MacRumors

Apple will offer a new "dark blue" model in its upcoming iPhone 12 lineup, according to a new report today.

Hit-and-miss Taiwanese publication DigiTimes claims that a dark blue ‌iPhone‌ color will be available "for the first time" in addition to several new features and specification upgrades coming to Apple's smartphone lineup.

In addition to adding a dark blue model, for the first time, into the iPhone family products, Apple also brings a number of specification upgrades to new iPhones, including camera modules, displays and communications modules.

The claim adds another voice to early rumors regarding the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup and new colors becoming available.

XDA Developers writer and leaker Max Weinbach claimed in January that at least one of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models will come with a new navy blue finish. Weinbach believes that Navy Blue could replace the Midnight Green finish that Apple debuted for ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro models last year. Weinbach has accurately revealed a new ‌iPhone‌ color in the past.

Another rumor suggests the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models could come in light blue, violet, and light orange, among other colors.

Today's color tidbit appears in a report concerning the projected global shipments of Apple's upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup, which are expected to reach 63-68 million in the second half of this year, according to DigiTimes Research.

If accurate, the figure would present a reduction of over 5 million units compared to the number of units Apple shipped a year earlier for the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup. The projection factors in an expected lag of four to six weeks for volume production and a later official launch of new ‌iPhone‌ models compared to years past.

Apple last month confirmed that its "‌‌iPhone‌‌ 12" launch will be delayed this year due to the ongoing global health crisis and restrictions on travel. Apple last year started selling iPhones in late September, but this year, Apple projects supply will be "available a few weeks later," suggesting a release sometime in October.

Multiple rumors indicated the new ‌‌iPhone‌‌ won't launch on time due to development and production delays, as well as reports on delays from Apple suppliers like Broadcom and Qualcomm. ‌DigiTimes‌ has previously claimed Apple could target a phased ‌iPhone‌ launch, citing supply chain sources.

Apple is expected to offer four iPhones in three different sizes this year: A 5.4-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌, a 6.7-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌, and two 6.1-inch iPhones. One 6.1-inch model and the 6.7-inch model will be higher-end iPhones, while the other 6.1-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and the 5.4-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ will be lower-end models and successors to the ‌‌iPhone‌ 11‌.

The report otherwise reiterates rumors about Apple's top-end 6.7-inch model, including the addition of a time-of-flight 3D camera similar to the LiDAR scanner seen in the 2020 iPad Pro, and a rear camera featuring sensor-shift optical image stabilization technology in the ultra-wide lens. Sensor-shift technology allows the optical image stabilization to be applied to the camera sensor, rather than the individual lenses.

Apple will debut a powerful custom-designed graphics procesing unit in its first Arm-based iMac which is set to launch in the second half of next year, according to a new report today.

Codenamed "Lifuka," the self-developed GPU to feature in the Apple Silicon powered ‌iMac‌ will be produced using TSMC's 5-nanometer manufacturing process, and will offer better performance and be more energy efficient than the Intel processor it replaces, according to the Chinese-language newspaper The China Times.

In the past, Apple introduced Mac personal computers with Intel CPUs, equipped with Nvidia or AMD GPUs, but industry insiders pointed out that Apple has cancelled support for AMD GPUs in the macOS Arm 64-bit operating system, indicating that Apple will be adopted in the future. Silicon’s Mac personal computers may use a GPU developed and designed by Apple. Recently, the industry has reported that in addition to Apple Silicon processors, Apple’s iMac desktops launched next year will also be equipped with self-developed and designed Apple GPUs.

According to relevant sources, Apple's self-developed GPU is progressing smoothly. The research and development code is Lifuka. Like the upcoming A14X processor, it is produced using TSMC's 5nm process. Apple has designed a series of processors for Mac personal computers. The new GPU will provide better performance per watt and higher computing performance. It has tile-based deferred rendering technology that allows application developers to write more powerful professional application software and game software.

Apple announced at its WWDC developer conference in June that its Macs will transition from Intel x86-based CPUs to its self-designed Arm-based ‌‌Apple Silicon‌‌ processors over the next two years. Bloomberg has said that Apple is currently developing at least three Mac processors that are based on the 5-nanometer A14 chip that will be used in the upcoming iPhone 12 models.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that the first Mac models to adopt Arm-based chips will be a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and a 24-inch iMac with a redesigned form factor, with Apple planning to launch the new models in the fourth quarter of 2020 or early in 2021 at the earliest. Prior to the launch of its Arm-based ‌‌iMac‌‌, Apple is expected to refresh the existing Intel ‌‌iMac‌‌.

