MacRumors

Verizon this week kicked off a new accessory sale, including discounts on a wide range of Apple accessories like the MagSafe Charger, MagSafe Duo Charger, new Siri Remote, iPhone cases, and more.

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.

Notably, for the MagSafe deals shoppers should be aware that the prices listed below may not be reflected on Verizon until you add each to your cart. If you don't see the sale prices reflected on the product pages, Verizon will automatically discount each accessory once in your cart.

In terms of the best discounts, the MagSafe Duo Charger and the MagSafe Battery Pack are hitting the lowest prices we've seen yet on each accessory. The regular MagSafe Charger is at a solid second-best price, and Verizon also has a rare discount on the 2021 Siri Remote.

• MagSafe Charger - $29.99, down from $39.00
• Siri Remote (2021) - $49.99, down from $59.00
• MagSafe Battery Pack - $74.24, down from $99.00
• MagSafe Duo Charger - $96.74, down from $129.00
• iPhone cases - Save up to 50%

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

Ecobee today announced that its HomeKit-enabled SmartThermostat with voice control is gaining "Hey Siri" support with a free software update that is beginning to roll out now and will be available over the next few weeks for all users.

"Hey Siri" support allows users with a HomePod or HomePod mini to control the SmartThermostat with voice commands for tasks such as setting the temperature and sending Intercom messages. The thermostat relays the requests through a HomePod or HomePod mini connected to the same Wi-Fi network to ensure privacy and security. Users can also continue to control the thermostat in the Home app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Apple announced at WWDC 2021 that HomeKit accessory makers would be able to integrate ‌Siri‌ voice control for the first time, allowing the accessories to support ‌Siri‌ features such as Personal Requests, Intercom messages, timers, and alarms. As mentioned, Hey ‌Siri‌-enabled accessories are required to relay requests through a ‌HomePod‌ or ‌HomePod mini‌.

In addition to a HomePod or HomePod mini, users need a device with iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 or later to use Siri voice control on the SmartThermostat.

Ecobee's SmartThermostat with voice control is regularly priced at $249.99 in the United States and is available to purchase on Ecobee.com and through select partners, including Amazon, Lowe's, Home Depot, Best Buy, or an Ecobee certified installer.

Today we're tracking a new Amazon low price on the 2021 32GB Apple TV 4K, available for $159.99, down from $179.00. This $19 discount is a match of the same all-time low price we saw last week, and it's the first time we've seen the deal 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.

Importantly, you'll only see this sale price once you add the Apple TV 4K to your cart and an automatic coupon worth $9.01 is applied to the order. The Apple TV 4K is available for the usual free Prime shipping options, and it's in stock and ready to ship today.

You can also get the 64GB Apple TV 4K for $189.98, down from $199.00. We've seen this Apple TV 4K discounted by an additional $10, so this sale is a second-best price. Both of these Apple TVs are sold by Amazon, and they're in stock and ready to ship today.

Although the sales on these Apple TV models aren't particularly steep, they are the best offers around and worth checking out if you're still on the market for the newest Apple TV 4K. You can keep an eye out on Apple TV deals in our Best Apple TV 4K Deals guide.

Apple is working on a redesigned Apple TV box that will feature a flatter, thinner footprint, and a "plexiglass" top, according to a questionable report from iDropNews.

The report, citing "sources," claims that an ‌Apple TV‌ with a thinner and flatter design is in the works, eliminating the "horribly outdated and bulky" design of the current generation ‌Apple TV‌. According to the sketchy report, the ‌Apple TV‌ will feature a "plexiglass" top, a design feature that's expected to debut in an upcoming Mac mini. The redesign mentioned in the report is reminiscent of the design of the first-generation ‌Apple TV‌.

Neither iDropNews nor the author of this report has an established track record, so all of the information should be taken with a large pinch of salt. The report also states that the new ‌Apple TV‌ will have "sharp edges like the iPhone 13, iPad Pro, and iMac." The claim is somewhat moot, considering that the current ‌Apple TV‌ design is already flat-edged with hard edges.

