Apple today announced several new features for the Podcasts app, including downloaded episode controls, annual subscription plans, partnerships with hosting platforms, and more (via TechCrunch).
iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, and macOS 12.4 will feature new tools to easily remove accumulated downloads and free up storage space. In the Settings app on iOS and iPadOS under Podcasts, users will be able to choose how many recent episodes of shows are downloaded to a device, either by number of episodes or within a timeframe, such as in the past week.
Users will be able to continue to download all new episodes, but new functionality to turn off downloads will make the Podcasts app function via streaming only. This will be configurable at the show level to provide custom settings for different podcasts.
The updates will also bring features to browse shows by season and filter episodes by status, and give podcast creators the option to present annual subscription plans for premium podcasts alongside monthly subscription options, with annual subscriptions set to become the default. Annual subscriptions will also display cost savings to users where relevant.
The Apple Podcasts Delegated Delivery system will allow creators to distribute both free and premium podcast episodes directly to Apple Podcasts using third-party hosting providers. Creators will not be required to have an Apple Podcasts Program membership to publish their free episodes. Acast, ART19, Blubrry, Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Omny Studio, and RSS.com will be supported at launch in the fall, with more hosting providers to be added over time, and additional details about the new distribution system will be available nearer to launch. Read more on the Apple Podcasts for Creators page.
Downloaded episode controls and annual podcast subscriptions will be available in iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, and macOS 12.4, while Delegated Delivery will debut with supported podcast hosting providers this fall.
Ecobee is planning to release a new HomeKit-compatible smart thermostat model with a premium design and built-in air quality monitoring, according to a product listing on home improvement retailer Lowe's website in Canada.
Similar to Google's smart thermostat Nest, which does not support HomeKit, Ecobee's new Smart Thermostat Premium appears to feature an improved design with a glass front and a brushed metal enclosure. By comparison, all existing Ecobee thermostats have a cheaper looking plastic design with a white back cover.
As discovered last month by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, the Smart Thermostat Premium will also feature a new built-in air quality sensor that monitors your indoor air quality, provides tips on how to improve air quality, and reminds you when it is time to change your furnace's air filter, according to the product listing.
Like other Ecobee models, the Smart Thermostat Premium will be compatible with Apple's smart home platform HomeKit, and support "Hey Siri" voice commands for tasks such as setting the temperature and sending Intercom messages. "Hey Siri" voice control requires a HomePod or HomePod mini connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
The Smart Thermostat Premium will also be compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and automation platform IFTTT, the product listing indicates.
A separate product listing on the Lowe's Canada website reveals that Ecobee is also planning a lower-end Smart Thermostat Enhanced, which may be a successor to the current Ecobee3 lite. This model appears to retain a plastic design, lacks voice control, and does not have the new built-in air quality monitoring feature.
Ecobee has yet to formally announce the Smart Thermostat Premium or Smart Thermostat Enhanced, and the Lowe's product listings do not reveal any pricing or availability information, but both thermostats will presumably launch in the near future. Ecobee's existing Smart Thermostat with Voice Control was recently on sale for $199.99, down from $249.99, but it is currently out of stock on the company's U.S. website.
YouTuber Unbox Therapy has shared a hands-on look at the iPhone 14 Pro Max using what he claims is a one-to-one replica created by third-party case makers with access to detailed schematics and dimensions for Apple's new upcoming flagship smartphone.
As with the iPhone 13 Pro lineup, in 2022, we are expecting a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, but this time the Pro models are said to feature two display cutouts – one pill-shaped, one circular – to house the Face ID components and front-facing camera, respectively. Slimmer bezels around the display will make space for these cutouts, according to rumors.
Unbox Therapy's iPhone 14 Pro Max replica appears to mirror these changes, and it appears that there are some other, more minor tweaks to the handset, too. In this instance, there are no antenna bands on the edges of the device, along with slightly larger power and volume buttons, although the accuracy of these differences cannot be verified.
Otherwise, the replica features a design for the iPhone 14 Pro Max that falls broadly in line with other illustrations and measurements shared by 91Mobiles, Max Weinbach, and ShrimpApplePro. For example, the handset is ever so slightly thicker, while the rear camera bump is marginally bigger, in terms of both height and width as well as level of protrusion. The only new dimensions we haven't seen before are for individual lens diameters (16.17mm versus 15.51mm on the iPhone 13 Pro Max).
