Intel Macs that use Apple's T2 Security Chip are vulnerable to an exploit that could allow a hacker to circumvent disk encryption, firmware passwords and the whole T2 security verification chain, according to team of software jailbreakers.
Apple's custom-silicon T2 co-processor is present in newer Macs and handles encrypted storage and secure boot capabilities, as well as several other controller features. In a blog post, however, security researcher Niels Hofmans notes that because the chip is based on an A10 processor it's vulnerable to the same checkm8 exploit that is used to jailbreak iOS devices.
This vulnerability is reportedly able to hijack the boot process of the T2's SepOS operating system to gain access to the hardware. Normally the T2 chip exits with a fatal error if it is in Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode and it detects a decryption call, but by using another vulnerability developed by team Pangu, Hofmans claims it is possible for a hacker to circumvent this check and gain access to the T2 chip.
Once access is gained, the hacker has full root access and kernel execution privileges, although they can't directly decrypt files stored using FileVault 2 encryption. However, because the T2 chip manages keyboard access, the hacker could inject a keylogger and steal the password used for decryption.
According to Hofmans, the exploit can also bypass the remote device locking function (Activation Lock) that's used by services like MDM and FindMy. A firmware password won't help prevent this either because it requires keyboard access, which requires the T2 chip to run first.
For security reasons, SepOS is stored in the T2 chip’s read-only memory (ROM), but this also prevents the exploit from being patched by Apple with a software update. On the plus side, however, it also means the vulnerability isn't persistent, so it requires a "hardware insert or other attached component such as a malicious USB-C cable" to work.
Hofmans says he has reached out to Apple about the exploit but is still awaiting a response. In the meantime, average users can protect themselves by keeping their machines physically secure and by avoiding plugging in untrusted USB-C cables and devices.
Lastly, the researcher notes that upcoming Apple Silicon Macs use a different boot system, so it's possible that they won't be impacted by the vulnerability, although this is still being actively investigated.
Update: The original report incorrectly referred to Niels Hofmans as the cybersecurity expert who carried out the research. Hofmans is in fact an industry consultant who provided impact analysis of the T2 and checkm8. This has now been corrected.
Spotify users can now search for songs by lyrics, following an update to the streaming service's mobile app (via 9to5Mac). Spotify designer Lina shared the news on Twitter.
My team just shipped something on iOS and Android -
now you can find songs by lyrics 😉 on Spotify
Give it a try 😊 pic.twitter.com/bOs4Ob9O84
— Lina (@linafab) October 5, 2020
The feature is integrated into the main search function, which now returns playlist, song, album, and matching lyric results.
The ability to search by lyrics is a welcome addition to the service, especially for times when you know a phrase or chorus line but don't know the name of the song. Spotify is late to the game though – Apple Music subscribers have been able to search by lyrics since 2018.
Earlier this year, Spotify also introduced a real-time lyrics feature, thanks to an agreement with lyrics provider Musixmatch. The feature allows listeners to follow the lyrics to a song or sing along in real time.
Japanese smart payment system PASMO today announced that it has launched support for Apple Pay, allowing users to pay for transit fares and other transactions using their iPhone or Apple Watch. Express Transit is also supported, which allows users to quickly pass through transit gates without having to wake or unlock their devices or authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID.
PASMO is similar to and interoperable with Suica, a transit system that has been compatible with Apple Pay and Express Transit mode for several years. PASMO is accepted on a number of train lines and bus lines in numerous areas of Japan, although it is most prevalent in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Apple is no longer selling headphones and wireless speakers from companies like Sonos, Bose, and Logitech, as it prepares to launch a new, lower-cost HomePod and AirPods Studio headphones.
According to checks performed by Bloomberg, Apple removed headphones and speakers from Bose, speakers from Logitech's Ultimate Ears brand, and Sonos speakers from its online Apple Store at the end of September. Searching for these products, which were previously sold online and in retail stores, brings up no results.
Employees at Apple retail locations have also allegedly been asked to pull third-party audio products from shelves over the course of the last few days. Retail stores and the online store continue to offer Beats-branded headphones and speakers alongside Apple's AirPods and HomePod.
Apple has made similar moves in the past, eliminating stock of fitness trackers ahead of the launch Apple Watch. Apple told Bloomberg that it regularly makes changes to the products that it offers as new third-party accessories are released and the needs of customers change.
Rumors indicate Apple is working on several new audio products, including a smaller, lower-cost HomePod and high-end over-ear Apple-branded headphones that could be called "AirPods Studio," to be sold alongside the AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Both of these new products are expected to launch before the end of the year, and the removal of the third-party audio products from the online store suggests we could be seeing Apple's new audio devices soon, perhaps as soon as the iPhone-centric October event that's rumored to be in the works.
