At CES 2025, unveiled a couple new charging products for Apple users. They have a new 140W charge brick with a built in display, perfect for 16-inch MacBook Pro users, as well as a with support for fast charging. Both of these products are available for purchase now.

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CES 2025 is wrapping up today, and attendees are preparing to head home after a long week of exploring the latest tech products. MacRumors Dan Barbera spent the last few days checking out what's new, and we're wrapping up the week with our Best of CES 2025 list.


LG showed off a new UltraFine 6K display with Thunderbolt 5 support, and it's a serious Pro Display XDR competitor. The 32-inch display has a sleek stand with adjustable height, and almost no bezels at all. Launch date and price aren't available just yet. Samsung also had the Smart Monitor M9, a 4K OLED display with an AI Picture Optimizer feature that makes adjustments based on what's on the screen.

TP-Link's Tapo brand had some interesting security cameras and locks, including one that's able to verify your identity by reading the veins in your palm before unlocking the door. The cameras aren't HomeKit or Matter-enabled, but Tapo has detailed notifications that give you insight into what's going on rather than just a standard motion detected alert.

As for Apple-related accessories, Satechi's 3-in-1 magnetic travel chargers in bright colors were a win and SanDisk showed off a MagSafe SSD with USB-C that's perfect for transferring content from your iPhone or recording video directly to the external drive.

OhSnap demoed a ‌MagSafe‌ wallet that has a super strong grip and can hold up to eight cards, and for ‌HomeKit‌ users, Flic Duo had a Matter-compatible button that supports gesture control for controlling your devices.

Other highlights included Honda and Sony's Afeela electric vehicle, the cord-free Displace TV, and a spoon that zaps your tongue to make you taste salt so you can cut down on sodium.

For all of the news from CES 2025, make sure to check out our CES 2025 hub.
This article, "Best of CES 2025: LG 6K Display, SanDisk MagSafe SSD, Satechi Chargers and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Following the abrupt discontinuation of Apple Pay Later over the summer, Apple has been rolling out support for multiple third-party ‘pay over time’ alternatives. The latest Apple Pay addition: Synchrony.

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Synchrony is now available as a buy-now, pay-later option when checking out with Apple Pay online and in apps on iPhone and iPad.


Synchrony was added to a list of Apple Pay installment providers in the U.S. in an Apple support document that was updated today, joining Affirm and Klarna. The addition was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 users can select "Other Cards & Pay Later Options" when checking out with Apple Pay to access payment plans available from Synchrony.

Apple discontinued its own buy-now, pay-later service called Apple Pay Later last year, and started partnering with third-party providers. Apple Pay Later let qualifying customers split a purchase made with Apple Pay into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or fees. Affirm, Klarna, and now Synchrony offer similar financing options.
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TikTok’s US saga is almost at an end, and its last major source of hope—a Supreme Court intervention—now looks unlikely to pan out. Thus, a January 19 ban in the US is looking more realistic than ever. Here’s the latest.

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When it comes to smart home lighting, you have two main options: smart lightbulbs or smart outlet adapters paired with traditional lamps. Both have their place, but for me, smart bulbs offer more flexibility and control. Unlike outlet adapters, which toggle power on and off, smart bulbs give you control over brightness, color, and even dynamic scenes. If you want to take the next step in building your smart home in 2025, a set of Matter-compatible lightbulbs might be the perfect place to start. This week, I am looking at the .

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A new Apple Store is opening at Miami Worldcenter this month, and Apple has shared wallpaper downloads to celebrate the occasion. Here are the details.

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After the significant releases of iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2, Apple’s latest developer beta release – iOS 18.3 beta 2 – is shaping up to be significantly less eventful in terms of user-facing features and changes. However, there are things under the hood that may hint to what to expect from future iOS software and hardware. In this first episode of iOS Decoded, we take a deeper dive into iOS 18.3. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for future installments.

