MacRumors

Apple last week announced an Apple Card Preview period and has since been rolling out ‌Apple Card‌ availability to many iPhone users ahead of a wider launch.

Apple aimed to make the ‌Apple Card‌ available to as many people as possible and there have been reports of people with credit scores in the 600s being approved, but there are still reasons why someone might get denied.

In a new support document shared today, Apple outlines the various reasons why someone might be declined, including low credit score, frequent credit card applications, heavy debt and low income, tax liens, bankruptcy, property repossession, past due debt obligations, a recent checking account closure by a bank, past due medical debt, and more.

Apple's support document has a detailed list of explanations for those who were declined, and when you apply for ‌Apple Card‌, if you are declined by Goldman Sachs (Apple's partner) you'll get a reason why so you can cross reference it here for more information.

The document also explains how credit scores are determined (debt payments, hard credit inquiries, debt level, credit age, open loans, and more), and it details how customers can get a free credit score copy and dispute errors with TransUnion if mistakenly declined for a card. Apple recommends customers check for common errors that can be included in a credit report if there's an issue.

For customers who were declined because their identity could not be verified, Apple offers several recommendations such as verifying that application info is accurate and making sure ID scans (when requested) are clear and include an ID that's not expired and with a last name that matches the application.

When requesting an ‌Apple Card‌, Goldman Sachs does a soft credit check that does not impact your credit score. Being declined or declining Apple's offer will not require a hard inquiry, which is only done when you actually accept the ‌Apple Card‌.

Apple says that credit limit is determined by income and minimum payment amounts associated with existing debt, which is used to assess ability to pay.

Right now, ‌Apple Card‌ is limited to customers who have received an invite from Apple, but Apple appears to be sending out quite a lot of invitations to those who have signed up to be notified about ‌Apple Card‌ on the Apple Card website. A wide release for ‌Apple Card‌ could come in the next few weeks.

For more on how ‌Apple Card‌ works and what you can expect, make sure to check out our detailed Apple Card guide.

Last week, iPhone repair site iFixit highlighted a new iPhone feature described as a "dormant software lock" designed to prevent customers who get unauthorized battery repairs from seeing the battery health of their devices.

On an iPhone XS, XS Max, or iPhone XR, getting a repair from a non-Apple authorized source results in a message that says "Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine battery," with the iPhone refusing to display battery health information.

Apple today provided a statement on the issue to iMore, confirming that it did indeed introduce "a new feature" last year that brings up the aforementioned message when a non-authorized battery repair is made, with the aim of protecting customers from "damaged, poor quality, or used batteries."

We take the safety of our customers very seriously and want to make sure any battery replacement is done properly. There are now over 1,800 Apple authorized service providers across the United States so our customers have even more convenient access to quality repairs.

Last year we introduced a new feature to notify customers if we were unable to verify that a new, genuine battery was installed by a certified technician following Apple repair processes. This information is there to help protect our customers from damaged, poor quality, or used batteries which can lead to safety or performance issues. This notification does not impact the customer's ability to use the phone after an unauthorized repair.

On an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max that has a battery replaced outside of an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, the iPhone will simply read "Service" and will provide the messaging about a battery that can't be verified.

The battery health feature that lets customers see the health of their batteries is blocked and not available, with no measurement of maximum capacity or peak performance capacity.

iFixit discovered that this message pops up regardless of the battery being used. An unauthorized repair from a shop using a genuine Apple battery from another iPhone displays the warning message just as a third-party non-Apple battery does.

According to Apple, the notification about the non-genuine battery does not affect a customer's ability to use the phone after the repair, but it is of course going to make customers wary of third-party repair shops that are not authorized by Apple.

The only way to avoid the messaging when getting a battery replacement on an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (and presumably future iPhones) is to get that repair done through Apple. Apple charges $69 for an out-of-warranty replacement battery in its newest iPhones, which is more expensive than many third-party repair shops.

