DriveSavers today announced the launch of a new consumer-facing service that's designed to unlock iOS devices for customers who have forgotten their passcodes, been locked out after too many incorrect entry attempts, or who need to access the data on the device of a deceased family member.
DriveSavers says it is using "new proprietary technology" to recover data from a passcode-locked devices, a service that has previously been limited to law enforcement agencies and unavailable to the average consumer.
It is not known what technology DriveSavers is using to access data on the device. It may be a passcode guessing feature or something related to iCloud data, with the company suggesting it is able to recover data like photos, videos, contacts, text messages, voice recordings, and notes.
The service is advertised for Android, Windows, BlackBerry, and iOS devices, so the full breadth of information DriveSavers can recover from an iPhone or an iPad is unclear.
Law enforcement agencies have long used data recovery hacks and devices to gain access to locked iPhone devices. The most well-known recovery method highlighted in recent months is the GrayKey box, which can brute force the passcode on an iOS device using some kind of proprietary jailbreaking software. The GrayKey was allegedly disabled with iOS 12, but DriveSavers may be using a similar device or unlocking method.
GrayKey iPhone cracking box, via MalwareBytes
Government agencies also have the ability to request data from iCloud straight from Apple, but this is presumably not a method that's available to DriveSavers for consumer data recovery requests.
The Passcode Lockout Data Recovery service is for standard customers only, and DriveSavers says it will not unlock devices for law enforcement or other government agencies. Prior to unlocking a device, DriveSavers verifies ownership "during all phases of the recovery process" and requires a legal authorization form with customers required to provide specific information before data access is provided.
DriveSavers does not provide pricing for its Passcode Lockout Data Recovery Service, and suggests that those interested call the company for more information.
Update: DriveSavers has provided MacRumors with additional info on its iPhone unlocking service. The company is able to fully unlock the iPhone and return the unlocked device to the owner, and there's an option to back up the phone's data to an external device. DriveSavers is not able to provide further information on its unlocking methods.
The service is not inexpensive, priced around $3,900. DriveSavers is also using strict identification protocols, in some cases requesting documents that include death certificates, probate documents, court documents, and more. DriveSavers says that most people use the service to access the data from the device of a deceased loved one.
Apple is offering a limited time promotion that provides up to $100 in additional credit when trading in an iPhone, according to Apple's dedicated trade-in site.
When trading in an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, or 8 towards the purchase of an iPhone XR or iPhone XS, customers can get between $25 and $100 extra.
With an iPhone 6 Plus, for example, the normal trade-in value is $100, but with the current promotion, customers will get $200 in credit towards the purchase of a new iPhone.
It appears the trade-in bonus credit is only available when trading in an eligible older iPhone towards the purchase of the iPhone XR and iPhone XS, with extra credit not available for purchases of the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8.
When you go through the normal trade-in process on the trade-in site, Apple offers $150, but if you use the trade-in option during the checkout process of purchasing a new iPhone XR or XS, the bonus trade-in credit is displayed.
As with all trade-ins, to get the full trade-in value, your iPhone must turn on, it must be in good shape with working buttons, and it can't have a broken display. A broken iPhone that does not turn on or has broken buttons earns no trade-in value, though Apple offers to recycle it. An iPhone with a broken display earns a lesser trade-in amount.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and Ivanka Trump, adviser to President Donald Trump, are visiting Idaho's Wilder School District together today to examine the district's use of technology in education, according to the Idaho Statesman.
The visit is part of Ivanka Trump's ongoing workforce development and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education initiatives. Last year, the Trump administration reached out to Cook and other major technology, business, and education leaders for advice regarding STEM education in public schools.
In 2016, Apple donated an iPad to every student, a Mac and iPad to every teacher, and an Apple TV to every classroom in the Wilder School District through its ConnectED initiative. Since 2014, Apple has pledged $100 million in technology solutions to 114 low-income or underserved schools across the United States.
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 Pay will launch in Belgium on Wednesday, according to Belgian newspaper De Tijd. The report, citing sources, claims Belgium's largest bank BNP Paribas Fortis will be the exclusive Apple Pay partner in the country at launch. The bank offers a variety of Visa and Mastercard credit cards and debit cards.
Apple Pay first launched in the United States in October 2014 and has since expanded to many other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Japan, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, Ireland, and Ukraine.
