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Saturday, February 1, 2020

Apple Said to Launch AirTags, New iPads and Macs, Small Wireless Charging Mat, High-End Headphones, and More in the First Half of 2020

Apple plans to release several new products in the first half of 2020, including Ultra Wideband item tracking "AirTags," high-end wireless headphones, a small wireless charging mat, a lower-cost 4.7-inch iPhone, refreshed iPad Pro models, and refreshed MacBook Pro and/or MacBook Air models, according to the latest forecast from well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Last year, MacRumors uncovered evidence of Apple working on Tile-like item tracking tags in iOS 13 code, including a potential "AirTags" name. As with iPhone 11 models, Kuo believes the tags will support Ultra Wideband, which would likely make it possible to locate the tags with much greater accuracy than Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi.

MacRumors uncovered evidence of a hidden "Items" tab in the Find My app for "AirTags"
Kuo also expects Apple to release an iPhone with a Touch ID power button on the side of the device in the first half of 2021. He believes the handset will have a 5.5-inch or 6.1-inch LCD display.

iOS 13.3.1 Released, Includes Images of Upcoming Powerbeats4 Earphones

Apple released iOS 13.3.1 this week with a toggle for enabling or disabling the U1 Ultra Wideband chip in iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models. However, there's more to the update than meets the eye.

Hidden in iOS 13.3.1 code, MacRumors has discovered images that correspond with unreleased Powerbeats4 headphones. Powerbeats4 will likely be nearly identical to the ‌Powerbeats Pro‌, but with a wire and a more affordable price tag.

Apple has also released macOS Catalina 10.15.3, watchOS 6.1.2, tvOS 13.3.1, and a software update for the HomePod.

iOS 14 Rumored to Support Same iPhones as iOS 13

iOS 14 will be compatible with any iPhone that can run iOS 13, according to French website iPhoneSoft.fr. On the other hand, the report claims iPadOS 14 will drop support for a few older iPad models, including the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 4.

This week, Apple revealed that iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 are now installed on nearly 80% of all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models introduced in the last four years.

10th Anniversary of Steve Jobs Unveiling the iPad

Monday marked the 10th anniversary of Steve Jobs unveiling the iPad at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. It was one of the last major products that he unveiled before his death in 2011.

"iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," said Steve. "iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before."

25 Must-Know macOS Tips for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Mac Users

There are dozens if not hundreds of macOS shortcuts and tricks to streamline your workflows and make it easier to use your Mac, but many of these shortcuts are easily overlooked or forgotten.

Based on input from MacRumors readers, we have compiled 25 must-know macOS tips for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users alike, complete with a YouTube video demonstrating many of them.

Subscribe to MacRumors on YouTube for new Apple-related videos every week!

SIM-Free iPhones Now Qualify for 24-Month Interest-Free Financing With Apple Card

SIM-free iPhone models now qualify for Apple Card Monthly Installments, which allows customers to purchase an iPhone with the Apple Card and pay for it over two years with no interest or fees in the United States. Previously, the installment plan was limited to carrier-activated iPhones.

Apple already offered interest-free iPhone financing through its iPhone Upgrade Program, but the Apple Card plan has a few advantages, including managing payments in the Wallet app and no late fees. iPhone purchases via Apple Card Monthly Installments also qualify for 3% Daily Cash.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

This article, "Top Stories: Apple Expected to Release 'AirTags' and More in First Half of 2020, Powerbeats4 Leak, iPad Turns 10" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Nokia 8.2, Nokia 5.2 Could Debut at HMD Global’s Event in MWC 2020 Scheduled for February 23

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Puma Smartwatch with Google Wear OS, 4GB Internal Storage Launched in India: Price, Features

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Friday, January 31, 2020

Apple Offering Onsite Device Repairs in Select Cities Through Go Tech Services

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Apple is now offering an onsite repair option for customers in select cities who need issues with their Apple devices addressed but aren't able to visit a repair shop or Apple Store.

The onsite repair options are available through Apple Authorized Service Provider Go Tech Services, which promises to repair your device "at your home or office."