Repairs are free with AppleCare+ and when iPhones are under the one-year standard warranty, but as these iPhones age and are no longer covered, customers will need to shell out more money for an Apple-certified repair or live with a non-functioning battery health feature.

Research from YouTube channel The Art of Repair suggests that Apple's newest iPhones use a Texas Instruments microcontroller on the battery, which is designed to authenticate the battery.

Repairs from Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers likely use Apple's proprietary RepairCal diagnostics software to reset the "Service" status when doing a battery replacement, something that can't be replicated by non-Apple repair shops without the required equipment.

We're likely less than a month away from a trio of new iPhones, and ahead of time, an anonymous user claiming to be a Foxconn factory worker in China has shared alleged details about the upcoming devices on Chinese question-and-answer site Zhihu. The list was posted July 30 and surfaced on Slashleaks today.

While many of the details in the list have already been rumored, or at the very least sound plausible, this information is unverified and obviously could be faked. In other words, keep your expectations in check.

Starting with design, the alleged Foxconn worker claims at least one of the new iPhones will be available in an all-new new dark green color. This lines up with a previous report from Japanese blog Mac Otakara that claimed the next iPhone XR will be available in new green and lavender finishes.

The rear glass is said to have a matte appearance, in line with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claiming all three 2019 iPhones will feature frosted glass casing.

Interestingly, the leak suggests that the "iPhone" branding will be removed from the back of the devices. This isn't something we've heard before, but it is certainly possible that Apple believes the iPhone is now distinguishable enough for the name to be removed in favor of a more minimalistic design.

As for the front, the design of the 2019 iPhones is said to be virtually the same as 2018 models, including the notch. However, due to the widely rumored removal of 3D Touch, the display is expected to be slightly thinner.

The supposed Foxconn employee claims the next iPhone XS Max will have a 3,969 mAh battery capacity — this is the first time we've seen that number. Other details in the list have been widely rumored, including triple-lens rear cameras, the Lightning connector living on, and 3D Touch being dropped.

Last, the new iPhones are said to be available in similar 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, like the current iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. It is unclear if this includes the iPhone XR, which currently tops out at 256GB.

Again, this information has not been confirmed, so this falls into the "sketchy rumor" category. In just a matter of weeks, we'll find out for certain.

Apple customers who registered their interest in gaining early access to Apple Card were left confused last night after receiving an email from Apple asking for their Apple ID, despite having already provided it.

Since early August, Apple users have been signing up on Apple's website to be notified early about the release of ‌Apple Card‌. Apple has since sent out email invitations for an "Apple Card Preview" to some of those customers. However, it looks as though an error has cropped up in Apple's invite system as the second wave of customers starts to be processed.

The latest Apple email sent out to customers claims that their "early-access invitation is waiting," but that the email address they used when they originally signed up for an ‌Apple Card‌ invite doesn't match an existing ‌Apple ID‌ on record. The message reads:

You wanted to be one of the first to get Apple Card — a new kind of credit card created by Apple, not a bank. Good news: Here's your chance to experience Apple Card before everybody else, so you can help us get ready for the public launch. Your early access invitation is waiting, but we need your Apple ID to send it. The email address you provided does not match an Apple ID signed in to iCloud. Just complete a few simple steps so we can send your invitation.

The email then provides steps for the user to check their ‌Apple ID‌ on iPhone and re-enter it at www.apple.com/apple-card to ensure they get notified, after which "invitations may take up to 48 hours to arrive."

While it's important to stay vigilant and report phishing attempts to Apple, in this case the "Notify Me" link provided in the email checks out and the raw email headers show the sender address is genuinely from Apple.

There are multiple reports on Reddit of people receiving the email who are 100 percent sure they signed up with the correct ‌Apple ID‌ email address. MacRumors also received the email – we're also very confident the right address was used – which suggests an erroneous communication has been sent out to hundreds, if not thousands of users, causing initial excitement swiftly followed by bemusement.

Several users have contacted Apple Support, who are apparently aware of the issue and it has been forwarded to the ‌Apple Card‌ engineering team. Still, it's worth noting that some users may have also received the email for the right reason – because they didn't use the email address associated with their Apple account.

