MacRumors


With Black Friday sales wrapping up over the weekend, those still searching for quality discounts on Apple products and accessories have another chance today during Cyber Monday. 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.

cyber monday 2017
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.

Best Buy

Best Buy's Cyber Monday discounts began with early access yesterday for My Best Buy members, and now the deals have expanded to everyone. The retailer is offering free shipping on nearly everything, and a few deals will be extending throughout the week for its "Cyber Week Deals" event.

best buy cyber monday
iPhone
- 32GB iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: save $150 when purchased and activated with a monthly installment plan

12.9-inch iPad Pro (Mid 2017)
- 64GB Wi-Fi: $699.99, down from $799.99
- 256GB Wi-Fi: $824.99, down from $949.99
- 512GB Wi-Fi: $999.99, down from $1,149.99

12-inch MacBook (Mid 2017)
- Intel Core M3, 8GB Memory, 256GB Flash Storage: $1,099.99, down from $1,299.99
- Intel Core i5, 8GB Memory, 512GB Flash Storage: $1,399.99, down from $1,599.99

13-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2017)
- Intel Core i5, 8GB Memory, 128GB Flash Storage: $1,149.99, down from $1,299.99
- Intel Core i5, 8GB Memory, 256GB Flash Storage: $1,649.99, down from $1,799.99
- Intel Core i5, 8GB Memory, 512GB Flash Storage: $1,849.99, down from $1,999.99
- Intel Core i7, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD: $1,999.99, down from $2,199.99

15-inch MacBook Pro (Mid 2017)
- Intel Core i7, 16GB Memory, 256GB Flash Storage: $2,149.99, down from $2,399.99
- Intel Core i7, 16GB Memory, 512GB Flash Storage: $2,549.99, down from $2,799.99
- Intel Core i7, 16GB Memory, 1TB SSD: $3,149.99, down from $3,399.99

Other Products and Accessories
- 13-inch MacBook Air, i7, 8GB Memory, 512GB SSD: $1,349.99, down from $1,549.99
- Apple Watch Series 1: 38mm for $199 and 42mm for $229
- Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit: $149.99, down from $199.99
- BeatsX: $99.99, down from $149.99
- Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones: $119.99, down from $199.99
- Save up to $150 on select Bluetooth speakers
- Up to 30 percent off select 4K TV sets
- Netgear Arlo Security Cameras: $299.99, down from $449.99
- Nanoleaf Aurora Rhythm Starter Kit: $179.99, down from $229.99

Amazon

Amazon's selection of sales is focused on its own line of Alexa products, but it does have a few HomeKit-enabled devices and other accessories Apple fans might be interested in. Head to Amazon's Cyber Monday headquarters to keep an eye on the deals, which will also include more than 30 Deals of the Day and thousands of Lightning Deals across numerous product categories over the course of Monday.

amazon cyber monday
A few of Amazon's sales are listed below, and the full list is available in the company's Cyber Monday press release.

- Philips Hue White Starter Kit + Motion Sensor: save $40
- Yale Assure Lock: save more than 20 percent
- TrackR pixel Bluetooth tracking devices: save 30 percent
- Select Netgear routers, modems, and more: save up 40 percent
- WD 6TB Elements Desktop Hard Drive: save 30 percent
- Osmo: Genius Kit for $67.99, down from $99.99 and Creative Kit for $47.59, down from $74.99

B&H Photo

B&H Photo has opened up discounts on a wide range of Apple products for Cyber Monday, as well as highlighted ongoing notable sales like its $1,000 discount on the Late 2013 Mac Pro. B&H also has some of the biggest Cyber Monday discounts on Macs today, including $1,000 off a high-end 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. Check out some of the best deals in the list below and head to B&H to browse the rest.

15-inch MacBook Pro (Late 2016)
- Touch Bar, 2.6GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 256 SSD: $1,799.00, down from $2,399.00
- Touch Bar, 2.7GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD: $1,899.00, down from $2,799.00
- Touch Bar, 2.9GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD: $2,499.00, down from $3,499.00
imacs 2017
iMac (Mid 2017)
- 21.5-inch, 2.3GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB HD: $999.00, down from $1,199.00
- 27-inch 5K, 3.8 GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 2TB Fusion Drive: $2,099.00, down from $2,299.00

Mac Pro (Late 2013)
- 3.7GHz, 12GB RAM, 256GB Flash Storage: $1,899.00, down from $2,999.00

iPad (2017)
- 9.7-inch, 128GB, Wi-Fi: $399.00, down from $429.00
- 10.5-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi: $719.00, down from $799.00
- 10.5-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: $849.00, down from $949.00

Other Deals
- G-Technology 1TB G-DRIVE USB 3.0 + Type-C Hard Drive: $44.95, down from $79.95

Adorama

Adorama's Cyber Monday deals include some of the latest MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models, the late 2015 27-inch iMac, and a few other sales on drones, printers, scanners, and more.

macbookpromodelssideview
13-inch Macbook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017)
- 3.1GHz i5, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD: $2,049.00, down from $2,199.00
- 3.5GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 512 SSD: $2,249.00, down from $2,499.00

15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017)
- 3.1GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD: $3,199.00, down from $3,399.00

27-inch iMac (Late 2015)
- 3.2GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion Drive: $1,399.00, down from $1,999.00

10.5-inch iPad Pro (Mid 2017)
- 256GB Wi-Fi: $719.00, down from $799.00
- 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $849.00, down from $929.00

MacMall

MacMall has a few Cyber Monday deals on select Mac and iPad models that are comparable to discounts available from other Apple authorized resellers.

ipadpro105
15-inch MacBook Pro (2017)
- Touch Bar, 3.1GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD: $2,699, down from $2,999
- Touch Bar, 3.1GHz i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD: $3,049, down from $3,999

iPad Pro (2017)
- 10.5-inch, 64GB, Wi-Fi: $599, down from $649
- 10.5-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi: $729, down from $799
- 10.5-inch, 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: $849, down from $929

Other Deals
- Apple TV 32GB (4th Gen): $139.00, down from $149.00
- Apple Pencil: $95.00, down from $99.00
- Smart Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad: $159.00, down from $169.00

Twelve South

Popular Apple accessory maker Twelve South has begun its Cyber Monday deals with MacBook and iMac accessories on sale for up to 50 percent off until tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET. In total, 17 products are on sale today, which you can find in the list below. For more information on Twelve South's "Cyber Mac Monday" deals, head over to the company's website.

