MacRumors

Apple's entire current AirPods lineup is seeing notable low prices on Amazon, with up to $99 off the AirPods Max, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Pro.

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.

AirPods 2

Amazon has the AirPods 2 at $99.00, down from $129.00. This deal has been somewhat rare in 2022, and in total it's only about $10 higher than the all-time low price seen on this version of the AirPods.

This is the model of AirPods that comes with the Wired Charging Case. Apple discontinued the AirPods 2 with the Wireless Charging Case so we haven't seen any notable deals on that accessory in months, and recommend looking at deals on the AirPods 3 if you're looking for a model with a Qi-compatible case.

AirPods 3

AirPods 3 have dropped to $149.99 on Amazon, down from $179.00. Shipping has somewhat dwindled on the AirPods over the last few days, but you can still get the headphones this month; Amazon is now estimating a delivery date of April 18-28.

Similar to the AirPods 2 deal, this sale on the AirPods 3 is around $10 off from the record low Amazon price on this model. Overall, it's one of the best deals that we've tracked in 2022, and it's sold directly by Amazon.

The AirPods 3 were introduced in October 2021 and feature a more compact stem similar to the AirPods Pro, and a redesigned contoured fit. There's a force sensor built into the stem for physical control over media and Siri, and they come with a MagSafe Charging Case.

AirPods Pro with MagSafe

Apple's AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case is on sale for $174.99, down from $249.00. This price is a match of the 2022 low price on the AirPods Pro, and overall it's the second-best price we've ever tracked.

The headphones are seeing a slight shipping delay, with a delivery possible by April 24. The new AirPods Pro launched in 2021, and are essentially the same as the 2019 model with the addition of the new MagSafe Charging Case.

AirPods Max

Lastly, the AirPods Max have returned to $449.99 in several colors, down from $549.00. This isn't quite an all-time low, but at $99 off it's one of the more consistent deals we've seen on the high-end AirPods Max in 2022.

You won't see this discount price until you reach the checkout screen and an automatic coupon worth $29.01 is applied. Colors available at this price include Space Gray, Sky Blue, and Silver.

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 today announced that its suppliers have more than doubled their use of clean power over the past year.

Apple's suppliers are now using over 10 gigawatts of clean energy out of almost 16 gigawatts in total commitments in the coming years. Last year, the renewable energy projects avoided 13.9 million metric tons of carbon emissions, with current projects equivalent to removing three million cars from the road per year.

213 of Apple's major suppliers have pledged to power all production for the company with renewable energy across 25 countries, helping to reach Apple's goal of being carbon neutral throughout its entire supply chain by 2030. Apple's global operations have been carbon neutral since 2020.

Apple continues to invest in renewable projects around the world, including almost 500 megawatts of solar and other renewable projects in China and Japan to address a portion of upstream emissions. For more information about the current state of Apple's renewable energy efforts, see the full press release.

Mark Zuckerberg wants to make Meta's forthcoming AR glasses an "iPhone moment" that will cast him and the company in a new light, according to a former employee who worked on the project.

The comment was made to The Verge for a report outlining Meta's roadmap for AR glasses, which includes at least four different versions to be launched over the next six years.

According to the report, Meta's first-generation AR glasses, dubbed Nazare, will be designed to work independently from a smartphone with the use of a wireless, phone-shaped device that offloads part of the computing required for the glasses to function.

A marquee feature of the device will be the ability for users to communicate with and interact with holograms of other people, similar to fictional scenes depicted in a video last October announcing Facebook's corporate rebrand to Meta.

The report says Meta intends to deliver the first-generation model of its AR glasses, aimed at early adopters and developers, by 2024. In the same year, the company also plans to release a pair of cheaper smart glasses, codenamed Hypernova, that will pair with a smartphone to show incoming messages and other notifications in a heads-up display.

Looking further ahead, Meta's AR roadmap includes a lighter, more advanced version of the Nazare glasses set to arrive in 2026, followed by a third version in 2028, according to details shared with The Verge by people familiar with the matter.

