MacRumors

Earlier this week, Apple agreed to a proposed $50 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging that the butterfly keyboard used in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models is defective, which can result in usability issues.

The settlement still needs to receive final court approval. In the meantime, here is everything to know about the agreement as currently proposed.

Eligible Customers

The proposed settlement applies to any U.S. resident who meets all three criteria:

• Purchased any MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro equipped with a butterfly keyboard between 2015 and 2019 in the United States (except for resale purposes)
• Obtained a qualifying keyboard repair from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider
• The repair did not resolve your keyboard issues

The class action lawsuit does not apply to MacBook models sold outside of the United States.

Eligible MacBook Models

• MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook (Retina, 12­-inch, Early 2016)
• MacBook (Retina, 12-­inch, 2017)
• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
• MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
• MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2017)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2018)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2019)

To identify your Mac, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and click on "About This Mac" in the dropdown menu.

Payout Amounts

Eligible class members may be able to receive a payout of up to $395 from Apple, but it depends on how many people submit a claim and other factors.

• Class members who obtained two or more top case replacements from Apple or an Authorized Service Provider within four years after purchase of an eligible MacBook model, based on Apple's records, will be paid automatically without the need to submit a claim, according to the proposed settlement. Apple's payment to each class member in this group is estimated to be between $300 and $395.
• Class members who obtained one top case replacement from Apple or an Authorized Service Provider within four years after purchase of an eligible MacBook model, and who attest on a claim form that the repair did not resolve their keyboard issues, are estimated to receive up to $125.
• Class members who obtained one or more key cap replacements (but no top case replacements) from Apple or an Authorized Service Provider within four years after purchase of an eligible MacBook model, and who attest that the repair did not resolve their keyboard issues, are estimated to receive up to $50.

If you received a record of the repair from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, it will specify whether you received a top case replacement or a key cap replacement. The top case refers to the component including a MacBook's keyboard, trackpad, glued-in battery, and speakers. Key caps refer to individual keys.

Each of the 12 named plaintiffs/class representatives will receive up to $5,000 as an award for their time and effort, and lawyers will receive up to 30% of the Settlement Fund in attorney fees, according to the proposed settlement.

Settlement payouts are only available to class members who received repairs performed by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. The settlement does not provide reimbursement for any repairs completed by unauthorized third-party repair providers or any other out-of-pocket expenses, according to the proposed agreement.

Request for Exclusion

All individuals who fit the description of the proposed class have the right to exclude themselves from the settlement. By excluding yourself from the settlement, you are not eligible to receive a payout as part of the settlement, but retain your individual rights to sue Apple for the same allegations outlined in the class action lawsuit.

Class members will be able to submit a request for exclusion through the forthcoming settlement website or by U.S. mail to the settlement administrator. The deadline for exclusion will be 95 days after preliminary approval of the settlement.

Apple Denies Any Wrongdoing

Despite agreeing to a $50 million settlement, Apple said it denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit, according to the proposed settlement:

Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit, denies that any MacBooks are defective, and denies that Apple did anything improper or unlawful. Apple asserts numerous defenses to the claims in this case. The proposed settlement to resolve this case is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing of any kind by Apple.

Apple nonetheless concluded that a settlement "is in its best interests" to avoid additional time and legal expenses involved with prolonged litigation.

Given the settlement, the court did not decide in favor of Apple or the plaintiffs.

Next Steps

If and when the proposed settlement receives final approval by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a settlement website will be created where class members can file a claim, submit a request for exclusion, and learn additional information.

Apple will provide the settlement administrator with the email addresses of each class member for whom it has an email address on file. The settlement administrator will then notify class members by email in due time. Some class members may also be notified by U.S. mail. If you do not receive a notice but meet the description of the proposed class, it will be possible to submit a claim through the settlement website once live.

A final hearing to decide the fairness of the settlement will be held at least 130 days after preliminary approval of the settlement, so there are likely still several months remaining until things are finalized and payments to class members begin.

Apple's Free Keyboard Service Program

In 2018, Apple launched a Keyboard Service Program after it determined that a "small percentage" of the keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

• Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
• Letters or characters do not appear
• Key(s) feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner

As part of the worldwide program, Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge, for up to four years after the first retail sale of the affected notebook. However, a problem with the repair program is that Apple replaces the butterfly keyboard with another butterfly keyboard, which means that the same issues may reoccur over time.

Apple says customers who believe their MacBook was affected by this issue and paid to have their keyboard repaired can contact Apple about a refund.

In March 2019, Apple apologized about the matter. "We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry," an Apple spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal. "The vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard."

