The iOS 16.3.1 update that was released today appears to be causing issues with Google Photos, so iPhone and iPad owners who use Google Photos should probably avoid updating.
Multiple reports on social media complain about the issue, which The Verge also highlighted. It appears that the Google Photos app is crashing instantly when iPhone and iPad users attempt to open it after upgrading to the latest software.
There is no word on when the problem will be fixed, and whether a fix requires an update to the Google Photos app or can be done server side.
Unfortunately, the update also includes a fix for a vulnerability known to be actively exploited in the wild, so Google Photos users will need to choose between the Google Photos app and improved device security until the problem is addressed.
Update: A new version of the Google Photos app with a fix for this issue is now available.
Parallels today introduced a new premium Mac app bundle, which includes 14 free macOS apps when you purchase Parallels Desktop 18. The bundle will remain on sale through the end of the month and is available to new and existing Parallels customers.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Parallels. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apps in the bundle include the following: Parallels Desktop 18, Snagit 2023, Fantastical, PDF Expert, MindManager Essentials, Painter, TextExpander, Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9, WinZip for Mac Pro, Hype 4.1 Professional, Parallels Toolbox, Cardhop, AdRemover, Fantastical Scheduling, and Parallels Access.
Most of the apps in the bundle are one year subscriptions that will require you renew in 12 months if you wish to keep the services. We've listed all of the apps in the bundle below, along with noting the ones that are subscription services.
New customers can purchase the bundle starting at $99.99 for Parallels Desktop 18 Standard Edition. The Parallels Desktop 18 Pro Edition and Business Edition are available at $119.99/year and $149.99/year respectively. You can also opt to pay a premium price for a one-time purchase of Parallels Desktop 18.
When purchasing any version of Parallels Desktop 18, you'll get the 14 other apps at no extra cost. Existing customers can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 18 Standard Edition for a one-time payment of $69.99. Pro Edition options are available in the form of an annual subscription at $69.99/year.
Snagit 2023 - $62.99 value
Fantastical Premium (1 Year) - $19.00 value
PDF Expert Premium (1 Year) - $79.99 value
MindManager Essentials (1 Year) - $99.00 value
Painter Subscription (1 Year) - $199.00 value
TextExpander (1 Year) - $39.96 value
Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 (1 Year) - $84.99 value
WinZip Pro Suite (1 Year) - $54.95 value
Hype v4 Professional - $99.99 value
Parallels Toolbox (1 Year) - $24.99 value
Cardhop Premium (1 Year) - $19.00 value
Ad Remover (1 Year) - $39.99 value
Fantastical Scheduling Premium (1 Year) - $19.00 value
Parallels Accesss (1 Year) - $19.99 value
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.
Jackery is known for its range of battery options, from small single-device batteries to power stations that are designed for multi-day off-grid living. The 2023 Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro and accompanying SolarSaga 200W solar panel feature the company's latest technology, with an array of charging ports, quick solar charging, and a thoughtful design. It is a bundle that Jackery refers to as the Solar Generator 1500 Pro, due to its sun charging capabilities.
For those unfamiliar with these products, the Explorer 1500 Pro is basically a giant battery pack. It's akin to the small little power banks that you get for iPhones and iPads, but on a much larger scale. The Explorer 1500 Pro has a 1512Wh capacity. For comparison's sake, an M2MacBook Air has a 52.6 watt-hour battery, so we're talking about potentially days of charging power depending on what you're charging.
The word "generator" often invokes an image of a gas or propane-powered device that's meant to keep electronics running during a power outage. Jackery's Explorer 1500 isn't powered by fuel, but is instead a power bank that can be charged up using the sun and solar panels, or a standard electric outlet. Jackery sells the 200W SolarSaga solar panels alongside the Explorer 1500 Pro, and with a couple of panels, the battery can be charged in a handful of hours.
Oversized batteries are useful to have on hand in case of an emergency where the power goes out, such as a storm, and that's how I've used a prior larger-sized power bank that I have had for years. They're also good for operating appliances and charging up while camping, and there are people who use them in RVs and vans as a main power source. Jackery's Explorer 1500 Pro can be paired with up to six solar panels for recharging purposes, ideal for off-grid or when there's a multi-day power outage.
