MacRumors

Throwboy, known for its lineup of plush pillows modeled after classic Apple products, today announced the launch of a new set of high-end woven blankets that are designed with Mac fans in mind.

Created in collaboration with the Mineola Knitting Company and priced at $160, the throw blankets come in three designs. There's a multi-colored iMac version that features the ‌iMac‌ G3 in a series of bright colors, an Icon version that's modeled after the original Mac Finder icon, and an iPod version that features iPods dripping different colors.

Each blanket measures in at 50 inches by 60 inches, and they are individually woven from recycled cotton and recycled polyester materials. Throwboy says that the blankets are stretchy, soft, and have a comfortable, slightly weighted feel.

All of the blankets can be purchased from the Throwboy website, and for those who want a Mac-themed blanket but don't want to shell out so much money, Throwboy also has a line of more affordable fleece blankets.

Apple today announced the official discontinuation of the iPod touch, the last remaining device in the iPod lineup. The sunsetting of the iPod touch marks the end of a 21-year era, that all started with the 2001 iPod.

Over the years, Apple introduced multiple iterations of the iPod, including iPod mini, multiple versions of the iPod nano, the iPod shuffle, and the iPod touch. We want to hear from you - what was your favorite iPod? Let us know in the comments below, and share your iPod photos with us.

Apple said that it is discontinuing the iPod because the iPod's capabilities have been built into the entire Apple product lineup, from the Mac to the iPhone to the Apple Watch.

Apple plans to continue selling the iPod touch on its website and in retail stores while supplies remain, but once it sells out, it will be gone for good. The iPod touch is priced starting at $199.

Apple today released a new 4E71 firmware update for the AirPods 2, AirPods Max, and AirPods Pro, up from the 4C165 firmware that was released back in December. Apple has also released new 4E71 firmware for the AirPods 3, up from the 4C170 firmware that was released in January.

Apple does not offer information on what's included in refreshed firmware updates for the AirPods‌, so we don't know what improvements or bug fixes the new firmware brings.

There is no standard way to upgrade the ‌AirPods‌‌ software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iPhone or an iPad should force the update after a short period of time.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ or ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌ firmware 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."

If we find notable changes after the firmware updates are installed, we'll share details, but the software likely includes performance improvements and bug fixes.

A more affordable, ad-supported Netflix plan could be introduced before the end of 2022, Netflix told employees in an internal letter (via The New York Times).

Netflix is currently planning to introduce the new ad-supported tier in the final three months of the year, with the plan aimed at attracting new subscribers who find the current pricing unaffordable.

The company has been steadily raising its prices for the last few years, and enacted a significant increase at the beginning of 2022. The basic streaming plan is now priced at $9.99, up from $8.99, and the standard plan that allows for HD streaming is priced at $15.49, up from $13.99 per month.

The highest-tier 4K Ultra HD streaming plan now costs $19.99, a $2 increase over the prior $17.99 price point. Netflix continues to be the only streaming service that prices by streaming quality, with other options like Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV+ offering more straightforward pricing.

Netflix has long resisted implementing an ad-supported tier and has said multiple times in the past that the streaming service would never show ads, but it is hemorrhaging subscribers. Netflix in April said that it lost subscribers in the first quarter of the year, and it marked the first subscriber loss for Netflix in more than a decade. Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers, and expects to lose two million more next quarter.

The subscriber loss has been partially attributed to account sharing, which Netflix has said that it is going to crack down on. Netflix told employees in the letter that it plans to cut down on password sharing by restricting access to subscribers who share a household. Netflix estimates that 222 million paying households are sharing with an additional 100 million households that are not being monetized.

Netflix started testing an extra payment for those who share their Netflix accounts with people outside their households in March. In Netflix's current test markets of Chile, Costa Rica, and Peru, customers can pay an extra fee to share their accounts with two people outside of their household. When the test was launched, Netflix said that it was working to "understand the utility of these two features" before making changes in other countries.

All four iPhone 15 models slated for release next year will feature a pill-and-hole display design that replaces the notch, according to display industry consultant Ross Young, who has a respectable track record with display-related information.

In a tweet, Young shared a roadmap that indicates both standard and Pro models of the iPhone 15 will feature the pill-and-hole layout, which refers to a pill-shaped cutout for Face ID sensors and a hole for the front camera. By comparison, only iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to switch to the pill-and-hole design this year, with the standard iPhone 14 models expected to retain the same notch as iPhone 13 models.

Young believes that Apple's end goal is to move Face ID sensors and the front camera completely under the display. If development is successful, he expects this transition to begin with under-screen Face ID on iPhone 16 Pro models in 2024, followed by under-screen Face ID and an under-screen front camera on iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026.

