MacRumors

Apple Fitness+ is a service that's designed to help Apple Watch and iPhone owners keep fit through a series of guided workouts that are available across multiple workout categories. Our Apple Fitness+ guide covers everything that we know about the Fitness+ service, which launched in late 2020.

Apple Fitness+ Explained

Apple Fitness+ is a home workout program that guides you through various workouts, complementing the fitness-focused features in the Apple Watch.

With Fitness+, Apple provides workout routines that can be watched, with the Apple Watch doing the necessary tracking to make sure you're on target and meeting fitness goals if you're using an Apple Watch for tracking.

Watching Fitness+ Videos

Fitness+ content can be watched through the Fitness app on the ‌iPhone‌, iPad, and Apple TV, and Fitness+ can also be AirPlayed to AirPlay-compatible devices that include the Mac.

The Fitness+ routines are designed for you to follow along with for home workouts, with minimal equipment needed in most cases.

Apple Watch Integration

As you follow along with Fitness+ routines, the Apple Watch tracks your movement, workout length, calories burned, heart rate, and more, just like other workouts.

Workout stats are viewable on the Apple Watch, but information is also shown right on the ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or ‌Apple TV‌ in real-time so you can keep a closer eye on how the workout is going and the calories you're burning without having to look down at your wrist.

A small window in the upper right hand corner of the Fitness+ interface shows statistics synced from the Apple Watch.

When you hit milestones like closing an activity ring, an animation pops up on the screen to keep you motivated. You can also see comparisons with other people who have done the workout before as part of a "Burn Bar" to give you an added push, and you'll see a countdown timer so you know just how long is left during a particularly tough interval.

An Apple watch is required to set up and use Apple Fitness+ on the ‌Apple TV‌ because of the Apple Watch on-screen integration. You can, however, do Fitness+ workouts on ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ without an Apple Watch. When AirPlaying Fitness+ workouts, you can see the video, but the metrics won't be displayed on the screen. Note that there is no way to set up Apple Fitness+ without a watch, so the setup process still requires Apple's wrist-worn device.

Starting a Workout

Fitness+ workouts can be initiated through the Fitness+ section in the Fitness app on the ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and ‌Apple TV‌. Launching a workout through the Fitness+ app on one of the aforementioned devices also starts the correct workout in your Apple Watch Workout app, with workout metrics automatically sent in real-time to the screen you're viewing the workout on.

Support for Two People?

Many people have wondered if Fitness+ supports two people working out at the same time, but it does not. Only one person's Apple Watch can be synced to an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or ‌Apple TV‌ at a time.

Even though Fitness+ does not support dual workouts on the screen, the second person working out can still start the same workout on their Apple Watch and follow along, just without seeing their progress displayed on the screen. Another option is to use a second screen such as an ‌iPad‌ along with a TV.

Fitness+ also works over FaceTime with SharePlay, so multi-person long distance workouts are a possibility using the ‌FaceTime‌ feature. Both participants need to have a Fitness+ subscription for this feature.

Fitness+ With No Apple Watch

As of iOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1, the Apple Fitness+ service can be used without an Apple Watch, with subscribers instead able to connect using an ‌iPhone‌. Prior to iOS 16.1, Apple Fitness+ required an Apple Watch. Seeing metrics on the screen while working out still requires an Apple Watch.

AirPlay

Apple Fitness+ on ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ supports AirPlay 2. With AirPlay 2 support, Apple Fitness+ workouts can streamed from the Fitness app ‌iPhone‌ or an ‌iPad‌ to an ‌AirPlay‌ 2-compatible smart TV Mac (macOS Monterey required), or set-top box like the Roku.

Audio and video can be sent to an ‌‌AirPlay‌‌ 2-enabled TV or set-top box, but Apple Watch metrics are not displayed on the screen. Activity rings, workout time remaining, calories burned, and burn bars do not show up on the television set over ‌‌AirPlay‌‌ 2 and instead need to be viewed on the connected ‌‌iPhone‌‌ or ‌‌iPad‌‌, but this should be a welcome change for those who want to be able to watch Apple Fitness+ workouts on a larger screen.

Fitness Video Categories

Workout categories include Treadmill Walk, Treadmill Run, HIIT, Rowing, Dance, Cycling, Yoga, Core, Strength, Pilates, Mindful Cooldown, and Guided Meditation, a feature added alongside the launch of iOS 15.

