Six Colors first noticed the change in Apple’s Self Service Repair Store.

Now the M1 iMac, M1 Mac mini, Mac Studio, and the Apple Studio display all have limited replacement parts available.

The expansion only covers the US program for now. We expect European countries to get access at some point, but Apple hasn’t provided a timeline.

In addition, Apple will also rent you the tools you’ll need for $49 for seven days. However, Apple will place a hold on your credit card for the cost of the entire tool kit if you don’t return it.

Unlike Apple service centers, the company will not offer insurance to replace your device in the event of any problems

You can now self-repair your Apple iMac but should you?

While Apple allowing self-service repairs on its devices is a step in the right direction, it falls short of true repairability. For instance, Apple products are notoriously difficult to take apart.

Take the M1-powered 24-inch iMac, one of the newest desktops Apple just added to the repair program. It’s a sleek, slim, all-in-one machine with all the fixings, including the screen, in one housing.

iFixit took one apart to see how repairable it was and gave the iMac a 2 out of 10. The biggest hurdle is that the only way to get inside is to peel off the glue that holds the screen together.

Then you have to deal with Apple’s usual soldered-on memory and storage. That means no path for upgrades, forcing you to buy a new device if you need more.

Maybe Apple’s self-service repair program appeals to you. Maybe it doesn’t. But for our money, we’ll keep paying for AppleCare+, which covers most repairs for free.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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News of the upcoming Android app comes from Twitter user ShrimpApplePro. ShrimpApplePro has delivered accurate leaks in the past, like the dynamic island on iPhone 14 and more.

Now, the leaker claims that Apple is working on an Apple TV app specifically for Android smartphones. They say the company is testing the app internally and it will come out “soon.”

A dedicated Apple TV app will make it much easier to check out the shows and movies on the platform from an Android phone. Right now, the only option is to head to tv.apple.com in a web browser.

To be clear, there already is an Apple TV app for the Android TV operating system. That means it works with devices like Chromecast with Google TV. But that app doesn’t transfer to mobile Android devices.

Apple isn’t necessarily stingy with the app. It’s already available on several devices, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Roku, and many more smart TVs.

But Android mobile devices still don’t have a dedicated Apple TV app. That could all change, however, if these rumors are true.

Keep your eye out for an announcement from Apple finally bringing the app to Android smartphones.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The report comes from Puck’s (paywalled) Dylan Byers (h/t 9to5Mac). Until this report, the iPhone maker was reportedly the frontrunner for next year’s NFL Sunday Ticket.

NFL Sunday Ticket is the National Football League’s subscription service that gives viewers access to all out-of-market games weekly.

Sources told Byers that Apple was unhappy with certain limitations of the deal.

For one, the NFL doesn’t allow streaming Sunday Ticket games internationally. Additionally, it doesn’t offer access to in-market games that usually air on local channels.

Danial Kaplan from The Athletic corroborates the claim from Puck. Kaplan posted on Twitter that additional sources confirmed that Apple backed out of the deal.

Apple has been making a push into sports recently. The company signed a 10-year deal to air MLS games earlier this year and has streaming deals with Major League Baseball.

But the deal for the NFL sports package doesn’t seem to please Apple. Sources say that Apple doesn’t “see the logic” to justify the $3.5 billion asking price from the NFL.

That leaves a couple of other streamers at the forefront of the race for NFL Sunday Ticket in 2023. Both YouTube and Amazon have reportedly bid on Sunday Ticket.

Sunday Ticket has been a part of DirecTV for almost 30 years, but that deal runs out at the end of this season. One way or another, there will be a new home for the sports package starting in 2023.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The iPhone is known for its awesome camera. Every year, Apple improves them, and they provide consistently good results. But which iPhone has the best camera?

It’s easy to assume that the newest iPhone has the best camera. But is the more expensive Pro version really that much better than the base version?

How much of an improvement does the latest model provide over the previous year’s iPhone?

If you are looking to snag a new iPhone and value camera quality, don’t worry. We’ll explain which iPhone has the best camera and what makes it great.

So, which iPhone has the best camera?

Short answer: The iPhone 14 Pro

Without a doubt, the iPhone with the best camera is the iPhone 14 Pro.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are the stars of Apple’s iPhone lineup. And both phones have the same camera, so you can save a little money by purchasing the iPhone 14 Pro instead of the Pro Max.

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The camera in the iPhone 14 Pro is a real powerhouse. The triple-lens array is what really accelerates the camera, with standard, ultra-wide, and telephoto configurations.

The 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max feature a 48MP wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 3X 12MP telephoto lens.

The camera on the iPhone 14 Pro features a macro function that can focus on objects as close as 2 cm away from the lens. The telephoto module has a 3x range, which is the same as the iPhone 13 Pro.

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Additionally, the camera’s low-light abilities and night mode have continued to improve. Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro camera system is a decent step up from last year’s iPhone 13 Pro.