I do want to point out that this is a 37 pound battery, so you're not going to want to be hiking around with it, but it's perfect if you're driving up to a campsite or using it in a vehicle like a van. At home, the weight is inconsequential since it's mostly on standby for emergencies, but I also find these power banks useful for when I need to use a corded tool in an area with no power outlet so I have lugged it around the house. 37 pounds is not exactly small, but I did some looking around and it is smaller in size and weight than many of the other equivalent options. The heavy duty carrying handle also makes it easy to transport.
The 200W SolarSaga panels that Jackery recommends for charging the Explorer 1500 Pro are also absolutely huge, weighing in at around 25 pounds and spanning five feet when unfolded. You'll need significant space for charging if you're using these at a campground or out on the road, or even in your yard. They fold up into fourths so they're easy to store when not in use, and you can tuck them away without taking up too much space.
The Explorer 1500 Pro is designed for charging multiple devices, and it has several ports. There are three AC outlets that support 1800W and 3600 peak watts, two 100W USB-C ports, two 18W USB-A ports, and a car charger, along with places to attach the solar panels and an AC input for wired charging of the battery itself.
1800W is powerful enough for almost all tools, appliances, and devices. It should run most portable electric heaters or portable AC units, and it works with fans, microwaves, blenders, and mini fridges. Many people use these as backups for CPAP machines and other health-related devices.
Because it takes forever to drain a battery of this size, I didn't test it to completion, but charging my iPhone 13 Pro Max from 0 to 100 percent barely moved the meter. Charging my 16-inch MacBook Pro used less than 10 percent of power, so if you're just looking at Apple devices, you're going to be able to charge multiple times before the battery runs out. I was also able to power my router and modem for well over a day so it's handy for staying online in a power outage.
It will run a small lamp for multiple days, and it can also be used with higher power devices. Based on Jackery's estimates, a microwave can run for over an hour, a rice cooker for two hours, a mini fridge for 10 hours, and a TV for 17 hours. It can run a drill or a grinder for three hours or a saw and blower for two hours. I've never needed to use a tool for that long consecutively, but my weed whacker, orbital sander, and shop vac were able to run off of the Jackery.
I had a limited amount of time for testing, but my shop vac used ~1,000 watts of power and used about 10 percent of the battery in 10 minutes, so it would last around an hour. Running my PlayStation 5, a 50-inch TV, a light, and a few other accessories used between 320 and 1150 watts. Starting at 64% power, it was able to run everything for just over two hours.
A battery this size does not come cheap and it is priced just over $1,400 with Jackery's current discounts, so it's not something to pick up on a whim. This pricing is higher than some cheaper options that are available on Amazon, but Jackery is a name brand that has a reputation for good quality batteries, which has the potential to be a major factor for a device purchased for use in an emergency situation.
Jackery has smaller options and frequent sales, but this is the kind of purchase that you need to do a lot of research for, and I'd encourage anyone thinking about buying a power station to look at all of the available options and compare them against what needs to be charged and what other features you might need like quick recharging, solar panel compatibility, ergonomics, and wattage required.
Anecdotally, I have had a different Jackery battery for three years, and it's still going strong. It holds a charge for months at a time even when I forget to check on it, and it has been nothing but reliable, so that has generated some trust for the Jackery brand in my mind. I have not had months to test this new battery, but I expect the same performance over time. That said, I think it's worth reading a lot of reviews to get perspectives from a range of people.
As for charging, the speed at which the Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro 1500 can charge is one of the main perks. With a pair of 200W SolarSaga panels, it was pulling 330W on my deck, which does have some tree cover. With that charging speed and that amount of sunlight, it would take approximately 3.5 hours to charge to full. It can be even quicker in 100 percent full sun, and with additional solar panels.
Over the course of an hour, the Explorer 1500 Pro charged from 23 percent to 48 percent at a range of 280 to 330 watts (fluctuating with shifting sun at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). After another hour check-in at 1:30 p.m,, it was charged to 62%, and at this point it had dropped to about 150W as it got shadier. From 1:30 to 2:30, I lost a lot of the sun on the deck and it went to 66 percent at around 70W, and at that level of sunlight, it slows down quite a bit.
Maximum performance from the Explorer 1500 Pro and the SolarSaga panels requires full sunlight, and unless you're in an open area, you may need to do some panel shifting as the sun moves in the sky. Up on the roof of an RV or a van, charging will probably be more uniform, but I was dealing with a lot of trees.
Even in partial shade the Explorer 1500 Pro is able to maintain around 70W, so you're going to get some power, and with almost no direct sun, it was still pulling 15W, enough to power an iPhone. Even on a cloudy day, you'll get some power, and I was impressed with what I got when in partial sun conditions.