Starting with the 16-inch MacBook Pro in November 2019, Apple ditched the butterfly keyboard and returned to using a more reliable scissor keyboard. Apple no longer sells any Macs with butterfly keyboards, putting an end to years of complaints.

This week saw Apple news on both the software and hardware fronts, as the company released iOS 15.6, macOS 12.5, and related operating system updates while we also got our first good looks inside the brand-new M2 MacBook Air.

Other Apple news this week included the first major batch of Apple Arcade games leaving the service in the near future, while Jonathan Morrison joined us on this week's episode of "The MacRumors Show" podcast, so read on below for details on these stories and more!

Apple Releases iOS 15.6 With New Live Sports Features and More

Apple this week released iOS 15.6 with a handful of new features and bug fixes for the iPhone. In the TV app, for example, it is now possible to restart a live sports game that is already in progress.

We've put together a list of everything new in iOS 15.6, so be sure to check that out after updating your iPhone.

Apple has also released iPadOS 15.6 with a fix for an iPad mini 6 charging issue, macOS 12.5 with the same live sports enhancements, watchOS 8.7, tvOS 15.6, and HomePod software version 15.6 with support for Siri in two additional languages and more.

M2 MacBook Air Teardown Reveals Accelerometer, Battery Pull Tabs, and More

Following the launch of the new MacBook Air, both iFixit and YouTube channel Max Tech have completed a teardown of the notebook.

iFixit discovered that the new MacBook Air is equipped with an accelerometer for reasons unclear, along with battery pull tabs and more.

Max Tech provided a look at the M2 chip, single NAND storage chip for the 256GB model, and some other logic board components.

'The MacRumors Show' Podcast: Jonathan Morrison Talks Spatial Audio

YouTube creator Jonathan Morrison joined us on the latest episode of "The MacRumors Show" podcast to take a deep dive into Apple's audio technologies, including Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.

Listen to "The MacRumors Show" via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, or wherever you get your podcasts from. You can also watch a video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

M2 'Extreme' Chip Headed to New Mac Pro for Blazing Fast Performance

Apple is working on a new Mac Pro with an M2 "Extreme" chip, according to a recent report from well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.

Gurman said the new Mac Pro will include ‌"M2‌ Ultra" and ‌"M2‌ Extreme" chip options. At present, the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio is Apple's most powerful chip available, featuring a 20-core CPU and up to a 64-core GPU, along with a 32-core Neural Engine for machine learning.

iPhone X vs. iPhone 14 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

Launched in 2017, the iPhone X was a major evolution of the iPhone, with new features like Face ID, an OLED display, wireless charging, and more.

If you've been holding on to your iPhone X and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro later this year, check out our iPhone X vs. iPhone 14 Pro comparison for new features to expect.

Other comparisons: iPhone XS vs. 14 Pro, 11 Pro vs. 14 Pro, and 12 Pro vs. 14 Pro.

15 Games Leaving Apple Arcade Soon — Here's Why

Apple recently shared a list of 15 games that will be removed from Apple Arcade soon due to the upcoming expiry of some three-year deals that Apple signed with some game developers.

In a new support document, Apple clarified what happens when games are removed from Apple Arcade, including how long the games will remain playable, how a user's saved game progress will be affected, and more.

MacRumors Newsletter

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.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Apple today replenished its stock of certified refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models in the U.S. for the first time since early April. A variety of storage capacities and color options are available to choose from, with pricing starting at $759.

Apple's online refurbished store currently has refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB of storage, with Gold, Silver, Graphite, and Pacific Blue color options. Orders placed today are estimated for delivery as early as next week, and in-store pickup is also an option at select Apple Store locations.

When the iPhone 12 Pro was first released in October 2020, pricing started at $999, meaning refurbished pricing is around 15% off. Apple stopped selling the iPhone 12 Pro brand new when the iPhone 13 Pro was released last year.

The refurbished iPhone 12 Pro models are all unlocked and SIM-free. All refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a new white box that includes all manuals and a USB-C to Lightning cable. All refurbished iPhones are covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty and are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.

Apple says its refurbished iPhones are thoroughly tested and cleaned, and in our view, they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new iPhones. One of the only notable differences with a certified refurbished iPhone is that it comes in a plainer box.

Key new features of the iPhone 12 Pro compared to the iPhone 11 Pro included a new design with flat edges, the A14 Bionic chip, 5G support, MagSafe, improved durability with the Ceramic Shield front cover, the LiDAR Scanner, and camera improvements.

Apple has yet to begin selling certified refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max models via its U.S. store.

