that can be purchased alongside the drone.
As of now, Mini 3 Pro orders will deliver at the end of June at the earliest, but it will take until August for the more affordable versions with no RC controller to be available.
Note: DJI provided MacRumors with a Mini 3 Pro and accessories for the purpose of this review. The Mini 3 Pro was returned to DJI at the conclusion of the review. No other compensation was received.
Amazon today introduced a new all-time low price on the 45mm Cellular Apple Watch Series 7, now available for $410.00, down from $529.00. The new sale arrives amid ongoing all-time low deals across the GPS and Cellular Apple Watch Series 7 lineup, which we recently covered.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This deal is available only in the Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band, and only Amazon has this price. At $119 off, this is the lowest price we've ever seen on the 45mm Cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 7.
In regards to other sales, you can currently get the 41mm GPS Apple Watch Series 7 for $329.00 and the 45mm GPS model for $359.00, and both sales represent $70 off original prices. Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
TrendForce said the iPhone 14 Pro models will be upgraded to a faster and more power efficient type of RAM known as LPDDR5, while the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max models are expected to stick with LPDDR4X.
If the report proves to be accurate, the iPhone 14 lineup would compare as follows:
iPhone 13 mini: 4GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 13: 4GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 13 Pro: 6GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 14: 6GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 14 Max: 6GB (LPDDR4X)
iPhone 14 Pro: 6GB (LPDDR5)
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6GB (LPDDR5)
The report lines up with information shared by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who also claimed that all four iPhone 14 models would be equipped with 6GB of RAM and that iPhone 14 Pro models would be upgraded to LPDDR5.
TrendForce also suggests that iPhone 14 Pro models may start with 256GB of storage, compared to 128GB for iPhone 13 Pro models, but the chart says the storage capacities are "TBD," so this information appears to be less certain.
As previously rumored, two features expected to be exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro models are an upgraded 48-megapixel rear camera lens and an A16 chip. The standard iPhone 14 models are expected to stick with an A15 chip.
As widely rumored as well, no iPhone 14 mini is expected this year. Instead, Apple is planning to launch 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. The devices will likely be announced at Apple's usual September event, barring any significant supply chain disruptions.
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.
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.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
