Given recent events, it now seems unlikely that Apple will update its entry-level iPad this year.
First and foremost, Apple lowered the price of the iPad 10 and stopped including a charger with the device in Europe this week, and there is a low chance that Apple would have proceeded with those changes if an iPad 11 was imminent.
Second, Apple's announcement of a new iPad mini in a standalone press release this week further suggests that the iPad 11 is not coming soon.
In his newsletter last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said "new, lower-end iPads" were likely to be unveiled at Apple's next event "in the coming weeks," alongside the first Macs with M4 chips. It is unclear if Apple is still planning to host a Mac-focused event later this month, but it seems that an iPad 11 will not be announced this month regardless.
Apple released the iPad 10 in October 2022, and it features a 10.9-inch display and an A14 Bionic chip. It is unclear when the iPad 11 will be released given these recent developments, but 2025 at the earliest seems like a safe bet at this point.
Apple's chief people officer Carol Surface is leaving the company, reports Bloomberg. Surface joined Apple in February 2023, so she has been at the company less than two years.
Most senior executives are at Apple for much longer periods of time, and it is not clear why Surface is leaving. She was hired when Apple decided to split its primary human resources role from retail last year, and she reported directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Deirdre O'Brien had been handling both the retail and people (or HR) role, but when Surface took over, O'Brien transitioned to just overseeing retail. With Surface leaving, O'Brien will once again oversee both people and retail.
Surface was previously the chief human resources officer at Medtronic, and the chief people officer title was created when she joined Apple.
Apple today announced an update to its Apple Business Connect feature, designed to allow any verified business to create a consistent branding and location presence across apps that include Maps, Wallet, Phone, and Mail.
Using Business Connect, companies are able to sign up to display their brand in the Phone app when a call is placed to an iPhone user, or in the Mail app to make an incoming email more recognizable. Businesses can sign up for Branded Mail today, with logos appearing to customers later this year when iOS 18.2 is released.
In 2025, companies will be able to use Business Caller ID, which will show their name, logo, and department on an inbound call screen.
There's also now an option for businesses to display their logo in Tap to Pay on iPhone, rather than a category icon. Apple says this change will help customers ensure they're making a payment to a verified business.
Businesses have been able to claim and manage their location place cards for Maps using Business Connect, but now Business Connect is also available to businesses that operate a service or that operate online without a physical location.
Surgeons at the University of California, San Diego have been testing the Apple Vision Pro for surgeries, and have performed more than 20 minimally invasive operations while wearing the headsets. Surgeon and director of the Center for Future Surgery at UCSD, Santiago Horgan, recently spoke with Time to provide some commentary on the Vision Pro's performance.
According to Horgan, the Vision Pro could be "more transformative" than robotic devices that are used to assist in surgeries. While the Vision Pro is expensive for consumers, it is affordable for hospitals compared to most medical equipment, and it is widely available technology that many hospitals around the country will be able to take advantage of.
During laparoscopic surgeries, doctors send a camera through a small incision, and the camera's view is shown on a nearby screen. Doctors have to watch the screen while also operating on the patient, a process that the Vision Pro streamlines. Horgan says that surgeons need to look over at CT scans, monitor vitals, and more while doing these surgeries, and all of that information can be viewed through the Vision Pro instead.
This prevents surgeons from having to contort their bodies in odd positions, cutting down on discomfort while performing surgeries.
While Horgan has tried other headsets like Google Glass and Microsoft's HoloLens, the displays were not good enough. But the Vision Pro has high-resolution OLED displays, and the result has turned out to be "better than [UCSD surgeons] even expected."
In surgeries that involve the Vision Pro, doctors, assistants, and nurses all wear the headsets instead of looking at screens, and no patients have opted out of the Vision Pro surgeries.
UCSD is also testing the Vision Pro's ability to create 3D radiology imaging, and the team may also test it in other medical applications. More on how the Vision Pro and other similar devices are being tested for medical use is outlined in the full Time article.
Apple today released a new macOS Sequoia 15.1 public beta, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its October 28 launch. The latest beta comes a day after Apple provided the seventh beta to developers.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the macOS Sequoia 15.1 update by opening up the Settings app, tapping into the Software Update section and selecting the Public Beta option.
iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are the first updates that includes Apple Intelligence features. Not all AI capabilities have been added, but the beta includes Writing Tools, Siri updates, summaries, AI-powered Focus modes, and smart replies. To use Apple Intelligence features, you need an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 16 model, or M-series Mac or iPad.
Writing Tools are available whenever text can be selected and edited, and the feature can be used for spell checking, correcting grammar, rewriting your work with a new tone, and summarizing text.
Siri has been overhauled with a new design that includes a subtle glow around the display, and Type to Siri means you don't have to speak to Siri to get answers. Siri can follow along if you stumble over your words, and can maintain context between requests. Safari can summarize articles, and there's a new Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode that intelligently highlights only important notifications.