Current rumors indicate that Apple has an event planned for October 13, and if that's the case, we could see an Apple announcement as soon as tomorrow.
With the launch of the iPhone 11 lineup and the introduction of the Apple TV+ subscription service in the fall of 2019, Apple gave those who purchased an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV a free year of Apple TV+.
For those who signed up for Apple TV+ right when it was available on November 1, 2019, those free year-long Apple TV+ accounts are expiring at the end of October. A year is a long time to remember to cancel a subscription, so we wanted to warn MacRumors readers not interested in keeping Apple TV+ that charges are imminent. The first subscribers will be charged for Apple TV+ on October 31, 2020.
For Apple TV+, Apple did not allow subscriptions to be canceled right after signup because doing so would end the subscription right away, so there are many potentially active Apple TV+ subscriptions out there. Here's how to cancel.
Cancel Apple TV+ on an iPhone or iPad
Open up the App Store.
Tap on your profile in the upper right hand corner.
Tap on "Subscriptions."
Tap on Apple TV+.
Tap on "Cancel Free Trial" and then confirm.
Cancel Apple TV+ on a Mac
Open System Preferences.
Click on "Apple ID" at the top of the window next to your name.
Click on "Media & Purchases."
Under "Subscriptions," click on "Manage..."
Scroll down in the list until you find Apple TV+ and click it.
Click on "Cancel Free Trial."
Note that Apple TV+ can be canceled on the Apple TV and other platforms, but it's easiest to cancel on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac if you can.
Remember that if you cancel Apple TV+ now, you'll lose access immediately. If you still watch the service and want to make the most of your remaining subscription, set a reminder for October 30 to cancel. We'll also go ahead and remind MacRumors readers again on that date. If you did not sign up for your Apple TV+ subscription right away, it may not be ending at this time, and you can check by following the steps above to access subscription options.
Under these subscription interfaces, you can do nothing if you want to keep Apple TV+ for $4.99 per month or you can pay for another full year upfront for $49.99, which drops the price of the service down to $4.16 per month instead of $4.99 per month. Apple will also soon release Apple One subscription bundles that include Apple TV+ alongside other services like Apple Arcade and Apple Music, with bundle pricing as low as $14.99 per month.
At launch, Apple TV+ had just a handful of shows like "The Morning Show," "For All Mankind," "See" and "Dickinson," but Apple has released additional TV shows and movies over the course of the last year, making a $4.99 per month Apple TV+ fee easier to justify. There are also dozens of additional TV shows in the works, with details available in our Apple TV+ guide.
Alongside the launch of the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, and the new watchOS 7 software update, Apple introduced a Family Setup feature that's designed to allow parents to set up Apple Watches for their children, letting an Apple Watch be used without an iPhone.
While Family Setup is primarily aimed at families with children, it's also useful for setting up an Apple Watch for an older adult or anyone else who doesn't have an iPhone available but wants to take advantage of the fitness and health benefits provided by Apple's wrist-worn wearable.
This guide covers getting started with Family Setup and outlines the available Family Setup features.
Family Setup Requirements
Family Setup is designed to work with a GPS and Cellular enabled Apple Watch Series 4 or later that's running watchOS 7. It is not compatible with earlier Apple Watch models nor with those that do not have a cellular connection.
Cellular Apple Watch models require an accompanying cellular plan, which is generally priced at $10 per month with most carriers in the United States. Note that while a cellular Apple Watch is required to set up a watch under Family Setup, it can be activated without using a cellular plan.
The main person setting up Family Setup must have an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 14 installed, and all participants will need an Apple ID and will need to be part of a Family Sharing setup, though these last two requirements can be worked out during the setup process.
Setting Up Family Setup on iPhone
Prior to launching the Family Setup process, it's best to make sure that each child or older adult that will participate has an Apple ID. We have how tos for creating an Apple ID on iPhone or iPad or on a Mac, as well as a tutorial on using Family Sharing. Two-factor authentication is also a requirement for each Apple ID, so make sure that's turned on as well.
If you don't have an Apple ID set up for each member in the family and Family Sharing isn't enabled these can be activated during Family Setup, but it will be a faster, smoother process if the prerequisites are completed ahead of time.
Turn on the Apple Watch and erase it so it can be set up as new if it hasn't been erased already and isn't already a fresh out of the box device.
Open up the Apple Watch app, go to the Apple Watch setup screen, and choose Set Up For Family Member.