12 south cyber mac monday
- BassJump - $35, down from $69.99
- BackPack for iMac - $25, down from $34.99
- BookArc for Mac Pro - $30, down from $59.99
- BookArc for MacBook - $45, down from $49.99
- BookBook CaddySack - $45, down from $49.99
- BookBook for MacBook - $40 - $55, down from $79.99 - $99.99
- BookBook Vol 2 for MacBook - $70, down from $79.99
- Curve for MacBook - $40, down from $49.99
- Fermata Headphone Charging Stand - $40, down from $79.99
- GhostStand for MacBook - $30, down from $34.99
- HiRise for iMac - $55, down from $79.99
- HiRise for MacBook - $50, down from $69.99
- Inspire Candle - $20, down from $29.99
- MagicBridge - $25, down from $34.99
- MagicWand - $15, down from $29.99
- ParcSlope - $35, down from $49.99
- PlugBug World - $35, down from $44.99

T-Mobile

t mobile cyber monday
T-Mobile has an offer for new customers considering a move to its cellular plans. If you buy a 32GB 9.7-inch iPad with a T-Mobile ONE plan, then activate a T-Mobile ONE voice line on a new or existing cell phone (which you can carry over from a different carrier and keep your number), you'll get a full rebate for the iPad. The rebate will come in the form of a $460 Prepaid MasterCard Card, which will arrive in the mail within six to eight weeks.

eBay

eBay has a few sales today on select products in its tech storefront, including some notable markdowns on MacBook Air and iMac. There are plenty of other offers to check out for eBay's Cyber Monday sale, with deeper discounts hitting refurbished or used items, so be sure to check out the site for more information.

- New 13-inch MacBook Air, 8GB RAM, 128GB HD (Mid 2017): $744.99, down from $999.99
- New 13-inch MacBook Air, 8GB RAM, 256GB HD (Mid 2017): $919.99, down from $1,199.99
- New 27-inch 5K iMac, 8GB RAM, 2TB HD (Late 2015): $1,359.99, down from $2,299.00

Other Cyber Monday Deals

- Walmart: Save $200 on iPad mini 4, $30 on 9.7-inch iPad, and $50 on iPad Pro
- Gazelle: Up to 40 percent off select pre-owned iPads, iPhones, and MacBooks.
- Pad & Quill: 15 percent off sitewide; customers can get an extra 5 percent off with promo code PQ5
- Incase: Up to 50 percent off select accessories
- Speck: Up to 40 percent off select accessories
- Zagg: 30 to 50 percent off sitewide
- Griffin: 40 percent off sitewide
- OtterBox: 25 percent off select accessories
- Incipio: 50 percent off sitewide
- Native Union: 30 to 80 percent off sitewide
- OWC: shop a collection of deals on iPad Air, Thunderbolt docks, Beats by Dre, and more
- Lifx: save on the company's HomeKit-compatible smart bulbs
- Withings: Up to 50 percent off select scales, watches, air quality monitors, and more
- Amazon: $100 iTunes gift card for $85 using promo code ITUNES15 at checkout
- BlackPods: $40 off all BlackPods orders with promo code CYBERMONDAY17, and everyone can get a free protective silicone case

We'll update this article throughout the day as new Cyber Monday sales are spotted, so be sure to check back often.

A cabinet minister of the government of India has given the clearest signal yet that the republic is ready to help Apple expand its iPhone manufacturing base in the country and consider its requests for concessions.

Commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu was quoted on Sunday by the India Economic Times as saying the state was "very happy" to help Apple in its aims, provided the company makes a formal proposal.

indian flag

"Let us get a good proposal from them...We will be very happy to receive Apple, one of the top brands in the world. We are willing to find out if there is any difficulty they may face. We will be more than happy to resolve that difficulty. So we will await a formal proposal," Prabhu told PTI in an interview.

Prabhu also reportedly said he was open to calling all state chief ministers who are willing to give Apple the best deal.

The comments come at an important time for Apple as it seeks to expand its manufacturing base in the country. The company has asked state officials for a range of tax and policy changes to help build out its iPhone assembly infrastructure in India, including duty exemptions on components, capital equipment, and consumables for all iPhone assembly and services/repairs for a period of 15 years.

Apple also wants the Indian government to relax rules that require 30 percent of products sold by foreign companies to be manufactured or produced within the country.

iPhone SE handsets have been assembled in India since May by Apple's Taiwanese supplier Wistron, which has reportedly been scouting for additional land in Bangalore to expand its existing facilities. Additionally, a report last week claimed the tentatively named iPhone SE 2 will be assembled exclusively by Wistron at its factories in India.

India recently overtook the U.S. to become the world's second largest smartphone market after China, according to market research conducted by industry analyst Canalys. However, Apple has so far struggled to make a significant dent, mainly because the government levies tariffs on devices manufactured outside the country, but also due to Chinese rivals such as Oppo and Xiaomi offering consumers more affordable high-spec smartphones.

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.

Tag: India

Earlier this month, YouTube came in for heavy criticism after multiple users of its mobile app reported plummeting battery life on their iPhones and iPads. iPhone X users in particular said the YouTube app caused their device to run much hotter than usual when watching videos. YouTube admitted there was a battery-draining bug that it was working to fix, and today the service claims to have done just that.

