When Apple announced Apple Watch Series 6 in September, it also introduced new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands in various colors, but the availability of PRODUCT(RED) variants of both bands was delayed until October.
Stock has now arrived, however, and Apple's PRODUCT(RED) Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch can be ordered today from Apple's online store for $49 and $99, respectively, with shipping times for most sizes currently at 1-2 weeks.
The Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are optimized for Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. Sizes one through nine work with 40mm cases, and sizes four through 12 work with 44mm cases.
Apple donates a portion of proceeds from every (PRODUCT)RED product that it sells to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, with Apple selling a wide range of (PRODUCT)RED products ranging from iPhone and iPad cases to Beats headphones and speakers. Through December 31, Apple is partnering with (RED) to redirect 100% of eligible proceeds from (PRODUCT)RED purchases to the Global Fund's COVID‑19 Response to help support health systems most threatened by the outbreak.
The UK Department of Culture, Media, and Sport is launching an inquiry into music streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube, to ascertain whether musicians are paid fairly (via BBC News).
The inquiry comes after complaints from artists that the payments they receive for their work are "negligible."
The growth of the streaming market "cannot come at the expense of talented and lesser-known artists," said Culture, Media, and Sport Committee chair Julian Knight MP.
The inquiry is set to begin next month, and will seek to gather evidence from industry experts, artists, record labels, and streaming services themselves.
Apple Music pays the most at £0.0059 per stream, followed by Spotify at £0.002 to £0.0038 per stream. The lowest paying service is YouTube, which pays about £0.00052 per stream. These funds are then divided between rights-holders, resulting in artists receiving just 13 percent of revenue on average.
It is reported that in May, violinist Tamsin Little received £12.34 for millions of streams over a period of six months, and electronic artist Jon Hopkins made just £8 for 90,000 plays on Spotify.
Algorithms might benefit platforms in maximizing income from streaming but they are a blunt tool to operate in a creative industry with emerging talent risking failing the first hurdle.
We're asking whether the business models used by major streaming platforms are fair to the writers and performers who provide the material. Longer-term we're looking at whether the economics of streaming could in future limit the range of artists and music that we're all able to enjoy today.
In addition to the matter of pay for artists, MPs will investigate how streaming services' playlists and algorithms can distort the music market, and whether new music is being suffocated by the dominance of popular artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, and Drake.
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.
Customers ordering a SIM-free/Pacific Blue/128GB version of the iPhone 12 Pro, for example, are already facing an estimated delivery window of November 6-13. Some configurations of the iPhone 12 Pro remain available for launch day delivery on October 23, but inventory is quickly dwindling, so customers should order as soon as possible.
Availability of the standard iPhone 12 is faring better so far, with many configurations still available for launch day delivery on October 23.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max begin later, on Friday, November 6. Pricing starts at $699 for the iPhone 12 mini, $799 for the iPhone 12, $999 for the iPhone 12 Pro, and $1,099 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Earlier this week, Apple's online store indicated that T-Mobile, Sprint, and SIM-free models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini would start at $829 and $729 respectively in the United States, which was $30 extra compared to AT&T and Verizon models.
However, coinciding with the start of pre-orders for the iPhone 12 today, it turns out that T-Mobile and Sprint are now offering customers the same "instant discount" of $30 with activation. This means the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now start at Apple's advertised $799 and $699 prices respectively with activation on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint.
SIM-free models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini continue to start at $829 and $729 respectively for use with any carrier.
It is unclear why the "instant discount" for T-Mobile and Sprint models showed up three days after AT&T and Verizon models, but it has certainly created a confusing situation for customers. Pre-orders of the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are available now, while iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders will begin Friday, November 6.
There is no price discrepancy with iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models, which start at $999 and $1,099 respectively regardless of the model selected.
Apple has started accepting pre-orders for the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models through its online storefront and the Apple Store app.
Pre-orders are available in more than 30 countries and regions around the world for the two models that are on sale today. Note that if you want an iPhone 12 mini or an iPhone 12 Pro Max, you'll need to wait until November 6 to pre-order.
Priced starting at $799 ($829 from some carriers and SIM-Free) for 64GB storage, the iPhone 12 is Apple's second-most affordable iPhone this year, priced at $100 over the upcoming iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 Pro is Apple's higher-end iPhone with upgraded camera technology, and it is priced starting at $999 for 128GB storage.
