This year's Apple Watch Series 8 will include major updates in the area of activity tracking and a faster chip that will power all of Apple's smartwatch models in a new-look lineup, according to well-connected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.
Apple is believed to be bringing three new Apple Watch models to customers in 2022, including the Apple Watch Series 8, an updated Apple Watch SE, and a new entry in its smartwatch offering in the form of a rugged Apple Watch geared towards extreme sports.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman says the three new models could make this year "the biggest in the history of the Apple Watch since the original model," despite the likelihood that Apple won't introduce any major new health sensors this time around. Gurman:
I think this year will be the biggest in the history of the Apple Watch since the original model. I'm looking for three new models this fall: an Apple Watch Series 8, an Apple Watch SE and an Apple Watch geared toward extreme sports. I wouldn't expect any major new health sensors this year, besides the possible inclusion of the oft-discussed body temperature feature. But look out for major updates to activity tracking and faster chips across the board.
Apple is understood to be developing body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar sensors for future Apple Watch models, but apart from the possibility of a body temperature sensor being included in the Series 8, these features aren't expected anytime soon.
Gurman believes that this year will also see the company retire the Apple Watch Series 3, which has been on sale since 2017, currently positioned as an affordable alternative to newer series.
Little is known about the design of the Apple Watch Series 8, but it could look similar to the Apple Watch Series 7, as Apple just increased the display size with the Series 7 models and Apple usually sticks with a display size for a couple of years.
That isn't a foregone conclusion, though. Prior to the release of the Apple Watch Series 7, multiple rumors suggested Apple was working on a refreshed design with flat edges similar to the flat edges of the iPhone 13 and iPad Pro. That didn't end up happening, but given the number of rumors that confirmed Apple was planning such a design, it could still appear, just for the Series 8 rather than the Series 7.
In other rumors, display analyst Ross Young has suggested the Apple Watch Series 8 could come in three sizes instead of two, with Apple adding a larger size that would join the 41 and 45mm size options.
For everything we know so far about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8, expected in September, check out our dedicated guide.
Update: We now have invites for a March 8 event! Apple uncharacteristically sent them out less than a week ahead of the event.
Invites for Apple's widely expected spring event could be sent out tomorrow if recent reports prove to be correct.
In early February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was planning to host a special event on Tuesday, March 8. Gurman then reiterated the rumor of an event on March 8 in his "Power On" newsletter. Apple tends to send out invitations a week ahead of its events, which would fall on Tuesday, March 1, usually at around 9am PST.
Last year, Apple chose to hold its spring event in April, but otherwise the company has consistently chosen March for its spring events. Apple recently filed three new Mac models, one iPad, and one iPhone in the Eurasian Economic Database, which suggests that the launch of new devices is imminent. Apple also hosts most of its events on Tuesdays, so overall the March 8 rumor seems very plausible.
The Spring event is expected to at least include the announcement of updated versions of the iPhone SE and the iPad Air, as well as a new Mac with Apple silicon. The new iPhone SE has been repeatedly rumored to look the same as the iPhone SE from 2020, which itself looks very similar to the iPhone 8, but it will likely add the A15 Bionic chip, an improved rear camera, and 5G connectivity.
The new iPad Air is also expected to feature a newer A-series chip and 5G connectivity, with no major design changes. At least one new Mac with Apple-designed chips could also be introduced at the event, and previous rumors have suggested that this is likely to be the high-end Mac mini, but a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro is also a possibility.
The iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 updates may be tied to the March event and the launch of new devices, so it is possible that these updates could also be released in the first half of March.
The March event is expected to be streamed digitally only, rather than be held with an in-person audience, similar to the other Apple events that have taken place over the past two years. It will likely be followed by WWDC later this year, where Apple will introduce new software, and several keynote events later in the year.
Apple is expected to hold a virtual event on Tuesday, March 8, and alongside possible new products like a new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, new iPhone case colors could also be on the menu.
Twitter user "Majin Bu" has shared images of the alleged new MagSafe cases that Apple will release for the iPhone 13. There are four new colors in total, including yellow, orange, light blue, and midnight green. The official names of the cases have not been shared.
Apple often refreshes iPhone case and Apple Watch band colors on a seasonal basis, and the cases are likely to be added to Apple's online store following its spring event. The March 8 event has yet to be officially announced, but Apple is expected to confirm it in the next few days.
The head of Instagram has commented on Twitter about the lack of an iPad app for Instagram, saying that while the social media platform is asked about an iPad app a lot, there is still not enough demand to warrant one.
In a Twitter exchange with YouTuber Marques Brownlee, Adam Mosseri, who runs Instagram, said his company gets asked about an iPad app a lot, but it's "still just not a big enough group of people to be a priority" adding Instagram hopes to have an iPad app at some point, but the company is currently "very heads down on other things."
