An Apple customer in the United Kingdom has successfully used Apple's Find My network to track an AirTag as it was being sent by mail to a friend in a completely different city.
Outlined in a blog post at Intego, Kirk McElhearn said he taped an AirTag to a piece of card, wrapped it inside a small bubble envelope, and then sent it on its way. Kirk lives in the small town of Stratford-upon-Avon, and he shipped his AirTag to a friend near London.
Using the Find My app on his iPhone, Kirk says he was able to keep track of his AirTag whereabouts, including its arrival at a shipping facility and a "highly automated mail processing centre." What's worth noting is that Apple uses its Find My network, which crowdsources anonymous data from iPhone and iPad devices, in the area to pinpoint the location of an AirTag.
It didn’t take long for my AirTag to start its journey. At 5:49, it had started moving, going into Stratford-upon-Avon, presumably for it to be loaded on to a truck to go to the next location. At around 6:40, it had left the town, heading north.
At 7:30, it reached the South Midlands Mail Centre, a "highly automated mail processing centre," a massive warehouse-like site where mail is sorted. The presence of even one employee with an iPhone, with Find My turned on, was enough to register this location, but it’s likely that many of the employees have iPhones.
Kirk built a custom script on his Mac which took a screenshot of the Find My app every two minutes as a way to log the movement of his AirTag. The video can be viewed in his blog post for those interested. A few days later, the AirTag successfully arrived at his friend's house near London.
Apple has a series of built-in parameters that are meant to prevent AirTags from being used for unwanted tracking. One of the leading ways Apple aims to prevent unwanted tracking is by alerting a user if an AirTag, unpaired with their iPhone or Apple ID, is found to have been following them for a certain period of time. The specific time period is unknown, but as Kirk finds out, it seems to be a rather long time.
Kirk says he expected his friend's iPhone to alert him that an unknown AirTag had been found on him, but even three days after his friend first received the AirTag, their iPhone failed to alert him to the presence of the unknown item tracker. His friend did however hear an audible alert from the AirTag, which is another method Apple uses to alert users to an unknown device. After the audible alert, it's unlikely that AirTags would send an alert to an iPhone.
After the AirTag was delivered, my friend left the envelope on a table in his house. He has an iPhone, so I expected him to be notified of the presence of the AirTag after a while.
I therefore expected my friend to get such a message on or after Monday afternoon, three days after I mailed it. By Tuesday, he had still not received any alerts. As I write this article, I just checked in the Find My app, and the AirTag was last seen 13 minutes ago, at his location, but he still has not received any alerts.
Lucikly in this case, there was no potential harm in the friend's iPhone failing to alert him to the unknown AirTag. However, in other instances, there could be a danger if the built-in measures for unwanted tracking fail to kick in.
An exploit allows messages and additional data to be sent across Apple's Find My network, according to the findings of a security researcher.
Security researcher Fabian Bräunlein has found a way to leverage Apple's Find My network to function as a generic data transfer mechanism, allowing non-internet-connected devices to upload arbitrary data by using nearby Apple devices to upload the data for them.
The Find My network uses the entire base of active iOS devices to act as nodes to transfer location data. Bräunlein explained in an extensive blog post that it is possible to emulate the way in which an AirTag connects to the Find My network and broadcasts its location. The AirTag sends its location via an encrypted broadcast, so when this data is replaced with a message, it is concealed by the broadcast's encryption.
Bräunlein's practical demonstration showed how short strings of text could be sent from a microcontroller running custom firmware over the Find My network. The text was received via a custom Mac app to decode and display the uploaded data.
It is not immediately clear if this Find My network exploit could be used maliciously or what useful purposes it may serve. Nonetheless, it seems that it could be difficult for Apple to prevent this unintended use due to the privacy-focused and end-to-end encrypted nature of the system.
For more information, see Bräunlein's full blog post, which explains in detail the entire technical process behind passing arbitrary data through the Find My network.
Earlier this week, we shared a 3D-printed Apple TV Remote case that's designed to house an AirTag, adding much-needed Find My functionality to the Siri Remote. We thought we'd check out one of the remote cases in person, and have had one printed up.
The Etsy seller who designed the case sells it for $12.99, but if you have your own 3D printer you can buy the STL file for $1.99 and whip up your own.
We bought the STL file, which actually had two different remote options inside. There's one that makes it easier to slide the remote in and out, and a second that's more of a snap-on case. We preferred the former because it's easy to remove the remote, but both work.