All of the iPhone models this year feature a new flat-edged design that's similar to the iPad Pro or the iPhone 4, with OLED edge-to-edge displays, Face ID, faster A14 chip technology, and, most notably, 5G connectivity. In the United States, all iPhone 12 models support both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G networks, while in other countries, sub-6GHz 5G connectivity is available.
The more affordable iPhone 12 features a dual-lens camera setup, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a triple-lens camera with a LiDAR Scanner that brings some notable new features to the higher-end iPhones like Night mode portraits and enhanced AR capabilities. For a full rundown on the differences between the two models, make sure to check out our guide.
Pre-orders are available in the United States and more than 30 other countries and regions. Those hoping to get a device on launch day should make sure to pre-order right away because we don't know what Apple's available supply looks like. This year's iPhones are launching in October instead of September because of production delays, so supplies could potentially be constrained.
Major U.S. carriers including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are accepting pre-orders for new devices, as are other carriers around the world. Major online retailers such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are also accepting pre-orders today.
New iPhone cases and the MagSafe charger are also available for purchase as of this morning.
In the United States, customers can purchase the new iPhones from the four major carriers using Apple's site or Apple Store app, or choose a SIM-Free version. Purchase options include carrier payment plans, the Apple Upgrade Program, Apple Card Monthly Installments, or paying in full.
Customers who successfully place an order for launch day delivery can expect to begin receiving their devices on Friday, October 23, which is the official release date for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
Alongside the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, Apple is offering pre-orders for the redesigned fourth-generation iPad Air, which was first introduced at Apple's September event.
Priced starting at $599 for 64GB of storage, the 10.9-inch iPad Air features an edge-to-edge display with a unique Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. Like the new iPhone 12 models, the iPad Air uses Apple's new 5-nanometer A14 Bionic chip.
The new iPad Air comes in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and blue, and it features Apple Pencil 2 support, a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera.
Apple first announced the iPad Air at its September event, but didn't provide a release date beyond "October." Following today's pre-orders, the iPad Air will launch on Friday, October 23, which is the date that the first pre-orders will be arriving in the hands of customers.
During its iPhone 12 event this week, Apple expended an unusually long amount of talk time on pressing home the benefits of 5G, and even gave the chairman and CEO of Verizon, Hans Vestberg, a segment to explain how "5G just got real."
"The power of Verizon 5G meets the first iPhone with 5G."
That same slogan is at the heart of Verizon's marketing campaign for mmWave 5G on iPhone 12, as this latest ad featuring comedian Chris Rock demonstrates.
mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. In most countries that offer 5G, sub-6GHz networks are more common.
Apple says iPhone 12 models support more 5G bands than any other smartphone, and the devices can automatically adjust to LTE when necessary to save battery life, such as when updates are taking place in the background.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders begin today, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with shipments starting Friday, October 23.
Apple will hold another digital event on November 17 to announce its first Apple Silicon powered Macs, according to frequent leaker Jon Prosser.
Apple has already said that this year it intends to introduce the first Mac powered by an Apple Silicon chip instead of an Intel processor. One thing it hasn't revealed is the date it will be announced. According to Prosser's source, that date is November 17. "You should see this confirmed with an announcement on Tuesday, November 10," added Prosser in a followup tweet.
Another known unknown is which Mac model will feature the first custom Arm-based Mac processors. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said it will be a notebook, but rumors have conflicted on whether it will be a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, a new MacBook Air, or a revived 12-inch MacBook.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuobelieves the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will be updated with Apple Silicon chips before the end of 2020, while Chinese language newspaper The China Times claimed the first Apple Silicon Mac will be a new variant of the 12-inch Retina MacBook weighing less than one kilogram (2.2lbs) and with a battery life between 15 and 20 hours.
Whichever models arrive first, rumors suggest the A14X chip will be in the first Apple Silicon Mac. Apple's first Mac processors are said have 12 cores, including eight high-performance cores and at least four energy-efficient cores, according to Bloomberg. Apple is said to be exploring Mac processors with more than 12 cores for further in the future, with the company already designing a second generation of Mac processors based on the A15 chip.
