The new iPad Pro features the M1 chip, 5G connectivity, a Thunderbolt port, a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model, an improved front-facing camera with Center Stage, and more. It also comes alonside the Magic Keyboard, which is now available in white for the first time.
Ahead of the arrival of orders this Friday, Apple has provided select YouTube channels and media outlets with an early look at its flagship tablets. We have rounded up some unboxing videos and first impressions below.
ZAGG today announced two new iPad integrated keyboard cases for Apple's iPad models, including the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro 11-inch.
First up is the Zag Pro Keys, which is compatible with the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation), the iPad Air 10.9-inch (4th generation), and the iPad 10.2-inch (7th and 8th generation).
The ZAGG Pro Keys features a detachable keyboard with precision, laptop-style keys and an integrated Bluetooth trackpad. It also includes a detachable case, an integrated, adjustable stand, key backlighting, and a holder for Apple Pencil as well as the Zagg Pro Stylus.
A magnetic flap holds the cover closed, while the polycarbonate case is lightweight but has a rigid core, rubberized edges, button covers, and corner bumpers, all of which combine to provide up to 6.6 foot (2 meters) of drop protection.
The Zagg Pro Keys supports multi-device pairing, and trackpad can be independently turned off to save battery when not in use. Meanwhile, the backlit keys come in seven different colors, the on-board battery lasts for three months, and the keyboard is charged via USB-C.
The Pro Keys with Trackpad wireless keyboard and detachable case for the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation), and the iPad Air 10.9-inch (4th generation) for $149.99. The Pro Keys with Trackpad for the iPad 10.2-inch (7th and 8th generation) will be available on May 25 for $139.99. For comparison, Apple's Magic Keyboard with trackpad costs $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air, and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
The second new model, the ZAGG Rugged Book is designed to be tough and versatile, featuring an interlocking key design on the wireless keyboard that locks the keys in place so they don't pop off.
The detachable keyboard includes backlit, laptop-style keys, while the rugged design offers up to 6.6 feet (2m) of drop protection and includes a magnetic hinge for multiple viewing angles. The Rugged Book also supports multi-device pairing.
The Rugged Book wireless keyboard for the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation) and iPad Air 10.9-inch (4th generation) is available now for $149.99.
ZAGG also offers a Pro Keys wireless keyboard and detachable case for iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, and 5th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation), for RRP $169.99 and $109.99, respectively.
The above models include a one-year limited lifetime warranty, and are available now or will be available on ZAGG.com, ZAGG Franchise locations, and at Best Buy stores nationwide.
As part of the Apple vs. Epic Games legal battle, Apple has filed a motion asking for a judge ruling on one of the ten claims that Epic Games had made against it. Specifically, Apple is seeking a partial judgment on the claim that iOS is an "essential facility" and denies Epic's claim that it has been unlawfully barred from accessing it through the App Store.
The claim, specified in court filings as Count 2, refers to Epic's argument that it's been denied access to iOS, which it claims is an "essential facility" due to the fact it's been blocked access to the App Store. The Count specifically accuses Apple of violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act through "its unlawful denial to Epic and other app distributors of an essential facility—access to iOS."
Apple is asking the judge to move forward with a judgment due to Epic's lack of "factual, expert, or legal support for its theory of essential facility" and that it has practically given up on attempting to prove it. Apple also cites testimony from one of Epic's own witnesses, who said during the trial regarding the App Store that nothing they say is referencing anything that can be deemed an "essential facility."
Epic’s experts did not opine on whether iOS is an essential facility, or whether Epic has been denied access to iOS. Rather, Dr. Evans admitted in his written direct testimony that Epic and other developers are provided "access to the tools and permissions for writing iOS apps."
And on the stand, Dr. Evans admitted that he was not "expressing any opinion on anything termed an essential facility or anything related to an essential facility claim in this case."
In the court filing, Apple says that the iOS App Store can easily be replicated and duplicated, and per the court's own definition, iOS is not an essential facility. Apple goes on to say that essential means "essential" and not what's "best," "most profitable or preferable."
