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.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 15.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming four days after the release of tvOS 15.2.
Developers can download the new tvOS 15.3 beta by downloading a profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS updates are often minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and improvements rather than major outward-facing changes. We don't yet know what's included in the tvOS 15.3 update, but we'll update this article should anything new be found.
Though we don't often know what's new in tvOS during the beta testing process, we let MacRumors readers know when new updates are available so those who are developers can download it upon release.
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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.
While the inclusion of a display notch on the latest MacBook Pro was derided by many from its first appearance as a rumor ahead of the machine's unveiling, it's now a fact of life for those who have purchased Apple's latest pro notebook. Various apps and wallpaper designs to hide the notch have popped up, but The Iconfactory has gone in the opposite direction, embracing the notch with a simple new app called "Notchmeister" that lets you add effects to the notch.
So what does Notchmeister do?
Think of it as a fun way to spruce up your notch. Or as a screen saver for something you can’t see. Or, maybe, just a useless waste of time.
The free app offers a handful of effects you can apply to the area of your screen around the notch, including festive holiday lights dangling from the notch, a pop-up radar screen, and a glow effect that tracks your pointer when it moves behind the notch.
The 24-inch iMac got a major refresh in 2021, and in 2022, it's the larger 27-inch iMac's turn to get a design overhaul. We've been sharing "iMac Pro" rumors for a few months now, and today, we have a quick rundown of everything we might see in one bite-sized article and highlight video.
iMac Pro naming to differentiate from 24-inch iMac
~$2000 starting price
Release Date
We may not have too long to wait for the iMac Pro, with rumors this week pointing to a launch in spring 2022. If accurate, that means we could see the new iMac at a spring event, perhaps in March. Apple often holds its first event of the year in the spring, so the new iMac could be one of the first updated products of the year.
Read More
For more on what to expect from the 2022 iMac Pro, we have a dedicated guide where we aggregate all of the rumors. It's our best iMac Pro rumor resource to bookmark because we update it on a regular basis.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Harber London to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a City Backpack that's perfect for holding a MacBook Pro and other Apple gear.
Priced at $513, the City Backpack can accommodate a 13 to 16-inch laptop in the dedicated laptop compartment, so it works with even Apple's largest 16-inch machine. There's also a built-in tablet pocket that's able to fit the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with attached Smart Keyboard or smaller tablets, so it's an ideal solution for those who have several Apple devices.
Along with the two device pockets, there's an inside water bottle pocket and smaller pockets for accessories such as an Apple Pencil. With all of the space inside, it has a 13.6L total capacity, which is a good size for a daily commute.
The exterior of the bag is made from a premium full grain cowhide leather and it's available in tan, black, or deep brown. According to Harber London, the bag will age well and develop a unique patina overtime.
Inside, there's a soft-woven cotton twill material that's designed to provide a heritage feel, and it comes with aviation grade aluminum buckles. A magnetic strap that goes across the chest is also available to distribute the weight and make wearing the backpack more comfortable, plus there's a luggage strap.
We have one City Backpack to give away to a MacRumors reader. 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 (December 17) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 24. The winner will be chosen randomly on December 24 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.
Apple is rebuilding the Music app for macOS as a fully native app, according to beta code seen by 9to5Mac.
Code in the first beta of macOS Monterey 12.2, seeded to developers yesterday, shows that Apple is rebuilding the Music app using AppKit, macOS's native interface framework. The move will lead to significant improvements to the performance and experience of using the Music app, but no significant UI or interface changes.
According to 9to5Mac, the Music app is currently using JET, a technology to turn web content into native apps. The current Music app, which replaced iTunes but uses the same back-end, is heavily reliant on loaded-in Apple Music web content, which some users have criticised for having sluggish responsiveness and usability issues.
While some parts of the Music app, such as the library, were already native, Mac users will notice that searching for media in Apple Music is faster, displaying rebuilt native interfaces. As a result, scrolling, gestures, and animations are also more responsive.
Apple is likely still improving the new native parts of the app, so some interface elements or effects may currently be missing. Apple already rebuilt parts of the Apple TV app using JET in macOS Monterey 12.1.
What appears to be the initial beta of the upcoming iOS and iPadOS 15.3 update has leaked, revealing that the next major iPhone and iPad update is likely to be focused on bug fixes, performance improvements, and security enhancements, rather than larger features destined to be part of software updates in the upcoming spring.
The build of the iOS 15.3 beta, obtained by MacRumors, includes only a few notable changes including wording regarding the newly launched Child Safety features, small tweaks to the Podcasts app, and modified text regarding the automatic download of magazines in Apple News+ for offline reading. While this is likely only the first of several betas, it does indicate that the forthcoming update is likely to be a more minor update than what some may be hoping for.
MacRumors analytics showing visits from devices running iOS 15.3
MacRumors analytics have shown an increase in devices on iOS 15.3, with the uptick happening around the beginning of the month. Likewise, those same analytics show a stable and consistent pattern of visits from devices running iOS and iPadOS 15.4. The latter could be a more significant update, with more front-end users changes than what iOS 15.3 is seemingly poised to be.
MacRumors analytics showing visits from devices running iOS 15.4
One feature that many have kept an eye out for is Universal Control. Apple has officially delayed the feature, first demoed at WWDC in June, until the spring. Universal Control has yet to appear for developers and public beta testers.
Apple yesterday restarted its macOS beta cycle with macOS Monterey 12.2. Neither macOS 12.2 nor the leaked build of iPadOS 15.3 includes Universal Control, adding credence that the approaching iPadOS 15.4 and accompanying macOS update, reasonably set for sometime in the spring, will add the highly anticipated feature and other new changes.
Universal Control is one of two features initially announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June that have yet to be released. Alongside Universal Control, Apple says that the ability for users to add their ID cards and driver's license to the Wallet app in participating states will be available in early 2022.
Apple this week released iOS and iPadOS 15.2, which includes a newly redesigned Notification Summary, App Privacy Reports, and more. iOS 15.2 follows iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1, released earlier in the fall, bringing FaceTime's new SharePlay feature.
Update 10:10 am: The download links for the unreleased iOS 15.3 beta came straight from the source code for Apple's developer downloads page. The initial betas of iOS 15.3, iPadOS 15.3, watchOS 8.4, and tvOS 15.3 were apparently supposed to be released to developers yesterday alongside macOS 12.2, but were pulled back at the last moment. Rather than removing them from the page, however, Apple simply commented the entries out in the HTML so that they didn't show up on the page.
Amazon this week has introduced a new all-time low price on the 32GB Apple TV HD that comes bundled with the new Siri Remote. This accessory is now priced at $124.98, down from $149.00, beating the previous low price from August by about $5 and marking the best price of the year.
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This version is the same fourth generation Apple TV HD device that was released in 2015, but now it's bundled with the revamped Siri Remote. The new accessory features a one-piece aluminum body, tactile clickpad with five-way navigtation, and rearranged buttons.
The Apple TV HD is in stock now and ready to ship within 1-2 days, so you still have time to order it in time for Christmas delivery. You can also get the newer 32GB Apple TV 4K model delivered for Christmas, but its deal isn't as steep as the HD version, priced at $169.99, down from $179.00.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Feral Interactive has released its much-anticipated port of Alien: Isolation for iPhone and iPad, which MacRumors sister site TouchArcade is calling "one of the best iOS conversions ever."
Launched in 2014 on PS4, Xbox, PC, and more, the first-person action adventure game was lauded for its emphasis on stealth and survival horror in the player's confrontation with a single alien, as well as its atmospheric lo-fi, 1970s vision of the future inspired by the original "Alien" movie.
Players take on the role of Ellen Ripley's daughter, Amanda, as she strives to unravel the mystery behind her mother's disappearance. Aboard the desolate Sevastopol space station, her search for answers soon becomes a desperate fight for survival as she's relentlessly hunted by the deadly xenomorph.
Praising Feral's faithful port as a "phenomenal conversion," TouchArcade's Mikhail Madnani says the game has "aged brilliantly" and is made all the more enjoyable thanks to the high-quality visuals and graphical options, not to mention Feral's inclusion of full touchscreen support, controller support, and even keyboard and mouse support on iPad.
If you've not played Alien: Isolation before, the mobile version is phenomenal. It isn't just a good value proposition with all DLC included at the low asking price of $14.99 compared to other platforms, but it looks and runs brilliantly even compared to the Xbox and PS4 versions. I know Feral Interactive is capable of miracle mobile conversions, but this Alien: Isolation is on a whole other level.
Priced at $14.99 and available now on the App Store, Alien: Isolation on iOS includes the base game, all seven DLC packs including "Crew Expendable," "Last Survivor," and the "Survivor Mode." The "Survivor Mode" is an additional download, making the game's total install size around 11GB. The game has also been released on the Google Play Store for Android.
The game supports iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X and later, and iPhone SE (2020). Supported iPads include the iPad mini 5 (2019) and later, iPad Air 3 (2019) and later, iPad 7 (2019) and later, iPad Pro 1st gen (2015), 12.9-inch model only, and iPad Pro 2nd gen (2017) and later.
A number of 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro owners that have a machine with ProMotion support are reporting seeing smoother Safari scrolling and performance since installing the macOS 12.2 beta, suggesting ProMotion support is finally working as intended.
After upgrading, multiple MacRumors forum members have said that ProMotion is functional and has improved the Safari experience on their machines.
Since the mini-LED MacBook Pro models launched in October, there have been complaints about Safari scrolling and a lack of ProMotion support. ProMotion has been working and functional for some apps on the Mac, but not others, and Safari is one of those apps where it was not working as expected.
MacBook Pro owners who have noticed the lack of ProMotion will be able to get smoother, more fluid Safari scrolling experience when upgrading to macOS Monterey 12.2. The update is available to developers at the current time, and a public beta will likely be released in the near future.
As the beta just came out today, it will be a few weeks at least before the software update sees a public launch.
Apple is creating a new office that will focus on wireless chip production as the company works to bring more of its chip development in-house, reports Bloomberg.
Apple is hiring a few dozen engineers for an office in Southern California to develop components that may eventually replace parts that are currently sourced from companies like Broadcom, Skyworks, and Qualcomm. The office is located in Irvine, California, which is close to Los Angeles and where major chip makers are located.
Based on job listings, Apple is seeking employees who have expertise in modem chips and wireless semiconductors, and at the facility, employees will work on wireless radios, radio-frequency integrated semiconductors, and semiconductors for connecting to Bluetooth and WiFi.
"Apple's growing wireless silicon development team is developing the next generation of wireless silicon!" one job listing says. Another says employees will "be at the center of a wireless SoC design group with a critical impact on getting Apple's state-of-the-art wireless connectivity solutions into hundreds of millions of products."
Apple in 2020 signed a multi-year deal with Broadcom, which was set to last for three and a half years, which means it will expire in 2023. Under the terms of the deal, Broadcom supplies Apple with "range of specified high-performance wireless components and modules."
When the contract expires, Apple will no longer need to use Broadcom components and can instead rely on its own components.
Apple has been working to bring more of its chip production in-house to reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers. Apple is fairly far along on its development of a 5G modem chip, for example, and when work on that chip is complete, the company will be able to stop sourcing 5G chips from Qualcomm.
Current rumors suggest that Apple's modem chips will be ready for use in the 2023 iPhone models, so Apple will continue to use Qualcomm chips for the iPhone 14 lineup.
Longtime Apple supplier TSMC will manufacture the Apple-designed 5G modems for the 2023 iPhones, and Qualcomm has already acknowledged that it expects to supply only 20 percent of the modems for the 2023 iPhone, with Apple largely relying on its own 5G chips.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Monterey 12.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming shortly after the release of macOS Monterey 12.1.
Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.
We don't yet know what's included in macOS Monterey 12.2, but Apple has yet to implement a major feature -- Universal Control. Universal Control is designed to allow a single mouse and trackpad to be used with multiple Macs and iPads, and Apple has said it will be launching this spring.
We'll update this article when we find out what's new in macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple has also seeded a macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 beta for those who are still running Big Sur.
Apple's AirPods Max Smart Case is sufficient for the high-end headphones in day-to-day use. When traveling or out and about, however, the case can be problematic given the headphones' canopy remains exposed and prone to be easily damaged when put in a bag or handled with little care. Woolnut's Leather Case aims to provide customers an easy way to store their AirPods Max while traveling or as simply an alternative to Apple's Smart Case.
Build Quality and Materials
The case is made from high-quality Scandinavian leather and offered in three different colors: black, brown, and dark green. We'll be looking at the brown option for this review, though all remain the same in functionality, price, and design. Compared to other leather-branded cases and accessories, the exterior of Woolnut's case feels premium and on par with what you should expect from a case intended to store $549 headphones.
In the two weeks I've been testing and using the case as my primary AirPods Max storage compartment, I've noticed very little exterior damage besides normal smudges and dents that can be wiped away or are too minor to see at first glance. Overall, I'm impressed with the case's build, including the durability of the leather and the quality of the stitching.
The case comes with a "Premium YKK EXCELLA zipper" made in Japan. Woolnut describes the zipper as "the world's most exclusive metal zippers with fully polished individual elements." While all of that may be true, they aren't anything special and certainly should not be a key factor in any customer's decision to purchase the case. They're regular zippers that zip open and closed and have, so far, stood the test of time.
One downside of the design of the case is the lack of an external handle. With Apple's Smart Case, the AirPods Max's canopy serves as a handle for the headphones, making it easy to carry around. In Woolnut's accessory, no such handle exists, making it a slight inconvenience.
Usability and Functionality
AirPods Max are a uniquely designed pair of headphones. The ear cuffs rotate to allow the headphones to be fully flat, but creating a case for them is a challenge, even for Apple. I must applaud Woolnut for their efforts in designing a case designed to store the headphones, but they don't entirely hit the mark.
I have little to practically no complaints regarding the placement of the headphones within the case but would point out that it's not an entirely snug fit. The AirPods Max do move around when they're inside the case, and that was my experience from only minimal testing and movement.
In scenarios where this case may be used for travel where sudden movements and jerking around may be more prominent, the fit of the headphones may be problematic. With that being said, the non-snug fit and movement within the case are not drastic enough to cause damage to the high-end headphones, but it is, nonetheless, something to consider.
The material and padding on the inside of the case are soft and delicate enough to keep your AirPods Max free of any scuffs, dents, or scratches. On the base of the inside of the case, there is a storage compartment for a power adapter, and at the top of the case, a place to store a Lightning cable for charging the headphones. Both are welcome additions. For customers outside of the U.S. or Canada who may have larger power adapters, though, including myself, they may find the elastic holder to be a very tight fit.
A nice addition that comes with the case is a cloth bag, which offers protection for the AirPods Max case itself when traveling or simply being stored.
Power Saving Mode and Charging
One feature of Apple's controversial Smart Case offered with Woolnut's Leather AirPods Max case is a power-saving mode. With Apple's Smart Case, AirPods Max enter a low power mode to preserve battery life when inserted. That same technology is brought to Woolnut's case, which uses magnets to detect when the headphones are in the case and begins to preserve battery life.
To charge the AirPods Max, the case offers a cut-out hole to access the built-in lightning port on the headphones. With the case closed, it's a tough challenge to plug in AirPods Max to charge.
Due to the angle of the cut-out and the design of the case, charging AirPods Max is challenging since forcing the Lightning cable into the port causes the headphones to move up inside of the case. If you need to charge your AirPods Max and keep it within the case, plug them in using the cut-out with the case open rather than close. It'll make your experience significantly better.
Conclusion
Woolnut's AirPods Max Leather Case is one of many alternatives to Apple's Smart Case on the market. The material and build quality are on-par with what customers should expect, but weird design quirks, such as those making charging more difficult and the non-snug fit of the headphones, make it hard to flat-out recommend.
For customers simply looking for an alternative to Apple's Smart Case, Woolnut's offering is a reasonable choice. For customers looking for a case to travel with their AirPods Max in, I would advise scouting other options first before landing on this case.
How To Buy
Woolnut's AirPods Max Leather case is currently, at the time of writing, out of stock and hence is available for pre-order for $130, with shipments resuming in early January 2022.
Note: Woolnut provided MacRumors with the leather case for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
Pixelmator today announced that its Pixelmator Photo app is now available on the iPhone. Previously limited to the iPad, the photo editing app features over 30 desktop-class color adjustment options, support for over 600 RAW image formats like Apple ProRAW, integration with the Photos app and iCloud Photos, and several AI-powered editing tools.
Pixelmator Photo for iPhone also includes batch editing features for editing entire photoshoots at once, copying and pasting edits between photos, a split comparison view for comparing edits in close detail, essential tools like Crop and Straighten, and more.
Pixelmator Photo for iPhone requires iOS 14 or later and is available today on the App Store as a free update for existing users of the iPad app. New users can take advantage of a special launch price of $3.99, and the app will be regularly priced at $7.99.
Pixelmator is best known for its popular Pixelmator Pro image editor for the Mac.
SiriusXM today announced that customers who subscribe to its Platinum VIP plan can access 12 months of Apple Music for free with their subscriptions, a promotion that applies to both new and existing subscribers.
Priced at $34.99 per month, the Platinum VIP plan offers SiriusXM service in two vehicles along with Apple Music content. SiriusXM provides ad-free music channels based on music genres, artists, decades, and more, along with talk shows, podcasts, sports content, comedy shows, and more than 5000 live concert video and audio recordings.
With the Apple Music promotion, subscribers will have access to more than 90 million Apple Music songs, as well as features like spatial audio, Lossless Audio, time-synced lyrics, and music videos. SiriusXM and Apple are providing a full Apple Music subscription, valued at $9.99 per month.
More information on the offer and the SiriusXM Platinum VIP subscription can be found on the SiriusXM website. Next year, SiriusXM says that it plans to offer a six month Apple Music subscription with other qualifying SiriusXM subscription plans.
Apple's AirPods 3 have returned to their lowest-ever price of $139.99, down from $179.00. Today's sale beats the Black Friday price by $10, and only Amazon is offering the deal.
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.
Unfortunately, the AirPods 3 will not arrive in time for Christmas. The fastest method will deliver around January 3-4, while the regular free shipping option has a January 4-5 delivery estimate for most places in the United States. If you're a Costco member, you may have more luck getting the AirPods 3 before Christmas at that retailer, which is also matching this sale.
In regards to AirPods with rock-bottom prices but delivery after Christmas, Amazon also has the AirPods 2 for just $89.99, down form $129.00. This is a match of the lowest price we've ever seen on this model, but it won't arrive until January 7-8 at the earliest.
In both cases, if you aren't specifically shopping for holiday presents and just want the absolute best deals on these AirPods models, now is still a great time to buy. These are the best prices we've seen all year on the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3.
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.
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.
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.
