MacRumors

Apple faces a new class-action lawsuit that accuses it of deliberately releasing iOS updates that slowly reduce the performance of an iPhone, forcing customers to upgrade their devices.

The lawsuit comes from the Portuguese Consumer Protection Agency, Deco Proteste (via Marketeer), which in a statement says that it will proceed with a case against the Cupertino tech giant because it "deliberately manipulated, and without informing its users, the performance of its most popular devices... in doing so, it forced thousands of users to replace the battery of their devices or buy a new smartphone, to their expectations."

In particular, the agency references the ‌iPhone‌ 6, 6 Plus, 6S, and 6S Plus, but says any Portuguese consumer, regardless of which ‌iPhone‌ model they have, can join in its fight to defend their "economic interests" and the environment. Additionally, the agency pinpoints the release of iOS 11 as the start of the case.

According to the agency, Apple was aware that the update would "have considerable impacts on ‌iPhone‌ performance." Yet, it still "encouraged its users to update the devices." Those who did update their device were "faced with a slow phone, with a weak performance and unexpected "blackouts," according to the statement.

Aware that it would cause slowness in devices, performance breaks, and unexpected blackouts, Apple encouraged iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, or 6S Plus users to update their devices with the latest version of their operating system. In doing so, he knew they would prefer new iPhones, not other brands, given the high loyalty of their customers.

Deco Proteste and Euroconsumer, a more extensive European consumer protection agency group, say they've been attempting to come to a resolution for consumers impacted by Apple's "programmed obsolescence" for the past three years, but have had no luck. Apple was forced to pay a fine of 10 million euros in Italy following an Italian consumer protection agency investigation. Deco Proteste says "Portuguese consumers deserve the same treatment," hence its intent to move forward with the lawsuit.

As part of its push to encourage Portuguese consumers to join in their legal battle, Deco Proteste has produced a short video titled "Some apples are spoiled ahead of time." The agency is also encouraging the use of the hashtag #stopobsolescenciaiiPhone6.

The U.S. Supreme Court will today hear arguments about whether the systems used by technology companies, including Apple and Google, to invalidate patents and see off litigation are unconstitutional (via Bloomberg).

The Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), set up by Congress in 2011, has invalidated more than 2,000 patents. Apple is the single biggest user of the patent review board, having successfully attacked as many as 200 patents through it, and has said that it relies on "Congress's promise of a fair and efficient forum to challenge what often prove to be woefully weak patents that should not have issued in the first instance." Other users of the PTAB include Intel, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and Samsung.

The PTAB has been dubbed a "death squad" due to its tendency to toss out patents, and some smaller inventors believe that the board has become an anticompetitive tool for large companies. It is alleged that the PTAB's judges may be serving in violation of the Constitution due to the amount of power they wield.

According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles most patent disputes, PTAB judges have important enough powers that they should be appointed directly by the president and confirmed by the Senate as "principal officers."

On the other hand, the Justice Department is urging the Supreme Court to leave the current system in place, saying that patent judges are "inferior officers" who do not need to be presidential appointees.

The Supreme Court could go as far as to bar the board from continuing to review and invalidate patents until changes to the appointment system are made, or shut down the PTAB entirely, forcing Congress to create a new board that more clearly caters to the needs of smaller inventors and patent owners. A ruling against the board could mean that hundreds of patent cases would have to be reconsidered, which could have considerable ramifications for companies that have used it successfully.

The PTAB survived a challenge at the Supreme Court in 2018, in a ruling which found that the panel was not unconstitutionally wielding powers that belong to the courts, but amid increasing scrutiny on the power of big tech companies and antitrust cases, there is a chance that things may pan out differently this time.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple enjoyed considerable gains in the Indian tablet market last year, growing its market share and increasing shipments by 13% year-on-year, according to data from IDC.

For the year, Apple replaced the local Indian maker iBall to become the third-largest shipper of tablets in the country. Compared to 2019, Apple saw its shipments of the iPad increase by 13%, but still "struggled with stock availability throughout the year."

Apple fell short compared to its closest rivals, however. Lenovo and Samsung, the top two manufacturers for tablets in India, saw their shipments grow by more than 150% each compared to 2019. A significant contributing factor is that both companies offer cheaper, low-end tablets compared to Apple's ‌iPad‌ line.

