MacRumors

Apple's next-generation iPhone 16 series is expected to launch on September 20 and will compete in a quickly evolving smartphone market, and with some notable upgrades rumored, the new models could see price changes compared to previous years.

Successive iPhone models always come with new features and hardware upgrades, but Apple typically does not increase the retail prices as a result. However, that could change this year due to an increasingly competitive smartphone market, potential supply chain disruptions, and other global economic challenges.

Last year saw a record high for the total cost of an ‌iPhone‌'s components, and could be a harbinger of things to come. According to one report, last year's iPhone 15 models cost more to produce than the previous iPhone 14. For example, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max is believed to cost Apple $558 to produce, a 12% increase over the ‌‌iPhone 14‌‌ Pro Max model released in 2022.

The other models in the ‌‌iPhone 15‌‌ lineup were also subject to cost increases. The standard ‌‌iPhone 15‌‌'s components totaled $423, a 16% increase compared to the ‌‌iPhone 14‌‌. The ‌‌iPhone 15‌‌ Plus is calculated at $442, a 10% increase over its predecessor, while the ‌‌iPhone 15‌ Pro‌ grew by 8% to $523.

Despite the increased costs, Apple did not increase the retail prices of any of its ‌‌iPhone‌‌ 15 models last year. However, Tokyo-based research company Fomalhaut Techno Solutions believes that Apple's bottom line will be impacted if the company continues to absorb the impact of increased production costs. That could see Apple choose to hike the retail prices of this year's ‌iPhone 16‌ series.

Speculation about a price hike is also due to a bump in hardware components required to support Apple intelligence. Apple is expected to increase the RAM in the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ models to 8GB, up from 6GB in the previous versions.

On the other hand, Apple will be wary of hiking prices in the face of the increased cost of living, as well as recent market challenges in Asia that have seen falling sales. For example, ‌iPhone 15‌ resellers in China have become increasingly dependent on promotional discounts to move stock, indicating Apple's latest ‌iPhone‌ generation is struggling to achieve the same popularity as previous models in China. Additionally, the design of the ‌iPhone 16‌ is not expected to change significantly, making it even harder to justify a price increase.

Apple is also mass producing iPhone 16 Pro models in India for the first time as it looks to diversify production beyond China, which could potentially result in cost savings. According to a report by The Economic Times, the ‌iPhone‌ maker is anticipated to reduce production expenses by 10% through manufacturing Pro models in India. However, despite these savings, consumers may not see lower prices, as taxes and component costs could well keep retail prices steady.

We don't know with complete certainty what prices Apple will set for its next-generation ‌iPhone‌ models. But it's worth noting that if the starting price of the standard ‌iPhone 16‌ model remains unchanged ($799), it will have the same starting price as the ‌iPhone‌ 12, which was released in 2020. That said, Apple could remove certain configuration options so that customers are essentially forced to pay more, as it did with the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max last year.

Prior to the ‌iPhone 15‌ release, speculation circulated that the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max might have a higher starting price of $1,199, up from the ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max's $1,099 base price. This prediction proved partially correct, but for a different reason than expected. Apple didn't raise the price outright – instead, it removed the lowest storage option of 128GB for the Pro Max model. As a result, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max now starts at 256GB of storage, priced at $1,199 – the same amount Apple previously charged for the 256GB ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max. So while the price-per-gigabyte remained consistent with the previous generation, the entry price increased.

Apple could adopt the same strategy for the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌. According to a new TrendForce report, this time Apple is expected to offer both the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max with a minimum of 256GB storage, doing away with the 128GB starting option on its smaller Pro model for the first time.

• iPhone 16 Launch Month Is Here: Here's Everything We Know

Apple will debut the new ‌iPhone‌ series on Monday, September 9 at a special event, dubbed "It's Glowtime." For all the details of what we can expect from the four new ‌iPhone 16‌ models, be sure to check out our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro roundups.

New versions of the AirPods Max and Apple TV may not debut at Apple's upcoming "It's Glowtime" event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested.

