Apple is continuing to promote the Beats Pill speaker, today sharing a new Valentine's Day-themed short ad that uses the cute anthropomorphized "Pill People" characters to highlight battery life.
The spot features the red Beats Pill holding up a be mine sign and playing music in a Say Anything-esque scene. The white Beats Pill walks by and asks how long the red Beats Pill has been outside playing music. "17 hours," replies the speaker, before an end tag comes up that points out the device's 24-hour battery life.
"Nobody ❤️s a 24-hour battery life like we do. And did you know 2 Beats Pills can be paired together for increased volume? Sounds like a sign to us," reads the ad's description.
Apple's Beats brand introduced the new version of the Beats Pill in June of last year, after the prior Pill+ version was discontinued in early 2022. The updated Beats Pill is priced at $150 and it offers a redesigned speaker system, a removable lanyard for portability, USB-C charging, IP67 water resistance, and 24 hours of battery life.
Rumors about Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series have so far sparked a good deal of discussion regarding a potential redesign of the rear camera module. Leaks suggest the cosmetic changes could be big, but whether they would impact the iPhone camera's existing capabilities is a question for which no-one has yet provided an adequate answer.
The Camera Redesign Rumor Problem
Several rumors suggest that for the iPhone 17 Pro models, Apple may transition from its traditional triangular lens arrangement to a horizontal, elongated bar or strip of lenses, similar to the one used on the Google Pixel 9. However, we've had conflicting information, with at least one source claiming that the iPhone 17 Pro models will retain the existing triangular configuration amidst broader material redesigns of the rear casing.
The major point of concern with adopting a horizontal camera layout is its potential impact on the device's ability to capture spatial video for Apple Vision Pro — a feature currently supported by iPhone 15 Pro devices and all iPhone 16 models.
What Is Spatial Video?
Spatial video is an immersive video format that provides a more three-dimensional experience by capturing content from multiple perspectives. The technology allows viewers wearing Apple Vision Pro to feel as if they're present in the environment being filmed, offering a significant enhancement over traditional 2D video formats.
The shooting mode requires two cameras to record footage simultaneously when the iPhone is held in a landscape orientation, where the horizontal separation between lenses is crucial for them to mimic the distance between human eyes and create depth perception. Unlike standard 3D video that presents a static perspective, spatial video in this way creates six degrees of freedom, so that if the viewer shifts their position, the perspective in the video footage also shifts accordingly.
On iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, spatial video is achieved by using the vertically aligned main Wide/Fusion and Ultra Wide cameras to capture these differing perspectives. Similarly, Apple adopted a vertical alignment design for the dual-lens rear cameras on the standard iPhone 16 models as a strategic move to allow for spatial video capture.
Logic would therefore seem to dictate that if the iPhone 17 Pro models were to adopt the rumored elongated horizontal bar of lenses, they would no longer be capable of shooting spatial video in landscape orientation – in the process losing a core camera functionality that has been present in their predecessors for two generations. Conversely, were the non-Pro models to retain the vertical alignment of the two lenses currently used in the iPhone 16, spatial capture would become incongruously exclusive to Apple's more affordable flagship device.
On the other hand, if the standard iPhone 17 also adopted the elongated horizontal bar design, then no model in the series would be capable of spatial video. (Rumors suggest the same can already be said for the Plus-replacing "iPhone 17 Air," which allegedly features just a single camera lens).
Would Apple really be prepared to nix its spatial video capability from some, if not all, iPhone 17 models – a feature that it has spent so much research and development (not to mention marketing) in order to bring to iPhones? Many would suggest that none of these scenarios are likely.
Overcoming Spatial Technical Challenges
There is another possibility, however. Recent advancements in computational photography may have opened avenues for creating spatial videos without the existing strict hardware constraints. For example, Gaussian splatting, which was invented less than two years ago, can generate photorealistic 3D models using data from multiple camera angles, even when using non-traditional camera arrangements.
Niantic, a company with close ties to Google, has already been leveraging Gaussian splatting in its Scaniverse app to create photorealistic 3D models. Not only that, Niantic's WebXR app "Into the Scaniverse" for the Meta Quest headset allows users to step inside the splats they have captured in Scaniverse and walk around.
Could Apple be developing something akin to Guassian splatting for video – similar to its visionOS 2 feature that uses advanced machine learning to transform a 2D image into a spatial photo which then comes to life when viewed on Vision Pro?
