MacRumors

The flurry of activity following Apple's event and the launches of iOS 15 and the iPhone 13 has started to calm down, but that doesn't mean there hasn't continued to be a ton of news out there.

With almost two weeks out in the public, iOS 15 has proven to include a number of bugs, so some users may want to hold off on updating if they haven't already. Apple has already pushed out one bug fix update, and a more significant update is currently in beta testing.

Other news this week included teardowns of the iPhone 13 and new iPad mini, as well some rumors about the next MacBook Air, so read on for details on all of these stories and more!

iOS 15 Suffering From Several Early Bugs

iOS 15 was released on September 20, and in the time since, early adopters have experienced a handful of bugs. For example, there was an issue preventing some iPhone 13 users from using the Unlock with Apple Watch feature, which Apple has now fixed with Friday's release of iOS 15.0.1.

There's another iOS 15 bug related to iCloud Backups that can result in photos saved from an iMessage conversation that is later deleted to disappear from the Photos app, intermittent touchscreen issues on iPhone 13 models, and even some reported zero-day security vulnerabilities.

iPhone 13 Teardown Confirms Face ID Doesn't Work After Third-Party Display Repair

The folks at repair website iFixit recently completed a teardown of the iPhone 13 Pro, confirming that Face ID stops functioning on the device if the display is replaced by a third-party repair shop that isn't part of the Apple Authorized Service Provider program — even if the display itself is a genuine Apple part.

Teardowns have also revealed battery capacities for all four iPhone 13 models, a redesigned Taptic Engine, and more.

iPhone 13 Pro Max Capable of Charging at Faster Speeds

It's been a week since all four iPhone 13 models launched in stores, and we continue to learn some new details about the devices.

Despite not being advertised as a feature by Apple, it has been discovered that the iPhone 13 Pro Max is capable of charging at faster speeds than the iPhone 12 Pro Max and even the smaller iPhone 13 Pro when the device is connected to a 30W or higher USB-C power adapter.

Redesigned MacBook Air With Apple Silicon Said to Enter Mass Production in 2022

Apple already released a MacBook Air with its custom-designed M1 chip in November 2020, but rumors suggest a new model is in the works.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, a redesigned MacBook Air with a next-generation Apple silicon chip and a mini-LED backlit display will enter mass production in the third quarter of 2022, suggesting that the notebook could be released in the fall of next year.

Apple Says 'Jelly Scrolling' Effect on iPad Mini 6 is Normal

Some early adopters of the new iPad mini have noticed a subtle "jelly scrolling" effect on the display when using the device in portrait orientation.

Apple told Ars Technica that "jelly scrolling" is normal behavior for LCD screens, but some users have complained that the effect is more noticeable on the new iPad mini compared to other iPads. iFixit provided more details about the matter in its iPad mini teardown.

Google Basically Wants Your iPhone 13 Home Screen to Look Like Android

Following the launch of the iPhone 13, Google has shared a blog post with tips to help users "bring the best of Google" to their new device.

The blog post is quite humorous in that it recommends iPhone 13 users have multiple home screen pages full of almost exclusively Google apps and widgets, such as Gmail, YouTube, Google Photos, and Google Calendar, which essentially mirrors the Android experience.

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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.

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Apple today ended a program that offered customers with possibly defective iPhone 8 models with a free repair for their logic board, which in some cases caused the device to restart and become unresponsive.

The program officially launched in August of 2018 and targeted a "very small percentage" of ‌iPhone‌ 8 devices that may have had a defective logic board. According to Apple, at the time, affected models were sold between September 2017 and March 2018 in China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, New Zealand, and the U.S. The ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus was not part of the program, and Apple had previously prompted customers to its support website to check if they were eligible for a free repair.

Now, the program has officially ended, and Apple has removed it from its repair program list on its website. The program ran for more than three years, and while it has finished, customers still experiencing issues with their ‌iPhone‌ 8 should still contact Apple support as they may still be willing to help.

If you have been experiencing issues with paying off or managing your Apple Card today, you are not alone, as Apple has confirmed ongoing issues.

"Some users may not be able to apply for Apple Card, pay their bill, lock/unlock their physical card, request a new or replacement physical card, or request a new card number," reads a notice posted on Apple's system status page.

The issues began within the past few hours and affect only some cardholders. We'll update this story when Apple indicates the issues have been resolved.

Update: The issues have been resolved, according to Apple's system status page.