In a report detailing some final expectations for the September 9 Apple event, Gurman said that the company is still working on a new version of the ‌AirPods Max‌ with new color options and a USB-C port instead of Lightning. This product refresh has been rumored for some time, but with plenty of ‌AirPods Max‌ inventory still in stock, Gurman suggested that the new model may not arrive until later.

Likewise, Apple has apparently been working on an updated ‌Apple TV‌ that was originally supposed to launch earlier this year. With no sign of the new model and stable inventory of the current model, Gurman says that "a new version isn't on the immediate horizon."

The new ‌AirPods Max‌ are not expected to feature the H2 chip introduced in September 2022 or features like Adaptive Audio. Gurman previously said that the changes are expected to be so minor that the refreshed device will still be considered to be first-generation ‌AirPods Max‌.

Whenever it comes out, the next ‌Apple TV‌ is rumored to feature a faster processor than the current A15 Bionic chip, and even lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next ‌Apple TV‌ could have a sub-$100 starting price

Apple is "shaking up its color palette" for its iPhone 16 lineup this year, according to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.

According to Gurman, the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models will come in a Gold Titanium to replace Blue Titanium, while the Black, White, and Natural Titanium options that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro will remain unchanged.

Previous rumors and leaks were apparently accurate about the Pro model colorways, although the Gold Titanium version was previously described as "bronze-like" with a "Desert Titanium" naming convention. Gurman recently said the Gold color "looks impressive and not terrible like the early renders."

Meanwhile, the ‌iPhone 16‌ and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus will reportedly come in these colors: White (replacing yellow) and new shades of green, pink, and blue. Gurman does not mention a black option, but it's possible it could be available in essentially the same shade as the ‌iPhone 15‌'s black.

Apple will debut the new ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup at its upcoming "It's Glowtime" event, which is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, September 9.

The Apple Watch Series 10 will include a new sleep apnea detection feature, but it may not be available as soon as the new model launches, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Sleep apnea detection, which builds on the watch's existing sleep tracking, will attempt to determine if a wearer has sleep apnea and then suggest further testing with a medical professional.

Gurman had expressed doubt about the feature's inclusion in the 2024 Apple Watch model, previously reporting that Apple's efforts hadn't gone smoothly and that it had "run into some serious snags."

The sleep apnea detection feature was said to be in trouble because it relies on blood oxygen saturation, which Apple Watches in the United States cannot currently measure due to an ongoing legal dispute with Masimo.

Gurman previously suggested that the dispute with Masimo could be resolved by September, or Apple could find a way around it by arguing that the blood oxygen sensor could be used for purposes that are not directly related to blood oxygen levels. Either way, the Apple Watch Series 10 model will eventually feature sleep apnea detection, perhaps via a later software update.

Meanwhile, the new hypertension detection (high blood pressure) feature Apple appears to have been working on has been insufficiently reliable during testing, suggesting the feature is being delayed and "no longer on the cards for an immediate release," according to Gurman.

The overall design of the Apple Watch Series 10 is said to be similar to the Apple Watch Series 9, but Apple has given them slightly larger screen-size options and the watch case itself is said to be noticeably thinner. Apple is expected to unveil the new models alongside the iPhone 16 at its September 9 event.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared his final expectations for Apple's "It's Glowtime" event, providing some new tidbits and clarifications about the new devices set to be announced on Monday.

iPhone 16 Pro

• Along with larger 6.3- and 6.9-inch display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max will have bezels that are "now about a third slimmer" for a "sleeker overall look."
• The new models will feature faster chips with an improved Neural Engine that Apple will say is optimized for artificial intelligence.
• The new "Capture" button coming to both models will be the biggest selling point for the new devices beyond AI features. It will work like a DSLR camera's shutter button, with the ability to press it lightly to focus on a subject and press harder to capture a picture. Swiping across the button will switch between photo and video camera modes, as well as zoom in and out.

AirPods

• Apple is preparing to announce the ability for AirPods to work as a hearing aid replacement, as well as a device for conducting hearing tests. The company has experienced delays with developing the new functionality and it may not be available until a later date.
• Gurman added that Apple apparently discovered a bug on the upcoming, fourth-generation AirPods that resulted in draining battery life. The issue was software-related and fixed prior to factories shipping the new devices.

