Apple today confirmed that up to 32 items can be added to the Find My app on the iPhone and iPad, up from a previous limit of 16.
Apple revealed this information in a support document updated today:
You can add up to 32 items in Find My. In addition to AirTag and the third-party Find My network accessories in the Items tab, AirPods Max count as one item, AirPods and AirPods Pro (1st generation) count as two items, and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) count as three items.
We confirmed that Apple increased the item limit starting with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, but the change was not reflected on Apple's website until now.
Items that count towards the limit include AirTags, AirPods, newer MagSafe Wallets, select Beats headphones, third-party accessories with Find My support, and more, according to Apple. Once the items are added to the app, users can track the location of each one on a map across the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Some models of AirPods are considered multiple items due to each individual earbud and charging case being counted separately.
Alongside Qi2 wireless charging stands, Apple accessory maker Satechi this week unveiled new hubs and charger options for Apple's Mac lineup.
The upgraded Stand & Hub for Mac mini and Mac Studio fits under one of Apple's slim desktop machines, and it includes an NVMe SSD enclosure that supports NVMe and M.2 SATA SSDs. There are USB-C 3.1 and USB-A 3.1 ports for file transfers, with support for speeds up to 10Gb/s.
An SSD added into the hub can be used for Time Machine backups, plus there are also two additional USB-A 3.0 ports, micro/SD card readers, and an audio jack for headphones.
Satechi's Thunderbolt 4 Slim Hub Pro has three Thunderbolt 4 downstream ports that support data transfers at up to 40GB/s, plus it can deliver up to 15W of power to connected peripherals. It supports up to two 4K displays or one 8K display, and it offers 32Gb/s native PCIe support for external GPUs and Thunderbolt-based SSDs.
The 145W USB-C 4-Port GaN Travel Charger has two USB-C 3.1 ports that can provide up to 140W and two USB-C 3.0 ports that can provide up to 45W. The 145W max power is split between devices when more than one device is plugged in, with the charger providing smart power distribution that automatically adjusts wattage for optimal charging.
The Apple Store app will use a facial scan to provide customers with information on the correct Vision Pro component sizes they need to order, according to code found by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The Vision Pro requires an appropriately sized Light Seal and Head Band in order to operate as intended.
"You may scan your face to determine your size for Apple Vision Pro," reads code in the Apple Store app.
Apple has already been using a Head Measure and Fit app to help developers testing the Vision Pro to find their correct sizes, so it sounds like similar functionality will be built directly into the App Store. Light Seals and Head Bands come in several sizes, and the option to use a scan to determine a size suggests that customers will not need to visit an Apple retail store to determine the right fit. A facial scan is likely to be part of the process of ordering the Vision Pro online.
The Vision Pro will ship with both a Solo Knit Band and a Dual Loop Band, the latter of which has a second strap that goes over the head to more evenly distribute weight. A Light Seal and two Light Seal Cushions are included as well. Customers who need prescription lens inserts from ZEISS will be able to import their prescriptions from the Health app or upload their prescription.
Code also suggests that Apple may allow the Vision Pro to be engraved, but it is not clear where an engraving might be able to be located.
Apple plans to launch the Vision Pro on Friday, February 2, but pre-orders for the device will begin on Friday, January 19 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Apple CEO Tim Cook earned $63.2 million in 2023, down from $99.4 million in 2022, according to the Apple proxy statement that was released today.
Cook's total earnings included a $3 million base salary, $47 million in stock awards, $10.7 million in performance-based bonus awards, and $2.5 million in other compensation, which included 401(k) contributions, term life insurance premiums, vacation cash-out, security expenses, and personal air travel expenses.
Cook owns a total of 3,280,053 shares of Apple stock at the current time, as well as an additional 1,291,086 RSUs that have not yet vested.
In 2023, Apple's board of directors, shareholders, and Cook himself decided to decrease Cook's compensation. His target award was $49 million, which was ultimately exceeded due Apple's performance. For 2024, Cook's target equity award is set at $50 million, with 75 percent of that subjected to performance-based vesting.
Other senior executives, including Luca Maestri, Kate Adams, Deirdre O'Brien, and Jeff Williams, earned approximately $27 million each, most in the form of stock awards.
Both Al Gore and James Bell are retiring from Apple's board of directors, Apple announced today. Dr. Wanda Austin, former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, has been nominated to join the board as the two depart.
