Facebook has attempted to pre-empt awkward questions about privacy ahead of the launch of iOS 13, with a blog post explaining what Apple's new location data alerts mean for users of its mobile app.
As we've covered elsewhere, Apple has doubled down on its privacy features in iOS 13, giving iPhone and iPad users a more granular view of how third-party apps access their location information – something that's obviously of concern to Facebook.
In a blog post titled "Understanding Updates to Your Device's Location Settings," the social network company highlights the fact that pop-up notifications now let users know when an app is using their location in the background, and even show a map of the location data that the app has tracked. The alerts also make users aware of how often apps are tracking them and their motivation for doing so.
Facebook points out that while iOS 12 gives users the option to allow apps access to precise location information "Always," "While Using the App" or "Never," iOS 13 adds an additional "Allow Once" option for permitting restricted one-time access. The social media giant clearly wants users to know that regardless of these changes, "Facebook is better with location..."
It powers features like check-ins and makes planning events easier. It helps improve ads and keep you and the Facebook community safe. Features like Find Wi-Fi and Nearby Friends use precise location even when you're not using the app to make sure that alerts and tools are accurate and personalized for you.
It's no secret that Facebook harvests huge amounts of data on all of its users, but the company is clearly trying to allay concerns when the alerts start rolling in on Facebook users' devices once they've updated to iOS 13.
Apple usually releases new versions of iOS one or two weeks after it unveils new iPhones. Apple's iPhone event takes place today at 10:00 a.m Pacific Time, so we should see iOS 13 drop relatively soon. MacRumors will be providing live coverage of today's event both here on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account. Stay tuned.
Microsoft has unveiled its new-look To Do app. First launched in 2017, the productivity app came along two years after the company acquired Wunderlist, but only now does it resemble a like-for-like replacement offering feature parity with the long-running cloud-based task management service. Announcing To Do v2.0, Microsoft had this to say:
When Wunderlist became part of the Microsoft family, our mission was to bring the delightful, simple, and elegant daily task experience and build it into Microsoft's intelligent, interconnected, and security-centric ecosystem to create a new app—Microsoft To Do. Today, we're unveiling the new version of To Do, which includes a fresh new design, access from wherever you are, and more integration with Microsoft apps and services.
The most obvious visual similarity is that To Do now supports background images – and even includes the Berlin TV tower image that longtime Wunderlist users will be familiar with. Every list can be given its own background image, and Microsoft says it has reduced the list header size and added new color theme customization options, with a dark mode for iOS and Mac coming soon.
Otherwise, it looks like business as usual for Wunderlist fans. The app features subtasks, recurring tasks, prioritized tasks, reminders and due dates, file attachments, and notes. Lists can also be grouped, shared with other people, and assigned.
There's a personalized daily planner feature called My Day that refreshes daily and features smart suggestions for tasks. And of course, all lists sync across devices, allowing users to stay organized at work, home, or on the go. Finally, there's deeper integration with Microsoft 365 apps and services like Microsoft Planner, linking to Microsoft-hosted email accounts like Outlook, Hotmail, and Live, and Cortana and Amazon Echo support.
Users without a Microsoft account can register with their existing email address. Once they sign in, the option to import tasks from Wunderlist is displayed, and it can also be found in Settings. Microsoft To Do is a free download for iPhone and iPad available from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo this afternoon sent out a note to investors recapping his expectations for Apple's 2019 iPhone lineup, which is set to be unveiled during tomorrow's September 10 event.
Much of what's included in the note, which was seen by MacRumors, covers predictions that we've previously heard many times, though Kuo offers up details on some rumors that were previously not confirmed, along with some new information on the potential bilateral wireless charging feature and the USB-C chargers we've heard about.
Here's a roundup of the information shared in the report:
New iPhones will feature a Lightning connector, not a USB-C port.
5.8 and 6.5-inch OLED models will ship with an 18W adapter with a USB-C connector.
The 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will continue to ship with a 5W power adapter with a USB-A connector.
The new iPhones may not support two-way wireless charging after all "because the charging efficiency may not meet Apple’s requirements."
Design and notch of new iPhones to be unchanged. New colors expected (likely referring to the new colors for the XR).
Triple-lens cameras for the 5.8 and 6.5-inch iPhones.
All three iPhones will offer ultra-wideband support for improved indoor navigation and object tracking purposes.
Ultra-wideband support is perhaps one of the most interesting changes that's gotten limited coverage. It's a short-range, low-power radio technology that offers more precise indoor positioning than Bluetooth LE and WiFi, which suggests that Apple's rumored Tile-like Apple Tags for keeping track of lost objects will be more accurate than products from competitors.
On the other details included in the note, we've heard reports of Apple's plans to introduce 18W chargers for fast charging out of the box, but previous rumors didn't indicate that the chargers would be limited to the iPhone XS and XS Max successors.