YouTube today launched cheaper monthly plans for students who are interested in both its video streaming service and music streaming service, YouTube Music. For the music service, YouTube is knocking down the price of YouTube Music Premium to $4.99/month from $9.99/month, only for verified students (via TechCrunch).
This pricing strategy aligns with similar student offers from rivals like Apple Music and Spotify, which both let students subscribe to their services for just $4.99/month. Similar to YouTube Music, Apple Music didn't debut a student discount until nearly a year after the service first launched.
Students will also be able to subscribe to YouTube Premium for $6.99/month instead of $11.99/month (if students sign up by January 31, 2019, they'll only have to pay $5.99/month). YouTube Premium is the ad-free version of YouTube that includes offline viewing and some exclusive YouTube Originals.
As more services emerge, companies have begun rolling out more enticing discounts and bundles to offer students. In August, Spotify announced that its Spotify + Hulu bundle for $4.99/month was expanding to also include Showtime, without increasing the cost of the bundle. For non-student users, Spotify and Hulu offer a $12.99/month combo deal, but as of yet the Showtime bundle hasn't expanded beyond students.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he might implement a 10 percent tariff on iPhones and laptops imported from China.
Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week, and he said he is prepared to implement additional tariffs on products that are not currently subjected to tariffs should negotiations not go well.
He said the tariffs could also be placed on iPhones and laptops imported from China. The administration has been worried about a consumer reaction should such items be subject to levies.
"Maybe. Maybe. Depends on what the rate is," the president said, referring to mobile phones and laptops. "I mean, I can make it 10%, and people could stand that very easily."
Starting in January, the U.S. is set to increase tariffs on $200 billion in imports from China to 25 percent from 10 percent, which Xi Jinping is hoping to delay with the upcoming meeting. According to Trump, it's "unlikely" he will hold off on implementing the upcoming increase.
Apple devices are currently exempt from tariffs, though there were worries that the Apple Watch and AirPods would be included in the most recently released tariff list. Trump ended up exempting a product category that includes the Apple Watch, AirPods, and other smart watches and fitness products.
Apple has previously sent letters to the Trump administration urging it not to apply tariffs that would affect Apple products, instead urging the government find "other, more effective" solutions. Apple said implementing the tariffs would lead to lower U.S. growth and competitiveness, along with higher prices for U.S. consumers.
Back in July, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the tariffs, saying that Apple was "optimistic" the issue would be sorted out, with the company ultimately hoping "calm heads prevail."
Apple's stock has dropped in after hours trading following Trump's remarks.
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 today announced the launch of its new Entrepreneur Camp, which is meant to create new opportunities for app-driven businesses that are owned or led by women.
The Entrepreneur Camp offers an intensive technology lab, specialized support for app developers, and ongoing mentoring.
"Apple is committed to helping more women assume leadership roles across the tech sector and beyond," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "We're proud to help cultivate female leadership in the app development community with the new Apple Entrepreneur Camp, and we're inspired both by the incredible work that's already happening, and what's sure to come."
Apple says that to be eligible for the program, which is now accepting applications, businesses must be female-founded, co-founded, or led and have at least one woman on the development team. A working app or prototype is required, as is a "desire to leverage Apple technologies and benefit their mission.
The inaugural session of the Entrepreneur Camp is set to begin in January 2019. Sessions will be held on a quarterly basis, with 20 app companies accepted for each round. The exception is the pilot round, which will be limited to 10 companies.
After being accepted to the program, companies will be able to send three employees to Cupertino, the home of Apple's two most well known campuses: Infinite Loop and Apple Park.
The two week immersive program is set to include one-on-one code-level assistance with Apple engineers, sessions on design, technology, and App Store marketing, access to an alumni forum for peer-to-peer mentoring, and ongoing support from Apple.
Participating companies will also receive two tickets for the following year's Worldwide Developers Conference as well as one year of free membership in the Apple Developer Program.
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.
Microsoft today surpassed Apple to become the world's most valuable publicly traded company as a result of Apple's continually declining share price, reports Business Insider.
Microsoft has reached a market capitalization of approximately $814 billion, while Apple's is now slightly less.
Apple earlier this year became the world's only trillion dollar publicly traded company, but it lost that status in November and its market cap has steadily declined since then over concerns of weak iPhone sales and its announcement that it will no longer share iPhone, iPad, and Mac sales on a unit basis.
According to Bloomberg, Microsoft's market cap has not previously matched Apple's since mid-2010, eight years ago.