Young said the pill-and-hole design will result in iPhone 14 Pro models having slightly larger screen sizes compared to iPhone 13 Pro models.

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 14 lineup in September, barring any major supply chain disruptions. For the Pro models, an upgraded 48-megapixel rear camera is expected to enable 8K video recording, up from 4K currently.

Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, has in the past accurately revealed that the sixth-generation iPad mini would feature an 8.3-inch display and that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models would feature ProMotion.

Apple just announced the discontinuation of the iPod touch, and with the end of this product's lifecycle you can expect to see stock quickly begin to dwindle at all retailers. For this reason, we're highlighting the last best deals you'll find on the iPod touch.

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.

Amazon has the 32GB iPod touch in Space Gray for $184.00, down from $199.00, and that's the lowest price currently available and overall the second best price we've ever tracked. All other colors can be found priced at $189.99.

The 128GB iPod touch is available for $289.99 in Silver, down from $299.00. This is another second best price, and only Silver is seeing this markdown on Amazon at this time.

There is currently no deal on the 256GB iPod touch among the major Apple resellers online, but stock is already beginning to dwindle for many colors on Amazon. Remember that once all of these iPod touch models sell out on Amazon and at other retailers, the only other place to purchase them will be in used condition from third-party resellers like on eBay.

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

Apple today announced that it is officially discontinuing the iPod touch, an out of date accessory that has been replaced by other devices like the iPhone and the iPad. Apple says that it is eliminating the iPod touch because its capabilities are available across Apple's product lineup.

The iPod touch is the last remaining device in the iPod lineup, and it has not been updated since May 2019, three years ago. In a statement, Apple's marketing chief Greg Joswiak said that the "spirit of the iPod lives on" in other Apple products.

"Music has always been part of our core at Apple, and bringing it to hundreds of millions of users in the way iPod did impacted more than just the music industry -- it also redefined how music is discovered, listened to, and shared," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "Today, the spirit of iPod lives on. We've integrated an incredible music experience across all of our products, from the iPhone to the Apple Watch to HomePod mini, and across Mac, iPad, and Apple TV. And Apple Music delivers industry-leading sound quality with support for spatial audio -- there's no better way to enjoy, discover, and experience music."

Apple introduced the first iPod 21 years ago in October 2001, and at the time, it was a revolutionary music device that put thousands of songs in the pockets of Apple fans. Apple introduced many iterations of the iPod, including the iPod Shuffle, the iPod nano, and the iPod touch, but all have since been phased out and discontinued.

The iPod touch will still be available for purchase through Apple's website, Apple retail stores, and through Apple Authorized Resellers while supplies last.

The seventh-generation iPod touch is priced starting at $199 and it features a 4-inch display with thick bezels, a standard Home button with no biometric unlocking mechanism, and an A10 Fusion chip. It is available in Pink, (PRODUCT)RED, Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Blue.

Apple's upcoming iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models will feature slightly larger screen sizes compared to the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, according to information shared by display industry consultant Ross Young.

When measured as a standard rectangular shape, Young said the iPhone 14 Pro will have a 6.12-inch screen, compared to a 6.06-inch screen on the iPhone 13 Pro. Likewise, Young said the iPhone 14 Pro Max will have a 6.69-inch screen, which would be marginally larger than the 6.68-inch screen on the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Young said the slightly larger screen sizes are due to narrower bezels around the display and a new pill-and-hole design replacing the notch. The pill-shaped cutout is expected to house Face ID sensors, with the hole being for the front camera.

Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, has a respectable track record with regards to display-related information about future Apple products. He accurately revealed that the sixth-generation iPad mini would feature an 8.3-inch display and that the latest 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models would feature ProMotion.

After showing off the world's first iPhone with a fully functional USB-C port last year, engineering student Ken Pillonel has now created custom AirPods with a USB-C charging case instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning connector.

Pillonel told The Verge that he managed to design a custom flexible PCB that allowed him to fit the necessary USB-C charging hardware inside the AirPods case, and he plans to open source the project so that others can attempt the project themselves.

He shared a short video of the USB-C AirPods on YouTube and plans to release a full-length video with more details in the coming weeks.

In addition to a USB-C iPhone and USB-C AirPods, Pillonel also managed to add a fully functional Lightning connector to a Samsung smartphone.

Apple has opposed proposed EU legislation that would require the company to offer a USB-C port on devices like the iPhone. Apple does offer USB-C ports on some devices, such as the latest MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models.