Apple removed Fortnite and stripped Epic of access to its developer account in August of last year after it violated App Store Guidelines. To the court, Apple reiterated that Epic has access to the App Store, despite its claim it's been unlawfully stripped of access to an "essential facility," as long as it follows the same rules that all developers are adhered to.
Apple notes that Epic Games had full access to the app distribution platform before it began "Project Liberty," Epic's codename for its legal fight against Apple.
There is no dispute that Epic actually has access to iOS. Epic, like all other developers, may obtain "access to the tools and permissions for writing iOS apps," and may distribute those apps through iOS, by agreeing to the DPLA. And Epic clearly did (prior to Project Liberty) distribute its apps through iOS and the App Store. So do millions of other developers.
Apple says that Epic Games' real argument is not that it is illegally being denied access to the App Store and iOS, but that instead it does not like the terms and conditions that developers must follow on the platform.
The Epic Games vs. Apple trial officially started on May 3, and Apple is asking that its request for a partial judgment be entrained on May 24 or as soon as the court may hear its request.
Apple appears to be ironing out a bug that meant some iOS 14.5 users were unable to adjust the "Allow Apps to Request to Track" setting that was rolled out as part of Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature.
In iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and tvOS 14.5, ATT requires that apps ask for permission before tracking your activity across other companies' apps and websites for targeted advertising purposes.
On iPhone and iPad, users can manage tracking permissions on an app-by-app basis in the Settings app under Privacy -> Tracking, where a new "Allow Apps to Request to Track" switch resides. The setting is off by default.
On devices with the "Allow Apps to Request to Track" setting turned off, all apps that request to track are denied permission by default and cannot access the device's random advertising identifier, known as the IDFA.
Apps are also not permitted to track your activity using other information that identifies you or your device, such as your email address, although this policy is not enforced at a technical level.
Apple says there are a few circumstances where the setting may be legitimately grayed out, but a significant minority of users had still found that they were unable to adjust the setting despite meeting Apple's criteria for full access.
A May 3 update from Apple had been expected to fix the problem, but reports from users unable to control the feature persisted after the update was installed. Based on the latest reports from social media, however, Apple appears to be resolving the issue.
Shortly after ATT was launched, an early analysis suggested that 96% of iOS users did not plan to allow tracking for any app.
Apple recently shared a video with more details about its new App Tracking Transparency requirement for those interested in learning more.
Google Photos is getting a new AI-driven feature that can take two similar pictures in your iPhone's camera roll and turn them into a single moving shot, reports The Verge.
Google says the feature achieves this by using machine learning to generate additional frames between the two images, which creates the appearance of movement.
If you've taken several shots in succession, for example, Google Photos can now bring the scene to life by turning it into a moving picture. Think of the result as a sort of synthesized version of a Live Photo.
The new feature is called "Cinematic Moments," and is not to be confused with Google's existing Cinematic Photos, which use machine learning to add an animated depth effect to pictures.
The Cinematic Moments option is expected to make its way to both Android and iOS versions of the Google Photos app soon. Google Photos is a free download for iPhone and iPad from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Apple customers who own faulty Powerbeats 2 devices have begun receiving payouts from a class action lawsuit that Apple settled last year, according to multiple MacRumors readers that have started receiving funds.
Powerbeats 2 owners sued Apple after it was found that some of the headphones had a defect that could cause them to stop working and fail to retain charge after "minimal usage." The plaintiffs in the case alleged that Apple misrepresented the battery life of the Powerbeats 2, and that Apple had said they were sweat and water resistant.
Powerbeats 2 were first released in 2015, and at least some of the failures may have been due to moisture exposure. Apple was also accused of failing to replace or repair defective Powerbeats 2 within the one-year warranty period.
The case did not play out in court as Apple agreed to pay $9.75 million last summer to settle the lawsuit. At the time that it agreed to the payout, Apple said that it denied all allegations and was paying the settlement fee to avoid expensive litigation.
The settlement was approved in January of 2021, and now the money obtained from Apple is being split between all Class Members who submitted claim forms after attorneys' fees and related costs were paid. Anyone who had purchased Powerbeats 2 earbuds before August 2, 2020 were eligible to claim a payment from the settlement.