Microsoft's growing cloud business and strong PC sales made Microsoft one of the few tech companies to grow in value following its September quarter earnings results. Apple's valuation, meanwhile, has fallen more than 20 percent since its own earnings results.
Microsoft shares hit a high of $105.94 in intra-day trading, while Apple's have dropped to a low of $170.27. As stock prices fluctuate, Microsoft and Apple are now competing for the most valuable company title with the lead company shifting back and forth.
Apple today announced that its annual Hour of Code event is set to take place from December 1 to December 14 at all of its retail locations around the world.
Apple customers can register for thousands of free Hour of Code sessions starting today. Hour of Code sessions are available for customers of all ages, with Kids Hour sessions available for aspiring coders aged six to 12.
Children will be able to explore coding using robots, while participants over 12 years of age will be able to attend sessions that use Swift Playgrounds and the iPad to learn coding concepts.
Signups for the Hour of Code sessions at Apple retail stores are available through the Today at Apple section of each retail store website.
Educators are able to host coding sessions in their own classrooms using Swift Playgrounds and Apple's new Hour of Code Facilitator Guide.
Apple is also introducing Swift Coding Club, a new program dedicated to teaching coding with Swift outside of the classroom. Students and mentors can access a new Swift Coding Club kit that provides students aged 8 and older with the ability to create apps and explore coding using Swift Playgrounds and App Development with Swift.
Along with the Swift Coding Club, Apple today is announcing the launch of an upcoming AP Computer Science Principles course syllabus and curriculum to let high school students earn Advanced Placement college credit when learning App Development with Swift.
App Development with Swift certification is also available to students, with certification exams offered via Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide.
Apple has been working on coding programs since 2016, when it first launched its Everyone Can Code initiative. Everyone Can Code is a program and curriculum designed to help students of all ages to learn to code.
According to Apple, more than 5,000 schools, community colleges, and technical colleges around the world are using its Everyone Can Code curriculum.
U.S. Supreme Court justices "appeared open" to letting a proposed class-action lawsuit proceed against Apple that accuses the company of operating an illegal App Store monopoly, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit was filed in 2011 by a group of iPhone users who believe Apple violates federal antitrust laws by requiring apps to be sold through its App Store, where it collects a 30 percent commission from all purchases, leading to inflated prices as developers pass on the cost of the commission to customers.
The bottom line is that the iPhone users, led by Chicago resident Robert Pepper, believe that apps would be priced lower outside of the App Store, as Apple's 30 percent cut would not be baked in to prices.
From the start, Apple has argued that it doesn't set prices for paid apps, and that charging a 30 percent commission on the distribution of paid apps and in-app purchases does not violate antitrust laws in the United States. Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in support of Apple.
The plaintiffs, meanwhile, are backed by 30 state attorneys general, including those representing Texas, California, and New York. The Supreme Court is expected to make its ruling by June 2019.
As most Black Friday sales wrapped up over the weekend, today marks the start of Cyber Monday shopping. This year, the distinction between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is even less clear than in years past, as many of the same discounts and offers from Friday have simple rolled over into Monday. This means that if you missed your chance to buy Apple products or Apple-related accessories at notable low prices last week, you'll have another solid chance today.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Essentially all of the same retailers that offered Black Friday deals have launched -- or will soon launch -- Cyber Monday sales, and although the focus of the event is shopping from home, some retailers are also honoring the deals at their brick-and-mortar locations.
Best Buy
Best Buy's Cyber Monday sale will end today at 11:59 p.m. CT, although the company points out that some sale prices may extend beyond this period. The retailer is also offering free shipping on nearly everything this holiday season.
Like previous years, Amazon is offering its shoppers a chance to save money on countless items across its storefront, with deals on Alexa-enabled products being highlighted. Some of these deals will expire as the day progresses, so be sure to keep an eye on Amazon's Cyber Monday 2018 hub to track the best deals as they appear.
Today, the retailer is also selling a few Echo devices with the purchase of select Philips Hue products. With these deals, you can save 33 percent or more on the bundles, like an Echo (2nd Gen) with Philips Hue White and Color Smart Light Bulb Starter Kit for $139.99, down from $249.99. More bundles can be found here, as well as discounts on Philips Hue lights sold by themselves.
B&H Photo
B&H Photo has a few Mac-related deals today, some of which are better than it offered on Black Friday. These sales relate to the 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro, which is being discounted by as much as $500 off today only.