While the iPhone 14 Pro Max is technically the best phone that Apple has to offer, it doesn’t include any improvements to the camera.

That means the iPhone 14 Pro offers the best iPhone camera today at a more appealing price than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

What do you think? Interested in the iPhone 14 Pro for its camera quality? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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As reported by 9to5Mac, the iOS 16.3 beta is now available to users registered in Apple’s Beta Software Program.

The most notable change with the update is the ability to use a physical security key for two-factor authentication for your Apple ID.

This means you will have a physical device you can set up that will be required every time you try to log in on a new device. Without it, hackers won’t be able to compromise your Apple ID.

Once you authenticate your device, you won’t have to use the physical security key anymore. Additionally, Apple says that its integration also works with device-to-device transfers.

So, when you get a new iPhone, you won’t have to use the key to log into your account as long as you use the device-to-device transfer method when you set up the new phone.

Apple also confirmed that the company isn’t making its own physical security keys. Instead, it will use third-party options for its new security feature.

The update also includes a new guide to help users utilize the Handoff from iPhone feature on HomePod devices. The Handoff feature is not new, but iOS 16.3 has an integrated guide to help people utilize it.

You’ll have to sign up for Apple’s Beta Software Program to get access to this update early. To do that, sign up on Apple’s website here using your Apple ID.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The update includes a new feature called Advanced Data Protection. Users can now encrypt Apple Photos, Notes, iMessage conversations, and iCloud backups kept in the cloud.

If you turn on this feature, most of what you put in iCloud is only accessible to you. And if someone hacks iCloud, your data is safe.

Not even Apple can see your stuff when it’s on their servers, and the cops can’t get to it even with a warrant.

But since Apple won’t have the keys to your stuff anymore, you’ll have to set up another way to get it back if you lose access to your account.

Advanced Data Protection means users are on their own when recovering their data if they lose access. So, no more trips to the Genius Bar and no more easy backups in the case of an emergency.

If you find yourself locked out of your account, Apple says you’ll need your device password, recovery contact, or recovery key to get your iCloud data back.

How to set up Advanced Data Protection on your iPhone

First, update all your Apple products. This includes updating your iPhone, iPad, and Mac to the latest version of their operating systems.

After updating your Apple devices to the latest version of their operating systems, you’re ready to proceed.

There you go. You have now enabled Advanced Data Protection on your iPhone.

A couple of things to remember with Advanced Data Protection

Remember, if you don’t have your recovery key stored safely or a recovery contact set up – you’re screwed. Your data is as good as gone.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

A couple of things to note, as pointed out by MacRumors Joe Rossignol: iCloud Mail, Calendar, and Contacts are still not end-to-end encrypted.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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First responders in Los Angeles, California, recently shared an amazing search and rescue. The rescue was made possible thanks to the two safety features.

A vehicle with two passengers drove off a road and plummeted 300 feet into a canyon in Angeles National Forest. An iPhone 14 from one of the passengers registered the crash with Crash Detection.

There was no cell service, but that is where Emergency SOS via Satellite kicked in. The SOS system connected the passengers with emergency services using one of Apple’s new relay centers.

Rescuers then dispatched a team to the location, thanks to Apple’s accurate latitude and longitude data.

A daring helicopter rescue ensued, where rescuers hoisted both passengers out of the canyon and transported them to a local hospital.

This is the first time we’ve seen Apple’s two new safety features working hand-in-hand to rescue someone. It’s incredibly impressive how the features work together in cases of emergency.

We have seen that Apple’s Crash Detection has its faults. It has had some false alarms on rollercoasters and with skiers.

But instances like this one show how the feature is supposed to work. And combined with Emergency SOS via Satellite, we’ll likely continue to hear about how helpful Apple’s new safety features really are.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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That could indicate that AR will be more important to Apple as a tool to improve user experience.

A recent interview with China Daily USA seems to support that, with CEO Tim Cook being “incredibly excited about AR” while wanting to keep humanity at the center of the new technology.

We’ve been hearing more rumors about the headset lately, indicating a looming release. Apple also reportedly showed off the hardware to the board of directors, which they wouldn’t do if it wasn’t almost ready for release.

Here’s what we know, what we think is coming, and what we want to see.

When will the Apple VR headset launch?

Apple hasn’t publicly acknowledged the existence of the VR/AR headset. Many supply chain indicators point to an early 2023 launch date.

But now, some experts believe Apple’s mixed-reality headset won’t make an appearance until later in the year. That’s according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record when it comes to Apple.

A report from DigiTimes (via MacRumors) says that mass production will start in March 2023. That would mean the release event would be after that.

The report also mentions that “initial production is said to be very limited,” with the marketing focus on commercial markets.

That’s for Apple’s first headset, which might be developer-focused. Then another headset is tipped to arrive in 2025, or possibly two, one cheaper and one more premium.

