MacRumors

The European Commission today announced the decisions of its interoperability proceedings to assist Apple in complying with its obligations under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), but Apple has come out swinging, calling them "bad for our products and bad for our European users."

The DMA, which came into force last year, requires major platform holders or "gatekeepers" like Apple to provide third-party developers equal access to iOS and iPadOS system tools and features.

The Commission's first proceeding focused on iOS connectivity features for third-party connected devices like smartwatches, headphones, and virtual reality headsets. The decisions specify how Apple will provide effective interoperability for functionalities such as notifications, device pairing, and connectivity and data transfer functions like AirDrop and AirPlay.

The measures will grant device manufacturers and app developers improved access to iPhone features that interact with such devices (e.g. displaying notifications on smartwatches), faster data transfers (e.g. peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections, and near-field communication) and easier device set-up (e.g. pairing).

The second proceeding focused on the process Apple has set up to address interoperability requests submitted by developers and third parties for iOS and iPadOS.

Developers will benefit from a fast and fair handling of their interoperability requests. The measures will accelerate their ability to offer a wider choice to European consumers of innovative services and hardware that interoperate with iPhones and iPads.

The final measures set out in the two specification decisions follow an extensive engagement with Apple and input by third parties as part of the public consultation launched in December 2024.

However, according to Apple, the DMA effectively requires it to hand over intellectual property to competitors, including companies whose business model relies on copying others. This intervention, argues the company, allows officials or third parties to influence iPhone development to the point of micromanagement, making it harder to introduce new technologies in Europe.

Apple also expressed its concern that some data-driven companies are exploiting the DMA to bypass EU data protection standards, and seeking unfettered access to user devices and data, including unencrypted access to user notifications and details on connected Wi-Fi networks — amongst other privacy and security risks Apple flagged in its December 2024 report, which specifically calls out Meta.

To comply with the DMA, Apple launched a portal for EU developers to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPadOS. With over 250,000 APIs, the company believes it already provides third-party developers with robust tools for interoperability while protecting user data.

"Today's decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apple's ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who don't have to play by the same rules," said Apple in a statement given to MacRumors. "It's bad for our products and for our European users. We will continue to work with the European Commission to help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users."

Apple said it has worked extensively with the Commission to comply with the DMA, and dedicated up to 500 engineers to the effort. The company believes it has met all requirements, and will continue engaging with regulators. But it's unconvinced the current demands will foster competition or innovation as intended.

Today's decisions mark the first time the Commission outlines concrete measures for a gatekeeper to comply with the Digital Markets Act," said Teresa Ribera, executive VP for clean, just and competitive transition. "Companies operating in the EU, irrespective of their place of incorporation, must comply with EU rules, including the Digital Markets Act. With these decision, we are simply implementing the law, and providing regulatory certainty both to Apple and to developers. Effective interoperability for third-party connected devices is an important step towards opening Apple's ecosystem. This will lead to a better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices. Also, from now on, developers will enjoy more transparency as to how their interoperability requests are handled by Apple. Today moves us closer to ensuring a level playing field in Europe, thanks to the rule of law.

The DMA's specification decisions are legally binding and Apple is required to implement the specified measures. However, the Commission says the decisions "fully respect Apple's rights of defense" and remain subject to independent judicial scrutiny.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News 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.

Amazon this week is providing record low prices on multiple models of the iPad mini 7, starting at $399.00 for the 128GB Wi-Fi tablet, down from $499.00. Best Buy is also matching many of these deals.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Amazon has all four colors of the 128GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 on sale at this price, and it's a match of the best price we've ever tracked on the tablet. You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $499.00 and the 512GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 7 for $699.99, both $100 discounts and available in multiple colors.

Deals on cellular models are a bit rarer on Amazon, with a few colors of the 256GB cellular iPad mini 7 on sale for $649.00, down from $749.00. If you prefer shopping at Best Buy, remember that the retailer is matching all of these sales on the iPad mini 7, and it has more options for deals on cellular models.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

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In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.

Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly. It has been three and a half years since Apple first announced the feature in September 2021, and only nine U.S. states and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico offer it.

