MacRumors

This week we saw a group of Apple's first party accessories hit solid discounts on Amazon and Woot, including the year's best prices on the MagSafe Charger and AirTag 4-Pack. You'll also find low prices on the M1 MacBook Air, 10.9-inch iPad, and Anker products.

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.

Apple Accessories

• What's the deal? Save on Apple's first party accessories
• Where can I get it? Amazon and Woot
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

This week saw a big focus on solid discounts on Apple's first party accessory lineup, and all of these sales are still available. At Woot, you can get the MagSafe Charger for $28.99, down from $39.00, which is the best price of the year so far.

At Amazon, the MagSafe Battery Pack is available for $84.00 ($15 off), the Apple Pencil 2 is on sale for $89.00 ($40 off), and the AirTag 4-Pack is down to $84.99 ($14 off).

MacBook Air

• What's the deal? Take $249 off M1 MacBook Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

One of the best deals we tracked during Prime Day returned this week, with Amazon offering the 256GB M1 MacBook Air for $749.99, down from $999.00. You can still get this notebook in all three colors on Amazon.

iPad

• What's the deal? Take $50 off 10th gen iPad
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

All four colors of the 64GB Wi-Fi 10.9-inch iPad are available at the all-time low price of $399.00 on Amazon, down from $449.00. Only the 64GB Wi-Fi model is matching its all-time low price, although you can find some solid discounts on cellular models as well.

Anker

• What's the deal? Take $200 off Eufy's SmartDrop Package Box and more deals
• Where can I get it? Amazon and Anker
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Anker this week emerged with a new set of discounts on Amazon and on its own website, including a return of the best-ever price on the Eufy SmartDrop Package Box at $199.99, down from $399.99. We've listed a few other deals below, but be sure to visit our original post to browse the full list of Anker accessories on sale, including USB-C chargers, portable batteries, and more.

• 100W USB-C Charger - $26.59 with on-page coupon, down from $35.99
• 100W USB-C Power Adapter (2-Port) - $39.09 with on-page coupon, down from $45.99
• PowerCore 20,000 mAh - $31.99 with on-page coupon, down from $41.99
• MagGo Magnetic Battery - $54.99 with on-page coupon, down from $79.99
• PowerCore Hybrid Charger - $69.99, down from $99.99
• MagGo Magnetic Charging Station - $70.00 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging - $119.96 with on-page coupon, down from $149.95 [matched at Anker]

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

In an effort to bolster user privacy, developers will need to justify their use of certain Apple APIs before their apps can be listed on the App Store, according to a new article on the Apple developer website spotted by 9to5Mac.

The Apple Developer website now lists some APIs as "Required Reason APIs," meaning that developers have to clarify why they are using them in their privacy manifest. Some commonly used APIs, such as UserDefaults, which stores user preferences, now fall under the Required Reason category.

With the launch of watchOS 10, iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, and macOS Sonoma later this year, developers will receive a warning if they submit apps using a Required Reason API without specifying its usage. From spring 2024, any apps using these APIs without a legitimate justification will be rejected in the review process.

Apple explains that main reason for this change is to curb fingerprinting, a method used to track users across different apps and websites. Fingerprinting uses API calls to gather details about a user's device, such as screen resolution, model, and operating system. This data is then used to create a unique "fingerprint," enabling the user to be identified across various apps or websites.

According to Apple, Required Reason APIs will guarantee that apps only employ these APIs for their prescribed use. In the event of a rejection, Apple will permit developers to contest the decision and submit a request for approval if their case does not fit within the existing guidelines. See the Apple Developer website for more information.

Apple in iOS 17 introduced a range of small features and tweaks that make using the iPhone a better, and more intuitive experience. There are minor but notable changes to the keyboard, which is a key part of the operating system.

This guide highlights everything new with the keyboard and keyboard-related features.

Autocorrect

The machine learning technology that Apple is using for autocorrect has been improved in iOS 17. Apple says it has adopted a "transformer language model," that will better personalize autocorrect to each user. It is able to learn your personal preferences and word choices to be more useful to you.

After using iOS 17 for a few weeks, most users will notice that the autocorrect suggestions are much better at predicting what you want to say and presenting words for you to tap to autofill. When you use acronyms, shortened words, slang words, and colloquialisms, autocorrect is not as aggressive with the automatic correcting, but it is still able to correct accidental typos.

