Apple's main chip supplier TSMC will kick off mass production of 3nm chips this week, with Apple being the primary customer of the new process, which could first be used in upcoming M2 Pro chips expected to power updated MacBook Pro and Mac mini models.
According to the new report by DigiTimes, TSMC will start mass production of its next-generation 3nm chip process on Thursday, December 29, in line with reports from earlier in the year that said 3nm mass production would begin later in 2022. From the report:
TSMC is scheduled to hold a ceremony at Fab 18 at the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) on December 29 to mark the start of commercial production of chips using 3nm process technology. The pure-play foundry will also detail plans to expand 3nm chip production at the fab, according to sources at semiconductor equipment companies.
Apple currently uses TSMC's 4nm process in the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro series but could jump to 3nm as soon as early next year. A report in August claimed the upcoming M2 Pro chips would be the first to be based on the 3nm process. The M2 Pro chip is expected to debut first in updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros early next year and possibly updated Mac Studio and Mac mini models.
Later in 2023, according to another report, the third generation of Apple silicon, the M3 chip, and the A17 Bionic for the iPhone 15, will be based on TSMC's enhanced 3nm process, which has yet to be made available. According to the DigiTimes report today, citing industry sources, production of 3nm process chips is "unlikely to ramp up" until production of the enhanced version gets underway.
If you were lucky enough to be gifted an iPhone 14 for the holidays, we've got a series of useful tips and tricks for you that will help you get the most out of your new device.
First, if you're entirely new to the iPhone or you just want a refresher, we have a long list of basic tips on how to use your iPhone and iOS 16.
Want to know even more about iOS 16? We have a dedicated walkthrough that has guides and how tos that cover every new feature.
Tips and Tricks for your New iPhone
Beyond the basics, here are even more useful tips about your new iPhone:
1. Check Your iPhone Warranty
If you need a repair, want to pick up AppleCare+ for your new iPhone, or just want to see your warranty status and what's available to you, you can do it right on your device.
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on "General."
Tap on "About."
Tap on "Limited Warranty" or "AppleCare+" to see your device status.
If you have AppleCare+, the section will be labeled with AppleCare+ and will let you know your AppleCare expiration date. If you don't, it will say "Limited Warranty" and it will let you know when it expires.
AppleCare+ is good for two years or indefinitely if you renew it monthly or yearly, and it covers manufacturer issues and two incidents of accidental damage per year so long as you pay the deductible. It's generally a good idea if you're accident-prone and want to make sure you can get an affordable fix if you drop or otherwise damage your phone.
The Limited Warranty is Apple's manufacturer warranty that lasts for a year after purchasing your iPhone. It entitles you to hardware support for any manufacturing issues, and it allows for a year of chat and phone support.
With the Limited Warranty, once that year is up, your iPhone is considered out of warranty. If you didn't purchase AppleCare+ when you bought your phone and want to get it, you have 60 days to do so.
2. Auto Schedule Low Power Mode to Save Battery
Using the Shortcuts app, you can create an automation that will cause Low Power Mode to come on automatically at a certain battery percentage, so you won't need to turn it on manually.
Open up the Shortcuts app.
Tap on "Automation."
Tap on the "+" button.
Tap on "Create Personal Automation."
Scroll down to "Battery Level."
Tap on the parameter that you want. Options include "Equals x%," "Rises Above x%," and "Falls below x%." You'll want to use "Falls Below" or "Equals" for this Shortcut.
Use the slider to select a specific percentage.
Tap "Next."
Tap "Add Action."
Search for "Low Power Mode."
Tap on "Set Low Power Mode."
Tap on "Next."
If you want your iPhone to ask you before turning on Low Power Mode, leave the "Ask Before Running" toggle activated. If not, turn it off.
Tap "Done."
From there, your Shortcut will run any time your iPhone hits the threshold that you set for Low Power Mode. You can adjust the setting in the Automation section of the Shortcuts app.
If you want to set Low Power Mode to come on at a certain time, follow the above steps but use "Time of Day" as the first parameter, choose a time, and then follow steps 8 through 14.
Low Power Mode is designed to cut down on background processes to preserve battery life when your iPhone is low on battery, and your iPhone will automatically present a Low Power Mode pop-up suggestion when the battery dips below 20 percent. Using the Shortcuts app to create the Low Power Mode automation is a useful way to get Low Power Mode to come on when your battery is at a higher percentage.
3. Customize Your Lock Screen
With the iOS 16 update, Apple overhauled the Lock Screen, introducing customizable wallpaper, widgets, time, and date. You can select from all kinds of built-in wallpaper options, some that are even interactive, choose useful app widgets to show on the Lock Screen, and customize the look and color of the time.
We have dedicated guides and how tos on all of the Lock Screen features that are linked below, but it's easy to get to all of the settings so you can have a look.
Tap on the "+" button to create a new Lock Screen.
Select your wallpaper from the available options.
Tap on the time to change the look.
Tap on "Add Widgets" to choose widgets to go on the Lock Screen.
Tap up above the time to customize the widget located in that spot.
That's all there is to it. There's plenty to explore on the Lock Screen, so you'll definitely want to browse through our guide to see all of the available options if you haven't used iOS 16 before.
If you're not using it already, iCloud Shared Photo Library is a hassle-free way to exchange photos with friends and family members. You're only going to want to use it with your closest friends and family, but it basically lets you share all of your images in a dedicated library that works just like the standard Photo Library.
From there, you're going to want to go through all of the available setup steps, which includes adding participants and choosing the photos that you want to share.
You can expect iCloud Shared Photo Library to work exactly like the standard library, but with more than one user. All participants can add and delete photos, and photos that you add to the library are moved to your personal library.