Isn’t this Apple Glass?

Apple Glass, the AR-only, looks-like-normal-glasses device, isn’t coming until 2025, at the earliest.

Supply-chain analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, says that contact lens-type AR glasses are also in the works, with a 2030-2040 release window.

The headset that’s believed to be coming early next year is a more traditional helmet-style mixed-reality headset.

What will the headset be called?

Bloomberg reported that Apple has new trademark filings for names that could be associated with virtual reality. Those include “Reality One,” “Reality Pro,” and “Reality Processor.”

Could that be the name(s) of the upcoming headset and the chip that will power it? We won’t have long to wait to find out.

What features do we know about?

Apple’s first headset won’t be restricted to VR or AR content – it will feature both.

That means a closed-off helmet-style headset, with external cameras for positional tracking, AR overlays, hand-tracking, and gesture control.

One report from TomsGuide via The Information says Apple’s headset will introduce a new biometrics security feature. The headset will reportedly feature iris scanning as an extra layer of security.

UPDATE 9/14/2022 1:30 PM ET: Apple has now been granted five patents for mixed reality headsets. These patents are related to eye-tracking, image-capturing, and controller processors.

The displays are supposedly 4K (4000×4000) using micro-OLED. Some reports say there will be a third AMOLED display behind those two high-resolution screens, to make a foveated display.

That type of display works in the same manner as our eyes. Essentially, the spot we’re looking at it will appear high resolution, while the periphery is lower quality.

What kind of processor will the headset have?

Early reports said that the headset wouldn’t do its own processing, instead it would need to be connected to an iPhone or Mac.

Since then, we’ve seen reports of it having multiple chips inside, one of which would be “similar computing power as the M1 for Mac.”

An even more recent report says that Apple will put the M2 chip into the headset. That will pair with 16GB of DRAM, which means you’ll be wearing a MacBook on your face.

UPDATE 11/14/2022 7:40 AM ET: A new report from Bloomberg’s Marc Gurman states that the unit will feature an M2 chip and run realityOS.

The headset will reportedly come with a 96W MacBook charger to power all of that. That’s the same one bundled with the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 Pro chip.

Hardware is cool, but content is king. Apple has reportedly been courting Hollywood directors to create adaptations in AR for their headset.

Expect series like Prehistoric Planet to appear on the device, and more.

How much will the headset cost?

Apple devices are typically sold at premium prices, to match their premium build. Early predictions say the AR/VR headset could cost over $2,000.

This quote was from Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, whose sources say that value was floated around in Apple’s internal discussions.

Apple typically charges a bit more than its competitors for products, locking in margins that have helped it become one of the most profitable consumer-electronics companies ever. The new headset won’t be an exception, but the main reason why the company has discussed price points above $2,000 is because of some of its internal technologies.

If so, this isn’t going to be the mass-market device that Meta’s Quest range is.

Instead, this will be a premium device, possibly aimed at developers and other users that will build the next apps for Apple’s future devices.

realityOS: What is it?

Back in February of this year, developers found multiple references to “realityOS” in Apple’s codebase.

Apple isn’t telling you to go touch grass with that name. Instead, it points toward a new device family, which uses a previously-unknown operating system.

The most likely home would be on the VR headset and subsequent devices. Apple has been working on realityOS since at least 2017, when mentions of “rOS” were found in iOS 13 code.

rOS was built on iOS code, but anything could have changed since then. Apple could have gone the desktop replacement route and built realityOS on macOS.

Will you want the Apple VR headset?

The $2,000 question: will you want it? Well, that depends on you, really.

If you’re a professional or developer that wants a stable AR/VR platform to create on, the answer is yes. You’ll want this headset to create programs for the next, cheaper Apple headset, slated for a 2024 release.

Home users might want to pass on this, however. The high price and relative lack of content mean this probably isn’t the headset for you.

Unless you’re a serial early adopter, in which case, you’re going to buy it when it’s available, just because.

What will be Apple’s competition?

The VR market is about to get very crowded. Multiple large brands are coming out with their own headsets, starting with Meta’s Quest Pro later this year.

Meta’s device is aimed at business users to transition their jobs from typing on a keyboard (boring!) to a metaverse virtual keyboard (ooh, snazzy!). It will cost upwards of $1,000.

Microsoft is also releasing a new HoloLens early in 2023. The enterprise-focused AR headset will cost thousands. Not one for consumers, but still exciting and likely to push the AR market forward.

Then it’s on to an entertainment-focused headset, the PS VR2. Sony’s second VR headset should sell millions of units. The only drawback? You need a PlayStation 5 to use it.

HTC is estimated to sell higher amounts of headsets in 2023. VR is one of the things HTC does well, and its recent headsets are all quality.

Then it’s Pico‘s turn. The largest brand for VR in China, they’re on track to ship at least a million headsets this year. Expect to see a new headset from them in 2023, as we’re due based on their historical release cadence.

