The so-called "Apple Watch Pro" will feature a larger 47mm case size, according to a report today from Japanese website Mac Otakara. By comparison, the Apple Watch Series 7 is available in 41mm and 45mm case sizes.
The report, citing information received from "reliable sources," also claims the Apple Watch Pro will feature a completely flat display, whereas existing Apple Watch models have slightly curved edges around the display. The flat design could improve the durability of the Apple Watch Pro, which Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported will be a "rugged" model designed for high-impact activities like hiking and extreme sports.
While a 47mm case size is new information, the flat display has been rumored previously. Other features expected for the Apple Watch Pro include a titanium casing, longer battery life, an expanded Low Power Mode, an S8 chip, and more.
Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Pro alongside two standard Apple Watch Series 8 models and the iPhone 14 at its September 7 media event. Pricing remains to be seen, but titanium Apple Watch models currently start at $799 in the United States, so it would be reasonable to expect a starting price of around $799 to $999.
Mark your calendars! Apple has officially announced that it will be holding a media event on Wednesday, September 7, where we're expecting to see the iPhone 14 and additional announcements. The uncharacteristically early official announcement two weeks ahead of time may be due to this marking the return of standalone in-person media events for the first time in almost three years.
Other news this week included confirmation from Apple that iPadOS 16 has been delayed a bit and will not launch alongside iOS 16 next month, an expansion of Apple's Self Repair Program to the Mac, and fresh rumors about the iPhone 14 lineup and upcoming MacBook Pro models, so read on for details on these stories and more!
Apple Announces September 7 Event With 'Far Out' Tagline
Rumors suggest Apple plans to release numerous devices by the end of the year, including new models of the iPad, iPad Pro, Mac mini, Mac Pro, Apple TV, AirPods Pro, and more, so there's always a chance that at least one or two of these products also gets announced at the September event.
Apple is also expected to hold an October event this year, so it should be a busy fall season for the company as usual.
Apple Confirms iPadOS 16 is Delayed and Will Launch as iPadOS 16.1
Images Allegedly Show Real iPhone 14 Pro Display Cutouts and Status Bar Items
With the iPhone 14 Pro display expected to gain a new pill-and-hole-punch design rather than a notch, it looks like there will be some changes to how iOS handles the front camera system on the new models.
Leaked photos and screenshots suggest the cellular/Wi-Fi/battery indicators in the status bar will move slightly down and to the right to better line up with the new camera system design.
New 14-Inch and 16-Inch MacBook Pro Expected to Enter Mass Production This Year
In a tweet, Kuo said the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models may still have chips based on TSMC's latest 5nm process given that TSMC's financial guidance indicated that the company will not begin to receive revenue from 3nm chip production until 2023.
iPhone Mini Fans: What to Look Out for When the iPhone 14 Models Launch
While rumors suggest there won't be an iPhone 14 mini this year, due to lackluster sales of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, fans of Apple's smaller 5.4-inch smartphone will still have options.
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
Netflix is planning to charge between $7 and $9 for its upcoming ad-supported tier, according to a new report from Bloomberg. Netflix's current lowest-priced plan is $9.99 per month in the United States, with the plan offering 480p streaming.
Netflix also has a $15.49 per month plan for 1080p streaming, and a $19.99 per month plan for 4K streaming. The lower-cost ad-supported tier is aimed at those who don't mind ads and who do not want to pay $9.99+ for a standard Netflix subscription.
Ads will be shown before and during TV shows and movies, and Netflix plans to sell approximately four minutes of advertising per hour, which will be shorter than the 10 to 20 minutes of commercials per hour shown by cable companies. Customers will not be able to skip ads or access playback controls while ads are playing, but Netflix does want to limit ad targeting and make sure ads are not too repetitive.
The ad-supported tier will have more restrictions than more expensive tiers, and Netflix does not plan to allow customers subscribed to the plan to download TV shows and movies for offline viewing.
Netflix has turned to ads because it has not been able to maintain subscriber count. The company lost subscribers for the first time in 10 years in the first quarter of 2022, and blamed "a large number of households sharing accounts" and "competition."
