MacRumors

Flexibits today launched its Black Friday sale, offering 50 percent off your first year or 50 percent off your first month of Flexibits Premium, which includes access to Fantastical and Cardhop. This offer is for new customers only and will run through Cyber Monday on the Flexibits website. The subscription supports apps across macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.

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

Fantastical is a calendar app that can sync across apps for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Similarly, Cardhop can sync across Apple devices and provides a more in-depth contact management platform.

You can get the deal by following this link to Flexibits' website, and clicking on the header to redeem 50 percent off your next purchase. You'll need to create a Flexibits account and once you finish the sign-up process, the 50 percent off sale will be applied to either option you choose: an annual subscription or a monthly subscription.

Additionally, you can choose either an Individual or Family Plan option. With the half-off savings, Individual Plans billed yearly cost $20.00 (originally $39.99) and billed monthly cost $2.50 (originally $4.99). Family plans billed yearly cost $32.50 (originally $65) and billed monthly cost $4.00 (originally $8).

This sale is for 50 percent off your next purchase on Flexibits, so whatever option you choose will be the only time you can get this deal. Given these parameters, buying for a full year will save you more money. After the year is over, Flexibits Premium will return to its regular price, or you can cancel.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

Apple supplier Cirrus Logic may have vaguely hinted at iPhone 15 Pro models getting haptic buttons next year, according to research firm Barclays.

In a letter to shareholders this month, the Texas-based semiconductor company said it continues to "engage with a strategic customer" and expects to "bring a new HPMS component to market in smartphones next year." HPMS refers to Cirrus Logic's high-performance mixed-signal chips, which includes haptic drivers for the Taptic Engine in iPhones.

On an earnings call with analysts this month, Cirrus Logic CEO John Forsyth narrowed down the timeframe for this new component coming to market to the "back half of next year," which would line up with iPhone 15 Pro models launching next September.

In an investor note last week, Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O'Malley said the new component that Cirrus Logic mentioned will most likely be part of additional Taptic Engines for the haptic buttons on iPhone 15 Pro models:

The biggest change to our thinking here is to model $1 of new content in the IP15 Pro models. To be clear, the company hasn't said much here other than that the chip is mixed signal and not in the power domain. When looking at potential use cases, the largest change in new iPhone models next year is the removal of the buttons, which would require additional drivers for the haptics engine, making it the most likely use case for new content.

In October, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said iPhone 15 Pro models will feature solid-state volume and power buttons. Kuo said the devices will be equipped with two additional Taptic Engines that provide haptic feedback to simulate the feeling of pressing the buttons, without them physically moving, similar to the Home button on recent iPhone SE models or the Force Touch trackpad on newer MacBooks.

Haptic buttons on iPhones could allow for even better water resistance and would eliminate moving parts that can wear out or break over time. However, the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are still expected to have mechanical buttons.

We're tracking all of the best Apple product discounts for Cyber Monday, and the Apple Watch always makes a great gift around the holiday season, so you're guaranteed to find solid discounts right now. In this article, you'll discover the best Cyber Monday sales on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra.

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.

We'll also be looking at previous generation models in an effort to include as many cost-saving options as possible, like the first-generation Apple Watch SE. Most sales can be found on Amazon below, but a few other retailers are matching, or offering their own discounts.

If you're looking for something other than Apple Watches, be sure to visit our post on every Apple device currently on sale for Cyber Monday.

Need Help Deciding?

Read our buyer's guides comparing your various options.

• Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch Ultra Buyer's Guide
• Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 Buyer's Guide
• Apple Watch SE vs. Apple Watch SE 2 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
• Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
• Apple Watch SE vs. Apple Watch Series 7 Buyer's Guide
• Apple Watch SE vs. Apple Watch Series 3 Buyer's Guide

For full details on each Apple Watch, explore our roundups.

• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch SE
• Apple Watch Ultra

More Black Friday Deals

• Best Black Friday AirPods Deals
• Best Black Friday Apple TV Deals
• Best Black Friday HomePod mini Deals
• Best Black Friday iPhone Deals
  

• Best Black Friday iPad Deals
• Best Black Friday Mac Deals
• Best Black Friday HomeKit Accessory Deals

Apple Watch Series 8

When looking through discounts for the Apple Watch Series 8, keep in mind that our links will typically lead to M/L band sizes, but in many cases you'll be able to find the same discounts for S/M.

GPS

• 41mm (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum - $349.00 at Amazon, down from $399.00
• 45mm Midnight Aluminum - $379.99 at Amazon, down from $429.00

Cellular

• 41mm Midnight Aluminum - $449.00 at Amazon, down from $499.00
• 41mm Silver Aluminum - $449.00 at Amazon, down from $499.00
• 41mm Starlight Aluminum - $449.00 at Amazon, down from $499.00
• 45mm Midnight Aluminum - $479.00 at Amazon, down from $529.00
• 45mm Silver Aluminum - $479.00 at Amazon, down from $529.00

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

There are also a few fresh discounts on the 2022 Apple Watch SE on Amazon, including savings on both GPS and Cellular versions of the lower-cost wearable. All the deals listed below are second-best prices, and Best Buy is matching a few.

GPS

• 40mm Midnight Aluminum - $229.00 at Amazon, down from $249.00
• 40mm Silver Aluminum - $229.00 at Amazon, down from $249.00
• 40mm Starlight Aluminum - $229.00 at Amazon, down from $249.00
• 44mm Midnight Aluminum - $259.00 at Amazon, down from $279.00
• 44mm Silver Aluminum - $259.00 at Amazon, down from $279.00
• 44mm Starlight Aluminum - $259.00 at Amazon, down from $279.00

Cellular

• 40mm Midnight Aluminum - $279.00 at Amazon, down from $299.00
• 40mm Silver Aluminum - $279.00 at Amazon, down from $299.00
• 40mm Starlight Aluminum - $279.00 at Amazon, down from $299.00
• 44mm Midnight Aluminum - $309.00 at Amazon, down from $329.00
• 44mm Silver Aluminum - $309.00 at Amazon, down from $329.00
• 44mm Starlight Aluminum - $309.00 at Amazon, down from $329.00

Apple Watch Ultra

Black Friday 2022 has seen the introduction of the first notable discount across the Apple Watch Ultra lineup, all priced at $739.00 on Amazon, down from $799.00. You'll find nearly every model at this price, including those with the Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band, all with varying sizes available.

Apple Watch SE (1st Gen)

If you want to prioritize savings and aren't worried about owning a previous-generation model, Walmart has the first-generation Apple Watch SE for just $149.00 this week. It's an all-time low price on this older model.

We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

Amazon is continuing to introduce new record low prices across Apple's product lineup, today knocking the price of the second-generation Apple Pencil down to $89.00, from $129.00 [UPDATE: Sold Out]. As of writing, Amazon is the only major Apple reseller with this sale.

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 a match of the best price we've ever tracked on the Apple Pencil 2. The accessory has a delivery window between November 28 and November 30 right now, with the typical faster options available for Amazon Prime members.

The Apple Pencil 2 is compatible with the following iPads: iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Air (4th generation and later), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd generation and later), and 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later). The second generation Apple Pencil can also magnetically attach and pair to the iPad Pro, iPad mini, and iPad Air.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

Update: We've updated this article to make a note that the Apple Pencil 2 is no longer in stock at this price.

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show podcast we talk through our Apple device setups, must-have non-Apple gadgets, and Black Friday deals.

After a busy year of new Apple product launches, we take a step back to consider our current device setups, why we chose the devices we've purchased, and how we use them on a daily basis – using our experiences as a springboard to guide others through new device buys ahead of the Black Friday weekend and the holiday period. We also touch on some of the best non-Apple gadgets that fit into our device ecosystems, including the Kindle, Oura Ring, Keychron K3, and Ember Smart Mug 2, and discuss how to approach Black Friday deals as an Apple user.

Listen to The MacRumors Show using apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or subscribe by copying our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. You can also watch a video version of the podcast on the MacRumors YouTube channel.

