Apple

Those hoping for significantly faster wired charging speeds with the iPhone 17 lineup this year might be disappointed, if the latest rumor is true.


In a note with investment firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all support up to 35W wired charging speeds.

Last year, ChargerLAB found that the iPhone 16 Pro models achieved maximum sustained charging speeds of around 30W. In one image, the website showed the iPhone 16 Pro Max reaching a peak charging speed of 37W with Apple's 140W USB-C power adapter, but it is unclear how long the device kept charging at that speed.

PhoneArena saw similar results with the standard iPhone 16. In its review last year, it said that device reached a peak charging speed of 38W when it was "under extremely heavy loads such as benchmark testing or playing games." The website said the iPhone 16 achieved a sustained charging speed of closer to 20W.

All in all, with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models already reaching peak wired charging speeds in the 35W range, it sounds like there will be no significant improvement to wired charging speeds with any of the iPhone 17 models.

Pu did not reveal wireless MagSafe charging speeds for any iPhone 17 models. iPhone 16 models can charge at up to 25W with MagSafe.
This article, "iPhone 17 Lineup Rumored to Support Up to 35W Charging Speeds" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Ads have been added to Apple's sports ventures. With this momentum, Apple might soon explore monetizing Apple Maps as well…

The post Apple considers monetizing Apple Maps appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models.


In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all be equipped with aluminum frames. Interestingly, though, he expects Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air model to have a titanium frame.

This would be a notable change for the Pro models, as all of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have titanium frames, resulting in the devices weighing less than iPhone 14 Pro models with heavier stainless steel frames.

Aluminum frames were already rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models once before.

Pu said Apple plans to use aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro models due to environmental considerations. Aluminum generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to titanium, and Apple is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its products and supply chain by 2030. Following in the footsteps of the Apple Watch, and the latest Mac mini, perhaps some iPhone 17 models will be advertised as Apple's first carbon-neutral iPhones.

It is unclear why the iPhone 17 Air would have a titanium frame, as aluminum is lighter than titanium, which would be fitting for the device's thin and light design. We may have a partial explanation, though. Last year, fellow Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone 17 Air's frame would use a mix of titanium and aluminum, with a lower amount of titanium compared to the iPhone 15 Pro models. Apple surely has its reasons here, so hopefully we will find out more details before the iPhone 17 series is unveiled in September.
This article, "iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is expected to announce the fourth-generation iPhone SE as soon as tomorrow, potentially with improved long-term value retention, according to analysis by SellCell.


Despite its lower price point, the ‌iPhone SE‌ has historically struggled with resale value compared to Apple's higher end smartphones. According to SellCell's depreciation analysis, previous SE models have seen significantly faster value loss than standard iPhones. The third-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ lost 42.6% of its value within the first month and 57.8% after six months, compared to the iPhone 15 lineup, which saw a decline of 28.8% in the first month and 27.8% after six months.

A similar pattern was seen with the second-generation ‌iPhone SE‌, which experienced a 50.8% drop in value within six months, whereas the iPhone 14 series saw a 31.1% decrease over the same period. This is likely due to the ‌iPhone SE‌'s lower starting price, use of older designs, and lower overall demand in the second-hand market.

However, it is worth noting that some smaller and lower-cost iPhones have managed to retain their value more effectively. For example, the iPhone 13 mini held its value significantly better than the SE models. The device lost only 19.2% of its value in the first month, compared to 42.6% for the third-generation SE, and after 12 months, it had depreciated by 46.1%, compared to 64.4% for the third-generation SE. Even at 24 months, the ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini had lost just 53% of its original value, positioning it closer to flagship models than to SE devices.

As the new ‌iPhone SE‌ is expected to adopt a more modern design with significantly upgraded specifications, it could potentially alter the depreciation trend that has defined previous ‌iPhone SE‌ models. The shift to an ‌iPhone‌ 14-style design could improve long-term demand, and if Apple equips it with a considerably more high-end chipset and camera system as expected, as well as Apple Intelligence support, it may retain value more effectively than its predecessors because it will remain competitive in the lineup for longer.

Like other devices, the ‌iPhone SE‌ sees continued depreciation following the launch of a successor. The second-generation SE saw an additional 4% drop in value within 12 weeks of the third-generation SE's release. They tend to see accelerated depreciation after their initial launch window, meaning those looking to upgrade should do so quickly after launch to maximize resale value.

Pricing will also be a key factor in determining the fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌'s long-term value retention. Reports suggest the device may start at up to $499 in the United States, marking a slight increase from the current model's $429 price. While this could keep the new ‌iPhone SE‌ a compelling option for budget-conscious customers, it also raises expectations for hardware improvements that justify the price increase.