Supported States

• Arizona (since March 2022)
• Maryland (since May 2022)
• Colorado (since November 2022)
• Georgia (since May 2023)
• Ohio (since July 2024)
• Hawaii (since August 2024)
• California (since September 2024)
• Iowa (since October 2024)
• New Mexico (since December 2024)

The feature is also available in Puerto Rico.

Future States

Apple said the following states have "signed on" to adopt the feature in the future:

• Montana
• West Virginia
• Connecticut
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Utah
• Illinois

The feature also works with Japan's My Number Card starting with iOS 18.4, which is in beta and will be released in early April.

Participating Airports

Apple Wallet app IDs can be used at select TSA checkpoints within select U.S. airports:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC)
• Los Angeles International (LAX)
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
• Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
• Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)
• Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
• Lea County Regional Airport (HOB)
• Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

Apple says travelers should refer to TSA checkpoint signage to confirm availability of the feature, and the TSA's website offers more details.

Apple Wallet IDs can also be used to show proof of age or identity at select businesses and venues in the U.S., but there is no list of locations.

Serial leaker Sonny Dickson today shared an image of what he claims is a first look at a third-party case for Apple's iPhone 17 Air. "If you didn’t know an Air was coming, you'd swear it was a Google Pixel case," he said.

Case manufacturers often obtain design specifications of upcoming iPhone models before their release by collaborating with Apple through official partnerships or conducting on-site investigations in production facilities. Observing production trends and prototypes in these areas helps them anticipate design changes.

The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a distinctive camera module design characterized by a horizontal "camera bar" that spans the width of the device's upper rear section. The design is reminiscent of Google's Pixel series and represents a departure from previous iPhone camera layouts.

Leaked renders suggest that the camera bar will house a single rear camera lens, positioned on the left side, with the flash located on the far right. The overall aesthetic is sleek and minimalist, in line with the iPhone 17 Air's ultra-thin profile, which is reported to be approximately 5.5mm thick.

Despite its minimalism, the device is expected to feature MagSafe, an Action button, and a Camera Control button – as indicated by the cutout on the lower left side of the case shown in the above image. A report at the weekend said the iPhone 17 Air will have a Camera Control button, and dummy models previously shared by Dickson reflect this.

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 6.6-inch display with 120Hz ProMotion support, a Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a 48-megapixel rear camera, Apple's custom-made C1 modem, and no physical SIM card slot worldwide. As usual, Apple should announce its new iPhone lineup around mid-September.

Apple fixed a bug in its Passwords app with December's iOS 18.2 update that had left users vulnerable to phishing attacks in the three months since the launch of iOS 18.

According to an Apple security update spotted by 9to5Mac, the Passwords app was sending unencrypted requests for the logos and icons associated with users' stored passwords.

Without protections of encryption, an attacker on the same Wi-Fi network could redirect a user's browser to a clone phishing site where login details could be stolen. The vulnerability was first discovered by developer Mysk's security researchers and reported in September.

Apple's iOS 18.2 security release notes described the bug like so:

Impact: A user in a privileged network position may be able to leak sensitive information

Description: This issue was addressed by using HTTPS when sending information over the network.

Apple lists the bug in security content updates for the Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro, indicating that this issue was fixed across multiple OSes.

Along with a foldable iPhone, Apple is working on a larger foldable device that's somewhere around 19 inches, but rumors have been split on whether it's an iPad or a Mac. Some reports refer to the device as an ‌iPad‌, while some call it a Mac, and the split seems to come down to the operating system on the device.

Is it a Mac?

Some rumors have suggested that Apple is developing a foldable MacBook with an all-display design. The MacBook already has a foldable design, of course, but the difference here would be a single display without an included keyboard and trackpad.

A foldable Mac would be able to be folded in half and used like a traditional MacBook with a virtual keyboard, or it could be unfolded and used as a display when paired with an external keyboard.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has referred to Apple's larger foldable device as a MacBook, and he thinks it's going to have an 18.8 to 20.2-inch display. Display analyst Ross Young has also written about Apple's work on a notebook with an 18.8-inch display.

The Wall Street Journal said in December that Apple is working on a 19-inch MacBook with a foldable screen.

Is it an iPad?

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has referred to Apple's large-screened foldable device as an ‌iPad‌, and he says it's going to have a display that's around 20 inches in size.

The Elec said in 2022 that Apple was developing a foldable device around 20 inches in size that folds down to 15.3 inches, and research firm Omdia believes that Apple is working on a 20.3-inch foldable OLED iPad that will be positioned as an iPad Pro.

