MacRumors

Apple is pausing all of its advertising on social network X, formerly known as Twitter, reports Axios. The decision comes following antisemitic remarks that Musk made on Wednesday.

X twitter logo
After advertisers fled from X after Musk's takeover of the social network, Apple continued to pay for ad spots, and has been one of the Twitter's largest ad partners. Back in March, Musk thanked Apple for its support, calling the company one of Twitter's "biggest advertisers."

Apple did temporarily pause ads on Twitter back in November 2022, which spurred Musk to lash out and ask if Apple hated "free speech." Musk also said that Apple had threatened to remove Twitter from the App Store, and said that he would "make an alternative phone" if the social network was ultimately pulled.

The dispute was resolved after Musk met with Cook at Apple Park later that year, after which Musk claimed that Apple had in fact never threatened to remove Twitter from the ‌App Store‌ and that it was a "misunderstanding." Musk ultimately called it a "good conversation," and after that point, Apple "fully resumed" advertising. Reports in 2022 suggested Apple was spending more than $100 million per year on Twitter ads.

With Musk's latest comments, and evidence that X is showing Apple ads alongside pro-Hitler content, it is unclear if Apple will be convinced to resume advertising again sometime in the future. Apple CEO Tim Cook in September said that Apple is "constantly" evaluating whether Apple should be buying ads on the social network.

Apple is not the only company pulling out of Twitter ads. IBM said this week that it is pulling ads, and the European Union also no longer plans to advertise on the social network. The White House earlier today condemned Musk's comments, and X employees told The New York Times that it has been fielding calls from other companies upset with Musk.

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.

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the widely rumored array of AI features heading for iOS 18 and Apple's other major software updates in 2024.


Supply chain checks suggest that Apple is building servers to deliver cloud-based AI in late 2024, as well as locally-processed "edge-AI." The company is reportedly planning to debut a "smarter" version of Siri based on its own large language model (LLM) next year that can understand complex questions and auto-complete sentences more effectively, as well as integrate with the Shortcuts app for complex multi-step tasks.

Apple is said to be working on adding AI to as many apps as possible, including features in Apple Music, such as auto-generated playlists, and productivity apps like Pages and Keynote, where AI could assist with writing or creating slide decks. The iPhone 16 lineup is also rumored to feature exclusive AI capabilities, and the company is even rumored to be looking into how generative AI could be used to aid AppleCare.

The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so head over and subscribe to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward:

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the current state of gaming in Apple's ecosystem with TouchArcade's Jared Nelson and Eli Hodapp.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is now on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with ColorWare to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted second-generation AirPods Pro with a USB-C port. Apple in September discontinued the Lightning-based version of the AirPods Pro 2 and instead swapped over to USB-C, and ColorWare is already able to make them in unique colors

colorware airpods pro usb c 1
ColorWare has been offering custom-painted Apple products and accessories for more than two decades now, and this is the company to go with if you want AirPods or Apple devices in shades that are less boring than Apple's default colors.

colorware airpods pro usb c 3
All of ColorWare's products come in hundreds of unique color combinations, and it customizes AirPods, ‌AirPods Pro‌, AirPods Max, AirTags, Magic Mouse, and accessories like consoles and controllers from companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony.

colorware airpods pro usb c 4
Custom second-generation AirPods Pro 2 with a USB-C port are available from ColorWare for $439, a price that includes colorization for both of the AirPods and the accompanying USB-C MagSafe Charging Case. If you just want to customize the earbuds, that can be done for $389.

colorware airpods pro usb c 5
There's a premium price tag for ordering from ColorWare, but with ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 only available in white, this is the sole way to get AirPods in black, red, blue, orange, or dozens of other colors. With the holidays coming up, custom AirPods are a unique gift you won't find elsewhere.

colorware airpods pro usb c 6
ColorWare also has a multi-step coating process that includes a primer, the application of a proprietary color formula, and an X2 liquid plastic coating that protects the color. Custom painting is guaranteed for 12 months.

You can get both solid and metallic paint options from ColorWare, along with gloss and matte finishes depending on personal preference. There are traditional silver, gray, and gold colors that match Apple devices, but colors in every shade of the rainbow are available too.

colorware airpods pro usb c 7
Each AirPod can be painted the same color as the case, or you can get the case and the earbuds all in different colors, which leads to thousands of color combinations to chose from.

ColorWare even offers custom colors like the "CowPods Pro" that features a case with a cow print, or the black holographic Supernova set.

colorware airpods pro usb c 2
To create its custom accessories, ColorWare uses standard second-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ with USB-C case directly from Apple, which means the full AirPods functionality is intact.