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Apple today announced that it will be opening an all-new retail store at the Miami Worldcenter complex, near the city's downtown core, on Friday, January 24. A grand opening time has not been disclosed, but it will likely be 10 a.m. local time.


The store incorporates a biophilic garden that is designed to make vistors feel more connected with nature, according to Apple.

"Our brand-new store in downtown Miami is opening soon," says Apple. "Get ready to discover an oasis in the heart of the city, where nature thrives and creativity flourishes. We can't wait to see what blooms in you."

To celebrate the occasion, Apple has shared a specially-designed, garden-themed wallpaper for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. In addition, the store has an Apple Music playlist featuring some of Miami's most popular Latin music artists.

"Created from the ground up to reflect Apple's values, Miami Worldcenter is Apple's most sustainable store-centred on universal design principles, while creating an inviting space where everyone is welcome," says Apple. "In that spirit, we've put together a playlist featuring some of Miami's favorite Latin music stars to help us celebrate the store's opening."

Apple Miami Worldcenter will be the company's 10th store in the Miami area.
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Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and multiple sources lately have commented on the device's launch timing.


The latest word comes from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, he said the device will be released around the middle of the first half of 2025. In other words, around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the next iPhone SE will likely be released this March or April, just like all previous models of the device.

Kuo did not reveal any other details about the next iPhone SE, which apparently might end up being named "iPhone 16E" or similar.

One leaker recently claimed that the device will launch with iOS 18.3, which is expected to be released in late January. However, that rumor was quickly shot down by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who said Apple is aiming to release the device "by April." Kuo's timeframe also suggests that a March or April release is more likely than January.

The new iPhone SE is said to have a similar design as the base iPhone 14. Rumored features for the device include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a newer A-series chip and 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence support, and the first Apple-designed 5G modem. It is not entirely clear if the device will have an Action button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro models.

The current iPhone SE looks similar to the iPhone 8, with outdated features such as a Touch ID button, Lightning port, and thick bezels around the display. Pricing starts at $429, but at least a slight price increase seems probable for the next model.
This article, "When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 or So-Called 'iPhone 16E' to Launch" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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At CES 2025, MacPaw unveiled a new version of CleanMyMac for small and medium businesses. You interact with it differently than traditional CleanMyMac, but you still get the same suite of tools to help maintain your Mac. CleanMyMac Business focuses on affordability, ease, and transparency.

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Alongside ongoing deals on M3 MacBook Air with hundreds in savings, we are now ready to cap off this week’s best Apple deals with first sizable price drop on AirPods Pro 2 of 2025. Apple’s flagship buds are now at the best price we have tracked since early December at $180, down from the regular $249. That offer joins the return of wild pricing on the official Apple Watch braided and silicone Solo Loops starting from just $20 with up to 70% off the original prices, not to mention a series of MacBook covers, Find My accessories, and much more. Head below for a closer look. 

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Now that a new year has kicked off, rumors for the upcoming iPhone 17 line are in full swing. Today, Ming-Chi Kuo has shared a new detail on the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air that reveals how surprisingly thin it may be.

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The so-called "iPhone 17 Air" model expected to launch later this year will have an ultra-thin design that is 5.5mm at its thinnest point, according to the latest information shared by reputable Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.


In a blog post today, Kuo added that the device will lack a physical SIM card slot, and instead rely entirely on digital eSIM technology. This is something we've heard before for this device, and the entire iPhone 17 lineup could be eSIM-only in more countries.

If the 5.5mm measurement ends up being accurate, the "iPhone 17 Air" would become the thinnest iPhone ever, topping the current 6.9mm record set by the iPhone 6. It also means the device would be around 30% thinner than the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and around 33% thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The device measuring 5.5mm only at its "thinnest point" likely means it will have an ultra-thin chassis with a thicker rear camera bump. The device is expected to have only a single 48-megapixel rear camera.

There have been conflicting rumors about the device's exact thinness, but several sources have agreed on around a 5mm to mid-6mm range.

The latest 13-inch iPad Pro model measures just 5.1mm thick, so the "iPhone 17 Air" could be approaching that impressive territory.