While Kuo has also mainly referred to Apple's foldable as a MacBook, in 2023, he called it an ‌iPad‌ and said that it would come with a carbon fiber kickstand. Of course, Kuo initially said that such a foldable would come in 2024, something that did not happen.

Or both?

When thinking of a foldable with an all-display design, it's easier to picture an ‌iPad‌, which is already a single screen. It makes sense for Apple to create an ‌iPad‌ that's able to fold down for portability and then unfold into a larger workspace, but what if it runs macOS?

We don't have much of a reference for an all-display Mac since it's not a form factor we're familiar with, but a 20-inch device that's all display and folds in half would definitely be something of a hybrid ‌iPad‌ and Mac device.

Analyst Jeff Pu recently said that Apple's large-screened foldable will be a MacBook-iPad hybrid that's likely to run macOS, rather than iPadOS. Such a device would presumably have a touchscreen, and would require notable changes to the Mac operating system as it does not support touch input. Gurman also claimed that some of the design updates that Apple is making in iOS 19 and macOS 16 to unify the operating systems will pave the way for foldable devices and touchscreen Macs, so a hybrid is a possibility.

Whether the large-screened foldable is ultimately an ‌iPad‌ or a Mac will come down to the operating system that Apple is planning to use. If the device runs macOS, it'll be in the Mac family, and if it runs iPadOS, it'll be in the ‌iPad‌ family.

Launch Date

Rumors about the release date for Apple's foldable ‌iPad‌/Mac have targeted as early as 2026 to as late as 2028, so it's not quite clear when we'll see the device. It's possible that Apple is planning a launch for as soon as next year, and if that's the case, rumors should really start picking up in the next couple of months.

If we don't start hearing more soon, we can assume that Apple is aiming for a later launch date in 2027 or beyond.

Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.3.1, so iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.3.2 are no longer able to downgrade to the prior version of iOS 18. Apple released iOS 18.3.2 on March 10.

It is not unusual for Apple to stop signing older versions of iOS after releasing an update. Software that is not signed cannot be installed on an iPhone due to a server-side verification check, and it keeps iPhone users from installing outdated versions of iOS. iPhone models compatible with iOS 18 are only eligible to download and run iOS 18.3.2 at this time.

By preventing customers from installing older versions of iOS or downgrading, Apple ensures that devices have the latest security improvements.

iOS 18.3.2 introduced important security fixes, addressing a vulnerability that may have been actively exploited.

Nanoleaf today announced the launch of the PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip, a new desktop lighting option that is designed to make desktop gaming and entertainment more immersive with rainbow lighting effects.

The Screen Mirror Lightstrip connects to a computer using USB-C, and it is able to provide real-time dynamic mirroring that matches whatever is on your screen. It can match the output of a game or a movie, or it can sync to music, with the lights changing to match the rhythm of a song. There is also an Orchestrator mode that provides access to different moods for music experience customization. One mood is included, with more available through a Nanoleaf Premium subscription.

Nanoleaf designed the Screen Mirror Lightstrip for displays up to 32 inches in size, and it features a flexible zigzag design for simple and precise installation.

The Lightstrip pairs to a display using the Nanoleaf Desktop app, which is available for both PCs and Macs. More than 16 million colors are supported for dynamic lighting animations and visual effects.

The PC Screen Mirror Lightstrip from Nanoleaf is priced at $50 and it can be pre-ordered from the Nanoleaf website. It is set to ship at the end of March.

Update: This article was updated to clarify that Nanoleaf Orchestrator is an included feature in the Nanoleaf Desktop app and does not require a subscription to use, but a Nanoleaf subscription is necessary for unlocking the full range of moods.

While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around a year and a half away from launching, there are already some early rumors about the devices.

Below, we recap some key iPhone 18 Pro rumors so far.

Under-Screen Face ID

In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a roadmap showing that iPhone 17 Pro models would feature under-display Face ID. In May 2024, however, Young said he heard this change had been delayed until 2026. If so, that means that under-screen Face ID could debut on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next year.

Even with under-screen Face ID, it is expected that the Dynamic Island will live on, but it might become smaller. Alternatively, the iPhone 18 Pro models could have only a pinhole at the top of the display for the front camera, similar to Android smartphones like Google's Pixel 9 and Samsung's Galaxy S25. It's too early to know yet.