If you haven't already listened to the last episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up for our latest discussion on Apple's long-awaited mixed-reality headset, as well as Emergency SOS via satellite and the unreleased "Magic Charger" accessory.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Sam Kohl, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, iJustine, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, Jon Rettinger, Rene Ritchie, Andru Edwards, Jon Prosser, and Mark Gurman. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

Amazon's Black Friday deals keep coming strong as we get nearer to the 25th, and today the retailer has introduced an even better price on the 2021 Apple TV 4K. You can get the 32GB model for $79.99, down from its original $179.00 price tag.

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.

The 64GB Apple TV 4K from 2021 was on sale earlier as well, but has since sold out. We'll update this article if it returns, but as of now the 32GB Apple TV 4K for $79.99 is the better deal anyway, and it's still in stock. Both of these sales beat the previous record lows by about $20, and are the best prices we've tracked from any retailer to date.

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

Update: We've updated this article to make a note of the 64GB model selling out.

Riots broke out on Wednesday at the world's largest iPhone factory in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, according to video shared on social media.

Footage widely circulated online shows hundreds of Foxconn workers marching in protest, clashing with police and some being confronted by people in hazmat suits.

Some video captured workers complaining about the food they had been provided, with others protesting that they had not been paid bonuses as promised.

The Zhengzhou plant is Foxconn's biggest iPhone factory with around 200,000 workers. Foxconn is responsible for assembling around 70 percent of the iPhones that Apple sells, and it has been struggling to keep employees on site due to COVID lockdowns.

China's zero-COVID policy requires cities to quickly quell outbreaks through restrictions, and with COVID spreading in Zhengzhou, workers have wanted to return home to avoid being stuck at the factory should there be a more stringent lockdown.

Workers have also been unhappy with restrictions at the factory, such as the closure of the dine-in cafeteria, and a shortage of supplies that caused a panic.

Employee issues at the Zhengzhou plant could cause ‌iPhone‌ output to fall as much as 30 percent. Foxconn has attempted to mitigate the supply issues by offering bonuses and ramping up production at another factory in Shenzhen, but workers at the Zhengzhou plant have accused Foxconn of not living up to contract agreements.

"They changed the contract so that we could not get the subsidy as they had promised. They quarantine us but don't provide food," said one Foxconn worker on video shared online. "If they do not address our needs, we will keep fighting."

Update 11/24: Foxconn has apologized for a pay-related "technical error" when hiring new recruits at its iPhone factory in China. "We apologize for an input error in the computer system and guarantee that the actual pay is the same as agreed and the official recruitment posters."

The company is communicating with employees still engaged in smaller protests, a Foxconn source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday. Apple said it had staff at the factory and was "working closely with Foxconn to ensure their employees' concerns are addressed."

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.

Following in the footsteps of Target and Walmart, Best Buy this week detailed its plans for the Black Friday shopping holiday and its schedule looks a lot like other retailers. In terms of sales, Best Buy has the expected list of TVs, appliances, video games, computers, streaming devices, and more.

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

Best Buy's Black Friday Schedule

Best Buy's week-long Black Friday sales began on November 20, and shoppers can expect deals to continue through Cyber Monday on November 28. For the most part, all of these deals are available both online and in store.

• Sunday, November 20 - Black Friday sales began
• Thursday, November 24 - Stores closed, online sales continue
• Friday, November 25 - Stores open at 5 a.m. local time

Best Buy Black Friday - Deals Live Now

Black Friday deals can become repetitive when looking at different retailers, so it mainly comes down to where you prefer to shop. Best Buy has many of the same deals you'll find at Walmart and Target, and in the sections below you'll find the big product categories broken down into their own lists.

Apple

Best Buy has a wide range of Apple products at a discount this week, including all-time low prices on AirPods Pro 2, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad, and Apple Watch Ultra. You can find the highlights of Best Buy's Apple Black Friday sale below, and the rest of them on the retailer's website.