2020 saw millions of students work from home, and strong ‌iPad‌ and other tablet sales have largely reflected the new learn-from-home reality. Apple released a new low-end ‌iPad‌ during the year, alongside a redesigned iPad Air. The launch of the new ‌iPad‌ models and Apple's online store in India likely played roles in Apple's market share increase.

Apple's forthcoming iPhone 13 could include a 1TB storage option for some models and LiDAR Scanners across the entire lineup, according to a report from Wedbush analysts.

In a new note to investors, seen by MacRumors, Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said that initial Asian supply chain checks gave the firm "increased confidence" that Apple's 5G-driven product cycle would extend well into 2022, and that this would be reflected in improved technical specifications.

From the report:

Initial Asia supply chain builds for iPhone 13 are currently in the 100 million unit range compared to our initial iPhone 12 reads at 80 million units and represents a 25% increase YoY out of the gates. While this number will clearly move around over the coming months, we believe this speaks to an increased confidence with Cook & Co. that this 5G driven product cycle will extend well into 2022 and should also benefit from a post vaccine consumer "reopening environment." From a spec perspective, we have increased confidence that iPhone 13 will have a 1 terabyte storage option which is double from the highest Pro storage capacity today (512GB) and will also include a number of enhancements with Lidar across all iPhone 13 models.

Apple leaker Jon Prosser last month doubled down on an earlier claim that the ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup would feature a 1TB storage option. Apple currently only offers this capacity as an option in its iPad Pro models, but the additional storage would make sense for ‌iPhone‌ owners, especially those taking advantage of new photography features like ProRAW. ProRAW files are 10 to 12 times larger than HEIF or JPEG files, which means users will need a great deal more on-device storage or else pay for larger amounts of iCloud storage space.

A previous report has also suggested that Apple will expand its LiDAR Scanner to the entire ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup in 2021, rather than only the Pro and Pro Max models, as is the case in the current ‌iPhone‌ 12 series.

Looking ahead based on their initial build forecast for ‌iPhone‌ 13, Wedbush analysts remain bullish about Apple's prospects in the smartphone market, suggesting the ‌iPhone‌ 13 could be "a game changer indicating the supercycle party in Cupertino is going well in FY22."

Apple is predicted to return to its traditional September smartphone unveiling for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup, which is expected to include the same-sized model options, including a 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, and 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max. (These names are simply placeholders and could always end up being different.)

Major design changes are not expected, but we can likely count on camera improvements, a faster A-series processor, and a new 5G chip from Qualcomm. Rumors suggest at least one ‌iPhone‌ in 2021 could feature a portless design that relies entirely on wireless charging rather than a Lightning port, though it's not clear if this will pan out.

Other rumors suggest a 120Hz ProMotion display could feature in this year's ‌iPhone‌. Apple could also shrink the notch in 2021, with one rumor suggesting a shallower notch with a reduced height rather than reduced width will be added to the ‌iPhone‌ lineup.

Apple is also said to be considering adding an in-display fingerprint sensor to the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models, which would be used in addition to Face ID as an alternate biometric authentication method.

TSMC, Apple's main chip supplier, is on track to begin risk production of a 3-nanometer fabrication process in the second half of this year, when the foundry will be capable of processing 30,000 wafers built using the more advanced technology, according to a new report today (via DigiTimes).

TSMC reportedly plans to expand its 3nm process capacity to 55,000 units monthly in 2022, thanks to Apple's order commitment, and will further scale up the output to 105,000 units in 2023. The ‌3nm‌ process yields 30 percent and 15 percent power consumption and performance improvements over the 5nm process.

A previous report suggested TSMC will be ready to move into volume production in the second half of next year, suggesting the ‌3nm‌ production roadmap is unchanged.

Meanwhile, TSMC plans to scale up its 5nm process manufacturing capacity throughout the year to meet increasing demands from its major customers. According to today's report, TSMC will upscale to 105,000 wafers monthly in the first half of 2021, up from 90,000 units in fourth-quarter 2020, with plans to further expand the process capacity to 120,000 units in the second half of this year.

TSMC's 5nm process capacity will reach 160,000 wafers monthly by 2024, the sources indicated. In addition to Apple, other major customers using TSMC's 5nm process manufacturing include AMD, MediaTek, Xilinx, Marvell, Broadcom and Qualcomm, the sources said.

