MacRumors

Apple will see flagship iPhone 13 production begin on Indian soil early next year, courtesy of Foxconn's factory in Chennai, reports the Economic Daily News.

The plans come following a reported improvement of semiconductor supply in the region, as well as a successful trial production run of the 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 by Foxconn.

Mass production is set to start in February, and the Foxconn plant is expected to directly supply the local domestic market as well as shore up oversees demand, with 20-30% of iPhones produced in India usually earmarked for export.

Since the launch of Apple's ‌iPhone‌ 13 series in September, the ‌iPhone‌ 13 has proved the most popular model in India, selling more than the high-end ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max.

Still, the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 are said to be the current best-selling iPhones in the country. The two models are also produced by Foxconn, while the second-generation iPhone SE is produced by Wistron's factory in Bengaluru.

A report earlier in the year said Taiwanese Apple supplier Pegatron would share ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini orders with Foxconn in India, producing the smallest model at its own factory in Chennai. With the addition of the ‌iPhone‌ 13 series to its Indian manufacturing plans, Apple will make nearly 70% of iPhones sold in the country locally.

Apple recently rolled out its updated 3D mapping experience in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, according to both Apple's iOS 15 features page and reports on Twitter.

With the launch of iOS 15 in September, Apple introduced an updated Apple Maps experience with 3D maps that feature additional detail and custom-designed landmarks in select cities.

At launch, the updated Maps app was limited to major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, London, and San Francisco, but Apple has been working to expand it to additional areas. Back in November, Apple brought the 3D Maps experience to Washington, D.C. and San Diego.

As of now, the detailed city experience for ‌Apple Maps‌ can be accessed in London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Washington D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Apple in October 2021 announced the Apple Music Voice Plan, a new low-price subscription tier for ‌Apple Music‌. This article explains what the Voice Plan is, what you need to use it, how to become a new subscriber, and how to play music with the service.

What Is Apple Music Voice Plan?

The ‌Apple Music‌ Voice Plan lets you access the ‌Apple Music‌ catalog with Siri. Priced at $4.99, the Voice Plan provides access to all songs, playlists, and stations in ‌Apple Music‌ using ‌Siri‌, and is augmented by a custom in-app experience with suggestions based on your music preferences and a queue of recently played music.

The Voice Plan is primarily designed to allow you to ask for songs and albums from the ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ catalog by ‌‌Siri‌‌ request, rather than through the ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ app interface. In that sense, it's useful with CarPlay in the car and on the ‌HomePod‌ where the natural inclination is to use voice control.

As far as the ‌Apple Music‌ app goes, the Voice Plan populates the Listen Now section, where you can find music you recently played and discover personalized music recommendations that you can play with just a tap or by asking ‌Siri‌. In the Radio tab, you can access live and on-demand radio, and you can use the Search field to find music, but you can only play it by asking ‌Siri‌.

What Are the Limitations of the Voice Plan?

First and most obviously, the Voice Plan can only be activated through ‌Siri‌, whereas on a standard ‌Apple Music‌ subscription you can use ‌Siri‌ to play anything from the ‌Apple Music‌ catalog and use premium features, like full access to the ‌Apple Music‌ app, downloading music, syncing your library across your devices, and more.

As a result, ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ Voice Plan has a limited interface in the ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ app, but it does offer full access to Apple's song catalog and radio stations, as well as playlist suggestions. You can actually search for artists, albums, and songs using the ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ app, and you can listen to previews of songs, but not the full song. If you find a song in ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ that you want to play after hearing the preview from tapping it, you'll need to ask ‌‌Siri‌‌ to play the full version.

Users can ask ‌Siri‌ for music suggestions that are provided based on listening history or likes and dislikes, and a "Play it Again" feature lets users access a list of recently played music. There is no option to add songs or albums to the Library, nor can you create playlists or save music for offline listening. If you want those features, you need to upgrade to the full ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ subscription.

Lastly, there is no support for Spatial Audio or Lossless Audio, both features that require the $9.99 per month ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ plan, nor is there an option to view lyrics, watch music videos, or see what friends are listening to.

Where is the Voice Plan Available?

