MacRumors

Apple is working on new software tools that will allow both developers and customers to create augmented reality apps for its widely-rumored AR/VR headset, according to a paywalled report today from The Information's Wayne Ma.

Interestingly, the report claims that customers will be able to create and release AR apps for the headset via Siri, even if they do not have the ability to code:

With the software tools, Apple hopes that even people who don't know computer code could tell the headset, via the Siri voice assistant, to build an AR app that could then be made available via Apple's App Store for others to download. The tool, for example, could allow users to build an app with virtual animals moving around a room and over or around real-life objects without the need to design the animal from scratch, program its animations and calculate its movement in a 3D space with obstacles.

The report likens Apple's tool to Minecraft and Roblox, which allow anyone to easily create 3D tools and worlds. Apple is said to be utilizing technology that it acquired from Montreal-based startup Fabric Software in 2017, and customers would be able to distribute the AR apps they create on the App Store alongside developers.

Apple already offers some AR creation tools like Reality Composer on the iPhone and iPad that could be expanded to the headset.

It's worth noting that the report cites sources who last saw demonstrations of the tool in 2021, so the report is based on older information and it's possible that Apple's plans have changed at least slightly in the time that has passed since.

Apple is also working on AR content for the headset, according to the report:

People familiar with Apple's content strategy for the headset say Apple executives are emphasizing health and wellness including proposals for AR apps that assist with meditation and exercise. One early AR demo allowed users to sit inside a Zen garden, the four people said.

Apple's headset is expected to be released later this year and will reportedly have an iOS-like interface with a grid of apps, advanced eye and hand tracking, and the ability to function as an external display for a Mac. The software tools for the headset could be revealed at Apple's annual developers conference WWDC in June, giving developers time to create AR and VR apps for the headset before it launches to customers later in the year.

Google's Chrome browser has long been criticized for being a system resource hog, which is why Chromium developers have been busy working on ways to free up memory and keep things running smoothly when users have multiple windows and tabs open.

The latest effort in that regard comes in the form of Memory Saver, a new feature that deactivates open tabs you haven't used in a while so that the tabs you are using offer the smoothest possible experience. With Memory Saver enabled, your inactive tabs remain open, and when you access an inactive tab, it reloads automatically.

Google claims the new Memory Saver feature means Chrome uses up to 40% and 10GB less memory. The company says the new performance setting is particularly good at keeping active video and gaming tabs running smoothly.

Google is rolling out Memory Saver mode over the next several weeks globally for Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS, but not everyone will see it yet. Fortunately, if the new Settings -> Performance menu is not visible for you, you can activate it manually by using the experimental features in Chrome Flags. The steps below show you how.

How to Enable Memory Saver Mode in Chrome

Before you proceed, be sure to bookmark any important tabs and save anything important that you're working on in Chrome, then update the browser to the latest version available (109.0.5414.119 as of writing).

1. Launch Chrome and paste the following into the address bar: chrome://flags/#high-efficiency-mode-available
2. Next to "Enable the high efficiency mode feature in the settings", change the Default setting to Enabled, then restart Chrome.
   
   

3. Now paste the following into the address bar: chrome://settings/performance
4. In the new "Performance" menu, toggle the switch next to Memory Saver to enable it.
   
   

5. Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

After you've done that, Memory Saver will be working in the background to free up memory for other tasks. You can can control the mode at any time by clicking Settings in the three-dot menu and selecting the "Performance" sub-menu. It's also here that you can stop Chrome from deactivating specific sites, using the Add button next to "Always keep these sites active."

Google cautions that there are a few settings and activities that may prevent tab deactivation. They include active audio calls or video playback, screen shares, page notifications, active downloads, partially filled forms, and connected devices via USB or Bluetooth.

How to Enable Energy Saver Mode in Chrome

Apart from Memory Saver, Google is also rolling out an Energy Saver mode that makes Chrome automatically limit battery draining tasks when the battery hits 20 percent. It does this by reducing its image capture rate and other background tasks, so you may notice changes in gaming and video performance. Google advises turning it on to extend your device's battery for a long road trip or plane ride.

