MacRumors

The iPhone XR is not properly functioning on the O2 network in the UK, according to the BBC. Based on multiple reports on Twitter, XR users who have O2 as a mobile provider have been experiencing multiple signal outages per day.

Customers have been unable to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages, as well as maintain a reliable LTE connection for using apps.

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An O2 spokesperson told the BBC that it is working closely with partners to resolve "an intermittent issue affecting some of our customers using ‌iPhone‌ XR." O2 did not clarify how many customers are affected, but said that turning the ‌iPhone‌ off and on again can temporarily fix the issue.

According to one customer with an affected device, he was told by an O2 customer service representative that Apple caused the issue with a recent iOS update, though that information has not been confirmed. He was given a free month's line rental as compensation.

A MacRumors reader who is experiencing issues with the ‌iPhone‌ XR was able to receive a free upgrade to the ‌iPhone‌ 11 plus a £20 refund due to the signal issues.

Apple told him there was indeed a problem and that under consumer law in the UK, the handset had to be replaced regardless of warranty. There have been no other reports of free ‌iPhone‌ upgrades, but other ‌iPhone‌ XR owners who are experiencing issues on O2 may want to contact Apple support to see what can be done.

Following in the footsteps of Anker, accessory makers Griffin and Aukey are at CES 2020 in Las Vegas this week to show off new portable wall chargers based on a material known as gallium nitride, or GaN. In short, GaN allows semiconductor components to be shrunk down, leading to smaller chargers.

Griffin has three new PowerBlock chargers based on GaN, including a 30W option with dual USB-C ports for devices like an iPhone or iPad, a 45W option with a single USB-C port for devices like a 13-inch MacBook Pro, and a 96W option with a single USB-C port for devices like the new 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Griffin PowerBlock Range
The chargers are anywhere from 11 to 57 percent smaller than non-GaN versions, depending on the wattage, according to Griffin. All of them support USB-C Power Delivery for fast charging, and they all have folding prongs.

Griffin says the new PowerBlock lineup will be available in the second quarter of 2020, with prices ranging from $49.99 to $79.99.

Aukey is also launching a new line of GaN-based chargers in the second quarter of 2020. Full details and pricing have yet to be disclosed, but based on the image below, the so-called Omnia Series will include at least five portable chargers with various combinations of USB-C and/or USB-A ports.

aukey gan chargers ces 2020
Aukey will be showcasing its new chargers with more details on the CES 2020 show floor this week.

Mophie today unveiled its newest powerbank, the Powerstation Go, which is designed to serve as a portable jump starter for any SUV or full-sized car.

It offers up 44,000mWh of power and it comes with mini jumper cables that can come in handy when a car battery runs out of juice. There's a built-in LED flashlight, along with ports for charging other devices.

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A wireless charging surface allows any Qi-based wireless device like iPhones or AirPods to charge at 5W, plus there are dual 2.4A USB-A ports and a 115V AC output port for charging laptops and other devices with up to 65W of power.

The Powerstation Go comes in multiple colors, including black, blue, rose gold, blue/purple, camo, and gold. Other features include charging indicator lights, spark proof cables, and automated safety checks.

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Mophie's Powerstation Go is priced at $160, though it is currently available from HSN.com for $110, with a launch coming to the Mophie website on January 9.

Intel at CES shared details on its upcoming 10th-generation 45W "Comet Lake" chips, which could be slated for future 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

As highlighted by AnandTech, the new 10th-generation chips will be built on the 14++nm architecture and will reach higher than ever speeds. The Core i7 chips will hit 5GHz speeds, while the Core i9 models will exceed 5GHz.

intelcometlakechips
Intel hasn't shared additional details on the chips yet, but AnandTech speculates that Intel will introduce Turbo Boost Max 3.0 and Velocity Boost technology to the chips.

There are already a few manufacturers such as Acer and Lenovo that have announced support for the new 45W chips, and Intel believes the hardware will be coming to the market soon, so these may be the chips Apple will use in a 2020 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ refresh.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Abode today at CES 2020 in Las Vegas introduced a new security camera that can be used both indoors or outdoors.