Another rumor in the report is about Apple working on a "Nintendo Switch style gaming console." The information is a regurgitation of previous rumors, claiming that Apple is working on a gaming console to advance its gaming portfolio. Today's rumor states that it will be Apple's take on a "premium hybrid gaming console" and will have performance that "will outperform anything that Microsoft or Sony offers in 2021."

Reliable leaker L0vetodream in 2020 said that Apple is working on a gaming controller, but that's yet to be seen in a consumer product. Apple launched Apple Arcade, its gaming subscription service, in 2019 and has since promoted the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and ‌Apple TV‌ as powerful devices to play games on. Earlier this year, Apple updated the ‌Apple TV‌ with an A12 Bionic chip, offering even more performance for ‌Apple Arcade‌ games.

Tile, a company that makes Bluetooth-based item trackers that compete with Apple's AirTags, today introduced a refreshed lineup of devices and new features that make it easier for users to locate lost items.

The Tile Pro, Tile's most robust tracker with a 400 foot Bluetooth range, has been updated with a new key fob look. Tile says that the Pro is designed to attach to keys right out of the box, and that with the included keychain, it can also be used with bags and purses.

Tile's Mate, Sticker, and Slim trackers have all been refreshed and now have a 250 foot Bluetooth range, a louder ring, and upgraded IP67 water-resistance. The Mate has also received a design update and it now features a three-year battery life.

For locating lost devices, Tile is updating its "Lost and Found" network with support for QR codes that will be included on the back of every item tracker. If a lost item with a Tile tracker is found, the person who found it can scan the QR code to get contact details for the owner. All of Tile's refreshed trackers include the QR code with the exception of the Sticker.

Apple has a similar system that allows a lost AirTag to be identified by someone who finds it, but Apple's solution uses NFC functionality. A lost ‌AirTag‌ can be scanned by an NFC-enabled smartphone to bring up details.

To address unwanted tracking, Tile is introducing a "Scan and Secure" feature is designed to let anyone with the Tile app scan for and detect nearby Tile devices and determine if an unknown device is near them. Scan and Secure is coming to Android and iOS users in early 2022.

To better compete with AirTags, Tile next year plans to debut the Tile Ultra, a new tracker that's able to leverage Bluetooth and Ultra Wideband technology for more precise tracking. Tile Ultra uses "Point and Locate" finding, which lets users locate their items using an augmented reality interface, similar to how AirTags work.

When paired with iPhones with a U1 chip, AirTags will enter into a Precision Finding mode when close to a lost device. Tile Ultra will work in the same general way with visual finding, and it will be compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones.

Tile's new Tile Pro, Mate, Slim, and Sticker are priced starting at $24.99 and can be purchased from the Tile website or from sites like Amazon.

LoveFrom, the design firm co-founded in 2019 by Apple's former design chief Jony Ive and fellow designer Marc Newson, this week unveiled its official website, LoveFrom.com.

The site reveals for the first time LoveFrom's visual identity, which was designed by Ive and other members of the "creative collective," including English art director Peter Saville, and Chris Wilson and Antonio Cavedoni, both former members of Apple's design team.

In typical Ive fashion, the site is highly minimalist in nature, containing no images, links, or contact details – just a brief text described in an accompanying press release as "a concise and finely crafted definition of the LoveFrom collective and its work."

LoveFrom is a creative collective. We are designers, architects, musicians, filmmakers, writers, engineers, and artists. You may know us from our past work. We are obsessed with traditions of creating and making. Fanatically devoted to excellence. Insatiably curious. We collaborate with leaders and founders. We work on projects for joy. We develop our own ideas. Love & fury.

The wordmark and text are set in a new typeface called LoveFrom Serif, which is inspired by John Baskerville's letterforms and based on studies of his original punches and matrices. "Each character has been lovingly redrawn, refined and meticulously crafted over the past two years," according to the launch press release.