Variable Aperture

The main 48-megapixel Fusion camera on both iPhone 18 Pro models will offer variable aperture, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

With variable aperture, users would be able to control the amount of light that passes through the camera's lens and reaches the sensor. The main cameras on iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro models have a fixed aperture of ƒ/1.78, and the lens is always fully open and shooting with this widest aperture. With the iPhone 18 Pro models, users would be able to manually change the aperture, according to this rumor.

A variable aperture on iPhone 18 Pro models should provide users with greater control over depth of field, which refers to how sharp a subject appears in the foreground compared to the background. However, given that iPhones have smaller image sensors due to size restraints, it is unclear exactly how meaningful this improvement would be.

Samsung Image Sensor

Samsung is developing a new three-layer stacked camera sensor that Apple is expected to use for iPhone 18 Pro models, according to DigiTimes. This advanced image sensor would make the iPhone 18's camera more responsive, and offer other benefits like reduced noise in photos, increased dynamic range, and more.

The exact technology is called "PD-TR-Logic," according to a leaker known as "Jukanlosreve", and it refers to a camera sensor with three layers of circuitry affixed to it.

Sony has long been the exclusive supplier of image sensors for iPhone cameras, so Samsung entering the fray would be notable.

In July 2024, Kuo said he expected Samsung to begin shipping 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera sensors to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, which is when the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to be released.

C2 Modem

Apple debuted its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e last month, as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from Qualcomm modems.

Apple's second-generation C2 modem will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models next year, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst who covers companies within Apple's supply chain. Unsurprisingly, expect the C2 modem to be faster than the C1, and for it to gain mmWave support in the United States. Further power efficiency improvements are likely too.

A20 Pro Chip With Apple Intelligence Upgrade

Apple's A20 Pro chip for the iPhone 18 Pro models will be manufactured with TSMC's third-generation 3nm process, despite an initial 2nm rumor, according to Pu. That is the same process that is expected to be used for the A19 Pro chip coming in the iPhone 17 Pro models, so the iPhone 18 Pro models could have relatively small overall performance improvements compared to the previous generation.

Pu does expect the A20 Pro chip to have one upgrade that he said will benefit Apple Intelligence capabilities. Specifically, he said the chip will use TSMC's so-called Chip on Wafer on Substrate (CoWoS) packaging technology, which would allow for tighter integration of the chip's processor, unified memory, and Neural Engine.

Apple Music is facing an ongoing outage, according to Apple's System Status page. The downtime started at 2:26 p.m. Eastern Time, and has not yet been resolved.

Apple says that some users may be experiencing intermittent issues with the service, though it does not appear to be malfunctioning for all users.

We'll update this article when the issue has been resolved.

Update: As of 4:20 p.m. Eastern Time, Apple says the issue has been fixed.

Apple Pay today expanded to Puerto Rico, which means iPhone, iPad, and Mac users living in the territory are now able to use ‌Apple Pay‌ for purchases in retail stores and online, even without a mainland credit or debit card.

Though Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, ‌Apple Pay‌ was not previously available for Puerto Rico banks, though Puerto Ricans have had access to the Apple Card and have been able to use ‌Apple Pay‌ with U.S. credit and debit cards.

As of right now, Banco Popular in Puerto Rico supports ‌Apple Pay‌, so Banco Popular cardholders in the territory can add eligible cards to the Wallet app to use as a contactless payment method. Banco Popular cards are able to be used at any location that accepts ‌Apple Pay‌.

Apple first launched ‌Apple Pay‌ in 2014, and has expanded it to dozens of countries and territories around the world.

In addition to expanding ‌Apple Pay‌ to Puerto Rico today, Apple also launched the Tap to Provision feature in Hong Kong, Macao, and Mongolia. Tap to Provision lets users add eligible credit and debit cards to the Wallet app by tapping the card on the back of the iPhone.

Apple today released a firmware update for the 25W MagSafe Charger that is compatible with the iPhone 12 and later and the latest AirPods. The updated firmware is version 2A146, up from the 2A143 firmware that came out earlier this year. In the Settings app, the new firmware is version 136, up from 133.

