MacRumors

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.

Apple today released a new version of Boot Camp, the software that allows Windows to be run on Intel-based Macs. Boot Camp 6.1.16 is a bug fix update that addresses minor issues, and it is replacing the prior 6.1.12 update that fixed stability issues with Bluetooth and WiFi drivers.

According to the release notes for the update, the software introduces WiFi WPA3 support and it fixes a Bluetooth driver issue that sometimes occurred when resuming from Sleep or Hibernation.

Apple back in March introduced a Boot Camp 6.1.17 update that is available to Intel Mac owners who run a Studio Display.

Boot Camp users can navigate to the Start menu in Windows and open the Apple Software Update app to install the new Boot Camp drivers.

Boot Camp is a feature that is only available on older Intel-based Macs. It is not compatible with Apple silicon Macs, and these machines are not able to run Windows except with virtualization software.

Apple's next lower-cost iPad could feature a Touch ID power button and a repositioned FaceTime camera, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

The report cites multiple Chinese sources who claim that alleged renders of the 10th-generation iPad shared earlier this month do not accurately depict the position of Touch ID or the front-facing FaceTime camera on the device.

First, while the renders showed the iPad with a traditional Touch ID home button in the bottom bezel, the report suggests the device could have a Touch ID power button on the top edge of the chassis, like the latest iPad Air and iPad mini models.

Second, the report claims that the FaceTime camera could be positioned in the right bezel of the device for landscape usage. The report says that Apple's Center Stage feature that helps to keep you centered within the frame during video calls works better when an iPad is placed in landscape orientation, and says that the FaceTime camera's new position in the right bezel would accommodate this usage scenario.

The report's sources did claim that the previous renders of the 10th-generation iPad accurately showed the device's overall dimensions. Previous rumors have suggested the 10th-generation iPad will feature a larger 10.5-inch display, a USB-C port, an A14 Bionic chip, 5G support on cellular models, thinner bezels, and flat edges. By comparison, the ninth-generation iPad features a 10.2-inch display and an A13 Bionic chip.

Mass production of the 10th-generation iPad is reportedly underway. Apple is expected to announce the device at an October event, partly because iPadOS 16 has reportedly been delayed until October, although it's worth noting that the ninth-generation iPad was unveiled in September last year alongside the iPhone 13 and a new iPad mini.

The new 6.7-inch non-pro "iPhone 14 Max" could be in shorter supply than some of the other ‌iPhone‌ 14 models, according to display panel shipment and production estimates that were provided today by display analyst Ross Young.

In the period between June and September, the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max has the highest share of panel production, comprising 28 percent of shipments. The ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro are close behind at 26 percent each, but the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max trails behind at 19 percent. Production numbers are similar with the ‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro Max accounting for 29 percent of production and the 14 Max accounting for 21 percent of production.

Young says that ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max display panel shipments will "make up a lot of ground in September," which suggests that any initial supply issues at launch should clear up quickly.

During the ‌iPhone‌ 14 development cycle, there were rumors that the new 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ 14 Max that replaces the 5.4-inch ‌iPhone‌ mini was behind schedule due to lockdowns and production issues. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said at the time that suppliers would work overtime to catch up and that we could see little impact on device availability.

Next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a tweet, Kuo said that given TSMC's guidance indicated that revenue from 3nm chip production will not begin until 2023, the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models may still have chips based on TSMC's latest 5nm process.

Kuo's information seems to conflict with a report from Taiwan's Commercial Times that claimed the M2 Pro chip may be Apple's first 3nm chip.

While the situation is a little confusing right now, it's clear from reports that TSMC plans to begin production of 3nm chips for Apple in the near future, so we'll have to wait and see which Macs they appear in first. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has M2-based MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Mac Pro models in development.

The current 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models were released in October 2021 and have 5nm-based M1 Pro and M1 Max chip options.

Moment, known for its range of accessories for Apple's devices, today announced a new partnership with Sara Dietschy, which will see the launch of several new stands designed for the iPhone and iPad. Dietschy helped create the products and was aiming to develop the best possible desk accessories.

Releasing on Kickstarter under Dietschy's new LAB22 brand, the stands are designed feature a premium build, versatility, and adjustability. The Infinity Adjust Stand for the ‌iPad‌ attaches to Apple's modern iPads using a magnetic connection.