The ‌Apple Music‌ Voice Plan is available in 17 countries and regions, including Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

How to Subscribe to Apple Music Voice

As the Voice Plan is centered on using ‌Siri‌, naturally you will need to own at least one Apple device that supports ‌Siri‌, such as Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, or HomePod mini. iPhones and iPads must have iOS 15.2 or later installed to access the ‌Apple Music‌ Voice Plan. If you intend to use a Mac to access the Voice Plan, it needs to be running macOS Monterey 12.1.

If you're new to ‌Apple Music‌, you can start a seven-day free trial of ‌Apple Music‌ Voice by saying "Hey ‌Siri‌, start ‌Apple Music‌ Voice," or by tapping the Voice Plan option in the ‌Apple Music‌ app on an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, Mac, or ‌Apple TV‌. After seven days, you can subscribe to the Voice plan in the ‌Apple Music‌ app.

If you can't seem to subscribe to the plan, check to make sure it's available in your country (see above). Also, check that your device supports ‌Siri‌, and that it's up-to-date with the latest software:

• An ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ with iOS or iPadOS 15.2 or later
• An ‌Apple TV‌ with tvOS 15.2 or later
• A Mac with macOS 12.1 or later

How to Play Music with Apple Music Voice

To play a song, album, or artist, say:

• "Hey ‌Siri‌, play Moonlight Drive by The Doors."
• "Hey ‌Siri‌, play the top songs by Adele."
• "Hey ‌Siri‌, play the new album by Lucy Dacus."

To play hits from any decade or genre, say:

• "Hey ‌Siri‌, play hip-hop songs from the 90s."
• "Hey ‌Siri‌, play the top songs of the year."
• "Hey ‌Siri‌, play some 90s ambient."

You can also play mood for your mood or activity ("Hey ‌Siri‌, play some workout music.") and find out what's playing ("Hey ‌Siri‌, who sings this song?"). In addition, you can request live and on-demand radio and control what's playing ("Hey ‌Siri‌, skip this song.")

Apple also has added hundreds of new mood and activity playlists to ‌Apple Music‌ that have been optimized for voice. Subscribers can ask ‌Siri‌ to "Play the dinner party playlist," "Play something chill," or even "Play more like this" for a personalized music experience.

The more music you play, the more ‌Apple Music‌ learns what you like and what you don't. And you can help ‌Apple Music‌ learn your taste in music by telling ‌Siri‌ when you like or don't like a song, which is the same as liking and disliking content in the ‌Apple Music‌ app.

Overall, it's a decent option for someone who will use ‌‌Siri‌‌ exclusively on something like a ‌‌HomePod‌ or ‌CarPlay‌‌ and wants to save some money, although there are a lot of additional features that you get with the extra $5 for the full $9.99 per month ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ plan.

Apple today seeded first betas of upcoming iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates to public beta testers, with the new software coming a few days after the launch of the first developer betas and a week after the release of iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2.

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. There were no major additions in the first 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.

Amazon continues to lead the market for smart speakers and smart screens with devices like the Echo Dot and Echo Show, but Apple has nearly doubled its market share in this segment thanks to the HomePod mini, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.

Strategy Analytics estimates that Apple shipped 4 million smart speakers in the third quarter of 2021, taking a 10.2% share of the combined smart speaker and smart screen market. Google's Nest Mini was the top-selling device in the segment, followed by the HomePod mini and Amazon's fourth-generation Echo Dot, the research firm said.

By comparison, Apple's market share for smart speakers and screens was estimated at 5.9% in the year-ago quarter, prior to the HomePod mini launching.

Apple is at a disadvantage in this particular report, as it does not compete in the smart screen market. In his latest newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expressed his belief that Apple should launch a larger iPad as a home hub to compete with devices like the Echo Show 15. It's unclear if Apple will ever release such a device, but Gurman did earlier this year report that Apple was exploring future iPads with larger display sizes.

As for the HomePod mini, the $99 speaker has not been updated since launching in October 2020, beyond getting new yellow, orange, and blue colors. Based on Apple's increased market share, the current ‌HomePod mini‌ appears to remain a success.

Apple plans to add a 48-megapixel camera lens to the iPhone next year, followed by a periscope lens in 2023, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a research note today with TF International Securities, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said these iPhone camera upgrades over the next two years will help to boost Taiwanese manufacturer Largan Precision's market share, revenue, and profit.