On stage, Apple's Craig Federighi humorously said that the iPhone would no longer swap in "ducking" for a certain swear word that you actually meant to type. The new engine still makes mistakes, but most users should find that it is improved compared to iOS 16.

Correcting Autocorrect

When autocorrect changes a word, there is now a blue line underneath the corrected word that you can tap. Tapping the blue line shows the original word that you typed, and you can tap it to choose that instead. If there are other possible autocorrect options for what you typed, those will also be displayed.

The functionality is useful for when autocorrect does correct something that you did not want fixed because it takes just a tap to revert rather than having to retype the word.

Word Autofill

Some word suggestions now pop up in line when you are typing, and you can tap on the space bar to insert them. If you start typing "Didn't" for example, the iPhone will offer 't as an autofill option after you type "didn," so that you can just tap on the space bar rather than continuing to spell out the word.

It makes for quicker typing, and this is a function that gets better as you use iOS 17 more often.

Sentence Autofill

The word autofill feature that makes suggestions inline also works for entire sentences in some cases, so you can type what you need with just a tap or two of the space bar.

Better Grammar Correction

After you finish typing a sentence, if you've used a word wrong or have another grammar error in what you've written, the iPhone will let you know by highlighting the mistake. You can tap on it to see suggested corrections.

As an example, if you write a sentence and accidentally swap "affect" for "effect," the iPhone can tell and will suggest the word you should be using instead, or in some cases, just correct it. This is true for then/than, they're/their/there, two/to/too, your/you're, its/it's, and other common grammatical errors. iOS 16 corrected some of these issues, but iOS 17 does more.

Dictation

The Dictation feature built into the iPhone has been updated with the same transformer language model that Apple is using for text, so dictation should be able to better suss out what you're attempting to say when there are multiple word options.

Dictation is still far from perfect in our testing, and it does take some time to get better.

Stickers as Emoji

Emoji are an integral part of the keyboard, and in iOS 17, stickers and emoji have been merged. If you tap on the emoji icon on the keyboard, it will bring up emoji and also all of your stickers. The end result is that you can use stickers in more places across the operating system, and in the Messages app, emoji can be used like stickers and can be placed anywhere.

Read More

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

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a thief was hitting a string of bars and restaurants, breaking into safes and stealing cash. One of the bars impacted was the Sneaky Beagle, and the location was burgled several times, leading the staff to set up a sting that involved an AirTag.

As outlined by WMBF News, staff at the Sneaky Beagle opened up a stuffed animal, stuck an ‌AirTag‌ inside, and put the AirTag-and-animal combo into a decoy safe.

The thief, who turned out to be a 52-year-old man, took the bait and stole the safe. Police officers were able to track the ‌AirTag‌ to the thief's home, and he was able to be connected to multiple burglaries in the area. He was arrested and charged with nine counts of second-degree burglary.

Apple this week began allowing developers to apply for a Vision Pro developer kit, which Apple plans to loan out to some companies and individuals for the purpose of app development. Developers who are approved for a headset will need to go through a customization process, which will provide a tailored fit for the lead person on the team.

As shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and a MacRumors reader, Apple will use an app to help developers find the correct Head Band and Light Seal fit for the Vision Pro. The "W" could perhaps refer to width, while the "N" may reference the size of the nose bridge, which are measurements used for fitting glasses and other optical devices.

Developers who wear glasses and need optical inserts will be put in touch with Zeiss to send Zeiss prescription information.

Based on the information that's been shared, kits will be tuned to a single developer, and other developers on the team may not be able to experience Vision Pro to its fullest because a snug fit between the face and the Light Seal is required.

Information on Apple's developer website also mentions a workflow for unpairing an AirTag when returning a kit, which suggests Apple is using its item trackers to keep tabs on the headsets. Vision Pro developer kits are shipped in a lockable Pelican case that needs to be kept locked when the headset is not in use, and developers must keep the headsets in a secure location. An ‌AirTag‌ could perhaps be included in the storage case to allow it to be tracked down in the event of a theft.

Each developer that receives a kit will have the testing process overseen by a partnership manager, and developers will receive extra help with app development. Apple plans to prioritize developers who are creating apps that take advantage of the visionOS features and capabilities.

