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Tag: MacRumors

  • Apple’s New M2 Pro Mini May Have Serious Ethernet Issues

    Apple’s New M2 Pro Mini May Have Serious Ethernet Issues

    Apple’s M2 Pro Mini is gaining attention for the wrong reasons, with users reporting serious ethernet issues.

    A forum thread has popped up on MacRumors where a number of users have detailed issues with their ethernet connections on the new machines. Some users have even resorted to wiping and reinstalling macOS to no avail.

    Some users, such as “purplefuku,” reported success stabilizing the ethernet connection after multiple reinstalls:

    +1 for me, too! Base model M2 Pro Mac mini. Shipped with 13.0, oddly enough. It took me THREE complete clean installs from a Ventura USB installer before the laggy networking has finally seemed to stabilize…

    At this point, it is unclear if it is a software or hardware issue, although the fact that reinstalling can fix it would seem to indicate a software problem. Hopefully, Apple will be able to release a patch soon that will resolve the issue.

  • Users Can No Longer Downgrade to iOS 16.3

    Users Can No Longer Downgrade to iOS 16.3

    Users can no longer downgrade to iOS 16.3, a result of Apple no longer signing the iOS 16.3 update.

    Apple released iOS 16.3.1 in mid-February and has stopped signing its immediate predecessor. As a result, any users who may be experiencing issues in 16.3.1, no longer have the option to downgrade, according to MacRumors.

    The move is not at all uncommon, as Apple routinely stops signing older versions of its operating systems. This ensures users stay on the latest editions, which in most cases is a good thing.

  • CES 2023: AMD Unveils Its Apple M1 Killer

    CES 2023: AMD Unveils Its Apple M1 Killer

    AMD is taking aim at Apple, unveiling a chip it claims will outperform Apple’s custom silicon while offering superior battery life.

    Apple’s M1 custom silicon took the semiconductor world by storm, offering an unrivaled combination of performance and efficiency. Other companies have been working to come up with an answer, and AMD believes it has an M1 killer.

    According to MacRumors, the AMD Ryzen 7940HS “is 34% faster in multiprocessing workloads than the ‌M1 Pro‌ and 20% faster than the ‌M2‌ in AI tasks.”

    In addition to performance, the new chips offer significantly better battery life. In fact, AMD says the “Ryzen 7040 series will offer 30+ hours of video playback in ultrathin notebooks.”

    If AMD’s new chips live up to the claims, it could finally offer a compelling alternative to Apple’s custom silicon.

  • YouTube App Is Causing Some Apple TVs to Lock Up

    YouTube App Is Causing Some Apple TVs to Lock Up

    Apple TV users are experiencing problems with YouTube, with the app causing some Apple TVs to lock up.

    Apple TV is a popular streaming device that offers a variety of apps and services, including YouTube. Unfortunately, users are reporting an issue when trying to exit the app.

    First noticed by MacRumors, users have been taking to Twitter and Reddit to discuss the issue. It appears to happen when users try to press the Back button on their remote to exit the app, prompting a confirmation dialogue. Once confirmed, the Apple TV appears to lock up, with the TV screen going black. The only way to recover is to force-quit the app, or unplug the replug the Apple TV.

    YouTube’s response on Twitter has not been especially helpful, or shed much light on the matter:

    sorry for the trouble! if you haven’t yet try restarting your device. deleting the app + reinstalling its latest version can also help

    TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube), December 11, 2022

    Hopefully YouTube will roll out an update soon that will fix the issue permanently.

  • Apple Could Be Forced to Tear Down Its Walled Garden

    Apple Could Be Forced to Tear Down Its Walled Garden

    The European Union (EU) has passed legislation that could be the single biggest threat to Apple’s walled garden.

    The EU approved the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in March 2022, legislation that is aimed at so-called “gatekeeper” companies. Gatekeepers are companies that run a “platform,” have at least 45,000 active users, and a market cap of at least $82 billion.

    The DMA’s goal is to prevent gatekeeper companies from preferring their own apps or services over those of competitors. In addition, the legislation would ensure users could choose the default apps of their choice.

    The DMA went into effect Tuesday and could completely upend how Apple does business. According to MacRumors, the DMA could force Apple to allow third-party app stores, allow users to sideload apps, and even make iMessage compatible with other messaging services.