Kuo did not provide any further details, but he has previously claimed that the 48-megapixel camera will be limited to iPhone 14 Pro models and allow for 8K video recording, up from 4K currently. These high-resolution 8K videos would be suitable for viewing on Apple's AR/VR headset that is expected to launch next year, he said.

Kuo also previously claimed that iPhone 14 Pro models may support both 48-megapixel and 12-megapixel output, which would likely be achieved with a process known as pixel binning. Already in use on some Android smartphones, like Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra, pixel binning could allow iPhone 14 Pro models to shoot 48-megapixel photos in bright conditions and 12-megapixel photos in low-light conditions to preserve quality.

Further ahead, Kuo reiterated his belief that at least one iPhone 15 model will gain a periscope lens in 2023, paving the way for significantly increased optical zoom. This lens would have folded camera optics, where light absorbed by the image sensor is bent or "folded," allowing for increased optical zoom while maintaining a compact design appropriate for smartphones.

Huawei's P40 Pro+ features a periscope lens with up to 10x optical zoom, for example, while iPhone 13 Pro models are limited to 3x optical zoom.

The Beats Studio Buds have returned to their lowest-ever price at numerous retailers today, available for $99.99, down from $149.99. You can get this deal at Verizon, Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Adorama, and B&H Photo.

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.

With so many retailers offering the deal, there are a few chances to still get these headphones in time for Christmas. Specifically, Amazon, B&H Photo, and Verizon have shipment options with delivery before the 25th, although you may have to pay extra.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

If you've ever handed your iPhone or iPad to a baby or toddler to entertain them while you do something else, you'll probably know just how easily their little fingers can navigate into all manner of screens and settings they shouldn't be messing with.

Fortunately, Apple includes a feature in iOS that allows you to keep your device locked into a single app and control which features are available. It's called Guided Access, and this article explains how you can use it.

How to Enable Guided Access on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Scroll down to "General" and tap Guided Access.
4. Tap the switch next to Guided Access to toggle it to the green ON position and reveal further options.
   
   

5. If you use any other accessibility options, turn on the switch next to Accessibility Shortcut so that you can access them when Guided Access is active, using a triple-click of the Home button or Side button (depending on your device).
6. Tap Passcode Settings, then tap Set Guided Access Passcode to set a special passcode for exiting the feature. Optionally, turn on the toggle next to Face ID or Touch ID (depending on your device) if you want to be able to use biometric authentication to exit Guided Access.
   

How to Use Guided Access on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the app that you want to limit access to. In our example, we're using the BBC iPlayer app to play a kids' show.
2. If your device has a Home button, triple-click it to enter the Guided Access initialization screen. If your device has Face ID in lieu of a Home button, triple-click the Side button instead.
   
   

3. The screen area will appear within a frame. If you want to make certain areas of the screen inaccessible, simply circle them using your finger.
   
   

4. Tap Options in the bottom-left corner, then use the switches to control access to the Side Button, Volume Buttons, Motion, Keyboards, Touch, or to set a Time Limit. In our example, to prevent the video (and audio) from being disrupted by little fingers, we would disable Side Button, Volume, and Touch by toggling off the associated switches.
   
   

5. Tap Done.
6. Tap Start at the top-right corner of the screen to activate Guided Access proper. A banner will briefly appear on the screen advising you that the feature is active.

With Guided Access enabled, the only way to leave the app is by double-clicking the Side button to activate ‌Face ID‌, or by triple-clicking the Side/Home button and entering the pre-set passcode. So you can leave your little ones to watch their favorite video or play their favorite game, safe in the knowledge that they can't delete your email account, phone a random number, or worse.

Apart from using the triple-click to bring up the Accessibility Shortcut, you can also add a Guided Access shortcut to your device's Control Center.

French news channel TF1 has gained rare and exclusive access into Apple Park, calling it "one of the most secret places on the Planet" while speaking to top Apple executives, such as its senior vice president of marketing, Greg Joswiak, and more.

In Cupertino, California, ‌Apple Park‌‌ is rarely accessible to anyone who isn't an Apple employee. Before the global health crisis, Apple held in-person events at the campus, but those, even, were severely limited, with guests being limited to the Steve Jobs Theater and not the main building itself.