Apple last week launched a redesigned version of the MacBook Air that's equipped with a next-generation M2 chip. If you own the original M1 ‌MacBook Air‌ and have been thinking about upgrading, or if you're simply new to the ‌MacBook Air‌ and are trying to choose between the two machines, we've done a hands-on comparison video pitting the ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ against the prior-generation ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌.

Most Mac updates are iterative and focus on the internals of the machine, but that's not the case with the ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌. Apple overhauled the entire design, getting rid of the tapered look in favor of a flat-edged shape that's much more similar to the MacBook Pro.

The new ‌MacBook Air‌ is thinner and lighter than the prior-generation version, and it's available in new colors that include Midnight and Starlight. The design is a notable update that's fresher and more modern, plus the display is 100 nits brighter.

The ‌M2‌ chip has the same 8-core CPU as the ‌M1‌ chip, but it's just a bit faster and more efficient, plus the base machine has an extra GPU core so GPU performance has been boosted. Both entry-level ‌M1‌ and ‌M2‌ machines feature 8GB unified memory and a 256GB SSD, but it's worth noting that the ‌M1‌ has two 128GB NAND flash chips, while the ‌M2‌ has just one, which has resulted in slower performance on benchmarks.

While the ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ was limited to two USB-C ports, the ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ adds a MagSafe port to allow for extra port access and a better charging experience. The keyboard and trackpad are largely the same, but Apple did introduce some major changes that make the speakers sound better.

Apple is selling the base ‌M2‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ for $1,199 and the base ‌M1‌ ‌MacBook Air‌ for $999, so is the ‌M2‌ worth the extra money? For most people, yes. The ‌M2‌ offers faster performance, a larger display, ‌MagSafe‌, and Apple's latest design, which is worth the $200 premium if you can swing it. If you already have an ‌M1‌, you should probably wait to upgrade because the ‌M1‌ still offers stellar performance. Make sure to watch our full video up above to see these two machines side by side, and see our M1 MacBook Air vs. M2 MacBook Air guide for a more in-depth comparison.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with ColorWare to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted third-generation AirPods, available in hundreds of unique color combinations.

For those unfamiliar with ColorWare, it is a customization company that's been offering custom painted devices, electronics, and accessories for many years. ColorWare provides unique painting options and skins for everything from consoles to iPhones to earbuds like the AirPods.

Custom-colored third-generation AirPods can be purchased from ColorWare for $319 for just the AirPods, or $369 for the AirPods and the Wireless Charging Case together. There's a premium price tag for ordering from ColorWare, but it's the only way to get AirPods in a color other than white because Apple still doesn't sell alternate color options like black.

ColorWare offers solid and metallic color options, with gloss and matte finishes to top it off. You can get the traditional black, gold, or silver colors to match Apple's devices, but there are also bright shades in every color of the rainbow. If you want AirPods in yellow, orange, teal, green, deep purple, blue, pink, or one of dozens of other colors, ColorWare is the best option.

ColorWare even has an Illusion finish for the AirPods in multi-chrome colors that shift depending on the lighting in the room, plus there's a Retro version designed after classic Macs.

Each AirPod can be custom painted in the same color as the case or you can order the case and the earbuds all in different colors, so there are tons of color combinations to choose from.

Because ColorWare has been offering custom painted devices since 1998, the company has perfected the painting process. ColorWare uses a multi-step coating process that includes a primer, the application of a proprietary color formula, and an X2 liquid plastic coating that protects the color. ColorWare's custom painting is guaranteed for 12 months or 24 months with the purchase of an additional warranty.

ColorWare uses standard AirPods from Apple and paints them, which leaves the full AirPods functionality intact. There's an H1 chip for quick and easy pairing, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, and more.

We have two sets of custom-painted third-generation AirPods and Wireless Charging case to give away, with each winner able to choose the color and finish of their choice. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (July 22) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on July 29. The winners will be chosen randomly on July 29 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

We tracked a few solid deals this week, including all-time low prices on the iPad mini 6, 2021 MacBook Pro, and iPad Air. You'll find these deals, plus a last-minute chance to get 25 percent off Adobe Creative Cloud, all still available to purchase below.

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.

AirPods 3

• What's the deal? Take $19 off AirPods 3
• Where can I get it? Amazon and B&H Photo
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Although Prime Day low prices on the AirPods lineup have expired, Amazon and B&H Photo still have a solid second-best price on the new AirPods 3. You can get this model of AirPods for $159.99, down from $179.00, with better delivery estimates found at B&H Photo this week.

iPad mini 6

• What's the deal? Take $99 off cellular iPad mini 6
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

This week, Amazon introduced a new all-time low price on the cellular models of the iPad mini 6, with the 64GB cellular iPad mini available for $549.99, down from $649.00. This one is still available in three colors today.

iPad Air

• What's the deal? Take $50 off 2022 iPad Air
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

On Wednesday we shared a deal on the 2022 iPad Air models, and now we're tracking an even better sale on the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet in Blue. It's available for $549.00, down from $599.00, and in stock right now on Amazon.

