MacRumors

Brazil's antitrust regulator has ordered Apple to remove App Store restrictions on third-party payment systems and allow developers to market alternative payment options for in-app purchases. Apple has 20 days to comply or face daily fines of $43,000.

The ruling by the Council for Economic Defense (Cade) comes in response to a 2022 complaint filed by MercadoLibre, Latin America's largest e-commerce platform. The company accused Apple of abusing its monopolistic position by requiring developers to use Apple's own payment system and preventing them from redirecting users to external payment options.

Under the new requirements, Apple must permit app developers to implement tools allowing customers to make purchases outside the Apple ecosystem. This includes enabling the use of hyperlinks to external websites and allowing developers to market third-party products and services within their apps.

The Brazilian case mirrors similar antitrust concerns raised in the EU. In March 2024, the European Commission fined Apple €1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) for restricting music streaming apps from informing users about cheaper subscription options outside the App Store. That ruling followed a complaint by Spotify in 2020.

MercadoLibre's original complaint, filed in both Brazil and Mexico, argued that Apple's restrictions particularly harm smaller competitors while benefiting large integrated digital companies. The e-commerce giant's SVP general counsel, Jacobo Cohen Imach, criticized Apple's practices as creating an "artificial tilt towards integrated ecosystems."

(Via Reuters.)

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Apple is experiencing challenges as it attempts to launch Apple Intelligence in China, with regulators cautioning that foreign companies face a "difficult and long process" for approval unless they partner with local firms, according to a new Financial Times report.

A senior official at the Cyberspace Administration of China told the FT that foreign device makers would find a "simple and straightforward approval process" if they utilize already-approved large language models (LLMs) from Chinese companies, rather than attempting to implement their own AI systems.

The regulatory situation has reportedly prompted Apple to engage in discussions with several Chinese tech companies, including search giant Baidu, ByteDance, and AI startup Moonshot, to potentially power Apple Intelligence features in devices sold in mainland China.

Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived in China on Monday to attend a CEO summit with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in what could be an attempt by Cook to personally navigate the complex regulatory landscape. During his previous visit to Beijing, Cook acknowledged the specific regulatory requirements, stating that Apple was "working hard" to bring Apple Intelligence to Chinese consumers.

The company has been gradually rolling out Apple Intelligence features in the US and elsewhere since October, with things like Writing Tools and enhanced Siri using a combination of on-device processing and its Private Cloud Compute servers, along with OpenAI's ChatGPT for more complex queries. But if Apple can't secure approval for its own AI models in China, it may need to rely on Chinese partners' LLMs to host AI features on devices sold there.

According to JP Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee, the regulatory uncertainty could delay the launch of Apple Intelligence in China until "well into the second half of 2025" or later, unless Apple adopts a flexible approach involving multiple Chinese partnerships to expedite approval.

China represents 17% of the company's revenue but saw an 8% decline in sales over the past year. The company faces increasing competition from Huawei, which has already integrated its own AI features into its latest smartphones.

The newest version of the ChatGPT app from OpenAI adds a new "Open SearchGPT" option to the Shortcuts app on the iPhone and iPad. For those that have access to SearchGPT, tapping on the shortcut launches the ChatGPT app and invokes the web search feature.

OpenAI added ChatGPT Search to ChatGPT in late October, introducing improved AI-based internet searches. SearchGPT is meant to search the web "in a much better way than before," offering up links to relevant web sources along with more contextual information and support for follow-up questions.

SearchGPT is available to those who have ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Teams, with OpenAI planning to roll out support to free users in the coming months.

To access the SearchGPT action in Shortcuts, you'll need the latest version of the ChatGPT app, which was released yesterday.

YouTube this week reintroduced support for the iOS Share Sheet, which means that it's now possible to share videos from the iPhone Photos app and other video apps directly to YouTube.

Using the YouTube Share Sheet integration automatically imports a video to YouTube, where it can be edited and then uploaded to YouTube Shorts. Sharing a video to YouTube via the Share Sheet was an option in a prior version of the YouTube app, but it was removed back in 2018. Until this week, there was no option to use native sharing to upload to YouTube.

YouTube updated its app to version 19.47.7 yesterday, but did not mention the new Share Sheet integration. You'll need the latest version of the app to use the feature.