Bilateral wireless charging, which would allow the iPhone to charge devices like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, has long been rumored. In fact, a recent report from Bloomberg suggested Apple is moving the Apple logo on the new iPhones from the top to the middle of the devices specifically for this feature, so it may have been a late stage decision to nix it.
Kuo says that he expects shipments of the new iPhone models will decline by 5 to 10 percent year over year to 65 to 70 million units because of a "lack of innovative selling points." iPhone shipments in 2019 still might reach 180 million units, though, thanks to "demand boosted by price-cut legacy iPhone models."
We don't have long to wait to see what's in store for the 2019 iPhone lineup. Apple's iPhone event will kick off at 10:00 a.m Pacific Time. MacRumors will be providing live coverage of the event both here on MacRumors.com and on the MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Update:Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has backed Kuo's claim that the widely rumored two-way charging feature for 2019 iPhones has been canceled.
GameClub, the upcoming subscription service that is bringing back your favorite classic iOS games, is set to launch this fall with more than 50 all-you-can-play titles that will be available for one monthly fee.
Since it was announced back in March, GameClub has been beta testing its service, offering up access to original iOS games for free, but the service will soon be ready to debut.
There's no specific word on pricing for GameClub at this time, but today's press release says that there will be a "small monthly fee" for access to all of the games, which will be free of intrusive ads and in-app purchases.
At launch, GameClub will offer access to more than 50 games that were some of the original games on the App Store but that stopped being updated over time. GameClub's business model is revitalizing and updating older titles, many of which were incredibly popular years ago.
Content is curated by Eli Hodapp, the former editor-in-chief of MacRumors sister site TouchArcade, and for the last several months, Hodapp has been communicating with the iOS gaming community and getting developers on board.
Super Crate Box, Legendary Wars, Minigore, Space Miner, Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor and subsequent titles, Mage Gauntlet, Plunderland, Incoboto, Hook Champ, and Super QuickHook are just some of the games that will be available.
Prior to when GameClub launches, these games are available to play for free through GameClub's ongoing beta testing process. Anyone can get access to the beta titles by signing up for the GameClub Early Access program on the GameClub website.
As mentioned above, GameClub will have more than 50 games at launch, and additional titles will be added on a weekly basis. In addition to classic titles, after launch, GameClub plans to expand into new and original premium games.
GameClub games will be available cross platform, so you can play on either iOS or Android, and all games will be downloadable and playable offline. For people who purchased the original titles that GameClub is reviving, you'll be able to play them for free.
Apple is set to launch its own Apple Arcade App Store gaming service in the near future, which will provide access to iOS games for a monthly fee with no in-app purchases or ads. GameClub differs from Apple Arcade in that it brings back classic, much-loved titles while Apple Arcade focuses solely on new games.
Ahead of the upcoming iPhone event that's set to kick off tomorrow, some Apple Store locations will have their windows blocked off with black curtains in order to make changes to the front window displays.
Twitter user Brian Roemmele yesterday tweeted a teaser about the upcoming change, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurmanexplained in another tweet that Apple is planning to bring back "the old-school 3D front windows" at some store locations.
An Apple retail employee contacted MacRumors and confirmed Gurman's report. Apple Store workers recently practiced putting up the black curtains and were also instructed to clean out and fix floor mechanisms that haven't been used in years. This likely includes wires and other equipment used for anchoring the front displays.
Apple previously used intricate, eye-catching window displays with cutouts and designs showing off new products and features, but the practice was discontinued with the launch of the updated Apple Store designs.
Former Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts and Jony Ive worked on the updated Apple Stores, but Ahrendts has since departed and Ive is set to leave the company at the end of the year, which is perhaps why Apple is now prepared to make some changes. Deirdre O'Brien, Apple's head of people, has taken over the company's retail initiatives.
Apple frequently changed its window display setups back when it used window displays, and many of the designs are still well known, such as the colored balls used for the iPhone 5c launch.
In some stores that have seen redesigns, it's not clear how the new window displays will work, but it looks like many retail store displays will soon get more interesting to look at.
Apple is planning to add a new coprocessor, codenamed both "Rose" and "R1," to the A13 series chips in its upcoming iPhones set to debut on Tuesday. It is not clear if Apple will use the internal Rose and R1 codenames for marketing purposes or if it will match the A-series chip numbering scheme and release the first Rose coprocessor as R13.
Based on evidence from an internal build of iOS 13, the first iteration of the Rose coprocessor, the R1 (t2006), is similar to Apple's M-series motion coprocessor in that it helps inform iOS about where the iPhone is located in space and where it is headed by offloading the processing of that sensor data from the main system processor.
Where the R1 differs is that it integrates many more sensors than the motion coprocessor in order to produce a much more accurate picture of where the device is. The motion coprocessor currently integrates data from the compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, and microphones.