When charged through a wall outlet, it took about two hours and 15 minutes to charge the Explorer to full, and it was charging at about 1150 watts before slowing down to 875 watts at the end. Jackery says that it should take around 16.5 hours to charge via the car, which I did not test.
There are some other bells and whistles to be aware of. There's a display that you can activate with the press of a button to see the current charge, the input charge if you're charging the Explorer 1500 Pro, and the watts being used if you're charging something. There's also a bright built-in flashlight, and there are fans inside the enclosure.
Large power banks can be loud because the fans kick on when you have devices plugged in, and this is no exception. It's quieter than the prior model I've tried, but it's still on the level of a fan. I could probably sleep in a room with it, but when it's charging from a wall outlet at max power, there's something of a loud whine so you might not want to have it in the same room that you're in when it's being powered up.
There are vents on the side of the Explorer 1500 Pro, and Jackery says that there's more heat dissipation efficiency compared to older products, along with eight temperature sensors inside to allow the fans to adjust to the interior temperature for safety purposes. It got warm, but it did not feel super hot to me. The maximum I had it at was about 1,200 watts, so it might get warmer as it's approaching its maximum.
Bottom Line
If you're in the market for a large battery for camping, emergencies, or another purpose, the Explorer 1500 Pro and SolarSaga panels from Jackery should be on your list to check out. The Explorer 1500 Pro can run a wide range of appliances and provide plenty of power to Apple devices, and it charges up fast, either using the sun or an electric outlet.
How to Buy
The Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro can be purchased from the Jackery website for $1,445 using a discount that's available through February 15. Use promo code OFFER15 when checking out to get the deal, or purchase from Amazon and add the $240 discount to your cart.
Note: Jackery provided MacRumors with Solar Generator 1500 Pro for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
The macOS Ventura 13.2.1, iPadOS 16.3.1, and iOS 16.3.1 updates that Apple released today include minor bug fixes and address security vulnerabilities, and because one of the vulnerabilities was known to be exploited in the wild, it's important to update to the new software as soon as you can.
According to Apple's security notes for the updates, The software fixes a WebKit issue that could allow maliciously crafted web content to result in arbitrary code execution. Apple says that it is "aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited."
The vulnerability was a type confusion issue that Apple says has been addressed with improved checks.
While there are no other notable fixes in macOS Ventura 13.2.1, the iOS 16.3.1 update adds a SiriFind My fix, addresses a problem with iCloud settings, and introduces additional Crash Detection optimizations for iPhone 14 models.
Apple today released macOS Ventura 13.2.1, a minor update to the macOS Ventura operating system initially released in October. macOS Ventura 13.2.1 comes three weeks after macOS Ventura 13.2, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID.
The macOS Ventura 13.2.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.
macOS 13.2.1 will be followed by macOS 13.3, an update that Apple is expected to release to developers as soon as this week.
Apple today released watchOS 9.3.1, a minor update to the watchOS 9 operating system that first launched in September. The software coming three weeks after the launch of watchOS 9.3.
watchOS 9.3.1 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on the iPhone by opening it up and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
According to Apple's notes, watchOS 9.3.1 adds "bug fixes and important security updates" to the Apple Watch.
Alongside iOS 16.3.2, Apple today released new 16.3.2 software that's available for the HomePod, second-generation HomePod, and HomePod mini.
According to Apple's release notes, HomePod software version 16.3.2 addresses an ongoing problem with HomeKit-related Siri requests, which could fail.
This update addresses an issue where asking Siri for smart home requests may fail, and also includes general performance and stability improvements.
There have been multiple complaints about Siri failing to correctly respond to a HomeKit-related requests the first time a request is received, with a timeout occurring. The update should fix that problem for those who have been impacted.
Apple today released iOS 16.3.1, a minor update for the iOS 16 operating system that first came out in September. iOS 16.3.1 comes over two weeks after the launch of iOS 16.3, an update that added Security Keys for Apple ID and support for the new HomePod.
iOS 16.3.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple's release notes, the iOS 16.3.1 update includes multiple bug fixes, addressing issues with iCloud and Siri requests for Find My, plus it adds more Crash Detection optimizations.
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including: - iCloud settings may be unresponsive or incorrectly display if apps are using iCloud - Siri requests for Find My may not work - Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models
The iCloud settings fix may address an issue that could cause some people not to be able to toggle on automatic iCloud backups on the iPhone and the iPad, a problem that some users have been experiencing since the launch of iOS 16.3.