Instagram today announced several updates for direct messages on its platform, including location sharing, nicknames, new sticker packs, and more.

There's now an option to share a live location with a friend for up to one hour on Instagram, which can be used for locating friends when getting together in real life. There's also an option to pin a spot to a map for coordinating meetups.

Instagram says that locations can only be shared privately in DMs, either in a chat with just one other person or a group chat. All live locations will expire after an hour, and the feature is turned off by default. Only people in the chat can see your location, and location information cannot be forwarded to other chats. Instagram's blog post says that users should be "mindful" of their privacy and only share their location with real-life friends.

DMs in Instagram can be customized with nicknames, which appear in DM chats. Users can set nicknames for themselves or their friends, simplifying lengthy usernames to make them easier to recognize. Creating a nickname can be done by tapping on the chat name at the top of a conversation and then tapping on Nicknames and the username of the person.

Along with location sharing and nicknames, Instagram has also added 17 sticker packs with 300 new stickers that can be used in DMs. There is a new option to favorite a sticker, and a new DM sticker tray.

Apple this month filed next-generation CarPlay images with the EU's Intellectual Property Office, as it seeks to protect the design of the upcoming software system there. It is yet another sign that next-generation CarPlay might finally be nearing launch, after a few redesigned icons for the system showed up in iOS 18.2 beta code earlier this month.

The images show various next-generation CarPlay instrument cluster and interface designs, including a few with what appears to be the logo for German automaker Audi. When it first previewed next-generation CarPlay in June 2022, Apple said Audi was committed to offering it, but the automaker has yet to confirm any specific plans.

The database entries were discovered by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Apple has already shown off what next-generation CarPlay looks like several times, so the images do not show anything we have not seen before, but the timing of the filings is notable. Apple's website continues to say that the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay support will "arrive in 2024," but it has yet to provide a more specific timeframe. Aston Martin and Porsche previewed next-generation CarPlay vehicle designs in December 2023, but neither automaker has released any vehicles with support yet.

With just over a month left in the year, some are beginning to wonder if Apple will still meet its stated 2024 timeframe for next-generation CarPlay. So, it is reassuring that Apple is still working towards a launch behind the scenes.

We're officially in Black Friday week, and deals have begun in full force on Amazon and other retailers online. If you're looking for Apple products, our dedicated post on all the Apple Black Friday deals available now covers every Apple device on sale right now. In this article, we're focusing on accessories for smartphones and computers, as well as a few extras like LEGO sets on sale.

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.

Highlights of the sale includes Eufy's popular SmartTrack Card, which is down to $16.88 for Black Friday, down from $29.99. This device is Apple Find My-compatible and is slim enough to fit in a wallet. Twelve South's HiRise 3 Deluxe is also back on sale for $119.99, down from $149.99, and it provides simultaneous charging for an iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.

There are plenty more deals in this sale, including a huge collection of Jackery portable power stations at their best ever prices. We're also tracking an array of Logitech computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and webcams. Some of these sales will require you to clip an on-page coupon, but for the most part all of these deals have been applied automatically on Amazon.

Charging Accessories

• Jackery Explorer 100 Plus with Solar Panel - $169.00, down from $229.00
• Jackery Solar Generator 240 with Solar Panel - $249.00, down from $349.00
• Jackery Explorer 1000 Power Station - $399.00, down from $799.00
• Jackery Expansion Battery Pack 1000 Plus - $479.00, down from $599.00
• Jackery Solar Generator Explorer 500 - $479.00, down from $799.00
• Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station - $1,799.00, down from $2,799.00
• Jackery Solar Generator 4000 Kit - $2,599.00, down from $4,999.00
• Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit - $3,399.00 with on-page coupon, down from $6,599.00

Mobile Accessories

• Eufy SmartTrack Card - $16.88, down from $29.99
• Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe - $119.99, down from $149.99

Storage Accessories

• Samsung T9 Portable SSD 2TB - $199.00, down from $299.99
• Samsung T5 EVO Portable SSD 4TB - $229.99, down from $349.99
• Samsung T5 EVO Portable SSD 8TB - $429.99, down from $654.99
• Samsung 990 PRO 1TB PCIe Internal SSD - $92.46, down from $159.99
• Samsung 990 PRO 2TB PCIe Internal SSD - $169.99, down from $249.99
• Samsung 990 PRO 4TB PCIe Internal SSD - $269.99, down from $464.99
• Samsung 980 PRO 2TB PCIe Internal SSD - $119.99, down from $204.95