Screen Shot 5
Version 12.45 of the app was pushed out to users this morning with the accompanying note "Fixed an issue with battery usage". We haven't had enough time with the app to confirm the issue is indeed fixed across all devices, but initial tests on an iPhone X running iOS 11.1.1 seem to support YouTube's claims.

Some users had complained that YouTube was sucking the life out of their phones even while it was running in the background, although it's unclear if that was limited to when users were casting video to a smart TV. Let us know how you get on with the updated YouTube app in the comments below.

Tag: YouTube

Feral Interactive released racing game GRID Autosport for iPhone and iPad today, an iOS version of Codemasters' smash hit triple-A title that looks every bit as impressive as its PC and console counterparts.

The pro-racing game aims to deliver a mix of simulation and arcade handling using intuitive touch and tilt controls, and includes all the original DLC, 28 circuits and over 100 cars. Players can further their racing career by exploring six different disciplines:

IMG 8DC1F3F4DA16 1

  • Tuner – Drive your Super Modified motor over its limit in Drift and Time Attack events.
  • Touring – Lead the pack by driving with aggression and determination in full-contact races.
  • Endurance – Test your mental strength and physical stamina in extended night-time races.
  • Open Wheel – Accelerate to 200mph while perfecting your racing line in lightweight racing machines.
  • Street – Ramp up the fear factor on perilously tight city circuits.
  • Party Mode – Battle to become the last car standing in Demolition Derby, get the farthest in Checkpoint, and make sure you stay out of last place in Eliminator!

A quick race is all it takes to confirm GRID Autosport's exceptional graphics and nippy performance. However, drivers should take note that the console-quality assets do make GRID pretty demanding – the game requires an iPhone SE, an iPhone 7 or newer, an iPad (2017) or any iPad Pro, and iOS 11 or later.

As noted on MacRumors sister site TouchArcade, the sheer graphical richness of GRID has also led Feral to implement an unusual post-install process – the game itself is a 4GB download on the App Store, but several gigabytes of additional content and high resolution textures are delivered as free IAPs, bringing the storage space requirements to around 6GB.


If you're still not sure whether your device can handle the game, here's a full rundown: supported iPads include iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 9.7-inch and iPad (2017) 9.7-inch. Supported iPhones include iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, and iPhone SE.

As mentioned, players will need 6GB of free space to install the base game with all of the free DLC packs, although Feral recommends having at least 8GB of free space to avoid installation issues.

GRID Autosport is a one-time purchase and costs $9.99 on the App Store. [Direct Link]

Tag: Feral

Steady improvements in iPhone X supplies that have seen shipping estimates fall to 1-2 weeks are due to better-than-expected improvements in production since the device's launch, rather than any weakness demand, according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who shared the information in a new research report obtained by MacRumors.

iphone x angled
According to Kuo, who frequently shares accurate information from Apple's supply chain, iPhone X production issues "have been well addressed" in recent weeks, with Foxconn's production now at 450,000-550,000 units per day compared to just 50,000-150,000 a month or two ago as Apple geared up to launch the device.

Two of the primary bottlenecks that contributed to tight supplies of the iPhone X have largely been resolved, according to Kuo, with Career quickly making up for lost time after Murata was unable to provide LTE antenna components as originally planned and LG Innotek and Sharp seeing improved yields for the dot projector module of the TrueDepth camera.

(1) Hon Hai’s daily shipments of iPhone X have climbed to 450-550k units, up from 50-150k units 1-2 months ago; (2) shipments of Career’s LCP LTE antenna will likely grow 100% MoM in both November and December; and (3) production yield of Dot projection module, made by LG Innotek (KR) and Sharp (JP), has moved quickly above 80-90% or higher from below 60% 1-2 months ago.

As a result of the improved production, Kuo believes iPhone X shipments in the fourth calendar quarter could be 10-20 percent higher than he previously estimated, with some orders previously estimated as shipping in the new year being pulled in and shipped before the end of the quarter. That acceleration means Kuo is predicting that iPhone X shipments in the first quarter of 2018 will be flat or slightly lower compared to the fourth quarter.

Apple's financial guidance for the current quarter points toward record performance, suggesting the company is confident any production troubles have been resolved and that demand for the high-end iPhone X will be strong throughout the quarter.

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple authorized reseller Adorama is offering an impressive $1,000 discount on the high-end 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.

2016 15 inch macbook pro space gray
The special Black Friday sale drops the price of last year's high-end MacBook Pro in Space Gray to $1,899, down from Apple's original price of $2,899 last year. That is by far the lowest price we've ever seen for this particular model.

The high-end 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro is equipped with a 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and both dedicated AMD Radeon Pro 460 and integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 graphics.

While newer 2017 MacBook Pro models with Kaby Lake processors were released in May, the performance improvements driven by the small bump in base and turbo frequencies are relatively minor and shouldn't be a big deal for most customers.

B&H Photo Video has a few other notable discounts on select 2016 MacBook Pro configurations:

- 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys: 2.0GHz Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Intel Iris Graphics 540 - now $1,149, originally $1,499 ($350 off)
- 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar: 2.7GHz Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, AMD Radeon Pro 455 - now $2,099, originally $2,799 ($700 off)

The deals are available until various times today while supplies last. B&H Photo Video was earlier offering $800 off the base model 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, but it has run out of stock for that particular deal.

For additional deals on Apple products and accessories, including other Macs, be sure to check out our Best of Black Friday article and Black Friday roundup, which both continue to be updated throughout the day.

Disclaimer: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Adorama and B&H Photo Video and may receive a small commission if you click one of the above links and make a purchase.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

Today is Black Friday, meaning many people are out shopping at physical stores to take advantage of the best deals, but there are also discounts hitting apps and movies that you can buy at home on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Because of this, we've taken a look at the best games, productivity apps, and movies you can buy at a discount today. Of course, this is just a glimpse into the extensive sales you can find by checking out the App Store and iTunes Movies Store.

