Juli Clover

Juli is an Editor at MacRumors, photographer, voracious reader, cinephile, video game enthusiast, and cat owner. She can be reached at juli@macrumors.com or on Twitter.



MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Vintage Messenger Bag From Whipping Post

For the next few weeks, MacRumors is running a special giveaway event, which will see us highlighting and giving away high-quality luxury bags from manufacturers like Pad & Quill, Intrepid Bag Co, Whipping Post, and Saddleback Leather Company. We've got all of these bags on hand so we can give clear details on construction, quality, utility, and more. For today's giveaway, we've teamed up with Whipping Post to give away one of the company's all leather suede-lined Vintage Messenger Bags, designed to pay homage to antique postal bags. Compared to each of the bags in the giveaway, Whipping Post's Vintage Messenger bag is the softest and the lightest, but still with enough structure to hold all of your gear. Measuring in at 18.5 inches by 11.5 inches by 4 inches, it is large enough to hold a notebook as big as a 15-inch MacBook Pro, and it even has a dedicated MacBook or iPad section inside the bag. There's a big magazine pocket at the back of the bag, a smaller front pocket, and an inner pocket divided into two parts. It's thin, which I liked, but it also expands outward once it's filled with stuff, and due to its malleability and its ability to expand, the Vintage Messenger Bag holds a lot of stuff (but it never looks overly bulky). It fit my MacBook Pro, two iPads, several notebooks and loose papers, a water bottle, and a bunch of various accessories and sundries. The inside laptop flap clasps with a leather strap, as does the front flap, keeping both securely shut. The straps are, however, designed in a way that makes the bag easy to open and get into

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Pre-Order Shipping Estimates Begin Slipping

Pre-order supplies of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus are starting to dwindle, with several of the new iPhone models now displaying shipping estimates ranging into November. Pre-orders began at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 9, and it took less than 20 minutes for supplies of popular models to begin selling out. Models in the new Black and Jet Black colors are the most heavily affected in the United States. Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus devices were initially quoted delivery times of late September and orders placed now won't ship until November, while the Black iPhone 7 Plus lists shipping estimates of two to three weeks. Jet Black iPhone 7 models ship in two to three weeks, while Black iPhone 7 models ship in one to two weeks. Supplies of other colors are better, but may dwindle as the day goes on. At this rate, customers who wait to pre-order a Black or Jet Black iPhone will need to wait several weeks. Shipping estimates in Apple's online stores for other countries such as the UK, Australia, and France are also starting to dwindle, with many Jet Black models also listed as shipping in two to three weeks. Though pre-order supplies of some models of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus are beginning to sell out, it may still be possible to get an iPhone on launch day by visiting an Apple retail location on Friday, September 16. Yesterday morning, Apple warned that iPhone 7 and 7 Plus supplies could be constrained in an announcement stating pre-order sales statistics would not be shared. According to Apple, early iPhone 7 sales will be dictated

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Now Available for Pre-Order

Apple is now accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus through its online storefront and through the Apple Store app. Pre-orders are being accepted in all first wave launch countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, US Virgin Islands and the US. All of the major U.S. carriers, Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, are accepting pre-orders for the new devices. Major online retailers including Best Buy and Target are also accepting pre-orders starting on September 9. Apple has said supplies of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will be constrained, so it's a good idea to pre-order a device right away if you're hoping to for a launch-day delivery. Jet Black iPhone 7 Pluses had a delivery date of September 26 to October 3 right when pre-orders launched. The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come in 32, 128, and 256GB configurations, with five color options: Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Black, and Jet Black, the new glossy shade. Jet Black is only available in 128 and 258GB. In the United States, iPhone 7 pricing starts at $649 for the 32GB model. The 128 and 256GB models are priced at $749 and $849, respectively. iPhone 7 Plus starts at $769 for the 32GB model. The 128GB and 256GB models are priced at $869 and $969, respectively. With the iPhone Upgrade Program, which allows users to get a new iPhone each year with AppleCare+ support, iPhone 7 pricing

