MacRumors

Today Amazon has returned with a match of the all-time low price on Apple's new 15.3-inch MacBook Air notebooks, including every color of the 256GB and 512GB options. You can get the 256GB 15.3-inch MacBook Air for $1,099.00, down from $1,299.00.

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 sale is available in all four colors: Space Gray, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. All models are in stock and have an estimated delivery date between August 26 and August 30. These notebooks debuted this past June and we last tracked this record low price earlier in August.

Additionally, Amazon has the 512GB 15.3-inch MacBook Air on sale for $1,299.00, down from $1,499.00. This one is available in one color (Starlight), and has an estimated delivery date between August 26 and August 30.

The new MacBook Air features a large 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display, M2 processor, six-speaker system, two Thunderbolt ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and MagSafe. The 15.3-inch MacBook Air is mostly similar to the 2022 13.6-inch MacBook Air, but there are some key differences that we highlighted in our buyer's guide.

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

Meta-owned Twitter competitor Threads is finally getting a highly requested feature -- web access. The Threads social network can be accessed on the desktop and mobile devices using any web browser.

Since its July debut, Threads has only been available on mobile devices through dedicated apps. At launch, Threads was very barebones, with Meta working to add new functionality on a regular basis to bring the network in line with Twitter.

Threads web access started rolling out on Tuesday, but it appears to be much more widely available as of this morning. A lack of web access could be one of the reasons that Threads has been losing users since it garnered more than 100 million users the week that it came out.

While Threads now features web access and a chronological timeline of just those you follow, it continues to lack key features like lists and direct messages.

Threads integrates with Instagram, so it continues to have a strong user base for such a new app. MacRumors is on Threads, and all of our content is posted there for those who would like to follow us outside of Twitter and Facebook.

The new Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones have received their first discount today on Best Buy and Amazon, available for $249.99, down from $349.99. Best Buy offers free in-store pick-up as well as free next-day shipping, and Amazon offers the usual free two-day shipping for Prime customers.

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.

These headphones debuted last month with improved sound quality, voice performance, comfort and durability, and connectivity. You'll find all four colors on sale at both Amazon and Best Buy: Sandstone, Navy, Deep Brown, and Black.

In addition to the Beats Studio Pro headphone sale, we're tracking a few deals on other Beats products at both Best Buy and Amazon this week. This includes savings on the Beats Flex, Beats Studio Buds, Beats Studio Buds+, and Beats Fit Pro.

• Beats Flex - $39.99, down from $69.99 [Best Buy / Amazon]
• Beats Studio Buds - $99.99, down from $149.99 [Best Buy / Amazon]
• Beats Studio Buds+ - $129.99, down from $169.99 [Best Buy / Amazon]
• Beats Fit Pro - $159.99, down from $199.99 [Best Buy / Amazon]

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Hardware prototyping consultant Ken Pillonel has created a transparent AirPods Pro charging case with a repairable design using 3D printing technology and transparent SLA resin, as part of his ongoing efforts to highlight repairability and sustainability issues in modern consumer electronics.

The project began with Pillonel downloading 3D files and employing transparent SLA resin to create the AirPods Pro case. Using a Formlabs Form 3+ printer, Pillonel printed the parts, cleaned them with IPA, and carefully dried them using compressed air. He then cured the parts and undertook a labor-intensive phase of sanding carried out in sequence using 400, 600, 800, and 1000 grit sandpaper, with the parts regularly dipped in tap water to aid in cleanliness and progress assessment.

The process continued with a cleansing in new IPA and drying with hot air to prevent mineral residue deposits from water. To finalize the aesthetic, Pillonel applied a clear spray varnish to the parts. The spray transformed the parts from opaque to entirely clear, achieving the desired transparent look.

The transparent design also taps into a nostalgic aesthetic, reminiscent of transparent gadgets from the past. Beyond the visual appeal, the project represents Pillonel's continued effort to highlight repairability issues in contemporary consumer electronics and encourage a move towards more sustainable design practices. By using screws and nuts instead of adhesive and a USB-C port, Pillonel's AirPods Pro case can easily be taken apart and repaired.

Apple recently introduced a transparent variant of the Beats Studio Buds +, while Nothing's transparent Buds (1) and (2) have sought to compete with AirPods, indicating something of a revival of interest in transparent electronics.