Made from aluminum, it has a triple pivot design that can adjust between 5 degrees and 90 degrees to meet multiple workflow needs. There are four hinges to hold the ‌iPad‌ in a stable position, and it can pivot between landscape and portrait orientations. The ‌iPad‌ stand comes in two sizes and is compatible with 12.9-inch iPad Pro models (third-generation and later), the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, and the iPad Air (fourth and fifth-generation).

There's also a Magnetic Phone Stand with Dual Wireless Charging. As the name suggests, it uses magnets to attach to an ‌iPhone‌, but it is not MagSafe so charging speeds are limited to 7.5W for iPhones. The charging base offers 5W speeds for AirPods or a secondary ‌iPhone‌.

As with most magnetic stands, the ‌iPhone‌ can be positioned in landscape or portrait orientation, and it features a USB-C charging plug. There's a pivot for adjusting the viewing angle from 5 degrees to 45 degrees, and it uses strong magnets to keep the ‌iPhone‌ secure. The stand is compatible with ‌MagSafe‌ iPhones.

To go along with the ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ stands, LAB22 has also designed a matching headphone stand. Made from aluminum, the headphone stand is designed to hold most over-ear headphone models like the AirPods Max, with a plush microfiber pad offering a cushioned holder.

All three stands can be pre-ordered from Kickstarter for $199 total starting today. The ‌iPad‌ stand is priced at $119, the ‌iPhone‌ stand is priced at $89, and the headphone stand is priced at $59. Shipping is set to begin in January 2023.

Today we're tracking a deal on Apple's Mac Studio desktop computer, as well as a new markdown on the 32-inch Pro Display XDR. These deals are available from Amazon and B&H Photo, and offer all-time low prices on the devices.

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.

Starting with the Mac Studio, B&H Photo has the custom configuration M1 Max Mac Studio (32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 32-core GPU) for $1,999.00, down from $2,199.00. Deals on the new Mac Studio have been rare following the launch in early 2022, and this is one of the first notable markdowns on any configuration this year.

Secondly, both Amazon and B&H Photo are offering $300 off the 2019 32-inch Pro Display XDR. It's available for $4,699.00, down from $4,999.00 with the standard glass option, and this is another all-time low price. Shoppers should remember that the Pro Display XDR does not come with a stand.

The Pro Display XDR is a 32-inch 6K Retina display with a 6016 x 3384 resolution, a superwide viewing angle, and it offers 1,600 nits of peak brightness and a sustained 1,000 nits of brightness. Alongside the Mac Studio, Apple released the Studio Display in 2022, which is a smaller 5K display that lacks the same HDR capabilities as the Pro Display XDR and sits at a more affordable price.

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

Another report today claims that TSMC plans to begin volume production of 3nm chips later this year for use in upcoming MacBook models and other products.

"Backend firms are upbeat about demand for the upcoming MacBook chips, which will be built using TSMC's 3nm process technology, with production set to kick off later this year, according to industry sources," reads a paywalled preview of a DigiTimes report.

TSMC is unlikely to generate substantial revenue from 3nm chip production overall until at least the first quarter of 2023, according to DigiTimes.

This information lines up with a report last week from Taiwan's Commercial Times, which said TSMC would begin production of 3nm chips for Apple by the end of 2022. That report claimed that Apple's first 3nm chip may be the M2 Pro chip for Macs and added that the A17 Bionic chip in next year's iPhone 15 Pro models would also be a 3nm chip.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the M2 Pro chip to be used in the next 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, and in a new high-end Mac mini that would replace the current Intel-based configuration. Gurman believes that Apple plans to announce multiple new Macs at an October event, but it's not entirely clear if this would include new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models or if Apple will wait to announce its first Macs with 3nm chips in 2023.

The entire M1 series of chips and the standard M2 chip are built on a variation of TSMC's 5nm process. Apple's transition to 3nm chips would unsurprisingly result in improved performance and power efficiency in upcoming Macs and iPhones, as Apple seeks to preserve its performance-per-watt lead over competitors like Intel.

This week, Nomad is offering our readers an exclusive 20 percent off discount code, which is good on any full-priced product across Nomad's entire site. You'll need to use the code MR2022 at checkout to see the sale, which will last through Friday of this week.

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

If you haven't shopped on Nomad before, the company is well-known for selling high-quality products that protect and accessorize the iPhone, iPad, AirPods, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch. Nomad also sells Lightning and USB-C cables, leather wallets, keychains, and more. Nomad offers free standard shipping on all orders placed in the United States over $150.