Of course, whether or not Apple is adopting something similar is anyone's guess at this point. Equally, there's no reason to believe one way or the other that Apple has developed its own, alternative solution that accommodates a "runway" style camera module redesign. The only thing we do know is that we'll learn everything when Apple announces the iPhone 17 series around its usual mid-September time frame.
Today we're tracking a few iPad discounts on Amazon, including the new iPad mini 7, M2 iPad Air, and M4 iPad Pro. These deals include multiple all-time low prices on Apple's tablets, matching the prices we tracked over the holiday season in many cases.
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.
iPad Mini 7
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 every one of these deals, and in some cases it has better delivery estimates.
Amazon has nearly every model of Apple's M2 iPad Air on sale this week at $100 off, all of which are matching the record low prices for each tablet. You'll also find Best Buy matching these discounts, and you don't need to be a My Best Buy Plus/Total member to get the deals.
Similar to the iPad Air tablets, both Amazon and Best Buy are providing record low prices on Apple's M4 iPad Pro this week. For the 11-inch models, on Amazon you'll need to clip an on-page coupon to see the final sale price, and on Best Buy you'll need to be a My Best Buy Plus/Total member.
The same stipulations don't apply to 13-inch models, which are available without coupons or the need of a membership. Every price listed below is the match of an all-time low price on each iPad Pro model.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Hundreds of unique Apple iPods that belonged to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld are being auctioned by Sotheby's (via MacStories).
Lagerfeld was a renowned German fashion designer who passed away in 2019. The auction features a range of custom iPods, including uniquely decorated models and rare first-generation devices. Each iPod is meticulously loaded with curated music.
According to graphic novelist Warren Ellis, "Lagerfeld famously had an 'iPod nanny' to digitize his collection for the iPods and to add new music to new devices. This is how he ended up with over 300 of them – he treated them like cassette tapes."
Lagerfeld's collection also included other Apple devices, such as iPads, which he reportedly used as digital sketchbooks and diaries. Despite owning several iPhones, Lagerfeld avoided using email and instead maintained a preference for handwritten correspondence.
The auction is part of a broader sale of Lagerfeld's estate featuring over 200 lots, providing a comprehensive look into his personal and professional life. It closes on January 31.
iOS 18.3 is the third major update to the iOS 18 operating system, and while it isn't as feature rich as iOS 18.1 or iOS 18.2, there are some Apple Intelligence changes worth knowing about, as well as as some other tweaks, bug fixes, and security updates.
This guide covers everything new in iOS 18.3.
Apple Intelligence
After updating to iOS 18.3, Apple Intelligence is an opt-out feature, not an opt-in feature. If you didn't have Apple Intelligence turned on, it's now turned on automatically, and you will need to go to the Apple Intelligence section of the Settings app to turn it off.
Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone 15 Pro models, iPhone 16 Pro models, the iPad mini 7, and all Macs and iPads with an M-series chip. On these devices, Apple Intelligence is now turned on automatically when iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, or macOS Sequoia 15.3 is installed. In prior updates, you had to explicitly turn Apple Intelligence on to be able to use the feature set.
Visual Intelligence
For iPhone 16 models, there are new Visual Intelligence features that are accessible with Camera Control.
You can now use Visual Intelligence to add an event to the Calendar app, or to identify plants and animals.
Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries
iOS 18.3 makes several changes to Apple Intelligence Notification summaries to address complaints over notifications that have false news headlines.
Notification summaries for the News and Entertainment category have been temporarily disabled, and Apple is working on improvements. The feature will return in a future software update, but for now, these types of notifications will not be aggregated and summarized.
In the Settings app, when a user activates Notification summaries, Apple has added a warning that this is a beta feature, and that errors are a possibility.
For summaries that are still available through Apple Intelligence, the text is italicized as a way to distinguish them from standard notifications.
Apple also added an option to manage whether notifications are summarized for an app right from the Lock Screen. To turn off summaries from the Lock Screen, swipe to the left on a Notification summary and then tap on options to get to the menu to disable it on a per-app basis.
Calculator
Apple made a change to the Calculator app, returning a feature that was removed with iOS 18. You can once again tap the equals sign twice to repeat the last mathematical operation.
Apple removed repeating operations in iOS 18, but it's back. Some iPhone owners who used the Calculator app for things like calculating compound interest will now be able to do so again.