13-Inch M2 MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Take $65 off 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro
• Where can I get it? Expercom
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Expercom restocked the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro this week, offering discounts on a few models as well. The 256GB is available for $1,234.05, down from $1,299.00. You can also get the 512GB 13-inch MacBook Pro for $1,424.05, down from $1,499.00.

14-inch/16-inch MacBook Pro

• What's the deal? Take up to $300 off 2021 MacBook Pro
• Where can I get it? Amazon
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Numerous models of the 2021 MacBook Pro hit new all-time low prices on Amazon this week, with as much as $300 off these notebooks. You can get the 14-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/1TB) for $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00; the 16-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/512GB) for $2,199.00, down from $2,499.00; and the 16-inch MacBook Pro (10-Core M1 Pro/1TB) for $2,399.00, down from $2,699.00.

Adobe Creative Cloud

• What's the deal? Take 25% off Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps plan
• Where can I get it? Adobe
• Where can I find the original deal? Right here

Adobe is offering 25 percent off the first year of its Creative Cloud All Apps plan for new subscribers, dropping the monthly cost of the service to $39.99, down from $54.99. This sale will end this Sunday, July 24, so be sure to check out Adobe's website if you're interested.

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 has added a new "Test Alerts" toggle to the Settings app in iOS 15.6 and the third beta of iOS 16. The toggle is visible only on iPhones connected to a U.S. carrier and allows users to enable test emergency alerts from the U.S. government.

Turning on "Test Alerts" enables test emergency alerts to be received on both the iPhone and Apple Watch. The toggle is located in the Settings app under Notifications → Government Alerts and is turned off by default. Apple says the government is responsible for the content and the frequency of the test alerts.

It was already possible to enable test alerts on previous versions of iOS by installing a special profile from Apple or dialing a code in the Phone app. The toggle simply provides users with an easier way to opt in to receive test alerts.

Apple has updated support documents for the iPhone and Apple Watch with more details.

(Test Alerts graphic based on screenshot shared by via @MikeBeas)

While Apple has yet to release a foldable iPhone, Samsung is about to unveil a new series of foldables for the third consecutive year at its Unpacked event on August 10. Meanwhile, Samsung's mobile president TM Roh believes that we are already seeing the mainstream acceptance of foldable smartphones play out as consumers switch to the devices in increasing numbers.

In a blog post titled "The Mainstream Moment for Foldable Smartphones is Here," Roh says that nearly 10 million foldable smartphones were shipped worldwide in 2021, a figure that is 300 percent higher than the previous year. "I predict this fast-paced growth will continue," says Roh. "We are reaching the moment where these foldable devices are becoming widespread and staking a bigger claim in the overall smartphone market."

As The Verge notes, Samsung's figures could be slightly inflated: Display analyst Ross Young believes 7.9 million foldables were shipped last year, while IDC believes the actual number to be around the 7.1 million mark. Either way, when you compare it to the 272 million smartphones that Samsung alone shipped in 2021, Roh's figure doesn't sound quite so impressive.

Nevertheless, foldable adoption by consumers is steadily increasing, and Samsung has a clear foothold on the market. According to Young, brand Samsung was on 87.8 percent of all foldable phones shipped in 2021, while Huawei only accounted for 9.3 percent of shipments, with Xiaomi, Royole, and Oppo taking even tinier shares.

According to IDC, overall shipments are expected to reach an estimated 27.6 million in 2025, which makes it seem more likely that Apple's entrance into the foldable market is just a question of when. Indeed, Apple is known to have been working on foldable display technology for some years now, filing multiple patents regarding the technology. Analyst ‌Ming-Chi Kuo‌ said in April that Apple is actively testing a foldable display, although he believes Apple's first foldable device may be a hybrid ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌, or simply a foldable ‌iPad‌.

Young said earlier this year that Apple's long-rumored foldable ‌iPhone‌ has been delayed until 2025. The news of the delay reportedly came after discussions with supply chain sources, suggesting that Apple is in no hurry to enter the foldable market. Until then, Samsung will continue to do its best to capture even more of a growing market, beginning with two new Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models which are expected to be released next month.