Upon arriving at the site, a text cursor blinks and the LoveFrom name appears to be typed out. The wordmark includes a lively comma, which Saville describes as "initiating a dialogue and shared conversation."

The site launch is the most public move yet by the collective, which has kept a low profile and only been mentioned in creative partnership announcements by clients such as Airbnb and Ferrari.

Ive left Apple to begin LoveFrom in June 2019. At the time, the tech giant said it would remain one of Ive's primary clients, but which Apple products he has helped to design since then, if any, is unknown. Apple said Ive was involved in the design of the colorful 24-inch iMac released in April, but it's not clear if that work occurred after Ive left the company.

It remains unclear how many employees work for LoveFrom, but Ive recruited at least four of his former Apple colleagues to work with him at the firm, including Wan Si, Chris Wilson, Patch Kessler, and Jeff Tiller.

Apple today released iOS 15.0.2, the second update to the iOS 15 operating system that was released in September. iOS 15.0.2 comes a week and a half after the launch of iOS 15.0.1, a bug fix update.

The iOS 15.0.2 update can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, the update fixes an issue that could cause images saved to your Photo Library from Messages to disappear after the associated message or thread is deleted.

iOS 15.0.2 also fixes an issue that could cause the iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe not to connect to Find My, and a bug that could cause AirTags not to appear in the ‌Find My‌ Items tab. There's a fix for a CarPlay bug that could cause ‌CarPlay‌ to fail to open audio apps, and an issue that could cause device restore or updates to fail on iPhone 13 models. when using Finder or iTunes. Apple's full release notes are below:

This update includes bug fixes for your iPhone:
- Photos saved to your library from Messages could be deleted after removing the associated thread or message
- iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe may not connect to Find My
- AirTag might not appear in the Find My Items tab
- CarPlay may fail to open audio apps or disconnect during playback
- Device restore or update may fail when using Finder or iTunes for iPhone 13 models
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Apple has also released iPadOS 15.0.2 for iPad models, with fixes for the Messages bug, the AirTag bug, and a bug that could cause device restore or update to fail on an iPad mini 6 when using Finder or iTunes.

Apple's security support page for the updates says that iOS and iPadOS 15.0.2 address a vulnerability that could allow an application to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, a bug that Apple says could have been actively exploited.

For that reason, all users should make sure to update to the latest software as soon as possible.

Apple today released watchOS 8.0.1, a minor update to the watchOS 8 operating system that was first released in September. watchOS 8.0.1 comes three weeks after the launch of watchOS 8.

‌‌watchOS ‌8 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌.

According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 8 fixes a couple of Apple Watch Series 3 bugs that affected software update progress and accessibility settings.

- Software update progress may not be displayed accurately for some Apple Watch Series 3 users
- Accessibility settings may not have been available for some Apple Watch Series 3 users

watchOS 8.0.1 is being released alongside iOS 15.0.2, a bug fix update for iPhone users.

In iOS 15, Apple added separation alerts to the Find My app, which let you know when you leave an AirTag or other Apple device behind. Thanks to an October 2021 firmware update, AirPods Pro now also support separation alerts. This article explains more about how they work and how you can set them up.

Called "Notify When Left Behind," the ‌‌Find My‌‌ separation alerts in iOS 15 let you know every time you are separated from your item at an unknown location, which can be helpful for items you take with you while traveling or visiting public locations. Like AirPods Pro, for example.

The feature automatically sets your home as a Trusted Location (somewhere where you leave your AirPods Pro frequently and don't want to be notified every time), so you need to add your home address to your contact card in the Contacts app before enabling it.

To use separation alerts with AirPods Pro, first you'll need to make sure your ‌AirPods Pro‌ have been updated with the latest firmware. Here's how.