The report's sources claim that the additional 5nm processing capacity is one of the main reasons for a recent drop in capacity utilization rates for the process. TSMC gives Apple priority over other clients, which is why a seasonal slowdown in iPhone chip orders is said to be another possible factor.

That said, overall 5nm chip orders placed by Apple reportedly remain stable, thanks to new orders for Apple's Arm-based M1 processor and continued brisk demand for the iPad Air, powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip.

Apple will allegedly use a 5nm+ A15 chip in its forthcoming ‌iPhone‌ 13 series. 5nm+, or N5P, is said to be a "performance-enhanced version" of the 5nm chip used in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 that will deliver additional power efficiency and performance improvements.

TrendForce believes it is highly likely that the A16 chip in 2022 iPhones will be manufactured based on TSMC's future 4nm process, suggesting the new ‌3nm‌ technology will likely be used for a potential A17 chip and potentially other future ‌Apple silicon‌ Macs if the company follows previous years.

Beginning with iOS and iPadOS 14.5, Powerbeats Pro users will be able to locate, track, and find their headphones with the built-in Find My app.

The ‌Find My‌ app, formerly named ‌Find My‌ iPhone, helps users locate and track devices linked to their iCloud accounts such as their ‌iPhone‌, Mac, Apple Watch, or AirPods. Thanks to Apple's purchase of Beats in 2014, products such as the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ have enjoyed deep integration with iOS and macOS. However, they have lacked support for the ‌Find My‌ app.

With iOS and iPadOS 14.5, users will be able to locate and keep track of their Bluetooth earbuds right from within the ‌Find My‌ app. Currently, Apple says that if ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ are lost, customers should contact Apple Support, making the process of finding them lengthy.

Like AirPods, users will be able to trigger a sound to play from the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ to locate them. All in all, the new integration helps blur the line between the software experience for Apple's AirPods line and the Beats brand.

iOS and iPadOS 14.5, expected in the early spring, has quickly become the most significant update to iOS 14 since its launch in September. Starting with the new update in conjunction with watchOS 7.5, users will be able to unlock their iPhones with their Apple Watch, even if they're wearing a mask. Additional features in the update include crowdsourcing for accidents in Apple Maps, brand new emojis, the ability to select a default music streaming service and more.

(Thanks, Francis!)

Update: Dutch website iCulture notes that Beats Flex, and possibly some other Beats products containing Apple's W1 or H1 chips, also appear to support the ‌Find My‌ app in the iOS 14.5 beta.

Update 2: French website MacGeneration was first to spot the addition of Beats in the ‌Find My‌ app, including the Solo Pro.

Vancouver-based app startup, Buddybuild, will officially shut down in the fall of this year following Apple's acquisition of the company in 2018.

In an email sent to existing customers, Buddybuild says that services will no longer be supported as of March 31, 2021, and updates ceased. By the fall, the company will shut down operations altogether. In the run-up to the closure, Buddybuild is advising customers to begin migrating their work "as soon as possible."

Apple purchased the startup in 2018 and had the team join the Xcode engineering group to "build amazing developers tools for the entire iOS company." Buddybuild describes itself as a "continuous integration, continuous deployment, and user feedback platform for development teams." In other words, it focuses on tools for developers that are designed to let them quickly and easily build apps through GitHub, BitBucket, or GitLab.

(Thanks, Eric!)

Apple today shared a new "Hometown" shot on iPhone video, which was made in honor of Black History Month. The video features the hometowns of visionary Black photographers including Lawrence Agyei, Gabriella Angotti-Jones, Lauren Woods, and Julien James.

Director Philip Youmans follows the photographers as they explore their hometowns. Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Washington, D.C. are featured.

In honor of Black History Month, 32 of the country's most visionary Black photographers show us their hometowns. Phillip Youmans, the youngest ever director to win at the Tribeca Film Festival, follows a number of our image-makers as they each celebrate the Black experience, Black excellence, love, and imagination.

Apple announced the "Hometown" initiative earlier this month, commissioning more than 30 black photographers to capture and share their hometowns with the world. As with all recent Shot on ‌iPhone‌ videos, "Hometown" was captured entirely on an ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro.