Needless to say, if you did sign up for the ‌Apple Card‌ invitation, make sure you used the proper ‌Apple ID‌ email address. If you can't remember whether you did or not, consider signing up again, otherwise it could delay your invitation by a few days.

Once customers receive their actual email invitation to the ‌Apple Card‌ Preview, they can sign up for ‌Apple Card‌ in the Wallet app on the iPhone or by going to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay on the iPad.

‌Apple Card‌ is limited to the United States at the current time, but may expand to additional countries in the near future. Apple is already in talks with European regulators, and has trademarked ‌Apple Card‌ in Europe, Hong Kong, and Canada.

Following a recall initiated by Apple, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned mid-2015 15-inch MacBook Pro models with faulty batteries from flights, reports Bloomberg.

Apple in June announced a voluntary recall and replacement program for 15-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models sold between September 2015 and February 2017 as these models may contain batteries that can overheat and pose a fire safety risk.

In a statement to Bloomberg, the Federal Aviation Administration said that major U.S. airlines have been notified about the recall and have been instructed to follow guidelines for goods with recalled batteries.

That means affected Apple laptops that have not received replacement batteries are not allowed on flights as cargo or in carry-on luggage, which is standard operating procedure.

Earlier this month, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also warned European airlines to make sure affected ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are switched off and not used during flights.

Four cargo airlines, including TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy, and Air Transat have implemented bans that prevent the laptops from being brought on planes as cargo.

"Please note that the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop, sold between mid-2015 to February-2017 is prohibited on board any of our mandate carriers," a TCE operations coordinator wrote to employees.

TUI Group Airlines, based out of the UK, plans to begin making announcements about affected ‌MacBook Pro‌ models at the gate and prior to takeoff, but laptops with replaced batteries will not be affected. There is no word on whether similar announcements will be made at U.S. airports and other airports worldwide.

Apple has asked customers with a 15-inch mid-2015 ‌MacBook Pro‌ to stop using their machines until they can take the steps to have their batteries replaced. Users with a 2015 ‌MacBook Pro‌ can enter their Mac's serial number in the recall program website to check if their machine needs a replacement battery.

Apple has been offering free replacement batteries since June and has sent out emails to customers who are affected urging them to bring their ‌MacBook Pro‌ models in for repair. 2015 machines that have a fresh battery are allowed on planes as normal.

15-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models from 2015 that have faulty batteries are in danger of overheating and catching on fire. Approximately 432,000 potentially affected ‌MacBook Pro‌ units were sold in the United States, along with 26,000 in Canada.

Apple last week began allowing some iPhone users to sign up for Apple Card as part of a limited test ahead of a wider launch, and we got our hands on one of the new cards.

In our latest YouTube video, we highlight the ‌Apple Card‌ sign up process, how it works, what it looks like, and how the titanium card feels in person for those who haven't yet had a chance to sign up.

‌Apple Card‌, which Apple created in partnership with Goldman Sachs, is a credit card that's designed to be simple, straightforward, and easy to use, making it ideal for those who are new to credit cards or who are looking for something no-frills that's easy to understand.

Signing up for ‌Apple Card‌ can be done in the Wallet app, and the entire process takes just a couple of minutes from the time that you enter your name, address, and other info to approval or rejection.

Your APR (interest rate) and your credit limit are based on your credit score, and Apple is aiming to make the ‌Apple Card‌ available to most people so even those with scores in the 600s have reported being approved.

Once you've signed up for ‌Apple Card‌, you can use it right away for Apple Pay purchases both in stores and online because it's deeply integrated into the iPhone. It works like any other credit card you've added to ‌Apple Pay‌. At the same time, Apple sends you a physical titanium card in the mail that can be used where ‌Apple Pay‌ isn't available. It takes a few days for the titanium card to arrive, and it's worth the wait.

