The non-profit Wi-Fi Alliance today announced the release of the Wi-Fi 6 certification program, noting that devices with the Wi-Fi 6 Certified logo will meet the "highest standards for security and interoperability."
Wi-Fi 6, aka 802.11ax, delivers faster speeds, greater network capacity, improved power efficiency, lower latency, and connectivity improvements in areas with several Wi-Fi devices. Wi-Fi 6 devices also must support WPA3, the latest version of the Wi-Fi security protocol with improved cryptographic strength.
The upcoming iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all support Wi-Fi 6, and the devices will likely be certified under this program soon. More information is available on the Wi-Fi Alliance website. CNET also has a good explainer.
Apple this morning started rolling out access to Apple Arcade, giving a handful of people early access to the $4.99 per month service.
Apple Arcade isn't launching with the more than 100 titles Apple has said are in development, but there are over 50 games to download across a wide range of categories. All of the games are listed below.
Assemble With Care (usTwo)
Shantae and the Seven Sirens (WayForward Technologies)
Grindstone (Capybara Games)
WHAT THE GOLF? (The Label)
Card of Darkness (Zach Gage)
LEGO Brawls (LEGO)
Patterned (Borderleap)
Stellar Commanders (Blindflug Studios)
Where Cards Fall (Snowman)
Overland (Finji)
Exit the Gungeon (Devolver Digital)
Rayman Mini (Ubisoft)
Spaceland (Tortuga Team)
Agent Intercept (PikPok)
Punch Planet (Block Zero Games)
Sneaky Sasquatch (Rac7 Games)
Operator 41 (Shifty Eye Games)
Frogger in Toy Town (Konami)
Red Reign (Ninja Kiwi)
Various Daylife (Square Enix)
Mini Motorways (Dinosaur Polo Club)
Don't Bug Me! (Frosty Pop)
Oceanhorn 2 (Cornfox & Bros)
King's League II (Kurechii)
Explottens (Werplay Priv.)
Spelldrifter (Free Range Games)
The Get Out Kids (Frosty Pop)
Spek. (Rac7 Games)
Way of the Turtle (Illusion Labs)
Lifeslide (Block Zero Games)
Neo Cab (Surprise Attack Games)
Skate City (Snowman)
Tint. (Lykke Studios)
The Enchanted World (Noodlecake Studios)
Over the Alps (Stave Studios)
Hot Lava (Klei Entertainment)
The Pinball Wizard (Frosty Pop)
Shinsekai Into the Depths (Capcom)
Word Laces (Minimega)
Dear Reader (Local No. 12)
Projection: First Light (Blowfish Studios)
ATONE: Heart of the Elder Tree (Wildboy Studios)
Big Time Sports (Frosty Pop)
Tangle Tower (SFB Games)
Dread Nautical (Zen Studios)
Mutazione (Die Gute Fabrik)
Bleak Sword (Devolver Digital)
Sayonara Wild Hearts (Annapurna)
Dead End Job (Headup)
Cat Quest II (The Gentlebros)
Dodo Peak (Moving Pieces)
Cricket Through the Ages (Devolver Digital)
Speed Demons (Radiangames)
According to Apple, new Apple Arcade games will be added to the service on a weekly basis, so there are plenty of additional games that will be coming soon.
The Apple Arcade interface is like a mini App Store itself, with various game categories, gaming tips, and more.
Of the above list, Apple is highlighting many of the games in different categories like "Start Your Adventure," "New Arrivals," "You Have to Hear This," "No Time to Blink," and more.
Ahead of Apple Arcade's debut, Apple has taken a deeper glimpse into some of the games that are coming, including developer commentary and gameplay details in an Apple Newsroom article. Games covered include The Enchanted World, Patterned, Overland, and Card of Darkness.
Apple Arcade is set to launch officially on Thursday, September 19, right alongside the rollout of iOS 13. The service is $4.99 per month for the entire family, with a free one-month trial available.
