Get 6% Cash Back at Ace Hardware With Latest Apple Card Promotion
Apple Card holders can get extra Daily Cash back when making purchases at Ace Hardware during the month of June, according to a new email Apple started sending out today.
From now until June 30, Apple Card users who make a purchase at Ace Hardware can earn six percent cash back instead of the standard three percent cash back. Getting the extra cash requires Ace customers to use Apple Pay with the Apple Card specifically, and the promotion is limited to up to $500 in purchases.
Apple Card owners who spend $500 at Ace Hardware will earn a total of $30 in Daily Cash during the month. Purchases can be made at participating Ace Hardware stores, the Ace Hardware website, and the Ace mobile app.
Apple partners with several retailers to offer three percent Daily Cash back on Apple Pay purchases made with Apple Card, including Ace Hardware. Three percent cash back can also be earned from Panera Bread, T-Mobile, Nike, Uber Eats, Uber, Panera, Walgreens, Exxon Mobil, and Apple's own retail stores.
Tags: Apple Pay Promo, Apple Card, Daily Cash
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Foldable iPhone Unlikely to Launch Before 2027
Apple is unlikely to release a foldable iPhone before 2027, but it could significantly disrupt the market when it launches, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce.
The report highlights that foldable phones currently represent a mere 1.5% of the smartphone market, with projections suggesting an increase to 4.8% by 2028. Apple is apparently "still evaluating component specifications and performance, with strict requirements for crease and reliability." Screen creasing is an issue that plagues many current foldable devices, raising concerns about long-term durability and the risk of screen damage from debris.
Despite the emergence of a range of popular foldable devices from the likes of Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, and Nubia, Apple's delayed entry to the foldable space is not necessarily a disadvantage. The company's significant market influence and established customer base mean that a foldable iPhone could quickly gain popularity upon release. As a result, analysts believe that Apple's entry into the foldable phone space could "significantly shift market dynamics."
widely expected to release a large-screen foldable iPad or MacBook to kick-off its foray into the product category before launching a higher volume foldable iPhone.
Tags: TrendForce, Foldable iPhone
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Control Center on iOS 18 Rumored to Feature Upgraded Music Widget and HomeKit Improvements
In a social media post last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iOS 18 will include "updates" to Control Center, and he has now outlined a few specific changes.
In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter on Sunday, Gurman said Control Center will feature an upgraded music widget and improved controls for HomeKit smart home accessories. However, he did not provide any further details about these changes, so all we know for now is these will apparently be two focus areas for Apple.
WWDC keynote on June 10, and the first beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately following the presentation. The update should be widely released in September.
Related Roundup: iOS 18
Tags: Control Center, Mark Gurman
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Apple Vision Pro Mindfulness App May Get 'Respiration Tracking' Feature
Apple is working on a new "respiration tracking" feature for Apple Vision Pro that is likely to be functional during mindfulness sessions, based on backend code discovered by MacRumors.
Contributor Aaron Perris found references to the previously unheard-of feature in lines of code related to the headset's Mindfulness app, which offers users an immersive meditation experience using either guided meditations or self-guided sessions.
Apple's Mindfulness app essentially encourages the user to cultivate awareness of their own breath to support mental wellbeing. Attention to breathing is generally considered to be a foundational component of mindfulness practice, and long-term mindfulness training is associated with reliable differences in resting respiration rate, according to empirical research.
Apple Watch can already track respiration rate while wearers are sleeping. Apple Watch uses its built-in accelerometer, which measures vibration and movement, to determine how many times a person breathes each minute. While the Vision Pro also has an accelerometer, it's unclear whether this hardware or sensors that track changes in facial musculature would be involved when a mindfulness session is in progress.
visionOS 2 at its annual developers conference, WWDC, which begins next week, June 10.
Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro
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Amazon Takes $100 Off Massive Collection of Apple Watch Series 9 Models, Available From $299
Amazon today has a large collection of Apple Watch Series 9 models on sale at all-time low prices, including both GPS and cellular devices. It's been a few weeks since we last tracked any notable markdowns on the Series 9, so if you've been waiting for a deal now is definitely the time to buy the wearable.
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$299.00 for the 41mm GPS watches. We've rounded up all of the deals in lists below, focusing on the aluminum devices, but you can also find $100 discounts on a few stainless steel models as well.
$100 OFF
Apple Watch Series 9 Discounts at Amazon
All of the Apple Watch Series 9 devices in this sale lack the Blood Oxygen feature that were available on models prior to the sales ban that began in the United States back in January. The sales ban covers any Apple Watch model with blood oxygen sensing, and since it began most retailers continued to sell through their stock of devices that still supported the feature.
Now that it's been a few months, retailers like Amazon are starting to see their stock dwindle on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models with blood oxygen support. Other than this, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the exact same as it was when it launched, the new models just have blood oxygen disabled.
41mm GPS
(PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $299.99, down from $399.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $299.00, down from $399.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $299.99, down from $399.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $299.00, down from $399.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Winter Blue Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $299.00, down from $399.00
45mm GPS
(PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $329.99, down from $429.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $329.00, down from $429.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00
Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $329.00, down from $429.00
41mm Cellular
(PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $399.99, down from $499.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $399.00, down from $499.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop - $399.99, down from $499.00
Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Loop - $399.99, down from $499.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $399.00, down from $499.00
45mm Cellular
(PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with (PRODUCT)RED Sport Band - $429.99, down from $529.00
Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - $429.00, down from $529.00
Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Band - $429.99, down from $529.00
Silver Aluminum Case with Storm Blue Sport Band - $429.00, down from $529.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band - $429.99, down from $529.00
Pink Aluminum Case with Light Pink Sport Loop - $429.99, down from $529.00
Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Loop - $429.99, down from $529.00
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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iOS 18 Rumored to Add These 6 New Features to iPhone's Messages App
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 in one week from now, and the update is rumored to include many new features for the Messages app on the iPhone.
iOS 18 is set to be unveiled during the WWDC keynote on June 10, and the first beta should be made available to members of the Apple Developer Program immediately after the presentation. The first public beta of iOS 18 will likely follow in July, and the update should be widely released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September.
Below, we recap what to expect from the Messages app on iOS 18.
RCS Support
Last year, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting "later" in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.
RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:
Higher-resolution photos and videos
Audio messages
Typing indicators
Read receipts
Wi-Fi messaging
Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users
These features are already available for iMessage conversations with blue bubbles, and RCS will extend the capabilities to green bubbles over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks. It is expected that SMS will remain available as a fallback option.
Per-Word Effects
Apple plans to add a per-word text effects option to the Messages app on iOS 18, multiple sources familiar with the matter told MacRumors.
While it is already possible to send iMessages with entire-bubble or full-screen effects, such as invisible ink or confetti, the text effects would allow you to animate individual words within a message. Our hope is that Apple will also add bold, italics, and underline formatting options, but we have not confirmed that possibility.
Suggested Replies
iOS 18 will add AI-generated suggested replies to the Messages app, according to Bloomberg and AppleInsider. This feature would analyze recent messages in a conversation and provide a few suggested replies that users could tap on to send.
Custom Emoji
Another rumored AI-powered feature is the option to send custom emoji that are automatically generated based on the context of recent messages.
Message Recaps
iOS 18 is rumored to provide AI-generated recaps of information from several apps, including recent messages received in the Messages app.
New Tapback Icons
Tapback icons (the heart, thumbs up, thumbs down, "haha," exclamation marks, and question mark that can be added to messages) may be redesigned on iOS 18, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in his latest Power On newsletter.
Related Roundup: iOS 18
Tag: Messages
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Apple Says M2 iPad Air Has 9 GPU Cores, Not 10 as Originally Stated
Apple has seemingly updated its tech specs webpage for the latest M2 iPad Air models to indicate the M2 chip has a 9-core GPU, rather than 10 cores as previously stated.
The change was first reported by 9to5Mac. Based on available web snapshots, the change on Apple's US website was made within the last 10 days. However, the equivalent webpage on many of Apple's regional stores still lists the M2 iPad Air as having a 10-core GPU.
press release originally announcing the product on its Newsroom also mirrors the original 10-core spec, as does support documentation for the device.
Apple has not commented on the change, which, if accurate, makes the new iPad Air the first M2-based Apple device with a 9-core GPU. Since the change went live on Apple's site, the going theory is that Apple's processor yield of 10-core chips was not sufficient, so it is using a "binned" version of the 10-core chip with one of the GPU cores disabled. The practice of "binning" is sometimes used to optimize processor yields and reduce waste.
Related Roundup: iPad Air
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad
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Qualcomm Enlists 'I'm a Mac' Ad Star for Snapdragon PC Skit
Justin Long, the face of Apple's iconic "I'm a Mac" commercials, now stars in a short Qualcomm skit promoting Snapdragon-powered PCs.
At the Computex 2024 keynote, Qualcomm unveiled the new skit featuring Long, who is well-known for his role in Apple's "Get a Mac" commercials nearly two decades ago. Long is depicted as being overwhelmed by a barrage of notifications about app compatibility, low disk space, and battery issues in macOS, prompting him to search for an alternative in the form of a Windows on ARM PC. The ad concludes with Long stating, "Things change," a sentiment echoed by Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon during the event's closing remarks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chips debut in new Copilot Plus PCs on June 18.
ad for its Mate 9 smartphone. In 2021, Intel also employed Long to create commercials that praised PCs and mocked various aspects of Apple's M1 MacBooks, including the Touch Bar and its limited color options.
Tag: Qualcomm
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iPhone 16 Pro Could Break Record for Thinnest Bezels on a Smartphone
Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, beating the screen border thinness of even its latest iPhone 15 Pro devices. That's according to the leaker known as "Ice Universe," who has divulged accurate information about Apple's plans in the past.
According to multiple sources, despite minimal design changes, both iPhone 16 Pro models will increase in size this year. The iPhone 16 Pro is said to be 6.3 inches (up from 6.1), while the iPhone 16 Pro Max is expected to measure in at 6.9 inches (up from 6.7), potentially making it Apple's biggest iPhone ever.
According to Ice Universe, this year's Pro models will also have reduced bezels that could be the thinnest yet seen on any smartphone, including those on the Samsung Galaxy S24.
two rumors out of Asia have referenced the technology in relation to iPhone 16 models.
5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro Max
get bigger with the Pro models in the 2024 iPhone 16 lineup.
Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro
Tag: UniverseIce
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Gurman: No Hardware at WWDC, Next Apple TV No Longer Coming Soon
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman does not expect Apple to announce any new hardware during its WWDC 2024 keynote on June 10.
"There's no hardware slated to be announced at WWDC, unless Apple unexpectedly previews a new device launching later (to be clear: I don't expect that)," said Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
in the first half of 2024. The current Apple TV was introduced in October 2022.
Here is when the previous five Apple TV models were announced:
Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
Apple TV HD: September 2015
Third-generation Apple TV: March 2012
faster processor than the current A15 Bionic chip, and even lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next Apple TV could have a $99 starting price in the U.S., down from $129 currently.
adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls on the TV, but this currently requires using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad.
Related Roundup: WWDC 2024
Tag: Mark Gurman
Related Forum: Apple, Inc and Tech Industry
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Best Buy's Weekend Sale Has Steep Discounts on M2 and M3 MacBook Air
Best Buy has a huge collection of discounts on Apple's MacBook Air this weekend, including both the previous generation M2 models from 2022 and the brand new M3 computers that launched this year.
M2 MacBook Air
Best Buy today has every model of the 2022 13-inch MacBook Air available for $150 off, matching previous all-time low prices on the notebooks. These prices are available to all shoppers and do not require a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership.
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$849.00 and the 512GB model is available for $1,049.00. These deals beat the previous prices we tracked earlier in the year by about $50.
$150 OFF
13-inch M2 MacBook Air (256GB) for $849.00
$150 OFF
13-inch M2 MacBook Air (512GB) for $1,049.00
You can get both models in all four colors: Starlight, Space Gray, Silver, and Midnight. Following the introduction of the M3 MacBook Air, Apple knocked the price of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air down by $100, and it's still selling them alongside the M3 model.
M3 MacBook Air
You can find all-time low prices across the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air lineup at Best Buy, including up to $100 off these 2024 computers. Prices start at $1,199.00 for the 256GB model, and include both 512GB versions of the computer as well.
$100 OFF
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (256GB) for $1,199.00
$100 OFF
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (8GB/512GB) for $1,399.00
$100 OFF
15-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB/512GB) for $1,599.00
Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Top Stories: WWDC Schedule, iOS 18 Rumors, and Beats Solo Buds Release Date
WWDC month is here! Rumors about what we may see at Apple's annual developer conference have been building for months, and now we're just days away from the keynote event where Apple will unveil what it has in store for iOS 18, macOS 15, and more.
Apple's Beats brand also has some new products that should be launching shortly, while Apple has finally made refurbished iPhone 14 models available at a discount for those looking to save some cash, so read on below for all the details!
Apple Shares WWDC 2024 Schedule, Including Keynote Time
Apple's five-day developers conference WWDC is just over a week away, and the schedule for biggest sessions of the event is now available.
Apple's keynote will kick things off on June 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with iOS 18 and other major software updates expected to be announced.
Apple Now Selling Refurbished iPhone 14 Models
Apple this week began selling refurbished iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max models in the U.S. and some other countries for the first time since the devices were released in September 2022. The models quickly sold out, but inventory should be replenished over time.
Apple's refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, outer shell, and box, along with a charging cable.
These 10 New AI Features Are Reportedly Coming in iOS 18
iOS 18 is widely rumored to add a wide range of new AI features to the iPhone, and a new report has provided more details about what to expect.
The new features will allegedly include AI-powered photo retouching, voice memo transcription, suggested replies to emails and messages, auto-generated custom emojis based on the content of a user's messages, improved Safari web search, and much more.
this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, Dan and Hartley discuss a wide array of rumors about iOS 18 across Apple's built-in apps and beyond.
What to Expect From CarPlay on iOS 18
iOS 18 will include some new features for Apple's in-vehicle software system CarPlay.
In a press release earlier this month, Apple highlighted three new accessibility features coming to CarPlay as part of the update, including Sound Recognition, Voice Control, and Color Filters. In addition, Apple's website says the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay will arrive in 2024, so that rollout could coincide with iOS 18.
Beats Solo Buds Available to Order June 18, Launch June 20
Beats Solo Buds were first announced in April, and now Apple has shared availability details.
Apple says the Solo Buds will be available to order on June 18, and launch on June 20. Priced at $79.99, the wireless earbuds feature up to 18 hours of battery life, a USB-C carrying case, and Find My support on iOS and Android. However, they lack active noise cancellation, and the carrying case does not have a built-in battery.
New Beats Pill Speaker Listed on Apple's Regulatory Website
After appearing alongside famous athletes, in iOS 17.5 code, and in the FCC database, a new Beats Pill speaker has now been listed on Apple's regulatory compliance website for Europe.
Apple discontinued the previous Beats Pill+ speaker in 2022. The new version is likely to feature a USB-C charging port, support for a newer Bluetooth version, a built-in lanyard option, longer battery life, and more.
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.
top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!
Tag: Top Stories
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What to Expect From Apple's 2024 iPad Mini 7
While Apple refreshed the iPad Pro and the iPad Air in May, the iPad mini is still in need of an update. Apple last introduced a new iPad mini in September 2021, so it's overdue for an overhaul.
Rumors suggest that Apple has plans to refresh its smallest tablet in 2024, and this guide highlights all of the rumors we've heard about the device so far.
Display and Design
We haven't heard rumors of design changes for the iPad mini, which means it will likely feature the same 8.3-inch size and all-display design. The current iPad mini has a Touch ID Power Button, which we're also expecting for the new model.
make a small tweak to the iPad mini's display in an effort to cut down on "jelly scrolling." The screen assembly will be rotated, which is supposed to reduce the effect when using the iPad mini in portrait orientation.
normal behavior for LCD iPads, but the company still wants to make a change to minimize the effect.
A-Series Chip
The iPad Pro and the iPad Air have M-series chips, but we're not expecting the iPad mini to get a Mac chip this year. Instead, Apple is likely to go with the A17 Pro that was used in the iPhone 15 Pro models, or some other A17 variant.
iPhone 16 lineup, as rumors suggest the iPhone 16 models will have chips in the A18 family.
With an A17 Pro or better, the iPad mini would be on par with or faster than the iPhone 15 Pro models, but it won't have the speeds of the iPad Air or iPad Pro.
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 with a focus on AI, so high powered chips are a must for upcoming devices.
New Colors
The iPad mini is available in space gray, starlight, pink, and purple right now. Apple often refreshes color options with updates, so new colors are a definite possibility. With the iPad Air, which the iPad mini often mimics, Apple got rid of pink.
If Apple makes the iPad mini available in the same colors as the iPad Air, it could come in space gray, purple, blue, and starlight.
Front Camera
Apple moved the front-facing camera on the iPad Air to the landscape edge of the device, and it could make the same change for the iPad mini. It may make less sense to have a landscape camera on an iPad mini, though, because it's less often used with keyboards.
The camera could get support for HDR 4 and it could have a wider aperture, if it adopts the camera used in the iPad Air.
Connectivity
Apple has been adding Wi-Fi 6E to each product as it's updated, and it should be the iPad mini's turn this year. Wi-Fi 6E will allow the iPad mini to connect to the 6GHz Wi-Fi network on supported routers.
Bluetooth 5.3 is also expected, as that's another update Apple has been making to new devices, and the iPad mini could lose its nano-SIM slot, with Apple opting only for eSIM.
Apple Pencil Pro
The current iPad mini works with the Apple Pencil 2, so the new model will likely support the Apple Pencil Pro. The Apple Pencil Pro has a squeeze gesture, haptic feedback, a gyroscope for barrel roll support, and Find My integration.
Apple Pencil hover might also be a new feature, as the current iPad mini does not support it.
Release Date
Apple will likely release a new iPad mini toward the end of the year, likely in September or October. In some years, Apple holds a special October event for Macs and iPads, and we could get that in 2024.
Mac mini, and the low-cost iPad could all be refreshed alongside the iPad mini in the fall.
Future iPad mini Models
There are rumors that Apple is working on a foldable iPad mini and OLED display technology for the iPad mini, but neither of these updates are expected in 2024.
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Foldable MacBooks: Six Things to Know About Apple's Future Plans
Rumors from multiple reliable sources suggest that Apple is working on a MacBook that has a foldable screen, and it could in fact be Apple's first foldable device, coming before a foldable iPhone. We've rounded up six key features that we've heard about the device so far.
Concept by Astropad
Design
The all-display design of the foldable MacBook would be distinct from the current MacBook, which has a display and keyboard. It would feature a single large screen that's able to be folded in half.
When unfolded, the MacBook could be used as a monitor when paired with a keyboard and a trackpad or mouse, and when folded, it could serve as a notebook machine. Presumably this kind of design would not have a separate keyboard, instead using an on-screen keyboard with digital keys and haptic feedback for a key-like feel.
Size
Display research analyst Ross Young claims the foldable MacBook will have an 18.8-inch display, with Apple aiming to make the screen "as crease-free as possible" when it is unfolded. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also suggested Apple is planning for a screen around 19 inches.
Display Technology
Apple has been rumored to be working with LG Display to develop a foldable OLED panel, and LG has been developing foldable ultra-thin cover glass for the last several years.
electronic paper display (EPD) technology that it could use in future foldable devices. EPD could potentially be used in the outer-most display in a foldable device, if Apple goes with some kind of dual display design with an outside and inside screen.
EPD is a form of e-ink technology, which is known for being much more viewable than LED or OLED screens in bright light.
At an 18.8-inch size, the foldable notebook would likely have a 5K or higher resolution.
M-Series Chip
Mass production on foldable display panels for a future MacBook could begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 for a launch in late 2025 or early 2026. That would be timed with the future M5 chip, a successor to the 2024 M4.
second half of 2025.
3nm and 2nm reference the architecture that TSMC is using for its chips, and a decrease in node size corresponds to a decrease in transistor size, allowing more transistors to fit on a processor. This often results in faster performance and better energy efficiency. Right now, Apple's M4 chips are built on a 3-nanometer mode, much like the M3 chips.
Price
Apple will need to use high-cost components for the foldable MacBook, and Kuo believes it could be almost as expensive as the $3,500 Vision Pro headset when it launches. The 16-inch MacBook Pro currently starts at $2,500, so presumably the larger foldable model would be more expensive than that.
Release Date
If rumors are accurate and Apple is planning to have LG Display begin mass production on a foldable MacBook in the fourth quarter of 2025, the device could launch in 2025 or 2026. Kuo estimates that Apple will ship more than one million units in 2026.
as soon as 2025, the same timeline suggested by analyst Jeff Pu.
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iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Feature Refreshed Settings App
With the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 updates, Apple plans to streamline the Settings app, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman confirmed today. He said that while it's not a "huge deal," there are some changes planned.
The Settings app on iPhone and iPad and the System Settings on Macs will get an updated UI with a "reorganized, cleaner layout" that's simpler to navigate. Search in the Settings app is also set to improve, and that's been a major issue with prior versions of iOS and macOS.
iPhone 15 Pro models, does not bring up the interface, for example. There are several other smaller settings options that are similarly inaccessible when searching.
overhauled version of Siri that is able to control all individual features in apps. Combined, these updates should make it easier to get to some of the more hidden settings on Apple devices.
overhaul the macOS System Settings app, introducing rearranged menus and app UIs in an update that will be the biggest since the Settings app was refreshed in macOS Ventura. On the Mac, Apple is said to be using an organizational system focused on "priority and overall importance," and the same changes could be made on iOS as well.
Touch ID and Password.
the Control Center on iOS 18 and Apple has been testing the changes internally, but specific updates are unclear at this time.
iOS 18 and macOS 15 roundups, which are updated regularly with all of the new rumors that we've heard.
visionOS 2, and watchOS 11.
Related Roundups: iOS 18, macOS 15
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Apple Says iPhone 5s Now Obsolete as iPod Touch 6 Becomes 'Vintage'
Apple today made three changes to its vintage and obsolete products list, involving the iPhone 5s, sixth-generation iPod touch, and an older iMac model.
First, Apple now considers the iPhone 5s to be an "obsolete" product worldwide, meaning that Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers no longer offer repairs or other hardware service for the device. Apple says it considers a product "obsolete" once seven years have passed since the company last distributed it for sale.
Apple released the iPhone 5s in September 2013, with its key new feature being the Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the Home button. The device also introduced the A7 chip, which was Apple's first iPhone chip with 64-bit architecture.
Second, the sixth-generation iPod touch and the late 2015 edition of the 21.5-inch iMac with a Retina 4K display are now classified as "vintage" products, as more than five years have passed since the company stopped distributing the devices for sale. Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can continue to offer repairs for vintage products for up to two more years, but only if the necessary parts remain available.
discontinued the iPod touch line in 2022.
Tag: Vintage and Obsolete Apple Products
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MacRumors Giveaway: Win an iPad Pro From GRID Studio
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with GRID Studio to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an iPad Pro. For those unfamiliar with GRID Studio, it is a small company that crafts art out of old, discarded Apple products.
GRID Studio buys and recycles old electronics, taking them apart and arranging each component carefully under a glass frame. Their work turns a hodgepodge of parts into display pieces designed for Apple enthusiasts who want to own a piece of Apple's history.
GRID 1 is perhaps GRID Studio's most iconic offering, featuring the original Apple iPhone from 2007. The GRID 1 includes all of the components of the first iPhone, complete with labeling and interesting facts like all of GRID's pieces. The original iPhone's unmistakable housing is displayed next to the button, headphone socket, speaker, logic board, ear piece, and other components, and it's particularly interesting because it was before the days when Apple started making its own chips.
GRID 4S is an affordable way to get a piece of GRID Studio's art, as it's on sale for $99 this week. The GRID 4S was the final iPhone that was introduced while Steve Jobs was still alive, and the first iPhone Tim Cook launched without Jobs. The "S" stood for Siri, and it was the first iPhone that included the Siri personal assistant.
For Mac fans, the $600 GRID MacBook Air showcases the first-generation MacBook Air that Apple released, and it is one of GRID Studio's larger pieces at 30 inches by 18.5 inches. At the time, the 2008 MacBook Air was marketed world's thinnest notebook computer, and it is definitely one of Apple's most well-known later-stage Macs.
MagSafe components are all neatly displayed, and it's a fun look at some vintage components that Apple has long since abandoned.
We have an 11-inch iPad Pro for one MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prize(s). You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, following us on Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.
U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK 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. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. 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.
GRID Studio Giveaway
The contest will run from today (May 31) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 7. The winner will be chosen randomly on or shortly after June 7 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
Tag: Giveaway
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Best Apple Deals of the Week: Record Low Prices Hit 10th Gen iPad and M2 iPad Air, Plus Sonos and Anker Discounts
Some of the best deals of the last week included steep markdowns on Apple-related accessories from companies like Sonos and Anker, but you'll also find discounts on a number of Apple products. This includes new record low prices on the 10th generation iPad and M2 iPad Air, and a sale on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
iPad
What's the deal? Get $49 off the 10th gen iPad
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
$49 OFF
10th Gen iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) for $299.99
$49 OFF
10th Gen iPad (256GB Wi-Fi) for $449.99
The best iPad deal we tracked this week was on the 10th generation iPad, which dropped down to just $299.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, from $349.00. These iPads saw their prices cut by $100 earlier in the month, and deals have been coming in fast ever since those price cuts.
Sonos
What's the deal? Get up to 25% off Sonos products
Where can I get it? Sonos
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
UP TO 25% OFF
Sonos Home Theater Sale
Sonos began its Father's Day sale this week, offering up to 25 percent off select home theater equipment during the event. You'll find deals on the company's most popular devices including the Arc soundbar, Move 2 speaker, Sub (Gen 3) Subwoofer, and more.
Anker
What's the deal? Save on popular accessories from Anker and Eufy
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
Portable Power Station with Smart Display + Retractable Light, available for $94.99 for Prime members and with an on-page coupon, down from $149.99.
In our original article, you'll also find sales on MagSafe-compatible accessories, Bluetooth speakers, and Eufy's Bluetooth trackers.
Soundcore Motion 300 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - $64.99 with on-page coupon, down from $79.99
Nano Power Bank with Built-In USB-C Cable - $34.99 for Prime members, down from $49.99
MagGo Power Bank - $69.99, down from $89.99
Prime Power Bank 20,000 mAh with Smart Digital Display - $89.99 for Prime members, down from $129.99
Prime Power Bank 20,000 mAh with 100W Charging Base - $139.99, down from $184.99
3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Cube - $129.99, down from $149.99
SmartTrack Link 1-Pack - $15.99 for Prime members, down from $19.99
SmartTrack Link 2-Pack - $29.88, down from $35.99
SmartTrack Link 4-Pack - $48.99 for Prime members, down from $69.99
M2 iPad Air
What's the deal? Get up to $80 off the new iPad Air
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$30 OFF
M2 11-inch iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $569.00
$45 OFF
M2 13-inch iPad Air (128GB Wi-Fi) for $754.00
Amazon continues to have the best discounts on the new 11-inch and 13-inch M2 iPad Air, with up to $80 in savings on these tablets. A few of these are dwindling in stock as we head into the weekend, so be sure to shop soon if you want to save on Apple's latest iPad Air.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
What's the deal? Get $85 off the Apple Watch Ultra 2
Where can I get it? Amazon
Where can I find the original deal? Right here
$85 OFF
Apple Watch Ultra 2 for $714.00
Finally, this week saw Amazon expand its sale on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a few new models getting an $85 discount. This is a solid second-best price on the high-end wearable, and only Amazon has the deal.
Apple Deals roundup.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
This article, "Best Apple Deals of the Week: Record Low Prices Hit 10th Gen iPad and M2 iPad Air, Plus Sonos and Anker Discounts" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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The MacRumors Show: New iOS 18 Rumors Ahead of WWDC 2024
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss some of the latest rumors about iOS 18, including deeper Home Screen customization, AI-generated emojis, and more.
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With iOS 18, Siri is expected to undergo a substantial overhaul with improved natural language processing, enabling more conversational interactions and proactive intelligence. The assistant will apparently understand and perform more complex tasks within apps. These tasks range from moving notes between folders and deleting emails to summarizing articles and recent notifications.
Photos app will incorporate AI-powered retouching tools and Apple Music will offer auto-generated playlists and smoother song transitions.
iOS 18 is also expected to introduce a more customizable Home Screen. Users will have the freedom to place app icons anywhere on the grid and change app icon colors.
iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple Maps will introduce custom routes and topographic maps, enhancing navigation and outdoor activities.
Accessibility is another focus area for iOS 18 with new features like Eye Tracking, which uses the front-facing camera to navigate the interface, and Vehicle Motion Cues, designed to reduce motion sickness. Music Haptics will provide tactile feedback in sync with music, and Vocal Shortcuts will enable users to assign custom phrases for Siri to execute complex tasks.
RCS) standard should improve messaging between iPhones and Android devices with support for higher resolution photos, audio messages, typing indicators, read receipts, and improved group chat functionality.
iOS 17, including models as old as the iPhone XR and iPhone XS. However, iPadOS 18 may drop support for older models such as the first-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips:
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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, the latest rumors about an all new iPhone 17 "Slim" model, and the newly announced Sonos Ace over-ear headphones.
MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.
@MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.
Tag: The MacRumors Show
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Review: Two Weeks With the M4 iPad Pro
It's been just over two weeks since the M4 iPad Pro launched, which means it's time for a longer term review of the updated OLED display, AI-focused processor, super thin design, and new accessories that include the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard.
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The design of the new iPad Pro is probably the best overall feature, and the drop in weight and thickness makes a difference whether you're traveling or just using the iPad around the house. At 5.1mm, the 13-inch iPad Pro is Apple's thinnest device to date, and a tablet of this size and thickness continues to be impressive. Two weeks on, there's no hint of a "bendgate" thanks to the reinforced rib that Apple included under the hood. There's an argument to be made that some people would have preferred a bigger battery to a slimmer design, of course.
FaceTime call, this is a tweak you'll appreciate. It's much more natural than treating the iPad like a giant iPhone.
The iPad Pro's OLED display has no competition. It is by far the best display that Apple has introduced in an iPad, and you won't find a better tablet display available from competing products, either. Apple used tandem OLED technology (basically stacking two OLED displays on top of each other), and the brightness and contrast are unparalleled. Movies look amazing, the iPad does well in bright lighting, and the HDR makes images pop.
Compared to the prior-generation iPad Pro with mini-LED display, the OLED display is better, but not so much so that it's worth upgrading for that alone. Coming from an LCD, though, the difference is much more notable.
M2 chip is incredibly fast, and the M4 is even quicker, based on benchmarks. You're not going to find much that's going to max out the M4 processor in day to day usage, but you'll see bigger numbers on benchmarking tests comparing the M4 iPad Pro to the M2 iPad Pro. Editing videos and creating songs in Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro is super fast with the M4, but it was also super fast with the M2. Maybe the M4 chip will shine when iPadOS 18 is updated with a slew of new AI features, but for now, it's overkill.
Apple nixed both the Ultra Wide camera and mmWave 5G in this version of the iPad Pro, and most people probably won't miss these features. Whether a 13-inch tablet needs any kind of rear camera is up in the air, and mmWave 5G speeds are still fairly limited in availability. Sub 6GHz 5G remains, and that's plenty fast enough for downloads, watching streaming content, and playing games.
Find My might be the most useful addition so you can track down the Apple Pencil if it goes missing, and Haptic Feedback is also nice to have.
The Magic Keyboard is way more Mac like thanks to that larger glass trackpad and the aluminum palm rest. The trackpad is more pleasant to use than before, and the function keys are also a big plus for controlling media, changing screen brightness, and more without having to dig into the Settings app or Control Center.
Unsurprisingly, the iPad Pro is without a doubt Apple's best iPad, and it's probably the best tablet on the market. The major downside is the price, with the 11-inch model starting at $999 and the 13-inch model starting at $1299. Those are Mac prices, and while the iPad's hardware is worth it, it's a lot to pay for the limitations that you're stuck with when using iPadOS. There are workflows out there that work with a tablet, but many people aren't going to be able to replace a Mac with an iPad.
Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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