Comparing the iPhone 13 models to the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models makes the ‌iPhone‌ 13 update seem uninspired and unnecessary, but for those who have an older ‌iPhone‌, it's a different story, especially when it comes to camera quality.

We compared the ‌iPhone‌ 13 to the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, ‌iPhone‌ 8, and ‌iPhone‌ 6, and have come to the conclusion that if you have an older model and take a lot of pictures, the ‌iPhone‌ 13 is worth the upgrade. Check out our video up above and our comparison photos to see if you agree.

It will come as no surprise that the ‌iPhone‌ 13 outperforms the ‌iPhone‌ 6, and this is where we see some of the starkest differences. The ‌iPhone‌ 8 is closer in quality and has a color profile that's actually quite similar to the ‌iPhone‌ 13, but it's still a clear difference in lower lighting conditions.

With the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, it's harder to see the improvements in photos with bright, even lighting, but the ‌iPhone‌ 13 does a much better job with lights at night (there's less lens flare) and also with texture. The Deep Fusion feature that kicks in primarily with indoor lighting makes a big difference in texture quality.

The ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro has some haze issues that tend to affect most photos, and it's more noticeable at night and in the afternoon when the sun is low. Earlier iPhones had a lot of trouble with accurately exposing different areas with uneven lighting, and Apple has made a lot of improvements in this area over the last few years.

The ‌iPhone‌ 13 excels with color accuracy, including skin tones, outperforming all of the older iPhones. It's also fantastic at HDR, and everything is super sharp, even when lighting is less than ideal.

Want to see higher resolution versions of our comparison photos to get a closer look at the differences? We've uploaded them here, and make sure to watch the video for the full comparison. Let us know in the comments what you think and whether the ‌iPhone‌ 13 is worth upgrading to.

Update: There have been multiple comments about the camera lens of the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro used in the video. MacRumors videographer Dan cleaned the lenses of each camera prior to taking photos to ensure they were smudge free, and there were no scratches, smudges, or other visible camera defects.

We've also gone back and looked at photos captured by other ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro devices and have found the same softness and lens flare issues consistently in certain lighting conditions, such as when there's a side lighting element or harsh sun filtering into the lens. While it is possible there is an internal defect with the lens, we do not believe this to be the case. It is worth noting, though, that this "haze" effect is not seen in all lighting conditions.

We've teamed up with Saddleback Leather Co. to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a prize pack that includes a Flight Bag Leather Briefcase, a Leather AirPods Pro Case, a Double Loop AirTag Holder, and a Square Sleeve AirTag Holder, all made from a rich, dark coffee brown leather.

The Flight Bag Leather Briefcase is Saddleback's most popular product, and it's no surprise -- this is an attractive, heavy duty bag that's laden with pockets and able to hold all of your Apple gear. Saddleback Leather Co. calls the Flight Bag the strongest and most durable leather briefcase in the world, and to back that up, it comes with a 100-year warranty.

Priced at $589, the Flight Bag is made from a thick full-grain leather that's super tough and able to hold up to wear and tear. Inside, there's a pigskin lining that's even stronger than leather, and it's all stitched up with marine grade UV resistant thread.

There are no breakable parts like magnets or zippers, with Saddleback Leather using durable 316 stainless steel buckles and rivets instead. Stress points are reinforced, and each bag is built with the largest leather pieces possible for fewer seams. Saddleback offers the Flight Bag in Tobacco, Dark Coffee Brown, Chestnut, and Black.

The Flight Bag is designed to open at the top and stay open so you can access what's inside with ease, and there's a dedicated laptop compartment that's sized to fit all of Apple's tablets and notebook options. A main pouch holds documents, books, and other necessary gear, and there are two front pockets to hold smaller accessories. A slot at the back adds extra storage, and the bag can be carried with the build-in handles or an included strap.

Along with leather bags, Saddleback Leather Co. makes a whole range of other accessories. The $34 Leather AirPods Pro Case, for example, is a little mini pouch that houses the AirPods Pro and offers a carabiner to attach them to a bag or a backpack. There's a simple peg closing mechanism, and the case itself is made from a full grain leather that matches Saddleback's bags.

Saddleback also makes several AirTag holder options. The $19 Double Loop, as the name suggests, has a two-loop design that's perfect for attaching to dog collars, backpack shoulder straps, belts, and more.