The mode can be toggled on or off in the same "Performance" page in Settings. If you don't see it and don't want to wait for it to roll out to you, simply follow the same steps as above, but replace the address in Step 1 with chrome://flags/#battery-saver-mode-available and select Enabled next to "Enable the battery saver mode feature in the settings," then restart the browser.

Have you had success with the new Memory Saver or Energy Saver modes in Chrome? Let us know in the comments.

The upcoming iPhone 15 models that are set to be introduced later in 2023 will adopt the Wi-Fi 6E standard, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note about Apple's work on a Wi-Fi chip, Kuo said that the company will upgrade the ‌iPhone 15‌ to Wi-Fi 6E.

Apple is already using Wi-Fi 6E for the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models introduced last year, along with the new Mac mini and 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Apple did not use Wi-Fi 6E for the iPhone 14 lineup, but it is ready to bring the technology to the ‌iPhone‌ with the 2023 update.

Along with Kuo, Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O'Malley have also said that the ‌iPhone 15‌ models will get a Wi-Fi 6E upgrade. No rumors at this time have confirmed whether Wi-Fi 6E will be brought to all ‌iPhone 15‌ models or limited to the higher-end ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models.

With compatible routers and cable modems, Wi-Fi 6E devices can connect to the 6GHz band, providing faster connectivity, lower latency, and less interference than you might see on the standard 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Wi-Fi 6E is the first Wi-Fi standard that allows for 6GHz connectivity, as the prior Wi-Fi 6 standard remains limited to 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.

Wi-Fi 6E is becoming more prevalent, and to take full advantage, a Wi-Fi 6E router is required. A range of companies from Netgear to Asus to Linksys are already selling Wi-Fi 6E hardware.

Other ‌iPhone 15‌ features will include USB-C connectivity, faster 3nm A17 chips for the Pro models, periscope lens technology for the highest-end ‌iPhone 15‌, solid-state volume and power buttons, an upgrade to titanium, and the expansion of the Dynamic Island to the standard ‌iPhone 15‌ line. More information is available in our iPhone 15 roundup.

New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the latest M2 Pro and ‌M2‌ Max chips are available in Apple retail stores and are already in the hands of customers, and we picked up one of the new ‌M2‌ Max machines to answer all of the questions MacRumors readers considering a purchase might have.

Yesterday, we asked MacRumors fans on Twitter what they wanted to know about the new ‌M2‌ Pro and ‌M2‌ Max ‌MacBook Pro‌ machines, and we got all kinds of questions about whether it's worth the upgrade, how the SSD performs, what RAM choices might be best based on usage needs, how hot it runs, and more.

MacRumors videographer Dan answers all of those questions and more in the video up above, so make sure to watch it. Have another question we didn't cover? Let us know in the comments.

Apple has paused work on the Wi-Fi chip that it has in development, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today. The development of the Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip has been "halted" at the current time, and Kuo says Apple will hold off "for a while."

That means that Apple supplier Broadcom will continue providing Apple with Wi-Fi chips for the foreseeable future, including supplying the chips for the upcoming iPhone 15 models that are set to be released in 2023.

News of Apple's work on a Wi-Fi chip first surfaced in January when Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip that would replace components that are sourced from Broadcom. At the time, Gurman said that Apple was aiming to transition to its own chips starting in 2024, replacing Broadcom parts by 2025.

Note that the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip is separate from the 5G modem chip that Apple also has in development to replace technology from Qualcomm. Apple's ultimate goal is to produce many more of the iPhone's critical components in-house, reducing its reliance on third-party companies.

Eventually, Apple wants to create a chip that combines the cellular modem, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth functions into one, and the company is also working to replace the radio-frequency chips and chips for wireless charging that it gets from Qualcomm.