Apple has added to its list of suppliers for the iPhone 14 series in a bid to avoid potential supply chain shortages when mass production of the devices begins, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a series of tweets, Kuo said components from SG Micro have passed quality certification for the high-end iPhone 14 models, meaning the Chinese company has been greenlighted to supply components for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

SG Micro specializes in integrated circuits, and Apple will use its power management integrated circuitry in the upcoming iPhones. Kuo notes that this is the first time SG Micro has provided components for high-end iPhones, implying that its technical capabilities have reached the "tier-1 level" required for use in premium consumer electronics.

Kuo recently said that some iPhone 14 components such as display panels are facing supply chain issues, but the analyst believes the issues will have a limited impact on upcoming mass production of iPhone 14 models, which are expected to be announced in September.

The lineup is expected to include the 6.1-inch iPhone 14, 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max, 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, but there will be no "mini" device this year.

With every iteration of iOS, Apple makes improvements to the built-in Siri voice assistant, and iOS 16 is no exception. Offline support has been expanded, ‌Siri‌ can finally hang up calls, and there's improved guidance on when and where you can access ‌Siri‌.

This guide outlines everything that's new with ‌Siri‌ in iOS 16, which is available now for all eligible devices, plus it includes details on the updates to Dictation.

Siri

Simpler Shortcuts

Shortcuts activated by ‌Siri‌ no longer require a setup process to use them. When you download and install an app, shortcuts can be activated by ‌Siri‌ right away.

Emoji in Texts

When you're sending a message using ‌Siri‌, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to insert an emoji into your message. You'll need to be specific about the character that you're requesting, and it's also helpful to say "emoji" after each request so ‌Siri‌ doesn't get confused.

Hanging Up Calls

If you're having a hands-free conversation with someone and it ends, you can ask ‌Siri‌ to hang up the call.

• How to Use Siri to Hang Up a Call on iPhone

Automatic Message Sending

In the Settings app, the ‌Siri‌ and Search section has a new option for automatically sending a message with ‌Siri‌, which removes the confirmation step that you have to go through when sending text through ‌Siri‌.

Having to approve each message can be a frustration if you're having a long conversation with someone and you don't have access to your phone to type, so this streamlines the process, plus it works with CarPlay. It is an opt-in feature and it can be toggled off for the car and headphones if desired.

• How to Automate Messages Sent With Siri

Siri Command Guidance

If you want to know more about how you can take advantage of ‌Siri‌, just ask. When you're in an app or doing something on your iPhone, say "Hey ‌Siri‌, what can I do here?" to get details on what ‌Siri‌ is capable of.

You can also ask ‌Siri‌ about a specific app with a command like "Hey ‌Siri‌, what can I do with [insert app name]?"

More Offline Functionality

‌Siri‌ is able to do more on device in iOS 16 without having to contact an Apple server, which means there are a wider array of functions that are available when you don't have an internet connection.

‌Siri‌ can process HomeKit, Intercom, and Voicemail requests when you are offline.

Accessibility Features

In the Accessibility section of the Settings app under the "‌Siri‌" heading, there are new options to change ‌Siri‌'s pause time, which causes the voice assistant to wait for you to finish speaking for a longer period of time. ‌Siri‌ Pause Time can be set to Default, Longer, and Longest.

There's also an option to "Announce Notifications on Speaker" to have ‌Siri‌ speak notifications aloud, and a "Prefer Spoken Responses" option can be toggled on to cause ‌Siri‌ to speak aloud in situations such as the phone being silenced.

• How to Make Siri Wait Longer for You to Finish Speaking
• How to Make Siri Announce Notifications Through Your iPhone's Speaker

Dictation

Apple with iOS 16 entirely overhauled the dictation experience, making it easier to swap between voice and touch. When you're dictating text on the iPhone or iPad, you can tap into the text field and type with the keyboard to make edits and insert QuickType suggestions without having to stop the dictation process.

There's also a new cursor popover that's available when you're dictating text, and if you tap it, you can stop the dictation more quickly.

Automatic Punctuation

While you dictate text, your device will intelligently add punctuation, putting in commas, periods, and question marks where appropriate.

The iPhone or ‌iPad‌ will listen to what you're saying, wait for you to finish, and then add commas and periods based on the structure of your words. It's not always perfect, but it's better than having to speak punctation as is required in iOS 15 and earlier.

Emoji Support

As with ‌Siri‌, the built-in dictation feature also supports inserting emoji by voice command.

Dictation in Messages

In the iOS 16 Messages app, the Dictation icon is right in the messages text box, making it much easier to get to. If Dictation is enabled, you'll see a tappable microphone icon that starts a dictation setting.