The modular security camera has many commonly seen features like 1080p video recording, a 152-degree field of view, infrared night vision, motion sensing, facial recognition, a built-in microphone and speaker for two-way communication, and IP65-rated water and dust resistance.

abode indoor outdoor security camera
Abode said it has submitted the camera for HomeKit certification, which would allow live video to be streamed in the Home app and for the camera to be controlled with Siri voice commands. It is unclear how long this process will take.

An included doorbell mount allows the camera to be installed flush against the door and powered by existing doorbell wiring, or a corded attachment can be used to mount the camera outdoors and have it powered by a standard outlet. Abode will also be releasing a model with a built-in doorbell button in the future.

The camera will be available for $199 starting in the first quarter of 2020.

LG today expanded on last week's announcement of new 8K OLED TVs with new details on the full lineup of 13 new OLED models, including a new 48-inch size.

lg tvs 2020
Most notably for Apple fans, LG says the new lineup of OLED TVs will include an Apple TV app, letting users access ‌Apple TV‌+, ‌Apple TV‌ channels, and iTunes video content. In addition to the new 2020 models, LG says the app will also be coming to 2019 and 2018 models later this year, although exact details on which models will be getting the app have yet to be shared.

New for 2020, the Apple TV app allows customers to subscribe and watch Apple TV+ and Apple TV channels as well as access their iTunes video library and buy or rent more than 100,000 films and TV shows. Customers with 2018 and 2019 LG TV models will also be able to enjoy the Apple TV app this year.

While AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support have rolled out to a number of TV models from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio, the ‌Apple TV‌ app has until now been exclusive to certain 2018 and 2019 Samsung models. The ‌Apple TV‌ app is also available on certain Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, providing owners of non-Samsung TVs with some alternatives beyond the ‌Apple TV‌ set-top box, but native integration with ‌Apple TV‌ on additional TV brands will be a welcome addition.

Tags: CES 2020, LG

In an internal memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers, Apple has indicated that it plans to update its serial number format to a randomized alphanumeric string for future products starting in late 2020 (update: Apple now says 2021). Apple says all serial numbers that exist before the change is made will remain the same.

macos catalina serial number
Apple already uses alphanumeric serial numbers, but it has long been possible to determine the date and location that a product was manufactured based on the current format. Readers would often use serial numbers to glean more information about their devices. The randomized format would likely not be decipherable, or at least hard to, and it could also help to reduce fraud.

The memo was published today and obtained by MacRumors from a reliable source. It is unclear if the change will apply worldwide.

Update: Apple has delayed this change until some point in 2021, according to an internal document viewed by MacRumors.

After a $600 discount hit the Space Gray version of the 15-inch 512GB MacBook Pro last week, today Amazon is providing the same discount on the Silver model.

15 inch macbook pro 2019 transparentNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Specifically, this is the 2.3 GHz model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which Apple updated in the middle of 2019. You can get it for $2,199.00, down from $2,799.00 ($600 off). Stock is low and Amazon has a current shipping estimate of January 14.

This model has now been replaced with the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but this lowest-ever deal is a solid discount for anyone okay with an older model MacBook Pro that lacks the 16-inch's updated keyboard and internals.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Last month, in a research note with TF International Securities, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expects four high-end iPhones with 5G support to launch in the second half of 2020, including both sub-6GHz and sub-6GHz-and-mmWave models.

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Kuo said iPhone models with mmWave would be available in five markets, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom, adding that Apple may disable 5G functionality in countries that do not offer 5G service or have a shallow 5G penetration rate to reduce production costs.

Based on checks within Apple's supply chain, however, Susquehanna analyst Mehdi Hosseini disagrees with Kuo's timeframe. Instead, he expects 5G-enabled iPhones to launch in two phases, including sub-6GHz models in September 2020 and mmWave models in December 2020 or January 2021.

The allegedly delayed launch of mmWave models stems from Apple's decision to use its own antenna-in-package modules instead of relying on a third-party supplier, said Hosseini, according to StreetInsider.

mmWave is the fastest 5G, utilizing new spectrum to provide theoretical download speeds of over 1 Gbps. Sub-6GHz is slower than mmWave, but it is still faster than 4G LTE and has broader coverage that makes it more suitable for rural areas.

Hosseini also expects one of the 5G-enabled iPhones to have an LCD, whereas Kuo said all four models would ship with OLED displays. One 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch model are expected.

Kuo has a more established track record than Hosseini, so Apple's exact roadmap remains to be seen.