There are a lot of intricacies to deal with when it comes to iCloud Shared Photo Library, so you are absolutely going to want to read our dedicated iCloud Shared Photo Library guide before setting it up.
5. Customize Your Safari Start Page
You can change what's displayed on your Safari start page, opting in to (or out of) sections like Frequently Visited, Shared With You, Siri Suggestions, and more, plus you can pick a custom wallpaper.
Open up Safari.
Open up a new blank page.
Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page.
Tap on "Edit."
Toggle on the sections that you prefer.
Toggle on "Background Image" if you want to pick a custom background for Safari. You can choose from the available Apple-designed backgrounds or use your own photo by tapping on the "+" button.
If you want the same Start Page on all devices where you're signed into iCloud, toggle on "Use Start Page on All Devices" at the top of the page.
When you're all done customizing, tap on the "X" button in the upper right hand corner.
Options that you can toggle on or off include Favorites, Frequently Visited, Shared With You, Privacy Report, Siri Suggestions, Reading List, and iCloud Tabs.
6. Change Your Safari Design
Apple attempted to introduce an overhauled Safari design in iOS 15 with floating tabs and an interface that merged the tab bar and the URL bar, but the changes were not well received and Apple ultimately reverted to the standard iOS 14 Safari design.
Safari Tab Bar on bottom (left), Safari Tab Bar on top (right)
There are still remnants of that new Safari design, though, and you can elect to move your Safari Tab Bar to the bottom of the Safari interface, and you can chose to activate "Allow Website Tinting," a feature that blends the background color of the website with the URL bar.
Open up the Settings app.
Scroll down to Safari.
Under Tabs, select the "Tab Bar" option for a tab bar located at the bottom of the Safari window. Choose "Single Tab" for the top bar.
Toggle on "Allow Website Tinting" if you want to have the color blending feature when using the top bar, and choose "Landscape Tab Bar" if you want to see your open tabs when the iPhone is held horizontally.
Note that "Allow Website Tinting" is a feature that shows up when using the top bar. It causes the URL bar to turn the background color of the website when you scroll down on a page for a more seamless look.
Tip: You can also swap between the top and bottom navigation bars in Safari itself. Just tap on the "Aa" icon in the URL bar and then choose "Show Bottom Tab Bar" or "Show Top Address Bar."
7. Rearrange Your Home Screen Pages
If you want to rearrange your various Home Screen pages that house apps, you can do so quickly and easily.
Press and hold in an empty space on the Home Screen to enter "jiggle mode," where the app icons are wiggling slightly.
Tap on the row of dots at the bottom of the page.
Your Home Screen pages will be shown in a grid view. Put a finger on one page and drag it to move it to a new position relative to your other pages.
Once you have your pages the way you want them, tap on "Done" in the upper right corner.
Tip: You can also delete Home Screen pages using this interface. At the grid view, tap on the checkmark under the page that you want to eliminate, and then tap on the minus (-) icon to delete it.
8. Edit and Undo Send Messages
If your new phone is the first time you're using iOS 16, you should know that there are new features in the Messages app to be aware of. You can both Edit and Undo Send on iMessages that you sent, as long as the person you're chatting with also has an iPhone and has iOS 16 installed.
Using these features is as simple as long pressing on a message you've just sent to see the options. Note that there are time limits to be aware of. You can unsend a message up to two minutes after sending it, and edit for up to 15 minutes.
There are a bunch of other Messages features for things like reporting junk, marking messages as unread, and recovering deleted messages, with info available in our iOS 16 Messages guide.
9. Store Two-Factor Authentication Codes in Passwords
It's a good idea to set up two-factor authentication for any online account where the feature is available, and with iOS 15, you no longer need a separate verification code app like Google Authenticator or Authy for storing one-time passwords. Two-factor authentication codes (or one-time passwords) are the secondary passcodes that you use when logging into a website, with these codes regenerated every 30 seconds, which makes it much more difficult for your accounts to be breached.
Apple now has a built-in feature for storing two-factor authentication codes right alongside your iCloud Keychain passwords. Here's how to add a code:
Open up the Settings app.
Scroll down to "Passwords."
If you're adding a two-factor code for a login and password already stored in iCloud Keychain, search for the entry that you're looking for. Otherwise, tap the "+" button to add a new login.
After either accessing your login and password for the account you're interested in or adding new details, tap on "Set Up Verification Code."
Initiate the two-factor authentication process for the website or account where you're enabling two-factor verification.
For many services, you're provided with a QR code that you can scan to set up two-factor authentication, though this does require two devices. If you have a QR code to scan, tap on the "Scan QR Code" option. Alternatively, tap on "Enter Setup Key" and enter the number that you're provided from the website.
After the QR code is scanned or the Setup Key is entered, the login will automatically update with the verification key.
Once set up, you can use the verification code found in the Passwords app whenever you need to verify your identity with a one-time passcode for that website or service. If you hold down on the verification code, you can copy it and then paste it into the site where it's needed, and if you have iCloud Keychain enabled, it will autofill across your devices.
You will need to set this up individually for each website that uses two-factor authentication.
Tip: If you're setting up two-factor authentication on a website on your iPhone, when you see the QR code, long press on it with your finger. You'll see an option to "Add Verification Code in Passwords," and if you tap it, you can automatically add the two-factor verification to your site login without needing to scan a QR code.
10. Maximize Your Privacy With iCloud Private Relay and Hide My Email
Starting with iOS 15, Apple made web browsing and sending email more secure by cutting down on the ways that companies can track your online behavior. iCloud Private Relay, for example, obscures personal information like IP address and location, which can be used to track your browsing across different websites. iCloud Private Relay works in the background (if you want to know how, we have a guide) and it does require a paid iCloud account, priced at $0.99 and up per month.
On any new device, you're going to want to make sure you have iCloud Private Relay turned on by following these steps:
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on your name to open up your Apple ID and iCloud settings.
