The holiday weekend is here, and we've rounded up the best 4th of July Apple deals on hardware and accessories, from Apple Watches and AirPods to MacBook Pros and iPads. Prices start at just $679 for Macs.
AirPods and HomePods
The best AirPods deals for the Fourth of July offer cash discounts and coupon savings on AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and accessories. Best Buy is also slashing the price of the HomePod down to $199.99 for the Independence Day weekend.
Reddit has become the latest high-profile service to confirm it will be updating its iOS app to stop copying data from the clipboard, following complaints of it repeatedly triggering iOS 14's new privacy-focused clipboard monitoring system.
Reddit logo on a clipboard
Apple's clipboard snooping feature included in iOS 14 alerts users to instances when third-party apps attempt to access the clipboard on an iPhone or iPad. The triggering of alerts by apps used in the current developer betas has led to companies scrambling to make changes to stop the alert from popping up at times when users aren't consciously expecting the clipboard to be accessed.
With WWDC now behind us, our attention this week largely turned back to rumors, led by increasing claims that Apple controversially won't be including a power adapter in the box with the iPhone 12. We also saw a few other iPhone 12 rumors, signs of an upcoming iMac update, and some more information on timing of updates for Apple's smaller iPads.
The other big topic this week was Apple's Developer Transition Kit, a Mac mini equipped with the A12Z Bionic chip from the iPad Pro. App developers have been signing up for the kits to help them transition their apps to Apple Silicon for future Macs, and we got our first look at how these machines perform even though they will be widely outclassed by the machines that eventually ship to consumers.
Read on below for details on these stories and more!
iPhone 12 Models Reportedly Won't Include Charger in Box, 20W Power Adapter Will Be Sold Separately
Following a similar report last week, reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also weighed in to claim that Apple is not planning to include a power adapter in the box with its iPhone 12 models launching later this year. Apple is also said to be eliminating the EarPods earphones that have traditionally been included with new iPhone purchases.
Apple will apparently be offering a new 20-watt fast-charging power adapter as a separate accessory, and removing the current adapter from the iPhone box will save Apple money, reduce e-waste, and allow for more shipping efficiency thanks to smaller boxes. Apple is even surveying recent iPhone buyers in Brazil about what they've done with the power adapters that came with their previous iPhones, so the company definitely appears to be doing research on the topic.
In other iPhone 12 news, rumors continue to be split as to whether some models will or will not include 120Hz ProMotion displays for a smoother on-screen experience. And finally, the higher-end iPhone 12 Pro models are rumored to be able to shoot 4K video at 120 and 240 frames per second, which would allow for great slow-motion footage.
Rosetta 2 Benchmarks Surface From Mac Mini With A12Z Chip
The A12Z-based Mac mini runs programs designed for Intel Macs using a Rosetta 2 translation layer that impacts performance, but Geekbench benchmarks still offer an interesting look at how these systems perform. In fact, these systems run Geekbench via Rosetta 2 faster than Microsoft's Arm-based Surface Pro X runs an Arm-native version of Geekbench.
Of course, these Developer Transition Kits bear little resemblance to what Apple will eventually ship to consumers, as those future machines will be equipped with much faster chips said to based on the A14 chip coming to this year's iPhones, and as developers update their apps to support Apple Silicon natively, fewer apps will be subject to the speed hit of Rosetta 2 translation.
Unreleased iMac With 10-Core Comet Lake-S Chip and Radeon Pro 5300 GPU Shows Up in Geekbench
While we didn't get a hoped-for update to the iMac at WWDC last week, we're continuing to see evidence that an update is in the works.
MacRumors concept mockup based on redesign rumors
The latest piece of evidence comes from a Geekbench benchmark that appears to come from an unreleased iMac. Notably, the machine appears to be equipped with a 10-core Comet Lake-S processor from Intel and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics processor, both of which have also yet to be officially released.
Owners of the landmark 15-inch notebook will find that Apple is no longer offering service on the machines for any reason, so if you find yourself in need of a new battery or other repair, you'll need to look for an unofficial repair option or go the do-it-yourself route.
Kuo: Apple to Launch 10.8-Inch iPad Later This Year, 8.5-Inch iPad Mini in 2021
In addition to his predictions for the iPhone 12, Ming-Chi Kuo this week also shared a bit more information on his predictions for Apple's iPad lineup.
Kuo says that Apple plans to launch a new 10.8-inch iPad in the second half of 2020, followed by a new 8.5-inch iPad in the first half of 2021. He has previously indicated that the new 8.5-inch model will be a larger iPad mini, while there has been some confusion as to whether the 10.8-inch model will be a replacement for the 10.2-inch entry-level iPad or the 10.5-inch iPad Air.
New Mac Ransomware Found in Pirated Mac Apps
There's a new 'OSX.ThiefQuest' Mac ransomware variant that's spreading through pirated Mac apps, according to a report shared this week by Malwarebytes. The new ransomware was found in pirated downloads for the Little Snitch app found on a Russian forum.
Along with the ransom activity, the malware may also install a keylogger for monitoring keystrokes, but what the malware does with the functionality is unknown. Malware in general and ransomware in particular are relatively rare on the Mac platform, so it's interesting to see this example surface and gain some insight into what it does.
The New York Times Ends Apple News Partnership and Pulls All Articles
The New York Times this week announced that it is pulling out of Apple News, as the service does not "align with its strategy of building direct relationships with paying readers."
