Apple's 2020 M1 MacBook Air (256GB) has hit $899.99 on Amazon this week, down from $999.00. This deal is available in both Silver and Gold color options, and both are sold directly by Amazon.
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We've seen this computer drop down to a lower price in past sales, but this is still a solid second-best price on the MacBook Air. The Silver color option has faster shipping estimates, targeted for around May 30 for most places in the United States.
Apple today shared details on developer studies sourced from economists at Analysis Group (commissioned by Apple) and the Progressive Policy Group, with the reports aimed at highlighting the successes of small businesses and independent developers on the App Store.
Between 2019 and 2021, earnings for small developers increased by 113 percent, outpacing the growth of larger developers, according to Analysis Group. Small developers are defined as those who have earned up to $1 million in a year and who have fewer than 1 million annual downloads, with the research excluding those with less than 1,000 App Store downloads. Analysis Group says that more than 90 percent of App Store developers are considered small developers.
Some of those small developers are earning more money because of the reduced commission implemented through the App Store Small Business Program in late 2020, but Apple and Analysis Group suggest there are other growth factors at work in addition to the lower commission rates. Small developers are eligible to pay 15 percent in App Store fees instead of the 30 percent that larger developers must pay, and that cut would represent a 21 percent increase in earnings, under the 113 percent total growth metric the study reports.
The strongest growth in earnings came from developers in France and the United States, who saw 122 and 118 percent growth in earnings in 2021, respectively. The earnings growth rate of small developers who were active in 2019 has exceeded that of large developers by more than double.
Among larger-scale developers who sold digital goods and services and earned more than $1 million in 2021, 45 percent were not on the App Store or had less than $10,000 in earnings in the prior five years, which Analysis Group suggests is indicative of the opportunities available to "nascent developers with innovative ideas."
The second study from Progressive Policy Institute separately highlights the range of jobs that the iOS app economy has been responsible for creating, encompassing software development, sales, design, and more. The study suggests that the iOS ecosystem is responsible for 2.23 million jobs, including indirect and spillover jobs.
As Apple said earlier this year, developers have earned a total of $260 billion since the launch of the App Store. There are more than 1.8 million apps on the App Store, and 1.8 billion active devices across 175 regions. 80 percent of small developers are active in multiple storefronts, and 40 percent of downloads come from outside of a small developer's home country, with the App Store ecosystem facilitating global sales.
Apple says that the report from Analysis Group "paints a picture of a thriving and dynamic app ecosystem where opportunities and innovations have flourished," and it is no surprise that Apple is eager to point out the successes of the App Store amid regulatory changes that are looming in the United States, Europe, and other countries.
U.S. government officials are considering the Open App Markets Act and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, with the legislation aimed at allowing developers to use non-Apple App Stores and alternative in-app payment systems on iOS devices, changes that would impact Apple's service revenue, and as Apple argues, the security of the iPhone.
Swiss-based encrypted email provider ProtonMail today announced a restructuring of its privacy-first services, bringing them under a new unifying brand name: Proton.
Today, we are undertaking our biggest step forward in the movement for an internet that respects your privacy. The new, updated Proton offers one account, many services, and one privacy-by-default ecosystem. You can now enjoy unified protection with a modernized look and feel.
Evolving into a unified Proton reflects our growth from an end-to-end encrypted email provider to an entire privacy ecosystem, allowing us to deliver even more benefits to the Proton community and make privacy accessible to everyone.
Previously, users could only subscribe to each service the company offered individually. Going forward, the new Proton offers one account to access all the services offered in the company's privacy-by-default ecosystem, including Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive, all of which can be accessed from proton.me.
All Proton services remain available as a free tier, with more advanced features and more storage available via paid plans. The free Proton tier includes up to 1GB of storage and one Proton email address, as well as access to Proton's encrypted Calendar and VPN services.
Meanwhile, the Proton Unlimited tier costs 9.99 euros ($10.65) for 12 months, with savings of up to 33% for those who choose a 24-month plan. For those looking only for encrypted email or a VPN, individual plans remain available.
As part of the rebrand, existing account holders will receive a storage boost and new features at no extra cost, including additional email addresses, VPN connections, and more.
To highlight the changes, Proton is also introducing a visual overhaul of the company's web-based services, with new logos, colors, and an updated, modernized design for its new desktop and mobile apps.
