Sonos CEO Patrick Spence has stepped down after eight years, following widespread criticism over the company's failed app redesign (via Bloomberg).
The company has appointed board member and former Snap and Pandora executive Tom Conrad as interim CEO, effective immediately, while the search for a permanent replacement is conducted. The catalyst for the leadership shake-up was the May 2024 launch of a redesigned Sonos app, which sought to modernize the software and alongside adding support for the company's first headphones, the Sonos Ace, which were positioned to compete with Apple's AirPods Max.
The app rollout was marred by widespread technical issues and the removal of features such as sleep timers, alarms, and key accessibility options. Users reported connectivity problems, interface confusion, and lag, with some older Sonos systems rendered effectively unusable.
The company's revenue subsequently declined by 16% in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2024, with analysts projecting a further 15% drop for the critical holiday period. Sonos's stock price fell approximately 13% following the app update's release.
Sonos made efforts to address the new app's issues, including restoring some removed features and committing to fixing lingering bugs. Spence issued a public apology to customers, acknowledging the company's failings and outlining a timeline for improvements, but the damage to the company's reputation proved difficult to repair.
The company also faced internal struggles, including the postponement of new products, the cancellation of projects such as an Apple TV-style set-top box, and the layoff of approximately 100 employees in August 2024.
Tom Conrad has served on the Sonos board since 2017 and now steps into the role of interim CEO. Conrad was a co-creator of the Pandora music service and a vice president at Snap.
In an email to employees, he said: "When it doesn't work, our customers are taken out of the moment and are right to feel that we've let them down. I think we'll all agree that this year we've let far too many people down... Getting back to basics is necessary, but clearly not enough to unlock the future we all envision for Sonos," suggesting that he wants to expand the company "well beyond" home speaker equipment.
A new social engineering tactic is being used by cybercriminals to trick iPhone users into disabling iMessage's built-in phishing protection, in a bid to expose them to malicious links and scams, according to BleepingComputer.
The scam exploits a security feature in iMessage that automatically disables links from unknown senders. Apple told the outlet that when users reply to these messages or add the sender to their contacts, the links become clickable – a behavior that scammers are now actively exploiting, according to the report. The deceptive messages often masquerade as notifications from trusted organizations like USPS or toll road authorities.
Scammers are apparently looking to exploit the familiar "reply STOP" or "reply NO" that often appears at the end of messages from authentic businesses or services, as there's been a surge in SMS phishing (smishing) attacks that specifically ask recipients to reply "Y" to "activate" supposedly legitimate links.
By getting users to respond, attackers not only enable the previously disabled links but also identify active phone numbers that are more likely to engage with future scams.
Tech-savvy users are likely to easily identify these as phishing attempts, but the main concern is that older or less experienced users will be particularly vulnerable to the tactic. Needless to say, the best way to ensure that you never fall for the scam is to never reply to suspicious messages from unknown senders.
SMS phishing attacks with disabled links (Image credit: BleepingComputer)
Another line of defense is to enable message filtering on your iPhone or iPad. Message filtering sorts messages from people who are not in your contacts into a separate list, where you can more easily view them in the Messages app. To filter messages from unknown senders, open Settings and go to Apps ➝ Messages, then toggle on the switch next to Filter Unknown Senders.
Bear in mind that the feature can filter legitimate messages – from couriers or your bank, for example – so don't automatically assume that a filtered message is dodgy. And, as mentioned above, you can't open links in a message from an unknown sender until you add them to your contacts or reply to the message, but that's by design.
Apple is heading to court in London on Monday to defend against a class-action lawsuit seeking £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) in damages over alleged anti-competitive App Store practices in the UK.
Filed by Kings College London academic Dr. Rachael Kent, the lawsuit claims Apple has violated UK and European competition laws by requiring iOS users to download apps exclusively through the App Store while charging developers a commission of up to 30% on purchases.
The legal action represents around 19.6 million UK iPhone and iPad users who may have been overcharged for apps and in-app purchases between October 2015 and November 2024. Under UK law, affected users are automatically included in the claim unless they opt out.
Kent argues that while the App Store was initially "a brilliant gateway" for services, it has become "the only gateway" for millions of consumers, with Apple acting as a monopolist by blocking access to alternative platforms that could offer better deals.