Apple Watch

• Apple's "It's Glowtime" event will be the first time that Apple updates all three Apple Watch lines simultaneously.
• The Apple Watch Ultra 3 will only offer minor improvements that focus on internal upgrades rather than exterior changes.
• The Apple Watch Series 10 will feature the first design update for the device since the Series 7, offering larger display size options and a "noticeably thinner" casing.
• While the Apple Watch is not expected to get "major" Apple Intelligence capabilities, any AI technology debuting on the new devices will likely be tied specifically to a "future health coach service."
• Despite plans to bring hypertension detection to the new Apple Watches this year, Gurman now believes that the feature has been delayed.

Gurman added that new Mac and iPad models are likely to appear at a follow-up event, no earlier than October, rather than at the September event. The next-generation iPhone SE and a new version of the AirTag are also scheduled for release next year. See the full report for more information.

Apple has approved an update to WeChat for the upcoming iPhone 16, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the tech giant and Tencent, the Chinese company behind the massively popular messaging app. The development, reported by Bloomberg, comes as Tencent and Apple continue negotiations over revenue-sharing agreements for WeChat's mini-games ecosystem.

The approval of the WeChat update for Apple's upcoming iPhone lineup is likely to quell speculation about a deteriorating relationship between the two companies, and suggests Apple is committed to maintaining WeChat's presence on its devices, given the app's critical importance in the Chinese market.

Tencent's chief strategy officer, James Mitchell, revealed during an earnings call that the company is in talks with Apple regarding a revenue-sharing deal. The negotiations center around allowing Tencent to accept payments in WeChat mini-games through Apple's payment system, potentially resolving a long-standing point of contention.

With nearly 1.4 billion users in China, WeChat serves as a ubiquitous platform for various services, including bill payments and ticket bookings. While many of these transactions are exempt from Apple's fees, in-app content and online entertainment, such as mini-games, remain subject to Apple's App Store policies.

The rise of mini-games within WeChat has led to developers seeking ways to monetize their creations by selling in-game items. Some have resorted to "steering" practices, guiding players to make payments outside of Apple's ecosystem to avoid fees and improve their profit margins. Apple has been pushing Tencent to close these loopholes, viewing them as violations of its ‌App Store‌ policies.

Apple has also warned ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, about in-app spending policies. However, these aggressive actions reportedly risk alienating content creators in a crucial market at a time when Apple's business practices are under increased global scrutiny.

Unlike in the US, Apple holds a smaller market share in China, failing to make the top five in smartphone sales last quarter. Meanwhile, Chinese companies like Tencent and ByteDance maintain significant control over online content, including games and video platforms. Apple's challenges in the Chinese market were underscored by a 6.5% decline in Greater China revenue for the June quarter.

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.

Apple is expected to offer both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with a minimum of 256GB storage, doing away with the 128GB starting option on its smaller Pro model for the first time, according to a new TrendForce report.

Currently, Apple's 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro starts at $999 and comes with the minimum 128GB of storage, while the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with a minimum 256GB of storage. Ahead of the launch of the iPhone 15 models, there were rumors that the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max could start at $1,199, instead of the $1,099 starting price it charged for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

That did turn out to be accurate, but only because Apple eliminated the lower priced 128GB storage tier. The iPhone 15 Pro Max now starts at 256GB, and $1,199 is the same price Apple charged for the 256GB iPhone 14 Pro Max. Looking ahead to the upcoming iPhone 16 series, TrendForce believes Apple will follow the same strategy for the iPhone 16 Pro model.

TrendForce bases its prediction on the assumption that the iPhone 16 Pro will include a costly tetraprism periscope lens – a feature that was last year exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max model. In other words, upping the minimum capacity to 256GB will allow Apple to pass over the cost to the consumer while diluting the impression of rising prices.

TrendForce notes that even if the price remains at the same level, consumers' usage habits, such as shooting and storing a large number of high-definition photos and videos, and downloading music and large-scale games, will continue to push up the demand for the average storage capacity.

• Is 128GB Enough iPhone Storage?