With both models, there's a spot where the AirTag attaches at the back, leaving the Apple logo visible, and then the remote snaps on top. There are cutouts available for charging purposes, and there were no issues with the fit. It all lined up and worked as advertised.
This case obviously adds some bulk to the Siri remote since it's thick enough to include an AirTag, but that's probably a plus if you're often losing the Apple TV remote.
With the AirTag attached to the remote, it can be tracked through the Items tab in the Find My app, and if you have an iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 model, Precision Finding is useful for tracking the remote in the house. You can also play a sound, though it's worth noting that the case does muffle the pinging just a bit.
It's likely that given the attention that this 3D-printed case has received, we'll see more polished versions of Apple TV remote/AirTag hybrid holders coming from third-party manufacturers, but for now, the 3D-printed version works well.
This case is not compatible with the new remote that Apple released alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K, but those who have an older Apple TV remote might want to check it out.
Chipolo is one of the first brands to offer this functionality with its new ONE Spot item tracker, which is now available to pre-order in the United States and many other countries, with pricing set at $28 individually or $90 for a four pack. This slightly undercuts the price of an AirTag, which costs $29 individually or $99 for a four pack.
As with the AirTag, users can attach a Chipolo ONE Spot to their keys, wallet, backpack, or other items and track the location of those items in the Items tab of the Find My app. Like the AirTag, the Chipolo ONE Spot has a built-in speaker that can play a sound when misplaced, and it has a replaceable CR2032 battery for up to a year of battery life.
Both the AirTag and Chipolo ONE Spot can leverage the Find My network, meaning that if one of nearly a billion customers with an iPhone or other Apple device comes within close proximity of a lost AirTag or Chipolo ONE Spot, the location of the tracker can be relayed back to its owner, all in the background, anonymously and privately.
Unlike the AirTag, however, the Chipolo ONE Spot lacks Ultra Wideband support, and thus lacks the Precision Finding feature that shows iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 users the exact distance and direction to their AirTag. The Chipolo ONE Spot also has IPX5-rated water resistance, while the AirTag has higher IP67-rated water and dust resistance.
One advantage of the Chipolo ONE Spot is that it has a built-in hole for attaching it to a keychain. When you factor in the price of both an AirTag and an AirTag accessory to attach it to items, the Chipolo tracker has greater value.
Chipolo ONE Spot pre-orders will begin shipping in June.
Expercom today is offering the AirPods Max for $519.00, down from $549.00. This sale marks a new all-time low price on the AirPods Max, and is beating Amazon's current price of $532.26. On Expercom, the $519.00 price tag is available in all five colors of the AirPods Max.
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.
Expercom is also offering free shipping to customers in the United States, and provides a three to seven business day shipping estimate for most orders. For those who haven't ordered from Expercom before, the company is an Apple reseller offering all of Apple's latest products, usually at slightly discounted prices.
AirPods Max feature Active Noise Cancellation technology and the same Transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, and spatial audio features that are in the AirPods Pro. For charging, the headphones come with a Smart Case made out of a soft material that puts AirPods Max in an ultra low-power state to preserve battery charge when not in use.
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.
While the new 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip is still over a week away from launching, a few lucky customers are beginning to see their orders marked as "shipped" on Apple's online store, with a May 21 delivery date.
MacRumors readers Jean-François and Emmanuel, both from Canada, let us know that their orders moved to "shipped" status starting today.
For customers who still see their iMac order in the "processing" or "preparing to ship" stages, this is still normal at this time. Many of the initial orders that are now shifting to "shipped" status are likely custom built-to-order configurations from Apple's online store, with shipments coming directly from China following assembly.
Powered by Apple's M1 chip with an 8-core CPU and up to an 8-core GPU, the new iMac can be configured with up to 16GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of SSD storage. There's also a minimum of two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports, with an additional two USB 3 ports on higher-end models. The new iMac is just 11.5mm thick and available in up to seven colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver.
The new iMac became available to order on Apple.com starting April 30, with pricing starting at $1,299 in the United States.
Apple today released an update on the progress of the Apple Developer Academy program, ahead of applications for the new Detroit site opening this week.
The Apple Developer Academy sets out to provide enrolled students with app development training and entrepreneurial skills. Apple offers two different training programs: 30-day foundation courses that cover specific topics, such as an introductory course on app development as a potential career path, and a more intensive 10- to 12-month academy program that takes a deeper look at coding and professional skills.