When visiting Apple's Support site to initiate a device repair, there's now a mention of an onsite option when scheduling a repair. "Look for an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Genius Bar. In select locations, onsite service may be available."

Onsite repairs from Go Tech Services appear to be available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas. When choosing a repair option in one of these cities, Go Tech Services can be selected as one of the repair providers.

Go Tech Services is listed as the top option in cities where it is available, and selecting it warns that an onsite visit fee may be charged in addition to the provider's standard repair cost. Apple's support site does not include additional details about the fee, and clicking the "Book through this provider" option redirects users to Go Tech Services' website, where an appointment can be scheduled.

On the site, users are instructed to select a date and a time for a repair, but this part of the booking process also does not include information on fees. In San Francisco, there are no available same-day appointments, with the earliest appointment available on Monday.

Apple offers onsite repairs for its enterprise customers, but until now, there has never been a similar repair option for regular consumers. Go Tech Services is an Apple Authorized Service Provider, so the repairs aren't coming directly from Apple, but it's akin to visiting a similar AASP like Mobile Kangaroo or Best Buy.

It's not clear the extent of the problems that can be addressed by the onsite service provider. We were able to choose Go Tech Services for a cracked iPhone display, but not for a battery replacement.

Go Tech Services appears to operate exclusively through Apple, as visiting the company's website redirects to a notice that repairs must be initiated through Apple's support site.

Tag: Apple Support

This article, "Apple Offering Onsite Device Repairs in Select Cities Through Go Tech Services" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple Providing Free Replacement AirPods Pro Tips Under AppleCare+

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Customers who have AirPods Pro that also purchased an AppleCare+ protection plan for $29 appear to be able to receive free replacement tips for their ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Multiple MacRumors readers have reported being provided replacement tips at no cost after going through Apple's support repair steps for the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

From MacRumors reader Boshii:

I'm not sure if it's an ‌AppleCare‌+ thing or not but I set up the replacement online and there was no fee. I was under the impression that there will be a cost even with ‌AppleCare‌+.

‌AirPods Pro‌ owners with ‌AppleCare‌+ who want to order replacement tips can do so by going to the Apple support site, choosing the ‌AirPods Pro‌, picking the option to replace an AirPod or an ear tip, selecting the option to replace the ‌AirPods Pro‌ ear tips, and then choosing the order replacement option.

When ordering replacement tips, Apple sends one pair in a specified size only, and it's not clear if there's a limit on the number of free replacement tips that can be ordered.

Apple's support site and the ‌AppleCare‌+ page for headphones don't mention the possibility of free replacement tips, instead suggesting the tips will have a $3.95 replacement fee. Ordering AirPods tips without ‌AppleCare‌+ incurs the aforementioned $3.95 fee.

Related Roundup: AirPods Pro

Tag: AppleCare

Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)

This article, "Apple Providing Free Replacement AirPods Pro Tips Under AppleCare+" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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FCC: Wireless Carriers Violated Federal Law by Sharing Consumer Location Data

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One or more wireless carriers violated federal law by failing to protect sensitive customer information like real-time data location, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai confirmed today in letters sent to Congress as part of a wireless location investigation [PDF].

As noted by Bloomberg, Pai's letter comes after the U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce in November accused the FCC of "failing in its duty to to enforce the laws Congress passed to protect consumers' privacy."

The accusation was referring to major wireless carriers disclosing real-time consumer location information to third-party data services, with data services then selling that sensitive info to a variety of companies without customer consent.

The location selling practices surfaced last year after Motherboard reported that Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile were selling subscriber geolocation data to third-party companies like LocationSmart and Zumigo, with those companies then passing it along to bounty hunters, bail bondsmen, and more.

The FCC's letter confirms that one or more wireless carriers violated the law by sharing location data with third-party services, though it does not specify which carriers have done so. Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have all been questioned about their data selling practices in the past.

Pai says that he's committed to ensuring that carriers comply with the Communications Act and the FCC's rules, and the carriers that have been found in violation of the law could be facing fines.

Tags: Sprint, T-Mobile, FCC, AT&T

This article, "FCC: Wireless Carriers Violated Federal Law by Sharing Consumer Location Data" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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