Smart replies are available in Messages and Mail, plus the Mail app surfaces priority time sensitive messages and puts them at the top of your inbox. Photos has a Memory Movie feature for creating slideshows based on text descriptions, and there is a Clean Up tool for unwanted objects in your photos.
Apple's supply chain is gearing up for new MacBook Pro models with M4 chips, which are expected to be announced this month, according to DigiTimes.
"Apple is expected to unveil new MacBook Pro models equipped with the latest M4 chip in October, which could boost related component shipments," says the paywalled report, published today. "This trend is evident in the revenue reports from component manufacturers such as Jarllytec and Shin Zu Shing for September."
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple plans to announce its first Macs with M4 series chips this year, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, an iMac with the M4 chip, and a redesigned Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips. Apple already debuted the M4 chip in the iPad Pro earlier this year, but it has yet to announce the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips.
The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip seemingly already leaked in Russia in recent weeks, and those leaks revealed that the MacBook Pro lineup might finally start with 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB. The leaked 14-inch MacBook Pro has no major external design changes, but it does appear to have an additional, third Thunderbolt 4 port compared to the current entry-level model with two Thunderbolt 3 ports.
It is currently not entirely clear if Apple plans to announce the first Macs with M4 chips at a virtual event this month, or with press releases only. Yesterday, Apple announced a new iPad mini with Apple Intelligence support in a press release.
In any case, it appears that new Macs are just around the corner.
If the App Store is currently down for you, you are not alone. Many users have indicated that the App Store is not working for them right now across devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, preventing them from downloading apps after tapping the "Get" button.
The issues are not yet reflected on Apple's system status page, but thousands of customers have indicated they are affected on the Downdetector website.
We'll update this post as more information becomes available, or when the issues appear to be resolved for all users.
If you are affected, let us know in the comments section.
Update 1: Apple's system status page now lists issues with the App Store's Volume Purchase Program and subscription purchases, but not the App Store overall. Check back for further updates.
Update 2: The App Store is functional again in our testing.
Update 3: Apple's system status page says the App Store outage has been resolved.
Amazon this week is discounting a collection of Apple Watch models, including the new Series 10 and Black Ultra 2 devices.
Apple Watch Series 10
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can get the 42mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 for $374.28, down from $399.00. This price is available in the Rose Gold Aluminum with Plum Sport Loop model, but there are also a few devices at only a few dollars higher. This price range remains the lowest we've seen the Series 10 drop to date.
The 46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 10 is available for $402.91 in the Jet Black Aluminum with Black Sport Band color, down from $429.00. Similar to the smaller model, you can find a few more models on sale on Amazon right now for just a few dollars more, including the Rose Gold and Silver Aluminum options.
Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black Titanium for $734.89, down from $799.00 in multiple band styles. This is an overall second-best price on the Black Apple Watch Ultra 2, but it's just about $5 higher when compared to the all-time low price we tracked over Prime Day.
MacPaw today released a redesigned version of CleanMyMac, its long-running Mac optimization and maintenance software. The update introduces a new interface and expanded functionality, aiming to provide a more comprehensive set of tools for Mac care.
The revised CleanMyMac now features six main modules and over 25 tools for various maintenance tasks. A new assistant offers Mac health and security reports and maintenance reminders, while an updated My Clutter module helps users manage storage by identifying large, old, and duplicate files.
Other changes include grouped application permissions in the Protection module for easier privacy management, and a redesigned menu bar utility that aims to improve system monitoring and resource usage.
"This update isn't just about a fresh look — it's about giving users the tools they need to care for their Macs effortlessly," said MacPaw CEO Oleksandr Kosovan. "We're combining smart tech with an intuitive design, setting the stage for better security, faster performance, and a cleaner, clutter-free experience."
The new CleanMyMac is available as a subscription starting at $39.95 per year or as a one-time purchase from $119.95 (prices may vary by region). Existing CleanMyMac and Setapp subscribers will receive the upgrade for free, while previous one-time license owners can upgrade with up to a 50% discount.
MacPaw plans to add more features in 2025, including improvements to storage visualization and file organization. The company is also developing a business version of CleanMyMac, with a waiting list open for early testing.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with MacPaw. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Yesterday we noted that the new iPad mini 7 does not come with a charger in the box when sold in European countries, and it turns out that the same now also applies to entry-level iPads sold by Apple across the continent.
Since its release in 2022, Apple's most affordable iPad has come with a USB-C charger in Europe, but the debut of the new iPad mini on Tuesday would have left it as the only remaining device in the lineup to do so. The latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models, introduced earlier this year, do not include a charger in the box when purchased in Europe. All of these devices only include a USB-C cable.