TF1 has shared new footage inside ‌‌Apple Park‌‌, showing staff members talking [about] and presumably working on the next generation of Apple's products, software, and services.

As expected, the footage doesn't offer any glimpse of unreleased products, with even some of it featuring blurred views of offices and rooms where new and unreleased products may be held. The faces of Apple employees are also blurred in the segment to protect their identity.

TF1 said that during their stay at ‌Apple Park‌, many doors remain closed and everywhere they filmed followed negotiations with Apple. Speaking to TF1, Greg Joswiak, otherwise known as Joz, said when Steve Jobs conceived ‌Apple Park‌, he wanted to create an office for the future.

When Steve Jobs designed Apple Park, he wanted to create the office building of the future. He wanted a place where people leave the office, where they meet by chance, collaborate, and exchange ideas, so he wanted it to be a place to walk.

The report adds employees partake in formal meetings that may be held in large conference rooms while they're walking around the circumference of ‌Apple Park‌ to promote creativity. Apple is on track to become the world's first-ever $3 trillion company, and Joz said that he believes Apple is "in a position where if we can imagine something, then we can create it. We can make it real."

One of Apple's top priorities is health, and during their time at ‌Apple Park‌, the TF1 crew had a chance to speak to Dr. Sumbul Desai, Apple's vice president of health. "Our goal is to provide data that is useful to users and also to their doctors. We don't want to replace this doctor-patient relationship, but we want to improve it," said Dr. Desai.

"What is very important is that users can choose element by element what data they authorize and Apple does not receive and see any of your data. They remain inside the device," she added regarding the privacy of users' health data.

TF1 also spoke to Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of the environment, about the company's initiatives and efforts in protecting the environment. ‌Apple Park‌ itself is covered with solar panels on its roof, helping to reduce its carbon footprint and energy usage. "This is what our customers expect. And for us, it means being more attentive to the materials we use, reusing some of them and innovating to take this recycling into account from the design of our products," Jackson said.

The full almost four-minute French segment of TF1's exclusive look into ‌Apple Park‌ can be found here.

Apple plans to update its Apple silicon chips every 18 months, compared to the annual upgrade cycle of the iPhone and Apple Watch, according to a new report from the Taiwanese Commercial Times.

The report, which largely echoes previously reported information, said that industry sources have pointed towards an 18-month upgrade cycle for Apple silicon chips. With that, the report claims that the next generation of Apple silicon, M2, will launch in the second half of 2022 and is codenamed Staten, with "‌M2‌ Pro" and "‌M2‌ Max" chips expected to launch in the first half of 2023. A machine translation of the report reads:

According to sources in the supply chain industry, Apple Silicon will be updated every 18 months in the future. In the second half of 2022, Apple will first launch the M2 processor code-named Staten, and in the first half of 2023, it will launch the new M2X processor architecture code-named Rhodes, and release two processors such as M2 Pro and M2 Max according to the different graphics cores. Apple's M2 series processors all use the 4-nanometer process, and will be updated to the M3 series processors after an 18-month cycle. It is expected that they will be mass-produced using TSMC's 3-nanometer process.

Before Apple transitioned to Apple silicon, the company had to rely on Intel to innovate and produce new chips. Intel's timeline and ability to create new processors were factors in the timeline for new Mac computers. Now, however, with Apple owning the entire vertical stack of the Mac, it's able to update and upgrade its computers and chips as often as it deems necessary. Even with that added freedom, customers typically don't upgrade their Macs as often as their ‌iPhone‌ or Apple Watch, so a less often upgrade cycle is logical.

Apple announced M1, the first Apple silicon chip, in November of 2020, and expanded the ‌M1‌ family with the M1 Pro and M1 Max less than a year later in October of this year. A similar scenario is expected for 2022, with ‌M2‌ launching first, and ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max launching in the first half of 2023, according to today's report.

With the end of the year creeping upon us, we won't have to wait long for Apple's next generation of Macs. Rumors have suggested that a new 27-inch iMac with mini-LED, a new design, and ProMotion support will launch in the spring of 2022, with a new redesigned MacBook Air expected in the second half of the year.

Update: This article was updated to correct an error about the source, which is Taiwanese, not Chinese as was previously stated. We apologize for the mistake.