While Apple has been accepting applications since earlier this week, there is no word yet on whether any developers have had their applications approved. It is not yet clear when developer kits will be shipped out, and we may not know because Apple is overseeing the testing process so closely.

As laptops have seen simplified connectivity options in recent years, many users have embraced a variety of USB-C and/or Thunderbolt hubs and docks to increase their connectivity options. These accessories have proven particularly popular with users seeking to replicate a desktop experience at home or in the office with one or more external displays.

Anker recently launched a new option for power users with the 778 Thunderbolt Docking Station, a Thunderbolt 4 dock that provides a wealth of ports for connecting displays, external drives, and other accessories, all through a single cable that can also charge your laptop.

The 778 Thunderbolt Docking Station includes a total of 12 ports: an upstream Thunderbolt 4 port that provides up to 100W of charging power for your laptop, a downstream Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-C ports that each support up to 10Gbps data speeds and 30W of charging power, two 5Gbps USB-A ports, two 480 Mbps USB-A ports for peripherals like a wired keyboard and mouse, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an 8K HDMI 2.1 port, and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports.

The two USB-C ports, a power button, and an LED status light are located on the front of the dock for easy access, while the upstream Thunderbolt port is on the left side and a Kensington NanoSaver-style lock slot is on the right side. All other ports are on the rear of the dock to keep the cables organized and out of the way.

The overall design is pretty straightforward with a non-obtrusive dark gray and black look including subtle Anker branding on the top of the dock. The main shell appears to be made of something like aluminum, while the front and rear panels with the majority of the ports are made of plastic with vertical grooves at regular intervals to provide a little bit of visual interest. A couple of rubber-like strips on the bottom help protect surfaces and provide just a bit more airflow around the dock.

I found solid data speeds for external SSDs connected via the dock in my testing, with a USB-C drive delivering around 700 MB/s for read and write when connected to either the downstream USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 port or one of the USB-C ports. Using a faster Thunderbolt external SSD connected to the Thunderbolt 4 port, I saw read speeds of around 2,500 MB/s and write speeds in excess of 1,800 MB/s. All of those stats were in line with what I see for those drives when connected directly to my 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro.

There are a couple of notable limitations for Mac users with this dock, led by the fact that it does not support M1 and M2 MacBook models, so you need to be using a higher-end model with a Pro, Max, or Ultra chip.

Another limitation for Mac users is related to the connectivity options for multiple external displays. While there are two DisplayPort ports and an HDMI port, connecting two displays to any combination of those ports will only let one of the displays extend your desktop to an external screen. The other display will only be able to mirror either the first external screen or your internal Mac display.

Triple-display (two external and one internal) setups are still possible on Macs, but one of the external displays must be connected via USB-C/Thunderbolt in order to fully extend across all three displays. Setups with three or even four external displays are possible for Mac users, but will involve some mirroring, limiting the usefulness.

For Mac users, the Thunderbolt port can support up to a 6K display at 60Hz, while the HDMI and DisplayPort ports each support a maximum of 4K at 60Hz.

On the charging front, I noted that the upstream Thunderbolt port can deliver 100 watts to your laptop, but there is some power sharing that will reduce that depending on what else is drawing power via the dock. With one of the front 30W USB-C ports in use, the upstream Thunderbolt will continue to deliver up to 100W, but if both front USB-C ports are in use simultaneously, that available Thunderbolt power drops to 65W.

To drive everything, the 778 dock comes with a 180-watt external power supply that is nearly as big as the dock itself, but at least it can be tucked away on the floor or behind other equipment. A 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 4 cable is also included, and the dock is covered by an 18-month warranty.

A simple Anker Dock Manager app is also available to manage firmware updates for the dock, access the user manual, and contact Anker support.

The 778 Thunderbolt Docking Station is normally priced at $379.99, but Amazon is currently offering a 20% discount to $303.00, which makes it easier to recommend as an option for users who have heavier connectivity needs.

Users with simpler needs can probably get away with a cheaper USB-C or Thunderbolt dock, but the 778 delivers high bandwidth through a variety of ports, offers flexible display connectivity, and can push 100 watts of power to your notebook, making it a solid docking option.

The 30-watt USB-C ports on the front are nice for charging an iPhone and/or iPad at high speed, though your passthrough computer charging will take a hit if you have too many things connected. The dock also does not include an SD card slot or any dedicated audio ports, so that's something to be aware of if those features are important to you.