The first Apple Developer Academy opened in Brazil in 2013, but since then, the company has opened more than a dozen academies across the globe, including sites in Indonesia and Italy, with two new academies on the way in Korea and Michigan. These expansion plans will give thousands more students access to educational opportunities each year.
Apple revealed that as many as 51 nationalities are represented among Developer Academy graduates. More than 1,500 apps on the App Store and more than 160 companies have been created by Apple Developer Academy graduates.
Our Apple Developer Academies have helped empower thousands of creators, coders and entrepreneurs around the world with skills for the jobs of tomorrow. Excited to see how future students will pursue their dreams! https://t.co/m1XZhnh8kY
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 12, 2021
Applications for the first academy cohort in Detroit, Apple's first Developer Academy in the U.S., open this week via a form on the Michigan State University website. All Michigan residents aged 18 and over are able to apply, regardless of prior coding experience.
Next month, Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take in an all-online format, featuring hundreds of sessions for developers to learn about new technologies, tools, and frameworks.
Apple has shared the trailer for its upcoming docuseries "1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything," which premieres May 21 on the Apple TV+ streaming service.
Hailing from Universal Music Group's Mercury Studios and On The Corner Films, the eight-part series announced last month is described as an immersive docuseries that will explore the musicians and soundtracks that shaped the culture and politics of 1971.
In a tumultuous era, 1971 was a year of musical innovation and rebirth fueled by the political and cultural upheaval of the time. Stars reached new heights, fresh talent exploded onto the screen, and boundaries expanded like never before.
The docuseries will provide a closer look at the most iconic artists and songs that we still listen to 50 years later, including The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed, and more, according to Apple.
"'1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything,' will show how the musical icons of the time were influenced by the changing tides of history; and, in turn, how they used their music to inspire hope, change and the culture around them," says Apple.
In April 2021, Apple revealed the second-generation Apple TV 4K, bringing high framerate HDR with Dolby Vision to the Apple TV for the first time and the A12 chip for improved performance, alongside a redesigned Siri Remote. The Apple TV HD was first released in 2015 and has remained in Apple's lineup since then as an entry-level option, and now it comes with the upgraded Siri Remote.
Should you consider purchasing the Apple TV HD to save money, or do you need the Apple TV 4K? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two Apple TV set-top boxes is best for you.
Comparing the Apple TV HD and the Apple TV 4K
The Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K share the same design and a number of basic features such as HDMI and the redesigned Siri Remote:
There are a large number of meaningful differences between the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K that are worth highlighting, including their supported resolutions and processors.
Differences
Apple TV HD
Support for up to 1080p resolution
Support for SDR
Support for audio output with 7.1 channels
HDMI 1.4
1.5 GHz dual-core Apple A8 chip
2GB RAM
32GB storage only
10/100 Ethernet
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 4.0
$149
Apple TV 4K (Second-Generation)
Supports for up to 2160p (4K) resolution
Support for SDR, HDR10, and Dolby Vision
High framerate HDR up to 60-fps.
Support for audio output with 7.1.4 channels with Dolby Atmos
HDMI 2.1
2.49 GHz hexa-core Apple A12 Bionic chip
3GB RAM*
32GB or 64GB storage
Gigabit Ethernet
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.0
Thread support
$179 for 32GB model, $199 for 64GB model
*to be confirmed.
Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both of the available Apple TV models have to offer.
Video
The main difference between the Apple TV HD and the Apple TV 4K is the resolutions that they support. The Apple TV HD supports resolutions up to Full HD at 1080p, while the Apple TV 4K supports resolutions up to Ultra HD at 2160p.
Both models support standard dynamic range, but only the Apple TV 4K supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, for richer colors and deeper blacks. The Apple TV 4K also supports high framerate HDR up to 60-fps. High frame rate HDR video enables fast-moving action at 60 frames per second to play more smoothly and appear more lifelike.
With high frame rate support in AirPlay, videos shot on the iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed in full 60-fps Dolby Vision on the Apple TV 4K. Apple is also working with video providers around the world, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR.
In order to make the most of the Apple TV 4K's better video capabilities, you will need to have an accompanying 4K TV with HDR. The video specifications of the Apple TV HD are sufficient for most older or lower-cost TVs, but for the best possible visual experience using technologies like 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, the Apple TV 4K is the better option, providing you have a relevant TV.
