The long-rumored and highly anticipated redesigned 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple silicon will enter its phase of mass production in the first quarter of next year, according to industry sources cited in a paywalled DigiTimes report.
According to the report, the smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro will enter "volume production" in the fourth quarter of this year, while the larger 16-inch model is aimed at the first quarter of next year. However, despite mass production for the laptops starting later in the year and next year, DigiTimes still reports that Apple will announce them in the second half of 2021.
Apple plans to release two miniLED-backlit MacBook Pro products - a 14-inch and a 16-inch - in the second half of 2021, noted the sources.
Judging from the supply of miniLED backlighting applications, volume production of the 14-inch MacBook Pro is likely to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021, and the 16-inch model will start in the first quarter of 2022, said the sources.
The scenario described by DigiTimes is reminiscent of the launch of the new M1iPad Pro. The new iPad was announced in April but didn't begin shipping until the second half of May. Even then supply continues to remains tight, with some customers having to wait until July.
Bloomberg'sMark Gurman has previously noted that Apple could be planning to announce the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro as soon as early this summer. Apple will be holding its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 7, and ahead of the conference, some tenuous reports have suggested the MacBook Pros could be announced; however, those claims have yet to be backed up by reliable sources.
Android users, later this year, will have the ability to opt-out of tracking across apps on Android devices, limiting the ability for apps to access their unique advertising ID, Google announced in a support page update (via Bloomberg).
The new change, in theory, is similar to Apple's recently launched ATT, or App Tracking Transparency framework; however, it differs in direct implementation. On iOS 14.5 or later, when users first open an app, a prompt is shown with the options "Ask App not to track" or "Allow." According to Google, users won't see a pop-up for each app, nor will they have granular controls over each individual app's ability to access their IDFA.
Instead, according to the support document, a new toggle within Android settings will let users opt-out completely of all tracking, for all apps.
As part of Google Play services update in late 2021, the advertising ID will be removed when a user opts out of personalization using advertising ID in Android Settings. Any attempts to access the identifier will receive a string of zeros instead of the identifier
Initial reports suggested that Google was hesitant to implement a framework similar to Apple's due to concerns over the impact it would have on its advertising business. In the weeks and months leading up to Apple's ATT launch, which was first previewed at the company's developers conference last year, Facebook and other companies voiced concerns that the new privacy-focused change would hurt their bottom line.
Google says the new change, which will come as part of an update to its Google Play services, will be rolled out in phases starting later this year and "will expand to affect apps running on devices that support Google Play in early 2022."
Apple is continuing to work on a future wireless charger that would function similarly to the now-abandoned AirPower, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a report outlining Apple's wireless charging ambitions, Gurman says that Apple is "still exploring" a wireless charger that would charge multiple devices like an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once.
Apple first announced the AirPower in September 2017 alongside the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and iPhone X, and said that the charging product would launch sometime in 2018. No AirPower materialized in 2018 and after months of rumors of development issues, Apple canceled the project in March 2019.
The AirPower failed because Apple engineers were unable to solve multiple bugs affecting the device, including interference problems and issues with overheating. In 2020 alongside the iPhone 12, Apple instead unveiled MagSafe, a magnetic wireless charging alternative.
Since the AirPower was canceled, there have been persistent rumors that Apple is still working on some kind of charging mat, but most have been nebulous. Gurman's report is the clearest hint we've had yet that some kind of AirPower-like device could still come out in the future.
In addition to a wireless charger that's similar to the AirPower, Apple is also said to be "internally investigating" alternative wireless charging methods that can work over greater distances. Work on long range charging is in the early stages, though, and it's likely to be several years before we see any kind of new long-range wireless charging technology from Apple.
Apple is working on a revamped version of the iPad mini that will feature the first design update the smaller-sized tablet has seen in six years, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
The updated iPad mini will feature narrower screen bezels, with Apple also testing a design that does away with the Home button. We've heard several prior rumors about Apple's work on a new version of the iPad mini, which could feature a display that measures in at 8.5 to 9 inches, a notable increase from the current 7.9-inch display.
Images of an iPad mini dummy model even leaked earlier this year, though it is not clear if that dummy model was accurate as it did feature a Home button.
In addition to a new iPad mini, Apple is also working on a thinner version of the low-cost entry-level iPad that's aimed at students, with both the iPad mini and the new low-cost iPad planned for "as early as the end of this year."
Bloomberg's report also highlighted a new iPad Pro coming in 2022 that could feature MagSafe wireless charging capabilities as well as the ability to reverse charge other wireless devices.
Apple is developing a new iPad Pro that will feature wireless charging capabilities, reports Bloomberg. The upcoming iPad Pro will debut in 2022, following the updated M1 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that launched in May 2021.
For the new iPad Pro, Apple is testing a glass back instead of an aluminum enclosure, which would allow for the wireless charging capabilities. Apple first implemented wireless charging with the glass-backed iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X in 2017, and every flagship iPhone since then has supported wireless charging.
Current iPads still charge over USB-C or Lightning, but enabling wireless charging would bring the iPhone and iPad closer in functionality. Work on the new iPad Pro is still in the early stages, and Bloomberg warns that Apple's plans could change or be canceled before next year.
Most wireless chargers are sized for the iPhone, so a wireless charging feature for the iPad might require specialized charging options, but Apple is rumored to be planning to use MagSafe if it does indeed opt for wireless charging for the iPad Pro. Wireless charging will likely be slower than charging through the USB-C/Thunderbolt port, which is expected.
Apple is also working on reverse wireless charging for the new iPad Pro, which would allow users to charge their iPhones, AirPods, and other accessories by laying them on the back of the iPad. There were rumors that the iPhone 11 would feature bilateral wireless charging, but it didn't ultimately happen. Bloomberg says that Apple did indeed explore the feature for the iPhone, however.
Along with MagSafe charging for the iPad and reverse wireless charging capabilities, Apple is still working on a future wireless charging solution that works similarly to the abandoned AirPower charger, but it's not clear if and when such a product might launch. For further in the future, Apple is investigating long-range wireless charging methods that work at greater distances than a standard inductive charging solution.
Apple's 32nd Worldwide Developers Conference will be a digital-only event much like WWDC 2020, with developers worldwide able to participate for free. WWDC is aimed at and designed for developers who create apps for Apple's platforms, but Apple always holds a keynote event that's of interest to the general public.
Apple's keynote event will take place on Monday, June 7, and it will provide us with our first look at new software that's coming this fall. Apple will unveil iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and possibly new MacBook Pro models.
You can watch Apple's WWDC 2021 Keynote live as it happens using one of the methods outlined in our guide. The stream for the event starts at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time from Apple Park in Cupertino, California. For reference, here's when the event will begin based on other time zones in the United States and around the world:
Honolulu, Hawaii -- 7:00 a.m. HAST
Anchorage, Alaska -- 9:00 a.m. AKDT
Cupertino, California -- 10:00 a.m. PDT
Phoenix, Arizona -- 10:00 a.m. MST
Vancouver, Canada -- 10:00 a.m. PDT
Denver, Colorado -- 11:00 a.m. MDT
Dallas, Texas -- 12:00 noon CDT
New York, New York -- 1:00 p.m. EDT
Toronto, Canada -- 1:00 p.m. EDT
Halifax, Canada -- 2:00 p.m. ADT
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- 2:00 p.m. BRT
London, United Kingdom -- 6:00 p.m. BST
Berlin, Germany -- 7:00 p.m. CEST
Paris, France -- 7:00 p.m. CEST
Cape Town, South Africa -- 7:00 p.m. SAST
Moscow, Russia -- 8:00 p.m. MSK
Helsinki, Finland -- 8:00 p.m. EEST
Istanbul, Turkey -- 8:00 p.m. TRT
Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- 9:00 p.m. GST
Delhi, India -- 10:30 p.m. IST
Jakarta, Indonesia -- 12:00 a.m. WIB next day
Shanghai, China -- 1:00 a.m. CST next day
Singapore -- 1:00 a.m. SGT next day
Perth, Australia -- 1:00 a.m. AWST next day
Hong Kong -- 1:00 a.m. HKT next day
Seoul, South Korea -- 2:00 a.m. KST next day
Tokyo, Japan -- 2:00 a.m. JST next day
Adelaide, Australia -- 2:30 a.m. ACST next day
Sydney, Australia -- 3:00 a.m. AEST next day
Auckland, New Zealand -- 5:00 a.m. NZST next day
Watch the Keynote on YouTube
Watching the WWDC keynote on YouTube may be one of the quickest and easiest ways to catch the event because YouTube is generally available on most devices, including TV sets and consoles.
The YouTube live stream above will be accessible on June 7 when the event kicks off.
Watch the Keynote on Mac, iPhone or iPad
You can watch the WWDC keynote on any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using Apple's native Safari browser. iOS devices must be running iOS 10 or later, and Macs need to be running macOS Sierra 10.12 or later to access the stream.
You can watch the WWDC keynote via Apple's TV app on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, with the link in the TV app becoming available a few days before the event begins.
Open the TV app on your chosen device.
Scroll down the Watch Now category and select WWDC 2021. Alternatively, type "WWDC" into the Search field and select WWDC 2021 from the results.
Click Play.
The app may tell you to tune in at your local time to watch the event live prior to when the WWDC keynote begins.
Watch the Keynote on a Windows PC
If you don't have an Apple device handy, you can still watch the WWDC 2021 keynote on a PC running Windows 10. Open Microsoft Edge browser and follow this link to the WWDC 2021 Livestream.
While Apple offers no guarantees, other platforms may also be able to access the WWDC 2021 keynote using recent versions of Chrome or Firefox (MSE, H.264, and AAC codecs/extensions must be installed).
Watch in the Apple Developer App or Developer Website
For those unable to watch the live stream, or who prefer to read a text version of the announcements, we'll have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, so make sure to follow.
Like most Apple products, AirTags are able to be updated with new software over the air, with Apple able to push new firmware when required.
Apple in June 2021 released the first AirTags firmware update with anti-stalking security enhancements that decreased the intervals in which an AirTag separated from its owner will play a sound. Additional firmware updates have been released since that time.
Tap on the AirTag that you want to check in the list.
In this view, tap on the name of the AirTag to see the current firmware version.
The AirTags launched with firmware version 1.0.225, and Apple has rolled out updated firmware versions every few months since, usually on a staggered basis.
There is no way to force an AirTag update, as it's something that's done over the air through your iPhone. To ensure the update happens, you can make sure that the AirTag is in range of your iPhone, but you have to wait for the firmware to roll out to your device.
Apple now considers the 27-inch Thunderbolt Display to be a "vintage" product because it has been close to five years since it was last offered for sale.
The Thunderbolt Display was today added to Apple's list of vintage and obsolete products, which are part of a support document on obtaining service for an Apple product after a warranty expires. Products are considered vintage when it’s between five and seven years since Apple stopped distributing them for sale.
Apple introduced the Thunderbolt Display in 2011, but never shipped updated models. It was discontinued on June 23, 2016, with no successor to follow. Apple in 2017 debuted LG UltraFine displays made in partnership with LG, but for many years, there was no Apple-designed display available.
That changed with the release of the Pro Display XDR, which accompanied the 2019 Mac Pro. At $5,000, the Pro Display XDR is not a replacement for the more affordable $999 Thunderbolt Display, but there are rumors suggesting Apple is developing a lower-priced Apple-branded external monitor.
There is no word on when a new display might be released, and as of January 2021, work on the new display was said to be in the early stages. To cut down on pricing, the rumored display is said to feature a screen geared for consumer use without the top-tier brightness and contrast.
Now that it's on the vintage list, the Thunderbolt Display may not be eligible for repair in some states and countries. Apple previously refused to offer repairs for products on the vintage list entirely, but as of 2019, select vintage products are eligible for service. Repairs are primarily available for vintage iPhones and Macs, however, so it is not clear if the Thunderbolt Display will be eligible.
In addition to adding the Thunderbolt Display to the vintage list, Apple has also included the original iPad Air, which was first released in 2013 and discontinued in 2016, and the 27-inch Apple Cinema Display, discontinued in 2014. The 2013 11 and 13-inch MacBook Pro models were moved from the vintage list to the obsolete list, which means repairs are no longer available.
Former Apple design chief Jony Ive has recruited at least four of his former Apple colleagues to his "LoveFrom" design firm, reports The Information.
Former Apple employees now working for Ive include Wan Si, Chris Wilson, Patch Kessler, and Jeff Tiller. All four worked in Ive's group at Apple and now list LoveFrom as an employer on LinkedIn.
Wan worked on app icons, buttons, and home screens as part of Apple's human interface team, which Wilson was also a part of. Wilson helped design the iCloud icon and the Apple Watch user interface. Tiller worked on administrative matters on the design team, while Kessler worked on the Force Touch trackpad for the MacBook before leaving Apple in 2017.
Ive left Apple to begin LoveFrom in 2019, but the design firm has kept a low profile. There is no website and it is unclear how many employees work for Ive.
At the time that Ive left Apple, Apple said that Ive would continue to work with the company on exclusive projects, with Apple to serve as one of LoveFrom's clients. Ive was, for example, involved with the creation of the 2021 iMac. LoveFrom has also worked with companies like Airbnb.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and Malala Yousafzai recently sat down for an interview as part of British Vogue's Conversation series, where the two talked about life after COVID, Yousafzai's and Apple's activism, the importance of education and learning to code, and more.
Apple has partnered with the Malala Fund to support girls' education, helping the organization by assisting with technology, curriculum, and research into policy changes needed to help girls everywhere attend school and complete their education, and this partnership is a key point in the interview.
The two also discuss Yousafzai's multiyear Apple TV+ partnership, which will involve inspiring dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation, and children's shows, as well as Yousafzai's personal efforts to learn to code. "Everyone should learn to code," said Cook. "It's the only global language."
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 is enhancing AirTags security to prevent stalking using the Bluetooth devices, Apple told CNET today. Apple is already sending out over-the-air updates to AirTags that will shorten the amount of time before an unknown AirTag alerts you if it is in your possession.
At the current time, AirTags play a sound after three days of being away from their owner. After the update, AirTags will begin playing at a random time in a window after eight hours and within 24 hours.
Apple is also working to create an app for Android devices that will let them detect an unknown AirTag or Find My network-enabled item that is found to be traveling with them, which will prevent AirTags from being used to stalk Android users.
AirTags are designed to play a sound when away from their owner and will also alert iPhone owners if there's an unknown tag nearby, but Apple has been criticized because it's anti-stalking measures do not go far enough. The Washington Post's Geoffrey Fowler in May penned an article that outlined how AirTags could be used for covert stalking, and one of his main criticisms was the lack of alerts for iPhone users.
His other critique was that the three-day sound timer on AirTags resets whenever it's near the owner's phone, potentially allowing for spousal abuse and stalking, so Apple is working to address both of these issues.
The Android app will be released later this year, and the sound updates for AirTags will be automatically applied when an AirTag is near an iPhone.
Apple has put iMessage at the center of its promotional materials for WWDC next week, hinting that the company's popular messaging service could be seeing substantial upgrades.
iMessage appears to be a central theme in the marketing for this year's WWDC. For example, the placeholder for WWDC's live stream on YouTube, which is already live, features iMessage bubbles, Tapback, and iMessage's full-screen laser effect. Similarly, the Twitter hashflag to promote WWDC this year is an iMessage thumbs-up Tapback bubble.
The iMessage stickers and official WWDC attire and pins for this year also features iMessage bubbles, Tapback reactions, and emojis, but this is not necessarily uncommon for Apple's yearly conference-related outerwear.
Reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman had previously reported that iOS 15 will feature improvements to iMessage, which appears to mirror the theme from Apple's promotional materials. Specifically, Gurman explained that there will be new options for automatic replies, statuses, and notifications:
There will also be an option to set automatic replies to messages depending on their status. That will be an improvement over the current auto-reply feature, which is only currently available while driving. Apple has added some unique notifications features such as Do Not Disturb and Sleep Mode, but this will mark the first time the company offers a systemwide feature for changing notifications depending on a user’s status.
The company is also working on upgrades to iMessage with the eventual goal of acting as more of a social network and better competing with Facebook Inc.'s WhatsApp. Those changes are still early in development and could come later, the people said.
The changes are reportedly in line with a broader strategy to make iMessage more of a social network that can better compete with WhatsApp.
Last year, MacRumors found evidence that Apple was internally testing the ability to retract sent messages, typing indicators in group chats, the ability to mark the last message of a conversation as unread after opening it, and an expansion of the "/me" command for sharing status updates, a feature that has been available on the Mac since the iChat days. Apple has also patented a number of as-yet unreleased iMessage features, such as the ability to edit sent messages.
The extent of the upgrades to iMessage at this year's WWDC are not yet clear, but given the wealth of evidence that iMessage has a significant role to play in this year's WWDC and a flurry of rumors around new messaging features, some kind of update seems to be highly likely.
WWDC 2021 begins next Monday, June 7 with a Keynote at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple is expected to unveil major new software updates, including iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15. See our WWDC 2021 roundup for more information.
Nanoleaf, known for its range of smart lighting panels, today announced the launch of the Elements Wood Look Hexagons. The Nanoleaf Elements are a new lighting product designed to offer a more natural lighting experience in the home with modular wood-styled panels that glow with shades of white light.
Nanoleaf's standard lighting panels, which are available in Hexagon and Triangle shapes, are made from a white plastic material and are designed to change colors, with users able to select from millions of color options. The Elements Wood Look Hexagons have a wood grain-like texture, which may appeal to those who do not like the plastic look of the standard panels when they're not activated.
When turned off, the Nanoleaf Elements look like decorative wood panels on the wall, and when on, various shades of yellow and white light can be used to add ambient lighting to a room. The Nanoleaf Elements do not get as bright as standard Nanoleaf Hexagons and can be set to temperatures ranging from 1500K to 4000K. Nanoleaf has designed the panels to glow from the back for a double-lit effect that enhances the lighting effects.
The neutral wood-like color is meant to better fit into home decor than the standard panels. The Nanoleaf Elements are unique because there are LEDs in in the corners of each panel that can be controlled separately, a feature that Nanoleaf says adds organic motions able to better resemble embers in a fireplace, fireflies, clouds, and more.
When creating a scene in the updated Nanoleaf app, you can paint each Hexagon corner with light in different temperatures for a unique look that's not possible with other Nanoleaf panels. Nanoleaf has created 11 preset lighting scenes for the Nanoleaf Elements, and if you use scenes created for standard panels, they'll be converted into shades of white lighting using Nanoleaf-designed mapping technology.
In addition to a offering a unique wood-style finish and lighting features, the Nanoleaf Elements include all of the classic Nanoleaf functions like Rhythm Music Sync, Schedule options, Touch capabilities that turn the color of the panels when you tap them, and Circadian Lightning that changes over the course of the day. Panels are controlled through the Nanoleaf app and are also HomeKit-compatible, so Siri integration is available.
Nanoleaf Elements Smarter Kits include seven light panels for $299.99, and there are expansion packs that include three additional panels for $99.99. Nanoleaf Elements are available from the Nanoleaf store as of today, and will be coming to Apple stores later this year.
Google today introduced its latest wire-free earbuds, the Pixel Buds A-Series, which at $99, are $60 cheaper than the standard AirPods and $100 cheaper than the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case.
The Pixel Buds A-Series are the most affordable Pixel Buds Google has released to date, and they offer the same sound quality as prior versions of the Pixel Buds. Reviews have corroborated Google's claims on sound quality, suggesting they sound the same as the 2020 Pixel Buds.
Google has also updated the design of the Pixel Buds A-Series to create a good seal in the ears while ensuring a comfortable fit. Google says they've been designed with a "gentle seal" and a spatial vent to reduce in-ear pressure.
There's no noise cancellation as in the AirPods Pro, but Google has added an Adaptive Sound function that increases or decreases the volume of the headphones based on your surroundings.
For calls, there are beamforming microphones to focus on voice and reduce outside noise, and there's built-in Google Assistant connectivity with real-time language translation and other "Hey Google" features.
Pixel Buds A-Series come in white and dark olive and feature up to five hours of listening time on a single charge or up to 24 hours with the included charging case, which is similar to the AirPods battery life. They're IPX4 water resistant and Google says they can be worn during a sweaty workout or in the rain.
Google's Pixel Buds A-Series likely won't be as appealing to most iPhone users as AirPods because AirPods have a lot of built-in integrations that are missing with Pixel Buds, but the significant price drop could perhaps inspire Apple to make its own earbuds more affordable in the future to compete.
Pixel Buds A-Series are available for preorder in the United States and Canada and will be arriving to customers starting on June 17.
Apple is widely rumored to be planning new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, each with a mini-LED display and an improved iteration of the M1 chip. The notebooks are expected to feature a new design with a flatter top and bottom and more ports, including the return of an HDMI port, SD card slot, and a magnetic power cable. Rumors also suggest the Touch Bar will be retired in favor of physical Fn keys.
Lending further credence to these plans, MacRumors has potentially discovered the next-generation 16-inch MacBook Pro in a Chinese regulatory database. The listing, filed on April 14 by Apple supplier Sunwoda Electronic, is for a battery with an Apple-like model identifier A2527 rated at 8,693 mAh/11.45V. This is similar to the current 16-inch MacBook Pro's battery, which is rated at 8,790 mAh/11.36V, according to iFixit.
Sunwoda Electronic is the same supplier that filed the alleged iPhone 13 battery capacities that were spotted in the same Chinese database earlier this week.
If the filing is accurate, the next 16-inch MacBook Pro would have a slightly lower battery capacity than the existing model, potentially due to the notebook's rumored flatter design. However, any potential impact on battery life would likely be mitigated by the 16-inch MacBook Pro transitioning from Intel processors to more power-efficient Apple silicon. In fact, battery life could still end up being longer than the current generation.
WWDC kicks off with Apple's Keynote on Monday, June 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.
Update 9:45 a.m.: We've also found an entry for what seems likely to be the upcoming 14-inch MacBook Pro.
The listing for this battery, also from Sunwoda, was filed on March 30 and carries model identifier A2519. The battery is rated for 6,068 mAh at 11.47V. That's a bit higher than the 5,103 mAh rating of the current 13-inch MacBook Pro, but the redesigned chassis for the larger 14-inch display size will likely leave room for a larger battery. We saw a similar increase in battery capacity for the larger MacBook Pro when it moved from 15 inches to 16 inches.
Despite its impressive performance, the new 24-inch iMac powered by the M1 Apple silicon chip, a new project shows that upgrading a previous-generation 21.5-inch iMac with an Intel Core i9 processor can deliver similar or even better performance.
The new 24-inch iMac is up to 56% faster than the previous generation 21.5-inch iMac with an Intel processor, which it is replacing. The current highest-end 21.5-inch iMac available features an Intel Core i5 processor, but the desktop computer was previously offered with an Intel Core i7.
Now, taking matters into his own hands, Apple YouTuber Luke Miani, in his latest video, decided to outfit the previous generation 21.5-inch iMac with Intel's latest Core i9 processor. A configuration never offered by Apple officially.
Out of the box, the 21.5-inch iMac featured the Intel Core i3 8100 processor, 8GB of RAM, the Radeon Pro 555X graphics card, and 256GB of SSD storage. Miani himself upgrades the iMac to include the Intel Core i9 9900 and 32GB of RAM. All in all, including the upgrades, the 21.5-inch iMac costs $1,250. In contrast, the baseline 24-inch iMac with 8GB of RAM used in the comparison costs $1,299.
In initial tests focused on graphics, such as Geekbench 5, the M1 iMac outperforms the custom 21.5-inch iMac with a score of 7,700, compared to the Intel Core i9 scoring 7,400. In Geekbench tests for computing, the M1 iMac scores 20,000 compared to the 21.5-inch iMac featuring the Radeon Pro 555X, receiving a score of 15,789.
In more computing-centric tests, such as Cinebench, the Intel Core i9 scores 9,214, compared to the roughly 7,500 scores for the M1 iMac. In a Blender render test, the M1 iMac takes around six minutes to render a sample project, while the custom-built 21.5-inch iMac completes the render in three minutes and thirty seconds. It's worth noting, however, that Blender on M1 is running through Rosetta emulation, meaning there is a slight drawback in performance.
The full video by Miani is a great watch for those interested in possibly upgrading their own iMac with improved RAM, and a more powerful processor.
Twitter has today announced "Twitter Blue," a new subscription service that features the ability to undo and bookmark Tweets, a reader mode, color theme options, and more.
Twitter describes the new subscription as giving "access to exclusive features and perks that will take their experience on Twitter to the next level." Twitter Blue currently features:
Bookmark Folders: A way to manage and organize saved Tweets.
Undo Tweet: The ability to preview and revise a Tweet before it goes live. Users can set a customizable timer of up to 30 seconds to click "undo."
Reader Mode: A "more beatiful" reading experience for long threads, turning them into easy-to-read text for a more seamless view.
Visual Customization: The ability to select a custom app icon for a device's home screen and a range of in-app color themes.
Dedicated Customer Support: Access to dedicated subscription Twitter customer support.
Twitter explained that it "will be listening to feedback and building out even more features and perks for our subscribers over time." There is also a new @TwitterBlue account for keeping up to date with features and sharing feedback.
Starting today, Twitter Blue rolls out in Canada and Australia for the monthly price of $3.49 CAD or $4.49 AUD.
The company says that this initial phase will help it "gain a deeper understanding of what will make your Twitter experience more customized," ahead of launching in other countries.
Based in Florida, BlackBrook Case makes a range of high-quality leather goods, including cases for the iPhone, AirPods, iPad, and AirTag, as well as Apple Watch bands. One of BlackBrook's latest products is a case solution for AirPods Max, which works both with and without Apple's own Smart Case and seeks to address some of the criticisms that have been leveled at protecting Apple's over-ear headphones.
BlackBrook offers three different cases for AirPods Max. This review takes a look at two of BlackBrook's AirPods Max cases, the "Danny" case and the "Tommy" case. The Danny case is slightly more compact with flat sides and a rear pocket, while the Tommy case is slightly larger, has beveled edges, and no rear pocket. Overall, the designs are very similar and there is no real reason to choose one over the other beyond aesthetics.
The other "Hannah" case is not made specifically for AirPods Max, but rather it works with any headphones both as a storage pouch and a desk stand.
My Danny case is in "Golden Brown" and my Tommy case is in "Burnished Tan," but both cases are also available in "Pebble Black," "Dark Chocolate," and "Distressed Antique Coffee." Each case has a high-quality textured finish with rich colors that make the best of the choice of materials.
The exterior leather of the cases is sturdy and supported by a hard shell inside for added protection. The Tommy case feels spongier on the outside than the Danny case, presumably due to some extra padding, but both feel very durable. I am confident that the design and tough exterior do a good job of protecting my AirPods Max.
At the top, there is a useful carrying handle that makes walking around with the stowed AirPods Max much easier. It can also be used to hook or fasten the AirPods Max elsewhere if necessary.
The Danny case features a moderately sized zip-up pocket on the rear. Unfortunately, the leather is pulled so tightly to the rigid interior that it is virtually impossible to use it for anything practical.
It may be possible to slide something as thin as a credit card or a receipt inside, but I would be concerned that I would not be able to retrieve it since I can barely even get my fingers inside. BlackBrook says that the pocket is a feature of the case, but really I think it is more decorative.
There is no passthrough area to charge the headphones with a Lightning cable while they are zipped up inside the case, but users can simply use both of the zips to close around either side of a charging cable instead if need be.
The zippers are a brassy color to compliment the hues of the cases. The zippers themselves are sturdy and do not snag too much, but they are not quite as smooth as I feel they could be.
When open, the design of the Tommy case allows the clamshell design to open fully, while the Danny case stops at about 135 degrees. While it is not particularly important, I prefer the fuller opening of the Tommy case since it reduces the chances of me scratching my AirPods Max on the zipper.
The interior of the cases features a soft microfiber material to prevent scratching or scuffing your headphones. Despite having slightly different designs, the internal space of both cases is effectively the same.
Unlike Apple's Smart Case, the BlackBrook cases cover the entirety of AirPods Max for much better overall protection. The design is space-efficient and as compact as you would need. The angular profile of the case closely matches the form of the headphones it is protecting, while giving a distinctive shape and character.
Inside, there is a generously sized elasticated pocket to store a cable or a power adapter. Unlike the rear pocket of the Danny case, this pocket is very easy to access and more than big enough to store a couple of accessories. The inside pocket of the Tommy case is slightly smaller due to its shape.
BlackBrook's AirPods Max cases contain a pair of magnets, arranged in a "butterfly," with one magnet inside each of two flaps of leather sewn into the middle of the case. This allows you to either snap them together to sit in between each earcup, or lay them flat when you want to keep the AirPods Max in their Apple Smart Case.
Just like Apple's Smart Case, the magnet butterfly can put the headphones into their ultra-low power mode to preserve battery life when placed in the middle of the earcups.
When snapped together, it is almost effortless to align the butterfly in between the earcups. Using the case in this formation makes it possible to avoid using Apple's Smart Case entirely.
If you want to stow your AirPods Max in the Apple Smart Case, but also want some added protection, BlackBrook's case design allows for this. You simply decouple the magnet butterfly to lay it flat, and the AirPods Max fit perfectly along with the Smart Case.
My only criticism of this system for regular use is that the butterfly seems to prefer to be snapped together than lay flat, so when putting the AirPods Max in their Smart Case into the BlackBrook case, you may need to smooth them flat again. Even so, the butterfly works well and adds versatility to the case.
Bottom Line
Overall, BlackBrook's AirPods Max cases are both good alternatives and additions to Apple's Smart Case. There is no question that BlackBrook's cases protect AirPods Max much better than Apple's Smart Case alone, providing proper all-around protection.
Inside, I appreciated the soft-touch material, versatile butterfly magnet system for putting the headphones into their ultra-low power mode, and the large pocket.
It feels like the case has been made to last and will age well, but it does feel a little bit too expensive to me at $149. It is a high-quality and well-designed product, but not so luxurious I feel that I personally would be comfortable paying this price. The only other minor bugbear for me was the virtually inaccessible pocket on the back of the Danny case.
Whether the case is used for everyday use as an alternative to the Smart Case, or occasionally for peace of mind when traveling, the BlackBrook AirPods Max cases present functional and premium options for any potential buyer.
How to Buy
The BlackBrook "Danny" and "Tommy" AirPods Max cases can be purchased from the BlackBrook Case website for $149, and they are available in "Golden Brown," "Burnished Tan," "Pebble Black," "Dark Chocolate," and "Distressed Antique Coffee."
BlackBrook is also currently offering a free AirTag keychain case with any AirPods Max case order.
Note: BlackBrook provided MacRumors with AirPods Max cases for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
