The better-than-AirPods Beats Fit Pro just dropped to an all-time-low price
Macworld The fantastic Beats Fit Pro earbuds are at their best price now at Amazon, $150, 25 percent off their MSRP, and the best price we’ve seen. We reviewed the Beats Fit Pro and gave them an absolutely perfect score – an extremely rare occurrence. Plus, they also got our Editors’ Choice award, marking them for the awesome buds that they are. We found they fit fantastically, they have a good battery life, and they deliver good noise canceling and even an extremely useful transparency mode. Our only quibble is that there’s no wireless charging on the case, but we can very well survive this “ordeal” by sometimes plugging in that USB-C cable. “The Beats Fit Pro give you all the benefits of AirPods Pro with better fit, sound quality, and battery life. The call quality is slightly worse and there’s no wireless charging, but the comfort and fit alone are worth the tradeoff,” we wrote. As mentioned, the earbuds feature three listening modes, namely Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, and Adaptive EQ. While the first mode will block the world around you, the second will make it possible for you to listen in around you, which is ideal when you’re walking around at night or crossing the street, for instance. The Adaptive EQ mode will use the microphones on the earbuds to react to changes in your environment, modifying the sound output to maintain a good listening experience in all situations. SO Don’t miss the chance to save big on the Beats Fit Pro. Order them for $150 at Amazon before the price goes back up. Get some awesome Beats earbuds to exercise withBuy it at Amazon

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Apple debuts ‘Submerged,’ the first scripted film captured in Apple Immersive Video, for Apple Vision Pro
Apple on Thursday revealed new episodes, films, series, and music performances captured in Apple Immersive Video that will debut on… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple’s iPad Pro troubles return as demand for OLED panels crater
Macworld Following the announcement of surprisingly strong iPad revenue back in August, it’s looking like things are heading back to normal for Apple’s beleaguered tablet division. According to a new report, demand for the latest iPad Pro has fallen well below the numbers Apple initially projected. Earlier this week Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) released an analysis (you’ll need to register to read the full article) indicating that demand for the OLED panels used in the new iPad Pro models “has really slowed down after a strong Q2 2024.” Shipments were down by 40% in the third quarter, and are expected to fall by another 30 percent by the end of the year. The larger 13-inch model is expected to see an astonishing 90 percent drop in shipments for Q4. DSCC sets this troubling decline against its view that the 2024 Pro has the best display and the thinnest design on the market. But having the best display and the thinnest design doesn’t get you very far if your tablet costs so much that people can’t afford it–and even the smaller of the two 2024 iPad Pro models starts at $999, far more than most potential customers would be looking to spend. The iPad user base is overwhelmingly dominated by casual users who absolutely do not require the high-end specs and features that the iPad Pro delivers, and for that matter do not need to regularly upgrade their devices, which is bad news for the latest edition of the iPad Air and the imminent new versions of the standard iPad and iPad mini. Shortly after those positive sales figures this summer, I argued that they were merely a temporary sales bump caused by bottled-up demand after a long period with no new models and that the fundamental problems–not enough pro customers, too many casual customers with little interest in upgrading regularly, iPadOS failing to convince as a work OS–remained. I challenged the iPad to keep the hot streak going into the next quarter and predicted that it would fail to do so. I take no pleasure in being right. Retailer Price $969.52 View Deal $999 View Deal $1099 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal $1199 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket

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You can now sign up for Apple TV+ through Prime Video
Macworld You might think Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video are competitors but like in any good buddy movie, the unlikely pair are teaming up. The companies announced today that Apple TV+ will soon be available via Prime Video in the U.S. as an add-on subscription for $9.99 per month. There doesn’t appear to be any benefit to signing up through Prime Video other than the convenience of accessing both services through the same app. “We want to make Apple TV+ and its award-winning library of series and films from the world’s greatest storytellers available to as many viewers as possible,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Services, in a press release. “We’re thrilled that Prime Video will now offer Apple TV+, giving viewers an incredible breadth of viewing options.” For those who don’t subscribe, that’s the same price Apple charges directly through the Apple TV app. The monthly price increased from $6.99 to $9.99 last October. Apple has been pushing to make Apple TV+ available to more users as it works to grow the service beyond Apple users. Earlier this year, it announced a partnership with Comcast that bundles Apple TV+ with Peacock and Netflix for $30 a month. That bundle is only available to new and existing Xfinity Internet and TV customers. To sign up for Apple TV+ through Prime Video, log into your account and click on the Subscriptions tab. Amazon says Apple TV+ will be available later this month.