How to Update Your AirPods Pro Firmware

You can do this by inserting them in the AirPods Pro charging case and connecting the case to a power source using the included Lightning to USB cable. Then move the iPhone or iPad that the AirPods have been paired with, near to the charging case, and make sure the iOS device has an internet connection.

After a short while, any available software updates should be automatically downloaded and installed. If you're having trouble updating your ‌AirPods‌, make sure the charging case is fully charged. You can also try resetting the ‌AirPods‌. You need AirPods firmware 4A400 or later, and can check your firmware version by following these steps:

• Connect your ‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌ to your iOS device.
• Open the Settings app.
• Tap General.
• Tap About.
• Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
• Look at the number next to "Firmware Version."

How to Enable Separation Alerts for AirPods Pro

The following steps run through the process of setting up separation alerts in ‌iOS 15 for AirPods Pro with updated firmware.

1. Launch the Find My app on your iPhone or ‌iPad‌.
2. Select the Devices, and tap the AirPods Pro in the list that you want to set up the alerts for.
3. Tap Notify When Left Behind.
   
   

4. Toggle on the switch for Notify When Left Behind.
5. Under "Notify Me, Except At," tap New Location to set a Trusted Location where you don't want to receive alerts.
6. In the "Add Location" map screen, search or enter an address in the input field. You can define the radius of the ringed geofence for your trusted location by dragging the blue dot or using the Small, Medium, or Large options at the bottom. Tap Done when you're finished.
7. If there are no more location exceptions you want to add, tap Done.
   

Now the next time you leave your AirPods Pro behind in a public place, you'll receive an alert informing you shortly after, giving you a chance to retrieve them before you travel any further.

Of course, these alerts depend on you not leaving your iPhone behind (there's currently no equivalent separation alert available on Apple Watch for this scenario), so that's the device you won't want to forget, wherever it is you go.

Apple Watch Series 7 customers are starting to see their orders ship ahead of launch day on Friday, 15 October.

Some customers who obtained a launch day delivery of the Apple Watch Series 7 started to see their order switch to "Preparing to Ship" over the weekend and now orders are starting to ship. New Apple devices are typically marked as shipped as the release date approaches, even if the item itself has been in transit for some time.

The Apple Watch Series 7 features larger displays and casing sizes, the S7 chip, improved durability, new options colors for the aluminum models, and faster charging. Pre-orders opened on Friday, October 8, and the first Apple Watch Series 7 orders are set to arrive one week later on Friday, October 15.

There were some indications that the launch of the Apple Watch Series 7 may be delayed prior to its announcement and some customers are now facing delays of up to several months for new orders. Select Apple Store locations will likely have limited in-store availability of the new device starting this Friday.

Amazon today has the 256GB M1 MacBook Air for $849.99, down from an original price of $999.00. This price is available in Silver and Gold, but only Gold is available to ship out today.

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.

Amazon's sale today is a match of the previous low price on this model of the M1 MacBook Air, and the first time we've tracked this discount in the fall. Only Amazon has the notebook at this price as of writing.

Likewise, the 512GB version of the M1 MacBook Air is seeing a notable discount to $1,099.99, down from $1,249.00. This is a record low price for the notebook, and it's available in Gold 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.

Google is winding down its Material Design custom UI for iOS apps to switch to pure UIKit, according to Google's design chief for Apple platforms Jeff Verkoeyen.

Google's suite of apps for iOS and iPadOS, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Drive, and YouTube, have used custom user interfaces that mirror the experience on Android for almost a decade. The purpose of these Material Design guidelines was to unify software design as much as possible across desktop, mobile, and the web for a consistent experience.

In a recent Twitter thread, Jeff Verkoeyen explained that going forward, Google will switch to using the design of UIKit, Apple's framework for building interfaces in iPhone and iPad apps. Verkoeyen said that previously UIKit was not viable due to "gaps" in its design language, but a side effect of this was "drifting further and further from Apple platform fundamentals because those fundaments were also evolving year over year." The issue has also been complained about by some users who have felt that using Google's iOS apps offers a jarring and inconsistent experience with the rest of the OS.

