Popular media platform Plex has asked users to change their passwords "out of an abundance of caution" after it found a third-party had gained access to one of its internal systems.
In a message to all users, Plex said that after discovering "suspicious activity" on one of its databases on Tuesday, the company ascertained that a hacker had been able to access "a limited subset of data" including emails, usernames, and passwords. From the email:
Yesterday, we discovered suspicious activity on one of our databases. We immediately began an investigation and it does appear that a third-party was able to access a limited subset of data that includes emails, usernames, and encrypted passwords. Even though all account passwords that could have been accessed were hashed and secured in accordance with best practices, out of an abundance of caution we are requiring all Plex account to have their password reset. Rest assured that credit card and other payment data are not stored on our servers at all and were not vulnerable to this incident.
Plex is asking users to tick the checkbox "Sign out connected devices after password change," when resetting their account password. This will sign out all devices, including Plex Media Servers, and require users to sign back in with their new password. Plex also recommends enabling two-factor authentication on their Plex account if they haven't already.
Aw crap, I’m pwned in a @plex data breach. Again. I can’t do anything to *not* be in a breach like this (short of not using the service), but a @1Password generated random password and 2FA enabled makes this a mere inconvenience rather than a genuine risk. pic.twitter.com/XetB3IGUh3
— Troy Hunt (@troyhunt) August 24, 2022
Plex says it has already addressed the method that the hacker used to gain access to the database, and it is conducting additional reviews to ensure the security of its systems and prevent a similar incident occurring.
AppleCare+ is now available as an annually renewable plan for all Mac models, the Studio Display, and the Pro Display XDR in Canada, Australia, and Japan, allowing customers in these countries to pay for coverage on an annual basis from day one.
For example, customers in Canada now have the option to purchase an AppleCare+ plan for the MacBook Air with the M2 chip for $99.99 per year alongside the existing option of paying $269 for three years of coverage upfront. Full pricing information is available on the AppleCare+ for Mac page in Canada and Japan, but is not shown in Australia.
It was already possible to renew AppleCare+ coverage on an annual basis after the initial three-year period elapsed in Canada, Australia, and Japan, but now customers have the option of paying for AppleCare+ for Mac on an annual basis from the very beginning, which is something that has been possible in the United States since last year.
AppleCare+ for Mac provides up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee that varies based on the type of damage. AppleCare+ also provides customers with 24/7 priority access to Apple's technical support representatives by online chat or phone while coverage is active.
The built-in iPhone Wallet app will apparently be able to be deleted starting in iOS 16.1, according to code in today's iPadOS 16.1 beta that was found by 9to5Mac and confirmed by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser.
The code suggests the Wallet app will be downloadable from the App Store if it has been removed from an iPhone and the person with the iPhone attempts to use a feature like Apple Pay.
As of right now, the Wallet app can be removed from the iPhone's Home Screen and hidden from view, but it can't be entirely deleted, something that will change with the launch of iOS 16.1.
Since iOS 16.1 is not available right now, there is no way to test whether the Wallet app will be able to be deleted, so it's possible Apple could change some things before the update sees a launch later this year.
The Wallet app is a key iPhone app because it houses debit and credit cards for Apple Pay, handles Apple Pay Cash, is the home of Apple Card, and allows users to store loyalty cards, airline tickets, and more.
It is not clear why Apple would choose to allow users to delete the Wallet app, but the company is facing a class action lawsuit accusing it of violating antitrust law by making Apple Pay the only available mobile wallet for tap-to-pay payments on iPhone.
The iOS 16 update will come out at some point in September, while iOS 16.1 will follow alongside iPadOS 16.1 at a later date. Apple has delayed the launch of iPadOS 16 in order to work on the Stage Manager multitasking feature available to M1 iPads.
Apple is doubling down on its efforts to comfort retail employees and dampen any possible resurgence of active unionization in its 270+ stores by downplaying the significance of Apple Towson Town Center as the first store to unionize. According to employees who were present in recent meetings, Apple is making a "grass is not greener on the other side" argument even before the Apple Towson union has gotten organized.