The Rose coprocessor will add support for an inertial measurement unit (IMU), Bluetooth 5.1 features, ultra-wideband (UWB) and camera (including motion capture and optical tracking) sensor data to not only tell where the device is but also fuse this sensor data together to find lost Apple Tags and aid in the processing of People Occlusion from ARKit. Given the overlap in sensor data collection and processing the Rose coprocessor may replace the M-series motion coprocessor.
The Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) features of Bluetooth 5.1 enable Bluetooth direction-finding, and combining these with other sensor data by the R1 will aid in finding Apple Tags with high resolution. The 2018 iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR all have Bluetooth 5.0.
Apple has begun selling certified refurbished 2018 iPad Pro models in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, in addition to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Japan, and Hong Kong.
In most of the countries, only 11-inch models are available, but there are some 12.9-inch models available in the likes of Singapore and Hong Kong. We recommend using the website Refurb Tracker to monitor Apple's inventory.
Prices are discounted by approximately 15 percent compared to the equivalent brand new 2018 iPad Pro models from Apple.
Apple says certified refurbished iPad models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged in a new white box, with all accessories and documentation included. Every refurbished iPad receives a new battery and a new outer shell, making it virtually indistinguishable from a brand new iPad.
Every refurbished iPad is covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty effective on the date the tablet is delivered. The coverage can be extended to two years from the refurbished purchase date with AppleCare+ for iPad Pro, which costs $129 or $5.99 per month for up to 24 months in the United States.
Apple has yet to add the refurbished 2018 iPad Pro models to its online store in the United States or Canada, but it likely will within the next few days. We'll update this article and send out a tweet when that happens.
While certified refurbished products provide a decent opportunity for savings directly from Apple, better deals are often available through authorized resellers like Amazon, which just this week is offering some of the lowest-ever prices on brand new 2018 iPad Pro models in the United States.
Update: The certified refurbished 2018 iPad Pro models are now available in the United States and Canada too.
Deals on the iPad Pro have appeared on Amazon this week, offering shoppers a chance to save as much as $400 on the 2018 models of Apple's tablet. There are a few lowest-ever prices during this sale, with prices starting at $674 for the 64GB Wi-Fi 11-inch iPad Pro and rising from there.
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.
Low prices for the 12.9-inch models include the 64GB cellular tablet at $899.99 ($250 off), and the 1TB Wi-Fi model at $1,349.99 ($400 off). We've listed all of these sales below, and each discount can be found on Amazon.
2018 iPad Pro Sale
11-inch
Wi-Fi, 64GB - $674.00, down from $799.00 ($125 off)
Wi-Fi, 256GB - $799.99, down from $949.00 ($150 off)
Wi-Fi, 1TB - $1,149.99, down from $1,549.00 ($400 off, lowest ever)
Apple's vice president of product marketing Greg Joswiak recently spoke with the UK's Daily Express about the future of its biometric authentication systems, noting that while Face ID will be expanded to more devices over time, Touch ID will "continue to have a role" for the foreseeable future.
"Certainly, we'll continue to put it on more devices but also Touch ID will continue to have a role - it's a great technology on our iPad lineup and we don't see it going away anytime soon," said Joswiak.
While the latest iPad Pro models are equipped with the more-expensive Face ID system, lower-end iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini models still have Touch ID home buttons to keep costs down, and that will likely remain the case for years. Touch ID is also built into recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models.
As for the iPhone, Apple continues to sell older iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models with Touch ID, but it has not introduced a new iPhone with fingerprint authentication since 2017. The upcoming iPhone 11 models are expected to stick with Face ID, which Apple says has been made 30 percent faster in iOS 13.
Apple recently adjusted its App Store search algorithm so that fewer of its own apps appear at the top of search results, senior executives Phil Schiller and Eddy Cue confirmed in an interview with The New York Times.
Specifically, the executives said Apple has tweaked a feature that sometimes grouped apps by maker so Apple apps would no longer look as if they were receiving preferential treatment. The New York Times claims that many Apple apps have dropped in the search results since the change was implemented in July.
Schiller and Cue both denied any wrongdoing on Apple's part, however, describing the change as an improvement rather than a fix:
On July 12, many Apple apps dropped sharply in the rankings of popular searches. The top results for "TV" went from four Apple apps to two. "Video" and "maps" changed from three top Apple apps to one. And Apple Wallet dropped from the No. 1 spot for "money" and "credit."
Mr. Schiller and Mr. Cue said the algorithm had been working properly. They simply decided to handicap themselves to help other developers.
"We make mistakes all the time," Mr. Cue said.
"We're happy to admit when we do," Mr. Schiller said. "This wasn't a mistake."
Even after the change, analytics firm Sensor Tower found Apple apps ranked first in the App Store for over 700 search terms, even when the Apple apps were less relevant and less popular than ones from its competitors:
On Aug. 21, Apple apps ranked first in 735 of roughly 60,000 search terms tracked by Sensor Tower. Most of the tracked searches were obscure, but Apple’s apps ranked first for many of the popular queries. For instance, for most of June and July, Apple apps were the top result for these search terms: books, music, news, magazines, podcasts, video, TV, movies, sports, card, gift, money, credit, debit, fitness, people, friends, time, notes, docs, files, cloud, storage, message, home, store, mail, maps, traffic, stocks and weather.
