Apple has quietly discontinued the Intel-based 21.5-inch iMac, which had remained available as a low-end configuration suitable for educational institutions. This leaves customers with the 24-inch and 27-inch iMac models to choose from.
A single 21.5-inch iMac configuration remained part of the iMac lineup following Apple's "Unleashed" event last week, but Apple has confirmed it is being discontinued and will no longer be sold through its online store or in Apple retail stores. The 21.5-inch model will remain available through third-party providers while supplies last.
The discontinued 21.5-inch iMac configuration included a 2.3GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 for $1,099.
The iMac lineup now starts with the new 24-inch model released in April of this year, with key features including Apple's M1 chip and an updated design available in several colors. The 24-inch iMac starts at $1,299. For customers wanting an even larger iMac, the 27-inch iMac remains in the lineup.
Apple stopped selling several higher-end 21.5-inch iMac configurations after the 24-inch model launched and now the 21.5-inch model has been discontinued entirely. Apple continues to sell some refurbished 21.5-inch iMac models through its online store.
The next-generation iMac that's in the works could be called the "iMac Pro," according to leaker Dylandkt. The device will feature the same M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that Apple introduced with the MacBook Pro models, and there could possibly be "an added configuration."
Apple is said to be using the "Pro" naming to differentiate the upcoming iMac from the 24-inch iMac that was released earlier this year. As it will use the M1 Pro and Max chips, Apple considers it a "Pro" device and is calling it the iMac Pro internally, according to Dylandkt
iMac (Pro) Promotion and Mini Led Base model 16gb Ram 512gb Storage M1 Pro and Max Dark bezels HDMI, SD Card, Usb C Similar design to iMac 24 and Pro Display XDR Starting price at or over 2000 dollars Ethernet on brick standard Face ID was tested (Not confirmed) 1H 2022
— Dylan (@dylandkt) October 30, 2021
The leaker claims that the iMac will feature a 27-inch mini-LED display with ProMotion technology, though some prior rumors have indicated that the next-generation iMac will have a larger display. Unlike the 24-inch iMac, the "iMac Pro" will feature dark bezels, and bezel size could be slimmed down.
Design wise, it could look similar to the 24-inch iMac and the Pro Display XDR, and Apple has apparently tested Face ID for the machine, but this is not a confirmed feature.
The base model iMac will feature 16GB memory and 512GB of storage, and all models will be equipped with an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and several USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, similar to the MacBook Pro. Apple is also said to be including an Ethernet port on the power adapter.
Dylandkt says that the iMac will have a starting price at or over $2,000, and it will be launching in the first half of 2022. The upcoming "iMac Pro" will replace the current Intel-based 27-inch iMac models.
We haven't heard much about Apple's larger iMac, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has confirmed that such a machine is in the works. Apple reportedly paused work on the bigger iMac to work on the 24-inch model, but now that the 24-inch iMac is out, development can resume.
Display analyst Ross Young has also said that Apple is working on a new 27-inch iMac with a mini-LED display and ProMotion display technology.
Following last week's big Apple event, this week saw some of the fruits of the announcements we saw there, with Apple releasing macOS Monterey and the new MacBook Pro models and third-generation AirPods making their way into customers' hands.
With the new MacBook Pro models out in the wild, we're learning more about the notched display with ProMotion, the impressive M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and more. And with Apple moving forward on its next set of operating system updates with macOS 12.1 and iOS 15.2, there's more to come, so read on for all of the details on this week's biggest stories!
Apple Releases macOS Monterey With AirPlay to Mac, Live Text, Safari Updates, Shortcuts App and More
The first reviews of the new MacBook Pro models were also shared by other websites and YouTube channels, with many reviewers agreeing that the new 14-inch and 16-inch models are impressive upgrades with fast performance, added ports, longer battery life, and mini-LED displays with ProMotion.
iOS 15.1 Features: Everything New
In addition to macOS Monterey, this week also saw the release of iOS 15.1, and as usual, there are quite a few new features and changes.
We've rounded up everything new in iOS 15.1, including SharePlay, ProRes video recording on iPhone 13 Pro models, the ability to add COVID-19 vaccination cards to the Wallet app, and more.
The third-generation AirPods have a similar design as the AirPods Pro, but lack silicone ear tips and active noise cancellation. Key features include adaptive EQ, spatial audio, longer battery life, a water-resistant MagSafe charging case, and more.