Late last week, Apple retail employees nationwide were invited to an FAQ-style meeting where store management attempted to answer questions on Apple Towson and create an open environment to discuss unions. Apple Towson made history in June by becoming the first Apple store to unionize, and the idea of unionization has since taken hold with many employees seeking improved working conditions.
Several store managers had addressed the topic of the union vote at Apple Towson as it was happening, but for many others, it remained an elephant in the room. Last week during a "Daily Download," the term used for 15- to 30-minute meetings before stores open, Apple leadership appeared "cheery, and weirdly happy to discuss unionization efforts," one Apple Store employee said, asking to remain anonymous. "We were all expecting to get a new manager or hear some groundbreaking news about our store after the Download was hyped up at first. Then it turned out to be about Towson. We were all confused about why they were excited to talk about it."
The talking points last week seem to have been an attempt by top Apple executives to argue that Apple Towson's vote to unionize will do more harm than good in employees' relationships with the company they work for, according to multiple sources who attended the meeting. "They wanted to somehow make it seem as though Apple Towson had failed, even though they've hardly begun. It was a typical scare tactic that failed to work," one employee said.
Leaders told staff that the meeting, which took place in most locations last Thursday, was entirely optional for attendance. Employees were reluctant to miss the meeting, though, as doing so could be perceived as an unwillingness to hear Apple's perspective and, as a result, place targets on their backs.
The FAQ-style meeting was designed to answer questions preselected by Apple, including:
What is a union and why does it matter at Apple Towson?
Did everyone at Towson get a raise?
Can you opt out of a union?
According to employees who attended the meeting, the answers from Apple leadership seemed intended to intimidate employees and downplay the benefits of joining a union, such as emphasizing that employees cannot leave a union once they join, that joining a union does not guarantee better benefits and pay, and that Apple Towson, despite its vote, still received the same pay raises all other retail employees received over the summer.
Store leaders also offered a chance for employees to ask questions, but they were largely unable to give on-the-spot answers. "I don’t have the answer to that, but I’ll get back to you after I find out," was a go-to response for questions asked, including whether Apple is providing any resources to employees who wish to join a union.
Apple Towson in Maryland. The first ever Apple Store to form a union.
During the meeting, store leaders also suggested that negotiations between Apple Towson, the union, and Apple leadership had fallen through and had been "unsuccessful." Apple Towson has not, however, formally begun negotiations with Apple and is still in the early stages of training and preparing for talks through the bargaining committee.
In the larger context, the latest union-related talking points come weeks after Apple offered merit-based pay increases to its retail staff. The increases typically happen yearly in the fall, but Apple, in a move widely speculated to have been an attempt to ease employee concerns, moved them up to the summer.
Although the pay raises coincided with ramped-up union momentum, Apple claimed during the meetings with staff that they were purely "coincidental" and that union efforts had in no way impacted Apple's decision to offer the pay raises now rather than in the fall as usual. "None of us believe this is true because we all know the company's hand is being forced. But the fact that a manager said from the get-go that the unionization had zero impact was the most disturbing to me," an Apple employee based in Texas said.
Based on employee conversations with MacRumors, the merit-based increases, irrespective of timing, angered employees more than they satisfied concerns. Some employees who are already on edge about working conditions felt that the 2–3% pay raises in many cases were a "slap in the face to the dedication we've shown during the pandemic," an employee at a store that's in the early stages of collecting signatures to bring a unionization vote told MacRumors.
Talks within stores about unionizing have been relatively stagnant over the last couple of weeks, mainly due to many employees opting for a "wait and see approach" to whether their concerns will be addressed following the pay raises and more open dialogue from store leadership to discuss workplace conditions. Apple leadership across the 272 retail locations made it clear that discussing a union is not a "hush subject," yet many employees continue to feel the nearly $3 trillion Cupertino tech giant is doing everything it can "to be anti-union at every grasp."