    Although the DMA went into effect Tuesday, there are several implementation steps before companies are required to comply. Once the various steps are taken, companies impacted by the DMA will be required to comply by March 6, 2024, at the latest.

    While the legislation promises to address many of the inequities with Big Tech, experts worry that it may cause as many problems as it solves. In particular, the requirement that companies make their messaging apps interoperable with competing services could open a Pandora’s Box of problems.

    Because many messaging services use end-to-end encryption (E2EE), exports worry that the DMA will force companies to weaken, or outright break, encryption in an effort to pass messages from one service or another. There is also the possibility that companies may simply decide it is too difficult to maintain cross-platform encryption and abandon it altogether.

    There are still many unanswered questions about how the DMA will operate, including whether it will hold up to legal challenges. In our previous coverage, we quoted a Facebook engineer’s statement to The Verge regarding the issues the DMA raises:

    “If you went into a McDonald’s and said, ‘In the interest of breaking corporate monopolies, I demand that you include a sushi platter from some other restaurant with my order,’ they would rightly just stare at you,” Alec Muffett, former Facebook engineer and internet security expert, said. “What happens when the requested sushi arrives by courier at McDonald’s from the ostensibly requested sushi restaurant? Can and should McDonald’s serve that sushi to the customer? Was the courier legitimate? Was it prepared safely?”

  • Apple’s Remaining 2022 Launches Will Likely Be via Press Release

    Apple’s Remaining 2022 Launches Will Likely Be via Press Release

    Don’t expect any more major Apple events for the rest of the year, with a new report saying Apple will turn to press releases.

    Apple’s events are cornerstones of the tech industry, with the company putting on some of the most professional presentations and product releases in the world. With the company’s most recent event centered around the iPhone 14, many were expecting another event in October to unveil new iPads and Macs.

    According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, via MacRumors, whatever products Apple intends to release during the remainder of 2022 will not be released via one of its normal events. Instead, the company is “likely to release its remaining 2022 products via press releases, updates to its website and briefings with select members of the press.”

    The most likely candidates for release are an updated iPad Pro with an M2 chip, a new Mac mini, and new MacBook Pros.

  • Apple Employees Will Return to the Office April 11

    Apple Employees Will Return to the Office April 11

    Apple has informed employees they will be required to return to the office by April 11, the first phase of a multi-stage transition to a hybrid workflow.

    According to AppleInsider, Apple plans to have employees back in the office at least one day a week by April 11. By May 2, the plan is for that to increase to two days a week, and three days by May 23.

    “For many of you, I know that returning to the office represents a long-awaited milestone and a positive sign that we can engage more fully with the colleagues who play such an important role in our lives,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a memo to employees seen by Bloomberg,. “For others, it may also be an unsettling change.”

    Apple has a complicated relationship with remote and hybrid work. Like most tech companies, Apple sent its employees home at the outset of the pandemic, and has continually postponed return-to-office dates as the pandemic continued.

    Nonetheless, Cook and company have made it clear that the goal has always been to get employees back in the office as soon as it was safe to do so, despite many wanting fully remote work to continue as an option.

  • Three New Macs Expected in March

    Three New Macs Expected in March

    Apple seems on the verge of releasing three new Macs in March, according to the latest reports.

    Apple has been transitioning its entire lineup to its M1 chips, based on the same architecture that has powered its iPhone and iPad for years. The M1 has consistently won praise for its high performance, combined with its industry-leading energy efficiency.

    Consomac (via MacRumors) was the first to notice an Apple regulatory filing that mentions three new Mac models. There were no details provided in the filing, although one model is known to be a portable one, meaning the remaining two are likely desktop models.

    As MacRumors points out, Apple is believed to be working on a larger M1 iMac to replace the remaining Intel model. The company is also believed to be prepping a MacBook Air and Mac mini refresh, replacing their M1 chips with the M1 Pro or M1 Max processors that made their debut in the MacBook Pro.

  • Apple’s M3 Chip Nears Production

    Apple’s M3 Chip Nears Production

    Apple may have just released the M1 Pro and Max, but reports indicate the company’s M3 is nearing production.

    According to MacRumors, TSMC has already begun a pilot program for production of 3nm chips. It’s believed volume production will begin in Q4 2022, with the chips reaching Apple and other customers in 2023.