According to reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the increased size of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max's rear camera array is due to all-new 48-megapixel Wide camera systems. The 48MP camera system is expected to be limited to the iPhone 14 Pro models and allow for 8K video recording, offering a significant upgrade over the iPhone 13 Pro's 12MP camera and 4K video recording capabilities.
Assuming the replica is accurate, the general takeaway is that iPhone 13 Pro Max users will find the feel of Apple's successor model to be extremely familiar when it launches later this year. After seeing lackluster iPhone mini sales, Apple is planning to focus on larger iPhone sizes for its flagship devices, and alongside the Pro models we're expecting to see a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, both of which retain a notch at the top of the display.
Today we're tracking a pair of discounts on Apple's 2020 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro notebooks, both of which can be found on Amazon.
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.
13-Inch MacBook Air (2020)
Starting with the 13-inch MacBook Air from 2020, you can get the 256GB model for $849.99, down from $999.00 in Gold. This is a second-best price on this version of the MacBook Air, but still one of the best prices we've seen so far in 2022.
Only the Gold color option is on sale at this price, and it's in stock with delivery as soon as later this week for most residences in the United States. Shoppers should note that you won't see this sale price until you reach the checkout screen and an automatic coupon worth $100 is applied to your order.
13-Inch MacBook Pro (2020)
Additionally, Amazon has an all-time low price on the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro (512GB SSD), now priced at $1,249.99, down from $1,499.00. This sale is only available in Silver, and there is a delay in shipping of a few weeks.
You won't need any coupons to see this deal, which is a match of the previous record low for this version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Although delivery is delayed until early June, you can lock in this solid deal today before it expires and still guarantee arrival around June 3-5.
Although the 13-inch MacBook Pro is now the oldest notebook that Apple sells, this model is still a good option for anyone who wants to join the MacBook Pro family but not spend the $1,999.00 entry price required of the 14-inch MacBook Pro models. As of writing, only the 512GB SSD 13-inch model is on sale at an all-time low price.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Update: The MacBook Air deal has already expired, but you can still get the MacBook Pro discount.
Apple in February announced a new "Tap to Pay on iPhone" feature that will allow compatible iPhones to accept contactless payments with no additional hardware required, and it turns out Apple is already trialing the feature at its Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, California.
As the tweeted video embedded below shows, Tap to Pay lets the retail employee take an Apple Pay contactless payment from a customer using nothing but an iPhone – no payment terminal required.
When the feature launches in the U.S. later this year, merchants will also be able to accept payments using contactless credit and debit cards, along with other digital wallets, with no additional hardware beyond an NFC-equipped iPhone needed to process the payment. It will let small businesses accept contactless payments through supported iOS apps with an iPhone XS or newer.
Currently, merchants that accept contactless payments on an iPhone must rely on additional hardware like the Square Reader, which comes in various models that work wirelessly or connect to an iPhone's Lightning connector or headphone jack.
When Apple first introduced Tap to Pay, Stripe was announced as the sole partner, but Apple has since expanded to include another partner, Dutch payment processing company Adyen.
The Apple Park Visitor Center is one of the only apple retail stores in the US to support contactless pay straight from an iPhone. Awesome to see in person! pic.twitter.com/GiFDiL56OO
— Michael (@NTFTWT) May 15, 2022
Adyen will work with enterprise customers and commerce platforms that include Lightspeed Commerce and NewStore, expanding the number of businesses that will be able to take advantage of Tap to Pay.
Apple has yet to provide a concrete release date for Tap to Pay, but given that Adyen was added last month and Apple is actively trialing the feature in at least one of its retail locations, we could see a U.S. launch in the near future, with a global rollout likely not too far behind.
iOS 16 will include new ways of interacting with the system and some "fresh Apple apps," Bloomberg'sMark Gurman has said, offering some more detail on what Apple has in store for the upcoming release of iOS and iPadOS set to be announced in a few weeks at WWDC.
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman wrote that while iOS 16 is not likely to introduce a major face-lift to the operating system, it will include new ways of interacting and some "fresh Apple apps."