What we’d like to see from Apple’s VR headset

We’ve used multiple AR and VR headsets over the years, and most suck. The bar Apple has to surpass is a low one, but that doesn’t make it easy. The company still has to address major pain points.

The biggest is comfort. Most VR headsets are weighty, have uncomfortable straps, and aren’t the easiest to adjust to your head. If Apple can nail comfort, the growing market is theirs.

Most headsets have terrible, or barely-capable, audio playback, but that could change this time. Apple won’t be happy with poor audio, as it focuses on providing solid audio quality on its other devices. Spatial audio in VR content will be awesome.

We’d also love battery life to be a big focus. Power efficiency is there, if it uses the M2 chip. With the average headset running out after two or three hours, Apple knows what it has to do.

That said, if it’s coming with a 96W charger, it might not have much of an internal battery, if any at all.

Interconnectivity between the rest of Apple’s product stack would be great.

Apple Fitness Plus would have a natural place on the headset, as would Maps, or other programs. Imagine using Garageband in AR, while you’re playing your instruments.

The future is virtual

UPDATE 9/29/2022 8:30 AM ET: Apple is already looking to future headsets, as well. According to a new report from The Elec, Apple is asking LG and Samsung about future displays that reach 3500 pixels-per-inch (PPI). Theoretically, this will make future displays even more immersive.

Whatever form Apple’s first VR/AR headset takes, it’s clear the company thinks other forms of reality are the future.

Apple isn’t one to jump into a market, they like to study things first (assuming they’re not creating the category).

The first device might be another “iPhone moment,” changing the face of how we interact with technology. If anyone can get VR and AR mainstream, it’ll be Apple.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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That’s according to Ross Young of DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants), who is often correct about these things. He’s been teasing the OLED devices since June, so there must be something in it.

In a new tweet to Super Followers on Twitter (h/t Gizmodo), Young notes that:

The previous tweets from earlier this year also have information about the OLED panel’s capabilities. Young says that all the displays will use LTPO technology, meaning they will have ProMotion features.

That can drop the refresh rate down to 1Hz, or up to 120Hz for fast motion. The current iPad Pro models with ProMotion can only drop down to 24Hz.

The OLED panels will also have a two-stack tandem structure. That’s two OLED layers stacked to give increased brightness and lower power consumption.

OLED for iPads and MacBooks would bring the color consistency Apple is known for. It also means that the cost has come down, as Apple felt it was too expensive for larger screens.

Apple is currently moving its screen technology from IPS to MiniLED. Earlier reports also mention that Apple is working on using microLED technology in the future.

That would mean Apple is transitioning to MiniLED, OLED, and microLED for its devices.

All current iPhones are already using OLED, as are the latest Apple Watch units. The iPad uses LCD IPS, except for the MiniLED iPad Pro 12.9-inch.

The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro units from 2021 use MiniLED, with IPS used on the rest of the range.

Time will tell if Young’s latest report holds true, but considering the reports have been coming since June, we expect there will be more official news in 2023.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Apple is working on an AR/VR headset. The company hasn’t officially confirmed one, but it clearly sees the technology as a critical part of its future.

We’ve been seeing leaks about the potential headset for a while now. The company reportedly showed its headset to its board of directors in May 2022.

Additionally, many have speculated on what to expect when the headset launches.

Since Apple hasn’t officially revealed its headset to the public, there’s no way of knowing exactly when it will come out. But several industry insiders have weighed in, giving us a better idea about timeframes.

When is the Apple AR/VR headset coming out?

Short answer: Likely in the second half of 2023.

Early suggestions claimed we could see Apple’s AR/VR headset in January 2023. However, recent reports from industry insiders point to a release date later in the year.

Popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared an update in December 2022 stating that Apple’s shipment schedule for the headset is now slated for the second half of 2023.

Ming Chi-Kuo has also reported that the reveal event for Apple’s AR/VR headset is likely coming in January 2023. If that’s the case, we should learn exactly when the headset is coming at the event.

Another report from DigiTimes says that Apple will begin mass production of the headset in March 2023. That would give the company reasonable time to ship the device in the second half of the year.

Of course, these are all rumors as of now. We won’t know exactly when the VR headset will be available until Apple officially reveals it.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Apple is developing a new automated car to compete with the likes of Tesla and other self-driving vehicles.

Early rumors suggested that Apple would develop a completely autonomous vehicle that doesn’t require a driver. That’s a level of self-driving that no manufacturer is close to yet.

Initial reports suggested that Apple would begin producing the vehicle in 2024. And that would potentially lead to a full release of the Apple Car in 2025.

But Apple’s vision was a little too ambitious. The company has reportedly scrapped the driverless idea and delayed the production of the Apple Car. So when is it coming out?

When will the Apple Car come out?

Short answer: 2026 at the earliest.