If the AR glasses turn out to be a success, Zuckerberg reportedly hopes they will cast Meta and himself in a new light and make the company he founded innovative once again, which is why "Zuck's ego is intertwined with [the glasses]," the former employee told The Verge.

But Meta will have to go up against Apple, which has its own AR ambitions. Apple is working on at least two AR projects that include an augmented reality headset set to be released in late 2022 or 2023, followed by a sleeker pair of augmented reality glasses coming at a later date.

Rumors first suggested that Apple's AR/VR headset would come out in 2022, perhaps at WWDC in June, but there are development issues that Apple needs to overcome. Reliable sources like Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman have indicated that the headset will likely see a 2023 launch date, with the glasses to follow in 2024 or 2025.

For everything we know about Apple's AR plans, be sure to check out our dedicated guide.

Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla, has offered to purchase all of Twitter for $54.20 per share, valuing the company at $43 billion, in a letter to the social media company's chairman of the board, Bret Taylor.

In a letter filed with the SEC, Musk says that following his purchase of 9.1% of the company earlier in the month, he is "offering to buy 100% of Twitter for $54.20 per share in cash." Musk purchased nearly 10% of the social media giant and was set to become a member of its board, but due to unknown reasons, Musk pulled out.

Musk in the letter goes on to state that Twitter has "extraordinary potential" that he will unlock. Since making his earlier investment in the company, Musk wrote that he has realized "the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form," adding "Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company."

"My offer is my best and final offer and if it is not accepted, I would need to reconsider my position as a shareholder," Musk concludes. Musk in the last several months has been a vocal critic of Twitter on the platform, calling into question its policies and at one point seemingly contemplating whether a new, competing social media platform would need to be made.

Update: In a statement, Twitter has confirmed it has received Musk's offer and will "carefully review the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and all Twitter stockholders."

Apple is believed to have struck a deal with a new supplier of telephoto lens components for a periscope camera system in future iPhones, reports The Elec.

On Wednesday, South Korean firm Jahwa Electronics said it plans to spend 191 billion won ($155 million) on building plants to produce new optical image stabilization (OIS) actuators.

According to an earlier report by The Elec, Apple visited Jahwa Electronics' new facilities during the first half of 2021, and it is "likely" that the investment is being made so that Jahwa can begin supplying Apple with OIS actuators from next year.

Apple usually asks suppliers to build production lines exclusively for its own parts and components, but the new facilities set to be built in Gumi would require Apple's approval once they're finished, and the whole process would take a year from now to conclude.

The OIS actuators, which combine OIS and autofocus functions in one, are likely to be for telephoto cameras in 2023 iPhones. The Elec previously linked the components to a periscope camera system, allowing for increased optical zoom.

Rumors about the iPhone getting a periscope lens have been circulating since early 2020, with reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo the first to mention the possibility. Kuo initially said that a periscope lens would be an ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro feature, but now says he expects the lens type to arrive with the iPhone 15 Pro, a prediction that analyst Jeff Pu has also made.

In a periscope system, light entering the telephoto lens is reflected by an angled mirror towards the camera's image sensor. The change in direction in which the light travels allows for a longer "folded" telephoto setup inside phones, enabling users to zoom in further without any blurriness.

High-end MacBook Pro models are experiencing extended delivery times due to component shortages and ongoing lockdowns in China caused by the global pandemic, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In the online Apple Store, M1 Max and custom M1 Pro versions of the 14 and 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ deliveries are delayed until late May or early June, and in-store pickups are unavailable until June.

We have also heard from several MacRumors readers who were waiting on ‌MacBook Pro‌ models ordered in March and April and who have now had their shipments significantly delayed because of Apple's supply issues.

MacRumors reader Eric, for example, ordered in March and was supposed to receive his machine by April 22, but now his order has been delayed until mid-May. MacRumors reader Vera was supposed to get an ‌M1 Max‌ ‌MacBook Pro‌ on April 13, but now the estimated delivery date is May 9 to May 16.

We've received several reports from frustrated Apple customers who have been patiently waiting for their ‌MacBook Pro‌ models to arrive in April, and many of them are now being forced to wait until at least May as Apple tries to solve its supply issues.

