The Chicago Transit Authority today announced that Ventra now supports Apple Pay with Express Transit mode, allowing the fare card to be added to the Wallet app on a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch for tap-and-go payment at train stations and on buses.
Express Transit mode allows users to pay for rides without having to wake or unlock their iPhone or Apple Watch, or open the Ventra app. The mode also bypasses the need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Users simply need to hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the contactless payment reader until a checkmark appears on the display.
With your Ventra Card on iPhone and Apple Watch it's easier than ever to get around on CTA and Pace. Just tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay for rides using transit value or passes. No fumbling to grab a separate transit card, open apps or even wake your device — it's that easy!
And get the same features of a Ventra Card on your iPhone and Apple Watch, including the ability to load and manage transit value and CTA and Pace passes, autoload, pre-tax transit benefits from your employer, account management features in the Ventra app and more!
How to add a Ventra card to the Wallet app:
Open the Ventra app on your iPhone and tap the "Cards" tab
Select the Ventra card you want to add
Press the "Add to Apple Wallet" button and follow the on-screen instructions
Special fare program cards, such as RTA Reduced Fare, Student Ventra cards, or U-Pass cards, cannot be added to the Wallet app at this time. It is also not possible to add a Ventra card to the Wallet app on more than one device at a time, according to the CTA, which says to add the card only to the iPhone or Apple Watch you wish to use when you ride.
After adding an existing Ventra card to the Wallet app, the plastic version will no longer be functional and cannot be reloaded.
Apple Pay with Express Transit mode went live in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. earlier this year, with other supported U.S. cities including New York and Portland.
Facebook has today announced a new series of cloud-streamed games for its app and website, but the service will be unavailable in-app to iOS users due to Apple's App Store policies (via CNBC).
Facebook explained in its announcement that the games will not be spun off into a separate cloud gaming service, instead remaining within Facebook's app and website.
The first set of games available this week include "Asphalt 9: Legends" by Gameloft, "Mobile Legends: Adventure" by Moonton, "PGA TOUR Golf Shootout" by Concrete Software, Inc., "Solitaire: Arthur's Tale" by Qublix Games, and "WWE SuperCard" by 2K Games. "Dirt Bike Unchained" by Red Bull is set to be added in the coming weeks.
The company says that cloud-streaming games will bring cross-play to Facebook for the first time, as well as cloud-playable ads for interactive demos, intended to "blur the line between games and ads." The games will be coming to a redesigned "Destination for Play" on Facebook for resuming games and discovering new ones.
Facebook's cloud gaming solution is not comparable to subscription services such as Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, or Microsoft's xCloud, since the company has focused on versions of mobile games that are initially free to play, rather than AAA titles.
"We think this will expand very quickly because we're not charging up front and you don't need to have a controller," said Jason Rubin, Facebook's vice president of special gaming initiatives.
However, the new cloud-streamed games will not be available on iOS. Facebook says that this is due to Apple's "arbitrary" App Store policies.
Apple does not allow apps to act as third-party app stores, refusing apps that distribute software "in a store or store-like interface." Apple now says that apps can offer a subscription to multiple games, but only if each game can be approved by Apple and is offered in its own app.
Although Facebook could theoretically bring cloud gaming to iOS via the browser version of Facebook, the company has no plans to do so.
"We don't want people going to web Facebook 20 times a day. We have a great app," Rubin said. "We would have to use Apple's technology and browser on iOS, and that isn’t optimized to the benefit of cloud games," said Rubin.
When Facebook users make a micro-transaction in a cloud-streamed game in a browser, 30 percent of revenue will go to Facebook and 70 percent will go to the game developers. For purchases made on Android, Facebook will not take a cut, and instead, its 30 percent goes to Google.
"We would be willing to give the 30 percent to Apple, that is not what's holding us up," Rubin said. "What's holding us up is we're not allowed to do the things that we're doing on Android," Rubin explained.
The snipe at Apple appears to be the latest in an ongoing feud between the two companies. In August, Facebook was forced to remove the games feature from its Facebook Gaming app on iOS for violating App Store policies.
Facebook's cloud-streamed games will begin rolling out this week to users near a Facebook data center, achieving coverage in California, Texas, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C., with further expansion expected in the coming months.
Apple's new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro feature a new Ceramic Shield screen that Apple says offers 4x better drop performance. To test that claim, Allstate Protection Plans put the two models through a range of breakability tests and recorded the results.
