MacRumors

Yesterday we posted about Memorial Day deals on Apple devices like the MacBook Pro and Apple Watch, and now we're tracking even more deals, this time specifically on third-party accessories. This includes sales on popular Apple-related accessories like Anker's portable batteries, Nomad's leather products, Speck iPhone cases, and much more.

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.

Nomad

Nomad is giving our readers an exclusive 20 percent off discount code for Memorial Day this year, and the code MACRUMORS can be applied to any in-stock products sitewide. It will last through May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Nomad sells a wide variety of accessories for Apple products, including iPhone and iPad cases, Apple Watch bands, AirTag holders, and more.

Nimble

At Nimble, you can take 30 percent off your entire order when using the exclusive promo code MACRUMORS30 on the retailer's website. Nimble is known for its wireless chargers and portable batteries, all of which are made from environmentally friendly materials.

Nimble's wireless chargers start at $49.99 for the Apollo Wireless Pad, and at $24.99 for the Champ Lite Portable Charger. The company also sells the Disc Case for iPhone, which is made from 100% recycled compact discs.

Anker

Anker this week has a collection of discounts on a power adapter, wireless charger, and a pair of Eufy's robot vacuums.

• PowerPort Atom USB-C Power Adapter - $20.39, down from $23.99
• PowerWave 2-in-1 Stand - $34.39 with code ANKERB95, down from $42.99
• Eufy BoostIQ RoboVac - $169.99, down from $249.99
• Eufy RoboVac G30 Hybrid - $249.99, down from $369.99

Hyper

Hyper is offering 30 percent off select accessories on its website with the code MEMORIAL30 this weekend.

This includes USB-C hubs, portable batteries, and tech sanitizers. Hyper's Memorial Day sale will last through Monday.

JBL

JBL has a Memorial Day sale that's taking between 15 and 60 percent off home loudspeakers, soundbars, and other audio equipment.

This includes a collection of JBL's subwoofers, like the SUB 550P 10-inch powered subwoofer for $199.99, down from $599.95.

Speck

Speck's Memorial Day sale is taking 25 percent off sitewide, with some exclusions like select iPad cases. There's a limit of five items per customer, and this sale will end on May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Speck offers a wide array of cases for the iPhone, Samsung phones, MacBook, AirPods, Apple Watch, iPod touch, and more. You can also shop screen protectors and portable batteries at 25 percent off during this event.

Twelve South

At Twelve South, you can save up to 50 percent on a collection of the company's best travel accessories. This includes cases for your iPad, like the BookBook Case at $10 off and BookBook Cover at $10 off.

Other devices on sale include the AirFly (up to $15 off), PlugBug Duo ($30 off), TimePorter ($5 off), and SuitCase for MacBook ($10-$20 off). All of Twelve South's discounts will stay live through Memorial Day.

ZAGG/Mophie

ZAGG is offering up to 70% off select items this weekend, with solid markdowns on Mophie power banks, iPhone battery cases, and more. This sale covers items across the ZAGG family of brands, including Mophie, Braven, Invisible Shield, and iFrogz.

• Mophie Powerstation All-in-One - $99.95, down from $139.95
• Mophie Powerstation Plus XL - $59.95, down from $99.95
• Mophie Juice Pack Access for iPhone 11 - $29.95, down from $79.95

Other Sales

• Ring - Save up to 20 percent on Ring Alarms
• Best Buy - Save on home appliances
• Belkin - Save on charging accessories
• Satechi - Get 15 percent off with code MDW15 or 20 percent off over $100 with MDW20

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

WWDC is quickly approaching, and that means rumors are starting to ramp up including the possibility that we might see the long-rumored MacBook Pro redesign at the keynote. This week also saw rumors about future updates to the AirPods and AirPods Pro, as well as a redesigned Mac mini.

In other news, Apple has released iOS 14.6 with new features like Apple Card Family and podcast subscriptions as it prepares to launch Apple Music support for lossless audio and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos next month. We also took a look at the mini-LED display on the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, so read on for the details on these stories and more!

New MacBook Pro Models Coming at WWDC, Suggests Leaker

Apple this week shared its WWDC 2021 schedule, starting with a virtual keynote on Monday, June 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The annual developers conference typically has a software focus, with Apple expected to introduce iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15.

That said, there is always the chance of a hardware announcement or two. According to leaker Jon Prosser, Apple plans to introduce at least one new MacBook Pro model at WWDC, as the company continues its transition from Intel processors to custom Apple silicon.