Apple Arcade appears to be rolling out to a handful of users ahead of its planned September 19 release date, based on a few tweets and emails sent to MacRumors.
We've also received access on one of our devices, and it appears those who are able to use Apple Arcade at this time are running either iOS 13 or the latest iOS 13.1 beta.
We were able to sign up for a complete Apple Arcade subscription, which comes with a one-month free trial. After that, Apple Arcade will be priced at $4.99 per month.
There appear to be right around 54 games available at launch, and we'll have a full list of titles coming soon. Games run the gamut from puzzle titles to action titles to RPGs and multiplayer games. Apple says new games will be added regularly.
Installing Apple Arcade games after subscribing is as simple as browsing the available game catalog, choosing a game, and tapping on the "Get" button.
Games can be downloaded and played fully offline, with no internet access required, and there appears to be no limit on the number of Apple Arcade games that can be installed at one time.
Apple Arcade is set to launch in an official capacity this Thursday, and it's possible Apple will continue rolling out access ahead of that date.
Have questions about Apple Arcade? Let us know in the comments and we'll try to answer.
Ahead of the launch of Apple Arcade this Thursday, Apple has allowed YouTubers and media sites to go hands-on with the service, and reviews are now available letting us know what we can expect.
Below, we've rounded up some highlights from the reviews, which will be of interest to anyone thinking of subscribing to Apple Arcade.
According to Engadget's Devindra Hardawar, the demo games that Apple allowed testers to play each had unique gaming elements. "It's clear that Apple is trying to build a service that shows off what its devices can do with truly innovative games," writes Hardawar.
He went on to call the service a "no brainer subscription" for anyone who owns an Apple device, and called Apple Arcade "one of the best deals in gaming."
Sneaky Sasquatch, image via Engadget
iMore's Rene Ritchie said that it felt like Apple spent "a lot of time" making sure there was a wide range of diversity in its launch catalogs and shared his thoughts in a hands-on video.
Sure, there are stealth games, but maybe you're not a sniper... you're a Sasquatch. There are puzzle games, but maybe not to climb a tower but to delve into your childhood memories.
There's Frogger and Chu Chu Rocket and Lego Brawls, but there's also Skate City, Projection: First Light, and Way of the Turtle. One of the biggest, oldest knocks against Apple has been that they don't get gaming.
It's usually made by studios and players who want a hardcore, PC-like, even console-like experience on the Mac or iOS.
The Verge's Chaim Gartenberg called Apple Arcade's launch lineup "surprisingly deep" that goes beyond the lackluster Frogger debut we saw on September 10.
Where Cards Fall, a puzzle game from Snowman (via The Verge)
My colleague Dieter Bohn got to try out a few of the upcoming games, and his take is: "All the games are good." Even that Frogger game has more to it than first thought. It's made by Q-Games, which previously made PixelJunk Monsters, and it's almost indicative of the entire Arcade reveal: lackluster at first, until you look closer and see that there's actually a lot happening.
Gizmodo's Alex Cranz said that Apple Arcade "probably isn't going to suck," and that after sampling some of the games, he's "tentatively excited." He wasn't a fan of some of the gameplay on the iPad, though, and he thought that several of the games "looked really similar."
An Apple Arcade game on an iPad, image via Gizmodo
Across the board, most of the games were a drag on the iPad. Quite a few of the games like to use the device itself to mimic a controller when played on touch devices. That works with a phone, which is roughly the same size as a controller from Sony or Microsoft. But using the iPad as a giant controller was really uncomfortable. My hands were too damn small to pretend a 10.2-inch iPad had joysticks on either side of the display.
Lifewire's Lance Ulanoff said that Apple Arcade games don't "break any new ground" beyond what's already in the App Store, but the promise of "all you can eat games" across Apple devices without in-app purchases for just $4.99 per month is "compelling."
At launch, Apple Arcade will be priced at $4.99 per month. That $4.99 fee will allow an entire family of up to 6 people (that uses Family Sharing) to access games.