In a face down sidewalk drop test at six feet, the iPhone 12 suffered small cracks and scuffed corners and edges, leaving sharp grooves in the metal. According to Allstate, this result was significantly better than both its predecessor, the iPhone 11, and the Samsung Galaxy S20.
As for the the iPhone 12 Pro, which is 25 grams heavier than the iPhone 12, the handset cracked across the lower half of its Ceramic Shield screen but sustained no malfunctions or noticeable functional damage. While it fared slightly worse than the iPhone 12, it also performed considerably better than the iPhone 11 Pro in similar tests.
In a back down drop test in similar conditions, the iPhone 12 corners and edges were scuffed but the rear panel survived "virtually unscathed," and the testers suggested its improved durability could be down to its flat-edge design. Meanwhile, the iPhone 12 Pro shattered when dropped on its back, resulting in loose glass and cracking on its wide camera. The damage was not catastrophic, however, and the iPhone 12 Pro seemed to work as normal after impact.
When dropped on their sides in similar conditions, both iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro suffered scuffing and sharp steel edges, especially along their corners, but both models were otherwise unharmed. The testers summed up the findings with the following:
Through face-down, back-down, and side-down breakability drop tests, Allstate Protection Plans found that the Ceramic Shield front front is a huge improvement. Additionally, the flat side design appears to improve durability on both phones when dropped on their rear panels. That said, both phones were damaged when dropped on a sidewalk. Given their hefty repair costs, we encourage everyone to use a protective case and treat their new iPhone 12 with the care you would give an expensive camera.
Apple charges $279 for screen repairs on iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models. For all other damage, such as cracked rear glass, the repair fee is $449 for the iPhone 12 and $549 for the iPhone 12 Pro. To obtain service, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website.
YouTube channel MobileReviewsEh previously conducted some tests on the iPhone 12 using a force meter to compare its performance to the iPhone 11. You can see the results of those.
Keep in mind that these kinds of drop tests are not always going to see the same results, and can vary based on the angle that an iPhone happens to fall at, so it's always best to use caution with devices made of glass, whether or not they have a Ceramic Shield.
Apple plans to update its AirPods line next year with two new models including third-generation AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
The Cupertino, California-based technology giant is working on two new models: third-generation entry-level AirPods and the second version of the AirPods Pro earbuds, according to people familiar with the plans.
The models will join other new Apple audio devices like the HomePod mini and upcoming over-ear headphones.
Corroborating previous rumors regarding new AirPods models, the report claims the new entry-level AirPods will inherit a form factor design similar to AirPods Pro, with a shorter stem and replaceable ear tips, but minus the higher end features of the latter earbuds such as noise cancelation. Apple is looking to improve the entry-level AirPods' battery life, however.
As for the second version of AirPods Pro, Apple aims to make the earbuds more compact by eliminating the short stem that currently sticks out from the bottom, and is said to be testing a design with "a more rounded shape that fills more of a user's a ear," which would make them more similar to Samsung's Galaxy Buds and similar rival designs from Amazon and Google.
According to the report, integrating the AirPods Pro features, antennas, and microphones into the smaller casing has proven "challenging" during development, which "could result in a less ambitious design when the product is finalized."
Apple has reportedly discussed launching the new low-end AirPods during the first half of next year and is also planning new wireless chips to power both models. Apple launched the original AirPods in 2016 for $159 and updated them with a wireless charging case in March 2019, while the AirPods Pro came out in October 2020 and cost $249.
Apple is also reportedly mulling a new model of HomePod that would sit in between the original HomePod and the recently announced HomePod mini, claims the report.
Beyond the new AirPods, Apple has also internally weighed a new HomePod that sits in size, price and sound quality between the original $299 HomePod and the $99 HomePod mini. It's unclear if Apple will ultimately launch that product or just further cut the price of the higher-end version.
Apple unveiled the smaller $99 HomePod mini earlier this month, along with new smart Home features for the speakers, like Intercom.
The report also provides an update on where Apple's rumored "AirPods Studio" headphones are at. According to Bloomberg, Apple still plans to announce the high-end noise-canceling over-ear headphones but the product has faced several development challenges over the past two years, leading to multiple delays and a scaling back of functionality, including dropping the replaceable headband concept.
The headphones were due to go into production weeks ago, but that was pushed back due to problems with the headband, a person familiar with the matter said. That part was deemed too tight in some testing.