ProtonMail began as crowdfunded service in May 2014 and launched in March 2016, led by a group of scientists from CERN and MIT who aimed to deliver an easy-to-use end-to-end encrypted email service with freely available open source code. You can learn more about Proton's history, service plans, and privacy and security policy at the company's new website.
In iOS 15, Apple's Maps app includes the ability to use augmented reality walking directions in some big cities, and today we learn that Tokyo has become the latest place that you can use it.
The AR mode can map walking directions onto the real world by using your iPhone's rear camera, making it easier to see where you need to go in built-up areas and reducing the need to look down at your smartphone as you move.
The feature's availability in Tokyo was discovered by Ata Distance, who also says other Japanese city maps may have been updated beyond Tokyo, but it's hard to know without being on the ground.
To initiate a walking route, iPhone users can raise their device and scan the buildings around them when prompted. The step-by-step directions will appear in the AR mode automatically, which should make it easier to get where you need to go, especially in situations where the directions are tricky.
According to Apple's feature availability page, AR walking directions are available in London, Los Angeles, Montréal, New York Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Singapore, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, DC. Japan has yet to be added to the list.
Development of at least one iPhone 14 model is three weeks behind schedule due to Chinese lockdowns and in a worst case scenario could impact initial production volumes, according to a new report today.
Despite an easing of restrictions, the impact of lockdowns beginning in late March in and around Shanghai is said to have had a lingering impact on supply chains, according to sources who spoke to Nikkei Asia.
"It is challenging to make up for the lost time. ... Apple and its suppliers are working around the clock to speed up development," said an executive with an Apple supplier, adding that the pace of reopening in Shanghai is "rather slow."
Apple has reportedly told suppliers to speed up product development efforts to make up for the lost time before the delay affects the typical manufacturing schedule, which could subsequently impact initial production volumes of the iPhone 14 series.
Apple is expected to launch four new iPhone models this year. After seeing lackluster iPhone 13 mini sales, Apple is offering larger iPhone sizes for its 2022 flagship devices: A 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.
It is not clear which model is being directly impacted by the delays caused by the lockdowns. Currently, all four iPhone 14 models are in the engineering verification test, or EVT, stage of development, according to Nikkei's sources. Normally, all new iPhone models complete the EVT and move on to the verification stage by the end of June.
Following the development phase of the new iPhones, Apple's primary assemblers Foxconn and Pegatron will enter into a phase known as new product introduction, or NPI, during which the manufacturing process is sketched out for the latest designs. NPI is followed by several verification processes before mass production begins, usually from around the end of August.
"If the development process can be sped up and proceed to the next level around the end of June or beginning of July, then it should still be possible to meet the mass production deadline of early September," another person familiar with the matter said. "But it really depends on whether the process can accelerate soon."
Production is said to have been hampered by restrictions still in place in terms of living and travel in the greater Shanghai area. The operation of the entire supply chain in China hasn't yet returned to normal, despite a relaxing of restrictions in Shanghai and its neighboring regions.
Chiu Shih-fang, a veteran supply chain analyst with the Taiwan Institute for Economic Research, told Nikkei the situation might not only affect the production but also new product development. "It would take at least one to two more months for the supply chain to recover," added Chiu.
Developers who have been invited to attend the June 6 WWDC viewing event at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California will need to adhere to stricter COVID prevention rules that Apple has recently implemented.
In emails sent out today, Apple informed developers that they will need to wear N95 masks while indoors, and that a negative FDA-approved COVID antigen test is required the day before. Attendees will need to upload their negative test results to Apple's portal before arriving at Apple Park.
Saw the updated WWDC email that you need a negative FDA-approved COVID antigen test the day before and N95 masks are required indoors (yay)! Does that just mean I can bring some rapid tests in my luggage?
— Christian Selig (@ChristianSelig) May 24, 2022
This is an updated guideline that reflects an increasing number of COVID cases in California and other states. Prior to today, Apple's website said that developers would be required to test three days before the event and that masks would be optional, but that wording has since been removed.
There was some speculation that Apple could cancel the event because the company recently delayed plans to have corporate employees working in the office three days a week amid rising COVID cases, but it appears Apple is instead opting for more stringent protections.
On its website, Apple says that attendees are required to follow its health and safety protocols, which take into account the latest guidance from public health authorities. Apple has assured developers that hand sanitizer stations will be available and surfaces and high-traffic areas will be cleaned regularly throughout the event.
Apple today reminded developers that all apps that support account creation need to have functionality for account deletion starting on June 30, 2022. That means if an app allows a person to sign up for an account, there must be an in-app way to delete said account later on.