Apple's decision to delay the launch of the fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ beyond its usual two-year upgrade cycle has also created a larger gap in its lineup, leaving fewer affordable options with up-to-date hardware. This may result in increased demand for the new ‌iPhone SE‌ when it launches, particularly if it offers substantial upgrades over previous models as expected.
This article, "iPhone SE 4's Specs Could Lead to Enhanced Resale Value" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apps that have not complied with the trader requirement in the European Union have been removed from the App Store, Apple informed developers today. The apps that have been removed will not be allowed back in the ‌App Store‌ until trader status is provided and verified by Apple.


Disclosing trader status is a requirement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the EU. Developers who distribute apps in the European Union need to share information with customers that includes address, phone number, and email address, with that data listed in the EU ‌App Store‌.

Apple warned developers several times that apps without verified trader status would be removed from the ‌App Store‌ on February 17, 2025, and that has now happened. Apple has required new apps and app updates to include trader information for quite some time now, so most apps should have been updated. Trader status information can be added through ‌App Store‌ Connect.

The DSA requires Apple to verify and display contact details for all "traders" who are distributing apps on the ‌App Store‌ in the European Union. Developers who make money from the ‌App Store‌ through an upfront purchase price or through in-app purchases are considered traders, regardless of size.

Independent developers and small companies may not have dedicated business addresses and phone numbers to provide to customers, so some developers have been unhappy with the EU's requirement. Developer contact information will be displayed on the ‌‌App Store‌‌ product page when an app is distributed in any of the 27 territories in the EU.

More information on determining who is a trader and who needs to provide contact details can be found on Apple's website.
This article, "Apps That Didn't Add 'Trader' Contact Info in the EU Removed From App Store" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple TV+ on Tuesday unveiled the trailer for “Dope Thief,” its new eight-episode drama executive produced by Ridley Scott, who directs…

The post Apple TV+ debuts trailer for Ridley Scott’s ‘Dope Thief’ series premiering March 14th appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Major League Soccer kicks off its 30th season this Saturday on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with all 30 teams taking the pitch for…

The post Major League Soccer kicks off 30th season this weekend on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Nomad today announced the launch of an updated version of its ChargeKey portable charger, with the new model gaining support for 240W charging and 10Gb/s data transfer speeds.


The USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey can fast charge an iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, Android device, and more at up to 240W. The prior version of the ChargeKey was limited to 60W charging speeds and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds, so the new model offers notable improvements for MacBook users and those who need a portable cable for data transfers.

Like the previous ChargeKey, the 240W model has a braided nylon cable with electroplated zinc cable housings. It's compact and small enough to fit on a keychain, and the two cable tips attach to one another magnetically when not in use.

Nomad is selling the ChargeKey for $25, and it is available from the Nomad website starting today.
This article, "Nomad Launches New 240W ChargeKey USB-C Cable" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Today we're tracking a few iPad discounts on Amazon, including low prices on the M2 iPad Air and M4 iPad Pro. These deals include multiple all-time low prices on Apple's tablets, matching the prices we tracked over the holiday season in many cases.

M2 iPad Air

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon has nearly every model of Apple's M2 iPad Air on sale this week at $100 off, all of which are matching the record low prices for each tablet. You'll also find Best Buy matching these discounts, and you don't need to be a My Best Buy Plus/Total member to get the deals.




Delivery estimates have slipped into March for many of these iPad Air models on Amazon. In general, you'll get better estimates from Best Buy for these tablets, and you'll find those matching deals below as well.

11-inch iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $499.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $599.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $799.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $999.00 ($100 off) [only at Best Buy]

13-inch iPad Air

• 128GB Wi-Fi - $699.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 256GB Wi-Fi - $799.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $899.00 ($200 off) [only at Amazon]


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,199.00 ($100 off) [matched at Best Buy]

M4 iPad Pro

Similar to the iPad Air tablets, both Amazon and Best Buy are providing record low prices on Apple's M4 iPad Pro this week. For the 11-inch models, on Amazon you'll need to clip an on-page coupon to see the final sale price, and on Best Buy you'll need to be a My Best Buy Plus/Total member.

The same stipulations don't apply to 13-inch models, which are available without coupons or the need of a membership. Every price listed below is the match of an all-time low price on each iPad Pro model.

11-Inch iPad Pro - Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($150 off) [matched at Best Buy for members]


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00 ($150 off) [matched at Best Buy for members]


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,449.00 ($150 off) [matched at Best Buy for members]

13-Inch iPad Pro - Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($200 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,299.00 ($200 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,699.00 ($200 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 1TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,799.00 ($200 off) [matched at Best Buy]


• 2TB Wi-Fi - $2,099.00 ($200 off) [matched at Best Buy]

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Amazon's New iPad Sale Has Up to $200 Off M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Most long-time macOS users will be aware of the Application Switcher. It's invoked using the Command+Tab keyboard shortcut, and lists all of the apps currently running on your Mac, enabling you to quickly switch between them.


In this article, we'll run through the Mac App Switcher's most basic functions, and then highlight some of our favorite lesser-known App Switcher tricks that you're bound to find useful once you're familiar with it.