In a report from December 2022, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed that there had been another delay for the Apple Car. The company pushed the launch date back once again, this time to 2026.

Additionally, the company has become a little less ambitious about the car’s self-driving capabilities. It’s no longer pushing for a driverless vehicle.

Instead, the car will have a traditional steering wheel and pedals. Its self-driving capabilities will be limited to highways, aligning the vehicle with other self-driving capabilities from companies like Tesla.

That means the car will cost less than we originally thought. Gurman also claims that Apple has reduced the selling price to less than $100,000. Early expectations said the car would cost around $120,000.

We’re still a long way from the car’s release date. We’ll update this article with any more news of delays in the launch of the Apple Car.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Apple releases new iPhones every single year. but when did the iPhone 14 come out?

The company is known for its yearly releases, and those always happen around September. Even during COVID-19, the company mostly kept on its expected schedule.

With iPhone 15 rumors already starting, when did Apple’s iPhone 14 release?

So, when did the iPhone 14 come out?

Short answer: September, 7, 2022

The iPhone 14 and 14 Pro released on September 7, 2022. The company introduced the new phones during its annual event.

The latest iPhone was shown off at Apple’s “Far Out event.”

The company unveiled four different models. These included the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

READ MORE: Does the iPhone 14 have Touch ID?

Missing this year was a “mini” version, and the company leaned into larger screens with the iPhone 14 Plus. All models are doing well in terms of sales and features.

So, what about the iPhone 15? When should we expect the next iPhone release? Learn more here: iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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It’s another weekday, which means another Apple rumor to chew up and spit out. This time, the rumors focus on a potential Apple gaming console.

Today’s Apple rumor comes to us from the generally reliable Apple rumor source Clien.net.

One user has reported that Apple is conducting feasibility studies on turning Apple TV into a gaming console.

It stands to reason that at some point, with Apple working hard on AR/VR devices, Apple might consider marrying those outputs with gaming.

It’s doubtful that Apple Arcade would support AR/VR products long-term. Apple would need something more substantial.

Rumors of an Apple video game console have been around for years

This isn’t the first rumor of this nature to fall from the Apple rumor tree in recent memory.

In 2021, the Apple gaming console rumors started swirling, giving optimistic tech writers reason to justify the rumors.

READ MORE: Is Apple working on its own gaming controller?

Then back in January of this year, it was rumored that Apple was poaching engineers from Xbox to work on its own console.

Naturally, that news was met with a hefty dose of skepticism. The existing Apple Arcade was reason enough to hire devs and engineers with gaming console experience.

With Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and Sony’s purchase of Bungie, it makes it harder for Apple to enter the console arena with some sort of exclusive game appeal.

According to the rumor, Capcom and Ubisoft are active partners in creating exclusive titles for the imaginary Apple gaming console.

It’d be a strange world indeed if Street Fighter ends up locked to an Apple gaming console.

Does Apple have a gaming console?

Yes, Apple has tried its hand at game consoles before.

If the company works on an official Apple game console in 2022, it won’t be its first dip into the pool. We must never forget 1996’s Apple Bandai Pippin.

The Apple Pippin was forgotten and faded away into obscurity. It was flawed and unable to keep up with the technical specs of the time.

But from that came years of rumors, usually popping up shortly after the release of a new console from Microsoft, Nintendo, or Sony.

Gamers are a sticky bunch, generally affixed to their console of choice.

It stands to reason that if Apple were to enter the gaming console market, it would do so with a complimentary device rather than a device intended to convert gamers directly.

While Apple TV supports third-party controllers and Apple Arcade is a thing that exists, it’s nowhere near a gaming console. It can’t even compete with the games on your iPhone.

So, once again, we are left asking ourselves whether this rumor is real. Is Apple truly working on a gaming console, and could it compete with Microsoft, Sony, or Nintendo?

Will it be a handheld console similar to the Switch or something beefier? Could it be an amalgamation of a Mac computer and Apple Arcade?

Or should Apple stay in its lane and stick to slick laptops and iPhones?

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Sony’s new PlayStation Plus subscription launches in June
• GTA Online now has a subscription service for $5.99 a month
• Steam is now on Chrome OS – can your Chromebook run it?
• The new iPhone SE has production slashed due to low demand

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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These tools will help users secure their iCloud data, stay safer on iMessage, and protect their Apple ID with physical security keys.

The Wall Street Journal notes that the expansion of end-to-end encryption for most iCloud data “wouldn’t be accessible to law enforcement, even with a warrant.”

That’s a good thing for individual privacy.

The improvements to digital security are designed to put users in charge of securing their data.

Apple Advanced Data Protection encrypts all your data

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud is the most significant update to privacy. When turned on, it will make iCloud encrypt most of your data.

Currently, iCloud encrypts sensitive data such as iCloud Keychain and Health data.

When the update comes, and you opt-in, iCloud encrypts Photos, iCloud backups, and more.