An image alleged to be the display schematic for the iPhone 14 Pro series has emerged online, offering us a look at the true size of the pill-shaped and circular cutout design expected to debut on the high-end 2022 iPhones in replacement of the notch.
The image first emerged on Weibo and was later shared by Apple leaker Jon Prosser who claims to have been able to "independently" confirm that the schematic is legitimate and depicts the "likely size" of the pill-shaped and hole-punch cutout. The schematic coincides with rumors that Apple plans to replace the notch on high-end iPhone 14 models with a hole-punch and pill-shaped cutout.
While the schematic coincides with the fundamentals of recent iPhone 14 Pro display rumors suggesting the end of the notch, more minor details defer from information shared by oft-accurate display analyst Ross Young.
Young, who has shared accurate information in the past, shared last month a front iPhone 14 Pro panel that shows a significantly smaller hole-punch and pill-shaped cutout than the one depicted in the schematic. Additionally, Young's information suggests the pill-shaped cutout will be centered with the display, unlike the schematics.
We now believe Apple will have a hole + pill design on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models. The smaller hole will not be invisible...The two hole concept will be unique to Apple, like the notch, not similar to all the pill models from Huawei...Let's see those new renders pic.twitter.com/Udt8cTKzPZ
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 12, 2022
In a related tweet, Young said that the hole-punch and pill-shaped cutouts will debut in all models of the 2023 iPhone series, as they're only expected to be featured on the highest-end iPhone 14 variants. The two lower-end iPhone 14 models will feature a notch.
The dual hole punch design on the iPhone Pro models will be seen on all 4 models in 2023. Hopefully the holes will get smaller…
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) February 27, 2022
The indication that the 2023 iPhone series will continue to feature some form of display obstruction for the TrueDepth camera system will disappoint customers who were hoping for an under-display system next year. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple plans to place Face ID under the display starting in 2023, implying a full-screen design with no notch or pill-shaped and hole-punch cutouts.
The iPhone 14 lineup will include four models, consisting of two 6.1-inch and two 6.7-inch sizes. Alongside the higher-end models featuring a pill-shaped and hole-punch design, the entire lineup is thought to be gaining a significant redesign with thinner camera bumps, circular volume buttons, and a new speaker grill reminiscent of the iPhone 4. For more on what we know about the iPhone 14, see our comprehensive roundup.
With only a week and a half to go until Apple's rumored March event, we're still unsure how many Macs we'll be seeing introduced at the event, but it's clear Apple has a bunch of new Mac models in the pipeline. We're of course still expecting a new iPhone SE and updated iPad Air at the event, so we should be seeing some updates for most of Apple's main product segments.
We're also expecting to see iOS 15.4 and associated operating system updates released to the public around the time of the event, and Apple is continuing to make tweaks to the updates as they go through the beta period. Looking further off, this week saw rumors about Apple's progress on its first AR/VR headset and its plans for not only a foldable iPhone but also all-screen Macs with foldable displays, so read on for details on these stories and more!
Apple Rumored to Launch New Macs Next Month, More Around May or June
Apple plans to hold its first media event of the year on Tuesday, March 8, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and he said that he has been told to expect at least one new Mac to be announced that day.
At the March 8 event, Apple is also rumored to announce a third-generation iPhone SE and a fifth-generation iPad Air, with key features of both devices expected to include an A15 chip and 5G support.
Apple Exploring 20-Inch All-Screen Foldable MacBook, But Foldable iPhone Delayed Until 2025
Apple is exploring the possibility of offering all-screen foldable notebooks with up to 20-inch displays, according to display industry consultant Ross Young, who has a proven track record with display-related information for future Apple products.
Young believes a foldable MacBook is still several years away from release, and likewise, he said that Apple's foldable iPhone likely won't be released until 2025.
iOS 15.4 Beta 4 Includes AirTag Anti-Stalking Changes
The report claimed that the headset will undergo third-phase EVT 3 testing soon ahead of volume production starting in August–September, with a final release apparently planned by the end of the year.
Apple Will Soon Offer Face ID Repairs Without Replacing the Entire iPhone
Apple said authorized technicians will soon have access to a new TrueDepth Camera service part containing all Face ID and front camera modules, allowing for same-unit repairs.
Current iPod Touch Now Over 1,000 Days Old With No Sign of New Model
This week, the current seventh-generation iPod touch surpassed 1,000 days since it was released, and there are no rumors that suggest a new model is in development or coming soon.
Apple last updated the iPod touch in May 2019 with an A10 chip and a new 256GB storage option. Other features include a 4-inch Retina display, a Home button without Touch ID, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Lightning connector.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Ukrainian vice prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov today wrote a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook calling on Apple to stop device sales and block App Store access in Russia.