The company initially wanted to include large touch pads on the sides of the headphones, but reduced the size of those panels. Apple has also scaled back some of the interchangeable functionality of the headphones that were a hallmark of the initial concept. The latest version of the product is likely to lack a replaceable headband, but could still include interchangeable ear pads.
Previously rumored to be priced starting at $350, "AirPods Studio" are expected to feature Active Noise Cancellation and a retro-style design that could involve both a premium model made from high quality materials and a sport-oriented model made from breathable, lighter weight materials.
As the report suggests, AirPods Studio will likely feature magnetic ear cups that can be swapped out for a customizable look, much like Apple Watch bands, and there could be additional features like ear detection so there's no right or left side when wearing the headphones.
Photos and a video clip said to depict the AirPods Studio surfaced in September, featuring headphones with large oblong ear cups and gray fabric padding at the top of the headband. The fabric of the ear cups and the headband appears to be similar to the mesh used for the HomePod.
Rumors have suggested that Apple may be planning to hold a third fall event on November 17, which is said to be focused on Apple Silicon Macs, but could also see the debut of AirPods Studio. The 2020 launch date isn't a sure thing though, as there's been some mixed information suggesting the AirPods Studio might not be ready for launch, so it's unclear just what's going to happen.
Last week Apple removed the Apple TV Remote app from the App Store, given that the app's functionality has been baked into the Control Center on iPhone and iPad since iOS 11. Following the Remote app's discontinuation, a former Apple engineer took to Twitter to share some interesting details about the app's original development.
Alan Cannistraro writes that he began writing the app in 2006 before he even saw the first iPhone user interface, and instead used his own UI elements to begin with. The former designer explains that the Remote app was Apple's first production app that the App Store team used to "test their upload flow" to the Store, and while it only shipped with iTunes and Apple TV controls, early prototypes were a lot more functional.
While we shipped it only with iTunes and Apple TV control, my prototype also allowed me to turn on/off lights, TVs and Receivers (via an IR adaptor), and save and resume a room’s state as a "Scene".
A year later (2009) I had also built prototypes in Remote that would let your phone touchscreen be your mouse for your computer, and to interact with photos, applications (the original TouchBar) and screensavers on your Mac.
I was pitching a larger idea around device communication that never got off the ground (too early?). Predecessor to HomeKit & AirPlay. I had devices from Denon, Marantz, Sharp that spoke a protocol I designed so you could turn them on/off, change inputs and volume, tone, etc.
Another prototype Cannistraro designed in 2009 turned the iPhone's touchscreen surface into a computer mouse, and also offered a way for Mac users to "interact with photos, applications (the original TouchBar) and screensavers."
Cannistraro says he showed the app to then-Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who was so impressed with the way it let you control the Apple TV with swipes and gestures that he wanted the next hardware Apple TV remote to work similarly.
In 2010, I sat down with with Steve to show him how Remote controlled Apple TV with swipes, and he said, “our next Apple TV Remote should be this without a screen”. It took five years (lots of stuff paused when Steve died), but eventually Siri Remote came out and was just that.
On reflection, Cannistraro says he believes the "ultimate vision" for Remote still hasn't been realized, and that smart home control remains a "disjointed experience" on any ecosystem. "HomeKit and Alexa are getting us closer," he says, "but there is still much to do to make the rooms we live in into elegant, ambient, intelligent experiences. Working on it."
The United States Justice Department is targeting a lucrative deal between Apple and Google as part of one of the U.S. government's largest antitrust cases, reports The New York Times.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, claiming the Mountain View-based company used anticompetitive and exclusionary practices in the search and advertising markets to maintain an unlawful monopoly.
In 2017, Apple updated an agreement to keep Google's search engine as the preselected option on Apple devices. The New York Times reports that Apple receives an estimated eight to 12 billion dollars per year in exchange for making Google the default search engine on its devices and services, including the iPhone and Siri. This is believed to be the single biggest payment Google makes to anyone, and it accounts for 14 to 21 percent of Apple's annual profits.
Prosecutors claim that the deal is representative of illegal tactics used to protect Google's monopoly and stifle competition. According to the Justice Department, almost one half of Google's search traffic now comes from Apple devices, and the prospect of losing the agreement has been described as "terrifying" and a "code red" scenario within the company. Google's search traffic is integral to its business model due to its system of ads.
Apple is likewise coming under fire for facilitating anticompetitive behavior by acquiescing to the deal and extracting more money with regular renegotiations. Although the two companies are competitors in Silicon Valley, the agreement is said to be part of "an unlikely union of rivals."
