Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

techDecember 5, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November.

Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware, so it is unclear what’s new in the update, but prior software releases have been refining functionality introduced in iOS 17 such as Adaptive Audio.

Apple does not give customers instructions on how to upgrade AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed over-the-air while the ‌‌AirPods‌‌ are connected to an iOS device. Putting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ in the case, connecting the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to a power source, and then pairing the ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌ to an iOS device or Mac should force the update.

You can check your ‌‌‌AirPods‌‌ firmware by following these steps:

Connect your ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌AirPods Pro‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ to your iOS device.
Open the Settings app.
Tap General.
Tap About.
Tap ‌‌‌‌‌AirPods‌‌‌‌‌.
Look at the number next to “Firmware Version.”

If we learn more about what’s new in the firmware release, we’ll update this article.

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 to Developers

techDecember 5, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions (RCs) of upcoming iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the the fourth betas of iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2. The RCs represent the final version of the software that is expected to be provided to the public.

Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the “Beta Updates” option, and toggling on the ‌iOS 17 or iPadOS 17‌ Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

The biggest new feature in iOS 17.2 is the Journal app, which can be used to record daily activities and thoughts. You can write about your day to day life, but Apple also provides topic suggestions based on the music you listen to, the places you visit, and the people you see. Journal entries support pictures, voice recordings, and location information, with the app organized by entry date.

In Apple Music, there’s a Favorites playlist that houses everything you’ve favorited, plus Apple added support for collaborative playlists. You can now share a playlist with multiple people, and each participant can add songs.

Stickers can now be used to reply to iMessages when you long press on a chat bubble in the Messages app, and there’s also now support for the extra-secure iMessage Contact Key Verification option. If you have an iPhone 15 Pro, the Action Button supports Translate in iOS 17.2, and there are new Weather and Clock widgets.

More on what’s new in iOS 17.2 can be found in our iOS 17.2 beta features list.

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

techDecember 5, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

Today we’re tracking a collection of deals that are matching – or nearly matching – the same all-time low discounts we saw during Black Friday. This includes the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, 9th generation iPad, and M1 MacBook Air.

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

Starting with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C/MagSafe Charging Case, these earbuds have returned to $189.99, down from $249.00. This is a match of the best price we’ve ever tracked on this version of the AirPods, and right now only Amazon has the sale.

Next, Amazon has the 9th generation iPad (64GB Wi-Fi) for $249.00, down from $329.00. During Black Friday, we saw this model go down to around $230 at its lowest point, but today’s deal is a solid second-best option and potentially the best deal you’ll see before the holiday shopping season ends.

Finally, Amazon has the M1 MacBook Air (256GB) for $749.99 when you clip an on-page coupon, down from $999.00. Although a few years old at this point, this $249 discount on the 2020 13-inch MacBook Air is a great deal for anyone who needs a simple and reliable entry-level notebook for browsing the Internet.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we’ve been tracking over the past week.

Apple’s New 14-Inch MacBook Pro Available From $1,399 With Latest Steep Discounts

techDecember 4, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Apple’s New 14-Inch MacBook Pro Available From $1,399 With Latest Steep Discounts

Apple’s 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro is available for multiple all-time low prices today at Best Buy, starting at $1,399.00 for the M3 512GB model, down from $1,599.00. The prices in this article reflect final deal prices applied for My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members.

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

If you don’t have a membership, you can still purchase the notebook at a solid second-best price, which Amazon is matching. For the 512GB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro, that means you can get it on Amazon for $1,449.00 in both Space Gray and Silver.

Secondly, Best Buy has the 1TB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro for $1,549.00, down from $1,799.00. This one is a new all-time low price at $250 off, and it’s again only available for My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Total members.

Similar to the 512GB model, Amazon has the 1TB 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro at a second-best price of $1,599.00 in both colors. This is also the same price that you’ll find on Best Buy if you aren’t a My Best Buy Plus or Total member.

Keep up with all of this week’s best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 for iPhone With Security Fixes

Apple this week released iOS 17.1.2 for the iPhone XS and newer. The minor software update “provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users,” according to Apple’s release notes.

Apple also released a minor macOS 14.1.2 update for Macs with “important bug fixes and security updates.”

There aren’t any updates for the Apple Watch, Apple TV, or HomePod.