We've listed some of the best deals on the most popular apps below, but to find tons more apps and games that are on sale, make sure to visit our sister sister site AppShopper.

itunes black friday
Games
- Strike Team Hydra - $0.99, down from $7.99
- Mini Metro - $1.99, down from $4.99
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic - Free, down from $2.99
- Demon's Rise 2 - $0.99, down from $7.99
- Arkanoid vs Space Invaders - $0.99, down from $4.99
- Lara Croft GO - $0.99, down from $4.99
- Thomas Was Alone - $0.99, down from $4.99
- Bastion - $1.99, down from $4.99
- Alto's Adventure - $0.99, down from $4.99
- Forbidden Desert - $1.99, down from $6.99
- Another Lost Phone - $1.99, down from $2.99

Apps
- Fantastical 2 for iPhone - $2.99 (40% off)
- Fantastical 2 for iPad - $4.99 (50% off)
- Calendars 5 - $2.99, down from $6.99
- PDF Expert - $4.99, down from $9.99
- Printer Pro - $2.99, down from $6.99
- Scythe - Free, down from $3.99
- Be Focused Pro - $0.99, down from $1.99

Mac Apps
- iStat Menus 6 for Mac - $9.99, down from $18
- iStat Menus 6 Family Pack - $14.99, down from $25
- Git Tower for Mac - $39.50, $50 off regular $79 price
- Audible - Hundreds of audiobook titles discounted to $4.95
- SmartMockups - $32, 35% off regular $49 price
- CleanMyMac 3 - 30% off
- MacPaw App Bundles - 30% off
- Fantastical 2 for Mac - $39.99 (20% off)
- Cardhop for Mac - $14.99 (25% off)
- Chatology for Mac - $14.99 (25% off)
- RapidWeaver 7 - $44.50
- Squash 2 - $7.50
- Little Snitch - 50% off
- Unclutter - $4.99, down from $9.99
- Civilization V - $9.99, down from $29.99
- Civilization VI - $29.99, down from $59.99
- Sim City Complete Edition - $9.99, down from $29.99
- Sim City 4 Deluxe - $4.99, down from $19.99
- Sims 2 Super Collection - $14.99, down from $29.99
- Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Platinum - $4.99, down from $19.99
- Call of Duty Black Ops - $19.99, down from $39.99

If you want to build up your iTunes Movies library, this week is the time to do it because Apple is discounting a long list of films on iTunes for Black Friday. Prices have dropped on everything from holiday favorites to new releases, all encompassing multiple genres. We've rounded up some notable deals below, with additional sales available through iTunes on Mac and iOS devices, as well as the Apple TV.

Under $10 Holiday Movies
- Elf
- Jingle All The Way
- Home Alone
- Die Hard
- A Christmas Story
- The Holiday
- The Family Stone

Under $12.99 4K iTunes movies to buy
- Labyrinth
- How to Be Single
- The Maze Runner
- Assassin's Creed
- Alien: Covenant
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- War for the Planet of the Apes
- Transformers: The Last Knight
- Baby Driver
- Wonder Woman

$4.99 HD iTunes movies to buy
- Fruitvale Station
- Big Eyes
- The Evil Dead
- Southpaw
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Ender's Game
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- 27 Dresses

$9.99 HD iTunes movies to buy
- Kidnap
- A Ghost Story
- King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
- Snatched
- The Big Sick

Catch up with all of the latest deals in our Black Friday Roundup.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

Best Buy has discounted all fifth-generation 9.7-inch iPad models with Wi-Fi + Cellular by $200 on a two-year contract with Verizon.

ipad 9 7 low cost
This limited time Black Friday deal drops the price of Apple's budget tablet to an all-time low of $259 for 32GB of storage or $359 for 128GB of storage, compared to regular prices of $459 and $559 respectively, in the United States.

The deal is available for select Gold and Space Gray models on Best Buy's website, with the deal for other models available at Best Buy stores only.

- 9.7-inch iPad/32GB/Space Gray — now $259, regular $459
- 9.7-inch iPad/128GB/Space Gray — now $359, regular $559
- 9.7-inch iPad/128GB/Gold — now $359, regular $559

Apple's fifth-generation iPad is its latest 9.7-inch tablet, released in March 2017 as a lower cost alternative to the iPad Pro.

The tablet, simply named iPad, is similar in many ways to the iPad Air 2, but it has a faster A9 chip, a brighter Retina display, and it is slightly thicker and heavier. It also lacks a fully laminated display and anti-reflective coating.

Other tech specs include an 8-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera, 1.2-megapixel front-facing FaceTime camera, two speakers, Lightning connector, 3.5mm headphone jack, Touch ID with Apple Pay, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and Bluetooth 4.2.

Given its price point, the tablet lacks most iPad Pro features, including a True Tone display, Smart Connector, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support, 4K video recording, LTE Advanced, and four-speaker audio.

For deals on other Apple products and accessories, including non-cellular iPad and iPad Pro models, make sure to check out our Best of Black Friday article and our Black Friday roundup, which continue to be updated throughout the day.

Disclaimer: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy and may receive a small commission if you click one of the above links and make a purchase.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

Similar to years past, one of the best deals going on this Black Friday revolves around discounts on the App Store and iTunes gift card, allowing you to snag some expensive cards at a slight discount and apply it to your Apple Music subscription, movie and book purchases, and much more. For this reason, we've decided to round up some of the places that are offering nice discounts on App Store and iTunes gift cards today.

itunes gift card via paypalNote: 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.

We've noted the retailer, discount amount, and whether the card is physical or delivered via email in the list below, all of which are in stock as of writing:

- PayPal Digital Gifts on eBay: $100 for $85 (email)
- Amazon: $100 for $85 with promo code ITUNES15 (email)
- Target: Buy one get one 30 percent off (email)
- Best Buy: Buy one get one 30 percent off (physical)
- GameStop: buy one get one 20 percent off (physical, in-store only)
- Costco members: $200 for $180, $100 for $90, and $25 for $22.50 (email)

As an example, the BOGO 30 percent off deals (when purchasing two cards of the same amount) will break down like this:

- Buying two $15 iTunes Gift Cards = $25.50
- Buying two $25 iTunes Gift Card = $42.50
- Buying two $50 iTunes Gift Card = $85
- Buying two $100 iTunes Gift Card = $170

Sam's Club is one of the major retailers that had an iTunes gift card deal, but it's out of stock online now. The deal was $84.47 for an iTunes card multipack that totaled $100. Also of potential note for frequent Walgreens shoppers: the retailer has a deal where you can get a $10 Walgreens gift card when you buy a $30 or $50 iTunes gift card.

For a look at all of the best Black Friday sales, make sure to check out our main post and visit our Black Friday Roundup.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

Thanksgiving is well underway in the United States, and Black Friday deals online and at brick and mortar stores are starting to go live across the country. Major retail stores like Target, Best Buy, and Walmart will be opening their doors this evening, while many online-only deals are already live.


Below, we've rounded up some of the best deals we've come across on Apple products like iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Macs, and accessories, and many, many more deals can be found in our dedicated Black Friday roundup.

iPhone

Walmart is offering a $300 Walmart Gift Card with the purchase of an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, or iPhone 7 Plus on an AT&T Next or Verizon Device Payment plan. This deal is limited to stores, with activation appointments available starting at 6:00 p.m. Actual activations will begin at 8:00 p.m.

walmartblackfridaydeal
Sam's Club is offering a $100 Sam's Club gift card with the purchase of "any Apple iPhone," which may include the iPhone X, but it isn't clear if the retailer will have any in stock. This deal does apply to the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus.

Target is offering a $250 Target gift card with the purchase of an iPhone 8 or an iPhone 8 Plus on an installment plan from Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T.

If you prefer a straight cash discount, Best Buy is offering up to $200 off the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus on an installment plan from Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T.

iPad Pro

There are several deals to be had on the latest 2017 10.5 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, with multiple retailers offering discounts.

Best Buy is discounting the 10.5-inch iPad Pro by up to $150, while Target will be offering a $120 discount, dropping the price on the entry-level 64GB 10.5-inch iPad Pro model to $530, down from the regular price of $650.

2017ipadpro
B&H Photo is also offering several iPad Pro models at $50 to $100 off.

- 10.5-inch iPad Pro: 64GB, Wi-Fi - $599.00, down from $649.00
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro: 256GB, Wi-Fi - $699.00, down from $799.00
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro : 64GB, Wi-Fi - $739.00, down from $799.00
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro: 256GB, Wi-Fi - $849.00, down from $949.00

5th-Generation iPad (2017)

Both Target and Best Buy are offering the 2017 32GB iPad for $249.99, which is a discount of $80 off of the regular price of $329.99. Walmart is offering the same deal.

97ipad
For some cellular 2017 iPad models, Best Buy is offering a $200 discount. At $200 off, the 32GB 2017 iPad with cellular is available for $259, down from the regular price of $459. A two-year Verizon service contract is required to get the deal.

Apple Watch

There are essentially no deals on the new Apple Watch Series 3 models, with the exception of Kohl's. Kohl's is offering $90 in Kohl's cash with the purchase of select Apple Watch Series 3 models.

apple watch series 3 trio
Target is discounting Apple Watch Series 1 models by $70, dropping entry-level pricing down to $179.99. That's the best Series 1 deal, and Macy's is matching it by discounting Series 1 models by $70 as well, while Best Buy is offering a $50 discount if the previous deals are unavailable for some reason.

MacBook Pro

When taking into account B&H Photo's free shipping and no taxes on orders outside of New York, the company is offering the best deals on most MacBook Pro models. Adorama, which doesn't charge taxes outside of New York and New Jersey, is also offering the same discounts. MacMall and Best Buy's prices are similar on most Macs, but they can't beat no taxes for the most part.

macbookpromodelssideview
Best Buy does actually have the best discounts on 15-inch MacBook Pro models and some higher-end 13-inch models, offering $50 off over Adorama and B&H, but in states where sales tax is a factor, B&H or Adorama deals are still likely to be better overall. In some cases, Amazon also has comparable deals.

Best Buy is discounting all 15-inch MacBook Pro models by $250, while 13-inch models are between $150 and $200 off.

13-inch MacBook Pro models

- 2.3 GHz, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD in Silver (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,149, down from $1,299
- 2.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,149, down from $1,299
- 2.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Silver (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,349, down from $1,499
- 2.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,349, down from $1,499
- 3.1GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Silver (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,649, down from $1,799
- 3.1GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) - $1,629, down from $1,799
- 3.1GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Silver (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,849, down from $1,999
- 3.1GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Space Gray - (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,849, down from $1,999
- 3.1GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) - $2,049, down from $2,199
- 3.5GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) - $2,249, down from $2,499

15-inch MacBook Pro models

- 2.8GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Silver (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $2,199, down from $2,399
- 2.8GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Space Gray (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $2,199, down from $2,399
- 2.9GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Silver (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $2,599, down from $2,799
- 2.9GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Space Gray (Amazon) (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $2,599, down from $2,799
- 3.1GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) - $3,199, down from $3,399

MacMall is offering discounts on a wide range of MacBook Pro models with non-standard configurations, allowing customers to purchase machines with upgraded components like RAM and graphics cards.

- 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017): 3.3GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,909, down from $2,099
- 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017): 3.1GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $2,029, down from $2,199
- 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017): 3.5GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $2,299, down from $2,499
- 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017): 3.1GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD - $2,379, down from $2,599
- 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017): 3.3GHz, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD - $2,449, down from $2,699
- 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Mid 2017): 3.1GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $2,699, down from $2,999

B&H Photo and Adorama also have deals on several older MacBook Pro models.

