MacRumors

The AirTag's built-in NFC coil can be used by the Apple Shortcuts app to trigger automations, it has been found.

The functionality, noticed by iCulture, allows users to trigger Shortcuts by simply tapping the top of their iPhone on the white plastic side of the ‌AirTag‌. As Shortcuts are completely user-configurable, and can be used to initiate an almost infinite number of actions, the fact that the ‌AirTag‌ can be used to trigger automations opens up new possibilities for automating HomeKit scenes, app behavior, and more.

• Handy iPhone and iPad Shortcuts You Should Check Out

The ‌AirTag‌'s NFC coil is intended to be used by people who may find a lost ‌AirTag‌. When the ‌AirTag‌ has been put into Lost Mode by its owner, someone who finds the lost ‌AirTag‌ can scan it with an iPhone or Android device using NFC to get a link to the owner's contact details so that it can be returned. Functionality as a Shortcuts automation trigger appears to simply be a bonus use for the NFC coil.

Apple is widely rumored to be planning redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with mini-LED displays, but the notebooks may be released later than expected.

While multiple sources have indicated that Apple planned to release the new MacBook Pro models in the second half of 2021, including analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Taiwanese supply chain news website DigiTimes today claimed that the launch of MacBooks with mini-LED displays may be postponed until some point in 2022.

The full report has yet to be released, but a paywalled preview reads as follows:

Mini LED-backlit MacBooks launch may be delayed
Launch of Apple's mini LED-backlit MacBook series may be postponed to 2022, according to industry sources.

No further details are available at this time, but the full report should be published by tomorrow, and we'll update this post accordingly.

In early March, Japanese publication Nikkei Asia reported that Apple had delayed mass production of two new MacBook models from May or June until the second half of the year, which might be a factor behind the potential launch delay.

The new MacBook Pro models are expected to be powered by an improved iteration of Apple's custom M1 chip. In the event that Apple is facing manufacturing challenges with notebook-sized mini-LED displays, Apple could certainly update the existing MacBook Pro with Apple silicon this year as a stopgap, but it's unclear if the company would do so.

Apple today announced that starting in June, Apple Music subscribers will have access to higher quality Lossless audio streaming, as well as Dolby Atmos, which replicates an immersive audio experience.

Despite Spatial Audio for movies and TV shows being only available on the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, Dolby Atmos for ‌Apple Music‌, which Apple describes as creating an "immersive audio format that enables musicians to mix music so it sounds like the instruments are all around you in space" will be compatible with all AirPods models as well as other headphones.

Apple says that Dolby Atmos will automatically be enabled for songs that support it with all AirPods and BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Solo Pro headphones. Users using other branded headphones will need to enable it manually.

Apple Music subscribers using the latest version of Apple Music on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV7 can listen to thousands of Dolby Atmos music tracks using any headphones. When you listen with compatible Apple or Beats headphones, Dolby Atmos music plays back automatically when available for a song. For other headphones, go to Settings > Music > Audio and set Dolby Atmos to Always On. You can also hear Dolby Atmos music using the built‑in speakers on a compatible iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, or HomePod, or by connecting your Apple TV 4K to a compatible TV or audiovisual receiver.

Apple says that thousands of songs will support both lossless and Dolby Atmos audio at launch, with new songs being added "regularly."

Moments before Apple announced that it will begin offering Spatial Audio and Lossless audio streaming for Apple Music subscribers at no additional cost, Amazon Music announced that it will also offer its subscribers HiFi quality streaming for free, Billboard reports.

From the report:

Amazon's high-fidelity streaming service, Amazon Music HD, is now available to Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers at no extra cost, the company tells Billboard. Amazon Music HD previously cost $14.99 a month ($12.99 for Prime members) while Amazon Music Unlimited, its most popular service option, is $9.99 a month ($7.99 for Prime members).

Apple says that lossless audio and Spatial Audio using Dolby Atmos will be available starting in June at no additional cost to users. Apple says that "thousands of tracks" will support both features at launch but promises that more songs will be added "regularly".

Spotify, one of the largest music streaming providers, has promised that users will have Hifi options this year but has yet to provide a specific launch date.

Apple has today announced a "Pride Edition" Braided Solo Loop and Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch band, alongside a new Pride watch face.

The Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop weaves together the original rainbow colors with those from various Pride flags. Like the other Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, the strap features stretchable recycled yarn interwoven with silicone threads, designed for ultra-comfort without buckles or clasps, and comes in 12 sizes.

The Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop showcases the six colors of the original rainbow and features reflective yarn to aid visibility for users engaging in outdoor workouts at night. Like the other Nike Sport Loop Apple Watch bands, the design is focused on durability and adjustability.

