Netflix today updated the prices for its streaming plans, and all of its offerings are now more expensive. The Basic plan is now priced at $9.99 per month, the Standard plan is priced at $15.49 per month, and the Premium plan is priced at $19.99 per month.
The Basic plan is $1 more expensive, up from $8.99 per month. This plan allows users to watch on just one screen at a time, and it limits quality to 480p standard definition, with no HD streaming available. The Standard plan is $1.50 more expensive, up from $13.99 per month. It allows for 1080p HD streaming and allows users to watch on two screens at a time.
The highest-end Premium plan is now $2 more expensive per month, up from $17.99. It allows users to watch on four screens at the same time and it is the only plan that provides a 4K HDR streaming option.
Netflix says that the prices apply immediately to new members and will "gradually take effect" for all current members. Current members will get an email notification 30 days before their price changes and will have the option to change plans or cancel.
Netflix previously raised its prices in October 2020, so it's been a bit over a year since the last significant price jump. As of now, the Premium plan is $4 more expensive than it was in fall 2020.
The Basic Netflix plan is now twice as expensive as the $4.99 per month Apple TV+ subscription, and the Premium plan is four times as expensive. Netflix of course has a lot more to offer than Apple TV+ in terms of content, but it is also more expensive than most other streaming services on the market.
Hulu's basic plan starts at $6.99 per month, for example, and the no ads plan is $12.99 per month. HBO Max is $14.99 per month, Disney+ costs $7.99 per month, and Peacock Premium costs $4.99 per month.
Hulu, Apple TV+, and other services also do not charge for higher quality streaming capabilities, with even the basic plans offering 4K support.
Apple in August announced plans to pay $100 million to settle a class-action lawsuit levied by U.S. developers, and as of today, the website that will allow developers to submit a claim for a payout has gone live.
The $100 million that Apple provided is being distributed as part of a "Small Developer Assistance Fund," and developers can claim between $250 and $30,000 based on their historic App Store participation. Claims can now be submitted using the Small Developer Assistance website, which also has tools for estimating payments.
Eligible U.S. developers must meet the following criteria for apps:
Was sold for a non-zero price;
Was sold via Apple's iOS App Store between 2015 and 2021; and
Earned, together with any other iOS applications or in-app products (including subscriptions) sold through all of your associated developer accounts, proceeds equal to or less than $1,000,000.00 through the App Store U.S. storefront in every calendar year from 2015 to 2021 in which you had a developer account.
According to the settlement, there are approximately 67,000 eligible developers. Developers who earned less than $100 will get a potential minimum payment of $250, while those who earned over $1,000,000 will be entitled to the $30,000 payment. Minimum payments are subjected to change based on the total number of claims.
The lawsuit dates back to 2019, when a group of iOS developers accused Apple of using its App Store monopoly to impose "profit-killing" commissions. The lawsuit took issue with Apple's 30 percent cut of App Store sales, and was largely addressed with the late 2020 announcement of the App Store Small Business Program that cut the commission that small developers have to pay to 15 percent.
Along with the $100 million payment to developers, Apple also agreed to some other concessions. Perhaps the biggest concession will see Apple allowing developers to use communications like email to share information about payment methods available outside of iOS apps. Developers will not pay Apple a commission on purchases that take place outside of the App Store.
Apple is also expanding the number of price points available to developers for subscriptions, and the company has agreed to maintain the App Store Small Business Program and App Store search, making no changes for at least three years. Apple also promised to continue to offer developers the option to appeal an app rejection, and it will create an annual transparency report based on App Store data covering app rejections, apps removed from the App Store, search information, and more.
Developers need to submit claims by May 20, 2022 to get a payment from Apple, and there will be a final approval hearing on June 7, 2022. The actual payout date will vary based on whether there are objections, how long it takes to resolve those objections, and whether the agreement receives final approval from the court.
While the new iPad Pro is still on track to feature wireless charging, 9to5Mac's Filipe Espósito today reported that Apple may have ultimately scrapped the glass back design after testing due to concerns over breakability. Citing sources familiar with Apple's design plans, the report claims that Apple has developed iPad Pro prototypes with a larger Apple logo made of glass, which would still allow for wireless charging.
One of the prototypes is said to feature MagSafe with stronger magnets than on the iPhone to prevent accidental damage, and it is also said to support faster wireless charging speeds compared to MagSafe on the iPhone.