Apple has firmly rejected the allegations, calling the lawsuit "meritless," and says that its App Store commission rates are "very much in the mainstream" compared to other digital marketplaces. The company says that 85% of apps on the App Store are free, and many developers qualify for a reduced 15% commission rate.
The trial at the Competition Appeal Tribunal is expected to last seven weeks and is one of several legal challenges Apple faces globally regarding its App Store practices.
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's global smartphone market share declined to 18% in 2024, down from 19% the previous year, while Chinese manufacturers expanded their presence in the global market, according to new data from Counterpoint Research.
The iPhone maker saw a 2% decline in year-over-year sales, despite the broader smartphone market seeing 4% growth, as Chinese brands like Xiaomi showed remarkable growth of 12% during the same period.
The absence of Apple Intelligence features, particularly in China, appears to have impacted iPhone 16 sales. "Apple's iPhone 16 series was met with a mixed response, partly due to a lack of availability of Apple Intelligence at launch," noted Counterpoint research director Tarun Pathak. Despite this setback, Apple maintained strong growth in emerging markets like Latin America.
While overall sales declined, Apple saw increased demand for its premium models. Counterpoint senior analyst Ivan Lam reported that consumers are increasingly choosing ultra-premium devices, with Pro and Pro Max models gaining significant traction in China. The share of these high-end models is expected to surpass 50% in the Chinese market for Q4 2024.
Samsung maintained its lead in the global smartphone market, buoyed by strong demand for its AI-equipped S24 series and A-series devices. Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers Huawei, Honor, and Motorola emerged as the fastest-growing brands among the top 10 smartphone makers.
Apple has been rolling out Apple Intelligence features since October via software updates, but there are indications that this is not pushing people to upgrade their devices. A report just last week from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested Apple Intelligence "appeal has significantly declined" compared to cloud-based services like ChatGPT.
Meanwhile, a December survey suggested that many iPhone users feel Apple Intelligence has added little or no value to their iPhone experience, but that could always change as Apple Intelligence matures. There are still Apple Intelligence features that have not been implemented, including major changes to Siri that are rumored to be coming in April.
Apple may choose to refresh its iPad Air models in the spring with an M4 chip, skipping the M3 generation for the lineup entirely, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested.
Apple released the M2 iPad Air in 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes in May of last year, and the going assumption, backed by rumors, was that Apple would refresh the iPad Air this year with an M3 chip upgrade.
However, writing in his Power On newsletter over the weekend, Gurman said he "wouldn't be terribly surprised" if Apple opts for the M4 chip instead. From the report:
The new iPad Airs — code-named J607, J608, J637 and J638 — will be more about specification upgrades than design changes. The current version, introduced last year, has the M2 chip. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the 2025 models get bumped up to the M4, matching the iPad Pro. That would mean the Pro has less of an edge over the Air, but that shouldn't be too shocking. Most Macs rely on the same chip family, and iPads could do the same.
Gurman's claim runs counter to previous rumors that indicated Apple plans to keep the iPad Air one step behind the iPad Pro in terms of processor generations. However, Apple surprised many when it announced M4 iPad Pro models in May 2024. Those devices were expected to feature the M3 chip right up until the last minute of their unveiling but skipped the generation entirely, and there's no hard and fast rule that says the company won't do the same thing for the iPad Air.
No design changes are expected for the next-generation iPad Air, but it could include Apple's upcoming custom 5G modem, which will also be introduced in the iPhone SE, low-cost iPad, and iPhone 17 Air in 2025.
Apple is also developing a new version of the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air. It isn't expected to have an aluminum top case like the iPad Pro, but it could have a function row of keys and some other features from the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard.
Apple's long-rumoured smart home hub or "command center" may not arrive in the spring as previously expected, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
We've heard various rumors and reports about Apple developing an all-in-one smart home management hub. The device is said to feature a square-shaped 7-inch display, a FaceTime camera and speakers, and a new homeOS operating system with support for several Apple apps. Rumors suggest users will be able to mount it on a wall, but Apple is also designing a dock that will let it sit on a table or desk.