Google's Chrome browser for iOS is testing an option for users to shift the address bar to the bottom of the screen, two years after Apple’s Safari made the same change.

The move, spotted by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, is currently in beta testing in the Testflight version of the app. Currently the change is optional, enabling users to set the URL bar to the top or bottom by pressing and holding the bar to bring up a switch, or by changing the location via Settings -> Address Bar.

Apple in its iOS 15 beta testing phase introduced a redesigned Safari experience that moved the URL bar and tab interface to the bottom of the iPhone, a decision that initially proved controversial with ‌iPhone‌ users.

Locating the bar at the bottom of the interface made it easier to browse with one hand, but not everyone was happy. After listening to feedback, Apple added a toggle to show the address bar at the top of the ‌iPhone‌ rather than the bottom, for users who preferred the more iOS 14-like experience.

It's not clear whether Chrome will roll out the change to all users – Google tried a similar change in Chrome for Android in 2017, then subsequently removed the feature. However, with iPhone screens historically getting iteratively bigger, many will likely welcome the change, should it stick.

All iPhone 15 models this year are expected to adopt USB-C ports for the first time, and while USB-C has several advantages over Lightning, another rumor today suggests that Apple's standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are unlikely to enjoy any increase in data transfer speeds following the transition.

According to leaker Majin Bu, who has previously shared details about Apple's new cables, the USB-C cables supplied in iPhone 15 boxes are indeed limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds at a rate of 480 MBps, which is the same as Lightning.

In contrast, rumors converge on both iPhone 15 Pro models supporting higher USB-C transfer speeds. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 Pro models will support "at least" USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. For comparison, the iPad Pro features a Thunderbolt port for transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps, while the entry-level iPad’s USB-C port is limited to just 480 Mbps.

With the higher-specification data transfer speed, iPhone 15 Pro models will therefore be able to transfer video and other file types much more quickly than the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

Each iPhone 15 will include a braided USB-C charging cable in the box that is thicker (i.e. more durable) and 50% longer than the Lightning cable that comes with current iPhone models, according to reports. The cables are also rumored to be color-matched to possible new iPhone colors, coming in at least black, white, yellow, blue, and orange.

With iOS 17, Apple introduced new features for the Maps app. The changes in the Maps app aren't as notable as some of the additions we've seen with prior software updates, but there is at least one long-awaited function.

This guide rounds up everything that's been changed or added in the iOS 17 Maps app.

Offline Maps

Maps can be downloaded so that you can use them offline in iOS 17, which is useful when there is no cellular or WiFi connection. You can save a specific area of a map to your device, allowing it to be accessed while offline.

Saving retains all information like business hours and ratings, plus it allows for turn-by-turn directions, so the Maps app basically works like it does when it has a connection, with the exception of real-time traffic information.

You can search for any location in the Maps app or set a pin and then choose the "Download" option to get an offline map. Tapping on the download button brings up a drag and drop interface where you can select how much of the map you want to download.

Apple allows for downloads of full cities and surrounding areas, so you can, for example, download a map of Los Angeles that includes the area all the way up to Bakersfield and down to San Diego. Apple lists the size of each downloaded map, with size depending on the area you've selected and what's in that area. A small selection may only be 200MB, but a larger area that has a lot of roads and businesses could be 3GB or more.

Limited Service Warnings

If you look up directions for a route that goes through an area that often has no cellular signal, the Maps app will recommend that you download the map for offline usage.

As of right now, this feature is available for National Parks located in the United States.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Apple Maps now displays real-time charging station availability along Maps routes for electric vehicle owners. Users can choose a preferred charging station to see only those compatible with their vehicle.

Interface Update

When you're getting turn-by-turn directions, the Maps app shows tappable icons for driving, walking, transit, and other options rather than a dropdown menu. The arrival time and avoidance preferences options are still in the same dropdown menu as they were in iOS 16.

Volume

In the turn-by-turn directions interface, you can tap on the ^ button to see a new Voice Volume option that allows you to adjust the volume of the spoken directions. Options include Softer, Normal, and Louder.

The new volume option joins Add Stop, Share ETA, and Report an Incident.

Read More

More information on all of the new features in the iOS 17 update can be found in our iOS 17 roundup.