Basic Functions of the App Switcher

When you hold Command and press Tab, the App Switcher overlay appears above all other open windows on your desktop, and remains visible until you release the Command key. Letting go switches you to the last active app, prior to the one you were just using. As you might expect, repeating this action switches you back to the previous active app (you'll see the order change in the row of apps).


Repeatedly tapping Tab with the Command key held down cycles you through the list of apps in the App Switcher from left to right, while releasing Command takes you to the selected app. If you continue to hold down Command and press the Tilde (~), the selection moves from right to left.

You can also press the right and left arrow keys to move the selection box forwards and backwards. A two-finger drag on a trackpad does the same thing, or you can use your mouse cursor to highlight an app in the list and then click to select it.

Bring Back a Minimized App

While the App Switcher allows you to cycle through open apps, selecting an app with minimized windows doesn't automatically restore those windows. To do that, activate the App Switcher and navigate through the row of icons. With the desired app highlighted, press and hold the Option key, then release the Command key. This action should restore the minimized window of the app in question.

Show All Windows and Select Between Them

If you press the up or down arrow keys with an icon highlighted in the App Switcher overlay, Exposé will be activated for the selected app, which causes all of its windows to be displayed on screen. (Pressing the 1 key achieves the same result.) Note: Unless you have multiple displays, this won't work if the app is in fullscreen mode.


Open windows are shown front and center, while minimized windows (assuming you are not using Stage Manager) appear along the bottom of the Dock. You can use the arrow keys to switch between them and press Enter to open the one you want, or simply select one using your mouse cursor in the usual way.

Drag and Drop Files

An oft-overlooked function of the App Switcher is its ability to open files. Simply begin to drag a file from a Finder window, then invoke the App Switcher and drag the file onto the relevant app icon in the overlay. Let go of the file and it should open in the selected app.

Close and Hide Apps Via the App Switcher

Pressing the H key in the App Switcher hides all the windows of the selected app (pressing the H key again reveals them). Try cycling through the overlay with the Tab key and tap H as you go – it's a neat way to quickly clear a space on a desktop cluttered with windows. This method streamlines window management by avoiding minimization. By invoking the App Switcher again you can switch back to the hidden app.

Lastly, highlighting an icon in the App Switcher and tapping Q has to be one of the fastest ways to individually quit open Mac apps, and probably qualifies as our favorite App Switcher trick. Do you know any App Switcher functions we haven't covered here? Let us know in the comments.
This article, "Mastering the Mac App Switcher: Essential Tips and Hidden Tricks" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Emburse on Tuesday delivers Apple Pay to UK customers. Cardholders who live in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland can now add…

The post Emburse delivers Apple Pay to customers in the UK appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Apple's diversification of its supply chain to India is worrying China, which has worked to make it harder for Apple to expand its production lines in the developing economy.


Apple is midway through a process to diversify its supply chains from a China-centric model to one that operates from various different bases of operation. With Apple making considerable progress in India, China is concerned about the potential loss of investment and work for its citizens.

In a profile of Apple's supply chain expansion in India, the Financial Times writes about the struggles Apple has had in making the shift. In part, this is due to the tense political relationship between China and India, and a need to not upset Beijing.


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In the interest of what it calls fairness and stability, the European Union has decided to push forth with anti-trade investigations into companies like Apple, Meta, and X, hoping to reach a conclusion by March.


In January, the EU had initially held off on fining tech giants as it waited to find out the impact of the incoming Trump administration. Now it appears as though the plan is to continue business as usual.

Teresa Ribera, the EU's competition chief, has told Reuters that, while it's open to negotiations with the White House, it will not be bullied into changing laws at the whim of US policymakers.


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The rear cameras on iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to be housed in a new rectangular bar with rounded corners. A similar design change has also been rumored for the iPhone 17 Air, but the lowest-end iPhone 17 might miss out.


According to Jon Prosser, who runs YouTube channel Front Page Tech, the standard iPhone 17 will have the same overall design as the standard iPhone 16.

If so, the iPhone 17 would have two vertically-aligned rear cameras in a pill-shaped bump.

This means the standard iPhone 17 would be the most unchanged new model launching this year, in terms of appearances. However, customers who are not fans of the new camera bar might be relieved to know that a more familiar design might remain available for at least one more year. Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September.
This article, "iPhone 17 Said to Miss Out on iPhone 17 Pro's Rumored Camera Bar" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A lifetime Babbel subscription is on sale for $129.99 thanks to an instant discount stacked with a flash coupon, bringing the total savings to $470 off.


The flash coupon on the lifetime Babbel subscription is courtesy of Stack Social, with the language learning tool discounted to $129.99 with promo code LEARN40. This is the lowest price we've seen on the lifetime plan in 2025.

Save with code LEARN40


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Apple Intelligence and other features are coming to the Vision Pro via a significant upgrade, visionOS 2.4, which is due for public release…

The post Apple Intelligence coming to Vision Pro via significant visionOS upgrade appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Major League Soccer returns for its 30th season this coming weekend, with all 30 clubs set to take the field on Saturday and Sunday.


To celebrate the league's 30th season, Apple today announced that the left sleeve of every MLS club's jersey will feature a bespoke Apple TV patch throughout the season. There are 30 custom Apple TV jersey patches in total, with each inspired by the given club's "distinctive crest, color palette, and visual identity," according to Apple.

Here is what the new Apple TV jersey patch looks like for Inter Miami CF:


TechRadar's Jacob Krol today shared more details about the jersey patches. He also spoke with Apple's global head of sports marketing, Emeka Ofodile.

MLS jerseys already had an Apple TV patch for the past few seasons, but the logo previously had a generic design in white or black.


2025 marks the third year of a 10-year Apple-MLS partnership. In the Apple TV app, you can subscribe to MLS Season Pass to watch all regular season and playoff matches. In the U.S., MLS Season Pass is priced at $14.99 per month, or $99 for the full season. Apple TV+ subscribers can subscribe for $12.99 per month, or $79 per season.

New this season, Apple TV+ subscribers can watch a featured MLS match every Sunday evening, even if they do not subscribe to MLS Season Pass. The inaugural Sunday Night Soccer matchup will see the league's newest franchise, San Diego FC, make its debut against the reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy, on Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

In related news, the Apple TV app launched on Android smartphones last week, complete with access to MLS Season Pass.
This article, "All 30 MLS Clubs to Wear a Unique Apple TV Jersey Patch in 2025 Season" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Major League Soccer is back for its 30th season, and fans can catch the action with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.


Saturday, February 22, all 30 teams will take the field for "MLS is Back" weekend, launching a milestone year for the league. MLS Season Pass continues to offer every game with no blackouts in over 100 countries, providing in-depth coverage, exclusive content, and major events like the Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup, and MLS All-Star Game.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, MLS is introducing custom Apple TV sleeve patches on every first-team player's jersey. These unique patches highlight each club's colors and branding.


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All models of iPhone 17 could use the same high-quality Samsung Display OLED panel as the iPhone 16 Pro models, instead of having a difference in screen tech between the two model tiers.


The Pro models of iPhone tend to have better displays than the non-Pro versions, in part because of the use of different panel types. While this is true for the iPhone 16 generation, the iPhone 17 range will seemingly use the same display panel technology across the board.

According to sources of Setsuna Digital on Weibo, the iPhone 17 series will use Samsung's M14 OLED panel. This will not just be for the Pro models, as this will be "including the standard version" and the iPhone 17 Air.


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Amazon this week has introduced a coupon for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, bringing the price of the earbuds down to $148.99, down from $179.00. To see the sale price, you'll just need to clip the coupon on the sale page and then head to checkout.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

As of writing, we aren't tracking a low price on the base model without ANC.




In addition to Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 4 with ANC feature Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Conversation Awareness, and they come in a wireless charging case with a speaker for Find My support. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "AirPods 4 Available for Low Price of $148.99 on Amazon" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Just weeks into the new administration, President Trump issued an executive order that has led to significant updates on both Apple Maps and…

The post Apple Maps restores Mount McKinley name on President Trump’s order appeared first on MacDailyNews.

Nanoleaf today announced the launch of a SmarterLife Pricing Initiative that will see the company permanently lowering the prices on all of its most popular products. Nanoleaf is aiming to make smart lighting more accessible to customers, with lower costs for the Shapes, Lines, Elements, Blocks, and Skylight modular lighting options.


The discount has been in the works for some time, and Nanoleaf says that it worked with its manufacturing and supply chain teams over the last two years to reexamine, rework, and reoptimize manufacturing processes, materials, and structures with the goal of cutting costs.

Nanoleaf says that it is able to cut down on costs without compromising product quality or design, and prices have been reduced up to 36 percent.

The base Triangle Smarter Kit, for example, is now $150, down from $200. The kit with 16 triangles is now $300, down from $410, and Skylight pricing now starts at $200, down from $250. Price cuts are applicable to most of the multi-piece kits that Nanoleaf sells, along with expansion packs and bundles.

The updated pricing is available today from the Nanoleaf website, and will be rolling out to retailers like Amazon and Best Buy soon.
This article, "Nanoleaf Lowers Prices for Shapes, Lines, Skylight and More With New 'SmarterLife' Initiative" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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The Apple Studio Display is expected to get an upgrade in the not-too-distant future. Here's what the rumor mill has claimed will be coming.


The Apple Studio Display was launched back in early 2022, making it almost three years old at the time of publication. After a stumbling start, the display has received many firmware updates, improving its capabilities over time.

However, the rumor mill constantly believes that there will be a hardware update on the horizon for the model. One that will bring more features to the premium monitor in its second-gen release.


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All iPhone 17 models in Apple's upcoming flagship iPhone 17 series will use Samsung's high performance "M14" OLED display panel, according to the Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital.


Samsung's "M" series of OLED panels are made for flagship smartphones, while "14" refers to the number of high-performance materials used to produce them. The "M14" panel was used in last year's Apple's iPhone 16 Pro models, and delivers a 30% increase in brightness along with improved longevity compared to the previous M13 panel, thanks to improvements in the efficiency of the blue-emitting layer.

Oddly, Samsung's latest Galaxy S25 Ultra uses an improved version of the older M13 panel, so it looks like the regular iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air could well have an objectively better display in at least some respects.

Apple's use of the M14 panel for all models makes sense, as Apple intends to expand ProMotion to all iPhone 17 models to ramp up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and video content when necessary. Previously, only "Pro" models in Apple's iPhone lineup have had the feature.

Notably, ProMotion would also enable the display on the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air to ramp down to a more power-efficient refresh rate as low as 1Hz, allowing for an always-on display that can show the Lock Screen's clock, widgets, notifications, and wallpaper even when the device is locked.

• 14 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Last year's iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max got bigger display sizes, going from 6.12- and 6.69-inches to 6.27- and 6.86-inches, respectively. For 2025, Apple is also expected to bring the larger 6.27-inch display size to its standard ‌iPhone‌ model, while the iPhone 17 Air – replacing the Plus model – is rumored to have a 6.6-inch display, which means it will be larger than the iPhone 17 but smaller than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
This article, "iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air to Feature Same OLED Panel as Current iPhone 16 Pro Models" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI on Tuesday announced Grok-3, and Musk is making some bold claims. The new AI model is said to have more than ten times the computing power of its predecessor and outperforms leading competitors, including OpenAI's GPT-4o and Google's Gemini.


The latest iteration of xAI's flagship model introduces new "reasoning" capabilities through two distinct modes: "Think," which displays the AI's reasoning process while resolving requests, and "Big Brain" for handling more computationally intensive tasks.

Alongside the model update, xAI announced Deep Search, which the company describes as a "next generation search engine." The new feature is designed to analyze information from the internet and X (Twitter) to provide comprehensive answers to user queries.

Grok-3 will be available to X Premium Plus subscribers, which now costs $40 per month, up from $22 – the second such price hike in as many months. The company is also launching a new subscription tier called SuperGrok, priced at $30 per month, offering "the most advanced capabilities and earliest access to new features."

Musk said that Grok-3 is designed to be a "maximally truth-seeking AI," even when such truth might conflict with political correctness. The model has faced previous criticism for spreading election misinformation and having fewer restrictions on text-to-image generation.

Grok-3's reasoning capabilities are available in the Grok app. In the future, xAI says it plans to add synthesized voice capabilities to the Grok chatbot and intends to make the previous version, Grok-2, open source in the coming months.
This article, "xAI Launches Grok-3 AI Model, Claims Superior Performance Over GPT-4" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A new render of a rumored but doubtful design of iPhone 17 Pro Max is doing the rounds, one that proves that lighting can make things look a bit better.


Apple has been rumored to be including a new design of camera bump in the iPhone 17 Pro models for a while. On February 14, those rumors reached a point where renders of an absurdly large camera bump were featured in a video.

While the shots in the video were tough to believe, a new render of the design makes it look more tolerable as a concept, if not much more believable.


Rumor Score: 💩 B#$&(*it


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Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.3, preventing iPhone owners who have upgraded to iOS 18.3.1 from downgrading to that version of iOS. Apple released iOS 18.3.1 a week ago, two weeks after the company released iOS 18.3.


Apple often stops signing an older version of iOS, usually within a week or two after a new version is released. When an update is no longer signed, it can't be installed on an ‌iPhone‌ due to a server-side software verification check.

This policy encourages users to keep their operating systems up to date. By preventing customers from downgrading to older versions of iOS, Apple ensures that devices have the newest security improvements.

Apple's iOS 18.3.1 update included bug fixes and security updates. One of those fixes addressed a vulnerability that was actively exploited in the wild, demonstrating why it is important to keep iOS software up to date.
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The fourth-generation iPhone SE is set to bring about a multitude of visual and functional changes taken from earlier iPhone models. Here's what to expect from Apple, probably tomorrow!


For the past two iterations, Apple's iPhone SE has maintained a dated look, with thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button that make it virtually indistinguishable from an iPhone 8. All of that is set to change quite soon, as the budget-friendly iPhone SE is going to receive its first major redesign in years.



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Is this what the iPhone 17 Pro model looks like in Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series? Front Page Tech's 3D artist Asher on Tuesday shared this image of the alleged design of the iPhone 17 Pro, offering perhaps the most polished example yet of Apple's next-generation premium smartphone, should it turn out to be accurate. The image is based on increasingly consistent reports that Apple is adopting an oblong camera bump right across the top of the rear shell, similar to the Google Pixel 9 Pro.


The camera bar is considerably larger than many earlier concepts circulating online have depicted. The camera lenses retain their triangular arrangement and are located on the left side of the bar, while the LED flash, rear microphone, and LiDAR Scanner are lined up vertically on the right side. Front Page Tech's Jon Prosser, who claims to have seen the device, says the iPhone 17 Pro has a two-tone finish, with the camera bar looking darker than the rest of the rear shell.

Questions remain about the accuracy of the renders. For instance, the flash and the LiDAR sensor are typically located close to camera lenses to maximize function and accuracy. It's not clear if the new camera bar designs are meant to be a functional change or a purely aesthetic choice made by Apple to refresh the look. It's worth noting that Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that Front Page Tech's renders are based on a fake CAD drawing, but the larger camera bump has been previously reported by other sources, including Chinese leakers with alleged contacts within Apple's supply chain.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a similar redesigned camera module, but that seems likely given Apple's tendency to maintain design consistency across Pro models. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Air, which replaces the Plus model in the upcoming series, is expected to adopt a narrower camera bar housing a single camera on the left side and a microphone and LED flash horizontally lined up on the right side. Whether the regular iPhone 17 will adopt a similar design signature for the camera bump is as yet unknown.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series around its typical mid-September time frame. What do you think of the alleged Pro model redesign? Let us know in the comments.
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YouTube channel Front Page Tech today revealed the alleged design of Apple's widely-rumored "iPhone 17 Air" model, set to launch later this year.


In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech shared renders depicting what it believes is likely the final design of the "iPhone 17 Air." The device is expected to feature an ultra-thin design that measures just 5.5mm at its thinnest point, and the renders show an all-new camera bar across the top of the device's rear shell. On the left side of the bar is a single rear camera, and on the right side there is a microphone and an LED camera flash.


The renders are consistent with an alleged "iPhone 17 Air" shell that surfaced last month.

Watch the video below.


Last week, Front Page Tech shared alleged "iPhone 17 Pro" renders showing that the camera bar will apparently extend to that device as well.

Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser has been a well-known tech YouTuber for more than a decade. Like most sources, he has a mixed track record with Apple rumors, with some hits and some misses. In 2020, he was the first source to reveal the design of the AirTag, many months before it was announced. He also shared many accurate details about the iPad mini 6, months before that device was announced. On the other hand, he and others were wrong about the Apple Watch Series 7 having flat edges, although perhaps Apple tested such a design.

Prosser also claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a redesigned Camera app with a visionOS-like design, including translucent menus and buttons.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 series in September, and additional design-related rumors will likely surface before then.
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Spotify users waiting to learn when the service's long-delayed high-quality premium audio service will materialize may finally have something to chew on. Bloomberg reports that the streaming service hopes to roll out a new "Music Pro" tier later this year.


The company is said to be developing the new premium subscription plan that will cost up to $5.99 per month on top of existing plans, offering high-quality audio streaming, remixing capabilities, and exclusive concert ticket access, reports the outlet.

Pricing and timing have yet to be nailed down as Spotify works to secure necessary rights from major music companies. The additional fee is likely to vary by region, with lower prices planned for "developing markets," said the publication.

The new tier is said to include AI-powered features allowing subscribers to mix songs from different artists. Spotify is also exploring various concert ticket sales strategies such as pre-sale access and premium seating options through discussions with major promoters and ticket vendors.

The new tier comes as Spotify looks to diversify its revenue streams and target devoted music fans who regularly spend money on merchandise, concerts, and fan clubs, according to the report. The company apparently believes the enhanced tier could attract millions of subscribers, despite the higher price point.

Development of the additional tier has been in the works for several years, coming after recent price increases for existing subscriptions and the introduction of audiobook offerings. Spotify previously announced plans for a Hi-Fi tier in February 2021, but a launch never materialized, even as rivals Apple Music and Amazon Music Unlimited began offering high-quality audio streaming within their standard subscriptions.

Given the progress of its competitors, Spotify's paid-for "Music Pro" tier will need to be a more comprehensive offering that goes beyond just improved audio quality and some AI-produced playlists. What's actually offered remains to be seen.
This article, "Spotify Readies Premium Tier With Hi-Fi Audio and AI Features" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon's Presidents Day MacBook Air sale discounts the ultraportable laptops to as low as $749, with Best Buy offering flash deals today only as well.


Amazon is offering shoppers a bonus $50 discount on top of a $200 instant rebate on Apple's standard M2 MacBook Air 13-inch with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, bringing the price down to $749 for Presidents Day.

Buy for $749


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A new report about Spotify's plans for a more expensive premium tier claims that Apple is considering doing the same, but Apple Music has no reason to ever copy its streaming rival.


The days of Spotify being the most popular streaming music service in the world and yet constantly losing money, may be over. The days of Spotify trying to get the EU to force Apple into giving it an unreasonably better deal, may never change.

But a new report says that amongst Spotify's plans for the near future, there is the likelihood that it will introduce a new and more expensive subscription tier. Bloomberg says the new tier would, for a start, offer better quality audio — which Apple Music already does as standard.


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On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, we break down the latest in smart home news such as more rumors on Apple's smart display, new devices, and smart robots.


We have even more rumors on Apple's smart home display this past week. One report reiterated a possible timeline, putting a launch at April at the earliest.

Ming Chi Kuo also gave his analysis on the robot lamp that was demoed from Apple's machine learning group. Based on supply chain, the personal robot is still in the proof of concept stage and won't start production until 2028 at the earliest.


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A lot of damage can be done with a person's phone number, from endless spam calls to fraud and scams. Surfshark Alternative Number can protect you.


Phone numbers may not seem like a potential attack vector since users can just hang up on spam, but it's not as simple as that. Companies have begun relying on phone numbers to verify identity, send temporary passwords, and other aspects of account security that scammers seek to exploit.

If you're using your personal phone number on online accounts, it can be trivial for bad actors to exploit it and gain access to that account. Whether they use SIM swapping, phishing, or other techniques, access to a phone number can lead to data loss, bank account hacks, and identity theft.


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The latest in a series of leaks about the physical chassis design of the iPhone 17 range says that it will be a significant departure from previous models.


With Apple rumors, there is quite often smoke without any fire, but a new leak backs up sporadic previous claims about the design of the iPhone 17 range. Previous rumors have said, for instance, that at least the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a new camera bar layout.

Now according to leaker "Digital Chat Station" on Chinese social media site Weibo, the design changes will be significant. Depending on which machine translation is used, the poster describes the change as varying from greatly, to significant, and even dramatic.


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Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker.


In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the ‌iPhone‌'s design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other hand, the Pro models purportedly adopt a "large horizontal matrix design."

Last week, leaker Jon Prosser a shared render of the iPhone 17 Pro. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌'s three rear cameras will apparently be arranged in a familiar triangular layout, but housed in an all-new rectangular bar that extends all the way across the back of the device. The ultra-thin "‌iPhone 17 Air‌" is also rumored to feature a horizontal rear camera bar.

The first major rumor about the iPhone 17 lineup's design changes came from The Information's Wayne Ma, who said in November last year that the rear of the ‌‌iPhone 17 Pro‌‌ models will feature a new part-aluminum, part-glass design. The top half of the back will be made of aluminum and feature a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging. This new aluminum camera bump will also be larger than that of previous models.

The new Weibo post also referred to an impending "large foldable model," which should increase competition in the market. The account has previously posted accurate information about the iPhone 12 mini's display, iPhone 15's upgraded sensor, and iPhone 16 Pro size increases. The ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup is expected to debut as usual in the fall.
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In macOS, the Hot Corners feature turns each of the four corners of your screen into a designated action, allowing you to quickly access certain functions built into the system, such as Mission Control, Notification Center, the Screen Saver, QuickNote, and more. Many Mac users would agree, there's something satisfying about bringing up these commonly used functions with a simple, swift cursor movement.


What isn't so satisfying, however, is accidentally triggering a Hot Corner, which can lead to all kinds of unintended desktop behavior - like application windows flying all over the place. This can happen when you lose track of the mouse cursor, or when you're working within the confines of a smaller MacBook screen. Thankfully, there's a way to tame wayward Hot Corners using modifier keys. Here's how.

How to Set Up Hot Corners With Modifier Keys

1. Launch System Settings ( ➝ System Settings...).


2. Click Desktop & Dock in the side column.


3. Click the Hot Corners... button at the bottom of the menu.
   
   
4. In the dialog that appears, click the chevrons to open the dropdown menu corresponding to the screen corner that you want to use as a Hot Corner.
   
   
5. Now, hold down a modifier key and select a function from the dropdown to assign to the Hot Corner. Note that you can use different modifier keys for different Hot Corners, and even key combinations if you prefer. We're using the Command and Shift keys in our example.
   
   
6. Repeat the action for any additional Hot Corners you'd like to set.


7. Click the OK button when you're done.

The next time you come to use a Hot Corner, hold down the modifier key(s) as you move the mouse cursor towards it, otherwise the action you assigned to that corner won't work by design.


If you want to change the modifier key associated with a Hot Corner, navigate back to the Hot Corners... menu, and tap the assigned modifier key to remove it, then hold down the new one you want to use as you click on the Hot Corner function.
This article, "macOS Tip: Set Up and Control Hot Corners With Modifier Keys" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Last month, Woot introduced a massive sale on the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop bands for Apple Watch, and the sale is now back for the month of February. All bands are in brand new condition and come with a one year Apple limited warranty.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

You can get the Solo Loop for just $19.99 ($29 off) and the Braided Solo Loop for $29.99 ($69 off). Because the sale has been going on for a while now, some colors and sizes of the Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are selling out, so be sure to place your order soon if you want one of these cheap bands.



Shoppers should note that this sale is focused on colors of the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop that Apple has stopped selling, and it doesn't include any of the new band colors. That being said, all of the bands in this sale are in new condition.

The entire sale is focused on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, so you'll need to know the size that works best for you before you buy. Apple has a measurement tool on its website that you can use to determine your exact size.

Solo Loop

• Black/White Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Blue Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Green Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Purple Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Red/Orange/Yellow Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00

Braided Solo Loop

• Black/White Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Blue Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Green Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Purple Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Red/Orange/Yellow Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Pride - $29.99, down from $99.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "Get Apple Watch Solo Loop for $19.99 and Braided Solo Loop for $29.99 in Woot's Sale (Up to 70% Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Dockcase has combined its USB-C hub and SSD enclosure prowess to make a formidable all-in-one USB-C accessory.


SSD enclosures are useful for extra storage, and USB-C adapters let you connect to monitors and other acessories. This hub and enclosure combo shows how much you can get away with, allowing you to be connected to the storage and peripherals you'd need for work or recreation.

As a company, the 7-in-1 is Dockcase's 14th successful Kickstarter after 8 years of making USB-C products. I've reviewed their USB-C hub and more recently their SSD enclosure, both of them standing out for their LCD screens that convey important technical information.


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Amazon's steeper Beats deals deliver price cuts of up to 50% off over-ear headphones and earbuds.


On the heels of the Powerbeats Pro 2 launch, Amazon has issued fresh price drops on other models from the Beats line, including Studio Pro over-ear headphones.

Grab Beat deals


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The Boox Note Air 3 C is the best color e-ink tablet we've tried. Just don't expect to get an iPad, even though you're paying iPad prices.


The $499 Boox Note Air 3 C is, broadly speaking, a cross between an e-book reader and a tablet. It's billed as having some functionality similar to a tablet but with an ePaper screen.

The main difference is the 10.3-inch Kaleido 3 Carta 1200 glass ePaper screen, which is designed to offer a paper-like appearance. It's similar to the previous Note Air 3, but the C stands for its 4,096 hues of color, instead of a greyscale version.


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When consumers will see the debut of M5-based devices from Apple is coming into focus, and the shift will likely start with Apple's MacBook Pro lineup.


A new report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple will start releasing Macs with the M5 processor beginning in the fall of 2025. Ahead of that, the company is expected to launch M4-based MacBook Air models as soon as March, followed by M4 updates to the Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

Those latter products seem likely to be announced around the time of Apple's WWDC event in June. Following that event, the transition to the M5 chip will likely begin in the fall.


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Apple is once again considering adding advertising to Apple Maps, a move that could help bump up its growing Services revenue even more.


Apple's advertising business already serves ads for the App Store, as well as switching to an internal team for ad sales on Apple News in November. However, it may grow the ad business more by turning its attention to Apple Maps.

In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg claims Apple is now thinking about ways to monetize its Maps app. In a recent Maps group all-hands meeting, Apple management confirmed that it was exploring the possibility of monetizing the app.


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Ahead of the expected February 19, 2025 launch of the iPhone SE 4, there are signs that previous claims of it being renamed may be true.


In early January 2025, a seemingly unlikely leak claimed that the iPhone SE 4 would be renamed the iPhone 16E. It was chiefly considered doubtful because of the source of the leaks, but there was also that "iPhone SE' has been a successful brand since 2016.

Now Bloomberg is backing up the claim of a rebrand, and doing so chiefly because of the phrasing Tim Cook used in his teaser tweet about a February 19 launch.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple's rumored update to the Apple Studio Display may not arrive in 2025 after all, with a release in 2026 now expected for the premium Mac display.


On Thursday, a report claimed an update for the Apple Studio Display is in development, which could bring an improved miniLED backlight to the design. However, a few days later, another report states that the timeline is a bit longer than first offered.

According to Bloomberg's "Power On" newsletter on Sunday, the claim of a new 27-inch Apple Studio Display is repeated. The new model is said to have a similar design to the 2022 original, and "roughly" the same size of screen.


Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible


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Apple’s long-promised overhaul of its long-neglected Siri digital assistant is beset with "engineering problems and software bugs…

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Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway reduced its positions in several financial stocks in the fourth quarter, but didn’t sell any Apple…

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Apple is preparing for the next generation of its 27-inch Studio Display with a big upgrade to Mini LED backlighting. It's expected to be…

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This morning, where Netflix appeared as a “participating” service in Apple TV, was a bug and any signs on integration has now been killed…

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TikTok is back on Apple and Google's U.S. app stores after President Donald Trump delayed enforcing a ban on the app…

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Apple's forthcoming iPhone SE4 is expected to perform slightly better than previous SE models, according to Ming-Chi Kuo…

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Apple finally seems to have reached an agreement to integrate Netflix content into the Apple TV app in America…

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Foreign-branded smartphone shipments in China, including Apple's iPhone, increased by 0.6% year-over-year in December, according…

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The AirPods Pro 3 are anticipated to launch in September with the iPhone 17 series, featuring three new enhancements: Apple's new H3 chip…

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Apple Original Films hosted the world premiere for its highly anticipated feature “The Gorge,” starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller…

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Apple has, for the first time since their October 2024 launch, included MacBook Pro and Mac mini models equipped with M4 series chips…

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Amazon's Prime Video is deploying a major upgrade for those who use the streaming service's app on Apple TV hardware…

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