Amid the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, Spotify's chief legal officer and head of global affairs Horacio Gutierrez penned an anti-App Store op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, where he summarizes Spotify's issues with Apple.
Gutierrez says that Spotify is one of the few companies that insists Apple is a "ruthless bully that uses its dominance to hobble competitors."
Spotify has long been upset with Apple's App Store fees, as the 15 to 30 percent cut that Apple takes from subscriptions means that Spotify has to either raise its prices for those who sign up via the App Store or decline to offer subscriptions on iOS at all, which is what Spotify has opted for.
Apple's "antisteering" rules prevent Spotify from directing iPhone and iPad customers to the Spotify website to sign up, which Spotify argues gives Apple Music some major advantages.
The company has also argued that Spotify pays 15% of its revenue on only 0.5% of its subscriptions. But that's because Apple's exorbitant 30% tax on new subscriptions forced us to turn off in-app purchases in 2016. It made more business sense to cut iPhone and iPad users off from a path to subscriptions than to absorb the 30% cut for new ones.
Gutierrez points out the many regulatory issues that Apple is facing in Europe and the United States. The European Commission in April found that Apple breached EU competition law with Apple Music, and in April, the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee questioned Apple's App Store policies. Spotify, Tile, and others attended the latter hearing and said that if Apple's App Store rules aren't changed, Apple will take over the internet, "limiting innovation, squashing small businesses, and all but eliminating customer choice."
Spotify is asking the U.S. to speed up its regulatory initiatives against Apple with "urgent, narrowly tailored updates" to antitrust law to "end such egregious abuses."
Gutierrez says that Spotify isn't asking for special treatment, but wants "fair treatment," and he sums up his piece by stating that Apple's "ability to strangle its competitors is unprecedented." He says that those in a position "to do something" have now "seen past Apple's facade" and are now acting on the behalf of "innovators and consumers around the world."
During its Google I/O developers conference today, Google previewed Android 12, the next version of Android that will ship to millions of Android devices around the world later this year.
Google is mainly targeting customization as the theme for this year's new release and a new design language that it's calling "Material You." Google says this new design language brings a "humanistic approach to design," an approach that "celebrates the tension between design sensibility and personal preference, and does not shy away from emotion."
Google is offering users nearly unlimited customizability for system shapes, colors, and overall feel. Google aims to offer users customization through color extraction, which automatically detects colors that are most dominant in a user's wallpaper and then applies them throughout the system, such as on the lockscreen, widgets, and more.
With Android 12, Google is also introducing more fluid systemwide animations that are aimed at making devices feel "alive with every tap, swipe, and scroll." Google is ensuring, however, that these systemwide animations have minimal impact on battery life and system performance.
Your Android devices are now faster and more responsive with better power efficiency so you can use your device for longer without a charge. This was achieved by some under-the-hood improvements including reducing the CPU time needed for core system services by up to 22% and reducing the use of big cores by the system server by up to 15%.
Beyond design changes, Google introduced new privacy features that take some inspiration from iOS 14, released this past September. One new feature is a microphone and camera indicator, which provides a dot in the top-right hand corner of a device whenever an app is accessing the camera or microphone. Google is also making it easier to disable a specific app's access to the microphone and camera through new toggles in Quick Settings. Another privacy-centric feature coming with Android 12 is the ability for users to give apps access to either their precise or approximate location. Much like iOS, whenever an app requests access to a user's location, an option to provide "Precise" and "Approximate" locations are given. Android 12 also includes under-the-hood privacy changes enabled by new AI technologies that help minimize user data collection.
Beyond these new privacy features in Android 12, we’re also building privacy protections directly into the OS. There are more opportunities than ever to use AI to create helpful new features, but these features need to be paired with powerful privacy. That’s why in this release we’re introducing Android Private Compute Core. It allows us to introduce new technologies that are private by design, allowing us to keep your personal information safe, private and local to your phone.
Beyond adopting some iOS 14 privacy features, Google is also taking inspiration in some other areas. Google introduced "Google Digital Car Key," which, much like Apple's Digital Car Key feature available on iOS 13 and iOS 14, lets car owners use NFC on their supported Android device to unlock compatible vehicles.