Apple launched the 2024 ‌MagSafe‌ charger alongside the iPhone 16 models, and it is able to charge them at up to 25W. For the iPhone 12 models to the iPhone 15 models, charging is capped at 15W.

Because firmware updates are released quietly over the air, Apple does not provide release notes. We don't know what new features or bug fixes might be included in the software.

There is no clear method for updating a ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ charger's firmware, but it needs to be plugged in and connected to an Apple device for a firmware update to initiate. You can check your ‌‌MagSafe‌‌ Charger's firmware by following the instructions in our MagSafe Charger how to.

While it might feel like a foldable iPhone has been two years away for years now, rumors about the device are finally starting to sound serious.

There are now several sources who agree that Apple's first foldable iPhone will feature a 7.8-inch inner display when unfolded, along with a 5.5-inch outer display. Those sources include analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, along with the Weibo account Digital Chat Station. The fact that these display sizes are now agreed upon and have been leaked indicates that Apple may have finalized at least some of the device's specifications.

The foldable iPhone will open up like a book, according to Kuo, rather than have a clamshell design like Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip.

Pu said the foldable iPhone recently entered the New Product Introduction (NPI) stage at manufacturer Foxconn, suggesting that Apple is moving forward with plans to release the device. Pu and Kuo both believe that the foldable iPhone will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2026, which means the device could launch as soon as next year in limited quantities, but a release at some point in 2027 seems more likely.

As funny as it might sound, the foldable iPhone seems to be two years away for real this time.

Barclays analyst Tim Long recently estimated that Apple's first foldable iPhone could start at around $2,299 in the U.S., meaning it would cost nearly twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which starts at $1,199 there.

In addition to the 7.8-inch inner display and 5.5-inch outer display, Kuo said the foldable iPhone will feature two rear cameras, one front camera, a Touch ID power button instead of Face ID, and a high-density battery. He expects the device to be as thin as 4.5mm when unfolded, and between 9mm and 9.5mm when folded. He also said the device will have a titanium exterior, but the hinge will use a mix of titanium and stainless steel.

Samsung expanded its springtime deals this week with fresh discounts and offers across its website, including new sales on connected health products like the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Ring. You'll also find savings on popular Samsung monitors and storage below.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

For the Galaxy products, Samsung is hosting deals on the new Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Galaxy S Fold6 and Z Flip 6, the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch Ultra, Galaxy Watch 7, and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. Many of these sales have extra savings when you have an older device to trade in, but if you don't, Samsung is still providing cash discounts on some products.

You can find all of these Galaxy discounts listed below, alongside some ongoing sales on Samsung monitors, TVs, storage, and home appliances.

Galaxy Products

• Galaxy S25 Ultra - Save up to $1,000
• Galaxy Z Fold6 - Save up to $1,300
• Galaxy Z Flip6 - Save up to $700
• Galaxy Ring - Get up to $250 trade-in credit
• Galaxy Watch Ultra - Save up to $325
• Galaxy Watch 7 - Save up to $200
• Galaxy Buds3 Pro - Save up to $150

TVs

• The Frame - Save up to $1,300
• 85-inch Crystal UHD TV - $799.99, down from $1,099.99
• 65-inch QLED 4K TV - $1,099.99, down from $1,599.99
• 65-inch OLED S90C TV - $1,399.99, down from $2,599.99
• 65-inch Neo QLED 4K TV - $1,499.99, down from $2,699.99
• 85-inch QLED 4K TV - $1,179.99, down from $2,799.99
• 85-inch Neo QLED 4K TV - $2,149.99, down from $3,999.99

Monitors and Storage

• 990 EVO 5.0 NVMe SSD 2TB - $124.99, down from $239.99
• 2TB Portable SSD - $149.99, down from $284.99
• 32-inch Odyssey Curved Gaming Monitor - $599.99, down from $799.99
• 34-inch Odyssey OLED G8 Curved Gaming Monitor - $1,199.99, down from $1,599.99
• 32-inch Odyssey Quantum Gaming Monitor - $699.99, down from $1,099.99

Refrigerators

• Large Capacity Side-by-Side Fridge - $1,199.00, down from $1,666.00
• 4-Door French Door Fridge - $1,999.00, down from $2,899.00
• Mega Capacity 3-Door French Door Fridge - $2,399.00, down from $3,499.00
• Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $2,799.00, down from $4,099.00
• Bespoke 4-Door Flex Fridge - $3,199.00, down from $4,999.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Two new PebbleOS smartwatches were announced today by original Pebble watch creator Eric Migicovsky, revitalizing a Kickstarter-launched brand that had three years of mega popularity before it folded in 2016.