Users have long-hoped that Apple would bring interactive widgets to iOS ever since widgets were revamped with iOS 14. Widgets were mostly untouched with iOS 15 and remain non-interactive, so there is some hope significant widget changes could be in store for iOS 16.
While I don’t expect Apple to present a full redesign of the software, there should be major changes across the system, new ways of interacting and some fresh Apple apps. The news about watchOS 9 will be significant as well.
Earlier this week, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that Apple plans to release at least one iPhone 15 model with a USB-C port in 2023. Now, in a follow-up tweet, he has claimed that accessories like AirPods, the MagSafe Battery Pack, and the Magic Keyboard/Mouse/Trackpad trio would also switch to USB-C in the "foreseeable future."
Both the iPhone and all of the aforementioned accessories currently rely on Apple's proprietary Lightning connector for wired charging and/or data transfer. A switch to USB-C would result in a more universal connectivity standard and satisfy regulators, as a wide range of tech products are equipped with USB-C ports, including many Android smartphones and even the latest MacBooks and iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models.
1. Portless iPhone may cause more problems due to current limitations of wireless technologies & the immature MagSafe ecosystem. 2. Other Lightning port products (e.g., AirPods, Magic Keyboard/Trackpad/Mouse, MagSafe Battery) would also switch to USB-C in the foreseeable future. https://t.co/KD14TgBmtr
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 15, 2022
Kuo also suggested that it is still too early for Apple to release a portless iPhone due to current limitations of wireless technologies and the immaturity of Apple's own MagSafe ecosystem of wireless accessories that attach magnetically to the iPhone.
In what was simultaneously a surprise and not a surprise, Apple this week announced it has discontinued the iPod touch after almost 15 years and seven generations, bringing the entire iPod lineup to an end.
Other news this week saw rumors about both the iPhone 14 Pro (slightly larger displays!) and iPhone 15 (USB-C instead of Lightning?), as well as a report that Apple is planning to launch the AirPods Max in new colors later this year, so read on for details on these stories and more!
First introduced in October 2001, the iPod was one of Apple's most iconic products, but the device's discontinuation became inevitable over time given the wide array of Apple products that can play music, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod mini, and more.
The End of an Era: What Was Your Favorite iPod?
With the last iPod now discontinued, it's the end of an era. iPod models released over the years included the original iPod (later known as the iPod classic), iPod mini, iPod photo, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and iPod touch.
iPhone 14 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Slightly Larger Screen Sizes
Apple's upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models will feature marginally larger screen sizes compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, according to display industry consultant Ross Young.
Young said the screen size differences are due to the iPhone 14 Pro models having slightly narrower bezels around the display compared to iPhone 13 Pro models and a new pill-and-hole design replacing the notch.
iPhone 15 Rumored to Switch From Lightning to USB-C
If this rumor proves to be true, we'll still have to wait a while for the first USB-C iPhone. Kuo expects the Lightning connector to stick around for the iPhone 14 lineup launching later this year, with the switch to USB-C expected to occur with the iPhone 15 in 2023. Gurman similarly says the switch won't happen until 2023 at the earliest.
Released in December 2020, the AirPods Max are currently available in five colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink. It's unclear which new colors would be introduced.
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.
Apple earlier this week announced the discontinuation of the iPod touch, and because it was the last iPod still available for purchase, its sunsetting effectively marks the end of the entire iPod lineup.
To send the iPod on its way, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the most notable iPod releases over the last 21 years.
Original iPod (2001)
Introduced in October 2001, the original iPod was introduced as a device that put 1,000 songs in your pocket. It became one of Apple's most iconic and well-known products, and is one of the devices responsible for skyrocketing Apple back to success.
The original iPod offered a hard drive with 5GB of storage space and a Scroll Wheel that physically turns, and it remains the only iPod with this design. It also featured a FireWire port to connect to a Mac, and it sold for $399. Apple followed the original iPod with an almost identical second-generation model in 2002 that featured a capacitive-sensing Touch Wheel with click buttons around the sides, and a third-generation model added an even more refined Touch Wheel with buttons above. The third-generation iPod also added a Dock Connector.