Apple originally planned to introduce the home hub in March 2025. However, writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says that the device "may take longer to reach consumers," owing to the operating system's heavy reliance on App Intents features that won't be ready until iOS 18.4 and iOS 19. This in itself means "it's plausible that the hardware itself will ship later," adds Gurman.
Gurman's prediction lines up with a December 2024 report by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo about a so-called "HomePod with a display" in the works with support for Apple Intelligence. Kuo said the device had been delayed and would arrive in the third quarter of 2025.
At the time of Kuo's report, it wasn't clear if the products being discussed were completely different devices (Gurman himself has said Apple is developing several HomePod variants with screens, including one with an iPad-like display and another featuring a screen mounted on a robotic arm). However, the alignment of the two timeframes are beginning to suggest they are one and the same thing. Like Gurman over the weekend, Kuo had said the delay could be attributed to software development challenges, rather than hardware issues.
As a result, Apple could still unveil the smart home hub with an announcement in March, with the actual hardware arriving later in the year, sometime after WWDC 2025. Apple this spring is also expected to announce a next-generation, entry-level iPad with support for Apple Intelligence, an iPhone SE 4, and new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M4 chips.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year."
That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point from September through November, rather than in March-April or at WWDC 2025 in June.
The new HomePod mini and Apple TV will be part of Apple's revamped smart home roadmap, which reportedly also includes an all-new home hub this year, followed by a Face ID doorbell/lock and a security camera as early as next year.
Both devices will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, Gurman previously reported. He said the chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, which extends the capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz with a compatible router. This can contribute to faster Wi-Fi speeds and lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 6.
Other potential changes coming with the next Apple TV include a newer A-series chip that offers faster performance than the current A15 Bionic chip, a starting price as low as $99 in the U.S., and a built-in camera for FaceTime video calls.
As for the HomePod mini, likely upgrades include a newer S-series chip for faster performance, improved sound quality, and fresh color options. The current HomePod mini was released in November 2020, and it uses the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip.
A third-generation Apple Watch SE will be released later this year, and it will have a "new look" of some kind, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman mentioned the redesigned Apple Watch SE as one of many new products that Apple plans to launch in 2025, but he did not share any specific design details at this particular time.
In September, Gurman said the next Apple Watch SE could have a plastic casing, like the colorful iPhone 5c from a decade ago. At the time, he said Apple had faced some "cost and quality challenges" with shifting the casing from aluminum to plastic, but he believed the project was still moving forward. He did not mention plastic today.
An affordable Apple Watch SE with a colorful plastic design could be appealing to parents who are looking to purchase an Apple Watch for a child.
The current Apple Watch SE was released in September 2022. In the U.S., it starts at $249.
In addition to the design changes, the next Apple Watch SE is likely to offer a new chip, for faster performance compared to the current model.
You can expect the Apple Watch SE 3 to launch in September.
In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the iPad 11 will have two upgrades that enable Apple Intelligence, including an A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM. That would make the iPad 11's chip and unified memory on par with the latest iPad mini.
Gurman expects the iPad 11 models to be released this "spring," so a March or April launch is likely based on that timeframe.
iPad 11 models are not expected to have any major design changes compared to the iPad 10.
Apple unveiled the iPad 10 in October 2022, with pricing starting at $449 at the time. Apple lowered the iPad 10's starting price to $349 in the U.S. in May 2024. It is unclear if the iPad 11 will start at $349, or if pricing will return to a higher level.
iPad 10 models have an A14 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM.
Once the iPad 11 launches, Apple Intelligence will be available on all current-generation iPads. The features require an iPad Pro or iPad Air with an M1 chip or newer, an iPad mini with the A17 Pro, or soon an iPad 11 with the A17 Pro.
This week saw notable discounts on a few Apple products, including the AirPods Pro 2 and AirTag 4-Pack at Amazon. For accessories, if you're on the hunt for Apple Watch bands or USB-C charging accessories, we're also still tracking big deals from Woot and Anker today.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Woot brought back its big Apple Watch band sale this week, with up to 70 percent off Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop band styles. You can find the full list of bands on sale in our original post.
Anker this week introduced new high-power chargers and they're already available with a $10 discount. You can also find a big collection of Anker devices marked down in the New Year's sale, including the popular Power Station with Display and Lantern for $89.99 on Amazon.
Samsung kicked off a big winter sale this week with savings on monitors, storage, smartphones, home appliances, and more. During this event, you can also sign up to receive a $50 credit to be applied to the upcoming Galaxy smartphones by entering your name and email on this landing page.
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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Apple's slate of 2025 products look to be dominated by a large number of low-cost and entry-level devices. Here's what to expect.
With advancements like Apple Intelligence and all-new in-house chip designs, Apple is reportedly looking to enhance many of its budget-friendly offerings, ensuring they remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market. These updates also indicate a slight shift in Apple's approach to low-cost devices, moving beyond entry-level hardware to introduce features once reserved for premium models, such as OLED displays, Face ID, and advanced wireless technology.
Indeed, Apple's first custom modem and Bluetooth chip is coming to entry-level devices first. Similarly, the company is focusing on lower-end smart home devices such as the HomePod mini, Apple TV, and Command Center, before devoting attention to higher-end models. We're expecting a total of eight new or refreshed low-cost Apple devices this year:
The MacBook Air will finally be upgraded to the M4 chip, delivering up to 25% faster multi-core CPU performance than the current model. It could also gain support for two external displays and a 12MP webcam with Center Stage. Launching in spring 2025, the new models will likely maintain their current starting price of $1,099. All models now start with 16GB of memory as standard.
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, including a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, and a 48MP rear camera. It will likely be powered by the A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence and will debut Apple's first in-house 5G modem. Expected to launch in March 2025, the new iPhone SE is expected to be priced between $400 and $500, with a slight increase from the current $429 due to significant upgrades.
The 11th-generation iPad will retain the 10.9-inch display and Touch ID power button but will likely upgrade to an A17 Pro or A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to enable Apple Intelligence. Expected in spring 2025, the device may continue to start at $349, with the possibility of a base storage upgrade to 128GB.
The AirTag 2 will include an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for a threefold increase in tracking range, better Vision Pro integration, and a tamper-proof speaker for enhanced anti-stalking measures. Launching in mid-2025, it is expected to maintain the current $29 price point.
Apple's Command Center will serve as an all-new smart home hub product with a 7-inch display, built-in speakers, a camera for FaceTime, and proximity sensors for dynamic interface adjustments. It will run a new "homeOS" with widget-focused controls and Siri integration. Expected to launch around March 2025, the price is yet to be confirmed but is expected to be competitive with similar products like Amazon's Echo Show, which is priced at $90. A higher-end version of the device on a robotic arm is expected to debut in 2026, so the initial Command Center is likely to be an entry-level device akin to the HomePod mini.
The second-generation HomePod mini is expect to gain a new in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip supporting Wi-Fi 6E, improved audio quality, and a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for better handoff. Likely to launch in mid-2025, the device will likely retain its $99 price point.
A new Apple TV 4K is rumored to feature an updated A-series chip, likely the A16 or newer, Wi-Fi 6E support, and possibly a built-in camera for FaceTime. Expected to launch in 2025, the device could see a starting price drop to $99 from the current $129, aligning better with competitors like Amazon's Fire Stick.
The Apple Watch SE 3 will likely feature larger displays, a faster chip, the S10 or S11 chip, and may adopt a more affordable plastic casing. The current model will be three years old this fall. Expected in late 2025, the device could maintain its $249 starting price or potentially decrease slightly to compete with rival devices and appeal to parents purchasing for children.
If you have regular access to an iPhone charger during the day and a healthy battery, you probably don't need to worry much about extending your iPhone's battery. For days when you're away from home for long periods of time, though, you might need to take some steps to make sure you get the most out of your battery.
We've rounded up 10 tips that will help ensure your battery lasts all day.
1. Disable iPhone Mirroring
iPhone Mirroring lets you control your iPhone from your Mac, and when it's turned on, you'll get iPhone notifications on your Mac display even when your iPhone is tucked away.
When it's in active use it can be helpful, but there is a connection between the Mac and the iPhone to relay notifications. Notifications can show up on the Mac even when the iPhone Mirroring app is closed, and there is anecdotal evidence from MacRumors readers suggesting this can be a notable battery drain.
If you're not using iPhone Mirroring, it's worth turning it off. To do so, go to Settings > General > AirPlay and Continuity and tap on Edit. From there, delete the Macs that your iPhone connects to.
2. Be Mindful of Apple Intelligence Usage
On iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, Apple Intelligence can have a major impact on battery life. Processing for features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Writing Tools is done entirely on-device.
In a test, a little over an hour of making emojis with the Genmoji feature drained an iPhone 16 Pro Max's battery 50 percent, so keep that in mind. If you're in a situation where your battery needs to last for a long time, stay away from generating images with Apple Intelligence.
3. Use Dark Mode When Possible
On OLED iPhone displays, activating Dark Mode preserves battery life because there's less power draw when darker colored pixels are displayed. Activating Dark Mode when outside on a sunny day can save you a ton of battery, according to a 2021 Purdue study.
Lower levels of brightness in Light Mode use the same battery as higher levels of brightness in Dark Mode, so Dark Mode can save battery even when brightness is turned up when you're in a sunny location.
When you're somewhere that has dimmer lighting and screen brightness is lower, turning on Dark Mode won't save as much battery life, but it still draws a bit less power.
As of iOS 18, you can set a Dark option for your icons that turns them darker when Dark Mode is enabled (or all the time, if you prefer). Dark icons are easier on the eyes when Dark Mode is on, and it might save just a little extra battery life.
Along with Dark Mode, keep your screen brightness as low as is comfortable, because that's also going to preserve battery. You can quickly adjust brightness using the Control Center.
4. Connect to Wi-Fi When It's Available
This tip is straight from Apple. Whenever you're somewhere that has a Wi-Fi connection available, it's a good idea to use it over cellular.
Wi-Fi uses less power than cellular, and a cellular connection can be one of the biggest battery drains.
When in a place with low signal that's constantly cutting out or no signal, go even further and turn on Airplane mode. When your iPhone is constantly searching for a better cellular signal, it impacts battery life.
5. Turn Off Haptic Keyboard Feedback
Haptic feedback on the iPhone's keyboard is satisfying to feel when you tap on the on-screen keys, but it does drain your battery.
You can turn it off by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback and toggling off Haptic.
6. Set Up Focus Modes and Scheduled Summary
Most of us have tons of notifications coming in throughout the day, and constantly getting alerts and activating the iPhone's display can cost you battery life.
If you haven't already, it's a good idea to set up Focus modes to tailor the notifications you're getting to what you need for any given activity. If you're at home, for example, you can set up a "Personal" mode that filters work notifications, or at work, a mode that filters notifications from games and other apps you don't need while working.
Focus modes are entirely customizable, so you can choose which apps and people can contact you in each mode, and there are even options for filtering out select emails, messages, calendars, and more.
On iPhones that support Apple Intelligence, Apple added a "Reduce Interruptions" Focus mode that intelligently filters what's not important while delivering what you need to see immediately. If you don't want to hassle with Focus modes, this is a good option.
Note that when you use a Focus mode, you'll still get all of your notifications when the Focus mode ends, but in a single alert rather than multiple. Focus modes can be set up in the Focus section of the Settings app.
On a related note, set up Scheduled Summary for any app that sends you unimportant notifications. Scheduled Summary aggregates all of your notifications and sends them to you just once or twice a day.
You can toggle on Scheduled Summary for apps in the Notifications section of the Settings app.
7. Use Offline Maps
In an off-grid area or a place with low cellular signal, Offline Maps can be a real help. When driving or hiking somewhere where signal is low, download a map so you can have full maps access and turn-by-turn directions without a cellular connection.
Offline Maps is a good option to pair with Airplane mode in areas where cellular signal is hit or miss.
8. Automate Low Power Mode
Turning on Low Power Mode is the most obvious way to preserve battery life on your device, and it's a good idea to automate it so it can be set to turn on at a specific battery percentage.
Apple will prompt you to turn on Low Power Mode when your battery is at 20 percent, but it's often helpful to turn it on even earlier. To set up a Low Power Mode shortcut, open up the Shortcuts app, and create a new Automation. From there, search for Battery Level and choose a target battery percentage. Hit the "Next" button, search for Low Power Mode, and select it. That will cause Low Power Mode to activate automatically when your battery hits your target level.