Apple Releases iOS 14.6 With Apple Card Family, Podcast Subscriptions, and More

iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 are now available, adding support for new Apple Card Family and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions features. Apple Card holders will be able to combine credit limits and form one co-owned account starting in July.

We've put together a list of everything new in iOS 14.6. Apple has also released macOS 11.4 this week with an important security fix, along with watchOS 7.5 and tvOS 14.6.

AirPods Pro 2 With Fitness Tracking Coming in 2022, AirPods 3 With 'Pro' Design to Launch Later This Year

Apple is preparing to launch third-generation AirPods this year, and plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The next AirPods should look more like the current AirPods Pro with shorter stems, while the 2022 AirPods Pro are rumored to lose their stems entirely and feature some new motion sensors for fitness tracking.

Gurman also says Apple is continuing to work on its device that combines the functions of a HomePod and Apple TV with a screen for FaceTime calls. Finally, he says that while Apple isn't yet working on an update to its high-end AirPods Max headphones, it is considering offering them in new colors.

See the Dramatic Improvement Mini-LED Brings to the M1 iPad Pro's Display

One of the headline new features of the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the Liquid Retina XDR display, which has a mini-LED backlighting system for higher brightness, improved contrast ratio, and deeper blacks.

On our YouTube channel, we shared a video comparing the displays on the new iPad Pro and the previous-generation model, providing a closer look at the dramatic improvements offered by the mini-LED technology.

High-End Mac Mini Said to Feature Thinner Design With 'Plexiglass' Top and More

Apple is rumored to be working on a higher-end Mac mini powered by an improved iteration of the M1 chip, and leaker Jon Prosser this week claimed that the computer will feature a thinner design with a plexiglass top, similar to the original Apple TV box from 2007.

Renders offer a closer look at what the new Mac mini could look like, and reveal other potential new features, including a magnetic power port, in line with the new iMac.

Samsung Pokes Fun at iPhone 12 Pro Max's Lack of 100x Digital Zoom in New Ad

Your phone upgrade "shouldn't be a downgrade," according to Samsung's latest ad, which mocks the iPhone 12 Pro Max camera's lack of 100x zoom, a feature available on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

It's worth noting that 100x zoom on the Galaxy S21 Ultra refers to digital zoom, meaning some blurriness is to be expected when zooming in significantly. In terms of optical zoom, which preserves image quality, the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers up to 2.5x zoom and the Galaxy S21 Ultra has up to 10x zoom.

MacRumors Newsletter

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

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

Apple today informed podcast creators that use the Apple Podcasts platform that the rollout of Podcasts Subscriptions and channels will be delayed until June to make sure that the "best experience" is being provided to creators and listeners.

We're writing to provide an update on the availability of Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and channels. We've been delighted by the response to last month's announcement and it's exciting to see the hundreds of new subscriptions and channels submitted from creators across the globe every day.

To ensure we are delivering the best experience for creators and listeners, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and channels will now launch in June. We will communicate further updates on availability, and best practices to help you prepare your subscriptions and channels, through this newsletter.

Over the last few weeks, some creators have experienced delays in the availability of their content and access to Apple Podcasts Connect. We've addressed these disruptions and encourage creators experiencing any issues to contact us.

We've also heard from listeners and made adjustments based on their feedback with iOS 14.6, which was released on Monday. We will introduce additional enhancements to Library in the coming weeks.

Apple first announced ‌Apple Podcasts‌ Subscriptions at its April event. Podcast creators will be able to offer paid subscriptions with access to exclusive content, ad-free listening, and other perks.

Support for Podcasts Subscriptions and channels was added in iOS 14.6, but no subscription offerings have rolled out at this time.

Prior to the launch of iOS 14.6 and Podcasts Subscriptions, Apple overhauled the Podcasts app with iOS 14.5, and users have been very unhappy with the update. There have been a number of complaints about the usability of the app, which Apple began to address in iOS 14.6, and the email sent out to creators today confirms that further improvements for users are in the works.

Apple did not provide a specific date on when Podcasts Subscriptions might officially launch.

In our latest YouTube video, MacRumors videographer Dan goes hands-on with the new 12.9-inch 2021 M1 iPad Pro and compares it to the 2020 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ to answer the question "Is it worth upgrading?"

Compared to the 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌, the 2021 model features an upgraded ‌M1‌ chip that's faster, a new Center Stage option powered by an Ultra Wide front-facing camera, a much improved mini-LED display that has much better contrast and blacker blacks, and a Thunderbolt port that improves connectivity with peripherals.

Make sure to check out the video to see what Dan thought and whether it's worth upgrading at this point in time, and watch to the end to see a Magic Keyboard comparison.