The Dictation icon replaces the voice message icon that was at the right side of the Messages text entry box in iOS 15. If Dictation is not enabled, there is no icon in the text box.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about Dictation and ‌Siri‌ in iOS 16 , know of a feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

While the full-size HomePod, 12-inch MacBook, and iMac Pro have all been discontinued, rumors suggest all three products could return in the future.

Keep reading for a recap of everything that we have heard so far about potential comebacks for these products and new features and changes to expect.

HomePod

Apple discontinued the full-size HomePod in March 2021, with the company deciding to focus its efforts on the HomePod mini.

Released in February 2018, the original HomePod received rave reviews for its sound quality, but its initial $349 price was significantly more expensive than competing smart speakers like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Even after Apple lowered the HomePod's price to $299, sales of the speaker remained lackluster, according to estimates.

Since the full-size HomePod was discontinued, the speaker has fetched high prices on eBay and has become something of a collector's item.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a new HomePod with the same S8 chip rumored for the Apple Watch Series 8. Gurman said the new HomePod would be "closer to the original HomePod" than the HomePod mini in terms of size and audio performance, and added that the new HomePod will have an "updated display on top."

Gurman previously reported that Apple has also considered releasing a device that combines an Apple TV, HomePod, and FaceTime camera, but details remain slim.

12-inch MacBook

Apple discontinued its ultra-portable 12-inch MacBook in July 2019, coinciding with refreshes to the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro.

Launched in March 2015, the 12-inch MacBook featured a thin and light design that weighed just two pounds. Key attributes of the 12-inch MacBook included a fanless design, a single USB-C port for data and charging, a new Force Touch trackpad, and an innovative battery design that allowed for a larger battery to fit inside the notebook.

A big reason why the 12-inch MacBook was discontinued is because many customers found it to be underpowered. The original 12-inch MacBook was equipped with a 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor, and while later models included up to a Core i7 processor, Intel processors were simply a poor match for the notebook's thin and light design.

With the transition to Apple silicon chips in the Mac, however, the 12-inch MacBook could easily make a comeback. Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was considering launching an all-new 12-inch notebook by 2024, but it is unclear if the notebook would be a MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro.

iMac Pro

Apple discontinued the iMac Pro in March 2021. At the time, Apple said the 27-inch iMac was the preferred choice for the vast majority of pro iMac users, and added that customers who needed even more performance and expandability could choose the Mac Pro. Apple has since discontinued the 27-inch iMac as well, leaving the colorful 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip as the only all-in-one desktop computer in the Mac lineup.

Released in December 2017, the iMac Pro received no substantial hardware refreshes over its lifetime, which resulted in the 27-inch iMac eventually becoming faster and more affordable than the standard ‌iMac‌ Pro configuration.

Rumors have persisted about the iMac Pro making a comeback with Apple silicon chips. In his newsletter last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he still believes a larger iMac or iMac Pro is in the works and "could arrive as early as next year." Based on that timeframe, the computer could be powered by M2 Pro and M2 Max chips.

A prototype "Apple Computer A" Apple-1 computer that was owned by Steve Jobs is up for auction starting today, and it is expected to fetch upwards of $500,000.

Hand-soldered by Steve Wozniak in 1976, the Apple Computer A printed circuit board was used by Steve Jobs to demonstrate the Apple-1 to Paul Terrell, who was the owner of The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California. The Byte Shop became the first retailer of the Apple-1 computer after Terrell ordered 50 fully assembled machines and sold them for $666.66 each.

The Apple Computer A has been matched to photographs taken by Terrell in 1976, showing the prototype in use. This machine is listed as the number two machine on the Apple-1 Registry and was considered "lost" until it was authenticated by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen.

As described by RR Auctions, the site hosting the sale, there is some damage to the board.

This prototype resided on the 'Apple Garage' property for many years before being given by Steve Jobs to its current owner approximately 30 years ago. At that time, Jobs had been ousted from Apple and was looking forward to the promise of NeXT and Pixar. The board's present condition lends some insight into Jobs's judgment of it: he saw the prototype not as something to be enshrined, but as something to be repurposed. Several of the ICs have been plucked from their sockets, as have the microprocessor and other components, presumably for use on early production Apple-1 Computers.

The board appears to have been damaged by pressure on the upper right, resulting in a crack that runs from adjacent to the power supply area above D12 down through the bottom of the board to the right of A15. The missing piece is presumed to have been discarded, but can be reimagined thanks to Paul Terrell's photographs of the complete board. One of the distinguishing features of the "Apple Computer A" prototype was its use of three orange Sprague Atom capacitors, rather than the familiar 'Big Blue' capacitors used on the production Apple Computer 1.