Pair the Apple Watch with the iPhone by lining up the graphic on the watch's display with the appropriate area on the iPhone using the iPhone's camera. watchOS 7 is required.
Tap Set Up Apple Watch.
Agree to the Terms and Conditions, select a wrist preference, choose a text size for the Apple Watch, and then select a passcode.
Select a family member from your Family Sharing setup that you prepared prior to the Apple Watch setup process. If the person is not a part of the Family Sharing group, you can choose to Add New Family Member and enter their Apple ID.
If you chose the Apple ID route, you will need to go through some verification steps and enable two-factor authentication if it's not turned on. If you already had Family Sharing set up, enter the family member's Apple ID password to continue.
Opt to turn on Ask to Buy or Location Sharing.
Set up cellular and WiFi access. Setting up cellular access will require going through your carrier, such as Verizon or AT&T. This is a process that varies by carrier and can't be specifically demonstrated, but Apple and your carrier will walk you through the process on screen.
You can also opt to set up cellular access at a later time and rely on WiFi, but cellular is required for continual connectivity without an iPhone. After setting up cellular or skipping it until later, tap to share your WiFi password with the Apple Watch.
Go through the additional setup screens for Location Sharing, Siri, analytics, and more.
Choose whether to set up Apple Cash Family, the feature that lets parents provide small amounts of cash to kids that can be used with Apple Pay for purchases. Parents can choose who their kids can send money to and receive money from. Agree to the Terms and Services, and confirm the legal name of your child.
Continue through the setup process, enabling or disabling additional services such Messages in iCloud, Emergency SOS, Medical ID, Activity and route tracking options, Photos, trusted Contacts, Screen Time limits, Schooltime for limiting access during school hours, and a feature that lets parents view their children's health data, so daily activity can be monitored.
After all of these settings are figured out, the Apple Watch will be ready to use and it will be listed under "Family Watches" in the Apple Watch app that belongs to the parent.
Available Features
There are a lot of steps necessary to get Family Setup ready to use because Apple offers parents quite a lot of control over what's enabled and how the Apple Watch functions.
Parents can choose to add Medical ID information, control Siri access, set an activity goal for daily movement, provide an allowance on Apple Watch, monitor their kids' location, control who kids can contact, and more, so plan to spend a good half hour to hour walking through all of the steps.
Apple added some unique Family Setup features that can be activated for kids, and we've outlined some of the most notable options you'll want to be aware of below. For the most part, all Apple Watch functionality is available and Apple Watches for kids work like Apple Watches for adults, but parents have more management options.
Screen Time and Contacts Monitoring
Parents are able to limit Apple Watch usage and the apps that can be accessed on the Apple Watch. Screen Time limits on Apple Watch are identical to Screen Time limits on iPhones and other devices, and can be managed by opening up the Settings app, choosing Screen Time, and selecting the child's name from the list.
For a more in-depth tutorial, check out our how tos for setting up Screen Time on an iPhone or on a Mac.
Parents can set up shared Contacts that will provide a set list of people that children can communicate with, which originate from the parent's own Contacts list.
Screen Time also includes a Communications Limits feature that lets parents dictate who a child can contact from their Contacts list and the times that those contacts can be interacted with on Apple Watch. This too is controlled through the Screen Time settings, with more info available here.
Schooltime
Schooltime is an Apple Watch-specific feature that was introduced with Family Setup. It lets parents lock down the Apple Watch during school hours with the aim of encouraging children to focus on their schoolwork.
Schooltime is different from Screen Time in that it can be deactivated by the child when the child turns the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch, which is useful for emergencies, but parents are notified in that situation.
Initiating Family Setup allows for Schooltime to be activated during the setup process, but parents can access and edit Schooltime features in the Apple Watch app on iPhone.
Schooltime can be set for specific times during school, and breaks during recess and lunchtime can be scheduled, which will let kids access their Apple Watches when school is not in session. When enabled, Schooltime blocks all apps and complications, as well as activating Do Not Disturb. Emergency calls and Notifications are able to break through the Do Not Disturb limitations, however.
Parents can give their children "allowances" on the Apple Watch using the Apple Pay Cash feature, and kids can then use those funds to make Apple Pay purchases in stores that accept Apple Pay payments.
Apple Cash is sent through the Messages app on iPhone, and parents can send cash by typing in their kids' Apple ID email address and then using the built-in Apple Pay Messages feature to make a payment. Money sent to kids is stored in Apple Cash and can be accessed in the Apple Cash card in the Wallet app, where it can be used to make payments in stores.