The only data that won’t be encrypted is from iCloud Mail, Contacts, and Calendar. Those services need access for full functionality, so encrypting them isn’t possible.

Users must set up a secondary recovery method to recover their iCloud data.

Security key support

Apple says that over 95 percent of active iCloud users have enabled two-factor authentication (2FA).

In early 2023, users can use physical security keys as a 2FA option.

That means that users that want (or need) additional security will be safe even if someone gains access to their existing 2FA method.

iMessage Contact Key Verification

iMessage messages are already end-to-end encrypted. So are FaceTime conversations. It would take a “highly sophisticated cyberattack” to break that, but it’s possible.

That’s why Apple is rolling out iMessage Contact Key Verification. The upcoming feature will verify who you are sending messages to.

Users can also compare what’s called a Contact Verification Code. This can happen in person, over FaceTime, or via secure call.

These security features are coming soon

Apple says that Advanced Data Protection for iCloud will be available in the U.S. by the end of the year.

The rest of the world will start getting access in early 2023.

iMessage Contact Key Verification is coming globally in 2023. And Security Keys for Apple ID will be available everywhere in early 2023.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple VR headset: Release date, features, and price
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• How to update your AirPods firmware
• How to free up iCloud storage by reducing your iPhone backup size

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That would make 2026 the target date for a consumer release. Apple has reportedly reduced the selling price to “less than $100,000” from the earlier expectations of over $120,000.

The company has done this to appeal to a broader range of consumers. The Apple Car will go up against other luxury electric vehicles like Tesla’s Model S or Mercedes-Benz’s EQS.

Apple had hoped to create a fully self-driving car without a steering wheel or a traditional driver’s seat. That would be a “Level 5” autonomy level, which no company has achieved to date.

Apple has reportedly scaled back that vision. Apple’s Car will have a steering wheel and pedals, with autonomous features only working on highways.

That puts it in the same range of self-driving capabilities as Tesla or any other automakers working on autonomous vehicles. Bloomberg also mentions that the Apple Car will rely on LiDAR and radar sensors in addition to cameras.

The car’s brains will be from a custom system “about four of Apple’s highest-end Mac chips combined.” Apple’s highest-powered chip currently is the M1 Ultra which is only available in the Mac Studio.

The report also says that Apple still needs to finalize a design for the vehicle. Apple is aiming to finish the design stages next year.

Then the company will finalize a feature set for the car and head into the prototyping stages. Whatever design Apple lands on, expect it to be more traditional inside.

The “limousine-like interior where passengers could face each other” has also been shelved. If Apple cracks fully-autonomous driving, then it could reevaluate the interior.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Apple Car delayed again, now coming in 2026 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Called Apple Music Sing, the feature provides accurate lyrics and user-adjustable vocal levels. Apple says that at launch, it will feature “tens of millions of the world’s most singable songs.”

Additionally, Apple is releasing 50 curated playlists to make it even easier for people starting out.

The biggest draw is being able to adjust the song’s vocal levels. This means you can sing along with vocals or take the lead on any of your favorite tracks.

Apple tells Mashable that the feature is powered by an Apple-created “on-device machine learning algorithm that can process music in real-time.”

Apple Music will also show real-time lyrics, animated to “dance to the rhythm of the vocals,” with individual syllables highlighted.

If a verse is from a background singer, it will dance to its beat for easier following. Any tracks with multiple vocalists will have their respective lyrics on opposite sides of the screen.

Only newer Apple devices will be able to use the karaoke feature. That’s because the on-device processing needs a powerful chip to power it.

That means you will need an iPhone 11 or later, iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd gen or later), iPad Air (4th gen or later), iPad mini (6th gen), iPad (9th gen or later), or the Apple TV 4K (3rd gen).

Rival Spotify also has a karaoke feature, which uses your microphone to give you an accuracy score. That’s a neat option, although you can’t reduce the vocal track volume.

Apple says Apple Music Sing will be available to all subscribers later this month. We’ll update this post once we get an exact release date.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple VR headset: Release date, features, and price
• Spotify Wrapped 2022 is here – here’s how to check your stats
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• Apple is hiking up prices on Apple Music, TV+, and more

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Your AirPods are great for music and phone calls, but sometimes Apple needs to push updates to improve them. That’s where firmware updates come in.

Apple pushes updates for a variety of reasons. That includes new features, bug fixes, and more. But how do you trigger the update?

The simple answer is that you can’t manually update your AirPods or AirPods Pro, no matter which version you own. It’s not a question of compatibility but one of trust. Trust between Apple and, well, anyone.

Apple does have a manual update tool for AirPods Pro firmware, but it’s internal only, so only Apple-approved technicians can access it.

READ MORE: How to check your AirPods battery level

But all hope is not lost. Some users have found a trick that they claim helps spur updates. If you’re not an Apple-approved technician, here’s how you can try to update your AirPods’ firmware.