With the fourth-generation model that came out in 2004, Apple introduced the Click Wheel, an iteration of the Touch Wheel that also incorporated the buttons. The fourth-generation model is notable because Apple continued to use the Click Wheel for years to come.
The iPod photo with its color display followed the fourth-generation model later in 2004, and Apple expanded the color display to all models in 2005 with the iPod with color display. Both of these were considered part of the fourth-generation lineup.
Apple added video capabilities in 2005 with the fifth-generation iPod, and this was also the first iPod that came in black aside from the special black and red U2 edition of the iPod.
After the iPod video, Apple introduced the iPod classic, and several versions came out in 2007, 2008, and 2009, all of which were similar in design. The 2009 iPod classic was Apple's final iPod at the size, and it featured a 160GB hard drive, a Click Wheel, and a widescreen color display. It stuck around until it was discontinued in 2014.
iPod mini (2004)
Apple's first iPod mini came out in 2004, and it was much smaller in size than the standard iPod. It came in several fun colors that include yellow, blue, pink, and gold, and it had a standard Click Wheel.
The iPod mini didn't stick around for long, and while there was a second-generation version in 2005, it was discontinued after that in favor of the iPod nano.
iPod nano (2005)
Replacing the iPod mini, the iPod nano is one of Apple's most interesting iPods because of the many major design iterations that it saw over the years.
Apple started out with a slim black or white iPod nano with a Click Wheel, a color screen, and flash memory that allowed Apple to cut down on the size. The original nano was actually recalled due to a battery overheating issue, and it was replaced in 2006 with the second-generation version that had more rounded edges, a smaller form factor, and bright aluminum colors.
For the third-generation iPod nano that came out in 2007, Apple went in an entirely different direction, and this nano was colloquially known as the iPod nano "fatty." It had a wider, squatter body with a wider display, and it came in several color options.
The nano fatty only lasted for one year before being replaced with the once-again slimmed down fourth-generation iPod nano, which came in a whole rainbow of colors. It got a taller screen, a curved front, and an accelerometer for the "Shake" feature that let you shake an iPod to shuffle songs.
Apple's 2009 fifth-generation iPod nano was similar to the fourth-generation model, but had a taller screen and it gained a camera and a microphone. It also came in glossier colors, but Apple kept the wide array of color options.
The nano got a major design overhaul in 2010 with the sixth-generation version that was just a screen in a square-shaped body. It used a multi-touch display instead of a Click Wheel, and this is the version that people attached watch straps to, making it something of a precursor to the Apple Watch.
Apple changed the design in 2012 with the seventh-generation iPod nano, reverting to the rectangular shape but leaving the multi-touch display in place. The nano from this era looked similar to a tinier iPod touch, featuring a Home button and support for multiple apps. The seven-generation iPod nano got new colors in 2015 before being discontinued in 2017.
iPod shuffle (2005)
Apple's first iPod shuffle was introduced in 2005 ahead of the second-generation iPod mini, and it looked a lot like an Apple TV Remote. It was Apple's first iPod with no display, featuring nothing but a control pad in order to keep the size down, plus it doubled as a flash drive.
The second-generation iPod shuffle got a significant redesign in 2006, and Apple shrunk it to about half the size of the original and added a belt clip. It was advertised as the world's smallest MP3 player at the time, and there was even a little iPod shuffle dock for charging it up through the headphone jack. It launched in silver, but Apple eventually came out with additional colors like pink, blue, green, and orange.
The iPod shuffle got yet another redesign in 2009, with Apple adding a voice feature that let it speak the names of songs and albums aloud using text-to-speech. This is the model where Apple did away with the on-device controls, instead using headphones with an attached remote for playback.
In 2010, Apple decided no on-device controls was a bad idea, introducing the fourth-generation iPod shuffle. The fourth-generation model was the last iPod shuffle, featuring bright colors, a smaller chassis, and the return of the Control Pad.
The iPod Shuffle didn't receive any other design updates, though Apple did introduce new colors in 2015. It was ultimately discontinued in 2017.
iPod touch (2007)
The first iPod touch came out in 2007 alongside the iPhone, and it was a more affordable iPhone alternative that did not have cellular capabilities. It looked a lot like an iPhone with a 3.5-inch multi-touch display, and it came with WiFi support, Safari integration, and apps like YouTube, Mail, Maps, and Weather.