We have two sets of custom ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 with USB-C port to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win, use the widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, Threads, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (November 17) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on November 24. The winners will be chosen randomly on or shortly after November 24 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Apple is preparing to begin supporting digital car keys in the Wallet app for certain MINI vehicles, allowing owners to lock, unlock, and start their vehicles using a pass stored in the Wallet app on the iPhone or Apple Watch.

mini oled display
MINI's parent company BMW was the first manufacturer to launch digital car keys in Wallet back in 2020, but it wasn't until earlier today that Apple Pay configuration files were updated to specifically list MINI among supported brands, as spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

Several months ago, MINI unveiled its next-generation MINI Operating System 9, which includes MINI Digital Key Plus. The feature will support Ultra Wideband on both iOS and Android, allowing the user to access the vehicle without having to remove their phone from their pocket or bag.

MINI Operating System 9 will run on the auto industry's first large circular OLED display known as the MINI Interaction Unit, a customizable 9.4-inch screen mounted prominently in the center of the dashboard with colorful and immersive themes available to help personalize the vehicle.

The new MINI Interaction Unit with MINI Operating System 9 and MINI Digital Key Plus recently debuted in the new all-electric MINI Cooper and MINI Countryman, with both vehicles launching next year.

Tag: MINI

Apple today filed a legal challenge against the European Union's Digital Markets Act ahead of the impending requirement to enable app sideloading on its devices (via Reuters).

European Commisssion
The Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open up their services and platforms to other companies and developers. The DMA will have a significant impact on Apple's platforms and it could result in the company being forced to make major changes to the ‌App Store‌, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more. For example, Apple will be obliged to enable users to "sideload" apps from outside the ‌App Store‌. The company appears to have already put preparations in place to acquiesce to this demand in early 2024.

Apple's new legal case takes issue with specific decisions taken by the European Commission under the DMA, but the exact details of the challenge have not yet been publicized. The case is expected to include an argument against the ‌App Store‌ being included on the EU's list of gatekeeper platforms, which requires app sideloading to be an option to allow users to avoid the ‌App Store‌ if they wish. In a statement at the time, Apple told Bloomberg, "We remain very concerned about the privacy and data security risks the DMA poses for our users." Meta and TikTok have filed similar appeals disputing the European Commission's inclusion of their services.

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 plans to bring OLED display technology to nine new devices by 2027, according to a new report from Korea's ETNews.

Oled iPads and MackBook Pro Notch
Following the introduction of OLED displays on both iPad Pro models next year, Apple reportedly plans to bring the technology to the iPad mini and iPad Air in 2026. While the ‌iPad Air‌ will retain a 10.9-inch display, the ‌iPad mini‌'s screen will grow from 8.3- to 8.7-inches in size. In 2027, Apple will bring OLED display technology to the rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air model, which is expected to debut with an LCD display early next year.

Apple apparently plans to use a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panel for the ‌iPad Pro‌ and a single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel for the ‌iPad mini‌ and ‌iPad Air‌, meaning that ProMotion for refresh rates up to 120Hz will continue to be exclusive to the high-end models.

In 2027, Apple will upgrade the ‌iPad Pro‌'s OLED panels to a next-generation panel with improved light efficiency via Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE), which is said to reduce power consumption by around 20%. Use of a color filter could also enable Apple to implement under-display camera technology on the iPad for the first time.

In 2025, Apple will purportedly bring OLED to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, followed by the 14-inch model in 2026. The 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models will also transition from LCD to OLED in 2026.

Benefits of OLED include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio, greater color accuracy, and lower power consumption compared to existing models with LCD panels. Apple already uses OLED displays for the iPhone and Apple Watch models, with the exception of the ‌iPhone‌ SE. The report notes that OLED panels are also thinner and lighter than LCDs, which offer particular benefits to the ‌iPad‌.

Related Forums: iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro

Signify has released new Philips Hue Contact Sensor firmware that adds support for Apple HomeKit, reports Hueblog.com.

hue secure contact sensor
Previously the indoor sensors could only be controlled through the Philips Hue app's Security Center. Now, after updating to the new firmware (1961076030), they appear in the Home app, where users can use the "open" and "closed" status of the sensors to create automations and control other HomeKit devices that are not connected to the Philips Hue Bridge.