Note: Anker provided MacRumors with the 778 Thunderbolt Docking Station for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker and Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

A pair of discounts emerged on Amazon today, offering up to $249 off Apple's M1 MacBook Air and M2 13-inch MacBook Pro.

MacBook Air

Starting with the MacBook Air, the all-time low Prime Day price on the M1 model has returned today on Amazon. You can get the 256GB M1 MacBook Air for $749.99 in all three colors, down from $999.00. The fastest delivery option has the notebook arriving on July 29, and free delivery is estimated for August 1.

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 remains the best price we have ever tracked on the 2020 M1 MacBook Air, making it the cheapest option out of all the MacBooks that Apple currently sells. No coupon code is required this time around.

There are many internal and external differences between the 13.3-inch M1 MacBook Air and the newer 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch M2 MacBook Air models, but as an entry-level computer the M1 device should work great for common tasks, especially at this all-time low pricing. You can read our guide to get a better look at all the similarities and differences between the generations.

MacBook Pro

If you're on the hunt for a cheap MacBook Pro, there is also a sale on the M2 13-inch MacBook Pro on Amazon. You can get the 256GB model for $1,099.00 in Silver and Space Gray, down from $1,299.00.

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

Apple will report its earnings results for the third quarter of its 2023 fiscal year on Thursday, August 3 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Apple's CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri will discuss the results on a conference call with analysts a half hour later.

Keep reading for some key things to know about the quarter, including a recap of new products announced, revenue expectations, and more.

New Products During Quarter

The quarter ran from April 2 through July 1, according to Apple's fiscal calendar, and included the following product launches:

• 15-inch MacBook Air (M2 chip)
• Mac Studio (M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips)
• Mac Pro (M2 Ultra chip)

Year-Over-Year Revenue Decline Expected

Apple has not provided formal revenue guidance since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but analysts currently expect the company to report revenue of around $81.6 billion this quarter on average, according to Yahoo Finance. This would be a decline of around 1.7% compared to the $83 billion revenue the company reported in the year-ago quarter.

Maestri provided the following commentary on Apple's earnings call last quarter:

We expect our June quarter year-over-year revenue performance to be similar to the March quarter, assuming that the macroeconomic outlook does not worsen from what we are projecting today for the current quarter.

Conference Call

Cook and Maestri will hold a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on August 3 to discuss the company's third quarter earnings results. The call should last around one hour and will include a Q&A segment with analysts.

A live audio stream of the conference call will be available on Apple's Investor Relations page, and a recording will be available later in the day for replay.

What's Next

Apple's fourth quarter began July 2 and runs through September 30. Apple has yet to announce any new products during the quarter, but new iPhone and Apple Watch pre-orders are expected to begin in the final few weeks of the quarter.

AAPL is currently trading at around $194, and is up around 55% since the start of the year.

Back in May, Google announced plans to introduce a new safety feature that would alert Android users about nearby unknown Bluetooth trackers, including AirTags, preventing people from being stalked with tracking accessories.

The tracking alert functionality is rolling out starting today. Android smartphones will provide automatic alerts if an unknown Bluetooth tracker is separated from its owner and traveling with the smartphone user. The notification can be tapped to view a map of where the tracker was last seen, and using a "Play sound" function will cause the tracker to make noise.

If an unknown tracker is detected nearby, Google will provide device information such as serial number or the last four digits of the phone number from the registered owner, along with details on how to physically disable the tracker. There is also a manual scan feature in the Safety & Emergency section of the Settings app on compatible Android devices.

At the current time, unknown tracker alerts are compatible only with AirTags from Apple, but Google is working on adding support for other trackers such as those from Tile.

Google's new feature addresses a major issue with AirTags. When AirTags launched, Apple introduced an anti-stalking function to prevent them from being used for people tracking, and that feature ended up having to be refined several times. iPhones have long been able to notify users about an unknown AirTag that is nearby and could be a danger with its "‌AirTag‌ Found Moving With You" alerts but Android users were nearly defenseless unless they knew to download the Android-based "Tracker Detect" app that Apple created.

An inability for Android users to easily detect an ‌AirTag‌ being used for stalking or other nefarious purposes has been a major ‌AirTag‌ criticism for more than two years now, but now compatible Android devices will spot nearby AirTags without the need for Android users to seek out an app.

Earlier this year, Google and Apple teamed up to submit a new industry specification that would cut down on the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for stalking purposes. The joint venture will see Android and iOS devices both able to detect nearby Bluetooth devices and send unwanted tracking alerts for third-party item trackers.

As part of this specification, Google plans to add native support for tracking third-party Bluetooth tracking accessories from companies like Tile and Chipolo on Android devices. Google says that it is ready to roll out this new Find My Device network on Android, but it has delayed its plans as it works with Apple to finalize the cross-platform unwanted tracker alert specification that is in development.

Google will hold its ‌Find My‌ Device network until Apple has implemented the same protections for iOS devices.

Right now, Apple's ‌Find My‌ app is able to track third-party Bluetooth accessories, but only those that have implemented specific ‌Find My‌ support using Apple's protocol. Bluetooth trackers from companies like Tile cannot be tracked natively by an iPhone without the Tile app, which is the problem that Apple and Google are aiming to address.

Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy, and Pebblebee, companies that make Bluetooth-based tracking devices, have all expressed support for the joint specification and plan to support it. Apple and Google said that a production implementation of the specification for unwanted tracking alerts will be introduced by the end of 2023 and added to future versions of iOS and Android.

Apple's supply chain is gearing up for the launch of new iPhone and Mac models later this year, according to a preview of an upcoming DigiTimes report.

"Semiconductor backend houses, such as leading OSAT ASE Technology Holdings (ASEH) and test interface specialist CHPT, are expected to see sales growths in the third quarter of 2023, as Apple's supply chain gears up preparations for the upcoming launch of new iPhones and Mac devices, according to industry sources," the preview reads.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could launch as early as October, so it would make sense for Apple's supply chain to be gearing up for the devices in the third quarter. Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip will likely be the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air, and 24-inch iMac, and the Mac mini and 15-inch MacBook Air should also be updated with the M3 chip eventually.

Apple has yet to announce the M3 chip, which is widely expected to be manufactured with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to previous M-series chips built on TSMC's 5nm process.

The A17 Bionic chip for the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is also expected to be manufactured with TSMC's 3nm process, and iPad Pro models with the M3 chip and an OLED display are rumored to launch in the first half of 2024.

Apple's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models could still have a smaller sensor than the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, despite their upgrade to 48-megapixels, according to a new rumor posted on Weibo.

The claim comes from "Digital Chat Station," a Weibo user responsible for a range of details about the camera technology of upcoming iPhone models. Firstly, they claim that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will retain the same 1/1.28-inch 48-megapixel sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Numerous reports from sources including the analysts Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo say that the two standard iPhone 15 models are set to be upgraded to 48-megapixels just like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. According to Digital Chat Station, while the non-Pro models will receive the upgrade to 48-megapixels, they will continue to have a smaller stacked CMOS image sensor (CIS) than the Pro models at 1/1.5-inches.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature a 12-megapixel sensor that is 1/1.9-inches in size. This means that the standard iPhone 15 models could gain a 27% larger sensor – a substantial increase, but still not equal to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models. In May, Digital Chat Station reported that the next iPhone sensor size increase for the Pro models is set to occur in 2024, increasing from 1/1.28-inches to 1/1.14-inches.

A larger image sensor offers improved image quality by capturing more light, leading to greater detail and less noise, especially in low-light conditions. It also provides a wider dynamic range and better color accuracy, resulting in more professional and visually appealing photos.

Today we're tracking a pair of deals on popular Apple accessories, including the AirTag 4-Pack on Amazon and the MagSafe Charger on Woot.

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.

AirTag 4-Pack

Amazon today has the AirTag 4-Pack for $84.99, down from $99.00. The accessory is shipped and sold directly by Amazon, and currently there is an estimated delivery date around July 31. Amazon only has a notable discount on the 4-Pack option as of writing.

Today's deal beats the sale we saw during Prime Day by around $5 and is one of the best deals that we've seen since May. Overall, there haven't been many steep discounts on any version of the AirTag in 2023, so if you've been shopping for the device be sure to check out Amazon soon.

AirTag provides a way to keep track of your items in the iOS Find My app, with a way to play a sound on the built-in speaker to find something locally or with Precision Finding when it's farther away.

MagSafe Charger

Woot has Apple's MagSafe Charger for $28.99, down from $39.00. This is just about $1 off from the all-time low price that we previously tracked on this accessory, and it's the best price of the year so far.

The MagSafe Charger is in new condition on Woot and comes with a one year Apple Manufacturer Limited Warranty. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 Pro models will likely be more expensive than the current models, according to Tim Long, an analyst at British bank Barclays. Long said this information is based on conversations with supply chain companies in Asia.

In a research note this month, obtained by MacRumors, Long said he expects the iPhone 15 Pro to cost up to $100 more than the iPhone 14 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be $100 to $200 more expensive than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. He believes pricing will remain similar for the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models.

Based on Long's estimates, pricing for the iPhone 15 lineup in the U.S. could be as follows:

• iPhone 15: $799 (unchanged)
• iPhone 15 Plus: $899 (unchanged)
• iPhone 15 Pro: Up to $1,099 (vs. $999 now)
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: Up to $1,299 (vs. $1,099 now)

Rumors suggest the iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature an upgraded Telephoto lens with periscope technology that enables up to 5-6x zoom without blur, compared to 3x on iPhone 14 Pro models. This feature is not expected to be available on the smaller iPhone 15 Pro this year, which could contribute to the Pro Max seeing a bigger price increase. Long believes the periscope lens will add around $50 to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's bill of materials.

Price estimates for future iPhones should always be treated with some skepticism, as they are merely educated guesses and are not always correct. For example, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted price increases for the iPhone 14 Pro models last year, but the devices ended up having the same prices as the previous generation.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup in September, despite reports of a temporary display-related manufacturing issue for the Pro models. Other rumored features for the Pro models include a USB-C port, titanium frame, customizable Action button, faster A17 Bionic chip, thinner bezels around the display, Wi-Fi 6E support, increased RAM, upgraded Ultra Wideband chip, and more, so all of the new features coupled with inflationary pressures could warrant price hikes. It would be the first price increase for the high-end iPhone models since the iPhone X and iPhone XS Max, which started at $999 and $1,099, respectively.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg's Debby Wu and Takashi Mochizuki reported that Apple was considering raising the prices of the iPhone 15 Pro models by an unspecified amount, so multiple sources have reported this possibility. We'll find out for sure when Apple unveils the iPhone 15 lineup in just a few months from now.

Smart home accessory maker Aqara recently released the HomeKit-enabled Smart Lock U100 with support for Apple's Home Key feature. Home Key is an iOS 15 feature that's still in the process of being adopted by smart home manufacturers, so it's relatively new.

Home Key adds a digital key for the Aqara lock to the Wallet app on the iPhone and the Apple Watch, allowing it to be unlocked using NFC just by bringing the device close to the lock. There are also multiple other modes of entry for the Aqara lock, including a keypad and a fingerprint reader. Note that this is a Matter-enabled product, so in addition to working with HomeKit, it also works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Aqara's products are designed to use a hub, similar to how the Philips Hue system works. The USB-A Aqara E1 Hub I tested with connects to your ‌HomeKit‌ setup, and Aqara products, including the U100, connect to the hub using Zigbee. So technically, this is "Matter over Zigbee," but Apple users just need to know that it's ‌HomeKit‌ and that a hub is necessary for full functionality. Some people aren't fans of ‌HomeKit‌ devices that need hubs, but I don't mind because they can be more reliable and hassle-free than products that connect directly to WiFi.

Note that the U100 can be used sans hub, but without a hub, the lock only works over Bluetooth and will be slower to function. To use all of the features, you need a hub, and you'll also need an Apple device that serves as a home hub for options like Home Key for all family members. Home hubs include the HomePod mini and the Apple TV, which most people in the ‌HomeKit‌ ecosystem probably own.

Design wise, the Aqara Smart Lock U100 looks like a standard keypad-based lock. It's not as slim as some other smart locks on the market, with a large rectangular brick for both indoors and out. It comes in silver and gray finishes to match handle hardware, though my door had gold hardware that I could not match.

The look of the U100 is probably my least favorite aspect of the lock. It's big and bulky, both indoors and out. I don't mind it so much outside, but I do wish the indoor component was more streamlined similar to other ‌HomeKit‌ locks like the Level Lock.