For a full rundown on all of the differences between the 2020 and the 2021 ‌iPad Pro‌ models, we have an in-depth iPad Pro Buyer's Guide that's designed to help you decide whether to make a purchase, plus there's also a version that compares the 2021 iPad Pro to the more affordable iPad Air.

Apple was interested in purchasing rap-battle music platform Verzuz prior to when it was acquired by video network Triller, reports Bloomberg.

Apple offered Verzuz an acquisition price that was lower than the price that Triller paid. Apple decided not to enter into a bidding war for Verzuz.

Verzuz started out as an Instagram Live series created by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland during the pandemic, with the series debuting in March 2020. Verzuz pits two artists against one another in a friendly competition.

Apple Music began showing Verzuz episodes in July 2020 at the same time as they were portrayed on Instagram Live. Triller purchased the rights to Verzuz in March 2021, and Verzuz is now streamed in the Triller app instead of through ‌Apple Music‌.

Verzuz has featured Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, John Legend, DJ Nice, Snoop Dog, DMX, Brandy, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Ludaris, Nelly, and others.

We're only a few days away from Memorial Day in the United States on Monday, May 31, and numerous retailers have opened up major discounts on Apple products as we head into the long weekend. Below you'll find markdowns on Apple's AirPods, MacBook Pro, Apple Watch, and more.

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.

AirPods Max

We're tracking a few record low prices on the AirPods Max this week on Amazon, which has a few colors at $519.99, down from $549.00. Amazon's prices have been fluctuating frequently on the AirPods Max, so the $519.99 price tag may change soon.

AirPods Max prices have been steadily dropping for the past few months, but we haven't seen any particularly steep discounts above the $50 range yet. However, if you're in the market for Apple's high-end over-ear headphones, Amazon's sale this week is the best you'll find online for a new pair.

AirPods

We're also tracking deals on the regular AirPods models, with up to $52 off these Bluetooth headphones.

• AirPods Pro - $197.00, down from $249.00 ($52 off)
• AirPods with Charging Case - $119.99, down from $159.00 ($39 off)
• AirPods with Wireless Charging Case - $149.99, down from $199.00 ($49 off)

M1 MacBook Pro

Amazon is marking down both models of the M1 MacBook Pro to record low prices this week, starting at $1,099.99 for the 256GB notebook. That's $199 off the original price and now the best deal we've ever tracked, and the same goes for the 512GB device as well.

• M1 256GB - $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00 ($199 off, lowest ever)
• M1 512GB - $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00 ($199 off, lowest ever)

M1 MacBook Air

Similarly, Amazon has Apple's M1 MacBook Air at up to $149 off for Memorial Day. You can get the entry level 256GB model for just $899.99, down from $999.00. Both of the deals listed below will be seen after an automatic coupon is applied at the checkout screen.

• M1 256GB - $899.99 with automatic checkout coupon, down from $999.00 ($99 off, lowest ever)
• M1 512GB - $1,099.99 with automatic checkout coupon, down from $1,249.00 ($149 off, lowest ever)

M1 Mac mini

The M1 512GB Mac mini is being discounted to $799.99 on Amazon, down from $899.00. This is another deal that won't be seen until you head to the checkout screen on Amazon, where an automatic coupon worth $29.01 is applied. To date, this is the lowest price we've ever tracked on this version of the Mac mini.

MagSafe

We're tracking a few ongoing discounts on Apple's MagSafe accessories, offering up to $16 off these devices.

• MagSafe Duo Charger - $112.45, down from $129.00
• MagSafe Charger - $34.00, down from $39.00

11-Inch iPad Pro

For the 11-inch iPad Pro, we're tracking a pair of discounts across both recent generations of the tablet. You can get the 2020 128GB Wi-Fi model for the lowest-ever price of $649.99 ($149 off), and the more recent 2021 128GB Wi-Fi model for $749.00 ($50 off). Both of these sales are on Amazon.

• 128GB Wi-Fi (2020) - $649.99, down from $799.00 ($149 off, lowest ever) [matched at Best Buy]
• 128GB Wi-Fi (2021) - $749.00, down from $799.00 ($50 off, lowest ever)

12.9-Inch iPad Pro

In regards to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, we're only tracking sales on the previous generation 2020 model. Amazon is hosting one sale, on the 256GB Wi-Fi model ($199 off), while B&H Photo has the 512GB Wi-Fi tablet at $150 off, and both represent record low prices.