The second and third-generation iPod touch models had the same design, but when the iPhone 4 came out in 2010, Apple also redesigned the iPod touch to have a similar look. It included a front-facing FaceTime camera, a rear camera, and support for iMessage, plus it came in black or white.
Apple redesigned the iPod touch again in 2012, and the fifth-generation model had a larger display and a thinner body, plus it was the first iPod touch to come in bright colors. It was released alongside the iPhone 5 as a pocketable computer with an A5 chip.
After the fifth-generation iPod touch, the design didn't change, but Apple introduced a sixth-generation model in 2017 and a seventh-generation model in 2019, both with updated chips. After the 2019 release of the seventh-generation iPod touch, the device went without an update for three years until its discontinuation earlier this week.
iPod Replacements
Apple said that it decided to sunset the iPod lineup because the iPod's capabilities are now built into every Apple device, from the iPhone and the iPad to the Mac, Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Watch.
Almost every modern Apple device supports the Apple Music service that Apple introduced in 2015, and it is also available on the web, on Android devices, and more, making the iPod superfluous. Apple is selling the iPod touch while supplies last, but it is already sold out in the United States.
You may still be able to find an iPod touch from a third-party retailer, but make sure to act quick because they're selling out quickly as people aim to get one of the last available iPods.
Apple CEO Tim Cook today delivered the commencement address at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which is the only university in the world where Deaf and hard of hearing students live and learn bilingually in American Sign Language and English.
During his speech, Cook told undergraduates that his one piece of advice is to lead with your values throughout life.
"What does it take to build a life that provides meaning and fulfillment?" said Cook. "No one can answer that question for you, and that includes me. There is no iPhone feature that can come to the rescue. AI is good, but it's not that good. Still, I have one important piece of advice I want to share — so important, that it's the only piece of advice I'm going to share today. And that is this: whatever you do, lead with your values."
Cook said that Apple's purpose has always been to create technology that enriches peoples' lives, adding that the company is only able to achieve that goal by having a relentless focus on its values, such as making technology accessible to all, ensuring that privacy is a fundamental human right, and environmental responsibility.
The commencement was streamed live on YouTube:
Cook's commencement address came after Apple TV+ film "CODA" won an Academy Award for Best Picture. The film revolves around a young woman named Ruby, the sole hearing member of a Deaf family. Using sign language, Ruby acts as an interpreter for her parents while working for her family's struggling fishing boat business.
Apple is indeed testing iPhones that are equipped with USB-C ports instead of Lightning ports, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple does not plan to make the switch from Lightning to USB-C until 2023 at the earliest, with this year's iPhones continuing to offer a Lightning port.
We first heard about a potential swap to USB-C from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who earlier this week said that Apple was planning to abandon the Lightning port in favor of a USB-C port in the 2023 iPhone 15 models.
There have been endless rumors about Apple adopting USB-C ports over the years, especially after Apple started using USB-C for the iPad lineup, but so far, Apple has stuck with Lightning for the iPhone.
Apple may be planning to swap because of legal requirements that could be implemented in Europe. The European Union is working on legislation that would require Apple to use USB-C technology across its product lineup, on iPhones, iPads, and AirPods.
All devices sold in Europe would need to have a universal USB-C port should the legislation be passed, so Apple would need to ship special USB-C iPhone models in Europe or simply make the swap to USB-C worldwide.
USB-C ports would allow for faster charging speeds and quicker data transfers, plus it would bring the iPhone in line with the Mac and iPad models that already use USB-C.
If Apple does transition to USB-C, Gurman says that the company will come out with an adapter that would let USB-C iPhones connect to accessories that have Lightning ports.
Apple plans to launch a new version of the Apple TV in the second half of 2022, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a tweet today, Kuo said the new Apple TV will have an improved cost structure, suggesting that the device could have a lower price that is more competitive with other streaming media players like Google's Chromecast line, Amazon's Fire TV line, and the Roku line.
Released in April 2021, the current Apple TV 4K model is priced at $179 with 32GB of storage and at $199 with 64GB of storage, while the previous-generation Apple TV HD remains available for $149 with 32GB of storage. By comparison, there are Chromecast and Roku streaming sticks available for under $50, and many other options under $100.
