Joe Rossignol
Joe joined MacRumors in January 2015, and is now a Senior Reporter. Based out of Stoney Creek, Canada, he has been writing about Apple since 2008, with a focus on breaking news coverage.
Joe Rossignol's Articles
Apple Watch's Annual New Year's Activity Challenge Revealed
Apple Watch users will once again be able to complete an Activity Challenge for New Year's. Those who close all three of their stand/roll, exercise, and move rings for seven days in a row at any point in January will earn a special award in the Fitness app and custom animated stickers that can be used in the Messages and FaceTime apps. "Start 2023 off right," the Activity Challenge will...
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Best Buy and Apple Expand Upgrade+ Program to Include iMac and Mac Studio
Best Buy today announced it has expanded its Upgrade+ program to include select 24-inch iMac and Mac Studio models. Launched in October in partnership with Apple, the program provides interest-free monthly financing via Citizens Bank for select Macs purchased from Best Buy in the United States, similar to Apple's own iPhone Upgrade Program. For example, an approved customer can finance an...
Apple TV+ Series 'Severance' and 'Black Bird' Nominated for Golden Globe Awards
Apple TV+ series "Severance" and "Black Bird" have been nominated for the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards, which will be presented on January 10, 2023. A few prominent cast members in each show have also received nominations. Apple's streaming service landed six nominations in total:Severance — Best Drama Series Black Bird — Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Motion Picture...
13-Inch MacBook Air With OLED Display Rumored to Launch in 2024
Apple plans to introduce new 13-inch MacBook Air, 11-inch iPad Pro, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with OLED displays in 2024, according to display industry consultant Ross Young, who has shared accurate information about future Apple products in the past. Young shared his latest information in a tweet with his subscribers on Sunday. Young did not share any additional details, but earlier...
Apple Planned to Launch a Classical Music App in 2022, But Time is Running Out
In August 2021, Apple announced it had acquired classical music service Primephonic. At the time, Apple said it planned to launch a dedicated classical music app this year, but time is starting to run out if the company wishes to follow through with the plans on time. "Apple Music plans to launch a dedicated classical music app next year combining Primephonic's classical user interface that...
Twitter Blue Relaunching on Monday With Higher Price on iPhone and Account Review Process
Twitter today announced its Twitter Blue subscription option is relaunching Monday for $8/month on the web and $11/month through its iOS app. The higher price on iOS helps to offset the 15% to 30% cut that Apple receives from subscriptions paid through the App Store — a fee that Twitter owner Elon Musk has criticized as being too high. Twitter Blue subscribers will receive a blue checkmark...
Expanded iCloud Encryption Can't Be Enabled From New Apple Devices Right Away
Starting with iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS 13.1, all of which are expected to be released next week, users have the option to enable a new Advanced Data Protection feature that expands end-to-end encryption to many additional areas of iCloud, including Messages backups, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Voice Memos, and more. To protect users, Apple does not allow Advanced Data Protection to be...
HomePod Mini Available to Order in Finland, Norway, and Sweden
Apple is accepting orders for the HomePod mini in Finland, Norway, and Sweden on its online store. The smart speaker is available in space gray, white, blue, orange, and yellow and is estimated for delivery in 4-6 business days in each country. HomePod mini pricing is set at €109 in Finland, 1,249 kr in Norway, and 1,295 kr in Sweden, compared to $99 in the United States. Apple previously ...
iOS 16.2 Released for iPhone With These 12 New Features
iOS 16.2 is now available for the iPhone 8 and newer following two months of beta testing. With last-minute additions like Apple Music Sing and Advanced Data Protection, the software update includes over a dozen new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we've recapped many of the new features available with iOS 16.2, including Apple's new whiteboard app Freeform, two new Lock Screen...
Apple Pay Offering These Exclusive Holiday Discounts Until Next Week
Now through December 15, you can get exclusive holiday offers when you shop with Apple Pay in the United States. There are 12 participating brands, including Revolve, Le Creuset, HotelTonight, and more, with a full list outlined on Apple's website. The offers are available for qualifying purchases made with Apple Pay on participating apps and websites using devices like the iPhone, iPad, and ...
Apple Abandons Controversial Plans to Detect Known CSAM in iCloud Photos
In addition to making end-to-end encryption available for iCloud Photos, Apple today announced that it has abandoned its controversial plans to detect known Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) stored in iCloud Photos, according to a statement shared with WIRED. Apple's full statement:After extensive consultation with experts to gather feedback on child protection initiatives we proposed last...
Apple Previews New iMessage and Apple ID Security Features Coming in 2023
In addition to expanding end-to-end encryption to many additional iCloud data categories on an optional basis, Apple today also announced two other new security features designed to protect against threats to user data in the cloud. iMessage Contact Key Verification Apple says the new iMessage Contact Key Verification and Security Keys for Apple ID features will be available globally on the...
Apple Announces End-to-End Encryption Option for iCloud Photos, Notes, Backups, and More
Apple today announced it is expanding end-to-end encryption to many additional iCloud data categories on an opt-in basis for enhanced security. iCloud already protects 14 data categories using end-to-end encryption by default, including the Messages app when backups are disabled, passwords stored in iCloud Keychain, Health data, Apple Maps search history, Apple Card transactions, and more,...
Apple Announces App Store Changes, Including Expanded Pricing Up to $10,000
Apple today announced it is providing developers with an additional 700 price points for App Store apps, allowing apps to be priced as low as 29 cents, or as high as $10,000. Developers who want to price their app above $1,000 must submit a request to Apple to help prevent meaninglessly expensive apps from being released on the App Store. In total, developers will have the ability to select...
Uber and Uber Eats Apps Preparing to Support Live Activities Feature on iPhone
iOS 16.1 was released in September with support for Live Activities in third-party apps. The feature allows iPhone users to stay on top of real-time events, such as a sports game or a food delivery order, right on the Lock Screen. Live Activities are also displayed in the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. In June, Apple previewed Live Activities support for Uber,...
What's Next for HomePod Mini: Recapping the Latest Rumors
It's been over two years since Apple released the HomePod mini. Beyond new color options, the smart speaker has not been updated since launching in November 2020, but rumors suggest that a new model could be in the pipeline. Below, we've recapped the latest rumors and expectations for the HomePod mini. HomePod Mini History October 2020: Apple announces the HomePod mini during its iPhone...
Kuo: Apple Headset Shipments Potentially Delayed Until Second Half of 2023
Mass shipments of Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset may be delayed until the second half of 2023 due to unspecified "software-related issues," according to the latest information shared today by tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple headset render by Ian Zelbo Kuo said mass shipments of components for the headset are still likely to begin in the first half of 2023, but he believes that mass...
iPhone 15 Pro Rumored to Have These 5 Exclusive Features
While we're still around nine months away from Apple unveiling the iPhone 15 lineup, rumors already suggest that the higher-end Pro models will have even more exclusive features than usual compared to the standard models next year. There are currently at least five features rumored to be exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models:A17 chip: iPhone 15 Pro models will be equipped with an A17 Bionic...
Newer iPhones Allow You to Measure Someone's Height Instantly — Here's How
iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, and iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models feature a LiDAR Scanner next to the rear camera that can be used to measure a person's height instantly in Apple's preinstalled Measure app. To measure a person's height, simply open the Measure app, point your iPhone at the person you want to measure, and make sure they are visible on the screen from...
Apple Card Customer Agreement Updated for 'Upcoming' Savings Account Feature
Goldman Sachs this week updated its Apple Card customer agreement to reflect the credit card's upcoming Daily Cash savings account feature, which was expected to launch with iOS 16.1 but appears to have been delayed. "To enable new ways to use Daily Cash like the upcoming Savings account feature, we are updating the Daily Cash Program section of your Apple Card Customer Agreement," reads an...