You should see this confirmed with an announcement on Tuesday, November 10th.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 16, 2020
Lastly, it's worth bearing in mind that Prosser has been hit and miss with his recent Apple leaks, sometimes making accurate claims and other times relying on misinterpreted information from his sources or revising his predictions after the fact. However, Bloomberg has previously said that Apple is planning to unveil Apple Silicon Macs in November, perhaps at a November event or via a press release, so there could be substance to Prosser's latest claim.
Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders, which are set to begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States.
"You're... early," reads the Apple Store message when attempting to visit the U.S. website. "Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PDT. Enjoy the extra sleep." Apple used to do new device pre-orders at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, but since last year, has been holding iPhone pre-orders at 5:00 a.m.
The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are launching in more than 30 countries and regions around the world, and a full list of launch times can be found in our time zone guide.
Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models feature a full redesign with a flat-edged look that similar to the design of the iPad Pro. All of the models feature edge-to-edge OLED displays, 5G connectivity, and upgraded camera technology.
Following pre-orders, the first iPhone 12 and 12 Pro shipments will arrive to customers on Friday, October 23. Note that pre-orders will only be available for the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, with pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max launching on November 6.
If you're hoping to get an iPhone 12 or 12 Pro on launch day, it's a good idea to purchase early because there's no word on how much supply Apple will have. Preliminary reports suggest demand is high and supply is low, with pre-orders from telecoms in Taiwan selling out within 45 minutes.
Pricing on the iPhone 12 starts at $829, though some U.S. carriers are offering a $30 discount that drops the price to Apple's advertised $799 price point. Pricing on the iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999.
Apple this evening began sending out emails to Apple TV+ subscribers who have a trial subscription to let them know about a planned three month trial extension.
We're giving you extra time to discover the latest Apple Originals and catch up on shows returning for a second season. You don't have to do anything -- just keep watching for free until February 2021.
It's been an incredible debut year. Audiences are loving the Emmy Award winner The Morning Show, the blockbuster WWII thriller Greyhound, the heartwarming comedy Ted Lasso, and so much more. Be on the lookout for new premieres, hit movies like On the Rocks, the eye-opening docuseries Tiny World, and Season 2 of Servant, For All Mankind, and Peabody winner Dickinson.
First announced last week, the trial extension applies to those who purchased a device beginning in September 2019 and signed up for a free year of service when Apple TV+ launched on November 1, 2019.
The first Apple TV+ subscribers who activated their year of access on that date were set to have their trial periods expire at the end of October or the beginning of November, but Apple is now extending those expiration dates until February.
Apple is also providing credits to subscribers who pay for an Apple TV+ annual plan or Apple TV+ monthly plan, offering them $4.99 per month for each month through February.
Apple TV+ adopters who signed up for their free year of service after a device purchase between November 2019 and January 2020 will benefit from the promotion that Apple is providing, with those subscriptions now expiring later than expected. Those who signed up for a free year after January 31, 2020 will not benefit because their free trials will already extend beyond the promotion limits.
According to Apple, the promotion is being offered so that Apple TV+ subscribers have more time to check out the latest Apple original content. Apple says that new trial renewal dates will show up under Manage Subscriptions in the Apple TV app soon.
Apple hasn't provided release date information for the new 10.9-inch iPad Air, but Walmart this afternoon began accepting preorders for some models.
Stock is limited, but Walmart is offering the space gray and rose gold models for preorder. According to Walmart, iPad Air purchases will ship out on Friday, October 23.
Friday, October 23 is also the release date that was temporarily listed by Best Buy's Canadian site site before it was updated to say "coming soon."
Walmart's preorders are another indication that the iPad Air is meant to be released on October 23, though it's not yet clear why Apple hasn't updated its site with the release date information.
If the October 23 release date for the iPad Air is accurate, we could perhaps see preorders from Apple on Friday alongside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
The fourth-generation iPad Air models feature an edge-to-edge display, a Touch ID power button, and the same A14 chip that's in the new iPhones, with pricing that starts at $599. Walmart is, however, offering a $40 discount.
Update: Walmart's pre-order stock of the new iPad Air models appears to have sold out.
Apple on Tuesday unveiled the long-awaited iPhone 12 lineup, which includes the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 2020 iPhones feature all-new designs with flat edges, edge-to-edge OLED displays, upgraded camera technology, and 5G connectivity.