The titanium ‌Apple Card‌ is uniquely Apple, featuring a simple design that's engraved with your name and no other information. There's no card number, CVV, or expiration date on the card, though there is a chip and a traditional magstripe for purchases.

Your card number, CVV, and expiration date can be found inside the Wallet app if you need that info for online purchases where ‌Apple Pay‌ isn't accepted. Your card number can even be changed on a semi-regular basis, which means it's more secure than a traditional credit card. That's one of the main benefits of the ‌Apple Card‌.

The titanium card is hefty and it weighs more than your average plastic credit card, plus it's about twice as thick. It's a statement card for sure, and it stands out when you use it. When you use either your physical ‌Apple Card‌ or the digital ‌Apple Pay‌ version, Apple tracks all of your purchases in detail, which is the other major ‌Apple Card‌ benefit.

There's a virtual card in the Wallet app that starts out white but changes color based on what you're buying. Apple organizes all of your purchases into different categories that each have a color, making it easy to see what you're spending your money on each month. Apple offers detailed purchase tracking, full merchant name info (so no purchase is ever ambiguous), and instant notifications when you make a purchase (so you know right away if something's charged you didn't authorize).

‌Apple Card‌ doesn't offer benefits like extended warranties or purchase protection, but it does have a cash back feature that's paid out each day. You get 3% cash back on purchases made from Apple (or its digital stores), 2% cash back on all ‌Apple Pay‌ purchases, and 1% cash back for all other purchases with the titanium card.

Cash is paid out at the end of each day and is added to your Apple Cash card, also in the Wallet app. The Apple Cash card can be used for purchases or the balance can be transferred to your bank account.

Payments are made in the Wallet app through a linked bank account, and it's worth noting that there is no web option. That's potentially going to be a hassle if you lose your iPhone and need to make a payment, but your ‌Apple Card‌ can be managed on your other iOS devices too.

When it comes to payments, Apple's aiming to make it so you pay as little interest as possible. Apple will send reminders when payment is due, encourage you to make extra payments to cut down on interest, and help you understand exactly how much interest you're going to be charged.

‌Apple Card‌ can't match other cards when it comes to benefits, travel rewards, and specific cash back options, but where it does win out over other cards is its deep integration into the Wallet app and the effort Apple put in to making it understandable.

Your purchases are clearly outlined, your spending is tracked across different categories so you can better budget and track your money, and payment information is optimized for your benefit, rather than the benefit of the credit card company.

For more on ‌Apple Card‌, make sure to check out our comprehensive Apple Card guide.

Facebook paid “hundreds of outside contractors” to transcribe user audio clips from its Messenger app, reports Bloomberg.

Employees who worked on the transcription were not told where the audio was recorded or how it was obtained, nor were they told why Facebook needs conversations transcribed.

Facebook says that while it had indeed been transcribing audio, it no longer plans to do so. "We paused human review of audio more than a week ago,” Facebook told Bloomberg.

Facebook’s decision to pause its audio transcribing comes following scrutiny of human review programs from Apple, Amazon, and Google. The three companies use employees to review voice assistant requests and accidental activations for improvement purposes.

One firm that Facebook uses to transcribe Messenger conversations is TaskUs, a company that also reviews Facebook content for possible policy violations.

Facebook says that users who had voice chats transcribed had opted in, and that the transcriptions were used to make sure Facebook’s AI correctly interpreted the messages. Despite this, Facebook did not disclose to users that third parties may be reviewing audio, which led some of Facebook’s contractors to “feel their work is unethical.”

Facebook’s data use policy does mention the collection of “content, communications, and other information,” but there’s no specific mention of audio.

Facebook says its “systems automatically process content and communications you and others provide to analyze context and what’s in them.” It includes no mention of other human beings screening the content. In a list of “types of third parties we share information with,” Facebook doesn’t mention a transcription team, but vaguely refers to “vendors and service providers who support our business” by “analyzing how our products are used.”

While Facebook claims it has stopped the audio transcription program, those concerned should refrain from using Facebook services like Messenger and WhatsApp.