The $19 square-shaped Sleeve ‌AirTag‌ holder is designed to attach to keys, backpacks, bags, and more, and both ‌AirTag‌ holder options come in the same matching leather as Saddleback's bags for a cohesive look for all of your accessories.

We have a prize pack that includes a Flight Bag Leather Briefcase, a Leather AirPods Pro Case, a Double Loop ‌AirTag‌ Holder, and a Square Sleeve ‌AirTag‌ Holder for one lucky MacRumors reader. 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 (October 1) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 8. The winner will be chosen randomly on October 8 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Apple on late Thursday seeded the first beta of Safari 15.1 for macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina to developers for testing. Safari 15.1 beta is also included in the eighth beta of macOS Monterey seeded earlier this week.

The release notes for the Safari 15.1 beta are largely recycled from the initial release of Safari 15, but in our own testing, the beta appears to fix an issue where bookmarking a YouTube page would result in the browser crashing. Apple will likely be implementing additional bug fixes by the time Safari 15.1 is released to the public, but an issue with the browser showing old tabs upon being reopened does not appear to be fixed yet.

Safari 15.1 beta can be downloaded from the Apple Developer website on the More Downloads page when logged in. In order to install the beta, developers must be running the latest versions of macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina, according to Apple.

Safari 15 features redesigned tabs that have a rounder and more defined appearance, faster performance, improved security, and more. The browser will come preinstalled on macOS Monterey when the software update is released later this year, and Apple has also made the browser available for macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina users.

United Airlines today announced that its Travel-Ready Center is offering Apple Health app integration to make it easier for customers to share their verified vaccination records ahead of traveling.

Apple in iOS 15 added a feature that lets iPhone owners add their SMART Health Card formatted vaccination records to the Apple Health app, with those records able to be used for vaccine verification purposes. Apple also introduced new Health Record sharing features, which United is taking advantage of.

United Airlines customers who have installed iOS 15 and who have uploaded their vaccination records to Apple Health can connect the Health app to United's Travel-Ready Center to be instantly reviewed on United's platform.

The integration is designed to help customers quickly confirm they've met the vaccination requirements for their travel plans. Air travel within the United States does not require flyers to be vaccinated, but other countries like the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain do require vaccine verification and/or negative COVID-19 test results from travelers.

According to United, customers with upcoming travel plans that require proof of vaccination can visit the Travel-Ready Center in United's iOS app. From there, tapping on the option to upload vaccine documentation will show the "Share Your Smart Health Card" option.

Tapping on that will open up the Apple Health app where Apple will ask for permission to share their verifiable vaccination record with United. Once confirmed, the vaccination records are automatically uploaded and verified on United's system. Records are stored until travel is completed.

In the iOS 15.1 beta, Apple has also added a feature that lets the vaccination record from the Health app be added to the Wallet app in a quick access format that can be presented in restaurants, stores, concerts, and other venues that require proof of vaccination.

Apple today released iOS 15.0.1, which is the first official update to the iOS 15 operating system that was released in September. iOS 15.0.1 comes two weeks after the launch of iOS 15, and it is a bug fix update.

The iOS 15.0.1 update can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Today's update likely fixes an Apple Watch bug that has been affecting iPhone 13 users. Many ‌iPhone‌ 13 owners have been unable to use the feature that's designed to allow an ‌iPhone‌ to unlock with an authenticated Apple Watch when the user is wearing a mask.

People who have attempted to use this option have run into an error message about a communication issue with the Apple Watch. Apple promised that a fix was in the works shortly after the bug surfaced, and has also fixed the issue in the iOS 15.1 beta.

Today's update also fixes a bug that could cause the Settings app to incorrectly display an alert that storage is full, and it addresses an issue that could cause audio meditations to unexpectedly start a workout on Apple Watch for some Fitness+ subscribers.

This update includes bug fixes for your iPhone.
- Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch may not work on iPhone 13 models
- Settings app may incorrectly display an alert that storage is full
- Audio meditations could unexpectedly start a workout on Apple Watch for some Fitness+ subscribers

Apple has also released a new version of iPadOS 15.0.1, which has the same fixes for the Settings app and audio meditations.

Apple has also said that it is planning a fix for a Core Animation bug preventing some developers from taking full advantage of 120Hz ProMotion displays for their app animations, and that may also be in the update.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is in New York City today for a meeting with Margrethe Vestager, the European Commissioner for Competition, according to a person familiar with the matter. Vestager was a keynote speaker at Fordham University's annual Conference on International Antitrust Law and Policy earlier today.

It's unclear when Cook and Vestager are scheduled to meet or what topics will be on the agenda. In April, the European Commission informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps through the App Store by charging high commission fees on Apple Music rivals like Spotify, which had filed a complaint against Apple with the European Commission in 2019.

While in New York, Cook stopped in at Apple's retail store in the SoHo neighborhood this morning, sharing a photo of his visit on Twitter. Cook also tweeted a photo of his visit to the International Center of Photography.

Following his trip to New York, Cook is reportedly scheduled to speak at the Silicon Slopes Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 13, and he will headline a fundraising dinner on the same day. In late August, Cook reached his 10th year as Apple CEO.

All possible configurations of the iPhone 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max are currently showing a 3 to 4-week, even up to a month delay in shipments in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with in-store stock varying in availability.

At the time of writing, in the United States, every possible configuration of the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max, regardless of color or storage, shows a 3 to 4 week wait time for shipments, with in-store stock varying across the country. In the United Kingdom and Canada, the situation seems direr, with all configurations showing up with up to a one-month delay, also with in-store stock varying. The ‌iPhone‌ 13 and ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini seem less affected, with expected shipment delays and availability across all stores.

Apple's CEO Tim Cook warned during the company's last earnings calls that industry-wide shortages could be impacting ‌iPhone‌ production in the coming months, added on top of increased demand for the latest iPhones. The ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max are likely doing well thanks to ProMotion displays and improved camera capabilities.

Early analyst numbers suggested that pre-order demand for the new high-end iPhones was initially off to a strong start. Despite the phones having started shipping to customers one week ago, the supply continues to be dry.

Apple's suppliers are reportedly struggling to keep up with Apple's high demand for the new iPhones amid the global health crisis and new energy regulation in China. Apple's supply chain will continue to be more strained in the coming months thanks to new MacBook Pros and the imminent launch of the Apple Watch Series 7.

Microsoft today announced that Office 2021 for Mac will be released on October 5 with many new features. The suite of Office 2021 apps available on Mac includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, with the option for Outlook.

Office 2021 includes many of the collaboration features already available to Microsoft 365 subscribers, such as real-time co-authoring of documents and Microsoft Teams access for chatting and video calling with others. Microsoft outlined additional new features in a support document, including new inking tools, data types, functions, translation and editing tools, motion graphics, ease-of-use features, and more.

The non-subscription version of Office Home and Student 2021 is priced at $149.99 in the United States and includes access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for personal use. There is also Office Home and Business 2021 for $249.99, which includes everything in Home and Student, plus Outlook and the rights to use the apps for business purposes.

The new versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, and more can also be had with a Microsoft 365 subscription, with pricing set at $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year for individuals and at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for families.

Office 2021 will be available on Microsoft.com and at retailers worldwide starting October 5. Microsoft said Office 2021 will be supported on the three most recent macOS releases, which presumably refers to macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur, and macOS Catalina.

We're still a year away from ever seeing the iPhone 14 and not even a month since the ‌iPhone‌ 13. Despite that, the rumors are already floating on what Apple has planned for next year. The latest rumor suggests that for the ‌iPhone‌ 14, Apple plans to include a whopping 2TB storage option.

With the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max, Apple added a 1TB storage option for customers, the largest ever storage configuration offered on an ‌iPhone‌. The new option was due primarily to new camera features, such as ProRes for videos launching later this year. ProRes videos, in addition to 4K 60FPS videos shot on the ‌iPhone‌, consume significantly more storage than regular videos.

Apple has marketed the ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max as the ultimate tool for videographers and cinematographers, and the 1TB choice is inherently tailored towards the most professional of users.

With the ‌iPhone‌ 14 next year, Apple is settings its eyes on making its Pro iPhones even more "Pro" by offering a 2TB option, according to a sketchy rumor from Chinese site MyDrivers. The rumor, which should be viewed with a considerable amount of skepticism, claims that Apple will adopt QLC flash storage for next year's ‌iPhone‌ and that thanks to the newer storage technology, it will increase capacity to 2TB.

A report earlier this week from DigiTimes was the first to suggest Apple would be adopting new storage technologies for next year's ‌iPhone‌, but that report lacked mention of a 2TB option in specific.