Everything New in iOS 17.2 Beta 4

Following iOS 17.1.2, Apple is expected to release a bigger iOS 17.2 update, which has been in beta testing for over a month now.

iOS 17.2 includes many new features and changes, including Apple’s Journal app, support for spatial video recording on iPhone 15 Pro models, and more. There are even more changes in the latest beta, as outlined in our list of everything new in iOS 17.2 beta 4.

Misinformation Spreading About iOS 17’s NameDrop Feature

Apple with iOS 17.1 and watchOS 10.1 introduced a new NameDrop feature that is designed to allow users to hold their iPhones or Apple Watches together to quickly exchange contact information.

While contact information is only shared with explicit user permission, some news outlets and police departments in the U.S. have been spreading fear and misinformation about how NameDrop works over the past few weeks.

Apple Reportedly Ending Apple Card Partnership With Goldman Sachs

Apple has allegedly informed Goldman Sachs that it wants to exit its contract with the investment banking firm in the next 12 to 15 months, according to a report this week from The Wall Street Journal.

Goldman Sachs is the financial partner behind the Apple Card credit card and companion savings account, which can both be managed in the Wallet app on the iPhone. Apple’s future plans for these products remains unclear.

Apple Music Replay 2023 Experience Now Live

The full Apple Music Replay experience is now available for 2023, allowing subscribers to view their top artists, songs, albums, genres, playlists, and stations of the year. Similar to Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music Replay info can be shared on social media.

Apple Music Replay is mainly a web-based experience, accessible at replay.music.apple.com. There is also a playlist with your favorite songs of the year.

What to Expect From All-New CarPlay, Still Listed as Coming ‘Late 2023’

Apple’s website still says the first vehicles with support for next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in “late 2023,” but it has not shared any additional details heading into the final month of the year.

The next-generation CarPlay experience will include deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, increased personalization, and more.

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!

Anker’s Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

techDecember 1, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Anker’s Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

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

In terms of the base sale, there are plenty of great accessories that you can buy to take advantage of the savings. A new highlight is the Anker Prime 240W GaN 4-Port Desktop Charger for $139.99, down from $199.99. If you just want a portable battery with a smart display, the PowerCore 24,000 mAh Power Bank with Smart Digital Display is at $91.99, down from $159.99.

At the bottom of the sale page, Anker also has a few blind boxes on sale, priced at $19.99 (up to $219.99 in value) and at $29.99 (up to $219.99 in value). These mystery boxes include one Anker accessory, but you won’t know what you’re getting until they arrive. All items in the $19.99 box are worth at least $29.99, and all items in the $29.99 box are worth at least $49.99, so no matter what you’ll be getting a deal.

All mystery box items are non-returnable (with the exception of quality issues). These could net you a huge discount with a collection of solid stocking stuffers for the holidays, if you’re willing to take the blind box risk.

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

Apple Highlights Partnership With (RED) For World AIDS Day

techDecember 1, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Apple Highlights Partnership With (RED) For World AIDS Day

For World AIDS Day today, Apple highlighted its long-standing partnership with (RED), which has raised more than a quarter of a billion dollars since 2006, and is promoting (PRODUCT)RED versions of a range of products.

PRODUCT(RED) products include Apple Watch Series 9, iPhone 14, ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE, and accessories, including the Silicone Case with MagSafe for the entire ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 13‌ lineups. A portion of the proceeds from every (PRODUCT)RED purchase goes to the Global Fund to combat AIDS and COVID-19.

This year, Apple is also donating all proceeds from in-app purchases for three games — MONOPOLY GO!, Gardenscapes, and EA Sports FC Mobile — to the Global Fund, including playful avatars, cool shields, and star soccer players. From the press release:

Today through December 4, all proceeds from exclusive in‑app purchases in three popular games on the App Store will be donated to the Global Fund. Order Apple Watch Series 9 (PRODUCT)RED by December 21 to gift in time for the holidays.

Additionally, now through December 8, Apple says it will donate $1 for every purchase made using Apple Pay on apple.com, through the Apple Store app, or at an ‌Apple Store‌ location.

To raise visibility for World AIDS Day and the ongoing effort to eradicate HIV and AIDS, hundreds of ‌‌Apple Store‌‌ retail locations are marking the day with new window and product displays. The company is also spotlighting ways for customers to learn about AIDS in the App Store, Apple Books, Apple Music, and Apple TV app.

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

techDecember 1, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal.

The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is unclear what shape a bundle could take, they said.

