Some users may experience delays or slowness when using various iCloud services or sending messages using iMessage, according to Apple's system status page. The issues began within the last few hours.
We'll update this post once Apple indicates the issues have been fully resolved.
The Information has published a detailed look into the challenges that Apple has faced in expanding its manufacturing operations in India, including strict labor laws, unsatisfactory health and safety standards, and protectionist trade policies that have resulted in rising tariffs on smartphone components.
An excerpt from the paywalled report:
For example, one Indian supplier Apple approached in 2018 was Superpacks, which operated a packaging factory in Bangalore. Apple sent auditors to assess whether its supplier responsibility practices were up to Apple's standards. The audits revealed dozens of violations. The site had no safety measures for storing chemicals, lacked monitoring for noise and wastewater, and didn't have several environmental and construction permits. It didn't properly test drinking water for workers and the site lacked a fire hydrant system, according to a person close to Apple.
Apple spent months pushing Superpacks to fix the violations. However, the Indian company stopped giving updates and missed deadlines for fixes. Apple ultimately didn't give it a business contract. Superpacks didn't respond to a request for comment.
Apple has reached agreements with some suppliers in India, such as Wistron, which assembles the iPhone 7 in the country. However, the majority of Apple's manufacturing remains in China, with recent issues such as the U.S.-China trade war and the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak emphasizing the need for diversification.
As the report notes, India recently relaxed rules on local sourcing of components, paving the way for Apple to open an online store in India later this year and its first retail store in the country by next year.
Full Article: Inside Apple's Search for an Indian Supply Chain by The Information
WhatsApp is in the early phases of testing a new privacy feature on the messaging platform that will allow users to secure their chat backups, according to WABetaInfo.
Currently, WhatsApp on iPhone lets users back up their chat history to iCloud, but messages and media that users back up are not protected by WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption while in iCloud.
This new feature would resolve that security hole by allowing users to encrypt and password protect their chat history before uploading it to the cloud.
The new encryption and password-protection feature is currently being tested on Android for Google Drive chat backups, but given the way the Facebook-owned platform goes about testing and deploying new features, there's every chance that it will eventually come to WhatsApp for iPhone too.
As mentioned, this change to the way chats are backed up is still in the early stages of testing, and there's never any guarantee that new features will make it to public release.
Earlier this week, WhatsApp's long-requested Dark Mode rolled out to all users. Check out MacRumors' quick guide on how to set it up.
Amazon has introduced a new low price on the 13-inch MacBook Pro from mid 2019 today. You can get the notebook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $1,499.00, down from $1,799.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This $300 discount is the lowest price we've ever tracked for this model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it's available in both Silver and Space Gray. This MacBook Pro includes a Retina Display, Touch Bar with Touch ID, four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, and up to 10 hours of battery life.
On the entry-level side, Best Buy has the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 128GB SSD for $1,049.99, down from $1,299.00 ($250 off). This is another lowest-ever price, and a good deal for anyone looking to get a cheap price on the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro.
There are a few solid deals on other 13-inch MacBook Pro models, although they are not lowest-ever prices. The 1.4GHz/8GB RAM/256GB SSD model is $1,249.99 at Best Buy, down from $1,499.00 ($250 off), while the high-end 2.4GHz/8GB RAM/512GB SSD model is $1,699.00 at Amazon, down from $1,999.00 ($300 off).
As another quick mention, Amazon is still discounting the 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro to its lowest price of $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00 ($300 off). Adorama is matching this deal, which is an offer we've seen come and go throughout the past few months, and worth looking at if you're interested in a high-end version of Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
Apple's suppliers will kick off production of a new entry-level version of AirPods Pro between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes, suggesting that assembly of the earphones will begin around early to mid April.
A paywalled preview of the report, which should be published in full by tomorrow:
Chip and component suppliers gearing up for new AirPods production
Production of an entry-level version of Apple's AirPods Pro, dubbed tentatively AirPods Pro Lite, is expected to kick off between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to sources at chip and component suppliers engaged in the supply chain for the TWS device.
DigiTimes continues to refer to the earphones as "AirPods Pro Lite," but it is unlikely that Apple will actually use that name.
Details surrounding the alleged entry-level AirPods Pro remain slim. It has been speculated that the earphones could end up being third-generation regular AirPods with the same design and sound quality as AirPods Pro, but without active noise cancelation. Apple announced the second-generation AirPods on March 20, 2019.
The second-generation AirPods start at $159, while AirPods Pro are priced at $249.
