MacRumors

Apple is fighting to defend its multi-billion dollar search engine deal with Google as Google is prosecuted for antitrust violations, and so far, the court isn't making it easy. Last week, Apple filed a motion for an emergency stay that would give the Cupertino company time to intervene in the lawsuit, but the judge overseeing the case denied Apple's motion [PDF] and won't hold off on moving forward.

In November, Apple asked the court to allow it to be more involved in the case as the court decides what steps to take to prevent Google from continuing to violate antitrust law. The court said no, so Apple appealed the ruling, but it will take time for the appeals process to play out. While it waits on an appeal, Apple wanted the court to pause the proceedings, but the judge isn't inclined to do so.

According to the court, Apple did not demonstrate that it will suffer "certain and great" harm that would justify a stay, nor has it adequately explained why it needs a bigger role in the lawsuit or what new evidence it has to present. The court also does not feel that Apple has proven that a mistake was made when its initial motion for intervention was denied. Further, the judge feels that moving forward is important to prevent Google from continuing with its antitrust violations.

As the court stated in its order denying intervention, this case has been pending for over four years, and the delay from postponing the evidentiary hearing would be months, not weeks.

What's more, the court has concluded that Google violated federal antitrust law by entering into exclusive search distribution agreements with various companies (including Apple) to achieve and maintain a monopoly in both the general search services market and the general text advertising market.

Preserving the status quo by granting a stay, as Apple urges, would only perpetuate this unlawful activity and is therefore contrary to the public interest.

Last year, Google was found guilty of violating antitrust law, and its search engine deal with Apple was a main focus of the case. Google pays Apple billions each year to be the default search engine for Safari, and the court decided that deal and other Google practices violate antitrust law.

The U.S. government has asked the court to prevent Google from entering into search contracts with Apple and other companies, and Apple does not want that to happen. Apple will be losing upward of $20 billion annually if Google is barred from continuing on with the search engine deal, and Apple would still have to offer Google Search as an option to users.

Google is also facing more extreme remedies, and it could be forced to sell the Chrome browser or uncouple Android from products like Google Search and the Google Play Store. Apple feels that Google will prioritize defending Chrome and its other properties over its search deal with Apple, which is why Apple wants to step in.

"If Apple's appeal is not resolved until during or after the remedies trial, Apple may well be forced to stand mute at trial, as a mere spectator, while the government pursues an extreme remedy that targets Apple by name and would prohibit any commercial arrangement between Apple and Google for a decade," Apple wrote in the filing asking for a stay.

Apple now plans to file a motion to expedite its appeal of the initial ruling barring it from further participating in the Google lawsuit. The remedies portion of the antitrust lawsuit against Google is set to begin in April, so the appeals process may have time to play out before then if Apple can get the case expedited.

Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.2.1, which means that iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.3 can no longer downgrade to the prior version of iOS 18. Apple released iOS 18.3 a week ago.

When new versions of iOS are released, Apple stops signing the prior version after a week or two. An update that is not signed is not able to be installed on an iPhone because there is a server-side software verification check. As of right now, iPhone models compatible with iOS 18 are only eligible to download and run iOS 18.3.

By preventing customers from downgrading to older versions of iOS, Apple ensures that devices are kept up to date with the newest security improvements.

Apple's iOS 18.3 update included a handful of Apple Intelligence updates and more than 20 security updates. One of those fixes addressed a vulnerability that may have been actively exploited on some devices, demonstrating why it is important to keep iOS software up to date.

In the European Union, the Digital Markets Act allows developers to distribute iOS apps through alternate app stores. While Apple checks those apps for malware and other malicious content, there are few restrictions on subject matter, unlike Apple's own App Store. As a result, EU users can now download the first dedicated native pornography app created for the iPhone.

Called Hot Tub, the app is available through the AltStore PAL, an EU app marketplace from developer Riley Testut. The app promises a private and secure way to browse adult content, without ads or tracking. "An elegant, native porn app. Thoughtfully designed, ethically made, and free to use," reads the app's description. As noted by TechCrunch, the app lets users search and play videos from a number of other sites like Pornhub and Xvideos.

The ‌App Store‌ in the European Union, U.S., and other countries has clear rules against sexual or pornographic material, which means Hot Tub is not an app that could exist without the DMA-mandated option for alternative app distribution. Outside of the European Union, adult content is limited to web browsers.

