MacRumors

San Francisco-based cybersecurity company ZecOps today announced that it has uncovered two zero-day security vulnerabilities affecting Apple's stock Mail app on iOS devices, as noted by Motherboard and The Wall Street Journal.

ZecOps claims that one of the vulnerabilities enables an attacker to remotely infect an iOS device by sending emails that consume a significant amount of memory, while another could allow remote code execution capabilities. Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities is said to allow an attacker to leak, modify, and delete a user's emails.

Targets of the vulnerabilities have apparently included corporate executives and government officials rather than average end users.

The vulnerabilities are said to impact all software versions between iOS 6 and iOS 13.4.1. ZecOps said that Apple has patched the vulnerabilities in the latest beta of iOS 13.4.5, which should be publicly released within the coming weeks. In the meantime, ZecOps recommends using a third-party email app like Gmail or Outlook, which are apparently not impacted.

First impressions and reviews of the new iPhone SE are now out, with many praising the device's flagship performance at a budget-friendly price.

The second-generation iPhone SE has a similar design as the iPhone 8, including a 4.7-inch display and a Touch ID home button, but it takes a big leap forward in performance. Despite starting at just $399, the device is powered by the latest-and-greatest A13 Bionic chip, the same processor found inside the high-end iPhone 11 Pro.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn:

If I were buying the iPhone SE, I'd seriously consider spending the extra $50 to upgrade the storage to 128GB, just in case I'd want it three or five years down the road. That timespan is the reason the iPhone SE is a big deal. No other phone that costs less than $500 can claim to be this good, nor last that long.

The iPhone SE is not just a good deal. It's also a really good smartphone.

The new iPhone SE can be pre-ordered on Apple.com in the United States and more than 40 other countries and regions. Pricing starts at $399 for 64GB of storage, with 128GB and 256GB options available for $449 and $549 respectively. The first deliveries to customers and in-store availability at select resellers will begin Friday, April 24.

Reviews

• The Verge's Dieter Bohn
• TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino
• Wired's Lauren Goode
• Engadget's Chris Velazco
• CNBC's Todd Haselton
• Forbes' David Phelan
• CNET's Patrick Holland
• Pocket-lint's Stuart Miles
• The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern
• MobileSyrup's Patrick O'Rourke
• TechRadar's Gareth Beavis

Video Reviews and Unboxings

With the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus now discontinued, the lower end of Apple's smartphone lineup now includes the new iPhone SE and the iPhone XR, released in October 2018. Thinking about upgrading? Read our comparison of the devices.

Well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman recently took questions from followers on Periscope about Apple's product roadmap. Gurman's sources are usually very reliable, and the journalist is known for breaking Apple stories, so we took it as an opportunity to summarize his current expectations of the company in the near term.

Unsurprisingly, many viewers asked Gurman about the so-called "iPhone 12," Apple's next-generation 5G smartphone lineup due to drop this fall. Apple is expected to offer four iPhones in three different sizes this year: A 5.4-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌, a 6.7-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌, and two 6.1-inch iPhones. One 6.1-inch model and the 6.7-inch model will be higher-end iPhones, while the other 6.1-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and the 5.4-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ will be lower-end models and successors to the ‌iPhone 11‌.

Gurman believes that Apple will add LiDAR cameras to the two higher-end iPhone 12 models, similar to the ones found on its latest iPad Pro models. He also doesn't rule out the possibility of faster 120Hz Pro Motion displays being exclusive to these two devices. Apple already uses variable refresh rate technology in ‌iPad Pro‌, but they still use LCD panels rather than OLED.

Gurman reiterated reports of an iPad Pro-esque design for this year's flagship lineup, with flat stainless steel edges and a flat screen. He also doubled down on his previous report of a slimmer notch on the iPhone 12. To achieve a more compact package, Gurman said Apple will move the TrueDepth camera's ambient light and proximity sensors together within the notch and relocate the speaker by building it directly into the bezel.

Here are the other main Apple-related takeaways from Gurman's half-hour broadcast:

• Apple plans a "substantial" iMac refresh this year, with a possible redesign in the offing. Gurman says rumors of a 23-inch iMac sound about right.
• Upcoming 14-inch MacBook Pro will mirror design changes seen in Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro, such as increased screen size and scissor-switch keys.
• "Stay tuned" for more on Apple's plans for ARM-powered Macs.
• Gurman says there's a dedicated team at Apple tasked with "saving the HomePod" after lackluster sales. To that end, the rumored smaller, cheaper ‌HomePod‌ coming this year will also feature big improvements to Siri.
• New Apple TV coming this year, but unlikely to be 8K.
• 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ refresh expected around October-November.
• Apple still working on a viable AirPower device.
• Apple Watch Series 6 coming later this year to support sleep tracking.
• AirTags expected later this year to be pitched as a premium product and may come in a leather case.
• Modular high-end over-ear Apple headphones still expected this fall.
• Apple's vehicle development division still focused on self-driving technology.
  

• Under-screen fingerprint technology not coming to iPhone this year.
• Gurman doesn't think rumors about Xcode for iOS are true. (The source of the rumor, leaker Jon Prosser, has since reiterated his confidence in the claim.)

Asked what he was most excited about from Apple, Gurman mentioned the company's ongoing development of an augmented reality headset.

For all the latest rumors on upcoming Apple products, don't forget to check out our dedicated product roundups at the top of the page.

Mother's Day is coming up on Sunday, May 10, in the United States and other countries, and ahead of the event, Apple has put together a Mother's Day gift guide filled with Apple product recommendations for moms.

The gift guide highlights the 7th-generation iPad or the iPad Air and their accessories that include Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, plus the Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 5 models.

It also features the AirPods and the AirPods Pro, with a mention of Apple's engraving feature so gifts can include a sweet emoji message.

The gift guide suggests the iPhone 11 with its dual-lens camera system along with mentions of the iPhone SE, 11 Pro, and iPhone case accessories. Apple's full gift guide can be viewed on the Apple online store website.

HBO Max, WarnerMedia's new streaming service that combines HBO content with shows and films from Warner Bros and Turner TV, is set to debut on Wednesday, May 27, the company announced today.

HBO Max will have all of the existing HBO content, but will also add classic movies and TV shows, such as "Friends." The service will also feature original content, offering more total content than HBO Now and HBO Go, the two existing HBO streaming services.

TV shows and films will be added from CNN, TNT, TBS, The CW, TCM, Adult Swim, and more, with series like "The Big Bang Theory" and "South Park" included. Some of the original content will include "Toyko Vice" with Ansel Elgort, a "Grease" spinoff, and a sequel to "Gossip Girl."

HBO plans to provide existing HBO subscribers on AT&T and HBO Now direct billing subscribers with access to HBO Max for free, and customers who subscribe to AT&T's premium mobile and broadband packages will also be offered HBO Max access at no cost.

Specifically, DirecTV, U-Verse, and AT&T subscribers who already pay for AT&T will get access to HBO Max at no additional cost. Free access will be included in the following packages: DirecTV Premier, U-Verse U400, U-Verse U450, and AT&T TV Now Max.

New AT&T TV and DirecTV Choice, Xtra, or Ultimate customers will get one free year of HBO Max, while other tiers will receive a three-month free trial. Wireless customers who have AT&T's Ultimate Elite plan will get HBO Max for free, other plans will get one-month free trials.

Customers who have the AT&T Internet 1000 plan will also get HBO Max for free. More info on who will get free access to HBO Max can be found in the press release for the service.

HBO Max will feature more than 10,000 hours of programming, and will cost $14.99 per month during the first year. In 2021, WarnerMedia also plans to launch an ad-supported version of the service that is more affordable.

Apple today began selling certified refurbished Apple Watch Series 5 models for the first time in the United States. Refurbished models are discounted by around 15 percent compared to the equivalent brand new models.

A wide selection of GPS and GPS + Cellular models are available in aluminum or stainless steel, with various bands to choose from. A refurbished 44mm Apple Watch Series 5 with GPS + Cellular and a Stainless Steel Case with White Sport Band is available for $639, for example, a savings of $110 compared to Apple's regular price of $749.

Apple says all refurbished Apple Watch models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged with a new box and all manuals and accessories, including a magnetic charging puck and a power adapter. In our view, Apple's refurbished products are generally indistinguishable from brand new ones.