As reported by 9to5Google, Google is also adding support for Apple's Beats headphones to its "Google Fast Pair" process, which aims to make it easy to pair Bluetooth headphones and accessories by simply bringing them near your device. The new feature takes heavy inspiration from Apple users' seamless experience when pairing AirPods, HomePod, and other accessories to their iPhone or iPad.
Android 12 will be under beta testing throughout the summer starting today, and Google says it will be available for a wide range of Android devices later this year.
Amazon this week has the M1 MacBook Pro on sale in both 256GB and 512GB configurations, including a return to the notable low price of $1,299.99 for the 512GB option. This sale is $199 off the original price, and you'll see the discount after an automatic coupon worth $49.01 is applied at the checkout screen on Amazon.
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 price is a match of the previous all-time low price that we saw last month on the 512GB M1 MacBook Pro. This model of Apple's notebook line includes the same aluminum body with large Force Touch trackpad as previous generations, speakers at the side of the keyboard, and a 13.3-inch display with slim black bezels. Both colors are on sale, but only Silver is available to ship today.
Secondly, Amazon has the 256GB MacBook Pro for $1,149.00, down from $1,299.00. This sale price is available in both Silver and Space Gray. You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.
Apple in June 2021 added new Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless tiers to Apple Music, but so far, it's a bit confusing trying to determine which devices support Apple Music's Lossless Audio and which devices do not.
This guide covers everything that we know so far about Lossless Audio, and we'll be updating it as we learn more.
What is Lossless Audio?
Apple upgraded its entire streaming music catalog to lossless audio using the ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) format. ALAC is a lossless compression format that lets Apple make smaller file sizes without impacting the integrity of the original audio recording.
Lossless means that after compression and then decompression, the audio that you're hearing is identical to the audio as it was recorded by the artist, preserving the texture, detail, and sound that went into the music when it was created.
With lossless audio, Apple Music subscribers can listen to songs exactly as the artists recorded them in the studio and intended them to be heard.
The HomePod and HomePod mini are expected to gain lossless audio support with the launch of iOS 15. The HomePod 15 software that was released in July adds Lossless Audio support for the HomePod and HomePod mini, and it will see a public release this fall.
In regard to a wired connection for AirPods Max, Apple says that AirPods Max can be connected to devices playing Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless recordings with exceptional audio quality, but because of the analog to digital conversion in the Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable, playback will not be completely lossless.
Lossless Audio Quality
The standard Lossless tier starts at CD quality, which is 16-bit at 44.1 kHz, and it goes up to 24-bit at 48 kHz. Apple is also adding a Hi-Res Lossless tier for audiophiles, which is available at 24-bit 192 kHz, but Hi-Res Lossless will require a USB digital-to-analog converter, or DAC.
It is not clear if ALAC support is something that Apple can add in the future because technically, Bluetooth 5.0 should support higher bitrates, nor is it known if Apple plans to add support to future audio devices.
Lossless Audio Songs
At launch, 20 million songs supported lossless quality, with Apple planning to bring support to all 75 million+ songs on Apple Music by the end of 2021.
The feature is limited to Apple Music streaming subscribers. Lossless quality will not be available for iTunes purchases and there is no way to upgrade owned music to lossless via iTunes Match.
Can You Even Hear Lossless Audio?
Lossless audio is not a new concept, and has in fact been supported via iTunes and the Apple Music app for Mac for years now. There is some controversy over lossless audio, and there are quite a few people out there who are unable to hear the difference between lossy audio and uncompressed lossless audio files.
There are also other considerations to take into account, such as the quality of the device that you're listening to music on. Lossless audio is designed for audiophiles and most people will not miss lossless quality on their HomePod, AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos
Apple's more notable Apple Music announcement has been somewhat overshadowed by the lossless music feature. The HomePod, all AirPods, and all Beats headphones with Apple's H1 or W1 chip automatically support a new Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos feature that Apple is bringing to Apple Music. Spatial Audio for other headphones paired with an Apple device can be enabled manually via the Settings app on your device.
With this feature, artists are able to record multi-dimensional audio that will make it sound like the music is coming from all around you.