In the letter, Fedorov says that he is asking for Apple's support to stop supplying Apple services and products to users in Russia amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
I appeal to you and I am sure you will not only hear, but also do everything possible to protect Ukraine, Europe, and finally, the entire democratic world from bloody authoritarian aggression - to stop suppling Apple services and products to the Russian Federation, including blocking access to App Store!
We are sure that such actions will motivate youth and active population of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression.
Apple has a dedicated website in Russia where it sells iPhones, Macs, and other devices, plus there is a Russian App Store. The United States has already implemented sanctions that prevent companies from exporting select products to Russia, but Apple may not be impacted as the company has not stopped sales at this time.
I’ve contacted @tim_cook, Apple's CEO, to block the Apple Store for citizens of the Russian Federation, and to support the package of US government sanctions! If you agree to have the president-killer, then you will have to be satisfied with the only available site Russia 24. pic.twitter.com/b5dm78g2vS
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 25, 2022
Yesterday afternoon, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that he was "deeply concerned" with the situation in Ukraine, and that Apple will be "supporting local humanitarian efforts."
I am deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine. We’re doing all we can for our teams there and will be supporting local humanitarian efforts. I am thinking of the people who are right now in harm’s way and joining all those calling for peace.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 25, 2022
While the App Store is operational in Russia at this time, sanctions on banks have interfered with Apple Pay. According to Business Insider, five major Russian banks are no longer able to use Apple Pay or Google Pay services.
Back in November, camera and drone company DJI released its Action 2 Camera, introducing an interchangeable and adaptive magnetic design for accessories, a lighter weight chassis, camera improvements, and other updates for those who want to film their adventures.
In our latest YouTube video, we went hands-on with the DJI Action 2 to test it out and see if it's worth the $399 price tag.
The Action 2 is an iteration on DJI's original Action camera, so DJI is not new to the extreme sports videography market. The new palm-sized model is much smaller and more lightweight at 56 grams, and it continues to be dust proof, waterproof, and drop proof, so it's able to hold up in all kinds of environments.
It comes with a 1/1.7-inch f/2.8 12-megapixel sensor that can record 4K video at up to 120 frames per second, and the field of view comes in at 155 degrees for capturing more of what's around you. There's a 1.76-inch OLED touchscreen, and the battery lasts for up to 70 minutes.
Camera quality is similar to other action cameras on the market and maybe even a bit behind the latest GoPro Hero 10, but the stabilization is competitive and DJI wins out when it comes to form factor. The inclusion of magnets for attaching peripherals was a great idea because it makes the Action 2 more versatile.
The DJI Action 2 works with all kinds of accessories, including a Front Touchscreen Module that boosts battery life to 160 minutes and adds another screen for vlogging, and a Power Module that lets the camera last for up to 180 minutes. DJI also has several mounts and adapters to meet multiple use cases, along with a waterproof case for underwater filming and a magnetic headband for head-mounted video.
There's also a magnetic necklace mount for wearing the camera on a shirt, and a macro lens that's perfect for close up shots, and even with accessories attached, the Action 2 is compact. The compactness of the camera does have one major negative - heat dissipation. It runs hot and can overheat when shooting at high frame rates and high resolution, leading it to shut off to cool down.
All in all, at $399, the DJI Action 2 is a solid little camera that's worth considering for those who are looking for a tiny, modular form factor, but those who want to film at the highest resolution will definitely want to think twice because of the heat issues.
Priced at $60, the Magnetic Stand for iPad mini 6 is a floating stand that holds the iPad mini in place with magnets, turning it into the perfect desktop device. The Magnetic Stand has an arm that's quite similar to what you might see on an iMac, so paired with a keyboard and mouse, the stand can offer a Mac-style workstation.
It's also a handy stand to have if you plan to use the iPad mini 6 with Universal Control on a Mac, because it can be used to position the iPad mini right next to your Mac's display. The stand holder has a hinge that allows for a 360 degree swivel, so you can use it in landscape mode, portrait mode, or anything in between to get the ideal viewing position. Anti-slip pads are located on the bottom of the stand, ensuring it stays secured in place.
Lululook offers the Magnetic Stand in silver aluminum or gray aluminum to match your desktop setup, and the magnets that are included are strong enough to securely hold the iPad mini in place. It can be used for gaming, FaceTiming, web browsing, and more, and with the hole in the stand, charging while using it is possible.
You'll need to supply a USB-C cable, but Lululook is offering a slim GaN 33W USB-C charger to go along with the stand so you can charge your iPad mini or other accessories. The Wall Charger is priced at $17, and it's smaller than the standard chargers that come with Apple's iPads.