Kuo said the ultra-thin iPhone 17 model will enter mass production in the second half of 2025. The device is expected to launch in September alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. There is no iPhone 17 Plus expected, with the "iPhone 17 Air" effectively set to become a replacement for the Plus model in this year's lineup.

Due to its thin design, the "iPhone 17 Air" is expected to have some reduced specifications compared to the Pro models. In addition to the single rear camera, the device is rumored to have a standard A19 chip instead of the A19 Pro chip, and only a single speaker. However, Kuo believes Apple will still charge a "high price" for the device.

Other rumored "iPhone 17 Air" specifications include a 6.6-inch display, 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence, an Apple-designed 5G modem, and more.
This article, "New 'iPhone 17 Air' Rumors: Ultra-Thin 5.5mm Design, No SIM Card Slot" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s kicking off a new Home products strategy this year, and an Apple Television is reportedly being evaluated as a future product. Recent trends in the TV space reveal how much opportunity there is for Apple to disrupt the market with a new product and better direction.

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Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Sponsored by HabitView: Change your habits, change your life! Download on the App Store today. 

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A new report from Check Point Research details how a new variant of the infamous Banshee stealer malware from Russian-speaking cybercriminals takes a page from Apple’s own security practices to evade detection. The malware remained undetected for over two months by cleverly incorporating the same encryption methods as Mac’s XProtect antivirus detection suite.

If you’re an avid reader of Security Bite, you’ve heard me say (more than once) that malware stealers, usually through malware-as-a-service (MaaS) business models, are currently the largest threat to Mac users. They’re destructive, targeting your iCloud Keychain passwords, cryptocurrency wallets, sensitive information from files, and even system passwords like a stealthy low-orbiting ion canon. Cybercriminals will often embed this malicious code in seemingly legitimate applications as a ploy to infect machines.

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Woot has brought back a massive sale on the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop bands for Apple Watch, which we last tracked before the Christmas holiday. All bands are in brand new condition and come with a one year Apple limited warranty.

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

You can get the Solo Loop for just $19.99 ($29 off) and the Braided Solo Loop for $29.99 ($69 off) in this sale. Woot says the sale will run through January 17, but it'll probably end sooner when stock runs out, so make your purchases soon if you're interested.



Shoppers should note that this sale is focused on colors of the Braided Solo Loop and Solo Loop that Apple has stopped selling, and it doesn't include any of the new band colors. That being said, all of the bands in this sale are in new condition.

The entire sale is focused on Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch bands, so you'll need to know the size that works best for you before you buy. Apple has a measurement tool on its website that you can use to determine your exact size.

Solo Loop

• Black/White Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Blue Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Green Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Purple Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00


• Red/Orange/Yellow Hues - $19.99, down from $49.00

Braided Solo Loop

• Black/White Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Blue Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Green Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Purple Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Red/Orange/Yellow Hues - $29.99, down from $99.00


• Pride - $29.99, down from $99.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple today announced that ten new games are coming to Apple Arcade, including the service's first officially licensed PGA TOUR game, while updating several existing titles.


The year begins with the launch of seven titles available immediately, accompanied by announcements of three additional games debuting on February 6, 2025. The new games include:

• Skate City: New York: A skateboarding game set in iconic real-world New York City skate spots, offering detailed environments.


• Gears & Goo for Apple Vision Pro: A spatial computing game combining tower defense and base-building mechanics with immersive 3D gameplay for the Vision Pro.


• Three Kingdoms HEROES: The latest installment in Koei Tecmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, focusing on strategy and dynamic storytelling based on Chinese history.


• FINAL FANTASY+: A remastered version of the original entry in the iconic RPG series, containing enhanced 2D visuals and mobile-optimized features.


• Trials of Mana+: A mobile port of SQUARE ENIX's action RPG, delivering console-quality gameplay on Apple devices.


• Rodeo Stampede+: A Wild West adventure game where players tame animals and create their own zoo.