There are probably more ways to get into this lock than anyone needs, but if you like options, this product delivers. You can use the keypad, the built-in fingerprint sensor, the hidden key compartment (using a traditional key), Home Key using an iPhone or Apple Watch's NFC, an NFC card (sold separately), the Home app, or the Aqara app. You can provide temporary codes to people who need access to your home through the Aqara app, and you can remotely lock and unlock the U100.

Of these entry methods, the Home Key and the fingerprint sensor are the quickest to use. The fingerprint sensor was accurate and unlocked the U100 almost as quick as Touch ID unlocks an iPhone. I didn't have it fail, and I was able to register several fingers so multiple people could save a fingerprint. There is a hidden key compartment that allows access to the lock even with no power in case the battery runs out.

The U100 uses four AA batteries that last for up to eight months (allegedly, I did not get to test this), and you do get warnings when the battery is low. I'm not a fan of standard batteries in electronics, and would have preferred something rechargeable as an option.

In terms of security, the U100 is a straightforward lock like a lot of consumer deadbolt locks on the market. A skilled lockpicker can get it open in a few minutes, but someone who really wants to get inside your house is going to do so even if you have the most secure lock on the market because there are other points of ingress like windows.

One of my favorite U100 features is the auto lock function that locks the door when it's closed. It can detect when the door shuts using a gyroscope, which ensures that the door re-locks every time I close even if I don't remember to manually lock it. This can be disabled if you prefer to have the lock left open.

There are a couple of NFC keyfobs that come with the U100 in case you need to give a key to someone, but guest options also include remote unlocking and shared codes. The number pad is responsive and lights up when a number is pressed so you can make sure you're inputting the correct code, plus the lock speaks aloud.

Setting up the U100 was fairly straightforward and took about 20 minutes. I had to remove the existing deadbolt from my door, and luckily, the U100 hardware fit relatively well. I could not use the plastic insert that came with it because I didn't want to enlarge my strike plate, but it seems like it will fit most standard doors. I have run into situations with previous smart locks where I had to do a little sanding and reshaping, so that's always a possibility.

As for the smart home setup, that was a little more complicated, but nothing that was hard to follow. I put the batteries in the lock, downloaded the Aqara app, and installed a Matter firmware update that was available. Then I plugged in the hub and linked it to ‌HomeKit‌ using the in-app tools and Aqara's instructions (note: a 2.4GHz network is required). From there, I connected the hub and the lock, and then registered the lock with ‌HomeKit‌. It was a multi-step process but I haven't had connectivity issues with the hub, and the lock responds to commands both when I'm at home and when I'm away.

The Home app can be used to set ‌HomeKit‌ automations for locking and unlocking the U100, as well as managing access to the lock. The Aqara app has additional tools that are mostly useful if you don't have a ‌HomeKit‌ setup, but it does include battery life and a log of every time the lock is accessed. For those who don't like the voice feedback, it can be disabled with a Do Not Disturb mode in the Aqara app. I did have to make an Aqara account to access the lock in the app, but it was easy enough aside from some irritating password limits.

The U100 can be used without ‌HomeKit‌ because there are several other connectivity methods including compatibility with other smart home platforms, but I only tested the ‌HomeKit‌ functionality and with a hub, as I have a ‌HomeKit‌ setup.

Bottom Line

At $190, this is a full-featured smart lock that rivals other more expensive smart locks on the market. It has every method of entry you could want, including number-based touch pad, fingerprint sensor, Home Key, and NFC keys. On the downside, it is not as sleek and unassuming as some other smart locks on the market, but if that does not bother you, it's worth looking into.

How to Buy

The Aqara U100 can be purchased from Amazon for $190.

Note: Aqara provided MacRumors with a U100 for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 17 to developers yesterday, and among the changes in the latest beta are some new code snippets that potentially hint at functionality for the rumored Action button on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The Action button, which could be similar to the Apple Watch Ultra's Action button but with more phone-focused options, is expected to be a new physical button on the next-generation Pro iPhone models that replaces the Ring/Silent switch. The Action button would allow users to quickly access various functions and settings without necessarily unlocking the device or navigating to an app.