Given that Apple prototypes several products internally, there is no guarantee that the iPad Pro with a glass Apple logo will ever be released, but rumors do seem to agree that the next iPad Pro will have a new design of some kind to enable wireless charging. A more specific release date for the device beyond the 2022 timeframe remains unclear.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Vessel to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Signature 2.0 Weekender Bag and a Signature 2.0 Plus Backpack to go along with it, creating the perfect combo for carrying all of your Apple gear.
Priced at $245, the Signature 2.0 Weekender Bag is a premium duffel bag made from high-quality materials that are meant to stand up to wear for years to come. The bag is made from a premium synthetic leather material that's durable, weather resistant, and simple to clean, and inside, there's an antimicrobial lining. The Weekender comes in two shades of black, one smooth and one textured, or a stone color.
Measuring in at 17 inches long, 11 inches high, and eight inches tall, the Weekender features a padded laptop compartment with two internal slip pockets for accessories, four slip pockets and one zip pocket inside, a magnetic slip pocket at one side, and a velour-lined pocket that zips up on the other side.
The laptop compartment is able to accommodate a laptop that's 15 inches in size, and there's a trolley pocket at the back to make it easy to transport when traveling. There's a 270-degree wrap-around YKK zipper to make it easy to pack, a detachable padded shoulder strap, and a button clasp for the handles. When not in use, the bag is foldable so it can be stored away.
Vessel's Signature 2.0 Plus Backpack is an ideal companion for the Weekender, because it is available in the same durable synthetic leather material and it comes in a matching textured Track Black color. Priced at $275, the Signature Backpack has an external lay-flat laptop compartment that accommodates up to a 16-inch laptop.
There's a dual-zip main compartment with waterproof zippers, a front zip pocket with internal organization for accessories, and a whopping 14 internal pockets, including two velour-lined pockets for valuables like smartphones and sunglasses. There are also six external pockets, with two of those being easy-access vertical pockets, and a bottom zip compartment for toting things like shoes.
Vessel designed the bag with adjustable shoulder straps that have a removable sternum strap for use when the backpack is loaded up, and there's an air-mesh back panel for breathability. A trolley sleeve makes it easy to carry when traveling, and it has a 180-degree lay flat design when opened up to make it easy to pack all your gear.
Vessel is offering one lucky MacRumors reader the chance to win a Weekender Bag and a matching Signature Backpack, both in the Track Black color. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (January 14) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 21. The winner will be chosen randomly on January 21 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Citing people familiar with Apple's plans, the report claims that Apple originally planned to launch the headset in 2021 and ship it this year. The company then set its sights on WWDC in June 2022 to launch the product, but this is reportedly now unlikely due to a number of development issues.
The headset is said to be facing issues with overheating, as well as camera and software challenges. The device is rumored to feature two chips, and Bloomberg believes that at least one of these will be on par with the M1 Pro from the latest MacBook Pro models. The thermal demands of this chip are believed to be the cause of overheating issues.
Earlier designs attempted to mitigate thermal issues by using an external processor device that would transmit data wirelessly to the headset, but Sir Jony Ive reportedly rejected the concept. Apple is currently said to have around 2,000 employees working on its AR/VR headset.
As a result of these development problems, Apple is now considering delaying the launch of the headset until late 2022 or 2023. Apple purportedly informed supply-chain partners that the device is unlikely to be released until 2023, but it is apparently still pushing vendors to have units available for the end of 2022. Cameras for the headset supplied by LG Innotek are due to begin production as early as the second quarter of this year.
The company is now believed to be planning to focus WWDC in 2023 specifically around building virtual and augmented reality apps to kickstart the device's App Store. The headset itself is still rumored to run "rOS," internally codenamed "Oak."
iOS 16, which is internally said to be codenamed "Sydney," will supposedly feature built-in support for the headset to lay the groundwork for the device. Bloomberg notes that this means Apple "could theoretically preview technical aspects of the headset or its software, without showcasing the full device" at this year's WWDC.
Apple has considered pricing the device at more than $2,000, justified by the device's more advanced display, chip, and audio technologies compared to competitors. It originally expected to sell just one headset per day per retail store, and the company's latest forecast to suppliers expects sales of seven million to 10 million units during its first year.
Following an initial arrest late last year, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) explained that it has arrested 14 members of "REvil," an organized criminal association that used malicious software to extort funds from companies.