Money given to kids is limited to the amount provided, and kids cannot make charges on linked credit cards or in any other way without parental permission. Kids can, however, send their available Apple Pay Cash to others, which is something to be aware of.
Purchases that kids make are displayed to parents, and parents can see what kids have bought and how their money has been used through the Wallet app on iPhone.
For younger children (age 13 and under), the Activity app on the Apple Watch will show move minutes rather than a calorie-based activity goal, while older kids will still see the standard calories burned metric. Activity works the same as it does for any other Apple Watch, and kids (or older adults) are able to meet Move, Exercise, and Stand goals that are initially set up by the parent.
Outdoor Walk, Outdoor Run, and Outdoor Cycle exercises have been updated with tuning for children, and coaching notifications are tailored to kids' reading levels and enhanced with emoji.
Parents can also view their kids' data in the Health app if the feature is enabled during the setup process, with the info listed in the Health app under "Shared Health Data."
Apps
Kids can download apps and games for the Apple Watch from the Apple Watch App Store. Parents will need to approve purchases before apps can be downloaded, including those that cost money. Kids will get a prompt to "Ask" their parents for permission to download an app, which can be approved or denied. "Ask to Buy" can be turned off using Family Sharing settings in the Settings app.
Content can be controlled through the Content Restrictions feature of Screen Time.
Other Available Features
Here are some of the other things that kids can do with an LTE Apple Watch that uses Family Setup.
Access the Workouts app and receive Activity awards
Participate in Activity competitions with friends
Access Emergency SOS with the Apple Watch side button
Managing Family Setup Apple Watches
Parents can manage Family Setup Apple Watches through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone. Just open it up, tap on "All Watches" at the top, and then tap on the child's Apple Watch to get to the settings options and controls.
Cellular Connectivity
To initiate Family Setup and add a family member's watch to the iPhone, the watch in question must be a Series 3 or later and it must have LTE connectivity. The LTE connection is required because GPS only Apple Watches without LTE rely on the iPhone for a connection, and with a standalone Apple Watch, there's no iPhone to connect to.
LTE Apple Watches can operate independently without any iPhone, enabling the Family Setup feature. That said, you can set up a cellular Apple Watch with Family Setup and then decline to enable cellular connectivity when prompted, and it will still work when WiFi is available.
Be aware, though, that the Apple Watch will only work with the one known WiFi network used to set it up and it won't otherwise be able to connect for communication and connectivity purposes.
Features for Older Adults
Many of the Family Setup features are aimed at parents with children, but there are also settings for people who want to manage Apple Watches for older adults that do not have an iPhone.
Older adults can take advantage of features like the X-Large watch face that's easy to see, fall detection, Emergency SOS, Medical ID, and irregular heart rhythm notifications.
Family Setup Limitations
Apple Watch Series 6 models that are set up with Family Setup are not able to access the Blood Oxygen app for blood oxygen measurements, a restriction that applies regardless of the Apple Watch owner's age.
Elderly relatives who have an Apple Watch Series 6 may want the Blood Oxygen app, so this is a limitation worth keeping in mind when deciding whether to use the Family Setup feature.
The following limitations also apply:
High and low heart rate notifications are only available for users aged 13 and older.
Irregular heart rhythm notifications and ECG are not available.
Sleep Tracking is not available.
Fall detection is only available for users aged 18 and older.
Apple Cash Family is limited to users under the age of 18.
Apple Pay with a credit, debit, or transit card is not available with Family Setup.
The Podcasts, Remote, News, Home, and Shortcuts apps are not available.
Battery Life
According to Apple, a watch controlled through Family Setup should last for approximately 14 hours before needing to be recharged. Apple bases that on the following estimated activities:
70 time checks
45 notifications
20 minutes of app use
5 minute phone call
30 minute workout with music playback
Battery life will, of course, vary based on usage and by each device. The battery life estimates take into account LTE connectivity and operation over a cellular connection.
Guide Feedback
Have questions about Family Setup on Apple Watch or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.
Apple today shared a short teaser trailer for "Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You," an upcoming Bruce Springsteen documentary that's set to debut on Apple TV+ on October 23.
The documentary will feature Springsteen recording live with The E Street Band for the first time in 35 years, and it will be available exclusively on Apple Music. From the Apple TV+ description of the documentary:
A tribute to the E Street Band, rock 'n' roll, and the way music has shaped Bruce Springsteen's life, this documentary captures Bruce reflecting on love and loss while recording with his full band for the first time since Born in the U.S.A.
The release of the documentary is timed with the release of the "Letter to You" album, which is also launching on October 23. A song from the album, "Letter to You" is already out with a music video available.