Audio
The Apple TV 4K also features more recent audio specifications with support for audio output with 7.1.4 channel surround sound with Dolby Atmos. The Apple TV HD, on the other hand, only supports audio output up to 7.1 channel surround sound.
Much like the differing video specifications of the two Apple TV models, the extent to which you can take advantage of the different audio specifications depends on your proprietary hardware. Basic home cinema setups will work well with the Apple TV HD, but for more advanced audio setups with Dolby Atmos, the Apple TV 4K is the better option.
A8 vs. A12
The second-generation Apple TV 4K features the A12 Bionic chip. The A12 Bionic chip powered the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR in 2018, as well as the 2019 versions of the iPad Air and iPad Mini, and the 2020 entry-level iPad.
The A8 chip is considerably older and was first introduced with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. The A12 is a 2.49 GHz hexa-core chip and is markedly more powerful than the A8, which is a 1.5 GHz dual-core chip.
While processing power is not an absolute priority with a set-top box, the Apple TV 4K's more recent A12 chip will be much more capable than the A8. Whether it comes to playing games, app launch speeds, or simply general responsiveness, the A12 is likely to be much more snappy.
The Apple TV HD also pairs the A8 with 2GB of memory, while the Apple TV 4K likely pairs the A12 with 3GB of memory.
Through progressive updates to tvOS, the A12 will guarantee better performance over time, and the Apple TV 4K's A12 will be much more future-proof than the A8 in the Apple TV HD.
Storage
While there was originally a 64GB storage configuration for the Apple TV HD, there is now only a 32GB option available. The Apple TV 4K is available in both 32GB and 64GB configurations.
If you plan on downloading a large number of applications or storing lots of content on the Apple TV itself, then the Apple TV 4K with 64GB of storage will be the best option.
As most media content on the Apple TV is streamed and not stored on the device itself, the amount of storage will not be particularly important to most buyers.
Connectivity
Wired Connectivity
The Apple TV 4K features the most recent version of HDMI with version 2.1, while the Apple TV HD uses the much older HDMI 1.4. HDMI 2.1 facilitates many of the Apple TV 4K's added video capabilities like high-framerate HDR.
The Apple TV 4K also has a gigabit ethernet port, which is able to reach much faster speeds than the Apple TV HD's 10/100 ethernet port.
Wireless Connectivity
The Apple TV HD features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0, but the Apple TV 4K raises these specifications to the more recent Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The Apple TV 4K also supports the Thread open standard, like the HomePod mini, for improved integration into smart home setups.
Siri Remote
Alongside the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple introduced a completely redesigned Siri Remote. With a thicker, one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more comfortably in a user's hand.
The new Siri Remote features a clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for better accuracy and is also touch-enabled for fast directional swipes. The outer ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control.
The new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TV's power directly, and another for mute. The Siri button has also been relocated to the side of the remote for convenience.
Although the new Siri Remote was introduced with the second-generation Apple TV 4K, Apple includes it with both of the current Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models, so users need not choose one model over the other to get the better remote.
Final Thoughts
Most customers should buy the Apple TV 4K. There is only a $30 price difference between the Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. Even for customers for whom the Apple TV HD would be adequate, the $30 upgrade to the Apple TV 4K is excellent value and worth it in almost all circumstances due to the plethora of small but significant upgrades it has across the board.
Even if you cannot take advantage of the Apple TV 4K's better video and audio capabilities, you will receive a faster processor, more RAM, and faster connectivity. Likewise, users with an HD TV and a basic audio set-up may upgrade their devices in the future, in which case the Apple TV 4K would be able to remain and make use of any upgraded hardware.
Since the second-generation Apple TV 4K is a 2021 model, it is six years newer than 2015's Apple TV HD and will be much more long-lasting, especially due to its faster processor and added memory.
The only people who should consider the Apple TV HD are individuals on a strict budget, those with no intention of upgrading their setups, and those with no interest in technologies like Ultra-HD 4K, HDR, or Dolby Atmos.
For standard HD, SDR TVs, and basic audio setups, the Apple TV 4K is greatly limited by the video and audio specifications of the hardware connected to it. The Apple TV HD may also appear to be a good option for existing Apple TV users looking to buy an additional Apple TV for another room for activities such as Apple Fitness+.
Brydge, known for its range of keyboards designed for Apple's iPads, today introduced its latest keyboard offering, the Brydge Air MAX+, which is compatible with 10.9-inch iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro models.