According to Apple, Dr. Austin brings "decades of science and technology experience" to the role, and she has a track record of "advancing innovation and shaping corporate strategy."
"Wanda has spent decades advancing technology on behalf of humanity, and we're thrilled to welcome her to Apple's board of directors," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "She's an extraordinary leader, and her invaluable experience and expertise will support our mission of leaving the world better than we found it."
"Like Apple, I've always believed in the power of innovation to improve lives, support human potential, and shape a better future," said Dr. Austin. "I'm honored to join Apple's board of directors, and I look forward to being part of a company that's always creating new ways to empower people all over the world."
Apple does not allow directors to stand for reelection after reaching age 75, which means that both Al Gore and James Bell are retiring from the board due to their age.
"We're deeply grateful to Al and James for their many years of service to Apple -- their insights, energy, and values have made us a stronger company in so many ways," said Cook. "For more than 20 years, Al has contributed an incredible amount to our work -- from his unconditional support for protecting our users' privacy, to his incomparable knowledge of environment and climate issues. James's dedication has been extraordinary, and we're thankful for the important perspectives and deep expertise he's offered on audit, finance, and so much more over the years."
Al Gore first joined Apple's board in 2003, while James Bell joined in 2015. Dr. Austin has a Ph.D in industrial and systems engineering. She joined The Aerospace Corporation in 1979, and from 2008 to 2016, she served as the organization's president and CEO. From 2018 to 2019, she was the interim president of the University of Southern California, and she also serves on the boards of Amgen and Chevron. She previously was on the board of Virgin Galactic.
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Apple is planning to produce between 60,000 and 80,000 Vision Pro units for the February 2 launch of the device, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. With the small size of the shipment, Kuo believes that the Vision Pro will "sell out soon after the release."
According to Kuo, though Apple has not yet defined the key applications for the Vision Pro and the price is high, the "groundbreaking technology innovations" and Apple's "base of core fans and heavy users" will exhaust supplies of the device.
Kuo made similar comments earlier this week when he said that demand for the headset would cause it to sell out during pre-orders, and he believes there will be long shipping delays after the initial launch period. Apple is expected to produce fewer than 400,000 Vision Pro headsets in 2024 due to the complexity of manufacturing.
The first run of Vision Pro headsets might sell out quick, but Kuo says that so far, it is unclear if the demand for the Vision Pro will be sustained "after the novelty wears off." Continued sales will depend on "clear and correct" product positioning and key applications from Apple.
Apple plans to release the Vision Pro on Friday, February 2, but pre-orders will be accepted starting on January 19 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Orders are limited to the United States for the time being, and Apple has not yet provided details on when the headset might be available in other countries.
Customers that are planning to pick up one of the $3,500 Vision Pro devices should plan to pre-order immediately in order to ensure a headset on launch day.
Amazon continues to provide steep discounts on multiple AirPods models this week, with the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C at an all-time low price and the AirPods 3 and AirPods 2 at solid second-best prices.
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The newest AirPods model, the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, is available for the record low price of $189.00 on Amazon, down from $249.00. Amazon provides an estimated delivery date of January 13 through January 16 if ordered today.
Secondly, the AirPods 3 with Lightning Charging Case have hit $149.99 on Amazon, down from $169.00. We've seen this one down about $10 cheaper in past sales, but this remains the best deal that we've tracked since the holidays.
Lastly, Amazon has the AirPods 2 for $99.00, down from $129.00. Of course, these were cheaper during the holiday shopping season, but at $99.00 they're still the cheapest model of AirPods you can get in new condition right now.
Microsoft today overtook Apple as the world's most valuable public company by market value. Apple's share price dropped by just one percent, enabling Microsoft to narrowly pull ahead of Apple at a value of $2.87 trillion.
Microsoft has briefly overtaken Apple as the most valuable company since 2018, most recently in 2020 and 2021 when concerns about supply chain shortages dented Apple's stock price and a boom in remote working bolstered Microsoft. Over the past year, Microsoft's support for artificial intelligence tools by backing OpenAI has helped boost its value, while equivalent offerings from Apple have been noticeably absent.
In its November earnings report, Apple's sales results missed expectations as demand for iPads and wearables was lower than expected. Mac revenue also saw a major drop compared to the previous year. It is yet to be seen how responses to the Vision Pro headset will influence the market, but expectations are relatively low due to low sales forecasts and the device's high price point.