• It's Literally Just Mowing+: A relaxing game where players can enjoy the simple, zen-like task of mowing lawns.


• PGA TOUR Pro Golf: An immersive golf simulation game featuring iconic PGA TOUR courses, competitive tournaments, and cross-platform gameplay.


• Doodle Jump 2+: A sequel to the popular platforming game, featuring new environments, challenges, and characters.


• My Dear Farm+: A customizable farming simulator where players design their dream farm, grow crops, and manage their agricultural empire.

‌Apple Arcade‌ also sees significant updates for several of its most popular games. "WHAT THE CAR?" has received new levels and gameplay refinements to enhance its racing mechanics, while "Game Room" has been expanded with additional game modes and challenges. "Hello Kitty Island Adventure" now includes fresh content such as new quests, customization options, and interactive features. Updates are also coming this month for "NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition," "Outlanders 2: Second Nature," "Wheel of Fortune Daily," "Snake.io+," "Ridiculous Fishing EX," and more.

‌Apple Arcade‌ is Apple's subscription-based gaming service that offers unlimited access to a curated library of premium games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. All games on the platform are ad-free and do not include in-app purchase.

‌Apple Arcade‌ is available as a standalone subscription for $6.99 per month, with a one-month free trial for new users. Alternatively, it can be bundled with other Apple services, such as iCloud+, Apple Music, and ‌Apple TV‌+, through the Apple One subscription plan. ‌Apple One‌ starts at $19.95 per month for the Individual plan.
This article, "Apple Arcade Gains New Games and Updates for 2025" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Amazon today has Apple's AirPods Pro 2 for $179.99, down from $249.00. This is the first time in 2025 that the headphones have dropped under their typical sale price of $189.99, and Amazon is providing a mid-January delivery date for most United States residences.

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.

Of course, we saw a better deal over the holiday season, but it's very unlikely that all-time low price will return any time soon. Amazon's price today is still a solid deal on the AirPods Pro 2, which feature USB-C charging and Active Noise Cancellation.



If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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This article, "AirPods Pro 2 Get First Notable Discount of the Year at $179.99 ($69 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Arcade is welcoming the new year with ten new games, seven of them launching today. The remainder – which includes PGA TOUR Pro Golf – will be available from February 6 …

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Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the MacBook Pro 19 years ago today at the 2006 Macworld Conference & Expo.


Jobs unveiled the ‌MacBook Pro‌ as the first Mac notebook to transition from PowerPC processors to Intel's Core Duo architecture. Designed to be an Intel-based replacement for the PowerBook line, the ‌MacBook Pro‌ took a similar aluminum chassis and added an Intel Core processor, a webcam, and the MagSafe power connector. Its display was 67% brighter than its predecessor, matching the luminance of Apple's standalone Cinema Displays.

Apple claimed that the Intel processors delivered "up to four times the performance of the PowerBook G4." The transition was supported by Rosetta, a software translation layer that allowed PowerPC applications to run on Intel-based Macs.

The original ‌MacBook Pro‌ came in two configurations, both with 15.4-inch widescreen displays offering 1440 x 900 resolution. The entry-level model featured a 1.67 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, and an 80GB hard drive, while the higher-end model boasted a 1.83 GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 100GB hard drive. Both models included ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics cards. The 15-inch model weighed just 5.6 pounds and was only one inch thick.

It also featured two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an ExpressCard/34 slot for expandability. The exclusion of FireWire 800 in the initial 15-inch models drew criticism from some users, but this port was later restored in subsequent revisions. Initially only available with a 15-inch display, Apple introduced a 17-inch variant in April 2006.

Over the years, the ‌MacBook Pro‌ line evolved through various design and technological iterations, including the unibody construction in 2008, the Retina display in 2012, and the controversial Touch Bar in 2016. The transition from Intel to Apple Silicon in 2020 marked the end of the Intel-based ‌MacBook Pro‌ era, as Apple moved to its proprietary M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips.
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Sony has had the exclusive manufacturing contract for iPhone camera sensors for more than a decade, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year suggested this would be changing with the iPhone 18. This has now been backed by two further reports, one of which provides a little more detail.