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Apple's 'Submerged' for Apple Vision Pro is submarine warfare terror in the comfort of your home
We're probably the only Apple-centric site with someone who served on submarines on staff, so let's talk about Apple's new Immersive Video "Submerged."Credit — AppleI've been here at AppleInsider for about eight years. Some of you know what I did in the nineties. Most of you don't.Dear reader, your author was in the US Navy between 1991 and 1999. Five of those years were spent rated as a machinist mate serving as a boiler and reactor chemist on the USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN-709). At the time, Rickover was a Los Angeles class submarine that was then based out of Norfolk, Virginia. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Tiny inCharge XS 4-in-1 iPhone/Mac charging cable fits on a keychain
Charge your devices on the go with inCharge XS. This tiny cable with multiple connectors can be a lifesaver for iPhone and Mac users. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple published a new Press Release
Apple just published a new Press Release:Apple debuts the first scripted film captured in Apple Immersive Video

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The Evening Standard: Apple TV+ series ‘Disclaimer’ is a ‘stylish, slick, and sexy psychological thriller’
“Disclaimer” on Apple TV+ is a gripping psychological thriller in seven chapters, starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Here’s Apple’s lineup of new Immersive Video content coming soon to Vision Pro
Today Apple released its first scripted short film in Immersive Video: Submerged. In coordination with the launch, the company has also outlined its plans for future Vision Pro content releases. Here’s what to expect for new Immersive Video content coming soon. more…

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Submerged immersive film now available on Vision Pro, plus making of video
Filmmaking for the Apple Vision Pro is taking a big step forward today. Submerged, a new short film that’s the first scripted project in Immersive Video, is available now in the Apple TV app. You can catch its trailer here. Alongside Submerged’s launch, Apple has also shared a new making of video. more…

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Deals: Apple Pencil Pro and USB-C undercut Prime Day from $65, 36GB MacBook Pro $500 off, Apple Watch, more
While the 2024 fall Prime Day event is now behind us, that doesn’t mean the deals are. In fact, both Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C model have dropped in price again to new all-time lows starting from $65 shipped to join a new deal on the 2nd gen variant. We are also still tracking the lowest prices ever on the black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, the new Beats Solo Buds, and AirPods Max with USB-C alongside this monster monster M3 Pro Max MacBook Pro with 36GB of RAM at $500 off the price you’ll pay from Apple. All of this and more awaits down below in today’s 9to5toys Lunch Break.  more…

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China detains four Taiwanese employees at Foxconn’s ‘iPhone City’ in Zhengzhou
Taiwanese officials have confirmed that four Taiwanese employees working at a Foxconn Technology Group facility in Zhengzhou… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Employees at iPhone assembly plant detained by China
In an episode that Taiwan describes as “bizarre,” China reportedly detained four employees at a plant that makes Apple products. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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These iOS 18.1 features could make the biggest difference for users
iOS 18.1 will arrive for compatible iPhone models near the end of October, bringing a variety of powerful new AI features with it. Apple Intelligence is being pitched as ‘AI for the rest of us.’ Here are the upcoming features that serve as great examples of that, with potential to make the biggest impact for the most users. more…

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Apple’s Beats Pill Bluetooth speaker hits all-time low price on Amazon
Apple subsidiary Beats' Pill has hit a new all-time low price on Amazon - 33% off, now just $99.99 for a limited time… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 camera comparison – judge for yourself
An iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S24 camera comparison concludes that it’s hard to pick an overall winner given the role played by personal preferences, but the range of sample shots provides a really good chance to judge for yourself. The piece starts out by noting that Samsung wins the megapixel war, though we’ve frequently cautioned that squeezing ever more pixels into a tiny sensor can actually result in worse images … more…