Apple might provide more color on its supply chain problems during Q2 2022 earnings call which is set to take place on Thursday, April 28. In addition to ‌MacBook Pro‌ shipping delays, Apple is also seeing delays for the Mac Studio with M1 Ultra chips, and some Intel-based Mac Pro models.

The MacBook Air, Mac mini, and iMac appear to be readily available, as do Apple's iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.

Google this week launched a new "Switch to Android" app on iOS, which is designed to make it easy for iPhone users to swap over to an Android-based device.

As noted by TechCrunch, Google rolled the app out on Monday in the United States and several other markets, but with little fanfare. The app promises to help users securely move important data, quickly and wirelessly.

Google already maintains a "Switch to Android" website with instructions for transitioning, but the app should make it even easier. ‌iPhone‌ to Android switchers can swap over photos, videos, contacts, and calendar events, plus Google provides instructions on turning off iMessage and moving photos and videos from iCloud.

Apple has its own competing website designed for Android users that want to swap over to ‌iPhone‌, along with a dedicated "Move to iOS" app that transfers contacts, message history, photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars. Apple's app works just like Google's, with wireless data transfer capabilities.

Apple today unveiled the 10 winning photos from the Shot on iPhone Macro Challenge that the company launched earlier this year.

Entrants were able to submit unedited macro photos shot on the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max straight from the camera, but photos edited through Apple's Photos app or third-party software were also accepted.

An international panel of expert judges, including Anand Varma, Apeksha Maker, Peter McKinnon, Paddy Chao, Yik Keat Lee, Arem Duplessis, Billy Sorrentino, Della Huff, Kaiann Drance, and Pamela Chen, reviewed the photos from around the world and selected 10 winning entries from China, Hungary, India, Italy, Spain, Thailand, and the United States.

• iPhone 13 Pro: How to Shoot Macro Photography

The winning photos will be celebrated on Apple's website, Instagram account, and more. Apple has also said that winning photos may appear in the company's digital campaigns, such as in Apple Stores or on advertising billboards.

We've highlighted a few of the winning photos here and the full gallery can be viewed in Apple's full press release, including comments on each image from the photographer and judges.

Today we're tracking a new all-time low price on the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro (512GB SSD), now priced at $1,249.99, down from $1,499.00. This sale is available in Silver and Space Gray, with quicker delivery available in the Silver color option (currently estimated for around April 22).

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.

Shoppers should note that this sale price won't be seen until you hit the checkout screen and Amazon applies an automatic coupon worth $50. With this coupon, Amazon is providing a new best-ever price on this version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and no other retailer is currently matching.

Although the 13-inch MacBook Pro is now the oldest notebook that Apple sells, this model is still a good option for anyone who wants to join the MacBook Pro family but not spend the $1,999.00 entry price required of the 14-inch MacBook Pro models. As of writing, only the 512GB SSD 13-inch model is on sale.

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

Meta, better known as Facebook, plans to take a nearly 50% commission on digital asset purchases made inside the "metaverse," the company has revealed, months after it had complained about the maximum 30% cut that Apple takes for purchases through the App Store.

This week, Meta announced new ways it's allowing creators to monetize and earn money from the "metaverse." One way it's enabling that is through letting creators sell NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, through its Horizon Worlds platform. In the post, Meta declined to specify how much of a cut it would take for those purchases, but a company spokesperson told CNBC it would be 47.5% commission, inclusive of a 30% hardware fee and a 17.5% platform charge:

A Meta spokesperson confirmed to CNBC Wednesday that Meta will take an overall cut of up to 47.5% on each transaction. That includes a “hardware platform fee” of 30% for sales made through the Meta Quest Store, where it sells apps and games for its virtual reality headsets. On top of that, Horizon Worlds, will charge a 17.5% fee.

Meta's vice president of Horizons, Vivek Sharma, told The Verge that the nearly 50% commission is "a pretty competitive rate in the market," adding "we believe in the other platforms being able to have their share."