The Justice Department's complaint cites a senior Apple employee's remark from 2018 which said that "our vision is that we work as if we are one company."
The legal intervention poses a threat to a significant chunk of Apple's revenue, but it is a bigger danger for Google, which would seemingly have no way to replace the traffic it would lose. The New York Times speculates that such a breakup could push Apple to acquire or build its own search engine, which could in turn pose an even greater threat to Google.
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.
Some iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro users in the UK have reported that their new devices are recieving an error message in the "NHS COVID-19" contact-tracing app, rendering it unusable (via BBC News).
'Unfortunately, You Can't Run This App'
Similar errors and issues have been reported in other regions contact tracing apps that also use Apple's Exposure Notification API. The error appears to occur when apps are transferred from an older iPhone using an iCloud Backup data transfer. To rectify the issue, UK users are being encouraged to do the following:
Open Settings.
Select Notifications.
Tap on Exposure Notifications.
Turn on the Allow Notifications option.
Users in other countries may simply have to re-launch their contact tracing app to re-enable the permission, or follow the same procedure above.
The issue seems to be caused by iOS not asking users to enable the Allow Notifications permission when transferring to a new device, and it is not clear that this needs to be done. Consequently, the contact-tracing app cannot enable the Bluetooth-based technology it requires to function correctly.
While simply deleting and reinstalling the app seems to resolve the issue, this is not recommended. A fresh install prompts the exposure notification to appear again, however, this method wipes all information previously gathered by the app, including all venues that users had checked in to, so it is not advisable unless the initial fix does not work.
To verify your history of exposure notification locations, go to Settings -> Exposure Notifications -> Exposure Logging Status -> Exposure Checks.
Matters have been confused further by the fact that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have not yet been included in the NHS's list of compatible devices.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro should in fact be capable of running England and Wales' contact-tracing software, which uses the Apple and Google Exposure Notification API. Around 18 million Brits have installed the NHS COVID-19 app so far.
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 today shared a new video on its YouTube channel that features footage shot on the iPhone 12 Pro.
Apple says the two-minute video pushes the iPhone 12 Pro's new Dolby Vision and low-light capabilities to the limit as an attempt to "capture darkness itself."
The video is also accompanied by a behind the scenes look at how it was made.
After live streaming a teardown of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro earlier this week, iFixit today provided a more in-depth teardown that goes through all of the components in the new devices, revealing several similarities between the two.
Early testing conducted by iFixit shows that the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro displays are interchangeable and can be swapped without issue, though the max brightness level of the two vary slightly. With just the displays and no other internals removed, the devices look almost identical.
Upon removing the camera shield of the iPhone 12, there appears to be a plastic spacer in place of the iPhone 12 Pro's telephoto lens and LiDAR Scanner.
It was confirmed that both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro feature the same 2,815mAh battery earlier this week, and iFixit was also able to corroborate this. Additionally, iFixit said the batteries of the two devices are interchangeable.
An X-ray courtesy of Creative Electron reveals the nearly identical L-shaped logic board, battery, and circular array of magnets, which introduce MagSafe support, in the two devices. A separate teardown of Apple's MagSafe charger shared by iFixit reveals a simple design with magnets and a charging coil encircling a small circuit board.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro earned a repairability score of 6 out of 10. iFixit said that many components are modular and are easy to replace, but the site bemoaned Apple's continued use of proprietary screws, the devices' increases in waterproofing that can complicate repairs, and the increased chance of breakage due to glass on the front and back of the two devices.
Alongside the HomePod mini, Apple introduced a new Intercom feature that's designed to let Apple device owners communicate with one another throughout the home, sending messages to specific rooms, areas, or people.
Intercom works with the HomePod, HomePod mini, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and even CarPlay, so you can dictate a voice message on any of your devices that you can have delivered to a single person in the family or all family members. Intercom is primarily designed as a feature for the HomePod and HomePod mini.
We have a demo and walkthrough video on the new feature:
How to Set Up Intercom
After updating to HomePod software 14.2 and iOS 14.2, Intercom can be set up in the Home app. Intercom works if you have a HomePod or another compatible device, and there is no dedicated interface on the iPhone for using Intercom outside of the Home app.
Tap on the little house icon in the upper left corner.
Tap on "Home Settings."
Scroll down to "Intercom" and tap it.
Adjust your notification settings and select the people in the home who are able to use the Intercom feature.