Tap on "iCloud."
Tap on "Private Relay."
Make sure "Private Relay" is toggled on.
Hide My Email, which also requires a paid iCloud account, lets you create different email addresses for each site, so you can disable them if you start getting spam or other unwanted content from someone you've interacted with. Hide My Email temporary addresses all forward to your main Apple email address and can be easily managed.
You can use Hide My Email in two ways. It's as simple as opening up the Mail app and composing an email. In the From field, tap and then choose "Hide My Email" to automatically generate a random address that will forward to your inbox.
Alternatively, follow these steps:
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on your name.
Tap on "iCloud."
Tap on "Hide My Email."
Tap on the "+ Create New Address" button.
Choose a label for your Hide My Email address.
Tap "Next," then tap "Done" and your randomly generated email address is ready to use.
This Hide My Email interface in the Settings app is also where you can manage all of the temporary email addresses that you've created. You can deactivate any of the temporary email addresses at any time and the company or person that has that email address will no longer be able to contact you.
11. Set up Focus Modes and Link Focuses to Lock Screens
If you have customized Lock Screens you've created, you can link them to a specific Focus Mode, which means you can set up dedicated Lock Screen and Home Screen interfaces for your different modes like work, home, exercise, and more. Switching to that Lock Screen activates the Focus, and that Lock Screen will also come up if you have the Focus set to activate at a specific time.
On the iPhone's Lock Screen, unlock with Face ID or Touch ID.
Long press to get to the Lock Screen customization interface.
On your Lock Screen of choice, tap on "Focus."
Choose one of your Focus modes to link it to the Lock Screen. If you already had a Focus mode set up, that's all you need to do. Swapping to the Lock Screen will now activate the Focus mode linked to it.
If you need to create a new Focus or customize an existing Focus, tap on Focus settings at the bottom of the page.
In the Focus interface, tap on "+" or one of the existing Focus modes to change it up. From there, follow the on-screen instructions.
Focus modes are super useful if you want to separate work life and home life or cut down on distractions when studying, working out, cooking, meditating, and more. You can set specific apps and in iOS 16, even choose specific Mail accounts and Safari tab groups to be accessible.
That said, Focus modes can be a lot, so we do have a dedicated Focus guide that walks through everything you need to know to get the iOS 16 Focus features set up.
12. Have Fun With Remove Subject From Background
Apple's iPhone 14 models (and all iPhones running iOS 16) have a fun feature that lets you pull the subject from any photo or image so you can copy it and use it in Messages, emails, and more.
Select a photo, Safari web image, or another image that has a clear subject.
Place your finger on the screen over the subject and hold it there gently.
You'll see a glowing border surround the subject.
Tap on the "Copy" option to copy it to your clipboard, or on Share to drop it into an email or a message.
Alternatively, drag the highlighted image with a finger and open up another app to drop it in.
Apple uses machine learning functionality for this feature, so it can be a way to create little stickers of your own from your photos or to add a new background for a subject image. It's not perfect and it works best when there's a clear color difference between the subject and the background, but it's fun to play with.
13. Use Your iPhone as a Webcam for Your Mac
If you have a Mac running macOS Ventura, you can use your iPhone 14 as a webcam, bypassing the lower quality built-in webcam of the Mac. You will need a little stand to attach your iPhone to your Mac, and Belkin sells options for both Mac notebooks and Mac desktops, plus you can get affordable stand options on Amazon.
Once you have a stand, with your iPhone 14 attached to your Mac, all you need to do is start up an app that uses the Camera like FaceTime, and your iPhone will automatically work as the Mac's camera.
There are features like Center Stage to keep you in frame as you move around, Portrait Mode to blur the background, and Desk View to show off what you're doing on your desk for demonstrations. If
14. Get Familiar with the Dynamic Island
If you have an iPhone 14 Pro, you have a Dynamic Island instead of a notch like the iPhone 14 models and prior-generation iPhone 13 models. The Dynamic Island is interactive, so you'll see apps and various iPhone features in that little pill-shaped box.
Here's some of what Dynamic Island can display by default:
You can also download apps that have support for the Dynamic Island, and anything with a Live Activity can display that information in the Dynamic Island. You can track car rides, keep an eye on sports games, track timers, and more. We have a list of third-party apps that support the Dynamic Island if you're looking for options.
We also have even more information on the Dynamic Island and what it can do in our dedicated guide.
15. Do a Safety Check
After you've set up your iPhone 14, whether you're setting it up as new or transferring info and settings from another device, you should do a Safety Check. Added in iOS 16, Safety Check is designed to walk you through all of the privacy and security features on your device, so you can see who you're sharing information and location with.
This feature is designed for people to quickly reset all of the data and location access they have granted to others, especially in a domestic violence situation, but it is also very useful for keeping track of which people and apps have access to your info.
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on Privacy and Security.
Scroll down to Safety Check and tap it.
Tap on Manage Sharing and Access.
Authenticate with Face ID.
From there, go through all of the steps to see what you're sharing with others, from location to photos and notes. If you want to change something, tap on the option, and if you don't, tap on skip to move on.
Make sure to take your time and go through all of the different options because you'll also see lists of all the apps that have access to your data, which devices are signed into your Apple ID, and more.
Note that you'll also see an Emergency Reset option here, but unless you're in a situation where you need to immediately revoke all access to your location services, you're not going to want to use that. We have a more in-depth look at Safety Check in our privacy and security guide.
16. Test Emergency SOS via Satellite
All of the iPhone 14 models support Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via Satellite, which is designed to allow you to get help in an emergency even if there's no WiFi or cellular connection available. You're not going to want to try out Crash Detection, but you can test Emergency SOS via Satellite to get familiar with how it works.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap Emergency SOS.