We have 10 of the Lululook Magnetic Stands for iPad mini 6 to give away, and each winner will also get one of the 33W chargers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (February 25) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 4. The winners will be chosen randomly on March 4 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Apple requires all apps that browse the web in iOS and iPadOS to use its own browser engine, WebKit, but amid accusations of anti-competitive conduct, should it continue to effectively ban rival browser engines?
Big tech has been gripped by accusations of anti-competitive conduct in recent times, with Chief Executive of the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Andrea Coscelli declaring in a press release:
Apple and Google have developed a vice-like grip over how we use mobile phones and we're concerned that it's causing millions of people across the UK to lose out.
Among these accusations of anti-competitive conduct, Apple has been criticized for demanding apps that browse the web to use the WebKit framework and WebKit Javascript on iOS and iPadOS, in a policy that effectively bans non-WebKit based browsers. Apple's App Store Review Guidelines state:
2.5.6 Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate WebKit framework and WebKit Javascript.
There is heated debate around this requirement, with some developers and regulatory agencies contending that it actively stifles innovation on iOS and iPadOS, while Apple argues that it is necessary to protect user security and privacy, as well as prevent the dominance of Chromium.
Why Apple Could Be Right to Ban Rival Browsers
Google's Chromium is the technology behind many popular browsers including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera. Some have argued that Chromium's dominance is leading to a "browser monoculture," stifling the development of rival web technologies. A tweet from Jen Simmons, an Apple Evangelist and developer advocate for Safari, appears to suggest the importance of maintaining the WebKit restriction for this reason:
Gosh. Catching up with tech Twitter this morning and there seems to be an angry pocket of men who really want Safari to just go away.
Do we really want to live in a 95% Chromium browser world? That would be a horrible future for the web. We need more voices, not fewer.
— Jen Simmons (@jensimmons) February 7, 2022
According to data from web analytics service StatCounter, Safari holds a 9.84 percent market share of desktop browsers compared to Google Chrome's overwhelming 65.38 percent. Safari currently has a more secure position on mobile platforms than it does on desktops, but it still comes second to Google Chrome. Despite Safari being the default browser on the iPhone and iPad, Safari has a 26.71 percent market share on mobile, while Chrome dominates both iOS and Android with a market share of 62.06 percent. Beyond Chrome, Chromium-based browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, dominate the other most popular browsers.
If Apple stops mandating the use of WebKit on iOS and iPadOS, the developers behind the mobile versions of browsers like Chrome and Edge could switch to Chromium like their desktop counterparts, enabling Chromium to obtain even larger overall market share and potentially limit the chances of rival technologies competing with it.
Apple told us that only allowing WebKit on iOS is motivated primarily by security and privacy considerations. In particular, many modern websites run code from unknown developers. Apple told us that because of the WebKit restriction, it is able to address security issues across all browsers on the iPhone, for all iPhone users, quickly and effectively (given there is only one browser engine). It further told us that, in Apple's opinion, WebKit offers a better level of security protection than Blink and Gecko.
Apple argues that, since it controls WebKit and it is the only browser engine on these devices, the restriction allows the company to make sweeping security and privacy improvements across all browsers on the iPhone and iPad, providing a better user experience and preventing fragmentation. It also claims that WebKit is more secure than rival browser engines.
Why Apple Could Be Wrong to Ban Rival Browsers
Others have argued that the WebKit restriction actively harms browser competition on iOS. The CEO of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, was at the center of a tumultuous dispute with Apple about App Store fees and now says that the WebKit restriction is anti-competitive and uninclusive:
I believe Google, who also blocks competing browser engines, should open up the Google Play Store to browser engine competition. I’d love to see Apple ship Safari on Google Play and to see Google ship the full version of Chrome on iOS. Include ALL the browsers!
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) February 8, 2022
Apple's policies around WebKit have caught the attention of regulatory agencies, such as the CMA, which has heavily criticized the restriction:
We have found that by requiring all browsers on iOS devices to use its WebKit browser engine, Apple controls and sets the boundaries of the quality and functionality of all browsers on iOS. It also limits the potential for rival browsers to differentiate themselves from Safari. For example, browsers are less able to accelerate the speed of page loading and cannot display videos in formats not supported by WebKit. Further, Apple does not provide rival browsers with the access to the same functionality and APIs that are available to Safari. Overall, this means that Safari does not face effective competition from other browsers on iOS devices.
The evidence also suggests that browsers on iOS offer less feature support than browsers built on other browser engines, in particular with respect to web apps. As a result, web apps are a less viable alternative to native apps from the App Store for delivering content on iOS devices.
The CMA highlighted that app developers cannot differentiate their browsers from Safari, while web developers are bound by the features that WebKit supports.