Related Forum: iPhone

Kohler and Moen introduced new smart home products at CES this year, including showerheads, smart speakers, water purification systems, faucets, shower systems, and more.

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Both Kohler and Moen announced connected shower products, like Kohler's Moxie showerhead + smart speaker and Moen's latest U by Moen Smart Shower. With these upgrades to your shower, you can start the shower from your smartphone and in Moen's case, even use Siri to adjust settings like temperature.

Other popular products at CES this year include smart faucets, which let you initiate water flow by either waving your hand or talking to the faucet. Kohler's Touchless Toilet introduces a similar idea, letting you flush the toilet by waving your hand near the lever. Check out all of the announcements below.

Kohler's announcements:

  • Moxie showerhead + smart speaker - A combination of a Kohler showerhead with a Harman Kardon smart speaker, that lets you listen to music and talk to a built-in voice assistant while you shower.
  • Aquifer Refine water purification system - Eliminate harmful contaminants from your kitchen water with a system that features Wi-Fi connectivity to monitor usage and leak detection.
  • Setra touchless kitchen faucet - A faucet with touchless on/off operation that uses motion control and a voice assistant to activate the faucet.
  • DTV Mode digital shower system - Create customized bath presets, adjust temperature, and remotely start your shower from a connected app.
  • Touchless Toilet - Kohler's new toilet offers touchless flushing through an integrated sensor.

Moen's announcements:

  • Moen Network - Moen is expanding its smart ecosystem across a full line of smart home products, including kitchen and bath fixtures, after first only being available in the U by Moen Smart Shower.
  • Smart Faucet - Take advantage of smart features like precise measurements, exact temperatures, and unlimited personalized presets, with voice activation controls.
  • Smart Water Detector - Detect and prevent leaks, monitor water usage, and more using a small device that connects to Moen's smartphone app.
  • Smart Shower - The next generation Moen Smart Shower features mobile connectivity, 12 customized presets, and the ability to control the shower from your smartphone or through ‌Siri‌.

Visit our CES 2020 roundup to catch up on all of the latest product announcements.

French consumer electronics company Withings today announced ScanWatch, a hybrid smartwatch that can both detect irregular heart rhythms and sleep apnea in wearers.

Withings ScanWatch with app

Billed as Withings' most advanced device to date, the ScanWatch uses two detection methods to identify if users have an irregular heart rhythm (AFib) or if their heart rhythm is slow, high or normal. The first is through users taking an electroECG on-demand when they feel symptoms like palpitations.

When symptoms aren't present, the watch offers a second early detection capability that continuously monitors heart rate through a PPG sensor to alert users of a potential issue and encourages them then to take an ECG.

Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million adults in the U.S., with another 80 percent of cases of moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea undiagnosed, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.

Withings claims ScanWatch can detect the presence of sleep apnea episodes through a SpO2 sensor. All of the sleep, cardiovascular and activity data collected by ScanWatch is stored in the accompanying Health Mate app and can be shared from there with a physician.

The PMOLED digital display in the center of the watch face is bigger than previous hybrid Withings smartwatches, and shows health and sports data such as daily and previous day steps and sleep score as well as calories, distance and heart rate. You can also scroll through each screen using the watch's newly designed digital crown.

The digital crown also allows you to launch an ECG record and SPO2 measurement, start workout modes and deactivate/set alarms, while the display shows smartphone notifications, which appear along with a discrete vibration.

The ScanWatch offers 30 days of battery life on a single charge. Pending CE and FDA-clearance, Withings expects it to be available in the U.S. and Europe in the second quarter of this year. Pricing will start at $249/£229 for the 38mm model and $299/£279 for the 42mm model.

Apple doesn't advertise Apple Watch as able to detect sleep apnea. However, a 2017 study by health startup Cardiogram and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) concluded that Apple Watch can detect sleep apnea with a 90 percent accuracy.

Home security company ADT today announced a new range of smart home products with forthcoming HomeKit support, including an indoor camera, outdoor camera, video doorbell, and Wi-Fi range extender that doubles as a doorbell chime. All are part of the new Blue by ADT brand, known as LifeShield until now.