Kuo says that Apple's previous development for a Wi-Fi solution was a Wi-Fi only chip and not the rumored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo chip. The pairing of the two technologies is more challenging for Apple to do.

More specifically, Apple's previous development for Wi-Fi solution was the Wi-Fi-only chip and not the Wi-Fi+Bluetooth combo chip. From a design standpoint, developing a Wi-Fi+Bluetooth combo chip is more challenging than just a Wi-Fi-only chip. Since most of Apple's products use the combo chip, it would be even more challenging to replace Broadcom's combo chips with its own if Apple decides to do so.

Work on a Wi-Fi chip has been paused because Apple wants to focus its chip design resources on the advanced 3-nanometer chips that are set to power future iPhones and other devices. Kuo says that "insufficient development resources" are therefore delaying the mass production of not only Apple's 5G chip, but also the Wi-Fi chip.

Kuo believes that over the next two to three years, it will be risky for Apple to use its own Wi-Fi chips as standards are changing and Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are being adopted. For now, Kuo thinks Apple will begin adopting Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 chips for its devices, with Broadcom to benefit.

The new Mac Pro coming later this year is expected to feature the same spacious modular design as the 2019 model, but with fresh concerns over its lack of upgradeability surfacing, some users are beginning to wonder what the transition away from Intel architecture actually means for Apple's most powerful Mac.

The current Intel Mac Pro that Apple sells is popular with creative professionals because of its modular, highly upgradeable design. It accepts Xeon processors with up to 28 cores and 64 PCI Express lanes, and up to 1.5TB of high-performance memory. It also has eight PCIe expansion slots, while the APX Modules can be configured with six different GPUs. All of the components can be upgraded after purchase.

Given that Apple's high-end M2 Extreme chip has reportedly been cancelled, the new Mac Pro is expected to feature a new M2 Ultra chip, which is essentially two ‌M2 Max‌ chips connected together,‌ featuring up to a 24-core CPU, up to a 76-core GPU, and at least 192GB of unified memory.

But it is just this unified architecture that is raising doubts about the Mac Pro's modularity among prospective owners. Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman revealed that unlike the current Intel-based ‌Mac Pro‌, the upcoming model will not feature user-upgradeable RAM because the memory is tied directly to the M2 Ultra's motherboard.

Now, Gurman has seemingly doubled down on this limitation of Apple's unified architecture by suggesting that the next Mac Pro "may lack user upgradeable GPUs" in addition to non-upgradeable RAM. As he points out: "Right now Apple Silicon Macs don't support external GPUs and you have to use whatever configuration you buy on Apple's website."

Apart from space for media and networking cards, that leaves only storage as the main user-upgradeable component in the Mac Pro. As for the seemingly large empty space that would remain in the unchanging tower case, Gurman suggests it could accommodate a larger cooling system, which would differentiate it from the Mac Studio by affording significantly faster performance.

It's worth noting that on the subject of non-upgradeable GPUs, Gurman appears to be reaching this conclusion based on logical reasoning rather than specific insider information. But if it turns out that he is correct, it could dissuade would-be buyers from investing so much money in a machine that does not offer the same future-proofing expandability.

The ‌Mac Pro‌ currently starts at $5,999, with the potential to price it up to over $52,000 in custom configurations. The base model Apple silicon ‌Mac Pro‌ with the ‌M2‌ Ultra is almost certain to cost more than the high-end ‌Mac Studio‌ with the ‌M1 Ultra‌, which starts at $3,999.

Apple has already teased the launch of the first Apple silicon Mac Pro, so it is undoubtedly coming regardless of the rumors. Indeed, Apple is already testing one of the new ‌Mac Pro‌ models, and it is running macOS Ventura 13.3, an updated version of ‌macOS Ventura‌ coming out later this year. Timing wise, ‌macOS Ventura‌ 13.3 is expected to come out around March or April, so we could also see the ‌Mac Pro‌ launch in this timeframe.