Apple is planning to offer a free one month trial of Apple Arcade, which is launching in more than 150 countries and regions. There will be dozens of new and exclusive games available, with additional games coming in the future.
MacRumors has partnered with Anker again this week to offer our readers a chance to save on nine accessories, including USB-C chargers, wireless chargers, Lightning cables, and portable battery packs.
Note: 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.
Savings reach as much as 40 percent off the devices listed below, starting as low as $11.99 for Anker's own Lightning to USB-C power cable, which can be used to fast charge a compatible iPhone. All of the discount codes have been organized in our list, so be sure to browse the sale before the codes expire this Sunday, September 22.
Google is hosting an October 15 event in New York City, where it is expected to unveil its next-generation smartphone, the Google Pixel 4, reports Axios.
Like Apple's newest iPhones, the Google Pixel 4 will feature a square-shaped rear camera bump, which Google itself confirmed.
Ahead of the Pixel 4 launch, there were multiple leaks, so Google shared its own images of the upcoming device and also highlighted some of the smartphone's new features.
Rumors suggest Google's rear camera setup will include two lenses, a microphone, a flash, and a "spectral sensor" that's designed to account for light flicker when filming an LCD display.
Apple's iPhone camera setup positions three lenses in a triangle shape in the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, and two lenses vertically in the iPhone 11. Google's setup has the two lenses of the Pixel 4 arranged horizontally with the flash located at the bottom.
Google has already highlighted some of the other features coming to the Pixel 4, including a new Face Unlock feature that is equivalent to Face ID, using 3D facial scans.
Unlike prior implementation of facial recognition on Android devices, Google's version will support secure payments and app authentication. Google claims its facial recognition system will be a more fluid experience than Apple's, working in any orientation.
Google's facial recognition feature will also enable motion-based gestures called Motion Sense, allowing users to do things like skip songs, snooze alarms, and silence phone calls by waving a hand in front of the phone.
Google's Pixel 4 smartphone will be a major iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max competitor alongside Samsung's new Galaxy Note 10.
Apple has cast actor Charlie Hunnam in its upcoming series "Shantaram," which will air on Apple TV+ sometime after the service debuts this November (via Variety). The series is an adaptation of the Gregory David Roberts novel of the same name, the rights to which Apple acquired back in June 2018.
Image via Variety/Eric Charbonneau
The novel is based somewhat on Roberts' real life, focusing on a character named Lin (Hunnam), who is a convict that flees from an Australian prison and hopes to get lost in the city of Bombay. In the city, Lin stumbles across an underworld of criminals while individuals from his life in prison hunt him down.
Apple won the rights to the book amid a competitive bidding war that was said to include multiple streaming companies. Previously, plans to adapt "Shantaram" included Joel Edgerton in the role as Lin for a feature film, but plans fell through, leading to the idea of a streaming TV series.
"American Hustle" screenwriter Eric Warren Singer will serve as the showrunner and executive producer of the new Apple series. Singer also worked on "The International", "Only the Brave", and wrote the script for the upcoming sequel "Top Gun: Maverick." Hunnam is known for his roles in "Sons of Anarchy," "Pacific Rim," and "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword."
It's not clear yet when "Shantaram" will premiere on Apple TV+, but since casting has just gotten underway and filming has not yet begun, it's likely that we won't see the show debut until mid-to-late 2020 at the earliest.
New to Apple Watch Series 5 models is a built-in compass that allows users to see which way they are facing, complete with a new Compass app that displays heading, incline, latitude, longitude, and current elevation.
In fine print on its website, however, Apple has indicated that Apple Watch bands with magnets "may cause interference" with the compass. This includes the Milanese Loop, Modern Buckle, and Leather Loop. Sport Bands, Sport Loops, Link Bracelets, Nike, and Hermès bands do not contain magnets.
Magnetic interference can affect any compass, so this is not an Apple Watch issue, but something to keep note of while choosing a band.