Many of the workout types require no specific equipment, but Rowing, Treadmill Walk, Treadmill Run, and Cycling can be used with any compatible exercise equipment. Some yoga workouts require a yoga mat and some strength training exercises require dumbbells.

Apple is also experimenting with seasonal workout options such as "Workouts to Get Ready for Snow Season" with exercise routines that are designed to improve skiers' and snowboarders' performance ahead of the winter season.

The Fitness+ workouts are designed to be done from home, the park, a hotel, or anywhere else you happen to be, but you can also use them at the gym with the gym's workout equipment and a connection to the Apple Watch.

Fitness+ for Beginners

Each Fitness+ video includes three different trainers on the screen at the same time, and at least one of these trainers will be doing a "modified" version of the workout that's simpler or less taxing. In a cycling workout, for example, one trainer might pedal more slowly, or in a yoga workout, one of the trainers might do simpler poses. In many cases, the alternate trainers you see in workout videos will be the leads of other kinds of workouts.

Apple has also added a series of 10 to 20 minute videos for those who are new to workouts and not ready for the standard workouts. These videos have a single instructor and provide instructions on equipment setup or how to do a particular exercise.

Fitness Level Options

If you're new to working out, or just to home workouts, Apple has a program for beginners available, and Apple Fitness+ has been designed for people with all skill levels in mind.

Each workout will include modifications for those who are new to workout out or for those who are experts.

Custom Workout Duration

You can select the duration for your workout to match the amount of time that you have available. Workouts can be as short as five minutes or as long as 45 minutes.

Apple Music Integration

Fitness+ videos are set to songs pulled from Apple Music, which can be listened to even by non-Apple Music subscribers. ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers, however, have the option to download Fitness+ playlists for use outside of the Fitness+ service.

Post Workout Metrics

When you finish a fitness routine you'll see a summary screen with all of your workout metrics, including full workout time, average heart rate, active calories burned, total calories burned, and more.

Weekly Content Updates

Apple has a dedicated team of trainers that work to produce videos for Fitness+ and the company adds new workouts on a weekly basis so there's always a fresh routine to do.

Goal-Setting Workouts

Apple Fitness+ includes a weekly video series with goal-setting workouts that are designed to help users stay motivated and keep up with training. Apple adds new Apple Fitness+ videos every Monday, with one of the Apple Fitness+ trainers offering suggestions for workouts that week.

Smart Suggestions

Apple Fitness+ is more than just a collection of workout videos. It offers up intelligent recommendations for videos you should try out based on the things you typically do with the Workout app on the Apple Watch.

Fitness+ suggests workouts based on your interests, along with new trainers and workouts that can help you even out your routine. You'll see these suggestions after you've completed three Fitness+ workouts.

Time to Walk

"Time to Walk" is an Apple Fitness+ feature that offers up audio stories from celebrities.

Each audio story is meant to focus on the guest's "personal, life-shaping moments," and Apple has designed these workouts to feel like you're walking alongside the celebrity that's speaking. The person telling the story is also on a walk, and will describe their surroundings before jumping into a personal discussion.

Time to Walk workouts are available to all Apple Fitness+ subscribers and can be accessed in the Workout app as a unique workout type. Since the audio is coming from the Apple Watch, AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones are required to listen. Time to Walk episodes can also be found in the Fitness+ section on the ‌iPhone‌.

• How to Use Time to Walk on Apple Fitness+

Fitness+ Pricing

Fitness+ will be available for $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, which breaks down to $6.67 per month. For that price, up to six family members total can use the Fitness+ service.

Fitness+ is also included in the Apple One Premier bundle, which is priced at $29.99 per month and also offers ‌Apple Music‌, ‌Apple TV‌+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and 2TB iCloud storage,

Fitness+ Free Trial

With the purchase of a new Apple Watch Series 3 or later, Apple is offering a free three-month trial of the Fitness+ service. All others can get a one month free trial, and those who purchased an Apple Watch from Best Buy also have separate extended trial options.