In a notable discount, Hulu is letting new and eligible returning customers subscribe to its service for just $0.99/month for the next twelve months. That means you'll get one full year of Hulu at just $12.
The sale pertains only to the Hulu with Limited Commercials plan, and after the twelve months are up you'll pay $7.99/month. Hulu's Cyber Monday discount ends at 11:59 PM PT tonight.
App Store and iTunes Gift Card Sales
Some of the same App Store and iTunes Gift Card sales from Black Friday have stuck around for Cyber Monday, including the 20 percent discounts found at Amazon and Costco. Since these will likely disappear after today, be sure to get your orders in and stock up on iTunes credit while it's discounted.
Amazon - Get the $100 iTunes gift card for $80 (with code APPSTORE20)
Today only, Target is offering shoppers the chance to save 15 percent sitewide on Target.com, with a discount that's automatically applied at checkout. Although Apple products are excluded, as well as Sonos, prepaid cards, Fitbit, Bose, Tile, video game consoles, and more, for any other shopping at Target this is a great chance to take an extra 15 percent off of items that were already discounted on Target.com.
For Cyber Monday, Twelve South has discounted most of its Mac-related products by up to 50 percent off. This includes savings on the BookArc for MacBook, HiRise Pro for iMac, ParcSlope, and more. This sale ends at 11:59 pm. ET tonight. Check out the full list below:
Magix - Save on the company's video, music, and photo editing software
Nomad - Save 30 percent off iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands
OtterBox - Save 25 percent off sitewide; up to 50 percent off clearance
Tile - Get the Tile Family 8-pack (Mate, Slim and Pro in both colors) with a free Echo Dot for $160, down from $250
Do you know of any other Cyber Monday sales offering great discounts on Apple products and related accessories? Be sure to comment below or send us a tip at tips@macrumors.com, and we'll update this article throughout the day with more sales information. Additional details about ongoing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals can be found in our Black Friday Roundup.
Apple-authorized reseller B&H is offering up to $500 off select 15-inch 2018 MacBook Pro models today as part of its Cyber Monday sale, while supplies last. That's even better than its Black Friday deals on the latest MacBook Pro lineup. These are brand-new-in-box models like those sold on Apple.com.
Apple authorized-reseller Expercom is also offering up to $500 off the 2018 MacBook Pro and up to $290 off a few higher-end 2018 Mac mini configurations, marking the best deal we've seen on the new Mac mini.
While most resellers are currently offering just $50 off the new Mac mini, Expercom is able to offer up to $290 off because they are configured-to-order, open-box models with Expercom-installed RAM. Expercom is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, so this doesn't affect AppleCare eligibility.
Note: These are open-box Mac mini configurations equipped with Expercom-installed RAM, not Apple RAM. Expercom is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, so this does not affect AppleCare eligibility.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission, which helps us keep the site running.
As it does every holiday season, Apple this week refreshed its iTunes Movies storefront with a selection of notable discounts, and the new sales are expected to stick around through Black Friday and Cyber Monday before the iTunes Movies store is updated again next Tuesday. There are a number of great movies to watch with your family over the holiday weekend, so check out some of the films in the lists below.
4K - Under $10
One of the biggest sales on iTunes this Black Friday is for 4K HDR films that are all under $10 for a limited time. This list exceeds 150 movies and includes tons of different genres and franchises.
Today is Black Friday, and as shoppers bustle through retail stores looking for the best deals, numerous Mac resellers are offering notable discounts on a wide range of Apple's Mac lineup. This includes the 12-inch MacBook, 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro, 21.5-inch and 27-inch iMac, 13-inch MacBook Air, and Mac mini.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To help sort through all of the best Mac-related deals you can find online today (and in some Best Buy stores), we've broken down each offer in the lists below. As you read, the bolded discounts represent particularly great deals, and in some cases are the lowest-ever prices for these models.