Audio/Video Accessories

• Samsung HW-Q910D Soundbar with Dolby Audio - $897.99, down from $1,287.99
• SAMSUNG OLED 4K S95D TV - $3,497.99 for 77"; $2,297.99 for 65"; $1,897.99 for 55"
• Beats Solo Buds - $49.99, down from $79.99
• Beats Studio Buds - $79.99, down from $149.95
• Beats Pill - $99.95, down from $149.95
• Beats Solo 4 - $99.99, down from $199.95
• Beats Studio Buds + - $129.99, down from $169.95
• Beats Studio Pro - $249.99, down from $349.99

Computer Accessories

• Logitech M317 Wireless Mouse - $9.99, down from $19.99
• Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad - $19.99, down from $27.99
• Logitech MK335 Wireless Keyboard - $29.74, down from $34.99
• Logitech MX Anywhere 3S Wireless Mouse - $67.99, down from $79.99
• Logitech MK235 Wireless Keyboard - $17.99, down from $24.99
• Logitech H390 Wired Headset - $17.99, down from $24.99
• Logitech MK540 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - $39.99, down from $49.99
• Logitech HD Pro Webcam - $49.99, down from $99.99
• Logitech Brio PRO X 4K Webcam - $144.99, down from $169.99

LEGO Sets

• Marvel Spider-Man Advent Calendar - $31.49, down from $44.99
• Disney Advent Calendar - $31.49, down from $44.99
• Star Wars Ahsoka Tano's T-6 Jedi Shuttle - $45.00, down from $79.99
• DREAMZzz Stable of Dream Creatures - $53.00, down from $79.99
• Creator Main Street 3-in-1 Set - $102.99, down from $139.99
• Star Wars The Razor Crest UCS - $416.79, down from $599.99
• Technic Liebherr Crawler Crane - $595.99, down from $699.99

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.

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Amazon is discounting the Apple Watch SE to the new all-time low price of $149.00 this week, down from $249.00. This is about $20 cheaper than the previous record low price, and Amazon has the sale in two colors.

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.

Specifically, you can get this sale in the Starlight Aluminum Case with Lake Green Sport Loop and Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band. All of the other colors are sitting at the usual $169.00 discount price on Amazon, which is still a solid second-best price.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.

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Apple is planning to remove the physical SIM card tray on iPhones in more countries next year, The Information said today, in a report focused on the ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air." However, the report did not mention any specific countries.

In the U.S., all iPhone 14 through iPhone 16 models do not have a SIM card tray, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. Apple has yet to release any iPhones without a SIM card tray outside of the U.S., but it sounds like the change will finally expand internationally starting with the iPhone 17 lineup next September.

Indeed, the report said that all current "iPhone 17 Air" prototypes lack a SIM card tray. The report said it is unclear if the device will be sold in China as a result, since the country has not approved the use of eSIMs in smartphones. Of course, that could change.

When the iPhone 14 series launched in 2022, Apple promoted eSIMs as being more secure than a physical SIM, as they cannot be removed from an iPhone that is lost or stolen. In addition, at least eight eSIMs can be managed on an iPhone at once, eliminating the need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards while traveling.

Apple has a support document with a list of carriers around that world that support eSIMs.

iPad deals are in abundance this week, and this includes all-time low prices across the entire M4 iPad Pro lineup at Best Buy. The majority of these deals will require a My Best Buy Plus/Total membership, but there are some that are available to all shoppers.

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

In total, you'll find as much as $200 off these tablets on Best Buy this week, and deals include both 11-inch and 13-inch M4 iPad Pros. Additionally, we're tracking deals on both Wi-Fi and cellular tablets right now, as well as the Nano-Texture Glass models.

My Best Buy Plus is priced at $49.99 per year and it includes exclusive member prices on thousands of items, like these M4 iPad Pros. You'll also get an extended 60-day return window on most products when you sign up for the service.