The report notes that the discussions between Apple and Paramount come at a time when competitive pressures have seen services increase their prices to bring them to profitability, while also having to deal with customers increasingly canceling subscriptions or switching services.

Apple in October announced that it was increasing the prices of some of its subscription-based services, including ‌Apple TV+‌, which went from $6.99 per month to $9.99 per month, a $3 rise. For those who subscribe to ‌Apple TV+‌ on an annual basis, the price has increased from $69 per year to $99 per year accordingly.

The rationale behind offering multiple services as part of one package is that it is thought to reduce the likelihood that subscribers will cancel on any given month. The strategy has already been put in place by Netflix and Max, which are being bundled together as part of a deal with Verizon.

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

techDecember 1, 2023 FranklinWilbur

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range.

Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside haptic volume and power buttons on the iPhone 15 Pro. While the haptic volume and power buttons were abruptly canceled due to unresolved technical issues, the Action button remained, eventually making its way onto final mass production units of the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and Pro Max.

On the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and Pro Max, the Action button replaces the mute switch previously found on all iPhone models. Unlike the mute switch, which only served a singular purpose, the Action button provides ‌iPhone‌ users with a variety of uses. It can be configured to perform a range of functions, such as:

Silent Mode: Toggle silent mode, which mutes/unmutes the ringer and alerts much like the Ringer switch on older ‌iPhone‌ models.
Flashlight: Turn the ‌iPhone‌’s flashlight function on or off.
Camera: Launch the Camera app to your choice of photo, selfie, video, portrait, or portrait selfie mode.
Shortcuts: Open a shortcut from the Shortcuts app, allowing for a range of powerful functions.
Voice Memo: Start or stop recording a voice memo.
Focus: Enable or disable a specific Focus mode.
Accessibility features: Enable or disable any of a variety of accessibility features and settings for users with impaired vision or hearing.
Magnifier: Use your ‌iPhone‌’s camera as a magnifying glass through the Magnfier app.
Translate (coming in iOS 17.2): Quickly translate speech between two languages.

With the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup, Apple plans to add even more functionality to the Action button by changing the button from mechanical to a capacitive-type button. The revamped Action button, developed under the codename Atlas, is expected to function similarly to the Touch ID Home button on older ‌iPhone‌ models, or the Force Touch trackpad on found on more recent MacBooks.

According to internal documentation, the updated Action button will feature a force sensor, which detects changes in pressure, as well as “tact-switching functionality,” although exactly what the latter entails is currently unclear. The new “Capture” button planned for the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup is also set to include the same functionality as the improved Action button.

As with the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌, even the earliest known designs and prototypes of the base model ‌iPhone 16‌ featured an Action button. The presence of the Action button has remained constant across different development stages and even different hardware configurations.

Apple has also experimented with different sizes for the Action button, with certain hardware configurations featuring an Action button larger than the one currently found on the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌, and more closely resembling the volume buttons in size. The Action button has been seen on multiple ‌iPhone 16‌ prototype units, and has also appeared in internal documentation related to the new devices.

The Action button is also set to appear on the next iteration of the budget-oriented iPhone SE fourth-generation reportedly planned for a 2025 launch, thereby effectively eliminating the dedicated mute switch from all future iPhones currently in development.

While it remains unlikely that Apple’s plans will change, it is important to consider that the information presented here is pre-production information, and may not necessarily reflect what eventually ships on mass production units as we are still many months away from finalized hardware designs.

For more details on what to expect, check out our dedicated iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro roundups.

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

techNovember 30, 2023 FranklinWilbur

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.2.1 and iPadOS 17.2.1 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update.

iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple’s release notes, iOS 17.1.2 includes important security fixes. Specifically, the update addresses vulnerabilities that may have been exploited in earlier versions of iOS.

Processing web content may disclose sensitive information. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.1.

Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.1.

Apple is already working on a major iOS 17.2 update that is set to come out in December. iOS 17.2 includes the Journal app, changes to the Apple TV app, new Weather widgets, and more, with full details available in our iOS 17.2 guide.

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Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 for iPhone With Security Fixes

Everything New in iOS 17.2 Beta 4

Misinformation Spreading About iOS 17’s NameDrop Feature

Apple Reportedly Ending Apple Card Partnership With Goldman Sachs

Apple Music Replay 2023 Experience Now Live

What to Expect From All-New CarPlay, Still Listed as Coming ‘Late 2023’

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