Ironically, Meta itself, including company CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has been vocal about Apple's 15% to 30% cut from the ‌App Store‌. In June, Zuckerberg wrote on Facebook that Meta would be keeping paid online events, subscriptions, badges, and other products free for creators until 2023, and after that, Meta would announce a commission that is "less than the 30% that Apple and others take."

In another post a few months later taking aim at Apple's policy, Zuckerberg said that the ‌App Store‌ cut makes "opportunities for creators to make money from their work" harder. Facebook has a long history of calling Apple's ‌App Store‌ and its 15% to 30% commission "monopolistic" and harmful to customers, adding the platform "blocks innovation [and] blocks competition." Apple and Meta had a public dispute in 2020 where the Cupertino tech giant refused an update to the Facebook app that highlighted the 30% ‌App Store‌ fee.

Update: Apple has responded to the plan by saying it "lays bare Meta's hypocrisy." Apple added that as Meta takes aim at the ‌App Store‌ fees, the social media giant will "happily take from the creators and small businesses that use their own."

Adobe has updated its professional video editing software After Effects with native M1 support, offering customers up to 3x faster render speeds on Apple's latest Macs compared to high-end Macs with Intel processors.

On M1 computers, Adobe promises up to 2x faster performance in rendering and general app responsiveness. On M1 Ultra, Apple's most high-end chip found in the Mac Studio, Adobe says After Effects will be up to 3x faster for video editors. One specific way Adobe has optimized After Effects is with multi-frame rendering, which utilizes all available cores on Apple silicon to provide a playback experience that's up to 4x faster than a high-end iMac Pro with a 10-core Intel Xeon processor.

The newest version of After Effects will be rolling out to users in the coming days. Adobe also announced several other new features for After Effects and Premiere Pro such as Scene Edit Detection, Auto Color powered by AI, and more.

Apple Watch users will once again be able to complete an Activity Challenge on Earth Day to earn a special badge and iMessage stickers.

To complete the Activity Challenge, users must do any workout for 30 minutes or longer on April 22, according to Apple. As usual, the workout can be recorded in the Fitness app or in any app that can send data to the Health app.

"Let's get moving and celebrate the planet," the Activity Challenge will say when it becomes visible to Apple Watch users a few days prior to Earth Day.

Apple Watch users who complete the Activity Challenge will unlock a special badge in the Fitness app, along with a series of animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps. We are able to preview what the stickers look like below.

Popular accessory company Anker and its various related brands have launched several new products in recent weeks, ranging from USB chargers to portable power stations to video projectors and more, so we thought we'd round up some of the most recent announcements.

Anker 757 Portable Power Station

Last month, we took a look at the Anker 535 Portable Power Station, a 512 watt-hour battery with numerous charging and power ports to help keep your devices operating while camping, during power outages, and in other situations where you're temporarily off the grid.

For those users looking for even more juice, Anker today is announcing the 757 Portable Power Station, with more than double the amount of available energy at 1,229 watt-hours. Designed with quality components to last for at least 3,000 complete charge cycles and 50,000 hours of use with a five-year warranty, the 757 Portable Power Station offers up to 1,500 watts of output power.

With Anker's HyperFlash bi-directional inverter technology, the 757 Power Station can be charged from 0 to 80% in about an hour. It will also support Anker's upcoming 625 Solar Panel, and daisy-chaining three of those panels together can generate up to 300W, enough to charge the 757 Power Station to 80% in a little over three and a half hours.

The 757 Power Station includes six AC outlets, one 100W USB-C port, one 60W USB-C port, and four 12W USB-A ports, as well as a 120W car cigarette lighter/12V port. It's priced at a hefty $1,399 and weighs in at an equally hefty 43.8 pounds (19.9 kg), but for demanding users needing lots of power on the go, it offers a lot of versatility.

It will launch on May 9, but as a special early-bird discount, you can pledge $10 from today through May 8 and get $200 off the retail price of the power station once orders begin.

Anker 735 Charger

Expanding Anker's popular line of compact GaN chargers, the 735 (Nano II 65W) includes two USB-C ports and a USB-A port, delivering a total of 65 watts of power that is intelligently distributed among the ports when multiple devices are connected.