With iOS 14 onwards, Google believes that UIKit's design has sufficiently improved to use it widely in its iOS and iPadOS apps. Since the start of 2021, Google's design team for Apple platforms "began a deep evaluation of what it means to build a hallmark Google experience on Apple platforms by critically evaluating the space of "utility" vs key brand moments, and the components needed to achieve either."

Users can expect to see far fewer custom components in Google apps, with elements such as switches, bars, controls, lists, and menus changing to Apple's system designs. The result should be Google iOS and iPadOS apps that look and feel much more native.

There will still be some of "the highlights of Google's design language," but married to "the best of UIKit." The "new direction" will "really make products feel great on Apple platforms," Verkoeyen commented. Google is also currently hiring designers for its Apple development team amid the change.

Amazon today is matching last week's all-time low price on the AirPods Max, available at $449.00 in all colors. All models are in stock and ready to ship out today as well.

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 first saw this price at Adorama over the summer, and until today they were the only retailer to offer the $100 off discount. We've yet to track the sale at another Apple reseller, but we'll be sure to update this article if more retailers begin matching the discount.

Additionally, we're still seeing a few solid deals on other AirPods models on Amazon, including the AirPods Pro for $179.99 ($69 off) and the regular AirPods for $109.99 ($49 off). The latter model are in stock today, but the AirPods Pro are seeing a delayed shipment date into late October.

We track sales for every model of the AirPods in our Best AirPods Deals guide, so be sure to bookmark that page while you shop around for the wireless headphones.

The first full week of October was a busy one for Apple news, including the launch of pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 7, the 10th anniversary of Steve Jobs' death, and speculation about another Apple event later in the month.

Apple also continued to roll out new features during the iOS 15.1 beta cycle and pushed some new features to several AirPods models, while we shared 50 of our favorite tips and tricks in iOS 15, so read on for all of the details!

Apple Watch Series 7 Now Available for Pre-Order

Apple surprised us a bit this week by announcing just a few days ahead of time that the Apple Watch Series 7 would become available for pre-order on Friday, October 8 ahead of a launch on Friday, October 15.

Pre-orders are now underway, although shipping estimates for many models quickly slipped, suggesting that supplies are indeed tight as had been rumored due to manufacturing difficulties.

Apple Commemorates 10th Anniversary of Steve Jobs Passing Away

This week marked the 10th anniversary of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passing away. Apple celebrated his life with a full-page tribute on its website, including a video called "Celebrating Steve" and a statement from his family. Apple CEO Tim Cook reflected on Jobs in a memo to employees, and Apple's former design chief Jony Ive wrote a touching remembrance.

We also heard some interesting Steve Jobs stories this week, including that he once tossed the original iPhone across a room to impress journalists, and that he offered to license classic Mac OS to Dell in the 1990s.

When Could the October Apple Event Be Held?

It's likely that there will be at least one more Apple event this year, as rumors suggest that redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a faster iteration of the M1 chip are nearing launch.

It's looking increasingly likely that the event will be held in late October, or perhaps in November, and we've rounded up a few other things that Apple might announce in addition to the new MacBook Pro models.

iOS 15 Features, Tips, and Tricks You Probably Don't Know

A few weeks have passed since Apple released iOS 15, and we've rounded up a list of 50 features, tips, and tricks that you might not have known, complete with a video providing hands-on demonstrations.

The list includes key features of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, in addition to smaller changes that aim to make the time you spend using your ‌iPhone‌ and iPad more efficient, more functional, and more enjoyable.

Everything New in iOS 15.1 Beta 3

Apple this week seeded the third beta of iOS 15.1 to developers for testing, and as usual, we've uncovered some new features and changes.