Under "Emergency SOS Via Satellite," tap Try Demo.
Follow the instructions to test it out.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the steps that you'll follow in a real emergency, which actually just involves attempting to make an emergency call.
Launch the Phone app.
Dial emergency services (911 in the United States).
When the call fails, tap the green Emergency Text via Satellite button that appears.
Follow the onscreen prompts to communicate your emergency.
There is no way to make phone calls using the SOS via Satellite feature, but you can send short text messages, which is how help will arrive to you. The iPhone will ask you important questions to assess the situation, passing that along to emergency personnel who can then communicate further with you and get a rescue team to you.
Bonus: If you're in a remote location and have no access to cellular service or WiFi, you can use Emergency SOS via Satellite to update your location with the Find My app, so friends and family can see where you are.
Open the Find My app on your iPhone 14.
Tap the Me tab at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Swipe up on the card to reveal "My Location via Satellite."
Tap Send My Location.
17. Customize Always On Display (iPhone 14 Pro)
For those lucky enough to have an iPhone 14 Pro, there's an always on display option that mirrors the always on display on the Apple Watch. With always on display, you can continue to see your wallpaper, the time, widgets, and incoming notifications even when your iPhone is locked and not in use.
There are several customizations available, and if you have the latest version of iOS, you can turn off wallpaper and notifications if you want, for an even more minimal experience.
Here's how to get to your always on display settings:
Open up the Settings app.
Choose Display and Brightness.
Scroll down to Always On Display.
Tap on the toggles for Show Wallpaper and Show Notifications to enable or disable these features.
Learn More About iPhone 14
We have dedicated iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro roundups that have a complete rundown of all of the features available in the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and they're worth checking out if you're still getting to know your new iPhone.
We also have an iOS 16 roundup that's a great resource for getting familiar with everything the latest iPhones can do.
Did you just get new AirPods or AirPods Pro? If so, we've rounded up a handy list of tips, tricks, and features that you may not know about to get you acquainted with your new earbuds.
Apple's latest AirPods, including the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2, include Find My integration, so if they're stolen or misplaced, you can track them down with the Find My app. AirPods can take advantage of the Find My network so you can leverage the iPhones, iPads, and Macs of other people to track down a lost set of AirPods wherever they end up, so long as the battery holds out.
You're also going to want to make sure you enable "Notify When Left Behind" so you can get alerted right away if you're out and about and forget your AirPods somewhere. To turn it on, open up the Find My app, tap on your AirPods in the list, and toggle on the "Notify When Left Behind" option. These Find My features also work for the AirPods Max.
The AirPods Pro 2 go even further and include a built-in speaker in the case so that you can use the "Play a Sound" feature to track them down if they're lost somewhere nearby.
2. Activate or Deactivate Automatic Device Switching
Apple's AirPods have a feature that allows them to automatically connect to whatever device is in active use, so if you swap from your iPhone to your Mac, the AirPods connection is meant to transition from one device to another as you do.
Automatic Switching can be useful, but there are instances where you might not want it turned on if it's switching between devices inappropriately. You can manage it by following these steps.
Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
Open up the Settings app.
Tap on your AirPods in the section below the Apple ID.
Tap on "Connect to This iPhone."
Choose "When Last Connected to This iPhone" to turn automatic switching off, and choose "Automatically" to turn it on.
With "Automatically" turned on, your AirPods will connect to your iPhone when it's in active use and your AirPods are in your ears. With "When Last Connected to This iPhone" selected, AirPods will only connect to the last connected device rather than the device in active use. This feature also works with AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Note that you will need to disable Automatic Switching for each device connected to your iCloud account if you're not a fan of the feature and want it off entirely. There's no master toggle, with Apple handling it on a per-device basis.
With both Announce Notifications and Headphones toggled on, Siri will read out notifications from apps of your choice when you have the AirPods in, and will give you an opportunity to respond. So if you have an incoming text message, Siri will read it out and give you a chance to send out a reply, all hands-free.
You can select the apps that you want to use Announce Notifications with so you can get important readouts without having a deluge of notifications read to you by Siri.
4. Check Your AirPods Battery Life
If you want to keep tabs on your AirPods battery life, there are multiple ways to do so. AirPods will tell you battery level when you connect them to a device, or you can use the "Battery" widget on an iPhone or an iPad.
Siri is also able to tell you your AirPods battery life, and if your AirPods are connected to your Apple Watch, the control center offers battery life information. For more on the different ways to check your AirPods battery life, we have a dedicated AirPods battery how-to.
5. Use the Force Sensor to Control Playback
If you've upgraded to the AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro 2 from the original AirPods, the AirPods 2, or the AirPods Pro, or if you're new to AirPods entirely, you might not be familiar with the physical controls.
The AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro have a built-in force sensor in the stem. The force sensor can be used for controlling media playback with different presses.
Single press - Play/Pause audio
Double press - Skip forward
Triple press - Skip backward
Press when there's a call - Answer incoming call
Double press on a call - Hang up
Press and hold - Activate Siri or Swap Between ANC/Transparency (AirPods Pro only)
On AirPods Pro, you can customize what the long press force sensor gesture does because it can be set to Noise Control or Siri. The AirPods 3 do not have Active Noise Cancellation and are limited to Siri for the press-and-hold gesture.
The AirPods Pro also have touch based gestures available for adjusting the volume.
Swipe up on the AirPods Pro to increase volume
Swipe down on the AirPods Pro to lower volume
Note that if you have AirPods 2, there is no Force Sensor included and these gestures won't work. With AirPods 2, you can double tap to do things like play/pause, with the tap gesture customizable in the Settings app.