9. Turn Off Fitness Tracking
Your iPhone has a Fitness Tracking feature that stores motion data to estimate your body movements, mobility, step counts, stairs climbed, and more. If you have an Apple Watch or another fitness tracker, you don't need this setting and it could be contributing to unnecessary battery usage.
To turn it off, open up the Settings app and go to Privacy and Security > Motion and Fitness and then toggle off the Fitness Tracking setting.
10. Check App Access Settings
Many apps request access permissions that they don't need and probably shouldn't have access to. Apps that don't need but use Bluetooth or Location can drain your battery life, so it's best to check all of your app settings for both battery preservation and privacy purposes.
Location - Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services.
Bluetooth - Settings > Privacy and Security > Bluetooth.
In each of these sections, toggle off access for apps that don't need this data. An app that connects to something in your home via Bluetooth does need Bluetooth, but apps like Waze, Facebook, and YouTube often don't need it.
It's also a good idea to turn off background refresh for apps that don't need to be updating in the background. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh to check your settings.
Have a useful battery saving tip that we didn't mention here? Let us know in the comments below.
Apple CEO Tim Cook earned $74.6 million in 2024, up from $63.2 million in 2023, Apple said in its annual proxy filing.
Cook's earnings included a $3 million base salary, $58 million in stock awards, $12 million in performance-based awards, and $1.5 million in other compensation, such as 401(k) contributions, life insurance premiums, vacation cash-out, security expenses, and personal air travel expenses. Cook is required by Apple to use private aircraft for both business and personal travel.
Apple set a target compensation of $59 million for Cook, but Cook earned more through the cash incentive payout that executives receive when Apple performs well.
Though Cook's 2024 compensation exceeded what he earned in 2023, it was still down from the $99 million that he was awarded in 2022. Cook and the Board of Directors opted to decrease Cook's total compensation after his 2022 earnings reached almost $100 million.
Other Apple executives, including Luca Maestri, Kate Adams, Deirdre O'Brien, and Jeff Williams, earned $27.2 million.
Apple's 2025 shareholders meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time, according to an SEC filing that was released today.
Apple shareholders of record as of January 2, 2025 can attend, vote, and submit questions during the meeting by logging in to Apple's virtual meeting website 15 minutes before it kicks off. A control number included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials that's provided to shareholders is required to join.
At the meeting, shareholders will vote to re-elect the Board of Directors, approve executive compensation, and ratify Ernst & Young LLP as Apple's public accounting firm. There will also be votes on shareholder proposals.
Most of Apple's shareholder meetings are not of interest to the public. Tim Cook and other executives share little about Apple's future plans at these meetings, but sometimes there are a few interesting tidbits. Last year, for example, Tim Cook spoke about the potential of artificial intelligence before Apple Intelligence features were highlighted in June 2024.
Woot has brought back a massive sale on the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop bands for Apple Watch, which we last tracked before the Christmas holiday. All bands are in brand new condition and come with a one year Apple limited warranty.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. 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 Solo Loop for just $19.99 ($29 off) and the Braided Solo Loop for $29.99 ($69 off) in this sale. Woot says the sale will run through January 17, but it'll probably end sooner when stock runs out, so make your purchases soon if you're interested.
Shoppers should note that this sale is focused on colors of the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop that Apple has stopped selling, and it doesn't include any of the new band colors. That being said, all of the bands in this sale are in new condition.
The entire sale is focused on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, so you'll need to know the size that works best for you before you buy. Apple has a measurement tool on its website that you can use to determine your exact size.
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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Apple Intelligence hasn't convinced people to buy an iPhone 16, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuosaid today. According to Kuo, a supply chain survey suggests Apple Intelligence is not pushing people to upgrade their devices.
The delay between the Apple Intelligence introduction in June 2024 and a launch even after iPhone 16 models came out was a contributing factor, and Apple Intelligence "appeal has significantly declined" compared to cloud-based services like ChatGPT.