MacBook Pro
13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2017)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD in Silver - $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00 (B&H) (Amazon) (Best Buy)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00 (B&H) (Best Buy)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Silver - $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00 (B&H) (Adorama) (Best Buy)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00 (B&H) (Adorama) (Amazon) (Best Buy)
3.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Silver - $1,586.00, down from $1,749.00 (Amazon); $1,599.00 (Adorama)
3.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Silver - $1,749.00, down from $1,949.00 (Adorama)
3.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,799.00, down from $1,949.00 (Adorama) (Best Buy)
13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2018)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Silver - $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00 (B&H)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00 (B&H) (Adorama)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Silver - $1,849.00, down from $1,999.00 (B&H) (Best Buy)
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,849.00, down from $1,999.00 (B&H) (Adorama) (Best Buy)
15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2017)
2.8 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Silver - $1,699.00, down from $2,399.00 (B&H)
2.8 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Space Gray - $2,199.00, down from $2,399.00 (Amazon)
2.9 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Silver - $1,999.00, down from $2,799.00 (B&H)
2.9 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Space Gray - $2,149.00, down from $2,799.00 (B&H)
15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2018)
2.2 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Silver - $2,149.00, down from $2,399.00 (B&H) (Best Buy)
2.2 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Space Gray - $2,149.00, down from $2,399.00 (B&H) (Adorama) (Best Buy)
2.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Silver - $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00 (B&H) (Adorama)
2.6 GHz, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD in Space Gray - $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00 (B&H) (Adorama)
13-inch MacBook Air (Late 2018)
1.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD in Gold - $1,069.00, down from $1,199.00 (B&H Preorder)
1.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD in Silver - $1,069.00, down from $1,199.00 (B&H Preorder)
1.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,069.00, down from $1,199.00 (B&H Preorder)
1.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Gold - $1,269.00, down from $1,399.00 (B&H)
1.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Silver - $1,299.00, down from $1,399.00 (B&H)
1.6 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in Space Gray - $1,269.00, down from $1,399.00 (B&H Preorder)
12-inch MacBook (Mid 2017)
1.2 GHz, 256 GB in Gold - $1,099.00, down from $1,299.00 (B&H)
1.2 GHz, 256 GB in Silver - $1,199.00, down from $1,299.00 (B&H) (Amazon)
1.2 GHz, 256 GB in Space Gray - $1,199.00, down from $1,299.00 (B&H) (Adorama) (Amazon)
1.3 GHz, 512 GB in Gold - $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00 (B&H)
1.3 GHz, 512 GB in Rose Gold - $1,509.00, down from $1,599.00 (Amazon)
1.3 GHz, 512 GB in Silver - $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00 (B&H) (Amazon)
1.3 GHz, 512 GB in Space Gray - $1,499.00, down from $1,599.00 (B&H) (Amazon)
iMac (Mid 2017)
21.5-inch iMac
2.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB - $899.99, down from $1,099.99 (Best Buy) (B&H)
Retina: 3.0 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB - $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00 (B&H)
Retina: 3.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB Fusion - $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00 (B&H)
27-inch Retina iMac
3.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB Fusion - $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00 (B&H) (Best Buy)
3.5 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 1 TB Fusion - $1,849.00, down from $1,999.00 (B&H)
3.8 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 2 TB Fusion - $2,099.00, down from $2,299.00 (B&H); $2,149.00 (Amazon)
Mac mini (Late 2018)
3.6 GHz, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD - $749.00, down from $799.00 (B&H)
3.0 GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,049.00, down from $1,099.00 (B&H)
We've got Black Friday deals on Apple's entire product lineup along with a long list of sites that are offering additional discounts on Mac-related accessories, so for a full list of everything that you can get at a discount today, make sure to check out our full Black Friday Roundup. If you've spotted an awesome deal on a Mac, make sure to share it in the comments and feel free to email us at tips@macrumors.com.
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Satechi to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a USB-C Dual Charging Station that's designed to charge the iPhone and the Apple Watch at the same time.
Available in Silver or Space Gray to match Apple's devices, Satechi's Dual Charging Station provides a total of 15W of power to charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch.
The Charging Station, priced at $64.99 normally but on sale for $38.99, features a slim, attractive design with a pedestal for each device, holding both the iPhone and the Apple Watch upright for easy viewing.
You'll need to supply your own cables for the iPhone and Apple Watch, but the Charging Station includes built-in cable management features to wind up excess cable. It comes with a USB power adapter and a USB-C to USB-A cable.
Satechi has designed the charger with smart charging technology that will provide the proper amount of power to each of the two devices that are being charged. It works with all modern Apple devices that have Lightning connectors, along with the Series 1, 2, and 3 Apple Watch models.
We have five of the Dual Charging Stations to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (November 23) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on November 30. The winners will be chosen randomly on November 30 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Beyond Apple products, there are tons of smart home devices, both HomeKit-enabled and non-HomeKit, that are available at a discount during Black Friday.