6. Make Sure Spatial Audio is Activated
Spatial audio is a feature that offers immersive three-dimensional sound, and it is able to follow the movement of the iPhone with supported audio and video. Spatial audio can be toggled on or off using the Control Center, and it is available for AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
With your AirPods connected to your iPhone or iPad, open up the Control Center. If you don't know how, we have a guide.
On the volume slider, you should see a little icon that looks like the AirPods. If you don't see it, reconnect your AirPods.
Long press on the volume slider.
Tap on the "Spatial Audio" option.
Choose between Off, Fixed, or Head Tracked (on supported devices).
Off will turn spatial audio off entirely, while Fixed will allow spatial audio to be used, but without head-tracking functionality. Head Tracked enables the full spatial audio feature with head tracking included.
You can also preview what spatial audio sounds like by connecting your AirPods to your phone, selecting them in the Bluetooth section of the Settings app, and choosing the "Spatial Audio" option.
For an even more personalized experience, tap on Personalized Spatial Audio in the AirPods section of the Settings app with your AirPods connected. Your phone will use the TrueDepth camera to scan both of your ears for spatial audio that is customized to you.
Spatial audio works with the Apple TV app and Apple Music, but many third party apps also support it like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, and more.
7. Use Active Noise Cancellation
Active Noise Cancellation is an AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 default feature that just works out of the box, but it is helpful to know how to turn it on and off. ANC is also available on the AirPods Max.
With the AirPods Pro connected to your iPhone, open up the Control Center.
Long press on the volume icon.
Tap on Noise Control.
Drag the slider to Noise Cancellation, Off, or Transparency depending on the mode that you want.
Alternatively, press and hold on the stem of the AirPods to manually swap between ANC and Transparency mode, or use the AirPods Pro section in the Settings app to access Noise Control.
If you're using the Settings app, drag the Noise Control slider to your preferred position. To the left turns on ANC, the middle turns it off, and the right side turns on Transparency.
Active Noise Cancellation is normally a feature that's enabled when you have both of your AirPods in your ears, but there is a trick to get it to turn on when you're just using one.
With AirPods Pro connected, launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap the AirPods Pro tab just under your Apple ID banner.
Scroll down, then tap Accessibility.
Scroll down again, then under "Noise Control," toggle on the switch next to Noise Cancellation with One AirPod.
8. Use Adaptive Transparency (AirPods Pro 2 Only)
The second-generation AirPods Pro have an expanded Transparency feature that is able to adjust to the sounds around you, toning down loud noises like construction work, sirens, and other disturbances while not blocking out all sound.
It is typically enabled by default, but if you want to turn it off or double check, follow these instructions.
With the AirPods Pro 2 connected to your iPhone, open up the Settings app.
Tap on AirPods Pro 2.
Scroll down to Adaptive Transparency and toggle it on or off.
Adaptive Transparency will cut down on all loud sounds, so it is ideal for day to day use and also situations like concerts where the music might be loud enough to cause hearing damage.
Apple gift cards are always a popular gift received by tech enthusiasts at Christmas, so you might have unwrapped one today. If so, we've put together a list of products to spend it on, with everything priced under $100 in the United States.
Apple used to offer two separate gift cards, including an Apple Store gift card for in-store products and an iTunes gift card for purchasing content like apps, games, TV shows, and movies. These gift cards have since been combined into the all-in-one Apple gift card, which says "the gift card for everything Apple" on the packaging.
To redeem an Apple gift card on an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap your photo in the top-right corner, and tap "Redeem Gift Card or Code."
Belkin sells an iPhone mount for use with macOS Ventura's new Continuity Camera feature, which allows an iPhone to be used as a Mac's webcam. Priced at $29.95, the mount attaches to the iPhone with MagSafe and can then be affixed to the top lid of a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro for use with Continuity Camera. Belkin also offers a version of the mount for use with the latest iMac and Studio Display for $39.95.
Apple this year released new 35W power adapters with dual USB-C ports, with standard and compact versions of the charger available for $59 each. Both adapters feature foldable prongs and can be used to charge or power multiple Apple devices simultaneously, such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and HomePod mini.
Apple this year released a new version of the Siri Remote for the Apple TV with a USB-C port instead of Lightning for charging. If you already own an Apple TV model released in 2015 or later, the remote can be purchased separately for $59.
Keep track of your belongings with Apple's item tracker, which integrates with the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A four-pack is also available for $99.
Twelve South's AirFly Pro accessory lets you use AirPods or Beats wireless headphones with an airplane's in-flight entertainment system. Simply plug AirFly Pro into the headphone jack on a plane to watch or listen with your AirPods.
Nanoleaf's smart color-changing LED bulb is compatible with HomeKit, allowing it to be controlled with Siri. A three-pack is also available for $49.95.
Apple's leather MagSafe Wallet attaches magnetically to the back of any iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 model and can store up to three credit cards or IDs. The latest version of the wallet supports Find My so you can track the wallet's location if you lose it.
Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack attaches magnetically to the back of any iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 model, providing additional battery life on the go.
Redeem your Apple gift card and use the balance towards Apple One, which lets you subscribe to multiple Apple services at a discount. The base Apple One plan includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage for $16.95 per month, which is $7 less per month compared to subscribing to the services separately.
iCloud+ Storage
Redeem your Apple gift card and use the balance towards an iCloud+ plan with additional storage. Available storage amounts include 50GB for $0.99 per month, 200GB for $2.99 per month, and 2TB for $9.99 per month.
It's Christmas Eve, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been much in the way of Apple news and rumors in recent days as we've been hearing details about Apple's plans for the Mac Pro, iPhone SE, and more.
In other news, Apple has detailed changes it made in a couple of recent AirTags firmware updates, while the company appears to have pulled back a new Home app architecture it began offering to users with iOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1. Read on below for details on these stories and more!