The new Pride Edition bands are available to order today from Apple's online store and the Apple Store app, and will be available at Apple retail stores from May 25. The Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop is priced at $99 and the Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop is $49.

The new Pride Apple Watch bands come alongside a matching watch face. With a rotation of the Digital Crown or a raise of the wrist, the threads on the watch face infinitely scroll. The 2021 Pride watch face will arrive soon as part of a software update, according to Apple.

For the first time, Apple is also including new App Clip functionality within the Apple Watch band's packaging to give a simple and convenient way for customers to immediately access the new matching watch face.

Apple today announced that Apple Music will be gaining support for Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos at no additional cost starting in June.

At launch, Apple Music subscribers will have access to thousands of songs in Spatial Audio from artists like J Balvin, Gustavo Dudamel, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Kacey Musgraves, The Weeknd, and many others. Apple says this feature will provide a "revolutionary, immersive audio experience that enables artists to mix music so the sound comes from all around and from above."

Apple Music subscribers will also be able to listen to more than 75 million songs in Lossless Audio at no additional cost:

Apple Music will also make its catalog of more than 75 million songs available in Lossless Audio. Apple uses ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) to preserve every single bit of the original audio file. This means Apple Music subscribers will be able to hear the exact same thing that the artists created in the studio.

Apple says 20 million songs will be available in Lossless Audio at launch, with the full 75 million songs available by the end of the year.

Apple Music's standard Lossless tier will start at "CD quality," which is 16 bit at 44.1 kHz, and goes up to 24 bit at 48 kHz, according to Apple. Apple Music will also offer Hi-Res Lossless up to 24 bit at 192 kHz.

By default, Apple Music will automatically play Dolby Atmos tracks on all AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip, as well as the built-in speakers in the latest versions of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, according to Apple.

Apple Music will be getting new Dolby Atmos tracks constantly and will offer a curated selection of Dolby Atmos playlists, according to Apple. Dolby Atmos albums will have a badge on their detail page for easy discovery.

Spatial Audio and Lossless Audio will be available on iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, macOS 11.4, and tvOS 14.6 or later.

The first unboxing video of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro in White has surfaced online, giving the first real-world look at what the new all-white accessory is like.

YouTube channel "Michaelangelo's Tech" was among a lucky few to get their hands on a Magic Keyboard in White earlier than expected, enabling an early look at the recolored accessory. The YouTuber did not have a 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ on hand to see what the backlighting looks like behind the White keys.

In terms of the White finish, which some customers have been concerned may attract dirt or fingerprints, the YouTuber said that it "looks like there might be a chance for it to get dirty" and he's "interested in seeing how it's going to hold up."

In the spring of 2020, Apple unveiled the Magic Keyboard for ‌‌iPad Pro‌‌, which is similar to a Smart Keyboard for iPad but with a built-in trackpad for better navigation using a cursor. It was originally only available in Black, but Apple is now offering an optional White color option alongside its latest ‌iPad Pro‌ models.

The Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch ‌‌‌iPad Pro‌‌‌ costs $299 and the Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch ‌‌‌iPad Pro‌‌‌ costs $349. The Magic Keyboards can be purchased from Apple's online store, with layouts for over 30 languages.

Over the weekend, a Reddit user received their M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro early, long before the official launch date on May 21 and even the lifting of press embargoes about the new models, allowing for a first look at the machine and its mini-LED display.

Owners of Eufy home security cameras are this morning reporting seeing live and recorded feeds show up in the Eufy app from other users' cameras, in what appears to be a disturbing breach of privacy and a major malfunctioning of the company's service.

As with many connected domestic security cameras, Eufy cameras offer users the ability to view real-time and recorded streams of video feeds from the devices set up in and around the home. However, many Eufy owners are reporting seeing video feeds from cameras that are clearly not their own, while some users are claiming they are even able to pan and zoom strangers' cameras.

Eufy users on Monday took to Reddit to express their disbelief:

"I am seeing someone else's security camera feeds on my phone.
Seemed to happen a couple of hours ago. I am seeing someone else's camera feeds using the app on Android. My wife who also has full access under her own email can see another person's feed (2 devices, 2 different feeds) on her iPhone."

"Having the same issue in Melbourne... can view someone internal/external cameras in Florida, USA Massive security breach and with no way to tell if yours have been breached. EUFY please explain!!!"

"I'm having the same issue. I could access everything on somebody else's account, including the live feed and I was controlling their camera (pan, tilt, rotate). I was able to take video recordings, using the in-app record button, which saved to my phone. The camera I had access to was in the Los Angeles time zone."

"This is EXTREMELY EXTREMELY concerning. I have had my eufy front door camera for just over a month now. I wanted my partner to also have access to the account, so instead of making her a separate account and inviting her, I just logged into my account on her phone. Now here is the troubling part.... Now on her phone she is seeing someone elses front and backyard camera... We can see it live, we have full control over it... Wtf!? This is concerning because if this is happening then how do we know our account isn't somehow being seen by someone else.... Anyone have ANY idea why this would happen?"