Black Unity Wallpaper
The update adds a new wallpaper to go along with a new watch face and new Apple Watch band that were announced today.
Bug Fixes
There are fixes for a couple of notable bugs.
Siri Keyboard - The update addresses a bug that could cause the keyboard to disappear after you typed in a Siri request with the Type to Siri feature.
Apple Music - iOS 18.3 fixes a bug that could cause audio playback to continue even after the Apple Music app is closed.
Security Updates
iOS 18.3 fixes 25 security vulnerabilities, including one that was actively exploited. A CoreMedia vulnerability could be used to elevate privileges, and Apple is aware of reports that it may have been used on devices running iOS 17.1 or earlier.
A Photos vulnerability could allow an attacker with physical access to an unlocked device to access the Photos app even when the iPhone is locked, and Apple fixed several issues with AirPlay that could allow attackers to execute code or crash apps.
Two kernel vulnerabilities that could let malicious apps gain kernel privileges were addressed, and there are a handful of WebKit fixes for Safari. Given the number of security holes that were patched, it's a good idea to install the software to get the latest fixes.
With today's watchOS 11.3 update, Apple accidentally broke watchOS updates for some older Apple Watch models, according to information circulating on social networks.
For Apple Watch models that are unable to be updated to watchOS 11, such as the Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5, there is an unintended bug that prevents some of them from installing the latest version of watchOS 10, watchOS 10.6.1.
New Apple Mistake: Apple Watches that ended on watchOS 10.6.1 (Series 4/5, SE1) cannot update to watchOS 10.6.1 if they’re not already on it.
Apple bumped the CV required that ota‘s are associated with from 22 to 24, which would normally be associated with late-11.x watchOS
— Michael (@MasterMike88) January 27, 2025
An Apple Watch that was not running watchOS 10.6.1 prior to the release of watchOS 11.3 and iOS 18.3 is now unable to have the watchOS 10.6.1 update installed. So an Apple Watch SE 1, Series 4, or Series 5 owner running an older version of watchOS cannot install watchOS 10.6.1 at the current time.
Further, some Apple Watch models running earlier versions of watchOS 10 cannot be paired to an iPhone.
This issue only applies to Apple Watch models that are limited to watchOS 10, and it is further only applicable to those not already running watchOS 10.6.1, an update that came out last August. Apple will likely fix this issue in the near future.
Marvel Snap, a popular game that was caught up in the TikTok ban, returned to the App Store today and it is once again available for download.
The game was published by TikTok parent company ByteDance, which led to its removal from the App Store when a law banning ByteDance apps from being distributed in the U.S. went into effect on January 19.
Marvel Snap creators Second Dinner said on January 19 that the removal of the app and a simultaneous gameplay outage came as a surprise. The developers went to work getting the app reinstated, and promised to find a new publisher to prevent any further issues.
The game was back up and running as of January 20, and on January 24, Second Dinner said that Marvel Snap would return to the App Store as soon as this week. Along with re-adding Marvel Snap to the App Store, Apple removed Marvel Snap from its list of ByteDance apps that are not being distributed in the U.S. at the current time. Second Dinner has not yet provided details on the situation with ByteDance, or if it has secured a new publisher.
To make up for the downtime, Marvel Snap players in the United States are being provided with extra experience and in-game rewards.
The January 19 TikTok ban affected several other apps that are affiliated with ByteDance, including TikTok, TikTok Studio, TikTok Shop Seller Center, CapCut, Lemon8, Hypic, Lark - Team Collaboration, Lark - Rooms Display, Lark Rooms Controller, and Gauth: AI Study Companion.
All of these apps are still unavailable in the App Store in the United States, but are accessible for those who already downloaded the titles. U.S. President Donald Trump gave ByteDance a reprieve by ordering the DoJ to hold off on any enforcement of the law for 90 days, but as the law is still in place, Apple is required to comply. If Apple were to continue to distribute TikTok, it would be violating the law and could be punished after the 90-day period.
If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they can't be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible.
Users in the United States won't receive updates for these apps, which could potentially impact performance, security, and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS, and some app functions might become limited or stop working since the app can't receive updates.
It is not clear what will happen with TikTok and the other ByteDance apps. The law requires ByteDance to divest TikTok, giving control of the app over to an American company. Trump is reportedly discussing the sale of TikTok with "many people," and current rumors suggest that Oracle and a group of investors could take over the app.
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.