Apple has made headlines for lobbying against right to repair laws in recent years, but this week the company decided to express support for California's Right to Repair Act, SB 244.

As noted by repair site iFixit, Apple yesterday sent a letter to California senator Susan Talamantes Eggman urging the California legislature to adopt the bill.

SB 244 would require companies to provide customers with the tools to diagnose and repair consumer electronics and appliances. Apple has already launched a Self Service Repair program for iPhones and Macs, with this program offering customers repair kits, repair manuals, and components for repairs.

Apple likely meets the requirements of SB 244 with the Self Service Repair program and with the repair programs that it has for repair shops, including options to become Apple Authorized Service Providers and to receive parts through the Independent Repair Provider Program.

California's bill also says that service and repair facilities that are not authorized repair providers for a company must disclose if they're using replacement parts that are used or not from the manufacturer. That means an independent iPhone repair shop in California would be required to source parts from Apple or to inform customers that device repairs are done with counterfeit components or used parts.

Further, the bill has a component that prevents manufacturers from being required to make tools, parts, and documentation available for any component that would disable or override antitheft security measures, which would encompass features like Face ID.

Independent repair shops already have the option of purchasing components from Apple, but have complained that Apple forces them to sign invasive contracts. As for the ‌Self Service Repair‌ Program, the kits and components that Apple sells are not much more affordable than simply getting a repair from an Apple Store.

In its letter, Apple said that it would continue to support the bill so long as it provides "protections for customers and innovators." Apple highlights specific components of the bill that encompass the protections that it prefers.

Assurances that the bill would not threaten consumer safety and data security by requiring that manufacturers allow repair providers to disable device security features, many of which have been requested by law enforcement agencies and required by law to thwart theft,

Focus on requiring manufacturers obligations to provide the documentation, tools, and parts to enable the repairs performed by authorized repair channels, as opposed to a broader undefined scope of repairs which may compromise consumer physical safety, repair reliability, and device integrity,

Requirements that repair providers disclose the use of non-genuine or used parts, and

Prospective application that would allow manufacturers to focus on building new products that comply with the proposal.

Apple has not in the past supported Right to Repair legislation, but SB 244 is not as open-ended as some of the past repair bills that states have promoted, and is not a free pass for repair shops as it includes consumer protections that prevent repair facilities from surreptitiously using substandard repair components. The bill would require components, repair manuals, and other necessary repair information to be made available for seven years for any product that costs more than $99.99, a move that would also undoubtedly benefit California customers. The full letter that Apple sent in support of the bill is available to read on Scribd.

Last month, Apple began hosting Vision Pro developer labs in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo, allowing developers to get early hands-on time with the headset. The one-day labs enable developers to test and optimize their apps on visionOS, with Apple employees available to help with setup and troubleshooting.

Apple today highlighted some positive reactions from developers who have attended the labs and had an opportunity to try on the Vision Pro.

"I'd been staring at this thing in the simulator for weeks and getting a general sense of how it works, but that was in a box," said David Smith, developer of the Widgetsmith app. "The first time you see your own app running for real, that's when you get the audible gasp."

Fantastical and Cardhop developer Michael Simmons described the Vision Pro labs as a "proving ground" for spatial computing. "Experiencing spatial computing not only validated the designs we'd been thinking about — it helped us start thinking not just about left to right or up and down, but beyond borders at all," he said.

Any registered Apple developer who is at least 18 years old can apply to attend a Vision Pro lab for free on Apple's website, with additional dates added through late September depending on the location. Developers must have a new visionOS app in active development, or an existing iPadOS or iOS app, and Apple says priority will be given to developers who are building apps that are specially optimized for the Vision Pro.

In early August, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he heard the labs had been "under-filled with small amounts of developers," but interest could improve as time goes on. There are no labs available on the East Coast of the U.S., and Apple is not paying for travel or accommodation expenses involved with attending.

Apple says the Vision Pro will launch in the U.S. in early 2024, and in additional countries later that year. The headset will be priced at $3,499.

Apple today provided a new public beta of the upcoming watchOS 10 update, allowing the general public to test the Apple Watch software ahead of its launch. Today's beta corresponds with the seventh developer beta that Apple released yesterday.

watchOS 10 can be downloaded after upgrading your iPhone to the public beta version of iOS 17 and after signing up on Apple's beta software website. With those criteria fulfilled, you can open up the Watch app on iPhone, go to General, select Software Update, and choose the watchOS 10 Public Beta option under Beta Updates. If you already have the beta, you can simply update.

