MacRumors

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of macOS Ventura to its public beta testing group, allowing non-developers to test the new macOS Ventura operating system ahead of its release. The fourth beta comes two weeks after the third public beta and it corresponds with the sixth developer beta that came out earlier this week.

Public beta testers can download the macOS 13 Ventura update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the proper profile from Apple's beta software website.

macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new multi-tasking option for focusing on a task while having other apps waiting in the wings. ‌Stage Manager‌ puts your main app front and center, tucking your other apps to the side for quick access.

Continuity Camera allows you to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac, offering much better camera quality than the built-in Mac camera. Apple is building special stands to hold the ‌iPhone‌ with a Mac, and there are neat features like Desk View, which uses the Ultra Wide lens.

Handoff now works with FaceTime so you can answer calls on the Mac and then transfer them over to another device, and Messages is gaining undo, edit, and mark as unread features. SharePlay now works in Messages in addition to ‌FaceTime‌, and the Mail app has been overhauled. Search is more relevant, emails can be scheduled, and there's even an option to undo an email for up to 10 seconds after it's sent.

Apple brought the Weather and Clock apps to the Mac, redesigned System Preferences and renamed it System Settings, and added support for Shared Tab Groups. Passwords are being replaced with more secure Passkeys in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, and there are updates to Spotlight, Visual Lookup, Live Text, and more.

There are a ton of other features in macOS Ventura, and we have a full rundown available in our dedicated macOS Ventura roundup.

Apple will hold rare company-wide retail meetings this weekend, the first in three years since the start of the global health crisis, according to sources familiar with the matter. The timing of the meetings comes just less than two weeks away from when Apple will hold its "Far Out" event for the iPhone 14 and new Apple Watches.

The meetings, planned to take place in Apple Stores across the United States, are the first of their kind since 2019 amid the global health crisis. Apple had originally planned for company-wide meetings, which typically happen once or twice a year ahead of a busy launch season, for the Spring of 2020 but canceled amid store closures and lockdowns. In years past, Apple has unveiled company-wide retail strategies and "pep talk" styled team discussions meant to prepare employees to launch new products.

This year's meetings, however, come amid widespread tension within Apple over unionization, a factor not present in years past. Apple has been ramping-up its union-related talking points in the last several weeks, MacRumors has reported. Last week, Apple Store leaders across the United States communicated what employees perceived as "anti-union rhetoric" in a coordinated attempt to ease staff concerns.

Apple is preparing to launch several new products in the coming weeks, including the ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro. ‌Apple Store‌ employees in several locations across the United States have been tasked with preparing for new merchandise material in the coming weeks, typical before a major new product launch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that the new iPhones will go on sale on Friday, September 16, with pre-orders opening a week before on Friday, September 9.

Apple suppliers will begin mass production of new 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro models in the fourth quarter of 2022, and all of the devices will likely remain equipped with 5nm chips, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a pair of tweets, Kuo said Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC will not begin shipping 3nm chips until January 2023, and therefore he expects the new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models to stick with 5nm chips. The new iPad Pro with an M2 chip is expected to be released in October, but timing for the new MacBook Pro models is less clear, with some rumors suggesting a release later this year and others pointing towards a 2023 launch.

The new MacBook Pro models are expected to be equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which some earlier reports had suggested could be Apple's first 3nm chips. However, if the latest information shared by Kuo is accurate, the first Apple devices with chips based on TSMC's 3nm process will not be released until some point next year.

In addition to future Macs and iPads, the A17 Bionic chip in next year's iPhone 15 Pro is also expected to be a 3nm chip.

Productivity guru Thomas Frank joins us on The MacRumors Show podcast this week to evaluate the state of the iPad Pro and Mac as productivity tools.

Thomas is a YouTuber, podcaster, and content creator best known for his personal development video essays, Notion tutorials and templates, and Skillshare courses. We discuss the ‌iPad Pro‌'s hardware and form factor, the advancements and limitations of iPadOS 16, and accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.