New Mac Pro in Testing, But 'M2 Extreme' Chip Likely Canceled
Gurman said the Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip will be available with up to a 24-core CPU, up to a 76-core GPU, and at least 192GB of RAM. Like the current Mac Pro, he expects the new model to remain expandable with additional memory, storage, and more.
The current Intel-based Mac Pro was released in December 2019 and starts at $5,999 in the United States. Barring any further delays, the new model will presumably launch in 2023.
Latest Rumors for Every Mac: When to Expect New Models
Beyond the Mac Pro, several other Macs are expected to be updated next year. For example, new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are expected to launch in early 2023. A new Mac mini with M2 chips is also rumored.
Kuo originally expected the next iPhone SE to launch in 2024, but he said these plans are likely to change due to consistently lower-than-expected shipments of mid-to-low-end iPhone models, such as the third-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 13 mini, and iPhone 14 Plus.
Apple Pulls iOS 16.2 Option to Upgrade to New Home Architecture
One of iOS 16.2's key new features is the ability to upgrade to a new Home app architecture. While Apple hasn't shared details on exactly what the changes are, the company said the upgrade offers "improved performance and reliability" for HomeKit accessories.
One of the firmware updates introduces some features promised by Apple earlier this year to help prevent AirTags from being used for stalking purposes. The other update resolves an issue with the AirTag's accelerometer not activating in some scenarios.
The 'Trashcan' Mac Pro: Remembering One of Apple's Most Controversial Designs
While the "trashcan" Mac Pro had a beautiful design, it was not modular, leading to complaints from professional users about its lack of upgradeability over the years. The computer was discontinued in 2019.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
If you have been good this year, you may be interested to learn that Google today launched its annual Santa tracking feature, allowing Santa to be tracked in real time on his mythical journey to the North Pole as he prepares to deliver presents to kids around the world.
Google's Santa Tracker continues a 19-year tradition for the company, allowing excited children (and parents!) to keep up with the jolly gift-giver's travels throughout December 24. On this day, Santa's Village transforms into a tracking experience where children can follow Santa and his reindeer as they merrily go about their important work.
Santa can be tracked using a web browser on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by visiting Google's official Santa Tracking website. The site features a live map of Santa's current location, his next stop, a live video feed of his journey, and the estimated time that he will arrive in each specific location.
The Santa site provides pictures of locations that Santa has already visited, a live count of gifts that have been delivered, and Santa's current distance from your location. There are also a selection of games to play, creative things to do, and videos to watch.
Other Santa tracking services are also available, such as the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app and website, but Google's site is often the most interactive and detailed.
Jon Prosser and Sam Kohl join us this week on The MacRumors Show to take a light-hearted look back at the best and worst of Apple in 2022 – a year that brought some major changes to many of the company's product lines and platforms.
In this episode, we debate what could be some of the best Apple rumors, features introduced in new products and software updates, accessories, and devices launched during the past twelve months. We also weigh up some of Apple's worst new features and product launches, as well as the most neglected devices of 2022. See Jon and Sam's work on their YouTube channels "FrontPageTech" and "AppleTrack", or catch them on the Genius Bar podcast.
If you haven't already listened to the last episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up for a recap on everything we know about 2023's iPhone 15 lineup with Snazzy Labs' Quinn Nelson.
Apple planned a major generational update for the iPhone 14 Pro's graphics capabilities, but was forced to scrap plans for the new GPU late in development after "unprecedented" missteps were discovered, according to The Information.
In a paywalled report, The Information claimed that Apple engineers were "too ambitious" in adding new features to the graphics processor designed for the iPhone 14 Pro, including features like ray tracing – a lighting technique to achieve a further level of realism in games. This meant that iPhone 14 Pro prototype were found to draw much more power than expected, impacting the device's battery life and thermal management.
According to several individuals that claim to possess first-hand knowledge of the incident speaking to The Information, Apple discovered the flaw in the iPhone 14 Pro's GPU late in the device's development cycle, meaning that it had to hastily pivot to revert largely to the GPU from the A15 Bionic chip from the previous year's iPhone 13 lineup.
The incident is reportedly unprecedented in Apple's chip design history and is responsible for why the iPhone 14 Pro shows only small improvements in graphics performance compared to the leaps made by previous iPhone generations. The error resulted in Apple restructuring its graphics processor team and moving some managers away from the project, including the exit of key figures that apparently contributed to Apple's emergence as a chip design leader.
The report goes on to reveal how Apple's chip design team has been forced to contend with a loss of talent in recent years, with the company having lost dozens of key people to various silicon design companies since 2019, as well as interpersonal feuds and lawsuits with chip startups.
Tesla today announced the launch of the Tesla Wireless Charging Platform, a $300 wireless charger that is able to charge up to three Qi devices at one time.
The concept is somewhat similar to the AirPower that Apple wanted to produce as the three devices can be placed anywhere on the Tesla charging mat, receiving up to 15W of power each.
Tesla says that the angular design of the charging mat was inspired by the look of the Cybertruck, and it features an aluminum housing with an alcantara surface and detachable magnetic stand that can be used for charging flat or at an angle.
Inspired by the angular design and metallic styling of Cybertruck, our Wireless Charging Platform provides 15W of fast charging power per device for up to three devices simultaneously. Its sleek design is composed of an aluminum housing, premium alcantara surface and a detachable magnetic stand that allows you to lay the charger flat or at an angle for better viewing. Featuring FreePower(R) technology, which charges your Qi capable devices such as phones or earbuds placed anywhere on its surface without precise alignment.
Apple in September 2017 announced the AirPower, a multi-device charger designed to charge the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once. Apple wanted users to be able to place their devices anywhere on the AirPower to charge, but the overlapping wireless coils required were problematic, with Apple seeing heat management and interference issues that prevented the product from being viable. While the AirPower was meant to launch in 2018, it never appeared, and Apple confirmed its cancelation in 2019.