Any refurbished Apple Watch comes with Apple's standard one-year warranty effective on the date the device is delivered. The warranty can be extended to up to two years from the original purchase date with AppleCare+ for Apple Watch.

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

The merger between T-Mobile and Sprint in the United States was completed at the beginning of April, and the two companies are wasting no time combining their networks.

T-Mobile today announced that Sprint's 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum is now live in parts of Philadelphia and is coming soon to New York City, adding "critical depth and additional speed" to T-Mobile's 5G network.

With the addition, T-Mobile users in New York will be the first to be able to access low-band, mid-band, and mmWave 5G. Later this month, current Sprint customers who have a Samsung Galaxy S20 5G smartphone will be able to tap into T-Mobile's 5G network in 5,000 cities and towns across the United States.

This marks the first giant step toward supercharging the Un-carrier's nationwide 5G network by beginning to combine the assets of T-Mobile and Sprint, just weeks after completing their merger. The company's unique combination of low, mid and high-band mmWave spectrum makes T-Mobile the only company with the resources to create a transformative network capable of driving innovation across the country and providing people in cities and rural areas with a 5G network the other guys can't match.

As of now, Sprint customers can roam on the T-Mobile network, providing access to more than double the number of LTE sites than on Sprint's network alone, expanding cellular availability to everywhere T-Mobile's network covers.

With most Apple Stores around the world closed since March 14, demand for Apple's devices has been dropping off. As a result, the factories that assemble those devices are reducing staff and cutting overtime hours, according to Financial Times.

Multiple workers at Foxconn's Zhengzhou complex, where iPhones are assembled, said that Foxconn has paused hiring and has begun cutting some of the temporary workers that it hired after ramping up production following factory closures in February.

Overtime hours have also been cut, and Foxconn has been encouraging employees to take holidays. Workers say no overtime has been worked since April 10.

Pegatron has also been cutting employees due to falling demand. Approximately a thousand temporary and third-party workers were fired, according to an employee at the factory. "The US orders are not coming, so why would we keep all the workers," he said.

Apple has begun reopening its stores, starting with a retail location in South Korea. There is no clear word yet on when stores in the United States are set to open, but Apple is aiming for May. Stores are expected to reopen on a rolling basis, with Apple taking into account local conditions and guidelines for each location.

Apple may postpone a larger version of the new low-cost iPhone SE until the second half of 2021, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a previous note, Kuo said that Apple was working on an "iPhone SE Plus" set to be released in the first half of 2021, but now he believes Apple will "likely postpone" this new model until later in 2021.

We predicted that Apple would launch the new iPhone model in 1H21 in a previous report ("iPhone supply chain to be 2020 top pick in the tech sector; key predictions for new iPhone product mixes in 2020 and 2021" [December 5, 2019]). However, we think that Apple will likely postpone the new model from 1H21 to 2H21.

The iPhone SE Plus is expected to have a 5.5 or 6.1-inch display with a full-screen design, similar to the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. It will not use Face ID, though, and will instead feature Touch ID integrated into the power button on the right side of the device.

With no ‌Face ID‌, the iPhone SE Plus will feature a smaller notch as the front of the device will only need to house a standard front-facing camera, microphone, and speaker.

Apple just this month released the iPhone SE, a $399 iPhone that is similar in design to the iPhone 8 but with an upgraded A13 processor. It marries ‌Touch ID‌ and an older iPhone design with newer iPhone performance and is an appealing upgrade option for those coming from older iPhones like the iPhone 6 or iPhone 7.

Kuo has not provided details on the pricing of the iPhone SE Plus, but if it's in the SE family, it will presumably have a price tag lower than that of Apple's flagship devices despite the full-screen design and relocated ‌Touch ID‌ button.

Some of Apple's upcoming 5G iPhones could see a delay in production, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a note shared with investors. mmWave models, which will feature the fastest 5G functionality, have a "potential delay risk" and may launch outside of the normal timeline.

Production on the mmWave iPhone may be pushed back because of changes to the antenna package that were made in early April, and delays in qualification process services.

The mmWave iPhone will be pushed back because the design of the antenna in package (AiP) changes in early April. Additionally, the test lab is closed and can't offer qualification process services. If the pandemic can't be controlled well until July, then we think that the shipment allocation of mmWave iPhones will decrease to 5-10% from 15-20%.

Kuo says the rumored 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch iPhones will go into mass production in September, but mass production on the larger 6.7-inch iPhone will be delayed until October because it has the "most complicated" design.

Apple decided to start the online qualification process remotely and delegate more tasks to local employees for new iPhone development. The change takes time; therefore, it had caused a one-month delay in entering the engineering verification test (EVT) for all new 2H20 iPhones. We believe that there is a likelihood that new 2H20 6.1-inch and 5.4-inch iPhones will go into mass production in September. The mass production of the new 2H20 6.7-inch iPhone will be delayed to October because this model’s design is the most complicated.

Delaying mass production on the 6.7-inch iPhone until October would result in the iPhone launching later in the fall than expected. Other rumors have also suggested Apple could stagger iPhone launches this year due to production and verification process delays.

According to Kuo, iPhone SE sales were better than expected, but overall demand for iPhones is down. In the worst case scenario, Kuo estimates second quarter iPhone shipments of 29 to 32 million units, declining 20 to 25 percent year over year.

If consumer confidence and purchasing power recover in the third quarter of 2020, iPhone shipments could fall as little as 10 to 15 percent year over year.

Apple plans to introduce a 23-inch iMac in the second half of 2020, with mass production set to begin in the third or fourth quarter, according to a China Times report spotted by Mac Otakara. Apple could likely achieve this display size by simply reducing the thickness of the bezels on the current 21.5-inch iMac.

The report claims that the new iMac will be one of several lower-priced products that Apple introduces this year, including the new iPhone SE and a forthcoming 11-inch iPad, also expected in the second half of 2020. Apple currently offers 21.5-inch and 27-inch versions of the iMac, which was last updated in March 2019 with up to 8-core 9th-generation Intel processors and Radeon Pro Vega graphics options.

iMac pricing currently starts at $1,099, although it costs an additional $200 to upgrade from a spinning hard drive to an SSD.

As for the 11-inch iPad, it is not entirely clear if the report is referring to a new version of the 10.2-inch iPad or the 10.5-inch iPad Air. Last month, the anonymous Twitter account "L0vetodream" claimed that Apple is developing a new 11-inch iPad Air with Touch ID under the display, allowing for a nearly full screen, notch-less design.

That leak said the 11-inch iPad Air will have a Mini-LED backlit display. Apple is developing at least six other products with Mini-LED displays for release by the end of 2021, including a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 27-inch iMac Pro, a 14-inch MacBook Pro, a 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, a 10.2-inch iPad, and a 7.9-inch ‌iPad‌ mini, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

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.

Mass production of Mini-LED products could be delayed until 2021, according to the China Times.

Apple this week has expanded its "Look Around" feature for Apple Maps to include Chicago, the latest major U.S. city to gain the 3D street-level imagery to compete with Google's Street View.

The expansion of Look Around to Chicago has been documented in detail by Justin O'Beirne, who notes that this brings the total number of metropolitan areas with Look Around to ten. The most recent expansion prior to this week came in February when Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. were added.

As O'Beirne notes, while Look Around only covers 0.3 percent of the land area in the United States, it covers 13.8 percent of the U.S. population. That's still a far cry from Google's nearly ubiquitous Street View coverage, although Look Around has been compared favorably to Street View for the quality of its imagery and the smoothness of transitions as you navigate around.

In areas where Look Around is available, a binoculars icon will appear in the top-right corner of ‌Apple Maps‌. Tapping that icon opens a street-level view in a card overlay at the top of the screen, which can then be expanded to a full-screen view. Look Around also appears in the search results for a supported city, below the Flyover and Directions buttons.

Apple is unsurprisingly prioritizing the largest cities in the U.S. with its Look Around feature in order to most efficiently cover the largest number of people, with O'Beirne noting that eight of the ten Look Around areas rank among the ten largest urban areas in the country. The two outliers, Las Vegas and Honolulu, are major tourist destinations and thus also prime targets for the feature.

O'Beirne has much more in his blog post on the expansion, including some predictions on which cities might be next to see Look Around.