Apple highlighted many of the features of the new devices during Tuesday's event, but there are some lesser known tidbits that you might have missed. We've rounded up some notable tidbits worth knowing before you make a purchase.
mmWave 5G Availability
If you're expecting to unbox your iPhone, set it up, and get blazing fast 5G speeds, you might be disappointed. 5G is still in the early stages of rolling out, and the fastest mmWave 5G is limited select portions of major cities, which means most people aren't going to be able to use it.
The good news is that there are two kinds of 5G networks, and the slower but still speedy sub-6GHz networks will be more widely available. There's no guarantee you'll see out of the box speed improvements, but things should improve over the course of the next year.
5G Antenna
Speaking of mmWave 5G, it is only available on iPhone 12 models sold in the United States, with iPhone 12 models in other countries supporting only sub-6GHz models. iPhones that do have mmWave support have a little antenna on the right side of the device, so they look just a bit different.
1080p FaceTime Calls Over 5G
When connected to a 5G network or WiFi, FaceTime calls are available in a higher-quality 1080p resolution. WiFi FaceTime calls at 1080p require iOS 14 to be installed as that's an iOS 14 feature.
Smart Data Mode
5G connections can drain more battery than LTE, so Apple is adding a Smart Data Mode that will switch between 5G and LTE networks as needed to preserve battery life. When you don't need 5G, such as when an app is updating in the background, your iPhone will swap over to LTE. When you do need 5G for downloading a movie, making a FaceTime call, or streaming video, the 5G connection activates.
There is, of course, a toggle so you can choose to use Smart Data Mode or have 5G activated all the time.
iPhone 12 and 12 Mini Pricing
Apple on stage advertised pricing on the iPhone 12 and 12 mini as starting at $799 and $699, respectively, but that's not quite accurate. Those are the prices with a discount from U.S. carriers, and right now, only Verizon and AT&T have the new iPhones at those prices. T-Mobile is supposedly launching some kind of similar deal on Friday, but the details haven't been announced.
If you want to buy a new iPhone 12 or 12 mini SIM-free, it's actually going to cost you an additional $30, so the iPhone 12 is really priced at $829 and the iPhone 12 mini is priced at $729.
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max Optical Zoom
There are different telephoto lenses built into the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 52mm telephoto lens, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a longer 65mm telephoto lens, which will affect portraits and other shots taken with the two phones.
The 52mm telephoto lens in the iPhone 12 Pro supports 2x optical zoom and a 4x total optical zoom range across all lenses, along with 10x maximum digital zoom.
The 65mm telephoto lens in the iPhone 12 Pro Max supports 2.5x optical zoom and a 5x total optical zoom range across all lenses, along with 12x maximum digital zoom.
Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization
The Wide camera of the iPhone 12 Pro Max adopts Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization, which, as the name suggests, stabilizes just the sensor of the lens, allowing for better stabilization compared to the Optical Image Stabilization that was used before and for other lenses. iPhone 12 Pro Max users can expect less camera shake and blur from movement.
Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization is used in DSLRs, and this is the first time that it's been brought to an iPhone. The feature is limited to the wide-angle camera on the Pro Max and is not available for the other cameras or on the iPhone 12 Pro.
The iPhone 12 Pro uses standard Optical Image Stabilization.
15W MagSafe Charging
Apple put a ring of magnets in the iPhone 12 models and designed a MagSafe wireless charger to work with those magnets. The charger is similar in design to the Apple Watch charging puck, and it snaps right onto the new iPhones.
With the MagSafe charger, the iPhone 12 models can charge at up to 15W, which is twice as fast as the 7.5W Qi-based charging limit.
Night Mode Portraits
With the new LiDAR Scanner in the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, it's now possible to take Portrait shots in Night mode with the Wide camera. The LiDAR Scanner can map out the scene to separate the subject from the background while the camera captures bright colors and artful bokeh for any lighting in the image.
Speaking of Night mode, it's also available for the Ultra Wide camera for the first time so you can get some great nighttime wide-angle shots.
Night Mode for the Front-Facing Camera
Apple's new A14 chip includes a new Image Signal Processor that adds new photographic capabilities to the rear cameras and the front-facing TrueDepth camera. Night mode works with the front-facing camera for the first time so you can take neat nighttime selfies.