- 13-inch MacBook Pro (Late 2016): 2.0GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,149, down from $1,499
- 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Late 2016): 2.6GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,599, down from $2,399
- 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Late 2016): 2.9GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $1,899, down from $2,899
- 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Late 2016): 2.7GHz, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - $2,099, down from $2,799

MacBook

Adorama and B&H are offering the best deals on the current 2017 12-inch MacBook Pro models, with discounts of $150.

retinamacbook
- 1.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Gold (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,149, down from $1,299
- 1.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Rose Gold (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,149, down from $1,299
- 1.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Silver (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,149, down from $1,299
- 1.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,149, down from $1,299
- 1.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Gold (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,449, down from $1,599
- 1.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Rose Gold (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,449, down from $1,599
- 1.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Silver (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,449, down from $1,599
- 1.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD in Space Gray (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,449, down from $1,599

MacMall has a decent discount on an older high-end 2016 MacBook model if you don't need the latest version, offering it for $1,379, down from its regular price of $1600.

- 12-inch MacBook (Early 2016): 1.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB flash storage - $1,379.00, down from $1,599.00

MacBook Air

Best Buy has the best deals on the MacBook Air at $200 off each model. These are the 2017 MacBook Air models that received refreshed processors back in June.

macbook air
- 1.8GHz, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD - $799.99, down from $999.99
- 1.8GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $999.99, down from $1,099.99

iMac

Best Buy, Adorama, B&H Photo, and MacMall all have deals on various iMac models, some of which are discounted by $200 or more.

imacs 2017

21.5-inch

- 2.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB HD (Best Buy) - $899.99, down from $1,099.99
- 3.0GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB HD (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,179, down from $1,299
- 3.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion (Best Buy) - $1,599.99, down from $1,799.99

27-inch

- 3.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,649, down from $1,799
- 3.5GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB Fusion (Adorama) (B&H Photo) - $1,849, down from $1,999
- 3.8GHz, 8GB RAM, 2TB Fusion (Amazon) (B&H Photo) - $2,099, down from $2,299
- 4.2GHz, 8GB RAM, 1TB SSD (Adorama) - $2,849, down from $3,099

Amazon and eBay Deals

Both Amazon and eBay are offering a huge number of rotating deals that will change on a regular basis throughout Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Deals go so quickly and are so numerous that it's impossible to list them, but make sure to check out both sites to see what's on sale. eBay and Amazon are both offering discounts on iPhones, iPads, and tons of Apple accessories.

Best Accessory Deals

- $100 iTunes Gift Cards - $85 from Amazon with Promo Code ITUNES15
- BeatsX wireless headphones - $99, down from $149
- DJI Spark drone - $399, down from $499
- Beats Studio 2 Wireless Headphones - $160, down from $380
- Powerbeats wireless headphones - $160, down from $200, Plus $20 Target gift card
- Apple-branded iPhone cases - 15 percent off regular price
- Apple Watch bands - Up to $30 off
- Philips Hue bulbs - 20% off
- Philips Hue Lightstrip - $40 off
- Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard - $10 off
- August HomeKit Smart Lock - $80 off
- $100 iTunes Gift Card Multipack - $84.47, down from $100
- Sonos speakers - Up to $100 off
- BlackPods AirPods - $40 off any BlackPods order, including mail-in
- UE Boom 2 speaker - $80, down from $200

Make sure to check out our Black Friday roundup for specific times on when retail stores will open and for more information on the deals listed above. Our roundup also features hundreds of additional deals on Apple products and Apple-related accessories, so it's worth taking a look if you want to get a good deal on a new Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

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.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

The iPhone X officially landed in 13 more countries on Friday, with launches in Albania, Bosnia, Cambodia, Kosovo, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Serbia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey.

In the countries and territories listed, Apple's latest smartphone is being sold exclusively by authorized third-party resellers and carriers, with the exception of Turkey – where Apple has a retail presence in Zorlu Center and Akasya Acıbadem – and Macau, where an Apple store is based at Galaxy Macau. Apple's flagship device also became available to customers in Israel on Thursday for the first time.

iphonexcolors
The iPhone X is also available to buy through regional online Apple stores in Malaysia (from RM 5,149), South Korea (from ₩1,420,000), Thailand (from ฿40,500), and Turkey (from 6.099 TL), with prices varying depending on local currencies. Apple appears to have made provisions for launch day availability in the above countries, with online shipping estimates at 1 to 3 business days at the time of writing.

Over the last couple of days, iPhone X shipping estimates have improved to around 1-2 weeks in the U.S. and Canada, and across Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, where the iPhone X has been available since November 3. Early iPhone X rumors had suggested the device would be available in severely limited numbers until well into next year, but the balance between supply and demand appears to be leveling worldwide.

In related news, according to a report on Thursday in the London Metro, Apple's offices in South Korea were "raided" earlier this week by state regulators. The article reports that authorities visited Apple's Seoul offices and questioned the company's business practices.

The raid is said to be part of an ongoing probe that was launched after Apple took action to address local authorities' concerns about unfair contracts that the company had with South Korean firms commissioned to repair its devices. However, the incident has led some to question whether South Korean authorities are trying to hamper the success of iPhone X in the region, which is home to rival Samsung.

Lee Jae-yong, acting chairman of Samsung, was jailed for five years for corruption in August 2017. He was charged with bribery, perjury and other crimes following an investigation which led to the impeachment of South Korea's then-president, Park Geun-hye. Also known as Jay Y Lee, the 49-year-old business magnate was accused of making payments in exchange for political favors.

Related Forum: iPhone

iphone x dual lens cameraThe 2016 iPhone 7 Plus was the first Apple smartphone to feature a dual lens camera, and this year's iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X followed suit, improving upon last year's design with larger sensors and better signal image processing. The iPhone X also benefits from added optical image stabilization and larger aperture on the telephoto lens.