Below we've rounded up a small collection of Nomad products that you can purchase at a discount this week, but remember that the new code applies to Nomad's entire website. When you're shopping, just use the code MR2022 on full-priced items and not on anything already marked down.

• 65W Power Adapter - $55.96, down from $69.95
• Lightning to USB-C Kevlar Cable - $35.96, down from $44.95
• 20W Power Adapter - $15.16, down from $18.95
• Base One MagSafe Charger - $79.96, down from $99.95
• AirPods Rugged Case - $23.96, down from $29.95
• iPhone 13 Series Modern Leather Case - $55.96, down from $69.95
• iPhone 13 Series Sport Case - $31.96, down from $39.95
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro Rugged Case - $95.96, down from $119.95
• 11-inch iPad Pro Rugged Folio - $119.96, down from $149.95

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 announced that it is celebrating 106 years of the U.S. National Park Service with donations for purchases and ways to learn about and support America's parks.

Starting today, Apple is donating $10 to the National Park Foundation for every Apple Pay purchase on apple.com, the Apple Store app, or at an ‌Apple Store‌ in the U.S. Last year, Apple's support for the National Park Foundation helped young people participate in a service corps program at national parks.

As part of the celebration, Apple is showcasing relevant content and educational resources across its services, such as a curated Native American history guide in Apple Maps and collections of episodes centering on Indigenous voices in the Podcasts app.

Apple Watch users can earn a limited edition National Parks Activity Challenge award later this week. On August 27, users can earn the award by completing a hike, walk, run, or wheelchair workout of a mile or more.

Woot today introduced a new deal on Apple's Magic Trackpad 2, available for $84.99 in new condition, down from $129.99. This is one of the best prices we've ever tracked on the accessory.

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

The Magic Trackpad 2 is in new condition and is in stock and ready to ship from Woot, with free shipping options available for Amazon Prime members. The Magic Trackpad 2 is compatible with Macs and iPads (running iPadOS 13.4 or later), and only the white color option is on sale today.

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.

Apple today announced that it is expanding the Self Service Repair program to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Starting tomorrow, users of ‌MacBook Air‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with chips from the M1 family will be able to obtain repair manuals and genuine Apple parts and tools via the Apple ‌Self Service Repair‌ Store. Apple says that ‌Self Service Repair‌ for ‌MacBook Air‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ will offer 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.

Apple launched ‌Self Service Repair‌ for the iPhone earlier this year for the ‌iPhone‌ 12 and ‌iPhone‌ 13. For the Mac, the program will work 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.

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.

Apple reaffirmed that the program will expand to additional countries later this year, starting in Europe. "For the vast majority of customers who do not have experience repairing electronic devices, visiting a professional repair provider with certified technicians who use genuine Apple parts is the safest and most reliable way to get a repair," the company added.

Sennheiser will begin shipping its fourth-generation Momentum wireless noise-canceling cans this week, throwing down the gauntlet to Apple, Bose, and Sony in the hotly-contested premium ANC headphones market.

The Momentum 4's boast a headline-grabbing 60 hours of listening time on a single charge, and also introduce a complete redesign of the company's flagship Momentum line for better comfort and less "clamping," says Sennheiser.

The visible cables have gone, while the metal hinge and leather exterior have been replaced by a simpler plastic design with ear cups that rotate flat when stowed. Many of the physical controls have also been removed in favor of a touch panel on the right cup that responds to gestures.

Sennheiser says the headphones feature a transparency mode and improved adaptive noise canceling (the stated 60-hour battery life is with ANC on). There's a quick charge feature that provides six hours of use in 10 minutes, and the headphones are also equipped with an automatic power off feature that kicks in when the cans are removed, ready to turn back on when you pick them up.

Sennheiser says the new 42mm transducer system inside delivers "brilliant dynamics, clarity and musicality," while users can tailor their audio experience using the built-in EQ, presets, sounds modes, and a new Sound Personalization feature. Meanwhile, multipoint on the Momentum 4's connects two devices at the same time, such as an iPhone for music and Mac for video calls, and the headphones come in a redesigned hardshell case.