ADT's doorbell features 1080p video recording, a 180-degree field of view, night vision, custom motion detection zones, two-way talk, a water-resistant design, and more. The biggest feature of all will be HomeKit support, as there are currently only a few video doorbells that support Apple's smart home platform.

blue by adt video doorbell cameras

From left to right: outdoor camera, video doorbell, and indoor camera

HomeKit support will allow users to receive an instant notification when someone rings the doorbell, leading to a live video stream in the Home app when tapped. HomeKit also means Siri support for controlling the doorbell with voice commands. Unfortunately, ADT will not be adding HomeKit or Google Assistant support to the doorbell until the second quarter of 2020, according to The Verge.

ADT's indoor and outdoor security cameras offer many of the same features as the doorbell, including 1080p video recording and two-way talk, but they have a slightly smaller 130-degree field of view.

All four products are available to pre-order starting today and will begin shipping before the end of January. The cameras and doorbell are priced at $199.99 each, while the Wi-Fi extender runs $49.99.

ADT says additional security system components, including a base, keypad, and sensors, will launch in spring 2020.

Now that we're in 2020, many people are trying to stick to their New Year's resolutions. As a way to help out, StackSocial has introduced discounts on a collection of Mac and iOS apps that can budget your spending, encourage you to increase the time you spend reading or meditating, and more.

2020 app salesNote: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with StackSocial. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

To further deepen the discounts, you can use the exclusive promo code RUMORS15 to take an additional 15 percent off any of the apps listed below (except PDF Expert). In total, you can save on PDF Expert, MoneyWiz 3, Mondly, 12min Micro Book Library, and Aura.

New Year App Sales

macOS

  • PDF Expert - $29.99, down from $79.99: Edit PDF text, images, links, and outlines with speed and ease.
  • MoneyWiz 3 Personal Finance - $19.99, down from $49.99: Organize your bank accounts, budgets, and bills in one place.

iOS

  • Mondly - $59.99, down from $69.99 (Lifetime Subscription): Learn new languages using Mondly's professional voice actors, speech recognition, and conversation-focused curriculum.
  • 12min Micro Book Library - $29, down from $39 (Lifetime Subscription): Choose from hundreds of easily-digestible "micro books" that you can read in 12 minutes.
  • Aura Meditation App Premium - $39.99, down from $94.99 (One Year Subscription): Aura uses machine learning to cater to your specific mindfulness needs, through guided daily meditations.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

Oral-B and Colgate, two major oral health brands, have announced new iPhone-connected electric toothbrushes at CES 2020 in Las Vegas.

A ‌CES 2020‌ Innovation Awards honoree, the new Oral-B iO toothbrush uniquely features a frictionless magnetic drive, which distributes energy more efficiently to the tips of the bristles for a smoother and quieter brushing experience, according to parent company Procter & Gamble.

oral b io
The toothbrush also features a redesigned brush head with twisted bristles that has been engineered to combine oscillating and rotating cleaning motions with micro-vibrations to ensure a deep clean.

Through the Oral-B app, the Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush provides real-time individual tracking and coaching, based on artificial intelligence from thousands of recorded brushing sessions. The app guides users through a two-minute brushing session with 3D teeth tracking to ensure the best cleaning possible.

Equipped with a smart pressure sensor, the Oral-B iO provides positive brushing feedback, identifying and guiding users to brush in the optimal pressure range. A tiny display on the toothbrush greets and motivates users throughout the cleaning process, with up to seven personalized brushing modes available.

Procter & Gamble says the Oral-B iO will be available for purchase beginning August 2020. Pricing has not been disclosed.

The recipient of a ‌CES 2020‌ Best of Innovation Award, Colgate's new Plaqless Pro toothbrush features new optic sensor technology that can detect plaque in the mouth so that it can be removed while brushing. The toothbrush will flash blue when buildup has been found in an area of the mouth, and then white when that area is clean.

colgate plaqless pro
Like the Oral-B iO, the Plaqless Pro is a Bluetooth-enabled toothbrush that can be paired with the Colgate Connect app for a personalized brushing experience. Sensors embedded in the toothbrush handle create a comprehensive map of the user's mouth, showing areas that are clean or may need further brushing.

Colgate says the Plaqless Pro will be available at some point later this year. Pricing has not been disclosed.