Apple Watch Series 2 Now Available for Pre-Order Through Apple's Online Store

Alongside the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, the second-generation Apple Watch, Apple Watch Series 2, is now available for pre-order from Apple's online storefront and through the Apple Store app. Supplies of the Apple Watch Series 2 could be limited, so customers interested in launch-day delivery should order as soon as possible. Apple Watch Series 2 features a second-generation chip that's up to 50 percent faster with 2x better graphics performance. It also has a second-generation display that's much brighter for more vivid colors outdoors, and it has built-in GPS for better fitness and location tracking. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alongside the standard aluminum and stainless steel models, Apple Watch Series 2 is also available in a new pearl-white ceramic material that's four times stronger than stainless steel. Apple has also created new Hermès models and there's a new Apple Watch Nike Plus that's been developed in collaboration with Nike, featuring an aluminum body and a custom perforated Nike band. Apple Watch pricing begins at $369 for the entry-level aluminum Sport model, $549 for the stainless steel Apple Watch, and $1,249 for the ceramic Apple Watch Edition. All three models can be ordered from the online store beginning now. Apple is also accepting pre-orders for Hermès and Nike models, but those won't ship out until late September and late October, respectively. Upgraded Apple Watch Series 1 models, which feature the new S2 processor, are also available for pre-order at this time. Series 1 models start at

Apple's Online Store Down Ahead of iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 Pre-Orders

Apple has taken its online storefront down in order to prepare for the launch of the iPhone 7, the iPhone 7 Plus, and the new Apple Watch Series 2 models. Pre-orders are expected to begin at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time or 3:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, September 9. Pre-orders will be available through Apple's website, the Apple Store app, several carrier sites, and from major retailers like Target and Best Buy. Apple will accept pre-orders in first wave launch countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, US Virgin Islands and the US. The 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is available in 32, 128, and 256GB capacities in the United States for $649, $749, and $849, respectively. The 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus is also available in 32, 128, and 256GB options for $769, $869, and $969. Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is available in the United States, United Kingdom and China, allowing customers pay a monthly fee for their iPhone 7 with the option of trading it in after 12 months of payments. Pricing, which includes AppleCare+, starts at $32.41 for the iPhone 7 and $37.41 for the iPhone 7 Plus. Announced earlier this week, the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus feature significant camera improvements, a 4-core A10 Fusion chip, better battery life, water resistance, a revamped pressure-sensitive Home button, stereo sound, new colors, and most controversially, no

Macy's Department Store to Start Selling Apple Watch

Macy's is set to become the first major department store to offer the Apple Watch, reports Fortune. Starting before the holiday shopping rush, Macy's will begin offering the Apple Watch at more than 180 stores across the United States. "It will be in all of our top buildings for the holiday season," said Macy's president and future CEO Jeff Gennette. In addition to offering the Apple Watch in many of its retail locations, Macy's also plans to open a dedicated Apple Store inside of its flagship Herald Square location in New York, which will sell a variety of Apple products including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Apple Watches. Since its April 2015 debut, the Apple Watch has become available for purchase from many major third-party retailers around the world. In the United States, the Apple Watch can be purchased from stores like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and B&H Photo, making it easy to walk into any local brick and mortar store to pick up one of Apple's wearable devices. Last year, steep holiday discounts on the Apple Watch from retailers like Best Buy and Target helped spur its popularity. Apple has never divulged sales numbers for the Apple Watch, but market research suggests it is by far the most popular smart watch on the market. Apple this week introduced its second-generation Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 2. The new devices feature a much faster S2 processor, better waterproofing, a GPS chip, and a brighter display. Apple also introduced Series 2 Apple Watches created in collaboration with Nike and Hermès, along with a new high-end ceramic

Apple's Phil Schiller Recommends Lightning Dock for Charging an iPhone 7 While Listening to Music

Apple's new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus ship without a headphone jack, requiring customers to use either Bluetooth or Lightning-equipped headphones. Many customers who routinely charge their iPhones while also listening to music have been questioning whether that usage scenario will possible sans headphone jack, and as it turns out, Apple has a solution. In an email to a customer, Apple SVP of marketing Phil Schiller says that while he prefers to use the wireless AirPods to listen to music, customers who want to listen to wired headphones while charging an iPhone 7 can use the Apple Lightning Dock, which has a built-in headphone jack. Priced at $49 and available in colors to match each of the iPhones, the Lightning dock has both a USB input and a 3.5mm headphone jack built in, making it perfect for customers who want to charge and listen to music at the same time. Unfortunately, it's an expensive solution compared to former method of using 3.5mm EarPods and a Lightning cable, which came free with the iPhone. Belkin also just announced a $40 Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar adapter designed to let users listen to Lightning headphones while charging, but it's both bulky and pricy. To ease the transition away from the 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple is providing customers with both a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter and a set of EarPods with a Lightning connector. Of course, when using these accessories, charging is not possible at the same time. Apple's ultimate goal seems to be to transition customers to wireless headphones like its recently announced AirPods. While

Belkin's $40 Lightning Adapter Lets You Listen to Music and Charge Your iPhone 7 at the Same Time

Belkin today announced the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar for the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, an accessory that will allow iPhone 7 users to charge their iPhones and listen to music at the same time. According to Belkin, the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar was developed "closely" with Apple, and it does indeed resemble Apple's own iOS adapter accessories. The Lightning connector on the end of the RockStar plugs into the iPhone for passthrough charging (up to 12W), while additional Lightning ports on the device accommodate either the Lightning-based EarPods or headphones with a 3.5mm jack using Apple's 3.5mm to Lightning adapter (included with the iPhone 7). "We're excited to offer the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar to our customers, extending our family of RockStar multi-port products and creating an easy way for people to charge and listen on the go," says Steve Malony, VP, GM Belkin.Belkin's Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar doesn't seem to be a perfect solution to the charging while listening issue. The Lightning end needs to be plugged into the iPhone, while a Lighting cable needs to be plugged into one port for charging and Lightning headphones (or headphones with an adapter) need to be plugged into the other port, resulting in a mess of cables. Adding in the 3.5mm to Lightning adapter makes the situation even worse, with a total of two adapters and a Lightning cord plugged into the iPhone. The Lightning Audio + Charge Rockstar supports 48 kHz 24-bit audio output and it's able to work with a variety of cases, including the iPhone 7 Smart Battery

Benchmark Suggests iPhone 7 Plus Has 3GB RAM

Based on what seems to be a legitimate Geekbench benchmark of the iPhone 7 Plus, it appears Apple's larger-screened smartphone features 3GB RAM, as was rumored. In the list of details about the device, memory is listed as 2998MB, meaning it has 3GB RAM instead of 2GB RAM like the iPhone 6s Plus. Prior to the announcement of the iPhone 7 Plus, rumors suggested it would have 3GB RAM because of the increased resource demands of the dual-camera system. The iPhone 7 features two 12-megapixel cameras, one that's the same as the wide-angle camera on the iPhone 7 and one telephoto camera. iPhone 7 Plus benchmark When capturing a photo, images from both cameras are merged together via software so users can zoom in further, which is likely a system intensive process. Apple is also developing a depth-of-field effect that uses software and advanced machine learning techniques to highlight a person in a photograph while blurring the background, another process that's likely to require additional RAM. Rumors suggest the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7 continues to feature 2GB RAM, and an iPhone 7 benchmark from earlier this week offers potential confirmation. iPhone 7 benchmark The processor data on the iPhone 7 benchmark was off, which initially called into question its legitimacy, but Geekbench doesn't yet accommodate the lower-power high-efficiency scores of the A10 Fusion chip, and Geekbench's John Poole believes it's possible there was a problem when calculating processor speed. If representative of an actual iPhone 7 device, the benchmark indicates 2GB RAM. While the

A10 Fusion Chip in iPhone 7 Plus Outperforms iPad Pro's A9X in Benchmark Tests

What appears to be a legitimate benchmark of an iPhone 7 Plus with an A10 Fusion processor has been spotted on Geekbench, and its performance scores are impressive. The A10 Fusion in the iPhone 7 Plus outperforms all existing iOS devices equipped with A9 and A9X processors, including the iPhone 6s, the iPhone SE, and the 9.7 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The iPhone 7 Plus received a single-core score of 3233 and a multi-core score of 5363. Comparatively, the iPhone 6s Plus averages a single-core score of 2407 and a multi-core score of 4046, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which has the highest-clocked A9X chip, has an average single-core score of 3009 and an average multi-core score of 4881. The iPhone 7 Plus is approximately 33 percent faster than the iPhone 6s when it comes to both single and multi-core scores, and approximately 7 percent faster than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro on single-core tests and nearly 10 percent faster on multi-core tests. Apple's A10 chip is running at 2.23 GHz, which is potentially under-clocked because rumors suggested it would be capable of running at 2.4 to 2.45GHz. The A9X in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro runs at 2.2GHz, while the A9 in the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus runs at 1.8GHz. In marketing materials, Apple says the A10 Fusion chip is the most powerful chip ever in a smartphone, running two times faster than the iPhone 6 with graphics performance that's up to three times faster. In Geekbench tests, the iPhone 7 Plus did indeed double the performance of the iPhone 6 Plus on both multi and single-core tests. The A10 Fusion built into

Apple Releases macOS Sierra Golden Master to Public Beta Testers

Apple today released the golden master version of macOS Sierra, the newest operating system designed for the Mac. Today's GM update comes two weeks after the release of the seventh macOS Sierra public beta and one day after the launch of the golden master for developers. The macOS Sierra golden master represents the version of macOS Sierra that will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 20. Beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download a redemption code for the golden master version from the public beta program website. Those who want to be a part of Apple's beta testing program can sign up to participate through the beta testing website, which gives users access to both iOS and OS X betas. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. macOS Sierra is a major update that brings Siri to the Mac, allowing users to conduct voice searches to find files, look up information, and more. New Continuity features include an "Auto Unlock" option for unlocking a Mac with an Apple Watch and a "Universal Clipboard" for copy paste that works across multiple devices. Deeper iCloud integration makes files stored on the desktop or the Documents folder of a Mac available on all of a user's devices, and Photos features new deep learning algorithms for facial, object, and scene recognition. The Messages app includes rich links, bigger emoji, and "Tapback" response options, and the macOS Sierra update will also bring Apple Pay to the web. For full details on all of the new features included in macOS Sierra, make sure to

Apple Releases iOS 10 Golden Master for Public Beta Testers

Apple today released the golden master version of iOS 10 to public beta testers, nearly two weeks after releasing the seventh iOS 10 public beta and just a day after seeding the iOS 10 golden master to developers. The iOS 10 golden master represents the version of iOS 10 that will be provided to the public on Tuesday, September 13, should no additional bugs be discovered. Beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program will receive the iOS 10 golden master update over-the-air after installing the proper certificate on their iOS device. Those who want to be a part of Apple's beta testing program can sign up to participate through the beta testing website, which gives users access to both iOS and OS X betas. The video below will walk you through the necessary steps for installing the iOS 10 beta to give the new features a try. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. iOS 10 includes a huge number of new features and design tweaks, like a reimagined Lock screen experience, a revamped Messages app with background animations, bubble effects, Digital Touch, a full App Store and more, and a Photos app with impressive facial, scene, and object recognition capabilities. There's a new Home app, apps like Maps and Apple Music have been redesigned, and there are hundreds of smaller tweaks and changes in the operating system, which we cover extensively in our iOS 10 roundup. Apple will release iOS 10 next Tuesday, two days before the official launch date of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus.

Apple Pay Coming to New Zealand, Russia and Japan This Fall

Apple Pay is expanding to three new countries this fall, including New Zealand, Russia, and Japan. Apple today confirmed its plans to bring Apple Pay to Japan on stage at its iPhone 7 event, while the Russia and New Zealand Apple Pay sites were updated with info on an imminent launch. As was previously reported, Apple Pay in Japan will be implemented through a partnership with Sony and an iPhone 7 with support for the FeliCa tap-to-pay format, which has been widely adopted in the country. Apple Pay, which will work with Suica, will be coming to Japan in October. Apple Pay is accepted anywhere Suica is available, so users can make quick everyday purchases and buy or reload a Suica card or commuter pass, all with their iPhone. Japan's major financial brands will also support Apple Pay, so shoppers can make purchases in many of the country's largest stores, at neighborhood shops and restaurants, and from their favorite online merchants.Apple Pay in Japan will support credit and prepaid cards issued by AEON, Credit Saison, JCB, Mitsubishi UFJ Nicos, Orient Corporation, Sumitomo Mitsui Card, Toyota Finance, UC Cards and View Card, and carriers KDDI, NTT Docomo, and Softbank. Apple Pay will be coming to New Zealand through a partnership with ANZ, and it will initially be limited to ANZ customers. A launch date has not been announced but it is expected to be released in October. "Our customers in the nine markets around the world where Apple Pay is live today love how convenient it makes their day-to-day shopping, and we can't wait to bring Apple Pay to New Zealand so

Everything Apple Announced at Today's iPhone 7 Event in Under Five Minutes

Apple today hosted a jam-packed media event that saw the debut of its new fall products, including the iPhone 7, the iPhone 7 Plus, the Apple Watch Series 2, new AirPods, and new Beats headphones. It took Apple two hours to cover all of the new products and their impressive features, but we've created a quick five minute recap for those of you who want a taste of what Apple announced without watching the entire keynote or reading all of our extensive coverage. Highlights include water and dust resistance for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, along with a faster A10 Fusion processor, all new camera systems for much better images (including a dual-camera system for the iPhone 7 Plus), no headphone jack, and two new colors being sold alongside the standard Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold - a matte "Black" and a glossy "Jet Black." As for the Apple Watch Series 2, it too features improved waterproofing to make it suitable for swimming, along with a new GPS chip and a processor that's twice as fast. To make up for the lack of a headphone jack in the iPhone 7, Apple also introduced new wireless Beats headphones and completely wireless "AirPods," both of which come equipped with an Apple-designed W1 wireless chip. Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors for more extensive coverage of all of Apple's new products and check out our event recap post for more detail on everything that's new. The iPhone 7, the iPhone 7 Plus, and the Apple Watch Series 2 will be available for pre-order this Friday. Apple's New AirPods will be available in

Removal of iPhone 7 Headphone Jack Was Essential for Water Resistance, New Camera System

Apple removed the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, a controversial decision that's upset some iPhone fans. On stage at today's media event, Apple executives explained that it had been done to save space and to usher in improvements in wireless headphone technology, but in an interview with BuzzFeed, Apple's Greg Joswiak, Dan Riccio, and Phil Schiller explained in much greater detail why the decision was made to move away from the 3.5mm headphone jack. The idea for the removal of the headphone jack was raised during the development of the iPhone 7. In a nutshell, the "driver ledge" for the display and backlight, traditionally placed near the camera, was interfering with the new camera systems in the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, leading Apple to explore other placement options. It was moved near the audio jack, but it also caused interference with various components, including the audio jack itself, so Apple engineers toyed with the elimination of the jack altogether. When the headphone jack was removed, Apple realized it was easier to install the new Taptic Engine for the pressure-sensitive Home button, implement a bigger battery, and reach an IP7 water resistance rating, so the elimination of the headphone jack became essential for all of the other features in the iPhone 7. Apple executives also believe the headphone jack is outdated technology that needed to go to make room for new advancements. According to Dan Riccio, it was holding Apple back "from a number of things" the company wanted to add to the iPhone, taking up space that could

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are IP67 Water Resistant, But Water Damage Isn't Covered Under Warranty

Apple's latest iPhones, the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, are the company's first iPhones that have been advertised as "water and dust resistant" with an official IP67 rating under International Electrotechnical Standards, a uniform way of determining water and resistance ratings across a wide range of devices. IP67 is actually two numbers, one that refers to the dust resistance rating and one that refers to water resistance. IP6x is the highest dust resistance rating, indicating the iPhone 7 is completely protected against dust. IPx7, the water resistance rating, means the iPhone 7 can withstand immersion in water to one meter (3.3 feet) for 30 minutes, tested in laboratory conditions. IPx7 is the second-highest rating, below IP8, which indicates an ability to withstand long periods of immersion under pressure. Samsung's devices, by the way, are rated at IP68, suggesting better overall water resistance. Apple describes the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus as "splash, water, and dust resistant," and it should hold up to accidental drops in the pool, bathtub, or shower or light splashing. It shouldn't be used in high-pressure water conditions, such as in direct shower water, and it shouldn't be kept under water for extended periods of time.iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are splash, water, and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions with a rating of IP67 under IEC standard 60529. Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone;

Apple Watch Series 2 Continues to Offer Same Battery Life as Original Apple Watch

Despite rumors suggesting the Apple Watch Series 2 models would feature longer battery life than the original Apple Watch models, technical specifications for the new devices shared by Apple suggest the Apple Watch Series 2 will continue to offer up to 18 hours of battery life -- the same as Apple Watch Series 1. Part leaks indicate the Apple Watch Series 2 may indeed have a larger battery built into it, but it appears any increase in battery capacity is being consumed by the new GPS chip introduced in the Series 2. GPS, which will bring better location tracking to the Apple Watch, can drain a significant amount of battery. Apple didn't mention the battery life of the Apple Watch Series 2 on stage or point towards any battery improvements, so we will need to wait for a device teardown to see exactly what's inside. In addition to a new GPS chip, the Apple Watch Series 2 features a more water resistant casing suitable for swimming, a display that's brighter in direct sunlight, and a second-generation dual-core S2 system-on-a-chip that offers 2x faster graphics performance and 50 percent faster CPU performance. Power drawn by the GPS chip may also be mitigated by the new

Apple Discontinues Gold Apple Watch Edition Models

Apple today announced the debut of a new Ceramic Apple Watch, which is positioned as the high-end "Apple Watch Edition." With the introduction of the new glossy white Ceramic Apple Watch, Apple has discontinued the previous-generation 18-karat Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition models. Gold Apple Watch Edition models are no longer available for purchase from the Apple Online Store. Pricing on the original Apple Watch Edition collection started at $10,000 and went as high as $17,000, and the quiet discontinuation of the Gold and Rose Gold models suggest they did not sell well enough to justify keeping them in the lineup. The new Ceramic Apple Watch Edition is priced more affordably at $1,249 for the 38mm model and the $1,299 for the 42mm model. While the Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition models shipped with several band options, the Ceramic Apple Watch Edition is available with a single "Cloud White" Apple Watch Sport Band. The Ceramic Apple Watch Edition will be available for pre-order alongside the other new Apple Watch Series 2 models on September

Apple Adds New $29 Screen Repair Option to AppleCare+ for iPhone, Increases Service Fee to $99

Apple today quietly updated its AppleCare+ repair program for the iPhone, introducing a new $29 screen replacement option and raising the incidental repair fee to $99 for all iPhones. With AppleCare+, iPhone users receive no-questions-asked coverage for two incidents of accidental damage, subject to a service fee. Previously, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users had to pay a $99 fee for each replacement, while iPhone SE and iPhone 6 and earlier replacements were priced at $79. Apple is now charging a $99 service fee across the board for repairs regardless of device, but at the same time, there's a new option that will save many iPhone users money -- screen repairs for a service fee of just $29. Repairs for iPhones that need to be replaced or repaired due to a damaged screen will now be more affordable, while more significant repairs for the latest devices will continue to cost $99. Those with an iPhone SE or an iPhone 6 and older will now need to pay $99 instead of $79 for major repairs, but will also save money with the cheaper screen repair option. AppleCare+ is priced at $129 for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and extends iPhone coverage for two years. AppleCare+ for the iPad is unchanged.

Apple Releases iPhone 7 and iPad Cases in New Colors

Alongside the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, Apple has released a selection of new iPhone cases that come in new fall colors. Designed to fit the iPhone 7 with its larger camera and the iPhone 7 Plus with its dual camera setup, the cases are available in the standard leather and silicone materials for each device. Silicone cases, priced at $35 for the iPhone 7 and $39 for the larger iPhone 7 Plus, come in nine colors: Pink Sand, Sea Blue, Ocean Blue, Stone, Cocoa, White, Black, Midnight Blue, and (PRODUCT) Red. Leather cases, priced at $45 for the iPhone 7 and $49 for the iPhone 7 Plus, come in 7 colors: Sea Blue, Storm Gray, Tan, Saddle Brown, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT) Red. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cases are not yet available for purchase, but should become available for pre-order on Friday, September 9 when pre-orders begin for the two new smartphones. To match the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus cases, Apple has also updated its line of Smart Covers and Cases for the iPad, offering them in the same silicone colors. iPad Smart Covers and cases for the iPad mini 4 and 9.7-inch iPad Pro are now available in 16 different colors as some of the older shades have also stuck around. The new iPad accessories are available for order today and will deliver by September