Priced at $149.99, the Brydge Air MAX+ features a full keyboard along with a large multi-touch trackpad that's designed to turn an iPad Air or iPad Pro into a more laptop-like machine. The Brydge Air MAX+ features a row of shortcut keys for controlling screen brightness, accessing media controls and emoji, and more.
There's a detachable Magnetic SnapFit Case that the iPad fits into to keep it safe from scratches and other damage, with the case offering 4-foot drop protection. Brydge added an antimicrobial agent to the case to protect against bacteria and viruses.
Unlike Apple's own Magic Keyboards, the Brydge Air MAX+ connects to an iPad over Bluetooth, so it does need to be charged now and then. Brydge offers an "Instant-On" feature that's designed to allow the iPad to connect to the Max+ seamlessly when active.
Brydge also recently introduced the Brydge 12.9 Max+, which is compatible with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro models and offers all of the same features as the Brydge Air MAX+. We reviewed that model earlier this month and were impressed with its design and functionality.
Nomad today announced a new accessory for Apple's AirTag, called the Rugged Keychain, which begins shipping in August and costs $29.95 to pre-order ($39.95 regular). Similar to other keychain accessories, Nomad's Rugged Keychain protects the AirTag in a polycarbonate shell that can be attached to keys, bags, and -- in Nomad's advice -- pet collars.
The Rugged Keychain includes two enclosure options: an IP67 waterproof back and a speaker-hole back. Nomad is also including an optional add-on feature that lets you engrave your pet's name and your phone number onto a stainless steel insert, turning the AirTag and Rugged Keychain into a Pet ID tag.
While an AirTag can be used to track a pet, Apple VP of worldwide iPhone product marketing, Kaiann Drance, has reminded users that the AirTag was built to find inanimate objects and not pets or kids. When asked about this, Drance said, "If people do that, they just have to make sure that their moving pet gets into range of a device in the Find My network" so its location can be tracked.
Nomad already sells a few AirTag accessories, including a Leather Loop and Leather Keychain at $19.95 and $29.95 respectively. You can also purchase a Glasses Strap for AirTag on Nomad for $29.95, which attaches to any pair of glasses or sunglasses.
If you're interested in the new Rugged Keychain, you can pre-order the accessory today in Black or White on Nomad's website for $29.95. Nomad will begin shipping the Rugged Keychain to customers in August.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Last month, Apple introduced a new iPad Pro with the same M1 chip found in the latest Macs, and early benchmark results indicate that the M1 iPad Pro is over 50% faster than the previous-generation iPad Pro.
Based on five legitimate Geekbench 5 results (here's the fifth) for the fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the M1 chip, the device has average single-core and multi-core scores of 1,718 and 7,284, respectively. By comparison, the fourth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the A12Z chip has average single-core and multi-core scores of 1,121 and 4,656, respectively, meaning that the M1 iPad Pro is around 56% faster.
Geekbench 5: Average Multi-Core Results
M1 MacBook Air: 7,378
M1 iPad Pro: 7,284
Core i9 16" MacBook Pro: 6,845
A12Z iPad Pro: 4,656
It's worth noting that the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the A12X chip has a higher average multi-core score of 4,809, likely due to statistical variation, but this still results in the M1 iPad Pro being 51% faster, which lines up with Apple's marketing claim that the M1 iPad Pro is up to 50% faster than the previous generation.
The benchmark results reveal that the M1 iPad Pro has virtually identical performance as the M1 Macs released last fall. The M1 MacBook Air, for example, has average single-core and multi-core scores of 1,701 and 7,378, respectively. Impressively, this means the M1 iPad Pro is faster than a maxed-out 16-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i9 processor, which has average single-core and multi-core scores of 1,091 and 6,845 respectively.
As for graphics performance, the M1 iPad Pro currently has an average Metal score of 20,578, which is up to 71% faster than the previous-generation iPad Pro with the A12Z chip and roughly equal to the graphics performance of M1 Macs.
The new iPad Pro became available to order starting April 30, with a launch expected on May 21. Reviews of the device are expected to drop next week.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance, which includes major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, today announced the launch of "Matter," a new interoperable, secure connectivity standard designed for smart home devices.
Formerly known as "Project CHIP," Matter is a unified IP-based connectivity protocol that will be used to build and connect Internet of Things ecosystems. It is royalty-free and enables communications between a wide range of smart devices, plus it serves as a seal of approval to ensure that items built on this standard are reliable, secure, and able to work together.