There are a few new discounts on Apple's Smart Battery Case line today, including those for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11. Many of the sales include best-ever prices for these cases, and you'll find discounts below from Amazon and Best Buy.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To start, you can get the iPhone XS Smart Battery Case in White for $69.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($60 off). At nearly half off, this is definitely a solid deal and the best price we've ever tracked on this particular accessory among the major Apple resellers online.
If you own an iPhone XS Max, your best option for a Smart Battery Case is at Best Buy today, which has the accessory for $79.99 in White and Black, down from $129.00 ($49 off).
The iPhone XR Smart Battery Case in White is available for $80.99 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($48 off). The Black color option is priced at $89.99 at the time of writing, which is still a solid deal on the charging accessory.
Lastly, if you have a newer iPhone you can get the iPhone 11 Smart Battery Case in Black for $99.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($30 off). This is the best price on the device that we've tracked, and as of now there aren't any notable discounts on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max versions of the Smart Battery Case.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
Apple plans to launch a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and multiple notebook models with Mini-LED backlit displays by the end of 2020, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.
This lines up with information shared earlier this week by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said Apple is developing six products with Mini-LED displays for release by the end of 2021, including new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 10.2-inch iPad, 7.9-inch iPad mini, 27-inch iMac Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Kuo expects the new iMac Pro in particular to launch during the fourth quarter of 2020. Apple has not refreshed the iMac Pro since it was originally released in December 2017, so it is well overdue for an update.
DigiTimes claims that Apple will also adopt Mini-LED backlighting for "a few models of LCD monitors," but it is unclear if that refers to the iMac/iMac Pro or standalone displays. Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR uses 576 LEDs, but it is not a Mini-LED display. By comparison, the first iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED backlighting are expected to have over 10,000 LEDs.
Kuo has previously said that Mini-LED backlit displays will allow for thinner and lighter product designs, while offering many of the same benefits of OLED displays used on the latest iPhones, including good wide color gamut performance, high contrast and dynamic range, and local dimming for truer blacks.
Kuo has also said that Taiwan's largest LED manufacturer Epistar will be one of Apple's suppliers for those iPad and MacBook models.
We've been tracking deals on the AirPods Pro for a few months now, and as of yet the best offer on a brand new pair runs for around $235 on Amazon, or about $14 off the accessory's regular $249 price tag. Today, Best Buy is offering the AirPods Pro for $208.99, if you're okay with owning a refurbished product.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Best Buy's sale is $41 off the AirPods Pro, and definitely a solid discount for the wireless and noise-cancelling earphones. The AirPods Pro have been certified refurbished by the Geek Squad, and the retailer ensures that they have been repaired and restored to a like-new state, and will work as intended.
The AirPods Pro includes all essential parts and accessories, including a Lightning to USB-C cable, extra silicone ear tips, and wireless charging case. If you're unsatisfied with the earphones, refurbished products on Best Buy can be returned or exchanged. Visit Best Buy soon if you're interested, because the AirPods Pro deal will expire later tonight after the Deal of the Day page refreshes.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Apple's upcoming low-cost LCD iPhone has reached the final stage of product verification at assembly lines in China, but delayed components mean it could yet be delayed to the second quarter of the year, according to DigiTimes.
Taiwan-based flexible PCB makers in the supply chain of Apple devices will see their shipments for the upcoming entry-level iPhone SE2 deferred from the first quarter to the second, and their second-quarter revenues may buck seasonal trends because of the deferral, according to industry sources.
Up until now, all the rumors have been pointing to a launch for the low-cost device as early as this month. Rumors have suggested the new iPhone could be announced on March 31, with a launch to follow on April 3. However, it's possible that production on the new low-cost iPhone could potentially see some delays due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in China, according to multiple sources.
Apple's new low-cost iPhone, which is expected to look more like an iPhone 8 than anything else, will feature a 4.7-inch LCD display, but will come upgraded with the same A13 chip that's in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, according to rumors. It is said to include 3GB RAM, and will continue to offer Touch ID instead of Face ID, with a Home button at the bottom of the device.
The upcoming low-cost iPhone is expected have a $399 price tag, so it should be a popular upgrade option for iPhone users who currently have an iPhone 6 or 6s and are looking for an affordable upgrade that offers the same feature set.
Apple was planning to participate in the SXSW 2020 Film Festival to premiere new original content coming to Apple TV+, but will no longer do so because of concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in the United States and other countries, reports Variety.