The change brings parity to Apple's iPad lineup, and is likely in response to forthcoming EU regulations regarding electronic waste, though Apple has also removed the charger from iPad and iPad mini boxes in the United Kingdom, which is not in the EU. However, the British government has just launched a consultation to explore the possibility of mandating USB-C as the standard charging port for electronic devices, and it's hard to imagine it won't largely reflect EU legislation.
In tandem with the change, Apple also quietly reduced the price of the iPad in many European countries to €409, shaving €30 off its original €439 price. Meanwhile in the United Kingdom, Apple's cheapest iPad got a £20 cut and now starts at £329, down from £349. The price of the entry-level iPad remains unchanged in the United States, but customers there still get a 20W USB-C charger as part of the package.
The UK government has launched a consultation to explore the possibility of mandating USB-C as the standard charging port for electronic devices, potentially aligning with similar regulations recently adopted by the European Union.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards, part of the Department for Business and Trade, is seeking input from manufacturers, importers, distributors, and trade associations on the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a common charging standard across the UK.
This move comes after the EU passed legislation in 2022 requiring most portable electronic devices to use USB-C for charging by December 2024. The EU's decision aimed to reduce electronic waste and improve charger interoperability.
The UK government, which previously stated it was not considering similar rules, is now exploring whether adopting USB-C as a standard would benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment. The consultation will run for eight weeks, ending on December 4, 2024.
Key points under consideration include:
Standardizing USB-C as the common charging port
Implementing harmonized fast-charging technology
Allowing consumers to purchase devices without chargers
Introducing labeling requirements for charging information
The government acknowledges that many manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, and laptops have already adopted USB-C for the UK market voluntarily to avoid supply chain complexities. For example, Apple, which long resisted changing its proprietary Lightning port, adopted USB-C for new iPhones last year, while the last few Lightning products are likely to make the transition next year. However, the government says it seeks to understand the implications of formally implementing such requirements.
Notably, the new iPad mini, announced on Tuesday, will not include a charger in the box for several European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. The change is likely in response to EU regulations regarding electronic waste, but even some European countries that are not part of the EU are impacted.
Google today announced a new Google Shopping experience that has been updated to take advantage of artificial intelligence. Google Shopping has been rebuilt from the ground up with AI, pairing 45 billion product listings with Google Gemini AI models to provide a more personalized shopping experience.
The overhauled Google Shopping feature uses AI to show the most relevant products when someone searches for something to buy. Google will provide an AI-generated brief with top suggestions to consider when making a purchase, along with some recommendations.
Results will be organized into categories to provide an overview of different types of products, and there are dynamic filters that will let users narrow down results based on their preferences. Google has also added in the virtual try-on option and AR shopping tools, along with a "Deals" section for browsing personalized deals.
There is a new Google Shopping home page that has a personalized feed populated with suggestions based on user preference and past searches. Personalized results can be turned off by going to the Google Shopping menu and tapping on "Shopping preferences" at the bottom of the page.
The new Google Shopping website is rolling out now in the United States, but not all users will see it right away. Google says it will take a few weeks for it to be available to all U.S. users.
Apple has held an October event in three out of the past four years, but is an event this month still likely after today's surprise iPad mini 7 announcement?
While some Apple enthusiasts believe that the iPad mini 7 being unveiled in a press release today means that Apple is unlikely to hold an October event this year, the announcement does not entirely rule out the possibility. Last year, Apple held a 30-minute virtual event on October 30 to introduce new MacBook Pro and iMac models with the M3 series of chips, so another Mac-focused event this October would not be out of the ordinary.
This month's updates to the Mac lineup are rumored to be more significant than those announced a year ago. In addition to updated MacBook Pro and iMac models with the M4 series of chips, the Mac mini is expected to receive its biggest redesign since 2010, and that might be something that Apple wants to highlight on video during a virtual event this month. According to rumors, the new Mac mini will be nearly as small as an Apple TV, and feature two front-facing USB-C ports, which would make it look more like the Mac Studio.
On the other hand, Apple already unveiled the standard M4 chip in the iPad Pro earlier this year, whereas the M3 chip was unveiled at the October event last year. Still, there are the higher-end M4 Pro and M4 Max chips that need to be announced.
This isn't to say that Apple will for sure host an event this month. Rather, there is simply no reason that the iPad mini being announced early rules out an event.
What do you think? Will there be an event this month, or simply more press releases?
Sonos today announced the launch of two new products, the Arc Ultra Soundbar and the Sonos Sub 4. The Sonos Arc Ultra is a new high-end soundbar that's priced at $999, while the $799 Sub 4 is the newest Sonos subwoofer with improved design and internals.