Almost every major retailer has discounts on products from companies like Amazon, Google, Nest, Hue, and more, and we've rounded up some of the best deals below. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so make sure to check out our Black Friday roundup for even more deals.
Ring Video Doorbell 2 - $139, down from $199 from Amazon with option to add free 3rd Gen Echo Dot
Nest
There are multiple retailers that are offering the same or similar Nest discounts, so while we've focused on Best Buy, Lowe's, and Kohl's below for their slightly better discounts, you can also get Nest deals at Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Jet, Newegg, Dell, Meijer, Belk, and more.
Find an awesome deal on a smart home product? Make sure to mention it in the comments below and feel free to email us at tips@macrumors.com to share.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Black Friday retail shopping is well underway across the country today, but those who prefer online shopping already know that many of the best deals can be bought without leaving your home, and some notable offers are available only online.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
For that purpose we've created this post to round up all of the best online-only bargains this Black Friday, offered by well-known brands like Anker, Aukey, Incipio, Griffin, and many more.
Incipio, Griffin, and Incase
A trio of accessory companies -- including Incipio, Griffin, and Incase -- have notable online discounts for holiday shoppers this Black Friday. The deals began on Thanksgiving Day and will run through Cyber Monday on November 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The Incipio Group's sales offer great discounts on cases, screen protectors, cables, and more for iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. We've detailed each company's sale below:
Incipio You can save 40 percent off sitewide at Incipio, including all smartphone and tablet cases, like the latest cases for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
Griffin Similar to Incipio, at Griffin you can take 40 percent off sitewide on Black Friday weekend and on Cyber Monday. Griffin's sale offers a nice chance to save on battery packs, chargers, screen protectors, and device cases.
Incase Incase has the best sitewide discount during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, offering its customers 50 percent off sitewide, although select exclusions will apply. Incase shoppers can get half off on travel bags, backpacks, and numerous Apple accessories, including Incase's new cases for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
Mujjo
We've partnered with leather tech accessory company Mujjo to offer MacRumors readers an exclusive sale: get 25 percent off sitewide from Thanksgiving Day, November 22 through Cyber Monday, November 26. To get access to the sale, enter the coupon code #macrumors during the checkout process. Mujjo offers a variety of accessories that will protect iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, iPad, MacBook, and more, so be sure to check the company out when the sale goes live.
Anker
Anker's Black Friday deals this year include a collection of portable chargers, Bluetooth speakers, Lightning cables, wireless chargers, and more. Some of the sales last today only (as mentioned below), and the rest will last through Sunday, November 25.
Apple accessory company Aukey is offering several Black Friday discounts on its range of products on Amazon, with the deals available through Monday, November 26.
Twelve South is offering discounts on nearly all of its iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch accessories, dropping prices on everything from the AirFly to iPhone and iPad cases and stands. Twelve South's sale will end at 11:59 p.m. ET Friday night.
BookBooks for iPad Pro are available for 50% off, as are SurfacePads. There are also solid deals on Twelve South's range of iPhone cases and its Apple Watch accessories, and the new PowerPic wireless charger.
Nimble
New accessory company Nimble is jumping in on Black Friday deals this year, offering notable discounts on its lineup of portable battery packs and wireless chargers. Nimble will begin by offering 30 percent off featured items on its online storefront and 20 percent off everything else during the week of Thanksgiving.
For Black Friday, this means that shoppers can save 30 percent on all Wireless Chargers and Portable Chargers, and 20 percent off accessories today only. Next week, Nimble will feature the same style of sale, with two featured items marked down by 30 percent and the rest of the site down by 20 percent.
Kano
Creative computing company Kano has a few Black Friday sales this year, some of which will extend into Cyber Monday and beyond. Through Cyber Monday on November 26, Kano is offering $30 off the Pixel Kit, available for $49.99, down from $79.99. Pixel Kit teaches kids how to code through colorful lights, animations, and games that they can build using a connected app.
From November 23 through November 26, you can also get $50 off the Computer Kit, available for $99.99, down from $149.99. This kit allows kids to build their own computer and learn to code in the process.
Pad and Quill
Pad and Quill is providing up to 25 percent off sitewide through Monday, November 26 at midnight. You can stack this offer with a 10 percent off promo code "BF18" and get 35 percent off your order total.