With watchOS 10, Apple is making a major update to the Apple Watch interface with a focus on widgets. The Smart Stack, accessible with a turn of the Digital Crown, displays the information that you need most. What's available changes throughout the day and as the Apple Watch learns your usage habits.

Apple has updated almost all of the built-in apps with an information-forward design that allows for quicker interactions. Weather, Maps, Home, Messages, Activity, Heart Rate, Stocks, and more have all been overhauled.

There are two new watch faces, including Palette and Snoopy. Snoopy features characters from the popular Peanuts cartoon, with the animations changing throughout the day. Palette shows the time in a variety of overlapping colors.

The Maps app has a topography view that shows elevation information, contour lines, hill shading, and points of interest to make it more useful on hikes and when out and about, and for cyclists, there are new advanced metrics, views, and experiences that work through a connection to Bluetooth-enabled cycling accessories.

The Mindfulness app has a new feature for logging moods and emotions, Group FaceTime audio calls are now supported, and NameDrop allows you to quickly exchange contact information with somebody just by holding your Apple Watch near someone's iPhone.

For more on everything new in the watchOS 10 update, we have a detailed watchOS 10 roundup.

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to be announced in less than a month, introducing over 20 upgrades and changes to surpass the iPhone 14 Pro models introduced last year.

After over a year of rumors about the upcoming devices, we have compiled all of the key differences the next-generation "Pro" iPhone models are expected to feature based on information from reliable sources like Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, DSCC's Ross Young, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, and others. Many of these insights have been corroborated, but some have only been rumored in isolated reports. Nevertheless, MacRumors believes the following table represents a credible overall picture of what the iPhone 15 Pro could look like compared to the iPhone 14 Pro:

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max	iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Surgical-grade stainless steel chassis with 90° edges	Lightweight titanium chassis with slightly curved edges
2.17mm display bezels	1.55mm display bezels
7.85mm thick	8.25mm thick
Mute switch	Action Button
Lightning port (480Mb/s)	USB-C port (20Gb/s to 40Gb/s)
Telephoto camera with up to 3x optical zoom	Periscope telephoto camera with up to 6x optical zoom (iPhone 15 Pro Max only)
ƒ/1.79 wide camera	ƒ/1.7 wide camera
LiDAR scanner	More efficient LiDAR scanner
A16 Bionic chip (5nm)	A17 Bionic chip (3nm)
OLED display driver chip (40nm)	More power-efficient OLED display driver chip (28nm)
6GB memory	8GB memory
U1 chip (16nm)	Next-generation ultra-wideband chip (7nm)
Qualcomm X65 modem	Qualcomm X70 modem
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
Support for Qi wireless charging	Support for Qi2 wireless charging
Support for 7.5W wireless charging with third-party accessories	Support for 15W wireless charging with third-party accessories
Support for ~27W wired charging	Support for 35W wired charging
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options	256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage options
Available in silver, gold, space black, and deep purple	Available in silver, space black, gray, and dark blue
Comes with white 1m USB-C to Lightning charging cable	Comes with color-matched 1.5m USB-C to USB-C braided charging cable
Starts at $999 and $1,099	Starts at $1,099 and $1,199

The latest reports point to an Apple event to announce the iPhone 15 lineup taking place on Tuesday, September 12. Launch is expected to follow on Friday, September 22.

For more detail on the iPhone 15 Pro models, see our dedicated roundup. Be sure to let us know what upgrades you're most looking forward to in the comments.

For over two decades, the MacRumors Buyer's Guide has served as a valuable resource for keeping track of when Apple products were last updated.

Below, we have highlighted five current-generation Apple products and accessories that have not received hardware upgrades in several years. We also provide some purchasing recommendations based on our own opinions and rumors.

This list excludes previous-generation Apple products still sold, such as the iPhone 13, and products unlikely to be updated again, such as the SuperDrive.

iMac

Apple last updated the iMac in April 2021 with the M1 chip, a 24-inch display, and an ultra-thin chassis available in seven color options. A new model with a faster M3 chip is expected to be released in late 2023 or early 2024.