Update 1:40 pm: By the close of the regular trading day, Apple had retaken the top spot in market capitalization at $2.89 trillion compared to Microsoft's $2.86 trillion, and the companies may swap places multiple times in the coming days and weeks as they remain close in value.
"An attacker with physical access to the accessory may be able to extract its Bluetooth pairing key and monitor Bluetooth traffic," an Apple support document says.
The firmware update is available for various Magic Keyboard models for the Mac, including the standard Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad.
Magic Keyboard firmware updates are automatically installed while the keyboard is paired to a device running macOS, iOS, iPadOS, or tvOS, with no way to manually apply an update. To check a Magic Keyboard's firmware version on a Mac, open the System Settings app, click Bluetooth, and click on the info button next to your keyboard.
Apple's full security disclosure:
Bluetooth
Available for: Magic Keyboard; Magic Keyboard (2021); Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad; Magic Keyboard with Touch ID; and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
Impact: An attacker with physical access to the accessory may be able to extract its Bluetooth pairing key and monitor Bluetooth traffic
Description: A session management issue was addressed with improved checks.
CVE-2024-0230: Marc Newlin of SkySafe
This is the first firmware update for some Magic Keyboard models in several years, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
Apple today received approval to sell the HomePod mini in Malaysia, according to a local regulatory filing uncovered by Xavier Naxa.
It's unclear when the HomePod mini will be available in Malaysia, but sales will presumably begin on Apple's online store there within the next few months. Apple has yet to receive approval to sell the full-size second-generation HomePod in the country.
Apple first released the HomePod mini in October 2020 in the U.S., and it is now sold in around 25 countries. New color options were added in November 2021, and the speaker's previously-unused temperature and humidity sensor was activated last year.
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year said mass shipments of a second-generation HomePod mini would begin in the second half of 2024.
Update: On January 17, Apple revealed that iOS 17.3 will be released "next week", with Monday, January 22, and Tuesday, January 23, being the most likely dates.
Apple is working on an iOS 17.3 update, and has seeded three betas to developers and public beta testers so far. The update isn't quite as large as the prior iOS 17.2 update in terms of new features so the testing period won't be as long, and we are expecting it to launch before the end of January.
In terms of timing, a launch the week of January 22nd might make the most sense. We've had three betas, two of which have not added anything particularly notable, suggesting there isn't much testing left. If Apple plans to launch the update on the 22nd or the 23rd, we can expect to see the release candidate version of the iOS 17.3 update on the 15th, followed by the launch.
Apple could also release iOS 17.3 on the week of the 29th, but that is the week that visionOS and the Vision Pro headset will be coming out. Apple does sometimes tie software release updates together, but as an entirely new operating system, visionOS isn't likely to be accompanied by any other updates.
The last new operating system update that Apple came out with was watchOS back in 2015. watchOS saw its official release on Friday, April 24, 2015, the same day that the first Apple Watch models launched.
Apple last year released iOS 16.3 on January 23, and in 2022, Apple released iOS 15.3 on January 26, so a January 22 launch date for iOS 17.3 would be in line with Apple's past release timelines.
iOS 17.3's main new feature is Stolen Device Protection, a feature that prevents a thief that somehow gains access to both your iPhone and your passcode from accessing sensitive information. It locks several features behind a Face ID scan, preventing a thief from viewing iCloud Keychain passwords, turning off Lost Mode, using Safari payment methods, and more.
It also adds a time-based delay before allowing Face ID, Find My, or Stolen Device Protection to be turned off, and before letting an Apple ID or iPhone passcode be changed.
Along with Stolen Device Protection, iOS 17.3 adds Collaborative Apple Music Playlists, a feature originally intended for iOS 17.2. With Collaborative Playlists, multiple people can contribute to one shared Apple Music playlist.
Hyper has a range of new products coming out this year, with many of the additions previewed this week at CES. The $150 HyperJuice 4-in-1 Qi2 Stand has a 15W magnetic wireless charging surface that is able to charge a MagSafe iPhone at up to 15W.
It's also equipped with a 5W Apple Watch charger, a dedicated charging spot for the AirPods, and a fourth wireless charging spot for other accessories. The stand, which folds down when not in use, will come out in the second quarter of 2024.