Samsung is in the final stage of developing a 200-megapixel camera for use on its next-generation Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone, which is expected to be announced in early 2023, according to South Korea's ETNews.

By comparison, the iPhone 13 Pro has a 12-megapixel main camera, but the iPhone 14 Pro is widely rumored to feature an upgraded 48-megapixel camera.

Like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which has a 108-megapixel main camera, the S23 Ultra would likely use pixel binning, which merges data from multiple smaller pixels on the camera's image sensor into one "super pixel." Pixel binning is beneficial because simply increasing a smartphone camera's megapixels while maintaining the same image sensor size results in smaller pixels, which generally capture less light.

On the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the main camera shoots 12-megapixel photos by default, with a toggle available in the camera app for shooting 108-megapixel photos. The default setting is ideal for most users, as high-resolution photos can have very large file sizes.

iPhone 14 Pro models would likely utilize pixel binning as well. In a research note last year, tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said iPhone 14 Pro models may support both 48-megapixel and 12-megapixel output as a result. Kuo also said the 48-megapixel camera would enable iPhone 14 Pro models to support 8K video recording, up from 4K currently.

Adobe today announced new features for Photoshop for iPad, including Content-Aware Fill, Remove Background, and Select Subject Portrait, all features that continue to bring the iPad app more in line with the desktop version of Photoshop.

Content-Aware Fill is designed to allow users to take any selection and use AI to fill the contents based on the surrounding image, and it is a quick way to get rid of distracting elements in the background of a photo.

The Remove Background tool is designed to be a one-click option for removing the background from an image non-destructively, and Select Subject Portrait lets users select the people in an image and refine details like wisps of hair and edges of clothes. Other new Photoshop for ‌iPad‌ features include a font browser and auto-tone, color, and contrast.

Along with an update to Photoshop for ‌iPad‌, Adobe is also updating its Fresco drawing and painting app with a Liquify for distorting images, Magic Wand for selecting a colored area, and new Accessibility features.

Adobe Photoshop for iPad and Adobe Fresco can be downloaded from the App Store. Photoshop for ‌iPad‌ is available for $9.99 per month as part of Adobe's Photography plan, and Fresco is also priced at $9.99 per month.

DJI today announced the Mini 3 Pro, the newest drone in its Mini series. The Mini 3 Pro weighs in at 249 grams, which means that in the United States, it does not need to be registered with the FAA, and it is compliant with drone policies in many countries in addition to being safe because of its low weight.

The Mini 3 Pro is portable and it is able to fold down like other DJI drones, which means it is ideal for taking on trips because it packs down into a small bag. DJI says that the Mini 3 Pro has a new structural design with arms and propellers that have been adjusted for a more aerodynamic flight, resulting in longer flying time. It also features forward and backward dual-vision sensors for safer flight.

A successor to the Mini 2, the Mini 3 Pro has features that were previously limited to DJI's higher-end Mavic and Air drones. It has improved flight performance, a better camera, improved battery life, and upgraded AI capabilities. It can shoot 4K 60fps video and it has a redesigned gimbal for more camera angles like tilt-up shots and true vertical shooting for images in portrait mode.

The Mini 3 Pro is the first drone in the Mini series to offer Tri-Directional Obstacle sensing with forward, backward, and downward visual sensors. The sensors enable Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems that are able to detect safer paths around obstacles during flight, plus they work with FocusTrack for selecting a subject that the drone keeps in the center of the frame while in flight.

There's a 1/1.3-inch camera with an f/1.7 aperture that can shoot up to 48-megapixel images. In addition to 4K 60fps video, it can capture HDR video at 30fps, and there's up to 4x digital zoom depending on resolution. Low light performance has been improved compared to the Mini 2.

DJI's Mini 3 Pro offers 34 minutes of flight time per charge, and there is an extended flight battery option that allows for a maximum flight time of 47 minutes. It can be used with the DJI RC, a lightweight remote controller that has a 5.5-inch touchscreen and integration with the DJI Fly app.

With no remote, the DJI Mini 3 is priced at $669. The DJI Mini 3 Pro with RC-N1 remote is priced at $759, and the DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC is priced at $909. There are also upgrade kits that include additional batteries, propellers, and other accessories. The DJI Mini 3 Pro can be pre-ordered from the DJI website starting today.

Today we're tracking a return of record low prices across all three 24-inch iMac models on Amazon. Only select colors are available in each configuration, but all models shared in this article are in stock and ready to ship out today from 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.