Apple in January announced that upcoming Apple TV+ content "Home," "Central Park," and "Beastie Boys Story" would be shown at the SXSW Film Festival, which is scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 21. There was also supposed to be a "Little America" discussion panel with series creators Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon.
Many other companies along with Apple have pulled out of SXSW, including Amazon Studios, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Panasonic, SAP, and Intel. Despite the circulation of a Change.org petition calling for SXSW to be canceled and the fact that many major companies don't plan to attend, SXSW organizers say the festival will still take place.
SXSW typically attracts more than 100,000 people from around the world, and will be the biggest event not canceled in the wake of the coronavirus.
Apple recently warned technical support staff at its retail stores that replacement iPhones are in short supply, reports Bloomberg.
Replacement iPhones for heavily damaged devices are expected to face supply constraints for two to four weeks. Apple Store employees have been informed that they can mail replacement iPhones to customers and provide loaner devices to ease wait times.
Apple did not provide employees with specific details as to the cause of the shortage, but the supply constraints are likely linked to production delays caused by the coronavirus. Retail employees also told Bloomberg that some stores are noticing a shortage of individual components used for device repairs.
Apple suppliers like Foxconn and Pegatron were forced to shut down for two or more weeks in February at the height of the coronavirus outbreak in China. Factories are back up and running at this time, but production has still not ramped up to normal levels due to labor shortages, travel restrictions, and other factors.
Foxconn, Apple's main iPhone assembler, expects its plants in China to resume normal operation by the end of March. The delays are beginning to affect some product lines, with build-to-order Macs, the Mac Pro, and the iPad Pro seeing supply shortages, and it remains to be seen how new devices expected to launch early in the year will fare in terms of available supply.
Apple recently listed a new Writer/Editor job for the Maps app, which appears to suggest that Apple is planning to build an App Store-like location recommendation feature for Maps.
As noted by The Verge, the job listing, which has since been removed, says that Apple is looking for a person to "help build and grow a brand-new content category for the Apple Maps team," with that person responsible for curating content that helps people explore their communities and find places to visit.
[Apple] is looking for someone to help build exciting and engaging editorial content to help Maps users explore their world. Whether that's locally, or when they're planning an amazing vacation.
Qualifications for the job include an "insatiable curiosity for discovering new places and a passion for telling the world in an engaging manner," "knowledge of food, travel, and shopping trends," and "strong editing skills to help craft engaging digital content."
In the App Store, Apple has a "Today" feature that highlights curated app-related content, and it's possible that in the future, Maps could offer something similar.
Such a role could also focus on making the Apple Maps app more independent of third-party services like Yelp and Wikipedia, which Apple uses to provide reviews and information about points of interest.
Google Maps, one of Apple's main competitors in the mapping space, has a Local Guides service in select cities that's designed to help people find places to visit in new locations, plus there are recommendations provided through a For You tab and a built-in option for polling friends for suggestions on places to go.
Computer keyboards and input devices can be hotbeds of bacteria, especially if they're used by several people – in a school or office environment, for example.
Regularly disinfecting your Apple keyboard, trackpad, and/or mouse is the best way to sterilize these devices and remove any nasties, and it only takes five minutes to do. Keep reading to learn how.
To follow the steps below, you'll need some bleach-free disinfectant wipes – Apple specifically recommends Lysol Wipes for the job.
Apple has a support document that includes some important "don'ts" when it comes to disinfecting keyboards, trackpads, and mice, so it's worth reiterating them here:
If you're a regular traveler, it's worth picking up something like iKlear iPod Cleaning Kit For All Apple Products. The compact kit costs $19.92 and includes a 1-2 ounce spray bottle and several travel-size antimicrobial polishing cloths.
Apple today informed developers that starting on April 30, 2020, all iPhone and iPad apps submitted to the App Store must be built with iOS and iPadOS 13 SDK or later.
Apple previously told developers that iOS and iPadOS 13 SDKs would be required as of April, but did not give a specific date.
iOS 13 is now running on 77% of all iOS devices introduced in the last four years, worldwide. Deliver great user experiences by seamlessly integrating with Dark Mode, Sign in with Apple, and the latest advances in ARKit 3, Core ML 3, and Siri. Starting April 30, 2020, all iPhone apps submitted to the App Store must be built with the iOS 13 SDK or later.
Take advantage of Xcode features such as storyboards (including launch storyboards), Auto Layout, and SwiftUI, to ensure your app's interface elements and layouts automatically fit the display of all iPhone models, regardless of size or aspect ratio. Starting April 30, 2020, all apps submitted to the App Store must use an Xcode storyboard to provide the app's launch screen and all iPhone apps must support all iPhone screens.