Those who have remote access to your Home app can send or receive Intercom messages even when away from home, with those messages displaying as audio notifications on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Note that anyone who wants to be able to use Intercom will need to be added as a person with access to the home. This can be done by entering the Home Settings screen and tapping on "Invite People."
How to Use Intercom to Send a Message to a HomePod
Intercom messages can be sent to the HomePods throughout a home using Siri on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, another HomePod, and more. To send an Intercom message, just activate Siri on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, CarPlay, or AirPods and then say "Intercom" and your message.
So if you wanted to tell everyone that dinner is ready, just say "Intercom, dinner is ready" and the message "Dinner is ready" will be relayed to all of the HomePods in the Home.
Other commands like "Hey Siri, tell everyone dinner is ready" also work as an alternative phrase for communicating through Intercom.
In the Home app on iPhone and iPad, there's also an option to tap on the small waveform in the upper right corner to record a message that's then sent to Intercom devices in the home.
How to Use Intercom to Send a Message From a HomePod to Another Device
You can use the HomePod to send a message to other HomePods in the home or to the devices that belong to members of the family.
It's as simple as activating Siri, saying "Intercom" and then the message, with the message able to be sent to every person in the family regardless of who's at home. It will play on HomePod speakers in the house as well as on individual iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.
How to Send a Message to a Specific Room
If you have HomePods in separate rooms, you can direct a message to that room by activating Siri and then saying "Intercom [room name] [message]."
So for example if you wanted to tell everyone in the living room that dinner is ready, you would say "Hey Siri, intercom living room dinner is ready."
Note that to use the room command, HomePods need to be correctly assigned to a room in the Home app. Assigning or changing a room can be done by following these steps:
Open the Home app.
Select the HomePod or HomePod mini from the device list.
Long press on the HomePod icon.
Tap on the gear icon at the bottom of the interface that pops up or scroll down forcefully.
Tap on "Room."
Select a room from the list of available rooms or tap "Create New."
When done, close the interface by tapping the "X" at the top of the window.
How to Reply to an Intercom Message
If you receive an Intercom message in one room of the house and want to send a message back, you can activate Siri and then say "reply" along with your message.
So if you received an Intercom message that said "Dinner's ready," you can say "Hey Siri reply I'm on my way" to send a message right back.
Devices Compatible With Intercom
You can use iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and AirPods to send Intercom messages to the members of your household, and you can even send messages through CarPlay if you're driving.
Note that if your devices are using different languages, such as Spanish for the HomePod and English for the iPhone, Intercom may not function properly.
Guide Feedback
Have questions about Intercom or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.
iPhone 12 Pro models feature a new LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality experiences, but the sensor also enables another unique feature: the ability to measure a person's height instantly using the Measure app. You can even measure the seated height of a person in a chair, according to Apple.
When the Measure app detects a person in the viewfinder, it automatically measures their height from the ground to the top of their head, hat, or hair.
To measure a person's height, open the Measure app and position the iPhone so that the person you want to measure appears on the screen from head to toe. After a brief moment, a line will appear at the top of the person's head with their height measurement, which appears in either feet and inches or in centimeters depending on whether imperial or metric is selected under Settings > Measure > Measure Units.
The circular shutter button in the bottom-right corner allows you to take a photo of the person with their height measurement and share it with them.
Apple's biggest product launch of the year is finally here, with the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro getting into customers' hands for the first time, along with a bonus debut for the colorful fourth-generation iPad Air.
This week's top stories were all about those launches, including the new MagSafe Charger that Apple hopes will bring a new level of convenience and speed to wireless charging. Read on below for the highlights of our coverage from a busy launch week!
First Impressions From New iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Owners
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are now available, and that means a host of first impressions, reviews, and unboxing videos for the devices are being shared by users and members of the media. We've also gone hands-on with iPhone 12 Pro ourselves, and we'll have much more to share in the coming days.
Most reviews have found the iPhone 12 to be quite similar to the iPhone 12 Pro, with both devices featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display, A14 Bionic chip, and a new flat-edge design. iPhone 12 Pro goes a few steps further with a better camera system, LiDAR Scanner, and a stainless steel frame.
New iPad Air Reviews: 'The Best Tablet for Most People'
Alongside the new iPhone models, the fourth-generation iPad Air has also debuted, and early reviews are in for the new tablet, which features a larger 10.9-inch edge-to-edge display, a faster A14 Bionic chip, a USB-C port, and Touch ID built into the power button.