Crash Detection optimizations likely address ongoing issues with Crash Detection reported at ski resorts and amusement parks. At ski resorts in particular, emergency personnel have been receiving multiple accidental reports, which drain resources needed for actual emergencies. Apple has made multiple optimizations to Crash Detection to attempt to fix the problem.
Apple today released tvOS 16.3.2, a minor update for the tvOS 16 operating system that originally came out in September. Available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, tvOS 16.3/1 a week after tvOS 16.3.1.
The tvOS 16.3.2 update can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System > Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 16.3.2 automatically.
tvOS updates are usually minor in scale, focusing on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than notable outward-facing changes.
Apple shares information on tvOS releases in its tvOS support document, which is updated after each tvOS launch.
Apple recently shared an iPhone 14 ad featuring former NHL stars P.K. Subban and Joe Thornton on its YouTube channel in Canada. In the video, the pair search for Subban's missing tooth on an outdoor ice hockey rink in the middle of the wilderness.
Using their iPhones as flashlights, they appear to find Subban's tooth, but it wasn't his tooth after all and they continue their long night of searching. The ad conveys that the search is made possible thanks to the iPhone 14 Plus having long battery life.
"Our longest battery life ever on iPhone 14 Plus — for when the hunt is on, and you need it the most," says Apple, in the video description. "Relax, it's iPhone."
Apple's tech specs say the iPhone 14 Plus lasts up to 26 hours for offline video playback, up to 20 hours for streaming video playback, and up to 100 hours for audio playback. For many tasks, the iPhone 14 Plus does have the longest battery life of any model ever, but Apple says the iPhone 14 Pro Max can last up to 29 hours for offline video playback, likely due to the device's power-efficient ProMotion display.
Subban and Thornton both retired from the NHL following the 2021-22 season.
Apple's supply chain started production of display panels for a new 15.5-inch MacBook Air this month, according to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has a very good track record with rumors about future Apple products over the past few years.
In a tweet shared with his subscribers today, Young said he expects the new MacBook Air to launch in "early April" given that display production is now underway, but it is possible that an announcement and pre-orders could occur sooner. Apple often holds a spring event to announce new products, such as in March 2022 and April 2021.
A new 15-inch display size option would be the largest ever for the MacBook Air and would presumably be offered alongside the existing 13-inch model. The current 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip was released in July 2022 and starts at $1,199.
Young did not provide any additional details about the new model, including whether it would be equipped with the M2 chip or the next-generation 3nm-based M3 chip, which Apple has yet to announce. Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, but it's unclear if the M3 chip would be ready by April.
The launch of a 15-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip this spring has been the subject of debate given that Apple is also rumored to be planning to update the MacBook Air with the M3 chip later this year, and there would only be around six to eight months between these refreshes in this scenario. As the release of the new MacBook Air models approaches, hopefully additional rumors will help to clear up the situation.
Young is the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC). In the past, he accurately revealed that iPhone 13 Pro and high-end MacBook Pro models would feature ProMotion, that the sixth-generation iPad mini would be equipped with an 8.3-inch display, that the current MacBook Air would have a slightly larger 13.6-inch display, and more.
Former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive's latest project, the official emblem of the coronation of King Charles III, has been unveiled by Buckingham Palace.
The image depicts flowers forming the shape of St. Edward's crown, which will be used during the coronation. Ive chose roses, thistles, daffodils, and shamrocks because they are icons from across the United Kingdom. He attempted to convey the "optimism of spring" and the King's love of nature.
Ive was Apple's chief design officer from 1997 until 2019, when he departed to found LoveFrom with fellow Apple designer Marc Newson. In 2021, LoveFrom designed the "Terra Carta Seal," a special award for King Charles, who served as Prince of Wales at the time, to bestow upon companies that are leaders in creating sustainable markets.
When Ive left Apple, Apple signed a multiyear contract with him that was valued at more than $100 million. Under the terms, Apple was LoveFrom's primary client, but the deal came to an end last year. Ive has said that his design process at LoveFrom is the same as it was at Apple.
Ive's logo is set to be used for events over the coronation long weekend in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in May.
The Apple Watch Ultra has hit a new all-time low price in multiple configurations today on Amazon, now available for $729.99, down from $799.00. Every model in this sale requires you to add the Apple Watch Ultra to your cart in order to see an automatic discount worth $19.01 get applied to your order.