Apple will launch a new version of Apple TV that improves cost structure in 2H22. I think that Apple's aggressive strategy of integrating hardware, content, and service amid the recession will help close the gap with its competitors.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 13, 2022
Both the second-generation (2010) and third-generation (2012) models of the Apple TV were priced at $99 at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the third-generation model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV.
Apple TV+ is already available on platforms like Fire TV and Roku, but a more competitively priced Apple TV model could still spur sales of the device and help to draw more subscribers to the streaming service, which competes with the likes of Netflix and Disney+.
The second-generation Apple TV 4K was the first new Apple TV generation in over three and a half years when it was released last April, with key new features including a redesigned Siri Remote, a faster A12 Bionic chip, HDMI 2.1, and Wi-Fi 6.
This week we saw a rare all-time low price on the Apple TV 4K, and in this article we're recapping this markdown and more, all of which are still available to purchase today.
Apple TV 4K (2021)
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Amazon knocked the price of the 32GB Apple TV 4K down to $149.99 earlier in the week, from $179.00. This is the best price we've ever tracked on this accessory, and you can also save a bit of money on the 64GB model as well.
This one's getting a bit tricky, as Apple discontinued the iPod touch on Tuesday and it is quickly running out of stock just about everywhere as availability is changing rapidly.
Apple and Amazon have sold out, while a few other retailers still have select colors available. For example, at the time of writing, Walmart has Space Gray and Pink available for a slightly discounted price of $189.99, down from $199.00.
Target has Blue and Space Gray available for the regular $199.99 price at the moment, while some other sellers are marking up prices on their remaining stock to $220, $250, or even more.
Classic discounts on the AirPods and AirPods Pro returned this week, starting with the AirPods 2 for $99.99, down from $129.00. The AirPods Pro with MagSafe are priced at $174.99, down from $249.00. Both of these discounts are the best prices that we've tracked for each pair of AirPods so far in 2022.
A trio of solid deals on the 24-inch iMac hit Amazon this week, marking these models down by as much as $199. Prices start at $1,149.99 for the 7-core GPU/256GB model ($149 off), then increase to $1,349.00 for the 8-core GPU/256GB model ($150 off), and finally to $1,499.99 for the 8-core GPU/512GB model ($199 off).
Each of these deals is offering an all-time low price on the M1 iMac, but not all colors are on sale. Shoppers should also note that the 8-core GPU/512GB model will not see its sale price reflected until you reach the checkout screen and a coupon worth $150 is applied.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Rumors have suggested Apple could soon release an iPhone without a physical SIM card slot, and it turns out that if that's accurate, Apple would be realizing Steve Jobs' vision for the original iPhone, according to former iPod VP Tony Fadell.
Fadell was recently interviewed by journalist Joanna Stern for a special event at the Computer History Museum to promote his new book Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, and during the conversation Fadell revealed that Steve Jobs wanted the iPhone to be a seamless device that didn't include a SIM card slot.
Instead of relying on GSM cellular technology, Jobs was apparently more interested in using CDMA to connect iPhones to cell towers and cited Verizon's nascent use of the technology, which allows supporting phones to link directly to the carrier's network.
Fadell said he had to show Jobs market data to convince the former Apple CEO that CDMA adoption was too low for it to be a feasible option for the iPhone.
In fact, Apple did eventually release a SIM-less iPhone, but not until midway through the normal iPhone release cycle in January 2011, when it launched a CDMA version of the iPhone 4 for the Verizon network. The SIM card slot returned on the CDMA-equipped iPhone 4S, but the slot wasn't supported by Verizon.
Late last year, Brazilian website Blog do iPhoneclaimed that iPhone 15 Pro models might not have a physical SIM card slot in at least some countries and regions.
Soon after the story broke, MacRumors received a seemingly legitimate document from an anonymous tipster indicating that Apple had advised major U.S. carriers to prepare for the launch of eSIM-only smartphones as soon as September 2022.
Given the alleged September 2022 deadline, it is possible that Apple might remove the physical SIM card slot on some iPhone 14 models, rather than some iPhone 15 models as originally rumored, but nothing is definitive at this point.