Apple doesn't regularly offer new storage configurations, and when it does, as evident this year by new camera features, it has a reason in mind. Next year's ‌iPhone‌ 14 is expected to focus more heavily on a complete redesign that removes the notch rather than concentrate on camera upgrades. Regardless, camera improvements are a given for every new ‌iPhone‌. Still, there's no indication to think that the ‌iPhone‌ 14 will expand camera capabilities to the extent that a new 2TB storage configuration is practically warranted.

For the ‌iPhone‌ 14 lineup, Apple plans two 6.1 and 6.7-inch models, meaning the end of the smaller 5.4-inch form factor, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. On the higher-end ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max models, 6.1 and 6.7-inches in size, respectively, Apple's rumored to include a hole-punch design for Face ID rather than a notch. There's also the possibility of the higher-end models featuring titanium bodies and a vapor chamber thermal system.

Catch up on everything we know so far about next year's ‌iPhone‌ using our dedicated guide.

Update: Apple has announced that Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders will begin on Friday, October 8, checking off one of the items we thought we might see at an October Apple event.

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Following Apple's "California Streaming" special event in September, which saw the unveiling of the new iPad mini, Apple Watch Series 7, and iPhone 13 lineup, the company is broadly expected to host another event this month, where it could reveal a number of long-awaited products and key pieces of information.

Apple's last event took place on Tuesday, September 14, but the reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, who often reveals accurate insights into Apple's plans, has said that the company has another event planned to take place within the next several weeks.

The timing of Apple's annual Back to School promotion may also have hinted at an event on Tuesday, October 12, but we won't know for sure until invites are sent out, which could happen within the next few weeks. Here's what Apple is likely to reveal:

Redesigned MacBook Pro

The biggest unveiling of the event is expected to be the much-anticipated redesigned MacBook Pro models. Apple introduced a 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ with the M1 chip last November as an entry-level model, but the high-end 13-inch and 16-inch models still have Intel chips and have not been updated for almost two years.

The new machines are expected to come in 14 and 16-inch sizes, feature new designs with improved thermals, brigher mini-LED displays with higher resolutions and improved contrast, and a more powerful variant of the ‌M1‌ chip called the "M1X" with support for more RAM.

The ‌MacBook Pro‌ is expected to regain some of its ports, such as HDMI, an SD card reader, and MagSafe for faster charging, and restore the physical function keys in place of the Touch Bar. There may also be other improvements such as a 1080p webcam, improved battery lift, and a "High Power Mode." For more information, see our detailed guide.

Redesigned Mac mini

Apple is believed to be working on a new high-end version of the Mac mini to launch this fall. Apple introduced an entry-level Mac mini with the ‌M1‌ chip last November, but it still needs to replace the high-end Intel versions that are currently in the lineup.

The new ‌Mac mini‌ is rumored to feature the more powerful "M1X" chip and a new design with additional ports, a magnetic power cable, and a "plexiglass" top.

AirPods 3

Apple's third-generation AirPods have been believed to be ready for release for months now, with counterfeit clones first appearing way back in April.

The updated earbuds are expected to feature a design that mirrors AirPods Pro, a shorter, wider charging case, a next-generation wireless chip, force sensor controls, a pressure relief system, and Qi charging as standard.

It would also not be unreasonable to expect the new ‌AirPods‌ to feature improved sound quality and better battery life, but there have been no rumors about these aspects thus far. The third-generation AirPods are believed to already be in mass production and are expected to be released before the end of the year.

macOS Monterey Release Date

With iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 now released to the public, macOS Monterey is the last major OS update Apple has left to release this year.

Apple usually waits a little longer to release new versions of macOS, but following months of beta testing, the preview of macOS Monterey appears to be reaching its final versions. The release of the new OS could line up with the launch of the new ‌MacBook Pro‌ and ‌Mac mini‌ models, and Apple could announce its release date at the potential October event.

Apple Watch Series 7 Release Date

While Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 7 at its event in September, detailing a new design with larger displays, improved durability, and faster charging, the company did not provide any information about when the new smartwatch is set to go on sale other than simply suggesting that it would be later this fall.

It was rumored prior to the announcement of the Series 7 that Apple was experiencing some manufacturing problems with the new device that could delay its launch, with mass production reportedly ramping up at the end of September. This now appears to have been the case, with no date for the launch of the product having been announced. With almost all of the details about the Series 7 now revealed, Apple could pin down dates for the Apple Watch Series 7's pre-orders and launch at its next event.