Shot on ‌iPhone‌ is Apple's long running photo and video campaign that focuses on the ‌iPhone‌'s camera capabilities, with the company regularly sharing new videos and photos on the web, on YouTube, on billboards, and more.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

The team behind the "unc0ver" jailbreaking tool for iOS has released version 6.0.0 of its software, which can allegedly be used to jailbreak any device running iOS 11.0 through iOS 14.3 using a kernel vulnerability.

The unc0ver website describes how the tool has been extensively tested across a range of iOS devices running various software versions, including an iPhone 12 Pro Max running iOS 14.3. The unc0ver website says the tool utilizes "native system sandbox exceptions" to maintain security while accessing jailbreak files.

Prior to the tool's initial release, the only way to jailbreak devices up to the ‌iPhone‌ 8 and ‌iPhone‌ X was through "checkra1n," which is another jailbreaking tool made by the same security researcher responsible for the "checkm8" exploit.

Apple in January released iOS and iPadOS 14.4, which introduced security fixes for kernel and WebKit vulnerabilities that affected all iPhones and iPads running previous versions of iOS or iPadOS 14. According to a recent tweet from Pwn20wnd, an iOS hacker and unc0ver developer, the jailbreaking tool utilizes an exploit based on a kernel vulnerability patched in iOS 14.4 that offers "optimal exploit speed and stability."

iPhones that have been updated to iOS 14.4 are not compatible with the new unc0ver jailbreaking tool, and there is no way to downgrade to iOS 14.3.

HomeKit was slow to take off after its 2014 launch, but now that it's been around for seven years, there are hundreds of ‌HomeKit‌ products available, ranging from doorbells and speakers to TVs, lights, and cameras. In our latest YouTube video, we rounded up some of our favorite ‌HomeKit‌ products that we find most useful.

• HomePod mini ($99) - At $99, the HomePod mini is probably the best HomeKit-enabled speaker on the market. It integrates seamlessly with your other Apple devices, and can be used to control all of your other ‌HomeKit‌ products with Siri, while also serving as a home hub for accessing ‌HomeKit‌ devices when you're out of the house. ‌HomePod mini‌ also works with Apple's Intercom feature, so if you have multiple ‌HomePod mini‌ (or HomePod) speakers in the house, you can use them to communicate.
• Logitech Circle View Doorbell ($199) - The Circle View replaces your existing doorbell with a version that offers video, so you can see who is at your door and keep an eye on package deliveries. It features HomeKit Secure Video, so the only plan you need is a 200GB or 1TB iCloud Storage plan to record video. It offers HD video, color night vision, and an unobtrusive design.
• Logitech Circle View Camera ($160) - If you want a ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ camera but not in doorbell format, Logitech also has the Circle View Camera with a 180 degree field of view, water resistance, and a high-quality camera that shows everything in full detail.
• Ecobee Smart Camera ($79) - If you don't want to spend over $100 for a security camera, Ecobee also has a Smart Camera available that's just $79. It offers 1080p video, a 180 degre field of view, smoke alarm detection, and more. It supports ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ as an optional feature.
• Ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control ($250) - This is Ecobee's top of the line Smart Thermostat, which learns and adapts to your schedule to keep your home at a comfortable temperature at all times. The Voice Control feature is Alexa-based, but it lets you listen to Spotify, make calls, and send messages. With ‌HomeKit‌, it also responds to ‌Siri‌ voice commands and can be controlled through the Home app. If you don't need the Voice Control, make sure to check out Ecobee's more affordable options.
• Nanoleaf Essentials A19 ($20) - Nanoleaf is mostly known for its wall-mounted Light Panels, but late last year, the company came out with a new Essentials line that includes HomeKit-enabled WiFi light bulbs. It's affordable at $20, and can be set to any color, plus it has a fun multi-faceted design that looks great in situations where the light bulb is visible. Nanoleaf's Essential bulbs feature Thread support, which is a mesh network that allows smart home products to better communicate with one another. Thread has many benefits, including extended range and coverage within the home, and better reliability for smart home products. No hub is required, and Thread devices integrate with other Thread devices, such as Apple's ‌HomePod mini‌.
• Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip ($50) - Nanoleaf's Essentials line also includes a Lightstrip, which is priced at $50 for 80 inches, with expansion strips available too. The Nanoleaf Lightstrips connect to a ‌HomeKit‌ setup over WiFi and can be set to any color. You can put the Lightstrips under counters, behind TVs, behind desks, and more, thanks to the adhesive backing.