Hyper is also working on a foldable Qi2 Puck Stand and Apple Watch charger. Priced at $120, it too can charge an iPhone at up to 15W, with a 2.5W charger available for the Apple Watch. It is set to come out in Q2 2024 as well.
Hyper has a $130 Qi2 10,000mAh Power Bank coming in the second quarter of the year, with the power bank able to magnetically connect to an iPhone for charging on the go. It includes a 20W charging port as well, with the port providing both input and output power.
Other new products coming from Hyper include a tiny 5,000mAh Capsule Power Bank with integrated cables, a compact 20,000mAh USB-C Power Bank, a 100W multi-port HyperJuice wall charger that can charge up to four devices at once, and a Thunderbolt 5 dock with triple 4K144Hz extended display support, 140W pass-through power delivery, and more.
Mila, a company that makes air purifiers and humidifiers, today announced the launch of the Mila Air 3, an air purifier that offers HomeKit integration.
The Mila Air 3 is an upgrade over the first-generation Mila Air Purifier. Along with HomeKit support, the updated model includes a quieter, more energy efficient fan and more powerful performance thanks to an updated motor. An LCD display provides feedback on air quality, and capacitive buttons allow for on-device control.
With HomeKit integration, the Mila Air 3 will work with the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and it will allow the air purifier to be turned on or adjusted with Siri voice commands.
Mila Air Purifiers work with a new Mila Insights app, providing details on air quality alerts, air quality over time both indoors and outdoors, and the filtering performance of the Mila.
The Mila Air 3 is set to launch in the summer of 2024. Depending on the filter selection, pricing will be $408 to $448, though it will drop to $349 for users who subscribe to an auto-refill service for filters.
Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.
Safari Technology Preview 186 includes fixes and updates for CSS, Forms, HTML, JavaScript, Rendering, Service Workers, Web Animations, and Web API.
The current Safari Technology Preview release is compatible with machines running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, the latest version of macOS that Apple released in September 2023.
The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.
Apple's aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today formally opposed Apple's motion for the Apple Watch sales ban to remain paused for the duration of Apple's appeal.
In a document filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, ITC lawyers said "Apple presents a weak and unconvincing case to invoke the extraordinary remedy of a stay pending appeal," adding that Apple's arguments "amount to little more than an indisputably adjudicated infringer requesting permission to continue infringing the asserted patents."
The court is accepting responses from other parties in support of the ITC's ruling until January 15, so the Apple Watch should remain available until early next week at a minimum.
In October, the ITC ruled that Apple Watch models with blood oxygen sensing infringed on patents owned by medical technology company Masimo, and ordered that the import and sale of these devices be banned in the U.S. as a result. The feature is available on the Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, excluding Apple Watch SE models.
In December, Apple briefly paused sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 across its U.S. retail stores and online store. After appealing the ITC's ruling with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Apple was granted a temporary stay, leading to the ban being paused and sales resuming for now.
Apple is reportedly working on software changes to address the alleged patent infringement, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency is expected to rule on these changes later this week. However, Masimo believes that the Apple Watch's hardware design will have to change to become compliant, and the ITC also expressed skepticism.
"To the extent Apple relies on the soon-expected ruling from Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") as to whether certain redesigned Apple Watches infringe the Asserted Patents, those arguments are, at best, misplaced," ITC lawyers said in today's filing. "A favorable ruling to Apple has no bearing on Apple's alleged likelihood of success on the merits as to any raised issue, and instead would undermine Apple's 'irreparable harm' argument."
Sennheiser this week announced the launch of several new wire-free earbud and headphone options that are designed to compete with the AirPods and AirPods Pro from Apple.
The Momentum Sport earbuds are fitness optimized, featuring both a heart rate sensor and a body temperature sensor that can provide real-time biometric feedback. The heart rate data can be added to the Health app on an Apple device, and the earbuds also integrate with other platforms like Strava, Garmin, Peloton, and Polar.
There is a built-in acoustic relief channel that is meant to minimize footstep noise, breathing, and other sounds from the body, and there is a semi-open design that promotes natural environmental awareness that's important for running, biking, and similar activities.
Several listening modes are available, including a Transparency mode, an anti-wind mode, and an Adaptive Noise Canceling mode, so users can adapt the earbuds to multiple activities. The earbuds include a new acoustic system for what Sennheiser says is the best sound yet in a sport earbud, and there is IP55 sweat and water resistance along with a shock-proof chassis. Priced at $330, the Momentum Sport will be available starting on April 9.