Apple regularly releases new firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, but the company has historically provided limited information on how to initiate an update. That changed today, and Apple updated its AirPods firmware support page with more specific instructions.
Prior to today, here's what Apple said on the subject:
Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your AirPods are charging and in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi . You can also use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to check that your AirPods have the latest version.
Apple still has that same information, but now it's accompanied by step-by-step instructions on how to force an update, including troubleshooting steps if your AirPods won't update.
Make sure that your AirPods are in Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's connected to Wi-Fi.
Put your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
Plug the charging cable into your charging case, then plug the other end of the cable into a USB charger or port.
Keep the lid of the charging case closed, and wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.
Open the lid of the charging case to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Check the firmware version again.
If you still can't update your firmware, reset your AirPods, then try to update your firmware again.
This process was generally already known, but the specific steps for charging via a cable and the 30 minute+ wait time remove any ambiguity on how to get new firmware installed.
Along with new features, the iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 updates that Apple released today include multiple security fixes, including a fix for vulnerability that may have been actively exploited on some devices.
According to Apple's security support document, there was a CoreMedia bug that could be used to elevate privileges. Apple says that it is aware of a report that the bug could have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 17.2. Apple fixed the issue with improved memory management.
Apple also addressed over 20 other vulnerabilities. One could allow an attacker with physical access to an unlocked device to access the Photos app even when an iPhone is locked, and there were several issues with AirPlay that could allow attackers to execute code or crash apps.
Two kernel vulnerabilities could let malicious apps gain kernel privileges, and there were a handful of WebKit fixes for Safari.
Because of the number of security issues fixed in the update, it is a good idea to update to the new software right away.
watchOS 11.3 and tvOS 18.3 also have a number of security fixes, so those updates should be installed as well. If you have macOS Sonoma or Ventura, Apple has released macOS 14.7.3 and macOS Ventura 13.7.3 with security improvements.
Apple today released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3, the third major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 software that came out last year. iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 come six weeks after Apple released iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.
The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.4 for iPads that aren't able to run iPadOS 18.
For iPhone 16 models, iOS 18.3 adds Visual Intelligence support for adding events to the Calendar app and identifying plants and animals. The update removes Apple Intelligence Notification summaries for news and entertainment apps in an effort to prevent misleading alerts, plus it italicizes all summaries done by Apple Intelligence.
There are also several bug fixes, and a change to the Calculator app. Apple's release notes are below.
Visual intelligence with Camera Control (All iPhone 16 models) - Add an event to Calendar from a poster or flyer - Easily identify plants and animals
Notification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max) - Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen - Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph - Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available
This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes: - Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you tap the equals sign again - Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request - Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple Music
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
We are expecting iOS 18.3 to be followed with an iOS 18.4 beta that includes new Apple Intelligence features for Siri.
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.3, the third major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.3 comes six weeks after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.2.
Mac users can download the macOS Sequoia update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. Apple has also released macOS 14.7.3 and macOS 13.7.3 with security fixes for older Macs.
macOS Sequoia brings Genmoji to Macs that support Apple Intelligence, which means it's now possible to create custom emoji characters using the Messages app.
The update also removes Notification summaries for news and entertainment apps to prevent misleading Apple Intelligence headline summaries. Apple's release notes for the update are below.
This update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac. - Genmoji creation in Messages and other apps - Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign again - Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon) - Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon) - Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon) Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
Apple today released visionOS 2.3, the third update to the visionOS 2 operating system that came out in September. visionOS 2.3 comes over a month after the launch of visionOS 2.2, and almost a year after the release of the Vision Pro headset.
visionOS 2.3 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option.
To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the front EyeSight display.
According to Apple's release notes, visionOS 2.3 includes bug fixes and security updates, and the software is recommended for all users.
Apple today released watchOS 11.3, the third major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.3 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2.
watchOS 11.3 can be downloaded on an iPhone running iOS 18.3 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.
The watchOS 11.3 update introduces a new Black Unity watch face for the Apple Watch, which is designed to match a new band that came out today. According to Apple, the new watch face and band are "inspired by the rhythm of humanity," with Black creatives and allies at Apple collaborating on the designs.
Apple today released tvOS 18.3, the newest version of the tvOS 18 operating system that came out in September. tvOS 18.3 comes more than a month after Apple released tvOS 18.2, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV HD models.
tvOS 18.3 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the Apple TV. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 18.3 automatically.