How to (possibly) speed up your AirPods firmware update

While there is no official way to speed up the updating process, some users have reported success using the following method.

From there, you’ll just need to wait. Admittedly, we don’t have high hopes for this method, but it is worth trying.

READ MORE: AirPods microphone not working? Here’s how to fix it

The only thing you really can do to trigger a firmware update on your AirPods is to wait. Can we suggest some meditation podcasts on Apple Music while you wait?

They won’t help you get a firmware update, but they’ll teach you how to be okay with waiting, and that’s invaluable.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can I use bleach on my AirPods?
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• How to find your AirPods in case you lose them

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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The lawsuit, originally reported by Bloomberg, alleges that one of the women’s ex-boyfriends stashed an AirTag in her wheel well so he could find where she went to avoid his harassment.

The other woman says her estranged husband planted an AirTag in her child’s backpack to keep up with her location.

Apple has added measures to the AirTag to prevent this sort of thing. For example, your iPhone will get a notification when it detects that an AirTag is likely following you.

However, the lawsuit claims these safeguards are “woefully inadequate, and do little, if anything, to promptly warn individuals if they are being tracked.”

Concerns over the safety of AirTags are not a new development by any means. The trackers came out in April of last year, and it wasn’t long before assholes started using them to track unsuspecting users.

Apple has continued to support the gadget, adding new features to help prevent potential stalking. But many feel like those additions are still not enough.

This particular lawsuit was filed on Monday this week. It will likely be a while before we hear what the courts say or if the parties reach a settlement.

AirTags are a great tool for people to help keep up with their valuables. But it has become clear that they can also be used by stalkers and predators.

If you see any notifications on your phone about an unknown AirTag, don’t ignore it. That notification could potentially save you a lot of trouble.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• One German airline has banned AirTags on checked bags (updated)
• Authorities used an AirTag to find airline thief who stole thousands
• DuckDuckGo now blocks ‘all known trackers’ on Android
• People are selling modified AirTags on Etsy that make it easier to stalk someone

The post Apple is being sued over AirTag stalking appeared first on KnowTechie.

Apple rarely does anything visual without it having some type of functionality. The on-screen volume indicator is no exception, and you can interact with it to adjust the volume.

I’ve written about Apple for years and been a full-time iPhone user for the last few — and I didn’t know this existed. I never thought to tap on the animation that came up.

Sure, my fingers were already tapping the volume buttons, so moving them never occurred to me.

Apple introduced this feature when iOS 13 released. That was three years ago, and how many people bothered to read the 800+ page instruction manual for their iPhone?

Here’s how to use this hidden-in-plain-sight iPhone feature.

You can interact with the iPhone on-screen volume animation

That’s it; now you can control the volume with the same control level as the Control Center slider.

Unless you have an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone volume slider still works on the lock screen on those handsets but not on the home screen.

That’s because Apple shifted the volume animation to Dynamic Island on those devices. You can’t interact with the volume animation when it’s in that area.

Maybe Apple will realize that we like using this feature and make it interactable on Dynamic Island.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post This simple iPhone trick gives you better volume control appeared first on KnowTechie.

Apple has released the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, but tech doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

The development of next year’s iPhone 15 is likely underway, and we’ve been hearing predictions and rumors about its capabilities.

Some of these are significant changes, like the form the charging and data port will take. Others are not so big, but this will mean Apple is less reliant on one other company for parts.

A year is a long time in tech, so take any of these predictions with a healthy dose of skepticism. That said, here’s everything we’ve heard about the iPhone 15.

iPhone 15 release date – when will it be?

The iPhone 15 will likely be released in September 2023.

Apple likes to hold the iPhone event on the second Tuesday in September, and we see no reason they will change things.

The world is still in turmoil; that date could be wishful thinking.

Between supply chain issues, the war in Europe, and the coronavirus and its variants, it’s hard to forecast tech releases.

How much is the iPhone 15?

The iPhone 14 range starts at $799 and goes up to $1199 for the 14 Pro Max. We can’t see Apple increasing the price of the base iPhone 15.

Another $100 hike would make it $899, closer to its Android competition’s “Pro” models.

The Pro models might be another story. Apple is trying hard to differentiate the two tiers of iPhones.

A rumor says the Pro Max will get a periscope zoom lens. That will increase the price to build, and Apple will pass that on to the consumer.

There could also be an increase to a 2TB storage tier for the Pro models. That could mean a $2,000 iPhone Pro Max.

As of 11/11/2022, a new leak from LeaksApplePro says that iPhone 15 Ultra will “cost substantially more to manufacture than iPhone 14 Pro Max.”

Without additional context, that’s probably a given. Inflation is one factor, as are ongoing supply chain disruptions.

The same leaker said that the iPhone 15 Ultra (the renaming of the iPhone 14 Pro Max) would come with a titanium case.

If so, titanium is more expensive to buy and machine than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

What design changes does Apple have in store?