    Moving to 3nm production will provide better performance and/or power efficiency. Apple’s phones, tablets and M1 Macs already lead the industry in performance and power, with the very best Android phones lagging far behind. Even Apple’s M1 Macs rival the best Intel and AMD have to offer, while providing industry-leading battery life.

    According to MacRumors, the new chips could have up to four dies, which could mean as many as 40 cores — four times the number the M1 Pro and Max have.

    If the reports are true, the M3 could be another revolutionary leap forward for Apple’s devices.

  • Apple’s Upcoming AR Headsets Will Have the Power of an M1 Mac

    Apple’s Upcoming AR Headsets Will Have the Power of an M1 Mac

    Apple’s new augmented reality (AR) headsets will offer M1 Mac-level performance, and is expected to hit the market in late 2022.

    Apple has been rumored to be working on an AR headset for some time, but it appears they’re finally close to hitting the market. Even better, the headsets are expected to offer performance on par with the M1 Mac.

    Noted Apple analysts Ming-Chi Kuo wrote a research report, seen by MacRumors, that details the new device.

    We predict that Apple’s AR headset to be launched in 4Q22 will be equipped with two processors. The higher-end processor will have similar computing power as the M1 for Mac, whereas the lower-end processor will be in charge of sensor-related computing.

    The power management unit (PMU) design of the high-end processor is similar to that of M1 because it has the same level of computing power as M1.

    Kuo also says the new headsets will support virtual reality (VR), in addition to AR.

    Apple’s AR headset requires a separate processor as the computing power of the sensor is significantly higher than that of the iPhone. For example, the AR headset requires at least 6-8 optical modules to simultaneously provide continuous video see-through AR services to users. In comparison, an iPhone requires up to 3 optical modules running simultaneously and does not require continuous computing.

  • Apple ‘Unleashed’ Event Slated for October 18

    Apple ‘Unleashed’ Event Slated for October 18

    Apple has announced its upcoming “Unleashed” event, likely focusing on new Macs, slated for October 18.

    Apple has been rumored to be working on new MacBook Pro models, including a 14 and 16-inch version. According to MacRumors, the new models will likely sport a fasters M1X processor, as well as larger resolution screens and up to 32 GB of RAM.

    MagSafe, the company’s magnetic coupling charger, is expected to make a welcome return. Rumors would seem to suggest new models may also see the return of SD slots and HDMI ports, both of which were controversially removed in recent years. The much-maligned Touch Bar is also expected to disappear.

    If the rumors are true, it will mark a welcome return to Apple emphasizing form AND function, rather than sacrificing function purely for form’s sake.

    The event will begin October 18 at 10 PDT.

  • iPhone 13 Will Support Calls and Texts Without Cell Service

    iPhone 13 Will Support Calls and Texts Without Cell Service

    The iPhone 13 could receive a major new feature, supporting calls and texts even when the phone has no cell service.

    The iPhone 13 is expected to be released in September, and could include one of the most compelling reasons to upgrade of any iPhone yet released. According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, via MacRumors, the iPhone 13 may use low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide additional connectivity.

    Kuo has a long-standing reputation for reliable predictions about Apple, making this rumor all the more exciting. LEO satellites are currently gaining attention as a result of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. The LEO satellites provide speeds and latency on parwith traditional broadband, and orders of magnitude better than legacy satellite providers.

    According to Kuo, the most likely scenario involves Apple working with Globalstar to use their satellites. The iPhone 13 will feature a custom Qualcomm X60 chip with satellite communication support built-in, and Kuo believes Globalstar is “most likely to cooperate with Apple in terms of technology and service coverage.”

    If Kuo is correct, the iPhone 13 could be a game-changer for many users in areas where their wireless provider of choice has dead spots in their coverage. With the iPhone 13, those users would still be able to make and receive calls and texts.

  • Apple Releases Dev Tool to Prioritize 5G Over WiFi on iOS/iPadOS 15

    Apple Releases Dev Tool to Prioritize 5G Over WiFi on iOS/iPadOS 15

    Apple has released a tool for developers to use to prioritize 5G over WiFi, a useful feature when connected to insecure networks.

    According to MacRumors, the tool builds on an existing feature that prioritizes 5G when it offers a better connection than the available WiFi.