We explore the M2 MacBook Air, share some productivity tips, and weigh up the upsides and downsides of Apple's platforms for getting things done. We also touch on some of our favorite third-party apps like Things 3, Obsidian, Craft, and Notion. See more of Thomas's work on his YouTube channel or his website.

Listen to The MacRumors Show via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or subscribe by copying our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. You can also watch a video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. If you haven't already listened to the last episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up for an in-depth chat about Apple's long-rumored foldable iPhone following the launch of Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold devices.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Sam Kohl, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, Rene Ritchie, Andru Edwards, Jon Prosser, and Mark Gurman. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover going forward.

Apple may announce its long-rumored satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 next month, according to Tim Farrar, a satellite communications consultant at California-based research firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates.

In a series of tweets, Farrar said T-Mobile's and SpaceX's satellite connectivity announcement yesterday was likely intended to pre-empt Apple's announcement of its own satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone in partnership with Globalstar. Apple is holding a media event at Steve Jobs Theater on September 7, and the event's "Far Out" tagline and starry sky artwork have fueled speculation about a satellite connectivity announcement.

In February, Globalstar announced that it acquired 17 new satellites to provide "continuous satellite services" to a "potential customer," which might be Apple.

Farrar said Apple's service will be offered free of charge for two-way text messaging only at launch and will use existing satellite spectrum, with no rule changes from the FCC required. By comparison, T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to leverage T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum and support SMS text messages, MMS, and select messaging apps, but Farrar believes this more ambitious approach will face regulatory hurdles around the world.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman first reported that Apple was working on satellite connectivity for iPhones in December 2019. Earlier this year, Gurman said Apple was still working on the feature and said it could be ready for the iPhone 14 later this year. Gurman claimed the feature would be intended for use in emergency situations, allowing iPhone users to report emergencies to authorities and send short text messages to emergency contacts, and he added that the functionality could also be available on a new Apple Watch.

iPhones would need a special modem chip to connect to satellites, according to Gurman, suggesting the feature might be compatible with the iPhone 14 and newer only. By comparison, T-Mobile said the "vast majority of smartphones" already on its network would be able to connect to SpaceX's satellites with their existing cellular chips.

Additional details about Apple's rumored satellite connectivity feature, such as whether the feature will be limited to the U.S. or available globally, remain unknown. Apple's media event begins on September 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time and MacRumors will have comprehensive coverage of everything announced, so be sure to follow along then.

Amazon has marked down Apple's 10.2-inch iPad to a new all-time low price today, with the 64GB Wi-Fi model available for $279.99, down from $329.00. You can get both the Silver and Space Gray at this price, with fastest delivery options estimated around September 1.

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

This sale beats the previous record low price by around $20. The tablet is shipped and sold directly by Amazon, and shipping estimates have begun to slip so be sure to visit Amazon soon if you're interested.

For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.

Apple has backed out of a potential purchase of the game studio Electronic Arts (EA) following talks that have been ongoing since as early as May of this year, with Amazon instead poised to make an offer, according to a report from USA Today vertical ForTheWin.

Over the last couple of months, EA has been speaking to several companies with potential interest in the acquisition, including Apple, Amazon, and Disney. Apple has had a renewed interest in the gaming market ever since the launch of Apple Arcade, the company's subscription-based gaming service that offers exclusive games with no in-app purchases and ads.

A purchase of EA by Apple would give the Cupertino tech-giant access to hit gaming franchises that include "The Sims," "Battlefield," "Apex Legends," "SimCity," "DragonAge," "FIFA," and more.

Apple purchasing EA, which has a market value of $34 billion, would be the largest acquisition by Apple in its history. Apple's largest purchase to date is Beats, which it bought for $3 billion in 2014. During the company's last earnings call in July, CEO Tim Cook said Apple "never buys just to buy," but added that he wouldn't "rule anything out" and that Apple is "constantly surveilling the market."