Have a favorite ‌HomeKit‌ device that we left out? Let us know in the comments and we may highlight it in a future ‌HomeKit‌ video.

March is right around the corner, and that means our first good opportunity for Apple product launches in 2021 as the company frequently has significant launches in March or April each year. We're hearing rumors about MacBook Pro, iMac, AirPods, and more, although many of these will be coming out at different times over the course of the year.

This week also saw a macOS update to address a significant issue with some of the latest MacBook Pro models when connected to certain USB-C hubs and docks, while our videographer Dan Barbera took a second look at the MagSafe Leather Wallet released alongside the iPhone 12 models. Read on for all of the details!

New MacBook Pro Models With HDMI Port and SD Card Reader Expected to Launch Later This Year

Last month, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple plans to launch new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in the second half of this year with brighter Mini-LED displays, a new design with a flat-edged top and bottom, the return of additional ports and a MagSafe charging cable, and physical function keys instead of the Touch Bar.

This week, Kuo got more specific about those additional ports, claiming that the two new MacBook Pro models will be equipped with an HDMI port and an SD card reader at a minimum.

If these rumors pan out, this may be one of the most significant overhauls to the MacBook Pro ever, with many fan-favorite features returning. There is also lots of anticipation surrounding next-generation Apple silicon chips given the already-impressive performance of the M1 chip in lower-end machines like the MacBook Air and base model 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Mini-LED backlighting could extend to a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro that is rumored to be released as early as March.

2021 iMac Said to Come in Five Colors, Apple Silicon Mac Pro to Resemble 'Stacked' Mac Minis

Apple's next-generation iMac will be available in the same colors as the latest iPad Air, including Silver, Space Gray, Green, Sky Blue, and Rose Gold, according to leaker Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously reported that the new iMac will be redesigned with slimmer bezels and no metal chin below the display, and a flat rear shell similar to Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR. This would represent the first redesign of the all-in-one desktop computer since 2012.

Gurman also reported that Apple is developing a smaller version of the Mac Pro with an Apple silicon chip, and Prosser this week claimed that this machine will look similar to three to four Mac minis in a stack. The design may be reminiscent of the Power Mac G4 Cube, released in 2000.

Third-Generation AirPods Possibly Shown in Leaked Image

Apple is rumored to be working on third-generation AirPods for release later this year, and an alleged image of the earphones and their charging case surfaced this week on Chinese website 52audio.

The new AirPods‌ are expected to take design cues from the ‌AirPods Pro‌ by having a smaller stem and silicone ear tips, but they will reportedly lack high-end features such as Active Noise Cancelation, allowing for a lower price tag. The current AirPods are priced at $159 with a wired charging case and at $199 with a wireless charging case, while the AirPods Pro retail for $249.

Japanese website Mac Otakara has previously claimed that second-generation AirPods Pro are also planned for release in April. Apple is aiming to make the second-generation AirPods Pro more compact by eliminating the stem that sticks out from the bottom, resulting in a more compact design like Google's Pixel Buds, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple Releases macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 to Prevent MacBooks From Being Damaged by Third-Party Non-Compliant Docks

A new macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 software update has been released for Mac users that prevents 2019 or later MacBook Pro and 2020 or later MacBook Air models from incurring damage when they are connected to certain third-party, non-compliant powered USB-C hubs and docks, according to Apple.

There have been several reports on Reddit from Mac users who have connected USB-C hubs and docks to their machines, resulting in the machine becoming non-functional. Affected Macs appear to go blank and unresponsive shortly after connecting the dock. Many of the users who experienced issues were using hubs and docks not purchased from reputable companies.

The new ‌‌‌‌‌macOS Big Sur‌‌‌‌ 11.2.2‌ update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Preferences.

Revisiting Apple's MagSafe Leather Wallet After 3 Months

On our YouTube channel this week, MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera revisited Apple's MagSafe Wallet for iPhone 12 models after using the accessory for three months, and his impressions were more favorable after this extended usage.

Dan initially disliked the MagSafe Wallet because he found it had a weak magnetic connection and could easily fall off the iPhone when placing the device in a pocket, but he has learned to adjust his usage habits in a way that has worked out better for him.

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Facebook is reportedly weighing up the legal implications of building facial recognition technology into a pair of smart glasses that the company is currently developing and which it intends to launch later this year.