The account deletion rule was implemented as part of App Store changes that were introduced in June 2021, and Apple initially planned to require developers to support account deletion by January 31, 2022. That deadline has now been pushed back to give developers more time to make changes, and the rule will officially be enforced at the end of June.
According to Apple's guidelines, apps must make it easy for users to find the account deletion option, and it is insufficient for an app to offer to temporarily disable or deactivate an account. An account must be able to be deleted, along with all personal data.
Apple says that some apps in highly regulated industries can use customer service flows for confirming the account deletion, but apps outside of those industries should not require people to make a call, send an email, or otherwise jump through hoops to delete an account.
Developers can find more information about the account deletion requirements on Apple's website.
Apple today confirmed that the keynote event for the Worldwide Developers Conference will begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 6, the first day of WWDC. The keynote will be an online-only event, though a select number of developers have been invited to the Apple Park campus for a viewing event.
In addition to confirming the keynote date and time, Apple has shared the full WWDC 2022 schedule. Following the keynote, the Platforms State of the Union for developers will take place on June 6 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
The Apple Design Awards will follow on June 6 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and starting on June 7, Apple will provide session videos on all of the new features that are coming to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16, macOS 13, and watchOS 9.
Apple engineers and designers will also be hosting activities in Digital Lounges during WWDC week, allowing developers to engage in technical discussions, get answers to questions, and connect with the community.
Apple recommends that developers download the Apple Developer app to experience WWDC22 and keep up with all of the announcements.
Apple Music is now available directly within Google-owned Waze, offering Waze users easier and safer access to enjoy the Apple Music catalog as they commute from within the Waze app on iOS.
Google announced the new integration in a blog post, saying "with a direct connection between the apps, you can now access Apple Music content directly from the Waze Audio Player." Users should make sure they are updated to the latest version of the Waze app and have an active Apple Music subscription to integrate the two services.
Two weeks ahead of WWDC, Apple has started notifying winners of this year's Swift Student Challenge, with applicants able to check their status via Apple's website. The lucky winners receive exclusive WWDC 2022 outerwear, a customized WWDC 2022 pin set, and a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program. As an unexpected bonus, Apple is also providing winners with free AirPods Pro.
WWDC 2022 will be held online from June 6 through June 10, with sessions and other content to be made available on Apple's website and in the Apple Developer app free of charge. During the opening keynote, Apple is expected to announce its latest software platforms, including iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9, and tvOS 16, and there is always a chance of a hardware announcement or two at the event.
There will be one in-person component of WWDC 2022, as Apple is hosting a special day at Apple Park on June 6 for selected students/developers watch the Keynote and State of the Union videos. Attendees were selected through a lottery.
So excited for the #WWDC22#SwiftStudentChallenge winners! And equally proud of everyone who put themselves out there and applied. There are so many incredibly talented students around the world doing amazing things - can’t wait to watch you all soar!https://t.co/hKe6cQKfCZ
— Esther Hare (@EEhare) May 24, 2022
Linksys today announced the launch of two new WiFi 6 mesh systems for those who are looking for WiFi options that support the fastest wireless speeds. The Linksys Atlas 6 and the Linksys Hydra 6 are the company's two most affordable WiFi 6 mesh systems to date.
The Linksys Atlas 6 is a whole-home mesh wireless system that Linksys says is ideal for hybrid work, online gaming, 4K TV streaming, and more, and that the router is designed to be used with internet service plans that offer up to gigabit speeds.
Each node has three 1GBbE Ethernet ports for connecting to devices, and the system comes in three configurations. The Atlas 6 can be managed with the Linksys app, and it is a mesh system so it can be adjusted with a different number of nodes.
The Linksys Atlas 6 is launching in early summer and will be priced starting at $150. 1-pack supports up to 25 devices and covers 2,000 square feet, the two pack supports up to 50 devices and covers 4,000 square feet, and the three pack supports up to 75 devices and covers 6,000 square feet.
The Hydra 6 is slightly more expensive at $180, and it is a WiFi 6 dual-band mesh router that is aimed at delivering faster, more robust, and more reliable connections, according to Linksys.
It too is designed for service plans up to a gigabit, and nodes have four 1GbE Ethernet ports for wired connections. Linksys also plans to begin selling the Hydra 6 in early summer, and both systems will be available from the Linksys website.
Last year's iPhone 13 Pro models were the first of Apple's smartphones to come with 120Hz ProMotion displays, and while the two iPhone 14 Pro models will continue to feature the technology, their screens could well boast expanded refresh rate variability this time round.