Update: According to CNBC sources, the rumor that Amazon is set to purchase Electronic Arts (EA) is incorrect.

T-Mobile and SpaceX today announced a plan to offer smartphone connectivity nearly anywhere in the U.S. with a new "satellite-to-cellular" service.

The new technology will leverage SpaceX's second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit and T-Mobile's nationwide mid-band 5G spectrum to provide "near complete coverage" in most areas across the U.S., in addition to territorial waters. If successful, the technology would eliminate "mobile dead zones" and keep customers connected beyond the reach of cell towers, which would be especially helpful in emergency situations.

T-Mobile and SpaceX said they hope to establish reciprocal roaming agreements with international carriers to offer the service globally in the future.

"The important thing about this is that it means there are no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone," said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, in a press release announcing the plan. "We're incredibly excited to do this with T-Mobile."

Below, we've outlined some key details about the T-Mobile and SpaceX plans and what the launch of the service will mean for iPhone users.

Will the satellite connectivity work with iPhones?

T-Mobile said the "vast majority of smartphones" already connected to its network will be compatible with the new "satellite-to-cellular" service, and this will presumably include iPhones. We've reached out to T-Mobile and Apple for clarification, but the companies did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.

T-Mobile said satellite connectivity will use a smartphone's existing cellular chip and will not require a Starlink terminal or any other hardware.

Will the satellite connectivity require an iPhone 14?

As mentioned above, T-Mobile said the "vast majority" of existing smartphones will be compatible with its satellite connectivity service right out of the box, so it does not sound like the feature will require Apple's upcoming iPhone 14 models.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that iPhone 14 models could feature satellite connectivity for emergency use, but he said that Apple's partner would likely be satellite company Globalstar, rather than SpaceX, so the feature may be unrelated.

During a press event in Texas, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert also said that the carrier has yet to start working with other companies on how they will integrate the technology, further suggesting that Apple is not currently involved with the plans. Of course, Apple could choose to partner with T-Mobile and SpaceX to fully support the service on iPhones in the future, even if the companies have yet to discuss the matter.

Given the service will leverage T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum, it's possible Starlink satellite connectivity will require an iPhone 12 or newer, but we'll have to wait for the companies to share additional details about the technology.

There is still a possibility that Apple will announce a similar satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 in partnership with Globalstar, and perhaps it would work with more carriers than just T-Mobile at launch. Earlier this week, Apple announced that it will be holding a media event on September 7 with the tagline "Far Out" and starry sky artwork, fueling speculation that Apple has a satellite connectivity announcement planned.

How will the technology work?

SpaceX plans to have a constellation of second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit with advanced antennas that smartphones can connect to via T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum without any additional hardware. T-Mobile said the service will provide "nearly complete coverage almost anywhere a customer can see the sky," and Elon Musk said the service should work when a person has the phone in their pocket or is in a vehicle.

What is the purpose of satellite connectivity?

T-Mobile and SpaceX said the satellite-to-cellular service is designed primarily for areas without existing cell network coverage, to eliminate mobile dead zones. The service is not intended to be a substitute for much faster cell networks in urban and suburban areas, but instead will ensure that people can stay connected in areas without cell towers for basic communication by text message and eventually phone calls.

When and where will the service launch?

T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to launch the service in beta by late 2023, starting in select areas of the U.S. The service will eventually cover most areas of the continental U.S., Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territorial waters.

T-Mobile and SpaceX said they hope to establish reciprocal roaming agreements with international carriers to offer the service globally in the future.

How much will the service cost?

T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said the carrier plans to offer Starlink satellite connectivity on its "most popular plans" for no additional charge. For some lower-priced plans, Sievert said T-Mobile may charge a monthly fee to access the service, with pricing that would be "far less" expensive than existing satellite service providers.

Will the service work for phone calls and text messages? What about iMessage?