Newegg
Newegg's Black Friday sale runs through Saturday, November 24. The retailer is offering discounts on numerous computers, computer parts, gaming accessories, peripherals, and more. It will also match savings on Nest items seen at other retailers, with the Nest Learning Thermostat at $179.00 and Nest Indoor Cam at $129.00, both representing savings of $70.
In one of the only Black Friday discounts on Apple's AirPods, Newegg has the wireless headphones for $139.99, down from $159.99, with the promo code BFAD155. As of writing, this deal is currently sold out.
Southern Straps Apple Watch Bands
Southern Straps is offering a free nylon band with the purchase of any two Apple Watch bands. The deal kicks off on November 15 and lasts through November 30.
CalDigit
CalDigit has kicked off its Autumn Sale, which runs from November 13 through December 3 and includes a few Black Friday discounts. The sale has numerous discounts on Thunderbolt Stations and external drives, and the standout offer nets you a free 2TB AVPro 2 when purchasing any T4 Thunderbolt 3 RAID.
Satechi
Satechi's Black Friday deals are available from November 23 to November 25. The site is offering several MacBook and iMac bundle deals with discounts up to 35 percent.
Select Black Friday bundles from Satechi are listed below:
iMac Pro Bundle ($200, discounted from $333) - The bundle includes the not yet released iMac Stand (goes officially on sale in December), a Bluetooth Keyboard, Aluminum Mousepad, R1 Stand, R1 Laptop Stand, Lightning Charging Stand, Bluetooth Headphones, Slim Headphone Stand.
MacBook Pro Bundle ($200, discounted from $300) - Products include Satechi's Type-C 75W Travel Charger, Type-C Pro Adapter with Ethernet, Bluetooth Keyboard, Aluminum Mousepad and the newest Type-C Wireless Charger.
Family Bundle ($99, discounted from $148) - The bundle includes the popular 7-Port USB Charging Station, Flexible 6-inch Lightning and Micro USB cables and the newest Satechi Type-C Wireless Charger.
BodyGuardz
BodyGuardz is offering 50 percent off sitewide, letting customers save on quality screen protectors for iPhone, iPad, and more.
Grovemade
Grovemade has 20 percent off all products from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Grovemade is a company that offers iPhone cases, wireless chargers, desk accessories, and more.
Liquipel
Liquipel, a site that offers a spray-on screen protector option for the iPhone, is offering 20 percent off sitewide and offering free shipping on most products.
Casetify
Casetify has three tiers of savings for Black Friday shoppers: 15 percent off orders over $35, 25 percent off orders over $75, and 30 percent off orders over $100.
Brydge is offering discounted prices on a number of its keyboards and accessories, with deals listed below.
Brydge 12.9 Series for 2015 and 2017 iPad Pro - $30 off
Brydge 10.5 Series for 10.5-inch iPad Pro - $30 off
Brydge 9.7 for 9.7-inch iPad Pro, 5th and 6th-generation iPad, and iPad Air/Air 2 - $20 off
Koogeek
For Black Friday, Koogeek is discounting two HomeKit-compatible accessories. First up is the Koogeek E26 Wi-Fi Smart LED Light Bulb for $15.99 with promo code MFJMEQ2A, down from $39.99. Secondly, shoppers will be able to get the Koogeek Door Window Sensor for $23.99 with promo code W56WOCN3, down from $35.81.
Luna Display
Luna Display is discounting its Luna Display adapter that's designed to turn the iPad into a secondary display for a Mac by 20 percent. It can also be used to turn an iPad into a main display for a Mac mini.
Luna Display's discount will be available from Friday, November 23 to Monday, November 26.
For even more Black Friday shopping, be sure to check out our full Black Friday Roundup before many of the sales expire later today.
AirPods, Beats, and other headphones, as well as smart speakers like the Sonos One, make for great holiday gifts at reasonable prices. Black Friday presents an opportunity for additional savings on a variety of these products.
AirPods and Other Headphones
Micro Center is offering $10 off AirPods through Sunday, bringing their price down to $149.99 compared to Apple's regular price of $159. In-store only.
Newegg is offering $25 off AirPods with promo code BFAD155, bringing their price down to $139.99, although they are currently sold out. That's $19 off compared to Apple's regular price of $159.
Disclosure: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission, which helps us keep the site running.
DriveSavers today announced the launch of a new consumer-facing service that's designed to unlock iOS devices for customers who have forgotten their passcodes, been locked out after too many incorrect entry attempts, or who need to access the data on the device of a deceased family member.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
In a notable discount, 
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