Other users have reported similar experiences in the last few hours, and the issue appears to be widespread. Some owners affected by the issue are in the United States, but others are located as far afield as New Zealand, suggesting the breach is global.

On a positive note, the issue doesn't seem to be affecting streams set up using Apple's ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌, which encrypts video footage and stores it in iCloud rather than on servers handled by a third party.

It's not yet clear what's caused the issue, but the best advice for Eufy camera owners right now is to disconnect the devices at least until the breach is resolved. We've asked Eufy for comment and we'll update this article as soon as we learn more.

A shipment of more than 36,000 fake AirPods from China to Cincinnati has been seized by Customs and Border Protection after the fake earbuds were found to violate Apple's copyright infringement rules, according to a press release from the agency.

The shipment of earbuds were declared seized on May 11 and May 13 after they were found to include not only Apple's logo but also the shape and design of AirPods. The 36,000 AirPods, valued at $7.16 million, were split across three separate shipments.

On May 6, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati inspected three large shipments from China and found what appeared to be tens of thousands of earbuds in violation of Apple's protected configurations. After consulting with an import specialist from CBP's Center of Excellence and Expertise, the items were found to be in violation of CBP trademark and copyright codes and were declared seized on May 11 and 13.

Apple products, especially AirPods, are often counterfeited and sold for a cheaper retail price. Apple is aware of the issue, having an entire team dedicated to ensuring these products do not hit the mainstream market. Manufacturers even go as far as to create fake versions of unreleased AirPods using information from rumors and leaks.

So far, Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken a backseat in defending Apple as it faces a significant legal battle with Epic Games regarding the App Store. While the CEO has commented on the platform in the past, for the first time this week, ‌Tim Cook‌ will take center stage in his company's battle with ‌Epic Games‌.

Apple in March submitted its list of executives that will testify during the trial between Apple and ‌Epic Games‌ which began on May 3. ‌Epic Games‌, developers behind the hit-game Fortnite, are accusing the Cupertino tech giant of holding a monopoly and anti-competitive behavior surrounding the ‌App Store‌ and the distribution of apps on Apple devices.

Apple's Phil Schiller, a company fellow, and the senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, are two executives set to appear this week. In addition, the company's top chief is likely set to appear at the trial this week or early next week and has reportedly been preparing for the hearing with "hours of practice," according to The Wall Street Journal.

His testimony is likely to be the most detailed public discussion he will give on a subject that is likely to loom over Apple for years to come. Mr. Cook has been preparing for the trial, according to a person familiar with his effort. That has included hours of practice rounds from former prosecutors chosen by his legal team to simulate the witness stand.

Apple's former marketing chief Phil Schiller, now a company fellow, and Craig Federighi, head of software, are likely witnesses this week while Mr. Cook, who is scheduled to be on the stand for a total of 100 minutes, is expected toward the end of the week or early next week, as the trial in Oakland, Calif., looks to wrap up.

Cook is expected to defend the ‌App Store‌ by touting its economic success, and the entirely new industry it has created. Apple often promotes the success of the ‌App Store‌, saying the platform created 300,000 new jobs in the U.S. as the global health crisis was in full swing last year.

Cook is also likely to face questions regarding the ‌App Store‌'s 30% commission charge. To keep the ‌App Store‌ running, Apple takes a 30% cut from developers for in-app purchases. While the company has lowered the cut for developers making less than $1 million a year, many larger developers still argue that the "Apple tax" is unfair and that developers and users should have access to alternate means of purchasing in-app services and goods.

Apple's ‌App Store‌ policy requires that apps use its own in-app purchasing system. ‌Epic Games‌ attempted to skirt the policy in August of last year in its Fortnite game. Epic's violation of ‌App Store‌ guidelines led to the removal of the game from the App Store and marked the now nearly one-year-long legal battle.

Apple says that by requiring apps to use its own system, it can offer users a safer experience. ‌Tim Cook‌ himself has said that if third-party payment methods were to be allowed, the App Store would become a "flea market."

Amid several rumors about the launch of a new HiFi Apple Music tier, a brand new graphic found within ‌Apple Music‌ on the web has solidified speculation that Apple is planning to announce a new Lossless audio streaming feature for ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers.

Discovered by designer Stijn de Vries, a new Lossless logo has been found within ‌Apple Music‌ on the web. There is also a second logo that reads "Hi-Res Lossless." These graphic is likely to be some form of a badge presented next to songs compatible with Lossless audio streaming. Multiple references to Lossless and even Dolby Atmos audio were already found within ‌Apple Music‌ on the web.