There is also no indication that Apple Intelligence will drive Services revenue, as Apple CEO Tim Cook said in December that Apple has never discussed charging for Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple could start charging for Apple Intelligence in 2027 or beyond, but it remains to be seen if that will happen.
All in all, Kuo does not feel that Apple Intelligence is going to benefit Apple in terms of user upgrades or revenue, but there's some hope for the long-term prospects.
I'm not bearish on Apple Intelligence's long-term prospects; however, given the points discussed above, there is no evidence of Apple Intelligence's ability to benefit hardware replacement cycles or service business. As such, it should be cautious of potential downside risks created by earlier market over-optimism.
Apple Intelligence was the main focus of iOS 18, but when the iPhone 16 models launched in September, there were no Apple Intelligence features available. Writing Tools and other capabilities came in the first update to iOS 18 in October, but Image Playground and Genmoji didn't roll out until December.
There are still Apple Intelligence features that have not been implemented, including major changes to Siri that are rumored to be coming in April.
A December survey suggested that many iPhone users feel that Apple Intelligence has added little or no value to their iPhone experience, though that sentiment could change as Apple Intelligence matures.
TikTok is likely to be banned in the United States on January 19, after the United States Supreme Court indicated that it's leaning toward upholding the sell or ban law.
As highlighted by Bloomberg, the Supreme Court heard arguments on the case today, and it didn't go well for TikTok. Most of the justices indicated that worry over U.S. national security overrides free speech, and there were concerns about the personal data that TikTok collects from users, content manipulation, and the influence that China has over ByteDance.
Justice Elena Kagan wasn't a fan of TikTok's argument that its constitutional rights were being violated. "The law is only targeted at this foreign corporation, which doesn't have First Amendment rights," she said.
Justice John Roberts said that "Congress is fine with the expression," but "not fine with a foreign adversary ... gathering all this information about the 170 million people who use TikTok." He also questioned China's influence on ByteDance. "Are we supposed to ignore the fact that the ultimate parent is in fact subject to doing intelligence work for the Chinese government?" he asked TikTok's lawyer.
The Supreme Court could give a ruling on TikTok before January 19, or postpone the date that the law goes into effect to give more time for consideration. TikTok asked the court to halt the ban while it waits for the appeals process to play out, but the court elected to hear the case ahead of January 19.
If the court upholds the law, U.S. app stores will not be able to distribute the TikTok app as of January 19. TikTok users who already have the app will be able to continue using it, but it will stop functioning over time because updates won't be permitted.
ByteDance can opt to sell TikTok to an approved company, which would allow TikTok to continue to operate. A sale won't happen before January 19, but if TikTok is banned, it could be reinstated after a sale. ByteDance has claimed that a sale is not possible, and that China would not approve the divestiture of TikTok and its algorithm.
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CES 2025 is wrapping up today, and attendees are preparing to head home after a long week of exploring the latest tech products. MacRumors Dan Barbera spent the last few days checking out what's new, and we're wrapping up the week with our Best of CES 2025 list.
LG showed off a new UltraFine 6K display with Thunderbolt 5 support, and it's a serious Pro Display XDR competitor. The 32-inch display has a sleek stand with adjustable height, and almost no bezels at all. Launch date and price aren't available just yet. Samsung also had the Smart Monitor M9, a 4K OLED display with an AI Picture Optimizer feature that makes adjustments based on what's on the screen.
TP-Link's Tapo brand had some interesting security cameras and locks, including one that's able to verify your identity by reading the veins in your palm before unlocking the door. The cameras aren't HomeKit or Matter-enabled, but Tapo has detailed notifications that give you insight into what's going on rather than just a standard motion detected alert.
As for Apple-related accessories, Satechi's 3-in-1 magnetic travel chargers in bright colors were a win and SanDisk showed off a MagSafe SSD with USB-C that's perfect for transferring content from your iPhone or recording video directly to the external drive.
OhSnap demoed a MagSafe wallet that has a super strong grip and can hold up to eight cards, and for HomeKit users, Flic Duo had a Matter-compatible button that supports gesture control for controlling your devices.
Other highlights included Honda and Sony's Afeela electric vehicle, the cord-free Displace TV, and a spoon that zaps your tongue to make you taste salt so you can cut down on sodium.
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Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Woot. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