Amazon is providing an extra discount on the 13-inch MacBook Pro from Mid 2019, allowing you to save a total of $250 on the notebook. You'll see a base $99 discount on the MacBook Pro when you visit Amazon's webpage for the device, but when you head to the checkout screen to place your order, an additional $150 will be taken off your order.

macbook pro 13 inch 2019Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This isn't quite the lowest-ever price we've seen on this model of the MacBook Pro, but it is the current best discount we've tracked and definitely a solid offer for anyone shopping around for the 2019 MacBook Pro. This is the 1.4 GHz model with 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, a quad-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 processor, and a Touch Bar with Touch ID.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

After a successful crowd-funding campaign, ShiftCam has started taking orders for its new multi-lens cases for iPhone 11 and ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro that augment and enhance the cameras on Apple's latest smartphones using a slide-to-shift frame system on the back of the case.

With the new cases, ‌iPhone‌ 11 series users can make use of several new shooting options on the fly by pushing the square of integrated lenses on the back of the case into different positions.

ShiftCam iphone 11 camera lens
The most options come with the 5-in-1 MultiLens Case for ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max that turns the existing 2x Telephoto lens into 4x Telephoto and adds a 180-degree fish-eye lens to the main camera.

Also included on the 5-in-1 case is a Circular Polarizer Lens for the Ultra-Wide, as well as 10x Macro and 20x Macro lenses for the main and Telephoto cameras.

shiftcam multilens case iphone 11
A 3-in-1 case is available for the ‌iPhone‌ 11 that comes with a 10x Macro and 180-degree fish-eye lens, while also bringing the same Circular Polarizer to the Ultra-Wide camera.

Owners can slide in additional lenses from the ShiftCam ProLens series onto the back, and the cases also come with a ProLens Series Adapter for the front-facing camera.

shiftcam multilens cases iphone 11 pro
The 3-in-1 MulitLens Case for ‌iPhone‌ 11 costs $64.99, while the 5-in-1 MultiLens Cases for ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and ‌iPhone 11 Pro Max‌ both cost $74.99. All of the cases are available in either a matte black or a clear, matte transparent color.

Additional optional lenses range from $29.99 for the CPL Filter to $129.99 for the 12mm Ultra Wide Angle Aspherical Pro Lens. Prices are taken from the ShiftCam website and correct as of writing, while all of the above kit is also expected to be listed on Amazon soon.

Anker has updated its EufyCam 2C security camera with Apple HomeKit support, allowing owners to use the Home app and Siri to control the smart device.

eufycam 2
You can check to see if your Anker HomeBase 2 and Eufy cameras have been automatically updated by launching the Eufy Security App. According to tech blog Macerkopf.de, if the updates have been successfully installed you'll see a new "‌HomeKit‌ Setup" menu item in the HomeBase 2 settings.

Once you've selected ‌HomeKit‌ Setup, you'll be asked if you want to add the accessories to the Home app. Click a few more times and you'll be able to add the HomeBase 2 Bridge and cameras to ‌HomeKit‌.

Don't confuse this update with the promised support for Apple's new HomeKit Secure Video feature, which allows the cameras to capture and store recordings securely in iCloud – Anker is still working on bringing this feature to its EufyCam system and that should follow soon.

Smart lighting company Sengled has announced new additions to its smart lighting range, including an LED Edison Filament Bulb and a HomeKit compatible third-generation Sengled Smart Hub.

SENGLED SMART LED VINTAGE EDISON
The new Edison Filament Bulb is a vintage addition to Sengled's lineup. The filament is visible through the clear bulb, providing a golden glow at a 2100K color temperature.

There are also new candle light bulbs with 16 million colors to choose from, including Smart LED E12 Candle Light Bulbs that are designed to fit in chandeliers, ceiling fans and night lights.

Sengled is also adding Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring to its lineup, converting traditional lamps and home appliances into smart devices. The plug monitors energy consumption of your plugged-in devices allowing closer energy management.

Meanwhile, the third-generation Sengled Smart Hub has received several enhancements including the addition of Apple ‌HomeKit‌ support, enabling owners to use Siri to control their smart devices. The new hub enables users to connect to over 64 smart lights and accessories and also supports Zigbee 3.0.

The Sengled Smart LED Edison Filament Bulb comes in a pack of two and costs $29.99, while the Sengled Smart LED E12 Candle Light Bulbs is priced at $24.99. The Sengled Smart Hub and the Sengled Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring retail at $29.99 and $19.99, respectively.