The full album features nine newly released songs along with new recordings of three unreleased compositions from the 1970s.
The iPhone 12 mini is set to be the smallest iPhone in many years, with a screen size of just 5.4 inches and a body size smaller than anything we've seen since the original iPhone SE. While fans of smaller form-factor devices have craved a modern small iPhone for years, there are five notable features that you'll be giving up if you get the iPhone 12 mini, if you believe the current rumors about the upcoming lineup.
Display Technology
The iPhone 12 mini is expected to have a flexible OLED display with Y-OCTA integrated touch, for richer colors and truer blacks than an LCD.
However, the iPhone 12 mini's display is expected to have some slight drawbacks. The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will reportedly have 10-bit color for more vibrant, true-to-life colors, and a richer variety of color gradations, as well as XDR classification.
In addition, although rumors have been highly mixed on some iPhone 12 models having a 120Hz ProMotion display, rumors about the iPhone 12 mini not having a 120Hz display have been consistent. If the feature does appear for the iPhone 12 lineup, it is likely to be reserved for the Pro models or even the Pro Max model only.
The LiDAR Scanner in the iPad Pro uses reflected light to measure the distance from the sensor to surrounding objects that are up to five meters away. It is essentially able to map the environment around you at the photon level in nanosecond speeds. The rumored LiDAR Scanner for the iPhone 12 Pro is likely to work similarly, if not identically. As a smaller and lower-cost non-Pro model, the iPhone 12 mini is not expected to have the LiDAR scanner.
Relative Size of iPhone 12 mini
Telephoto Lens
Much like the iPhone 11, the iPhone 12 mini is expected to have two camera lenses on its rear; a wide-angle lens and an ultrawide-angle lens. However, the iPhone 12 mini misses out on the telephoto lens, which makes up the third lens on the higher-end Pro models.
The high-end 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max is rumored to be getting sensor-shift image stabilization technology, which could potentially bring image stabilization to the ultra wide-angle lens on those devices. Sensor-shift technology allows the optical image stabilization to be applied to the camera sensor, rather than the individual lenses. This feature is not expected to trickle down to the iPhone 12 mini.
As the smallest device in the iPhone 12 lineup, the iPhone 12 mini is also expected to have the smallest battery. Certifications have suggested that the battery capacity of the iPhone 12 mini is 2,227mAh. Apple's current smallest flagship iPhone, the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro, has a battery capacity of 3,046mAh battery, making the iPhone 12 mini's capacity 819mAh smaller.
Although the A14 Bionic processor and OLED display are likely to improve energy efficiency, the fundamental limits of battery size in the iPhone 12 mini are likely to result in an overall smaller battery life.
The 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max is expected to have a much larger capacity of 3,687mAh, so users concerned about battery life would certainly benefit from getting a larger model.
Faster 5G
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 12 Pro Max will also be the only model to have faster mmWave 5G. Sub-6GHz 5G, which is the slower but more widespread form of 5G, is expected to be present on the iPhone 12 mini. Only the largest iPhone in the lineup supposedly has the internal space to accommodate the antenna design needed to implement mmWave at this time, along with the larger battery needed for its higher power usage.
In spite of these missing features, the iPhone 12 mini is still expected to get the latest A14 Bionic processor, an OLED display, and a brand new squared-off design. For many fans of small phones, the iPhone 12 mini will be the device that they have long been waiting for.
Update: Apple's production lines at Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory in China are said to be running "24 hours a day" in preparation for the iPhone 12 mini's launch.
If there is an October 13 event followed by an October 23 launch, we may not see all of the new iPhone 12 models at the same time. Rumors have suggested that we should expect a staggered launch with some iPhone models coming out in October and others coming out at a later date, perhaps in November.
It is likely that the 5.4 and 6.1-inch non-Pro iPhones will be available first in October, followed by the Pro models at a later date due to supply and production constraints. There is some confusion over this point, however, as DigiTimes has suggested Apple could release the two 6.1-inch iPhone models ahead of the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max. In the latter instance, there may be a slightly longer wait for the iPhone 12 mini.
Update: Apple has announced their October 2020 iPhone event. The iPhone 12 will be announced on October 13, 2020 at 10:0am Pacific time on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. We are relatively confident about the rumors above, so we do expect Apple to launch the iPhone 12 mini at that time.
Apple today released tvOS 14.0.2, the second update to the tvOS 14 operating system that was released on September 16. tvOS 14.0.2 comes a week and a half after the launch of tvOS 14.0.1, another bug fix update.
tvOS 14.0.2, a free update, can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System > Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates enabled will be upgraded to tvOS 14.0.2 automatically.