According to BuzzFeed News, Facebook's chief of AR and VR, Andrew Bosworth, told employees during an internal meeting on Thursday that the company is currently evaluating whether or not a legal framework exists that would allow it to integrate facial recognition tech into the devices.

"Face recognition ... might be the thorniest issue, where the benefits are so clear, and the risks are so clear, and we don’t know where to balance those things," Bosworth said in response to an employee question about whether people would be able to "mark their faces as unsearchable" when smart glasses become a prevalent technology. The unnamed worker specifically highlighted fears about the potential for "real-world harm," including "stalkers."

According to the report, Bosworth was quick to emphasize that nothing had yet been decided and that it could well prove that current state laws would make it impossible for Facebook to offer people the ability to search for other people based on the real-world profile of their face.

Following the story's publication, Bosworth took to Twitter to underline the fact that Facebook had been "open" about its efforts to develop AR glasses, which he said are "still in the early stages."

"Face recognition is a hugely controversial topic and for good reason and I was speaking about was how we are going to have to have a very public discussion about the pros and cons," said Bosworth, adding in a follow-up tweet: "In our meeting today I specifically said the future product would be fine without it but there were some nice use cases if it could be done in a way the public and regulators were comfortable with."

Facebook first publicly spoke about its smart glasses project last year, when it claimed that the product would arrive "sooner rather than later" in 2021. The glasses are reportedly being developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, and are expected to go head to head with similar rival products from Snapchat and Amazon.

Facebook has used facial recognition on its social network to identify people in pictures and power photo tag suggestions, but using the technology in an outward-facing, real-world capacity is a particularly sensitive issue. The controversy has been amplified by reports of government authorities and private businesses exploring the technology as a means of identifying and tracking civilians, combined with a lack of federal regulation surrounding its use.

Facial recognition has been implemented in Apple's Photos app and Apple has used it as a security feature for unlocking iPhones and iPads via biometric authentication. Apple is also working on smart glasses that will augment peoples' real-world perspective with digital features, although its product is still believed to be "several years away" from launch and there is currently no suggestion that Apple intends to use the technology in its rumored AR glasses. At any rate, given the company's privacy focus, any such application would be highly unlikely to resemble the kind that Facebook appears to be exploring.

For more information on Apple's rumored smart glasses, be sure to check out our dedicated guide.

Apple today sent out emails to developers who are in possession of a Developer Transition Kit, asking them to return the machines by March 31. The Developer Transition Kits are Mac minis with A12Z chips that Apple provided for development purposes ahead of the release of the M1 Macs.

Apple in the emails provided developers with shipping instructions, and plans to begin collecting the DTKs starting next week. The DTKs featured 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports and an HDMI 2.0 port in addition to the A12Z chip, which was first used in the 2020 iPad Pro models.

Thanks again for participating in the Universal Quick Start Program and committing to building great apps for Mac. We're following up with shipping instructions to return the Developer Transition Kit (DTK) that was loaned to you as part of the program. Please take a moment to review these details and ship all DTKs back to us by March 31, 2021.

As we mentioned in our last email, upon confirmed return of the DTK, you'll receive a credit for 500USD in the form of a one-time use promo code valid until the end of 2021. You can use it toward the purchase of a new M1 Mac or other Apple products ordered through the Apple Store Online.

To get one of the DTK units, developers were required to pay $500, and to compensate developers for what they spent, Apple is providing a $500 credit that can be put toward the purchase of any Apple product.

Apple originally planned to give developers $200, but later upped that to $500 after developers complained about the low credit amounts and technical issues that were experienced during the testing process.

Developers will now receive a $500 USD credit after the DTK is received, but Apple is not adjusting that amount for developers who are in other countries. Each developer is receiving the equivalent of $500, and as developer Steve Troughton-Smith points out, that does not match the original cost of the DTK for some developers.

Apple first sent out Developer Transition Kits at the end of June, so developers were able to use them for eight months. Developers were meant to have a year with the DTK for app development purposes, but other benefits that include a private discussion forum and technical support will continue to be available for the full 12 month period.

After North Dakota tried and failed to pass legislation that would have paved the way for third-party App Store options, Minnesota and Arizona have introduced new bills that would loosen Apple's control over ‌App Store‌ developers.

A Minnesota bill shared by Star Tribune would force Apple and Google to keep products from Minnesotan developers on their app stores even if those developers sell them directly or through other channels, skirting current in-app purchase rules.