• 256GB Wi-Fi (2020) - $899.99, down from $1,099.00 ($199 off, lowest ever)
• 512GB Wi-Fi (2020) - $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00 ($150 off, lowest price)

iPad Air

You can save up to $50 on Apple's newest iPad Air at Amazon, with best ever prices found on the cellular models. We're also seeing matching prices at a few retailers, including both B&H Photo and Best Buy.

• 64GB Wi-Fi - $549.99, down from $599.00 ($49 off) [matched at B&H]
• 256GB Wi-Fi - $699.00, down from $749.00 ($50 off) [matched at B&H]
• 64GB Cellular - $679.99, down from $729.00 ($49 off, lowest ever) [matched at Best Buy]
• 256GB Cellular - $829.99, down from $879.00 ($49 off, lowest ever) [matched at Best Buy]

Apple Watch Series 6

To close out our collection of Apple Memorial Day deals, Best Buy is offering a huge assortment of Apple Watch Series 6 models at all-time low prices. You'll find 40mm GPS models at $329.00 and 44mm GPS models at $359.00, both $70 off original prices.

40mm GPS

• Space Gray Aluminum with Black Sport Band - $329.00, down from $399.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• Silver Aluminum with White Sport Band - $329.00, down from $399.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• Gold Aluminum with Pink Sand Sport Band - $329.00, down from $399.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• Blue Aluminum with Deep Navy Sport Band - $329.00, down from $399.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• (Product)RED Aluminum with RED Sport Band - $329.00, down from $399.00 ($70 off) [matched at Amazon]

44mm GPS

• Space Gray Aluminum with Black Sport Band - $359.00, down from $429.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• Silver Aluminum with White Sport Band - $359.00, down from $429.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• Gold Aluminum with Pink Sand Sport Band - $359.00, down from $429.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• Blue Aluminum with Deep Navy Sport Band - $359.00, down from $429.00 ($70 off, lowest ever)
• (Product)RED Aluminum with RED Sport Band - $359.00, down from $429.00 ($70 off, lowest ever) [matched at Amazon]

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

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with MAXOAK to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh Portable Power Station, a Bluetti AC50S 500Wh Portable Power Station, or a Bluetti AC30 300Wh Backup Battery, all of which are fantastic to have on hand for camping, RV use, off-grid living, power outages, emergencies, and more.

Priced at $1,599 after a $100 discount from Amazon, the Bluetti AC200P is just about one of the biggest and most powerful portable power stations you can get.

The AC200P features a 2000Wh battery that supports a maximum of 2000W continuous power draw, which means it can be used with a wide range of appliances. It works with refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, small air conditioners, grills, CPAP machines, heaters, and more. Many portable power stations are not able to support high-powered appliances, so this is a good choice if you need to run something that draws a lot of power.

At 60 pounds, the Bluetti AC200P is hefty, but the two handles at the side make it easier to carry. There are six AC outlets, a 12V/25A RV port, two built-in wireless charging pads that support up to 15W, a 60W USB-C port, four USB-A ports, one 12V/10A car port, and two 12V/3A ports, which means it has all of the ports you could possibly need for charging up all of your devices and powering appliances. MAXOAK says that up to 17 devices can be powered simultaneously.

Ports are all covered to protect them from the elements or small fingers, and there's an LCD display that shows charge level, current, voltage, temperature, and charging status. A power button lets you turn the AC200P off when not in use to conserve charge. The AC200P can be charged up with an AC adapter, car, or by a solar panel, with charging times varying on method used.

The Bluetti AC200P is designed to work for more than 3,500 charging cycles, and a built-in fan keeps the AC200P cool when it's charging up devices. It is designed to activate only when it's hotter than 113 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it stays quiet when used for things like CPAP machines. MAXOAK says there is a built-in Eco mode that can prevent up to 50 percent of wasted electricity cost so each charge lasts longer.

MAXOAK also makes a range of smaller portable power stations that are included in the giveaway. The 500Wh Bluetti AC50S is priced at $400 and supports devices up to 300W, so it's ideal for smaller appliances and electronics. It features two AC ports, four USB-A ports, a 45W USB-C ports, two 12V/3A ports, a 12V/10A car port, and a 10W wireless charging pad.

There's a built-in LCD display that provides information on charging status, and it weighs just 13.6 pounds, so it's much more portable than the pricier AC200P.

For those looking for something even smaller, MAXOAK makes the Bluetti AC30 300Wh (96,000mAh) backup battery, which is priced at $200. This smaller power station is ideal for charging up a whole group of iPhones or iPads, but it can also power small appliances. It includes a 15W wireless charging spot, a USB-C port, two USB-A ports, two AC ports, and a 12V DC port for car powered devices.

MAXOAK is giving away one grand prize that includes the Bluetti AC200P 2000Wh Portable Power Station. Three second prize winners will receive Bluetti AC50S 500Wh Portable Power Station, and three third prize winners will receive a Bluetti AC30 300Wh Backup Battery.

To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (May 28) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 4. The winners will be chosen randomly on June 4 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

The Chipolo ONE Spot is the first Find My-compatible accessory that's a direct AirTag competitor, offering AirTag-like tracking capabilities for your valuable items. The ONE Spot is slightly more affordable than the ‌AirTag‌ at $28 for one and $90 for four (vs $29 for one ‌AirTag‌ and $99 for four) and it has a couple benefits that make it a worthy ‌AirTag‌ alternative.

Like the ‌AirTag‌, the ONE Spot is a small, circular tag that's about 1.5 inches in diameter, so similar in size to a silver dollar. It's bigger than an ‌AirTag‌, and about as thick, but it's a uniform thickness, whereas the ‌AirTag‌ has a protruding bottom where the battery is housed.

Since it's the same thickness, you can't put the ONE Spot in places an ‌AirTag‌ can't go, such as a wallet, so there's no real difference in design functionality.

The Chipolo ONE Spot is made from a lightweight plastic, and it is not as well made as the ‌AirTag‌. The ‌AirTag‌ has a premium design with a shiny plastic cap and a silver bottom complete with Apple logo, while the ONE Spot is made from a simple black plastic material.

Apple's ‌AirTag‌ is heavier than the ONE Spot and holding both, there's no comparison - the ‌AirTag‌ is much nicer. Those concerned with aesthetics will want to opt for the ‌AirTag‌, but I'm not of the opinion that an item tracking tag needs to stand out.

Given their popularity, AirTags are going to be immediately noticeable when attached to an item, and for some people, that's a plus. AirTags can be engraved and are designed to be seen. Those who want something more unassuming will prefer the Chipolo ONE Spot, which blends in better and is less well known.

Both the ONE Spot and the AirTags share similar base designs, but the ONE Spot boasts a built-in hole that can be attached to a keyring, strap, or another accessory. The ‌AirTag‌ does not have any native way to attach to items and needs a holder of some kind if you want to put it on keys, a pet, the outside of a bag, or similar places.

Chipolo has used the ONE Spot's built-in hole as a feature that sets it apart from the ‌AirTag‌ because there are no additional accessories needed to use it, which is a plus. When you buy an ‌AirTag‌, if you want to attach it to something, you need to spend at least $5 to find a case, and oftentimes more. Apple's own ‌AirTag‌ cases are priced starting at $29, which is the same price as an ‌AirTag‌.

To test the ‌AirTag‌ and Chipolo ONE Spot tracking abilities, I tucked both into a suitcase and then checked that suitcase on a recent flight, watching the journey from departure airport to plane to destination airport, and then tracking them at a hotel while I was away.

During this test, I noticed no discernible difference between the two item trackers. Each time I checked, both showed up right in the Items tab in the Find My app at the same time, and locations were updated at about the same intervals based on the iOS devices that were nearby. I did notice that the ‌AirTag‌ seemed to update a bit more frequently, but it was a difference of just a couple of minutes every time that I checked.

There was no difference in the distance that they seemed to be trackable at and there was no clear difference in the intervals in which their location was updated when away from me. Functionality was identical, and if I had done a blind test where I hadn't known which was the ‌AirTag‌ and which was the ONE Spot in the ‌Find My‌ app, I would not have been able to tell which was which.

The ‌AirTag‌ and the ONE Spot seem to offer the same basic functionality, and can be tracked in the ‌Find My‌ app alongside Apple devices. Both of these use Apple's ‌Find My‌ network, so if either the ‌AirTag‌ or the ONE Spot become lost and are out of your range, they will ping other nearby Apple devices to provide an updated location. There are more than 1.65 billion active Apple devices around the world, which makes Apple's ‌Find My‌ network a valuable feature.

The core feature set between the ONE Spot and ‌AirTag‌ is largely the same, but there are a few things worth highlighting that are standout options on each accessory. The ‌AirTag‌ is easier to set up, because you just hold it near an iPhone and it connects right away. With the Chipolo, I held it near my ‌iPhone‌ and was then instructed to press on it (there's a built-in button function). It wasn't difficult, but it was an extra bit of friction.

Chipolo's ONE Spot and AirTags both have an identical Lost Mode that lets you leave a phone number or email address for contact purposes and get a notification if a lost item is found. This feature also lets you play a sound, and it's worth noting that the ONE Spot is easier to hear. I don't think that one is louder than the other in a direct sound comparison, but when tucked away in a bag or couch cushion, the ONE Spot is not as muffled.

I used an ‌iPhone‌ app to test decibel level, and while I'm not sure how accurate an ‌iPhone‌ app is, the ‌AirTag‌ came in at 86 decibels max and the ONE Spot was 83 decibels max, but again, the ONE Spot was easier to hear when covered up. The ‌AirTag‌'s sound also stops after a few seconds, while the ONE Spot's sound lasts longer, so it easily wins in a direct sound comparison.

Both the ‌AirTag‌ and the ONE Spot use CR2032 batteries that are designed to last for about a year and that are replaceable, so there's little difference there. The ‌AirTag‌ is, however, more water resistant, which makes it better in situations where it might be exposed to liquids or to the elements.

There's one other main difference between the two item trackers, and that's Precision Finding. Apple added a Precision Finding feature that uses the U1 chip in the ‌AirTag‌ when paired with an ‌iPhone‌ 11 or ‌iPhone‌ 12 model, with the option designed to make it easier to track down an item that's lost nearby by pointing you in the right direction.

This is kind of a hit or miss feature that doesn't always work as you might expect it to work, but it's definitely nice to have, especially when an item like a set of keys is lost indoors. There is no equivalent feature on the ONE Spot because it doesn't have an Ultra Wideband chip, but even if it did, Apple doesn't let yet third-party companies access the U1 chip in the ‌iPhone‌ (though this is coming).

Bottom Line

When it comes to key functionality, the ‌AirTag‌ and the ONE Spot are basically identical. Both integrate into the ‌Find My‌ app and take advantage of the ‌Find My‌ Accessory Network to make lost items easier to locate.

The ONE Spot wins out when it comes to attachment points and sound thanks to its built-in hole for a keyring or strap and its speaker that isn't as easily muffled.

The ‌AirTag‌ wins out when it comes to aesthetic design, setup, indoor item location, and water resistance, so both have their pros and their cons. You're going to get the same general performance with either of these item tracking tags, and it just comes down to the add-on features that are most important to you.

Both the ‌AirTag‌ and the ONE Spot are recommendable and perform well, and the ONE Spot is definitely a solid alternative to the ‌AirTag‌ if you're looking for a simpler design that's more utilitarian. It's also worth noting that if you're buying in bulk, you can save about $10 going with the ONE Spot over Apple's AirTags.

How to Buy

The Chipolo ONE Spot can be purchased from the Chipolo website. A single Chipolo ONE Spot costs $28, while a pack of four is available for $90. Preorders placed now will ship out in August.

Note: Chipolo provided MacRumors with a ONE Spot for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

In a report focused on upcoming third-generation AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman added that Apple has yet to start working on second-generation AirPods Max, although he said the company has discussed launching additional color variations for the over-ear headphones in the future.

The relevant bit from the report:

The last AirPods-related hardware introduction from Apple was the over-ear AirPods Max headphones in December. That $549 pair earned criticism for bugs and its high price but praise for its materials and sound. Apple only recently caught up with demand for the product, and it is not currently working on a second generation of the AirPods Max, though it has discussed launching additional color variations in the future.

AirPods Max are currently available in Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky Blue, and Pink, although interchangeable ear cushions allow for many color combinations. Prior to the AirPods Max being announced, Gurman said Apple also planned to make the headband interchangeable, but the company ultimately decided against that idea.

Launched in December 2020 for $549, the AirPods Max are high-end wireless over-ear headphones, with key features including premium sound quality with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode, an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup for seamless integration with Apple devices, and more.

Apple's work on a new combined HomePod and Apple TV device is ongoing, according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.

As has been previously reported, Gurman reiterated that the new device will feature a built-in screen and a camera for FaceTime calls.

As part of its broader home, audio and accessories strategy, Apple has also begun early development of a HomePod speaker with a built-in screen as well as a device that combines the features of a HomePod, FaceTime camera and Apple TV, Bloomberg News has reported. Competition for speakers with screens is already widespread. Apple released a HomePod mini speaker last year and outlined a minor update to the Apple TV set-top box last month.

The report suggests that, given the fairly minor update to the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K that was announced last month, the new combined ‌HomePod‌ device will represent a much more significant advancement in the ‌Apple TV‌ product line.

Gurman has also explained in the past that Apple is exploring a future high-end ‌HomePod‌ speaker that could include an iPad connected via a robotic arm that tracks and follows users around a room.