In 2018, Apple's iPhone X came with 64GB, an entry-level storage tier that persisted in successive premium device generations until the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020, when Apple adopted 128GB as the new baseline. The next year saw all iPhone 13 models offered with a minimum 128GB. If Apple makes 256GB the new minimum across its premium devices this year, we could well see it reach all models in 2025.

This year's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are rumored to be getting bigger display sizes, increasing to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, respectively. The new display sizes will be the largest ever for the iPhone, and should also increase the physical space for internal components and parts.

• iPhone 16 Launch Month Is Here: Here's Everything We Know

Apple will unveil the new iPhone 16 lineup next week on Monday, September 9 at an event with the tagline "It's Glowtime," which is believed to be a reference the new Siri interface that comes with Apple Intelligence.

Ugreen today announced the launch of several new Apple-specific charging products that have a robot-style design with emoji faces. The Uno series includes a Qi2 charger, a wireless power bank, and a 100W USB-C charger.

According to Ugreen, the chargers were created with "Fast and Fun Charging" for Apple users in mind. Each one has a TFT screen that can display different emoji faces when charging.

The 10,000 mAh Ugreen Uno Magnetic Wireless Power Bank has a Qi2 wireless charger that can charge a compatible iPhone at up to 15W. There's also a 20W two-way USB-C port for charging, and a foldable metal stand.

The Ugreen Uno 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger is also Qi2, and it is able to charge the ‌iPhone‌ at up to 15W and AirPods at up to 5W. It has an upright magnetic charging puck with an adjustable viewing angle. There's also a 5W USB-C charger that an Apple Watch charger can be plugged into for Apple Watch fast charging.

The Ugreen Uno Charger 100W can be used to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro to 43 percent in 30 minutes. It has a total of three USB-C ports and a single USB-A port, with power distributed between the different ports when multiple devices are plugged in.

Ugreen is also working on a 30W 10,000 mAh power bank and a 6-in-1 USB-C hub for the Uno series. The products will be available later this year.

Google today said it has started rolling out early access to a new "Ask Photos" feature for its Google Photos app. Available to both iOS and Android users, the new Google ‌Photos‌ feature takes advantage of Google's Gemini AI to provide new ways to search.

With Ask ‌Photos‌, users can use natural language search terms to find specific memories or information in their images. Google says that Google ‌Photos‌ users can ask all sorts of questions to find content from their image libraries, with the feature able to search through all of a person's Google ‌Photos‌ images to bring up relevant results. Some examples:

• What are the best photos from each national park I visited?
• Where did I camp last year?
• When do my tickets expire?
• What were the best things we saw on our trip?
• What did I eat at the hotel in [location]?
• What did I eat at the market in Thailand?
• What are the best photos from the birthday party?
• What themes have we had for family birthday parties?

Ask ‌Photos‌ is able to understand the context and subject of photos to provide answers to questions. With the last question listed above, for example, Ask ‌Photos‌ can see what decorations are in the background of an image or on a birthday cake to answer the query.

The feature can be used to curate the best images taken on a trip, saving editing time. It can also provide trip highlights, and suggest top pictures complete with captions to share on social media.

Google says that personal data in Google ‌Photos‌ isn't used for ads, but some queries will be reviewed by humans to improve the feature. Data will not be linked to a Google Account for privacy protection purposes. Answers provided by Ask ‌Photos‌, including photos and videos, are not reviewed by humans unless feedback is provided or in rare cases to address abuse or harm.

Ask ‌Photos‌ was already previewed at Google I/O, but it has now started rolling out, with Google providing early access to select iOS and Android Google ‌Photos‌ users. Those who want to try the feature can sign up for the waitlist on Google's website.

Over two and a half years have passed since Apple released the current iPhone SE, so the device is due for an update. Below, we recap the latest rumors about the next-generation iPhone SE, including potential features and launch timing.

Timing

The latest word comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter last month, he said he expects the next iPhone SE to launch in the spring of 2025. All three existing iPhone SE models were announced in March over the years, so it seems likely that the fourth-generation model will also be introduced in March next year.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and the technology publication The Information also previously claimed that the next iPhone SE will launch in the first quarter of 2025, so that timeframe has been corroborated by multiple sources. The Information said that Apple suppliers would begin ramping up mass production of the device in October.