There were no notable new features found during the tvOS 18.3 beta testing period, but the update adds a new notice about digital movie and TV show sales.
Apple shares full release notes for tvOS in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each new version of tvOS comes out.
Apple has also released a new version of the HomePod Software 18.3 for the HomePod and HomePod mini. HomePod software is based on tvOS.
It might be hard to believe, but the HomePod mini launched alongside the iPhone 12 series all the way back in November 2020. Fortunately, after more than a four-year wait, a new model is finally expected to launch later this year.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is aiming to launch the new HomePod mini "toward the end of the year." According to his reporting, the speaker will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, with Wi-Fi 6E support. The current HomePod mini supports Wi-Fi 4, so Wi-Fi 6E would be an upgrade, enabling faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for Siri, music playback, and more.
While there are no other firm rumors yet, likely upgrades for the next HomePod mini include a newer "S" chip, improved sound quality, new color options, and a newer Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the S5 chip, which debuted in 2019's Apple Watch Series 5.
In addition to a new HomePod mini, Apple reportedly plans to release an all-new smart home hub at some point this year. The hub is expected to feature around a 6-inch to 7-inch display that can be mounted on a wall, or attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, so the device could be similar to the HomePod mini in some ways.
The home hub is expected to support Apple Intelligence, but the next HomePod mini is not. Read our HomePod mini roundup for more details.
Amazon is kicking off the week with numerous all-time low prices on Apple Watch Series 10, focusing mainly on GPS models. You'll find $70 off both 42mm and 46mm GPS Series 10 models in multiple case colors and band styles, and this time the deals do not require any coupon codes.
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.
Every price listed below is a match of the record low prices on the Apple Watch Series 10, and in some cases delivery is slipping into mid-February. If you've been eyeing an Apple Watch Series 10 as a way to help keep up with your New Year's resolutions, now is the time to purchase one at these best-ever prices.
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.
Deals Newsletter
Interested in hearing more about the best deals you can find in 2025? Sign up for our Deals Newsletter and we'll keep you updated so you don't miss the biggest deals of the season!
Apple today updated its Apple Sports app for the iPhone with several enhancements, including improved navigation, broadcast information for nationally-televised games in the U.S., and support for additional soccer leagues.
The release notes for version 2.4 of Apple Sports:
• The Apple Sports soccer lineup keeps getting bigger with the FA Cup, EFL Championship, and League Cup. • Navigating between your favorites is even faster now. Swipe left or right to browse all of the leagues and teams you follow. • Tune in to all the national games with broadcast information now available on game pages.
Launched in February 2024, the Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, upcoming games, and more for a variety of leagues, such as the NFL, MLB, MLS, NBA, NHL, Premier League, and others. The free iPhone app is available in the App Store.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the original iPad 15 years ago today, marking one and a half decades of the company's "revolutionary" tablet.
Jobs unveiled the first-generation iPad at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on January 27, 2010. Designed to fill the gap between smartphones and laptops, the original iPad featured a 9.7-inch LED-backlit multitouch display, Apple's first custom designed chip, a 30-pin dock connector, and up to 64GB storage. With a starting price of $499, it offered users a new way to browse the web, read eBooks, watch videos, and interact with Apple's growing app ecosystem. Jobs described it as "a magical and revolutionary device."
iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price. iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.
The iPad used a version of iOS tailored for its larger display, bringing a big-screen experience to familiar mobile apps like Safari, Mail, and Photos. It introduced the iBooks app and iBookstore as part of an effort to compete in the e-reading space dominated by Amazon's Kindle. Its design was characterized by thick black bezels, a physical home button, and a convex aluminum back. It weighed 1.5 pounds and offered 10 hours of battery life.
The initial reception to the iPad was mixed. While many praised its lightweight computing and media consumption experience, others questioned its necessity and potential to replace laptops.
Nevertheless, the iPad sold over 300,000 units on its launch day in April 2010 and one million within its first month. It catalyzed the creation of a new product category, sparking competition from rivals such as Samsung, Microsoft, and Amazon. By the end of 2010, Apple had sold over 15 million iPads, generating $9.5 billion in revenue and solidifying the device as a key pillar of the company's product lineup.
The iPad has since become a tentpole device for Apple, expanding into product lines including the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro and accessories such as the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Subsequent models introduced cameras, multitasking, different display size options, USB-C connectivity, and more. See Apple's original press release from 2010 for more information.
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.
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.