Most reviews agree that the new iPad Air is Apple's best tablet for the average customer, as it has been upgraded with a similar design and features as the iPad Pro, despite starting at a lower price of $599 — albeit with only 64GB of storage. iPad Pro models start at $799 with 128GB of storage. The A14 Bionic chip in the new iPad Air is also newer than the A12Z chip in the iPad Pro.
Hands-On With Apple's MagSafe Charger for iPhone 12
iPhone 12 models feature a new MagSafe system that allows for precise wireless charging and easy-to-attach magnetic accessories on the back of the devices, such as Apple's new MagSafe Charger.
Priced at $39, the MagSafe Charger looks like a larger Apple Watch charging puck, featuring a circular design with a cord at one end that plugs into a power adapter. The charger is designed to snap on to a ring of magnets built into the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, for a perfect alignment without any hassle.
Despite having a compact design, Apple says the HomePod mini still delivers "amazing sound" using "computational audio." The speaker is equipped with the same S5 chip as the Apple Watch Series 5, allowing the speaker to "analyze the unique characteristics of the music and apply complex tuning models" to optimize loudness and adjust the dynamic range.
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.
Alongside the iPhone 12 models, Apple introduced a new $39 MagSafe Charger that's meant to work with the magnets in the iPhone 12 Pro models to charge them up at a maximum of 15W.
The MagSafe Charger is technically able to be used with older iPhones, but it's not a good idea because the charging with non-iPhone 12 devices is so slow.
We did two tests with the iPhone XS Max, draining the battery down to 1 percent, putting it in Airplane Mode, and then charging for a half an hour.
In the first test, the MagSafe charger charged the iPhone XS Max to 13 percent in 30 minutes, and in the second test, it charged the iPhone XS Max to 14 percent in 30 minutes.
We've tested a lot of Qi-based wireless chargers and have never seen 7.5W Qi charging speeds that slow. For reference, a 7.5W charger is able to charge an iPhone to about 25 percent in a half hour.
We specifically tested the iPhone XS Max in the exact same conditions as the MagSafe charger with a standard 7.5W Belkin charger and it charged to 26 percent in the 30 minute window.
For those who don't have an iPhone 12 and were considering getting a MagSafe charger to use with an older iPhone, don't. It's not worth it for the slow charging speeds and you're better off with a standard Qi charger.
The MagSafe charger will work fine with the iPhone 12 and should charge faster than Qi, but it's not as fast as charging with the Lightning to USB-C cable and a 20W power adapter, as Joanna Stern found out in a charging speed test. That's not too surprising because a Lightning to USB-C charger paired with a 20W+ power adapter enables fast charging, where the iPhone 12 models can charge to 50 percent in one half hour.
If you keep your iPhone in a leather case while charging with Apple's new MagSafe Charger, the case might show circular imprints from contact with the accessory, according to a new Apple support document published today.
Apple's support document also outlines some other MagSafe Charger information:
Apple says users should not place credit cards, security badges, passports, or key fobs between the iPhone and MagSafe Charger, because this might damage magnetic strips or RFID chips in those items.
Apple says that if an iPhone's battery gets too warm while charging with MagSafe, software might limit charging above 80 percent.
If an iPhone has both a MagSafe Charger attached and a Lightning cable plugged in, charging will occur via Lightning only.
To clean the MagSafe Charger, Apple says to first disconnect the charger from power and brush off any debris from the metal ring. Then, Apple says to use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the silicone middle of the charging area. Apple says window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide should not be used.
MagSafe is a new feature on all iPhone 12 models that allows for magnetic accessories to be attached to the back of the devices, including Apple's MagSafe Charger for more precise wireless charging. Apple also offers a MagSafe-based Leather Wallet for credit cards that should begin arriving to customers within the coming weeks.
Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are the first iPhones to be released with 5G connectivity, and there are several new settings related to 5G that you should be aware of.
By default, when you set up a new iPhone 12 or 12 Pro, it activates an Auto 5G mode that only turns on 5G data when it won't significantly reduce battery life. You can turn this off so that your iPhone uses 5G all the time, and there are also data modes to choose from. This how to shows you where the new settings are and explains what they mean.
Turn on 5G All the Time or Activate 4G
Getting to your specific cellular settings might look a bit different depending on your carrier, but these general steps should work for accessing your Voice and Data settings.
Open up Settings.
Tap on "Cellular."
Tap on your cellular plan or Cellular Data Options.
Tap on Voice & Data.