We've rounded up everything new in iOS 15.1 beta 3, including ProRes video recording in the native Camera app and a new Auto Macro toggle switch in the Settings app that can be turned off to prevent automatic switching to the Ultra Wide lens to capture macro photos and videos.

Apple Updates AirPods 2, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max Firmware

Apple this week released a new firmware version 4A400 for the second-generation AirPods, the AirPods Pro, and the AirPods Max.

The new firmware enables Find My network integration for the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. On the AirPods Pro, the update also enables a new Conversation Boost feature for face-to-face conversations. We've shared step-by-steps on how to turn on Conversation Boost in our story.

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 has opted to appeal the ruling meted out by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit back in September, and today filed a notice of appeal with the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

The Cupertino company is planning to appeal the ruling that would require it to change its App Store rules to allow developers to add in-app links to outside websites, which would pave the way for alternate payment options that do not require developers to use the in-app purchase system. While the appeal is ongoing, Apple has asked the court for a stay on the permanent injunction that requires it to implement those changes by December.

Apple asks the Court to suspend the requirements of its injunction until the appeals filed by both Epic and Apple have been resolved. The company understands and respects the Court’s concerns regarding communications between developers and consumers. Apple is carefully working through many complex issues across a global landscape, seeking to enhance information flow while protecting both the efficient functioning of the App Store and the security and privacy of Apple’s customers. Striking the right balance may solve the Court’s concerns making the injunction (and perhaps even Apple’s appeal itself) unnecessary. A stay is warranted in these circumstances.

In the original ruling, Rogers said that Apple's anti-steering rules prohibiting links to outside websites illegally stifle consumer choice. She prohibited Apple from restricting developers from including "in their apps and their metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms."

At the time, she gave Apple 90 days to implement these changes, but Apple is asking to wait to make any updates to the ‌App Store‌ rules until all of the appeals in the case have wrapped up, which could take years as Epic Games has also filed an appeal.

According to Apple, making changes to the ‌App Store‌ rules could "upset the careful balance between developers and customers provided by the ‌App Store‌," resulting in irreparable harm to Apple and consumers. Apple says that a stay will allow it to safeguard its platform while it works through "the complex and rapidly evolving legal, technological, and economic issues that any revisions to this Guideline would implicate."

Further, as grounds for appeal, Apple said that ‌Epic Games‌ barely mentioned the anti-steering claim during the trial, and offered no evidence that it was harmed by that particular ‌App Store‌ rule. Apple claims that it is likely to succeed on appeal, and that Epic will suffer no harm from a stay on the injunction. Apple also said that it is working on "enhancing information flow" without impacting the consumer, and that ‌App Store‌ changes could be coming that would eliminate the need for a permanent injunction at all.

Implementing the injunction on December 9 could have unintended downstream consequences for consumers and the platform as a whole. Apple is working hard to address these difficult issues in a changing world, enhancing information flow without compromising the consumer. A stay of the injunction would permit Apple to do so in a way that maintains the integrity of the ecosystem, and that could obviate the need for any injunction regarding steering.

The permanent injunction is currently scheduled to go into effect on December 9, but if Apple wins, it will not have to make changes at that time. Rogers is set to hear Apple's case on November 16. The full text of Apple's appeal can be read here.

The original lawsuit went largely in Apple's favor with the exception of the anti-steering injunction, with Apple calling it a "resounding victory." ‌Epic Games‌ has appealed the ruling and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said that the judge's decision "isn't a win for developers or for consumers."

Following the release of iOS 15.0.1 on October 1, Apple has stopped signing iOS 15.0, the previously available version of iOS that saw a public release on September 20. With iOS 15.0 no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version if you've already updated to iOS 15.0.1.

Apple last week stopped signing iOS 14.8 as well, which means iOS 15.0.1 is the only publicly available version of iOS at this time, and those who have upgraded to iOS 15 cannot downgrade to iOS 14.