Supporters of the bill believe the bill would allow developers in Minnesota to avoid the commissions collected by Apple and Google.

"A lot of people are concerned about the increased influence and power that Big Tech has, and I think there's a lot of interest in trying to make sure that we have a fair and open digital economy," said Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, who is sponsoring the bill in the House.

Lobbyists for Apple and Google have allegedly already started aiming to stop the proposal. "They are loading up," said Minnesota Representative Zack Stephenson. "I understand that they have been reaching out to some of my colleagues. I heard whispers of that occurring throughout the Capitol. I think we got someone's attention."

Apple does not allow developers to use their own in-app payment systems, instead requiring all apps that sell digital goods and subscriptions to do so through Apple's in-app purchase system. Apple collects a 15 to 30 percent fee from all in-app purchases.

Under the terms of the Minnesota bill, Apple and Google would not be allowed to retaliate against a developer for using an alternative system to charge customers, which is something that Epic Games tried to do last year. Epic attempted to use a direct payment option, violating Apple's ‌App Store‌ rules and resulting in the Fortnite app being removed from the App Store.

A similar bill in Arizona would also prevent developers from being forced to use Apple and Google's in-app purchase options. As highlighted by The Information earlier this week, the bill was advanced by the Arizona House committee and will now go to a broader vote.

North Dakota's failed bill would have allowed for third-party App Stores, also giving developers an alternative to Apple and Google's in-app purchase systems and fees, but it did not pass.

Apple Chief Privacy Engineer Erik Neuenschwander advocated against the North Dakota bill, telling the senate that it "threatens to destroy the iPhone as you know it" by requiring changes that would "undermine the privacy, security, safety, and performance" of the ‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌.

U.S. antitrust regulators last year held an investigation into Apple's ‌App Store‌ fees and policies. The inquiry ultimately resulted in a 450 page report from the U.S. House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee recommending new antitrust laws to address Apple's monopoly over software distribution on iOS devices. That report has not yet led to any new laws.

SwitchEasy recently came out with a series of "MagEasy" accessories that are designed to add MagSafe compatibility to older devices or to iPhone 12 cases that aren't equipped with built-in magnets.

The MagDoka is a circle-shaped magnetic ring that attaches to an ‌iPhone‌ or an ‌iPhone‌ case using adhesive. At 2mm in thickness, the MagDoka doesn't add a lot of bulk to an ‌iPhone‌, and in my testing, it adhered well and didn't budge, even when used with an upright ‌MagSafe‌ charger that caused a similar product to lose its adhesive.

To keep from blocking charging capabilities, the MagDoka needs to be placed in a specific spot on an older ‌iPhone‌, so SwitchEasy includes a series of templates that ensure accurate positioning. There are guides for the ‌iPhone‌ 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and all four ‌iPhone‌ 12 models.

The idea is to peel off the appropriate guide for your ‌iPhone‌ and then line it up accurately on the back of the device. There's a cutout where the MagDoka accessory needs to be placed to be in line with the wireless charging coil inside the ‌iPhone‌. SwitchEasy includes tools for making sure the surface of the ‌iPhone‌ is free from dust and grime before the MagDoka is placed to ensure the best adhesion.

Once in place, the ‌iPhone‌ or the ‌iPhone‌ case will be able to attach to ‌MagSafe‌ accessories and chargers. Adding a magnet to an ‌iPhone‌ 11 will let it work with ‌MagSafe‌ items, but when it comes to charging, it's not going to charge faster. ‌iPhone‌ 11 models are limited to a maximum of 7.5W charging when charged with ‌MagSafe‌ chargers, unlike ‌iPhone‌ 12 models that can charge at up to 15W (12W for iPhone 12 mini).

The MagDoka was simple to apply and made my iPhone 11 Pro Max compatible with the ‌MagSafe‌ chargers that I now have on hand for the ‌iPhone‌ 12, so this is an accessory that's convenient in a mixed device household. It's also useful if you have a case without ‌MagSafe‌ that you just can't live without.

Alongside the MagDoka, there's another MagEasy accessory, the MagStand. When attached to an ‌iPhone‌ 11 or ‌iPhone‌ 12, it adds ‌MagSafe‌ connectivity but as the name suggests, it also has a fold out stand option.