Priced at $65.99 through Anker and Amazon, the 735 Charger is 53% smaller than Apple's standard 61W charger that ships with the 13-inch MacBook Pro, yet offers three USB ports instead of just one.

Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K

Unveiled at CES and launched as a Kickstarter that raised over $3 million earlier this year, the Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K is a portable home theater projector that features 4K resolution via an integrated dongle and offers 2,400 ISO lumens of brightness for a crisp video experience.

The projector runs Android TV 10.0, which means it can run thousands of apps including Netflix, Apple TV, and more. InstaSet display technology automatically gets the unit up and running in just a few seconds with automatic keystone correction and autofocus, while Eye Guard technology detects when a person walks in front of the projector and automatically dims the output to protect against eye damage.

The Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K is launching for broad sales this month and will be priced at $2,199.

eufy Smart Scale P2 pro

The next-generation smart scale from Anker's eufy brand can measure a total of 16 body characteristics, including weight, heart rate, body fat, BMI, and more. Weight measurements are accurate to 0.1 pounds and a baby and pet mode helps you obtain accurate readings even at lighter end of the scale.

With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support and the EufyLife app, all of your data is easily accessible on your phone and can sync with Apple Health, and a 3D U-Body model allows you to input your body measurements to create a virtual model to help you visualize changes to your body over time.

The eufy Smart Scale P2 pro is priced at $59.99 and is available now in the United Kingdom (£49.99), with availability in the United States coming this Friday.

AnkerMake M5 3D Printer

Finally, Anker is breaking into the 3D printer market via a new Kickstarter campaign that's already raised $5 million. The AnkerMake M5 will support standard print speeds of up to 250 mm/s (up to 2,500 mm/s for rough prototyping), print sizes of up to 235 x 235 x 250 mm, auto leveling, and PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU filaments.

A built-in AI camera keeps tabs on your print jobs, automatically detecting print problems with 95% accuracy while also capturing time-lapse videos of your jobs. The AnkerMake M5 is expected to retail for $759, though there are still some Kickstarter discount slots available at $629.

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

Last week, word surfaced that Apple's Beats brand was preparing to launch new colors of its Beats Studio Buds wireless earbuds, and today the news has become official. Starting tomorrow, Beats Studio Buds will be available from Apple in new Ocean Blue, Sunset Pink, and Moon Gray colors at the same $149.99 retail price as the original colors.

For U.S. customers looking to buy from channels other than Apple, Moon Gray will be exclusive to Amazon, Ocean Blue will be exclusive to Best Buy, and Sunset Pink will be exclusive to Target. Reseller options in other countries will vary.

I've had the new Beats Studio Buds on hand for a few days to see how they look in person, and the expanded color palette offers some nice variations beyond the original white, black, and red options that were available at launch last year.

The insides of the Ocean Blue and Sunset Pink in particular offer a bit of additional visual interest compared to the relatively monochrome cases for other colors, with the interior of the Ocean Blue case being a light blue and the Sunset Pink case being a lavender purple. The shading difference of the Moon Gray case interior is more subtle, appearing as a slightly darker gray than the earbuds and the rest of the case.

The launch comes with a new video-game-inspired "Choose Your Player" ad campaign featuring avatars of model Kaia Gerber and Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier Eileen Gu.

Beats Studio Buds feature a stemless design along with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes. The external surface of each earbud is a clickable button that can be configured to control playback, phone calls, noise control modes, and Siri activation, although hands-free "Hey ‌Siri‌" activation is also supported.

Basic Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos is supported for an immersive audio experience, although the Studio Buds don't include the head tracking found on some other Apple earphones that can anchor sound to your device even as you move your head.

While the Beats Studio Buds don't include an Apple H1 or W1 chip, they do offer a number of features like Find My support, one-touch pairing, and a total of five microphones for high-quality phone calls. Three sizes of ear tips should allow the Beats Studio Buds to fit most users, and there's a short USB-C to USB-C cable included for charging. Wireless charging for the case is not supported.