Worldwide smartphone shipments suffered their worst quarterly drop on record over the holiday period, according to IDC, and Apple was not immune to the cooling consumer demand amid the global economic downturn.

The research firm estimates that Apple shipped 72.3 million iPhones in the December quarter, down year-on-year from 85 million units, representing a 14.9% drop in shipments compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Other major smartphone brands suffered similar double-digit setbacks. Samsung's shipments fell by 15.6% year-on-year, and Chinese mobile makers OPPO and vivo suffered almost equivalent declines, with Xiaomi performing worst over the quarter with a 26.3% drop in shipments.

Overall, global smartphone shipments declined 18.3% in the December quarter compared to a year earlier, to a little over 300 million units. The drop marks the largest-ever decline in a single quarter and contributed to a steep 11.3% decline for the year.

"We have never seen shipments in the holiday quarter come in lower," Nabila Popal, research director at IDC, said in a press release. "However, weakened demand and high inventory caused vendors to cut back drastically on shipments."

In addition to inflation and economic uncertainties, lockdowns in China were another factor that hurt the industry, including Apple's iPhone shipments, she said. "Heavy sales and promotions during the quarter helped deplete existing inventory rather than drive shipment growth."

Riots broke out in late November at the world's largest ‌iPhone‌ factory in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, where Foxconn workers were unhappy with Covid restrictions and unpaid bonuses. ‌iPhone‌ production at the factory in Zhengzhou was said to have been significantly affected by the protests, leading to lengthy shipping delays over the holiday period.

According to IDC, 2022 ended with global smartphone shipments of 1.21 billion units, which represents the lowest annual shipment total since 2013 due to significantly dampened consumer demand, inflation, and economic uncertainties.

Despite the difficult holiday period, Apple's market share remained steady, and the company maintained its position as the top smartphone maker for the December quarter with 24.1% market share, up 1% from a year ago. For the year, Apple reached 18.8% market share compared to 17.3% the previous year, coming second only to Samsung, which took 21.6% market share in 2022 compared to 20% over 2021, according to IDC estimates.

Just a day after the launch of new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models, Amazon has slashed its pricing on the Apple Studio Display to $1,299.99, down from its regular price of $1,599.00.

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.

This $299 discount on the Apple Studio Display is the steepest we've ever seen and is available only on the lowest-cost model with standard glass and a tilt-adjustable stand.

Upgrading to nano-texture glass for even less glare increases the price to $1,749.00, which is still a solid deal at a $150 savings over the regular price. Versions with the tilt- and height-adjustable stand are priced higher.

For more discounts, check out our Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

The iPhone 15 will support Wi-Fi 6E, according to a research note shared this week by Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O'Malley. The analysts did not specify whether the feature will be available on all models or limited to the Pro models.

Apple has added Wi-Fi 6E support to a handful of devices so far, including the latest 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini models, while all iPhone 14 models remain limited to standard Wi-Fi 6.

Wi-Fi 6 operates on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6E also works over the 6GHz band, allowing for faster wireless speeds, lower latency, and less signal interference. To take advantage of these benefits, the device must be connected to a Wi-Fi 6E router, which are available from brands like TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear.

Wi-Fi 6E was also rumored for iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models and failed to materialize, but now that Apple has started rolling out Wi-Fi 6E support to its latest devices, it is more likely that the iPhone 15 will finally support the standard.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max in September as usual. Rumors suggest all four models will feature the Dynamic Island and a USB-C port, while the Pro models are expected to gain Apple's latest A17 Bionic chip, a titanium frame, solid-state volume and power buttons, and more.

Apple has a support document with more details about Wi-Fi 6E.

Update: Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has corroborated the report from Barclays, and he too suggests the iPhone 15 models will adopt Wi-Fi 6E.

After announcing new Mac and HomePod models last week, Apple adjusted its trade-in values for select devices in the United States.

iPhone trade-in values decreased by up to $80, and most Android smartphones also went down. Mac trade-in values remained unchanged or increased by up to $40 depending on the model, while some Apple Watch models increased in value and others decreased. Trade-in values were not changed for any iPad models.