In contrast to Kuo's prediction, today's report claims Apple's first Arm-based Mac will be a super-lightweight 12-inch MacBook, codenamed "Tonga," that will launch by the end of 2020. In addition, the report says the A14 chip to feature in Apple's upcoming ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup is codenamed "Sicilian."

Apple has designed a 12-inch MacBook powered by Apple Silicon that weighs less than one kilogram and the company intends to launch it by the end of the year, according to a new report today.

Apple's first ARM-based Mac will use an A14X processor, which is codenamed "Tonga" and manufactured by TSMC, and the MacBook will have a battery life of between 15 and 20 hours, according to the Chinese-language newspaper The China Times.

According to Apple's supply chain, Apple is expected to launch a Macbook with a 12-inch Retina Display at the end of this year, using its self-developed and designed A14X processor, with the development code of Tonga, supporting a USB Type-C interface and weighing less than 1 kilogram, because of the low-power advantage of the Arm-based processor. The Macbook battery lasts 15 to 20 hours. The A14X processor will also be used in the new generation iPad Pro tablet.

Apple announced at its WWDC developer conference in June that its Macs will transition from Intel x86-based CPUs to its self-designed Arm-based Apple Silicon processors over the next two years. Bloomberg has said that Apple is currently developing at least three Mac processors that are based on the 5-nanometer A14 chip that will be used in the upcoming iPhone 12 models. According to the Chinese report's sources, the first Apple-designed A14X processor has been finalized and will be mass produced using TSMC's 5-nanometer process by the end of the year.

Apple's first Mac processors will have 12 cores, including eight high-performance cores and at least four energy-efficient cores, according to Bloomberg. Apple is said to be exploring Mac processors with more than 12 cores for further in the future, with the company already designing a second generation of Mac processors based on the A15 chip.

This is the second time we've heard rumors of Apple reviving the 12-inch MacBook form factor to showcase its first consumer Apple Silicon machine. Fudge, a leaker who goes by @choco_bit on Twitter, said in June that Apple could revive its now-discontinued MacBook, with a new 12-inch model unveiled as the first Mac with an Apple-designed Arm-based chip. Fudge said the 12-inch MacBook could look the same as the retired version with minimal design changes, although 5G connectivity could be a feature.

In contrast to today's report, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a form factor similar to the current 13.3-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ could be the first Mac to get an Arm-based chip designed by Apple. In March, Kuo predicted this new ‌MacBook Pro‌ will launch late in 2020 or early in 2021.

Kuo said he expects the ‌Apple Silicon‌ 13.3-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ to go into mass production in the fourth quarter of this year, but he has also predicted we will see an Arm-based MacBook Air either in the same quarter or in the first quarter of next year, so it's not impossible the 12-inch machine turns out to be a redesigned MacBook Air.

Today's report also claims that Apple will launch an Apple Silicon iMac next year with a powerful custom-designed graphics processing unit, replacing the mobile AMD GPUs that Apple has traditionally relied on. In addition, the report claims the A14 chip to feature in Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 lineup is codenamed "Sicilian."

In this week's App Recap, we've highlighted productivity app "Do," productivity app "Flow," and lifestyle app "North Star" as three apps that are worth checking out.

Apps to Check Out

• Do: Simple Notes & To Do Lists (iOS, One-Time Purchase) - Do features a simple interface that provides an easy way to keep track of notes and to-do lists. Users can organize notes into sub-lists as well as create reminders with alerts and badges. Do can also be customized in one of nine color themes. The app is free to download, and users have the option to purchase Do's $4.99 one-time upgrade to be able to add more than 30 items, use a passcode as well as Touch ID/Face ID to lock items, and to back up data to iCloud.
• Flow - Focus & Pomodoro Timer (Mac, Subscription) - Flow can help users reduce distractions and maintain focus by dividing work into sections using a timer that lives in the menu bar. The app's timer can be customized with predefined values, and users are able to block apps from being used while the flow timer is running. After completing a block of work, users can start the break timer to take a break before taking on another section of work. Users can subscribe to Flow's pro version, which is available in a subscription priced at $0.99 per month and $7.99 per year, to set custom durations for flow and break intervals, access advanced controls, and more.

• North Star - Your Goals (iOS, Subscription) - North Star is an app that can be used to easily work toward goals through habits to track frequent activities, milestones to break up a goal into smaller steps, measures to track results over time, and the planner to create to-do lists and reminders. In addition, customizable icons and colors can be utilized to help differentiate items. Although free to download, North Star's basic version only allows users to track one goal. The app's paid version, which features the creation of an unlimited number of goals, is available in both monthly and yearly subscription options as well as a lifetime purchase priced at $4.99, $28.49, and $49.99 respectively.

Are you using a great new app we've missed? Let us know in the comments and we'll check it out for next week's App Recap. Are you a developer of a unique app you'd like us to consider? Send us a message through our tip line at the top of the page and we'll check it out.

Alleged design schematics for an updated iPad with a 10.8-inch display have been shared by 91Mobiles.

The schematics reportedly show an ‌iPad‌ with a 10.8-inch display. This correlates with a previous report from supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, which said that Apple plans to launch a new 10.8-inch ‌iPad‌ in the second half of 2020.

Although 91Mobiles claims that the schematics are for a low cost, eighth-generation ‌iPad‌, it is also possible that the device depicted is in fact an iPad Air 4.

Earlier this week, photos purportedly showed a leaked manual for the ‌iPad Air‌ 4, and the ‌iPad‌ from that leaked manual looks identical to the device in these schematics. Ming Chi-Kuo's report also did not specify if the 10.8-inch ‌iPad‌ model will be a new version of the existing 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌ or the 10.5-inch ‌iPad Air‌, and it seems that leaks about both iPads may have been conflated.

The schematics suggest that the unreleased ‌iPad‌ is to have dual speakers, four microphones, and a USB-C port. The rear of the device shows a single camera with an LED flash and a magnetic smart connector. The placement of this smart connector bolsters previous rumors that the Magic Keyboard accessory will be supported by new ‌iPad‌ models.

91Mobiles claims that this ‌iPad‌ will have Face ID, but that seems unlikely given rumors of the ‌iPad Air‌ 4 having a Touch ID sensor on the power button instead of ‌Face ID‌.

The images indicate that the device will look similar to the iPad Pro, with thinner bezels and squared-off edges. A four stereo-speaker setup and dual cameras would be reserved for the ‌iPad Pro‌. If this device is indeed the low-cost ‌iPad‌, the schematics would indicate that Apple is looking to consolidate design language across the ‌iPad‌ lineup. It is also possible that both the low-cost ‌iPad‌ and ‌iPad Air‌ 4 will share the same design, hence the conflation of leaks, but differ in terms of internals.

The new ‌iPad‌ is rumored to launch as early as next month. Apple filed a lengthy list of unreleased ‌iPad‌ and Apple Watch models in a Eurasian database this week, signaling that new devices are on the horizon. According to leaker Jon Prosser, Apple plans to introduce at least some new ‌iPad‌ and Apple Watch models via a press release in September, followed by new iPhones at an event in October.

The dispute between Apple and Epic Games continued to be all over the news this week, but we also saw an interesting leak that claims an upcoming revamped iPad Air will incorporate Touch ID into the power button.

Other news this week included a fresh beta of iOS 14 with a few more tweaks as Apple begins finalizing things and tightening up the beta release cycles, more iPhone 12 rumors, a big stock payday for Tim Cook, and our thoughts on Samsung's latest Galaxy Note20 and what features we'd like to see Apple adopt in future iPhones.

Read on below for details on those stories and more from the past week!

Alleged iPad Air 4 Manual Depicts All-Screen Display, USB-C, and Touch ID Built Into Power Button

If photos of a leaked manual are to be believed, the next iPad Air could feature a slim-bezel design like the iPad Pro, but with a Touch ID power button rather than Face ID for unlocking the device. The next iPad Air could also have a USB-C port like recent iPad Pro models.

While these photos could certainly be photoshopped, there are no obvious signs that they have been faked. The rumor also lines up with reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's prediction that Apple plans to release a new iPhone SE with a Touch ID power button in the first half of 2021.

Timing remains a question mark. Apple filed a lengthy list of unreleased iPad and Apple Watch models in a Eurasian database this week, signaling that new devices are on the horizon, but rumors have been conflicting as to whether the iPad Air 4 will be a fall 2020 or spring 2021 product.

According to leaker Jon Prosser, Apple plans to introduce at least some new iPad and Apple Watch models via press release in September, followed by new iPhones at a (presumably virtual) event in October.

Apple last refreshed the iPad Air in March 2019.

Judge Sides With Apple on Fortnite, Epic on Unreal Engine

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers this week decided not to force Apple to put Fortnite back on to the App Store, but she did grant a temporary restraining order that prevents Apple from terminating Epic Games' access to developer accounts tied to its Unreal Engine game engine for developers. A final decision on an injunction will be made in September.

In a statement, Apple maintained that "Epic's problem is entirely self-inflicted," adding that would "will gladly welcome Fortnite back onto iOS" if Epic resubmits the app without a direct payment option for V-Bucks, which violates the App Store guidelines and is what prompted this legal battle.

Epic Games confirmed that the new season of Fortnite will not be available to players on iPhone, iPad, or Mac at this time due to the legal proceedings, a decision that prevents cross-platform play. Epic also emailed Fortnite users on Apple's platforms to alert them to the issues, blaming Apple for the situation.

With Epic remaining unwilling to remove the direct payment option, Apple followed through on its previous statements on Friday and terminated Epic's developer account tied to Fortnite, the previous Infinity Blade franchise, and other titles. For the latest developments in this case, read our Epic Games vs. Apple timeline.

What's New in iOS 14 Beta 6: Spatial Audio Settings, Maps Splash Screen and More

Apple this week seeded the sixth betas of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 to developers for testing purposes, updating and refining some features.

As the beta testing period progresses, changes have started to become smaller and less notable. The sixth beta still has some minor tweaks and feature additions worth mentioning though, including a new toggle switch for an upcoming Spatial Audio feature on AirPods Pro.

We've also shared a list of hidden or lesser-known features worth checking out in iOS 14, complete with a video.

In other software news, Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 13.7, which introduces the ability to opt-in to COVID-19 exposure notifications prior to downloading an app that supports the functionality. The sixth betas of watchOS 7 and tvOS 14 were also made available this week.

iPhone 12 Pro Likely to Ship With 60Hz Display, But Launch Delay to Add 120Hz Possible

Rumors continue to conflict as to whether iPhone 12 Pro models will launch with a "ProMotion" display that would allow for a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz.

Display analyst Ross Young this week said that he expects iPhone 12 models to remain limited to 60Hz, but he added that the company could theoretically postpone the launch of the devices slightly to secure necessary components for a "ProMotion" display like recent iPad Pro models have.

Leaked screenshots, if real, suggest that Apple has at least explored the idea of implementing 120Hz support on iPhone 12 Pro models.

In other iPhone 12 rumors, we learned just how much faster the A14 chip should be, that the devices may have a simpler battery board design, and that Apple appears to be set on shipping the devices without a charger or EarPods in the box, leaving only a Lightning to USB-C cable.

The Best Features in Samsung's New Galaxy Note20 That Apple Should Adopt

Earlier this month, Samsung introduced its new flagship Galaxy Note20 smartphone, which will compete with Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 models.

We're going to do an in-depth comparison when the iPhone 12 comes out, but for now, we thought we'd take a look at the new Galaxy Note20 to highlight some of its best features that Apple should adopt.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Sells $131.7 Million in Apple Stock

Apple CEO Tim Cook was recently awarded 560,000 shares of Apple stock as a reward for his tenure as CEO and the company's strong performance under his leadership relative to the S&P 500.

After receiving the award, Cook sold more than 265,000 of those shares at prices ranging from $493.50 to $500.11, netting him somewhere around $131.7 million, according to filings published by the SEC this week.

Apple became the first U.S. company to achieve a $2 trillion valuation this month, and its stock price has also surpassed the $500 mark at times. Apple recently announced a four-for-one stock split that took effect for shareholders of record as of August 24, with split-adjusted trading to begin on August 31.

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's iPad Pro is more powerful than many laptop computers on the market, and with the right accessories, it can be just as useful as a standard MacBook. For those of you who have iPad Pros and are looking to boost productivity, or for those who are planning to get an ‌iPad Pro‌ and are pre-shopping for accessories, we've rounded up some useful ‌iPad Pro‌ accessory options in our latest YouTube video.

Make sure to watch the video to check out our picks, and we've also provided short descriptions and links below.

• Magic Keyboard ($300) - Priced starting at $300, the Magic Keyboard from Apple is the best keyboard and trackpad combo available for the 2018 and 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ models. It features a unique floating design, scissor keys that feel great under the fingers, backlighting, and, of course, a trackpad that supports the trackpad gestures baked into the most recent versions of iPadOS.
• Logitech Folio Touch ($160) - If $300 for a keyboard is too expensive, Logitech has the Folio Touch that's almost as good, as long as you have an 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. It doesn't work quite as well in the lap, but it offers the same trackpad experience as the Magic Keyboard along with benefits like full device protection, a function row of keys, and support for more viewing angles. If you want to know more, check out our review here.
• Nomad Rugged Folio Case ($70 to $170) - For those that don't need a keyboard case but still want protection, the Rugged Leather Folio Case from Nomad is a solid option for those who want protection with a luxury look. The high-end version is made from Horween leather and offers sleep/wake functionality, a built-in kickstand mode, and space for charging the Apple Pencil.
• MEGOO Tempered Glass Screen Protector ($14) - To protect the ‌iPad Pro‌'s display from scratches and minor damage, a screen protector is a good idea. There's little reason to go with an expensive option when cheaper screen protectors from Amazon work just as well. MEGOO is a brand that MacRumors videographer Dan has used in the past, and since there's two to a pack, you get a do-over if you mess up the application.
• Lamicall Tablet Stand ($24) - This affordable tablet stand works well with the ‌iPad Pro‌ and it's a good option if you want to have a way to dock your ‌iPad‌ at home. It has a solid aluminum construction with rubber pads at the bottom to prevent it from sliding around.
• Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard ($30) - If you need a no frills keyboard to use with an ‌iPad Pro‌ desk setup, Logitech's recently released K380 keyboard is worth checking out. It's full size, but portable, and it can connect to three different devices at the same time. It lasts for up to two years with two AAA batteries.
• HyperDrive 6-in-1 Hub ($70) - The ‌iPad Pro‌ only has a single USB-C port, so an adapter that adds additional ports can be useful. HyperDrive's compact 6-in-1 Hub attaches to the side of the ‌iPad Pro‌ and adds a 4K HDMI port, a USB-A port, an SD and micro SD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C port for charging while using the other port options.
• SteelSeries Nimbus+ Controller ($60) - If you want to game on your ‌iPad Pro‌ but don't have an Xbox or PlayStation controller, the SteelSeries Nimbus+ works with the ‌iPad Pro‌, iPhone, and Apple TV. It has a built-in rechargeable battery and is compatible with thousands of titles across the App Store and Apple Arcade. It supports multiple joysticks and has tactile d-pad buttons for a fast and responsive gaming experience.

Have a favorite ‌iPad Pro‌ accessory we didn't mention in our video? Let us know in the comments.

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

Apple in mid-August said that it would terminate Epic Games' developer account if the Fortnite app continued to break the App Store rules, and today, Apple followed through with that threat and removed Epic's access to the Epic Games account.

Fortnite has been unavailable for a few weeks, but other ‌Epic Games‌ titles like Battle Breakers and Infinity Blade Stickers were still in the ‌App Store‌. Now that the ‌Epic Games‌ developer account has been terminated, those apps are gone.

Searching for ‌Epic Games‌ in the ‌App Store‌ brings up no apps and on the web, the Epic Games developer account is blank. Though the ‌Epic Games‌ developer account is no longer available, Fortnite continues to work.

Those who have downloaded Fortnite on an iPhone or iPad can continue to play the game, but there's a catch - none of the new Marvel-themed Season 4 content is available because Fortnite is unable to be updated.

Fortnite has been in violation of the ‌App Store‌ rules since August 13, when it introduced a direct payment option that skirted Apple's in-app purchase system by allowing payments directly to ‌Epic Games‌. Shortly after Epic blatantly disregarded ‌App Store‌ policies, Apple pulled the app from the ‌App Store‌, leading to a lawsuit from Epic and a quickly escalating legal fight between the two companies.

Since Epic initiated the dispute with Apple, it has refused to back down from the direct purchase option added to Fortnite, and Apple has refused to allow the app in the ‌App Store‌ while the direct payment option remains. Apple told Epic that it was ready to "welcome Fortnite back onto iOS" if Epic removed the direct payment option and returned to the status quo while the legal battle plays out in court, but Epic has refused.

Last night, Epic sent out emails to Fortnite players blaming the unavailability of the new season on Apple and claming that Apple is "blocking Fortnite" in order to prevent ‌Epic Games‌ from "passing on the savings from direct payments to players." Apple in turn has taken to featuring Fortnite competitor PUBG in its ‌App Store‌.

Apple originally wanted to terminate the developer accounts of both ‌Epic Games‌ and Epic International, a separate account linked to Epic's Unreal Engine used by third-party app developers, but a judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing Apple from doing so. The judge declined to stop Apple from terminating the ‌Epic Games‌ account, however, telling Epic that it "created the situation" and made a "strategically and calculated move to breach" ‌App Store‌ terms.

Update: In a statement, Apple confirmed the account has been removed and said it's disappointing that the termination had to happen.

We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store. We have worked with the team at Epic Games for many years on their launches and releases. The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this situation. Epic has refused. Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight. We hope that we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately that is not possible today.

Apple says that the termination applies only to the ‌Epic Games‌ developer account, and it occurred after ‌Epic Games‌ was provided with 14 days to comply with the ‌App Store‌ rules. The removal of the ‌Epic Games‌ account is Apple's standard process for all accounts that defy ‌App Store‌ policies.

Epic no longer has the option to submit apps or updates through its developer account and in-app purchases in the Fortnite app will no longer be a functional option for Fortnite players. Apple says that disabling in-app purchases will protect users as Fortnite's new season launches as Epic had been directing users to Apple's support staff to get purchase refunds.

In a company-wide meeting, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday referred to Apple's App Store as monopolistic and harmful to customers. Apple "blocks innovation, blocks competition," and uses the ‌App Store‌ to "charge monopoly rents."

Zuckerberg's comments, which were said to 50,000 Facebook employees over a webcast, were shared by BuzzFeed News. Apple, said Zuckerberg, has a "unique stranglehold as a gatekeeper on what gets on phones."

Facebook has been chafing at Apple's ‌App Store‌ rules after Apple blocked Facebook's gaming app, which launched earlier in August. Apple rejected Facebook Gaming multiple times because Apple does not allow apps that offer alternative stores with content that it cannot vet. Facebook launched the app without gameplay functionality, and it can be used to watch streams of other people playing games, which is its primary purpose.

Apple and Facebook also had another disagreement in August after Apple refused to waive fees for Facebook's paid Online Events feature. The Online Events option in the Facebook app is designed to allow small businesses and individuals to organize paid digital events that Facebook users can sign up for.

Facebook asked Apple to waive its 30 percent fee taken from the in-app purchases for Online Events or let Facebook process event payments with Facebook Pay, but Apple refused because that's a violation of its ‌App Store‌ guidelines.

Since Apple wouldn't waive its fees, Facebook intended to add a note in the Online Events feature that said "Apple takes 30% of this purchase." Apple took offense to the wording and did not allow Facebook to include the wording in the Facebook app. Apple said that the update violated an ‌App Store‌ rule that prevents developers from showing irrelevant information to users.

In addition to disagreements over the ‌App Store‌, Zuckerberg is unhappy with changes that Apple is making in iOS 14. Facebook on Wednesday said that the anti-ad tracking feature Apple implemented that requires customers to agree to be tracked across apps and websites could cut down on 50 percent of the Audience Network Ad revenue companies earn through Facebook.

Zuckerberg also had thoughts on Apple's ongoing dispute with Epic Games, and said Apple's thwarted attempt to block the Unreal Engine was "just an extremely aggressive move" that was "quite problematic."

Both Apple and Facebook, along with Google and Amazon, are facing a U.S. antitrust investigation. The CEOs from the four companies in July testified in an antitrust hearing with the U.S. House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee. The chairman of the subcommittee, David Cicilline, this week said that the four tech companies are "behavior which is deeply disturbing and requires Congress to take action."

Apple this week began selling certified refurbished 13-inch MacBook Pro models with 10th-generation Intel processors for the first time, a few weeks after refurbished 8th-generation models became available.

Apple's refurbished store currently has 2.0GHz quad-core Core i5 and 2.3GHz quad-core Core i7 configurations available in Space Gray or Silver in the United States and Canada, with prices discounted by around 15 percent compared to brand new. These models were originally released in May 2020 and feature Apple's improved Magic Keyboard.

Apple says refurbished MacBook Pro models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged with a USB-C power adapter and USB-C cable in the box. In our view, a refurbished MacBook Pro is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new model, so this represents a good opportunity for savings.

A refurbished MacBook Pro comes with Apple's standard one-year warranty, which can be extended to three years with AppleCare+ for $269. AppleCare+ includes up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to an additional fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage or $299 for other damage.

Keep in mind that third-party resellers frequently offer better deals than Apple's refurbished prices, so be sure to monitor our deals roundup.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with WaterField Designs to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a mobile office setup that includes an Outback Duo bag and tons of accessories to go with it like Leather Cord Clips, a Padded Gear Pouch, a Keyboard Case, a wallet and more.

WaterField Designs makes all kinds of bags, sleeves, and accessories for Apple devices and other tech devices, along with wallets, gear bags, and gaming cases. This week's giveaway focuses on everything you might need to take your gear on the go.

Priced starting at $229, the Outback Duo Laptop Brief can fit a MacBook Pro that's up to 16 inches in size. There's a full size version for those with larger MacBooks, and a compact size for those with smaller 13-inch machines or iPad Pro models.

The Outback Duo is available in black ballistic nylon with black or chocolate leather accents, or an attractive waxed canvas material with chocolate leather accents. The interior is made from a gold-colored water-resistant neoprene and it offers shock resistance to keep your devices safe, while a full-grain dual-layer leather flap keeps the bag closed.

As the name suggests, the Outback Duo is able to accommodate two laptops or a laptop and a tablet along with accessories despite its slim size. There are two padded, plush-lined laptop compartments, complete with cutouts for in-case laptop charging when needed. There's a pleated front pocket for holding accessories without adding bulk, and it can be carried with leather-lined handles or a removable shoulder strap.

Along with the Outback Duo, WaterField Designs is providing several useful accessories and add-ons for today's giveaway. The $29 Magic Keyboard Slip Case provides protection for Apple's standard Magic Keyboard for Macs, while the $15 Leather Cord Clips keep loose cables organized in your bag.

A $29 portable Leather Mouse Pad tucks into the Outback Duo to go anywhere, and it is smooth and comfortable to use thanks to the full-grain leather that it's made from.

The $27 Leather Key Clip is designed to hold and organize several keys, while the $79 Stratto Bifold Wallet, also made from leather, organizes cash and cards and even offers optional RFID blocking.

For all of your other loose accessories, WaterField Designs has the $69 Padded Gear Pouch with a padded pocket that can hold phones, tablets, a kindle, or a Nintendo Switch, along with pockets for organizing cables, cords, adapters, and more.

We have one mobile office set to give away to a MacRumors reader. The prize includes the Outback Duo Laptop Brief, a Magic Keyboard Slip Case, four Leather Cord Clips, a Padded Gear Pouch, a Stratto Billfold Wallet, a Leather Mouse Pad, and a Leather Key Clip.

To enter to win our giveaway, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

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Apple this week reminded developers that they can create web extensions in Safari 14 using the same WebExtensions API used in other browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. A new conversion tool in Xcode 12 beta also allows developers to port existing extensions from other browsers to Safari and make available on the Mac App Store later this year.

Apple says developers have two options for creating Safari web extensions:

• Convert your existing extension into a Safari web extension, so you can use it in Safari on macOS and distribute it in the App Store. Xcode includes a command-line tool to simplify this process.
• Build a new Safari web extension in Xcode using the built-in template. You can then repackage the extension files for deployment in other browsers.

Safari web extensions are available in macOS Big Sur and in macOS 10.14.6 or 10.15.6 with Safari 14 installed.

Not all Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions will work in Safari, and developers will be required to pay $99 per year for an Apple Developer Program membership in order to port their extensions to Safari. Apple has a WWDC video and documentation with more details for developers.

Apple's Machine Learning Reseach group has launched a new residency program inviting experts in various fields to apply their expertise to build new ML and AI-powered products and experiences.

Apple AI/ML research in academia lead Michael Rennaker announced the new residency program on Twitter, encouraging experts in fields outside of AI who can code and want to "dip their toe" into the world of machine learning to apply.

Apple's Machine Learning Research website explains that the year-long program aims to invest in the resident's technical and theoretical machine learning development, and help advance their professional careers.

The program is open to residents with STEM graduate degrees "or equivalent industry experience, software development backgrounds, and niche expertise — like design, linguistics, neuroscience, or psychology."

Residents will have the opportunity to attend personalized machine learning and AI courses, learn from an Apple mentor closely involved in their program, collaborate with fellow multi-talented residents, and gain hands-on experience working on high-impact projects with our machine learning teams.

To learn more about the fields of study that qualify, and other job requirements for the residency program, interested readers should check out Apple's list of job postings, which begin in the summer of 2021.

(Via iMore.)

YouTube appears to be testing Picture in Picture (PiP) mode for its iOS app, reports 9to5Mac. The feature allows users to watch YouTube videos while using other apps, and was discovered by developer Daniel Yount, who stumbled across it while viewing a YouTube live stream on his iPad.

Yount wasn't able to get PiP to work in YouTube during any other playback scenarios, suggesting the feature is still in the experimentation stage.

The YouTube app has never supported PiP, a feature that has been available to ‌iPad‌ users since iOS 9. Apple is also bringing PiP to iPhone with iOS 14, due to release this fall.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith speculates that the feature's introduction is part of a deal between Google and Apple that brings support for YouTube's VP9 codec to tvOS 14 and iOS 14, allowing 4K YouTube content to be watched on those platforms. In any case, it's not clear that PiP will be available to all users when the YouTube feature launches.

Officially, YouTube only allows users to playback videos in the background if they subscribe to YouTube Premium, which means PiP may be restricted to paying users. YouTube Premium costs $11.99 ($15.99 through the YouTube app for iOS due to Apple's in-app purchase fees).

However, iOS 14 users can still watch YouTube videos in Picture in Picture Mode through Safari. Read our step-by-step guide to learn how.

Apple blocked Facebook's attempt to tell users about the 30% fee that Apple would take of all in-app purchases made through a new online events feature, Facebook has told Reuters. Apple reportedly told Facebook the update violated an App Store rule that prevents developers from showing "irrelevant" information to users.

Facebook planned to launch a new tool in its app that lets online influencers and other businesses host paid online events as a way to recoup revenue lost during the global health crisis. The feature lets Facebook users buy tickets for the events directly through the app.

Apple's long-standing ‌App Store‌ rules say the iPhone maker takes a 30% cut of all in-app purchases. When Facebook asked Apple to waive the fee so it could pass on all events revenue to business owners, Apple reportedly declined.

The feature is now available in the Facebook app, just without the message notifying users about Apple's 30% fee. The image above was released by Facebook earlier this month to show what the message would have looked like.

Facebook reportedly intended to show a message on Android that read "Facebook doesn't take a fee from this purchase," but Reuters said the message doesn't appear in the version of Facebook currently available on the Google Play Store.

"Now more than ever, we should have the option to help people understand where money they intend for small businesses actually goes. Unfortunately Apple rejected our transparency notice around their 30% tax but we are still working to make that information available inside the app experience," Facebook said in a statement.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

Nothing about Apple's actions is new here – the company has been consistent in preventing other apps like Netflix and Spotify from discussing ‌App Store‌ policies, such as explaining that users could pay for their services via the web without Apple taking a cut.

What's different in this case is that by previewing the message ahead of submitting it to Apple's ‌App Store‌ review process, Facebook is clearly looking to fuel debate about the way Apple polices apps on its iOS platform, at a time when Apple is already facing antitrust lawsuits and government probes over alleged anticompetitive actions.

One particularly vocal critic has been Fortnite creator Epic Games, which has repeatedly referred to the ‌App Store‌ as a monopoly. Earlier this month, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store after ‌Epic Games‌ introduced a direct payment option in the app for its in-game currency, violating ‌App Store‌ rules. In an apparently orchestrated move, ‌Epic Games‌ promptly filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of anti-competitive behavior.

Spotify and Microsoft have since sided with Epic over the issue, and Facebook's latest action suggests they have picked up another ally in the increasing controversy over Apple's ‌App Store‌ policies.