Coinciding with the launch of the new Beats Studio Buds colors, Beats is also announcing some enhancements to the Beats App for Android that will bring new features to users of all Beats products compatible with the app. With the addition of "Locate My Beats" and new widgets, Android users will now be able to locate their earbuds, view battery life info, and control listening modes directly on their devices.

Apple today announced it has updated iMovie app for the iPhone and iPad with two new types of video projects called "Magic Movie" and "Storyboards."

Apple says the "Magic Movie" function instantly creates a custom video from the clips and photos a user selects, with transitions, effects, and music automatically added. "Storyboards" helps users learn to edit and improve their video storytelling skills with pre-made templates for popular types of videos shared on social media platforms, such as DIY videos, cooking tutorials, product reviews, science experiments, and more.

iMovie for macOS was also updated today with support for importing "Magic Movie" and "Storyboard" projects created with the iOS app. The free updates are currently rolling out on the App Store across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Apple also updated Final Cut Pro, Compressor, and Motion on macOS with optimized performance on the Mac Studio and more. The new version of Final Cut Pro also supports importing "Magic Movie" and "Storyboard" projects created with iMovie.

iMovie for iOS version 3.0 release notes:

• Get started, learn, and be inspired by two brand-new types of video projects: Magic Movie and Storyboards
• Create a Magic Movie to instantly make and share custom videos with titles, transitions, and music in just a few taps
• Select an album of photos and videos, and Magic Movie will create a polished video using your media
• Start with a Storyboard project to improve your storytelling skills using a template that guides you through the video-making process
• Choose from 20 Storyboards for common video projects like Cooking, DIY, Q&A, Product Review, and Book Report
• Customize and organize your storyboard video by adding, reordering, and grouping shots within the flexible shot list
• Learn different types of video framing and storytelling techniques with the shot tips provided in each type of storyboard
• Record video or take photos right into each Storyboard placeholder clip, or add media from your Photos library
• Enhance your Magic Movie or Storyboard video with 20 dynamic styles that include title layouts, fonts, filters, color palettes, and music
• Go further by editing clips with tools like trim, split, and clip speed
• Apply title treatments, record voiceover narration, or adjust the depth-of-field effect in Cinematic mode video clips* to further customize your videos
• Import Magic Movie and Storyboard projects into a timeline in iMovie for Mac or Final Cut Pro** to take your project further
• Save Magic Movie and Storyboard videos to your Photos library, send to friends and family via Messages or Mail, or share with your followers on social media
* Requires iPhone 13, iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Pro 11-inch or iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later)
** Requires iMovie for Mac version 10.3.2 or Final Cut Pro version 10.6.2

iMovie 3.0 requires a device running iOS 15.2 or later or iPadOS 15.2 or later.

Nomad in March launched its first official MagSafe wireless charger, the Base One, which was limited to charging just an iPhone. Today, Nomad is launching its second MagSafe wireless charger, the dual Base One Max, which is able to charge a ‌MagSafe‌ ‌iPhone‌ and an Apple Watch at the same time.

The Base One Max is similar in design to the Base One, featuring a platform with a flat ‌MagSafe‌ charger on the right and a matching upright Apple Watch charging puck next to it on the left. Like the Base One, it comes in silver and white, or carbide, a black color.

Design wise, it looks like Nomad attached a Base One charger to an Apple Watch charging base. The ‌MagSafe‌ charging spot is glossy like the Base One, and there is a seam separating the ‌MagSafe‌ charger from the Apple Watch charger, which is not made from the same glossy material and is instead a matte, soft touch material.

I'm not sure why Nomad chose this design, but I think I'd prefer it if had a more uniform look, because as is, it appears to be two mismatched pieces stuck together. It's not a bad aesthetic though, and it still looks quite attractive on a desk. I have the silver version, and it has an Apple-like appeal to it.

The Base One Max is heavy at two pounds and the magnetic attachment is strong, so removing your ‌iPhone‌ from the base still takes a bit of a twist motion and you can't just pull it up directly even with the weight of the stand. The ‌MagSafe‌ charger is the same as Apple's own ‌MagSafe‌ charger and it works identically.