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 is the lowest price we've ever tracked on any model of the Apple Watch Ultra, beating the sale price we saw over the holidays by about $10. In total you'll find five configurations of the Apple Watch Ultra priced at $729.99 today on Amazon, including multiple size options for the same band style.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
We've collected all models below, and the sales focus on the Alpine Loop for the Apple Watch Ultra. We aren't currently tracking any discounts on Trail Loop or Ocean Band options. Remember that you won't see the $729.99 price tag until you add the appropriate Apple Watch Ultra to your cart and head to the checkout screen.
A technician has added a USB-C port to an iPhone 12 mini in addition to the Lightning port, in what appears to be a first-of-its kind modification.
YouTube user "Hyphaistos3672" disassembled the iPhone 12 mini, removed the speaker, and created space for an additional port, before linking the new USB-C connection to the existing hardware. Upon modifying the speaker to fit in the reduced internal space and reassembling the device, the resulting fit and finish is surprisingly good.
Connecting the device to a Mac demonstrates that both the Lightning port and USB-C port are fully functional. It therefore seems to be possible to simultaneously charge the device and listen to audio via a wired connection – something that has been impossible on the iPhone without an adapter since the removal of the headphone jack in 2016.
Apple has no plans to launch a new 24-inch iMac until late 2023 at the earliest, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his newsletter today, he reiterated his expectation that Apple will skip updating the iMac with the M2 chip and instead wait to release a model with the M3 chip, which has yet to be announced.
"I haven't seen anything to indicate there will be a new iMac until the M3 chip generation, which won't arrive until the tail end of this year at the earliest or next year," wrote Gurman. "So if you want to stick with the iMac, you'll just have to sit tight."
Apple's M3 chip is expected to be manufactured based on TSMC's latest 3nm process, providing additional performance and power efficiency improvements. The M3 chip is also expected to be used in a new MacBook Air rumored to launch by the second half of 2023, and potentially in future versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini. By comparison, the M2 chip is built on TSMC's second-generation 5nm process.
Apple last updated the iMac in April 2021 with the M1 chip and a new ultra-thin design available in seven colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. It is currently the only iMac available new, as the Intel-based 27-inch iMac and iMac Pro were both discontinued within the past two years. Gurman has previously claimed that a larger iMac could return, but he did not share any new info about that possibility today.
We're into a bit of a quiet period for Apple following the flurry of product announcements and launches kicking off 2023, but that doesn't mean we aren't still seeing lots of news and rumors about what's coming up in the future.
iPhone rumors continue to circulate about both this year's iPhone 15 lineup and potentially the iPhone 16 lineup for 2024, while we also heard some rumors about Apple's Mac plans and an upcoming return of the new Home app architecture that got pulled from iOS 16.2 due to widespread issue, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Apple Considering New High-End iPhone Alongside Pro and Pro Max
Gurman speculated that the Ultra model could feature additional camera improvements, a faster chip, a larger display, and perhaps a portless design without Lightning or USB-C. He said the device would be pricier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099.
Apple Still Working to Allow iPhone to Wirelessly Charge AirPods and Other Devices
With the iPhone 12, an FCC filing hinted at reverse wireless charging capabilities that might be hidden inside the hardware, but Apple has never enabled this functionality in the years since and it's unclear exactly when the feature would be available, if ever.
Apple May Not Launch New Mac Studio With M2 Ultra Chip Due to Similarity With Upcoming Mac Pro
Apple released the all-new Mac Studio desktop computer in March 2022 with M1 Max and M1 Ultra chip options, which offer impressive performance. In fact, the higher-end model with the M1 Ultra chip is the fastest Mac ever, until the Apple silicon Mac Pro arrives.
Instead of moving, the solid-state buttons would provide haptic feedback when pressed, like the trackpad on modern MacBooks. The devices would have two additional Taptic Engines to power this functionality.
Apple to Re-Release New HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4
Backend code for the Matter smart home standard indicates that Apple is ready to re-introduce the updated Home architecture in iOS 16.4. It was originally released with the iOS 16.2 update, only to be pulled a week after launch because of bugs and installation issues.
iPhone 14 Pro Over 20% Faster Than Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in Benchmarks
Samsung's newly announced Galaxy S23 Ultra hasn't quite hit the market yet, but unearthed benchmarks for the device suggest Apple still has the world's fastest mobile processor by a considerable margin.
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.