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Subscription movie ticket service MoviePass first launched in 2017, offering subscribers unrestricted movie access for $9.99 per month. MoviePass was providing customers with debit cards and paying full price for each movie ticket despite the low monthly fee, and the effort ultimately failed catastrophically within a matter of months.
MoviePass had been counting on deals with movie theaters and revenue from customer data, but by mid-2018, MoviePass was out of money and had to resort to limiting movie access, raising prices, and temporarily shutting down. After months of questionable policy changes, MoviePass shut down in September 2019, but now the service is set to return.
MoviePass is planning to launch a new beta service "on or around" September 5, 2022. A waitlist for the beta service is set to open on August 25 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and customers can join the waitlist at that point.
According to an FAQ section on the MoviePass website, the upcoming service will feature three pricing tiers at $10, $20, and $30. Each level will get a certain amount of credits to be able to be used toward movies each month, with MoviePass promising more details in the future.
The launch will happen in waves, and MoviePass says the launch determination will be weighted on level of engagement from the waitlist in each market.
Prior MoviePass subscribers will receive complimentary bonus credits to their accounts when they join the new service.
It is not clear how MoviePass will survive this time around nor what the service will be able to offer that's not already available from other theaters. Companies like Alamo Drafthouse, Cinemark, Showcase, Showplace ICON, Regal, and AMC all offer subscription-based movie passes.
The Hub is designed to be mounted to the back of a monitor, computer stand, or monitor base, and tucked away from view. It features two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, one SD card slot, and a microSD card reader.
It mounts to the back of an iMac or other computer using two 3M Command strips, and there's a quick release button in case you need to use the hub on the go. It supports transfer speeds of up to 10Gb/s.
Belkin today also introduced the $80 USB-C 5-in-1 Multiport Adapter. Though designed for Chromebooks, the adapter is compatible with Macs, offering two USB-A ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI port that supports one 4K display at 60Hz, and an 86W USB-C power delivery port.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, former Apple design chief Jony Ive, and Emerson Collective founder Laurene Powell Jobs will be among the speakers at Vox Media's Code 2022 conference at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles. The in-person event is set to take place on September 6-8, but it's unclear exactly when Cook, Ive, and Powell Jobs will be speaking.
The discussions will be hosted by veteran journalist Kara Swisher, who will be "grilling the biggest names in industry on everything from cryptocurrency to climate change," according to the conference's website.
In a tweet, Swisher said she brought together Cook, Ive, and Powell Jobs to discuss Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' lasting impact.
This will be my last session of Code after 20 years. I thought it critical to gauge the impact of the tech icon who was the very 1st interview: Steve Jobs. So, I am bringing together the trio who knew him best to discuss his lasting impact: @tim_cook@laurenepowell and Jony Ive. pic.twitter.com/XIN7Ww9G18
— Kara Swisher (@karaswisher) August 23, 2022
Other notable speakers include Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, California governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, The Verge's editor-in-chief Nilay Patel, Platformer newsletter editor Casey Newton, and more.
It's worth noting that Apple is reportedly planning to hold its iPhone 14 event on September 7, which would be in the middle of the Code conference. Given that the conference is a three-day event, perhaps Cook will speak on September 6 or September 8.
Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iPadOS 16.1 update to developers for testing purposes, with the software available alongside the standard iOS 16 seventh beta that was provided today.
Registered developers can download the iPadOS 16 profile from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the beta will be available over the air.
Apple has decided to delay the launch of iPadOS 16 in order to continue working out bugs and other issues with the Stage Manager feature that is coming to M1iPad models.
In a statement to TechCrunch, Apple said that there will be no iPadOS 16.0 version at launch, with the company instead planning to ship iPadOS 16.1 following the launch of iOS 16.
This is an especially big year for iPadOS. As its own platform with features specifically designed for iPad, we have the flexibility to deliver iPadOS on its own schedule. This Fall, iPadOS will ship after iOS, as version 16.1 in a free software update.
iPadOS 16.1 introduces new Stage Manager features, according to TechCrunch.
The big update this time out is the ability to resurface the Stage Manager side rail with a gesture while the feature is full screen. The other updates with 16.1 are the standard spate of beta bug updates
Apple rarely splits iOS and iPadOS launches apart, but it has opted to do so in this case because the latest version of iPadOS is still riddled with bugs and seeing a number of complaints about the multitasking Stage Manager option.
Apple today seeded the seventh betas of upcoming iOS 16 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming a week after Apple released the sixth developer beta.
Registered developers can download the iOS 16 profile from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the beta will be available over the air.
iOS 16 introduces a revamped Lock Screen that offers a new level of personalization and customization through widgets, a notification redesign, and adjustable fonts and colors for the time. Multiple Lock Screens are supported, similar to watch faces, and can be associated with Focus modes.
Focus is easier to set up than before and more customizable, with Focus filters available to cut out distracting content within apps. The Messages app now features tools for editing an iMessage, unsending an iMessage, and marking messages as unread, plus it supports SharePlay, much like FaceTime.
The Mail app has improved search and tools that include undo send, schedule send, and follow up so you can get a reminder to check up on an email if you haven't gotten a response. Safari supports Shared Tab Groups and Apple is working to replace passwords with Passkeys, a more biometrically secure way to log in to accounts.
iCloud Photo Library allows users to more easily share photos with family members, and Live Text is supported in video. There's a neat new feature for lifting the subject from a background with a tap, which is part of Visual Lookup.
Dictation has improved, Maps now supports multi-stop routing, Apple Pay Later lets you split up purchase payments, and the Home app has been entirely overhauled with a new look. The fifth beta of iOS 16 added the battery percentage back to the status bar on iPhones that have a notch, plus it introduced new sounds for locating an iPhone via Find My or the Apple Watch.
Apple today seeded the seventh beta of an upcoming watchOS 9 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new beta coming one week after Apple released the sixth beta to developers.
To install watchOS 9, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, watchOS 8 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update. To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
watchOS 9 introduces four new watch faces, including Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Astronomy, plus it includes updates to some existing watch faces and complications. The ECG app now supports AFib History for tracking how long a person has been in atrial fibrillation.
The sleep tracking feature now includes sleep stages, letting the Apple Watch track when users are in REM, Core, or Deep sleep, and Apple has added a Medications app. The Medications app lets users manage and track their medications, vitamins, and supplements, with reminders when it's time to take them.
Updates to the Workout app add custom workouts and improvements for runners, triathletes, and swimmers. Fitness+ workouts now support streaming to certain third-party TVs for those who don't have an Apple TV, and notifications have been redesigned to be less obtrusive when the watch's screen is active.
Other new features include a CallKit API that allows VOIP calls to be answered on Apple Watch, Apple Watch Mirroring for controlling the Apple Watch with an iPhone, Quick Actions for doing more with a double pinch gesture, and updates to the Reminders and Calendar apps.
Apple today seeded the seventh beta of an upcoming tvOS 16 update to developers for testing purposes, with the beta coming one week after Apple seeded the sixth beta of tvOS 16 to developers.
Developers can download the new tvOS 16 beta by downloading a profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
tvOS 16 enables cross-device connectivity, a feature that allows developers to integrate Apple TV apps with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch apps to unlock new experiences on the TV. Apple has also improved how multiple user profiles work in tvOS 16 by adding a shared keychain, so users won't need to sign in and choose their profile when launching an Apple TV app.
Game controller support has been expanded to the Nintendo Joy-Cons and Pro Controller, and HDR10+ support is available in the tvOS 16 Apple TV app. With tvOS 16, the Apple TV will support Matter, an upcoming standard that will improve interoperability between smart home accessories from different companies.
Apple has also seeded a new HomePod 16 software update for beta testers.
Ahead of Apple events expected over the next two months, there are now ten Apple devices that customers currently should not buy, with replacement models fast approaching.
The fall is always a very busy period for Apple, often with at least two special events to launch new products and the release of major software updates for all of the company's platforms. This year looks to be no different, with significant hardware updates rumored to reach Apple's AirPods, iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac lines.