    5G devices running iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 can automatically prioritize connecting via 5G instead of WiFi when the performance of WiFi networks you visit occasionally is slow, or when you are connected to captive or insecure WiFi networks. Install the 5G Preferred Over Wi-Fi profile (“profile”) on devices running iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 Beta 4 or greater to greatly increase the likelihood of seeing 5G preferred over Wi-Fi connections and to ensure your networking path logic is optimized for situations where 5G will be preferred. For more information, see https://developer.apple.com/5g/.

    Apple’s new tool illustrates the potential uses cases and benefits of 5G as it becomes more commonplace.

  • LG Poised to Sell Apple iPhones In Its Stores

    LG Poised to Sell Apple iPhones In Its Stores

    After exiting the smartphone market, LG is burying the hatchet with its one-time rival Apple and will sell iPhone in its stores.

    Once one of the top smartphone makers, LG announced it would exit the business by the end of July. The company’s smartphone division had fallen on hard times, eclipsed by Apple, Samsung, Huawei and others.

    According to reports by Herald Economic Daily, via MacRumors, it appears Apple and LG have reached an agreement for LG to sell iPhones in its 400 stores in South Korea.

    The National Mobile Communication Distribution Association originally was opposed to the deal, but it appears LG exiting the smartphone market may activated a clause that allows the deal to proceed.

  • Kuo: Apple’s Mixed Reality Glasses to Arrive in 2022

    Kuo: Apple’s Mixed Reality Glasses to Arrive in 2022

    Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is predicting Apple’s long-rumored mixed reality glasses will arrive next year, in 2022.

    Apple has been rumored to be working on mixed reality glasses for some time. Unlike a strict virtual reality environment, mixed reality combines virtual reality or augmented reality with a person’s surroundings — hence the “mixed reality” moniker. CEO Tim Cook has made no secret of his belief that augmented and mixed reality offer a more social and productive experience than straight virtual reality, one that keeps people connected to the world and people around them.

    Ming-Chi Kuo is one of the most respected Apple analysts, with a solid track record predicting the company’s next moves. According to a note seen by MacRumors, Kuo is expecting the mixed reality glasses in 2022.

    Apple is certainly not the first company to tackle augmented reality glasses. Google famously introduced one of the first, and most high-profile, entrants in the market — Google Glass.

    One of Apple’s greatest strengths, however, is taking a concept someone else has pioneered and refining it in a way that leads to mass adoption. The iPad is a perfect example, a far more refined and consumer-friendly tablet than Microsoft’s much earlier Tablet PC.

    If the company can deliver on its vision (pun intended) for mixed reality glasses, Apple may have an all-new category of devices to help drive its growth.

  • iPhone 13 to Bring mmWave Support to International Models

    iPhone 13 to Bring mmWave Support to International Models

    The iPhone 13 will reportedly widen support for mmWave, brining it to iPhones sold internationally, rather than just the US models.

    mmWave is the fastest flavor of 5G, although it has limited range and building penetration. When the iPhone 12 was released, it only supported mmWave 5G in the US. International models only support 5G bands in the sub-6GHz range.

    According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, via MacRumors, Apple is set to change that with the iPhone 13.

    While 5G smartphone shipments increased significantly in 2020, most of them only supported Sub-6 GHz. We believe that mmWave will create more diverse applications than Sub-6 GHz because of the benefits of faster speed and lower latency. The mmWave model of the ‌iPhone 12‌ only supports the US market, and the shipment allocation of the total ‌iPhone 12‌ is about 30–35%. We predict that the ‌iPhone 13‌ mmWave models will be available in more countries (e.g., Canada, Japan, Australia, and major European mobile operators), so the shipment allocation of ‌iPhone 13‌ mmWave models will increase substantially to 55–60%.

    Kuo has a solid track record predicting Apple’s next moves. His latest prediction is good news for international iPhone users.

  • Brazil Fines Apple Nearly $2 Million Over Lack of iPhone Chargers

    Brazil Fines Apple Nearly $2 Million Over Lack of iPhone Chargers

    The Brazilian state of Sāo Paulo has fined apple $1.92 million over not including a charger with the iPhone 12.

    Apple ships the iPhone 12 without a charger, citing the environmental impact of doing so. Eliminating chargers reduces the carbon footprint and reduces the number of rare-earth metals that must be mined. Apple also claims that most people have extra chargers laying around from generations of iPhones, eliminating the need for yet another one to be shipped.

    Procon-SP, Sāo Paulo’s consumer protection agency, isn’t buying that argument, according to MacRumors. The agency fined Apple, while admonishing the company that it needed to follow Brazil’s laws.

    The company is also being fined for misleading claims regarding the level of water resistance offered by the iPhones. While Apple has long-touted its phones’ water resistance, Procon-SP says some users were denied warranty repair for water damage.

  • New Apple Hardware On December 8?

    New Apple Hardware On December 8?

    Apple has issued an internal memo this week, telling technicians to be ready for AppleCare-related changes next Tuesday.

    MacRumors obtained a copy of the memo from a reliable source. The memo is similar in nature to ones that have gone out before other major hardware releases of late. In the memo, “Apple has advised technicians to prepare for new product SKUs, new/updated product descriptions, and new/updated product pricing.”

    The fact that the memo includes information related to new product SKUs and descriptions would seem to indicate new hardware, and not just an update to the AppleCare service itself.

    There are a number of possibilities, although our money is on additional M1 Macs, or possibly an update to the iPad Pro. Other possibilities include the rumored AirTags, over-ear AirPods or an update to the Apple TV.

  • YouTube.com Restores iOS Picture-in-Picture Compatibility

    YouTube.com Restores iOS Picture-in-Picture Compatibility

    YouTube.com has restored iOS picture-in-picture (PiP) functionality after disabling it in September.

    iOS provides the ability to watch video in a mini-window while working in other apps. While this feature has been available on iPads for some time, iOS 14 finally brought the feature to iPhones.

    As MacRumors reports, Google appears to have restricted the feature to Premium YouTube subscribers in September. While Google appears to have reversed the decision, it only applies to watching YouTube via Safari on iOS 14. The YouTube app does not support PiP, nor has it ever supported it.

    MacRumors makes the point that there is no way to know if this reversal is permanent, as Google has not made any announcements either way. In the short term, at least, iOS users will be able to enjoy some video-watching multitasking.

  • Apple AirPower May See the Light of Day After All

    Apple AirPower May See the Light of Day After All

    Apple may still release its AirPower wireless charging mat that was cancelled roughly a year ago.

    Apple first announced the AirPower mat in September 2017, promising it would be released by the end of 2018. By March of 2019, AirPower was still a no-show and the company finally called it off, saying it would not release the product.

    According to a tweet by Jon Prosser, founder of the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, Apple is still working on AirPower and has been trying to solve some of the issues that caused the company to initially cancel the project.

    AirPower isn’t dead

    The project is back on, internally. No guarantee that they’ll finalize and release it, but they haven’t given up yet and they’re trying to re-engineer the coils to displace heat more effectively. Prototyping is underway.

    — Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) 3/22/20

    MacRumors reported that noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said the company would release a “smaller wireless charging mat” in the first half of 2020. He did not say whether the new mat was the AirPower, or some other project Apple is working on. Either way, it seems that Apple users may be able to buy a wireless charger of some kind from Apple in the near future, rather than relying on third-party solutions.

  • iMessage May Add Mentions and Retracting Messages

    iMessage May Add Mentions and Retracting Messages

    Apple may be adding a number of new features to iMessage, including tagging individuals in a group and the ability to retract a message.

    According to a report by MacRumors, Apple is experimenting with “a new Slack-like mention system that would allow users to tag other contacts with their name like @Joe or @Jane. When you type the @ sign, a list of suggested contacts would appear.” When used in conjunction with the “Hide Alerts” feature, this could provide a way to participate in a large group thread when specifically mentioned, and ignore it otherwise.

    The company is also working on the ability retract a sent message. When this happens, “fine print visible to both the sender and recipients would indicate that a message has been retracted. It is unclear if there will be a time limit on retracting messages.”

    There’s a slew of other features being worked on, including group chat typing indicators, the ability to mark the last message as “Unread” if Read Receipts are turned on, not to mention bringing the “/me” command for sharing status updates from macOS to iOS.

    If the report is true, these new features come at a time when Google is working hard to close the gap between Android messaging and iOS messaging. It appears, however, that Apple may be looking to move the goal line even further away.