Starting with the 7-core GPU/256GB iMac, this model is available at $1,149.99, down from $1,299.00. This sale is available in the Blue and Pink color options, and it's a new all-time low price for the entry-level M1 iMac on Amazon.

Secondly, the 8-core GPU/256GB iMac is down to $1,349.00 in Orange and Yellow, from $1,499.00. Last month we saw every color of this iMac hit this record low price, so while more colors may return to sale soon, right now your best bet for savings is on these two color options.

Lastly, we're tracking the 8-core GPU/512GB iMac with a price of $1,499.99, down from $1,699.00. This one is only available in Silver and Blue, and it is the steepest discount we've ever tracked on this higher-end model of the 24-inch iMac.

Shoppers should note that for the 7-core GPU/256GB (Pink) and 8-core GPU/512GB iMac models, you won't see the deal price until you head to the checkout screen. At that point Amazon will automatically apply a coupon code to the order and bring these iMacs down to their all-time low prices.

You can keep track of ongoing sales on Apple's iMac line by visiting our Best iMac Deals guide. There, we keep track of the best iMac offers from Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo, and other retailers, so be sure to check back often if you're shopping for an iMac for the first time, or thinking of upgrading.

Apple has started developing thinner OLED panels that could be used for foldable displays in the future, a new report out of Korea suggests.

According to The Elec, Apple is developing ‌OLED‌ panels without polarizers, which are typically included to allow only lights in certain directions to pass through, thereby improving the visibility of the display.

One drawback of polarizer films is that they tend to reduce brightness and, in turn, the luminance efficiency of the panel. To offset this, manufacturers usually increase the power consumption delivered to the panel, but this can reduce their lifespan.

By removing the polarizer, Apple will be able to make the panels significantly thinner, making them more optimal for foldable panels, claims the report, citing supply chain sources. Apple could also theoretically apply different technology with an equivalent effect to that of a polarizer but which avoids the aforementioned trade-offs.

Samsung has already utilized ‌OLED‌ panels without polarizers for the Galaxy Z Fold 3, according to The Elec, incorporating its "Eco Square" technology which increases light transmittance while reducing power consumption.

A report from The Elec last month claimed Apple is working with LG to develop a foldable ‌OLED‌ display panel with ultra-thin cover glass for future iPad and MacBook models, although in that instance the website said the panel that would be used would incorporate an ultra-thin cover glass instead of polyimide, which most other foldable displays currently use.

A recent report from display analyst Ross Young said that Apple is exploring all-screen foldable notebooks with displays around 20-inches in size. Young believes these devices could form a whole new product category for Apple and result in a dual-use product, potentially able to work as a notebook with a full-size on-screen keyboard when folded and as a monitor when unfolded and used with an external keyboard.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes Apple is testing a device with a 9-inch foldable OLED display with a PPI somewhere between the iPhone and ‌iPad‌. Kuo believes that Apple's foldable product development is initially focusing on medium-sized devices, followed by devices with larger displays, before finally expanding to small devices like the ‌iPhone‌.

Under its SanDisk brand, Western Digital today introduced a new SanDisk Professional PRO-BLADE Modular SSD Ecosystem, which is aimed at creators who need fast portable storage devices that are capable of holding terabytes of data.

The system includes the PRO-BLADE SSD mag, the PRO-BLADE Portable SSD enclosure, and the PRO-BLADE Desktop SSD enclosure. The PRO-BLADE SSD mag is an NVMe SSD mag that comes in sizes that include 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, with prices ranging from $180 to $600. The PRO-BLADE SSD mags offer three meter drop protection and 4,000 lbs crush resistance.

SanDisk's Pro-BLADE Transport Portable USB-C SSD enclosure holds one of the PRO-BLADE mags for on-the-go usage. It supports read/write speeds of up to 2000MB/s over USB-C, and it's simple to swap between mags when using the enclosure with a USB-C compatible camera. The SSD enclosure is priced at $70, and there are also bundles that include one of the PRO-BLADE mags priced starting at $240.

For desktop workstations, SanDisk is also introducing the Thunderbolt 3 PRO-BLADE Station Desktop SSD enclosure, which is able to accommodate four PRO-BLADE SSD mags. As it has a 40Gb/s Thunderbolt interface, the PRO-BLADE Station supports faster transfer speeds than the portable SSD enclosure. According to SanDisk, the PRO-BLADE Station and PRO-BLADE SSDs allow for real-time 4K/8K/12K editing and super fast copying.

The PRO-BLADE SSDs and portable SSD enclosure will be available in June 2022, while the desktop enclosure is set to be introduced in the fall.