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Cheap VPN alert: Get Norton VPN for just $9
Designed to protect your data on all major devices, Norton Secure VPN proves ideal for anyone seeking a cheap VPN that's private and secure. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Tensions escalate as China arrests Foxconn staff at key Apple factory
China's detention of four Taiwanese Foxconn employees is raising concerns about corporate security and investor confidence.Apple supplier Foxconn. Source: Chicago TribuneChinese authorities took the employees into custody, although the specific nature of their alleged offense remains unclear. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which oversees relations with China, stated that the employees were accused of charges akin to breach of trust.However, no additional details have been provided, according to The Wall Street Journal. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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China has detained four employees from the world’s largest iPhone plant
China has detained four Taiwanese employees at Foxconn’s Zhengzhou plant, the largest iPhone production facility in the world, responsible for around 80% of global production. The employees were detained using powers the Chinese government last year granted to itself. No specific reason has yet been given, but it seems likely the move is political … more…

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Apple TV+ launches on Amazon Prime Video in America this month
Later this month, Apple TV+ will be available via Amazon Prime Video in America as an add-on subscription for $9.99 per month. Prime members… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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'Wayback Machine' breach affects 31 million people
A security breach at the Internet Archive's "WayBack Machine" has resulted in the theft of the authentication database containing data on 31 million people.Internet Archive's WayBack MachineThe "WayBack Machine" has been an invaluable resource, capturing snapshots of the Internet for posterity. However, it has become the latest site to become the target of hackers, with millions affected by a recent attack.The breach of archive.org became known about on Wednesday, prompted by an unusual JavaScript alert created by the hacker, reports Bleeping Computer. The alert taunted users of the site, while also confirmed it had taken place. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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WordPress vs WP Engine battle gets seriously stupid, with new login requirement
You may be aware of a bizarre feud between WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg and website hosting platform WP Engine. If not, you’ll find a recap below. But things took a very silly turn today when the WordPress login acquired a new checkbox requiring users to declare that they are not in any way connected with WP Engine … more…

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Stunning iPhone 16 Pro cinematic video footage, including attaching it to a drone
In what is now an annual tradition, filmmaker Joey Helms has created a stunning iPhone 16 Pro cinematic video demo reel, in his home city of Chicago. This year he paired up with Sam Perez to mount the new phone on a drone to include airborne shots – and, of course, included some extra-slo-mo footage to highlight the new 120fps 4K capture capabilities … more…

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Internet Archive data breach exposes 31M users; under DDoS attack
An Internet Archive data breach has been confirmed by the organisation, which has also been suffering Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. The home of the Wayback Machine was previously attacked back in May. At this point, it’s being suggested that the security breach and DDoS attacks are unrelated, though the timing certainly seems odd … more…

