MacRumors

Google Maps has quietly been updated to include significantly more detailed street-level information in a handful of key cities around the world.

Upon zooming in, Google's maps for Central London, Tokyo, San Francisco, and New York now benefit from shapes and widths that match the scale of roads more accurately.

Meanwhile, enhanced graphical representations of sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian islands, and street-side flora have also been added, which should help users who rely on the maps for walking directions.

Lastly, parks now show the actual width of pathways in dark green along with any stairs in grey, offering improved accessibility information for wheelchair users or people with a stroller.

Some of the improvements are undoubtedly subtle, but underline Google's commitment to improving city-wide coverage. The changes are server-side and therefore require no software update, and Google says it plans to expand the new details to additional cities in the future.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

(Via AndroidPolice.)

Steve Jobs is to be memorialized in the National Garden of American Heroes, after his name appeared along with hundreds of other notable figures in an executive order signed by outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump.

According to the order, signed on Monday, the garden will be built in honor of "legends of America's past," and Jobs will be honored with a statue to commemorate his life and work. The order reads:

Each individual has been chosen for embodying the American spirit of daring and defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love. Astounding the world by the sheer power of their example, each one of them has contributed indispensably to America's noble history, the best chapters of which are still to come.

Other names in the list include Emily Dickinson, Walt Disney, Aretha Franklin, Jesse Owens, Miles Davis, Rosa Parks, Nikola Tesla, John Wayne, Martin Luther King Jr., and several former U.S. presidents.

Popular media player VLC for macOS was today updated to version 3.0.12, bringing native support for Apple silicon Macs, including Apple's latest M1-equipped MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini models.

VLC 3's capabilities include automatic hardware decoding for 4K and 8K playback, support for 10-bit HDR, 360-degree video and 3D audio, and Chromecast streaming with support for non-native formats, so the fact that the app's now optimized for Apple silicon should bring some considerable performance and energy efficiency benefits when using these features.

In addition to adding native support for Apple silicon, 3.0.12 includes visual improvements to bring it into line with the macOS Big Sur design signature and fixes to audio distortion when starting playback.

As noted by 9to5Mac, the new VLC isn't a yet a universal binary, so the M1-optimized code isn't part of the app package. However, if you run VLC on ‌Apple Silicon‌ and select VLC Media Player -> Check for Update..., you will be offered the subsequent 3.0.12.1 update that actually installs the native application on your Mac.

VLC 3.0 is a free downloaded for Mac from the VideoLan website. Apple recently shared a list of popular apps optimized for Macs with the ‌M1‌ chip that are also available in the Mac App Store, such as Pixelmator Pro, Adobe Lightroom, Affinity Designer, Darkroom, Fantastical, BBEdit, Instapaper, and Twitter.

Amazon and B&H Photo are discounting the M1 13-inch MacBook Pro (512GB) to $1,399.00, down from $1,499.00. This $100 sale is the best price that we've ever tracked for this version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and as of today it's only available on Amazon and B&H Photo.

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

Apple launched the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip in November 2020, and the new M1 chips bring significant speed and efficiency improvements. The M1 MacBook Pro features a Magic Keyboard with a refined scissor mechanism that's more reliable than the previous butterfly mechanism. There's a Touch Bar at the top with touch-based controls and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor that can be used to unlock the Mac, make purchases, and more.

The 256GB M1 MacBook Pro is also on sale on Amazon, priced at $1,224.99, down from $1,299.00. This isn't quite the lowest price we've ever seen for this model, which has gone as low as $100 off the original price, but it is among the best online right now.

You can find the best monthly deals on all new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air notebooks in our new "Best Deals" guide. Be sure to visit the guide and bookmark it if you're on the hunt for a new Apple notebook; we'll be updating it weekly as we discover new MacBook offers across the web.

Apple supplier Foxconn has been granted a license to construct a new $270 million plant in Vietnam, likely to manufacture MacBooks and iPads (via Reuters).

The new plant, to be developed by Fukang Technology, will be located in the northern Vietnamese province of Bac Giang. Upon completion, the location is projected to be able to produce eight million laptops and tablets annually.

Foxconn is one of Apple's largest manufacturing partners. In November last year, Apple urged Foxconn to move some of its iPad and MacBook assembly from China to Vietnam as the company seeks to diversify its supply chains away from concentration in China. It therefore seems highly likely that these laptops and tablets are in fact MacBooks and iPads to supply Apple.

Foxconn has reportedly invested $1.5 billion in Vietnam so far, and plans to raise its investment by a further $700 million and recruit 10,000 additional local workers this year. Foxconn is also said to be considering another $1.3 billion investment for facilities in Thanh Hoa province.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States, an annual federal holiday commemorating the American civil rights movement leader.

Apple today honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a full-page tribute on its website. A photo of Dr. King is accompanied by an iconic quote of his: "True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice."

On Monday, Apple CEO Tim Cook commemorated Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a follow-up tweet.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple on Monday added over two dozen new video workout sessions to Fitness+, continuing a recent trend of building out the catalog of its fledgling subscription service on a weekly basis.

Fitness+ launched December 14, 2020, and is designed to help Apple Watch owners keep fit through a series of guided workouts that are available across multiple workout categories. As you follow along with Fitness+ routines, the Apple Watch tracks your movement, workout length, calories burned, heart rate, and more, just like other workouts.

In the latest motivational introductory video, trainer Bakari introduces the new workouts like so:

Here at Fitness+ more than two dozen workouts just dropped, like Sam's 30-minute treadmill which challenges your endurance, whether you're walking or running. For a workout that needs no equipment at all, I teach 10-minute hit with four total body moves. Each move is inspired by different sports like basketball and soccer, which go perfectly with the song "No Hands" by Waka Flocka Flame. That's what's new at Fitness+ to help you close your rings. Let's go!

In all, Apple has added 26 new Fitness+ workouts covering all video categories, which include cycling, strength, yoga, HIIT, core, dance, treadmill, mindful cool down, and rowing. That takes the total number of workouts in the Fitness+ catalog to 293 so far.

Fitness+ costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, which breaks down to $6.67 per month. For that price, up to six family members total can use the Fitness+ service. Fitness+ is also included in the Apple One Premier bundle, which is priced at $29.99 per month and also offers ‌‌Apple Music‌‌, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and 2TB iCloud storage.

A growing number of user reports online suggest some of Apple's M1 Mac models are susceptible to a Fast User Switching bug that spontaneously activates the screensaver and leaves the user unable to dismiss it.

In macOS Big Sur, Fast User Switching allows users to quickly switch between user accounts without having to completely log out. Based on posts in the MacRumors forums, Apple Community forums, and on Reddit, however, a screensaver can sometimes take over the screen of Apple Silicon Macs without notice, rendering the desktop workspace completely unavailable.

While the screensaver appears on the screen, the mouse pointer is still on top and moving, but nothing else works, and users have to close and re-open the lid on their MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, or light press the Power/Touch ID key or use the Alt-Command-Q key combination to get back to the login page.

MacRumors forum member drmacnut:

Brand new Mac mini ‌M1‌, 2nd day using it, Big Sur macOS 11.1 (20C69) with screensaver and screen sleep set to 20 mins. I was actively editing some Calendar entries when all of a sudden the same exact thing happened (screensaver on, user locked out). I ended up using Remote Access from my MBP to get in and log out the user on the Mini. The ‌Mac mini‌ then jumped to the login screen and it's working fine again now. Very weird.

Apple Community forums member Squeaks2369:

I am experiencing the same issue. ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌. Big Sur 11.0.1. Happens on two separate user accounts, both with the screensaver disabled. No way to exit the screensaver but to close then open the lid. Happens a few times a day while actively using the computer. Browsing various forums it appears others are having this issue as well.

Disabling Fast User Switching prevents the issue from happening, but that obviously leaves the login feature inaccessible. Having the screensaver disabled in System Preferences for all users doesn't seem to make a difference either.

The issue has been reported on ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌, ‌M1‌ 13-inch MacBook Pro, and ‌M1‌ ‌Mac mini‌ models, and occurs on all versions of ‌macOS Big Sur‌, including the latest 11.1 update. Affected users are advised to submit feedback to Apple to hopefully facilitate a fix.

(Thanks, Chris!)

Apple this week extended its worldwide 13-inch MacBook Pro Display Backlight Service Program, authorizing coverage for eligible notebooks for up to five years after the original purchase date or up to three years after the start date of the program, whichever is longer. The previous cutoff was four years after the original purchase date.

Apple launched the program on May 21, 2019 after determining that a "very small percentage" of 13-inch MacBook Pro units sold between October 2016 and February 2018 may exhibit vertical bright areas along the bottom of the display or a backlight that stops working completely. Eligible models include the MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports).

To identify which Mac model you have, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and then select "About This Mac" in the menu. Apple has not expanded the program to any other MacBook models at this time.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will replace the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro units, free of charge. To initiate the repair process, visit the Get Support page on Apple's website. If you believe your MacBook Pro was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your display repaired, you can contact Apple about a potential refund.

In 2019, repair website iFixit reported that the backlight issues are caused by a delicate flex cable that can wear out and break after repeated opening and closing of the display on affected 13-inch MacBook Pro models. Apple extended the length of the flex cable by 2mm in 2018 models, which seemingly fixed the issue.

Twitter user @DongleBookPro has today shared images of a prototype iPhone 5s in an unreleased Black and Slate color.

The ‌iPhone‌ 5s was launched in September 2013. The device featured Touch ID, a 64-bit processor, and a True Tone LED flash for the first time. Other new features included a five-element lens with an f/2.2 aperture, a 15 percent larger camera sensor, Burst Mode, and Slo-Mo 720p video capture at 120 frames per second.

The ‌iPhone‌ 5s offered Gold and Space Gray color options for the first time, and was also available in Silver. The previous-generation ‌iPhone‌ 5 was available in White and Silver, and Black and Slate. This prototype ‌iPhone‌ 5s is extremely unusual as it uses the ‌iPhone‌ 5's Black and Slate color option.

While it is possible that Apple was considering offering the ‌iPhone‌ 5s in Black and Slate, before opting for Space Gray instead, DongleBookPro suggests that the color was likely used to help conceal the next-generation device during development.

In addition, it is also notable that the prototype ‌iPhone‌ 5s was manufactured in December 2012, a mere three months after the launch of the iPhone 5 and nine months before it would be announced. This offers some indication of how far ahead the ‌iPhone‌'s development cycle runs.

The ‌iPhone‌ 5's Black and Slate color option was ultimately dropped in favor of Space Gray on the ‌iPhone‌ 5s, which has generally been a mainstay of ‌iPhone‌ color options since. The only models since then to not be available in a Space Gray option were the ‌iPhone‌ 7, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 Pro.

Black and Slate was among the more short-lived Apple device colors, with the option only being available for the ‌iPhone‌ 5, first-generation iPad mini, and fifth-generation iPod Touch. The finish also spurned "scuffgate," where some ‌iPhone‌ 5 users complained about the tendency of the Black and Slate finish to be easily chipped, scratched, and scuffed, which may have contributed to it being discontinued.

DongleBookPro regularly posts images of unreleased Apple devices and prototypes, such as a first-generation iPod touch prototype with a 2013 Mac Pro-style glossy black finish and a first-generation Mac mini with an iPod nano dock.

Apple introduced a new M1 MacBook Pro in November of 2020, but the new model didn't include any design changes. That's going to change in 2021, with rumors suggesting Apple has a major MacBook Pro design refresh in the works.

The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models that are coming in 2021 will feature the most significant design overhaul to the MacBook Pro line that we've seen since 2016, and the updated machines will also address complaints that users have had with the MacBook Pro for years by bringing back older features that include MagSafe, more ports, and physical function keys.

The rumors in this guide have been sourced from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, both of whom often provide accurate insight into Apple's plans.

Design

Apple has both updated 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in the works. The 14-inch model will replace the current 13.3-inch model, while the 16-inch model will replace the existing 16-inch version that's available.

For the revamped 14-inch model, it's likely that the overall casing size will remain similar to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, with the increase in display size coming largely from a reduction in the top and side bezels of the machine.

There may be a slight increase in physical size, however. When Apple transitioned from the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro to the 16.1-inch MacBook Pro, the physical sizing went from 13.75 x 9.48 inches to 14.09 x 9.68 inches, and we could see something similar with the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Both of the new models that are coming are expected to feature some notable design changes. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes the new MacBook Pro models will feature a flat-edged design that's "similar to the iPhone 12," with no curved edges like current models.

Gurman has corroborated Kuo's report, but his information suggests that the flat-edged design may not be too much of a deviation from the current design. He says that the upgraded models will "look similar" to current models, but will feature "minor design changes," so we'll need to wait to see just how significant these changes to the overall design turn out to be.

The updated MacBook Pro models will use the same heat pipe design used by the current 16-inch MacBook Pro model. Apple revamped the thermal system of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, increasing the size of the heat pipe, adding thermal pads, and increasing the size of the heat sink by 35 percent.

This new thermal system will allow for increased computing power thanks to improved airflow and heat management, which bodes well for the performance of the Apple silicon chips that are expected to be included.

Ports

Even if the chassis updates are more minor in scale than Kuo has made them out to be, there are other tweaks in the works that will make the 2021 refresh a major update. Kuo believes Apple is going to add additional ports to the MacBook Pro models, though he has not specified which ports these might be.

Apple in 2016 rolled out a new MacBook Pro design that did away with all ports except for USB-C ports and the 3.5mm headphone jack, but prior models from 2012 to 2015 included a ‌MagSafe‌ connector, Thunderbolt ports, USB-A ports, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

With the 2021 machines, we could see the return of some of these long-discontinued ports. It's likely that most ports will continue to be USB-C as Apple has been transitioning to USB-C for years now, but there could be additions like an SD card slot or an HDMI port.

Given Apple's emphasis on USB-C and the slim design of the MacBook Pro lineup, it's not likely we're going to see the return of USB-A, but Kuo has said that the new machines will have enough ports so most users "may not need to purchase additional dongles."

Gurman's report mentions the inclusion of USB-C ports, but it does not mention other types of I/O.

MagSafe

Along with additional ports, the new machines are expected to bring MagSafe back to the Mac lineup. ‌MagSafe‌ connectors were used for MacBook Pro models from 2006 to 2016, when Apple replaced the ‌MagSafe‌ connector with a USB-C port, but now it looks like we're returning to a ‌MagSafe‌ design.

Both Kuo and Gurman expect the new MacBook Pro models to be equipped with ‌MagSafe‌ for charging purposes, with the ‌MagSafe‌ charging port to be distinct from the other included USB-C ports.

‌MagSafe‌ in the new MacBook Pro models is expected to be similar to the ‌MagSafe‌ 2 connectors and ports used prior to 2016, which allowed for a quick-release magnetic connection that prevented damage to the computer and the cable when the cord was yanked.

The ‌MagSafe‌ charging functionality is expected to allow for faster charging speeds than are available with USB-C, and given that Apple is swapping over to a new charging technology, we can expect the forthcoming MacBook Pro models to ship with a ‌MagSafe‌ charging cable and accompanying power adapter.

No Touch Bar

Apple introduced a Touch Bar in the 2016 Macs, providing a small OLED display where physical function keys used to be located. Apple had grand plans for the Touch Bar and envisioned it being an adaptable mini-display that offered customizable controls and different functions on a per-app basis, but the Touch Bar never seemed to catch on with consumers.

Kuo says that the Touch Bar will be removed in the 2021 MacBook Pro models and will be replaced with physical function keys. Gurman has confirmed that Apple has tested versions of the MacBook Pro that do not have a Touch Bar.

Display

Gurman believes the new MacBook Pro models will feature display improvements in the form of "brighter, higher-contrast panels," and in past rumors, Kuo has suggested the updated machines will be the first Macs with mini-LED displays, marking a significant improvement in display quality.

Given that Kuo made no mention of mini-LED technology in his most recent report, it's possible that mini-LED functionality has been delayed until a later date.

If Apple does transition to mini-LED for the 2021 MacBook Pro models, the displays could use somewhere around 10,000 LEDs, each one under 200 microns in size. Mini-LED technology will allow for a thinner and lighter design, while offering many OLED-like benefits such as improved wide color gamut, high contrast and dynamic range, and truer blacks.

Processor

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro already has an ‌M1‌ chip, and in 2021, all new MacBook Pro models will gain Apple silicon chips. Apple is not expected to release MacBook Pro models with Intel chips, phasing Intel chips out of the notebook line entirely.

Apple is working on higher-end Apple silicon chips that have as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores, which would annihilate any Intel CPU in terms of performance. There's also new GPU technology in the works, with Apple designing 16 and 32-core GPU options, some of which could be used in the new MacBook Pro models.

Launch Date

The new MacBook Pro models are expected to launch in the third quarter of 2021.

Read More

We have more on the current MacBook Pro models and the upcoming redesigned MacBook Pro models in our dedicated 13-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro roundups.

This week was sure a busy one in the Apple world, with a flurry of announcements out of CES early in the week followed by a rash of Mac- and iPhone-related rumors later in the week.

The new rumors this week included details on updated MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro models, as well as a few other tidbits, so make sure to read on below to get caught up!

Kuo: New MacBook Pro Models to Feature Flat-Edged Design, MagSafe, No Touch Bar and More Ports

Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this week released a significant report sharing several new details about the next-generation MacBook Pro models coming in the third quarter of this year.

According to Kuo, Apple will be releasing 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring Apple silicon, a redesign with flatter iPhone 12-like edges, the return of MagSafe for charging, and more ports. Apple is also said to be getting rid of the controversial Touch Bar that has replaced the traditional function keys for the past several years.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also weighed in on the topic, corroborating many of the details shared by Kuo and noting that the new MacBook Pro models will also feature "brighter, higher-contrast" displays and that the return of MagSafe will allow for faster charging.

Apple Developing Redesigned iMac With Slimmer Bezels, Apple Silicon Chips

Along with redesigned 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, Apple is also planning a redesign for its iMac lineup, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Gurman says there will be two iMac models to replace the current 21.5-inch and 27-inch sizes, and they will feature a design similar to that of the Pro Display XDR, with slimmer display bezels all around (including removal of the long-standing "chin" beneath the display) and a flat back. The new iMacs will also be based on Apple silicon chips with more processing cores and graphics horsepower than seen in the initial batch of M1 Macs released in late 2020.

Apple Working on Two New Mac Pro Desktops, One of Which Will Be Reminiscent of Power Mac G4 Cube

Also on the desktop Mac front, Gurman says Apple is working on a pair of Mac Pro models. The first is a direct successor to the current model and is likely to continue to use Intel processors.

The second model is said to be less than half the size of the current Mac Pro and will feature a mostly aluminum exterior with a design that could "invoke nostalgia" for the Power Mac G4 Cube of old.

Apple Said to Be Working on Lower-Priced External Monitor to Succeed Thunderbolt Display

With Apple's Pro Display XDR priced at $5,000 (plus an additional $1,000 for the stand), many Apple users have been clamoring for Apple to launch a new consumer-focused display, and Gurman says Apple also has one of these in the works.

Few details on the new consumer display are known beyond scaled-down specs compared to the Pro Display XDR, but it would be Apple's first consumer-focused display since the Thunderbolt Display was discontinued in 2016.

Apple Testing In-Display Fingerprint Sensor for iPhone 13, Foldable iPhone Also in the Works

In a separate report, Gurman highlighted developments on the iPhone front, claiming that Apple is considering adding an under-display Touch ID sensor to this year's iPhone, in addition to the Face ID TrueDepth sensor.

He also says Apple is indeed working on foldable iPhones and developed several prototype foldable screens with electronics behind the screen and a mostly invisible hinge. Development is still in its early stages, however, so a launch of a foldable iPhone is "likely years away," if it ever happens at all.

The Best Apple-Related Accessories at CES 2021

This week marked the first all-digital CES 2021, and while Apple does not directly participate in the convention, there are always a wide variety of Apple-related announcements, including HomeKit smart home accessories, AirPlay 2 speakers and TVs, CarPlay receivers, and more.

On our YouTube channel this week, we highlighted some of the best Apple-related accessories introduced at CES 2021. This year's picks include Kensington's new iPad Pro docking station with built-in iPhone and AirPods wireless charging, LG's first UltraFine display with OLED technology for Macs, wireless earphones from Belkin that will integrate with Apple's Find My app for lost-and-found capabilities, and more.

Visit our CES 2021 news hub for our complete coverage, and subscribe to MacRumors on YouTube for more Apple-related videos.

New AirPods Pro and iPhone SE Rumored to Launch in April

Apple plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro and a third-generation iPhone SE in April 2021, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara, citing information provided by Chinese supply chain sources.

The report claims that the new AirPods Pro will come with a slightly narrower charging case, but no further details were provided about either product.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously reported that Apple is aiming to make the second-generation AirPods Pro more compact by eliminating the stem that sticks out from the bottom, but it's unclear if Apple will achieve this feat. Gurman said Apple had a design in testing with a more rounded shape that fills more of the ear, similar to Google's Pixel Buds.

As for the iPhone SE, many rumors have suggested that a larger version of the device could be released. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said that Apple plans to release an iPhone with an LCD and a Touch ID power button in 2021, and perhaps that device will be the new iPhone SE.

Safari Allows Users to Enable Hidden 'Items' Tab in 'Find My' App Ahead of AirTags Launch

Apple's long-rumored AirTags items trackers are expected to be managed through the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This week, a simple Safari trick was discovered that allows anyone to get an early look at this tab on these devices.

As spotted by MacRumors reader David Chu, entering the link findmy://items in Safari on devices running iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, macOS 11.1, or later leads to a hidden "Items" tab in the Find My app where both AirTags and third-party tracking accessories are expected to be managed. It's still unclear when AirTags will launch, but Apple often introduces its first new products of a calendar year in March.

Similar to Tile and Samsung's new Galaxy SmartTag, AirTags are expected to help users keep track of their personal belongings, such as their keys, wallets, and backpacks, with users receiving a push notification on their Apple devices when they are separated from a tagged item. AirTags are expected to support Ultra Wideband for improved spatial awareness, whereas the current Tile and Samsung trackers are limited to Bluetooth (both Tile and Samsung are expected to release Ultra Wideband trackers as well in the future).

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.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Apple has started "early work" on an iPhone that has a foldable display, according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Though testing of a foldable ‌iPhone‌ has begun, Apple has not committed to releasing a device that has a foldable display.

Development has not yet expanded beyond a display and Apple does not have full foldable ‌iPhone‌ prototypes in its labs. Like foldable smartphones from other companies, a foldable ‌iPhone‌ would allow for Apple to create a larger display in a package that is still pocketable.

Apple has discussed several foldable screen sizes, including one that unfolds to a size similar to the 6.7-inch display on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple's designs are said to have a "mostly invisible hinge" with electronics located behind the display rather than two panels separated by a visible hinge.

Bloomberg suggests that a foldable ‌iPhone‌ is likely "years away" or "ultimately may never be introduced," with Apple mostly focusing on the updates to its flagship iPhones and iPads that are coming in 2021.

The iPhone 13 models planned for this year are not expected to feature major design changes, as the 2020 ‌iPhone‌ models marked a significant technology and design overhaul. Apple engineers are said to consider the 2021 iPhones as an "S" version of the 2020 models. Apple has in the past used the "S" nomenclature in years where ‌iPhone‌ models featured more minor updates.

Though design changes are expected to be minor, Apple is testing an in-screen Touch ID fingerprint reader that would mark a major change to the biometric systems that Apple has used for flagship devices since the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ X.

The fingerprint sensor would be made available in addition to Face ID, and would be convenient for ‌iPhone‌ users who cannot unlock their iPhones with facial recognition when using masks.

Apple has also considered removing the charging port for some ‌iPhone‌ models in favor of wireless charging, and that appears to be something that's still on the table for the 2021 iPhones at this time.

Bloomberg's report today also confirms that AirTags are expected to see a 2021 launch and it reiterates iPad Pro rumors that suggest Apple is working on an updated version with a mini-LED display and a faster processor.

Apple this week implemented a server side blocking mechanism to prevent M1 Mac owners from sideloading iOS apps that have not been made available on the Mac by iOS app developers.

As noted by 9to5Mac, it is no longer possible to use third-party apps like iMazing to obtain an app .ipa file to install it on an ‌M1‌ Mac, a workaround that has been available since M1 Macs launched.

Attempting to sideload an app using the previously working method now results in an error that says "This application cannot be installed because the developer did not intend for it to run on this platform."

App developers have the option to make their iPhone and iPad apps available on ‌M1‌ Macs, but they can also choose not to do so. Popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Instagram, and others have opted not to make their iOS apps available on ‌M1‌ Macs and it was previously possible to install and use them with apps like iMazing or Apple Configurator 2, but that has ended.

The only ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ apps that can be installed on ‌M1‌ Macs are those that developers have expressly flagged and greenlit for use on Macs. Sideloaded apps already up and running can still be used, as this only affects new app installations. The same goes for previously downloaded .ipa files.

Apple has disabled the sideloading app feature on ‌M1‌ Macs running macOS Big Sur 11.1 and the ‌macOS Big Sur‌ 11.2 beta.

Apple has not been successful in reducing the amount of money that it owes VirnetX in patent infringement fees, with the Cupertino company today losing an appeal that would have vacated or reduced a $502.8 million award.

According to Reuters, a federal judge today denied Apple's request for a new trial and claims that the award should not exceed $113.7 million.

Apple must pay the original $502.8 million that was awarded to VirnetX in October 2020, and combined with a prior $454 million award, the payments, future royalties, and interest could result in Apple paying VirnetX more than $1.1 billion.

Jurors in both of the lawsuits that VirnetX levied against Apple ruled in favor of VirnetX and said that Apple's FaceTime, iMessage, and VPN on Demand features had infringed on VirnetX patents related to communications security.

Going forward, Apple will need to pay 84 cents per iPhone or iPad for future infringements, which is more than Apple wanted to pay. Apple claimed future royalties should be zero or no more than 19 cents per unit.

The legal battle between the two companies has spanned more than 10 years, having first kicked off in 2010.

Surprise late night rumors last night provided us with our first in-depth look at what we can expect from the new MacBook Pro models that are coming in 2021, and there are some significant changes in the works.

Along with additional ports, a new flat-edged design, and the removal of the Touch Bar, Apple's updated MacBook Pro machines will readopt MagSafe.

MagSafe in the 2021 MacBook Pro Models

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will go back to a ‌MagSafe‌ charging connector, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in a separate report agreed and clarified that the ‌MagSafe‌ port will be a standalone charging port used instead of USB-C, with the new port located next to the USB-C ports.

The design of the new ‌MagSafe‌ connector will be similar to the design of the previous ‌MagSafe‌ connector used on Macs, and it will allow for faster charging speeds than are possible with USB-C.

MagSafe 1 - 2006

‌MagSafe‌ first debuted in January of 2006 when Apple launched the first-ever MacBook Pro, which was also the first Mac laptop with an Intel chip inside. There have been a total of two versions of ‌MagSafe‌, and the 2006 MacBook Pro used the original ‌MagSafe‌ connector.

The first ‌MagSafe‌ port featured a square-shape design with five holes, which attached to an accompanying connector using a magnetic connection. The idea was that if the connector was tugged, it would detach quickly and smoothly without causing damage to the ‌MagSafe‌ port or pulling the MacBook Pro off of a table or desk.

As with USB-C, ‌MagSafe‌ had a design that allowed the connector to be attached to a Mac in either orientation, and charging was even simpler than with USB-C because there was no need to enter a cable into a port - you just lined up the connector and it adhered right in place magnetically. Apple developed 45W, 60W, and 85W ‌MagSafe‌ connectors for various machines.

Initially, Apple used a T-shaped design that directed the cable straight out from a machine, but the original ‌MagSafe‌ was transitioned to an L-shaped design that positioned the cable on the side of a computer. The T-shaped design was used from 2006 to 2009, while the L-shaped design was used from 2010 through 2012.

MagSafe 2 - 2012

Apple in 2012 introduced a new version of ‌MagSafe‌ called ‌MagSafe‌ 2, featuring a thinner and wider port and a new connector design that was suited to the thinner Macs that Apple unveiled that year. ‌MagSafe‌ 2 connectors were not compatible with original ‌MagSafe‌ ports, requiring an adapter.

Apple went back to its T-shaped design for ‌MagSafe‌ 2 and stuck with it for the life of ‌MagSafe‌, and this is likely the same design and cable orientation that we'll see in the 2021 MacBook Pro models.

MagSafe Discontinuation

In 2016, with the introduction of the USB-C MacBook Pro models, Apple began discontinuing ‌MagSafe‌. MacBook Pro models released between 2016 and 2020 do not use ‌MagSafe‌ technology and instead charge through one of the machine's USB-C ports. ‌MagSafe‌ was fully phased out of the Mac lineup, and the last machine with ‌MagSafe‌, the 2017 MacBook Air, was discontinued by Apple in July 2019.

MagSafe's Return

Apple started bringing back ‌MagSafe‌ in 2020 with the launch of the iPhone 12 lineup. The ‌iPhone 12‌ models feature a built-in ring of magnets to support a magnetic wireless charger option which Apple has named ‌MagSafe‌, and soon, ‌MagSafe‌ charging could be revived across Apple's product lineup.

Based on the rumors we've heard so far, it sounds like the upcoming ‌MagSafe‌ connector in the 2021 MacBook Pro models will look similar to the ‌MagSafe‌ 2 connector that has since been discontinued. It is unlikely to be identical, however, as it is said to charge new MacBook Pro models more quickly than USB-C.

Past ‌MagSafe‌ cords were prone to breakage and fraying around the charging connector, so Apple may have a new design in mind for the 2021 MacBook Pro models to alleviate the problem.

In the past, Apple has not licensed its ‌MagSafe‌ technology, but that could change for the 2021 MacBook Pro models. Apple is allowing third-party companies to develop MagSafe-based charging options for the iPhone, so this time around, we could potentially see third-party ‌MagSafe‌ charging solutions for the Mac, but that's not guaranteed.

MagSafe Hardware

With Apple planning to debut a new ‌MagSafe‌ connector option, it's a sign that the hardware needed to charge a Mac will continue to be shipped with Mac machines. With the 2020 iPhones, Apple stopped providing power adapters for charging purposes, but it doesn't seem like that's a move that will expand to the Mac lineup.

The switch back to ‌MagSafe‌ is likely to be popular with MacBook Pro owners who have been missing the feature since Apple transitioned to USB-C. In fact, the new MacBook Pro models appear to be removing all of the features that Mac owners have complained about, including the Touch Bar that has never caught on the way that Apple hoped it would, and the limited number of ports on USB-C machines.