According to the code found in iOS 17 beta 4, the Action button could have nine different options that users can customize and assign to different actions. While the code only lists feature names related to the Action button, we can infer what most of them will be able to do:

• Accessibility: This option would presumably let users access various accessibility features, such as VoiceOver, Zoom, AssistiveTouch, and more.
• Shortcuts: As on the Apple Watch Ultra, this option would let users run any shortcut they have created or downloaded from the Shortcuts app, such as sending a message, playing a playlist, or controlling smart home devices.
• Silent Mode: Similar to how the switch works on current iPhone models, this option would let users toggle silent mode on or off, which would mute or unmute the ringer and alerts.
• Camera: This option would likely let users launch the Camera app and/or take a photo or video with a single press of the Action button.
• Flashlight: This option would let users turn on or off the flashlight on the back of the device.
  

• Focus: This option should let users activate or deactivate a Focus mode.
• Magnifier: This option would presumably let users activate the Magnifier app to use the iPhone's camera as a magnifying glass to zoom in on small text or objects.
• Translate: This option could let users launch the Translate app and start a conversation or text translation with a single press of the Action button.
• Voice Memos: This option would let users start or stop recording a voice memo with the Voice Memos app.

Apple has not yet unveiled the iPhone 15 Pro, but an announcement and launch are expected in the usual September timeframe. If the rumors are correct, the Action button could be one of the key new features that makes the iPhone 15 Pro stand out from its predecessors.

Anker is back this week with a fresh collection of discounts on both Amazon and on Anker's own website. A highlight this time around is the Eufy Security SmartDrop Package Box, which is down to $199.99 on Amazon, from $399.99.

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.

The SmartDrop Package Box lets you secure your deliveries from thieves and notifies you when a new package has been placed inside. Today's price is a match of the previous all-time low price, which we haven't tracked for a few months now.

Besides 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.

Cables and Wall Chargers

• USB-C to USB-C Cable (6ft 2-Pack) - $9.99 with on-page coupon, 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) - $39.09 with on-page coupon, down from $45.99
• Nano 65W USB-C Charger (3-Port) - $36.79 with on-page coupon, down from $55.99
• Compact Power Strip - $64.00 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99

Portable Batteries

• PowerCore 10,000 mAh - $17.59 with on-page coupon, down from $21.98
• PowerCore 20,000 mAh - $31.99 with on-page coupon, down from $41.99
• MagGo Magnetic Battery - $54.99 with on-page coupon, down from $79.99
• PowerCore Hybrid Charger - $69.99, down from $99.99
• PowerCore 24,000 mAh with Smart Digital Display - $129.99 with on-page coupon, down from $159.99
• PowerCore Reserve 60,000 mAh with Retractable Light - $144.49 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99
• PowerCore 26,000 mAh - $149.99 with on-page coupon, down from $169.99
• Portable Power Station - $661.49, down from $899.99

Hubs and Charging Stations

• 7-in-1 USB-C Power Strip - $50.99 with on-page coupon, down from $65.99
• 11-in-1 USB-C Hub - $62.99 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• MagGo Magnetic Charging Station - $70.00 with on-page coupon, down from $99.99
• 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe Charging - $119.96 with on-page coupon, down from $149.95 [matched at Anker]
• 3-in-1 MagSafe Station - $129.99, down from $139.99
• 12-in-1 Docking Station + Monitor Stand - $199.99, 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.

Initial customer demand for the new 15-inch MacBook Air has been "weaker than expected," according to a DigiTimes report citing sources within Apple's supply chain. The report claims that 15-inch MacBook Air shipment volume in July has been 50% less than originally estimated amid a broader downturn in the notebook market.

As a result of this "poor start," the report claims that some Apple suppliers have requested a reduction in 15-inch MacBook Air shipments.

Launched at WWDC last month, the 15-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,299 and has the same design and M2 chip as the 13-inch model, but with a larger display and two extra speakers. It is the first time that Apple has offered a 15-inch display for the MacBook Air, which was previously only available in 13-inch and discontinued 11-inch size options.

It's unclear if 15-inch MacBook Air demand has met Apple's own internal expectations so far. Apple is set to report its third quarter earnings results on August 3, and it may share some comments about the laptop then. Other new Macs launched during the quarter included spec-bumped Mac Studio and Mac Pro models.

The report claims that the MacBook supply chain can look forward to the "upcoming announcement" of a new MacBook Pro, without providing any additional details. The publication previously claimed that Apple plans to release a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 chip later this year. The M3 chip is widely expected to be fabricated with TSMC's 3nm process for significant performance and power efficiency improvements compared to the 5nm-based M2 chip in the existing 13-inch MacBook Pro.