Sennheiser's Momentum 4 headphones are available in cream and black colors, and can be pre-ordered now from the company's website for $349.95 ($50 less than the Momentum 3's were at launch) with shipping scheduled to begin on Tuesday. They will go up against Apple's AirPods Max ($549), Sony's WH-1000XM5 ($399), and Bose's 700 headphones ($399).

WhatsApp has rolled out a new group chat feature to beta users on iOS that gives group admins the ability to delete messages from other participants, reports WABetaInfo.

WhatsApp has been busy building out its group chat features in recent updates, and this latest feature aims to help group admins better moderate conversations, which can involve up to 256 people on the platfrom.

For beta testers who have received "group admin delete" privileges, they will be able to delete any recent message from a chat group in which they are an admin, courtesy of a new "delete for everyone" option in the delete menu popover.

When a message is deleted for everyone in the group, group members are notified in the thread that a particular group admin removed the message.

Also new in the latest beta is an optional ability to view Status updates within the chat list. Similar to WhatsApp Stories, Status updates let WhatsApp users post photos and videos within the app that disappear after 24 hours.

As usual, WhatsApp hasn't offered any details on when these new features will roll out to the public while it develops them under the aegis of its beta testers.

In the last major update, WhatsApp users received the ability to adjust the visibility of their "Last Seen" status on a contact-by-contact basis, and a way to silently leave group chats without all members of the group being notified when you do. WhatsApp is also developing an updated Mac app that features native Apple silicon support.

Apple will begin to use a new and longer serial number format for iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and other product repair parts starting October 1, a few weeks following the expected launch of the new ‌iPhone‌ 14, Apple Watch Series 8, and other new products.

In a memo obtained by MacRumors, Apple is informing authorized service providers that their machines and equipment will need to be updated to support a new, longer 18-digit serial number for repair parts starting October 1. The current serial number for repair parts is 17-digits. The new 18-digit serial number will likely apply only to future repair parts, such as those for new iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs.

Before the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 12 in 2020, Apple informed authorized service providers of its plans to move to use a randomized serial number for its products rather than the previous format, which has for years allowed customers and service providers to determine the date and location that a product was manufactured. Apple did not implement the randomized format until the purple iPhone 12 in May 2021.

Apple employees are reportedly petitioning against the company's plan to require workers to return to in-person work at the office three days a week starting next month.

Earlier this month, Apple informed corporate employees that they must return to the office for three days a week starting early next month. The current plan will require staff to come to the office on Tuesday, Thursday, and a third day of the week that will vary by team.

According to a new report from the Financial Times, a growing number of employees at Apple are reportedly unhappy with the new plan, instead advocating for "location flexible work." The report cites a petition formed by the group "Apple Together" that's making its way around Apple and gaining signatures. Apple has been eager to get employees back to in-person work for some time. Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has defended Apple's eagerness to return to the office to protect the "in-person collaboration that is so essential to our culture."

Apple Together counters that a "uniform mandate from senior leadership" fails to respect the "many compelling reasons" why some employees are "happier and more productive" working outside of traditional office arrangements.

The group is demanding that Apple allows employees to work with their "immediate manager" to decide their working arrangements, and that they should not be subject to "high-level approvals" and "complex procedures" or have to provide private information.

The petition says that Apple "should encourage, not prohibit, flexible work" where employees can "feel comfortable to 'think different' together." Apple's current plan to have employees working in-person at the office three days a week starts on September 5.

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.

Apple plans to begin showing search ads in its Maps app on the iPhone starting next year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

"I believe the engineering work is already underway to launch search ads in the Apple Maps app, and we should begin to see it be implemented sometime next year," wrote Gurman, in the subscriber-only version of his "Power On" newsletter today.

Ads in the Apple Maps app would not be the traditional banner ads that you see on websites, but rather paid search results. For example, a fast food chain could pay Apple to appear near the top of the results when a user searches for "burgers" or "fries." Many similar apps already offer search ads, including Google Maps, Waze, and Yelp.

Apple already displays search ads in the App Store, allowing developers to pay to promote their apps to users who search for relevant keywords. Apple is also planning to show ads in the App Store's "Today" tab and in a new "You Might Also Like" section at the bottom of app listings, while banner ads are displayed in Apple's News and Stocks apps.

Last week, Gurman said Apple is planning to significantly expand its advertising business over time. In his newsletter, he said that Apple's advertising division is generating about $4 billion in revenue annually and that Apple's advertising chief Todd Teresi wants to increase that figure to at least $10 billion per year over time.