The extensive schematics revealed the redesigned MacBook Pro's notch, casing design, ports, full-size function keys instead of the Touch Bar, and more. The leak was so detailed that it reportedly aided repair technicians.
According to the FSB, after the latest arrests, REvil now ceases to exist and its information infrastructure has been neutralized. REvil's funds have been seized from 25 addresses in Russia, constituting over $5.5 million worth of cryptocurrency, cash, cars, and equipment. U.S. authorities have also been informed of the development.
Today we're tracking a deal on Apple's 128GB Wi-Fi 12.9-inch iPad Pro, priced at $999.00, down from $1,099.00. Amid the entire 2021 iPad Pro lineup this is the most consistent and solid offer that we track, and it's in stock today and ready to ship from 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.
This sale price is only available in the Silver color option on Amazon, and B&H Photo is also matching the price in the same color. Both retailers are offering a similar delivery window, with estimates ranging from January 16 to January 19.
You can pair your iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro at $299.98, down from $349.00. This is a new all-time low price for the White color option, and Amazon estimates about a three day shipping delay from today.
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 is rumored to announce four new iPhone 14 models in September, and ahead of time, analyst Jeff Pu has outlined his expectations for the devices.
In a research note with Haitong International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Pu claimed that all iPhone 14 models will feature ProMotion displays, compared to only Pro models currently. ProMotion enables a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother appearing content when watching video, gaming, or scrolling.
Pu previously said that iPhone 14 Pro models would be equipped with an increased 8GB of RAM, but based on a "supply chain check," he now expects all four iPhone 14 models to be equipped with 6GB of RAM due to cost considerations.
6GB of RAM would be an increase for standard iPhone 14 models, but not for Pro models:
iPhone 13 mini: 4GB
iPhone 13: 4GB
iPhone 13 Pro: 6GB
iPhone 13 Pro Max: 6GB
iPhone 14: 6GB
iPhone 14 Max: 6GB
iPhone 14 Pro: 6GB
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 6GB
In line with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Taiwanese research firm TrendForce, Pu expects iPhone 14 Pro models to be equipped with an upgraded 48-megapixel main camera. He also claimed that iPhone 14 Pro models will start with 256GB of storage, up from 128GB. Questionably, he expects standard iPhone 14 models to start with 64GB of storage.
Pu has a less-established track record for Apple rumors compared to some more prominent analysts like Kuo, so a higher level of skepticism is warranted for these rumors until they are corroborated by other sources.
Apple's AirPods 3 have returned to the low price we tracked over the holidays, priced at $139.99, down from $179.00. This is the first time we've seen the AirPods 3 hit this price in 2022 and they're in stock now.
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.
Shipping estimates provide a delivery date between January 18 and January 27 for the fastest option. In regards to AirPods deals, this AirPods 3 markdown is the first out of Apple's entire AirPods family lineup to see a return to holiday season prices in 2022.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
Apple is on an "aggressive hunt" for potential deals that would allow it to broadcast live sports content on its TV+ streaming service as part of a wider effort to boost subscription numbers, according to a new report from investment firm Wedbush.
In a new investor note, seen by MacRumors, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said he regards Apple's decision not to acquire a movie studio yet as a clear indication that it now sees live sports programming as potentially a key piece of its future success for growing the audience of its video streaming service.
Apple has not provided details on Apple TV+ subscriber numbers since the digital streaming service began, but Wedbush estimates that Apple TV+ has around 20 million paid subscribers among roughly 45 million viewers, the rest of which are seeing out free trials included with other Apple product purchases.
That's a fraction of the number of subscriptions that the likes of Disney+ and Netflix enjoys. Knowing this, Apple is apparently "ready to spend billions" on live sports content over the next four years to drive the future growth of Apple TV+ and make it a key monetization engine in its burgeoning services ecosystem, which earned it $80 billion in annual revenue in the last financial year.
With Apple spending $7 billion annually on original content and having roughly $200 billion of cash on its balance sheet, we believe the company is gearing up to bid on a number of upcoming sports packages coming up for contract/renewals in future years. We note that upcoming sports packages potentially for bid over the next four years that Apple can be involved with (in some capacity/semi-exclusive) are: NFL (Sunday Night Ticket), Big Ten, Pac 12, Big East, Big 12, other NCAA sports packages (2024 timing), NASCAR, and the NBA/WNBA.
At the current time, Apple TV+ does not offer support for any kind of live television, providing access only to on-demand television and movie content, so Apple will need to build in a new sports-oriented section with live TV streaming if it completes any deals.
Earlier this month, The New York Post reported that Apple has entered into discussions with Major League Baseball about a potential deal that would see the company broadcasting MLB games next season, which would represent a major foray into the world of live sports content.
Its current lack of live sports access remains a serious hole in Apple TV's programming, with competitors like Amazon already boasting established deals. For example, Amazon's 20 live English Premier League soccer games will return in the 2022/23 season, and the company has inked a deal to air "Thursday Night Football" games starting this fall, for which it paid more than $1 billion for the access.
Earlier this week, display industry consultant Ross Young claimed that iPhone 14 Pro models will feature both hole-punch and pill-shaped cutouts that replace the notch. If this design proves to be accurate, it rules out Face ID fully under the display this year.
In light of this latest rumor, we have put together a recap of everything that we have heard so far about Face ID and Touch ID on future iPhones.
In an April 2021 research note, oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expects Apple to adopt under-display Face ID for at least one new iPhone model launching in 2023, but he did not provide any further details at the time.
"We expect Apple to adopt a periscope telephoto lens and under-display Face ID in 2023," wrote Kuo, in a note with TF International Securities.
In a September 2021 research note, Kuo forecasted that Apple will launch at least one new iPhone model with an under-screen fingerprint scanner in the second half of 2023, but he has not shared any further information since then.
"We predict that the new 2H23 iPhone will support under-display fingerprint," said Kuo.
Touch ID in Power Button
The latest iPad Air and iPad mini models feature Touch ID integrated into the power button, but no iPhones offer this functionality yet.
In a December 2019 research note, Kuo predicted that Apple would release a larger iPhone SE with a 5.5-inch or 6.1-inch display in the first half of 2021, and he said this device would feature Touch ID integrated into the side power button. Apple has yet to release such a device, but rumors suggest that a larger iPhone SE is still planned for release in 2024, and perhaps it will have a Touch ID power button as claimed.
Summary
The latest rumors suggest that at least one iPhone with under-screen Face ID and at least one iPhone with under-screen Touch ID will be released in 2023, but it is unclear if Apple plans to release an iPhone with both biometric authentication options.
An iPhone with a Touch ID power button is more of a wild card, but it could happen with a larger iPhone SE in 2024.
Krafton, developer popular online battle game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG, has sued Apple, Google, and gaming company Garena over PUBG clone apps that copy PUBG gameplay, reports Reuters.
The lawsuit accuses Garena of creating PUBG clones called "Free Fire" and "Free Fire Max," which originated in Singapore and were later released in the United States. Apple and Google are named in the lawsuit for selling the "blatantly infringing version" of PUBG that was created by Garena.
As set forth in detail below, Free Fire and Free Fire Max extensively copy numerous aspects of Battlegrounds, both individually and in combination, including Battlegrounds' copyrighted unique game opening "air drop" feature, the game structure and play, the combination and selection of wearpons, armor, and unique objects, locations, and the overall choice of color schemes, materials, and textures.
Apple and Google are accused of distributing hundreds of millions of copies of the Free Fire apps, earning Garena "hundreds of millions of dollars" and netting Apple and Google a "substantial amount of revenue."
Garena's apps had more than 100 million daily users at the end of 2020, and in 2019 and 2020, Garena said that Free Fire was the most downloaded mobile game globally. Krafton estimates that Garena earned more than $2 billion in 2020, with $100 million of that coming from the U.S.
Apple on December 21, 2021 was told that Free Fire infringes on Krafton's PUBG copyrights, but Apple has not taken action to remove the game from the App Store.
The lawsuit goes into great detail on the PUBG gameplay functions that have been copied in the Free Fire apps, but ultimately Krafton is asking for damages and Apple and Google's profits from the sale of the Free Fire apps.
Krafton also had a dispute with NetEase over PUBG clones, but that lawsuit was settled in 2019, and the company also sued Epic Games over Fortnite, but ultimately dropped the lawsuit.
Apps that copy concepts and gameplay features from other apps are nothing new in the App Store, and clone apps have long been a problem. Just this week, in fact, Apple's App Store allowed several clones of popular web game "Wordle" onto the App Store, only pulling them after media outcry.
Recent advancements in Thunderbolt technology have brought the ability to include multiple downstream Thunderbolt ports on various docks and hubs, and CalDigit's Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub introduced earlier this year does just that in the form of a compact dock supporting Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.
I've long been a fan of CalDigit's Thunderbolt hubs, and I've been using the company's TS3 Plus as my main docking station for many years now. The Element Hub doesn't offer as many dedicated features as some of CalDigit's other docking stations such as an SD card slot or Ethernet port, but if you've got multiple Thunderbolt/USB-C devices and maybe a few USB-A peripherals, the new Element Hub could be a great option.
With Thunderbolt 4 support, the Element Hub offers up to 40 Gb/s transfer speeds overall, which means it can drive up to a 6K display at 60Hz, including dual 4K displays when used with an M1 Pro/Max or Intel Mac (M1 Mac and iPad Pro models are limited to one external display). Windows users can even drive an 8K display via the Element Hub, but only at 30Hz.
The flexibility of Thunderbolt 4 means that with an appropriate adapter, you can take advantage of just about type of external display, including Thunderbolt 2/3/4, USB-C, HDMI, DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, VGA, and DVI.
The Element Hub features a total of eight ports plus a DC-in port for powering the dock. There are four Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports, which include one upstream port for connecting to the host computer and three independent downstream ports, each of which can support a full 40 Gbps of data transfer, though obviously not all simultaneously. On the opposite side of the dock are four USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports that support up to 10 Gbps of data transfer.
While the Element Hub is certainly a compact docking solution, it does require an external 150-watt power brick that's significantly larger than the dock itself. Fortunately, most users should be able find a place to hide the adapter away and leave a clean, uncluttered look on their desks, but this really isn't a docking solution you're going to want to take on the road.
Even with the large power brick, the Element Hub is limited to 60 watts of charging power, so it won't be enough to power a bigger MacBook Pro unless you're using it under a light load. But for a smaller MacBook Pro, a MacBook Air, or an iPad Pro, the Element Hub will work just fine, and CalDigit notes that the dock is capable of delivering a full 60 watts of power regardless of other loads, so if you have other Thunderbolt devices drawing power (up to 15 watts from each Thunderbolt port and 7.5 watts from each USB-A port) from the hub, it won't reduce charging power to your computer as some other docks do.
Since it charges the host computer over USB-C, it won't offer the fast charging capabilities available with a MagSafe connection on Apple's latest MacBook Pro models, but as a desktop hub it's more likely to be used for continuous power rather than quickly recharging a depleted notebook anyway. And if you have one of the bigger M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pro models, you'll probably want to connect up MagSafe anyway since the Element Hub tops out at 60 watts.
One neat design feature of the Element Hub is that it can be flipped over depending on which side of the computer you want it to be placed. The top and bottom of the dock are essentially identical, with the same matte aluminum finish and subtle CalDigit branding. The two long faces of the hub where most of the ports are located are matte black plastic, but they too look good and sit flush and solid with the aluminum body.
It's a simple design, but it's a solid build that gets the job done. Pairs of grooves cut into the surface on each side add a little bit of design flair but also serve as mounting points for the included rubber feet strips that can be easily applied and removed.
With its external power source, the Element Hub supports offline charging, so all of the ports on the hub can be used to charge connected devices even when the hub isn't connected to a computer. The Element Hub also supports Apple's SuperDrive, using CalDigit's custom driver to deliver enough power to support the slim CD/DVD drive. And finally, CalDigit's macOS Docking Station Utility quietly lives in your menu bar and lets you easily eject any storage devices attached to the hub all at once.
I appreciate the flexibility the Element Hub offers, with the Thunderbolt 4 ports offering lots of options, whether it be direct connections of Thunderbolt or USB-C cables or with adapters for even more connectivity. And the USB-A ports offer easy legacy support for those older devices still using the fading standard.
I ran some speed tests using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test and a Sandisk G-Drive Pro SSD that uses Thunderbolt for maximum speeds. The drive is advertised to support up to a maximum of 2,800 MBps read speed, and I get fairly close to that when the drive is connected directly to my 2021 MacBook Pro, with read speeds coming in at over 2,500 MBps and write speeds approaching 2,000 MBps.
External Thunderbolt SSD connected directly to MacBook Pro
Connecting the drive to the MacBook Pro via the Element Hub with no other accessories attached to the hub, I saw very little in the way of a speed penalty, with the read speed coming in at essentially identical to the direct connection and the write speed dropping down to the 1,750 MBps range.
External Thunderbolt SSD connected to Element Hub with no other accessories
While the Element Hub features three downstream Thunderbolt 3 ports each capable of supporting a theoretical maximum of 40 Gbps, it's important to remember that they're all sharing a single Thunderbolt connection to the computer, so if you have multiple devices connected to the hub, performance can be impacted.
This is evident when both the SanDisk SSD and one of my LG UltraFine 5K displays are connected to the Element Hub. The 5K display requires a significant amount of that Thunderbolt bandwidth going from the computer to the hub, so write speeds on the SSD drop to under 800 MBps in my testing. Given the primarily unidirectional aspect of display connectivity, read speeds for the SSD remain unaffected, coming in above 2,500 MBps.
External Thunderbolt SSD and 5K display both connected to Element Hub
Even with that performance hit, the availability of three downstream Thunderbolt ports offers maximum flexibility when connecting multiple peripherals, and the Element Hub's additional four USB-A ports means it can serve as an excellent docking station for many users. It will require some dongles if you have HDMI or DisplayPort external displays though, and if you require more features like an Ethernet port, SD slot, or 3.5mm audio, you might want to look at some other options.
Given high demand and chip shortages, CalDigit has had significant trouble keeping the Element Hub in stock, and at the moment the best availability is through Amazon, where it's priced at $249.99. A 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable is included in the box, while CalDigit offers several different USB-C adapters for connecting various displays.
With the Apple vs. Epic Games lawsuit continuing on, there are no signs that Apple has any intention of allowing popular battle royale game Fortnite to return to the App Store on iPhone and iPad.
Epic Games has found a workaround though, by partnering up with Nvidia. GeForce NOW, Nvidia's streaming gaming service, will soon add Fortnite support, allowing Fortnite to be played through a browser on iOS devices with touch-based controls.
Nvidia in November 2020 introduced Safari integration, allowing GeForce NOW's library of games to be played on iOS devices. At the time, Nvidia said that it was working with Epic Games on a touch-friendly version of Fortnite that would run on the iPhone and iPad.
More than a year later, Fortnite for mobile is nearly ready to launch. Nvidia today announced the upcoming release of a Fortnite limited time closed beta, which users can sign up for.
There is a waitlist on the GeForce NOW website, and Nvidia says that players can register for free for a chance to play the new touch-control version of Fortnite on mobile devices. The game is going to be available on Android and iOS devices through browser integration.
Those interested in participating will need to create an Nvidia account and sign up for the waitlist, and sign up for a GeForce NOW membership. Both free and priority memberships have an equal chance of gaining access to the beta, but Nvidia says that spots are limited.
Selected beta testers will receive access to the Fortnite mobile game later in January, and after the limited time beta, we can expect to see an official launch of the Fortnite experience for GeForce NOW. There is no word at this time when Fortnite might be more widely available.
The Fortnite app has not been available from the iOS App Store since August 13, 2020, which is when Apple pulled it after Epic Games broke Apple's App Store guidelines by adding a direct purchase option.
An initial decision was reached in the Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit earlier this year, but both companies are appealing and there was no provision in the ruling requiring Apple to reinstate Fortnite.
Apple in September said that it had no plans to consider allowing Fortnite back into the App Store until the legal battle has played out, a process that could span multiple years.
Apple is encouraging people who are still running iOS 14 to update to iOS 15, a reversal of an earlier policy that saw the company allowing iOS 14 users to choose not to install the iOS 15 update.
When iOS 15 launched, Apple said that iOS offered a "choice between two software update versions," pledging to offer security updates for those who opted to stick with iOS 14.
iOS now offers a choice between two software update versions in the Settings app. You can update to the latest version of iOS 15 as soon as it's released for the latest features and most complete set of security updates. Or continue on iOS 14 and still get important security updates until you're ready to upgrade to the next major version.
With normal releases, iOS updates are front and center in the Software Update section of the Settings app, but when iOS 15 first came out, it was a footnote at the bottom of the Software Update interface on devices running iOS 14, and easily avoidable.
Apple's patience for those avoiding iOS 15 seems to have dwindled over the last few months, and the company is now pushing iOS 14 users to update. The iOS 15 update is no longer a footnote at the bottom of the Software Update section on a device running iOS 14, and Apple has also stopped releasing iOS 14 security updates.
There was a clear option to stay on iOS 14 and receive updates, which appears to have been eliminated with the launch of iOS 15.2. Apple did not reintroduce the remain on iOS 14 option in the iOS 15.2.1 update that came out yesterday, which seems to be a clear sign that Apple is now expecting people to upgrade. iPhone users who want to have the latest security protections must now update to iOS 15.