Apple does not provide detailed release notes for its tvOS updates, so we may not be able to determine what's new in the software. Apple provides tvOS notes through a tvOS support document, but information is often limited. With tvOS 14.0.1, for example, Apple said nothing more than the update "includes general performance and stability improvements."
The main tvOS 14 update introduced Picture in Picture outside of the Apple TV app, introduced audio sharing features for connecting two sets of AirPods or Beats, added new HomeKit capabilities, and expanded game controller support and multiuser gaming options. For more on tvOS 14, check out our roundup.
Benchmarks leaked over the weekend gave us some insight into the performance of the A14 Bionic chip in the iPad Air that's set to launch soon, and also revealed another tidbit -- Apple's newest tablet has 4GB RAM.
That's 1GB over the prior-generation iPad Air that had an A12 Bionic processor, but less RAM than is available in the iPad Pro models. Apple's 2020 iPad Pro models all have 6GB RAM.
With the jump in RAM and the impressive performance of the A14 chip, the new iPad Air is quite a bit speedier than the prior-generation model, plus it has the all-display design with Touch ID Power button, a first for Apple.
The A14 iPad Air Geekbench result that was leaked featured a single-core score of 1583 and a multi-core score of 4198, a solid improvement over the single-core score of 1112 and multi-core score of 2832 earned by the third-generation iPad Air with A12 Bionic.
Notably, the benchmark results suggest other devices equipped with the A14 chip, such as Apple's iPhone 12 lineup, will also see notable speed improvements. The A14 is a step up in terms of performance and efficiency because it is Apple's first chip built on a smaller 5-nanometer process. Reduced node sizes result in higher power chips that use less power, bringing gains in battery life and speed. The 5-nanometer A-series chips are also expected to be used in upcoming Macs with Apple Silicon, though the Macs may use an upgraded A14X variant that's even faster.
Apple is planning to release the new iPad Air with A14 chip at some point in October, though no launch date has been announced. It's reasonable to expect the new iPad Air to come after the debut of the new iPhone 12 models because the tablet does contain new technology (the A14 chip) that Apple may not want inspected thoroughly ahead of the debut of its flagship iPhone lineup, despite the benchmark leak.
The cast and crew of "The Morning Show" will return to set on Monday, October 19 to resume filming on the second season of the series, reports Deadline.
The date is tentative and subject to change due to the ongoing global health crisis, but the plan is to have the main cast return in two weeks. Returning cast members include Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, and Steve Carell.
Carell originally only had a one-year contract to film "The Morning Show," but the producers were able to secure a new deal with him.
Filming on season 2 initially kicked off earlier this year and two episodes were in the final stages of filming when work was suspended in March. The new season will reflect the pandemic as the show's writers spent the time off making edits to the series to include the current situation.
"The Morning Show" has been one of the most popular and notable Apple TV+ shows to date, receiving positive reviews from critics after its November launch. The show was nominated for several Golden Globe awards, and Billy Crudup won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
A wide selection of Disney movies are showing as available in 4K on the iTunes Store as of today in the United States and Canada, including many Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars titles. However, not all movies are listed as 4K at this time.
iTunes Store content became available in 4K in 2017 in time for the launch of the Apple TV 4K box, but Disney movies were a notable exclusion.
This isn't the first time that the 4K label has showed up on Disney movies in the iTunes Store, with previous instances proving to be false alarms. In this case, however, the 4K label has shown up on a wider selection of Disney movies across multiple devices, including the iPhone, Apple TV, and even the Apple TV app on third-party platforms like Roku.
Disney movies are not showing up in 4K in all countries. In the United Kingdom and Australia, for example, users are still seeing playback limited to HD.
Disney movies are also available in 4K through Disney+ and Vudu.
We're seeing a pair of solid deals today on Amazon, related to the latest 10.2-inch iPad and the 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019. Both of these deals represent the lowest prices that we've ever tracked for these devices.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with 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 new eighth generation iPad, Amazon is discounting the 32GB Wi-Fi model to $299.00, down from $329.00. We've seen this deal reappear for a few weeks now, but it does disappear fast.
As of writing, the iPad won't ship until October 9, but if you purchase it today you can lock in this discount on the just-released tablet. You can also save on the 128GB Wi-Fi model, priced at $395.00, down from $429.00.
Next is Apple's 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro at $2,399.00, down from $2,799.00. This is a new all-time-low price on this model of the MacBook Pro, which is typically on sale for around $2,499.00. You can also get this sale at B&H Photo.