For apps distributed through marketplaces like AltStore, Apple uses a Notarization process to check for malware, security threats, and fraud. Apple also ensures that apps are functioning as promised, but sideloaded apps don't have user protections and are not required to adhere to ‌App Store‌ content rules and can distribute pornography, or feature other prohibited content like hate speech, weapons, tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and legal drug consumption. Back in February 2024, Apple's Phil Schiller made it clear that Apple would have no control over the content in EU apps distributed through app marketplaces.

We have dealt with a lot of input from families, from governments, on things that we need to do to try to either not allow certain kinds of objectionable content on our App Store, or give users control over that experience to decide what's best for themselves--and we have rules around that. Those rules will not apply in another marketplace unless they choose to make rules of their own, [with] whatever criteria they come up with. Does that increase the risk of users, and families, running into objectionable content or other experiences? Yes, it does.

AltStore was one of the first alternative app marketplaces to launch in the European Union after Apple implemented changes to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act last year. Alternative app marketplaces are required to pay a Core Technology Fee for each install, and while the AltStore initially charged €1.50 plus tax per user per year, Epic Games gave it a "MegaGrant," which means AltStore is now free to download.

Hot Tub may also need to pay an Apple fee at some point, but that will depend on number of downloads and revenue earned. The app is free, but there is a pro subscription available. Apple charges apps a Core Technology Fee (CTF) for each install after their first one million installs, but the fees don't kick in right away for small developers.

As of Apple's latest rule change in May 2024, apps that earn under 10 million euros per year do not have to pay the CTF for a three-year period. Apps that earn over 10 million euros but under 50 million euros will only pay a maximum of one million euros for three years.

Hot Tub is available as a beta right now, and it is available to all users in the European Union. U.S. users are not able to download the app because sideloading apps is not permitted.

Apple today released an updated version of iOS 18.3 that's designed specifically for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. The update has a build number of 22D64.

iPhone 11 users can download the new software by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Apple first released iOS 18.3 last Monday, and it is likely that this new version has a fix for a bug that was impacting iPhone 11 models.

The main features in iOS 18.3 were Apple Intelligence related and included Visual Intelligence and changes to Notification summaries. As the iPhone 11 line does not support ‌Apple Intelligence‌, there are few features in iOS 18.3 for the devices.

The update adds a new Calculator feature that causes the last mathematical operation to repeat when pressing the equals sign, and it fixes an issue where Apple Music playback could continue until a song ends even after the app was closed.

Apple relaunched the HomePod two years ago today, debuting a second-generation model almost five years after the original model's introduction.

The original ‌HomePod‌ was announced at WWDC in 2017 and launched in 2018 after a heavily delayed release. The device was met with mixed reviews; critics praised its outstanding sound quality but pointed out its high price, missing features, and limited functionality compared to rivals.

Apple dropped its price from $349 to $299 in April 2019 and, in March 2021, the company announced that it was discontinuing the first-generation ‌HomePod‌, instead shifting its focus to the HomePod mini, which launched the previous year. The decision left a gap in Apple's product lineup for a full-sized smart speaker until the company introduced the second-generation model via a press release on January 18, 2023.

The second-generation ‌HomePod‌ looks virtually identical to the original, although it is 0.2 inches shorter and has a larger edge-to-edge LED touchscreen on top. It also boasts a range of upgrades and changes compared to its 2018 predecessor, including the S7 chip, a U1 ultra wideband chip, a removable power cable, a temperature and humidity sensor, and sound recognition. However, it features two fewer microphones and horn-loaded tweeters.

While Apple's potential plans for a third-generation ‌HomePod‌ are unclear two years after the current model was introduced, there are a multitude of rumors surrounding a smart home "command center" product with an LCD touchscreen display arriving this year as Apple looks to rethink its smart home lineup.

Apple's 2025 Swift Student Challenge kicked off today, which means that students from around the world can showcase their coding skills and creativity by developing app concepts using Swift Playground or Xcode.

Students have had time to prepare because Apple announced that the challenge would be held in February 2025 way back in October 2024, plus Apple gave an exact date in January. Apple also hosted an online session to provide students with info on participating in the challenge, with tips from former Challenge winners and Apple engineers.

Apple holds the Swift Student Challenge each year. In past years, it has been timed with the Worldwide Developers Conference, but in 2024, Apple began holding it earlier in the year. Students are tasked with creating an app concept, with Apple providing Develop in Swift tutorials to help students learn the foundations of coding.

Apple plans to select 350 winners based on "innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity." 50 of the winners will be invited to spend three days at Apple Park in Cupertino, California this summer. The trip is expected to coincide with the 2025 Worldwide Developers Conference.

Submissions are open as of today, and will remain open for a three-week period before judging begins. Students can learn more through Apple's developer website.

Now through February 27, new and "eligible" subscribers in the U.S. can try out Apple Music for six months for just a single $2.99 payment.

Beyond first-time subscribers, Apple does not explain who is "eligible" for this offer. If you have subscribed to Apple Music in the past, we recommend heading to the offer page on Apple's website to see if you qualify.

Apple says the offer can be redeemed from the Home tab of the Apple Music app, on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac running the latest software.

After the six-month trial, the subscription will automatically renew at Apple Music's standard price of $10.99 per month until cancelled.

This is the "best offer ever" for Apple Music, according to Apple.

Apple Music is the official sponsor of the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, featuring hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar. In the Apple Music app, there is a variety of content related to Lamar's upcoming performance at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Lamar is also a featured artist in Apple Fitness+ right now, and Apple News has launched a dedicated hub for Super Bowl LIX coverage.

Apple Music subscribers can now listen to their "Replay 2025" playlist as of today. As in previous years, this playlist ranks all of the music you've been listening to on ‌Apple Music‌ from 1 to 100, updating weekly so you can keep track of your most-streamed songs of the year as 2025 progresses.

"Replay 2025" will update every Sunday with the newest order of your favorite music on ‌Apple Music‌. By the time December rolls around, you'll have an overall list of your 100 favorite songs on ‌Apple Music‌ saved in the playlist.

Once you've listened to enough music to generate the playlist, you'll find it at the bottom of the Home tab in ‌‌Apple Music‌‌ on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. There's also a more detailed version of the data tracking feature on Apple Music for the web, including most streamed artists and albums, and statistics for detailed play counts and hours listened.

Apple has been making its yearly Replay playlists available since 2019. In addition to Replay playlists, in 2022 Apple introduced a "Highlight Reel" feature with more statistics about each users' listening history at the end of the year.

Head to the ‌‌‌‌Apple Music‌‌‌‌ app or Apple Music on the web to add the Replay 2025 playlist to your library. If you haven't listened to enough music yet in 2025, the playlist may not appear in your ‌‌‌Apple Music‌‌‌ app. Once you do listen to more music, you should see your Replay 2025 playlist appear as usual in the Home tab.

Apple and Sony are still collaborating to bring support for PlayStation VR2 hand controllers to the Vision Pro headset, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.

In December, Gurman said that the partnership has been in development for several months and would introduce Sony's VR controllers as an optional accessory for Vision Pro users. He noted that PS5 and Xbox controllers are already supported by Vision Pro, but they aren't optimized for virtual reality experiences, lacking the six degrees of freedom (6DOF) needed for precise VR gaming controls.

Writing in his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman reaffirmed that the feature is still in development. He now expects a visionOS software update later this year to introduce the feature.

Gurman claims that beyond gaming, the controllers could be used to controlling the operating system with more precision. While it likely won't "do anything to turn around the Vision Pro's sluggish sales," Gurman said "it would be a nice step for Apple to show that it still cares about gamers."

Amazon this weekend has major discounts on a few AirPods models, including a new all-time low price on the AirPods 4. You can get the base AirPods 4 for $99.99 on Amazon, down from $129.00.

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 also has the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for $149.99, down from $179.00. We did track these at a lower price during the 2024 holiday season, but that deal never returned and today's is the best we've seen so far in 2025.

Additionally, you can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $169.00 today on Amazon, down from $249.00. This is the lowest price we've tracked so far in 2025 on the AirPods Pro 2, and it's an overall solid second-best price.

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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Amazon is continuing its string of big discounts today with a return of the all-time low price on Apple Studio Display, available for $1,299.99, down from $1,599.00. This is the standard glass version of the Studio Display with the tilt adjustable stand, and Amazon also has a few other models on sale as well.

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.

You can get the standard glass model with the VESA Mount Adapter for $1,299.99, down from $1,599.00, while the tilt- and height-adjustable stand model is available for $1,699.99, down from $1,999.00. In regards to the VESA model, this is another new all-time low price on the display.

If you want to upgrade to the nano-texture glass option, Amazon also has this model of the Studio Display on sale. It's available for $1,599.99, down from $1,899.00, which is a solid second-best price on the Studio Display with nano-texture glass. There's also discounts on both the VESA mount and tilt- and height-adjustable stand models.

The Studio Display features a 27-inch 5K Retina display with a 5120 x 2880 resolution and up to 600 nits of brightness. Apple says that the standard display is engineered for "extremely low reflectivity," but for rooms where there is a lot of glare, Apple suggests the nano-texture glass option with even less reflectivity.

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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Amazon is discounting the 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE to $169.00 today, down from $249.00. This is the best price we've tracked so far in 2025, and it's available in Starlight, Silver, and Midnight Aluminum color options.

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 nearly every 40mm GPS Apple Watch SE at this price, including multiple sizes of the Sport Band model and many Sport Loop models. Most are in stock and available to be delivered by early February.

Additionally, you can get the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE at an all-time low price of $199.00 today on Amazon, down from $279.00. This one is also available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight Aluminum colors, and multiple band sizes.

If you're shopping for Apple Watch Series 10 models, you can also still find record low prices on both 42mm and 46mm GPS models on Amazon right now. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

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Starting next week, Apple's retail stores will no longer offer AppleCare+ plans as a one-time purchase, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Instead, he said the stores will only offer AppleCare+ as a subscription. For example, AppleCare+ for the iPhone 16 Pro Max costs $9.99 per month, or $199 upfront for two years. The latter option would no longer be available at Apple's stores.

Fortunately, Gurman said AppleCare+ will remain available as a one-time purchase on Apple's online store, at least for now.

It is unclear if this policy change is limited to the U.S. or will apply worldwide.

Apple likely profits more by offering AppleCare+ as a monthly or annual subscription, which helps to boost the company's services revenue.

As early as this week, Apple plans to introduce a new iCloud-based service for event invites, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his Power On newsletter, Gurman said the new service is codenamed "Confetti" within Apple. He said the service will offer users a "new way to invite people to parties, functions, and meetings." He did not say if this functionality would be available through a new standalone app, or built into an existing app, such as Calendar.

Gurman said the new service is tied to iOS 18.3, which was released to the public last week.

Last month, 9to5Mac discovered iOS 18.3 code references to a potential new "Invites" app from Apple, that would help users to organize meetings and other events. The report said the app would have iCloud integration. Gurman's information today seems to corroborate these findings, but there are still many unknown details.

Apple's expected announcement should provide more clarity soon.

Apple previously teased that Powerbeats Pro 2 would be released in 2025, and now an announcement date has leaked. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said Apple plans to unveil the wireless earbuds on Tuesday, February 11.

Powerbeats Pro 2 will be priced at $250 in the U.S., he said.

Powerbeats Pro are a sportier, fitness-focused alternative to AirPods Pro with built-in, adjustable ear hooks for a secure fit. According to Gurman, the Powerbeats Pro 2 will feature the same H2 chip as used in the AirPods Pro 2, which will enable active noise cancellation, which is something the original Powerbeats Pro lack.

Apple's teaser video last year showed MLB star Shohei Ohtani wearing the Powerbeats Pro 2, revealing a more vertical, slimmer design compared to the original Powerbeats Pro, which launched in 2019 and are now discontinued.

We previously discovered that Powerbeats Pro 2 will offer heart rate monitoring during workouts. Based on our iOS 18 code findings, you will be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data will be visible in the Health app and other supported apps on the iPhone.

The code also revealed that Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available in new color options, including a vibrant Electric Orange. Gurman confirmed both the heart rate monitoring feature and the orange color option in his newsletter today.

Based on other recent Beats headphones, other potential upgrades for the Powerbeats Pro 2 over the originals include improved sound quality, longer battery life, and improved cross-platform compatibility with Android features like Find My Device. In addition, look for the Powerbeats Pro 2 charging case to have a USB-C port.

Sonos has kicked off its first major sale of 2025, offering up to 25 percent off select home theater audio equipment through February 9. This includes discounts on the Sonos Arc soundbar ($749), as well as various discounted bundles, many of which are deals we haven't tracked since the holidays.

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

This sale includes Sonos product bundles that should help elevate your home theater setup with various soundbars, subwoofers, and speakers. There are also a few products available outside of a bundle, including the Sonos Arc for $749 ($150 off), Ray Soundbar for $179 ($100 off), and Era 100 Smart Speaker for $199 ($50 off).

Sonos very rarely offers discounts this steep on its website, so it'll likely be quite a long time before these deals return after this sale ends on February 9. We've accumulated a few of the devices in the sale below, but be sure to browse this landing page on the Sonos website for everything being discounted.

Sonos Home Theater Sale

• Arc Soundbar - $749, down from $899
• Ray Soundbar - $179, down from $279
• Beam (Gen 2) - $399, down from $499
• Sub 4 - $679, down from $799
• Era 100 Smart Speaker - $199, down from $249
• Sub Mini - $343, down from $429

Bundles

• 2x Era 100 Smart Speakers - $375, down from $498
• Ray Soundbar + 2x Era 100 Smart Speakers - $554, down from $777
• Sonos Ace Headphones + Beam (Gen 2) Soundbar - $848, down from $948
• Sub Mini + 2x Era 100 Smart Speakers - $718, down from $927

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

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January has come to a close, with Apple pushing out iOS 18.3 and related software updates in the final week of the month to deliver some refinements for Apple Intelligence, security fixes, and more.

We're looking ahead to more substantial updates with iOS 18.4, while we also shared news and rumors about AirPods and the upcoming "iPhone 17 Air," so read on below for all the details!

iOS 18.3 Features: Everything New in iOS 18.3

After more than a month of beta testing, Apple this week released iOS 18.3 and related operating system updates across its lineup to the public.

Apple's January operating system updates tend to be on the lighter side and these are no exception, although iOS 18.3 brings some improvements to visual intelligence for iPhone 16 models and some tweaks for notification summaries to help address issues with occasional inaccuracies. There are also a number of security fixes, so be sure to update your devices.

Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods

While Apple occasionally releases firmware updates for AirPods, the company has never been publicly explicit about how to ensure your earphones get the new firmware installed, until now.

In an updated support document, Apple has added more specific step-by-step instructions about updating. While the steps were generally known, Apple has removed ambiguity from the process by noting that the AirPods case should be plugged in and users should wait at least 30 minutes for the firmware to update.

When Will Apple Release the iOS 18.4 Beta?

With iOS 18.3 out the door, attention will soon turn to iOS 18.4, which is expected to be a more substantial upgrade, particularly when it comes to Apple Intelligence.

While the initial beta of an iOS update frequently arrives within just a few days after the public release of the previous version, the gaps can sometimes be as long as several weeks. We haven't yet seen the first beta of iOS 18.4, and given the substantial Apple Intelligence updates coming in the update, it's possible we may have to wait a bit longer than usual for Apple to begin pushing it out for testing.

Save 7GB Storage Per Device by Disabling Apple Intelligence

Apple this week released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, software updates that enable Apple Intelligence on supported devices by default.

Whether you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac – or indeed all three – regardless of what you think about Apple Intelligence, there's one reason why you may want to disable Apple's AI features at the earliest opportunity: To reclaim storage.

Check out our how-to for full details on how to turn off Apple Intelligence and what you'll miss out on by doing so.

Apple Still 'Exploring' New AirPods With Tiny Cameras

Apple has been rumored to be trying to embed tiny cameras in future AirPods models, and the company is still "exploring" the idea, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

The function of these potential cameras isn't entirely known, though analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said these would be infrared cameras that could enhance the spatial audio experience and could potentially support "in-air gesture control."

In other product rumor news, Gurman says Apple remains on track to launch its smart home hub with 7-inch display at some point in 2025, calling it "Apple's most significant release of the year."

iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far

This year, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" device in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for an iPhone "Air," so-called because of its thin profile.

There have been numerous rumors about what to expect from this all-new device, so we've put together a compilation of every rumor and leak we have registered from reputable sources thus far about Apple's new entry in its flagship smartphone lineup.

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.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

OpenAI today released o3-mini, a new, more cost efficient model that's available for both ChatGPT and the OpenAI API starting today. OpenAI previewed o3-mini in December, but it is ready at a time when OpenAI is aiming to keep up with Chinese company DeepSeek.

According to OpenAI, o3-mini "advances the boundaries" of what's possible with smaller, more efficient models. o3-mini is designed for STEM capabilities, and OpenAI says that it has particular strength in science, math, and coding. o3-mini is search capable, and it can locate up-to-date answers with links to relevant web sources.

o3-mini is OpenAI's first small reasoning model that supports features like function calling, Structured Outputs, and developer messages. There are three reasoning effort options, including low, medium, and high, to optimize for different use cases that prioritize processing power for complex challenges or speed.

OpenAI is keeping o1 as its standard general knowledge reasoning model, but o3-mini is available for technical domains that require precision and speed. When used with ChatGPT, o3-mini uses medium reasoning effort for a balance between speed and accuracy, but o3-mini high is an option in the model picker.

ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users are able to use o3-mini starting today, and it will replace o1-mini in the model picker. The rate limit for Plus and Team users is now 150 messages per day, up from 50.

o3-mini is the first reasoning model that OpenAI is making available to free users. Those with the free plan can try o3-mini by selecting the "Reason" option in the message composer.