Tesla's charging mat is using FreePower, a technology from Aira that has been used in other wireless charging platforms like the Base Station Pro from Nomad. Nomad's Base Station Pro also supported charging from anywhere on the charging platform, but it turned out to be problematic because it did not work well with the iPhone 12 and later because of a firmware issue.
While Tesla's concept is similar to what Apple hoped to achieve with the AirPower, it is limited to Qi-based devices like the iPhone and the AirPods and it does not charge the Apple Watch.
Apple today published a support document designed to help those who are having issues with HomeKit, outlining what to do if you can't access a home or accept an invitation in the Home app.
Apple says that on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 16.2 or iPadOS 16.2, users should use the Remove Home option on any listed homes that don't have accessories. If the invited user has a home with accessories, Apple support must instead be contacted for help.
If there is a home with no accessories listed, after it is removed from the Home app, the invited user and home owner's devices need to be restarted, as do all Apple TV and HomePod devices in the home.
From there, the home owner will need to remove any pending invitations to the invited user, and then re-invite the user to share control of the home. An invited user must accept an invitation to access a home within three hours or the invitation will expire.
For those who got screwed over by the now pulled new HomeKit architecture, Apple has just published this document https://t.co/50g8fdHwPE
— Aaron (@aaronp613) December 22, 2022
Apple's instructions come just a day after the new Home architecture that was introduced in iOS 16.2 was pulled. At the current time, Apple is not allowing users to upgrade to the architecture, likely due to multiple bugs that users have reported with the update.
Issues with the architecture update include HomeKit devices stuck in an "updating" or "configuring" status, devices going missing, HomeKit Secure Video not working, and invitations to share the Home with other users failing, which is what the support document addresses.
In a separate support document, Apple says that the new Home architecture will be reintroduced at a later date, and that it has been temporarily removed.
Belkin last week quietly introduced a new iPhone Mount with MagSafe that's designed for Mac desktops and displays that you use with your Mac, allowing you to take advantage of Continuity Camera on those devices. We picked one up and thought we'd test it out for MacRumors readers who are thinking about ordering one.
The Belkin iPhone Mount for Mac desktops and displays is pretty similar to the mount for Mac notebooks that came out earlier this year, but there are some design and price differences. First off, it's $40 instead of $30, probably because the mounting portion is a good deal larger to accommodate displays of different sizes.
Design wise, the lip of the mount fits over the edge of a display or an iMac, and then there's an adjustable arm that secures it at the back of the device. An iPhone attaches to the mount using MagSafe, and can be put in portrait or landscape mode. There are also adjustable viewing angles that you can use by tilting the mount hinge, something not available on the MacBook version.
Because of the tilt option and the general height of an iMac or an external display, the desktop mount is much better at Desk View, the feature that lets you show off your desktop while on a video chat. With the MacBook version, Desk View is much more limited, but you can see a lot more of the desk with the desktop mount, which makes it more useful.
Belkin's display and Mac desktop mount is particularly useful for Mac Studio or Mac mini owners who use it with a Studio Display or a third-party display that doesn't have a webcam, because it adds webcam functionality. There's also a 1/4" tripod screw on the mount, so you can use it with a mini tripod too, if desired, adding even more versatility.
The Belkin iPhone Mount with MagSafe for desktops and displays can be purchased from the online Apple Store for $40. It is backordered and will arrive to customers in late January to early February.
If you are looking to purchase some last-minute gifts, Apple's retail stores are now offering free two-hour delivery on eligible, in-stock products in select countries. The offer is available for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple TV only.
Free two-hour delivery is available in most U.S. metro areas for orders placed through Apple's online store by 12:00 p.m. local time on December 24. The items will be delivered from a local Apple retail store by a courier such as Postmates at a time selected during checkout. Apple normally charges $9 for two-hour delivery.
Apple is also offering free two-hour delivery in select areas of Canada, France, Spain, and the UK, along with free three-hour delivery in Australia.
Apple has a holiday gift guide for those looking for last-minute gift ideas. Most products purchased between November 4 and December 25 are eligible for return until January 8, 2023 under Apple's extended holiday return policy.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, YouTube will pay roughly $2 billion a year to secure the rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket franchise as part of its YouTube TV service. NFL Sunday Ticket is a package that allows users to access and watch all Sunday games from out-of-market teams for games that may not be broadcasted on local channels or affiliates.
NFL Sunday Ticket will be offered as an add-on for YouTube TV, which currently costs $64.99 per month. The exact price of the add-on remains unknown. Neal Mohan, chief product officer at YouTube, speaking of the new deal, said "we'll be able to showcase these NFL games in a way that I think no other platform can."
Apple was originally seen as the top contender for securing the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, with reports at one point suggesting Apple and the NFL had reached a final agreement. According to a new report this week by The Athletic, the agreement didn't go through due to apparent concerns at Cupertino that it wouldn't be able to incorporate NFL Sunday Ticket into its future AR/VR platforms.
Apple and the NFL also could not agree on whether the company would get the right to distribute Sunday Ticket on as yet non-existent platforms. Apple is heavily investing in virtual reality and augmented reality, nascent platforms in which sports are so far largely not viewed. As a result, Apple wanted what is dubbed known and unknown rights, individuals familiar with the NFL and Apple said. In other words, there is no known virtual reality market for Sunday Ticket, but there might be one day.
While YouTube will offer NFL Sunday Ticket as an add-on for YouTube, Apple reportedly wanted to offer NFL Sunday Ticket to Apple TV+ subscribers at no additional cost.
Verizon today announced a new discount for its "Welcome Unlimited" plan, which will see the price drop by $5 per line for unlimited text, talk, and 5G data for those who are new to the Verizon network.