A rumor last week indicated Apple will announce the new tier on Tuesday, May 18, alongside the release of the third-generation AirPods. Apple began teasing a major announcement that will "change music forever" over the weekend but has yet to confirm or announce when the announcement will be made.

For as long as it's been around, Instagram has been a smartphone-oriented social network that doesn't extend to tablet devices and even lacks many basic features in its web browser incarnation, including the ability to post. However, that could be set to change, if a recently unearthed internal feature test ever goes public.

Developer and leaker Alessandro Paluzzi has discovered Instagram code that strongly suggests the Facebook-owned platform is already working on the ability to upload photos and videos from a desktop web browser.

Based on images Paluzzi shared on Twitter, browser-based Instagram users could soon be offered the ability to natively drag and drop photos and videos from their computer for upload, as well as crop the content, apply filters, and compose accompanying text for publishing to the social network.

It's still not clear when the features will go live, and there's no mention of Stories creation being supported within a browser. And given Instagram's long-established focus on smartphone-originating content, the company could well decide to abandon the web feature test altogether.

Meanwhile, there's still no word on an official Instagram app that's built specifically for iPad, so if these web-based features do make it out of testing, they could offer an alternative workflow for tablet users.

Earlier today, Apple Music began teasing a special announcement with the tagline "Get Ready – Music is About to Change Forever." This teaser comes amid a rumor that Apple is preparing to announce the third-generation AirPods alongside a HiFi, or lossless audio streaming tier for Apple Music on Tuesday, May 18.

Now, references to "Apple Lossless," "Free Lossless," "Hi-Res Lossless," and "Dolby Atmos" have been found within the ‌Apple Music‌ web app by 9to5Mac and confirmed by MacRumors. These references indicate that Apple is likely planning to announce that users will be able to stream songs at higher quality and potentially enjoy them in some form of Spatial Audio using Dolby Atmos with the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

Additional code also indicates that only certain songs may be capable of lossless, and Dolby Atmos audio streaming as Apple has references on multiple occasions to a badge that reads "Has Lossless" and "Has Atmos," which could be presented next to compatible songs within ‌Apple Music‌.

References to lossless and high-quality streaming were already found in the earliest beta of the upcoming iOS 14.6 update. A report regarding a lossless, or HiFi ‌Apple Music‌ tier first originated in early May, and according to that report, the new tier will cost the same $9.99 as the current individual ‌Apple Music‌ subscription.

Apple is getting ready to send out second-generation Apple TV 4K devices to those who preordered on April 30, with orders now shifting to "Preparing to Ship."

Apple began charging credit and debit cards earlier today, and orders should start shipping out soon. The earliest Apple TV 4K preorders have estimated delivery dates between Friday, May 21 and Thursday, May 27.

The second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is identical in design to the original ‌Apple TV‌ 4K, but it supports high frame rate HDR and comes equipped with a faster A12 Bionic processor. The new ‌Apple TV‌ is accompanied by a redesigned Siri Remote that has a more substantial body and a touch-enabled clickpad.

Pricing on the ‌Apple TV‌ 4K starts at $179 for 32GB of storage, though there's also a 64GB option available for $199. The second-generation ‌Apple TV‌ 4K is still widely available, and orders placed today will deliver between May 25 and June 2.

The $59 ‌Siri‌ Remote is available on a standalone basis for those who already have an ‌Apple TV‌ but want the new remote design, and it also comes bundled with the lower-cost Apple TV HD.

The new M1 iPad Pro models and the ‌M1‌ iMacs are also expected to start arriving to customers on Friday, May 21, and shipments for those devices have already begun.

The Browse tab in the Music app across Apple's platforms has started displaying a prominent teaser hinting at an upcoming major announcement for Apple Music. Under the heading "Coming soon," the headline says "Get ready – music is about to change forever." An accompanying "Tune-In Video" simply shows an animated ‌Apple Music‌ logo.

Rumors have indicated that Apple is preparing to launch a new "Hi-Fi" tier of ‌Apple Music‌ involving lossless audio and perhaps a Spatial Audio experience on compatible hardware. An announcement could come as soon as this Tuesday, May 18.

The animated ‌Apple Music‌ logo in the teaser has a spinning effect as it switches back and forth between white on black and black on white, perhaps suggestive of the surround-sound nature of Spatial Audio.

The initial rumor about the Hi-Fi ‌Apple Music‌ tier appeared two weeks ago and hints of high-fidelity audio have been found in the code of both the iOS 14.6 beta and the Apple Music app for Android beta.

Some rumors have indicated that the launch of this new Hi-Fi ‌Apple Music‌ tier could come alongside third-generation AirPods, but others have indicated that the new earphones are not expected until later in the year.

(Thanks, Carlos!)