With Matter, consumers and businesses can choose the brands they want in their smart home or commercial building and be confident they will work seamlessly. Homeowners, and especially those living in a smart home with multiple devices like smart locks, thermostats or smart speakers, can easily add new devices with a Matter mark using a simple setup code to connect their home as one. Businesses, particularly those that rely on connectivity, can count on one network to keep their operations running smoothly.
Matter ensures that smart home devices are compatible with smart home and voice services like Amazon Alexa, HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and more, with the first specification of Matter running on existing networking technologies like Ethernet, WiFi, Thread, and Bluetooth Low Energy. Matter was designed with several key attributes in mind:
Simplicity - Easy to purchase and use. Simplifying connected experiences.
Interoperability - Devices from multiple brands work natively together. Providing greater compatibility.
Reliability - Consistent and responsive local connectivity.
Security - Maintaining secure connections. Robust and streamlined for developers and users.
Flexibility - Matter makes it easy for users to set up and control their devices with multiple ecosystems simultaneously.
The first devices that use Matter could be released in late 2021, and smart home device manufacturers are working on Matter-compatible light bulbs, plugs, outlets, thermostats, door locks, sensors, window coverings, TVs, and more.
Apple designed the AirTags without any kind of hole or attachment point to connect them to keys, bags, and other items, which has opened up a whole new market for AirTag accessories.
Apple's own AirTag add-ons are priced starting at $29, which is the same price as a standalone AirTag, so it's quite an investment to use one of those. Luckily there are plenty of third-party AirTag accessories that are already available on the market, and Belkin is one of the first companies to come out with an AirTags solution.
Belkin has the Secure Holder With Keyring and the Secure Holder with Strap, both of which are priced at $12.95 and come in black, white, blue, and pink.
The Key Ring and the Strap actually feature identical designs, but one has a key ring to attach to a set of keys or a zipper and the other has a loop type nylon strap that can be used for backpacks, luggage, and other items.
Each Secure Holder comes out of the packaging in two halves that are designed to twist together and lock in place. The Secure Holders are made from a hard plastic material rather than a soft material, and there's an opening at the top of each one that serves as an attachment point.
You need to line the AirTag up in the middle of the holder and them slide the two halves of the holder into place. From there, you can attach either the key ring or the strap to the top and use it as normal.
There are grooves at the top of the Secure Holder that serve as a guide for how to twist it apart to get the AirTag out. Some people who have used these have noted that they're difficult to get separated, especially if you put the two halves together without putting an AirTag in first, but I haven't had an issue so far.
I put one of my thumbs on each groove and then twist one side up and one side down to get the Secure Holder apart. I have not had the holder come apart without deliberately trying to take it apart in my testing, so it seems durable enough to house the AirTag.
The design of the Secure Holder leaves a bit of a plastic lip around all sides of the AirTag, which Belkin says is for scratch protection. I think you're potentially still going to see scratching on the stainless steel side of the AirTag over time just because these are meant to be exposed to keys and other items, but the lip may help cut down on the worst of the scratching.
I have no issues with the strap or the key ring, and both seem durable enough. The key ring is a standard silver key ring you might see attached to any keychain, while the strap is made from a braided material with a plastic lock at the top holding the two ends together.
I don't think it's a great idea to hang an AirTag outside of a piece of luggage, a bag, or a backpack when there's ample room inside for storage purposes, but the strap will come in handy if you need to use it for something where internal storage is not an option. The key ring is of course ideal for keys, though you could also stick it on a zipper on a bag or jacket.
Bottom Line
If you're looking for an affordable and effective accessory to attach your AirTag to various items, I think Belkin's Secure Holders are worth checking out.
Apple today announced that, through a combination of automated technologies and human review processes, the company protected customers from more than $1.5 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions in 2020.
Apple said secure payment technologies like Apple Pay and StoreKit (In-App Purchase) play an essential role in keeping users safe:
With online data breaches frustratingly common, these protections are an essential part of keeping users safe. But users may not realize that when their credit card information is breached or stolen from another source, fraudsters may turn to online marketplaces like the App Store to attempt to purchase digital goods and services that can be laundered or used for illicit purposes.
Apple focuses relentlessly on this kind of fraud as well. In 2020 alone, the fusion of sophisticated technology and human review prevented more than 3 million stolen cards from being used to purchase stolen goods and services, and banned nearly 1 million accounts from transacting again. In total, Apple protected users from more than $1.5 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions in 2020.