Called the Core 2 Duo and the Core Time 2, the two smartwatches run a PebbleOS, which is based on the source code for the software that ran on the original Pebble smartwatch. After Pebble shut down, assets were acquired by Fitbit, which was then acquired by Google. Google agreed to open source PebbleOS earlier this year, paving the way for the return of Pebble watches.

Like the original Pebble watches, the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 are platform agnostic and designed to work with iPhone and Android, but Migicovsky is already warning customers that Apple's restrictions are going to prevent the new devices from working like the Apple Watch.

Migicovsky says that it was difficult to design for iPhones when he was working on the original Pebble watch, and in the last eight years, "things have actually gotten worse." He said that his company will "build a good app for iOS," but that it is impossible for a third-party smartwatch to replicate the functions of the Apple Watch. He shared an extensive list of the limitations:

• There's no option for sending text messages or iMessages.
• There's no option for replying to notifications or taking actions like marking something as done.
• There is little inter-app communication, which makes it difficult for Pebble to work with other iOS apps.
• If the iOS app is closed, the watch can't access the app or the internet.
• The watch cannot detect if you're using your phone, so it will buzz and display a notification regardless.
• There's no easy option to allow developers to create watch faces and apps for Pebble that would be available through the Pebble iOS app.

Migicovsky lamented that Pebble is required to go through the App Store, which is a "gigantic pain" because with every update, a "random app reviewer" could "make up some BS excuse" and deny updates. He says that Apple makes it "nearly impossible for 3rd party wearable developers" to create an experience that mirrors the Apple Watch experience.

Apple claims their restrictions on competitors are only about security, privacy, crafting a better experience etc etc. At least that's what they tell you as they tuck you into bed. I personally don't agree - they're clearly using their market power to lock consumers into their walled ecosystem.

According to Migicovsky, the new Pebble watches will have less developed functionality on iOS than Android, which "is Apple's fault." He said that he does not want to see complaints about the lack of functionality, so he is sharing the info now so customers can make an informed decision about whether to buy the product. "If you're worried about this," he wrote, "the easiest solution is to buy an Android phone."

Migicovsky calls on "Pebble-curious" iPhone users to complain loudly to Apple or switch to Android, while also asking elected representatives in the U.S. to support legislation that would require Apple to make changes to its rules. In Europe, Migicovsky plans to petition Apple to request interoperability for Apple Watch APIs.

Migicovsky last clashed with Apple over the Beeper Mini app, and he has been outspoken about Apple's ‌App Store‌ rules since then, meeting with the FTC and the U.S. Department of Justice. Beeper Mini reverse engineered iMessage protocols and encryption, using Apple's own iMessage servers to let Android users send "blue bubble" texts to iPhone users without the need for an Apple ID. Apple blocked the functionality, and Beeper was ultimately forced to give up on the idea.

The Core 2 Duo watch is priced starting at $149, and the Core Time 2 is priced starting at $225, with pre-orders available on the Repebble website. Both devices feature an always-on e-paper screen, physical buttons, step and sleep tracking, and a 30 day battery life, with the more expensive model also offering a heart rate monitor. The Core 2 Duo will ship starting in July, while the Core Time 2 will ship starting in December.

While the AirPods hearing aid and hearing test features received Health Canada approval at the federal level in December, the features are not yet available in Canada. According to reports from CTV News and the Toronto Star this month, the features have yet to launch in Canada because regulations vary at the provincial level.

In the most populous Canadian province of Ontario, for example, hearing aids require a prescription from a physician or an audiologist.

The good news is that Apple recently told the Toronto Star that it is working with Canadian provinces to get approval to release the AirPods hearing aid and hearing test features over the counter. Apple told the newspaper that it hopes to make the features available as soon as possible, but it did not provide a timeframe.

With the clinical-grade hearing aid feature, AirPods Pro 2 can amplify the sound around you. The feature is intended for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, according to Apple. There is no additional cost to use the feature.