Starlink's direct satellite connectivity to smartphones will initially work with SMS and MMS text messages and "participating messaging apps," according to T-Mobile and SpaceX. The announcement did not name any participating messaging apps, so it's unclear if Apple's iMessage service will be supported at launch.

In the future, the companies plan to "pursue the addition of voice and data coverage" for phone calls, web browsing, and more, but speeds would be limited.

How fast will the satellite connectivity be?

Second-generation Starlink satellites will be able to provide data speeds of up to 2-4 Mbps to each cell zone, which would be suitable for text messages and eventually phone calls when supported, according to Elon Musk.

Exact speeds would depend on how many T-Mobile customers are simultaneously using the service in a given cell zone. If a cell is not very busy, Musk said there is the potential that users could play "a little bit" of video in the future, but the service is not intended for this sort of usage and is instead designed for basic communication.

Apple last year agreed to pay $95 million to settle an AppleCare-related lawsuit that accused the company of violating U.S. laws and regulations by providing customers with refurbished replacement devices instead of new devices when AppleCare repairs were required.

Administrators for the case began collecting info from impacted customers back in January, and the settlement amount received final approval in April. With everything now set, Apple is ready to begin sending out payments, and customers who are expecting money are starting to receive emails. One of the emails was shared by MacRumors reader Nathan:

According to our records, you are eligible to receive a payment of $28.90 in the settlement for the matter entitled Maldonado, et al. v. Apple Inc., et al., Case No. 3:16-CV-04067-WHO.

As Settlement Administrator for the matter, we're sending you this courtesy email to inform you that by August 30, 2022, you will receive a payment notification email that contains a link to claim your payment electronically. Once you receive that email, you will have until November 28, 2022 to claim your payment.

Please monitor your email inbox carefully for our next email. Additional details about the matter are available at www.ReplacementDeviceLawsuit.com.

Customers who are eligible for a payment will get an email by August 30, and they must respond to the email by November 28, 2022 to receive their money. The lawsuit applied to customers who purchased an ‌AppleCare‌ Protection Plan or ‌AppleCare‌+ for an iPhone or iPad between July 20, 2012 and September, 30, 2021 and who received a refurbished replacement device.

Apple's repair terms and conditions have always made it clear that the company may use "parts or products that are new or refurbished and equivalent to new in performance and reliability" when repairing or replacing a device, but the lawsuit claimed that refurbished devices are "not equivalent to new in performance and reliability." The lawsuit sought compensation for ‌iPhone‌‌, ‌‌iPad‌‌, and iPod owners who purchased ‌‌AppleCare‌‌ or ‌‌AppleCare‌‌+ coverage and were unhappy with receiving an "inferior" refurbished device instead of a device that works "like new."

Though Apple paid $95 million to settle the lawsuit, it admitted no wrongdoing and denies that refurbished devices are inferior to new devices.

(Thanks, Nathan!)

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of macOS 13 Ventura, the next-generation version of the Mac operating system that's set to launch this fall. The sixth beta comes over two weeks after Apple provided the fifth beta to developers.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.

macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new feature that lets Mac users focus on a task while keeping other apps at the ready for easy swapping between tasks. The update adds Continuity Camera, which is designed to let you use the iPhone as a webcam for your Mac. It supports Center Stage, Desk View (for showing off your desk), and Studio Light.

Handoff is now available for FaceTime so you can transfer calls between ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Mac at will, and Messages supports features for marking an iMessage as unread, unsending an iMessage, and marking as unread. SharePlay also now works in the Messages app.

The Mail app supports scheduling and undoing emails for up to 10 seconds after they're sent, and there are now Weather and Clock apps that are available on the Mac. System Preferences has been renamed System Settings, and it features an iOS-like design.

Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working on Passkeys, a next-generation credential that replaces the password. There are updates to Spotlight, Photo Library has new features, and Metal 3 is included in macOS Ventura for better graphics in games.

For everything new in macOS Ventura, we have a dedicated roundup that goes through all of the features. macOS Ventura is set to see a public release this fall.

Now that Apple has officially announced it will hold a special in-person event on September 7, widely expected to be for the iPhone 14 and the brand new Apple Watch Series 8, we can begin to map out all the important dates for Apple customers for September.

The Event Itself

The event, which is expected to be a hybrid between a digital and in-person event, will take place on September 7 at 10 AM PT. The event, which will run for around two hours, will include the announcement of the iPhone 14, the standard Apple Watch Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE, and a new Apple Watch "Pro." Apple may also announce other products during the event, including the second-generation AirPods Pro.

iPhone 14 Pre-Orders

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was the first to report Apple was planning an event for September 7 earlier this month. In that same report accurately reporting the event date, Gurman also said the iPhone 14 would go on sale on September 16.

With a release on Friday, September 16, and pre-orders typically happening a week before launch, customers can expect to be able to pre-order the new iPhones on Friday, September 9. Due to possible supply constraints, pre-order and launch dates for the Apple Watch Series 8 remain unknown, so we'll have to wait and find out.

iOS 16 Launch

iOS 16 was previewed during Apple's WWDC in June of this year with major new features, including a completely redesigned Lock Screen, the ability to unsend and edit messages in iMessages, and so much more. iOS 16 has been in testing over the summer, and the new iPhone 14 will ship with the new iOS version pre-installed.

Like in previous years, Apple will release iOS 16 to the general public before the new iPhones begin shipping, which means we could see iOS 16 launch between Monday, September 12, and Wednesday, September 14. Apple will confirm iOS 16 and watchOS 9's release date during the event in two weeks. macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16 will be released later in October.

iPhone 14 Arrives to Customers

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who accurately reported an event on September 7, the iPhone 14 will be available to customers on Friday, September 16. Learn more about what we're expecting for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro with our roundups.

Back to School Promotion Ends

Towards the end of the month, on September 26, Apple's annual back-to-school promotion will come to a close. The promotion, which started in late June, gives students a free Apple gift card with certain purchases.

Recap

To recap, here's a quick rundown list of all the important dates for the month of September to mark off your calendar:

• iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 Event - Wednesday, September 7
• Most Likely Date for iPhone 14 Pre-Orders - Friday, September 9
• iOS 16 Public Release with watchOS 9 - Monday, September 12 to Wednesday, September 14
• iPhone 14 Launches - Friday, September 16
• Back to School Promotion Ends - Monday, September 26

In a new wide-ranging interview with Popular Mechanics, Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses product innovation and how it drives Apple to make better products, allowing customers to repair their iPhones and Macs with the self-service repair program, Steve Jobs and his legacy, and more.

During the interview published in a special edition of Popular Mechanics, Cook describes Apple's philosophy of creating innovative new products and how Apple has fostered an environment of innovation.

They don't take any singular route, they can come from everywhere in the company. We believe in putting groups of people together focused on solving some problem for a user. You pick diverse teams that look at the problem through different lenses.

We debate about things that we do and do not do, because we know we can only do a few things well. You have to debate and say no to a lot of great ideas so that you can spend your time on the ones that are truly unbelievable.

Answering whether there was ever a time Cook first heard an idea and said, "that's cool," he recalls talking to staff about the M1 and M2 Apple silicon chips and Apple's rich history of creating chips for its products.

Oh, they happen all the time. I feel like that every day—like a kid in a candy store. We were just talking in the hallway about M2 and M1—the history there goes back well over a decade. It goes back to the genesis of the M chips, or the A chips, from iPhone and really getting in and figuring out, how do you put a powerful chip in something that small and not get it to heat up and burn up?

We found ourselves with a similar issue for laptops: How do you put something in there that is the most powerful computer chip in the world? Out of that was born M1, and now we've taken it further with M2. And Mac is now a totally different product than it was before.

Cook also described Apple as an environment where people don't take no as an answer, saying that claiming something is impossible is a driving force of motivation for Apple engineers.