11-Inch iPad Pro - Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $849.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,049.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,399.00 ($200 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Wi-Fi - $1,799.00 ($200 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,899.00 ($200 off) [Best Buy members only]

11-Inch iPad Pro - Cellular

• 256GB Cellular - $1,049.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 512GB Cellular - $1,249.00 ($150 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Cellular - $1,599.00 ($200 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 1TB Cellular with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,699.00 ($200 off) [Best Buy members only]
• 2TB Cellular - $1,999.00 ($200 off) [Best Buy members only]

13-Inch iPad Pro - Wi-Fi

• 256GB Wi-Fi - $1,099.00 ($200 off)
• 512GB Wi-Fi - $1,299.00 ($200 off)
• 1TB Wi-Fi - $1,699.00 ($200 off)
• 1TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,799.00 ($200 off)
• 2TB Wi-Fi - $2,099.00 ($200 off)
• 2TB Wi-Fi with Nano-Texture Glass - $2,199.00 ($200 off)

13-Inch iPad Pro - Cellular

• 256GB Cellular - $1,299.00 ($200 off)
• 512GB Cellular - $1,499.00 ($200 off)
• 1TB Cellular with Nano-Texture Glass - $1,999.00 ($200 off)
• 2TB Cellular - $2,299.00 ($200 off)

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.

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The Information's Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu today published an in-depth report about the "iPhone 17 Air," revealing several new details about the device.

The report said prototypes of the device have a thickness of between 5mm and 6mm, which would make it the thinnest iPhone ever. In comparison, iPhone 16 models are 7.8mm thick and iPhone 16 Pro models are 8.25mm thick.

Due to this ultra-thin design, some design compromises are necessary.

The device currently lacks a physical SIM card tray, the report said, but the design is not yet finalized. This means the device could rely entirely on eSIM technology. In the U.S., all iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models lack a physical SIM card tray already, but all iPhones sold in other countries still have one for now.

The device is said to have only a single speaker, in the earpiece, as there is apparently not enough room for a second speaker on the bottom edge.

As previously rumored, the "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to be equipped with an Apple-designed 5G modem that is smaller and more power efficient than Qualcomm modems used in current iPhones. However, the report said that Apple's modem will lack ultra-fast mmWave 5G support, and have slower overall cellular data speeds compared to the Qualcomm modems.

Unsurprisingly, the device will also have a "smaller battery" than current iPhones, but it remains to be seen how battery life ultimately compares.

One final compromise relates to cameras. The report said the "iPhone 17 Air" currently has a "large, centered camera bump on its back" with a single camera, whereas iPhone 16 models have two to three rear cameras.

The device is said to be in early production trials at Foxconn. Apple is apparently struggling to fit an adequate battery and some other components into the ultra-thin chassis, but it still has time to overcome these challenges.

Previously-rumored features for the "iPhone 17 Air" include a 6.6-inch display, aluminum frame, A19 chip, Face ID, Dynamic Island, single 48-megapixel rear camera, 24-megapixel front camera, and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence.

The device should launch in September 2025 alongside the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, with no iPhone 17 Plus expected. The report said the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature an aluminum frame, a rectangular rear camera bump, and more.

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max will offer "significant design changes," The Information's Wayne Ma reports.

The two flagship iPhone 17 models will be the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminum frame since the delineation of the iPhone lineup into Pro and non-Pro models. In recent years, lower-end ‌iPhone‌ models such as the ‌iPhone‌ SE and iPhone 16 have featured aluminum frames. Until the release of the iPhone 15 Pro, high-end ‌iPhone‌ models featured stainless steel frames. Now, the high-end iPhones feature titanium chassis – a change that was touted as one of the key upgrades of the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro. With the introduction of the ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup, Apple is reportedly planning to bring the entire selection of devices back to aluminum.

The rear of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max will also feature a new part-aluminum, part-glass design. The top half of the back will be made of aluminum and feature a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging. Apple introduced a glass back to the ‌iPhone‌ with the ‌iPhone‌ 8 and ‌iPhone‌ X in 2017, but prior to that, every ‌iPhone‌ except the ‌iPhone‌ 3G, ‌iPhone‌ 3GS, and ‌iPhone‌ 5C had an aluminum rear. The new, aluminum camera bump of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ will also apparently be larger than that of previous models.