Apple's latest trade-in values are listed below.

iPhone

• iPhone 13 Pro Max: Up to $570 (vs. $650)
• iPhone 13 Pro: Up to $470 (vs. $550)
• iPhone 13: Up to $400 (vs. $450)
• iPhone 13 mini: Up to $350 (vs. $380)
• iPhone 12 Pro Max: Up to $400 (vs. $480)
• iPhone 12 Pro: Up to $330 (vs. $400)
• iPhone 12: Up to $300 (vs. $300)
• iPhone 12 mini: Up to $250 (vs. $250)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation): Up to $100 (vs. $100)
• iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $280 (vs. $330)
• iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $230 (vs. $250)
• iPhone 11: Up to $200 (vs. $200)
• iPhone XS Max: Up to $200 (vs. $200)
• iPhone XS: Up to $160 (vs. $160)
• iPhone XR: Up to $150 (vs. $150)
• iPhone X: Up to $130 (vs. $130)
• iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $100 (vs. $100)
• iPhone 8: Up to $75 (vs. $75)
• iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $50 (vs. $60)
• iPhone 7: Up to $40 (vs. $40)

iPad

• iPad Pro: Up to $445 (vs. $445)
• iPad Air: Up to $230 (vs. $230)
• iPad: Up to $160 (vs. $160)
• iPad mini: Up to $240 (vs. $240)

Mac

• MacBook Pro: Up to $670 (vs. $630)
• MacBook Air: Up to $460 (vs. $440)
• MacBook: Up to $110 (vs. $100)
• iMac Pro: Up to $600 (vs. $600)
• iMac: Up to $530 (vs. $530)
• Mac Pro: Up to $1,250 (vs. $1,250)
• Mac mini: Up to $340 (vs. $305)

Apple Watch

• Apple Watch Series 7: Up to $160 (vs. $155)
• Apple Watch Series 6: Up to $105 (vs. $105)
• Apple Watch SE: Up to $65 (vs. $70)
• Apple Watch Series 5: Up to $75 (vs. $80)
• Apple Watch Series 4: Up to $45 (vs. $45)

The full list of trade-in values, including those for Android smartphones, can be found on Apple's trade-in website.

(Thanks, Brad P.!)

Smart home company Eve in December began rolling out a firmware update that adds Matter support to the Eve Energy, Eve Motion, and Eve Door and Window. I have been testing the new Matter integration to see how the devices work with a standard HomeKit setup.

I have the Eve Energy, Eve Motion, and Eve Door and Window accessories, all of which have been out for some time but have been updated to work with Matter. If you're not familiar with Matter, it is a newly released smart home standard that's been adopted by Apple, Samsung, Google, Amazon, and other smart home manufacturers. Matter is designed to allow smart home accessories to be added to any smart home platform that supports the Matter standard.

So Matter-enabled devices from Eve can be added to ‌HomeKit‌, or can be used with Google and Amazon's smart home platforms, and iPhone and Android smartphone users in the same household can control the accessories with their respective devices. ‌HomeKit‌, meanwhile, is Apple only and needs to be accessed from an Apple device.

I don't want to go into too much detail on the specifics of the Eve accessories since this review is mostly for the Matter experience, but I'll give a quick rundown. The Eve Motion is a motion detector that is designed to allow you to activate lights and other devices when motion is detected. Eve Door and Window attaches to a door and can let you know when the door is opened, both for alert purposes and to activate other accessories in automations. Eve Energy is a smart plug, so you can plug anything in and then control it with your Apple devices and Siri commands.

All three of these have Matter support, but right now, Matter needs to be added through a firmware update. So if you already own these devices or buy them with the intention of using them with Matter, be prepared to add new software. Assuming new in the box devices, the first step is to add them to ‌HomeKit‌.

Adding them to ‌HomeKit‌ requires opening up the Home app and scanning the QR code, and it's the same as it is for any ‌HomeKit‌ product. Once that's done, the Eve app is required, and you'll need to give it access to your Home setup. Matter support is not yet officially available, but Eve has a TestFlight version of the app that users can sign up for to test Matter through the Early Access Program.

In addition to one of Eve's supported devices and access to the Eve TestFlight app, a device running iOS 16.2 is required, as is a Home Hub, which includes the HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K.

With the TestFlight version of the Eve app and an Eve Door and Window, Eve Energy, or Eve Motion device added to ‌HomeKit‌, the Eve app can download a firmware update to install Matter. Transitioning to Matter is a one-time irrevocable swap, so once you upgrade your Eve device to Matter, there's no going back.

The upgrade process isn't difficult, but it's also not super simple. The Eve app will walk you through the steps, starting off with generating a new Matter QR code. The Matter QR code looks similar to the ‌HomeKit‌ QR code used to set up a ‌HomeKit‌ device, but it is Matter and not ‌HomeKit‌. This code entirely replaces a ‌HomeKit‌ code, so you need to make sure to save a copy of it, which the Eve app reminds you of multiple times.

In fact, you can't go through the setup process without printing or saving a copy of the new Matter code, and you're going to want to hold onto it similar to ‌HomeKit‌ codes. Since the Matter code replaces the ‌HomeKit‌ code, your existing ‌HomeKit‌ code is no good. In the future, Matter codes will be printed on device like the ‌HomeKit‌ codes, but right now for firmware updates, it's important to keep Matter codes extra safe.

Setup will require a printout of the Matter QR code or a secondary device because after getting the new code, you need to scan it with your primary device to connect the Eve product to Matter. After that, there is a ‌HomeKit‌ to Matter migration process, which took about 10 minutes in my testing.

When Matter-compatible devices are on store shelves and don't require firmware updates anymore, setting up devices will be much simpler. In fact, it's basically going to be the same as setting up a ‌HomeKit‌ device right now, so it should be fairly painless if you're already familiar with ‌HomeKit‌ setup.

In the Home app, Matter devices work just like ‌HomeKit‌ devices, and I can't tell a difference in the functionality. In the Eve app, I can see that a device is "Matter" and not "‌HomeKit‌," but the Home app gives me no particular indication.

Controlling a Matter device is indistinguishable from controlling a standard ‌HomeKit‌ device, which is how it's all supposed to work. Automations, scenes, and schedules continue to work as expected, both in the Home app and through the Eve app. I do want to point out that Eve devices are Thread enabled, and are meant to offer better integration with Thread devices than standard Bluetooth.

I've been using the Eve devices with Matter for over a week, and the performance is about the same as I get with ‌HomeKit‌, but I am having an ongoing issue with the Eve Energy. It disconnects every day or every two days, and it stops communicating with my home setup and becomes inaccessible in the Home app. I have this problem with HomeKit-enabled smart plugs too, but not usually with this frequency. I asked Eve about the issue, and was told that it is a known problem that will be solved with upcoming updates.

This is indeed a known problem with the current combination of home hub software versions and our accessories. In most cases the accessory can still be reached for custom functionality, such as ID feature in the Eve app. We’re working closely with Apple to identify what’s wrong, but in the meantime, usually rebooting the home hubs will help for a while. Removing the accessory from home and adding it back may help on the short run, but they will likely drop off after sometime later again. Overall, future updates of iOS and the Eve app with the firmware should alleviate the problem over time.

I'm an Apple user with a ‌HomeKit‌ setup so I don't have insight into how Eve's Matter devices work with other platforms like Google Home and Samsung SmartThings, but for ‌HomeKit‌ users, I can confirm that Matter is essentially the same experience as ‌HomeKit‌, with no major changes to expect from the cross-platform Matter devices.

There is, however, one exception. You can use ‌HomeKit‌ products without a Home Hub (‌HomePod mini‌ or ‌Apple TV‌) but these are required for Matter because Matter devices need a Matter controller. So you shouldn't pick up Matter accessories or upgrade your ‌HomeKit‌ devices to Matter without one.

If you have someone in your home who uses an Android smartphone and hasn't been able to access smart home products, Matter will make a major difference. Likewise, Android users who have wanted access to products like Eve Energy and Eve Motion will now be able to use these devices that were once Apple Home exclusives.

From ‌HomeKit‌, you can add a second platform like Google Home to your home setup to allow your devices to be controlled though Google hubs or Android smartphones. Just open up the Apple Home app, long press on the tile for the Eve product, select the settings, and then tap on "Turn on Pairing Mode." You will need a Matter controller from the other smart home platform, so if you want to use your Matter devices with ‌HomeKit‌ and Google Home, for example, you'll need a ‌HomePod mini‌/‌Apple TV‌ and something like a Nest Mini or Hub Max.

Amazon hasn't implemented full Matter support yet (setup works on Android smartphones), but many Echo devices will work with Matter, so in the future you'll be able to control smart home products with your ‌iPhone‌ and your Amazon Echo/Nest Hub. Matter will be most beneficial to those who use two smart home platforms, but it will expand the number of smart home products available to ‌HomeKit‌ users, and so far, it doesn't look like there will be any major hassles to deal with when transitioning.

Starting in late March, Eve will sell Matter-enabled devices that work right out of the box and that don't need to have their firmware updated before the Matter integration works, which will be more convenient. Later in the year, Eve also plans to update other Thread products with Matter support. Eve's Matter-compatible devices can be purchased from the Eve website or from Amazon.

Apple today began selling a Kensington locking kit for the Mac Studio with everything needed to secure the computer to a desk or other surface, including an adapter, a combination lock, and a braided carbon steel cable with a nylon cover.

Kensington says the kit was "designed specifically for Apple" and can be installed in minutes, with no tools or modifications necessary. The adapter attaches to a slot that Apple built into the bottom of the Mac Studio and does not block any ports on the back of the computer. The kit is available to order for $64.95 on Apple's online store.

Kensington is a well-known brand for laptop security locks. Apple included a slot for a Kensington lock on many MacBooks until the early 2010s, and it appears that the companies partnered again to offer a security solution for the Mac Studio.

Apple first released the Mac Studio in March 2022. The high-end desktop computer is available with M1 Max and M1 Ultra chip options.

Maclocks also sells a variety of Mac Studio security accessories.

Apple this week began selling refurbished iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models for the first time in the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, with prices discounted by 15% compared to the equivalent brand new models. The standard iPhone 13 is not yet available refurbished, but inventory fluctuates regularly.

Availability of refurbished iPhone 13 models should expand to the U.S. soon, as the models are now listed on Apple's refurbished store there, but remain grayed out for now. This is typically a sign that availability will begin within a matter of days.

Apple's refurbished iPhones are unlocked, SIM-free, and come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a new box with a USB-C to Lightning cable. The devices are also covered by Apple's one-year limited warranty and are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage. Apple says its refurbished products are thoroughly tested and cleaned, and in most cases they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new devices.

Apple first introduced the iPhone 13 series in September 2021 and continues to sell the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini as lower-cost options today. Apple no longer sells new iPhone 13 Pro models, which were replaced by iPhone 14 Pro models.

Amazon today is offering a few of Apple's 2021 M1 iMacs at all-time low prices, focusing mainly on 256GB storage options. As of writing, only Amazon has these prices on the 24-inch iMac.

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.

Starting with the 7-core GPU, 256GB M1 iMac, you can get this model for $1,099.99, down from $1,299.00. The price is available on Pink, Blue, Green, and Silver colors, and this deal represents the best price we've ever tracked on this model.

Secondly, you can get the 8-core GPU, 256GB M1 iMac for $1,299.99, down from $1,499.00. This one is available in Pink, Green, Orange, Purple, and Yellow on Amazon, and it's another record-low price on the M1 iMac.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Update: Amazon has dropped prices even further, knocking $199 off a number of models. This article has been updated to reflect the new pricing.