The third-generation AirPods are still on track to be launched before the end of this year, despite their lack of appearance during the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 event earlier last month, according to DigiTimes.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported the weekend before Apple's September 14 "California streaming" event that the third-generation AirPods would make an appearance during the fully digital event. While that did not happen, the new AirPods are rumored to already be in mass production, and Apple is seemingly gearing up to launch them before the end of the year.

The new AirPods will be the first significant update to the AirPods lineup since the AirPods Pro three years ago. The new AirPods are expected to feature an updated design that takes inspiration from the higher-end AirPods Pro but lacking in "Pro" features. Rumors are unclear on whether the new AirPods will feature silicone ear tips or not, as leaked images and renders depict both possibilities.

Apple announced its AirPods Pro via a press release in 2019, and besides their initial announcement on stage in 2016, AirPods have not yet been given dedicated airtime during an Apple event. Apple could announce the new third-generation AirPods via a press release in the coming weeks, or alternatively include them in its rumored second event for the fall, expected to take place later this month or in November.

Apple supplier Foxconn has agreed to buy a former General Motors factory in Ohio, a move that potentially puts it in a better position to assemble cars for Apple, should the tech giant choose to formally enter the automotive sector in the future (via Bloomberg).

The purchase is part of a $280 million deal Foxconn has agreed with embattled automaker Lordstown Motors, which will sell the factory to the Taiwanese company for $230 million after buying it from GM for just $20 million two years ago.

Under the terms of the deal, Foxconn will also buy $50 million worth of common stock in Lordstown Motors and will assemble the automaker's Endurance electric pickup truck. Foxconn plans to start mass producing the vehicle in April, according to Bloomberg's sources.

Foxconn said in August that it plans to begin construction of all-electric vehicle plants in the United States and Thailand this year, with the aim of being operational by 2023.

The Lordstown deal is one of Foxconn's biggest vehicle-related investments it has made over the past two years. Foxconn has yet to commercially release any vehicle following the debut of its EV platform last year, but its purchase of the Ohio plant means it won't have to build capacity from scratch, which could help the iPhone manufacturer in any attempt to court Apple's business if it enters the market, although that isn't expected for at least several years.

Apple is widely reported to be working on its own vehicle and is thought to be exploring the potential for third-party companies to help it launch the Apple Car. One report vaguely referenced Foxconn as a potential candidate for the ‌Apple Car‌'s production, but Apple is also looking at other possible suppliers.

Apple reportedly wants to ensure that the battery used in the ‌Apple Car‌ is produced in the United States, and that sentiment could extend to other auto parts, which could work in Foxconn's favor if it's able to demonstrate proof to Apple of vehicle manufacturing expertise.

The Apple Watch Series 7 will ship in mid-October with pre-orders to begin "as early as next week," claims leaker Jon Prosser, citing sources "familiar with the release."

Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 7 at its September "California Streaming" event alongside the iPhone 13 models, but at the time, said the new Apple Watch would ship later in the fall.

There has been no official word on when the Series 7 will be available, but most Apple Watch Series 6 models have been sold out in the United States for a couple of weeks now. Rumors suggest the Apple Watch Series 7 was delayed because of manufacturing issues caused by the complexity of the device, which pushed back mass production.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in early September that Apple had resolved the production issues and that manufacturing would ramp up in mid to late September.

Prosser says that Apple has started "informing the press" inquiring about review units to expect more information on the Series 7 "in the coming weeks," with no other information available. Prosser has a mixed track record when it comes to leaks, particularly with launch date predictions, so this information should be viewed with some skepticism.

Still, mid-October is a reasonable guess and timeline for the Apple Watch Series 7 launch, especially as we are still expecting one more event this year that could take place in mid to late October.

The Apple Watch Series 7 did not get the design changes we were expecting, including the flat-edged design described by Prosser earlier this year. There is a redesign with a larger display, slimmer borders, and new 41mm and 45mm size options, but the general curved design of the Apple Watch remains the same.

The Apple Watch Series 7 does not feature new health tracking capabilities, but Apple improved durability and added a fast charging feature. Pricing on the Apple Watch Series 7 will start at $399.

Apple today seeded a macOS Big Sur 11.6.1 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after the launch of macOS Big Sur 11.6.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and once the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.

According to Apple's release notes, the update "improves the security of macOS." It's not clear why it's being released as a beta rather than to all users, but there's also a developer beta of a security update available for macOS Catalina as well.