The new design will constitute one of the most significant visual changes to the high-end ‌iPhone‌ models in recent years. The Information has an excellent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so the latest report is highly likely to pan out. The ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max are expected to launch in the fall of 2025 alongside the ‌iPhone 17‌ and iPhone 17 Air.

Black Friday is just four days away, and big discounts are in full swing across the Internet and in select retail locations. In this article, we're focusing on Apple accessories like the AirTag, iPhone 16 cases, MagSafe chargers, and more.

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.

AirTag

Starting with the AirTag 4-Pack, Amazon has the tracking accessory multi-pack for $72.99, down from $99.00. This is a solid second-best price on this device, and it's just about $3 higher compared to the all-time low price.

MagSafe Chargers

For MagSafe Chargers, we're tracking two solid deals at Amazon. You can get the 1-meter MagSafe Charger for $29.99, down from $39.00, and the 2-meter MagSafe Charger for $34.99, down from $49.00.

iPad Pro Magic Keyboards

Moving to the new 2024 iPad Pro Magic Keyboards, you can get the 11-inch model in Black for $249.99, down from $299.00. This is a new all-time low price on this version of the accessory, and it beats the previous deal price by about $10.

Amazon also has the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard on sale, available for $274.99 in White, down from $349.00. This is another record low price on the Magic Keyboard.

Apple Pencil

Right now, the only notable Apple Pencil deal is on the Apple Pencil 2, which is available for the all-time low price of $79.99 for Black Friday on Amazon.

iPhone 16 Cases

Lastly, Amazon has quite a few discounts on Apple's official MagSafe cases for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. You can find every case listed below by model, and many are seeing multiple colors hitting record low prices.

iPhone 16

• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $22.00, down from $49.00

iPhone 16 Plus

• Clear Case - $34.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $22.00, down from $49.00

iPhone 16 Pro

• Clear Case - $34.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $34.00, down from $49.00

iPhone 16 Pro Max

• Clear Case - $37.00, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.00, down from $49.00

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.

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Apple today revealed its 2024 App Store Awards finalists, including pro video camera app Kino, which is in the running for iPhone App of the Year.

There are 45 finalists across 12 categories, including a first-ever Apple Vision Pro category. Apple said the awards recognize developers who delivered the "highest levels of user experience, design, and innovation" on the App Store this year.

Kino was released earlier this year by Lux, the makers of the popular iPhone camera app Halide.

Other notable finalists include NYT Games for the iPhone, Procreate Dreams for the iPad, Zoom for the Apple TV, NBA for the Apple Vision Pro, and more.

Apple said the winner of each category will be announced in the coming weeks. More details about each app can be found in Apple's announcement.

iPhone App of the Year Finalists

• Kino
• Runna
• Tripsy

iPhone Game of the Year Finalists

• AFK Journey
• The WereCleaner
• Zenless Zone Zero

iPad App of the Year Finalists

• Bluey: Let's Play
• Moises
• Procreate Dreams

iPad Game of the Year Finalists

• Assassin's Creed Mirage
• Disney Speedstorm
• Squad Busters

Apple Arcade Game of the Year Finalists

• Balatro+
• Outlanders 2
• Sonic Dream Team

Mac App of the Year Finalists

• Adobe Lightroom
• OmniFocus 4
• Shapr3D

Mac Game of the Year Finalists

• Frostpunk 2
• Stray
• Thank Goodness You're Here!

Apple Watch App of the Year Finalists

• LookUp
• Lumy
• Watch to 5K

Apple Vision Pro App of the Year Finalists

• JigSpace
• NBA
• What If…? An Immersive Story

Apple Vision Pro Game of the Year Finalists

• Loóna
• THRASHER
• Vacation Simulator

Apple TV App of the Year Finalists

• DROPOUT
• F1 TV
• Zoom

Cultural Impact Finalists

• Arco
• The Bear
• BetterSleep
• Brawl Stars
• DailyArt
• Do You Really Want to Know 2
• EF Hello
• NYT Games
• Oko
• Partiful
• Pinterest
• The Wreck

Apple CEO Tim Cook on Monday made his third visit to China this year, ahead of a five-day supply chain conference with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other corporate leaders (via Bloomberg).