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The M4 MacBook Pro may be the entry-level laptop that gets everything right
Macworld According to reports, Apple will release an update to the MacBook Pro in the next few weeks. That update was initially expected to be nothing more than a chip upgrade from the M3 to the M4. But if new reports hold up, there may be more to this update–specifically for the 14-inch base model that would make it a near-perfect laptop for the general consumer. The first report was by leaker VNChocoTaco on X, who posted a photo they received of the box label for the new MacBook Pro revealing key specs. The second report is from Russian YouTuber Wylsacom, who apparently got their hands on the M4 MacBook Pro, laptop and all. If the information in these two reports holds up, and it would be a very elaborate hoax if it doesn’t, we could be seeing some big changes in the base M4 MacBook Pro. Here’s what’s being reported and what it could mean. Memory that serves us right The current base M3 14-inch MacBook Pro has one glaring problem: It has only 8GB of unified memory. Apple will tell you that’s more than enough and 8GB is useable and for many buyers that’s probably true. But considering how much RAM higher-end software uses nowadays, 8GB in a “Pro” laptop is not enough. Still not convinced? How about this: The MacBook Air, Apple’s “consumer” laptop, the laptop for “everyone else,” also starts at 8GB of memory. The MacBook Pro is supposed to be the workstation laptop for, as the name says, the “Pro.” The other models all start at 18GB—does 8GB seem proper for a MacBook that costs $1,599? Both reports by VNChocoTaco and Wylsacom show what appears to be a specifications label from the base M3 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, that shows a laptop with 16GB of memory. Assuming the model isn’t a higher-end configuration, that would mean Apple is finally addressing the biggest flaw of the entry-level Pro. With 16GB of RAM, pro users will be able to run their apps and feel comfortable about the laptop’s performance–they may still need more and upgrade to 24GB or more, and even then, it won’t be as expensive as starting from a standard configuration is 8GB. Bringing the Thunder(bolt) VNChocoTaco’s photo is low resolution and much of the text is garbled, but it seems to show that the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro will have three Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. Wylsacom’s label says the same and he shows off the laptop’s three ports in his video. This seems to indicate that Apple is adding one more Thunderbolt/USB 4 to the base M4 model. This would put the laptop in line with the higher-end MacBook Pro models with Pro and Max chips; it would no longer have the same two ports as the MacBook Air, another step toward making it an actual “Pro” laptop. Space Black for the masses When Apple introduced the M3 MacBook Pro, it revealed a new Space Black color option available only on the M3 Pro or M3 Max models. According to these reports, Apple is going to make Space Black an option on the base model, too. I’m currently using a Space Black MacBook Pro, and my first impression of the color was that it was nice, but it should be darker. But after having used the laptop for nearly a year now, I love Space Black and it’s now my color of choice. If it’s coming to the M4 MacBook Pro, it’s going to be a popular choice—and put the entry level model on par with the others. Finally, a true entry-level MacBook Pro There are other specs revealed by these reports, such as the M4’s 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and the same starting 512GB SSD. But the three changes above are going to make the base M4 MacBook Pro a popular laptop–especially if Apple keeps the price at $1,599. It would be the first time in a long time that buying the least-expensive MacBook Pro didn’t mean you had to make a significant compromise, such as the 8GB of RAM, fewer ports, hampered performance, or even an old design, as was the case when Apple kept the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar around after the Apple silicon redesign was announced.. If and then this MacBook Pro does ship, it will fit right in with the M4 Pro and M4 Max models in the lineup and give users a real choice, rather than force them to the upper models due to cut-rate specs. Apple will sell a lot of them. Apple is expected to announce M4 MacBook Pro and other M4 Macs at an event later this month, with a rumored ship date of November 1. Learn more about the upcoming M4 MacBook Pro.