A spokesperson for Apple said the company could not verify the data because it did not keep a record of historical search results, according to The New York Times. Apple's algorithm is said to examine 42 different signals, including an app's relevance to a given search, its ratings, and its popularity based on downloads and views.
The New York Times shared a particularly compelling example related to Apple's Wallet app following the Apple Card's introduction, but Schiller and Cue denied any intentional manipulation of the App Store search results:
On March 25, the company unveiled an Apple-branded credit card that can be used via the Apple Wallet app. The next day, Apple Wallet was the No. 1 result in searches for "money," "credit" and "debit." The app had not ranked for those search terms before then.
Mr. Cue and other Apple executives speculated that the team marketing the Apple Wallet app had added "money," "credit" and "debit" to the underlying description of the app, causing it to appear for those search results.
Then people searched those terms, found the Apple Wallet app and clicked on it, telling the algorithm that it should be the first result.
"We can just tell you that we've not done anything to drive that — that is, other than launching a great wallet, an Apple Card and marketing the heck out of it," Mr. Schiller said.
Apple recently defended its practices, noting that the App Store "welcomes competition" and was created to be "a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps" and "a great business opportunity for all developers."
An official Twitch app for Apple TV is on the way. The live game-streaming service has offered iOS and Mac apps for some time, but a version for Apple's set-top box has been conspicuous by its absence (making third-party apps like Twitchy all the more popular). That's soon set to change though, with a beta Twitch app for tvOS now available on TestFlight.
The Twitch app for Apple TV offers the same features found on the iOS and Mac apps, so users will be able to watch live streams, clips, and video on demand, as well as get involved in on-screen chat. Twitch also hosts a slew of additional broadcasts, including live Thursday Night NFL Games, so this news isn't necessarily just for videogame fans.
If you want to gain access to the beta, you'll need to install Apple's TestFlight app on an iOS device and an Apple TV logged in using the same Apple ID. On your iOS device, tap the public link, then tap Accept for the Twitch: Live Game Streaming beta. Next, launch TestFlight on Apple TV, install the beta app there, and you should be good to go.
"We don't want to be too prescriptive so explore the app, watch streams, and try out different features," Twitch says on its site. "If you find a bug, the app crashes on you, or you encounter other issues send us your feedback."
There's no word on when Twitch will be ready for official release on the tvOS App Store, but presumably the more users that get involved in the beta, the sooner any bugs will be ironed out and it'll be ready for launch. Twitch is also available on Windows PCs, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, NVIDIA Shield, and Chromecast.
Apple and manufacturing partner Foxconn have admitted to recruiting too many temporary staff in one of the world's biggest iPhone factories, following a report from a non-profit advocacy group alleging harsh working conditions (via Bloomberg).
China Labor Watch (CLW), which investigates conditions in the country's factories, published its report on Sunday accusing the two companies of breaching several Chinese labor laws, including one barring temporary staff from exceeding 10 percent of the total workforce.
CLW said undercover investigators worked in Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant in China and found that temporary staff, known as "dispatch workers," made up about 50 percent of the workforce in August, when the supply chain is usually ramped up ahead of new iPhone releases. Chinese labor law allows a maximum of 10 percent.
Our recent findings on working conditions at Zhengzhou Foxconn highlights several issues which are in violation of Apple’s own code of conduct. Apple has the responsibility and capacity to make fundamental improvements to the working conditions along its supply chain, however, Apple is now transferring costs from the trade war through their suppliers to workers and profiting from the exploitation of Chinese workers.
In a statement, Apple said it investigated the percentage of temporary workers among the overall workforce and found it "exceeded our standards," and said it was working with Foxconn to "immediately resolve the issue."
In addition, Apple said it had found that interns at a supplier facility worked overtime at night, something which violating company policy, but that it had corrected the issue. The company said the interns worked overtime voluntarily and were properly compensated.
Despite the admissions, Apple rebutted allegations of lapses in people management and declined to comment on whether the excess amounted to a breach of Chinese labor law.
"We believe everyone in our supply chain should be treated with dignity and respect," Apple said in a statement. "To make sure our high standards are being adhered to, we have robust management systems in place beginning with training on workplace rights, on-site worker interviews, anonymous grievance channels and ongoing audits."
Separately, Foxconn also admitted it had discovered an over-reliance on temporary workers dispatch workers and said it "immediately began a detailed process to ensure that all issues were addressed."
Around 12,000 iPhones are assembled per shift at the Zhengzhou factory, according to CLW's report. However, Apple's 2018 iPhone XS models were said to be more complex to build than 2017's iPhone X and therefore required more workers.