Deep Fusion and HDR 3 for Front-Facing Camera
The front-facing camera also supports Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, and Dolby Vision HDR video recording. Deep Fusion introduces improvements in color and texture in mid to low-light scenes by pulling out the best pixels from multiple exposures to make one great aggregate image.
Smart HDR 3 improves highlights, shadows, white balance, and contouring in every image for more natural lighting, and Dolby Vision HDR support allows for recording and editing Dolby Vision video.
iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Form Factor
The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are the same 6.1-inch size as the iPhone 11, but the dimensions are slightly different. The new models are 11 percent thinner, 15 percent smaller, and 16 percent lighter than the iPhone 11.
In terms of specific dimensions, the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro measure in at 5.78 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide, and 0.29 inches thick (7.4mm). The iPhone 11 is 5.94 inches tall, 2.98 inches wide, and 0.33 inches thick (8.3mm).
If you were hoping that iPhone 11 cases would fit the new iPhone 12 models, then you're out of luck. The fit won't be quite right.
As for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini, those are all new sizes that have no equivalent. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the largest iPhone to date with its 6.7-inch display size, while the 5.4-inch iPhone mini is the smallest iPhone Apple has released since the 2016 iPhone SE.
More Info
iPhone 12 and 12 Pro pre-orders start at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, October 16, and if you're planning to pre-order, make sure to check out our time zone guide to see when pre-orders are happening in your country.
If you're still trying to decide whether to upgrade from an iPhone 11, make sure to check out our Buyer's Guide comparing the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 12, and if you're trying to decide between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro, we've also got a guide for that.
Apple today informed developers that they can offer pre-orders for apps up to 180 days prior to when it's released for download on the App Store, giving developers more time to build excitement for app features, services, and content.
Now you can let customers pre-order your app up to 180 days before it's released for download on the App Store. Take advantage of this longer lead time to build more excitement for your app's features, services, and content, and to encourage more pre-orders. Once your app is released, customers will be notified and it will automatically download to their device within 24 hours.
Apple has been allowing developers to offer App Store pre-orders since 2017, with the pre-order feature letting customers make a purchase ahead of an app's release date. Pre-orders are available for both free and paid apps.
Prior to today's change, pre-orders could only be made available for up to 90 days before an app's release. Once the release date for an app rolls around, the app that has been pre-ordered is automatically downloaded to the customer's device, with paid apps charged at release.
With the launch of the iPhone 12 lineup, Apple now offers more size options than ever when buying an iPhone. We've previously posted size comparisons between leaked iPhone 12 dummy models vs a variety of other iPhone models. Now that the iPhone 12 has been officially released, we have revisited these size comparison graphics and found that the dummy models were right on the mark.
iPhone SE vs iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7/8/SE 2 vs iPhone X/XS/11 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 11 vs iPhone 11 Pro Max / XS Max / 7 Plus / 8 Plus vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
This graphic shows the relative sizes of all the iPhones from the iPhone SE to present. The iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 / Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max sizes fit nicely between the existing models.
Note, we took some small liberties for the interest of comparisons. For the iPhone 11 Pro Max image, the back camera setup does not accurately represent the XS Max, 7 Plus and 8 Plus cameras, but the overall sizes of all these devices are near identical.
To see them at full width comparison, click to see the following image in full size:
In addition to physical size, you have to consider how things will appear on the screen itself. Due to the size difference, websites will render differently and information may be presented differently. Here are 3 screenshots of the same webpage rendered in each device. This was simulated in Xcode and scaled to fix the respective devices:
Safari in iPhone Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone Pro Max
Apple reportedly believes the 6.1" iPhone 12 model at $799 will be the most popular selling iPhone with the iPhone 12 Mini being the second most popular. Many are happy with the return of a smaller iPhone. The iPhone 12 mini shares the same features as the iPhone 12, so you aren't missing out much when choosing between those models, though the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max do bring other improvements.
iPhone 12 Mini Size
For those wanting to see how big an iPhone 12 mini might look in your hand, we made this graphic that can be used from an existing iPhone. The image has been updated to reflect the final iPhone 12 mini release.
Simply, save the corresponding image on your iPhone to see. Left and right aligned images are provided.
iPhone 12 preorders begin this Friday. 6.1-inch models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to pre-order Friday, October 16, while the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max open pre-orders on Friday, November 6.
Nike customers who sign up for a new Apple Card can get $75 cash back when spending $75 or more on Nike products with a promotion that Nike is highlighting in emails sent out to customers today. The deal is also outlined on Apple's website.
Through November 15, new Apple Card members who sign up and spend over $75 at Nike using Apple Pay will receive $75 cash back, with the deal available to customers who make the purchase within 30 days of opening a new Apple Card account. Purchases can be made from Nike.com, in Nike apps, or at Nike stores.
The deal is available for new Apple Card holders only, with the $75 bonus delivered as Daily Cash that can be added to an Apple Cash card or used as a credit on an Apple Card statement balance.
Apple has offered similar bonus deals in the past, providing sign up deals like $50 cash back for the first Apple service purchase or $50 in bonus cash when making a purchase at Walgreens. Apple Card deals rotate often, and this one will last through mid-November.
Update: There is also a new Apple Pay promotion offering 15% off at American Eagle when using the promo code APPLEPAY in the AE + Aerie app, on ae.com, or on aerie.com through October 21.
Samsung on its social channels is mocking Apple for removing the power adapter from the iPhone 12 lineup and other iPhone models, pointing out the fact that the Samsung Galaxy smartphones continue to ship with a power adapter.
"Included with your Galaxy," reads a Samsung Facebook post that features a picture of a power adapter.
Apple notably is no longer providing power adapters or EarPods with iPhone purchases, a change applicable to the new iPhone 12 modelsand new purchases of iPhone 11, iPhone SE, and iPhone XR models. Apple says that the change will let it cut down on carbon emissions both through the elimination of the accessories and through the smaller box size iPhones now use.
Apple at Tuesday's event said the shift was made for environmental reasons, but there has been speculation that Apple may have removed the accessories to cut costs due to the expense of the 5G modems used in the new iPhone lineup. Apple's iPhones ship with just a USB-C to Lightning cable, and power adapters and headphones must be purchased separately.
Though Samsung is touting the USB-C power adapter that comes with current Galaxy models, rumors have suggested that Samsung too plans to stop including chargers in the boxes of some of its smartphones starting in 2021. Samsung is allegedly planning to nix power adapters because chargers "have become widespread" and doing so will cut production costs.
It's not clear if this will happen, and Samsung may opt to keep offering power adapters to differentiate its smartphones from Apple's iPhones. Samsung did, however, make fun of Apple for removing the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 in 2016 before copying the decision and releasing the 2018 Galaxy A8 without a headphone jack.
Samsung has a long history of mocking Apple's design and product decisions, oftentimes prior to adopting some of the same changes. Samsung this year is targeting the iPhone 12, which competes with its Galaxy Note20 5G and Galaxy S20 5G lineup. In addition to the rib about the power adapter, Samsung has also shared a tweet that mocks Apple for being late to introduce 5G.
Apple's first iPhone 12 models will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow, with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro launching first. The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available for pre-order on November 6.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro are set to kick off on Friday, October 16 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, which is a new launch time that Apple adopted as of last year.
Apple is planning to make the new devices available in multiple countries around the world simultaneously, so we've made a guide to let MacRumors readers know when pre-orders will in their country. Pre-orders are launching in more than 35 countries and regions on October 16, but in some regions such as India and South Korea, pre-orders won't take place until October 23, so double check your country page to make sure your pre-orders are on October 16.
Honolulu, Hawaii — 2:00 a.m. HST
Anchorage, Alaska — 4:00 a.m. AKDT
Cupertino, California — 5:00 a.m. PDT
Phoenix, Arizona — 5:00 a.m. MST
Vancouver, Canada — 5:00 a.m. PDT
Denver, Colorado — 6:00 a.m. MDT
Dallas, Texas — 7:00 a.m. CDT
New York, New York — 8:00 a.m. EDT
Toronto, Canada — 8:00 a.m. EDT
Halifax, Canada — 9:00 a.m. ADT
London, United Kingdom — 1:00 p.m. BST
Berlin, Germany — 2:00 p.m. CEST
Paris, France — 2:00 p.m. CEST
Moscow, Russia — 3:00 p.m. MSK
Helsinki, Finland — 3:00 p.m. EEST
Istanbul, Turkey — 3:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — 4:00 p.m. GST
Shanghai, China — 8:00 p.m.
Singapore — 8:00 p.m.
Perth, Australia — 8:00 p.m.
Hong Kong — 8:00 p.m.
Tokyo, Japan — 9:00 p.m.
Adelaide, Australia — 10:30 p.m.
Sydney, Australia — 11:00 p.m.
Auckland, New Zealand — 1:00 a.m. NZDT next day
Following pre-orders on October 16, the first iPhone 12 and 12 Pro shipments will arrive to customers on Friday, October 23, though in some countries such as India and South Korea, the new iPhones will be available on Friday, October 30.
Pre-orders will only be available for the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 mini will be available for pre-order on Friday, November 6, and will be launching on Friday, November 13.
Those hoping to get a device on launch day should make sure to pre-order right away, as there's no word on how much available supply Apple will have. Preliminary reports suggest demand is high and supply is low, with pre-orders from telecoms in Taiwan selling out in under an hour.
Pricing on the iPhone 12 starts at $829, though many U.S. carriers are offering a $30 discount that drops the price to Apple's advertised $799 price point. Pricing on the iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999. Device payment plans are available through carriers, Apple Card Monthly Installments and Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, plus device trade-ins are available.
Nanoleaf today introduced the newest lights in its Shapes lighting panel lineup, debuting the Shapes Triangles and the Shapes Mini Triangles, which are interoperable with one another and the Nanoleaf Hexagon panels that launched earlier this year.
The new Shapes Triangles are Nanoleaf's second triangle-shaped product and are a followup to the original Nanoleaf Light Panels that were triangle shaped. These new panels are an upgrade over the original and are not compatible with the original triangles. Nanoleaf says that the new Triangles have feature slightly rounded and smaller corners.
With the launch of the Triangles and Mini Triangles, it is possible to connect different panel shapes together for the first time since Nanoleaf began producing light panels. The Triangles and Mini Triangles can connect with one another, and they can also be connected to the Hexagon-shaped panels.
"Nanoleaf's vision for the Shapes Line is to give users the complete design freedom to create their most personal lighting experience yet. Smart lighting is about pushing the boundaries of possibility and that is exactly what we wanted to offer with our Shapes Line," says Gimmy Chu, CEO and Co-Founder of Nanoleaf. "With the addition of Triangles and Mini Triangles, we're allowing users to explore and combine lighting shapes like never before. Bringing together smart technology and thoughtful design, the Shapes Line leads the Smart Decor category for a lighting experience that truly has no limits."
The Mini Triangles can be used alone and are sold in a standalone set, marking Nanoleaf's smallest lighting solution to date. The standard Triangle panels can also be used on their own, or combined with the mini version.
Like other Nanoleaf products, both the Triangles and the Mini Triangles can be set to more than 16 million colors with Nanoleaf offering solid colors, and shifting color patterns that can be set and controlled through the Nanoleaf app. Triangles and Mini Triangles connect to WiFi and are compatible with HomeKit.
Nanoleaf offers a LayoutDetect feature that optimizes how the panels are lit, along with pre-programmed scenes that can mirror nature or paint the room in a rainbow of light. Triangles and Mini Triangles have the same feature set as other products like Rhythm Music Sync, which allows them to light up based on the music that's playing in the room.
With the Hexagons, Nanoleaf introduced a new snap-on mounting system for easier installation and redesign, which is also used by the Triangles and Mini Triangles. Alongside the launch of the new light panels, Nanoleaf will be debuting an app update that includes a new color picker and a more intuitive interface that allows for access to a wider range of colors and palettes.
In the future, Nanoleaf plans to introduce an "Essentials" line that's equipped with smart bulbs and light strips. The bulb has a multi-faceted design while the light strip will offer multiple colors, with both controllable through the Nanoleaf app.
Nanoleaf's Triangles and Mini Triangles can be purchased from the Nanoleaf website starting today, and they are also available in some retail store locations. Triangles are priced at $199 for a set of 7, while Mini Triangles are priced at $119 for a set of five. An expansion pack with three large Triangles is $60, and an expansion pack with 10 Mini Triangles is priced at $119.