Features

The current iPhone SE starts at $429 in the U.S. with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. The device's key features include a 4.7-inch LCD display, A15 Bionic chip, Touch ID, 5G support with a Qualcomm chip, a single 12-megapixel rear camera, and a Lightning port.

The next iPhone SE is rumored to have an iPhone 14-like design with the following features:

• 6.1-inch OLED display
• A18 chip
• Face ID
• USB-C port
• Action button
• Apple-designed 5G chip
• A single 48-megapixel rear camera
• 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence

Gurman believes the next iPhone SE will likely be priced in the $400 to $500 range, so the device would remain a lower-cost option in Apple's smartphone lineup, despite gaining a larger display and a more modern set of features.

Update — September 2024:

Japanese publication Nikkei Asia has since also reported that the iPhone SE 4 with an OLED display will be released in 2025.

Belkin today introduced a number of new charging accessories, joining companies that are moving forward with the new Qi2 standard.

The $45 BoostCharge Magnetic Foldable Charger has a fold-down stand and supports 15W charging on MagSafe-compatible iPhones. The position is customizable, and an iPhone can be charged in portrait or landscape for StandBy functionality. A second model priced at $70 also includes a second charger for AirPods. The 2-in-1 version is available now, while the standalone model will be launching later this month.

The $99 BoostCharge 3-in-1 Magnetic Foldable Charger has a Qi2 charging pad for the ‌iPhone‌, an Apple Watch Charger, and an AirPods Charger. It can be used as a pad or folded into a stand, and it is available as of today.

Belkin's BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Wireless Travel Pad is priced at $119 for a 2-in-1 model that can charge the ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch, or $129 for a version that also includes an AirPods charger. The Qi2 charger for the ‌iPhone‌ can be used as a charging pad or folded into a stand. The Travel Pad is set to launch in autumn 2024.

Belkin also debuted two new BoostCharge Power Banks, including a $40 10K mAh model with integrated USB-C cable and a $90 20K mAh version for laptops. The laptop power bank is available today, while the version with integrated cable is coming in autumn 2024.

The new products that are available now can be purchased from the Belkin website.

Apple has announced that it will be opening a new retail store at the Mall of Scandinavia near Stockholm, Sweden on Friday, September 20, and that day may end up being the release date for the upcoming iPhone 16 series.

Apple is expected to announce four new iPhone 16 models during its special event on Monday, September 9. Given that new iPhones typically launch in stores and begin arriving to customers on the second Friday after they are announced by Apple, the iPhone 16 series is expected to be released on Friday, September 20. If so, the new Apple Store in Sweden would be holding its grand opening on the same day.

Apple permanently closed its store at the Väla Centrum shopping mall near Helsingborg, Sweden in July, but the new store at the Mall of Scandinavia means that Apple will still operate three stores in the country following its grand opening.

Apple has shared special iPhone, iPad, and Mac wallpapers for the store's opening on its website.

Well-known accessory maker Twelve South has introduced the first-ever USB-C wall chargers with built-in support for Apple's Find My app.

If you ever misplace these chargers, you can simply open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and track the location of them. The chargers do not need to be plugged in to an outlet for Find My functionality to work, as they are powered by a replaceable button-cell battery, just like Apple's AirTag. Twelve South says the battery should last about a year, and the battery's charge level can be monitored in the Find My app.

The chargers are now available to pre-order in two-port 50W and four-port 120W variants, with U.S. pricing set at $69.99 and $119.99, respectively. Twelve South estimates that shipments to customers will begin in mid-September.

Both chargers use a material called gallium nitride (GaN) that allows for a slimmer design, allowing them to fit behind couches and in other tight spaces. The 50W version is ideal for charging small and medium devices like an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, while the 120W charger is ideal for a MacBook and other larger devices.

Nanoleaf today introduced several new lighting products, accessories, and software updates, showing off the devices at its annual Nanoleaf Live event. There are new light panels, permanent outdoor lights, and a smart switch, along with software features for the desktop app.