Importantly, due to the WebKit restriction, Apple makes decisions on whether to support features not only for its own browser, but for all browsers on iOS. This not only restricts competition (as it materially limits the potential for rival browsers to differentiate themselves from Safari on factors such as speed and functionality) but also limits the capability of all browsers on iOS devices, depriving iOS users of useful innovations they might otherwise benefit from.
The debate also links to Apple's long-running reticence to allow app sideloading on iOS and iPadOS. The only practical obstruction to developers shipping web apps on iOS and iPadOS that are indistinguishable from native apps, outside of top level games, is Apple's WebKit restriction and control over Safari. If developers could use a different browser to open web apps, sideloading from the web effectively becomes possible.
It is also of note that CMA does not accept Apple's argument that limiting web browsing on iOS and iPadOS to WebKit is better for performance and tackling security vulnerabilities:
Overall, the evidence we have received to date does not suggest that Apple's WebKit restriction allows for quicker and more effective response to security threats for dedicated browser apps on iOS...
[...]
... the evidence that we have seen to date does not suggest that there are material differences in the security performance of WebKit and alternative browser engines.
Amid the ongoing debate, some developers have rallied behind the Twitter hashtag #AppleBrowserBan and launched an advocacy group to express their frustration with Apple's WebKit restriction.
Final Thoughts
The discussion around Apple's WebKit restriction is growing to be at the forefront of many issues with browsing on iOS and iPadOS. It remains open to debate whether allowing non-WebKit based browsers onto iOS like Firefox, Chrome, and Edge would be good for users or diminish the experience and security of browsing on the iPhone and iPad. Would allowing Chromium onto iOS, for example, lead to a browser monoculture where Safari has less than a five percent market share? Would lifting the WebKit restriction be good for browser engine competition or cement the dominance of Chromium?
As a result, Apple is facing pressure to improve relations with developers, as well as make Safari and WebKit more compelling, but it is unclear whether any of this is enough to prompt the company to change its position on the WebKit restriction. There is also the question of whether Apple can realistically continue to maintain its policy in the face of increasing regulatory pressure.
Today we're tracking a trio of charging deals from companies including Bluetti, Nimble, and Hyper. These discounts can help you save on powerful portable generators, MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers, and USB-C charging accessories.
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.
Bluetti
Bluetti has kicked off its Spring Sale this week, offering savings on its line of high-capacity portable generators. All of these can be found on Amazon, with up to $200 in savings across the sale. Note that two of the generators require you to clip an on-page coupon to see the sales.
At Nimble, you can get the APOLLO Wireless Bundle for $37.49, down from $49.95. This 25 percent off sale will only last through the end of February, and it doesn't require any discount code to apply.
The APOLLO Wireless Bundle includes the APOLLO Wireless Pad and a 20W USB-C Wall Charger. The accessory is compatible with Apple products like iPhone 13, AirPods, and AirPods Pro. It's compatible with MagSafe, supporting easy magnetic alignment with iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and the new AirPods Pro.
Nimble's accessory features an anti-slip surface made from recycled silicone, and an ultra-thin design with a total surface area of 3.78 inches. All of Nimble's products are made with certified recycled materials, including plastic-free packaging.
Hyper
Hyper's Presidents' Day sale is still going on today, and it offers a bundle of the HyperDrive DUO 7-in-2 USB-C Hub and HyperJuice GaN 100W Charger for $139.99, down from $199.98. This sale will run through February 27, and it doesn't require a discount code.
The HyperDrive DUO 7-in-2 USB-C Hub is a 7-port hub that fits into the newest MacBook Pro's USB-C ports with a magnetic grip. In terms of ports it has HDMI, USB-C (2x), USB-A (2x), SD, and MicroSD.
The HyperJuice GaN 100W Charger includes four total ports (2x USB-c and 2x USB-A) in a small form factor. It features a foldable wall plug and international converters for travel, including EU, UK, and AU pin converters.
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's iPhone 13 lineup led global smartphone revenues to a new high of $448 billion in 2021, Counterpoint reports.
Smartphone revenues grew seven percent year-on-year and 12 percent quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of 2021, despite difficulties caused by component shortages. Apple's iPhone revenue is believed to have increased 35 percent year-on-year to $196 billion in 2021, its highest ever quarterly revenue. This enabled it to capture 44 percent of total global smartphone revenue that year.
As well as leading global revenues to the new high, the success of the iPhone 13 lineup pushed up the average selling price of smartphones by 12 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2021. This was also aided by the proliferation of 5G-enabled devices, which made up more than 40 percent of global smartphone shipments in 2021, compared to just 18 percent in 2020.