One obstacle is that eSIM functionality is not available in all countries, so iPhones sold in some areas will need to continue to offer a nano-SIM slot. In countries where a SIM-free iPhone is available, it may be optional, with consumers still able to choose a version with a SIM. There are more than 60 countries that support eSIM, with a list available on Apple's website.
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 14 models at an event that's likely to be held in September 2022, if Apple follows previous launch timelines.
Elon Musk is putting his $44 billion takeover of Twitter "temporarily on hold" after the company claimed that less than 5% of its users are spam or fake accounts.
The Tesla chief tweeted on Friday that the deal was being frozen while he waited for details backing up Twitter's claim:
"Twitter deal temporarily on hold pending details supporting calculation that spam/fake accounts do indeed represent less than 5% of users."
Musk linked his decision to a May 2 Reuters report referring to a filing with the US financial regulator, in which Twitter asserted that fake and spam accounts represented less than 5% of its daily average users:
We have performed an internal review of a sample of accounts and estimate that the average of false or spam accounts during the first quarter of 2022 represented fewer than 5% of our mDAU during the quarter. The false or spam accounts for a period represents the average of false or spam accounts in the samples during each monthly analysis period during the quarter. In making this determination, we applied significant judgment, so our estimation of false or spam accounts may not accurately represent the actual number of such accounts, and the actual number of false or spam accounts could be higher than we have estimated.
Following Musk's announcement in April that he was offering to buy Twitter, the Tesla CEO said that he wanted to make the social media platform "better than ever" with new product features that will defeat spam bots and authenticate all humans.
As Friday's story broke, Twitter's share price fell by as much as 25% in pre-market trading, and is currently down around 15%.
Update 4:53 a.m.: In a follow-up tweet, Musk says he is "still committed to the acquisition."
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 has started sending out emails letting developers know if they've been chosen to attend the special WWDC viewing event that is set to take place at Apple Park on Monday, June 6.
Apple began taking applications for the viewing event on Monday, and said that developers would be informed if they were selected by 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time tonight. Those picked are receiving emails right now, and will need to RSVP by May 18 at 6:00 p.m. to confirm their attendance.
Only a small number of developers are being invited to the Apple Park campus to watch the WWDC 2022 keynote and the Platforms State of the Union. Apple says that it will be an all-day experience at Apple Park, with developers also be invited to explore the new Developer Center that Apple has built. Apple last year said that it was building a dedicated Developer Center on the Apple Park campus, though few details have been provided about it.
We're hosting a special all-day experience at Apple Park on June 6 to kick off WWDC22. Gather with others in the developer community to watch the keynote and State of the Union videos alongside Apple engineers and experts, explore the all-new Developer Center, and so much more. We can't wait to connect in person.
The Apple Park event is free, and all members of the Apple Developer Program and Apple Developer Enterprise Program were invited to apply. Though the event is free, those picked will need to travel to Cupertino, California.
WWDC is set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, June 6.
Apple Music is experiencing an outage at the current time, which is causing the streaming music service not to function as expected for some subscribers.
According to Apple's System Status page, Apple Music has been experiencing issues since 1:17 p.m. Pacific Time, with the page suggesting that some users may be "experiencing intermittent issues" with the service.
iTunes Match and Radio also appear to be having problems at this time. We'll update this article when the outage has resolved.
Update: Apple Music is once again working as intended and the outage has been addressed, according to Apple's System Status page.
Universal Control is no longer a "beta" feature, with the beta labeling removed in the macOS Monterey 12.4 and iPadOS 15.5 release candidate versions that were seeded to developers and public beta testers earlier today.
Apple in March released Universal Control as part of macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4, and since launch, it has had a beta label as Apple has worked to iron out bugs and clear up any minor issues.
Under System Preferences > Displays > Universal Control, the beta labeling next to the Universal Control options has been removed. Likewise, there is no longer a beta label on the iPad under System Preferences > AirPlay > Handoff > Cursor and Keyboard.
Universal Control is designed to allow you to use a single mouse/trackpad and keyboard across multiple Macs and iPads, with the feature designed to work automatically with macOS Monterey 12.3 and later and iPadOS 15.4 or later.
Though Universal Control has been available in a beta capacity, it has worked well for users, which is why Apple has been able to remove the beta labeling just a couple months after the feature first launched.
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