Compared to production Apple-1 machines, the prototype has wording that reads "Apple Computer A," it has a different processor, and it lacks the green protective coating on typical Apple-1 computers.

Because of the rarity of the prototype, RR Auction expects it to fetch a high price at auction despite the damage.

Jonathan Morrison joins us on The MacRumors Show podcast this week to take a deep dive into Spatial Audio and Apple's audio technologies.

Jonathan is a leading tech YouTuber and has moved into professional music production in recent years. He has a wealth of knowledge about audio technology and first-hand experience mixing tracks for Spatial Audio. See more of Jonathan's work on his YouTube channel.

In this episode, we discuss Spatial Audio in detail, including the new personalized Spatial Audio feature in iOS 16, thoughts on Spatialize Stereo, Spatial Audio support on devices like the Studio Display and MacBook Pro, where the technology is headed next, and more. We also take a look at future AirPods, including the AirPods Pro 2, and evaluate the state of Apple Music.

Listen to The MacRumors Show via 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 our YouTube channel. If you haven't already listened to the last episode of The MacRumors Show, be sure to catch up for an in-depth chat with iJustine about the new MacBook Air.

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 Ross Young, Sam Kohl, 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 going forward.

Apple today launched a new summer-themed Apple Pay promo offering discounts from a range of retailers like J.Crew, Crocs, Ray-Ban, and more when using ‌Apple Pay‌ to make a purchase.

• Crocs - 20% off footwear with promo code APPLEPAY.
• GOAT - Up to 70% off select styles when using ‌Apple Pay‌.
• Gymboree - $15 off when you spend $50 or more with promo code APPLEPAY.
• J.Crew - $25 off when you spend $150 or more with promo code APPLEPAY.
• Lands' End - 45% off with promo code APPLEPAY.
• Matt & Nat - 10% off when you spend $150 or more with promo code APPLEPAY.
• Ray-Ban - 30% off custom styles with promo code APPLEPAY.
• Rodd & Gunn - $20 eGift Card for every $100 you spend with promo code APPLEPAY.
• Stadium Goods - 10% off in-app purchases.
• Sugar & Jade - $15 off when you spend $50 or more with promo code APPLEPAY.
• Summmersalt - $15 off when you spend $95 or more with promo code APPLEPAY.
• The Children's Place - $15 off when you spend $50 or more with promo code APPLEPAY.
• TheRealReal - 20% off mobile orders with promo code APPLEPAY.

The ‌Apple Pay‌ discounts are only available in the United States and can be used through Wednesday, August 3.

Four months after Apple released the Studio Display, shipping estimates for the display are finally showing significant improvement in many countries.

While the Studio Display was estimated for delivery in 8-10 weeks as of May, and in 6-8 weeks as of June, Apple's online store now shows a much shorter 1-2 week delivery estimate for new orders in the United States. These timeframes apply to the $1,599 configuration of the Studio Display with standard glass and a tilt-adjustable stand, with upgraded configurations still facing lengthier but improving shipping estimates.

In Canada, a Studio Display ordered today can be delivered by Apple as early as July 26, and UK orders are facing a 3-4 weeks wait.

Introduced alongside the Mac Studio in March, the Studio Display is a standalone display that serves as a lower-priced alternative to Apple's Pro Display XDR. The display features a 27-inch screen with 5K resolution, a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, a six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio, one Thunderbolt 3 port, and three USB-C ports. Upgrade options include nano-texture glass and a height-adjustable stand.

If you've been holding on to your iPhone XS and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 14 Pro when it launches later this year, check out our list below for a recap of the many new features and changes to expect. The list includes major new features added since the iPhone 11 Pro, as well as rumored features for the iPhone 14 Pro.

Have another iPhone model? Check out our iPhone X vs. 14 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro vs. 14 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro vs. 14 Pro comparisons.

iPhone XS vs. iPhone 14 Pro:

