Apple is separating the new smartphones into its usual low-cost versus high-cost categories, with big differences between the two models coming down to the camera, display, and battery life.
macOS Catalina Now Available
New MacBook Pros Don't Include Backlit Apple Logo or Power Extension Cable
Apple's "Hello Again" event has come and gone, leaving us with an abundance of Apple-related news and updates heading into the weekend. Below, we have shared some of the more interesting tidbits that have surfaced over the past 24 hours.
Image Credit: Edgar Alvarez, Engadget
Backlit Apple Logo Removed: As it did with the 12-inch MacBook, Apple has removed the backlit Apple logo on new MacBook Pro models. In its place is a glossy Apple logo in black on the Space Gray model and in white on the Silver model. Apple's older MacBook Pros and 13-inch MacBook Air are now its only notebooks with backlit Apple logos that remain available for purchase. Apple's first notebook with a lit-up Apple logo was the third-generation PowerBook G3 released in 1999.
No Power Extension Cable: In line with the 12-inch MacBook, new MacBook Pro models do not come with Apple's Power Adapter Extension Cable in the box. Previous MacBook Pro models included the extension cable in the box for several years. The extension cable, which provides extra length between the power brick and wall outlet, can be purchased as a standalone product for $19.
Touch Bar Has Automatic Brightness: Jason Snell at Apple blog Six Colors spent time with the new MacBook Pro yesterday and discovered the Touch Bar's brightness is not manually adjustable. Instead, the mini Retina display's brightness varies based on lighting conditions, using the MacBook Pro's built-in ambient light sensor. Apple calls this feature Automatic Brightness on iOS devices. "I wasn't able to try and trick it or confuse it, but the entire time I was using it—in a dark room and in a much more brightly lit one—it seemed to match the keyboard well," he explained.
Price Changes: Apple's price changes extend beyond the United Kingdom. The 12-inch MacBook, for example, has increased $100 in price in Canada, where the 256GB model now sells for $1,649 and the 512GB model retails for $1,999. Meanwhile, the reverse has happened in Norway, where 12-inch MacBook prices have dropped by 1000 kroner for each model. Likewise, in New Zealand, 12-inch MacBook prices are now $200 to $250 lower depending on the model. These adjustments are common as Apple keeps its pricing in foreign currencies in line with the U.S. dollar.
1Password Shares Touch Bar Concepts: AgileBits was so excited about Apple's MacBook Pro event yesterday that it has created some mockups of how 1Password could work with the Touch Bar. 1Password users will be able to unlock the app with Touch ID, for example, while Touch Bar will make it easy to switch between password vaults, select new item types, and create website logins. 1Password also anticipates allowing users to slide their fingers across the Touch Bar to generate a strong password.
Know of an interesting Apple-related tidbit? Send an email to tips@macrumors.com or contact us on Twitter or Facebook.
Backlit Apple Logo Removed: As it did with the 12-inch MacBook, Apple has removed the backlit Apple logo on new MacBook Pro models. In its place is a glossy Apple logo in black on the Space Gray model and in white on the Silver model. Apple's older MacBook Pros and 13-inch MacBook Air are now its only notebooks with backlit Apple logos that remain available for purchase. Apple's first notebook with a lit-up Apple logo was the third-generation PowerBook G3 released in 1999.
No Power Extension Cable: In line with the 12-inch MacBook, new MacBook Pro models do not come with Apple's Power Adapter Extension Cable in the box. Previous MacBook Pro models included the extension cable in the box for several years. The extension cable, which provides extra length between the power brick and wall outlet, can be purchased as a standalone product for $19.
Touch Bar Has Automatic Brightness: Jason Snell at Apple blog Six Colors spent time with the new MacBook Pro yesterday and discovered the Touch Bar's brightness is not manually adjustable. Instead, the mini Retina display's brightness varies based on lighting conditions, using the MacBook Pro's built-in ambient light sensor. Apple calls this feature Automatic Brightness on iOS devices. "I wasn't able to try and trick it or confuse it, but the entire time I was using it—in a dark room and in a much more brightly lit one—it seemed to match the keyboard well," he explained.
Price Changes: Apple's price changes extend beyond the United Kingdom. The 12-inch MacBook, for example, has increased $100 in price in Canada, where the 256GB model now sells for $1,649 and the 512GB model retails for $1,999. Meanwhile, the reverse has happened in Norway, where 12-inch MacBook prices have dropped by 1000 kroner for each model. Likewise, in New Zealand, 12-inch MacBook prices are now $200 to $250 lower depending on the model. These adjustments are common as Apple keeps its pricing in foreign currencies in line with the U.S. dollar.
1Password Shares Touch Bar Concepts: AgileBits was so excited about Apple's MacBook Pro event yesterday that it has created some mockups of how 1Password could work with the Touch Bar. 1Password users will be able to unlock the app with Touch ID, for example, while Touch Bar will make it easy to switch between password vaults, select new item types, and create website logins. 1Password also anticipates allowing users to slide their fingers across the Touch Bar to generate a strong password.
Know of an interesting Apple-related tidbit? Send an email to tips@macrumors.com or contact us on Twitter or Facebook.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Caution)
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39 months ago
So the extension cord that was previously included is now $19 extra?
Apple's greed has no bounds.
Apple's greed has no bounds.
39 months ago
The glowing Apple logo has been replaced with a non-glowing dollar-sign ($) logo.
39 months ago
**** this, I'm done.
They can't even give us a goddamn extension cable now in the box? For a computer that goes up to $3000 in cost? ****ing greedy bastards.
They can't even give us a goddamn extension cable now in the box? For a computer that goes up to $3000 in cost? ****ing greedy bastards.
39 months ago
I wonder how much the lack of the glowing logo will hurt Apple.
Every time you see a shot of, for example, a DJ using a Mac as his DJ computer, you will see the glowing white Apple logo there. It stands out big time and provides so much free product placement and advertising. Same thing with pretty much any photo of a bunch of people using laptops. The Macs stand out.
The lack of the glowy logo is a bit sad for me, but not a huge deal. But it may hurt Apple in the long run.
Every time you see a shot of, for example, a DJ using a Mac as his DJ computer, you will see the glowing white Apple logo there. It stands out big time and provides so much free product placement and advertising. Same thing with pretty much any photo of a bunch of people using laptops. The Macs stand out.
The lack of the glowy logo is a bit sad for me, but not a huge deal. But it may hurt Apple in the long run.
39 months ago
Greed. Pure greed.
All PC OEMs include the 3 pin extension to the power brick.
All PC OEMs include the 3 pin extension to the power brick.
39 months ago
Greed. Also... Apple should really change their name to Adapters, Inc.
John Sculley = Tim Cook.
John Sculley = Tim Cook.
39 months ago
1800 bucks for the base Touch Bar model and no extension cable? Seriously?
39 months ago
Apple is losing their mind. No cable extension? Greed.
Sorry I will keep my MBP 2015 for quite awhile.
Sorry I will keep my MBP 2015 for quite awhile.
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