MacRumors

Michigan resident John Nelson claims that he was recently targeted by car thieves who hid one of Apple's AirTags in his vehicle, a 2018 Dodge Charger.

According to a Fox 2 Detroit report, Nelson visited the Great Lakes Crossing shopping center in Auburn Hills, where he spent about two hours. After departing, he got a notification on his phone that informed him he was being tracked by an unknown AirTag.

Nelson was able to tap on the notification, and his iPhone provided him with the option to play a sound on the ‌AirTag‌, which is one of the safety features that Apple has made available in addition to the tracking notifications. Following the sound the ‌AirTag‌ emitted, Nelson found it under the drain cap in the trunk of his car, which had required the thieves to unscrew the cap and place it inside.

The thieves were likely going to scrap the vehicle for parts, according to Nelson. A Michigan auto theft task force in Detroit told Fox 2 that they're seeing an uptick in "cases like these" in the Metro Detroit area. Thieves track the target vehicle with an ‌AirTag‌ and then wait for the ideal time to steal it. Dodge cars like Nelson's are reportedly a popular target.

Nelson turned the ‌AirTag‌ over to the police, but he says that he is paranoid that something similar could happen again.

Earlier this month, Canadian police released a report suggesting AirTags are being used in an increasing number of car thefts in Canada. Officers in the York Region said that there have been five incidents where thieves used AirTags to target high-end vehicles since September 2021.

To prevent situations like Nelson's, Apple has introduced anti-tracking features that alert users if an unknown ‌AirTag‌ is nearby. These alerts used to be limited to ‌iPhone‌ users, but alongside iOS 15.2, Apple released a "Tracker Detect" app for Android users that lets them scan for nearby AirTags.

• 'AirTag Found Moving With You' - What it Means and What to Do
• What to Do If You Find an AirTag Making a Sound

Both Android and ‌iPhone‌ users can locate nearby AirTags, and can play a sound to locate them, plus there's a feature that causes them to automatically emit a sound after a short period of time. Tracker Detect and the Find My app both offer instructions on how to disable a rogue ‌AirTag‌ to prevent it from being used for tracking purposes, which is done by removing the battery.

iPhone 12 production in India has been halted by protests over food poisoning at a Foxconn factory, Reuters reports.

Foxconn's manufacturing plant near Chennai in southern India, which produces iPhone 12 models, is set to remain shut this week after protests by workers. Protestors reportedly blocked a major highway leading to the plant in response to 150 employees being admitted to hospital with food poisoning last week. The incident is said to have inflamed other employee concerns that have since been reported to the state labor ministry.

The temporary closure is expected to have a minimal impact on Apple in the short term, but it could have ramifications for ramping up production going into 2022. The disruption comes amid other supply chain constraints for Apple, which have been expected to worsen during the holiday quarter. The facility also makes Amazon Fire TV sticks and some devices for Xiaomi.

Earlier today, it was reported that Apple plans to manufacture iPhone 13 models at the Chennai facility, even though the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 12 are currently believed to be the best-selling iPhones in India.

Apple's suppliers have kicked off shipments for a new 27-inch iMac with a mini-LED display, according to a paywalled preview of a DigiTimes report.

The shipments are said to be in limited quantities. No further details are available, but the report is likely referring to suppliers shipping individual components to larger manufacturers for final assembly as the new 27-inch iMac moves towards production.

Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new 27-inch iMac with a mini-LED display for release in the first half of 2022. According to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has proven to be a reliable source of display-related rumors, the new 27-inch iMac will support ProMotion, enabling a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother content.

Twitter leaker @dylandkt, another source who has proven reliable, claimed that the new 27-inch iMac will feature a similar design as the 24-inch iMac that launched earlier this year, but with a darker color scheme. He also said the computer will be powered by the same M1 Pro and M1 Max chips as used in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

As of now, the 27-inch iMac is one of the last Intel-based Macs that Apple still sells, alongside the high-end Mac mini and the Mac Pro tower.

Update: This article was based on a preview of a paywalled DigiTimes report about shipments of Apple's new 27-inch iMac. DigiTimes has since posted a correction stating that it incorrectly claimed the device would come with a mini-LED display. It instead expects the computer to have an LCD display.

Update 2: Young still believes the new 27-inch iMac will be equipped with a mini-LED display.

As 2022 is shaping up to finally be the year Apple announces its long-awaited and rumored AR/VR headset, a new set of artistic renders have offered us our best look yet at what Apple's first headset will look like, based on credible reports citing sources from within the company.

The renders, created by concept maker Ian Zelbo, are based on details provided in a report from The Information about what Apple's AR/VR headset will look like. That report cited several internal images of a "late-stage prototype" of Apple's headset. Per that information, depicted below, the headset will feature a headband that's reminiscent of an Apple Watch band, with soft inner mesh that rests against a wearer's face.

Not all heads are the same size, and the headband will presumably be adjustable. It'll remain entirely black on the front of the headset, offering a sleek and more elegant look. There will also be a Side Button on the left and top side of the headset, but its purpose remains unknown.

Apple's first headset, which Zelbo calls "Apple View," though it remains officially unnamed, is expected to be a niche and expensive product aimed at serving as only an entry for Apple into the AR and VR industry. Apple is working on two AR and VR projects, with the headset expected to debut next year and a sleeker pair of augmented reality glasses in 2023 or later. You can check out full 8K resolution photos of Zelbo's on his website.

MacRumors and Flexibits have partnered up this week, offering our readers a chance to take 50 percent off their first year of Flexibits Premium, which includes popular apps Fantastical and Cardhop. This offer will run through December 31 on the Flexibits website, and the subscription supports apps across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.

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

The offer can be found by visiting Flexibits.com and clicking on the "MacRumors Exclusive Offer" banner at the top of every page. With this deal, you will get 50 percent off your first year of Flexibits Premium, and it can be used on either Individual Plans or on Family Plans.

Fantastical is a calendar app that can sync across apps for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Similarly, Cardhop can sync across Apple devices and provides a more in-depth contact management platform.

We also have another exclusive app deal running this month, which takes 50% off your first year of 1Password Families. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Trial production of the third-generation iPhone SE is set to get underway in the near future as Apple's suppliers and supply chain increase preparation for mass production of the new handset ahead of a launch reportedly set for early next year.

MyDrivers reports today that trial production, a stage in the supply chain ahead of when the device is mass produced, is set to start soon, according to sources in the upstream supply chain, hinting that the launch of the new ‌iPhone‌ is approaching. The new ‌iPhone‌ SE is reportedly on track to be released in the first quarter of 2022, towards the end of March.

The new third-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE is expected to continue with the same design featuring a physical Home button that includes Touch ID. The screen size is set to remain unchanged at 4.7-inches but will feature a faster A15 chip and improved camera capabilities.

The ‌iPhone‌ SE is a popular choice for customers looking for a smaller and more compact ‌iPhone‌. Ahead of when Apple is expected to abandon the 5.4-inch "‌iPhone‌ mini" in the 2022 ‌iPhone‌ series, the ‌iPhone‌ SE will likely play an increasingly more critical role in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup. The current ‌iPhone‌ SE starts at $399 and Apple's expected to keep the same price for the upcoming model.

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.