Apple Music Lossless Launch Date
Apple laid the groundwork for the new Apple Music update in iOS 14.6, tvOS 14.6, and macOS Big Sur 11.4, then later enabled lossless quality in June.
Just three days before the new iPad Pro begins arriving to customers, the developers of award-winning iPhone camera app Halide have announced the release of an iPad app, complete with a custom user interface that takes advantage of the larger screen.
To keep the viewfinder minimally obscured, the iPad app has an expandable "honeycomb" of controls next to the shutter button for manually adjusting shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and more. Other key features are readily reachable at the edges of the screen, with Halide offering Smart RAW and RAW+JPEG capture, instant RAW processing, a dedicated Depth mode, manual focus with focus peaking, and more.
Unique to the iPad is a new Pro View that shrinks the viewfinder to be within the limits of your central vision, according to Halide:
Ever notice that taking a photo on an iPad is a challenge? It’s not just the iPad part. Our human vision is split into central and peripheral vision - allowing you to see detail only in a small area. As you hold iPads closer to you than iPhones and their screens are larger, it is nearly impossible to see your entire composition well. […]
Pro View is a toggle in the bottom left that shrinks the viewfinder up to the limits of your detailed central vision. It makes it large enough to use a large iPad screen, but small enough to judge composition and take a good photo. This also creates extra space for manual mode, a big histogram (we made it much larger), waveform, manual focus, and the pro features. Even enabling manual controls for shutter and ISO do not interfere or overlap on the viewfinder.
Halide said there are several other new features, refinements, and bug fixes, including a left-handed user interface option and a space gray app icon option.
Existing users can update the Halide app to automatically get access to the iPad app at no additional cost. New users can subscribe to the app for $1.99 per month or $11.99 per year or unlock the app for a one-time purchase of $39.99.
Apple is working on a high-end version of the Mac mini, featuring a more powerful Apple silicon chip and extra ports, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a wide-reaching report, Gurman explained that Apple is developing a more powerful version of the Mac mini, positioned as a high-end version of the current M1 model. The new Mac mini is expected to use the same chip as the next-generation MacBook Pro.
The next-generation MacBook Pro models are expected to feature an improved version of the M1 chip with a 10-core CPU, containing eight high-performance cores and two energy-efficient cores, and 16-core or 32-core GPU options, meaning this is also what we can expect from the new Mac mini. Gurman said that this Apple silicon chip will also support up to 64GB of memory, a significant increase compared to the current maximum of 16GB.
The high-end Mac mini is also expected to feature four Thunderbolt ports on its rear, rather than the two that are available on the rear of the current Mac mini with an M1 chip, which is also a change supported by the next-generation Apple silicon chip.
Apple has also been working on a more powerful version of the Mac mini (code name J374) with the same chip as the next MacBook Pro. It's expected to have four ports versus the pair available on the current low-end version and to sit above the current entry-level M1 Mac Mini. Apple could delay or cancel the new mini's launch - as it has in the past - but eventually the company will likely replace the Intel-equipped version it now sells.
When Apple introduced the M1 Mac mini last year, it retained the Intel Mac minis with two additional ports in the product lineup as a high-end option. Apple did the same with the MacBook Pro and iMac, where the M1 option replaced the entry-level version of the machine, and kept the high-end Intel models with more ports on sale.
The new high-end Mac mini is expected to replace the current Intel-based Mac mini that is still on sale, meaning that the whole Mac mini product lineup will have transitioned to Apple silicon. Gurman added the caveat that the new Mac mini may yet be delayed or cancelled, but said that the company will likely replace the current high-end Intel-based Mac mini with an Apple silicon version eventually.
Gurman also disclosed an extensive amount of information earlier this morning regarding upcoming MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac Pro models.
Today we've partnered up with Anker to offer our readers a collection of new discount codes on wireless chargers, portable batteries, and wall chargers. In this sale you'll find up to 52 percent off select Anker accessories, with prices starting at just $17.99 for the company's MagSafe-compatible Magnetic Wireless Charger.
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.
There are also quite a few portable batteries on sale this time, starting at $19.99 for the company's popular PowerCore Slim 10,000 mAh power bank in green ($10 off). There's also the PowerCore 10,000 mAh Wireless Power Bank for $29.99 ($6 off), which supports Qi wireless charging on the surface of the portable battery.