Building on its popular light panel options, Nanoleaf debuted Blocks, a new mix and match lighting system with multiple components that can be used for an even more customized light setup. There are two modular Square light panels in standard and Small Square sizes, along with Textured Square light panels, Light Pegboards, and Shelves. The various components can be linked together in any combination to create designs that offer more utility than just light by providing spaces for storing accessories and showing off collectibles.

Compared to the prior-generation Nanoleaf Squares, the updated Squares are sturdier, thicker, and most importantly, have seamless edge-to-edge lighting. The dark corners and light spots that were an issue with prior models have been eliminated with the new design, and the panels have a smooth, diffused lighting look that's much improved.

Small Squares and standard Squares can be combined together for a larger range of designs, and the squares are also compatible with prior Shapes and Elements Nanoleaf light panels when using the rigid links. Along with the standard Squares, the Light Pegboard can be used with pegs to showcase controllers, headphones, keyboards, and more, and the Shelves are ideal for small objects like plants, cameras, candles, and decor. The Textured Square has a mountain-like geometric shape that adds dimension.

The Square, Textured Square, and Light Pegboard are all the same size and can be accented with the smaller squares, while the Shelves can be used with the Pegboard, Square, or two Small Squares paired together. It is worth noting that the Pegboard and Shelf will require attaching the panels to the wall with screws, as adhesive is not sturdy enough, but the Squares can be attached with adhesive strips. With the Blocks, Nanoleaf has removed touch functionality, so the panels will not react when touched.

Nanoleaf also introduced new Matter Smart Multicolor Permanent Outdoor Lights, which are designed to offer year-round lighting. The Permanent Outdoor Lights offer 30 individually addressable LEDs for each 15-meter length, and can display shades of white, colors, animations, and patterns.

The Permanent Lights are weatherproof with IP67 and IP65 protection, and there is an anti-glare lens for smooth wall wash effects. The lights can be used for holidays and special occasions, but they also work as security lights thanks to scenes and automations. Nanoleaf says that it designed a simple mounting system for the Outdoor Lights, complete with cable covers for a neat look.

Along with the new lighting options, Nanoleaf announced its Sense+ Smart Wireless "Anywhere" Switch, which is a switch that for controlling smart lights. There are motion and daylight sensors for automations, and the two buttons can be set to six different actions. There are physical controls for adjusting brightness, a feature that is hard to find for smart lights.

According to Nanoleaf, the Sense+ was created to provide a hands-free lighting experience, turning the lights on when you enter a room and off when you leave, with options for controlling the lights based on the time of day.

For the Nanoleaf Desktop App, Nanoleaf is adding Orchestrator for real-time song detection to create color palettes and animated motions that are curated to each song you listen to. It connects directly to your machine's audio source rather than listening for audio, removing any ambient noise interference. Scenescapes combines lighting visualizations with soundscapes like a gentle ocean or crackling fireplace. Orchestrator is available in the Nanoleaf Desktop App in beta, while Scenescapes will launch in October.

The Nanoleaf Blocks can be pre-ordered today from the Nanoleaf website, and will begin shipping in October. A Squares Smarter Kit with six panels is priced at $200, while the Combo XL Smarter Kit with 4 Squares, 4 Small Squares, a Light Pegboard, and a Shelf can be purchased for $250. Add-on kits are priced at $30.

Nanoleaf is also accepting orders for the Permanent Outdoor Lights, with pricing starting at $200 for a 15-meter length, and for the Sense+ Smart Wireless "Anywhere" Switch.

Apple today announced four new games coming to Apple Arcade on October 3, including NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition, Food Truck Pup+, Furistas Cat Cafe+, and Smash Hit+. In addition, Balatro+ is coming to the service on September 26.

More details can be found in the Apple Newsroom press release. We have pasted Apple's description of each game coming below.

NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV:

Legends are made in NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition as The Neighborhood debuts on mobile. Challenge Game Center friends to one-on-one matchups or other Game Center players in three-on-three contests, unlock side quests, and connect with the league's biggest stars. This fully traversable hoop culture paradise provides Apple Arcade players with a whole new area that combines indoor and outdoor streetball courts and shops, as they grow their careers and hone their skills through competitive play. They'll not only dominate the court — they'll run The Neighborhood. The game also features new MyCAREER and The Association updates, new character customizations, and a revamped Greatest Mode allowing players to relive the career-defining moments of some of their favorite ballers.

Food Truck Pup+ for iPhone and iPad:

Players can cook up a good time with the best doggie chefs around. Work hard to create a yummy global crêpe business from the ground up, and watch it come to life with the game's vibrant pixel graphics. Players can also enjoy designing their own shops, curating stylish outfits, and even hiring other dogs as part-timers to help their businesses blossom in this feel-good game.

Furistas Cat Cafe+ for the iPhone and iPad:

By connecting cute kittens with their ideal caregivers and bringing them joy, players can expand their cat collection. Each cafe is completely customizable from top to bottom, providing the opportunity for players to unleash their creativity and craft spaces that are both hospitable and special. Through each sweet interaction, these lifelike cats will leap off the screen and into players' hearts.

Smash Hit+ for the iPhone and iPad:

With force, focus, and sheer determination, Smash Hit+ takes players on immersive journeys where they move in sync with sound and explore new ways to deploy destructive physics. An unparalleled visual experience is created by the game's 50 unique rooms and 11 graphic styles, inspiring players to dedicate themselves to conquering the challenging obstacles that lie before them.

Balatro+ for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV:

This hypnotically satisfying poker-inspired roguelike deck builder was created by solo developer LocalThunk and published by Playstack. Players combine poker hands with joker cards, each with their own unique abilities, to create varied synergies and builds. The goal is to earn enough chips to beat devious blinds, all while uncovering hidden bonus hands and decks. Reach the boss blind, beat the final ante, and secure victory in Balatro+'s distinctive psychedelic world, all set to a dreamy and retro-futuristic synthwave soundtrack.

Accessible through the App Store, Apple Arcade is a subscription-based service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro, all free of ads and in-app purchases. The service received its first price increase last year, with U.S. pricing rising from $4.99 to $6.99 per month.

Following in the footsteps of a discount on the 9th generation iPad yesterday, Amazon today has an all-time low price on the 10th generation iPad. You can get the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet for $299.00 in Blue and Silver, down from $349.00.

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.

Amazon provides an estimated September 10 - 12 delivery estimate for most orders placed in the United States. Right now we're only tracking record low prices on the 64GB Wi-Fi model, but you can find a few solid second-best prices on the other configurations as well.

This iPad launched in October 2022 and was completely redesigned compared to the 9th generation model. It features a larger 10.9-inch display, USB-C port, A14 Bionic chip, 12-megapixel camera, Touch ID, and more.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Australian-based company Kuxiu has come out with a new version of its 3-in-1 charging station that has got to be one of the neatest Apple device charging solutions for home and travel that I've had the pleasure of using.

The Kuxiu X40Q features a tri-fold design, allowing it to be folded into a small square for easy portability. When unfolded, it serves as a stable magnetic iPhone stand and wirelessly charges an ‌iPhone‌, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously.

The big difference from Kuxiu's previous model is that the X40Q uses Qi2 wireless charging technology that supports magnetic connections and up to 15 watts of charging power, just like Apple's MagSafe standard. In that sense, it provides 15W charging for ‌iPhone‌, 5W for Apple Watch, and 5W for AirPods.

The overall package includes the 3-in-1 charging station, a 30W charging adapter (with a UK plug in my case – Kuxiu lived up to its stated claim to ship the right adapter for your country), a 3-foot long USB-C charging cable, and a carrying pouch.

At about six inches long and three inches in width, the carry case is hard and nicely compact for stowing in your luggage, and it also boasts an attractive svelte texture and a neat tri-color elastic band for attaching anything to the outside, like a passport, extra cable, or even an ‌iPhone‌.

It's plenty big enough to hold the folded stand, cable, and charger, plus there's an internal attachment band as well as a netted pocket for anything else small enough to fit inside, like your AirPods, for example, or spare Apple Watch bands.