Facebook, otherwise known as Meta, has been crowned the worst company of the year, following a turbulent 12 months of controversies, public backlash, and an eventual entire rebrand of the social media giant, according to a survey conducted by Yahoo Finance.

Yahoo Finance every year crowns the best company of the year, with Microsoft taking the top spot for 2021. This year, however, Yahoo Finance also did a "worst company of the year" challenge, with Facebook, now known as Meta, quickly taking the top spot. According to the survey, which polled over 1,000 individuals, Facebook received 50% more votes for the spot compared to Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce platform.

Those surveyed have a "litany of grievances" towards Facebook, including but not limited to concerns over censorship, reports about Instagram's impact on mental health, and privacy. While the survey results are grim and not in the company's favor, 30% of the participants responded positively to whether Facebook could "redeem itself."

Facebook, amid scandals, did rebrand itself to "Meta," marking the start of a new direction for the company, according to its founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The new name is meant to be more in line with the goal of building a "Metaverse," an entirely digital world. The rebrand was widely seen as an attempt to distract from scrutiny, and according to some participants in the survey, it worked.

One respondent said Facebook could redeem itself by acknowledging and apologizing for what it did and donating a "sizable amount" of its profits for a foundation to help reverse its harm. While some people saw the Meta rebrand as a cynical attempt to change the conversation... others were excited by the potential of a new direction that could a) be interesting and b) something different from the aging social media model.

Facebook has long been embroiled in public concerns over the privacy of its users. Facebook has notably fought with Apple over changes in iOS and iPadOS that make it harder for companies to track users across other apps and websites.

Facebook has claimed the new change, App Tracking Transparency, would hurt small businesses that rely on advertising to attract new customers. Mark Zuckerberg has gone as far as to say that Facebook's lackluster growth in the last quarter of the year was partly to blame on ATT (App Tracking Transparency).

Apple CEO Tim Cook has also not shied away from calling out Facebook for its practices and business model. In a speech at the start of the year, Cook implied that Facebook's business model leads to polarization and violence. A Meta spokesperson declined to respond to a comment from Yahoo Finance regarding the survey.

Just a week ahead of Christmas, things remain busy in the Apple news and rumor world, with Apple this week releasing iOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, and other related operating system updates. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Universal Control feature didn't make the cut, so we'll have to wait until 2022 for that.

As far as rumors go, we heard more about next year's iPhone 14, an updated larger iMac, and potentially some new external displays, so read on for details on these stories and more!

iOS 15.2 Released: Here is Everything New

Apple this week released iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 following over a month and a half of beta testing. As usual, there are lots of new features, such as the App Privacy Report and Communication Safety, so make sure to check out our list of everything new in iOS 15.2.

On our YouTube channel, we went hands on with the Apple Music Voice Plan, which is available starting with iOS 15.2. The plan lets you use Apple Music exclusively with Siri for $4.99 per month, but there are some limitations, so be sure to watch the video for more details.

Apple also released macOS 12.1 with SharePlay, as well as watchOS 8.3 for the Apple Watch and tvOS 15.2 for the Apple TV.

Apple Delays Universal Control Feature Until Spring 2022

One of the key new features that Apple announced for macOS Monterey was Universal Control, but it has yet to be released, and Apple has now confirmed the feature has been delayed until spring 2022.

Universal Control will allow for several Macs and iPads placed side by side to be controlled with a single mouse or trackpad. Apple previously said the feature would be available before the end of the year.

iPhone 14 Pro Models Rumored to Feature 48-Megapixel Camera and 8GB of RAM

While it has only been a few months since Apple released the iPhone 13 lineup, rumors are already starting to surface about iPhone 14 models.

According to analyst Jeff Pu, two iPhone 14 Pro models set to be released in September 2022 will be equipped with an upgraded 48-megapixel main camera and an increased 8GB of RAM. For more details, read our story on how the 48-megapixel camera is expected to work.

27-Inch iMac Pro With Mini-LED Display Expected to Launch in Spring 2022

One of the first new Apple products expected to launch next year is a 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip and a mini-LED display in the spring.

According to display industry analyst Ross Young, the new 27-inch iMac will support ProMotion with a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. The computer is expected to be powered by the same M1 Pro and M1 Max chips as found in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and we've put together a short video going over everything we've heard about the machine so far.