Apple was planning to release an updated HomePod model in 2022 as a successor to the 2017 ‌HomePod‌, but these plans were apparently shelved after the larger ‌HomePod‌ was outright discontinued. The company now appears to be focusing on this new combined HomePod-Apple TV product instead.

Gurman's report earlier this morning also laid out Apple's plans for third-generation AirPods coming later this year and second-generation AirPods Pro coming in 2022 with health tracking features.

Apple is preparing to launch third-generation AirPods this year, and plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In line with previous leaks and rumors, Gurman explained that Apple is readying third-generation AirPods for launch later this year. The updated earbuds will apparently come with a new case and feature shorter stems, broadly mirroring the design of the current ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Looking to 2022, Gurman said that the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ will feature updated motion sensors and have a focus on fitness tracking.

The AirPods Pro coming next year will be the first change to that product since October 2019 and will include updated motion sensors with a focus on fitness tracking, the people said, asking not to be named because the plans are private.

Apple has apparently tested a smaller design that eliminates the stems on ‌AirPods Pro‌. This stemless design is expected to debut on new Beats Studio Buds that are rumored to launch next month.

Apple purportedly originally planned to release the second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ in 2021, but for reasons that are unclear, the launch has been pushed back to 2022.

Moreover, Apple is said to not currently be working on a second-generation of its AirPods Max over-ear headphones, but it has discussed launching additional color options in the future.

Despite Apple offering the M1 iPad Pro in configurations with 8GB and 16GB of RAM, developers are now indicating that apps are limited to just 5GB of RAM usage, regardless of the configuration the app is running on.

The ‌M1‌ ‌iPad Pro‌ comes in two memory configurations; the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models feature 8GB of RAM, while the 1TB and 2TB variants offer 16GB of memory, the highest ever in an iPad. Even with the unprecedented amount of RAM on the iPad, developers are reportedly severely limited in the amount they can actually use.

Posted by the developer behind the graphic and design app Artstudio Pro on the Procreate Forum, apps can only use 5GB of RAM on the new ‌M1‌ ‌iPad‌ Pros. According to the developer, attempting to use anymore will cause the app to crash.

There is a big problem with M1 iPad Pro. After making stress test and other tests on new M1 iPad Pro with 16GB or RAM, it turned out that app can use ONLY 5GB or RAM! If we allocate more, app crashes. It is only 0.5GB more that in old iPads with 6GB of RAM! I suppose it isn't better on iPad with 8GB.

Following the release of its M1-optimized app, Procreate also noted on Twitter that with either 8GB or 16GB of available RAM, the app is limited by the amount of RAM it can use.

The previous maximum RAM in an ‌iPad‌ was last year's ‌iPad Pro‌ which featured 6GB of RAM, regardless of storage configuration. Given, a 5GB limit on apps imposed by iPadOS wouldn't necessarily ring any alarm bells as developers would have access to the majority of the available memory. Although, with the ‌M1‌ ‌iPad Pro‌, developers cannot tap the full potential of the available hardware.

The added RAM, especially in the higher-end 1TB and 2TB models, will still benefit the user by allowing them to keep more apps open in the background. iPadOS itself can access the ‌M1‌'s entire pool of unified memory, while apps can reportedly only access 5GB of it.

‌iPad‌ users have long voiced the mantra that iPadOS doesn't take full advantage of the available hardware and potential of the ‌iPad Pro‌, and now thanks to the ‌M1‌ chip inside of the ‌iPad Pro‌, that's certainly more of a case.

Apple will hold its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, where it's expected to announce iOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS 12, tvOS 15, and iPadOS 15. Bloomberg has reported that iPadOS 15 will include the biggest redesign to the iPad homescreen since the iPad first launched, including the ability for users to place widgets anywhere on the grid.

We've contacted Apple for clarification regarding the amount of RAM apps can access and will update this post if we hear back.

Twitter appears to have mistakenly confirmed its plans to launch a new subscription tier called "Twitter Blue," with the new purchase option now listed in the iOS App Store.

Under In-App Purchases, there's now a "Twitter Blue" option that's priced at $2.99, though the feature does not appear to be live in the iOS app at this time.

The Twitter Blue in-app purchase option was discovered by researcher Jane Manchun Wong, who has previously shared details on Twitter Blue that were found buried in the Twitter for iOS code.

Twitter Blue will include an "Undo Tweet" option that holds a tweet for a set period of time before sending it out so you can choose to undo it, and a "Reader Mode" that makes it easier to read long threads.