Apple Reveals Setting to Prevent a Mac App's Menu Bar Items From Being Hidden Under Notch
In the support document, Apple says users can turn on "scale to fit below built-in camera" for an app to adjust the active area of the display, ensuring that the app's menu bar items appear below the notch and are always visible.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
iFixit earlier this week posted a teaser of its MacBook Pro teardown, and now, the site is back with a full video that gives us a clear look at the components inside the new MacBook Pro models.
As iFixit mentioned in its first article, it's easier to get into a MacBook Pro than it was before because Apple is no longer gluing the batteries in place. Instead, there are adhesive pull tabs that make battery replacement more streamlined. Repairs aren't simple, though, because there's the speaker system to deal with near the battery, and the adhesive tabs for the two main battery cells can only be accessed by removing the trackpad.
The fans are bigger than the fans that were in the prior-generation machine, and there's more space for the speaker system due to the thicker chassis. There's a 99.6Wh battery in the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which is a bit smaller than the battery in the prior-generation model. With efficiency improvements introduced with the M1 Pro and Max chips, battery life is much improved.
There's an updated display cable design that gives them more slack when the display is opened and closed, which should prevent the "Flexgate" issues that have plagued older MacBook Pro models.
The three USB-C ports, the MagSafe port, and the headphone jack are modular for simple repairs, but the HDMI port and the SD card slot are soldered in place on the logic board. Memory and storage are integrated and not user replaceable.
All in all, iFixit gave the MacBook Pro a repair score of 4/10 because of the use of pentalobe screws, the difficulty removing the top cover, and issues with repairing features like the fingerprint sensor and the display, which lose functionality with component swaps.
iFixit also plans to do a full written teardown of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, which it says is very similar to the 16-inch machine. That teardown will be updated later.
Priced at $80, the Urban Magnetic iPad Stand is designed to turn an iPad Pro into a miniature iMac for a desktop-style setup. The Urban iPad Stand has a built-in magnet that is designed to attach to a compatible iPad, with the stand and the iPad automatically aligning thanks to the magnets in the recent iPad models.
On the stand, the iPad is positioned at an ideal height for an ergonomic viewing experience, and with the adjustable hinge at the back, the iPad can be rotated around 360 degrees to accommodate any viewing angle.
Available in either silver or space gray, the iPad Stand matches well with Apple's devices, and it is made from a hard, durable aluminum material that will last for years to come. The Urban Magnetic Stand is compatible with the first, second, and third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro models and the third, fourth, and fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.
To go along with the stand, Lululook is also offering MacRumors readers its $19 Foldable Mobile Phone Stand, which is a versatile mobile device holder. It is compatible with all iPhones that are at least 4.7-inches in size, which means it should work with all modern iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 12 and 13 options.
The stand can even fit iPads up to 11 inches, so you can use it with the standard iPad, iPad Air, 11-inch iPad Pro, and the iPad mini. Made from an aluminum alloy material, the stand is adjustable and can be rotated into multiple viewing angles for FaceTime calls, watching movies, cooking, and more.
Because of the foldable design, the stand is also able to collapse down, a feature that makes it much more portable and easy to bring on the go. There is a cutout at the center of the stand to accommodate charging with a Lightning cable, and the stand itself does not offer charging capabilities.
We have 10 prize packs, each of which features an Urban Magnetic iPad Pro Stand and a Foldable Mobile Phone Stand. 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 MacRumorsFacebook page.
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The contest will run from today (October 29) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on November 5. The winners will be chosen randomly on November 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.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Monterey 12.1 update to public beta testers, just a day after providing the beta to developers.
Public beta testers can download the macOS 12.1 Monterey update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the proper profile from Apple's beta software website.
macOS Monterey 12.1 introduces support for SharePlay, the feature that allows FaceTime users to do more with their friends and family members. With SharePlay, FaceTime users can listen to music, watch TV, watch movies, and even share their screen with the people they're chatting with.
SharePlay is already active in iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, and tvOS 15.1, and the macOS Monterey 12.1 update brings Macs in line with the Apple TV and iOS devices.
The 140W power adapter that ships with the 16-inch MacBook Pro models is unique in multiple ways, with Apple introducing new technology in the charger. It is the first Apple power adapter using gallium nitride or "GaN" technology to cut down on size, and it is equipped with USB-C Power Delivery 3.1. ChargerLab today published a teardown of the 140W power adapter, giving those who are curious about what's inside a look under the hood.
The teardown video features general measurements and testing of the power adapter, but ChargerLab also completely disassembles the body to get to the internals. The analysis portion of the teardown is highly technical, but that bit, which starts at around 7:30 into the video, is worth watching for those who want to know about the specific chip setup Apple is using.
As mentioned up above, this is the first power adapter that Apple has introduced with USB-C Power Delivery 3.1, and it is also compatible with devices that support that charging specification. MacBook Pro models are also able to charge with USB Power Delivery 3.1 chargers from third-party brands.
There are a wide variety of deals expiring soon at Verizon, with solid last-chance offers on MagSafe accessories, the Apple Pencil 2, iPhones, and more. Most of these deals are dated to expire on Monday, November 1, so be sure to browse each sale below before next week.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Cellular
Verizon's newest cellular offers include $300 off all 5G smartphones with Verizon Prepaid. This includes the newest iPhones, and you can get up to $1,000 off iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max when trading in your old smartphone and adding in a new line.
If you're looking for tablets, Verizon is offering up to $200 off Apple's newest iPads when trading in an older model and putting the new one on select Verizon Unlimited plans. This offer is available for the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern, a pair of Apple executives have addressed what is probably the most contentious and talked about features missing on the Mac - Face ID and touchscreen input.
One of the biggest criticisms of the Mac is the lack of Face ID. Since Face ID's launch on the iPhone X, some have wondered if Apple will ever bring it to the Mac. A report earlier in the year suggested it will happen in the future, but the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with the notch, and the lack of Face ID, have brought the debate back to the mainstream.
Addressing why the Mac lacks Face ID, Tom Boger, Apple's vice president of iPad and Mac product marketing, told Stern that Touch ID is more convenient on the Mac since users' hands are already on the keyboard.
Touch ID on the upper-right hand corner of the keyboard lets users easily authenticate by just placing their finger on the sensor. Still, Face ID on the Mac would presumably be even easier, as the Mac would unlock once a user looks at the display, similar to Face ID's behavior on the iPhone and iPad.
And Face ID? When I stare at the laptop's giant notch, I wonder why I can't unlock the machine with my face. Mr. Boger said Touch ID is more convenient on a laptop since your hands are already on the keyboard.
Another hot topic of debate surrounding the Mac has been touchscreen capabilities. The notion has been that if Macs were to gain touch input, it would cannibalize iPad sales. John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, seemingly agrees and said that it's not something Apple has felt the need to do.
"We make the world's best touch computer on an iPad. It's totally optimized for that. And the Mac is totally optimized for indirect input. We haven't really felt a reason to change that," John Ternus, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, told me.
Ternus and Boger also addressed more specific questions about the newly launched 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and Apple silicon in general. Recent MacBooks feature non-user upgradeable RAM, so the amount of RAM can't be upgraded down the line if a user finds they need extra memory than what shipped with the computer.
Both executives say that Apple silicon's "unified memory architecture" enables higher performance on Macs with Apple silicon, suggesting that similar performance levels would not be achievable without UMA.
The new MacBook Pros brought back many features enjoyed by Mac users that were taken away during the laptop's redesign in 2016. Most notably, Apple has brought back additional ports such as HDMI and MagSafe, removed the Touch Bar, improved the displays, and more.
Speaking generally to the reversal of changes this year, Boger told Stern that Apple is always "listening to its customers," which meant it ultimately needed to undo some of its previous Mac design decisions.
“We’re constantly listening to our customers and with this new lineup of MacBook Pros we decided to make some changes as we do a lot on the Mac,” Tom Boger, Apple’s Vice President of Mac and iPad Product Marketing, told me.
Run that through the executive-to-English translator and it comes out pretty clear: We were wrong.
In the full article, Stern also reviews the new MacBook Pros, applauding the return of more ports, full-size function keys, and more.
Microsoft has overtaken Apple as the world's most valuable company, making the Cupertino tech giant the second most valuable in the world, followed by Saudi oil giant Aramco.
Microsoft now sits at a market value of $2.46 trillion, while Apple stands at $2.43 trillion. Apple's drop in market value follows what Wall Street analysts and experts call disappointing quarterly earnings results yesterday, despite solid growth in product categories.
A report earlier in May highlighted some of the ways that Microsoft and Apple will become increasingly more competitive against each other. As both companies continue to invest heavily in augmented reality and artificial intelligence, the rivalry is expected to grow in the years to come.
We're tracking a few discounts on the newest versions of Apple's AirPods today, including the AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case and AirPods 3.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Starting with the AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case, this model is now on sale for $219.99 on Amazon, down from $249.00. This is an ongoing best-ever discount on this model and the lowest price we've ever tracked.
The only difference between the 2019 AirPods Pro and 2021 AirPods Pro with MagSafe Charging Case is the MagSafe Charging Case itself; otherwise the AirPods Pro are the exact same. Because of this, if you don't care about MagSafe, you can save some money and get the AirPods Pro for $197.00 right now on Amazon.
The new AirPods 3 also have a slight discount today, available for $174.99, down from $179.00. Although this isn't a particularly steep discount, it's the first cash discount we've tracked, and it's available to ship in one to two business days.
We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.
Google Photos users on iPhone and iPad will soon be able to lock their most sensitive images in a special passcode-protected folder, thanks to a new feature coming to the iOS app (via The Verge).
Currently exclusive to Pixel phones, the privacy-oriented Locked Folder feature allows users to save photos and videos in the app within a separate space that requires a passcode or fingerprint to access.
Media saved in the folder remains hidden, meaning the sensitive photos don't show up as users scroll through their Google Photos or any other apps on their device. Google says the feature is coming to iOS "early next year."
Importantly, at least as it currently works on Pixel Phones, any cloud backups of items placed in the Locked Folder are automatically deleted from Google's servers.
Google touts its photo and video backup service as "a safe home for life's memories," thanks to the "world-class security" and encryption it uses "to protect the photos that you back up or share."
Despite those safeguards, last year Google was forced to contact some 100,000 users to inform them that some of their private videos backed up on its servers had been accidentally sent to strangers due to a "technical issue."
Apple still doesn't offer an equivalent feature is its native Photos app for iOS. It does include an option to hide certain photos from the main library in a "Hidden" folder which can be literally hidden in the Photos app, but even so, the album can still be seen when the image picker is used in third-party apps, so it's not completely invisible from prying eyes.
Some Mac users who upgraded to macOS Monterey this week are experiencing problems getting USB hubs and other USB-based devices to work properly with their machines, based on scattered online reports.
There have been several reports on Reddit, Apple's Developer Forums, and Apple's Support Communities about the issues. In some cases, users say the the USB 3.0 ports on their hub no longer work since upgrading to Monterey, while HDMI, USB-C, and other hub ports continue to work as expected.
In other user reports surfacing online, the USB hubs fail to work at all. Some of the problems even relate to Apple certified hubs. Reddit user Flyersny81 relates their experience:
My USB-C hub has issues with this update. The HDMI port connected to my second screen is working on the hub but none of the USB3 ports are working at all. I have tried different C ports on the MacMini and different hubs (I have 4). I also replicated this issue on my M1 MacBook Air after updating to Monterey. Here is the hub I am using. These hubs worked perfectly in Big Sur.
Had a call with Apple support and they said to try an Apple certified hub. I used this one I had floating around in my bag and both the HDMI and USB3 ports worked on it. I tried to daisy chain the Amazon hub to the Apple hub but that didn’t work either. Support told me that many people have been complaining about this issue and it will hopefully be fixed in the next patch to be pushed out.
In other cases, the USB hubs work except for the power delivery port. For some, it's the additional connectivity provided by external displays that no longer works, with the power delivery affected in particular. From Apple's Developer Forums:
PD (Power Delivery) over USB-C also stopped working on my MBP 2018 after updating to Monterey (12.0.1). I use a Philips 346P1CRH. Everything was working flawlessly with Big Sur.
I have the same issue with my MBP M1 2020 connected with an external Monitor HP S340c. Power Delivery (PD) and Video-Connection not working (but Mouse and Keyboard is still supported/working).
Same problem as everyone, bought 34" Philips 346P1CRH/00 and everything worked fine on BigSur... After updating to Monterey, the video and ethernet works, but power supply is cut off. I'm on an M1 Macbook Air. :/
Essentially, Monterey has broken support for a WIDE number of USB Hubs. Some USB Hubs work but certain ports on the hub do not, some Hubs do not work at all.
For me, USB-C & HDMI work on the hub, but my USB 3.0 port will only power devices and there appears to be no data transfer.
This issue is absolutely a Monterey bug. My devices were working fine prior to upgrading, and I have been able to replicate the issue and narrow it down by testing against a device that does not have Monterey installed.
Many of the reports are from owners of M1-powered Macs, but not all. Some users have reported similar issues on Intel Macs. Based on user discussions, USB issues were reported in early beta versions of Monterey, suggesting this could be due to a legacy bug that Apple has still not patched.
As such, the problems appear to be evident in all versions of Monterey, including the latest 12.0.1 version. Suffice to say, anyone who has yet to upgrade to Monterey and relies on a USB hub is advised to hold off upgrading until Apple issues a fix.
Apple today seeded the first beta of macOS Monterey 12.1 to developers, and it turns out the update adds a missing Monterey feature -- SharePlay. According to Apple, SharePlay is enabled in the macOS Monterey 12.1 beta, so those who have the beta installed can do more with their friends and family members over FaceTime.
SharePlay was previously introduced in iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, and tvOS 15.1, but it was missing from the macOS Monterey update that came out last week. At the time Monterey launched, Apple said that SharePlay would be added in a subsequent update.
With SharePlay, FaceTime users can listen to music, watch TV, watch movies, and even share their screen with the people they're chatting with.
SharePlay works with first-party Apple experiences like Apple TV, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Music in addition to enabling screen sharing between multiple people, but it is also compatible with third-party app experiences. Developers have already been building SharePlay experiences for iOS devices, and now they can build SharePlay features into Mac apps as well.
The smart watch has a design that's not too far off from the Apple Watch, but it is wider and rounder with more curved edges. There is a camera at the bottom of the display, along with a control button on the right side.
According to Bloomberg, the watch features a detachable wrist strap and a button at the top of the case. Prior rumors have suggested the watch will have a detachable display with two built-in cameras for taking pictures and videos to share to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
A camera on the front of the display will be used for video calls, while a secondary camera on the back can be used for capturing photos when the body is detached from the stainless steel watch frame.
The device will offer a cellular connection that does not require a smartphone, and wearers will be able to send messages with services like Messenger and WhatsApp. It is also expected to have built-in health tracking features like a heart rate monitor.
Meta, which operates social networking site Facebook, already sells Oculus virtual reality headsets and the Facebook Portal video calling devices, but the smart watch will be its first wearable. Meta is planning to launch the watch as early as 2022, but there is no solidified timeline for release as of yet and plans could still change. If the device does debut in 2022, it will compete with the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8.
Apple CEO Tim Cookwas today asked about some of the regulatory issues that Apple is facing with the App Store, and he said that Apple is keeping its focus on privacy and security. Apple is facing potential regulatory changes that would force it to open up the iPhone to other app stores or alternate ways of loading apps on the iPhone.
The main thing we're focused on in the App Store is keeping our focus on privacy and security. These are the two major tenets that have produced a very trusted environment where consumers and developers come together. Consumers can trust the developers and the apps are who they say they are. Developers get a huge audience to sell their software to.
That's sort of number one on our list. Everything else is a distant second. What we're doing is working to explain the decisions that we've made that are key to keeping our privacy and security. Not having sideloading and alternate ways on the iPhone where we're opening up the iPhone to unreviewed apps that get by the privacy restrictions we put on the App Store.
Cook went on to say that Apple is "very focused in discussing privacy and security of the App Store with regulators and legislators."
Apple recently came out largely victorious in its antitrust lawsuit with Epic Games, with the judge in that case ruling that Apple does not have a monopoly. Apple was, however, told to allow developers to put links to outside websites and alternate payment options in their apps.
Apple was given a deadline in December to make this change, but Apple has appealed for more time and has asked to avoid making changes until the entire case has come to a conclusion.
Back in June, U.S. lawmakers introduced antitrust legislation that would require Apple to make sweeping changes to the App Store, which Apple will undoubtedly fight against.
During today's earnings call for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple is "working feverishly" to boost iPhone 13 supplies.
Cook said that Apple feels "very very good" about where demand is at for the iPhone 13, in terms of sales compared to the iPhone 12. Supplies are constrained, though, and Apple has not been able to meet demand.
Initial supplies of the iPhone 13 models sold out quickly after the new smartphones went on sale in September, and there are currently long wait times for most iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max devices.
Apple lost around $6 billion in revenue during the quarter due to supply issues that were caused by chip shortages and COVID-related manufacturing delays, and Apple expects that these supply problems will continue into next quarter.
Apple today reported services revenue of $18.27 billion in the fourth quarter of its 2021 fiscal year, which is an all-time quarterly revenue record. The company's services revenue was up around 25% from $14.54 billion in the year-ago quarter.
Apple's services category includes revenue generated from the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple Pay, Apple Card, Apple TV+, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, AppleCare+, iCloud, iTunes Store, licensing, and more.
Cook told CNBC that Apple has 745 million paid subscriptions, ranging from Apple Music subscriptions to in-app subscriptions through the App Store.
"That's up 160 million year on year, which is up five times in five years," said Cook. "So it's been quite the growth cycle."
Apple's financial chief Luca Maestri said the company set September quarter revenue records across each of its services, and he said Apple's active installed base of all devices reached a new all-time high across all of its geographic segments.
Maestri said Apple's services category brought in $68 billion revenue in the 2021 fiscal year, which is nearly triple the company's services revenue six years ago.