While The New York Times has never been a part of the Apple News+ subscription program, the newspaper's articles will no longer show up in the Apple News app at all. The news site says that Apple has given it "little in the way of direct relationships with readers" and "little control over the business." Rather than allowing its articles on Apple News, The New York Times wants to drive readers to its own website and app.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
At WWDC this year, Apple announced all the details about the upcoming iOS 14 update. Read our full roundup for a comprehensive look at what's coming to your iPhone and iPad this fall.
Apple is seeking a declaratory judgement to determine that it does not infringe on two instant messaging patents owned by a company named Zipit Wireless, which previously leveled claims against the tech giant.
Credit: Apple
In a complaint filed Friday with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Apple argues that it does not infringe on Zipit's intellectual property. Zipit Wireless is the creator of a secure messaging platform.
LinkedIn claims that clipboard snooping behavior, recently revealed in the firm's iOS app by a new iOS 14 data privacy feature, is caused by a software bug.
Credit: LinkedIn
On Thursday, a portfolio portal developer testing Apple's iOS 14 beta release discovered that the LinkedIn app was copying the contents of their clipboard after every keystroke. When ZDNet reached out to LinkedIn, the company said the issue was tied to a bug in its software.
iOS 14 introduces a feature that alerts users when apps access their clipboards, and tons of apps have been caught clipboard snooping.
LinkedIn is one of the iOS apps that has been reading user clipboards, and iPhone owners have complained that the app copies the contents of the clipboard with every keystroke.
LinkedIn is copying the contents of my clipboard every keystroke. IOS 14 allows users to see each paste notification.
I’m on an IPad Pro and it’s copying from the clipboard of my MacBook Pro.
In a statement to ZDNet, LinkedIn said that the clipboard copying behavior is a bug and is not intended behavior. A VP at LinkedIn also said that the contents of the clipboard are not stored or transmitted. A fix for the issue is in the works, and should be available soon.
Hi @DonCubed. Appreciate you raising this. We've traced this to a code path that only does an equality check between the clipboard contents and the currently typed content in a text box. We don't store or transmit the clipboard contents.
Other apps like TikTok, Twitter, Starbucks, Overstock, AccuWeather, and more have been caught reading user clipboards for no discernible reason. TikTok claimed that the clipboard access was used as fraud detection to suss out "repetitive, spammy behavior," and TikTok released an iOS update to remove it.
Ahead of the release of iOS 14, a pair of developers released a report letting users know that iPhone and iPad apps were accessing clipboard content behind the scenes. Apple's new iOS 14 feature appears to have been added in response, and there's no longer a way for apps to quietly read the clipboard without users being alerted to the behavior.
It is Independence Day weekend in the United States, so Apple is holding a special iTunes sale for movies and TV shows. Celebrate your American patriotism with these deals.
B&H Photo today introduced new discounts on Apple's 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, starting with the 512GB model (16GB RAM, 10th gen processor) at $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00. This sale price is only available in the Silver color option.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with B&H Photo. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
For the 1TB 13-inch MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 10th gen processor), you'll find a price of $1,799.00, down from $1,999.00, and this sale is available in both Silver and Space Gray colors. Both of these discounts are new low prices for each model of the 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro.
B&H Photo notes that it has limited supply for both models, so be sure to head to the retailer soon if you're interested. You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
Apple is surveying users in Brazil about the USB Power Adapters that came packaged in their iPhones, likely for market research concerning the ubiquitous iPhone accessory.
Apple is surveying users about its 5W USB adapter amid rumors that it'll stop including it with iPhones.
Specifically, the survey appears to ask users what they did with the USB adapter that came with their old iPhones. It comes iPhone 12" in 2020.
Priced at $119, the Trio Wireless Charging Pad has a simple rectangular design that looks clean and organized on a desk, counter, or table top. There's a slight wedge look to the charger, along with three LEDs that serve as charging indicators for your devices.
There's an upright pop-out Apple Watch charging puck that can charge the Apple Watch in Nightstand Mode, an indentation designed to fit the AirPods or AirPods Pro and a spot for the iPhone denoted by a raised rubber circle that helps keep it secured in place while charging.
The cutouts for the AirPods and the rubber circle for the iPhone are useful ways to make sure your devices get put in the exact right spot for charging, so there's no fussing with trying to find the proper position.
Because the Apple Watch charging puck folds down, the Trio is ideal for travel because it can be tucked into a bag or a purse along with your other Apple accessories.
The Trio Wireless Charging Pad can charge an iPhone at 7.5W, the maximum charging speed that Apple's iPhones support for wireless charging. The Apple Watch charges at 2.5W, while the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case or AirPods Pro charges at 5W.
Satechi is a trusted name when it comes to iPhone accessories, and the Trio features foreign object detection and over temperature protection to keep you and your devices safe. It will automatically shut off power if there's an unknown object on the charger or if there are heat issues.
Satechi ships the Trio Wireless Charging Pad with a USB-C 24W power adapter that comes with U.S., UK, and EU plug options, another reason why it's ideal for use both at home and when you're traveling.
We have four of the Trio Wireless Charging Pads to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (July 3) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on July 10. The winners will be chosen randomly on July 10 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Amid multiple reports that Apple will no longer include a power adapter in its iPhone boxes starting with the iPhone 12 later this year, it appears Apple is surveying recent iPhone buyers to ask about what they've done with the power adapters that came with their previous iPhones.