Fitness+ How Tos

• How to Sign up for Apple Fitness+
• What to Do if You're Not Seeing Your Apple Fitness+ 3-Month Free Trial Offer
• How to Download the Fitness+ App on iPad
• How to Start Workouts In Apple Fitness+
• How to Pause and Resume Apple Fitness+ Workouts
• How to Customize Workout Metrics in Apple Fitness+
• How to Find an Apple Fitness+ Workout
• How to Save an Apple Fitness+ Workout to Your Favorites
• How to Download an Apple Fitness+ Workout for Offline Viewing
• How the Apple Fitness+ Burn Bar Works
• How to See Your Apple Fitness+ Workout Summaries
• iOS 14.5: How to Use AirPlay 2 With Apple Fitness+

Device Compatibility

The Apple Fitness+ service is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7 and it requires an ‌iPhone‌ 6s or later with iOS 14 or later, an ‌iPad‌ with iPadOS 14 or later, or an ‌Apple TV‌ with tvOS 14 or later.

Launch Date and Availability

Apple Fitness+ is available in the United States, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, and the UK.

Fitness+ requires iOS 14.3 or later, watchOS 7.2 or later, iPadOS 14.3 or later, and tvOS 14.3 or later to work. The service automatically appears as a new tab in the Fitness app on ‌iPhone‌ and as a new app on tvOS. ‌iPad‌ users are able to download the Fitness app from the App Store.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the upcoming Apple Fitness+ service or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Amazon today announced the launch of its fourth-generation Echo speaker, which features a new spherical design and improved sound performance thanks to a three-inch woofer, dual-firing tweeters, and new Dolby processing.

The $100 fabric-covered speaker comes in three colors, including black, blue, and white, and it's accompanied by a built-in smart home hub with Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy, and Amazon Sidewalk integration. Amazon Sidewalk extends the range of devices like the Ring and includes support for Tile devices.

The new Echo is equipped with an AZ1 Neural Edge processor that moves speech recognition on-device for faster than ever response times to requests.

Alongside the new sphere-shaped Echo, there's a spherical Echo Dot that's priced at $50 and a kid's version that comes with animal face designs and is priced at $60, along with an updated $250 Echo Show that has the same AZ1 neural processor plus a 10-inch display, the ability to pivot, and a 13-megapixel camera.

A Guard Plus feature, priced at $4.99 per month, allows Alexa devices to listen for sounds like footfalls or doors opening and closing and it can play fake sounds like a dog barking to scare off intruders. Amazon also unveiled Alexa Care Hub, a feature designed to let users monitor a family member's home.

There are new Eero 6 and Eero Pro 6 WiFi 6 mesh systems available, and for Ring, Amazon is adding end-to-end encryption for videos. A new Ring Car Alarm is meant to be plugged into the car's OBD-II port and it includes built-in sirens and sensors to monitor for car theft.

A Ring Car Cam is Amazon's new in-car security solution, and it too includes a siren and emergency crash assist functionality. The Ring Car Alarm is priced at $60, while the Ring Car Cam is priced at $200.

Also new in the Ring family is the $250 Always Home Cam, which is a drone-based security system that can fly to different places in the house from a home dock. It basically flies around the house on pre-set paths, recording while in motion.

Amazon introduced an updated $40 Fire TV Stick with HDR, Dolby Atmos Support, and an Alexa Remote, plus there's a Lite version that has a simplified remote for $30. To compete with Apple Arcade and other streaming gaming services, Amazon's final announcement was Luna, a game streaming service.

Luna works cross-platform on Macs, PCs, Fire TV, smartphones, and tablets, and it will be compatible with Apple devices, according to Amazon, because it is designed to be a web app and is not subject to Apple's rules.

Luna will be priced at $5.99 per month, and Amazon has designed the Luna Controller, to go along with it. The $50 controller has "cloud direct technology" to cut down on latency, essentially connecting the controller directly to Amazon's servers.

Apple has reversed course and created an online band-only return method for customers who purchased an Apple Watch Series 6 or Apple Watch SE with the wrong size Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop band.

Apple's new Series 6 and SE models can be purchased with new Solo Loop or Braided Solo Loop band options that have no clasp or fastener, instead using stretch to fit over the hand. As there is no on-band sizing mechanism, the Solo and Braided Solo Loops come in nine sizes, leading to fit issues.

As we reported on Monday, customers who ordered and received a new Apple Watch with a Solo Loop or a Braided Solo Loop and then found that the band did not fit properly were told by Apple's staff that the only online return option involved returning the entire watch.

Following customer complaints and the attention the issue received, MacRumors can confirm that Apple has changed its policy and is now allowing bands to be swapped out online without the need to return the entire watch.

We were able to initiate an online band swap without needing to return the Apple Watch this morning, something that we were not able to do yesterday, suggesting the policy change happened today. Customers are able to send back the poorly-fitting band and will receive a new one when the old one is received.

GameClub exec Eli Hodapp, who first raised the return issue, was also able to initiate a return of his Braided Solo Loop without having to return his entire watch, and he was also provided with a free Sport Band for his trouble.

From the launch of the Apple Watch Series 6, Apple has been able to do in-store band swaps for those who got an ill-fitting band after getting the wrong result with Apple's measurement tool, but not everyone lives near a store and not all stores are open at this time.

In-store returns can be somewhat confusing for employees and the process can take some time as the swap is worked out, but MacRumors has initiated two separate in-store band exchanges with success.

For those who need to do an online band swap and want to be able to send the band back without returning the entire watch, a phone call is needed. The online support staff is not able to initiate this return process and it must be done over the phone.

Online support should know about the new process and will direct users to call, but if you're having trouble with the online chat, try an over the phone support solution.

Apple today released macOS Catalina 10.15.7, the latest update to the macOS Catalina software. macOS Catalina 10.15.7 fixes several major bugs that Mac users have been experiencing, and it comes a month after the latest macOS Catalina release.

The ‌‌‌macOS Catalina‌‌‌ 10.15.6 Supplemental Update can be downloaded from the Mac App Store using the Update feature in the System Preferences app.

According to Apple's release notes, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 addresses an issue where macOS would not automatically connect to WiFi, it fixes a bug that could prevent files from syncing through iCloud Drive, and most notably for new iMac owners, it fixes an issue that was causing a small white flashing line to appear on machines equipped with the Radeon Pro 5700 XT.

macOS Catalina 10.15.7 provides important security updates and bug fixes for your Mac.

- Resolves an issue where macOS would not automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks
- Fixes an issue that could prevent files syncing through iCloud Drive
- Addresses a graphic issue that may occur on iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) with Radeon Pro 5700 XT

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Since the launch of the 27-inch ‌iMac‌ in August, there have been complaints about a graphical glitch with the model that includes the higher-end a 5700 XT GPU. Many users have reported seeing flashes of a horizontal white line, and while it was unclear if it was a software or hardware issue, today's fix indicates that it was indeed a software-related bug.

Apple today released iOS 14.0.1, the first update to the iOS 14 operating system that was released on September 16. Today's update is a bug fix update addressing issues that weren't able to be fixed in the initial iOS 14 launch.

The iOS 14.0.1 update is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

iOS 14.0.1 fixes a bug that could cause third-party apps set as the default to reset after the iPhone is restarted. It also addresses a bug that could prevent the ‌iPhone‌ from connecting to some WiFi networks, and fixes an issue that could prevent sending email with some mail carriers. Apple's release notes are below:

This update includes bug fixes for your iPhone.
- Fixes an issue that could cause default browser and mail settings to reset after restarting your iPhone
- Addresses an issue that could prevent camera previews from displaying on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
- Fixes an issue that could prevent your iPhone from connecting to Wi-Fi networks
- Resolves an issue that could prevent sending email with some mail providers
- Addresses an issue that could prevent images from appearing in the News widget
- For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Apple has also released new updates for iPadOS 14.0.1, tvOS 14.0.1, and watchOS 7.0.1, all of which are bug fix updates. iPadOS 14.0.1 addresses the same bugs as iOS 14.0.1, and according to Apple's release notes, watchOS 7.0.1 fixes an issue where some payment cards in Wallet were disabled for some users.

The Apple Watch Solo Loop sizing effectively maps to the holes of the Sport Loop, according to John Gruber. The distance between the holes in every Apple Watch Sport Band is reportedly exactly the same as the distance between the 12 sizes of Solo Loops on Apple's measuring tool.

All Apple Watch Sport Bands have seven holes. For the 38mm or 40mm band, the S/M band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of one to seven, and the M/L band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of four to 10. For the 42mm or 44mm band, the S/M band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of three to nine, and the M/L band corresponds to the Solo Loop sizes of six to 12. Gruber writes:

A few people have wondered why Apple doesn't just map fluoroelastomer Sport Band sizes to Solo Loop sizes. I can see why Apple doesn't do that — they can't assume everyone already has access to an Apple Watch with a Sport Band, and even for people who do have access to one, Apple can't assume it's the right size watch (38/40mm vs. 42/44mm). And to further complicate matters, each Sport Band comes with two sizes for the side with the holes: "S/M" and "M/L." So that's four separate mappings from Sport Band holes to the new Solo Loop sizes.

The below image shows size mapping for two 40mm Apple Watch Sport Bands, with S/M and M/L sizes.

The following image shows size mapping for two 44mm Apple Watch Sport Bands, also with S/M and M/L sizes.

The news that it is possible to match Solo and Braided Loop sizing to the Sport Band will reassure many existing Apple Watch users who have been concerned about sizing issues and the potential need for an inconvenient return.

Regarding Apple's measuring tool, Gruber points out that "I think you're supposed to use the tool to precisely measure the circumference of your wrist, not to simulate the circumference of what you think would be a comfortable watch band," and he believes this may be the result of much of the discontentment about Solo Loop sizing.

A range of companies, including Epic Games, Spotify, and Tile, have formed a new organization called the "Coalition for App Fairness," in an effort to highlight developer issues with Apple.

The organization describes itself as "an independent nonprofit organization founded by industry-leading companies to advocate for freedom of choice and fair competition across the app ecosystem." The coalition is based in Washington D.C. and Brussels, and aims to lead legal and regulatory changes with regards to what it says are three key issues; "anti-competitive policies," "30 percent app tax," and "no consumer freedom."

It sets out a ten-point plan on its website for changes it would like to see made. The points include the demands that "no developer should be required to use an app store exclusively," "every developer should always have access to app stores," "every developer should always have the right to communicate directly with its user through its app," "no app store owner or its platform should engage in self-preferencing its own apps or services," and "no developer should be required to pay unfair, unreasonable or discriminatory fees or revenue shares."

The group includes Epic Games, Spotify, Tile, Basecamp, Blix, Blockchain, Deezer, the European Publishers Council, Match, News Media Europe, Prepear, ProtonMail, and SkyDemon, many of whom have had major disagreements with Apple over various issues.

The group is actively lobbying other developers to join it, saying "together we will fight back against the monopolist control of the app ecosystem by Apple."

Apple has overhauled its About the App Store and Developing for the App Store web pages to focus on several key areas, including discovery, privacy and security, trust and safety, hardware and software, and downloading with confidence.

The new pages highlight a range of relevant statistics and emphasize the importance of trust and security on the App Store.

For over a decade, the App Store has proved to be a safe and trusted place to discover and download apps. But the App Store is more than just a storefront — it's an innovative destination focused on bringing you amazing experiences. And a big part of those experiences is ensuring that the apps we offer are held to the highest standards for privacy, security, and content. Because we offer nearly two million apps — and we want you to feel good about using every single one of them.

Apple boasts that every week over 100,000 apps or updates are submitted and reviewed by an App Review team, which now consists of over 500 experts from around the world. 10,000 accepted apps use Apple's HealthKit, CareKit, and ResearchKit health technologies.

Interestingly, Apple also states that in 2019, the App Review team rejected over 150,000 apps for violating the company's privacy guidelines. This year, the company has removed over 60 million user reviews believed to be spam. Apple says that it has rejected over one million app submissions over an unspecified time period for illegal, unsafe, harmful, or objectionable content. Over two million apps have been removed because they were devoid of needed updates.

Apple is committed to helping developers turn their brightest ideas into apps that change the world. That’s why the App Store helps you from start to finish — to build, test, market, and distribute your products and grow your business. Our marketplace is secure, trusted, and accessible — connecting you to over 1.5 billion devices in 175 regions. The App Store and you. Together every step of the way.

The new developers' page says that 92 percent of iPhones issued in the last four years run iOS 13 and almost 90 percent of apps are reviewed within 24 hours. The page also declares that Apple has paid out over $155 billion to developers since 2008, and over 500 million people visit the ‌App Store‌ each week. 85 percent of apps are reportedly free, and these developers pay nothing to Apple. Over 50% of app downloads come from outside the developer's home country.

Apple notes that a 2019 study found the ‌App Store‌ facilitated over $519 billion in commerce globally, and it supports over 2.1 million U.S. jobs across all 50 states, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy.

In watchOS 7, Family Setup is a new feature that allows kids, elderly relatives, and others to take advantage of many of the capabilities of Apple Watch without the need for their own paired iPhone.

Family Setup offers helpful tools for parents and kids, with Schooltime and Downtime features that offer controls over when and what kids can do with their Apple Watch. For older adults, it provides access to tools like fall detection, automatic emergency calling, and health features without the need for them to have an ‌‌iPhone‌‌.

However, if you were thinking of getting an Apple Watch Series 6 for a relative in your ‌Family Setup‌ circle so they could take advantage of the Blood Oxygen monitoring feature, think again.

Apple states that the Blood Oxygen app is not available for use by people under 18 years old, and in fact the app will refuse to launch if it detects that the user's birth date in the Health app is less than 18 years ago. But the Blood Oxygen app will also be automatically disabled if you set up an unpaired Apple Watch Series 6 using ‌Family Setup‌, regardless of the intended user's age.

Besides being a Health-related feature, Apple has not explained why the Blood Oxygen app is not available on an Apple Watch configured using ‌Family Setup‌, but the company has been eager to stress that the blood oxygen monitoring on Apple Watch is not intended for medical use, including self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor. Indeed, Apple states that it is only designed for "general fitness and wellness purposes," which leaves its usefulness quite open to interpretation.

Oxygen saturation, or SpO2, represents the percentage of oxygen being carried by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body, and indicates how well this oxygenated blood is being delivered throughout the body. A healthy person usually has blood oxygen levels in the mid- to high 90s. But if someone has a health condition like lung disease, sleep disorders or respiratory infections, these levels can dip between the 60s to the low 90s.

Until more research is conducted, however, Apple is likely to continue to limit the use of the Blood Oxygen app in situations where it thinks the measurements might be relied upon as early indications of medical conditions or disease, such as in a ‌Family Setup‌ context.

The good news is that Apple is joining forces with researchers to conduct three health studies that include using Apple Watch to explore how blood oxygen levels can be used in future health applications, including how they may help manage and control asthma and heart failure, and how they could serve as early signs of respiratory conditions like influenza and COVID-19.

Apple has removed the 5W Power Adapter from the Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès. Both Apple Watch models included the power adapter for just a week before it was removed.

At Apple's "Time Flies" Event on September 25, Apple stated that it would be removing the power adapter from Apple Watch boxes due to environmental concerns. It subsequently came to light that Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès models would be the only models to retain the 5W power adapter. All other models shipped without a power adapter from launch.

Apple presumably continued to include the power adapter with these Apple Watches because they are high-end models with prices ranging from $799 to $1499.

Apple's page has not been archived so it is not possible to pinpoint exactly when the change took place, but it seems to have occurred within the past couple of days. Screenshots from the previous web page show that the Series 6 Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Hermès did contain a 5W USB power adapter.

MacRumors forum users who purchased an Apple Watch Edition over the past week also recieved a power adapter in the box.

The new page now includes the same message included alongside other Apple Watch models, stating "As part of our effort to meet our environmental goals, Apple Watch does not include a power adapter. Please use your existing power adapter or add a new one before you check out."

It is unclear why the power adapter has suddenly been removed from the high-end Apple Watch models, especially after Apple chose to include them for a short time. The change also seems to have taken place in territories around the world.

Rumors have suggested that the upcoming iPhone 12 models will follow the Apple Watch in not including a power adapter.

Thanks to @MiltonSau.

Rumors suggest Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 models will ship with a new Lightning to USB-C cable that includes a braided fabric design. Images of the purported cables were leaked in July, and today leaker Mr White has shared new images that give us a closer look at what we might get included in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 box.

The photos show a USB-C to Lightning cable with a clearly braided design rather than the standard non-fabric design of the current cables. Braided cable designs have the potential to be more durable than the standard rubber-coated cables, which have a tendency to fray from the edges after a few months of use.

Previously leaked USB-C to Lightning cables have featured eight silver contacts with rhodium-plated ruthenium, which is more resistant to corrosion, and that also appears to be the case in these photos. Combined with the braided design, the cables are likely to be able to better withstand damage after prolonged use.

A more durable design will be a welcome change for ‌‌iPhone‌‌ users as there have been many complaints over the years about the weak design of Apple's cables. Apple's existing USB-C to Lightning cables can also be used to enable fast charging in compatible iPhones, providing a 50 percent charge within 30 minutes.

Apple has never offered a cable with a braided design for its iPhones or iPads, but it does offer a braided Thunderbolt Pro cable, a black braided USB-C to Lightning cable that ships with the Mac Pro, and a braided power cable for the HomePod.

Instead, Apple may sell a new 20W power adapter on a standalone basis, which would allow customers to purchase a power adapter separately from Apple or from a third-party manufacturer, and would also bring Apple in line with EU proposals for a common charging standard.

Microsoft will next year offer a new perpetual release of Microsoft Office for Mac and Windows that doesn't require a subscription to use, according to the software giant (via Windows Central).

"Microsoft Office will also see a new perpetual release for both Windows and Mac, in the second half of 2021," said Microsoft in a blog post announcing the next version of its Exchange server, confirming that a new version of Office available as a one-time payment purchase is coming next year.

In recent years, the company has pushed its subscription-based Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) bundle as a way to get access to its productivity suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as servers such as Exchange, SharePoint, and Skype for Business.

Some of these apps can be used free online with a Microsoft account, but users can't install them on their computer, like they'd be able to with a Microsoft 365 subscription.

The growing tendency for software to be offered on a subscription basis had left many users concerned that Office 2019 would be the last perpetual release available for a one-off payment, but today's development should allay those fears.

Microsoft has yet to share any other details on the next perpetual release of Microsoft Office for Mac, so we don't yet know the price or the exact date of release in 2021.

Ahead of the release of macOS Big Sur, Apple has released the Safari 14 update for macOS Catalina and macOS Mojave users, bringing with it a number of new features and improvements.

One of the most dramatic changes is the overhauled Start Page, which now includes a browsing privacy report, iCloud tabs, Siri suggestions, and more. It also features several customizable options, such as the ability to choose your own Start Page wallpaper.

The new Safari 14 update can be downloaded by opening up System Preferences and choosing the Software Update option. Once the update is installed, you can choose your own Start Page wallpaper by following the steps below.

1. Launch Safari 14 on your Mac.
2. Click the Settings icon in the bottom-right corner of the Start Page.
   
   

3. Click the checkbox next to the Background Image option if it isn't already ticked.
   
   

4. Choose one of the wallpapers from the gallery carousel. Alternately, click the plus (+) button to open a file browser dialog and select another image on your Mac.
   

As well as a new Start Page, Safari 14 brings improved performance and a new tab bar design that provides tab previews so you can see what you have open at a glance. For more on the security content in Safari 14, check out Apple's release notes.

Apple One is an all-in-one bundle that allows Apple device customers to purchase several services together in one package instead of separately, saving money for those who use multiple Apple service products.

Our dedicated Apple One guide covers everything that you need to know about the Apple One bundles.

Bundle Options

There are three Apple One bundle options to provide different levels of service access to customers at different price points.

• Individual ($19.95 per month) - Includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 50GB iCloud storage.
• Family ($25.95 per month) - Includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and 200GB of iCloud storage, with the services able to be shared between up to six family members.
• Premier ($37.95 per month) - Includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Fitness+, and 2TB iCloud storage, with the services able to be shared between up to six family members.

The Individual plan offers savings of $9 per month compared to purchasing the services individually, while the Family plan offers savings of $11 per month.

The highest-priced Premier plan offers the greatest savings, saving customers $29 per month compared to purchasing each service separately.

The tiers were originally priced at $14.95, $19.95, and $29.95, but Apple increased prices by a few dollars for renewals starting in late 2022 due to increased licensing costs for Apple Music and Apple TV+ content. Prices for standalone plans with those services increased at the same time.

Another round of price increases occurred in late 2023 for Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple News+, pushing Apple One prices higher as well.

Apple's Available Services

For those who are unfamiliar with Apple's available service offerings, we've created a list with short descriptions of what each one features along with links where you can get more information before deciding whether to purchase a bundle.

• Apple Music ($10.99 per month) - Priced at $10.99 per month for an individual subscription and $16.99 per month for a family subscription, Apple Music is Apple's streaming music service, akin to Spotify. It works natively in the Music app on Apple devices and on the HomePod, and it offers access to 70 million songs.
• Apple TV+ ($9.99 per month) - Apple TV+ is a service similar to Netflix or Disney+ that offers Apple's catalog of original television shows and movies. Apple doesn't have as much content as other streaming services, but is working on growing what's available and there are dozens of TV shows in the works.
• Apple Arcade ($6.99 per month) - Apple Arcade offers up access to more than a hundred games for the $4.99 per month fee, and games are free from in-app purchases with all content unlocked. Apple teams up with popular game developers to create games for the Apple Arcade service, and new games are added on a regular basis.
• Apple News+ ($12.99 per month) - Apple News+ offers access to hundreds of different magazine titles that can be accessed through the Apple News app. It also provides access to several paid newspaper sites such as The Wall Street Journal and The Los Angeles Times. It's a paid extra add-on for the standard Apple News app.
• Fitness+ ($9.99 per month) - Fitness+ is an Apple Watch adjacent service that offers guided workouts across multiple fitness categories. Workout videos are watched on iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV with workout data calculated in tandem using Apple Watch.
• iCloud Storage - Apple offers 5GB of iCloud storage free to all users for backups, storing photos, and more, but additional 50GB, 200GB, and 2TB paid plans cost $0.99, $2.99, and $9.99 per month, respectively, in the United States. In September 2023, Apple added even larger 6TB ($29.99 per month) and 12TB ($59.99 per month) tiers.
• Additional iCloud Features - Apple One enables access to iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email, features that are now part of the paid iCloud+ plans.

Family Sharing

The full access to the Family and the Premier plans can be shared between six family members, including the person who sets up the Bundle access.

The Individual plan is designed for use by a single person, but even with the Individual plan, the Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade services included can be shared with other family members.

Sharing subscriptions with multiple family members works through the Family Sharing feature available for Apple devices. Each person on the Family and Premier plans can sign into services with their own Apple ID through Family Sharing (which is also how it works with individual services) so all family members can get private access and personalized recommendations.

Multiple Apple IDs

For Apple device users who continue to have multiple IDs split across iCloud services and iTunes/App Store purchases and subscriptions, Apple has a system in place to handle the dual Apple IDs within a single Apple One Bundle, with more information available through an Apple support document.

Free Trials

There is a free one-month trial available for the Apple One bundle, but there's a catch -- you can only trial services where you haven't already had a free trial experience. You cannot get a second free trial for Apple services that you have already experienced or subscribe to.

Device Availability

Apple One bundled services can be accessed on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Watch. Apple One services are also available on non-Apple platforms depending on where support is available.

An Apple Music subscription through Apple One can, for example, be accessed on Android devices, while Apple TV+ subscriptions available through Apple One can be accessed on smart TVs or any other platform that supports the Apple TV app.

Extra iCloud Storage

The Individual Apple One plan comes with 50GB of iCloud storage, the Family plan comes with 200GB, and the Premiere plan comes with 2TB. Those who need more storage than is provided through ‌Apple One‌ can purchase additional ‌iCloud‌ storage separately, which means with the most expensive ‌Apple One‌ bundle, a maximum of 4TB is available.

Customers who subscribe to ‌Apple One‌ can also choose other storage amounts for a different mix, such as 50GB with ‌Apple One‌ and 200GB through a separate ‌iCloud‌ purchase, but a total of 4TB is available. That would cost $29.95 for the ‌Apple One‌ plan with 2TB storage and then an additional $9.99 for the 2TB ‌iCloud‌ plan.

People who have separate Apple IDs for media and iCloud can use both accounts with Apple One, but there's no option to stack the storage in the same way. In this situation, the ‌Apple One‌ storage plan replaces the current storage plan.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the Apple One bundles or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

NHS COVID-19, a contact tracing app created by the UK government, is rolling out to residents of England and Wales as of today, with the app available from the iOS App Store.

The app's debut comes a week and a half after the UK government said that it would launch on September 24, and a month and a half after the app became available to NHS Volunteer Responders, Isle of Wight residents, and Newham residents, all of whom have been testing the app.

Like other apps that take advantage of the Exposure Notification API from Apple and Google, NHS COVID-19 is designed to track who people come into contact with each other using Bluetooth, providing a notification if one of those people later comes down with the coronavirus.

Along with using a Bluetooth-based solution, NHS COVID-19 will let users scan QR codes to register visits to locations like stores and restaurants to aid in contact tracing, with UK businesses being encouraged to display QR posters for visitors to scan.

NHS COVID-19 will be available on iPhones running iOS 13.5 or later as well as compatible Android smartphones, which are able to interface with each other. Downloading the app will provide instructions on making sure notifications are enabled and the feature is functional.

The NHS did not initially plan to use Apple and Google's ‌‌Exposure Notification‌‌ API and was instead pursuing a different solution, but after the announcement of the API the NHS changed course and decided to work on an app using the Apple/Google API after all.

‌Exposure Notification‌ apps have already launched in Scotland and Ireland, as well as in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Poland, and other countries. In the United States, Virginia, North Dakota, Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, Alabama, Wyoming, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania have launched apps that use Apple's ‌Exposure Notification‌ API.

More information on Apple and Google's ‌Exposure Notification‌ API, such as how it works and where it's available, can be found in our guide.

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.