Samsung is said to be working on a 3-layer stacked camera sensor for Apple, which should improve the performance of future iPhone cameras. Update: Digitimes now backs the report …

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While the iPhone 17 series is still more than eight months away from launching, there are already rumors about the iPhone 18 models coming next year.


Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes today reported that Samsung is developing a new three-layer stacked camera sensor that is targeted for the iPhone 18. This advanced image sensor would make the iPhone 18's camera more responsive, with other benefits including reduced noise in photos, increased dynamic range, and more.

The exact technology is called "PD-TR-Logic," according to the report, and it refers to a camera sensor with three layers of circuitry affixed to it. A leaker known as "Jukanlosreve" first revealed Samsung's alleged plans for the sensor last week.

Sony has long been the exclusive supplier of image sensors for iPhone cameras, so Samsung entering the fray would be notable.

In July 2024, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected Samsung to begin shipping 48-megapixel Ultra Wide camera sensors to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, which is when iPhone 18 models are expected to be released. It is unclear if Samsung's sensor will also be used for the Fusion and/or Telephoto cameras on iPhone 18 models, and it is unclear if the sensor will be limited to iPhone 18 Pro models.

With at least three sources having revealed Samsung's plans to become an iPhone camera sensor supplier, this rumor seems to be quite solidified. iPhone 18 models are still more than a year and a half away, though, so the plans could change.
This article, "iPhone 18 Rumored to Feature Upgraded Camera Sensor From Samsung With Many Benefits" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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If you have an iPhone 14 or later, you can send text messages via satellite where cellular service is unavailable. This can be particularly valuable in emergency situations like the Los Angeles wildfires, where cellphone masts have been damaged or destroyed.

T-Mobile and Starlink have now teamed up to offer the same capability to owners of phones without this feature …

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Sports in the streaming era is a messy affair, and Venu Sports is a prime example of that. The planned new streaming bundle from Disney, FOX, and Warner Bros was going to launch last fall, but it’s now been canceled before even having the chance to arrive.

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Apple today started selling refurbished iPhone 15 Pro models in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, offering the discontinued iPhones at a discount for the first time since their 2023 launch.


The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are available in the above countries with a 15% discount compared to the equivalent brand new models. Apple began selling standard refurbished iPhone 15 models in select European countries earlier this week, despite them having not yet arrived on the domestic US market.

All refurbished iPhones from Apple are unlocked and compatible with any carrier. Each refurbished iPhone is equipped with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a USB-C to USB-C cable, making them virtually indistinguishable from brand-new devices.

Refurbished iPhones also come with Apple's standard one-year warranty, and buyers have the option to extend coverage with AppleCare+.

With the launch of the iPhone 16, ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max in September 2024, Apple discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max. Apple continues to sell new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models on its main online storefront.
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Apple likes to celebrate the Chinese New Year with a specially-commissioned Shot on iPhone video, and an unofficial copy of this year’s short film has been posted ahead of the official reveal expected later today. The lunar new year begins on January 29.

The 12-minute short musical film entitled I Want to Listen to You is directed by Michael Gracey, who previously directed the Hollywood musical film The Greatest Showman …

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The greatest attraction for me about Vision Pro is being able to have huge virtual monitors for both work and entertainment, but the downside is the discomfort of wearing one for an extended time. The Brelyon Ultra Reality Extend is a funky new monitor tech that aims to solve this problem.

You don’t have to wear anything – just sit in front of a monitor, which can project a virtual display as wide as 122 inches from a much smaller physical display …

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A leaker with a good track record on iPhone camera improvements has lent their support to a report that the 12MP front-facing camera in current iPhones will be upgraded to 24MP in the iPhone 17 line-up. They also endorse the suggestion that all three rear cameras in the iPhone 17 Pro Max will have 48MP sensors.