• Much faster A16 chip: The A15 chip in the iPhone 13 Pro is already around 1.8x faster than the A12 chip in the iPhone XS, according to Geekbench 5, and performance should improve even more with the A16 chip in the iPhone 14 Pro.
• Larger display: iPhone XS is equipped with a 5.8-inch display, while the 14 Pro is expected to have a 6.1-inch display.
• Much brighter display: Compared to the iPhone XS, the 14 Pro's display will have at least 375 nits higher peak brightness for standard content.
• No more notch: Rumors suggest Apple will replace the notch with a pill-shaped cutout and a hole for Face ID and the front camera on the iPhone 14 Pro.
• Heavier: iPhone XS weighs 0.39 pounds, while the iPhone 13 Pro weighs 0.45 pounds.
• 3D Touch removed: On the iPhone 11 Pro and newer, Apple removed the 3D Touch feature that allowed you to press deeply on the screen to pop open menus or other "hidden" features. 3D Touch was replaced with Haptic Touch, which is more limited and relies on a press-and-hold gesture instead of a deep press.
• Faster Face ID: Face ID is 30% faster on the iPhone 11 Pro and newer.
• ProMotion: Introduced on the iPhone 13 Pro, ProMotion allows for a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother appearing content and scrolling.
• Always-on display: Rumors suggest the iPhone 14 Pro will feature an always-on display mode that shows the time, date, and iOS 16's new Lock screen widgets.
• Ceramic Shield: Introduced on the iPhone 12 Pro, Apple said the Ceramic Shield front cover increased drop performance by 4x compared to previous models.
• Longer battery life: Already, the iPhone 13 Pro gets 22 hours of video playback vs. 14 hours for the iPhone XS, and rumors suggest that iPhone 14 Pro models could feature even larger battery capacities.
• Triple-lens rear camera system: While the iPhone XS has a dual-lens rear camera system, the iPhone 11 Pro and newer feature a triple-lens rear camera system with an added Ultra Wide lens for zoomed-out photos.
• 12-megapixel front camera: The front camera on the iPhone XS is a 7-megapixel lens, while the iPhone 11 Pro and newer have a 12-megapixel front camera.
• Night mode: Introduced on the iPhone 11 Pro, Night mode allows for greatly improved low-light photography in the Camera app.
• Increased optical zoom: On the iPhone 13 Pro, you can zoom in up to 3x on photos without any blurriness, compared to up to 2x on the iPhone XS.
• Numerous other camera improvements: iPhone XS users upgrading to the 14 Pro will get a slew of other camera upgrades, including a rumored 48-megapixel Wide lens with support for 8K video recording, an upgraded front camera with autofocus, sensor-shift image stabilization, Macro mode, Cinematic mode, ProRAW photos, ProRes videos, Photographic Styles, Night mode portraits, and more.
• Flat edges: While the iPhone XS's stainless steel frame has round edges, Apple has switched to flat edges with the 12 Pro and newer.
• 5G: While the iPhone XS is limited to Gigabit LTE, the iPhone 14 Pro will support 5G for faster cellular data speeds.
• Wi-Fi 6E: iPhone 14 models are rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E, which extends Wi-Fi into the 6 GHz band, in addition to the existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
• MagSafe: iPhone 12 and newer models feature MagSafe, a system that lets you magnetically attach accessories to the back of the iPhone, such as Apple's own MagSafe Charger, MagSafe Wallet, and MagSafe Battery Pack.
• Up to 2x faster wireless charging: iPhones with MagSafe can wirelessly charge at up to 15W speeds with Apple's MagSafe Charger, while wireless charging on the iPhone XS is limited to up to 7.5W speeds.
• U1 chip: iPhone 11 Pro and newer models are equipped with Apple's U1 chip for spatial awareness functionality. For example, users can hold a U1-equipped iPhone near a HomePod mini to hand off music playback, or precisely track the location of an AirTag using the Precision Finding feature.
• Increased storage: iPhone XS started with 64GB of storage, but the 14 Pro should have at least 128GB of base storage.
• LiDAR Scanner: Introduced on the iPhone 12 Pro, the LiDAR Scanner is situated next to the rear camera and offers faster augmented reality experiences and improves autofocus by 6x in low-light photos and videos, according to Apple.
• Improved water resistance: Apple says the iPhone XS has water resistance up to a depth of two meters for up to 30 minutes, while the 12 Pro and newer have water resistance up to a depth of six meters for up to 30 minutes.

Apple on Wednesday released software version 15.6 for the HomePod and HomePod mini. While not mentioned in the release notes, the update adds support for Siri in Swedish and Norwegian on the HomePod and HomePod mini.

The addition of Swedish and Norwegian support likely means the HomePod mini will be released in Sweden and Norway over the coming months. Apple released the HomePod mini in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland in late March after rolling out support for Siri in Dutch and various languages spoken in Switzerland.

Apple has also been testing Siri in Danish and Finnish with select HomePod mini users in recent months, so the HomePod mini may launch in Denmark and Finland eventually. However, Danish and Finnish are not listed as supported languages yet.

To change the language of a HomePod or HomePod mini, open the Home app on the iPhone, long press on the white card for the desired HomePod, scroll down and tap on the settings gear icon, tap on Language, and choose a language from the list.

Launched in November 2020, the HomePod mini is currently sold in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Taiwan, China, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Apple discontinued the full-size HomePod in March 2021.