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Customers who swap over to Verizon and bring their own device can sign up for Welcome Unlimited for $25 per line per month for four lines, with a three year price guarantee. That is a $5 discount per line over the standard $30/line price point, for a total savings of $20/month for four phones. Over the three year window, that adds up to a total savings of $720.
The $5 discount is available for those who have fewer lines as well. One line is priced at $60 per month, down from $65, and two lines are available for $50 per line per month, down from $55 per line. Three lines will cost $35 per month per line, down from $40.
Verizon says that a $180 promo credit per phone is applied over 36 months when you bring your own phone to Verizon and sign up for the Welcome Unlimited plan. This is a limited time offer, and it does not include taxes or fees, with Auto Pay and paper-free billing required to get the discount.
Across social media, some iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max users are reporting that horizontal lines are flashing across their iPhone display when the device is being turned on, with no clear reason why or how to fix it.
On one thread on Reddit, dozens of iPhone 14 Pro users are reporting that one or more green and yellow lines may flash across the screen before disappearing a few seconds later when the device is being turned on. According to those same users, Apple Support has informed them the issue is not a result of a hardware defect but is a bug in iOS 16.
According to users on Reddit, the Apple Support forums (1,2,3), and the MacRumors forum, the issue seems to have started following the iOS 16.2 update, although some users report the problem even occurring on older versions of iOS 16. One user on Reddit claims an Apple engineer informed them over the phone that Apple is working on a software patch for the issue, but the exact details are unknown.
Apple is currently testing iOS 16.3 with developers and public beta testers, but the update isn't expected to launch until early next year. The latest version of iOS 16 is iOS 16.2, which included several new features, including Apple Music Sing, Apple's new Freeform app, and more.
Popular video editing app DaVinci Resolve for iPad is now available on the App Store, giving iPad customers access to a popular professional-grade video editing app right on their iPad.
DaVinci Resolve for iPad was announced in October 2022 and is designed to be optimized for iPads with Apple silicon chips, like the new iPad Pro with the M2 chip and the previous generation iPad Pro and iPad Air, both powered by M1.
Designed for the new M2 iPad Pro, Blackmagic, the creators behind DaVinci Resolve, says the app will deliver 4x faster Ultra HD ProRes rendering on the new iPad Pro with M2, with other similar improvements coming to M1-based iPads.
Compared to DaVinci Resolve 18 software for the desktop, DaVinci Resolve for iPad offers similar functionality and tools, with slight changes in the user interface to better suit the iPad. DaVinci Resolve for iPad is available for free on the App Store, with an in-app purchase that unlocks the Studio version priced at $95.
One of the key new features in iOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1 is the ability to upgrade to a new Home app architecture. While Apple hasn't shared details on exactly what the changes are, the company says the upgrade offers "improved performance and reliability" for HomeKit accessories.
Upgrading the Home architecture requires that all devices accessing the home be updated to the latest operating system version, so many users have yet to take the leap, but users who have upgraded have reported some issues. Amidst those reports, it now appears Apple has removed the option for users to upgrade their Home app architecture.
Issues reported by users include HomeKit devices stuck in an "updating" or "configuring" status, devices going missing entirely, invitations to share the Home with other users failing, HomeKit Secure Video recording not working, and more.
Upgrading to the new Home app architecture is a user-initiated process in the Software Update section of Home Settings in the Home app, and as of a few hours ago, the option to upgrade no longer appears in the app. As a result, users who have yet to move to the new architecture will be unable to do so until Apple reenables the option. Users who have already upgraded will remain on the new architecture and can not revert to the previous one.
Update: Apple has confirmed in a support document that the new Home architecture update has been temporarily removed, and that the option to upgrade "will return soon."
Popular streaming service Netflix is planning to put an end to password sharing starting in early 2023, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. There have been persistent rumors about the end of password sharing, and Netflix has been exploring methods to crack down on it, but the changes are set to officially go into effect next year.
Netflix has long known that password sharing is a problem affecting its profits, but the uptick in subscriptions in 2020 allowed the company to avoid addressing it. With revenue falling this year and Netflix's first subscriber loss in 10 years, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings decided it was time to act on the issue, which had been put off for too long.
Starting in 2023, Netflix plans to ask people who share accounts with others outside of their household to pay to do so. Netflix has been testing add-on payments for password sharing in some Latin American countries, charging around $3 extra. In these countries, the primary account owner must provide a verification code to anyone outside the household who wants to access the account, with Netflix repeatedly asking for the code until a monthly fee is paid to add non-household subscribers.
A similar tactic could be used in the United States, with Netflix possibly charging just below the cost of its $6.99 ad-supported plan for non-household subscribers who share someone's plan. Netflix wants those who have a shared password to sign up for their own subscription.
Netflix will enforce password sharing rules through IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity. To keep from alienating customers, Netflix may slowly phase out password sharing rather than putting a stop to it all at once. One method Netflix reportedly considered was adding pay-per-view content that could make users not want to share their passwords with people who might rent content, but Netflix ultimately decided against it.
The Netflix terms of service have never allowed for multi-household sharing, but Netflix has looked the other way for so long that implementing fees for offering account access to friends and family could upset some of its subscribers. An estimated 222 million paying households share passwords with an additional 100 million households that Netflix wants to monetize.
Pricing on Netflix plans includes watching on multiple supported devices in addition to affecting streaming quality, but Netflix does not want multiple viewers watching outside of the same household. Netflix's premium plan, for example, allows for Ultra HD 4K streaming and support for watching on four supported devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs at one time, as long as those devices are owned by people in the same household.
In addition to boosting revenue by eliminating password sharing, Netflix has also introduced a more affordable ad-supported tier that is priced at $6.99 per month in the United States.
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