From the Voice & Data menu, you'll see three options: 5G On, 5G Auto, and LTE. 5G Auto, the default setting, uses 5G only when 5G won't significantly reduce battery life.
This appears to be Apple's Data Saver Mode that's meant to swap the iPhone's connection to LTE when 5G speeds aren't necessary. For example, when the iPhone is updating in the background, it uses LTE because super fast speeds aren't necessary, but in instances where speed does matter, such as downloading a show, the iPhone 12 models will swap over to 5G.
5G On ensures that 5G is activated all the time when a 5G network is available, and LTE disables 5G all together and lets you use an LTE connection instead of a 5G connection.
Data Mode
There are several data modes that you can adjust. By default, iPhone 12 models are set on "Allow More Data on 5G," which offers up higher-quality video and FaceTime when connected to 5G cellular networks.
Most people with unlimited data will want to leave this enabled, but if you're aiming to preserve data, you can change the settings to "Standard," which allows automatic updates and background tasks on cellular but limits video and FaceTime quality.
There's also a Low Data Mode that helps reduce cellular data usage by pausing automatic updates and background tasks when connected to a cellular network. Here's how to get to your data settings:
Open up Settings.
Tap on "Cellular."
Tap on your cellular plan or Cellular Data Options.
Tap on Data Mode.
5G is still a new technology that carriers in the United States and other countries are rolling out, so many people may not have 5G connections available to them. Most U.S. carriers have widespread Sub-6GHz 5G networks that should give 5G connectivity that's a bit faster than LTE in most areas, but the fastest mmWave 5G is extremely limited. Make sure to check out our mmWave vs. Sub-6GHz guide for more info.
5G Connectivity Symbols
When you're connected to a 5G network, you'll see a few different symbols, all of which confirm that you're on a 5G network. 5G+ is AT&T's symbol when connected to a faster mmWave 5G network, and the 5G UW symbol shows up when you have a higher-speed mmWave connection on a Verizon device.
Feedback
Have 5G questions or know of something we left out in this how to? Send us an email here.
Happy launch day! The new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are arriving to pre-order customers as of today and are hitting stores worldwide. We picked up a Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro and thought we'd share our first impressions for MacRumors readers still deciding on a purchase or waiting for their own iPhones to arrive.
This year's iPhones include no EarPods or power adapter in the box, so there's a new, more environmentally friendly box that's slimmer than the prior boxes. There's the phone itself, a Lightning to USB-C cable, a few small regulatory booklets, an Apple sticker, and a SIM ejection tool.
The squared-off edges of the new iPhone design are a major departure from the rounded edges we've had since the iPhone 6, so the feel of the flatter edge will take some getting used to. It can be a bit more uncomfortable to hold in the hand when you're unaccustomed to it, but it does feel secure and easy to hold on to, even though it's thinner than the iPhone 11 models.
Design wise, the new iPhone 12 Pro looks similar to the iPad Pro or something like the iPhone 5, so if you love that flat edged look, this is the phone for you. We think it looks great, and it's a refreshing change from rounded edges. There have already been complaints about those shiny stainless steel edges on the Pro models, and we can confirm, that glossy material is a fingerprint magnet. The Pacific Blue color is unique, but it doesn't do much in terms of hiding fingerprints.
The iPhone 12 Pro is 6.1 inches, which is about the same size as the iPhone 11 before. Last year's Pro model was 5.8 inches, so expect a bit of a size increase, but overall, the sizes aren't hugely different.
Apple added a new Ceramic Shield display that offers 4x stronger drop protection, but we're not going to test that claim and ruin a perfectly good iPhone. Drop tests will be coming, though, and note that Apple makes no claims when it comes to protection against scratches and dings. Our iPhone is new enough that it's in perfect condition, but there have been early reports that the screen is easier to scratch than normal, which is something to keep an eye on.
We covered MagSafecases and chargers earlier this week before we had a new iPhone and were curious if the magnetic connection is stronger with an actual iPhone 12 in hand, and it does seem like there's a small difference. It's still not as magnetic as we might have expected, and while we don't have a Wallet accessory on hand to test yet, there's a good chance it's not going to be the best accessory to slap onto the back of the phone.
All of the new iPhone 12 models support 5G, but we can't give feedback on connection speeds because it's just too early. That's something we'll follow up on in another video, but for the fastest mmWave 5G, you need to be in specific parts of specific cities to use it, so most people won't be experiencing it.