• AirPods Pro 2 - $199.99, down from $249.99
• 14-inch MacBook Pro - $1,599.00, down from $1,999.00
• 16-inch MacBook Pro - $1,999.00, down from $2,499.00
• MacBook Air (2020) - $799.99, down from $999.99
• MacBook Air (2022) - $1,049.00, down from $1,199.00
• Apple Watch Ultra - $739.00, down from $799.00
• 10.2-inch iPad - $269.99, down from $329.99
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro - Save $300 - $400 on select models, starting at $799.99
• Smart Keyboards - Save $20 - $30

TVs

• LG 50-inch LED 4K UHD Smart TV - $299.99, down from $379.99
• LG 65-inch LED 4K UHD Smart TV - $449.99, down from $519.99
• LG 48-inch OLED 4K UHD Smart TV - $569.99, down from $1,299.99
• Samsung 75-inch 4K UHD Smart TV - $579.99, down from $849.99
• Samsung 85-inch LED 4K UHD Smart TV - $997.99, down from $1,399.99
• Sony 65-inch Bravia 4K HDR LED TV - $999.99, down from $1,299.99
• LG 55-inch OLED 4K UHD Smart TV - $1,299.99, down from $1,599.99
• LG 65-inch OLED 4K UHD Smart TV - $1,699.99, down from $2,099.99

Audio

• Samsung Galaxy Buds2 - $89.99, down from $149.99
• Beats Studio Buds - $99.99, down from $149.99
• Bose Sport Earbuds - $129.00, down from $149.00
• JBL Wireless Over-Ear Headphones - $99.99, down from $199.99
• Powerbeats Pro - $149.99, down from $199.99
• Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones - $149.99, down from $349.99

Streaming Devices

• Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K - $24.99, down from $49.99
• Roku 4K Streaming Stick - $24.99, down from $49.99
• Roku Ultra 4K - $69.99, down from $99.99
• Chromecast with Google TV 4K - $39.99, down from $49.99

Computers

• HP 14-inch Chromebook - $399.00, down from $699.00
• Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ - $799.99, down from $1,229.99
• M2 MacBook Air - $1,049.00, down from $1,199.00
• Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro Touch Screen Laptop - $1,149.99, down from $1,649.99

Video Games

Like all other retailers, Best Buy has the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Bundle for $299.99 this season, and it comes with a three month Nintendo Switch Online membership.

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - $39.99, down from $59.99
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons - $39.99, down from $59.99
• Mario Party Superstars - $39.99, down from $59.99
• Far Cry 6 - $9.99, down from $49.99
• Sonic Frontiers - $39.99, down from $59.99
• Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart - $29.99, down from $69.99
• Gotham Knights - $39.99, down from $69.99
• PlayStation 5 Dualsense - $49.99, down from $74.99
• Xbox Wireless Controller - $39.99, down from $59.99

Tablets

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 - $99.99, down from $159.99
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 - $149.99, down from $229.99
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE with S-Pen - $449.99, down from $679.99

Wearables

• Fitbit Luxe - $79.95, down from $129.95
• Samsung Galaxy Watch4 - $169.99, down from $279.99
• Fitbit Sense 2 - $199.95, down from $299.95
• Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Aluminum - $229.99, down from $279.99
• Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro - $399.99, down from $449.99

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

Apple is developing a mixed reality AR/VR headset that's set to launch in less than a year, if rumors are to be believed. With new hardware comes new software, and Apple is working on a headset operating system that is set to be called xrOS.

This guide aggregates everything that we know about the xrOS operating system that will run on the upcoming AR/VR headset. We'll update this guide over time as we learn more about xrOS.

xrOS

Apple will call the software that runs on its AR/VR headset "xrOS," which is meant to stand for "extended reality." Extended reality represents both the augmented and virtual reality functions the headset will support.

The name has been confirmed by internal Apple sources and also, Apple has been trademarking the xrOS through a hidden shell company.

Apple internally called the headset software "Reality OS" or "rOS" when it was in development, but as launch approaches, decided to update the public name to the less generic "xrOS" name.

Software Goals

Apple sees the headset as a device for gaming, watching streaming video content, and video conferencing and interfacing with other people, and that will be what Apple focuses on in terms of software. Gurman has described the headset as an "all-encompassing 3D environment" designed for gaming, media consumption, and communication.

FaceTime

FaceTime will be an important communication app for xrOS, incorporating existing features like SharePlay and Memojis/Animojis. With SharePlay, headset wearers could watch TV shows and movies together, and use Memoji and Animoji as their virtual avatars. With all of the cameras that the headset is expected to have, it will likely detect facial expressions and work like Animoji and Memoji on the iPhone and iPad.

Messages

Core apps like Messages will be available on the AR/VR headset in addition to ‌FaceTime‌, though how the Messages app will work isn't known at this time. One rumor has suggested that Apple is creating a whole new version of Messages with chat rooms, support for video clips, a home view, and more.

Maps

The Maps app will be available on the headset, but we don't have additional information on what the Maps app might be capable of. It could perhaps incorporate some of Apple's Look Around and landmark functionality, allowing users to explore cities around the world.

Games

Games are a key feature on the iPhone, ‌iPad‌, and Apple TV, and the AR/VR headset is also expected to support a range of games. Apple Arcade, for example, could expand to include AR/VR games that are available on the headset.

App Store

The Mac, iPhone, ‌Apple TV‌, and Apple Watch all have their own dedicated App Stores for downloading apps, and the AR/VR headset is also expected to get its own App Store.

Streaming Video Content

Apple's hiring suggests that Apple is developing a video service for the headset, which will include 3D content that can be played in virtual reality. Apple may also be partnering with third-party services to create content that can be watched in VR.

xrOS Launch Date

With the AR/VR headset on track to debut at some point in 2023, likely in the first half of the year, that's also when we expect to see the first version of xrOS. Apple could perhaps introduce xrOS and the headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June, but there's also a chance that it could come out before then.

More on Apple's AR/VR Headset

The mixed reality headset that Apple has in the works will have high-resolution displays, more than a dozen cameras, a powerful Mac-level chip, and more, with full details available in our AR/VR headset roundup.

Black Friday had the year's best discounts on Apple TV 4K, but if you're shopping for Cyber Monday you'll find a slightly limited collection of sales.

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.

You'll find the Apple TV 4K deals this year are mainly being offered by Best Buy, with a few retailers matching these low prices. As with all holiday sales, be sure to be quick with your purchases because we're never sure exactly how long these will last.

If you're looking for something other than Apple TV 4K, be sure to visit our post on every Apple device currently on sale for Cyber Monday.

Need Help Deciding?

Our buyer's guides are great shopping companions when you're unsure which model is best for you, or for who you're shopping for this season.

• Apple TV 4K 2022: A Buyer's Guide for Upgraders
• Apple TV HD vs. Apple TV 4K Buyer's Guide
• Old Apple TV 4K vs. New Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) Buyer's Guide

For full details on each Apple TV model, explore our roundup.

• Apple TV

More Black Friday Deals

• Best Black Friday AirPods Deals
• Best Black Friday HomePod mini Deals
• Best Black Friday iPhone Deals
  

• Best Black Friday Apple Watch Deals
• Best Black Friday iPad Deals
• Best Black Friday Mac Deals
• Best Black Friday HomeKit Accessory Deals

Apple TV 4K (2021)

The 64GB Apple TV 4K has hit a new all-time low price of $99.99 on Best Buy, down from its original price of $199.00. The 32GB model was also at its all-time low of $79.99 this week, but the sale quickly ended, so we'll keep an eye out and if it returns we'll update this article.

Apple TV 4K (2022)

If you want the new Apple TV 4K, discounts won't be nearly as steep, but there are sales. Amazon has the 64GB Wi-Fi model for $124.98, down from $129.00, and had the 128GB Ethernet + Wi-Fi model for as low as $142.49, down from $149.00, but pricing as currently settled at $144.99.

We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

AirPods deals have been very frequent in recent weeks leading up to Cyber Monday, and many are still so going strong so we're continuing to highlight the best sales for each of Apple's product lines. In this article, you'll find the best Cyber Monday sales on AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.

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.

You can always expect steep AirPods discounts around the holiday season, and 2022 is no exception. Below we're tracking numerous record-low prices on many AirPods models, with the most drastic discounts focusing on the older AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro 1 devices. AirPods 3 deals have been tough to come by with even availability being tight at the moment. We're mainly focusing on Amazon deals in this article, with a few exceptions.

If you're looking for something other than AirPods, be sure to visit our post on every Apple device currently on sale for Cyber Monday.

Need Help Deciding?

Our buyer's guides are great shopping companions when you're unsure which model is best for you, or for who you're shopping for this season.

• AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Pro 2 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
• AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Max Buyer's Guide
• AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 Buyer's Guide
• AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro 1 Buyer's Guide
• AirPods 2 vs. AirPods 3 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?

For full details on each AirPods model, explore our roundups.

• AirPods 3
• AirPods Pro
• AirPods Max

More Black Friday Deals

• Best Black Friday Apple TV Deals
• Best Black Friday HomePod mini Deals
• Best Black Friday iPhone Deals
  

• Best Black Friday Apple Watch Deals
• Best Black Friday iPad Deals
• Best Black Friday Mac Deals
• Best Black Friday HomeKit Accessory Deals

AirPods Pro (2021)

Verizon has the best price we've ever tracked on Apple's first-generation AirPods Pro, available for $159.99, down from their original price of $249.00. These AirPods Pro are the same model that launched in 2019, but they come with the MagSafe Charging Case.

AirPods Pro 2 (2022)

One of the highlights of this year's Black Friday sales is the brand new second-generation AirPods Pro at $199.99 at Amazon, down from $249.00. Woot had the same model for $2 cheaper in mid-November, but that sale quickly sold out and Amazon's has been holding steady for days. It's practically an all-time low price on the latest 2022 AirPods Pro.

AirPods 2 (2019)

The year's best price has hit Apple's 2019 AirPods 2, and they're available for just $79.00 on Amazon right now, down from $129.00. As an entry-level option, this model will be perfectly usable for most users who don't care about the advanced noise-canceling features of the higher-end AirPods.

AirPods Max (2020)

AirPods Max deals on Amazon include $99 discounts across every color, marking the over-ear headphones down to $449.00. Not an all-time low price, this is a decent second-best option if you absolutely need the AirPods Max this week, but we expect steeper discounts to re-emerge before the holidays are over.

We're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

iOS 16.1 was released in September with support for Live Activities in third-party apps. The feature allows iPhone users to stay on top of real-time events, such as a sports game or a food delivery order, right on the Lock Screen or in the Dynamic Island.

Live Activities are essentially real-time notifications displayed on the iPhone's Lock Screen, providing at-a-glance information. Live Activities are also shown in the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. You can long press on a Live Activity in the Dynamic Island to view additional information.

Below, we have highlighted five particularly useful iPhone apps with Live Activities support for sports scores, parking, flights, and more.

FotMob

With the FIFA World Cup underway in Qatar, the FotMob app can be used to track live scores of matches throughout the month-long tournament. To do so, open the FotMob app, tap on an ongoing match, and tap on the star in the top-right corner. This will result in a live scoreboard appearing on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Sports Alerts

Beyond the World Cup, the Sports Alerts app can be used to track live scores from many other sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and NCAA football and basketball. To do so, open the Sports Alert app, tap on an ongoing game, tap on the three dots in the top-right corner, and select Start Live Activity. This will result in a live scoreboard appearing on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with play-by-play action.

ParkMobile

With the ParkMobile app, you can keep track of how much time is remaining before your parking spot payment expires in parking lots that work with the app.

Flighty

Flighty lets you view the status of a flight right on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, complete with departure and arrival times, gate changes, delays, and more.

Citymapper

With the Citymapper app, you can keep track of public transportation on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, including step-by-step walking directions to a station or stop, next departures, the number of stops remaining, arrival times, and more.

More Apps

Last month, we shared a list of over two dozen apps with Live Activities support. Apple also previewed Live Activities support for Uber, Starbucks, and Nike Run Club, but none of those apps have been updated with support for the feature yet.

Though it's been more than two years since the launch of the iPhone 12 lineup with MagSafe technology, the first 15W ‌MagSafe‌ car charger just came out, with Belkin introducing it in early November.

The Boost Charge Pro Wireless Car Charger with ‌MagSafe‌ is the first magnetic car charger able to charge ‌MagSafe‌ iPhones at up to 15W. There were prior in-car magnetic solutions for ‌MagSafe‌ iPhones, but they were limited to a maximum of 7.5W.

Available for $100, the Boost Charge Pro Car Charger features an oval-shaped ‌MagSafe‌ surface that attaches to the back of an iPhone, along with a silver back with a rubber vent clip that attaches to the vent in any car. It looks like your standard ‌MagSafe‌ charger, and it has clean and compact design.

The rubber vent clip is well-designed and fits securely to a vent, with a strong enough attachment that it does not shake, vibrate, or otherwise shift around when driving, something that can be a problem with some vent mount accessories.

The ‌MagSafe‌ magnet adheres securely to the iPhone, and it too stays in place while you drive. If you're going over super rocky terrain or are in an accident, there's a chance it would detach, but in day to day usage, it feels like it will stay put and I didn't run into any issues with magnet strength during testing.

A cable attaches to the back of the Belkin Car Charger, and the USB-C connector plugs into a 12V car adapter that in turn plugs into a standard car plug. The USB-C cable can be used without the adapter if you have a vehicle that has USB-C ports, but it does not detach from the charger itself.

The Belkin Car Charger cannot be used as a mount with the cable detached for that reason, and it also prevents another accessory from being used. Some in-car devices, such as the Spotify Car Thing, include an extra port as most people may want to use more than one accessory at a time rather than picking and choosing. The Car Thing has a pair of USB-A ports, one for powering the device itself and one for a second accessory, for example.

That's not an option on the Belkin Car Charger, so if the 12V car plug is all you have, you'll only be able to use the car charger. That may not be a concern for most people who have cars with multiple ports available, but I thought I'd mention it for those who may be accustomed to accessories with more than one port.

The cable can be unwieldy as there are no clips to hold it into place and route it down, though Belkin does include a cable cord for wrapping up excess cable. I'd still recommend some other kind of cable management clip for a more streamlined look and to keep the cable out of the way.

An iPhone can attach to the Belkin Car Charger in either landscape or portrait mode, with landscape mode useful for apps like Maps. The faster charging speed is convenient when you're low on battery and need to power up in between short trips. In my testing, the charger did charge at the same rate that standard ‌MagSafe‌ chargers charge at, maxing out at 15W, though temperature and other factors can have an impact on charging speed.

‌MagSafe‌ is, of course, super convenient. You can pop your phone on the stand when you get in the car and quickly grab it when you get out, no unplugging of cables or hassle. It's simple to use, secure, and the charging speeds are noticeably faster than Qi-based chargers.

Bottom Line

The biggest downside about the Boost Charge Pro Car Charger is the price tag. $100 is expensive for a single device charger, though as we've come to learn, ‌MagSafe‌ accessories are pricey, in part due to the licensing fees that Apple chargers third-party manufacturers.

Aside from the price, Belkin's Car Charger has few downsides. There is a strong connection between the iPhone and the charger that keeps it in place, and it also adheres strongly to the vent, which is even more important. It does not move and it stays in place while you're driving, plus it's the fastest wire-free charging you can get in a vehicle at this time.

How to Buy

The Boost Charge Pro Wireless Car Charger with ‌MagSafe‌ can be purchased from the Apple Store or from the Belkin website for $99.95.

Unclutter today introduced its annual Black Friday discount, this one called the "Pick-Me-Apps" bundle. This year, the bundle includes twelve Mac apps for $84 (worth a total value of $406) when purchased all at once, or you can pick and choose individual apps and get them for half the price.

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.

Apps in the bundle include Acorn 7, Downie 4, iStat Menus 6, Pagico 10, Path Finder, PDF Squeezer 4, RapidWeaver Classic, Soulver 3, TaskPaper, TextSniper, Timemator, and Unclutter. You won't need any special promo code as the $84 bundle price has been applied automatically.

Below you can find the individual purchase prices of each app during this sale.

• Acorn 7 - $20, down from $40
• Downie 4 - $10, down from $20
• iStat Menus 6 - $6, down from $12
• Pagico 10 - $32.50, down from $65
• Path Finder - $15, down from $30
• PDF Squeezer 4 - $5, down from $10
• RapidWeaver Classic - $50, down from $100
• Soulver 3 - $17.50, down from $35
• TaskPaper - $12.50, down from $25
• TextSniper - $5, down from $10
• Timemator - $19.50, down from $39
• Unclutter - $10, down from $20

You can find all the Apple Black Friday Deals currently available in our dedicated post. For everything else, we're keeping track of all of the season's best Apple-related deals in our Black Friday roundup, so be sure to check back throughout the month for an updated list of all the most notable discounts you'll find for Black Friday 2022.

The UK's competition watchdog has begun its investigation into the market dominance of Apple and Google's mobile browsers, months after it said it was considering a high-level probe.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced Tuesday that responses to its June consultation had revealed "substantial support" for a full investigation into how Apple and Google dominate the market and how Apple restricts cloud gaming through its App Store.

The consultation found 86% of respondents support taking a closer look at Apple and Google's market dominance. Browser vendors, web developers, and cloud gaming service providers said the tech giants' mobile ecosystems are harming their businesses, holding back innovation, and adding unnecessary costs.

The feedback effectively justifies the findings of a year-long study by the CMA into Apple and Google's mobile ecosystems, which the regulatory body called an "effective duopoly" that allows the companies to "exercise a stranglehold over these markets." According to the CMA, 97% of all mobile web browsing in the UK in 2021 happened on browsers powered by either Apple's or Google's browser engine, so any restrictions can have a major impact on users' experiences.

"Many UK businesses and web developers tell us they feel that they are being held back by restrictions set by Apple and Google," said Sarah Cardell, interim chief executive of the CMA, in a statement.

"We plan to investigate whether the concerns we have heard are justified and, if so, identify steps to improve competition and innovation in these sectors."

As part of the market investigation, which is required to end within 18 months, the CMA can request extensive information from Apple to draw conclusions and implement legally binding remedies, which could potentially include orders that require Apple to make material changes to its practices.

An Apple spokesperson said: "We will continue to engage constructively with the Competition and Markets Authority to explain how our approach promotes competition and choice, while ensuring consumers' privacy and security are always protected."

Separately, the CMA continues to examine Apple's ‌‌App Store‌‌ terms and conditions in a competition law investigation that started in March 2021, and the UK government is empowering its Digital Markets Unit with statutory powers to penalize companies that do not meet its rules with considerable fines. The British government says it will present regulations to combat anti-competitive abuses before May next year in the form of a Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Bill.

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's iCloud for Windows software appears to experiencing serious issues for some users, with complaints on the MacRumors forums about corrupted videos and images from strangers appearing in Photo Libraries.

There are a handful of complaints from customers who are running into complications with iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro models. Videos recorded on an iPhone and then synced with ‌iCloud‌ for Windows are turning black with scan lines, rendering the videos unwatchable.

More worryingly, some users are seeing strange photos and videos that do not belong to them appearing in their libraries when they attempt to watch these corrupted videos. MacRumors reader sleeping_ghost explains:

iCloud for Windows is corrupting videos recorded from an iPhone 14 pro max resulting in black videos with scan lines. On rare occasions, it is inserting stills into videos from unknown sources, possibly other's iCloud accounts. I've been shown photos of other people's families I've never seen in my life, soccer games, and other random photos. Obviously, this is extremely concerning and does not exactly make me feel safe using iCloud.

It is not clear if the photos are images from other ‌iCloud‌ users, but it appears possible. From the thread, users have seen random families, children, soccer games, and other similar photo content.

Deleting the ‌iCloud‌ for Windows app does not appear to fix the issue, as it may be server side, and several people have reported it to Apple, so the company may be aware. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both appear to be impacted, and it may only be affecting devices with certain settings like HDR and HEVC enabled.