The average selling price of iPhones also increased by 14 percent due to demand for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, reaching $825. Apple also bolstered its market share with gains in key emerging markets, including India, Thailand, Vietnam and Brazil.
The top five smartphone brands contributed more than 85 percent of the total smartphone revenue. Samsung's smartphone revenue increased by 11 percent year-on-year, while Xiaomi and Oppo increased by 49 percent and 47 percent respectively. Amid rapid expansion, both Xiaomi and Oppo recently set out plans to directly challenge Apple on a global scale in the premium smartphone segment.
Apple is exploring the possibility of integrating a fully functioning Mac within a keyboard, reminiscent of home computers of the 80s, such as the Commodore 64 and Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
The concept was revealed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in a new Apple patent application called "Computer in an input device," which describes a thicker Magic Keyboard-style chassis with "all the components of a high performance computer" integrated under the hood.
The patent describes the premise for such a device, which could be plugged into a separate external display via a single I/O port designed to receive both data and power, and wirelessly paired with a trackpad or mouse for additional input.
Although portable computing devices, such as laptops and tablets, can be docked at an office or home-office station that includes a secondary display to provide a computing experience that is similar to a desktop computing experience, these devices still require an additional set of input devices to imitate a desktop computing device. Further, the primary display of devices such as laptops and tablets often may not be used when the device is docked to a station that includes a secondary display, adding potentially unnecessary size and cost to such portable computing devices.
The computing devices described herein can incorporate or otherwise house one or more computing components within an input device to provide a portable desktop computing experience at any location having one or more computer monitors. For example, a user can transport a keyboard that houses a computer, as opposed to carrying an entire laptop or a tower and keyboard. As some form of an input device is often required for interacting or interfacing with a computing device, including computing components within the housing or enclosure of an input device can eliminate the need for redundant sets of input devices and reduces the number of components that need to be transported by the user. Further the input device can eliminate additional components such as displays, that are not required when used with a standalone computer monitor, thereby reducing costs and size.
By including the computing components in the keyboard, Apple suggests this could allow a user to carry a single device that can provide a desktop computing experience at any location having one or more external displays.
In some embodiments, the device includes a trackpad "coupled" to the enclosure, while in others the device is foldable and the keyboard area includes an "accessory display" showing graphics, or the keyboard itself is virtually displayed from a projector contained inside the enclosure.
The rest of the patent explores in detail various configurations of internal computer components within the space afforded by the keyboard chassis.
Apple has filed patents for keyboards in the past, including one that uses a touchscreen panel similar to the Touch Bar that extends to the entire keyboard layout, but this is the first patent to suggest actually incorporating a computer into the keyboard itself.
As with any filed patent, the technology is unlikely to appear in any product soon, if at all, but it does offer an interesting look at how Apple is considering Mac designs that could ultimately replace or be offered alongside the Mac mini, which allows users to bring their own display, keyboard, and mouse.
Consumer spending on the top 100 non-game subscription-based apps across mobile platforms grew 41% year-on-year to $18.3 billion in 2021, up from 13 billion in 2020, according to a new report from analytics firm Sensor Tower.
According to the data, revenue from subscription apps purchased on the App Store and the Google Play Store represented around 14% of the $131.6 billion that consumers spent on in-app purchases last year, up from 11.7% in 2020.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, however, 86 of the top 100 earning non-game apps worldwide offered subscriptions, which is actually down slightly from 87 in the same quarter of 2020.
In keeping with historical trends, spending on subscription-based apps in Apple's App Store was vastly more than in the Google Play Store:
As in previous years, consumers spent more on subscription-based apps downloads from the App Store than on Google Play. The top 100 non-game subscription apps on the App Store generated $13.5 billion in 2021, up 31 percent Y/Y from $10.3 billion. Worldwide consumers spent $4.8 billion on the top 100 subscription apps on Google's marketplace, up 78 percent from $2.7 billion in 2020. While the top subscription apps on Google Play experienced more growth, the top apps on the App Store saw nearly three times as much spending last year.
Like in 2020, the only performance indicator in which the Google Play Store beat the App Store was in terms of year-on-year growth for U.S. user spending on subscription apps.
Consumer spending in the U.S. saw a similar breakdown, with the top 100 subscription apps generating $6 billion on the App Store, up 33 percent Y/Y from $4.5 billion. The cohort saw approximately $2.5 billion in consumer spending on Google Play, up 79 percent from $1.4 billion in 2020.
Google parent company Alphabet was once again the big winner this year in terms of subscription app spending, both globally and in the U.S. YouTube generated $1.2 billion worldwide and $566.5 million in the U.S., while Google One saw $1.1 billion worldwide and $698 million in the U.S. in 2021.