Well, usually the way that you get people around here to do something is to tell them you're not sure it's doable. That's the red flag in front of the bull because a lot of people here don't take "impossible" as being true. If we convince ourselves it's in the best interest of the user, that's a compelling force for us to power through the problem.

Cook also touched on the subject of privacy, saying that Apple believes privacy is a "fundamental human right" and described the company's work in empowering users with privacy-focused features as a core philosophy.

Touching on Apple's role internationally, Cook said that Apple has a set of core values that's the company's north star, including privacy, education, accessibility, and the environment. Cook also, for the first time publicly, commented on Apple's new self-service repair program, which recently launched for the Mac. The program lets customers order the parts needed to repair their own iPhone or Mac, such as a battery or display replacement. Cook said the program is intended for customers who are technologically capable of handling repairs on their own.

There's actually something in there for everybody. We took a larger view and said, "What do people want?" First of all, they want products that don't break. So we try really hard to make products that last a long time, and that's sort of job one.

But invariably, some people do have to go somewhere for a repair. And you don't want to have to drive two hours to find a repair center. So we've added thousands of independent repair shops.

In addition to that, for the hobbyist and the tinkerer, we said, "We'll sell you certified parts" - parts that we use to repair. You can buy the part itself instead of buying a repair. And if you need a manual that tells you how to do something, you can have the manual. And if some special tools are required or fixtures required, we can give you that, too. I don't know how many people will take us up on it. It's for your reader, clearly.

Towards the end of the interview, Cook was asked what he thinks Steve Jobs would think about Apple today. He responded by saying he thinks Jobs would love some of the things, but admits for other things he might say Apple could do better.

I think about him a lot. I miss him dearly. He would always stop by my office on his way out. And there's never been a replacement for that. We would exchange tidbits on the day and talk about the future. And we try to carry on the mission that he set in place, to build the best products in the world that enrich people's lives. And that hasn't changed. Lots of things change with time. But the reason for our being is the same.

I think he would find things that he loved and things that he would say, "We can do better on that." I think he would do both. As we all do. We are never really satisfied. We're always working on tomorrow.

The full interview can be found here.

Ahead of the expected announcement of the iPhone 14 lineup at Apple's September 7 event, a wave of dummy models originating in Asia claim to show the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's selection of color options, including new blue and purple finishes.

The images of ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro dummy models were first shared on Weibo earlier today and show similar Gold, Graphite, and Silver color options from recent years. Two other color options depicted in the image would be new to the current "Pro" ‌iPhone‌ lineup: a dark purple and a blue. A separate, heavily cropped image that also emerged earlier today appears to show the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models in the same range of colors.

It is also of note that the antenna bands of the Gold and Purple models contrast with the frame due to being white, unlike iPhones in previous years. It is not clear if the items in the second image are genuine ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models or simply dummy models, although the latter may be more likely given the volume of ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro dummies that are now in circulation.

Earlier this year, a crucial rumor from Weibo said that both the ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro models will be available in a new Purple finish. It claimed that the color option, likely for ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro, is unique finish that shifts tone based on lighting conditions. A purple color option for the ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro seems plausible given that Apple introduced a Purple ‌iPhone‌ 12 and iPhone 12 mini in a mid-cycle refresh in April last year to a positive response from customers, and the 24-inch iMac, sixth-generation iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPad Air are all available in Purple.

It is not clear if the unique purple finish is actively supposed to have a new effect to change based on lighting conditions, or if it simply uses the technique behind the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro's Sierra Blue, which varies in appearance more than the other color options. This is because Apple adopted a new production process exclusively for Sierra Blue that uses "multiple layers of nanometer-scale metallic ceramics applied across the surface for a stunning and durable finish."

A brief video of an ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro dummy model, showing a larger rear camera bump and a relocated front-facing camera in line with rumors about the device so far, provides a closer look at the striking dark purple color.