The biggest expected change is the move to USB-C. When Apple released the Lightning port with the iPhone 5, it promised a decade of support.

That decade ends this year, but that’s not the only reason for the change.

The European Union’s new law makes USB-C the only acceptable plug for smartphones. This goes into effect in 2024.

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the USB-C iPhones are already in the testing stages. Apple is also working on an adapter to allow existing Lightning accessories to work with USB-C.

USB-C was confirmed by Apple’s SVP of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, on October 27. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, he said that the EU mandate means USB-C is coming.

New iPhone shape?

According to multiple reports, Apple is currently finalizing the design of the iPhone 15.

Some reports believe that the design will continue with the squared-off edges. Other reports point to a more rounded design.

Faster speeds are coming to the iPhone 15 Pro models

Another supply chain analysis from Ming-Chi Kuo says while all iPhone 15 models will get USB-C, only two will get faster speeds.

His latest survey says that USB 3.2 (or possibly USB 4/Thunderbolt) will come to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

The base iPhone 15 will still use the USB 2.0 speeds from the current, Lightning-equipped iPhones. That would further differentiate the Pro models as a tool for professional use.

New, high-end iPhones could scrap the physical buttons

A new supply chain analysis says that the two “high-end iPhones” for 2023 won’t have physical power or volume buttons.

Instead, they’ll have solid-state buttons powered by two Taptic Engines to make it feel like the user has pressed a button.

That will feel like mini MacBook touchpads, which also use Taptic feedback to make it feel like the touchpad moves when pressed.

An earlier analyst note thought Touch ID could be coming back as an under-screen fingerprint reader.

A new analysis says not to expect it for the iPhone 15 but maybe for the 2025 models.

Speaking of Face ID, Ming-Chi Kuo says that at least one iPhone 15 model will get an under-display Face ID.

Korean website The Elec agrees, but they said both iPhone 15 Pro models would get the new sensors.

If so, that would mean that the iPhone 15 Pro could have a seamless screen or a single-hole punch for the selfie camera.

Apple may have an under-screen camera in development that could be used in a future iPhone.

Display changes

Ross Young, an analyst for all things display-based, has an interesting nugget of information. Dynamic Island will be on all iPhone 15 models.

That change makes the iPhone 14 the last model with a display notch.

After this, they’ll all have Dynamic Island, making things easier for developers as they only have one screen type to write code for.

Just don’t expect ProMotion or Always-On Display to feature on the base iPhone models. Young thinks those will still stay on the Pro line.

iPhone 15 cameras

Ming-chi Kuo has now stated that he doesn’t believe the iPhone 15 Pro will get an “8P” lens. This 8-element plastic lens would technically allow for better pictures.

The big rumor around the iPhone 15 cameras is a dedicated periscope zoom lens. Only the iPhone 15 Pro Max will get this lens, which will feature a 5-6x optical zoom.

That’s according to the ever-accurate Ming-Chi Kuo, who says both Pro models will get it the year after.

Another recent report from Nikkei speaks of a partnership between Sony and Apple for new sensors on iPhone 15 cameras.

Sony will supply Apple with its advanced image sensor with double the saturation signal level of conventional sensors.

That allows the sensors to capture more light, reducing underexposure and overexposure.

For example, the sensors should allow the cameras to take clear images of a person’s face, even with a strong backlight.

Other rumors

Another report from the usually-correct analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple’s latest chips will only be used in the Pro models from now on. If so, that will be the same for the iPhone 15.

TSMC plans to start production of its 3nm chips later this year. Out of Apple’s chips, that includes the M3 Mac chips and the A17 for the iPhone 15 range.

We’re also expecting to see Apple’s own 5G modem in 2023. After buying Intel’s modem division, Apple has been having issues getting the technology to its standards.

Next year could be the first time an iPhone doesn’t have a Qualcomm 5G modem.

A titanium iPhone?

Another leak from the LeaksApplePro Twitter account claims that the iPhone 15 Ultra will be made out of titanium instead of stainless steel.

That could mean a pretty hefty price tag for the iPhone 15 Ultra, as titanium is much more expensive than stainless steel.

Another leaker, ShrimpApplePro, backs up the titanium frame rumors. They didn’t specify if it’s for the base, Pro, or potential Ultra version of the iPhone 15.

Their leak also says that the squared-off back corners will be more rounded, while the iPhone 15 will still use back glass. This will make it echo the current MacBook shape.

We’ve also heard rumors of a foldable iPhone for years now. If those early predictions are true, 2023 is the year Apple puts out its first foldable.

The rumors and other information we’ve seen paint a picture of two classes of iPhone users.

Those who want the base model for everyday tasks and those who want the higher specifications and features of the Pro models.

The iPhone 15 will further cement that link, differentiating from what we know about the iPhone 14 range. We’ll keep updating this article as new rumors and leaks come in.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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