Meanwhile, the five-minute hearing test allows adults to identify if they have hearing loss by measuring their ability to hear different frequencies of sound. Afterwards, the results will show a hearing loss classification and recommended next steps.

The two features first launched in the U.S. and select other countries in late October, and they continue to roll out to more countries.

There is a third AirPods hearing health feature — hearing protection — that is available in Canada.

All three features require AirPods Pro 2.

The rumored iPhone 17 Air will support MagSafe, according to Digital Chat Station, an account with millions of followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has a decent track record with Apple product rumors.

In a post yesterday, the account said all of the iPhone 17 dummy models shared by Sonny Dickson over the weekend are accurate. They said the dummy models align with their own information that they received, including all four iPhone 17 models supporting MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging and magnetic accessories.

"The entire series has MagSafe," the post says, in computer-translated English.

It was not entirely clear if the iPhone 17 Air would support MagSafe given the feature is missing on the lower-end iPhone 16e.

Apple now sells three different keyboards for each member of the iPad lineup, with the exception of the iPad mini, which is too small for a physically connected keyboard. It is compatible with Bluetooth keyboards only.

While choosing between ‌iPad‌ keyboards is now a clear-cut issue since there is only one available for each type of ‌iPad‌, it is now even more important to consider their slightly different features and designs when choosing an ‌iPad‌. All of the differences between the three models, as well as the recently discontinued Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and iPad Pro, are listed below:

Magic Keyboard Folio (2022–2025)	Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ (2020–2025)	Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Air‌ (2025)	Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Pro‌ (2024–2025)
Detachable keyboard
Separate magnetic kickstand	Integrated "floating" cantilever design	Integrated "floating" cantilever design	Integrated "floating" cantilever design
	USB-C port for passthrough charging	USB-C port for passthrough charging	USB-C port for passthrough charging
	Plastic hinge	Redesigned aluminum hinge	Redesigned aluminum hinge
0.84 pounds (381 grams)	11-Inch: 1.3 pounds (590 grams) 13-Inch: 1.56 pounds (710 grams)	TBC	11-Inch: 1.28 pounds (580 grams) 13-Inch: 1.46 pounds (662 grams)
Silicone top case	Silicone top case	Silicone top case	Aluminum top case
14-key function row		14-key function row	14-key function row
	Backlighting		Backlighting
Trackpad	Trackpad	Larger trackpad	Larger trackpad
Physical click	Physical click	Physical click	Haptic feedback
Available in White only	Available in White or Black	Available in White only	Available in White or Black
Compatible with ‌iPad‌ with A14 or A16	Compatible with ‌iPad Air‌ with A14, M1, M2, or M3 and ‌iPad Pro‌ with A12X, A12Z, ‌M1‌, and ‌M2‌	Compatible with ‌iPad Air‌ with A14, ‌M1‌, ‌M2‌, or M3	Compatible with ‌iPad Pro‌ with M4
$249	Discontinued	11-Inch: $269 13-Inch: $319	11-Inch: $299 13-Inch: $349

All of the keyboards feature scissor mechanism with 1mm travel for quiet, responsive typing and connect via a Smart Connector on the ‌iPad‌, meaning there is no need for charging or Bluetooth.

The Magic Keyboard Folio is unique in offering a magnetic kickstand, separate from the keyboard itself, to prop the ‌iPad‌ up independently. While this is extremely useful for users who want to use their ‌iPad‌ on a table, it is not a very good experience for use on a lap. The Magic Keyboards for ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ do not have a separate magnetic kickstand, instead prioritizing an all-in-one design that works well on a user's lap and is far more akin to a MacBook.

The ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌'s Magic keyboards are very similar, but the ‌iPad Pro‌'s version has an aluminum top case, giving it a more premium feel and appearance. Likewise, its haptic feedback emulates a physical click more uniformly and is equal to a MacBook, allowing users to choose how forcefully they want to click the trackpad. Backlighting may be essential for those who plan to often use their ‌iPad‌ in dark environments. However, both models feature a 14-key function row and a large trackpad.

If you already have the original Magic Keyboard for ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌, the new versions are a notable upgrade, especially for the ‌iPad Pro‌. If you're an ‌iPad Air‌ user, it's important to note that you will lose backlighting if you upgrade to the latest version of the accessory.