Apple announced the AirPods Pro on Monday, October 28, 2019. The earbuds went on sale immediately and orders started arriving to customers on Thursday, October 31. Apple went on to release the AirPods Max in December 2020 and the third-generation AirPods in October 2021. After the discontinuation of the iPod touch earlier this year, the AirPods Pro became the oldest current-generation Apple device still on sale.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes have repeatedly said that the AirPods Pro 2 will launch in the second half of 2022, so the new model is now likely just a matter of weeks away. According to reports from a range of sources, the AirPods Pro 2 are expected to feature:
It has also been suggested that the AirPods Pro 2 will feature an updated chip, self-adaptive noise cancellation capabilities, heart rate and temperature sensors, hearing aid capabilities, and a USB-C port, but Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman have cast doubt over this information.
Kuo has narrowed down the launch of the AirPods Pro 2 to the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December of the year. This means the AirPods Pro 2 could arrive around three years after their predecessors. Given their age and seemingly imminent repalcement, customers should hold off on buying AirPods Pro until the new model launches.
Apple Watch Series 3
The Apple Watch Series 3 was released in September 2017, making it almost five years old. It is the oldest device to support the latest version of watchOS 8, but its S3 chip significantly lags behind the Apple Watch SE's S5 chip and Apple Watch Series 7's S7 chip in terms of performance. The Apple Watch Series 3 is also the only remaining Apple Watch to feature the older, thicker Apple Watch design with large bezels and angular corners around the display.
Following the iOS 14.6 and watchOS 7.5 updates last year, Apple Watch Series 3 users have to unpair and re-pair the device from its linked iPhone when updating watchOS because the Apple Watch does not have enough internal storage to complete an update independently.
In June, Apple previewed watchOS 9, the next-generation operating system for the Apple Watch. The new OS drops support for the Apple Watch Series 3, meaning that the device will be left running watchOS 8. Despite this, the Apple Watch Series 3 is still on sale. Apple is expected to discontinue the device when new Apple Watch models launch next month, and since it will not support the latest version of watchOS, potential customers should no longer buy the device.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE debuted in 2020 as a low-cost option for customers. As it nears two years since launch, sources like Gurman and Kuo expect the the Apple Watch SE to be to be replaced by a second-generation model alongside the Apple Watch Series 8 next month.
Little is known about the new Apple Watch SE, but Gurman says that it may feature the "S8" chip. The S8 chip will reportedly feature the same specifications as the S6 and S7 chips, which may explain why Apple could upgrade the Apple Watch SE to its latest processor. Indeed, since all of the chips that are newer than the Apple Watch SE's current processor are effectively the same, it will make no material difference whether it has the S6, S7, or S8 – all of which offer a moderate performance improvement over the S5.
Coming two years after the previous model, the new Apple Watch SE is likely to bring some other features and improvements, and will almost certainly support the latest version of watchOS for longer, so buyers looking for a lower-cost Apple Watch should wait until the new model arrives next month.
Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 is almost a year old. While it shipped later than usual due to delays, its successor, the Apple Watch Series 8, is expected to be unveiled next month.
As such, with the entire Apple Watch lineup set to be overhauled in a matter of weeks, Apple Watch buyers should now wait for new models to arrive.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 13
Early September is expected to see the launch of the iPhone 14 lineup in one of the most important Apple releases of the year.
After lackluster sales for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, which both feature a 5.4-inch display, Apple is reportedly planning to discontinue its small form-factor iPhone and replace it with a comparatively gargantuan 6.7-inch display on the iPhone 14 Max – making it the same size as the iPhone 13 Pro Max. While there will reportedly be no "iPhone 14 mini," the iPhone 14 Max will provide a cheaper option for users who want a new iPhone with a larger display, but do not need "Pro" features like a ProMotion display and the telephoto camera. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max are expected to feature modest upgrades, including:
The iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 are expected to see a price drop when they are replaced by the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max this year, while the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 could be discontinued, so now is not a good time to buy any of these mid-level iPhone models.
iPhone 13 Pro
At the high-end, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are expected to be replaced by the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, headlining with features such as thinner bezels and a "pill and hole-punch" TrueDepth camera array design in place of the notch.
For the first time, the standard iPhone models are also expected to miss out on Apple's latest chip, with the "A16" reserved for the iPhone 14 Pro only. According to rumors so far, iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature:
The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will allegedly come in Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Purple color options. While the iPhone 14 Pro models could see a slight price increase this year, the new models offer significant upgrades and price rises could be justified if the devices start with more storage.
The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are likely to be discontinued upon the release of the new models, which will subsequently slash prices with third-party resellers – so it is clearly preferable to avoid purchasing either of these devices at the current time.
iPad (Ninth-Generation)
Apple released the ninth-generation iPad in September last year, and it typically updates the entry-level iPad annually. An all-new, tenth-generation iPad is on the cards for an Apple event in October, but it could be announced even sooner at Apple's "Far out" event on September 7.
The ninth-generation iPad released last year features a 10.2-inch display, an A13 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel front camera with support for the Center Stage feature, and support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. Reports from display analyst Ross Young, alleged leaked renders, and various other rumors indicate that the tenth-generation iPad will offer:
Slightly wider and thinner new design with flat sides and a rear camera bump
A14 Bionic chip
10.5-inch display
USB-C port
5G connectivity for cellular models
A questionable report also said that the iPad will feature a Touch ID power button and a landscape FaceTime camera. The tenth-generation iPad is shaping up to be a major update over the previous model, so iPad buyers should no longer buy the ninth-generation model if possible. Mass production of the next-generation iPad is believed to already be reportedly underway.
iPad Pro
Apple's current 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models launched in April 2021, making them the longest-lasting iPad Pro models to date. The company is now expected to launch updated iPad Pro models at an event in October.
According to sources like Mark Gurman and Mac Otakara, the new iPad Pro models are expected to feature the same design with at least four additions:
While the iPad Pro update could be one of Apple's smaller hardware refreshes this year, the age of the current device and comparatively short wait for new models means that it is not a good time to buy an iPad Pro at present.
Mac mini
Apple has been believed to be working on a new Mac mini for some time. It updated the entry-level Mac mini with the M1 chip in November 2020, and the high-end offering is still the Space Gray model with an Intel processor from 2018. The potential of replacing this older high-end model with an Apple silicon machine was previously at the center of rumors related to new Mac minis, but now it looks like both the entry-level and the high-end model may be refreshed simultaneously.
Now, Apple is believed to be working on two versions of the Mac mini, one with the standard "M2" chip and a second higher-end model with the "M2 Pro" chip.
The Mac mini's design is now well over a decade old, and despite the long wait for a high-end Apple silicon-based Mac mini, Apple reportedly has no plans to refresh its design. According to a claim from Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this year, the next-generation Mac mini is likely to retain the same form factor as the current model, which is an aluminum unibody design that Apple has used for every new Mac mini since 2010.
Kuo's claim runs contrary to a rumor from leaker Jon Prosser, who last year said that Apple was working on a complete redesign for the small desktop computer, moving to a smaller chassis with a "plexiglass-like" top.
In line with rumors about the cancelation of the 2022 Mac mini refresh, Kuo has also said that the new Mac mini will not launch until 2023. Even so, given that the M1 Mac mini is one of the oldest Apple silicon Macs still on sale, most customers should wait for a new model to arrive next year.
The Intel-based Mac mini is a relic from the period before Apple began to transition the Mac lineup to its own custom silicon, which offers massive performance and efficiency benefits. For this reason, and since it is effectively four years old, those interested in the high-end Intel Mac mini should not buy it under almost any circumstances.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro is one of the last Intel-based Mac models still on sale and the only remaining Mac product line with no Apple silicon chip options. An all-new model that finally brings Apple silicon to Apple's top-tier Mac for professionals has now been anticipated for over two years. At its "Peek Performance" event earlier this year, Apple even teased the launch of the Apple silicon Mac Pro, saying "that's for another day."
Multiple reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman about the Apple silicon Mac Pro's chip options and specifications provide a fairly straightforward picture of what to expect from the new flagship Mac. The device's configurations are likely to look as follows:
Mac Pro With M2 Ultra
20-core CPU (16 high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores)
Up to a 64-core GPU
32-core Neural Engine
64GB or 128GB of unified memory
Mac Pro With M2 Extreme
40-core CPU (32 high-performance cores and eight high-efficiency cores)
Up to a 128-core GPU
64-core Neural Engine
At least 128GB or 256GB of unified memory
The M2 Extreme is expected to surpass the top-tier Intel Xeon W CPU option with 28-cores offered in the current Intel-based Mac Pro. The M2 Extreme's known specifications effectively double the capabilities of the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio, but if it is based on the more advanced 5nm fabrication process behind the current M2 chip, it is likely that there will be a range of other improvements in terms of core technologies, efficiency, and clock speed.
The current Mac Pro is available with up to 1.5TB of memory, a $25,000 configuration option available to $11,999 and $12,999 Mac Pro models with 24- and 28-core CPUs. Since Apple silicon Macs use a shared pool of unified memory rather than the conventional DDR4 ECC memory sticks used in the current Mac Pro, it seems probable that it will be available with considerably less memory.
The Mac Pro currently starts at $5,999, with the potential to price it up to over $52,000 in custom configurations. The base model Apple silicon Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra is almost certain to cost more than the high-end Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra, which starts at $3,999. It seems likely that the new base model Mac Pro will continue to start at a price point similar to the current model, but there is no further information about pricing at this time.
Beyond its basic specifications, little is currently known about the device's design, ports, and modularity. Apple is expected to introduce the Apple silicon Mac Pro later this year, and it could be followed by a "Pro" version of the Studio Display with a mini-LED panel and support for ProMotion in early 2023.
Customers who are confident they will be reliant on a powerful, modular Intel-based system for the foreseeable future could still benefit from buying the current Mac Pro, but prices are sure to come down when the Apple silicon Mac Pro is released later this year. Even so, the majority of Pro customers will see considerable benefits from waiting for the most powerful Apple silicon system to date.
Woot today introduced a new flash sale on Apple's MagSafe Charger, available for $29.99, down from $39.00. The MagSafe Charger is in new condition and includes a one year Apple limited warranty.
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.
Woot's sale is about $2 higher than the all-time low price on this accessory, and it's the first time in months that we've seen a notable markdown. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get free standard shipping on Woot.
The MagSafe Charger supports magnetic alignment with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 family of devices. Otherwise, it supports regular wireless charging with any Qi-compatible device, including AirPods Pro.
Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.
The online store briefly became unavailable on Tuesday morning while the website was updated to reflect the expansion of Apple's Self Service Repair program to Macs.
Owners of MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with chips from the M1 family are now able to obtain repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools via the store. There are no manuals or parts available for Macs with the M2 chip or desktop Macs yet.
Apple launched Self Service Repair for the iPhone earlier this year for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. For the Mac, the program works the same as with the iPhone, obligating customers to first review the repair manual before visiting the Self Service Repair Store to order parts and tools.
Self Service Repair for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro offers more than a dozen different repair types for each model, including the display, top case with battery, and trackpad, with more to come in the future, according to Apple.
Apple will offer rental kits for $49 for customers who do not want to purchase tools for a single repair, providing them with access to a tool kit for one week with free shipping. Customers can send replaced parts back to Apple for refurbishment and recycling, often receiving credit for their repair purchase in the process.
The program currently only operates in the United States, but Apple says it will be expanding to Europe later this year. Apple also plans to make repair parts and manuals available for additional Apple silicon Mac models later this year.
Amazon is discounting the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad mini tablet to $439.99 in all colors today, down from $499.00. There's a slight shipping delay for the tablet, with the fastest delivery estimate set for around August 30.
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This isn't the best price we've seen on the iPad mini 6, but given that all-time low prices have been extremely rare over the summer and stock has been fairly low, Amazon's new deal is still a solid second-best option.
Shoppers should note that this is one of Amazon's sales that require you to head to the checkout screen to see the deal price. Once the tablet is in your cart and you head to checkout, you'll see an automatic coupon worth $19.99 applied to the order.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
You can also get the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad mini on sale for $599.00, down from $649.00. This is another second-best price on the miniature tablet, and it's seeing delivery estimates around the same late August timeframe.
For even more iPad deals, head to our full Best Deals guide for iPad. In that guide we track the best discounts online for iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
A device believed to be the iPhone 14 has been spotted in the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), MySmartPrice reports.
The device is filed under the model number "A2882," which is believed to correspond to one of the standard iPhone 14 models. The iPhone 13 has the model numbers A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, and A2633, making this seemingly the first time that the iPhone has been officially seen, providing the model number correlates with the correct device.
New Apple devices being spotted in regulatory databases often indicate that launch is imminent. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to unveil the iPhone 14 lineup at an event on Wednesday, September 7.
Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that Apple will begin iPhone 14 production in India around two months after the first wave of devices are shipped out of China as manufacturing partners attempt to replicate the complex iPhone supply chain operation in another country for the first time.
Apple will begin iPhone 14 production in India about two months after the first wave of devices are released out of China as manufacturing partners try to replicate the complex iPhone supply chain operation in another country for the first time.
Bloomberg reports that Apple has been working with suppliers to ramp up manufacturing in India and "shorten the lag in production of the new iPhone from the typical six to nine months for previous launches, according to people familiar with the matter."
However, Apple and primary iPhone assembler Foxconn have "ultimately determined a simultaneous start in India and China isn't realistic this year, although it remains a long-term goal," according to the report's sources.
Apple is said to be seeking alternatives to China amid the country's clashes with the U.S. government and strict lockdowns that have disrupted supply chain operations. To that end, Foxconn has reportedly been studying the process of shipping components from China and assembling the iPhone 14 devices at its plant outside the southern Indian city of Chennai.
Aside from the massive issue of organizing coordination between hundreds of suppliers, one of the big challenges the manufacturer is said to have faced involves finding ways to maintain Apple's high standards for secrecy.
Local executives in India reportedly looked at the possibility of "entirely cornering off one of Foxconn's multiple assembly lines, sequestering workers and scrutinizing all possible ways in which the security around the device could be compromised."
Apple is also said to be concerned about Indian customs officials who often unseal packages to check if imported materials match their declarations, which could jeopardize the company's stringent product secrecy controls.
Given the high possibility of leaks and other operational challenges, Apple and Foxconn therefore have this year decided against a simultaneous launch in China and India, and the first iPhone 14 models from India are likely to be finished in late October or November, following the initial September release.
Apple is aiming to announce the iPhone 14 on Wednesday, September 7, with retail employees said to be preparing for a new product release on Friday, September 16, which suggests the new iPhone and Apple Watch models could see a release on that date. Apple plans to release a total of four iPhone 14 models, including a 6.1-inch iPhone 14, a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Former Apple employee Xiaolang Zhang today pleaded guilty to theft of trade secrets, which could get him up to ten years in prison, reports CNBC. Zhang was first hired by Apple in December 2015 to work on Project Titan, developing software and hardware for autonomous vehicles.
As part of the Compute Team, Zhang designed and tested circuit boards to analyze sensor data, and he was given access to Apple's secure and confidential internal databases. In April 2018, Zhang left Apple for Chinese startup XMotors, and shortly after, Apple found that he had stolen sensitive Apple Car development data and hardware.
In July 2018, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation charged Zhang with theft of trade secrets, and he was arrested shortly after for attempting to leave the country. Zhang this week took a plea bargain, which is under seal with the U.S. government.
Along with up to 10 years in prison, Zhang could have to pay up to $250,000 in fines. Sentencing is scheduled for November 14.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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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.