If you're planning an outdoor trip this summer, Anker's PowerPort Solar Charger and Powerhouse 200 Portable Rechargeable Generator are great options for camping. The Solar Charger is priced at $54.99 ($25 off) and can fuel up your iPhone or iPad, and the Powerhouse 200 has a dozen different ports and can hold hours of charge for laptops and other electronics.
All of the codes below will be live through Sunday, May 23.
Professional television calibrator Vincent Teoh, who runs the YouTube channel HDTVTest, put the Apple TV's color calibration feature to the test on a range of popular TVs in a recent video.
The Apple TV's Color Calibration debuted in tvOS 14.5 and iOS 14.5, giving users the ability to hold an iPhone with Face ID near their TV and, after tapping a notification, the iPhone's front-facing camera and ambient light sensor will begin color measurements and automatically tailor the Apple TV's video output to deliver supposedly more accurate colors and improved contrast. Apple says this process will result in improved picture quality without adjusting the TV's settings.
Apple's demonstration image showing what the Color Balance feature can achieve.
Teoh found that in a number of cases Apple's calibration feature actually made color accuracy worse, even going as far as to incorrectly shift the color output of a high-end Sony mastering monitor.
When set to their most accurate out-of-the-box color presets, two of the three TVs Teoh tested had their color accuracy made worse. On a Samsung QLED TV, the overall color accuracy improved, but the image was incorrectly shifted to a cooler blue tone. On a Sony LED TV, the feature made the color accuracy worse and similarly made the image too blue. On an LG OLED TV, the calibration feature did manage to improve color accuracy without making the image too blue.
When the tests were re-run with the TV's default color presets, the Apple TV's calibration feature improved color accuracy on all three models. Even so, Teoh found that when color accuracy was improved, image quality was degraded in other ways. Since the Apple TV had to shift the color output so much in these instances, the resulting image suffered from unwanted color banding lines, known as posterization.
Teoh's tests indicate that the Apple TV's color calibration is certainly not a replacement for professional color calibration using specialized tools, and should be used with caution. AFTVnews suggests that users may be better off using the Color Balance feature to see how drastically it changes the TV's image, and then attempting to match the result using the TV's built-in color options.
SteelSeries, the makers of popular gaming controllers for Apple devices, has today announced that all purchases of the Nimbus+ Wireless Gamepad Controller will come with up to four free months of Apple Arcade.
The SteelSeries Nimbus+ Wireless Gamepad Controller delivers a "console-quality experience" with Apple Arcade's library of games.
Iterating on the original Nimbus controller, the Nimbus+ Wireless Gamepad Controller features an ergonomic design, ultra-responsive triggers and buttons, and a range of Apple connectivity options to work with Phone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. The Nimbus+ adds a range of new features, including clickable joysticks, new Hall effect triggers, and a 50-hour battery life. The Nimbus+ also features an optional iPhone mount to allows users to directly attach their iPhone to the controller.
SteelSeries notes that the Nimbus+ controller comes with up to four months of Apple Arcade, which may indicate that some subscribers who have already redeemed their one-month-long free trial may be eligible for a shorter, three month period of free Apple Arcade.
The Nimbus+ controller is available now for $69.99 USD at steelseries.com, the Apple online store, and other participating retailers, including up to four free months of Apple Arcade.
Update: SteelSeries has now clarified that Nimbus+ customers will receive a code to redeem three free months of Apple Arcade, on top of Apple's one-month free trial. Existing Apple Arcade subscribers will still be able to redeem the code for three free months of the service.
Apple is working on a high-end version of the MacBook Air that will feature an improved iteration of the current M1 Apple silicon chip, featuring improved graphics, but the same number of high efficiency, and high performance cores, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple updated its 13-inch MacBook Air alongside the 13-inch MacBook Pro and Mac mini with the M1 Apple silicon chip in November. Bloomberg says that this new MacBook Air, which could launch as soon as the end of this year, will be more "high-end," featuring possibly nine or ten graphics cores, instead of the current seven and eight configurations.