This isn't the first time Apple and Foxconn have come in for criticism over working conditions in Chinese iPhone factories. In 2017, the companies confirmed instances of high school students working overtime to assemble the iPhone X when they shouldn't have been allowed.
Both companies took remedial action over the issue, and Apple sent specialists to the manufacturing plant to work with management to ensure standards were properly followed.
In its latest annual supplier responsibility report, Apple said it conducted 44,000 interviews with supplier employees in 2018 to make sure they were properly trained and knew how to voice concerns. Apple also said it was taking new steps to prevent forced labor.
Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues 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 will hold its annual iPhone-centric event at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus on Tuesday, September 10. This year's theme is "By innovation only," which is the line that was on the invitations sent out to members of the media in late August.
This year's event will feature new iPhones with some of the best camera improvements that we've seen from Apple in years, Apple Watch models in new materials, and perhaps some other hardware and services updates. Below, we've outlined everything that we're expecting to see or might see at Apple's 2019 event.
The 2019 iPhone lineup is going to look a lot like the 2018 lineup, with Apple planning to continue offering three iPhones in 5.8, 6.5, and 6.1-inch sizes.
The former two devices, which are successors to the iPhone XS and XS Max, will have OLED displays, while the iPhone XR successor will continue to feature an LCD display to keep costs lower.
We don't yet know for sure what Apple is going to name its newest iPhones given the names of the previous-generation devices, but "iPhone 11" and "iPhone 11 Pro" are names that have been speculated for two of the devices.
According to Bloomberg, while the upcoming iPhones will look similar to the current models, they're going to be made from a more shatter resistant glass that's also matte instead of glossy. When it comes to the iPhone XR, it may be available in new colors, including lavender and green.
Better waterproofing is expected, which will also make the new iPhones more durable, and there is one significant design update and feature revision -- the rear cameras.
The next-generation iPhone XS and XS Max will feature triple-lens camera setups in a square-shaped camera bump. The camera setup is said to include a 12-megapixel telephoto lens, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a new 12-megapixel super wide-angle lens.
The three camera system will bring significant improvements to photo quality, especially in low lighting situations, and it will allow for photos that are more zoomed out, aka with a larger field of view.
Note: The final camera design is expected to be more subtle than depicted here, with a bump that better matches the rear color of each iPhone.
The iPhone XR isn't getting a triple-lens camera, but it will be upgraded with a dual-lens camera that features a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens, much like the current iPhone XS. Though it has a dual-lens camera, Apple is still giving the XR a square-shaped camera bump so it will match up with the other 2019 iPhones.
Apple could bring a low light mode that would compete with the Night Sight feature available on Google devices, and there will be neat features such as an option to expand a photo in a situation where a key element got cut out thanks to that new super wide-angle lens.
Rumors suggest new video recording capabilities in the works, with Apple aiming to introduce a feature that will let users retouch, apply effects, alter colors and crop video right in real-time as it's being recorded.
The front-facing TrueDepth camera system is going to be largely the same and the notch isn't going to shrink down this year, but Apple is rumored to be adding a new flood illuminator and Face ID sensor upgrades that will allow the iPhone to capture a wider field of view. This will let the iPhone be unlocked with Face ID even when laying flat on a table.
You might have heard rumors about Apple Pencil support for the 2019 iPhones, but those rumors were all from sketchy sources and it's not a feature that we're expecting this year.
There are, however, quite a few new features that are coming that are worth highlighting. Bilateral wireless charging, which Samsung phones already have, will let a 2019 iPhone charge another Qi-based device, such as the AirPods. So you can use your iPhone to charge up your Wireless AirPods case, transfer power between two iPhones, or charge the Apple Watch.
iPhone rendering with new Apple logo placement by Ben Geskin
Apple logos on the new iPhones are expected to be relocated towards the center of the device, which is a departure from the current location more towards the top. The new placement is meant to be used as a guide for where to place the AirPods and Apple Watch for the bilateral charging feature.
Bigger batteries are coming, which could mean longer battery life, but that extra battery could also be eaten up by the new triple-lens camera system. We'll have to wait and see, but rumors suggest the next-generation iPhone XS could have a 3,200mAh battery, while the iPhone XS Max successor could have a 3,500mAh battery. The next iPhone XR is rumored to have a 3,000mAh battery.
Ultra-Wide Band support may be added to bring improvements to indoor positioning and navigation, and the new iPhones are expected to support the faster Wi-Fi 6 specification (802.11x).
The next iPhone XR may feature 4GB RAM up from 3GB, and it could also get 4x4 MIMO for LTE speeds that match the current XS and XS Max. Dual Bluetooth audio connection support for connecting two pairs of Bluetooth headphones to a single device is rumored too.
When it comes to the processor, the 2019 iPhones are expected to use A13 chips from TSMC. Chip upgrades bring improved performance and efficiency, and the A13 will be no different. Apple is also rumored to be adding a new "AMX" or "matrix" co-processor for handling some math-heavy computing tasks perhaps for augmented reality or some of the new camera capabilities.