Despite the numbers, subscription-based apps generally divide App Store users between those for and against the revenue model. Apple began incentivizing developers to sell their apps for a recurring fee instead of a one-time cost when it made changes to its App Store subscription policies in 2016. Usually, Apple takes 30 percent of app revenue, but developers who are able to maintain a subscription with a customer longer than a year see Apple's cut drop down to 15 percent.
Apple News has rolled out local news coverage in Canada, according to Apple blogger and YouTuber Rene Ritchie. The first local news content will be available in Toronto and Montreal and will feature coverage from CTV News, Toronto Star, La Presse, Narcity, and other news outlets.
The move follows similar local news coverage expansions last October in the US, covering Charlotte, Miami, and Washington D.C. Apple News local coverage in the US can also be found in San Francisco, the Bay Area, New York, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Antonio.
Last month MacRumorsfound code in the first beta of iOS 15.4 that suggests Apple is planning to expand the sports content available in its Apple News app. To offer a more tailored news experience, users will be able to select their preferred sports leagues and their favorite teams, with Apple then providing the appropriate news.
If you find yourself regularly swiping to a different watch face on your Apple Watch depending on what you're doing or where you are, this article is for you. Because thanks to the power that Apple has built into its Shortcuts app, it's possible to make the watch face on your Apple Watch automatically change based on the time of day or your location. Keep reading to learn how.
One of the great things about the Apple Watch is the number of watch faces you can customize, which allows you to make certain faces more informative or more functional for different purposes, and then swipe to them when you need them. When you go to the office, for example, you can have a watch face filled with work-focused complications. Or you might swipe to a minimal watch face in the evening when you're winding down before bed.
If you tend to set up different watch faces in such a way, then it's worth considering creating an automation in iOS that can change the watch face on your Apple Watch for you when you need it, without you having to even raise your wrist. With the Shortcuts app, you can.
If you've never created a shortcut before, don't worry – the steps below show you how easy this particular automation is to set up. The only thing to bear in mind is that if you want your Apple Watch to change back to another watch face after a certain time (when your working day is at an end, for example) then you'll need to set up a second, separate automation for this to happen.
Likewise, if you want the watch face to only be active when you're at a particular location and then revert when you leave, then unless you want to dig deeper into the complex world of Shortcuts, a second automation is required.
How to Automatically Change Your Apple Watch Face At a Certain Time
Tap the Automation tab at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Create Personal Automation.
Select Time of Day.
Choose Sunrise or Sunset (after which you'll be given the option to define a specific time around these solar events), or specify any time with Time of Day. (Note the Repeat options include Daily, Weekly, and Monthly.) Then tap Next.
Tap Add Action, then use the search field to look up "Watch."
Select Set Watch Face from the results list of watch actions.
On the Actions screen, immediately below "Set active watch face to," tap the word Face in blue.
Choose the watch face you'd like to change to at the specified time. Note the list here uses Apple's official names for its watch faces, so you may see some duplicates. That's because the list corresponds to the current watch faces arranged on your watch, with the top watch face in the list being the one you see when you've swiped to the first (leftmost) face on your Apple Watch.
Tap Next when the Actions screen reappears, then toggle off the switch next to Ask Before Running and confirm by tapping Don't Ask at the prompt.
Tap Done to finish.
You should now see the automation you just created on the Automation screen. You don't have to do anything else – your watch face should now automatically change at the time you set.
How to Automatically Change Your Apple Watch Face Based on Location
Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
Tap the Automation tab at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Create Personal Automation.
Select Arrive or Leave, depending on when you want the watch face to change.
Choose the Location, and select it either by searching or entering the address, then tap Next.
Tap Add Action, then use the search field to look up "Watch."
Select Set Watch Face from the results list of watch actions.
On the Actions screen, immediately below "Set active watch face to," tap the word Face in blue.
Choose the watch face you'd like to change to when arriving at or leaving the specified location. Note the list here uses Apple's official names for its watch faces, so you may see some duplicates. That's because the list corresponds to the current watch faces arranged on your watch, with the top watch face in the list being the one you see when you've swiped to the first (leftmost) face on your Apple Watch.
Tap Next when the Actions screen reappears.
Tap Done on the last screen to finish.
You should now see the automation you just created on the Automation screen. You don't have to do anything else – your watch face should now automatically change either when you leave or arrive at the location you selected.
These two automations barely touch the surface of what is possible with the Shortcuts app. For example, you can create actions using predefined shortcuts in order to build complex automations that take in all manner of conditions and variables for when your watch face should change. Ultimately, the complexity of your automations depends on how much time you want to invest in discovering what's possible, and the only limit is your imagination.
Belkin today announced the launch of the CONNECT Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock, which is a docking station that offers Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for 40Gb/s total bandwidth and support for fast charging, dual display support, and more.