The latest report goes a little further, however, and suggests that this year’s upgrade to the 5x telephoto camera sensor will apply to the iPhone 17 Pro as well as the Pro Max …

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This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a smaller main camera sensor than the one used in the Fusion camera currently found in iPhone 16 Pro models, according to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station.


The Chinese leaker claims that Apple will adopt a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, down from the 1/1.28" sensor used in the iPhone 16 Pro models. The claim is part of a wider leak allegedly revealing that both iPhone 17 Pro models will have three 48MP cameras for the first time.

The sensor size notation originates from an old system used for video camera tubes, where the fraction represents the sensor's "type" rather than its actual physical dimensions. That's why a 1/1.3" sensor is slightly smaller than a 1/1.28" sensor. (For comparison's sake, the 48MP Fusion camera on the standard iPhone 16 model uses a smaller 1/1.56" sensor.)

The difference however is minimal, with the existing 1/1.28" sensor offering a marginally larger surface area than a 1/1.3" sensor. In practical terms, this size difference is unlikely to result in a noticeable impact on everyday photography. Apple's shift to using a smaller main camera could represent a worthwhile trade-off, with potential advancements elsewhere in the camera system to maintain or enhance overall performance.

If the downgrade is true, Apple's shift from 1/1.28" to 1/1.3" could be due to space constraints caused by the rumored new camera bump design. As part of a return to using aluminum, Apple is believed to be using a larger rectangular-style camera bump on the iPhone 17 Pro models that is made from aluminum rather than glass.

Supply chain leaks have backed up a report by The Information about a camera design change. Leaks coming out of China suggest that the module is an "elongated oval shape," rather than a rectangular shape, with a smoother transition between the camera bump and the rear cover. The iPhone 17 series is expected to arrive around the usual mid-September time frame.
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Both the iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature an upgraded 48-megapixel Tetraprism camera, making them the first iPhone models to have a rear camera system entirely made up of 48-megapixel lenses, claims a new rumor out of China.


According to the Weibo account Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 17 Pro camera specs will include a 1/1.3" 48MP Fusion lens, a 48MP Ultra Wide lens, and a new upgraded 48MP Tetraprism telephoto lens (up from 12MP on the iPhone 16 Pro models). Both the main and telephoto cameras are said to be hybrid glass-plastic lenses. Meanwhile on the front, both Pro models will feature a 24MP front camera, said the leaker.

The claim lines up with a prediction made by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a June 2024 report, Kuo said the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature an upgraded 48MP Tetraprism camera for enhanced photo quality and zoom functionality. Kuo said he was uncertain whether only the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the upgraded Tetraprism camera, but today's rumor indicates that both Pro models will get the upgrade. The new camera requires all-new designed prisms, which must have a shorter form factor to reduce the camera's height, according to Kuo.

Today's rumor also corroborates Apple analyst Jeff Pu's claim in August that all four iPhone 17 models will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera. By comparison, all iPhone 16 models have a 12-megapixel front camera. Kuo also last year claimed that at least one iPhone 17 model would be equipped with a 24-megapixel front camera with a six-piece lens, so this upgrade has now been rumored by multiple sources, making it more likely. Kuo said these changes will "significantly improve the image quality" and low-light performance.

iPhone 17 models are expected to launch in September 2025. Apple is rumored to be introducing a new four-model lineup that drops the iPhone "Plus" model in favor of a slimmer device that we are provisionally calling "iPhone 17 Air," while the iPhone 17 Pro models are said to have a totally redesigned half-aluminum, half-glass back cover with a new rectangular camera module that could result in a smaller main camera sensor being used.
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Throughout the ongoing wildfires, California officials have relied on emergency alerts to communicate with citizens. This system is an important way for officials to communicate with citizens instantly across iPhone and Android devices.

On Thursday evening, however, a wildfire evacuation alert went out to everyone in Los Angeles – even though it was only meant for a subset of residents.

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Apple’s popular “Back to School” campaign is officially returning for customers in Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea, offering free accessories for students and educators purchasing new Apple products in these countries.