You can fold up the bottom portion of the MagStand to turn it into a little ‌iPhone‌ stand that can prop an ‌iPhone‌ up in landscape mode. Since it has ‌MagSafe‌ capability built in, it works with ‌MagSafe‌ accessories when unfolded.

With the ‌iPhone 11 Pro Max‌, one of the heaviest ‌iPhone‌ models, I didn't find the stand to be particularly useful. It propped up my ‌iPhone‌ a bit, but the angle was relatively low and I would have preferred more lift. I think it might work slightly better with a lighter ‌iPhone‌ because it does sag a bit, but it's still going to be a low angle. The MagStand also had a tendency to cause the adhesive backing to peel up a bit when used in stand mode, so I question its longevity.

Both the MagDoka and the MagStand are made from leather and are available in pink, blue, and black, and these accessories are lightweight and unassuming when placed on an ‌iPhone‌ or a case. I preferred the design of the MagDoka to the MagStand just because it takes up less real estate on the back of an ‌iPhone‌.

SwitchEasy also makes a series of MagSafe cases specifically designed for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup. Made from clear or black plastic, the cases are malleable and have a magnetic ring at the back to make them compatible with ‌MagSafe‌ accessories. The cases are priced at $24.99 to $29.99.

Bottom Line

The MagDoka and MagStand are most useful for ‌iPhone‌ 11 owners because they add compatibility with the ‌MagSafe‌ charging accessories that are becoming more commonplace.

I don't think the MagDoka is particularly useful for ‌iPhone‌ 12 models because it's a better idea to just get a ‌MagSafe‌ case if you want ‌MagSafe‌ capabilities, but it's great if you have an ‌iPhone‌ 11.

The MagStand has the potential to be useful because of the built-in stand function and the ‌MagSafe‌ compatibility, but I just wasn't a fan of the stand feature and preferred the simpler functionality of the MagDoka.

At $25 these accessories are on the expensive side, but ‌MagSafe‌ charging accessories are convenient with the magnetic alignment so it's nice to have that functionality even if you don't have an ‌iPhone‌ 11 or if you want a non-MagSafe case.

How to Buy

All of the MagEasy accessories can be purchased from Amazon. Case pricing starts at $20 for a clear case and $30 for a standard case, with the MagDoka available for $16 and the MagStand available for $20.

Note: SwitchEasy provided MacRumors with a MagStand, MagDoka, and ‌iPhone‌ 12 ‌MagSafe‌ Case for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Aukey to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of Aukey's EP-N7 True Wireless Earbuds, which feature Active Noise Cancellation technology and have a wire-free design.

Priced at $65, the True Wireless Earbuds connect to an iPhone or Apple device over Bluetooth and are ideal for those who are looking for a wireless headphone option but need something more affordable than the AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Design wise, the True Wireless Earbuds have silicone tips that fit into the ear along with a stem at the bottom, similar to the AirPods. They're available in a sleek black color, and come with a small charging case that adds additional power. There are three sets of silicone eartips in small, medium, and large, allowing for a good fit in the ear, which can improve the noise cancellation capabilities.

According to Aukey, the True Wireless Earbuds are equipped with a hybrid Active Noise Cancellation feature that uses internal and external noise cancelling microphone systems. The headphones are able to detect a maximum of 35 decibels of ambient noise, blocking it out.

Inside, there are 8mm titanium dynamic drivers for clear sound and deep bass, and with two microphones in each earbud, calls sound crisp and clear too. Background noise is suppressed on calls, to make sure the person on the other end hears you.

Like the ‌AirPods Pro‌, the Aukey earbuds have a Transparency Mode that allows you to hear what's happening around you so you don't miss traffic cues or important announcements when using the earbuds.

There are several built-in tap gestures for music control purposes. A tap on either earbud, for example, plays/pauses a song, while a double tap switches tracks and a touch and hold switches sound modes. You can wear the earbuds when working out and when it's raining outside thanks to IPX5 water resistance to protect from sweat and other moisture exposure.

The charging case can be recharged over USB-C, so it's convenient to use alongside a USB-C MacBook or iPad, and a 1.5 hour charge provides up to 25 hours of battery life while on the go.

We have eight sets of the Aukey EP-N7 True Wireless Earbuds to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, 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 (February 26) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on March 5. The winners will be chosen randomly on March 5 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.