The charging stand I received was gray, but it's also available in titanium gold, black, and wood grain. All of them are made from a smooth anodized CNC-machined aluminum alloy, and the Qi2 magnet still works in folded mode if you're just charging your ‌iPhone‌ on the square puck.

When unfolding it, you can also feel the hinges are strong and durable enough to ensure longevity, and at full extension there's a definite sense that the design has got the center of gravity and rigidity just right to take the weight of three devices.

In the unfolded position, the watch magnet pops out to form a base for placing your watch on the back without having to take off the band, and the magnets are strong enough to hold your ‌iPhone‌ in place, even with a MagSafe-compatible case on, in my experience. You can also adjust the angle of the ‌iPhone‌ section for a more stable affordance, or to get your view of your ‌iPhone‌'s Standby mode just right.

When connected to power with your ‌iPhone‌, AirPods, and Apple Watch, the LED indicator on the back of the X40Q lights up for five seconds when charging begins, and then it turns off, so it doesn't get distracting in low light when you're trying to get to sleep. I found it could charge my dead ‌iPhone‌ up to 50% in around 30 minutes, which is what you'd expect from Qi2 at the maximum 15W. I was also really impressed with the lack of heat generated when charging all three devices simultaneously.

Currently costing $79.99 (usually $99.99) directly from the Kuxiu website, I'd say the price right now is pretty unbeatable, especially if you compare it to something like Belkin's BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Qi2 charging stand, which costs $129 and is much less portable.

Whether you're looking for an all-in-one Qi2 charger for your desktop, bedside table, or when you're on the road, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better solution for keeping your ‌iPhone‌, Apple Watch, and AirPods charged when not in use.

Note: Kuxiu provided MacRumors with a X40Q Qi2 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Philips Hue parent company Signify today announced two new products for Hue lighting setups, a new HDMI Sync Box and a new pendant light, as well as new software-based features.

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is a successor to the current Hue Play Sync Box that came out in 2019. It is designed to connect to your TV, serving as an interface between the TV and connected set-top boxes, gaming systems, and more. The Sync Box is able to detect content, matching the color of connected Hue lights to what's on the TV.

HDMI 2.1 support has been a major missing feature on the current Sync Box, but the new model adds HDMI 2.1 for use with the PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and other devices that can take advantage of the standard. It supports resolutions up to 8K and refresh rates up to 60Hz for video content and 120Hz for console gaming.

Up to 10 color-capable Hue lights can be synced to the Sync Box, with what's on the screen determining the color. Brightness and intensity can be controlled in the Philips Hue app.

The Philips Hue Ensis light, a new pendant light, can be purchased in the United States as of today. Available in black or white, it is equipped with two lights that can be controlled individually, and it supports both white shades and color. It offers both a downlight and an upper light for different activities.

Along with the new products, Signify is updating the Philips Hue app with four new effects, Cosmos, Underwater, Enchant, and Sunbeam. These animated effects can be used with select Hue lights. There are also now options for changing brightness, speed, and base color, adding more versatility to effect options.

The Hue app is gaining a Do Not Disturb option, which prevents motion sensors from changing the active scene when motion is detected, and the starting and stopping of mimic presence and timers via Hue switches.

Later this year, the Philips Hue app will support the integration of multiple Bridges, so they will no longer need to be set up and viewed separately. Multiple Bridges will be able to be added to a single home, with a unified view that encompasses all of the products in the home.

Prospective Hue customers will soon be able to use the new AR feature in the app to explore Hue lights before making a purchase. Lights can be viewed in actual spaces, and the app can demo realistic lighting environments to provide insight into how a light will look in real life. This feature is set to lauch in fall 2024.

For non-Apple users, Philips Hue Secure cameras are now compatible with Alexa and Google Home, but not HomeKit. Routines can be set up for arming and disarming the Secure system based on a daily schedule, and there is a new Battery Saver option for Battery Cameras.

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 8K is available from the Philips Hue website and from Best Buy as of today. It is priced at $350. The Philips Hue Ensis can be purchased from the Hue website and it is priced at $480.