The CONNECT Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock is compatible with both Macs and PCs, offering 12 power, data, and video ports. It includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one upstream and one downstream), two HDMI 2.0 ports, a USB-C port, two USB 3.1 USB-A ports, two USB 2.0 USB-A ports, an SD card slot, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
It supports a single 8K display at up to 30Hz, two 4K displays at up to 60Hz, and three displays with select laptop models. The USB-C port offers PD 3.0 and supports up to 90W for charging connected devices.
Alongside the CONNECT Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock, Belkin today also debuted a Thunderbolt 4 cable that works alongside it. The cable offers 40Gb/s bandwidth and 100W Power Delivery.
Belkin's CONNECT Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock can be purchased from either Amazon.com or the Belkin website for $400, while the Thunderbolt 4 Cable is available from the Belkin website for $45 to $70.
Chipolo is an item tracking company that has embraced Apple's Find My network, and last May, it came out with one of the first Find My-enabled third party accessories, the Chipolo ONE Spot. Identical to the AirTag in almost every way, the Chipolo ONE Spot didn't have an edge over Apple's own item tracking solution, but Chipolo's $35 CARD Spot accessory beats out the AirTag when it comes to wallet tracking.
Design wise, the CARD Spot isn't much to look at because it's a simple credit card-sized black plastic insert that's meant to fit inside a wallet. It's got a Chipolo logo on one side along with a small button for pairing, along with some regulatory information on the other side.
Aside from that, it's just a plain black card, but what's impressive is its thinness. It measures in at 2.4mm thick, and the internet says that the average credit card is 0.76mm thick, so the CARD Spot is a little thicker than three credit cards. Based on my testing, that's accurate.
Comparing the CARD Spot to the credit cards in my wallet, it's just about the thickness of three of them stacked up on top of each other. So if your wallet fits a stack of three credit cards, it should fit the CARD Spot as well.
I have a relatively small card wallet that I use that holds about 10 cards and that is not sized for cash or other add-ins, and the CARD Spot fits inside perfectly in one of the slots. For those who use super slim wallets (like Apple's MagSafe Wallet), it may still be too thick, but I think many people will find it a better solution than anything AirTag related on the market.
There have been wallet inserts that accommodate an AirTag, but the AirTag is much thicker than the CARD Spot, so they're not a great option. I can fit the CARD Spot in my small wallet, but it definitely does not fit an AirTag. The CARD Spot offers IPX5 water resistance, so if your wallet accidentally gets wet, the tracker won't die on you. IPX5 is a low-pressure jet spray, so it still can't be dunked.
The major downside to the Chipolo CARD Spot is that there's no replaceable battery. It's designed to last for up to two years, but when the battery dies, the entire thing needs to be replaced. If you register your CARD Spot, Chipolo will send a 50 percent discount code for a new CARD Spot after two years and recycle the old one for free.
Like the AirTags and other Find My accessories, the CARD Spot can be located right alongside other Apple devices in the Find My app under the "Items" tab. You can give it a name and an emoji icon so it's easier to see at a glance.
The CARD Spot is compatible with the Find My network, which means it is able to leverage the Bluetooth connection of nearby Apple devices when lost to transmit its location back to you privately. It also supports "Notify When Left Behind," so if you're out somewhere and walk away from your wallet with the Chipolo CARD Spot inside, you'll be alerted.
Like AirTags, the CARD Spot is able to play a sound that's fairly loud at 105db so you can locate it nearby, and it has a 200 foot range for the sound option. There is no Precision Finding because it does not have U1 chip integration, and it's worth noting that this is an iPhone-only solution because it only works with the Find My app.
All Find My accessories have the same safety protections as the AirTags, so if a Chipolo CARD Spot is separated from its owner, it will send unknown item alerts and begin to play sounds after an 8 to 24 hour period.
Bottom Line
The Chipolo CARD Spot is the best wallet tracking device that I've used to date. It's thin enough to fit inside of most wallets and it offers all of the Find My benefits of an AirTag without the bulk. Compared to in-wallet solutions that use an actual AirTag, the CARD Spot is the superior option.
When it comes to price, the CARD Spot is $35, so it's $6 more expensive than the AirTag and $7 more expensive than the ONE Spot, but the convenience of having a slim tracker for the wallet will be worth the premium for some people. The major downside is that it needs to be replaced every two years, but $17.50 per year for peace of mind is a small price to pay, plus Chipolo has a discounted replacement program so the multi-year cost is lower.
How to Buy
The CARD Spot can be preordered from the Chipolo website for $35, and orders will ship out in April. There is a discounted two-pack available for $60, which drops the price to $30 per CARD Spot, and Chipolo also offers a bundle that includes a CARD Spot and a two Chipolo ONE Spots for $77.
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.