Apple has also experimented with larger iMacs, including a model with around a 32-inch display, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He does not expect a larger iMac to be released until late 2024 or at some point in 2025 at the earliest.

Recommendation: Do not buy an iMac right now unless absolutely necessary. A new model is likely months away from launching.

AirPods Max

Released in December 2020, the AirPods Max will turn three years old later this year. Apple's over-ear headphones have not received any hardware updates since and remain priced at $549, with five color options available.

In January, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said mass shipments of second-generation AirPods Max would likely begin in the second half of 2024 or the first half of 2025, but there's always a chance that new color options could be introduced sooner.

The new AirPods Max could adopt several features from the second-generation AirPods Pro, such as an H2 chip, improved active noise cancellation, Adaptive Transparency mode, Conversation Boost, skin-detect sensors, longer battery life, and more. The new AirPods Max would also likely be equipped with a USB-C port for charging.

Recommendation: While the AirPods Max are nearly three years old, the headphones might not be updated for another 12 to 18 months. Consider waiting if you are willing to, but otherwise they are still a fine purchase today. Also consider the Beats Studio Pro, which launched last month and are more affordable than the AirPods Max.

HomePod mini

Released in November 2020, the HomePod mini is another Apple product that is nearly three years old. The smaller Siri-enabled smart speaker remains available for $99 and has not received any hardware updates since launching, although it did get new blue, orange, and yellow color options in November 2021.

A new HomePod mini is not expected to be released until the second half of 2024, but Apple did enable the temperature and humidity sensor in the current model earlier this year, providing new functionality amid the wait for a new model.

Apple released a second-generation full-size HomePod in January.

Recommendation: A new HomePod mini is still rumored to be at least a year away, so the current model remains an acceptable buy for $99.

Pro Display XDR

Apple released the Pro Display XDR in December 2019, so it will be four years old later this year. The high-end monitor starts at $4,999 and features a 32-inch screen size with 6K resolution, but it lacks a built-in camera and speakers.

In December, Gurman said Apple was working on multiple new external monitors, including an updated version of the Pro Display XDR that will be equipped with an Apple silicon chip, just like the Studio Display with the A13 chip. However, it's unclear when the new Pro Display XDR will be released or what other new features it will have.

Recommendation: Given how expensive the Pro Display XDR is, it is worth waiting for the next model at this point. Also consider the Studio Display, which is over two years newer, more affordable, and has a built-in camera and speakers.

Apple Pencil

The second-generation Apple Pencil was announced in October 2018, nearly five years ago. There haven't been any credible rumors about a third-generation Apple Pencil, so it's unclear when the $129 accessory will be updated next.

On the iPad Pro models released in October 2022, the second-generation Apple Pencil can be detected while it hovers up to 12mm above the display, allowing users to see a preview of their drawing before they make it. And for the Scribble feature, text fields automatically expand when the pencil gets near the screen.

Recommendation: The current Apple Pencil is very outdated, so there is always a chance of a new version being released in the near future. However, there are no credible rumors about a new Apple Pencil yet, so it might remain a safe buy for now.

Today we're tracking Anker accessory deals on Amazon and on Anker's own website. One highlight is the Eufy Security SmartDrop Package Box, which is down to $199.99 on Amazon, from $399.99. We last tracked this deal in July and it's a match of the all-time low price on the product.

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

The Eufy package box provides a secure location for your packages to be delivered, and sends notifications to your smartphone when items arrive. Right now it has an estimated delivery date of August 29 from Amazon.

In addition to the SmartDrop Package Box there are a few other Anker accessories on sale today, both on Amazon and on Anker's website. On the Anker website, you'll find both individual deals on charging accessories as well as a few bundle offers.

Shoppers should note that for both websites, most of the deals below will require you to clip an on-page coupon. On Amazon, you can do this by simply clicking the box near the green text under the price of the accessory, and then you'll see the price at checkout. On Anker, you can hit the "copy code" button then proceed to "buy now" in order to get the discount.

Besides the Anker accessories, Jackery is also discounting its high-capacity Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station. This accessory is available for $799.00, down from $1,099.00. The power station has eight total outlets, including three AC outlets, two USB-A, two USB-C, and one car outlet.

Cables and Wall Chargers

• USB-C to USB-C Cable (6ft 2-Pack) - $9.99, down from $16.99
• 100W USB-C Charger - $26.59 with on-page coupon, down from $35.99
• 100W USB-C Power Adapter (2-Port) - $36.79 with on-page coupon, down from $45.99
• Nano 65W USB-C Charger (3-Port) - $39.99, down from $55.99
• Compact Power Strip - $74.99 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99

Portable Batteries

• PowerCore 10,000 mAh - $13.20 with on-page coupon, down from $21.98
• PowerCore Reserve 60,000 mAh with Retractable Light - $129.99 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99
• Portable Power Station - $629.98 with on-page coupon, down from $899.99

Hubs and Charging Stations

• 7-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $45.99 with on-page coupon, down from $65.99
• 11-in-1 USB-C Hub - $89.99, down from $99.99
• MagGo Magnetic Charging Station - $69.99 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging - $127.46 with on-page coupon, down from $149.95 [matched at Anker]
• 3-in-1 MagSafe Station - $116.99 with on-page coupon, down from $139.99
• 12-in-1 Docking Station + Monitor Stand - $199.99 for Prime members, down from $249.99

Bluetooth Speakers

• Soundcore Motion Boom Plus - $149.99 with on-page coupon, down from $179.99

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

The Asahi Linux project has released the first conformant OpenGL ES 3.1 drivers for Apple silicon Macs in a significant update for improved gaming performance on Macs running the Linux operating system.

The Asahi Linux project is a collaborative effort aimed at bringing the Linux operating system to Macs that contain M1 or M2 chips. The OpenGL ES 3.1 drivers represent the first time that conformant GPU drivers have been made available for Apple's newest hardware running on the Linux platform.

Conformant drivers meet specific industry standards, ensuring that they function correctly with various applications. The OpenGL ES 3.1 drivers have apparently undergone extensive testing, including tens of thousands of individual tests, to ensure that they meet the necessary criteria. The drivers are recognized as conformant by Khronos, the organization responsible for overseeing the standards related to OpenGL.

Unlike Apple's proprietary drivers for the GPUs integrated into the M1- and M2-series SoCs, which do not conform to standard graphics APIs such as Vulkan, OpenGL, or OpenGL ES, the drivers released by the Asahi Linux team are in line with these official standards. This means that users running Linux on Apple silicon can expect more stable and predictable performance from graphics-intensive applications, such as games, ostensibly marking a significant milestone in the development of Linux support for Apple's latest Mac hardware.

When Apple launched AirPods Max in December 2020, many users almost immediately flagged concerns about a build-up of condensation when the wireless headphones were worn for a prolonged period of time. Two years and eight months later, the issue may have become so entrenched that some users believe it is causing units to fail.

Tech news outlet 404 Media has published a report highlighting several complaints from AirPods Max users across Reddit, YouTube, Twitter (now X), and Apple's Support Community where water droplets have formed inside the over-ear headphones due to humidity. In some cases, users claim that the droplets have migrated inside the speaker holes, causing water damage to the drivers.

For example, a pinned post on the AirPods Max subreddit claims that "most hardware issues originate from condensation issues," which can lead to "AirPods turning off randomly, refusing to connect, refusing to play audio, needing restarts and factory resets to work, losing audio quality,” and other problems.

The report alleges that after one of the hottest summers on record, the problem is so frequently resulting in malfunction or complete failure that some afflicted users have come to refer to it as "condensation death." To mitigate the problem, some users have reportedly gone so far as to tape up the pin hole to prevent water ingress, or regularly clean the connections, which are arguably things a consumer should not have to do to keep the headphones in working order.

Interestingly, 404 Media highlights a class-action lawsuit in California that was brought against Apple two years ago by plaintiffs arguing that "a latent and material defect causes condensation to accumulate inside the ear cups of the AirPods Max, often after only an hour or several hours of normal use."

The plaintiffs have been reportedly negotiating a settlement with Apple over the last few months. While Apple has not disputed that condensation can accumulate inside the cups, its lawyers have argued that this is "simply more noticeable" than it is in other brands of over-ear headphones, since AirPods Max ear cups are magnetic and removable.