The 512GB model is on sale as well this week. You can get it for $2,099.00, down from $2,399.00 at Amazon (B&H Photo is matching this price). This sale is a bit more common and is a match of the previous low price on the 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro.
If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.
Nine years ago today, Steve Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 56, one day after Apple executives introduced the iPhone 4s at a media event on the company's Infinite Loop headquarters campus.
In the days following his passing, Apple started posting comments from fans on its "Remembering Steve" webpage. Apple continues to maintain the page highlighting a few of the over one million submissions from people around the world who "shared their memories, thoughts, and feelings about Steve."
The company marked the first anniversary of his passing with a photo and audio slideshow on its website, and on this day Tim Cook traditionally shares words of remembrance with Apple staff and on social media.
“A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” — Maya Angelou. You’re always with us Steve, your memory connects and inspires us every day. pic.twitter.com/X85bjObkPK
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 5, 2020
Apple VP of Product Marketing Bob Borchers and VP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus are featured in the latest episode of YouTubers iJustine and Jenna Ezarik's Same Brain podcast where they discuss several aspects of the current iPad lineup and part of the development process that went into the latest fourth-generation iPad Air.
Speaking on the new iPad Air, Borchers says that implementing the Touch ID sensor into the top button in a much smaller form factor was "an incredible feat of engineering." Ternus explains that the narrow aspect ratio of the sensor made it quite challenging to implement. The sensor needed to be "incredibly sensitive" and would have to capture a broader view of the fingerprint in the initial enrollment process and over time.
In the cellular model of the iPad Air, Ternus notes that the top portion of the enclosure is simply the antenna, and much work was conducted to ensure that the Touch ID sensor and antenna didn't interfere with one another since both are highly sensitive instruments. He adds that much "hardcore silicon and engineering" went into ensuring that the sensor could deliver the same level of security offered by its previous iteration.
With the introduction of the Neural Engine in the iPad Air, Borchers notes that an increase in on-device processing brings more powerful capabilities to iPad and offers a greater level of privacy to users.
The current iPad Pro lineup features the A12Z Bionic processor, and notably, the new iPad Air is the first device to implement Apple's latest A14 Bionic processor. Borchers mentions that A12Z is "optimized for pro workflows and experiences, especially those that may be more graphics-intensive." Speaking on the differences between the two, he notes that the A12Z has an advantage on "things that may be more graphically intensive," while the A14 offers "all-around amazing capabilities."
Check out the full nearly 40-minute podcast for more from Borchers and Ternus.
Several rumors have indicated that Apple is working on a refreshed Apple TV, and Fudge, a leaker who goes by @choco_bit on Twitter, today shared some new information on what we can expect.
In a tweet, Fudge claims that Apple is preparing multiple new Apple TV set-top boxes, with a model featuring a variant of the A12 chip and one with an "A14X-like" chip. Fudge also mentions that a new controller is in the works, but it is unclear if the tweet is referencing an updated Siri Remote or a new, Apple-designed game controller.
Apple Arcade is getting BIG money poured into it. There are currently titles in the works that are aiming to rival the likes of Breath of the Wild, which is why new A12X/Z AppleTV, "A14X-like" AppleTV, and Controller are in the works.
Some games will require A13 and up to run 💁🏼♀️
— Fudge (@choco_bit) October 3, 2020
Fudge mentions that Apple is working with developers to bring console-level games to Apple Arcade as means of bolstering the gaming service. Notably, the tweet points out that some games would only be able to be run on the A13 Bionic chip or later, so an upgraded Apple TV would be necessary to access the new Apple Arcade additions.
Signs of a new Apple TV with an A12 bionic chip were uncovered in the iOS 13.4 beta in February. In addition to an updated processor and a "T1125" codename, previous rumors have indicated that the refreshed Apple TV may feature higher capacity 64 and 128GB storage options.
Leaker Jon Prosser had previously suggested the new Apple TV will be equipped with an A12X Bionic chip, while another rumor had indicated it will use an A14 chip, the same chip in the fourth-generation iPad Air that's expected in the 2020 iPhones.
Apple debuted its A14 Bionic chip alongside the redesigned iPad Air at its September "Time Flies" event, and new benchmarks indicate that the chip offers significant performance improvements over the previous A13 Bionic.
Benchmarks supposedly for Apple's A14 Bionic processor in the iPad Air 4, first spotted by Twitter user "Ice Universe," reveal that the A14 offers significant performance improvements over the iPhone 11's A13 Bionic.
A GeekBench benchmark for an "iPad13,2" with the motherboard number J308AP was uploaded yesterday. According to leaker known as "L0vetodream," J308AP is the iPad Air 4 with cellular, and J307AP is the iPad Air 4 with Wi-Fi only.