Released in September, the Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensor can be applied to doors, windows, cabinets, and more, sending notifications when the contact sensor is opened or closed. Users can remotely activate an alarm that flashes the lights, sounds a siren, and contacts local authorities, plus there are options for customizing camera settings.

As with Philips Hue Secure cameras, the sensors can be linked to lights to activate them when the sensor is triggered, so they can be used for things like turning on the lights in the bathroom when the door is opened.

Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensors are priced at $40 for one or $70 for a two-pack, and various mounts and other add-on hardware can be purchased for $15 to $50. More information is available on the Hue website.

Apple appears to have originally designed an Apple Watch Ultra with a dark ceramic back, according to documents filed with the United States Federal Communications Commission and spotted by @ParrotSWD on X, formerly Twitter (via 9to5Mac).

apple watch ultra prototype fcc
When releasing a new device, tech hardware companies must share details with the FCC, which Apple did for the Apple Watch Ultra prior to its release in September 2022.

In the document, Apple appears to have used an Apple Watch Ultra with a darker, almost black ceramic rear case – similar to Apple Watch Series models – and a plastic-looking Action button with no indent. These design attributes did not make it into the final release.

Often in filings of this type, external photos and other sensitive details are subject to a confidentiality clause with an expiry date, so it is likely that the clause in this one recently expired, hence why the images have only just come to light.

Apple currently offers the Apple Watch Ultra 2, released in September 2023, in the same natural titanium color as the first-generation model. Prior to launch, some rumors suggested Apple could release a new darker color option that was originally tested for the previous model but ultimately canceled. It didn't happen.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Sonos today announced plans to expand into a new "multi-billion dollar" product category in 2024, which is widely believed to be headphones. Sonos CEO Patrick Spence declined to give specific details on the company's plans, but he said that the new product will "complement" current Sonos devices and will "delight customers and drive immediate revenue."

airpods max spring blue
Spence said that Sonos believes it will generate more than $100 million from new products in 2024, and the new product will account for a "large portion" of this revenue in the second half of the year.

There have been rumors for years now that Sonos intends to enter the headphone market with a pair of wireless headphones that could be similar in design to over-ear headphones like the AirPods Max. Sonos has never confirmed its work on headphones, but a leaked internal memo that was obtained by Bloomberg earlier today confirmed that the company does indeed have a headphone division.

Right now, Sonos develops wireless speakers, soundbars, and other home theater devices, so headphones seem to be a logical next step for the company. As Sonos manufactures higher-end devices, the first headphones could perhaps be designed to compete with over-ear headphones from companies like Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, Shure, and Bowers & Wilkins, but Sonos could also target the AirPods market.

Bloomberg in 2019 said that Sonos was targeting a $300 price point and was focusing on features like audio quality and multi-service interoperability, but it has been several years since new details emerged.

Sonos speakers already compete with Apple's speakers, so a set of headphones that serve as an alternative to ‌AirPods Max‌ and Beats would not be a surprise. At this point, little is known about Sonos' plans for the headphones, and there is no specific launch date that has been shared.

Tag: Sonos

Last week, Amazon introduced the first major discounts on the Apple Watch Series 9. Today, these deals have returned and offer some of the best Black Friday deals around with $50 off nearly every Series 9 device, starting at $349.00 for the 41mm GPS model, down from $399.00.

apple watch series 9 black fridayNote: 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.

Apple launched the Series 9 models back in September, and early on the steepest discounts were about $10-15. Amazon's Black Friday deals are blowing those early markdowns out of the water, and they include both GPS and cellular models. This time around, the 41mm GPS device is available in two Aluminum models, as well as in both S/M and M/L fits.

Amazon also has the 45mm GPS Apple Watch Series 9 for $379.00, down from $429.00. It's available in four Aluminum color options, both S/M and M/L fits, and this is another record low price on the smartwatch.

Cellular Apple Watch Series 9 deals are just as abundant on Amazon right now. You can get the 41mm Cellular model for $449.00 and the 45mm Cellular model for $479.00, both of which are $50 discounts and all-time low prices. You'll find all five Aluminum options on sale at these prices, as well as multiple size options.


Anyone shopping for Apple Watch deals should head to our dedicated guide for the Best Early Black Friday Apple Watch Deals. Right now, this also includes a record low price on the 44mm GPS Apple Watch SE (2022), priced at $219.99, down from $279.00.

If you're starting your holiday shopping this week, we've got you covered with even more guides for the best early Black Friday deals for AirPods, iPhone, HomePod, and iPad. We've also been keeping an eye on the best overall Apple deals in the lead-up to November 24. All of these guides will be updated as the month continues, so be sure to bookmark and revisit to stay up-to-date on the best prices for the products you have an eye on.