To bring ProMotion displays to the iPhone 13 Pro models, Apple adopted LTPO panel technology with variable refresh rates, allowing for a more power-efficient backplane – the part responsible for turning individual pixels on and off. In this way, ProMotion is capable of dynamically producing fast frame rates when users need them, while preserving battery life when they don't.
On the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, however, Apple's ProMotion displays are limited to dialing screen refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz. This contrasts with LPTO panels used by the likes of Oppo and Samsung that can drop to as low as 1Hz when viewing a static image or when the device is inactive.
Well-connected display analyst Ross Young says he is "expecting" the ProMotion displays used in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max to be capable of dropping to the same 1Hz low. Depending on how Apple decides to take things, the technology could pave the way for longer battery life or always-on display elements.
As an example, Apple Watch Series 7 models use LTPO displays, which enables them to have the same up-to-18-hour battery life as earlier Apple Watch models despite having an always-on display. Similar to LTPO-equipped Android phones, the same technology on iPhone could display the time, date, and any notifications on-screen at all times without needing to unlock the handset.
Last year, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman suggested Apple could bring similar functionality to the iPhone 13, but that didn't happen. Currently, there are no credible leaks pointing to the iPhone 14 Pro models coming with always-on display features. However, that doesn’t mean Apple won't surprise us. Indeed, if Apple expands the refresh rate variability of its ProMotion displays, there will be no technical limitations to prevent it.
Amazon is offering a few models of the M1 iMac at all-time low prices today. Only select colors are available in each configuration, but all models shared in this article are in stock and ready to ship out today from Amazon.
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.
Starting with the 7-core GPU/256GB iMac, this device is available at $1,199.00, down from $1,299.00. This sale is only available in Blue, and it's a second-best price on this version of the 24-inch iMac.
Next, the 8-core GPU/256GB iMac is down to $1,349.00 in Silver and Orange, from $1,499.00. Shoppers should note that the Silver color requires an automatic coupon to be applied at the checkout screen in order to see this discount price.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
Compared to previous sales, this is a match of the record low price on this version of the 24-inch iMac. At this time we aren't tracking any discounts on the 512GB version of the new iMacs, but be sure to keep an eye on our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.
After the last iPod touch was officially discontinued earlier this month, the entire range of iPod models have seen a slight uptick in value, but devices in used condition continue to experience heavy depreciation.
According to trade-in pricing data from over 40 U.S. independent tech resale companies gathered by SellCell, iPods have depreciated by 89 percent on average since their launch, ranging from 98 percent depreciation for some models from 2003, to 71 percent for seventh-generation iPod touch models.
As is to be expected for the last two iPods to be released, the sixth- and seventh-generation iPod touch models are still worth the most, especially in higher storage configurations. The 256GB seventh-generation iPod touch has the best resale value, with owners able to get around $100 for the device providing it is in good condition, while slightly older models with smaller storage configurations sell for just upwards of $60. Older iPod models from 2012 or earlier are worth just $28 on average, with the most valuable model being the 160GB seventh-generation iPod Classic at $61. These iPods have depreciated by around 90 percent owing to their age.
While the average resale value of iPods has remained fairly static over the past six months, there has been a marginal recovery in value of 2.9 percent since Apple's announcement that the final iPod was to be discontinued. Tracked iPod prices show an average depreciation rate of 86.3 percent on May 1, dropping to 83.4 percent on May 16. Most noticeably, the 16GB seventh-generation iPod Nano has seen value recovery of 13.4 since Apple's announcement earlier this month. There may be further improvement for some models over time.
Overall, the data suggests that despite their cult status, most used iPods will continue to depreciate over time. This means that now is likely a good time to sell a used iPod, especially amid heightened interest in the device that has led to some value recovery, and potential further gains in the coming weeks. iPods in new condition, and especially ones that are still sealed, are much more likely to appreciate as collectors' items in the future. The exact impact of Apple's decision to discontinue the iPod on used device resale value will become clearer in the coming months.
The new Pride Edition bands are available to order today for $49 on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app, and will be available at Apple Store locations starting May 26. The Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop is also coming soon to Nike.com.
This year's Pride Edition Sport Loop features the word "pride" woven directly into the band. The band's color gradient includes both rainbow colors and colors drawn from various pride flags, including light blue, pink, white, black, and brown.
The new Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop "celebrates the full spectrum of the rainbow" and features a matching rainbow-colored Nike Bounce face.