The Arc Ultra offers up to double the bass of its predecessor, thanks to new transducer technology called Sound Motion. Sound Motion cuts down on the size of the transducer while also improving bass, for better sound from smaller devices. There are 14 Sonos-engineered drivers, the Sound Motion woofer, and a cluster of tweeters with waveguides to provide a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience.
New center channel architecture maximizes vocal clarity to make it easier to follow dialogue, and there is a Speech Enhancement feature for customization. Trueplay can be used to customize audio to a specific space.
Compared to the prior version of the Sonos Arc, the Arc Ultra has a curved design, matte finish, and slimmer build that doesn't obstruct TV bezels. There are touch controls behind the soundbar and an easy setup process through HDMI eARC.
The Sub 4 has a similar design to the Sub 3, but there is a new matte finish and a profile that allows it to stand upright, be placed on its side, or tucked under furniture. Sonos upped the processing power and memory of the Sub 4, and added new Wi-Fi radios for improved connectivity. Sonos says Sub 4 was created with inward-facing woofers to neutralize distortion, and the new model is compatible with the Arc Ultra, Arc, or Beam, as well as older versions of the Sub.
These are the first two products that Sonos has introduced since its ill-received app overhaul in May. Sonos opted to delay launching new devices earlier in 2024 in order to make improvements to the Sonos app, which have included bug fixes and feature additions to match the functionality of the original Sonos app. Sonos had delayed new product launches, but CEO Patrick Spence said that the company now feels the app has been improved enough to introduce new devices.
"We've worked tirelessly to resolve the most critical app issues and most requested legacy features. We have reached a level of quality that gives us the confidence to launch our extraordinary new products," said Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos. "As we laid out in our commitments we will continue to improve the software regularly, and are determined to make the Sonos experience better than it's ever been."
Earlier this month, Sonos recommitted to software quality and customer experience, promising to focus more on customer experience while also testing future app changes with customers before rolling them out.
Alongside the new devices, Sonos plans to roll out a new app update that will "surpass the performance of the previous app" across metrics like system identification, new device setup, and grouping multiple Sonos devices together. Sonos claims that the update will "reintroduce 90 percent of the new app's missing features."
Apple today released a new beta firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2, with the software available for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro. The firmware has a build number of 7B5013d, up from 7B5013c, and as it is a beta, it is only available for developers at the current time.
It is not clear what's included in the firmware update at this time, but Apple is planning to introduce hearing aid and hearing test functionality for the AirPods Pro 2 sometime this year.
While the current firmware is limited to developers right now, it will be released for all AirPods Pro 2 users in the future.
The new iPad mini 7 does not come with a charger in the box in European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and others. This change is likely in response to EU regulations regarding electronic waste that will be enforced starting in 2026, but even some European countries that are not part of the EU are impacted.
The latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models, introduced earlier this year, also do not come with a charger in the box in Europe.
The lack of a charger in the box with iPads only applies to Europe for the time being. Apple includes a 20W USB-C charger with the iPad mini 7 in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and other countries around the world.
It is likely that the iPad mini 7 does not include Apple stickers in the box either, as part of Apple's goal of removing plastic from its packaging by next year. This is a trend we've seen all year long, with the Vision Pro, the latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and the iPhone 16 series also lacking Apple stickers inside the box. Customers can still ask for Apple stickers if they are purchasing these devices in person at an Apple retail store.
There is one tiny bit of good news: the USB-C charging cable included with the iPad mini is now braided for added durability.
Apple began accepting iPad mini 7 orders today, and the device launches on October 23.
Apple today provided developers with the seventh beta of an upcoming macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta, with the new update coming one week after Apple released the sixth beta.
Registered developers can opt-in to the macOS Sequoia beta through the Software Update section of the System Settings app. An Apple ID associated with an Apple Developer account is required to get the beta.
macOS Sequoia 15.1 introduces the first Apple Intelligence features, adding support for Writing Tools, new Siri features, Smart Replies in Mail and Messages, Priority messages in the Mail app, Memory Movie and Clean Up in Photos, and more.
Using Apple Intelligence features requires a Mac that has an Apple silicon chip.
Update: There appears to be an issue with Apple's servers at the current time, and users could run into errors with updating and restoring Apple devices. Retrying multiple times works for some, but it may be worth waiting until the servers are fixed to download the update.
Apple today shared a new Apple Card promotion that offers Apple Card users six percent Daily Cash back on purchases made at drugstores Walgreens and Duane Reade.
The bonus is available on up to $500 in purchases when using Apple Card with Apple Pay, for a total of $30 back at the maximum purchase amount. Apple has a partnership with Walgreens and Duane Reade that normally gives Apple Card users three percent Daily Cash back on purchases, so for the next month, the cash return is doubled.
Apple is offering the promotion through November 15, and Daily Cash can be earned when shopping in-store, online, or in the Walgreens app.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