There are also new color themes to choose from and custom app icons, plus a Collections feature for saving and organizing favorite tweets to make them easier to find in the future.

It's not clear when Twitter Blue will become available, but with the in-app purchase option live in the ‌App Store‌, it signals that the feature is set to launch in the near future. When asked for more information, Twitter said it had no comment at this time.

Following the iOS 14.6 and watchOS 7.5 updates, Apple Watch Series 3 owners who update their devices to a new version of watchOS are prompted to unpair and re-pair the Apple Watch from the iPhone during the update process because of storage space constraints.

The GPS-only version of the Apple Watch Series 3 only has 8GB of internal storage, which limits the amount of space available for software updates, and Apple's solution to this problem is to wipe the Apple Watch Series 3 and start fresh from a backup whenever an update is required.

As 9to5Mac points out, prior to the iOS 14.6 update, Apple Watch Series 3 owners who attempted to install new versions of watchOS continually ran into an issue with not having enough storage space to download and install new software.

Rather than requiring users to clear apps and media from their Apple Watches, iOS 14.6 prompts users to go through the extra step of unpairing and re-pairing. "To install the watchOS update, unpair your Apple Watch and pair it again in the Apple Watch app on your ‌iPhone‌," reads the notification that Apple Watch Series 3 owners receive. The popup is depicted below, but shown in Portuguese.

It's worth noting that prior to this update, Apple did recommend unpairing and re-pairing for Apple Watch Series 3 owners experiencing issues, but now it appears to be part of the installation process.

Given the age of the Apple Watch Series 3, the limited storage space, and the extra step to install new software, it's likely that Apple is planning to discontinue the Apple Watch Series 3, likely when new Apple Watch models are released later this year. Apple is at the current time still selling it as a low-cost option, but we do not recommend purchasing it over a Series 6 or an Apple Watch SE, both of which feature much newer technology.

Apple is teaming up with the University of Nevada, Reno to develop a program that will offer a common learning platform and deliver equal access to technology. As part of the "Digital Wolf Pack initiative," all incoming freshmen that will be attending the university in Fall 2021 will receive an iPad Air, an Apple Pencil, and the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio at no cost.

Along with an ‌iPad Air‌, students will be offered focused training to improve digital literacy and fluency with productivity, creativity, and communication apps. Freshmen will have access to Apple's suite of apps, such as Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Swift Playgrounds, and more, along with custom apps that are designed to support their experience on and off campus.

In a statement, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Education said that Apple is "proud" that its products and curriculum have been chosen by the university.

"At Apple, we believe education is the great equalizer, and that access to technology is key to learning and workforce opportunities today," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Education. "We are proud that Apple products and curriculum have been selected by the University of Nevada, Reno for all incoming freshmen. Together, we aim to ensure these students have the opportunity to learn, code, create, and grow in new ways."

University of Nevada, Reno president Brian Sandoval said that the initiative will ensure that students "have the same level of innovative technology, digital tools and learning materials, anywhere and anytime from their first day on campus through graduation and beyond."

The Digital Wolf Pack Initiative will be part of NevadaFIT, a program that's meant to offer a realistic orientation into college courses. Students will be trained with Apple products and apps used for creativity and coding will be provided by Apple Professional Learning using curriculum created by Apple. University faculty will also receive training from Apple to learn how to use digital tools to help students thrive academically.

Kia today announced that the first 1,500 customers who purchase a 2022 EV6 First Edition are eligible for a free Apple Watch, EV charging credits, or an at-home EV charger.

As highlighted by CNET, Kia is offering the free Apple Watch to help new EV6 owners access the Kia Connect services that are bundled with the vehicle.

The EV6 is Kia's first pure electric crossover SUV with a 77.4kWh battery, dual motor e-AWD, 513 horsepower, augmented reality heads up display, and more. The vehicle is able to charge up to 210 miles of range in 18 minutes with an appropriate charger, and it features 446lbs-ft of torque to reach 0-60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds.

The Kia EV6 is able to pair with an Apple Watch using the Kia Connect app, allowing the watch to be used to remotely start or stop charging, see energy usage, check charging status, and more.

Notably, the EV6 is Kia's first vehicle built on the E-GMP architecture, and those who follow Apple Car rumors will know that Apple has considered using Kia's E-GMP platform for the Apple Car. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in February that Apple would partner with Hyundai and use the Kia E-GMP architecture, but since then, it has become less clear if Apple will end up working with Hyundai at all.

Reservations for the EV6 First Edition will open on June 3, with deliveries of the first vehicles set to begin in the United States in the first quarter of 2022.