Additionally, we're tracking all of the season's best deals in our dedicated Black Friday Roundup. Our roundup mainly focuses on Apple products and related tech accessories, so it's another good resource for your online holiday shopping.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Related Forum: Community Discussion

Apple is continuing to run into troubles in its attempt to develop a 5G modem to replace Qualcomm's 5G modems in the iPhone and other products, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

5G Modem Feature Blue
Apple in 2019 acquired the majority of Intel's smartphone business and started in on a serious effort to develop its own modem hardware, but the project has suffered multiple setbacks. Apple is still "years away" from creating a chip that is able to perform as well as or better than chips from rival Qualcomm.

The Cupertino company initially wanted to have an in-house modem chip ready to go by 2024, a goal that could not be met, and now Gurman says that Apple is also going to miss an extended spring 2025 launch timeline. As of now, the modem chip launch has been postponed until the end of 2025 or early 2026, and Apple is still planning to introduce the technology in a version of the low-cost ‌iPhone‌ SE.

Development on a modem chip is said to be in the early stages, and it "may lag behind the competition by years." One version in development does not support faster mmWave technology, and Apple has also run into issues with the Intel code that it has been working with. Rewrites have been required, and adding new features has been causing existing features to break, plus Apple has to be careful not to infringe on Qualcomm patents while developing the chip.

"Why we thought we could take a failed project from Intel and somehow succeed is a mystery," an Apple employee allegedly told Gurman. Apple's hardware technologies group is also said to be "stretched thin" across numerous projects, leading to difficulty resolving bugs.

Apple's dissatisfaction with Qualcomm surfaced in 2017, which is when Apple sued Qualcomm for unfairly collecting royalties for technologies it had nothing to do with. Apple was of the opinion that Qualcomm was charging too much for its modem chip technology.

With the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup, Apple was able to opt out of using Qualcomm chips, instead equipping iPhones with chips from Intel, but the relationship between Intel and Apple was short lived. After the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 11, Apple wanted to continue to use Intel chips for its first 5G iPhones, the ‌iPhone‌ 12 models, but Intel could not manufacture 5G chips that were up to Apple's standards.

Apple was instead forced to settle its legal dispute with Qualcomm, and all litigation was dropped. The two companies signed a new contract, which was extended in September 2023. The latest deal with Qualcomm covers smartphone launches in 2024, 2025, and 2026, and will last through Apple's delayed modem chip development.

While Apple's in-house modem chip has been delayed, the company is continuing development because it is eager to end its expensive deal with Qualcomm. Apple's first modem chip will be a standalone chip, but the company hopes to eventually develop a system-on-a-chip that will also cut out suppliers like Broadcom and give it more control over component development.

The way vehicles take advantage of new connectivity standards could be improving in the near future, leading to updates on how smartphones like the iPhone control cars.

bmw car key photo
This month, the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) and the FiRa Consortium that oversees the development of the Ultra-wideband (UWB) standard, announced a partnership for the future development of UWB features used for the CCC Digital Key function.

Apple is a member of both the CCC and FiRa. The CCC's Digital Key specification has been adopted by Apple for its Car Keys feature that allows the ‌iPhone‌ and the Apple Watch to unlock compatible vehicles over NFC. Select BMW, Kia, Hyundai, Mercedes, and Genesis vehicles work with Car Keys, but Apple undoubtedly wants to expand adoption.

The CCC and FiRa Consortiums will work together to "develop and maintain" the UWB technology specifications used for the Digital Key standard that serves as the basis for ‌Car Keys‌ on Apple devices. Apple engineer Jinjing Jiang will oversee the joint effort.

The partnership is expected to encourage broader adoption of UWB technology use in vehicles. As of now, UWB is used for the Digital Key standard to relay how close a user is to their vehicle, allowing a smartphone or wearable to be used for vehicle access or to start the car when at the appropriate range.

Apple uses UWB for the ‌iPhone‌, Apple Watch, and AirTag. UWB enables more precise location awareness and it powers features like Precision Finding for the ‌AirTag‌.

Along with Apple, CCC members include most vehicle manufacturers like Ford, BMW, GM, Honda, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and more, while FiRa members include Apple, Google, Qualcomm, Cisco, Samsung, NXP, and more.

After years of persuading from Google, Apple plans to adopt the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standard. An Apple spokesperson told TechRadar and 9to5Mac that support for ‌RCS‌ will be coming next year.