Update: Apple has published a support document with more information:
The presence of magnets can affect the accuracy of any compass sensor. Apple's Leather Loop, Milanese Loop, and earlier Sport Loop watch bands use magnets or magnetic material that might interfere with the Apple Watch compass. The compass isn't affected by Sport Loop bands introduced in September 2019, or any version of the Sport Band.
Mophie this week launched a new wireless charging stand for any Qi-enabled smartphone, including the latest iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max devices. The accessory is available on Mophie's website for $69.95.
Mophie's new stand can convert from a vertical to a horizontal orientation, allowing you to charge your iPhone in portrait mode, landscape mode, or flat on its back. You can also use the new accessory to charge the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case.
MacRumors Exclusive Discount Code
Our readers should note that we have an ongoing 20 percent discount code with Mophie through the end of September. So, if you're interested in the new wireless charging stand you can get it for $55.96, down from $69.95 -- the lowest price available online. Use the code RUMORS20 to see this discount.
This discount code is available sitewide on Mophie's website, so you can use it to save on portable batteries, battery cases, charging cables, and more. This includes the all-new Juice Pack Access battery cases for iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Mophie. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Amazon is offering customers a chance to save when pre-ordering the Apple Watch Series 5, which is set to be released this Friday, September 20. The retailer's sale is focused on select models of the cellular Apple Watch Series 5, and offers up to $50 off these devices.
Note: 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.
We've listed a few models on sale below, and you can head to Amazon to browse the full sale right here. Readers should note that some of the sales are only for certain case sizes, and some others require you to clip an on-page coupon to get the discount.
Apple Watch Series 5 Pre-Order Discount (GPS + Cellular)
Apple this week is set to challenge the European Commission's order to repay 13 billion euros in Irish back taxes, according to Reuters.
The report claims Apple is expected to send a six-person delegation led by its CFO Luca Maestri to a two-day court hearing in Luxembourg on Tuesday and Wednesday. Apple will likely argue many of the same points that Apple CEO Tim Cook penned in a public letter about the tax ruling three years ago.
In a nutshell, Apple believes it follows the law and pays all the taxes it owes in every country where it operates, including Ireland. Apple has also said nearly all of its research and development takes place in the United States, so that is where the company should and does pay the majority of its taxes.
An excerpt from Cook's letter:
The Commission's move is unprecedented and it has serious, wide-reaching implications. It is effectively proposing to replace Irish tax laws with a view of what the Commission thinks the law should have been. This would strike a devastating blow to the sovereignty of EU member states over their own tax matters, and to the principle of certainty of law in Europe.
Ireland is also appealing the ruling, but Apple has finished paying back the 13 billion euros in the meantime, with the funds stored in an escrow account. If the order is overturned, the money would be returned to Apple.
In 2016, following a three-year investigation, the European Commission found Apple received illegal state aid from Ireland. Apple allegedly paid between 0.005 percent and one percent in taxes in Ireland between 2003 and 2014, compared to the the country's headline 12.5 percent corporate tax rate at the time.
Apple premiered its first TV show at the Tribeca TV Festival on Saturday. Dickinson is a period drama that centers on the life of 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson, played by pop star Hailee Steinfeld.
This is the first time the public has seen one of the shows set to appear on Apple TV+ when the streaming service launches on November 1. Deadline summed up the quirky take on Dickinson's life by comparing it to Baz Luhrmann's 1996 Shakespeare adaptation Romeo + Juliet.
The period-set look at the life of poet Emily Dickinson offers a wealth of contemporary flourishes. (Think Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.) Rapper Wiz Khalifa plays Death and the soundtrack teems with currently charting artists like Billie Eilish. As pastoral 19th century life unfolds, bass-heavy beats drop and many characters speak in a modern style. The show, whose official world premiere will be held in a few weeks, blends drama, comedy and romance steeped in literary history. "It truly reflects everything that's in her poetry, which is everything there is to feel," Steinfeld said.