Netflix is aiming to introduce the more affordable plan in limited markets before the end of the year, but a full rollout may not happen until 2023.
The iPhone and iPad have a built-in intelligent search feature called Spotlight, which is designed to search through apps, files, and the web to help you find what you're looking for. Apple improves Spotlight Search with every iteration of iOS, and iOS 16 is no exception.
This guide highlights everything that's new with Spotlight in iOS 16, available now, and iPadOS 16, coming in October.
Home Screen Search
Accessing the Spotlight Search feature is typically done by swiping down from the Home Screen to bring up the search interface, but Apple in iOS 16 decided to add another "Search" button.
You can now find a "Search" option available at the bottom of the Home Screen, which can be tapped to enter the Spotlight Search interface. The Search button replaces the dots that were previously there to let you know how many app pages you have available.
The button is located just above the dock, but there is an option to disable it in the Home Screen section of the Settings app.
Spotlight can find locations, people, scenes, text, pets, objects, and more in images from Messages, Notes, and Files, in addition to the Photos app in iOS 16.
Quick Actions
Apple updated Spotlight to support Quick Actions, which are functions that can be done right from the search interface.
Some of the options:
Start a timer
Activate a Focus
Shazam a song
Run a Shortcut
Spotlight can also help you find the Shortcuts that are available for any app.
Siri Suggestion Improvements
Apple has updated Siri Suggestions to consider the context when offering up apps that you might want to use. This makes the suggested apps and actions in Spotlight more relevant to what you might be doing at the current time.
Siri Suggestions can do things like suggesting directions when you have a meeting coming up, or offer a flight status check when you have a flight. It can also suggest that you call someone having a birthday, show your favorite apps you use at certain times of the day, or bring up your recent searches so you can get back to prior results more quickly.
Live Activities
When Apple launches Live Activities in the future, Spotlight will be able to be used to start a Live Activity that will show up on the Lock Screen. Live Activities are interactive notifications that stay up to date, allowing you to keep an eye on things happening in real-time right from the Lock Screen.
If you're following a sports game, for example, you can see the updated score on the Lock Screen, or if you're waiting for an Uber ride, you can watch for your driver to approach.
Live Activities will not be available when iOS 16 launches, but will be coming in a future update.
Expanded Rich Results
Apple is improving the rich search results that show information like data on an actor when you search for an actor's name. The feature will now show additional information for businesses, sports leagues, and sports teams.
App Clip Improvements
App Clips are modified versions of apps that let you use limited app functionality without having to do a full install. Spotlight integrates with App Clips, offering up App Clip suggestions when you're in a relevant location.
In iOS 16, Apple uses precise location suggestions to improve App Clip suggestions in Spotlight, but Location-Based Suggestions can be disabled as always in the Privacy section of the Settings app.
Guide Feedback
Have questions about the Spotlight Search feature in iOS 16, know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.
Apple in July released the redesigned MacBook Air, one of the first machines to feature the second-generation M2 chip. MacRumors videographer Dan has been using the new MacBook on a daily basis, so we thought we'd do a deep dive into his experience for MacRumors readers who might still be considering a purchase.
Make sure to watch the video up above to see everything Dan has to say about the MacBook Air, but spoiler alert: We think that this is the best Mac notebook option for most people. It's sleek, compact, modern, and blazingly fast with the updated M2. It's more expensive than the M1 model, but the M2 chip and fresh design are going to be worth it for many people.
Have an M2 MacBook Air? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below.
Canadian carrier Rogers today announced that the Apple TV+ app is now rolling out to its Ignite TV and Ignite Streaming boxes/devices.
Rogers is also offering a three-month subscription to Apple TV+ free of charge to first-time subscribers to the service through November 23, 2022, according to the announcement, first shared by the blog iPhone in Canada.
Samsung and Roku are also offering three months of Apple TV+ for free on select devices for a limited time, in what appears to be a coordinated marketing push by Apple ahead of the holiday season. Apple's services business set a June quarter record with $19.6 billion revenue and was the company's second largest revenue source behind iPhone sales.