Apple's surveys typically cover numerous aspects of its products, but Brazilian Twitter user @Gunstaxl recently noted (via 9to5Mac) that the iPhone survey he received included several questions about how he uses the charger, including one specifically addressing the fate of the charger that was included with his previous iPhone, an iPhone XR.
We found one other recent mention of this survey, from fellow Brazilian Twitter user @bedabb_, so it looks like Apple's survey may be limited to that country. In this second case, Apple asked about the charger that came with the user's previous iPhone 7 Plus.
Among the possible answers to Apple's question about the fate of the previous charger:
Gave it to a family member or friend
Recycled it
Lost or misplaced it
No longer working or not working well
Still using it at home
Still using it outside of my home (e.g., work, school, other location)
Still have it, but don't use it
Sold it or traded it in with the iPhone
While still only a rumor at this point, the idea of Apple removing the power adapter from the iPhone box has certainly generated controversy, although removing the adapter will save Apple money, reduce e-waste, and allow for more shipping efficiency. Many users already have numerous adapters from previous iPhone and iPad purchases, while some may prefer other charging solutions such as multi-port chargers or wireless chargers.
The next step in Apple's goal of making the iPhone the sole thing anyone has to carry, continues with the device being able to securely replace passports, driver's licenses, and other physical forms of identification.
Printed passports may become a thing of the past
Apple most recently announced a plan to rid the world of car keys, but the iPhone has already made us forget what it's like to carry diaries, cameras, pens, and even mirrors. Now the company is focusing on getting rid of passports — plus library cards, ski passes, and ID cards in general.
It will be WWDC and its "historic" announcement of the move to Apple Silicon that will be remembered, but there was so much more going on in June.
Tim Cook at June's WWDC 2020
Apple is very good at judging how to present itself. In June's WWDC 2020, it managed to give us an extremely well-made keynote show, and it managed to pull off every bit of hype that it always does. "This is going to be truly a unique week delivered unlike any that we've done before," said Tim Cook.
Apple supplier Foxconn said on Friday customs clearing procedures in India have been resolved. All local regulatory procedures have been complied with…
Digital advertisers, backed by Google, on Friday criticized Apple’s plans to require apps to seek additional permission from users before tracking them…
We're still gleaning details of macOS Big Sur and iOS 14 since WWDC, but there's also the on/off "iPhone 12" delay, the peculiar difficulty of replacing a Mac Pro's SSD, and the way your iPhone may replace your ID, all on this week's AppleInsider Podcast.
Apple's Mac Pro at WWDC 2019
Meet the man who has everything — if only for a few days at a time. Andrew O'Hara is the chief AppleInsider video producer so there is no Apple gear he hasn't filmed, used, and tested.
Marketing associations are concerned about the changes coming to iOS 14, and are complaining that Apple is ignoring the GDPR — and users will be less likely to allow tracking.
Users will be asked to give permission app-by-app for ad tracking
A group of 16 European marketing and digital advertising associations have criticized Apple's iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 plans for increased privacy, which mean apps will have to ask extra permission from users before they can track them. In future, apps that want to do this will have to show a pop-up screen detailing asking the user to confirm they agree to such tracking.
Ships from companies including iPhone manufacturer Foxconn had been held up by customs at Indian ports over ongoing China/India tensions, but at least some have now been cleared.
Components for the iPhone XR may have been among the shipments that were held up
The China/India dispute that has seen shipments held up at Indian ports, has reportedly been resolved — at least for Apple supplier Foxconn.
A photo often doesn’t contain exactly what you want. Cropping a picture can be a solution. But what do you do if you crop out a critical detail and later want it back? One Macworld reader cropped herself out of a picture with her newborn baby! Momma, come back!
If you used an Apple photo organizing app to crop the photo, you're in luck. Fortunately, both the long-discontinued iPhoto (which no longer works starting with macOS 10.15 Catalina) and the modern Photos app both support non-destructive cropping. You can revert backwards simply to re-crop an image or reset it to its full bounds.
In both iPhoto and Photos (the steps are shockingly identical):
A Google-backed group of European digital advertising associations has criticized Apple for requiring apps in iOS 14 to seek additional permission from users before tracking them across other apps and websites, reports Reuters.
Sixteen marketing associations, some of which are backed by Facebook and Alphabet's Google, faulted Apple for not adhering to an ad-industry system for seeking user consent under European privacy rules. Apps will now need to ask for permission twice, increasing the risk users will refuse, the associations argued.
During its iOS 14 preview at WWDC last week, Apple explained to developers several of its new user privacy features, which include new app tracking controls and transparency.
Specifically, developers are now required to get user consent before tracking them. When an app wants to track the user, a consent pop-up appears saying the app "would like permission to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies." Developers are given several lines below the main text to explain why the permission is being sought.
The system requires that apps only need to be granted permission once, and users can see which apps they have consented to track them in the Settings app, allowing them to change their preferences as and when required.
According to the report, the group of European marketing firms said the pop-up warning and the limited ability to customize it still carries "a high risk of user refusal."
Last week, however, Apple engineers said the company would improve a free tool for developers that uses anonymous, aggregated data to measure whether advertising campaigns are working. The tool does not trigger the tracking pop-up because it's specifically engineered not to track individual users.
Support for every audio-streaming protocol and service you can think of, prodigious connectivity options, upgradeable firmware, and sweet sound make for a best-in-class audio component.
Apple appears to have updated its Maps coverage to add transit directions in Iceland, with a focus on bus routes in and around the capital, Reykjavik.
Apple Maps users in the region can now select public transportation routes when getting directions between two locations.
Transit directions were first added to Apple Maps in 2015 with the launch of iOS 9. Maps initially only offered transit information in a handful of cities, but over the course of the last five years, Apple has worked to expand the feature to additional areas.
Transit information is now live in dozens of cities and countries around the world, with a full list available on Apple's iOS and iPadOS Feature Availability website, although it has not yet been updated to include Iceland.
Apple's upcoming "iPhone 12" will feature "high-end" lens arrays in the rear camera to improve image quality, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a new research note seen by MacRumors, Kuo says Largan will supply the premium camera lenses to Apple for the phones from mid-July, although Apple has received the same components slightly earlier in the last couple of years.
Production has reportedly been delayed by four to six weeks in the second half of this year, which will see peak lens shipments fall between September and November, compared to August-October in the past.
Kuo doesn't mention the reason for the delay in his note, but the global health crisis is likely to have had an impact. Apple is still expected to announce the iPhones in September, but rumors have claimed that some iPhone models might not launch until October or November.
Kuo's latest note doesn't specify what kind of "high end" lens will be used in the iPhone 12, but in a previous note he claimed that the 6.7-inch iPhone model will feature multiple rear camera improvements, including larger sensors that capture more light for better image quality.
Apple is expected to launch high-end 6.7 and 6.1-inch iPhones with triple-lens cameras, and lower-end 5.4 and 6.1-inch iPhones with dual-lens cameras. Previously, Kuo has said he expects the 6.1 and 5.4-inch iPhones to go into mass production in September, while mass production on the larger 6.7-inch iPhone will be delayed until October because of its more complicated design.
Existing manufacturing partner Largan is said to begin shipments of camera lenses bound for iPhone in mid-July, Kuo said in a research note published Friday.
Hodinkee, a popular mechanical wristwatch venue, is now an Apple Watch authorized reseller.
Apple Watch Series 5 in titanium (left) and stainless steel (right)
"We are very excited to be an authorized retailer for Apple Watch," said Hodinkee Chief Commercial Officer Russell Kelly. "It is a revolutionary product, an impressive example of design and functionality which seamlessly integrates into daily life. Not only does Apple Watch complement our product offering but it also further positions the Hodinkee Shop as an e-commerce new luxury leader."
BMW on Thursday added Digital Key support to its BMW Connected app, a little over a week after Apple announced a digital car key feature set to debut with iOS 13.6.
Credit: BMW
The digital car keys feature will allow users to store "digital keys" within the Wallet app, allowing them to lock, unlock or start their vehicles with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Oil traders looking for ways to estimate fuel demand were disappointed by Apple's mobility data, a report claims
Credit: Apple
Apple in mid-April unveiled a new Mobility Trends Report tool that visualized anonymized Apple Maps data requests. At the time, traders thought they had found a clue to guess at the speed of fuel demand recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Apple and Google are complying with a new Indian government order to block apps developed by Chinese firms.
Credit: Apple
Two days after New Delhi's order was implemented, the two Silicon Valley giants began to prevent users in India from seeing the 59 blocked apps on the App Store or Google Play store.
Deals on Apple's iPhone SE are in effect for July 4th and AppleInsider has rounded up the best promotions and incentives on the new 2020 iPhones. From the iPhone SE 2 on sale for $5 per month to plan savings and $70 off the device, these deals deliver substantial savings off Apple's $399 MSRP.
Best iPhone SE deals
Apple's 2020 iPhone SE is here, and we've rounded up the best deals going on right now from leading wireless carriers and retailers. Please note: Each carrier and retailer has specific terms and conditions that apply to each offer. Please review the T&Cs to make the best buying decision for your specific situation.
Caviar, a company known for creating outlandish and lavish iPhone casing modifications, has been working on an iPhone design that's modeled after Tesla's Cybertruck. We have a prototype of the CyberPhone on hand, and checked it out in our latest YouTube video.
The CyberPhone Caviar has designed is created from titanium and has an angled design reminiscent of Tesla's truck. Caviar has a few versions for sale, but the base pricing starts at $6,910, so this is not a phone for the everyday buyer.
We don't have the high-end titanium version to test out, but rather an aluminum model that's a less expensive test version than the version shipping out to customers. The official version of the CyberPhone features a back panel made from titanium with a PVC covering, with cutouts and buttons that allow the iPhone to operate as normal while sporting the Cybertruck-style design.
Since the extra casing adds a good bit of bulk to the iPhone, there's a unique SIM ejection tool to get the SIM tray out from the deep crevice of the casing. There's a camera cutout at the back for the square-shaped camera setup of the iPhone, which features Caviar branding.
In our video, you may notice a crack in the glass part of the CyberPhone's casing, so it's clearly not as indestructible as the Tesla Cybertruck. Elon Musk was able to break the window of the Cybertruck during its unveiling, however, so maybe Caviar is just aiming for authenticity. The non-glass portion of the case feels more durable, but it's also super heavy.
There are also quite a few scratches around the bumper of the CyberPhone and again, this is aluminum, but titanium is also prone to scratching. Visible scratches are not exactly desirable on a phone that costs as much as some cars.
We have the CyberPhone Light, but the standard version, priced at about $7,680, has a folding cover that comes down to cover the display when the phone isn't in use and also serves as a stand, but that's not available in this model so we can't demo it.
Modified iPhones like this are more impractical than anything else and attractive to a limited subset of buyers, but it's sometimes fun to take a look at the kind of crazy things iPhone modifiers are doing. We have no idea who buys these kinds of devices, but there must be some market for them because Caviar and other companies keep coming out with ever more fanciful designs. This article, "Hands-On With Caviar's Modified 'CyberPhone' iPhone Designed to Look Like a Tesla Cybertruck" first appeared on MacRumors.com
WWDC is more than a flash two-hour keynote, it's an entire week of developer sessions. We asked developers worldwide what they thought of the new online format.
Detail from Apple's promotional video for WWDC 2020
Apple may have been forced to move WWDC 2020 online because of the coronavirus, and it may have produced an exceptional keynote, but ultimately this event is for developers. And it's the developers who can really judge whether the new format worked.
Chris Parnell is leaving Sony Pictures Television for a top programming job at Apple. He'll reunite with Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht at Apple TV+…
Apple's new Mac Pro isn't stuck with what you buy at initial purchase. A SSD upgrade kit from the company can quickly add one to eight terabytes of storage to your professional workstation by following these steps.
2019 Mac Pro with case removed
Mac Pro owners now have three options for more storage on their device — they can choose an external storage drive such that connects over USB or Thunderbolt 3, they can choose an internal option such as the Promise Pegasus R4i or OWC Accelsior 4M2, or they can upgrade the stock internal SSD thanks to newly released upgrade kits from Apple.
Apple at WWDC announced Car Keys, a new feature designed to allow digital car keys to be added to the Wallet app on the iPhone, allowing iPhones and Apple Watch models to be used in lieu of a physical car key.
Apple at the time said the feature would come to both iOS 13 and iOS 14, and the first Car Keys partner, BMW, today added support for the feature to its BMW Connected app. With Car Keys support, a BMW Digital Key for the iPhone can be added to the Wallet app on the iPhone.
The feature allows the iPhone to be used to lock and unlock the car by holding it up to the door handle, and it can also start the car when the iPhone is placed in the smartphone tray in the vehicle. Access to a car can be shared with up to five friends or family members, with various restrictions available.
BMW's Digital Key for iPhone feature works with a number of BMW models: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, X5, X6, X7, X5M, X6M and Z4 if manufactured after July 1st 2020. Compatible vehicles will be shown on the vehicle tab in the app.
An iPhone XR, XS, or newer is required, and for those who want to use an Apple Watch, an Apple Watch Series 5 or newer is required. When Car Keys was announced, BMW said the feature would require iOS 13.6, which Apple has not released, so it's not clear if the digital key feature is functional at this time.
Apple Card launched as a very futuristic, privacy-focused credit card, but with several glaring omissions. Namely, it didn’t work well with most financial management software, and there was no way to manage your card without your iPhone.
Over time, Apple has added the ability to export statements in a variety of popular formats, which will make it easier to use with financial management apps and services. And on Thursday, Apple finally launched a web portal to manage your card.
Apple today launched a new website for Apple Card users to manage their accounts online. Previously, all interactions for the Apple Card were limited to…
Apple today launched a website that's designed to allow Apple Card holders to check their balances, view statements, and make Apple Card payments online.
The card.apple.com website lets Apple Card holders sign in with their Apple IDs. The website features a payments section that shows card balance front and center, along with the next scheduled payment date, and total card limits.
Monthly statements can be viewed and downloaded through another section of the website, while Settings allows users to add a bank account, manage scheduled payments, or see their Mastercard network benefits. A support section of the website provides access to an Apple Card web user guide and a phone number that customers can call to get help.
All of these functions were previously available in the Wallet app, but having online access to Apple Card tools is useful for those who prefer managing their credit cards from their computers rather than their iPhones. It also allows Apple Card to be used without the need to own an iPhone or an iPad for the first time, which is a major change.
Apple is also now allowing new Apple Card applicants to apply directly from the Apple.com website using any browser when purchasing a product using the Apple Card Monthly Installments option, a feature which previously required the Apple Store app or a Safari web browser. To reflect the new changes today, Apple is sending out emails to customers letting them know about updates to their customer agreements.
We made some changes to your Apple Card that are now part of your Customer Agreement. We are summarizing these changes below.
More Ways to Manage Your Account. We've added the ability to access and manage Apple Card online. You can use card.apple.com to make, schedule, or cancel payments; check your available credit; view Monthly Statements; and review your Apple Card Customer Agreement, APR, and other rate information.
Using Apple Card Without iPhone or iPad. Now that it's possible to use Apple Card Monthly Installments without an iPhone or iPad, we changed the Apple Card Customer Agreement to explain this experience. This is detailed in the section entitled, Using Your Account Without a Required Device.
Daily Cash. We added information about: (i) how you may earn bonus Daily Cash at select merchants, and (ii) how Daily Cash Adjustments as a result of a return or credit can be charged as one or more Transactions to your Account, reflected on your Monthly Statements.
Apple Card Monthly Installments. We are changing how you can accept the terms of your monthly repayment amount for an Apple Card Monthly Installment. This does not change how we calculate your Minimum Payment Due.
Software Updates. In order to ensure complete access to your Account and that you receive required updates, we ask that you please update to the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, or macOS on the devices you use with Apple Card.
Other Changes. We made clarifications, formatting corrections, and other minor changes.
Except for these changes, the rest of your Apple Card Customer Agreement remains as is.
As highlighted yesterday, Apple is running a promotion for new Apple Card users at the current time, providing $50 Daily Cash when the Apple Card is first used to pay for an Apple service like an App Store purchase, Apple Arcade, or Apple Music.
Amazon and B&H Photo are discounting Apple's 2020 MacBook Air, providing $100 off both the 256GB and 512GB models. All colors are being discounted across both retailers, although some models do have lengthier shipping estimates.
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.
Prices start at $899.00 for the 256GB MacBook Air, down from $999.00. On Amazon, you'll find this price in every color, with shipping estimates for the Silver model placing arrival as early as Sunday, July 5. B&H Photo has a limited supply, and also has all colors on sale at this price.
Next, the 512GB MacBook Air is on sale for $1,199.00, down from $1,299.00. Amazon again has all three colors at this price, with Silver and Space Gray available to ship immediately. On B&H Photo, you'll be able to purchase every color option on sale, with the retailer again noting it has a limited supply at this price.
You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
New York City-based watch retailer Hodinkee today announced that it is now an authorized retailer for the Apple Watch. The company has been known as an influential watch review site and recently launched an e-commerce platform, the Hodinkee Shop, where high-end mechanical watches can be purchased.
From today, the Hodinkee Shop also includes Apple Watch Series 5 models along with a variety of Apple Watch accessories. The store is only selling cellular versions of the Apple Watch, and prices match Apple's own prices on the Series 5. Both aluminum and stainless steel models are available.
"We are very excited to be an authorized retailer for Apple Watch,” said HODINKEE Chief Commercial Officer Russell Kelly.
“It is a revolutionary product, an impressive example of design and functionality which seamlessly integrates into daily life. Not only does Apple Watch complement our product offering but it also further positions the HODINKEE Shop as an e-commerce new luxury leader.”
Hodinkee has bands like the Milanese Loop, Sport Band, and Sport Loop. In terms of charging accessories, the retailer is also offering the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock and various Magnetic Charging Cable options. The AirPods and AirPods Pro are even available on the Apple section of the Hodinkee Shop.
Apple shares are again hovering near an all-time high after nearly tripling over the past five years, but Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives recently claimed…
For the second year in a row, Apple held a developers conference that should frighten its competitors. Relying on a nearly maniacal obsession with the…
Among the TV shows, magazines, and games services unveiled at Apple’s “Show time” event was a surprise entry into a category that couldn’t be further outside Apple’s wheelhouse: a credit card. Dubbed Apple Card, it’s not a traditional plastic credit card that gives you points on things you buy. Rather, it’s a whole new way to shop online and offline. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Updated 07/2/20: Apple Card has a new $50 Daily Cash offer for new customers and a new web portal.
Apple finally launches a website for Apple Card management
Apple Card customers can head to card.apple.com and log in with their Apple ID to view their balance and terms, download past statements in PDF format, and change their payment schedule and associated bank accounts. Get the details.
Nomad kicked off an outlet sale today, clearing out previous generation versions of its most popular accessories. This includes discounts on accessories like AirPods cases, wireless chargers, Lightning and USB-C cables, iPhone cases, and more.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
All products in this sale are deeply discounted, by up to 70 percent off, and they are final sale and can't be returned. You can browse the full sale on Nomad's website, and we've collected some of the products below.
A new U.S. Labor Department report shows U.S. employers added 4.8 million jobs in June. The biggest increase on record. Unemployment dropped more than…
Wrapping up our conversation about Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, we talk about watchOS 7, tvOS 14, the first ever Apple silicon Mac, and more on this episode of the Macworld Podcast.
Apple is "battling to free stuck shipments" at the Indian port of Chennai after the country ramped up scrutiny of imports from China following rising tensions between the two nations.
Reuters reports that customs officers at the Southern Indian port have held back more than 150 shipments of smartphones and electronic parts from China, which has disrupted operations at plants owned by Apple supplier Foxconn.
While several companies such as Apple and Dell have been battling to free stuck shipments, hundreds of employees at Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn's two plants in the south had no major work to do this week as shipments were delayed, sources said.
Some of the shipments are being slowly cleared, according to Reuters' sources, but the hold-up has reportedly left Foxconn in a "very bad state," resulting in many workers staying at their dormitories because of a lack of work.
The additional checks, which were apparently imposed without any formal order, follow deadly clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers at the disputed Himalayan border last month, which has led to boycotts and demonstrations.
With concern mounting that the shipping delays are impacting businesses that have already been disrupted by the global health crisis, prominent U.S.-India lobby groups and local industry bodies have urged the Indian government to intervene. Indian government officials said the additional clearance measures for shipments from China would be temporary.
China's Commerce Ministry said on Thursday that it hoped India would "correct its discriminatory actions against Chinese companies immediately," after India banned some Chinese mobile apps amid the border crisis.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Apple has made advancements to its Siri personal assistant in every version of iOS, but it’s still looks and acts nearly the same as it did back when it was introduced in iOS 5! Finally, with iOS 14, Siri is getting a much-needed redesign. Here’s what you can expect from Siri when you upgrade to iOS or iPadOS 14.
No more full-screen takeover
When you invoke Siri, it takes over the entire screen. You can’t see what you were looking at, much less interact with it! It was an understandable compromise years ago, but it’s positively backwards on modern phones.
Apple is rumored to be releasing a mini LED-backlit iPad Pro and a new mini-LED MacBook Pro series over the next 18 months, and the devices have just picked up two new suppliers, according to industry sources.
DigiTimes today reports that two former Apple suppliers, Taiwan's Zhen Ding Technology and Flexium Interconnect, have entered the supply chain to make the flexible printed circuit boards for the mini-LED devices.
The two PCB makers will reportedly compete with their South Korean peer Young Poong Electronics for the higher shipment ratio of flexible boards required, and are well placed to gain a larger portion of shipment orders because they boast better flexible board manufacturing technology capability.
Both firms are expected to start small-volume shipments of mini LED-backlit modules in the fourth quarter of 2020 to support the launch of new iPad Pro in the first quarter of 2021, the sources said. As such modules are likely to become standard specs for diverse new iPads and MacBooks, Zhen Ding and Flexium can secure a new profitable outlet for their flexible boards, the sources noted.
Apple is rumored to be planning to release a high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a mini-LED display and 5G in 2021. Apple was originally planning to launch the device in the fall of 2020, but is reportedly unable to meet that deadline with the global health crisis, and now multiple sources suggest a 2021 launch. DigiTimes claims we could see the device as early as the first quarter of next year, while leaker L0vetodream has claimed they won't arrive until the second quarter.
Apple is also working on a 14.1-inch MacBook Pro and an updated 16-inch MacBook Pro with a mini-LED display, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, although the roadmap for these machines is far from clear.
While Kuo has said the mini-LED version of the 16-inch MacBook Pro is slated for the fall of 2020, he hasn't provided launch information for the 14.1-inch model that Apple is working on, beyond suggesting that there are several mini-LED devices in the works for 2020 and 2021. Meanwhile, L0vetodream has claimed the 14.1-inch MacBook Pro won't be launching until 2021.
DigiTimeshas previously claimed that Apple will launch multiple Mac notebook models with mini-LED backlit displays by the end of 2020, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in April that Apple plans to introduce a 16-inch MacBook Pro in October or November, but it's not clear if this refresh features a mini-LED display.
Ultimately, work on all the mini-LED devices may have been pushed back to 2021. This includes the 16-inch mini-LED MacBook Pro, and multiple sources now suggest a 2021 launch for the machine.
The future mini-LED displays will use approximately 10,000 LEDs, with each one below 200 microns in size. Mini-LED will allow for thinner and lighter product designs, offering many of the same benefits as OLED like better wide color gamut, high contrast and dynamic range, and local dimming for truer blacks. Kuo believes the mini-LED technology will "significantly improve productivity and the entertainment experience."
The new MacBook Pro comes with two or four external ports, depending on the model you pick. And the new MacBook Air has a pair of ports. But those ports are only of one type: Thunderbolt 3, which is compatible with USB-C.
But you probably have devices that use USB-A, Thunderbolt 1, Thunderbolt 2, DisplayPort, HDMI, or something else. How do you connect these devices? With an adapter.
If you’re planning to buy a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, make sure you set aside a considerable amount of cash for the adapters you need. Apple doesn’t include any in the box, except for a power adapter.
Your best bet is to get a combination dock, like the Satechi Slim Aluminum Type-C Multi-Port Adapter ($60 on Amazon). It connects via USB-C, and includes a USB-C pass-through port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an HDMI port with 4K (30Hz) support. With this, you don’t have to carry around multiple adapters.
WhatsApp has announced it is rolling out a number of new features across its app, web, and desktop variants, including a QR code scanning option for contacts and a new Dark mode theme that extends to computers.
WhatsApp has been extensively testing the use of QR codes on mobile to let users add contacts to the messaging app instead of typing in digits one by one, and it sounds like it's almost ready to go live.
Currently WhatsApp users must first add a contact via the Contacts tab in Apple's Phone app. Only after that can they open WhatsApp and send them a message. Using a QR code instead would skip this step and make the process a lot more convenient.
Meanwhile, following the recent added ability to video chat with up to eight people, WhatsApp is bringing new improvements to group video calls. It's now easier to focus on someone in a call by pressing and holding to maximize their video to full screen. There's also a new video icon for group chats of 8 or less, making it easier to start a group video call with a single tap.
WhatsApp says animated stickers are one of the fastest growing ways people communicate on the platform, so it's also rolling out "more fun and expressive" animated sticker packs. In addition, KaiOS users can now enjoy the popular feature that lets them share updates that disappear after 24 hours.
Finally, while Dark Mode on WhatsApp for iPhone arrived earlier this year, the same feature is now coming to the web version of the chat platform as well as WhatsApp for Mac.
WhatsApp says these features are rolling out to users over the next few weeks. WhatsApp is a free download for iPhone and Mac available on the iOS App Store [Direct Link] and Mac App Store [Direct Link], respectively.
Apple in March purchased weather app Dark Sky, and at that time, Dark Sky's developers said that the Dark Sky for Android app would be discontinued on July 1, 2020.
Now that it's July, Dark Sky's developers today announced that the discontinuation of the Android app will be delayed, and it will be available until August 1, 2020.
The Android app will be shuttered on August 1, and Android users will no longer be able to use it. Subscribers who are active at that time will be provided with a full refund.
Dark Sky also plans to shut down the weather forecasts, maps, and embeds available on its website on August 1. Dark Sky previously said that its API will continue to function through the end of 2021, but no new API signups are being accepted.
Apple says that the $50 will be provided as a Daily Cash transfer to the new Apple Card after a qualifying purchase has been made.
The promotion is being highlighted on the Apple Card website, as 9to5Mac points out. The deal is valid for new Apple Card holders who open an account between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 and make any purchase from Apple Services in the United States within 30 days of opening an Apple Card account.
Daily Cash is transferred to the Apple Cash card after a qualifying purchase, but for those who do not have an Apple Cash card, it can be applied as a credit on a statement balance.
The Mac Pro is Apple’s workstation. It’s designed for professionals who need a powerful and flexible machine, and is ideal for applications that use as many processing cores as possible—video-editing applications, image-editing software, 3D programs, and the like.
The Mac Pro is getting a revival of sorts. The company released a brand-new, redesigned Mac Pro in December 2019, after years of stagnation with the previous, cylindrical Mac Pro.
Apple
Apple doesn’t offer a standard configuration choices for the Mac Pro. It’s really meant to be customized by the customer. To give you an idea of where pricing starts: if you configure the Mac Pro with the base components, it’s $5,999 for the standard tower configuration, or $6,499 for a rack mountable version. Learn more about the Mac Pro by reading about its main features below.
According to Parks Associates, among new OTT subscribers, 27% subscribed to Apple TV+ since start of COVID-19 crisis. Parks Associates reports the churn…
Apple is planting its own flag in the streaming wars with Apple TV+, its in-house streaming service that focuses almost entirely on original programming rather than an extensive library of existing TV shows or movies.
The company is said to be spending several billion dollars a year on original programming. That’s a lot of TV! Apple is attracting some of the best talent in TV and film production, including huge stars and directors, and locking down the television and movie rights to best-selling books.
Though the service has been available less than a year and and doesn't yet have a lot of shows or films available, there’s a lot in the works. This is a list of all its content for it that we know of so far, along with details about prominent stars, directors, producers, and release dates.
Reports about what will be in the 2020 iPhones are hitting the wire. We’ve compiled the most notable ones here, but take these with a big grain of salt. Even if these reports are accurate representations of what suppliers are saying, or come from moles within Apple itself, the company’s plans can and do change. There’s still plenty of time before the design and features have to be totally set in stone.
Update 07/01/20: According to numerous reports, the iPhone 12 won't include earbuds or a charger in the box this year.
No charger or earbuds in 'exquisite' box
If there's one thing we can count on with a new iPhone, it's that it will include a pair of Lightning EarPods and a charger in the box. That likely won't be the case with the iPhone 12. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will be dumping both accessories from its next iPhone to cut costs. And a follow-up report from mysterious but often-accurate l0vetodream on Twitter reports that "the new packaging box (will) become thinner and exquisite." Apple might offer discounts on AirPods for anyone who needs earbuds or cut the price of its existing chargers, but whatever tha case it looks like you'll be paying extra if you want one.
The 2010s were kind of a rough era for the Mac. Apple was busily improving the iPhone and iPad, while Mac models spent years between updates. There was a real question about whether the Mac was being readied for retirement, a legacy platform that would fade away as Apple shifted to its shiny new devices.
Last week’s announcements suggest that Apple has something else in mind for the Mac in the 2020s. First there was the word that the entire platform is moving to the same Apple-designed processor architecture that powers the iPhone and iPad. Then came the news that those Macs will run iOS and iPadOS apps as well as Mac apps. That means the Mac is no longer going to be an outlier. In contrast, it will become the center of Apple’s computing universe, where all of its platforms come together.
Always left out while shooting video of the kids? Camera FrontBack uses the front camera to keep you in the action.
Smartphone cameras are great for documenting life’s precious moments to replay them over and over again in the years to come. With a front-facing camera, it’s even possible to put yourself in the action, although video selfies come with inherent limitations. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to shoot high-quality video from the back camera while capturing your reaction from the front camera at the same time?
According to a new report from Bloomberg, Apple is shifting its Apple Arcade strategy and recently cancelled a number of game development contracts for the service. The report cites “people familiar with the matter” in claiming that an Apple Arcade producer informed developers of their cancelled contracts and change in direction in April.
Reached for comment, Apple said, “We are proud to have launched the first-ever mobile game subscription service that now features more than 120 games, many of which are award-winning and widely celebrated for their artistry and gameplay. The vision has always been to grow and evolve the Apple Arcade catalog, and we can’t wait for our users to try the games developers are working on now.”
Beginning with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, Apple added wireless charging to the iPhone. That continued with the iPhone XS and iPhone XR and now the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. Essentially, every new iPhone since the fall of 2017 supports wireless charging.
In addition to releasing important security updates for all its operating systems on June 1, Apple released the first beta of iOS and iPadOS 13.5.5. A week later, the second beta was released, along with a new version number—it has now been updated to iOS and iPadOS 13.6, signifying more significant new features.
Update 06/30/20: Beta 3 is now released, while Apple continues it's iOS 14 developer beta.
Apple isn’t in the business of shutting people out of its products, but it’s not in charge of its credit card, Goldman Sachs is. So if you have poor credit you might be shut out of getting your very own titanium Apple Card. But a new program spotted by TechCrunch wants to change that.
Apple has begun sending out invitations to enroll in Path to Apple Card, which “provides customized steps to help you get approved for Apple Card in the future.” Upon successful completion of the program, you will be given a personal invitation to reapply for an Apple Card.
Previously... Apple 
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WhatsApp has 