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Many streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and even Apple TV+ already provide support for the HDR10+ standard. Soon, Disney+ will also join this list of platforms offering content in this high dynamic range format.

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If you've been hearing a chiming sound from your AirPods Pro 2 case when the AirPods are charging, it's a feature that Apple added with the launch of Hearing Health last year.


In a support guide, Apple says that the ‌AirPods Pro‌ may play a sound every so often while in the case to ensure the microphones and speakers are working as intended. From Apple:

To help ensure that your AirPods microphones and speakers are operating at their best (for example, to help provide high-quality hearing test results), your AirPods may periodically play a quiet chime when they're in their charging case.

Information on the mysterious chime was highlighted on Mastodon after Apple's unclear AirPods sounds were discussed on today's ATP podcast.

As noted on the podcast, Apple does not have an established guide that provides insight into the different sounds that the AirPods make, so it can be confusing.

The ‌AirPods Pro‌ will play a sound when battery is low or when the charging case is placed on a charger or plugged in. Some sounds can be disabled by connecting the AirPods to an Apple device, going to Settings, tapping on the AirPods icon, and turning off Enable Charging Case Sounds.
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After Tim Cook announced that Apple is donating to help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, the company has just confirmed that Apple Card users living in the impacted regions will also get some relief. These people can temporarily postpone their Apple Card payments without interest.

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Apple and Goldman Sachs are allowing Apple Card customers who have been impacted by the fires in Los Angeles to temporarily postpone their payments if necessary. Details about Apple's Disaster Relief Program for ‌Apple Card‌ users were shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.


Payment delays are being offered to ‌Apple Card‌ users who live in an area that has been declared a national disaster zone by FEMA, with Apple sending out notices to impacted customers.

Those who are affected by the fires can skip the payment that's due in the month that they enroll in the Relief Program, and no interest will accumulate for that month. An account in good standing will remain current while enrolled in the program, but standard purchase APR applies for the next month.

Customers in Los Angeles who need assistance can contact ‌Apple Card‌ Support via the Messages app to be enrolled.


Apple has offered similar Disaster Relief Program options for those impacted by hurricanes and other natural disasters, and it is a benefit that has been available since the ‌Apple Card‌ launched.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said yesterday that Apple plans to donate to support the victims and recovery efforts on the ground in Los Angeles.
This article, "Apple Card Users Impacted By LA Fires Able to Delay Payments" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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AirTag 2 is launching this year, about four years after AirTag first debuted. There are some nice upgrades coming to AirTag 2, but what I really want is for the company to expand the lineup: it’s time for an AirTag Max.

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Accessory maker ESR this week introduced the Geo Digital Pencil, a low-cost Apple Pencil alternative that has support for Apple's Find My functionality.


Priced at $30, the Geo Digital Pencil connects to an iPad with Bluetooth, and it supports writing, drawing, sketching, and more much like the ‌Apple Pencil‌. The Geo Digital Pencil connects to an ‌iPad‌ using a magnetic attachment to keep it from being lost, but charging is done using a USB-C charger.

Supported features include tilt sensitivity and shortcuts, but pressure sensitivity, ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover, and other ‌Apple Pencil‌ exclusive features are not available.

‌Find My‌ integration allows the Geo Digital Pencil to be located using the Items tab in the ‌Find My‌ app on any Apple device, with options for playing a sound, marking an item as lost, and seeing the last known location of the pencil when Bluetooth is unavailable.

ESR says the Geo Digital Pencil is compatible with all 11-inch iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the third-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and later, the iPad mini 5 and later, and the ‌iPad‌ 6 and later. It is available for purchase from Amazon, and it is priced at $30.


ESR has also introduced a case designed for the iPhone 16 models with Camera Control button and the MagMouse, a mouse with a built-in USB-C cable that can attach magnetically to an ‌iPad‌ or Mac for storage purposes.
This article, "ESR Launches $30 Apple Pencil Alternative With Find My" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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