Apple TV+ is normally priced at $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year in Canada. The service provides access to Apple's original series and films, ranging from the award-winning comedy series "Ted Lasso" to the hit workplace thriller "Severance."
In addition to rolling out as an app on Ignite devices, Apple TV+ can be accessed on the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD boxes, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, on select streaming devices from Google TV, Fire TV, and Roku, on the web at tv.apple.com, and on many other platforms.
The United States Justice Department is in the early stages of crafting an antitrust complaint against Apple, reports Politico. A source that spoke to the site described the lawsuit as "potential," indicating that the DOJ's plans are not yet finalized.
Prosecutors within the DOJ are said to be "assembling the pieces" for a lawsuit that could be filed by the end of the year, but the decision has not yet been made as to when. It's also possible that no lawsuit will ultimately be filed at all.
The U.S. government launched an antitrust investigation into Apple back in 2019, making inquiries about Apple's policies surrounding the App Store, third-party apps, repairs, and more. The DOJ has spent time speaking with Apple critics that include Spotify, Epic Games, Match Group, Basecamp, and Tile, all of whom have expressed unhappiness with Apple's App Store policies.
The investigation was part of a deeper probe into tech companies that include Amazon, Facebook, and Google in addition to Apple, and it has thus far resulted in proposed antitrust legislation that could result in major changes in the tech industry. The Open App Markets Act, for example, would allow for alternative app stores and alternative in-app payment systems, which Apple wants to avoid.
Back in October, The Information said that the Department of Justice was accelerating its antitrust probe into Apple, with a "flurry" of activity and new subpoenas sent to Apple business partners. Politico says that the case is likely to extend beyond Apple's App Store policies, with the DOJ also exploring whether Apple's control over its devices harms product manufacturers like Tile.
Antitrust lawsuits have already been launched against Facebook and Google.
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.
We're less than two weeks from the launch of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. We've been hearing rumors about these new iPhones for almost a year, and while many rumored features have been reported repeatedly, there are a few wildcard features we've heard about that we aren't so sure we'll see on the upcoming iPhones, and we've listed four below.
Satellite Connectivity
Bloombergreports that Apple is working on satellite connectivity that will let users send texts in emergency situations and report major emergencies in areas where there is no cellular coverage using their iPhone. Rumors at one point suggested this advanced capability would come with the iPhone 13, but that did not happen.
According to a reliable industry expert, Apple is indeed planning to announce satellite connectivity capabilities for the iPhone 14 during its event planned for September 7. The expert says Apple is likely to partner with Globalstar for the feature on the upcoming iPhone.
Vapor Chamber Thermal System
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in a wide-ranging report covering Apple's early development of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, said high-end iPhones in 2022 would feature a vapor chamber thermal system for heat management. Kuo said that Apple was "aggressively testing" such a solution for its iPhone at the time. Vapor chamber thermal systems are already present on high-end Android devices, such as those made by Samsung, Razer, and LG, which help keep the device cool under heavy workloads.
Apple has continued to make the iPhone more powerful with each new generation of its A-series chip. The iPhone 14 Pro is expected to be powered by the new A16 Bionic chip, while the lower-end models of the iPhone 14 will retain the A15 Bionic chip from the current iPhone 13. Whether or not Apple adopts a vapor chamber thermal system remains to be seen, but no mention of it has been made since Kuo's original report in January 2021.
2TB of Storage
With the iPhone 13 Pro, Apple started offering customers 1TB of storage. With the iPhone 14 Pro, a sketchy rumor has suggested Apple could offer an even larger 2TB storage option for customers, offering the highest amount ever in an iPhone. The added storage could be helpful for videographers who take high-quality professional videos on their iPhone, but whether Apple chooses to make this an option remains to be seen.
WiFi 6E
Apple's latest iPhones, Macs, and iPads support WiFi 6, which is not the newest WiFi standard. WiFi 6E is the latest WiFi standard, offering faster speeds and better capabilities to handle high-capacity workloads. The iPhone 13, despite speculation, did not end up supporting the newest WiFi standard, so it may be on the table for the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup.
Conclusion
While there is a lot we know and some things we don't know about the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, the good news is that we won't have to wait long to learn about the real deal. Apple will hold a special event on Wednesday, September 7, with the tagline "Far Out," where it's expected to announce the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, the new Apple Watch Series 8, an updated Apple Watch SE, and possibly a new Apple Watch "Pro."
This week mainly saw Apple accessories get notable discounts from retailers like Anker via Amazon and Nomad, the latter of which we have an exclusive sale with that will expire later today.
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.
Nomad
What's the deal? Take 20% off sitewide at Nomad with code MR2022
We kicked off the week with an exclusive deal partnership with Nomad, offering our readers 20 percent off sitewide. With the code MR2022 you can save 20 percent on USB-C cables, iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands, and much more. This code expires later today, so be sure to take advantage of it while it's live.
Our discount is compatible with Nomad's brand new Titanium Pen stylus, priced at $67.96 with the code, down from $99.95.
Apple Watch SE
What's the deal? Take up to $100 off Apple Watch SE
Ahead of the Apple Watch updates expected next month, we're tracking all-time low discounts across the SE lineup on Amazon. You can get the 40mm GPS model for $209.99 ($70 off) and the 40mm Cellular model for $229.99 ($100 off). If you're okay investing in a soon-to-be previous-generation model, these are great record low prices.
Anker
What's the deal? Take up to 25% off Anker's new USB-C wall chargers
Anker kicked off a new Amazon sale yesterday, offering up to 25 percent off three of its newest USB-C wall chargers. There's a 65W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger for $44.99 (25% off), a 120W 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger for $75.99 (20% off), and a 140W USB-C Wall Charger for $74.99 (25% off).
All of these accessories require an on-page coupon to be clipped on their Amazon page. Once you do this and head to the checkout page, you'll see the deal price.
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.
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of macOS Ventura to its public beta testing group, allowing non-developers to test the new macOS Ventura operating system ahead of its release. The fourth beta comes two weeks after the third public beta and it corresponds with the sixth developer beta that came out earlier this week.
Public beta testers can download the macOS 13 Ventura update from the Software Update section of the System Preferences app after installing the proper profile from Apple's beta software website.
macOS Ventura introduces Stage Manager, a new multi-tasking option for focusing on a task while having other apps waiting in the wings. Stage Manager puts your main app front and center, tucking your other apps to the side for quick access.
Continuity Camera allows you to use your iPhone as a webcam for your Mac, offering much better camera quality than the built-in Mac camera. Apple is building special stands to hold the iPhone with a Mac, and there are neat features like Desk View, which uses the Ultra Wide lens.
Handoff now works with FaceTime so you can answer calls on the Mac and then transfer them over to another device, and Messages is gaining undo, edit, and mark as unread features. SharePlay now works in Messages in addition to FaceTime, and the Mail app has been overhauled. Search is more relevant, emails can be scheduled, and there's even an option to undo an email for up to 10 seconds after it's sent.
Apple brought the Weather and Clock apps to the Mac, redesigned System Preferences and renamed it System Settings, and added support for Shared Tab Groups. Passwords are being replaced with more secure Passkeys in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura, and there are updates to Spotlight, Visual Lookup, Live Text, and more.
There are a ton of other features in macOS Ventura, and we have a full rundown available in our dedicated macOS Ventura roundup.
Apple will hold rare company-wide retail meetings this weekend, the first in three years since the start of the global health crisis, according to sources familiar with the matter. The timing of the meetings comes just less than two weeks away from when Apple will hold its "Far Out" event for the iPhone 14 and new Apple Watches.
The meetings, planned to take place in Apple Stores across the United States, are the first of their kind since 2019 amid the global health crisis. Apple had originally planned for company-wide meetings, which typically happen once or twice a year ahead of a busy launch season, for the Spring of 2020 but canceled amid store closures and lockdowns. In years past, Apple has unveiled company-wide retail strategies and "pep talk" styled team discussions meant to prepare employees to launch new products.
This year's meetings, however, come amid widespread tension within Apple over unionization, a factor not present in years past. Apple has been ramping-up its union-related talking points in the last several weeks, MacRumors has reported. Last week, Apple Store leaders across the United States communicated what employees perceived as "anti-union rhetoric" in a coordinated attempt to ease staff concerns.
Apple is preparing to launch several new products in the coming weeks, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. Apple Store employees in several locations across the United States have been tasked with preparing for new merchandise material in the coming weeks, typical before a major new product launch. Bloomberg'sMark Gurman has reported that the new iPhones will go on sale on Friday, September 16, with pre-orders opening a week before on Friday, September 9.
Apple suppliers will begin mass production of new 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro models in the fourth quarter of 2022, and all of the devices will likely remain equipped with 5nm chips, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
In a pair of tweets, Kuo said Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC will not begin shipping 3nm chips until January 2023, and therefore he expects the new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models to stick with 5nm chips. The new iPad Pro with an M2 chip is expected to be released in October, but timing for the new MacBook Pro models is less clear, with some rumors suggesting a release later this year and others pointing towards a 2023 launch.
(1/4) EMS must buy components from Oct at the latest for products that will enter mass production in 4Q22, but 3nm chips won't be available until Jan 2023. So I think new MacBook Pro & iPad Pro, which will enter mass production in 4Q22, will adopt new but unlikely 3nm processors. https://t.co/8JR4LOHFVs
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) August 26, 2022
The new MacBook Pro models are expected to be equipped with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which some earlier reports had suggested could be Apple's first 3nm chips. However, if the latest information shared by Kuo is accurate, the first Apple devices with chips based on TSMC's 3nm process will not be released until some point next year.
In addition to future Macs and iPads, the A17 Bionic chip in next year's iPhone 15 Pro is also expected to be a 3nm chip.
Thomas is a YouTuber, podcaster, and content creator best known for his personal development video essays, Notion tutorials and templates, and Skillshare courses. We discuss the iPad Pro's hardware and form factor, the advancements and limitations of iPadOS 16, and accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
We explore the M2MacBook Air, share some productivity tips, and weigh up the upsides and downsides of Apple's platforms for getting things done. We also touch on some of our favorite third-party apps like Things 3, Obsidian, Craft, and Notion. See more of Thomas's work on his YouTube channel or his website.
Apple may announce its long-rumored satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 next month, according to Tim Farrar, a satellite communications consultant at California-based research firm Telecom, Media and Finance Associates.
In a series of tweets, Farrar said T-Mobile's and SpaceX's satellite connectivity announcement yesterday was likely intended to pre-empt Apple's announcement of its own satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone in partnership with Globalstar. Apple is holding a media event at Steve Jobs Theater on September 7, and the event's "Far Out" tagline and starry sky artwork have fueled speculation about a satellite connectivity announcement.
In February, Globalstar announced that it acquired 17 new satellites to provide "continuous satellite services" to a "potential customer," which might be Apple.
Farrar said Apple's service will be offered free of charge for two-way text messaging only at launch and will use existing satellite spectrum, with no rule changes from the FCC required. By comparison, T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to leverage T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum and support SMS text messages, MMS, and select messaging apps, but Farrar believes this more ambitious approach will face regulatory hurdles around the world.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman first reported that Apple was working on satellite connectivity for iPhones in December 2019. Earlier this year, Gurman said Apple was still working on the feature and said it could be ready for the iPhone 14 later this year. Gurman claimed the feature would be intended for use in emergency situations, allowing iPhone users to report emergencies to authorities and send short text messages to emergency contacts, and he added that the functionality could also be available on a new Apple Watch.
iPhones would need a special modem chip to connect to satellites, according to Gurman, suggesting the feature might be compatible with the iPhone 14 and newer only. By comparison, T-Mobile said the "vast majority of smartphones" already on its network would be able to connect to SpaceX's satellites with their existing cellular chips.
Additional details about Apple's rumored satellite connectivity feature, such as whether the feature will be limited to the U.S. or available globally, remain unknown. Apple's media event begins on September 7 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time and MacRumors will have comprehensive coverage of everything announced, so be sure to follow along then.
Amazon has marked down Apple's 10.2-inch iPad to a new all-time low price today, with the 64GB Wi-Fi model available for $279.99, down from $329.00. You can get both the Silver and Space Gray at this price, with fastest delivery options estimated around September 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 sale beats the previous record low price by around $20. The tablet is shipped and sold directly by Amazon, and shipping estimates have begun to slip so be sure to visit Amazon soon if you're interested.
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.
Apple has backed out of a potential purchase of the game studio Electronic Arts (EA) following talks that have been ongoing since as early as May of this year, with Amazon instead poised to make an offer, according to a report from USA Today vertical ForTheWin.
Over the last couple of months, EA has been speaking to several companies with potential interest in the acquisition, including Apple, Amazon, and Disney. Apple has had a renewed interest in the gaming market ever since the launch of Apple Arcade, the company's subscription-based gaming service that offers exclusive games with no in-app purchases and ads.
A purchase of EA by Apple would give the Cupertino tech-giant access to hit gaming franchises that include "The Sims," "Battlefield," "Apex Legends," "SimCity," "DragonAge," "FIFA," and more.
Apple purchasing EA, which has a market value of $34 billion, would be the largest acquisition by Apple in its history. Apple's largest purchase to date is Beats, which it bought for $3 billion in 2014. During the company's last earnings call in July, CEO Tim Cook said Apple "never buys just to buy," but added that he wouldn't "rule anything out" and that Apple is "constantly surveilling the market."
Update: According to CNBC sources, the rumor that Amazon is set to purchase Electronic Arts (EA) is incorrect.
T-Mobile and SpaceX today announced a plan to offer smartphone connectivity nearly anywhere in the U.S. with a new "satellite-to-cellular" service.
The new technology will leverage SpaceX's second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit and T-Mobile's nationwide mid-band 5G spectrum to provide "near complete coverage" in most areas across the U.S., in addition to territorial waters. If successful, the technology would eliminate "mobile dead zones" and keep customers connected beyond the reach of cell towers, which would be especially helpful in emergency situations.
T-Mobile and SpaceX said they hope to establish reciprocal roaming agreements with international carriers to offer the service globally in the future.
"The important thing about this is that it means there are no dead zones anywhere in the world for your cell phone," said SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, in a press release announcing the plan. "We're incredibly excited to do this with T-Mobile."
Below, we've outlined some key details about the T-Mobile and SpaceX plans and what the launch of the service will mean for iPhone users.
Will the satellite connectivity work with iPhones?
T-Mobile said the "vast majority of smartphones" already connected to its network will be compatible with the new "satellite-to-cellular" service, and this will presumably include iPhones. We've reached out to T-Mobile and Apple for clarification, but the companies did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.
T-Mobile said satellite connectivity will use a smartphone's existing cellular chip and will not require a Starlink terminal or any other hardware.
Will the satellite connectivity require an iPhone 14?
As mentioned above, T-Mobile said the "vast majority" of existing smartphones will be compatible with its satellite connectivity service right out of the box, so it does not sound like the feature will require Apple's upcoming iPhone 14 models.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that iPhone 14 models could feature satellite connectivity for emergency use, but he said that Apple's partner would likely be satellite company Globalstar, rather than SpaceX, so the feature may be unrelated.
During a press event in Texas, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert also said that the carrier has yet to start working with other companies on how they will integrate the technology, further suggesting that Apple is not currently involved with the plans. Of course, Apple could choose to partner with T-Mobile and SpaceX to fully support the service on iPhones in the future, even if the companies have yet to discuss the matter.
Given the service will leverage T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum, it's possible Starlink satellite connectivity will require an iPhone 12 or newer, but we'll have to wait for the companies to share additional details about the technology.
There is still a possibility that Apple will announce a similar satellite connectivity feature for the iPhone 14 in partnership with Globalstar, and perhaps it would work with more carriers than just T-Mobile at launch. Earlier this week, Apple announced that it will be holding a media event on September 7 with the tagline "Far Out" and starry sky artwork, fueling speculation that Apple has a satellite connectivity announcement planned.
How will the technology work?
SpaceX plans to have a constellation of second-generation Starlink satellites in low Earth orbit with advanced antennas that smartphones can connect to via T-Mobile's mid-band 5G spectrum without any additional hardware. T-Mobile said the service will provide "nearly complete coverage almost anywhere a customer can see the sky," and Elon Musk said the service should work when a person has the phone in their pocket or is in a vehicle.
What is the purpose of satellite connectivity?
T-Mobile and SpaceX said the satellite-to-cellular service is designed primarily for areas without existing cell network coverage, to eliminate mobile dead zones. The service is not intended to be a substitute for much faster cell networks in urban and suburban areas, but instead will ensure that people can stay connected in areas without cell towers for basic communication by text message and eventually phone calls.
When and where will the service launch?
T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to launch the service in beta by late 2023, starting in select areas of the U.S. The service will eventually cover most areas of the continental U.S., Hawaii, parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territorial waters.
T-Mobile and SpaceX said they hope to establish reciprocal roaming agreements with international carriers to offer the service globally in the future.
How much will the service cost?
T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said the carrier plans to offer Starlink satellite connectivity on its "most popular plans" for no additional charge. For some lower-priced plans, Sievert said T-Mobile may charge a monthly fee to access the service, with pricing that would be "far less" expensive than existing satellite service providers.
Will the service work for phone calls and text messages? What about iMessage?
Starlink's direct satellite connectivity to smartphones will initially work with SMS and MMS text messages and "participating messaging apps," according to T-Mobile and SpaceX. The announcement did not name any participating messaging apps, so it's unclear if Apple's iMessage service will be supported at launch.
In the future, the companies plan to "pursue the addition of voice and data coverage" for phone calls, web browsing, and more, but speeds would be limited.
How fast will the satellite connectivity be?
Second-generation Starlink satellites will be able to provide data speeds of up to 2-4 Mbps to each cell zone, which would be suitable for text messages and eventually phone calls when supported, according to Elon Musk.
Exact speeds would depend on how many T-Mobile customers are simultaneously using the service in a given cell zone. If a cell is not very busy, Musk said there is the potential that users could play "a little bit" of video in the future, but the service is not intended for this sort of usage and is instead designed for basic communication.
Apple last year agreed to pay $95 million to settle an AppleCare-related lawsuit that accused the company of violating U.S. laws and regulations by providing customers with refurbished replacement devices instead of new devices when AppleCare repairs were required.
Administrators for the case began collecting info from impacted customers back in January, and the settlement amount received final approval in April. With everything now set, Apple is ready to begin sending out payments, and customers who are expecting money are starting to receive emails. One of the emails was shared by MacRumors reader Nathan:
According to our records, you are eligible to receive a payment of $28.90 in the settlement for the matter entitled Maldonado, et al. v. Apple Inc., et al., Case No. 3:16-CV-04067-WHO.
As Settlement Administrator for the matter, we're sending you this courtesy email to inform you that by August 30, 2022, you will receive a payment notification email that contains a link to claim your payment electronically. Once you receive that email, you will have until November 28, 2022 to claim your payment.
Please monitor your email inbox carefully for our next email. Additional details about the matter are available at www.ReplacementDeviceLawsuit.com.
Customers who are eligible for a payment will get an email by August 30, and they must respond to the email by November 28, 2022 to receive their money. The lawsuit applied to customers who purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan or AppleCare+ for an iPhone or iPad between July 20, 2012 and September, 30, 2021 and who received a refurbished replacement device.
Apple's repair terms and conditions have always made it clear that the company may use "parts or products that are new or refurbished and equivalent to new in performance and reliability" when repairing or replacing a device, but the lawsuit claimed that refurbished devices are "not equivalent to new in performance and reliability." The lawsuit sought compensation for iPhone, iPad, and iPod owners who purchased AppleCare or AppleCare+ coverage and were unhappy with receiving an "inferior" refurbished device instead of a device that works "like new."
Though Apple paid $95 million to settle the lawsuit, it admitted no wrongdoing and denies that refurbished devices are inferior to new devices.
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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