Apple routinely stops signing older versions of software updates after new releases come out in order to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date.

iOS 15.0 marks a major version update introducing Focus Mode, Live Text, on-device Siri, iCloud+, Safari changes, and tons more, with details available in our iOS 15 roundup.

iOS 15.0.1 introduced a fix for a bug that prevented an authenticated Apple Watch from being used to unlock an iPhone 13 model when wearing a face mask. It also addressed a bug that could cause the Settings app to incorrectly display a storage full alert and it fixed a bug with audio meditations for Fitness+ subscribers.

In September 2021, Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 7, featuring larger displays, improved durability, and faster charging. This came one year after Apple unveiled the Apple Watch SE, a low-cost Apple Watch option that still offers many of the Apple Watch features that have made the device so popular over the years.

The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399, while the Apple Watch SE is priced much more competitively at $279. As these two models share many key features, including design, water resistance, and an optical heart sensor, it may not be immediately obvious which model is better for you. Is it worth purchasing the cheaper model with fewer features? Our guide answers the question of how to decide which of these two Apple Watch models is best for you.

Comparing the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Apple Watch SE

Many of the features of these two models of Apple Watch are the same, with Apple listing the following identical features:

Similarities

• Available with aluminum casing option
• Digital Crown with haptic feedback
• Retina LTPO OLED display, with brightness of up to 1,000 nits
• "Swimproof" water resistance up to 50 meters
• 64‑bit dual-core processor
• High and low heart rate and irregular heart rhythm notifications
• Accelerometer and gyroscope (fall detection)
• Always-on altimeter
• Compass
• Ambient light sensor
• 50 percent louder speaker than Series 3
• Microphone
• Noise monitoring
• 18-hour "all-day" battery life
• GPS and GPS + Cellular models
• Support for Family Setup (GPS + Cellular models)
• International emergency calling and emergency SOS
• W3 wireless chip
• Bluetooth 5.0
• 32GB capacity

Apple's breakdown shows that these two models share a majority of features. Even so, there are a number of meaningful differences between the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Apple Watch SE that are worth highlighting, such as display size, ECGs, and blood oxygen monitoring.

Differences

Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see what exactly both of the Apple Watch models have to offer.

➜ Click here to read more...

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Activity Awards to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win an Apple Watch Series 7 and a set of Activity Awards, which are magnets that mimic the awards that you receive for reaching Apple Watch fitness goals.

Priced between $8.99 and $11.99 each, each soft enamel magnet is modeled after a different award that you can receive from completing challenges and goals in the Fitness app on the Apple Watch.

There are a wide range of awards available to match what you can earn from the Fitness app. You can get awards for matching the seven-day move, exercise, and stand requirements, plus there are awards for hitting weekly goals and achieving new records.

For those who participate and complete monthly challenges, there are awards that mark off each month of the year, and Activity Awards has also created magnets for special activity challenges that Apple offers like International Day of Yoga and Veteran's day.

Each award is designed to look like the awards that Apple makes available in the Fitness app, and they're immediately recognizable by any Apple Watch owner.

The magnets are made in the style of a soft enamel pin with bright colors and high-quality finishes, and a good strength to stick to any surface where they're placed. We reviewed Activity Awards last year and were impressed with their design and functionality.

The Apple Watch and the Fitness app have inspired many people to work out and get fit, and Activity Awards make a great self reward if you've been working hard. They serve as a physical representation of a fitness achievement to remind you of what you've accomplished.

In addition to being useful motivation for yourself, Activity Awards can also make a great gift for someone who has put a lot of effort into fitness activities with the Apple Watch. The designs in general are also eye-catching and look great on a whiteboard or refrigerator.

The grand prize winner of the giveaway will receive a 41mm or 45mm aluminum GPS-only Apple Watch Series 7 in a color of their choice, and they will be able to pick six Activity Awards. Two second prize winners will also each be able to pick six Activity Awards.

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 and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. 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 (October 8) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on October 15. The winners will be chosen randomly on October 15 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.