3D Touch is rumored to be going away in 2019, which means the new iPhones will work like the iPhone XR. Long presses and haptic feedback will replace current 3D Touch gestures.
There were some early rumors suggesting Apple might use a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port in the new iPhones, but later rumors have solidified around a Lightning port, so don't expect port changes this year.
We still may be getting something USB-C related in the form of a new 18W USB-C power adapter and USB-C to Lighting cable that would enable fast charging right out of the box.
Apple's 18W USB-C power adapter for iPad, which could be expanded to iPhone
There have been some rumors indicating Apple is finally ready to upgrade from that 5W power adapter and provide fast charging capabilities without the need to buy extra accessories, but this rumor isn't a sure thing.
For more details on what to expect from the 2019 iPhones, along with more images of renderings, part leaks, and dummy models that have surfaced over the last several months, make sure to check out our 2019 iPhone roundup.
New Apple Watch Models
We've heard little about the new Apple Watch models expected in 2019, so this may not be the most exciting year for the Apple Watch.
There have been hints that new titanium and ceramic models are in the works, but beyond that, rumors have indicated that changes will be minor.
We can probably expect an S5 processor that brings speed and efficiency improvements if new Series 5 models are announced, but beyond that, we don't know if there are any other notable new features coming this year.
New versions of iOS (and now iPadOS), macOS, watchOS, and tvOS have been in beta testing since their debut at WWDC in June, and these updates could see a release not too long after Apple's event.
In fact, Apple typically provides golden master versions of new software following its September event, with the software launch coming just ahead of when new devices release.
With an event on September 10, we're expecting pre-orders on September 13 and a launch on September 20. Software releases typically happen two days before when new iPhones are released, so iOS 13, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS could see a launch on September 18. Catalina could also come at that time, but Apple occasionally releases its Mac software a bit later.
Apple Arcade, Apple's upcoming subscription gaming service, is set to launch this fall and it's likely we'll hear more about it, including a price point and a launch date.
Apple Arcade will let Apple users access over 100 games on iPhone, Apple TV, and Mac with one monthly price and no additional in-app purchases. Dozens of developers are on board, and we're expecting the service to debut right around when new iPhones launch.
Apple TV+, Apple's upcoming streaming service for movies and television, is also set to launch this fall. We may hear more about it at the September iPhone event, with Apple potentially sharing new trailers, details, and information on price.
Right now, rumors suggest Apple TV+ is coming later in the fall, perhaps in November, but we still may get new information.
New Accessories
With the launch of new iPhones and new Apple Watch models, Apple always introduces updated iPhones cases to fit new devices and new Apple Watch bands in fall colors.
This year should be no different, and we're expecting to see new iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands, and perhaps new iPad covers to match.
Possibilities for Either September or October
iPad Pro
Apple is rumored to be planning to release refreshed versions of the iPad Pro in 2019 with updated cameras and processors. There have been some rumors indicating a three-lens camera system, but it's not clear if that's going to happen.
Major design changes are not expected for the 2019 iPad Pro update, and Apple is going to stick with the same 11 and 12.9-inch sizes.
There's a new affordable iPad in the works to succeed the 9.7-inch iPad, and this one is expected to measure in at 10.2 inches, so it may feature slimmer bezels.
Apple Pencil support will be included, and it's expected to continue to use Touch ID instead of Face ID. Right now, the 9.7-inch iPad costs $329, and Apple is expected to keep costs low.
Apple introduced new MacBook Pro models twice this year in both May and July, but it looks like we're getting a third 2019 MacBook Pro - a 16-inch model.
Rumors suggest the 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature much slimmer bezels than the 15-inch MacBook Pro, which will allow it to have a larger display in a body that's approximately the same size as the 15-inch MacBook Pro. So think slimmer bezels rather than a bigger body when it comes to the new MacBook Pro.
A mockup of a 16-inch MacBook Pro
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is expected to have an all new design, and the display could feature a 3072 x 1920 resolution. Most notably, the new MacBook Pro may have an all new keyboard that does away with the butterfly mechanism, swapping back over to a design based on traditional scissor switches.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple has been working on this new keyboard for some time and plans to debut it first in the updated MacBook Pro. It is said to feature longer key travel and better durability thanks to the use of glass fiber to reinforce the structure of the keys.
Apple may be planning to use Intel's 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh chips in the 16-inch MacBook Pro, which are the same chips used in the high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro models.
The 16-inch MacBook Pro is not going to replace the 15-inch MacBook Pro and will instead be sold right alongside it, presumably as a higher-end option. Given that rumors suggest the new machine will not replace the current 15-inch models at this time, we can likely expect a high price point.