Apple shared a variety of additional statistics that aim to emphasize the security and privacy of the App Store, amid a high-profile trial with Fortnite creator Epic Games, which has described the App Store as a monopoly and anti-competitive. Apple said thanks to its "industry-leading antifraud efforts," the App Store is "the safest place to find and download apps," citing Nokia's 2020 Threat Intelligence Report.
Key Statistics
In 2020, Apple protected customers from more than $1.5 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions.
In 2020, nearly 1 million problematic new apps, and an additional nearly 1 million app updates, were rejected or removed from the App Store.
In 2020, more than 48,000 apps were rejected for containing hidden or undocumented features, and more than 150,000 apps were rejected because they were found to be spam, copycats, or misleading to users.
In 2020, about 95,000 apps were removed from the App Store for fraudulent violations, predominantly for bait-and-switch maneuvers.
In 2020, over 215,000 apps were rejected for privacy violations.
Apple terminated 470,000 developer accounts in 2020 and rejected an additional 205,000 developer enrollments over fraud concerns.
In the last month, Apple blocked more than 3.2 million instances of apps distributed illicitly through the Apple Developer Enterprise Program.
Apple said its goal is always to get new apps onto the App Store, with the company's App Review team assisting more than 180,000 new developers in launching apps in 2020. In some cases, an app might be unfinished or not functioning properly when it's submitted for approval, or it might not yet have a sufficient mechanism for moderating user-generated content. In 2020, nearly one million problematic new apps, and an additional nearly one million app updates, were rejected or removed for a range of reasons like those, according to Apple.
A smaller but significant subset of these rejections were for more egregious violations that could harm users. In 2020, Apple said its App Review team rejected more than 48,000 apps for containing hidden or undocumented features, while more than 150,000 apps were rejected because they were found to be spam, copycats, or misleading to users in ways such as manipulating them into making a purchase.
Some developers perform a "bait and switch" by fundamentally changing how the app works after the review process to evade the App Store Review Guidelines, according to Apple. When such apps are discovered, Apple said they are rejected or removed immediately from the App Store, and developers are notified of a 14-day appeals process before their Apple Developer Program accounts are permanently terminated.
In 2020, about 95,000 apps were removed from the App Store for fraudulent violations, including bait-and-switch maneuvers, according to Apple.
Apple said it terminated 470,000 developer accounts in 2020, and rejected an additional 205,000 developer enrollments over fraud concerns. The company also deactivated 244 million customer accounts due to fraudulent and abusive activity.
As for App Store reviews and ratings, Apple said it relies on a combination of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and human review by expert teams to moderate these ratings and reviews to help ensure accuracy. Since 2020, Apple said it has processed over one billion ratings and over 100 million reviews, and over 250 million ratings and reviews were removed for not meeting moderation standards.
Apple said it also recently deployed new moderation tools to verify rating and review account authenticity, to analyze written reviews for signs of fraud, and to ensure that content from deactivated accounts is removed.
During its trial against Epic Games, Apple has argued that a single, curated App Store is necessary to protect the security, privacy, reliability, and quality that customers have come to expect from the company. Epic Games, meanwhile, has argued that Apple should allow third-party app stores and direct payment options on the iPhone and iPad.
Apple will soon ship out 11 and 12.9-inch M1iPad Pro models, according to multiple Twitter users and MacRumors readers who have seen their orders shift to "Preparing to Ship" status.
So far, we haven't seen any shipment notifications, but that's the next step and is likely to happen in the near future. Apple has not provided an exact delivery date to those who ordered a new M1 iPad Pro, but the tablets will start delivering on May 21.
Many users who preordered early received estimated delivery dates ranging from May 21 to May 28, and if orders ship out as early as this week, some users will indeed receive their tablets on the May 21 date.
Orders that have shifted over to Preparing to Ship are no longer able to be canceled, though the products can be returned once delivered.
The M1 iMac models and the second-generation Apple TV 4K orders that were placed at the same time could also soon shift to a Preparing to Shift status, though we're not seeing reports about them just yet.
Supplies of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro have been constrained, and orders placed now have delivery estimates ranging into July. 11-inch models are easier to come by, with Apple planning to deliver new orders in late May or early June.
The M1 iPad Pro models are identical to the previous-generation iPad Pro models in design, but inside, they're equipped with the same M1 chip that's in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, plus they support Thunderbolt connectivity. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro also has a mini-LED "Liquid Retina XDR" display that makes the device slightly thicker.