In the first episode, Dickinson resists her mother's efforts to marry her off and is heartbroken when her father chastises her for submitting a poem to a literary magazine.
"I do think that the pressure that Emily Dickinson is under to feel or act or do certain things, I think that women still feel that today," Steinfeld told Reuters after the screening of the show's first episode.
Steinfeld, who played a breakout starring role in Pitch Perfect 2, also made the surprise-announcement that she will release her new music single "Afterlife" on September 19 and the song will feature in the show.
Other shows set to debut with the launch of Apple TV+ include The Morning Show with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, and See, a sci-fi drama featuring Jason Momoa.
Apple's video streaming service will cost $4.99 per month, and Apple is planning to provide one free year of Apple TV+ access to all customers who purchase an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac, aka any device able to play the service's TV shows and movies.
iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro order demand is ahead of expectations since the start of pre-orders on Friday, according to a research note by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and obtained by MacRumors.
Basing his analysis in part on Apple's online shipping estimates, Kuo believes demand is "significantly stronger" for the iPhone 11 in the new green and purple colors and the iPhone 11 Pro in midnight green, but he notes that the latter model is facing production issues and is currently constrained.
The shipping times of midnight green iPhone 11 Pro, green iPhone 11, and purple iPhone 11 are all two–three weeks or longer. The shipping times of other colors are roughly shorter than ten days. It should be noted that the glass casings of midnight green models are currently facing production issues; therefore, it makes the shipping time longer.
Kuo sees demand for the more expensive iPhone 11 Pro being higher in the U.S., while the cheaper iPhone 11 series is doing particularly well in the Chinese market. As a result, TF Securities has increased its forecast of iPhone 11 shipments in 2019 to 70–75 million units (versus the previous 65–70 million units), and predicts the iPhone supply chain will grow steadily in the fourth quarter.
Kuo believes the iPhone 11 is an excellent upgrade choice for iPhone 6/6s/7 users, especially because of its lower price, which is roughly equivalent to 1–1.3 times the average monthly salary in China. Kuo says this is "close to the price sweet spot," given that the iPhone XR's price equivalence was 1.5–1.7 times the average monthly salary in China. In addition to Apple's aggressive pricing strategy, Kuo notes that the zero-interest installment plans for 24 months are also lowering the purchase barriers.
The successors to the iPhone XS and XS Max, the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max unveiled last week feature triple-lens rear cameras for improved photo and video capabilities. The lower-cost iPhone 11 series, which succeeds the iPhone XR, includes a number of upgrades such as a dual-lens rear camera, six new colors, an A13 Bionic chip, and Dolby Atmos sound.
The iPhone 11 starts at $699, which is $50 less than the iPhone XR, while the iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999 and the Pro Max starts at $1,099. Apple's new devices officially start shipping this Friday, September 20.
Apple's biggest product unveiling of the year is now in our rear-view mirror, with the company taking the wraps off of new iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad models while also prepping for the launch of its new Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ services.
Pre-orders for all of the new devices are now underway, and we're looking forward to next Thursday's release of iOS 13 and watchOS 6, followed the next day by the new iPhone and Apple Watch models. Read on for more details on Apple's announcements from this week!
Everything Apple Announced at This Week's iPhone Event in Just Seven Minutes
Apple's highly anticipated September media event on Tuesday saw the company unveil its latest iPhone and Apple Watch models, as well as an updated entry-level iPad. We also got final details on the upcoming Apple Arcade and Apple TV+ subscription services.
While there were quite a few announcements at the event, we didn't quite get everything we were hoping for, perhaps setting the stage for an October event where we could see Mac and iPad Pro updates, as well as the Tile-like item tracker Apple has been working on.
Apple Announces iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max With Triple-Lens Rear Camera and Midnight Green Color
The successors to the iPhone XS and XS Max debuted as the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, and as expected, both sizes come with triple-lens rear cameras for improved photo and video capabilities.
The devices are available in four colors including a new Midnight Green, and they come with a more durable textured matte glass back and improved water resistance. An improved Super Retina XDR display and A13 Bionic chip drive performance gains, while the new iPhones also get four to five additional hours of battery life compared to their predecessors. The also now come with a faster 18-watt USB-C power adapter in the box.
The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max became available for pre-order on Friday at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and they will officially launch on Friday, September 20. Pre-order supplies started to sell out fairly quickly, however, so those ordering now may have to wait until after Friday to receive their phones.
Apple Unveils iPhone 11 With Dual-Lens Rear Camera, Six New Colors, Dolby Atmos, and More
Camera upgrades include a dual-lens rear camera with 12-megapixel wide-angle and 12-megapixel ultra-wide lenses, a Night Mode for capturing ultra low-light photos, and Smart HDR.
The iPhone 11 starts at $699, which is $50 less than the iPhone XR, and as with the iPhone 11 Pro, pre-orders kicked off at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 13 ahead of availability on Friday, September 20.
Apple Announces Apple Watch Series 5 With Always-On Retina Display and New Titanium Case Option
Other improvements include a built-in compass and an updated Maps app for improved navigation, as well as support for international emergency calls on cellular models. The new Apple Watch Studio also lets you customize your watch with whichever casing and band combination you prefer.
Apple Watch Series 5 is available for pre-order now ahead of a September 20 launch, starting at $399 for GPS models and $499 for cellular models, although launch-day deliveries of some models are no longer available. Apple Watch Series 3 models also remain available starting at just $199.
Apple Unveils New Low-Cost 10.2-inch iPad Starting at $329
In line with last-minute rumors, Apple at this week's event revealed a new 7th-generation iPad, bringing updated specs including a larger 10.2-inch display, an A10 Fusion chip, and a Smart Connector for attaching a Smart Keyboard.
The new iPad is priced starting at $329 ($299 for education customers) with pre-orders available now ahead of a September 30 launch date.
Apple to Release iOS 13 on September 19, iOS 13.1 and iPadOS on September 30
Ahead of the launch of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro on September 20, Apple announced that it will be releasing iOS 13 on Thursday, September 19. iPad support will not be included, however, with Apple quickly following iOS 13 with an iOS 13.1 and iPadOS 13.1 release on September 30.
For Apple Watch owners, watchOS 6 will be launching for Series 3 and newer on September 19, with Series 1 and Series 2 following later in the fall. As for macOS Catalina, Apple says it will be launching in October.
Apple's upcoming subscription services also received launch dates, with Apple Arcade launching September 19 for $4.99/month for the whole family, with a one-month free trial. Apple TV+ will launch on November 1, also priced at $4.99/month with a seven-day free trial. Users will, however, receive a free year of Apple TV+ with the purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod touch, or Apple TV.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
On the same day that iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max pre-orders began, some customers are already beginning to see their order statuses shift from "processing" to "preparing to ship" on Apple's website.
Once an order has reached "preparing to ship" status, it can no longer be canceled, although customers still have 14 days to return the iPhone upon receiving it for a full refund. Once orders reached "shipped" status in the United States, they can usually be tracked on UPS's or FedEx's websites.
If your order has a Friday, September 20 delivery estimate, but has yet to reach "preparing to ship" status, this should change over the next few days. To check the status of your order, visit the Order Listing page on Apple's website.
The first deliveries to customers and in-store availability will begin Friday, September 20.
Disney chief executive and chairman Bob Iger has resigned from Apple's board of directors as Apple and Disney prepare to launch competing streaming services, Apple announced today in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Iger resigned on September 10, the same day that Apple shared additional information on Apple TV+, which will cost $4.99 per month and will be launching November 1.
With the launches of both the Disney+ streaming service and Apple TV+ looming, there was speculation that Iger was at risk of losing his seat on Apple's board as Disney+ will be a major Apple TV+ competitor.
Both services will offer original streaming television shows and movies, with Disney+ priced at $6.99 per month and also set to launch in November.
Iger in April said that he didn't believe his role on Apple's board was problematic and that at the time, he was leaving board meetings whenever streaming services came up. He said he had to leave infrequently because TV was a "very small business" to Apple comparative to other areas like hardware, but with Apple TV+ set to launch soon, his position has changed.
Bob Iger first joined Apple's board of directors back in 2011, one month after the death of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
In a statement shared by The New York Times, Iger called Apple one of the world's most admired companies.
"I have the utmost respect for Tim Cook, his team at Apple and for my fellow board members. Apple is one of the world's most admired companies, known for the quality and integrity of its products and its people, and I am forever grateful to have served as a member of the company's board."
Apple in turn called Iger an "exemplary" board member and a trusted business partner.
"More than anything, Bob is our friend. He leads with his heart, and he has always been generous with his time and advice. While we will greatly miss his contributions as a board member, we respect his decision, and we have every expectation that our relationship with both Bob and Disney will continue far into the future."
With Iger's departure, Apple's board of directors includes seven members, which makes it one of the smallest among the major tech companies. Other board members include Art Levinson, James Bell, Al Gore, Tim Cook, Andrea Jung, Ronald Sugar, and Susan Wagner.
Struggling movie ticket subscription MoviePass is finally shutting down after months of questionable policy changes and what seems like a never ending stream of negative press due to an inability to make money.
In a press release shared on Friday, MoviePass parent company Helios and Matheson Analytics said that the MoviePass service would be shutting down for all subscribers on September 14, 2019 because efforts to recapitalize the service "have not been successful to date."
At this time, the company says that it is not able to predict if and when the MoviePass service will resume though it is "continuing efforts to seek financing to fund its operations."
MoviePass first launched its unlimited plan in 2017, promising customers unrestricted movie access for $9.99 per month, an effort that failed catastrophically within a matter of months.
MoviePass was providing customers with debit cards and paying full price for each movie ticket despite the low monthly fee, with the expectation that deals with movie theaters and customer data would make up for the cost.
In mid-2018, MoviePass ran out of money and was reportedly losing up to $40 million per month, and at that point, the company began cutting back on the quality of service by limiting movie access, raising prices, and even temporarily shutting down.
MoviePass even tried changing the passwords of its most active users in an attempt to save money.
Despite all of its efforts, MoviePass has not managed to retain enough customers to be profitable (going from three million subscribers last year to 225,000), and it hasn't helped that in August, an unencrypted MoviePass database leaked thousands of customer records.
Goldman Sachs this morning cut its target price for Apple's stock from $187 a share to $165 a share, claiming Apple's plans to give away free access to its upcoming Apple TV+ service will cause a "material negative impact" on earnings because of how the accounting for the service will work.
Goldman Sachs' Rod Hall said that Apple would account for the one-year free trial as a combined hardware and services bundle discount, which would show lower hardware profit margins.
"We believe that Apple plans to account for its 1-year trial for TV+ as a ~$60 discount to a combined hardware and services bundle," wrote Goldman analyst Rod Hall, in a note.
"Effectively, Apple's method of accounting moves revenue from hardware to Services even though customers do not perceive themselves to be paying for TV+. Though this might appear convenient for Apple's services revenue line it is equally inconvenient for both apparent hardware ASPs and margins in high sales quarters like the upcoming FQ1′20 to December," Hall added.
Apple in a statement to CNBC disputed Goldman Sachs' negative call and said that it does not expect the introduction of Apple TV+ to have an impact on its financial results.
"We do not expect the introduction of Apple TV+, including the accounting treatment for the service, to have a material impact on our financial results," the company said in a statement to CNBC.
Apple is planning to provide one free year of Apple TV+ access to all customers who purchase an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, or Mac, aka any device able to play the service's TV shows and movies.
For those who do not get Apple TV+ for free through a device purchase, Apple is charging $4.99 per month for the entire family. Apple TV+ is set to launch on Friday, November 1.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Note: 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.
Note: 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.