The report notes that Apple is planning to update the low-end 13-inch MacBook Pro with the same improved chip.
For a redesigned, higher-end MacBook Air planned for as early as the end of the year, Apple is planning a direct successor to the M1 processor. That chip, codenamed Staten, will include the same number of computing cores as the M1 but run faster. It will also see the number of graphics cores increase from seven or eight to nine or 10. Apple is also planning an update to the low-end 13-inch MacBook Pro with that same chip.
The embargo has lifted on reviews of Apple's new 24-inch iMac, powered by the same M1 chip that debuted in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini last year. We've gathered up impressions of the colorful new computer below.
The most striking aspect of the new iMac is its long-awaited redesign, with an ultra-thin 11.5mm chassis that comes in up to seven vibrant colors, including green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue, and silver. The Verge's Monica Chin said the new colors have generated lots of interest on TikTok and are "clearly a hit with certain crowds":
I'm not quite convinced that the jazzier models will fit in outside of especially stylish homes and offices. But I will say: I've never seen so many of my friends, or so many people on TikTok, as excited about a tech product as they seem to be about the colored iMacs. The hues are a nice change, aren't obnoxious, and are clearly a hit with certain crowds.
As seen in benchmark results last week, the new iMac benefits from the impressive performance of the M1 chip, with Chin noting that there has never been a better iMac to buy for simple everyday tasks:
This iMac model achieved a higher score on the Geekbench 5 single-core benchmark than any Mac we've ever seen before — even the iMac Pro. That means if you're looking for a device for simpler everyday tasks that don't scale to every available CPU core (and that largely seems to be the demographic that Apple is trying to sell this machine to), there has literally never been a better iMac for you to buy.
Benchmark results revealed the new iMac is up to 56% faster than the previous high-end 21.5-inch iMac with an Intel Core i7 processor.
The Verge's video review:
Writing for Six Colors, Jason Snell remarked on the controversial bezels around the display:
The bezels around the display itself are a neutral gray. It's effectively a gradient, with your peripheral vision noticing the bright color, but that accent fading away until you're left with whatever is on the display itself. It works really well, though I imagine that if you're someone who prefers using Dark Mode in brightly lit rooms, it will be a pretty dramatic contrast. (I'm a Light Mode person myself, and I found the overall effect quite harmonious. But then, my office wall is orange.)
There's no doubt this is the best 24in all-in-one computer available and one of the very best Macs you can buy. But it is not perfect. The lack of USB-A ports and an SD card slot will mean users require adapters for older gear, but it is the fact that Apple still hasn't made the iMac height adjustable that is the most irritating. You can buy the 24in iMac with a universal VESA mount so you can add your own adjustable stand. iMacs balanced on third-party height risers, books or reams of paper will remain a common sight for years to come.
The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern:
We've rounded up links to more iMac reviews below:
The new iMac became available to pre-order starting April 30 and will begin arriving to customers on May 21. The new iMac will also be on display in all seven colors at most Apple Store locations starting May 21.
Nomad today announced updated versions of its Titanium and Steel Bands for the Apple Watch (42mm or 44mm sizes only). The company said that the new versions of its existing accessories include multiple improvements that result in a lighter metal band that retains its durability.
Other improvements include new custom 316L stainless steel lugs, 100% color matched to the rest of the band. Nomad added an ultra-slim clasp that stays closed using N52 magnets, and it also allows for easier opening and a more comfortable fit.
The Steel Band is built from high-grade stainless steel and a diamond-like carbon coating, and includes a magnetic clasp. It's available in graphite and silver for the price of $149.95.
The Steel Band in graphite (left) and Titanium Band in silver (right)
The Titanium Band is built from grade 2 titanium with the same diamond-like carbon coating of the Steel Band. Nomad said the Titanium Band is engineered to be as light as possible while still offering the durability of a classic metal link bracelet. It's also available in black and silver, and is priced at $249.95.
Each band comes with a new custom adjustment tool, additional links to fit larger wrists, and is compatible only with Apple Watch cases that measure 42mm or 44mm. You can purchase both of the new bands today on Nomad's website.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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 Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple's demonstration image showing what the Color Balance feature can achieve.