It charges a MagSafe-compatible ‌iPhone‌ at 15W (12W for the iPhone 12 mini and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini), and I experienced the same general charging speeds that I got with Apple's ‌MagSafe‌ charger in my testing. You can use the Base One Max with non-MagSafe iPhones, but you won't get the benefit of the magnetic attachment and the charging will be limited to 7.5W.

Though the Series 7 Apple Watches support fast charging, the Nomad Base One Max is a standard Apple Watch charging puck that does not support the faster charging speeds.

Nomad includes a USB-C cable with the Base One Max, which does charge over USB-C unlike some other chargers that have a proprietary connector, but the power adapter is not included. You will need to supply your own 30W+ power adapter, which is an extra expense.

Bottom Line

At $150 for a dual charging device, the Base One Max is a better deal than the Base One, but it still has a premium price tag that I find to be too high for what it's providing.

It's attractive, high-quality, and looks nice on a desk, but it's missing the third charging spot that some other multi-device chargers at that price point have, and it also does not come with a charging brick, so you need to spend additional money to provide your own.

The Base One Max will appeal to those who don't mind shelling out for the design and the quality, but it may not have the broad appeal of more affordable ‌MagSafe‌ charging solutions.

How to Buy

The Base One Max can be ordered from the Nomad website for $149.95.

Apple CEO Tim Cook today delivered the keynote speech at the Global Privacy Summit in Washington D.C. The conference, hosted by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, is focused on international privacy and data protection.

Cook reflected on Apple's ongoing commitment to privacy, which the company has repeatedly described as a fundamental human right.

"The fight to protect privacy is not an easy one, but it is one of the most essential battles of our time," said Cook. "We at Apple are proud to stand alongside all those who are working to advance privacy rights around the world. As a company, we are profoundly inspired by what technology can make possible, but we know too that technology is neither inherently good, nor inherently bad. It is what we make of it. It is a mirror that reflects the ambitions of the people who use it, the people who build it, and the people who regulate it."

Cook highlighted Apple's privacy features that give users control over their data, like App Tracking Transparency, but said he is "deeply concerned" about proposed regulations that would diminish these features and expose users to privacy and security risks. In the European Union, for example, the proposed Digital Markets Act would require Apple to allow sideloading of apps on the iPhone outside of the App Store.

"Here in Washington and elsewhere, policymakers are taking steps in the name of competition that would force Apple to let apps onto iPhone that circumvent the App Store through a process called sideloading," said Cook. "That means data-hungry companies would be able to avoid our privacy rules and once again track our users against their will. It would also potentially give bad actors a way around the comprehensive security protections we have put in place, putting them in direct contact with our users."

Cook said that Apple believes in advancing regulations that do not undermine privacy protections in the process.

"If we are forced to let unvetted apps onto iPhone, the unintended consequences will be profound," warned Cook. "And when we see that, we feel an obligation to speak up and to ask policymakers to work with us to advance goals that I truly believe we share, without undermining privacy in the process."

Cook's speech was streamed live on YouTube and begins around the 14:05 mark of the video.

Cook and other senior Apple executives, such as software engineering chief Craig Federighi, have repeatedly expressed the company's opposition to regulations that would require sideloading and third-party app stores on the iPhone.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple's M1 Mac mini (256GB SSD) has dropped to a new all-time low price of $569.99 today on Amazon, down from $699.00. You won't see this deal price until you add the Mac mini to your cart and an automatic coupon worth $99.01 is applied to the order.

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At a total of $129 off, this is now the best price we've ever tracked on this model of the M1 Mac mini, and only Amazon is offering the sale. The Mac mini is shipped and sold directly by Amazon, with delivery as soon as April 14-15 for most places in the United States.

The M1 Mac mini was introduced in November 2020, and is the first Mac mini to include Apple's M1 chip. The M1 in the Mac mini has an 8-core CPU with four high-efficiency cores and four high-performance cores along with an integrated GPU that has 8 cores.

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