In what may come as a surprise to most casual snappers, the telephoto lens in Apple's dual camera isn't always activated when the 2x zoom is selected in the native Camera app. In some low light scenes, iOS opts to crop a wide angle image instead in an effort to obtain a better image with less noise and a lower likelihood of blurring.

With this in mind, Studio Neat designer Dan Provost recently conducted an experiment to see how much the telephoto lens in the iPhone X improves upon the one in the iPhone 7 Plus. To do this, he looked at how much light is required before an iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone X switches to the telephoto lens when the 2x zoom mode is selected. This would show Provost if the frequency of cropping an image is at all reduced in Apple's latest smartphone.

I placed an object (in this case, an old Rolleiflex camera) on a white backdrop, and flanked it on both sides with two LED studio lights. I set up the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone X on tripods (using the Glif, natch) and positioned them to keep the framing as similar as possible. Then, starting from a completely dark room, I slowly raised the light levels and observed when the lens switched on each camera. The results are in the video below.


As the embedded video demonstrates, Provost discovered that the iPhone X switched to the telephoto lens much more quickly in his artificial low light scenes, requiring approximately 2 fewer stops of light before switching to the telephoto lens, compared to the iPhone 7 Plus.

"This is obviously great news, and speaks to how improved the second lens is after just one year," says Provost. "In my own use of the phone for the past couple weeks, it does indeed seem to be the case that I am very rarely presented with a 2X cropped image."

You can learn more about Provost's iPhone X low light photography experiment over on the Studio Neat website.

Related Forums: iOS 11, iPhone

Apple's annual Black Friday shopping event has kicked off in the United States, with Apple offering customers Apple Store gift cards worth up to $150 with the purchase of select devices including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.

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Apple is offering gift cards for a range of products, but many newer devices, including the iPhone X and the Apple Watch Series 3, are not included in the promotion. Gift card amounts by product:

- iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air - $150 gift card
- iPhone 6s and 6s Plus - $50 gift card
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus - $50 gift card
- Apple Watch Series 1 - $25 gift card
- 5th-generation iPad - $50 gift card
- iPad mini 4 - $50 gift card
- iPad Pro - $100 gift card
- iPhone SE - $25 gift card

The gift card with purchase deal is available both online and in Apple's retail stores. Customers are limited to two gift cards per product category, and as usual, refurbished products and educational store purchases do not quality for a free gift card.

Apple's US Black Friday sale follows the launch of its Black Friday discounts in Australia and New Zealand, which started on Friday morning local time in those countries. Similar one-day deals are also being offered in several other countries in Europe and North America, including Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and more.

Many third-party retailers in the United Stated are offering better discounts than Apple on various iPhone, iPad, and Mac models, so it may be best to shop around before making a purchase. Make sure to check out our Black Friday roundup for all of the best deals we've found on Apple products and accessories.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

ModMy today announced it has archived its default ModMyi repository on Cydia, which is essentially an alternative App Store for downloading apps, themes, tweaks, and other files on jailbroken iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices.

jailbreak iphone

A jailbroken iPhone running iOS 6 via New Atlas

ZodTTD/MacCiti also shut down last week, meaning that two out of three of Cydia's major default repositories are no longer active as of this month. ModMy recommends developers in the jailbreaking community use the BigBoss repository, which is one of the last major Cydia sources that remains functional.

The closure of two major Cydia repositories is arguably the result of a declining interest in jailbreaking, which provides root filesystem access and allows users to modify iOS and install unapproved apps on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

When the iPhone and iPod touch were first released in 2007, jailbreaking quickly grew in popularity for both fun and practical reasons. Before the App Store, for example, it allowed users to install apps and games. Jailbreaking was even useful for something as simple as setting a wallpaper, not possible on early iOS versions.

Even in later years, jailbreaking remained popular for a number of popular tweaks that Apple has eventually implemented into iOS, such as system toggles, lock screen widgets, quick reply for text messages, screen recording, multitasking, picture-in-picture mode on iPad, and keyboard trackpad mode.

With many of those features now available out of the box, the allure of jailbreaking is considerably less for many people.

"What do you get in the end?" asked Cydia creator Jay Freeman, in an interview with Motherboard. "It used to be that you got killer features that almost were the reason you owned the phone. And now you get a small minor modification."

One downside to jailbreaking is that it has always been a violation of Apple's End User License Agreement that every iOS user agrees to. While not illegal in the United States, due to an exemption in the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, jailbreaking also technically voids your device's warranty coverage.

In a statement provided to Cult of Mac back in 2010, Apple said jailbreaking can "severely degrade the experience" of an iPhone.

Apple's goal has always been to insure that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone and we know that jailbreaking can severely degrade the experience. As we've said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably.

Apple's cat-and-mouse game with jailbreaking has been ongoing for over a decade, and it may be finally winning the battle given advancements in iOS security and decreasing interest in jailbreaking.

iOS 11 is the first major version of Apple's mobile operating system that has not been publicly jailbroken. A few developers have claimed to exploit iOS 11 at various security conferences, but no Mac or PC tool like Pangu has been released for the public to download and jailbreak their own devices with.

The lack of a public jailbreak for the latest iOS version after several months has fueled a so-called "death spiral" for jailbreaking.

"When you get fewer people bothering to jailbreak, you get fewer developers targeting interesting things, which means there's less reasons for people to jailbreak," said Freeman. "Which means there's fewer people jailbreaking, which causes there to be less developers bothering to target it. And then you slowly die."

iOS users still interested in jailbreaking can visit our Jailbreaks and iOS Hacks forum section and /r/jailbreak on Reddit.

Apple has updated its website to indicate that the iPhone X launches in three additional Latin American countries in early December.

iphone x angled
Namely, the iPhone X will be released in Colombia starting December 1, Chile on December 7, and Brazil on December 8. The device will be available from select carriers and authorized resellers in each country.