The 6-core chip reportedly has a base frequency of 2.99GHz and 3.66GB of memory, achieving a score of 1,583 in single-core and 4,198 for multi-core.
This is markedly higher than the 1,336 in single-core and 3,569 in multi-core for the A13 Bionic. Compared to the A12Z chip from the 2020 iPad Pro, the A14 does better than the A12Z in single-core at 1,118 and slightly lower than in multi-core at 4,564. The A12Z has a extra GPU core compared to the A12x.
While Apple reported during the announcement of the fourth-generation iPad Air that the A14 offers 40 percent faster performance and up to 30 percent faster graphics than the previous iPad Air with the A12 Bionic, these benchmarks provide a more tangible point of comparison. They also offer the best look yet at what performance improvements will likely be seen across the iPhone 12 lineup.
The iPad Air 4 with the A14 Bionic is due to go on sale at some point this month, and as marketing materials arrive at Apple Stores, the launch does not seem to be far away.
The iPhone 12 is almost upon us, and we're continuing to hear rumors about what to expect from Apple's biggest product line. And don't forget about the new iPad Air that will also begin shipping this month.
Other news this week included fresh rumors about Apple's plans for mini-LED display technology, details on the upcoming iOS 14.2 update, some Apple Watch tips and how-tos, and more, so check out our video above and read on below for more!
Leaker: iPhone 12 mini to Start at 64GB, Pro Models at 128GB
Multiple sources have indicated that the next Apple event will likely take place on Tuesday, October 13, with pre-orders for at least some iPhone 12 models expected to begin on Friday, October 16. The devices would then begin arriving to customers on Friday, October 23.
Four new iPhone 12 models are expected, including one 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch model, all with OLED displays, 5G support, and a new flat-edged design. Rumors have suggested that Apple may opt for a staggered launch, with some models launching later than others, but the exact order of the rollout remains to be seen.
New iPad Air Marketing Materials Hit Retail Stores, Suggesting Imminent Launch
Last month, Apple unveiled a new iPad Air with slimmer bezels, allowing for a larger 10.9-inch display. The device also features a faster A14 Bionic chip, Touch ID integrated in the power button, a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and an improved 12-megapixel rear camera.
In early 2020, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was developing up to six Mini-LED products, including a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip for release in the third quarter of the year. This was before the global health crisis began, however, so it would be understandable if the timeframe has been pushed back due to supply chain disruptions and Apple engineers working from home.
Mini-LED displays, which use on the order of 1,000 to 10,000 individual LEDs, can offer deeper, darker blacks, brighter brights, richer colors, and better contrast compared to traditional LED-based displays, though the technology comes at a significant increase in cost for the time being.
iOS 14.2 Beta 2 Released With Music Recognition Toggle for Control Center and More
The second beta introduces dozens of new emoji, including a smiling face with a tear, a ninja, people hugging, a black cat, a bison, a fly, a polar bear, blueberries, fondue, bubble tea, a bell pepper, and more.
Apple has also seeded the ninth beta of macOS Big Sur, and the second betas of watchOS 7.1 and tvOS 14.2.
watchOS 7 Tips: Force Touch is Dead, Now What? [Video]
With the release of watchOS 7 last month, Apple added several new features to compatible Apple Watch models, such as new watch faces and sleep tracking, but it also dropped support for the Force Touch gesture that had become second nature for some users.
On our YouTube channel this week, we've shared a video that highlights 10 ways to access some hidden controls that used to be displayed using the Force Touch gesture.
We also shared a few other Apple Watch guides and how-tos this week:
Apple Suggests Restoring iPhone and Apple Watch to Fix Excess Battery Drain or Missing GPS Data
Apple this week shared a new support document with various solutions for users who may be missing Workout GPS routes or Health data after updating their devices to iOS 14 and watchOS 7.
Apple said users might notice any of the following issues after updating to iOS 14 and watchOS 7:
Your workout route maps are missing in the Fitness app on iPhone for previous GPS-enabled workouts from your Apple Watch.
The Activity, Heart Rate, or other health-related apps fail to launch or load data on your Apple Watch.
The Fitness app or Health app fail to launch or load data on your iPhone.
The Health app or Fitness app is reporting an inaccurate amount of data storage on your iPhone.
The Activity app is reporting an inaccurate amount of data storage on your Apple Watch.
Your environmental sound levels data or headphone audio levels data from Apple Watch is missing in the Health app on iPhone.
Increased battery drain on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Apple's support document is a helpful troubleshooting resource for these issues.
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