Apple Rumored to Launch Lower-Priced 24-Inch and 27-Inch External Displays: What to Expect

In addition to a new 27-inch iMac, rumors suggest Apple is also planning to release consumer-oriented 24-inch and 27-inch external displays that would be more affordable than the high-end Pro Display XDR.

Apple is also said to be planning a new Pro Display XDR with an Apple silicon chip and added support for ProMotion. The current Pro Display XDR was released in December 2019 and costs a hefty $4,999.

No Foldable iPhone Expected Until 2023 at the Earliest, But 2024 More Likely

Apple is not expected to introduce a foldable iPhone until 2023 at the earliest, with 2024 being the more likely target date, according to display analyst Ross Young, who has a reliable track record with Apple rumors.

Back in May, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple was working to launch a foldable ‌iPhone‌ with an 8-inch flexible OLED display in 2023, but he has said little else about Apple's work on foldable devices since then.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Users could be able to get their hands on Apple's long-rumored augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headset within a year, as rumors begin to zone in on a timeframe for the device's release date.

Apple's headset device, which is expected to offer both AR and VR functionality with applications for gaming, media, and communication, could be in customers hands sooner rather than later, according to recent reports. While an exact date is unknown, the rough timeframe is becoming increasingly clear.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple's headset is on track for launch in the fourth quarter of 2022. Kuo originally said that the device was scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2022, but after a number of delays with kickstarting mass production, it seems that the fourth quarter is the timeframe Apple is now targeting. The fourth quarter of 2022 runs from October 1 to December 31, meaning that an announcement could be less than 10 months away.

There is also the chance that Apple could offer the first glimpse of its headset at WWDC in June next year to give developers enough time to prepare apps for it ahead of launch. Morgan Stanley analysts say that the project is now "approaching liftoff," with it mirroring the timeline of the Apple Watch's development before its launch.

The headset is expected to offer a lightweight design, two 4K micro-LED displays, 15 optical modules, two main processors, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, eye tracking, a see-through AR mode, object tracking, and hand gesture controls. The device's exact price point is as yet unclear, but some reports indicate that it could cost customers around $3,000.

For detailed information about everything you need to know about Apple's long-awaited mixed-reality headset, see our comprehensive roundup.

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming four days after the launch of iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2.

iOS and iPadOS 15.3 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or an iPad.

iOS 15.3 leaked earlier today after it was discovered that links were included but hidden on Apple's developer downloads page, suggesting the beta was planned for release yesterday alongside the first macOS 12.2 beta, but held back for unknown reasons.

We don't yet know what might be included in the new iOS and iPadOS 15.3 updates, but our initial look at the downloads suggests that changes are minor. 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. Based on a lack of signs of these features in this first beta, it appears Apple will hold off on support for them until iOS 15.4.

As for digital IDs in the Wallet app, that's something that has been in the works since 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 seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 8.4 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming four days after the release of watchOS 8.3.

To install watchOS 8.4, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, ‌‌‌‌watchOS 8‌‌‌‌ can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update.

To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌.

We don't yet know what's new in the watchOS 8.4 update, but if new features are found, we'll update this article.

We're tracking a pair of last-minute Christmas deals on Amazon today, including a record low price on the 21.5-inch iMac and free Amazon gift card credit with the purchase of an Apple Gift Card.

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.

Starting with the iMac, you can get the 21.5-inch iMac (2.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) from mid 2020 for $799.00, down from $1,099.00. This is now the best price we've ever seen on this version of the iMac.

This iMac is an older model, so it has the classic silver aluminum design with a large black bezel, and doesn't have the M1 chip. Amazon also has the 2020 27-inch iMac (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale for $1,399.99, and both of these desktop computers can deliver before Christmas.

Next, Amazon is offering $10 in promotional credit when you buy the $100 Apple Gift Card. Simply choose a design for the Apple Gift Card, select the $100 denomination, enter a recipient, and then enter the code APPLEDIGITAL at checkout.

The Apple Gift Card will be delivered via email, so you don't need to worry about shipping delays if you're shopping for stocking stuffers. Only one gift card can be purchased per customer, and Amazon hasn't specified how long this sale will last.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.