While the purple color option first being seen today was previously rumored, the blue color option is new and has not been rumored before.

Dummy models usually do not represent the exact tone of Apple's options with a high level of accuracy since they are often made of plastic, but the selection of colors on show could provide a basic overview of what to expect. Dummy models are used to display, demonstrate, and test accessories like cases, so they strive to provide a relatively accurate overall substitute for the actual physical device. As such, it is reasonable to expect the color options to be based on legitimate information.

Mostly orignating from unverified social media users in China, much of this information still should be regarded with a level of skepticism. Readers can make up their own minds about how believable the above information is.

Following Apple's announcement that it will hold an event on Wednesday, September 7, several alleged leaks coming out of Asia purport to show the iPhone 14 Pro's display cutouts and status bar items.

Twitter user "DuanRui" today shared several images from Chinese social media site Weibo, with one seemingly showing a close-up, real-world image of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro's "pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array cutouts that are expected to replace the notch.

For reference, Twitter leaker known as "Ice Universe" shared an image of the front of an ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro dummy earlier today. In the image, the display cutouts are clearly artificial, which may make the above image much more believable.

At the same time, leaker "ShrimpApplePro" shared a segment of a screenshot allegedly from an ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, overlaid with an identical screenshot from an ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max, to show how Apple is purportedly planning to enlarge and realign the status bar's items to account for the new "pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array design.

Another alleged screenshot from ShrimpApplePro shows how the entire status bar is arranged on the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max, repositioning the cellular signal, Wi-Fi, and battery indicators slightly lower and to the right.

The standard ‌iPhone‌ 14 models are expected to retain the same notch used on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 linep, with the "pill and hole-punch" being one of the main selling points of the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max. The devices are also expected to feature the A16 chip, an always-on display, a 48-megapixel Wide camera, and more.

Update: Apple concept graphic designer Ian Zelbo has cast doubt on the initial "real-world" image, claiming that it is simply an edited image of an ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro.

Starting today through November 28, owners of 2018-2022 Samsung smart TV models worldwide can receive a three-month subscription to Apple TV+ for free.

In an announcement spotted by 9to5Mac, Samsung said eligible customers can redeem this limited time offer by opening the Apple TV app on the Samsung TV home screen and following the on-screen instructions. It's not clear from the press release if the offer is available to existing Apple TV+ subscribers or limited to first-time subscribers.

Roku is also offering three months of Apple TV+ for free on Roku devices starting today, according to a tweet. Fine print says the offer is for new subscribers only.

Apple TV+ is normally priced at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. The service provides access to Apple's original series and films, ranging from the award-winning comedy series "Ted Lasso" to the hit workplace thriller "Severance."

Anker has introduced a trio of discounts on its newest USB-C chargers on Amazon today, offering up to 25 percent off these accessories. Shoppers should note that all three products require you to click an on-page coupon on Amazon, and afterwards you'll see the deal prices at checkout.

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.

The sale starts with the GaNPrime 65W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger for $44.99, down from $59.99. This one includes two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, and it supports iPhone fast charging.

Secondly, Anker has its GaNPrime 120W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger for $75.99, down from $94.99. This device also has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, with PowerIQ 4.0 technology for optimal fast charging.

Lastly is Anker's 140W USB-C Charger for $74.99, down from $99.99. This one only has one USB-C port and is aimed at MacBook Pro and MacBook Air charging.

Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Following the launch of iOS 15.6.1 last Wednesday, Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.6, the previously available version that came out in mid-July. Since iOS 15.6 is no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing iOS 15.6.1.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that iOS 15.6 is no longer being signed.

iOS 15.6 was minor in scale, introducing an option to restart, pause, rewind, and fast-forward a live sports game that's in progress, plus it addressed an issue that could cause the Settings app to continue to display that device storage is full even when it's not.

Released on August 17, iOS 15.6.1 had no new feature additions, but it does include a critical security fix that addresses kernel and Webkit vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution.