Popular Mac app "Amphetamine" will remain on the Mac App Store after reportedly being threatened with removal over its name and branding, which Apple had said breached App Store guidelines.
Amphetamine is a free Mac app that helps users to keep their machine awake for a set amount of time. Launched in 2014, the app has been downloaded over 432,000 times and is highly rated on the Mac App Store. The app has also been featured by MacRumors in the past. After six years on the Mac App Store, Apple suddenly decided that Amphetamine has been violating App Store Guidelines.
The developer of Amphetamine, William Gustafson, posted an extensive report on GitHub a few days ago explaining that a representative of Apple contacted him, saying that Amphetamine would be removed from the Mac App Store on January 12, 2021, if a number of changes were not made to the app. The representative indicated that Amphetamine breached the following requirement:
Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of marijuana, tobacco, or controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies) isn't allowed.
The Apple representative reportedly said "Your app appears to promote inappropriate use of controlled substances. Specifically, your app name and icon include references to controlled substances, pills."
Gustafson argued that Amphetamine does not promote the use of illegal drugs because amphetamine is a legal, prescription medication in the United States. He also noted that "objectively speaking," Amphetamine does not encourage amphetamine to be taken "irresponsibly, illegally, or recreationally."
Just like amphetamine (the organic compound) can be legally used to keep humans awake and attentive, Amphetamine (the app) can be legally used to keep your Mac awake.
Gustafson filed an appeal and set up a Change.org petition that has garnered over 500 signatures in an effort to combat the claim against the app. And just a short time ago, he announced on Twitter that he had finished a phone call with the App Review Board and that Amphetamine will remain on the Mac App Store.
Just got off a call with @Apple. Appeal accepted and Amphetamine will remain on the @AppStore. Thank you all for your comments, opinions, and action. We may not all agree, but I am happy we all still have the freedom to express ourselves today. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PV7eB9aUfn
— William C. Gustafson (@x74353) January 2, 2021
Amphetamine has been directly promoted by Apple in a Mac App Store Story and has racked up over 1,400 reviews on the Mac App Store, so it seems odd that the app was only being asked to change its branding now. Furthermore, Gustafson said that he has had countless interactions with Apple and its App Review Team regarding Amphetamine, but the issue was never raised before, so it is unclear what triggered the issue.
In our What to Expect article that we shared yesterday, we covered everything that we think we'll see from Apple in 2021 based on current product rumors and historical release data.
New, more powerful Apple silicon Macs with redesigns, iPhone 13 models with upgraded cameras, new Apple Watch models, and updated AirPods are in the works, plus we're expecting to finally get the AirTags and a new Apple TV.
We know what we think we'll see in 2021, but we want to hear from the MacRumors community. What are you hoping to see Apple release this year?
Are there new features you want to see in iOS 15 or macOS 12? Apple Smart Glasses? Updated iPhone features?
Let us know what you want to see in the comments, and take a look at our What to Expect article for a look at the current rumors. We'll learn more about Apple's 2021 product plans during the first months of the year, and as always, we'll have in-depth rumor coverage here at MacRumors.com.
Our MacRumors forums are also an excellent resource for discussing upcoming products and rumors, and with the most exciting Mac refreshes we've seen in years on the horizon, our forums are the place to be for discussions on what's next.
Thank you to all of our readers and our forum members for continuing to make MacRumors the number one site for Apple news, rumors, and advice on the web. We've been around for more than 20 years now, and that's all thanks to you. We look forward to another year of rumors in 2021 and all of the years to come. Happy New Year!
Combined, Jackery calls this its Solar Generator 1000 set, and it's an ideal solution for camping or emergencies because as long as the sun is out, you won't run out of power. With a 1002Wh capacity, 1000W rated power, and 2000W surge power, it is powerful enough to meet the needs of most electrical appliances.
The Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station is priced at $999, and it is Jackery's highest-capacity power station option. Jackery makes a whole range of UL-certified power stations that are available at different price points.
There are multiple ports available for charging several devices at one time. The E1000 includes two 18W PD USB-C ports, two 12W USB-A ports, one DC carport, and three AC outlets. It works with cameras, TVs, computers, lamps, communication devices, grills, fans, and medical equipment like CPAP machines.
At 22 pounds, the Explorer 1000 is heavy, but it comes with a convenient handle to allow it to be moved around as needed. There's an LCD display on the front that features charge/discharge info and battery life details, and fans built into the device keep it from getting too warm.
With an optional solar charger, the Explorer 1000 can be recharged even when power is not available. It recharges in seven hours from an AC outlet or within eight hours using two 100W SolarSaga panels from Jackery. It can be stored, and should be charged every three to six months when used as an emergency backup solution.
Jackery's 100W SolarSaga panels, available for $300, connect to the Explorer 1000 or one of Jackery's other power stations to provide power while on the go. Jackery says the solar panels have a high conversion efficiency that generates more energy and perform better in hot weather than other panels. The SolarSaga panels feature a USB-C port and a USB-A port and can also be used to charge up smaller devices.
We have one Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station and two 100W SolarSaga Portable Solar Panels to give away to a MacRumors reader. 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 MacRumorsFacebook page.
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The contest will run from today (January 1) at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 8. The winner will be chosen randomly on January 8 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.
We're expecting 2021 to be an exciting year for Apple thanks to a renewed focus on the Mac. Apple debuted the first Macs with Apple silicon chip in late 2020, and Apple's M1 chips turned out to be unexpectedly powerful, leaving us looking forward to what's next.
New iMacs and MacBook Pro models are rumored for 2021, with even better Apple silicon chips in the works. We can also count on new iPhone 13 models, the Apple Watch Series 7, updated AirPods, a new Apple TV, and more. We've rounded up all of the products that we're expecting to see from Apple in 2021 based on both current rumors and past release information.
First Half of 2021
Apple Silicon iMac
Apple is working on multiple new iMac models that have Apple silicon chips, including both high-end and entry-level models. There have been rumors of a redesigned iMac that features an "iPad Pro design language" with thinner bezels and a 23 to 24 inch screen size.
This Mac could perhaps be a larger replacement for the current 21.5-inch model, which would likely be around the same physical size as the existing version if Apple greatly cut down on bezel size.
Apple is working on Apple silicon chip designs with as many as 16 high-power cores and four high-efficiency cores, but high-end desktop models could have as many as 32 high-performance cores, perhaps replacing the iMac Pro. Apple is also working on some significant GPU performance improvements.
The new iMacs are expected to be released in spring to fall 2021, so it's possible we're going to see the long-rumored 23 to 24-inch model early in the year, followed by a higher-end model later in the year.
Apple is working on third-generation AirPods that have a form factor similar to the AirPods Pro, featuring a shorter stem and replaceable silicone ear tips.
While the new AirPods are expected to look like the AirPods Pro, the third-generation earbuds will be more affordable and will lack higher-end features such as Active Noise Cancellation. Apple is said to be developing a new wireless chip that could be included in the AirPods 3, and battery life could see improvement.
Our AirPods roundup has more on what we could see from the AirPods in the future.
iPad Pro
There have been persistent rumors suggesting Apple is working on a new version of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the tablet expected to gain a mini-LED display. Most of the rumors have focused on the 12.9-inch iPad, but it's possible there's also a refreshed 11-inch model in the works too.
Apple's mini-LED displays are expected to use approximately 10,000 LEDs, with each one below 200 microns in size. Mini-LED technology will allow for thinner and lighter product designs that also offer impressive wide color gamut performance, high contrast and HDR, and local dimming, which dims the backlight behind black areas of the screen while keeping bright parts lit for blacker blacks and improved contrast.
There have also been rumors about an OLED iPad Pro in 2021, but it seems unlikely that Apple is going to introduce two new display technologies in the same year, and analysts have suggested an OLED iPad won't be coming until 2022 at the earliest.
Along with a mini-LED display, the updated iPad Pro could include 5G connectivity now that the iPhones have 5G chips, and it is expected to have a more powerful A14X chip that's similar to the chip used in the M1 Macs. We've also heard some rumors of a new Apple Pencil in black, but that information has yet to be confirmed.
Production on the mini-LED iPad Pro supposedly began in the fourth quarter of 2020, so this is a product that's likely going to be ready to go early on in the year.
Apple holds the Worldwide Developers Conference every year, and in 2021, we're expecting to see iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, tvOS 8, and macOS 12.
Apple previously used incremental numbers for macOS updates, but given that we've already had software updates numbered macOS 11.1, we can assume that macOS updates will now go up an entire number similar to iOS updates.
We don't know anything about any of these software updates as of yet, but we should start hearing details in early 2021.
Second Half of 2021
14.1 and 16.1-inch MacBook Pro
Apple is developing redesigned MacBook Pro models that could come in 14.1 and 16.1-inch screen sizes, replacing the existing 13.1 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Now that the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro has an Apple silicon chip, Apple is expected to expand Apple silicon chips to the rest of the MacBook Pro lineup.
Both models could have slimmer bezels for more screen real estate. There have been rumors that the new MacBook Pros will have mini-LED displays, which could bring some major improvements in display quality.
Mini-LED displays will use approximately 10,000 LEDs, with each one below 200 microns in size. Mini-LED will ultimately allow for thinner and lighter product designs, offering many of the same benefits as OLED like better wide color gamut, high contrast and dynamic range, and local dimming for truer blacks and superior contrast. Mini-LED displays are expensive, so it's possible that the technology will be limited to higher-end models.
Apple is working on new Apple silicon chips to be used in the next-generation notebooks. Some of the chips in development have as many as 16 power cores and four efficiency cores, with Apple also developing 16 and 32-core GPU options.
In 2021, we're expecting four iPhone 13 models in the same sizes the iPhone 12 models are available in with two 6.1-inch models, a 6.7-inch model, and a 5.4-inch model. Two of those iPhones will be higher-end "Pro" models and two will be more affordable models.
Apple is expected to use the same general design, but at least one of the iPhones that's coming could potentially have a portless design with no Lightning port included. Apple has been working toward a portless iPhone and such a device would be limited to charging with Qi-based chargers or a MagSafe charger.
The new iPhones could have 120Hz "ProMotion" displays for smoother performance, along with new camera technology, a faster A15 chip, and an upgraded 5G modem chip from Qualcomm.
There have been a couple rumors indicating Apple is working on iPhones with bothFace ID and under-display Touch ID and it's possible 2021 is the year we'll see that dual-biometric technology, but it is early in the rumor cycle so plans could change.
Our iPhone 13 roundup has more detail on what to expect from the new iPhone models coming in 2021.
iPhone SE 'Plus'
Apple introduced a new version of the iPhone SE with an iPhone 8-style design in 2020, and in 2021, we might get a redesigned "Plus" version of the device. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is working on an "iPhone SE Plus" that features a full-screen design, no Face ID, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the power button on the side of the device.
This design would be similar to the iPad Air design which has an all-display build but without Face ID. The iPad Air instead uses a Touch ID power button. The new device is expected to a 6.1-inch display, dual cameras, and perhaps 5G support, which would also make it similar to the iPhone 12. It was initially rumored to be coming in early 2021, but now Kuo believes it will see a launch in the second half of 2021.
Barclays analysts, however, do not believe that Apple has plans to refresh the iPhone SE in the foreseeable future, and display analyst Ross Young has said there won't be an updated version of the iPhone SE until 2022, so it's not guaranteed that we're going to see an iPhone SE this year.
For more on what to expect from the iPhone SE in 2021, we have an iPhone SE roundup with everything we know.
Apple Watch Series 7 and SE 2
Apple introduces new Apple Watch models on a yearly basis, and in 2021, we're expecting the Apple Watch Series 7. We don't know a lot about the Series 7 at this time, but new health functionality is a possibility, as is an Apple Watch design that adopts solid state buttons that don't physically click.
Apple has been researching a method for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels, but it's not yet known if this kind of sensor will be included in the 2021 Apple Watch.
Along with the Series 7, there's a chance we could also get a new version of the Apple Watch SE. Apple introduced the Apple Watch SE in 2020 as a lower-cost alternative to the Series 7 that still has mostly modern technology inside.
Higher-End Apple Silicon iMac (Pro?)
As mentioned up above, Apple is working on multiple versions of the iMac, including a higher-end model with a more powerful Apple silicon chip. Bloomberg has suggested that Apple will launch new iMac models at different times, so we could see this higher-end model later in the year.
Products With Unknown Release Dates
AirPods Pro
Apple is developing a new version of the AirPods Pro that could feature a more compact design and a new wireless chip. The next-generation version could eliminate the short stem that sticks out from the bottom, resulting in a more rounded shape that's closer in design to competing wire-free earbuds from companies like Google and Samsung.
Based on hardware leaks, there is a possibility that the AirPods Pro 2 could perhaps come in two sizes, but that has yet to be confirmed.
According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is working on a new version of the iPad mini that could measure in at 8.5 to 9 inches, perhaps through a reduction in the bezel size of the current 7.9-inch model.
This model could perhaps include a mini-LED display, as Apple is rumored to be bringing mini-LED technology to several iPads in the iPad lineup. A mini-LED display would allow for a thinner, lighter design without compromising on display quality.
Kuo and other sources have said the iPad mini will come in the first half of 2021, with more details available in our iPad mini roundup.
New Apple TV
The last Apple TV update came in 2017, so it's starting to feel like we're overdue for an update. Luckily, multiple sources have suggested we can expect to see a new model launch in 2021.
Rumors suggest the next-generation Apple TV could be equipped with either an A12X Bionic chip or the same A14 chip used in the 2020 iPhones. A higher-powered chip would allow the Apple TV to offer better performance for iOS games.
Next-generation Apple TV models could also have more storage, coming in 64 and 128GB storage options, and there's said to be a new remote control that will be offered alongside it. It could have a Find My feature for locating the remote when it's lost inside the house, and there are also rumors of a U1 chip, something also added to the HomePod mini. Like the HomePod mini, the Apple TV serves as a Home Hub, which might be why Apple plans to include a U1 chip.
The U1 chip enables Ultra Wideband support for improved spatial awareness between devices, with the feature allowing the distance between two devices to be calculated through the time it takes for a radio wave to pass between them. It's more accurate than tracking via Bluetooth LE and WiFi and could be used for precise indoor positioning for controlling smarthome devices.
While unconfirmed, there are also some rumors that have suggested Apple could also unveil a higher-end version of the Apple TV that offers console-like performance, with Apple working with developers to bring console-level games to the Apple Arcade service in the future.
Apple's long-rumored Tile competitor AirTags have been in the works for quite some time, and we don't know when we might be seeing them. AirTags were originally expected in 2020, and there are no rumors on a specific launch timeline.
AirTags are small trackers that are equipped with Bluetooth and are designed to attach to important but easily lost items like wallets, cameras, and keys. AirTags (and the items they're attached to) can be tracked right inside the Find My app alongside iPhones, iPads, and Macs, so you can keep an eye on all of your important belongings in one place.
Info about AirTags has been leaking since the release of iOS 13, but we're still not sure what the AirTags will look like. Based on some simple images found in iOS, they could be small, circular tags with built-in Bluetooth and ultra-wideband support. Ultra-wideband, a feature first introduced in the iPhone 11 lineup, is key because iPhones that have a U1 chip will be able to track AirTags with much more accuracy than Bluetooth alone.
If your keys fall down the couch cushion or your wallet gets kicked under the bed, for example, the iPhone will be able to locate the exact part of the room where they're located. This kind of functionality will make AirTags more accurate and more useful than other Bluetooth trackers on the market.
AirTags might attach to items with rings or adhesive, and the bottle cap-sized trackers are rumored to come with a keychain that has a leather pouch on it, which may be one of the attachment methods.
There have been mixed rumors on charging methods. One rumor has pointed towards a built-in rechargeable battery that works with an Apple Watch-style charging puck, while another suggests the AirTags will run on a replaceable CR2032 battery. Either way, it sounds like they'll last for a good amount of time rather than featuring a non-replaceable battery.
Anything that you lose will show up on the Find My map with an associated address, and when the iPhone is close to a lost item, you might see an augmented reality map with specific positioning that makes it easier to find the missing item. AirTags will also be able to play a sound when triggered in the Find My app.
With iOS 13, Apple introduced a feature that's designed to let Apple products communicate with one another when offline, letting a lost iPhone ping off of someone else's iPhone it comes into contact with even without a cellular or WiFi connection. This function will likely come to AirTags as well, letting millions of iPhones and Apple devices all around the world track lost items.
We know Apple is working on some kind of augmented reality headset or smart glasses, but when this head worn AR product will launch continues to be a mystery.
There haven't been many augmented reality headset rumors as of late, but there have been rumors targeting launch dates ranging from late 2021 to 2023, so there's a chance we'll see some kind of augmented reality device this year.
Rumors indicate there are two projects in the works that include a set of smart glasses and a separate headset, with the latter device supposedly launching first. The headset is rumored to be similar to Facebook's Oculus Quest, but with a sleeker, lighter weight design.
It's said to include a high-resolution display with built-in cameras, along with technologies like 3D environmental scanning and advanced human detection. Apple is aiming to create an App Store for the headset with a focus on gaming, streaming video content, and video conferencing.
There are a lot of mixed rumors about Apple's AR and VR work given that the company has worked on several different prototypes, and our AR roundup has a great overview of everything we know.
Wrap Up
Apple has quite a few exciting products in the works for 2021 based on what we know so far, and we'll likely see some unexpected surprises as well. Make sure to follow MacRumors.com and the MacRumors roundups over the course of 2021 to keep up with all of the rumors about the upcoming products that Apple has in development through our What to Expect Guide.
Two prototype foldable iPhones have passed internal tests for durability, according to Taiwanese website Economic Daily News.
Tests of an Apple-designed folding hinge system for two different iPhones were reportedly recently completed at the Foxconn factory in Shenzhen, China.
The first foldable iPhone to undergo testing is said to be a dual-screen model, which is likely the same dual-display prototype rumored by Jon Prosser in June 2020. Prosser explained at the time that this model used two separate display panels connected by a hinge. Though the prototype iPhone features two separate displays connected by a hinge, Prosser claimed that the panels look "fairly continuous and seamless." It is also of note that Apple has patented a device with two separate displays that can be brought together to create a single foldable device with a hinge, which sounds strikingly similar to the rumored dual-screen Apple foldable.
The second prototype to have undergone testing is reportedly a clamshell foldable, much like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Lenovo's Moto RAZR. The UDN report claims that this clamshell model is set to use a flexible Samsung OLED display. Previous reports have also said that Apple ordered a "large number" of Samsung foldable mobile phone display samples for testing purposes earlier in 2020.
It is unclear if the two devices to have been tested had different hinge systems. The test units are purported to be shells with very limited internals rather than fully-working devices. This is because the main purpose of the testing was to assess the durability of the Apple-designed hinge system. The report states that now the testing has concluded, Apple is expected to evaluate which of the two foldable models to proceed with, and only one will be carried forwards into continued development.
The findings of this report also appear to have been mirrored by sources speaking to Jon Prosser. Prosser explained in a recent Front Page Tech video that there were two prototype foldable iPhones in testing, including one with two display panels and one clamshell with a single flexible OLED display. Prosser's sources also said that these units have passed durability testing and are now being evaluated by Apple.
A report from November 2020 stated that Apple had sent foldable iPhones to Foxconn to test the folding bearings with over 100,000 opening and closing tests, which appears to be analogous to the newly-concluded run of testing. Given the consistency of rumors surrounding foldable iPhones from multiple sources, particularly related to testing, they may be more credible.
UDN predicts that a foldable iPhone will not emerge until late 2022 or 2023 at the earliest. Apple has filed for a large number of patents relating to a foldable iPhone dating back to 2016, and it seems highly likely that work on a foldable iPhone is progressing.
Apple on Thursday removed nearly 39,000 apps from its Chinese App Store due to the apps lacking an official license from local regulators, reports Reuters.
The report, which cites data from research firm Qimai, says that games affected by the cull included Ubisoft title Assassin's Creed Identity and NBA 2K20. According to Qimai, only 74 of the top 1,500 paid games on the China App Store survived the purge.
In addition to the 39,000 games, the report says Apple also removed more than 46,000 apps in total from its store.
Apple in February gave app developers an initial June 30 deadline to prove they had a license for their games, and later extended the deadline to December 31. However, in July the company froze updates for thousands of iOS mobile games lacking an official license, and in August removed 30,000 apps for similar reasons.
Apple in July reportedly warned developers of app removals, should their apps not meet regulatory requirements. The removal of apps lacking official licenses is said to come from increasing government pressure on Apple to comply with local regulations that have been in place since 2016.
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.
Amazon has announced it is acquiring Wondery, the podcast startup that reportedly held talks with Apple last month as it shopped for a buyer.
In a press release, Amazon said that Wondery had signed an agreement to join Amazon Music, bringing popular podcasts like "Dirty John" and "Dr. Death" into the streaming service's existing podcast offering.
We're pleased to announce that Wondery has signed an agreement to join Amazon Music. Wondery is an innovative podcast publisher with a track record of creating and producing top-rated podcasts that entertain and educate listeners, including "Dirty John," "Dr. Death," "Business Wars," and "The Shrink Next Door." Wondery is already delighting listeners with its collection of immersive podcasts, and the company is evolving this entertainment medium into a truly new and exciting experience.
A Wondery purchase would have provided Apple with a library of original content along with a source for ideas that could be turned into TV shows in the future. Wondery is currently working on TV shows based on podcasts, including a WeWork series that will premiere on Apple TV+.
Wondery was said to be looking for $300 to $400 million, and it's possible that this price tag was too high for Apple. Regardless, Amazon's acquisition of the startup will make it another serious competitor in the podcasting space alongside the likes of Spotify.
Apple plans to better compete with Spotify when it comes to podcasts, and rumors have suggested that Apple is looking to buy original podcasts. Apple has been looking for podcasts that could be adapted into Apple TV+ content, and it also plans to create podcasts that will augment its TV shows.
Apple has already purchased podcasting companies. In 2017, it bought Pop Up Archive to improve search, and in early 2020, it bought podcasting service Scout FM, which turns podcast shows into radio-style stations.
Amazon says that when the deal closes, nothing will change for Wondery podcast listeners, as the podcasts will continue to be available through a variety of providers, which puts the deal in contrast to other recent podcast acquisitions where the deal has been closed based on an agreement that the content becomes exclusive to the buyer.
Long-running used smartphone buyer Gazelle has announced the coming end of its trade-in program, which accepts people's old iPhones, iPads, and Macs in exchange for cash.
The company revealed the news in an email to customers, explaining that it will no longer offer its trade-in option from February 1, 2021. Customers have until January 31 to get a quote and complete a trade-in, while anyone who has already initiated a trade-in can expect it to continue as normal.
Beginning February 1st, 2021, we will no longer be offering our trade-in option on Gazelle. If you have a trade-in that is in process right now, your trade-in will continue as planned. You can also still log in to your account to view the status of your current trade-ins.
You will still be able to buy high quality used electronics for a fraction of the price from our online store. We're excited to continue to help you save with awesome prices on used smart devices!
In future, Gazelle intends to focus on its in-store ecoATM kiosks, which offer instant cash for devices, although they don't usually offer as much in return as customers would get through traditional trade-in programs.
The ecoATMs can be found in over 4,000 locations across the United States, and the company says the kiosks have collected more than 25 million devices, which equates to over 6 million pounds of e-waste.
Gazelle didn't give a reason for its decision to end its trade-in program, but several rival services have surged in popularity in recent years, including eBay's "Instant Selling" service and Apple's own trade-in program for Apple and other devices in exchange for credit toward a new Apple Store purchase.
Earlier this week, we highlighted a couple of third-party accessories that seek to address some of the shortcomings of Apple's AirPods Max Smart Case, including a new zippered case from WaterField Designs that does a much better job of protecting the headphones while not in use.
Our videographer Dan has had a chance to try out the new $99 leather Shield Case from WaterField, and he's come away impressed with its quality and usefulness. He does feel, however, that this is the sort of thing that should have shipped with the AirPods Max in the first place rather than necessitating a third-party accessory purchase on top of the $549 price tag for the AirPods Max themselves.
The Shield Case is certainly bulky, but there's not much WaterField could have done about that considering the design of the AirPods Max that only allows the ear cups to be turned inward and doesn't permit a more compact folded arrangement seen on many other over-ear headphones.
If you can live with the bulk, the Shield Case offers several nice features, including a zippered design that completely protects the AirPods Max, unlike Apple's Smart Case that leaves the headband and even portions of the ear cups exposed.
In addition to the main compartment for the AirPods Max, the Shield Case includes three smaller pockets for cables and other accessories: a deep, padded one with a zippered closure on the front of the case, a mesh one on the rear, and a tiny one with a velcro closure inside the case.
One of the primary benefits of Apple's Smart Case is that it can immediately put your AirPods Max into a low-power mode to conserve battery, making use of magnets embedded in the case to trigger the mode. WaterField's Shield Case does the same thing, thanks to what it calls the Magnetic Leather Butterfly, a leather flap with embedded magnets that not only triggers low-power mode but also helps keep the two AirPods Max ear cups from touching each other while in the case.
If you want to bring your Smart Case along with your AirPods Max, the Shield Case has you covered there as well, as the AirPods Max/Smart Case combo fits inside just fine and the leather butterfly folds down out of the way.
All in all, the Shield Case from WaterField Designs is a quality product that does its job well. It's a bit pricey at $99, but when you're already willing to spend $549 on the AirPods Max, it might be a worthwhile add-on to help protect your purchase.
The Shield Case is available in four styles: Chocolate Leather and Waxed Canvas, Black Leather with Ballistic Nylon, Blue Leather with Ballistic Nylon, and Crimson Leather with Ballistic Nylon. Similar to the AirPods Max themselves, the Shield Case is in short supply, with new orders scheduled to ship on February 19.
Back in August, Apple made headlines for its efforts to oppose a trademark application by the creators of the recipe and meal-planning app Prepear, with Apple objecting to the proposed Prepear logo trademark based on claimed similarity to Apple's own logo.
Despite the fact that Prepear's logo depicts an outline of a pear, Apple claimed in its filing that Prepear's logo "consists of a minimalistic fruit design with a right-angled leaf, which readily calls to mind Apple's famous Apple Logo and creates a similar commercial impression."
Super Healthy Kids, the company behind Prepear, launched a petition in an attempt to persuade Apple to drop its opposition targeting a small business trying to protect a logo that appears quite dissimilar to Apple's logo, and the petition has garnered over 250,000 signatures so far.
While Apple has not dropped its opposition, it appears a resolution to the dispute may be coming fairly soon, as filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board last week have requested that the trial proceedings be suspended for 30 days as the "parties are actively engaged in negotiations for the settlement of this matter."
Despite the official 30-day pause, either side is free to resume the proceedings at any time and the proceedings will automatically resume on January 23 if there is no further word from the two parties.
Should a settlement not be reached, the dispute appears to be set to drag on for some time, with initial pretrial disclosures set to begin in March, main trial briefs beginning in October, and a potential request for an oral hearing not coming until December 2021.
Activist hedge fund Third Point LLC is pushing for a major shakeup at Intel in response to threats from Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, AMD, TSMC, and Samsung (via Reuters).
Intel's in-house manufacturing capabilities have struggled to provide the chips its clients want in recent years, with many of its offerings lagging behind its rivals in terms of speed and power consumption. While 2020 has afforded Intel a boost in the form of surging laptop sales, the company has failed to capitalize on demand more broadly for semiconductors and is facing the loss of major clients such as Apple, who have begun to transition from Intel chips to custom silicon.
In a letter to Intel's chairman, Omar Ishrak, seen by Reuters, Third Point calls for "immediate action" to restructure and explore alternative business strategies. Firstly, Third Point requests that Intel urgently addresses its "human capital management issue." Many of Intel's talented chip designers have reportedly fled the company due to being "demoralized with the status quo," which has stifled innovation.
The letter explicitly highlighted that Intel has lost its prime position in microprocessor manufacturing to TSMC and Samsung Electronics, and is losing key market share in its core PC and data center markets to AMD. The company is also accused of being largely absent in the emerging market of artificial intelligence. "Without immediate change at Intel," the letter cautioned, "we fear that America's access to leading-edge semiconductor supply will erode."
Third Point encouraged Intel to consider separating its chip design and manufacturing divisions, and instead seek a joint venture in manufacturing. It was also urged to divest its failed acquisitions, such as the $16.7 billion purchase of programmable chip maker Altera in 2015.
Following Apple, Intel customers Microsoft and Amazon are expected to cease using its chips, resorting to their own custom silicon instead. Third Point expressed concern that the custom silicon designed by these companies is sent to be manufactured by companies in East Asia. As such, it suggests that Intel must offer new solutions to retain its major clients as customers rather than have them send their manufacturing away.
Splitting up design and manufacturing operations could help Intel address some of the threats it is facing. Tapping external vendors to manufacture its most advanced processors, a step Intel executives are said to be extremely resistant toward, could help to lower costs. Furthermore, opening up Intel's own manufacturing capability to make non-Intel processors could allow it to produce the custom silicon chips increasingly wanted by its major clients.
Intel has reportedly been slow to respond to investors' concerns. The letter threatened that if Third Point senses "a reluctance to work together to address the concerns," it will submit nominees for election to Intel's board at its next annual meeting. Third Point is said to hold a $1 billion stake in Intel, affording it a position where it can push for change at the company.
A statement from Intel responded to the intervention, saying "Intel welcomes input from all investors regarding enhanced shareholder value. In that spirit, we look forward to engaging with Third Point LLC on their ideas towards that goal."
As 2020 comes to an end, many retailers are discounting a wide array of Apple accessories. In this article, we've rounded up the best sales you can find online for Apple accessories from companies like Nomad, Speck, Twelve South, Pad & Quill, JBL, and more.
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.
Sale duration varies from site to site, but for a large portion of them, you'll have until New Year's Eve to take advantage of the discounts.
ZAGG
ZAGG is offering 30 percent off your entire cart when you purchase two or more products. With this sale, you can select at least two compatible products and see 30 percent taken off your order total in your shopping cart.
This excludes sale items. The offer extends across ZAGG's family of brands, which includes Mophie, Braven, InvisibleShield, IFROGZ, Gear4, and HALO. You can also save on smartphone sanitizers, starting at $29.99.
Twelve South
On Twelve South, you can shop the "Happy New Gear Sale" to save 20 percent sitewide. You'll need to enter the code BYE2020 to see the savings.
Twelve South offers a variety of accessories tailored for Apple products, including the new SuitCase for MacBook, Curve Riser for iMac, AirSnap Pro for AirPods Pro, BookBook for iPad and iPhone, and many more.
Pad & Quill
Pad & Quill's New Year Sale Event has up to 40 percent off select leather products, including briefcases, bags, iPad Pro cases, iPhone 12 cases, and Apple Watch straps.
Belkin
You can save 15 percent this week at Belkin with the code NY2021. This coupon takes 15 percent off select products at the retailer.
Belkin offers a variety of tech accessories, including charging bricks, speakers, headphones, screen protectors, cables, docks, routers, and more.
Moment
Moment is offering up to 50 percent off camera accessories through New Year's Eve. This includes up to $100 off mics, up to $200 off lights, up to $150 off gimbals and rigs, and more.
JBL
JBL is having a "Get Going, Get Fit" sale this week, offering up to 50 percent off Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and more.
These discounts have been automatically applied on JBL's website. Savings include the JBL Tune 125TWS for $59.95 ($40 off) and the JBL Reflect Flow for $99.95 ($50 off).
Nomad
Nomad's New Year's sale gives customers 20 percent off sitewide with the code MYGIFT. Nomad's products include the Base Station Pro wireless charger, Rugged Folio for iPad Pro, laptop sleeves for MacBook Pro, and more.
Speck
Speck is offering 25 percent off sitewide this week. With this sale, you can save on most items on Speck's website, but the offer can't be combined with other coupons or sale items.
The sale will run through January 2, 2021. Speck sells a large variety of cases for iPhone, iPad, MacBook, AirPods, and Samsung smartphones.
Miscellaneous
Adorama - December Rebate Sale includes discounts on Beats headphones, MacBooks, and more
B&H Photo - Year-End Sale includes savings on camera equipment, backpacks, and more
Harber London - Get 15 percent off the new Leather Sling Bag with code SLINGBAG
A new report by Sensor Tower reveals that 2020 has been a record-setting year for worldwide spending on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, which collectively passed $100 billion in a single year for the first time ever in November.
The trend of increased spending continued over Christmas, when consumers around the world spent an estimated $407.6 million across Apple's App Store and Google Play. This represents a 34.5 percent year-on-year growth from approximately $303 million in 2019. At the same time in 2019, spending only increased by 17.1 percent year-on-year.
Spending on Christmas day constituted 4.5 percent of December's total spending so far, which reached nine billion dollars globally on December 27. The majority of holiday spending was on mobile games, which climbed by 27 percent from $232.4 million at the same time last year to $295.6 million.
Tencent's "Honor of Kings" was the leading game with approximately $10.7 million in consumer spending, which is a 205.7 percent increase from Christmas 2019. TikTok was the top app for spending outside of games, generating $4.7 million globally.
Following previous years, Apple's App Store captured the majority of spending between the App Store and the Google Play Store, with 68.4 percent of spending, up 35.2 percent year-on-year. The Google Play Store saw $129 million in revenue compared to the App Store's $278.6 million.
In the United States, consumers spent almost $130 million across both app stores this Christmas, which is a 38.7 percent growth year-on-year and exceeds global growth by six points.
As with the global marketplace, mobile games generated the most revenue in the U.S., increasing 26.4 percent from $69 million in 2019 to $87.2 million. Other apps grew 72.2 percent from $24.8 million to $42.7 million.
"Roblox" was the top mobile game in the U.S., with consumer spending climbing 40.4 percent this Christmas from $4.7 million to $6.6 million. Disney+ was the leading non-game app for consumer spending, generating $2.6 million in the U.S., which was up 44.4 percent from $1.8 million at the same time in 2019.
After using AirPods Max for a while now, some users have reported experiencing an issue with the headphones that occurs when switching them between active noise cancelation and transparency modes.
Pressing the noise control button on the right ear cup is meant to toggle AirPods Max between the two modes seamlessly, but sometimes only one of the ear cups will switch modes in response, leaving one cup in ANC and the other in Transparency.
One MacRumors staff member has also run into the problem, which seems to be intermittent. Hopefully Apple can nix the bug in a future software update, but until then, if you're experiencing the issue, follow these steps to reboot your AirPods Max.
How to Reset AirPods Max
Before you reboot your AirPods Max, make sure they have some charge by plugging them into a charging point via the supplied USB-C to Lightning Cable.
Press and hold the Noise Control button and the Digital Crown until the LED status light at the bottom of the right-hand earcup flashes amber.
After rebooting your AirPods Max, the issue should be fixed on this occasion and you'll get ANC or Transparency mode in both cups when you press the noise control button. If the problem recurs at a later time, simply repeat the same steps.
If the problem is more persistent, you may want to try entirely resetting your AirPods Max by using the same steps as above but holding the Noise Control for a longer 15-second timeframe. Once the status light flashes amber and then changes to white, they've been reset and you can reconnect them to your device by going through the setup process. If even that doesn't do the trick, it's probably time to contact Apple Support.
Apple has pulled an iOS app from the App Store that encouraged users to organize secret underground parties despite social distancing measures and U.S. pandemic restrictions, reports The Verge.
Called "Vybe Together," the app billed itself as a place to organize and attend secret parties, with its now-defunct website using the tagline "Get your rebel on. Get your party on."
App users could act as party organizers and approve other users who wanted to attend their event. Approved invitees then received the event address two hours before the party was due to start.
According to one of the developers contacted by The Verge, Vybe Together had a few thousand users and thousands more had requested access before Apple pulled it from the App Store. The app had also been promoted on TikTok before its account on the short-form video sharing platform was banned.
The ongoing health crisis has made indoor gatherings of people from different households an unsafe practice and in many regions such parties would be clear violations of pandemic restrictions, so it's unclear why Apple approved the app in the first place.
According to the report, the website's FAQ page acknowledged the danger of the pandemic, but said the app was designed to promote "small gatherings" rather than "large scale parties."
Whether the app led to many people holding the unsafe events is unclear, although it promoted "gatherings every weekend" on TikTok, including New Year's Eve parties.
The app had 25 ratings on the App Store before it was removed, and its Instagram page had under 1,000 followers. Before it was banned from the photo-sharing platform, Vybe Together's account had a single text post which read: "Blown out of proportion by the media. We DO NOT CONDONE LARGE GATHERINGS."
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 today sent out emails informing Apple Pay users about a New Year promotion that will see Grubhub offering a 20 percent discount on purchases of $10 or more when customers use Apple Pay.
Customers can make a $10+ Grubhub purchase either on the web or in the Grubhub app and then get a 20 percent discount by using the promo code APPLEPAY when checking out.
The discount is limited to $10, which means a $50 purchase will get the maximum discount amount. The promo code can be used one time, and it is not able to be used for alcohol purchases. The discount is applied prior to tax, tip, and fees, and it is available until January 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Though 2020 forced Apple to shift how it operates with many employees working from home for most of the year, Apple still managed to get a long list of new products out over the course of the last 12 months, refreshing most devices in its lineup and introducing new software.
In our latest YouTube video, we rounded up our top five products of 2020. Though there was a lot to choose from, there were several standouts like the M1 Macs, the iPhone 12 lineup, the iPad Air, the AirPods Max, and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
Magic Keyboard
It may seem like forever ago, but back in March 2020, Apple debuted new iPad Pro models with updated camera technology that includes a LiDAR Scanner for the first time, and alongside the new iPad Pro models, Apple introduced the Magic Keyboard.
Apple previously had a Smart Keyboard for its iPads, but the Magic Keyboard is the best Apple-designed iPad keyboard to date. It has a scissor mechanism keyboard that's similar to the keyboard used for Apple's Macs, and for the first time, there's a trackpad.
The trackpad makes the iPad more laptop-like than ever, and Apple's iPads are also now compatible with mice. The Magic Keyboard also has a nifty float design that allows the display to be adjusted, and it even works well in a lap.
On the downside, it's priced starting at $300, which is incredibly expensive for a keyboard, and it doesn't fold back so you can't use it as a standard case when you don't need the keyboard.
iPad Air
Introduced in September 2020, the iPad Air is Apple's first device that has a fullscreen display andTouch ID, with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the power button.
It also got a faster A14 chip before the A14 chip came to the iPhone 12 (even though Apple ultimately released the iPad Air and the iPhone 12 lineup at the same time), and it comes in a range of fresh colors that haven't been used before for an iPad.
Compared to prior-generation iPad Air models, it got an iPad Pro style-display with slimmed down bezels, and with its A14 chip, Touch ID, and new design, it's a solid deal at its $599 starting price.
iPhone 12
Apple released four new iPhones this year, including a 5.4-inch iPhone mini, its smallest iPhone in many years designed for those who are fans of smaller devices, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, the largest iPhone to date.
All of the new iPhones feature a fresh iPad Pro-style design with squared off edges that mark a departure from the rounded edges we've seen in the iPhone lineup since the iPhone 6.
The iPhones all feature OLED displays even at the low end, and have A14 chips that are incredibly fast. They all have great cameras, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max has the highest-end camera setup, though both Pro models feature the same LiDAR Scanner first introduced in the iPad Pro.
iPhone 12 models are also equipped with a ring of magnets inside that makes them compatible with a new technology called MagSafe, which is used for attaching chargers and magnetic accessories. With MagSafe, iPhones are able to charge wirelessly at up to 15W, an improvement over the prior 7.5W charging maximum.
M1 Macs
At WWDC in June, Apple confirmed that it was working on its own Apple silicon Arm-based chips, and in November, the first Apple silicon Macs were unveiled with "M1" chips. The M1 Macs are, without a doubt, the most exciting new products that Apple has come out with in the Mac lineup in years.
Prior to launch, no one knew quite what to expect from the M1 Macs, but Apple surprised everyone with downright incredible performance. When it comes to single-core CPU speeds, the M1 Macs beat out all other Macs on the market, and in multi-core performance, they're on par with some of Apple's higher-end desktop machines.
Apple put its M1 chip in the MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, and despite the speed gains introduced with these chips, these are the low-end Macs, with even more powerful chips expected for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, iMac, and other machines in 2021.
AirPods Max
We weren't expecting the AirPods Max until 2021, but Apple introduced them as a December surprise. The AirPods Max are Apple's first Apple-branded over-ear headphones, and they turned out to be more expensive than anyone expected at $549.
The AirPods Max feature aluminum ear cups, mesh ear cushions, and a mesh headband, and though they're heavier than many other over-ear headphone options on the market because of the premium build, most people have found them to be comfortable.
AirPods Max have all of the features that you expect from AirPods like quick pairing, fast device switching, and great range, plus Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive EQ, and Spatial Audio. They sound great, as they should for $549, and battery life is decent at 20 hours.
The one real downside is the Smart Case, which has a curious design, offers no protection, and is generally seen as one of the worst cases included with a set of premium headphones.
Wrap Up
What's on your list of top five Apple products of 2020? Let us know in the comments.
In 2021, we're expecting many more new devices, including additional (and more powerful) M1 Macs, AirTags, an Apple TV, new software, and the iPhone 13 lineup. You can keep an eye on what's rumored to be launching in our Upcoming Apple Products guide, and we'll have an in-depth rundown later this week.
Corellium, a mobile device company that supports iOS, this week won a significant victory in its legal battle against Apple. Apple last year sued Corellium for copyright infringement because the Corellium software is designed to replicate iOS to allow security researchers to locate bugs and security flaws.
According to The Washington Post, a Florida judge threw out Apple's claims that Corellium had violated copyright law with its software. The judge said that Corellium successfully demonstrated that it operates under fair use terms.
"Weighing all the necessary factors, the Court finds that Corellium has met its burden of establishing fair use," Judge Smith wrote Tuesday's order. "Thus, its use of iOS in connection with the Corellium Product is permissible."
In its lawsuit, Apple said that Corellium illegally replicated the operating system and applications that run on the iPhone and iPad. "Corellium has simply copied everything: the code, the graphical user interface, the icons - all of it, in exacting detail," Apple said in the original filing.
Corellium's software does indeed create digital replicas of iOS, iTunes, and user interface elements available on a web-based platform or custom platform built by Corellium, with the software posed as an exact copy of iOS to allow security researchers to locate bugs. Corellium argued that its software helps Apple by making it easier for security researchers to find flaws and has also accused Apple of using the lawsuit to "crack down on jailbreaking."
Corellium claimed that Apple's code in its product is "fair use," which the judge in the case agreed with. Apple has also said that Corellium circumvented Apple's security measures to create its software and violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and that claim has not been tossed out. Apple has not yet commented on the decision.
As an alternative to Corellium, Apple launched a Security Device Research Program to give vetted researchers access to specially-configured iPhones that are less locked down than consumer devices with the aim of helping researchers locate bugs in iOS. Apple in late December began sending out the first of these research iPhones.
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.