Apple also says that as of April 30, all apps must use an Xcode storyboard to provide the launch screen. All iPhone apps must support all iPhone screens, and all iPad apps must support all iPad screens.
Apple today informed developers that it has released updated App Store Review Guidelines, with changes that cover reviews, spam, push notifications, Sign in with Apple, data collection and storage, mobile device management, and more.
Apple's new guidelines can be found on its developer website, but we've highlighted a few notable changes below.
Apple also provided new resources and guidelines for Sign in with Apple, which is an iOS 13 feature that's designed as a privacy-focused alternative to Sign in with Facebook and Sign in with Google options.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of an upcoming watchOS 6.2 update to developers, one week after seeding the third beta and a month after the release of watchOS 6.1.2 with bug fixes.
Once the proper configuration profile has been installed from the Apple Developer Center, the new watchOS beta can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update.
To install the update, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it has to be in range of the iPhone.
watchOS 6.2 introduces Apple Watch App Store support for in-app purchases, which will allow developers to create and sell Apple Watch apps that offer in-app purchase options and subscriptions.
Code in iOS 13.4, the companion update to watchOS 6.2, suggests that both the iPhone and the Apple Watch will in the future have a “CarKey” feature that will let them be used in lieu of a car key to unlock NFC-capable vehicles. It’s not clear if this feature will be available when watchOS 6.2 launches, but it is in the works.
Twitter is considering rolling out an ephemeral tweet option called a "Fleet," which is a tweet that lasts for 24 hours before disappearing and has no retweets, likes, or public comments.
Snapchat was the first major social networking app to feature short-lived content that eventually disappears, but since then, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and more have added Story options where content is deleted after 24 hours. Until now, Twitter has had no equivalent.
As outlined by TechCrunch, Twitter is testing "Fleets" in Brazil at the current time, and Twitter has shared a blog post in Portuguese explaining the new feature to Brazilian users.
Twitter is adding the feature to allow people to have conversations on the platform in new ways, with less pressure and more control.
Fleets are for you to share your ideas and momentary opinions. These posts disappear after 24 hours and have no Retweets, likes or public comments. In an initial survey, people told us that, once the Fleets are gone, they are more comfortable sharing everyday and everyday thoughts. We hope that those people who are not usually comfortable with Tweeting use Fleets to talk about the reflections that come to their head.
Fleets are similar to tweets and are based on text, but videos, GIFs, and photos can be included. People can reply to Fleets by clicking on one and then sending a Direct Message or an emoji to the person who shared the Fleet.
Fleets are not shown in Search or Moments, and cannot be embedded on external websites.
Twitter's test of Fleets in Brazil will determine whether or not the feature rolls out to the rest of the world. Twitter says that depending on how the testing goes, Fleets could expand to additional countries in the coming months.
Apple this morning shared a new video in its ongoing "Behind the Mac" series, this time highlighting women who are "changing the world" using the Mac.
Apple has a full list of all the women featured in the video along with their accomplishments in the video's description.
Apple has been sharing videos in the "Behind the Mac" series since August 2018. Most recently, on its Japanese YouTube channel, Apple did a fun "Behind the Mac" video that focused on anime characters using Macs.
In March, Apple is also hosting "She Creates" Today at Apple sessions in its retail stores, and sharing apps, TV shows, books, podcasts, and more created by women.
Note: Due to the political 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.
Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 26, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.
Apple's four new iPhones feature more differences between the latest models than ever before, so which one should you buy?
Apple Intelligence is what Apple is calling its artificial intelligence feature set. Here's everything we know.
Upgrade to A17 or newer chip with Apple Intelligence support, plus Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip.
17 hours ago by Joe Rossignol
4 days ago by Tim Hardwick
4 days ago by Joe Rossignol
5 days ago by Tim Hardwick
5 days ago by Tim Hardwick
Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 26, plus how-tos that walk you through using the new features.
Apple's four new iPhones feature more differences between the latest models than ever before, so which one should you buy?
Apple Intelligence is what Apple is calling its artificial intelligence feature set. Here's everything we know.
Upgrade to A17 or newer chip with Apple Intelligence support, plus Apple's new N1 wireless networking chip.
17 hours ago by Joe Rossignol
4 days ago by Tim Hardwick
4 days ago by Joe Rossignol
5 days ago by Tim Hardwick
5 days ago by Tim Hardwick