A new Pride watch face is also available today for the Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 8.6, and iPhone 6s or later running iOS 15.5. Inspired by multiple pride flags, Apple said this new watch face "combines colors to represent the strength and mutual support of the LGBTQ+ movement." The watch face's colorful threads move as the Digital Crown on Apple Watch is rotated, the display is tapped, or the wearer's wrist is raised.
Apple is also launching a new "Shot on iPhone" campaign on Instagram that "captures the essence of artists and figures within the global LGBTQ+ community."
Apple today announced that its in-store "Creative Studios" initiative will be expanding to seven additional cities around the world this year, including Nashville, Miami, Berlin, Milan, Taipei, Tokyo, and Sydney. The program will also return for its second year in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, London, Paris, Bangkok, and Beijing.
Apple said the initiative is designed to "support young people who face barriers to receiving a quality creative education." The free sessions will connect participants with mentors from Apple and more than 30 nonprofit community partners who specialize in areas such as books, app design, radio, podcasts, photography, film, TV, and music.
"Creative Studios" sessions open to the public will also be hosted at select Apple Store locations, with free registration available on the "Today at Apple" website.
"Our stores have long provided a platform to showcase the great talent of local artists, and our retail teams are proud to play a role in supporting creativity within their communities and creating a place where everyone is welcome," said Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's senior vice president of Retail and People. "We're enormously grateful to our Apple Creative Pros, our retail team members, and local partners, who together make it possible for us to expand access to free arts education and mentorship to even more communities."
Update: Since this story was published, Mark Gurman has clarified that he was referring only to new Apple Watch Pride bands, not a new "Pride" version of Apple Watch. The story headline has been revised to reflect the clarification.
Apple will soon announce the launch of a new "Pride" edition of the Apple Watch Series 7, along with a selection of new bands to celebrate Pride Month, based on information shared by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.
2021 "Pride Edition" Braided Solo Loop
Over the last four years, Apple has debuted new Apple Watch Pride bands in the month of May, and last year on May 25 the company launched a "Pride Edition" Braided Solo Loop and Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band, alongside a new Pride watch face.
This year, however, Apple could add something new to the mix by unveiling an actual "Pride version" of its latest Apple Watch alongside the new bands, assuming Gurman's choice of words is accurate.
New Pride version of the Apple Watch should be launching fairly imminently. Marketing materials and updated Watch tables have started arriving at retail stores — for placement next week. Actual new bands should start arriving later this week.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 23, 2022
According to the journalist's sources, updated marketing materials have already been sent to Apple's retail stores including images of the new Pride edition Apple Watch, and they'll be followed by new Pride bands, although they are set to arrive later this week.
In the meantime, Apple's existing Pride variants of its Braided Solo Loop and Nike Sport Loop can still be found exclusively on Apple's online store.
Google Maps' Street View is 15 years old today, and to celebrate, Google is rolling out the ability to view historical imagery when using the service on iOS and Android.
When in Street View mode, users can access the historical imagery by first tapping anywhere on the photo to see information about the location, and then selecting "see more dates" to access the current location's historical imagery.
Google says the feature can show imagery dating all the way back to the launch of Street View in 2007, albeit in locations where it was available at the time. The ability to display historical imagery has been available on the desktop version of Google Maps since 2014, but this is its debut on the mobile app.
Coinciding with Street View's 15th anniversary, Google has also announced that it will deploy a new camera next year to capture more high-quality images in harder to reach places.
In addition to our Street View car and trekker, we're piloting a new camera that will fully roll out next year to help us collect high-quality images in more places. This new camera takes all the power, resolution and processing capabilities that we've built into an entire Street View car, and shrinks it down into an ultra-transportable camera system that's roughly the size of a house cat. But unlike house cats, it's ready to be taken to remote islands, up to the tops of mountains or on a stroll through your local town square.
Google says the new camera weighs less than 15 pounds, allowing it to be shipped anywhere, and it's designed to be modular so that components like lidar can be added to collect imagery with even more helpful details, like lane markings or potholes. The camera can also be attached to any vehicle with a roof rack and operated via a mobile device. "You'll start seeing our new camera in fun Google colors alongside our iconic Street View cars and trekkers next year," says Google.
Google is also taking the anniversary of Street View to again highlight its upcoming new Immersive view for cities. Immersive view uses artificial intelligence and high-quality 3D rendering to simulate real-time data, and the feature is set to launch later this year.
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.
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.