Regardless, the lawyers stated that "Apple repeatedly tells customers that its new high-end, studio quality AirPods Max headphones 'aren't waterproof or water resistant' and 'not to get moisture in any openings.'"

Apple's lawyers also dispute what "normal use" of AirPods Max are, according to the report, and have argued that the plaintiff has omitted details about when the condensation issue occurs, implying that their self-described "walk" may have constituted strenuous exercise more akin to "an arduous hike up the hills of San Francisco to Twin Peaks." Apple's lawyers have also taken issue with excerpts cited from online forum comments, which they say "show that users who claim to have experienced water damage often were exercising with or wearing their headphones for prolonged periods."

Despite these reports, there are still many AirPods Max users who have noticed condensation build-up who have not experienced performance issues as a result. In addition, as 404 Media notes, there are no eBay listings for water-damaged AirPods Max. Meanwhile, inquiries with aftermarket repair businesses have not found evidence of an influx of AirPods Max repairs, although that could well be because faulty units have simply been repaired by Apple. Either way, the full picture is far from clear.

Are you an owner of AirPods Max? Have you had issues with the headphones that you believe occurred as a direct result of a manufacturing defect related to condensation build-up? Let us know in the comments.

Apple is considering adding color sampling sensors to future Apple Watch models that would allow watch faces to match the color of the user's band and clothing (via Apple Insider).

In a patent this week granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, titled "Electronic Devices with Color Sampling Sensors," Apple describes how light sensors under the Apple Watch display could measure the color of external objects, with the aim of matching the background of the currently displayed watch face with the color of the wearer's clothing and band choice.

The patent explains how an optical sensor such as a camera, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, fingerprint sensor, or other light-based under-screen sensor could sample colors by emitting a sequence of red, green, and blue light towards an external object placed in its line of sight and measuring the RGB reflectance levels.

Control circuitry in the watch would then apply a band-specific algorithm to the color sample and match it with a predetermined list of watch band colors, while a clothing-specific algorithm would match the clothing within a specific color gamut.

After applying constraints to possible display colors, the control circuitry would mimic the sampled color on the Apple Watch face background, for a desirable uniform look.

As with any filed patent, the technology it describes is unlikely to launch in an Apple Watch anytime in the near future, if at all, but it does offer an interesting look at how Apple is exploring ways to make its flagship smartwatch a more color-coordinated timepiece as well as a health and fitness device.

Apple is continually researching ways to extend the range of sensors in the Apple Watch, which already includes heart rate tracking, irregular heart rhythm notifications, the ECG app, blood oxygen measuring, fall detection, and more.

In 2020, CEO Tim Cook said Apple is still "in the early innings" with the device, noting that the company is testing "mind blowing" capabilities in its labs, although not everything will see the light of day. "Think about the amount of sensors in your car," said Cook, adding "and arguably, your body is much more important than your car."

In February, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple has made major progress with its noninvasive blood glucose monitoring technology, allowing diabetics and others to test their blood glucose levels without needing to prick the skin for blood testing. However, it is still said to be several years away from being introduced in a future Apple Watch model.

We're now getting close to the end of the iOS 17 beta testing process as September approaches, which means we are seeing fewer new features in beta updates and more focus on small refinements and bug fixes.

We've rounded up the changes in iOS 17 beta 7 that we've found so far, but let us know if you've seen a tweak that we haven't mentioned.

Phone App

With this beta, the end call button when the keypad is fully expanded is located at the bottom middle of the iPhone's display, rather than at the right as it was positioned in prior betas.

The updated location brings the expanded keypad end call button in line with the design of the standard (non-expanded) end call button. Apple in the last beta relocated the end call button to the middle of the display.

Silent Mode Haptic Feedback

In iOS 17 beta 6, there was a bug that removed the haptic feedback that is meant to signal when the mute switch is activated and the phone is silenced. In beta 7, the haptic feedback is back, plus the vibration has changed slightly.

The haptic feedback vibrations last just a bit longer, making them easier to notice. This change comes ahead of rumors suggesting Apple will add an action button to the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models, replacing the mute switch.

Mood Tracking

Apple is still refining the animations that are used to represent each mood for the State of Mind feature in the Health app, and it has changed the speed of the rings around each shape.

More iOS 17 Beta 7 Features

Know of a feature that we left out in this list? Let us know in the comments below.