Apple TV
Code found in an internal build of iOS 13 references a new Apple TV 11,1 model, suggesting Apple is working on an updated Apple TV. Little is known about the new device, but it could feature an A12 processor. There's no word on when we can expect a release, but it's possible this new Apple TV will debut at Apple's September event or later in October.
Apple Tags
Apple is working on an "Apple Tag" that would compete with products like Tile, offering up Bluetooth tracking for items like keys, wallets, cameras, and more. Apple Tags will integrate into the Find My app and will take advantage of offline tracking capabilities. There's no word on when the Apple Tag will launch, but it could come this fall.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the upcoming tags will feature ultra-wideband or "UWB" technology. Ultra-wideband is a short-range low-power radio technology able to provide more accurate indoor positioning than Bluetooth LE or Wi-Fi. With UWB, Apple's tags may be able to more precisely pinpoint the location of lost items.
Conclusion
Apple's 2019 iPhones will bring some of the most significant cameras changes that we've had in years, which is something to look forward to.
Promises of better waterproofing and better shatter resistance could make the new iPhones more durable than ever, and then there are some neat additional features like bilateral wireless charging to look forward to.
If Apple follows past iPhone schedules (and we've heard no hint of delays this year), pre-orders for the new iPhones could begin on Friday, September 13, and a launch could follow on Friday, September 20.
Live Coverage
The "By Innovation Only" event will kick off on Tuesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will live stream the event on its event website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.
For those who are unable to watch, MacRumors will offer live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, along with continuing coverage throughout the rest of September.
It's almost here: Apple's annual iPhone event! We've been hearing rumors about the 2019 iPhones essentially since the 2018 models were announced, and we're finally about to see what Apple has to show off. We expect plenty more announcements beyond the new iPhones, so buckle up for Tuesday.
In the lead-up to the event, this week saw a host of rumors about Apple Watch sleep tracking, an upcoming Apple TV update, and more. We're even hearing about Touch ID potentially coming back to the iPhone in the next year or two. And if you've got an aluminum Series 2 or Series 3 Apple Watch and the screen has cracked, Apple may fix it for you free of charge. Read on for all of this week's top stories!
What to Expect at Apple's September 2019 Event: New iPhones, Apple Watch Models, Services Updates and More
We're just a few days away from Apple's annual iPhone media event, so we've put together a guide highlighting everything we think we'll see and a few things we may or may not see. The new iPhone is always the star of the show, but we can also expect new Apple Watch models, final details on all of Apple's upcoming software updates, perhaps more information on services like Apple Arcade and Apple TV+, and maybe a few more things.
And of course, tune in on Tuesday when we'll have full coverage of the event, which kicks off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus.
Apple Watch Sleep Tracking, Schooltime Mode, and More Revealed in Leaked iOS 13 Code
It's unclear if all or any of these things will be ready for Apple's keynote, which takes place Tuesday, September 10 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. MacRumors will have in-depth coverage of the event, complete with a live blog on our website and live tweets via @MacRumorsLive.
New Apple TV With A12 Chip and 'One More Thing' Teased Ahead of Next Week's Apple Event
Apple is widely expected to announce new iPhone and Apple Watch models at its event next week, and last-minute rumors suggest there could be a new Apple TV with an A12 chip as well, although the timing is unclear.
Meanwhile, an anonymous Twitter account with a reliable track record has teased "one more thing," the iconic phrase used by Steve Jobs when he surprised the crowd with one more product or announcement. What could the "one more thing" be this time around? We'll have to wait and see...
iPhone With Both Face ID and Touch ID Under Display and New 'iPhone SE' Expected in 2020–2021
The fingerprint scanner would be embedded in the display, enabling users to unlock the iPhone by placing a finger almost anywhere on the screen, and it would complement rather than replace Face ID. This would give users the convenience of two biometric authentication options.
Potential Benchmark for iPhone XR Successor Shows 4GB RAM, Moderate Performance Gains
Apple is widely expected to unveil three new iPhones next week, including a 6.1-inch model that succeeds the current iPhone XR.
A potential benchmark for this device surfaced this week that suggests the device will have 4GB of RAM, up from 3GB, and moderate performance gains as a result of a faster A13 chip.
Apple Launches Screen Replacement Program for Aluminum Series 2 and Series 3 Apple Watch Models
Apple has found that under "very rare circumstances," a crack may form along the edge of the screen in aluminum Apple Watch Series 2 or Series 3 models. This includes both 38mm and 42mm sizes.
Apps designed for the Mac don't often receive as much attention as apps made for iPhones and iPads, so over on our YouTube channel this week, we have shared a new video highlighting five useful and interesting Mac apps worth checking out.
This month's picks include apps for revamping your dock, discovering new music, making GIFs, annotating and managing screenshots, and more.
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.
2019 iPhones will feature a centered Apple logo on the back of the devices, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The centered logo will help users know where to place their Apple Watch or AirPods case to charge on the back of the upcoming iPhones, which are widely expected to have a new Qi-based device-to-device charging feature, similar to Wireless PowerShare on Samsung's latest Galaxy smartphones.
Gurman also reiterated that iPhone 11 models will have more shatter-resistant glass and improved water resistance, the iPhone XR will come in a new green color, and that this year's Apple Watch refresh will be relatively minor, with a focus on new ceramic and titanium casing finishes and watchOS 6.
We're just three days away from Apple's event at Steve Jobs Theater, which kicks off Tuesday at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Apple will be live streaming the event via its website, the Apple Events app on Apple TV, and YouTube. MacRumors will have full coverage of the announcements as they unfold — stay tuned!
For the first time, Apple will live stream its Tuesday, September 10 event on YouTube, Apple announced today using a placeholder video uploaded to the site.
Apple is allowing YouTube users to set a reminder to get a notification when the event begins. It is set to kick off at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 10.
Cupertino calling. Join us for an Apple special event live from the Steve Jobs Theater on September 10 at 10 a.m. PDT. Set a reminder and we'll send an update before the show.
Apple usually uploads its events to YouTube a few days after they happen, but has not used YouTube to live stream an event before. Making the live stream available on YouTube will provide access to the event on consoles, computers, smartphones, and other devices.
Apple is expected to unveil new iPhones, new Apple Watch models, and perhaps other hardware, with a full rundown of what's coming available in our What to Expect article.
For those who are unable to watch the live stream on the Apple TV, Apple's website, or on YouTube, MacRumors will be providing live coverage here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
Apple has acquired the worldwide distribution rights for "Dads," a documentary directed by actress Bryce Dallas Howard, reports Variety.
The film, which will include commentary from Bryce Dallas Howard, her father director Ron Howard and his partner Brian Grazer, is premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival today. The documentary is described as a "joyful exploration of contemporary fatherhood."
It will offer up anecdotes and wisdom from celebrities like Will Smith, Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris, Kenan Thompson, Ken Jeong, and more, along with portraits of non-celebrity dads around the world.
If the old-fashioned father was stern and stoic, the contemporary one is more vulnerable and self-deprecating. Conan O'Brien sums up parenthood as "this incredible realization that you're not the most important person in the world." Patton Oswalt, who became a single parent after his wife's death, reflects on how quickly kids grow up: "You get the tiniest window and then it's gone just like that." Hasan Minhaj pays tribute to his immigrant father, whose short-term sacrifice was for his family's long-term gain.
Fathers can be close, distant, absent, or anything in between. Whatever your experience, this film warmly encourages conversations about how to be a better parent.
After its premiere at the festival, "Dads" will be available on Apple TV+ at some point after it launches, and a theatrical run is also a possibility.
There is no word yet on when Apple TV+ is going to launch, but we may learn additional details about the service at Apple's upcoming iPhone event, set to take place on Tuesday, September 10.
The U.S. government has ordered Apple and Google to disclose the names, phone numbers, and other information for "at least" 10,000 users of a gun scope app, reports Forbes.
An order filed from the Department of Justice requests info on people who use Obsidian 4, an app that controls rifle scopes made by American Technologies Network Corp. The app is designed to let gun owners get a live stream, take video, and calibrate their gun scope using a smartphone.
The Obsidian 4 application is here to enhance your experience when using the ATN X-Sight 4K and/or the ThOR 4 product lines. This application connects your smart phone, or tablet, to your ATN device via Wifi. This connection allows you to watch a live video stream of your hunt on your smart phone or tablet. The Obsidian 4 app lets you to adjust/change the various settings on your ATN Smart scope, and review the images and videos stored on your scopes microSD card.
On Google Play, the app has more than 10,000 downloads. Since Apple doesn't disclose iOS downloads, it's not clear how many iPhone users have downloaded it.
Edin Omanovic, the lead on Privacy International's State Surveillance program, told Forbes that the order had the potential to set a dangerous precedent, giving the government access to "huge amounts of innocent people's personal data."
The data is being sought because the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched a broad investigation into possible breaches of weapons export regulations, and is looking into illegal exports of the ATN scope used with the app. From the government order:
This pattern of unlawful, attempted exports of this rifle scope in combination with the manner in which the ATN Obsidian 4 application is paired with this scope manufactured by Company A supports the conclusion that the information requested herein will assist the government in identifying networks engaged in the unlawful export of this rifle scope through identifying end users located in countries to which export of this item is restricted.
Data on app users will allow ICE to determine where the scopes have been shipped, and the investigation comes after ICE intercepted illegal shipments on multiple occasions.
Apple, Google, and scope maker ATN did not respond to Forbes' request for comment. The government is seeking the names and IP addresses of anyone who downloaded the scope app from August 1, 2017 to the current date.
Apple hasn't received a similar request in the United States before, but an unnamed government previously requested data on 58 million users of a single app in a terrorist investigation, and Apple declined to provide the data. It's not yet clear if Apple and Google will comply with the request in this case.
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