Later next year, we will be adding support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard as currently published by the GSM Association. We believe the RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS. This will work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users.

According to Apple, ‌RCS‌ will "work alongside iMessage" and will improve communication between iPhone and Android users. iMessage will continue to be the default for ‌iPhone‌ to ‌iPhone‌ communication, with ‌RCS‌ serving as a replacement for the existing SMS and MMS standards. SMS and MMS will remain available as a fallback when necessary, though.

Rich Communication Services is a communication protocol adopted by Google. Smartphone makers and carriers worldwide have adopted ‌RCS‌, but Apple has been resisting its adoption. Google has been pushing Apple to accept RCS through a long-running ad campaign involving billboards, a website, social media pressure, and more.

Google has had a "Get the Message" website since August 2022, with the site calling on Apple to "fix what's broken" in texts between ‌iPhone‌ and Android users. Earlier this year, even Samsung got into the PR campaign, publishing a bizarre ad where "Romeo" with his green bubbles and "Juliet" with her blue bubbles were unable to be together because of Apple's hesitation to adopt ‌RCS‌.

"Green bubbles and blue bubbles want to be together," read Samsung's ad, which also included the #GetTheMessage hashtag Google used for its social media push.

Compared to MMS and SMS, the standards that Apple uses for text messages, ‌RCS‌ supports higher resolution photos and videos, audio messages, and bigger file sizes. It also adds improved encryption for chats between ‌iPhone‌ and Android users, cross-platform emoji reactions, and more reliability for group chats across different devices.

With ‌RCS‌, real-time typing indicators, read receipts, better photos and videos, and much improved group chats will be standard on iPhones and Android phones, putting an end to the frustration that some ‌iPhone‌ users experience when attempting to communicate with Android smartphone owners. Apple claims that while ‌RCS‌ improves security for cross-device messaging, it is not as secure as iMessage.

According to Apple, ‌RCS‌ will provide users with the option to share their location with others inside text threads over text messages, and like iMessage, ‌RCS‌ will work over Wi-Fi in addition to cellular.

Back in September 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that adopting ‌RCS‌ was not a priority for Apple. "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy into that at this point," he said. It is not clear why Apple has changed its stance, but the company is facing regulatory scrutiny over the App Store, iMessage, and other proprietary technologies in multiple countries, so adopting ‌RCS‌ could be seen as a willingness to work with other companies to improve device interoperability.

The European Union, for example, has been working on legislation that would have required Apple to make changes to iMessage to make it available on other platforms. With ‌RCS‌, iMessage will no longer have as many benefits that are unavailable cross-platform.

Going forward, Apple plans to work with Google and other Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) members on further improving ‌RCS‌. ‌RCS‌ support will be introduced in a software update next year, and carriers will need to implement support for full functionality. In the United States, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T already support ‌RCS‌.

Samsung's 32-inch Smart Monitor M8 has hit a new all-time low price today on Amazon, available for $399.99, down from $699.99. This is the newest M80C model of the Smart Monitor, and the only color Amazon has at this price is Warm White.

samsung monitor xmasNote: 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 will need to clip an on-page coupon worth $100 in order to see this discounted price applied at the checkout screen. You'll also need to be sure that you're purchasing the monitor from Amazon and not any other seller, as Amazon is the only one with the $100 on-page coupon code. If you follow the link below and don't see the code, navigate to "other sellers" tab on the right side of the page on Amazon and find the direct Amazon listing.

Once you do, you'll be able to buy the iMac-like Smart Monitor M8 with this massive $300 discount, which is a new all-time low price.

Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.

Samsung launched this refreshed version of the Smart Monitor M8 back in June, including updates like HDR10+ support and a portrait orientation option.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2023.

Update: This deal has expired, but you can still get the monitor for $499.99 on Amazon.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Related Forum: Community Discussion

Apple's latest flagship iPhones are not charging as expected in some GM vehicles, according to a number of consumer complaints highlighted by The Verge. On Reddit, Apple's site, and other forums, there are reports from iPhone 15 users who own Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick vehicles with wireless chargers that are not able to charge their new iPhones. Some people see the iPhone charge for a few seconds, but then it seems to stop, while others can't get their devices to charge at all.

pacifica 2021 wireless charging
On Reddit, there are several complaints from Chevy owners who can't get their wireless chargers to work properly. Placing the device in the wireless charging cubby does not result in a charge, regardless of whether the device is in a case.