Microsoft is investigating a networking issue after tens of thousands of users around the world have reported being unable to access services like Teams and Outlook.

In a series of tweets posted on the Microsoft 365 Status Twitter account, Microsoft said it was taking steps to isolate the problem, but did not mention how widespread it was.

"We're investigating issues impacting multiple Microsoft 365 services," said Microsoft, to which it later added: "We've rolled back a network change that we believe is causing impact. We're monitoring the service as the rollback takes effect."

Online outage tracker Downdetector shows almost 4,000 people in India have been impacted and more than 5,000 in the UK reported that Outlook was inaccessible. Australia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates have also seen spikes in outage reports.

Microsoft Teams is used by more than 280 million people globally across businesses and schools, according to the company. Other services impacted by the outage reportedly include Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and OneDrive for Business.

Microsoft also said it was investigating a connectivity issue with its cloud computing service, Azure, affecting what it called "a subset of users". We'll update this article once we learn more.

Update: Microsoft says it has now "confirmed that the impacted services have recovered and remain stable."

In January 2023, Apple released a HomePod 16.3 software update that adds humidity and temperature sensing to the second-generation ‌HomePod‌ and all HomePod mini models. This article explains how to use the features.

In January 2023, Apple announced a second-generation full-size ‌HomePod‌ featuring temperature and humidity sensors that can be used to measure the indoor climate, but it also released a software update that brought the same functionality to existing ‌HomePod mini‌ models.

Apple's ‌HomePod mini‌ was known to have unused temperature and humidity sensors, but now Apple has updated the software, these sensors are available features on the smaller smart speaker, too. Sadly, these sensors are not included in the first-generation ‌HomePod‌.

To get a readout from the sensors, make sure you have updated your iPhone or iPad to 16.3 or later, which should allow you to update the HomePod software to 16.3, then follow these steps.

1. Open the Home app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
2. Select your home, and then the room in which the ‌HomePod‌ is located. Alternatively, tap the Climate button at the top of the main screen for your home.
3. Look for the Temperature and Humidity readings at the top of the screen. If you have multiple temperature sensors in the room, it will display an average of them. (If you've just updated your ‌HomePod‌, the sensors may need a few minutes to calibrate.)
4. Tap the readout, then tap the sensor button again to access more options.
5. In the menu card that appears, you can change the name of the sensor, change which room it is linked to, check its status, and add an automation.

That's all there is to it. Note that you can also tap the Climate button in the main Home app screen to get a readout Be sure to check out the automation options, which can be handy for activating other devices in the room based on a rise or drop in temperature/humidity.

Apple with the iOS 16.2 update introduced an updated underlying architecture for HomeKit and the Home app, but it was pulled a week after launch because of bugs and installation issues. At the time, Apple said the removal was temporary and that the upgrade option would "return soon."

It appears that Apple is nearly ready to reintroduce the updated Home architecture, as backend code indicates that Apple is preparing a "version 2" and testing it internally.

Other than stating that the architecture would be made available "soon," Apple has provided no timing. We are expecting an iOS 16.4 beta to follow the iOS 16.3 launch, and it is likely that the architecture update will appear in that beta. As of now, we don't know when the beta is coming, but it could be as soon as this week.

With the launch of the second-generation HomePod, Apple did mention that the Sound Recognition feature coming in a spring update would require the revamped Home architecture, but we could see the architecture update ahead of when Sound Recognition is released.

Apple says that the update improves the reliability and efficiency of communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices, and it is something that Apple has been working on since iOS 16 was announced at WWDC in June 2022.

The first release of the new Home architecture caused some ‌HomeKit‌ devices to go missing from ‌HomeKit‌ setups or to be stuck with a "configuring/updating" status. It also resulted in invitations to share the Home with others failing, and it broke ‌HomeKit‌ Secure video recording for some.