February has been a relatively quiet month for Apple so far beyond the new HomePod arriving to customers, but things should pick up soon. Apple is rumored to have at least three new product announcements planned for the period of March through June, including a new Mac Pro, a 15-inch MacBook Air, and its long-awaited AR/VR headset. Apple often introduces a new iPhone color or two in the spring too, and that tradition could continue this year.
Below, we have recapped what to expect from Apple this spring based on the latest rumors. As always, Apple's plans could change at any time.
New Mac Pro
Apple is widely expected to release a new Mac Pro with Apple silicon this year. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the high-end desktop computer will be available with a new M2 Ultra chip, which would make it the fastest Mac ever. He expects the new Mac Pro to have the same design as the 2019 model, but lack user-upgradeable RAM. A higher-end "M2 Extreme" chip for the computer was apparently cancelled.
Last month, Gurman said Apple was internally testing a new Mac Pro running macOS 13.3, which is expected to be publicly released this spring. Given this, it's possible that Apple could release the new Mac Pro and macOS 13.3 around March or April, but there is still no definitive timeframe for the computer's release this year, so there remains a chance that the new Mac Pro is announced at WWDC 2023 in June or later in the year.
Apple has been rumored to be working on a headset with both augmented reality and virtual reality capabilities for years now, and rumors suggest the company will finally introduce the device in 2023. Last month, reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the headset is likely to debut at an Apple Event this spring or at WWDC in June.
Apple's headset will reportedly feature dual 4K micro-LED lenses, over a dozen cameras, M2 and H2 chips, advanced eye and hand tracking, a physical knob similar to the Digital Crown on the Apple Watch, an iOS-like interface with a grid of apps, the ability to function as an external display for a Mac, and more. Apple is expected to give developers time to create AR and VR apps for the headset before releasing it later in the year.
15" MacBook Air
Apple's supply chain started production of display panels for a new 15.5-inch MacBook Air this month, according to display industry analyst Ross Young, who has a very good track record with rumors about future Apple products over the past few years.
Young expects the new MacBook Air to launch in early April, but it is possible that an announcement and pre-orders could occur sooner. Apple often holds a spring event to announce new products, such as in March 2022 and April 2021.
A new 15-inch display size option would be the largest ever for the MacBook Air. Young did not provide any additional details about the new model, including whether it would be equipped with the M2 chip or the next-generation 3nm-based M3 chip, which Apple has yet to announce. Apple's chipmaking partner TSMC began mass production of 3nm chips in December, but it's unclear if the M3 chip would be ready by April.
New iPhone Color?
Apple often releases at least one new iPhone color in the spring, and that tradition could potentially continue this year.
At its March 2022 event, Apple introduced a new Alpine Green color for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, and a new Green color for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. In April 2021, Apple made the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini available in Purple.
This week saw a variety of deals hit Apple products and related accessories, with the highlights being AirPods Pro 2 and HomePod mini dropping to the best prices we've seen so far in 2023. We're also still tracking a solid sale at Sonos, offering deep discounts on speakers and soundbars through the end of the weekend.
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.
Last weekend Amazon introduced a new discount on the AirPods Pro 2, and that sale is still available today. You can get the AirPods Pro 2 for $199.00, down from $249.00, which is just about $2 away from the best price we've ever seen on the earbuds and one of the best prices of 2023 so far.
Verizon this week introduced the best price of 2023 so far on the HomePod mini, available for $84.99, down from $99.99. You'll find all five colors of the HomePod mini on sale at this price, and Verizon offers free two-day shipping for most residences in the United States.
Sonos
What's the deal? Take up to $280 off Sonos speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers
Sonos' Super Bowl sale is still going on as we head closer to the big game, allowing you the chance to get up to $280 off speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers through February 12. All of these discounts have been automatically applied on the Sonos website, and they represent some of the best prices on Sonos products since the holidays.
Earlier in the week, we tracked fresh deals on Apple's M1 iMac lineup, and a few of these are still available. You can get the 8-core GPU, 256GB M1 iMac for $1,299.99, and the 8-core GPU, 512GB M1 iMac for $1,499.99, both of which are $199 discounts and all-time low prices.
MacBook Pro (2021)
What's the deal? Take up to $500 off 2021 MacBook Pro
In addition to iMacs, this week we tracked solid markdowns on Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro lineup, including up to $500 off these models. You'll find one discount on the 14-inch MacBook Pro and two on the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and all sales can be found on Amazon.
Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Parallels. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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.
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.