Pricing on the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while pricing on the higher-end 12.9-inch model starts at $1099.
Apple is working on a Nintendo Switch-style handheld games console, according to a sketchy new rumor coming from Asia.
According to a post on a Korean forum, shared by Twitter user @FrontTron, Apple is developing a portable hybrid games console, comparable to the Nintendo Switch. While the sourcing of the rumor is suspect, it has gained some visibility in larger news outlets over the past day or two, so we figured it was at least worth acknowledging.
The device will apparently feature an entirely new Apple-designed application processor, neglecting to use an A-series or M-series chip. This chip appears to be specifically designed for gaming and is said to feature enhanced GPU performance and improved ray tracing.
Apple is purported to currently be in negotiations with a number of well-known video game studios, including Ubisoft, the maker of popular titles such as "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry," and "Watch Dogs," about developing games for the new device.
It is unknown where this console would be placed between devices such as the iPad and the Apple TV, which both offer integration with Apple Arcade and support for a host of external controllers, including some that take cues from the Nintendo Switch's design.
Late last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a new Apple TV model with a stronger gaming focus and the leaker known as "Fudge" said that Apple was developing a gaming-focused Apple TV with an A14X chip.
It is unclear where these rumors now stand given the recent launch of the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which seemed to take a step back in terms of gaming with its older A12 Bionic processor and the redesigned Siri Remote, which lacks the accelerometer and gyroscope present in its predecessor.
Apple did launch its own games console in 1996 with the Apple Bandai Pippin, which was largely unsuccessful and discontinued following Steve Jobs' return to the company. Rumors about the company re-engaging with the console gaming market have circulated intermittently ever since but have never come to fruition.
The reliable leaker known as "L0vetodream" said last year that Apple was working on its own gaming controller, and after a spate of rumors about a gaming-focused Apple TV product, it is not completely out of the question that Apple could be working on some sort of games console. Even so, without more concrete information it is important to take this rumor with a heavy pinch of salt.
MacRumors contributor Steve Moser spotted the Podcasts app changes in iOS 14.6 beta 3 and its source code, which include new features for marking all episodes as played, removing downloads, and recovering episodes.
Also looks like Apple might let users access their “previous library” (pre- iOS 14.5) in Podcasts in iOS 14.6 beta 3.
— Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) May 10, 2021
iOS 14.5 redesigned the Podcasts library so that all episodes of a show are now displayed by default, which gave the impression to some users that hundreds of episodes stretching back years had been added to their libraries.
It is no longer possible to delete or remove individual episodes from the library in iOS 14.5, leaving users with the only option of selecting "Hide Played Episodes" and then manually marking every unwanted episode as played individually, one by one.
To make matters worse, users reported that many old episodes that had been listened to were not being marked as played correctly, making the new episodes view troublesome even where the "Hide Played Episodes" option in Settings had been enabled.
Apple's new "Mark All As Played" or "Mark All As Unplayed" options for shows in iOS 14.6 will help users deal with the multitude of episodes now seemingly lingering in libraries, and will make it possible to hide old episodes from view when used with the "Hide Played Episodes" option.
In spite of this improvement, users will still have to mark every episode of a podcast that they do not want to listen to as played in order to remove it from view. This is a particular nuisance when listening to podcast episodes in "oldest to newest" order. In addition, there is no longer the option to only retain a certain number of unplayed episodes of a show in the library.
In the iOS 14.6 beta, Apple also added the ability to remove all downloads in a single action, rather than obliging users to do this individually for each desired episode. This may also help some users that said the Podcasts app in iOS 14.5 was hemorrhaging mobile data by downloading all of the episodes that have now been moved directly into libraries.
The other new feature in the Podcasts app relates to recovering episodes in the Library. There are cautions in iOS 14.6 for removing recovered episodes, which suggests, although it was not visible within the code, that there may be an option to recover episodes. It is also unknown whether this feature is macOS-only.
It is not clear what exact function this serves, but it is reasonable to speculate that it relates to recovering episodes of shows, presumably ones that were not subscribed to, that were added to the library prior to iOS 14.5. These episodes are currently inaccessible under the design of the Podcasts app in iOS 14.5 due to the changes to the way the library works.
Given the raft of criticisms about the redesign of Apple's Podcasts app in iOS 14.5, it is difficult to not see these changes as a purposeful attempt to go some way to rectify these problems. Even so, there still seems to be more work to do on the Podcasts app to fully address users' complaints about bugs and sorting episodes in the library.
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