Google and Apple have temporarily suspended their human audio review programs, while Amazon is letting Alexa users opt out. In the future, when Apple re-implements human review of Siri queries, there will be a clear privacy policy and opt-out option.

Spotify and Apple are in talks over a potential "truce" that would allow Siri to play songs, playlists, and albums from Spotify via voice commands from iPhone users, reports The Information.

Apple in iOS 13 is introducing SiriKit changes that will allow ‌Siri‌ to play music, podcasts, audiobooks, and radio from third-party apps, which seems to be the feature that the two companies have been discussing.

The SiriKit changes will let Spotify and other developers build ‌Siri‌ support into their apps, letting users control audio playback with ‌Siri‌ commands. Users will be able to use commands like "Hey ‌Siri‌, play Fleetwood Mac from Spotify" to access Spotify instead of Apple Music.

Apple has similar ‌Siri‌ features for third-party messaging apps, allowing ‌Siri‌ commands to be used to send messages using WhatsApp and other apps instead of the Messages app. ‌Siri‌ commands also work with third-party ride sharing, workout, payments, photo, and VoIP apps.

Should Apple and Spotify come to an agreement about the new feature, ‌Apple Music‌ is expected to remain the default music streaming service on Apple devices when users ask ‌Siri‌ to play songs, according to one of the sources that spoke to The Information.

The conversations between Apple and Spotify come following a March antitrust complaint from Spotify in the European Union, where Spotify claimed that Apple's App Store rules "limit choice and stifle innovation at the expense of the user experience."

In its complaint, Spotify called out Apple's 30 percent fee for third-party apps in the ‌App Store‌, which Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said gives Apple an "unfair advantage" for ‌Apple Music‌. Ek also complained about Apple's "experience-limiting restrictions," locking Spotify and other competitors out of services like ‌Siri‌.

Spotify's complaint has resulted in a formal investigation of Apple's ‌App Store‌ practices by the European Competition Commission, which is ongoing.

On its "Time to Play Fair" website that outlines its dispute with Apple, Spotify recently changed wording reflecting the SiriKit changes in iOS 13. It used to read as follows: "Apple won't allow us to be on HomePod and they definitely won't let us connect with ‌Siri‌ to play your jams."

After an update, the website now says the following: "Only recently, Apple announced that it will let us connect with ‌Siri‌ to play your jams...but fails to mention our name ("I want to play [X] on Spotify") and your ‌HomePod‌ will default to ‌Apple Music‌." The wording changes suggest Spotify will indeed implement ‌Siri‌ support, but the company still seems to be unhappy with the inability to set Spotify as the default music service on Apple devices.

Apple today announced that students at 12 additional universities will be able to add their student IDs to the Wallet app in the coming school year, allowing them to get around campus and make purchases using an iPhone or Apple Watch.

The expansion includes Clemson University, Georgetown University, University of Tennessee, University of Kentucky, University of San Francisco, University of Vermont, Arkansas State University, South Dakota State University, Norfolk State University, Louisburg College, University of North Alabama, and Chowan University.

Students simply hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader anywhere physical student ID cards are accepted — on and off campus. An optional Express Mode bypasses the need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, allowing for the quickest entry possible to buildings around campus.

Duke University, University of Oklahoma, University of Alabama, Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, Marshall University, and Mercer University rolled out contactless student IDs in the Wallet app last year.

Apple's stock has surged around five percent after the United States Trade Representative announced that an additional tariff of 10 percent on approximately $300 billion of Chinese imports will be delayed to December 15 for products such as cell phones, laptop computers, and monitors, per CNBC.

Moreover, the USTR said certain products are being removed from the tariff list based on "health, safety, national security and other factors" and will not be subject to the additional tariff of 10 percent whatsoever. It is unclear if this decision applies to any Apple products or accessories.

The USTR said it will provide additional details and lists of the tariff lines affected by this announcement on its website today.

The new tariff kicks in September 1 for the remaining Chinese imports impacted.

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