Western Digital also introduced faster speeds for the SanDisk Extreme Pro memory card lineup, with support for up to 200MB/s. Western Digital says that these are the fastest UHS-I SD and microSD memory cards in the world, with the updated cards set to ship in June, with pricing that starts at $20.

Apple's senior vice president of services Eddy Cue is working to restructure services management with the aim of focusing more on streaming and advertising, according to a new report from Business Insider.

Cue sees streaming and advertising as areas where there is opportunity for revenue growth, and he has already begun updating the responsibilities of key services executives. Peter Stern, Apple's vice president of services, is no longer handling advertising, giving him more time to focus on video, news, books, iCloud, Fitness+, and Apple One.

Todd Teresi, an advertising vice president at Apple, will instead be taking on more responsibility and has been reporting directly to Cue since the beginning of the year. One of the sources who spoke to Business Insider said that Apple's ad business is now "big enough to live on its own."

Apple recently acquired the rights to Friday Night Baseball after establishing a deal with Major League Baseball, and part of its effort to expand streaming services will include additional sports deals. Rumors indicate that Apple is working to secure the rights to NFL's Sunday Ticket package, and Business Insider says that Apple also wants to get the rights to air NBA games.

Sports content would draw in new viewership for Apple TV+, which Apple has been working to build up since its 2019 launch. Apple still has a limited amount of original content compared to other streaming services, and it is unable to draw the same subscriber numbers as Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+.

Services revenue has been growing steadily over the course of the last several years, and the services category now encompasses ‌Apple TV‌+, ‌iCloud‌, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, Apple Music, the App Store, Apple Care+, Apple Arcade, Apple Pay, and more.

In the second quarter of 2022, services brought in $19.8 billion, from $17 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Along with focusing on streaming and advertising, Apple also has plans to introduce new services. There are rumors of a hardware subscription service, and ‌Apple Pay‌ is expanding to include a buy now, pay later feature. Over the weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple has even explored an Instacart-like service that would integrate with nutrition data in the Health app.

Apple engineers in China have taken on greater responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, as travel restrictions and lockdowns have prevented Apple from sending as many U.S. engineers to the country as it normally would, according to The Wall Street Journal.

While key matters like product design are still handled at Apple's headquarters in California, the report claims that Apple has gradually given its China-based engineers more authority to resolve problems, with less input from U.S. employees.

For instance, instead of sending product- and assembly-related information from China to Cupertino for a decision, engineers in China would also include their analysis. And China-based engineers who in the past generally would have reported problems to Cupertino would instead send proposals for resolving the problem, the people said.

The report adds that Apple has used video calling to remotely communicate with Chinese employees to resolve factory issues and more, in an effort to keep pace with its annual product cycles, including new iPhone models each year.

China has imposed strict restrictions and/or lockdowns in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Zhengzhou in recent weeks. Last month, Apple warned that its June quarter revenue would be impacted by a number of factors, including supply constraints caused by COVID-related disruptions and industrywide silicon shortages. Apple said it expected those constraints to result in a $4 billion to $8 billion impact on revenue for the quarter.

The disruptions have resulted in lengthy shipping estimates for several Apple products, such as the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and more.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Today we're tracking a pair of sales offered by ZAGG and Verizon, with a focus on Apple-compatible accessories like iPhone cases, wireless chargers, portable batteries, and more.

ZAGG

ZAGG is offering 25 percent off select gear today, including wireless chargers, screen protectors, iPhone cases, portable batteries, battery cases, iPad keyboards, and much more. You can browse the full sale (which also includes Mophie products) and add any item to your cart to automatically see the 25 percent discount applied at the checkout screen.

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

Specifically, ZAGG's deal allows 25 percent off up to three products on its website, and it excludes already-discounted items. The sale will last through tonight at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.

Verizon

At Verizon, you can save up to 50 percent on a variety of Apple's first party cases for the newest iPhones. Prices start as low as $24.99 for iPhone 13 mini Silicone Cases, and also cover accessories for the iPhone 13 Pro in Silicone and Leather options.

There are plenty of other products on sale on Verizon as well, including cases made by OtterBox and Nomad, charging accessories, and iPhone 12 cases. Browse the full sale by heading to this landing page and keeping an eye out for products with black banners.

• Silicone Case for iPhone 13 mini - $24.99, down from $49.00
• Leather Case for iPhone 13 mini - $29.99, down from $59.00
• Silicone Case for iPhone 13 Pro - $24.99, down from $49.00
• Leather Case for iPhone 13 Pro - $29.99, down from $59.00
• MagSafe Leather Wallet - $29.99, down from $59.00

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