Most people will connect to slower Sub-6GHz networks. We have a T-Mobile iPhone 12 Pro, and so far, the speeds seem to be a bit faster than on LTE, but for Verizon, LTE was faster. We'll also need to come back to the A14 chip after we've had some time to test it out, but it is unsurprisingly the fastest chip in an iPhone yet.
The iPhone 12 Pro has a middle-tier camera that's better than the iPhone 12 camera but not quite as good as the camera setup in the Pro Max, launching in November. There are three lenses along with a LiDAR Scanner, which brings some neat features like Night Mode portraits, Night Mode for the Ultra Wide lens, and improved low-light performance.
Ultra Wide lens comparison
The LiDAR Scanner works by sending out light and measuring the time it takes to reflect back from objects, mapping out the entire space around you. In addition to photography features, it also has some AR applications, but developers need to incorporate the new technology into apps before we can see what it can really do.
Portrait mode comparison
As for the camera quality, we'll have a deep dive, but early photos are promising. The 7-element Wide camera has an f/1.6 aperture that lets in 27 percent more light, and there's an improved optical image stabilization system that makes 5000 adjustments per second. The iPhone 12 Pro is also capable of shooting 4K HDR and Dolby Vision video, which we'll show off more in-depth in a future video.
Telephoto comparison
Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors because we're going to have a lot more iPhone coverage coming, including those aforementioned deep dives into 5G connectivity and camera technology. When November rolls around, we'll also be able to see the real differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max camera systems.
Apple's new iPhone 12 models are protected by a Ceramic Shield cover glass that has nano-ceramic crystals infused right into the glass to improve durability. According to Apple, Ceramic Shield offers four times better drop protection than the glass used for the iPhone 11 models.
YouTube channel MobileReviewsEh conducted some tests on the iPhone 12 using a force meter to compare its performance to the iPhone 11.
With a force meter that measures in newtons, the iPhone 11 was able to withstand 352 newtons of force, while the iPhone 12 was able to withstand 442 newtons of force. The Ceramic Shield of the iPhone 12 significantly outperformed the iPhone 11's cover glass.
In a separate scratch test, the iPhone 12 was able to withstand scratching from keys, coins, rocks, and a box cutter, receiving no scratches on the display.
With a Mohs hardness test, the 6 and 7 points were able to leave scratches on the iPhone 11, while the iPhone 12 stood up to the 6 point and saw some faint scratches with the 7 point. The 8 point left significant scratches on both. For reference, the 8 point is also able to scratch the sapphire lens of the iPhone.
The edges weren't particularly durable, and the back glass of the iPhone 12 appeared to scratch as easily as the back glass of the iPhone 11. From MobileReviewsEh:
This Ceramic Shield is definitely tougher on the iPhone 12s. Quite a bit, over 100 newtons. It took a lot of effort to break this screen. The remainder of the iPhone in terms of scratch protection is similar to the iPhone 11. Screen is a little more scratch resistant.
Now that iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models are out in the wild, we should be seeing additional drop and durability tests in the coming days that will give us a better idea of how the Ceramic Shield compares to the glass of earlier iPhones.
Keep in mind that these kinds of force tests and drop tests are not always going to see the same results, and can vary based on where a force meter is applied or the angle that an iPhone happens to fall at, so it's always best to use caution with with devices made of glass, Ceramic Shield or no Ceramic Shield.
Priced at $222 at the current time, RAVPower's Portable Power Station has an attractive cube-shaped design with a sleek black exterior and a handle for portability. Five LEDs at the front provide an overview of remaining power.
There are two 110V AC outlets for powering larger items like lights, refrigerators, TVs, CPAP machines, laptops, and more, with the outlets providing up to 250W when a single outlet is used alone. When both outlets are used, the Power Station draws 300W, split between the two.
Along with the AC outlets, there's a 60W USB-C port that's ideal for charging Apple laptops and other devices. RAVPower says it's able to charge a MacBook Pro to full in three hours. For smaller devices, there are three USB-A ports.
The Portable Power Station can be charged through a wall outlet, a car charger, or a solar panel, making it ideal for all kinds of uses. It's ideal as a power source when camping or for powering RV equipment, and it also works as a backup battery to have on hand in case of power outages and emergencies. RAVPower includes a handy soft carrying case with the Portable Power Station and a power adapter for charging it.
We have two of the Portable Power Stations to give away to MacRumors readers. 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.
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 23) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 30. The winners will be chosen randomly on October 30 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
