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Thursday, April 2, 2020

2020 iPad Pro May Not Have a U1 Ultra Wideband Chip After All

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While it was previously reported that all 2020 iPad Pro models feature the same Apple-designed U1 chip as the iPhone 11 lineup, enabling Ultra Wideband support, we have compiled evidence to suggest that this may not be the case.

As a reminder, Apple's tech specs for the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro list an Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness, but the chip is not mentioned in Apple's tech specs for the new iPad Pro. Apple also did not mention the new iPad Pro featuring the U1 chip in its press release or in any other marketing materials for the device.

Beyond that, the directional AirDrop feature that the U1 chip enables on iPhone 11 models is not present on the new iPad Pro running iPadOS 13.4. Likewise, the Ultra Wideband toggle switch that Apple added to iPhones in iOS 13.3.1 is not present on the new iPad Pro.

While all of this could suggest that Apple has simply disabled the U1 chip in the new iPad Pro until it becomes more useful, such as when Apple releases its rumored AirTags item tracking tags, more evidence suggests otherwise.

Earlier this week, the teardown experts at iFixit informed us that they had yet to find physical evidence of the U1 chip in the new iPad Pro. However, iFixit did note that it had yet to remove RF shielding from the logic board to confirm this.

The biggest clue of all is that FCC filings for all iPhone 11 models list operating frequencies in the 6GHz range and the 7-8GHz range, and the rules for these frequencies points to "Subpart F — Ultra-Wideband Operation." TechInsights last year reported that the U1 chip in iPhone 11 models transmits on two different frequencies, 6.24GHz and 8.23GHz.

By comparison, FCC filings indicate that all 2020 iPad Pro models operate within a max frequency range of 5GHz for Wi-Fi.

All of this presents a pretty solid case that the new iPad Pro might not have a U1 chip after all, but we have yet to confirm this without a doubt. When published, iFixit's full teardown of the new iPad Pro should provide a definitive answer.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro

Tag: Ultra Wideband

Buyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9" iPad Pro (Buy Now)

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Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Tile Claims Apple's Anticompetitive Behavior Has 'Gotten Worse, Not Better'

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Apple's anticompetitive behaviors have gotten worse over the course of the last few months rather than better, Tile claimed in a congressional panel today, reports Reuters.

Executives from Tile, PopSockets, Sonos, and Basecamp in January testified in front of a congressional hearing in an ongoing antitrust inquiry launched by the U.S. government against tech companies like Amazon, Apple, and Google.

Tile at the time complained about Location Services changes implemented in iOS 13 that encouraged customers not to use always-on location tracking by requiring them to set a toggle in "deep, hard-to-find smartphone settings."

To resolve the dispute, Apple said that it was working on an option that would allow third-party developers to enable "Always Allow" tracking features right when an app is installed, but Tile today said that it is not satisfied with Apple's actions since the original congressional meeting.

"Despite Apple's multiple promises to reinstate 'Always Allow' background permissions option for third party apps' geolocation services, Apple has not yet done so," Tile said. Always-on location access is crucial for the Tile app's ability to locate nearby Tile hardware.

Tile also said that it appears Apple is working on a hardware product that will be added to the Find My app, referencing AirTags rumors. There is evidence that Apple is developing small, Bluetooth-enabled tracking tags that will be able to be attached to wallets, keys, and other items to allow them to be located in the ‌Find My‌ app.

AirTags will directly compete with Tile's Bluetooth tracking tags, which serve a similar function, but will have an edge because they'll be integrated right into the ‌Find My‌ app used by every iPhone, iPad, and Mac owner.

Apple opted not to comment on what Tile had to say, but pointed Reuters to its previous statement made in January.

Apple builds its hardware, software, and system level apps to protect user privacy and provide the best products and ecosystem in the world. Apple has not built a business model around knowing a customer's location or the location of their device.

When setting up a new device users can choose to turn on Location Services to help find a lost or misplaced device with ‌‌Find My‌‌ ‌‌iPhone‌‌, an app that users have come to rely on since 2010. Customers have control over their location data, including the location of their device. If a user doesn't want to enable these features, there's a clear, easy to understand setting where they can choose exactly which location services they want enabled or disabled.

In regard to third-party apps, we created the App Store with two goals in mind: that it be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for developers. We continually work with developers and take their feedback on how to help protect user privacy while also providing the tools developers need to make the best app experiences.

We're currently working with developers interested in enabling the "Always Allow" functionality to enable that feature at the time of setup in a future software update.

Apple, along with other tech companies, continues to be under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission, and attorneys general from dozens of states.

Tags: Tile, AirTags

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Deals: B&H Photo's New Apple Shopping Event Includes Solid Discounts on iPad mini, AirPods, and More

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B&H Photo began a new Apple Shopping Event today, offering discounts on AirPods, MacBook, iPad, Mac mini, and Apple Watch Series 5.

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

To start, you can save with some solid deals on AirPods, including the AirPods with Charging Case at $139.95, down from $159.95. This is around the same price we're seeing at all of the major Apple resellers this week, and just about $10 off from the lowest price tracked.

The AirPods with Wireless Charging Case is $169.95, down from $199.00, which is also hitting around the same price at places like Adorama and Amazon. If you want the standalone Wireless Charging Case for AirPods, that accessory is $69.00, down from $79.00 at B&H Photo.

Moving to Apple Watch Series 5, you'll find an average $15 discount on most models during B&H Photo's Apple Shopping Event. That means 40mm Aluminum devices start at $384.00 and 44mm Aluminum devices start at $414.00. This event also includes Nike+ and cellular models on sale, as well as $20 off Modern Buckle bands.

For iPad, there are numerous discounts on a variety of models. The 7.9-inch iPad mini from early 2019 is seeing a lowest-ever price on the 256GB Wi-Fi model, priced at $499.00, down from $549.00. Likewise, the 256GB cellular model is on sale, this one priced at $629.00, down from $659.00.

There are sales on two of the newest 2020 iPad Pros: $1,049.00 for the 256GB Wi-Fi 12.9-inch iPad Pro and $849.00 for the 256GB Wi-Fi 11-inch iPad Pro, both $50 off. Lastly, you can save on quite a few 2018 models; we collected a lot of these sales in a separate post this morning.

Head to B&H Photo to browse the full Apple Shopping Event, which also includes sales on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and Beats headphones. We track weekly deals on all of these products in our dedicated Best Deals guides for iPad, MacBook, and AirPods.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals

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Fitbit Charge 4 with Spotify, Built-in GPS, 7-Day Battery Life Launched in India: Price, Features

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T-Mobile Completes Merger With Sprint, Promises 'Transformational' 5G Network

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T-Mobile today announced that it has completed its merger with Sprint, with the merged company to operate under the T-Mobile brand. Effective immediately, T-Mobile's former COO Mike Sievert will assume the role of CEO, with John Legere stepping down.

T-Mobile said it plans to focus on creating a "transformational" nationwide 5G network. Within six years, the carrier promises to provide 5G to 99 percent of the U.S. population and average 5G speeds in excess of 100 Mbps to 90 percent of the U.S. population. T-Mobile also plans to provide 90 percent of rural Americans with average 5G speeds of 50 Mbps.

The "new" T-Mobile has committed to delivering the same or better rate plans for at least three years, including access to 5G. Rate plans are not changing today.

For now, the merged company says all customers will stay with the same Sprint and T-Mobile network, stores, and service they have been using. Over time, Sprint assets will simply begin to be rebranded as T-Mobile.

Tags: Sprint, T-Mobile

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