The Apple chief joined more than 20 global business leaders in meetings with Premier Li Qiang, including executives from Rio Tinto, Corning, and Charoen Pokphand Group. Chinese corporate leaders from Lenovo Group and ICBC were also present at the discussions, which focused on supply chain and trade matters.

Cook was seen at the China International Supply Chain Expo, where he was keen to highlight the critical role of Chinese partners in Apple's operations. "I value them very highly. We could not do what we do without them," he remarked in comments shared by Chinese state media. "I am proud to be here... that Apple has an exhibit here with our partners," added Cook during his first visit to the expo.

Cook's visit comes at a sensitive time for Apple, with companies worldwide bracing for potential trade disruptions following Donald Trump's U.S. election victory. Trump has threatened to hike tariffs on Chinese goods, while China remains Apple's largest market outside the United States. Apple has around 200 major suppliers, with more than 80% producing products in China. The company also produces the majority of its iPhones there through manufacturing partner Foxconn.

The timing is particularly significant as Apple works to balance its deep ties to China while gradually diversifying its production chain to other regions like Vietnam and Indonesia. Cook's last visit to Beijing occurred only last month when he pledged Apple's continued investment in the country.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Black Friday 2024 is just a few days away, and you can already find the year's best prices on nearly every Mac at Amazon. Specifically, this includes the new M4 iMac, M4 MacBook Pro, and the M2 and M3 MacBook Air. We've also included a great deal on the Apple Studio Display.

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.

All of the deals shared below can be found on Amazon, and a few do require you to clip an on-page coupon in order to see the final deal price at checkout. The deals shared in this list are focused on the entry-level models of each Mac, but there are many, many more deals to be found on Macs, all of which can be discovered in our post about all of the Apple Black Friday Deals available right now.

• 13-inch M2 MacBook Air (16GB RAM/256GB) - $749.00 ($250 off)
• 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB RAM/256GB) - $844.00 ($255 off)
• M4 iMac (8-core/16GB RAM/256GB) - $1,149.00 with on-page coupon ($150 off)
• Apple Studio Display (Standard Glass) - $1,299.99 ($299 off)
• 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM/512GB) - $1,399.00 ($200 off)
• 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro (24GB RAM/512GB) - $2,199.00 ($300 off)

We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2024.

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Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now over three and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development.

Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag.

Timing

Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

From his Power On newsletter last week:

In May, I reported that Apple is working on a new AirTag — code-named B589 — for release around the middle of next year. That accessory has now progressed in manufacturing tests, and Apple is getting ready to bring it to market.

In October 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said mass production of the second-generation AirTag had been postponed from the fourth quarter of 2024 until some point in 2025, but he did not provide a reason for the apparent change in plans. Kuo and Gurman are thus in agreement that a new AirTag is coming next year.

Features

In his newsletter last week, Gurman reiterated that the new AirTag will feature an upgraded chip with improved location tracking. If so, the AirTag could be updated with the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that debuted in all iPhone 15 models last year.

Gurman also believes the new AirTag's built-in speaker will be more difficult to remove, as an anti-stalking measure. Overall, though, he expects the new AirTag to look similar to the current model, so do not expect major design changes.

Last, he said the new AirTag will feature "better range," which could allow the Precision Finding feature to work at farther distances.

Kuo previously said the new AirTag will have some kind of integration with Apple's Vision Pro headset, but he did not share any specific details.

Update — November 24: In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the AirTag 2 will still have a coin cell battery, rather than a rechargeable battery. Not really a surprise, but now you know!

While this should come as no surprise given that Apple just updated the AirPods Max in September, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that Apple currently has "no concrete plans" to update the headphones again "in a meaningful way."

"I expect the company to keep the Max headphones around for the foreseeable future in their current form," he added.

AirPods Max received only two changes in September, including a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning, and new color options. The headphones did not receive Apple's H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 a few years ago, so they continue to miss out on Adaptive Audio features, and there were no improvements to active noise cancellation either.

This means the AirPods Max continue to have the H1 chip that Apple introduced in 2019, yet the $549 headphones did not receive a price cut.

Gurman believes that AirPods Max sales are too low for Apple to justify allocating more development resources to the headphones. So, if you are hoping for AirPods Max 2 with more significant improvements, keep your expectations low for now.