As an example, Apple in October released iOS 14.8.1 with security updates. On an iPhone still running iOS 14.8, the iOS 14.8.1 update is no longer available, and Apple is only offering iOS 15.2.1 as an installation option.
iOS 15 is available on all of the devices that are able to run iOS 14, and removing the option to stay on iOS 14 will likely spur people to upgrade. At the current time, iOS 15 is installed on 72 percent of devices from the last four years, which is a notably lower adoption rate than we've seen with prior versions of iOS.
iOS and iPadOS 15.3 can be downloaded over the air after the proper profile from Apple's public beta testing website has been installed on an iPhone or an iPad.
There's no word yet on what's included in the iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 betas, suggesting that it likely focuses on under-the-hood improvements and bug fixes. We did not find anything new of note in the first two developer betas.
There are a few features that Apple has yet to implement, such as Universal Control and support for IDs in the Wallet app. Universal Control will let multiple Macs and iPads be controlled with the same keyboard and mouse, and Apple recently said that the feature will come out in the spring. There were no signs of Universal Control in the first beta, so it looks like it will be coming in iPadOS 15.4.
Digital IDs in the Wallet app has been in the works since Apple introduced the feature at WWDC in June. Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah are expected to be the first states to implement digital ID support, and Florida is also in talks to support the feature.
Apple today updated its iOS 15 installation numbers for the first time since iOS 15 was released in September, giving us an idea of how many devices are running the latest update four months after it launched.
iOS 15 is installed on 72 percent of all iPhones introduced in the last four years. 26 percent of devices continue to use iOS 14, and two percent run an earlier version of iOS. When counting iPhones released more than four years ago, 63 percent of them run iOS 15, 30 percent run iOS 14, and seven percent run an earlier version of iOS.
Installation numbers are lower on the iPad. 57 percent of all iPads introduced in the last four years are running iPadOS 15, while 39 percent continue to run iPadOS 14. Four percent run an earlier version of iPadOS. Counting all iPads, including those released more than four years ago, 49 percent of devices are running iPadOS 15, 37 percent are running iPadOS 14, and 14 percent are running an earlier version of iPadOS.
Apple splits its installation numbers into separate groups because there are still devices in the wild that are not capable of running iOS 15 or iPadOS 15, but even when counting only devices released in the last four years, the number of devices running iOS 15 lags behind prior operating system installation rates.
iOS 14, for example, was installed on 81 percent of iPhones released in the last four years in December 2020, marking a much higher update rate a month earlier. Even iOS 13, another update that saw slow installation, was installed on 77 percent of devices by the end of January 2020.
iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 had several features that did not arrive as expected when the operating systems launched, such as SharePlay, and Digital Legacy, and other features like iCloud Private Relay remain in beta. People were also put off by Apple's anti-CSAM measures, which have been indefinitely delayed. Key iOS and iPadOS 15 features like digital IDs in Wallet and Universal Control are still unavailable, but could spur people to update when launched in the future.
When iOS 15 was first launched, Apple did not spur people to update and allowed them to remain on iOS 14, offering a choice between iOS 14 and iOS 15 in the Settings app. This could also be a reason why iOS 15 adoption has lagged behind adoption rates of earlier operating system updates, and Apple is now pushing iOS 14 users to upgrade to iOS 15.
iOS 15 used to be listed as an optional update on devices running iOS 14, but now it is front and center on devices that still have iOS 14, and it is the only available update option as Apple has now stopped making security updates available for devices running iOS 14. Those who want the latest security fixes need to upgrade to iOS 15, as all devices capable of running iOS 14 also support iOS 15.
Apple this week announced that it will be expanding its App Store Foundations program to an additional 29 countries in Europe.
Launched in 2018 in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Sweden, the program offers selected developers tailor-made support for app development, marketing, and monetization in collaboration with Apple employees.
In individual and group sessions, selected developers learn how to grow their business and increase the reach of their apps. Topics covered include the optimal use of Apple technologies and APIs, editorial content in the App Store, and more.
Apple did not list the 29 countries that the program will be expanding to or provide a timeframe.
Concept render based on 
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.
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.
External Thunderbolt SSD connected directly to MacBook Pro
External Thunderbolt SSD connected to Element Hub with no other accessories
External Thunderbolt SSD and 5K display both connected to Element Hub