In Brazil, the iPhone X will also be on display and available to purchase from the country's two Apple Stores at VillageMall in Rio de Janeiro and the Morumbi shopping center in São Paulo. Inventory will likely be extremely limited.

iPhone X will start at 6,999 Brazilian reals in Brazil, the equivalent of slightly more than $2,150 USD based on current exchange rates. That's more than double the iPhone X's starting price of $999 in the United States.

Apple's prices in Brazil being significantly higher than in the United States is partly the result of the country's 60 percent duty on imported products valued up to $3,000, and likely other factors such as stricter labor laws.

Apple hasn't provided iPhone X pricing information for Chile or Colombia, or release dates for other countries in South America.

iPhone X first launched November 3 in the United States and over 50 other countries. The device was also released in Israel today and arrives in 13 additional countries, including Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkey, tomorrow.

iPhone X orders on Apple's website now ship in an estimated 1-2 weeks around the world, down from 5-6 weeks after the device first launched.

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.

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple's one-day Black Friday shopping event is now live in Australia and New Zealand, offering customers free Apple Store gift cards worth up to A$210 or NZ$210 with the purchase of selected new Apple products today.

black friday apple au nz
The deals are available through Apple's online store, and at Apple retail stores in Australia, through November 24. Apple's terms and conditions state each customer is limited to two gift cards per product category.

For the Mac, eligible models include any new 12-inch MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac Pro, including custom configurations ordered online. Mac mini and refurbished Macs do not qualify.

Australia

• 9.7-inch iPad: $70 gift card
• iPad mini 4: $70 gift card
• iPad Pro: $140 gift card
• iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: $70 gift card
• iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus: $70 gift card
• iPhone SE: $35 gift card
• Apple Watch Series 1: $35 gift card with select models
• Mac: $210 gift card with select models

New Zealand

• 9.7-inch iPad: $70 gift card
• iPad mini 4: $70 gift card
• iPad Pro: $140 gift card
• iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: $70 gift card
• iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus: $70 gift card
• iPhone SE: $35 gift card
• Apple Watch Series 1: $35 gift card with select models
• Mac: $210 gift card with select models

Apple will likely extend its Black Friday event to the United States, Canada, Europe, and select other regions tomorrow. In the U.S., the gift cards could be worth up to around $150 to $160 based on currency exchange rates.

Black Friday marks one of the few times in a year that Apple offers deals on its products. Be sure to read our Black Friday roundup for several other deals on Apple products and accessories, and larger discounts in some cases.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

Shipping estimates for the iPhone X have improved across Europe and Asia today, with many regional online Apple stores now quoting delivery within the first eight days of December.

France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom now all show shipping dates between December 1 and December 8, suggesting Apple's production ramp-up efforts are paying dividends well beyond U.S. shores.

Screen Shot 8
Slight variations in shipping dates can be found in other European countries such as Italy and Spain, which show estimates between December 1 and 11. Meanwhile, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland currently give a 1 to 2 week estimate.

Elsewhere, regional online stores in Asia, including China, Japan, and Singapore, quote delivery dates of between 1 and 2 weeks. The same also goes for New Zealand, while Australia now offers a more specific date range of between December 1 and 8.

U.S. shipping estimates for iPhone X improved on Wednesday to 1 to 2 weeks, but prior to today, estimates across Europe and Asia remained at 2 to 3 weeks.

Back in early November, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company was working to ramp up iPhone X production week by week, with the aim of getting the new smartphone out to customers "as soon as possible."

Previously, rumors had suggested the device would be available in severely limited numbers until well into next year, but the balance between supply and demand already looks to be easing worldwide.

Related Forum: iPhone

The U.K. government announced in Wednesday's annual budget that it plans to clamp down on tax avoidance by increasing the tax it collects from online giants such as Apple and Amazon.

In his Treasury speech to the Commons, Chancellor Philip Hammond said income tax would be charged on royalties relating to U.K. sales, even when they are paid to a low-tax jurisdiction and would not normally be taxed in the UK under current rules.

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The new rules are due to come into effect from April next year, and estimates suggest they will raise approximately 800 million pounds ($1.07 billion) in extra tax over the next five years. However, Hammond admitted they would only go some way to balancing out the taxation treatment of digital firms, and that more would have to be done to tackle tax avoidance.

Multinational digital businesses pay billions of pounds in royalties to jurisdictions where they are not taxed and some of those relate to UK sales.

This does not solve the problem, but it does send a signal of our determination and we will continue work in the international arena to find a sustainable and fair long-term solution that properly taxes the digital businesses that operate in our cyberspace.

Apple recently came in for criticism when the so-called Paradise Papers revealed that the company sidestepped a 2013 crackdown on its controversial Irish tax structure by moving the majority of its offshore cash holdings to the small island of Jersey, a self-governed territory with loose ties to the United Kingdom.

The papers showed that Apple's two key Irish subsidiaries were managed from the Jersey offices of offshore tax law firm Appleby from 2015 until early 2016. Apple reportedly chose Jersey after exploring several potential tax havens, such as Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Apple apparently turned to Jersey after European officials began to crack down on the so-called "Double Irish" tax structure it had exploited. The loophole allows for multinational corporations to funnel revenue through an Irish subsidiary, which in turn sends that money to another Irish subsidiary that has residency in a tax haven. The practice has enabled Apple to save billions of dollars in taxes globally.

Apple responded to the revelations contained in the Paradise Papers by saying that it made regulators in the U.S. and Ireland, and the European Commission, aware about the reorganization of its Irish subsidiaries, and added that the changes haven't reduced its tax bill.

Last year, the European Commission ordered Ireland to collect $14.5 billion in back taxes from Apple, after it concluded that the country's tax agreements with the tech giant represented "illegal state aid". Both Apple and the Irish government are currently appealing the ruling.

Apple has repeatedly highlighted its position as the largest taxpayer in the world and reiterated the fact that it holds overseas cash because that's where the majority of its products are sold. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that Apple is willing to repatriate some of its offshore cash holdings into the U.S., but he also recently said that tax reform is "sorely needed" first.

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.