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Amazon Prime users to be offered Apple TV+ bundle
US subscribers to Amazon Prime Video will shortly be able to add on Apple TV+, extending the reach of Apple's streamer.Tim Cook announcing Apple TV+ in 2019A year after it hiked the price of Apple TV+ from $6.99 per month to $9.99 per month, Apple is now trying to get it into the hands, and onto the remote controls, of more viewers. Amazon has announced that subscribers to its own streamer in the US will be able to add on Apple TV+ — for the same $9.99 per month."We want to make Apple TV+ and its award-winning library of series and films from the world's greatest storytellers available to as many viewers as possible," Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services, said in a statement. "We're thrilled that Prime Video will now offer Apple TV+, giving viewers an incredible breadth of viewing options." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Chinese Hack of US ISPs Show Why Apple Is Right About Backdoors
Alypius shares a report from 9to5Mac: It was revealed this weekend that Chinese hackers managed to access systems run by three of the largest internet service providers (ISPs) in the US. What's notable about the attack is that it compromised security backdoors deliberately created to allow for wiretaps by US law enforcement. [...] Apple famously refused the FBI's request to create a backdoor into iPhones to help access devices used by shooters in San Bernardino and Pensacola. The FBI was subsequently successful in accessing all the iPhones concerned without the assistance it sought. Our arguments against such backdoors predate both cases, when Apple spoke out on the issue in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris more than a decade ago: "Apple is absolutely right to say that the moment you build in a backdoor for use by governments, it will only be a matter of time before hackers figure it out. You cannot have an encryption system which is only a little bit insecure any more than you can be a little bit pregnant. Encryption systems are either secure or they're not -- and if they're not then it's a question of when, rather than if, others are able to exploit the vulnerability." This latest case perfectly illustrates the point. The law required ISPs to create backdoors that could be used for wiretaps by US law enforcement, and hackers have now found and accessed them. Exactly the same would be true if Apple created backdoors into iPhones. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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How to use Find My without an Apple device
Macworld The Find My system for tracking devices (like Macs) and items (like AirTags) lets you keep peace of mind, avoid leaving valuable stuff behind, and potentially even recover stolen goods–or hope that the police will. But Apple has not yet, and may never, released a native Find My app for Windows. The app is built into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. These native apps also let you see the location of people who have given permission to share their whereabouts with you. You can use the Find Devices web app at iCloud.com/find, which, as you can tell by the name, finds just devices. For Apple, a device is an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, or most Apple and Beats audio hardware, like AirPods Pro. (Audio devices are a strange thing to include in “devices,” as they can’t connect to the internet directly to update their location, but have to relay through other Apple hardware, more like an AirTag.) iCloud.com’s Find My Devices web app lets you see the location of your Apple hardware. iCloud.com’s Find My Devices web app lets you see the location of your Apple hardware.Foundry iCloud.com’s Find My Devices web app lets you see the location of your Apple hardware.Foundry Foundry If you’re in a Family Sharing group, you also see all the devices registered by other members. The location of those devices is shown only if those people share their location with you generally, which then allows device pinpointing as well. Apple reserves people and what it calls items (AirTags and third-party Find My Network trackers) to its native apps for reasons of privacy and security. From all that Apple has published, seeing the location of people and items relies on end-to-end encryption to avoid any possibility of unwanted parties being able to extract that information. Apple’s end-to-end encryption requires an app running on hardware it makes and you own (and have logged into an iCloud account). If you have lost or misplaced a device, however, you can readily access Find My Devices via iCloud.com from a Windows computer, Android smartphone or tablet, or more exotic operating system with a browser (Linux on the desktop): Go to iCloud.com/find Enter your Apple Account user name. Enter the associated password. Complete two-factor authentication if prompted. Find your device in the list. It may take a minute or longer to update its location, depending on where it is and what other Apple devices it’s near. You may feel stuck if you have lost whatever you normally use to retain your password, like a password manager on your iPhone. It can be worthwhile to create a memorable multi-word account password or write it down without explanation and stick it in your wallet or bag–if it doesn’t have “Apple Account” written next to it, a thief won’t have any idea what it means. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, which most Apple Accounts do, you may be prompted to enter a code. However, there’s a nasty catch: if you don’t have any of your Apple devices and have lost access to the phone number associated with your iPhone, you can’t receive a code. (I highly recommend adding a trusted friend, relative, or colleague’s phone number to your list for just this reason. The instructions in “How to remove or change the phone number linked to your Apple ID” will help. Note that Password & Security has changed to Sign-In & Security in the pathway to get to trusted phone numbers in Settings and System Settings.) Also, don’t forget that if you’re in a Family Sharing group that you can typically check with one of the other members to help them locate your device, whether you’re with them in person or not. If you haven’t shared your location with them, they can still help by marking a device as lost or erasing it remotely, but this will require your Apple Account password. This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by an anonymous Macworld reader. Ask Mac 911 We’ve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQ to see if your question is covered. If not, we’re always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to mac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we don’t reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.

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Home Depot, H-E-B adopt Apple Pay for transactions
If you were looking to finally use Apple Pay at Home Depot and Texas grocery chain H-E-B, you’re in luck. After years of negotiation, Home Depot has finally adopted Apple Pay and other tap-to-pay methods at some of its U.S. locations in recent weeks. Per Appleosophy, while the home improvement retailer has not officially announced […] Source

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Macworld Podcast: Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4 reviews
Macworld In this episode of the Macworld Podcast, we review the new Apple Watch Series 10 and the AirPods 4. Are these new devices worth your money? We talk about what we like, dislike, and more! This is episode 904 with Jason Cross, Michael Simon, and Roman Loyola. Watch episode 904 on YouTube Listen to episode 904 on Apple Podcasts

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