The mid-range Accentum Plus headphones are an affordable option that supports aptX and offers 50 hours of listening time on a single charge. The headphones include Adaptive ANC to cut down on ambient sound, and an audio cable allows them to be used in situations where wire-free functionality is not available, such as on an airplane. The Accentum Plus will launch on February 20 and will be priced at $230 in the U.S.
Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds are built on Qualcomm's S5 Sound Gen 2 platform with aptX lossless sound quality and low latency. Bluetooth 5.4 is included, as is Auracast, which Sennheiser says offers "exceptional signal continuity while on the go."
Adaptive ANC has been improved, plus there is a more advanced tuning system and an upgraded battery system allowing the earbuds to last for up to 7.5 hours before needing to be recharged. The Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds will be available for pre-order on February 15, and they will be priced at $300 in the United States.
Apple accessory company Native Union this week unveiled a number of upcoming accessories that are set to launch throughout the year.
The Voyage 2-in-1 is a Qi2 wireless charger that supports the latest wireless charging standard. It is able to charge an iPhone at up to 15W, the same as MagSafe. The foldable charger has a main charging base for the iPhone and a second charging base with an Apple Watch charging puck that can fast charge the Apple Watch or charge up the AirPods Pro.
Native Union's (Re)Classic Power Bank features a 5,000mAh battery to add additional power to an iPhone. The ultra slim power bank is able to connect magnetically to an iPhone that supports MagSafe for charging on the go.
The Desk Mat and Desk Laptop Stand are new desktop accessories designed to be used with a Mac. The Mat has a textured surface and is made from an animal-free material, while the Desk Laptop Stand has a premium metal construction that elevates a laptop or tablet up to 60cm.
The Slim Charger is a thin, 67W USB-C power adapter with two ports, and it is covered with a soft-touch canvas material. The slim design allows it to fit behind a desk, a couch, or in other tight spots. The Pocket Cable, inspired by the Swiss Army Knife, features a fold-up USB-C cable that charges devices up to 60W.
Native Union's Desk Mat, Desk Laptop Stand, and (Re)Classic Power Bank will be coming out in the first quarter of the year, with launch dates coming in the future for the Voyage 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger, Slim Charger, and Pocket Cable.
Apple currently offers two external displays, including the Studio Display and the Pro Display XDR. It also sells the 24-inch iMac for customers who prefer an all-in-one desktop computer, but the larger 27-inch iMac was discontinued in March 2022.
Below, we recap rumors about next-generation Studio Display and Pro Display XDR models, as well as a potential 32-inch iMac.
Studio Display
Apple released the Studio Display in March 2022 alongside the first Mac Studio. The monitor features a 27-inch LCD screen with 5K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, P3 wide color, up to 600 nits brightness, a built-in camera and speakers, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the Studio Display starts at $1,599.
There haven't been any specific rumors about a new Studio Display. However, in December 2022, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was working on multiple new external monitors. He said at least one of these monitors could function as a smart home hub in a low-power state, but it's unclear which model he was referring to. In July 2023, Gurman said Apple's next-generation monitors would launch in 2024 at the very earliest.
There have been on-again, off-again rumors about Apple planning a new 27-inch external display with mini-LED backlighting and ProMotion support, which could allow for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, but the status of this project is not entirely clear. In April 2023, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the display was slated for mass production in 2024 or early 2025. It's unclear if this monitor would be the next Studio Display.
Pro Display XDR
Released in December 2019 alongside an updated Mac Pro, the high-end Pro Display XDR features a 32-inch screen with LED backlighting, a 6K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, P3 wide color, up to 1,600 nits of brightness, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. In the U.S., the monitor starts at $4,999, but the optional Pro Stand costs $999 extra.
Gurman said one of the new external monitors that Apple was working on was an updated version of the Pro Display XDR with an Apple silicon chip, something the current model lacks. In the Studio Display, an A13 Bionic chip powers features such as Center Stage camera framing, spatial audio, and Siri voice commands.
While no other features have been rumored yet, some additions that customers are hoping for include a webcam, speakers, and a higher refresh rate.
In November 2023, Apple announced that it has no plans to release a 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip. For customers who want a large-screened desktop setup, Apple recommended pairing the Studio Display with a Mac Studio or Mac mini. Apple did not explicitly rule out the possibility of a 32-inch iMac being released in the future.
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