Happy to know that it isn't just me. My iPhone 12 Pro Max worked perfectly (every time) in my '23 Chevy Traverse. I went to the iPhone 15 Pro Max about 6 weeks ago and the feature broke just as described in other comments: Charge for a few seconds and then stops - case on or off yields same results. I am currently on iOS 17.1.1 and have taken every update since the phone was purchased on 10/8/23.

Many of the complaints are from ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max users, and the problem may be linked to the iOS 17.1 update.

Some in-car wireless chargers are notoriously unreliable because of they are designed for a range of smartphone sizes and sometimes cannot accommodate larger devices. Alignment issues are common, resulting in a lot of frustration when it comes to wireless car charging.

General Motors told The Verge that it is "aware of the concern" and "is investigating," with nothing to confirm on the issue at this time.

This is the second charging-related issue that is plaguing the ‌iPhone 15‌ models. Following the release of the new devices, some BMW owners quickly found that wireless chargers in their vehicles were temporarily disabling the NFC chip in their iPhones. Apple confirmed the issue in October and introduced a fix in the iOS 17.1.1 update that came out in early November.

The launch of the Qi2 wireless charging standard may cut down on future problems with in-car charging because Qi2 chargers include magnetic alignment, but it often takes car manufacturers many months or even years to introduce new technology, and it won't be helpful to vehicle owners with existing Qi chargers.

Given that the charging issues that GM owners are experiencing seem to have popped up with iOS 17.1, Apple may be able to address the problem with a subsequent update, and there is also a chance that GM can issue a firmware update to restore charging capabilities. As of now, the iOS 17.2 update does not fix the problem.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Related Forum: iPhone

Alongside its Black Friday bonus gift card announcement, Apple has also released its holiday shipping guide in the United States and other countries that outlines deadlines for customers looking to order gifts online for arrival by December 24.

apple holiday deadlines 2023
Unlike in some recent years, Apple appears to have ample stock of all of its main products as we head into the holiday season, with Apple currently saying that most products can be ordered up until December 21 while still receiving delivery in time for Christmas.

For items that can be engraved through Apple, two additional days are generally required, meaning orders must be placed by December 19. The lone exception to that is AirTags, which must be ordered by December 12 if you wish to have them engraved. Finally, physical gift cards must be ordered by December 19.

While these deadlines are for shipments of orders placed through Apple's online store, the company says customers may still be able to get orders in time after the deadline if items are in stock and customers choose Apple Pickup or 2-hour delivery from a local Apple Store.

Deadlines in other countries vary somewhat, such as a flat December 21 deadline for all products (including engraved ones) in Germany and a flat December 22 deadline in the United Kingdom.

Apple may update the deadlines on these pages in the coming weeks as it assesses product availability, so it pays to keep an eye on it and ensure you order in plenty of time to receive your items in time for the holidays.

Apple's extended return policy is also now in effect, allowing items purchased in most countries between November 3 and December 25 to be returned through January 8, 2024. Select countries have a longer window with items purchased between November 4 and January 6 able to be returned through January 20, 2024.

Apple today shared details about its upcoming "Apple Store Shopping Event" between Black Friday on November 24 and Cyber Monday on November 27 where customers will be able to get a gift card with the purchase of select products.

apple black friday 2023
From November 24 to November 27, customers will receive Apple Gift Cards with the purchase of eligible items from the Apple Store:

Mac: Up to a $200 Gift Card

iPad: Up to a $100 Gift Card

iPhone and AirPods: Up to a $75 Gift Card

Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod, Beats, and Accessories: Up to a $50 Gift Card

Customers who plan to trade their current device in for a new product are still eligible for a gift card. The Apple Store Shopping Event is set to run for four days and will be available through Apple's online store in the United States, the United Kingdom, and various other countries.

Related Forum: Community Discussion

Apple plans to introduce a new thermal system on the iPhone 16 to reduce overheating, according to the leaker known as "Kosutami."

iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Kosutami explained that Apple is working on a graphene thermal system for the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup, while the iPhone 16 Pro models could add metal battery casings to reduce overheating. The move appears to come in response to widely encountered overheating issues experienced with the iPhone 15 Pro, which Apple addressed through a software update earlier this year.

Graphene has high thermal conductivity, surpassing that of copper, which is currently used in iPhone heat-sinks. Apple has been interested in graphene for thermal management for some time, filing patents related to its exploration of the material for heat dissipation in portable devices. Apple previously transitioned the Apple Watch's battery from black foil casings to ones made of metal with the Series 7, so an equivalent change on the ‌iPhone‌ seems plausible.

Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro