Scuf Nomad review: Compact iPhone controller with customization options
Macworld At a glanceExpert's Rating Pros Can also be used as a normal Bluetooth controller Quiet buttons Hall effect sticks Interchangeable stick caps Cons iPhone cannot be charged while playing Our Verdict The Scuf Nomad is a compact Bluetooth controller for the iPhone that also works with iPads, Macs, and some Android devices. The accompanying app offers extensive customization options, ranging from simple button assignments to the dead zone of the sticks and triggers and how they react to inputs. The Scuf Nomad is quite small so it is probably not for people with large hands. In addition, the smartphone cannot be charged while playing. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal $99.99 View Deal Scuf $100 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Price When Reviewed$99.99 Best Prices Today: Scuf Nomad Retailer Price $99.99 View Deal $99.99 View Deal Scuf $100 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Scuf Gaming (a gaming controller division of Corsair) introduced the Scuf Nomad smartphone controller, joining a small-but-growing niche of mobile gaming controllers that turn the smartphone into a gaming handheld and produce something resembling the design of the Nintendo Switch. This niche has been populated by Razer with the Razer Kishi V2 and Razer Kishi Ultra, the Backbone One and the GameSir X3 and X2 Pro. In contrast to the competition, Scuf takes a completely different approach: the controller does not connect to the iPhone via a plug (USB-C or Lightning), but via Bluetooth. The Scuf Nomad includes two stick caps, an adapter, and a braided USB cable.Eugen Wegmann Design and controls As usual in this product category, the Scuf Nomad looks like an ordinary game controller that has been sawn in half and reconnected with a bridge. The first major difference to the competition: Scuf uses a different button layout that does not correspond to the Xbox (and Switch) or Playstation layout. The analog sticks are located at the top of both halves, with the directional pad and the A-B-X-Y buttons underneath. The layout is similar to the Nintendo Wii U Pro Controller, or more precisely when an iPhone is mounted, the Wii U gamepad–you know, the giant controller with the screen inside. The sticks themselves are interesting because Scuf doesn’t rely on classic sticks with potentiometers, which are used in the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Playstation Dualsense, the Nintendo Joy-Cons and most other controllers on the market. Instead, Scuf uses Hall-effect sticks in the Nomad, which are based on a magnetic operating principle and minimize the so-called “stick drift”. This is caused by dirt and wear on the contacts in classic analog sticks and leads to incorrect inputs. However, if you are used to conventional sticks, you’ll need to get used to the Hall-effect sticks, as the resistance is significantly lower and the movements a little more wobbly. Perhaps Scuf could have simply used slightly harder springs here. Concave cap on the left, convex replacement cap on the right.Eugen Wegmann Two additional caps for the sticks are included. Concave (curved inwards) caps are installed on the Nomad as standard, while the ones on the left are convex (curved outwards), as was common on the Playstation until the Dualshock 4 controller. The Nomad also includes a small adapter (ultimately a rubber spacer) for the iPhone 14 and 15 phones, so that the camera module does not rest on the bridge, and a generously dimensioned braided USB-A to USB-C cable. The rubber adapter ensures that.. … the camera of the iPhone 14 and 15 does not rest on the bridge. The controller has a total width of just over 20 centimeters and can be stretched to around 37 centimeters, with an internal distance between the two halves of around 17 centimeters. This is large enough for all smartphones, but unfortunately a little too small for the iPad mini. The size is therefore between the Razer Kishi V2 and the Kishi Ultra; not quite as compressed as the former, but also not as spacious as the latter. Mentioned in the article Razer Kishi Ultra Read our review Price When Reviewed: $149.99 Best Prices Today: $149.99 at Amazon | $149.99 at Best Buy | $150 at Razer Nevertheless, the Scuf Nomad is around 100 grams heavier than the small Kishi V2 and only 37 grams lighter than the large Kishi Ultra. This is primarily because the Nomad connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth and requires its own battery. This is charged via USB-C on the underside of the left half–there is no USB-C passthrough as with the Kishi Ultra. The Bluetooth pairing button is located on the underside of the right half. This is one of the reasons why an iPhone cannot be charged when it is clamped in the Scuf Nomad. There are no cut-outs for a cable or a MagSafe charger. As the controller supplies itself with power, you also have to explicitly switch it on and off. To do this, you have to press the home button at the top left until the LEDs at the bottom right light up or go out again. If you don’t notice the little hint in the app tutorial, you’ll have to try a bit, especially when switching off. The workmanship is satisfactory all round. The contact points with the iPhone (the bridge and the inside) are rubberized, the back of the handles are also rubberized for a better grip and the plastic does not feel cheap. The relatively high weight compared to the size contributes to a high sense of value. Eugen Wegmann Usability As mentioned at the beginning, the layout of the Scuf Nomad most closely resembles the Wii U controller. The only differences are the plate-like directional pad, which is reminiscent of a shrunken version of the Xbox Wireless Controller, and the positioning of the menu and option buttons. These are located below the directional pad and the main buttons. The Scuf Nomad also has two additional paddles on the back of the controller that are best reached with the middle fingers and can be freely assigned in the corresponding app. Above the left stick is the home button, which corresponds to the Xbox button on an Xbox controller in Xbox Cloud Gaming and opens the iOS Game Center in games from the App Store. Above the right stick is the Scuf button, which opens the Scuf app when pressed once, takes a screenshot when pressed twice, and starts and stops a video recording when pressed and held. The front buttons on the Scuf Nomad are small and fairly close together.Eugen Wegmann My only criticism of the layout is the main A, B, X and Y buttons. They are so close together that I sometimes press two of them with my not-so-large thumb in the heat of the moment. In contrast to the front buttons, the shoulder buttons are pleasantly large.Eugen Wegmann In contrast to the two Kishis mentioned in this review, the Nomad’s keys are largely quiet. The two buttons on the back are the loudest, followed by the clicking analog sticks. Overall, I would have no qualms about playing with the Nomad in the quiet compartment of an train, especially as the buttons on the back are completely optional. Compatibility The Scuf Nomad is fully MFi-certified and therefore perfectly compatible with Apple devices. However, iOS 16 or later is required. The iPhone X and iPhone 8 and the oldest iPhones that can be used with the Nomad. Although Scuf does not explicitly mention it, the Nomad also works flawlessly with Macs and iPads, although iPadOS 16 or later is also required for the latter. This means that the Nomad can be used as more than just an iPhone controller, making it more versatile than the competition with a plug connection. Unlike the Kishi Ultra, an iPad mini does not yet fit inside, but you can place it on a folding table on a train or airplane and play with it. If you are an Android user and have stumbled across this test report, Scuf officially states that the Nomad is not compatible with Android or is still working on it. A PCWorld colleague was able to pair and use it with her Oppo A55 without any problems. The biggest limitation is that there is no companion app for Android where you can configure the additional features. Scuf Nomad Companion app Nothing works without an app these days, so there is also an iPhone app for the Scuf Nomad, the Scuf Nomad Companion. Well, strictly speaking, the Nomad does work as an ordinary Bluetooth controller without an app, but then you have to do without some additional functions. Button assignment settings for the Scuf Nomad Different button assignments can be assigned to individual profiles. In this view, you can set which profile is assigned to the controller when you close the app. For example, the app is required to assign the two paddles on the back; the A and B buttons are assigned to them by default. You can also change the overall button assignment there. But that’s not all: alternative button assignments can be saved in individual profiles and then assigned to games, which can be an advantage if, for example, you play shooters with one button assignment and action RPGs (or other genres) with another. Not only the function of the buttons can be set here, but also the dead zone of the sticks and triggers and whether they react linearly, exponentially, dynamically, or aggressively to inputs. There is a lot of potential for experimentation and optimization here. Three platforms are available for quick access: Xbox Game Pass, Apple Arcade, and PS Remote Play.Eugen Wegmann Three gaming platforms are integrated into the app: Apple Arcade, Playstation, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The respective game selection opens in the Scuf Nomad Companion interface; what happens next depends on the service. Games in Apple Arcade either start directly or link to the App Store if they are not installed. With Playstation, you can choose whether games are opened in the PS app or in PS Remote Play, Xbox Cloud Gaming is started as a PWA in a browser window in which you have to log in separately with a Microsoft account. Eugen Wegmann The app also contains a gallery of all recorded screenshots and videos, the quality of which can also be adjusted in the app. The controller firmware is also updated via the app. Last but not least, it should be mentioned that Scuf does not require an account and you can use the app and controller without a Scuf or Corsair account. Should you buy the Scuf Nomad? The Scuf Nomad is a compact Bluetooth controller for the iPhone that also works with iPads, Macs, and some Android devices. The accompanying app offers extensive customization options, ranging from simple button assignments to the dead zone of the sticks and triggers and how they react to inputs. The Scuf Nomad is quite small so it is probably not for people with large hands. In addition, the smartphone cannot be charged while playing.

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M4 Mac Studio: Everything you need to know
Macworld The M2 Max and Ultra Mac Studio were released at WWDC23 last June, and the M3 era of Apple’s System on a Chip started last November. So, with WWDC24 creeping up on us, it’s time to start looking forward to the next Mac Studio. The rumors will start to increase as June 2024 approaches, and whatever is reported now can change (and likely will) before the new Mac Studio is released. We’ll keep track of what’s being said in this article.  Update October 23, 2024: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that an new Mac Studio may be released in March or June 2025. M4 Mac Studio: Release date We’ve had two generations of Mac Studio. The first gen (M1 Max and Ultra) was released in March of 2022. The second-gen (M2 Max and Ultra) was revealed at WWDC23 in June 2023. Apple will likely continue with a March or June timeframe for the next Mac Studio. The M3 Max and Ultra Mac Studio could be released by June 2024.Roman Loyola/IDG In April, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said in the paid version of his Power On newsletter that the next Mac Studio could launch in the second half of 2024, which likely means a WWDC release. ICsmart reports that the new Mac Studio could arrive in the middle of this year as well. Since Apple doesn’t traditionally hold standalone events during the summer months, WWDC is a safe bet. In May, Mark Gurman reported that the Mac Studio is not on the schedule of Apple releases for 2024. It doesn’t appear until mid-2025. If that’s the case, then Apple will likely skip the M3 series chips and release the 2025 Mac Studio with an M4 Max and M4 Ultra. In June, Mark Gurman reported that the Mac released schedule had not changed. The M4 Mac Studio is not expected until the second half of 2025. In August, Gurman reiterated that the M4 Mac Studio will ship in 2025. In October, Mark Gurman reported that the new Mac Studio once had a similar release schedule as the M4 MacBook Air, which has a release planned between January and March of 2025. But Apple has decided to push the Mac Studio back to a March or June release. M4 Mac Studio: Price No reports on the price for the M4 Mac Studio have been made. Here are the standard configuration prices of the current M2 Mac Studio lineup, for reference. $1,999/£2,099: M2 Max with a 12-Core CPU, 30-Core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, 32GB unified memory, 512GB SSD $3,999/ £4,199: M2 Ultra with a 24-Core CPU, 60-Core GPU, 32-Core Neural Engine, 64GB unified memory, 1TB SSD While the price of the Mac Studio has already increased outside of the U.S. (it was originally £1,999 in the U.K.), prices did not change in the U.S. when Apple upgraded from the M1 to the M2 chips, and prices could stay the same with an M4 upgrade. But when Apple released the M3 Pro and Max MacBook Pros, the price for the standard configuration M3 Max model increased by $100, so there’s a good possibility that the Mac Studio prices go up. M4 Mac Studio: Design No reports about design changes to the Mac Studio have been made. The current design works well and is going on its third year, so Apple likely isn’t going to change it. The only possible exception is a new space black color option to match the MacBook Pro. M4 Mac Studio: Specs and features The main (and likely only) change that will happen with the upcoming Mac Studio is with its SoC. The Mac Studio should continue to have the Max and Ultra versions of its M-series chips, so the new chips we will see are the M4 Max and M4 Ultra. The current M3 Max MacBook Pro is available with a 14-core CPU/30-core GPU or a 16-core CPU/38-core GPU, so if Apple does go with an M3 Max for the Mac Studio, it may have similar specs. The ports on the Mac Studio will likely remain unchanged.Roman Loyola/IDG Apple’s Ultra chips have doubled the CPU and GPU cores of the Max. In January 2024 Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in the paid version of his Power On newsletter that this should continue, with the M3 Ultra featuring up to 32 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores. Also in January, a report by The Elect stated that the M3 Ultra will be manufactured using an enhanced 3nm process. In April 2024, Mark Gurman reported that “Apple is testing versions with both a still-unreleased M3-era chip and a variation of the M4 Brava processor.” As for the “M4 Brava,” Gurman states that Apple is working on AI-enhanced M4 chips that could find their way into the Mac Studio in 2025. However, in May Mark Gurman reported that the Mac Studio won’t be updated until 2025, probably at WWDC25. If that’s the case, then the Mac Studio will have M4-series chips, and the specs for the M4 Max and Ultra will be very different from the M2 Max and Ultra and what was projected with the M3 Max and Ultra. The other features of the Mac Studio should remain the same. That means no changes to the ports, connectivity, speaker, SSD sizes, or display support.

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M4 Ultra Mac Pro: Everything you need to know
Macworld Apple last updated the Mac Pro in 2023 when it was the last Mac to be outfitted with an M-series chip–three years after Apple started to use its own silicon in Macs. The Mac Pro may be on a longer update cycle than the other Macs because it’s an expensive machine with features that address the needs of a niche audience. But if you’re part of that audience, you’ll want to know when the next model will arrive, so we’ll be tracking the news and rumors about the Mac Pro. This article includes information about the potential updates to the Mac Pro, as well as offers perspective on what those rumored updates mean to Apple’s Mac lineup. Update October 23, 2024: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that an M4 Mac Pro may be released in 2025. Mac Pro M4: Release date In a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman about Apple’s plans for its AI-enhanced M4 chip, he reported that Apple could update the Mac Pro with an M4 variant in 2025 after the other Macs have been updated. Gurman’s report did not address the possibility of an M3 Ultra Mac Pro upgrade being released between now and then. This omission seems to indicate that Apple will skip the M3 cycle and stick with the M2 Ultra until next year, which seems even more likely since Apple has launched the M4 chip in the iPad Pro. In June, Mark Gurman reported that the Mac released schedule had not changed. The M4 Mac Pro is not expected until the second half of 2025. In August, Gurman reiterated that the M4 Mac Pro will be released in 2025. In October, Mark Gurman reported that Apple “continues to work on an M4 version of the Mac Pro.” He did not provide an update for its release date, which he has previously reported as late 2025. Mac Pro M4: Processor The biggest upgrade we expect in the new Mac Pro is of course the chip. While we originally expected the Mac Pro to get an M3 Ultra update this year, it’s now looking like the Mac Pro will skip the M3 generation entirely and jump to the M4. In his April 2024 report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated that the Mac Pro will be part of Apple’s AI focus and will be upgraded with an M4 with enhanced AI capabilities. Gurman did not offer any details on how those AI enhancements will be implemented or any other specifications about the M4. At the time, Gurman said the M4 chip currently in testing was code-named Hidra. Since then, Apple unveiled the M4 chip in the iPad Pro with 6 efficiency cores, and 10 graphics processing cores. In tests, speeds were about 20 percent higher than the base M3, so the M4 Ultra, which is what will go in the Mac Pro, should be much faster than the M2 Ultra. We also know that it has an improved Neural Engine for AI features that will be discussed at WWDC. Presumably, Hidra is an M4 Ultra-type chip. Apple’s M1 Ultra and M2 Ultra chips are essentially two Max chips that work together, but there have been reports that Apple will be changing the processor’s architecture, so we could see higher performance than in previous Ultra chips. For example, the 256GB and 512GB iPad Pro’s M4 has just 3 CPU performance cores, the first time Apple has offered a version with fewer than four cores. Mac Pro M4: Design and specs Gurman also reported that Apple wants to dramatically increase the maximum amount of unified memory in the high-end desktop M4 Macs to 512GB. The current limit on the M2 Ultra Mac Pro is 192GB. So, the M4 Ultra Mac Pro could support more than twice the memory as the current M2 Ultra Mac Pro. No other reports have been made about the inner workings of the upcoming Mac Pro. Because Apple wants to focus on AI, the Mac Pro could be marketed as an AI development workstation, so Apple could upgrade other components to accommodate these needs. No reports have been made about the design, either. The next Mac Pro upgrade is expected to keep the same design, but the internal components will likely change, with the key one being a possible M4 Ultra upgrade.Foundry In August, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that one of the Macs will get a “dramatic change” in its design along with its M4 update. Though Gurman didn’t specifically say that the Mac Pro was going to be the Mac with the new design, the Mac Pro has had its design for 11 years, so it could be the Mac being referenced. MacBook Pro M4: Price Here are the prices for the current standard base configurations of the M2 Ultra Mac Pro for reference. Apple expects customers to customer configure their orders, so prices will vary from these base specifications. $6,999/£7,199/CA$8,999/AU$11,999 Mac Pro Tower: M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD $7,499/£7,699/CA$9,599/AU$12,999 Mac Pro Rack: M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 60-core GPU, 32-core Neural Engine, 64GB Unified Memory, 1TB SSD Pricing for the new Mac Pro has not been reported, though we expect pricing to remain the same in the U.S. The price may be adapted to more recent exchange rates elsewhere. We predict that in the U.K. the price will be in line with the U.S. for example: £6,999 rather than £7,199.

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How to use the new text effects in Messages on iPhone with iOS 18
Apple's iOS 18 software update brought plenty of new features, including to the Messages app. The addition of cool new text effects gives iPhone owners new ways to communicate and they're surprisingly easy to use.Text effects offer the option to animate words in ways that can help convey a message, whether you want something to pop by having it explode or hint at your nerves by having a word jitter.There are eight new text effects on offer and they're available to everyone using iOS 18 or later. Your recipient will also need to be using iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS 15 Sequoia for them to be able to see the effect of course, so keep that in mind as well. The feature also only works with messages sent via iMessage rather than SMS or RCS, too. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Wombat Willow Pro keyboard review: Maximum keys, minimum space
The Wombat Willow Pro provides a full mechanical keyboard with a shorter width than usual and even has low-profile switches. It's an interesting choice if you're prepared to learn a very unusual layout.Wombat Willow ProPower users are often quite picky about the keyboards they use. This can include whether it takes the form of a chicklet-style keyboard, a membrane one, or a mechanical keyboard, for example.With choice, there is also a need to trade off one feature in favor of another. One of these things can be the size, as having a smaller keyboard can mean a reduction in the number of actual keys you can press. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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The iPhone’s haptic keyboard is fantastic: Here’s how to turn it on
Studies show that a haptic keyboard improves touchscreen typing speed and input accuracy, but very few people know you can enable it on your iPhone. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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iOS 18.2 beta enables Apple Watch sleep apnea detection for users in Canada
iOS 18.2 beta was released today for developers, and it brings a lot of new features – most of them related to Apple Intelligence. However, there are a few other changes, and one of them is related to the Apple Watch’s sleep apnea detection feature. With the update, users in Canada can finally enable the new health feature. more…

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iOS 18.2 lets third-party web browsers add web apps with custom engine in the EU
Apple last year introduced the ability for third-party web browsers to add web apps to the iOS Home Screen, a feature that was previously exclusive to Safari. However, these web apps still depend on Apple’s WebKit. But Apple is changing that with iOS 18.2 – at least for a specific group of users. more…

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iPhone users in the EU can delete the App Store and more with iOS 18.2
As a result of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust legislation in the EU, Apple has had to change how iOS and the App Store work for users in European countries. And there are more changes coming with iOS 18.2. More specifically, iPhone and iPad users will soon be able to delete the App Store, Safari, and many other built-in iOS apps. more…

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Apple Vision Pro guest mode may soon be controlled via iPhone
Code discovered in iOS 18.2 indicates that Apple Vision Pro owners may get to control guest mode via iPhone through a Live Activity session.Apple Vision Pro guest mode could soon be controlled by iPhoneThe current process for setting up Apple Vision Pro is controlled entirely on the device. Once guest mode is initiated and a device is selected to view the display through, like the user's iPhone, all other control is lost.According to code discovered by AppleInsider staff, the Apple Vision Pro owner's iPhone may play a greater role in managing guest mode in iOS 18.2. After handing over the Apple Vision Pro to a guest, the iPhone will have a Live Activity to allow guest access and select which apps are available to the user. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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tvOS 18.1 receives second release candidate version two days after the first
Apple has issued a second release candidate build for tvOS 18.1, following the first release candidate deployed Monday.Apple has issued a second release candidate build of tvOS 18.1.On October 21, release candidates for most of Apple's major operating systems were made available to registered developers. This was done in preparation for the debut of Apple Intelligence, scheduled for October 28. This is when iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are expected to receive their official public release.On Tuesday, a day after the initial batch of release candidates was sent out, visionOS 2.1 received a second RC build. Now the same thing has happened with tvOS 18.1, the operating system for Apple TV. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 18.2 finally makes changing default iPhone apps a snap
iOS 18.2 beta 1 offers new options to change default iPhone apps. It will soon be easy to pick the defaults for common tasks. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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New iMessage feature allows children to report nudity to Apple
Apple is introducing a new feature to iMessage - coming first to Australia - that will allow children to report nudity in images and videos… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Get lifetime access to 14 languages with this incredible Babbel discount
With this Babbel lifetime subscription, you get unlimited access to all of Babbel's language-learning lessons in 14 different languages for one low price. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Hands on with Image Playground, ChatGPT, and Genmoji in iOS 18.2
The first developer beta of iOS 18.2 includes several new Apple Intelligence features such as Image Playground, Genmoji, and ChatGPT integration. Here's how they work.iOS 18.2 is out for developersApple hasn't even released iOS 18.1 yet but we've already gotten a new beta with more Apple Intelligence features. The iOS 18.1 update included Writing Tools, a new Siri UI, Clean Up tool in Photos, and more.This update brings much more, and what we'd describe as the fun parts of Apple Intelligence. That said, it's still a very early beta so things are likely to change and improve by release. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple and Goldman Sachs Fined Millions For Misleading Apple Card Holders
Goldman Sachs and Apple will pay $89 million in penalties and customer refunds over widespread service failures and deceptive practices in their joint Apple Card venture, U.S. consumer watchdog CFPB said on Wednesday. The agency found Goldman mishandled credit card disputes while Apple failed to forward thousands of customer complaints. Both companies deceived users about interest-free payment plans for Apple devices, affecting hundreds of thousands of cardholders since the card's 2019 launch. Goldman must pay $64.8 million in fines and refunds, while Apple faces a $25 million penalty. The bank is now barred from issuing new credit cards without regulatory approval. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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iOS 18.2 beta 1: Every new feature and change
The first iOS 18.2 developer beta has been released, and it includes a number of major changes for iPhone users. There are new Apple Intelligence features, upgrades to the Mail app, and more. Head below as we round up all of the changes and new features included in iOS 18.2 beta 1. more…

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This is how Apple’s handling privacy with iOS 18.2’s ChatGPT integration
A huge Apple Intelligence upgrade has arrived in the iOS 18.2 beta: ChatGPT integration, which works both with Siri and in writing tools. But how will ChatGPT respect your privacy? Here are Apple’s full release notes detailing its privacy practices for ChatGPT, as documented in iOS 18.2’s Settings app. more…

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Apple’s M2 MacBook Air hits all-time low price: $699
The 13-inch MacBook Air M2 is available at this deeply discounted price, featuring an 8-core GPU, 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple plans early-2025 M4 MacBook Air refresh, delays next Mac Studio
Apple gears up for a bigger expansion of its M4 chip rollout, including an M4 MacBook Air coming in early 2025, according to a new report. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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9to5Mac Daily: October 23, 2024 – Apple gaming app, iPhone roadmap
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Sponsored by CardPointers: The best way to maximize your credit card rewards. Save 30% and get a $100 Savings Card today. more…

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M4 MacBook Air: Everything you need to know
Macworld Apple’s M3 MacBook Air finally got settled into the Mac lineup, but Apple is already looking ahead with the M4 MacBook Air. Reports on the future laptop are starting to appear, though it’s not expected to ship until next year. We’ll see more rumors between now and the M4 MacBook Air release. This article will keep track of what’s being reported, as well as offer a perspective based on Apple’s current lineup. Update 10/23/24: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that an M4 MacBook Air may be released in 2025. M4 MacBook Air: Release date In an April 2024 report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that the Mac’s version of the M4 chip will be introduced in the MacBook Pro and iMacs later this year, with an M4 MacBook Air release likely coming in spring 2025, which would be about a year after the M3 MacBook Air was released. Gurman states that “the company’s plans could change,” leaving some wiggle room for the release date. Gurman doesn’t clarify if a change in plans would mean an earlier or later release.  In June, Gurman reported that the Mac released schedule had not changed. The M4 MacBook Air is not expected until the spring of 2025. In August, Gurman reiterated that the M4 MacBook Air will not be available until 2025. In October, Gurman reported that Apple is getting ready to start production on the M4 MacBook Air, with a possibility of a release between January and March of 2025. M4 MacBook Air: Processor Apple surprised us with the release of the M4 chip in the iPad Pro in early May, barely six months after the M3 debuted in the MacBook Pro. These are the specs for the chip as announced: Models with 256GB or 512GB of storage 9-core CPU (3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores) 10-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 120GB/s memory bandwidth 8GB RAM Models with 1TB or 2TB storage 10-core CPU (4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores) 10-core GPU Hardware-accelerated ray tracing 16-core Neural Engine 120GB/s memory bandwidth 16GB RAM Compared to the 8-core M3, the M4 has two extra efficiency cores and higher memory bandwidth (120 GB/s vs 100GB/s). Apple will likely use the same design for the Mac, making the M4 the first non-Pro or Max chip that has Before the M4 arrived in the iPad, Gurman reported that the chip would focus on AI enhancements. Apple talked briefly during its Let Loose event about the improved Neural Engine and its ability to deliver over 38 trillion operations per second but didn’t get into much detail about real-world use. We’ll likely hear lots more about AI during the WWDC keynote and then again at the iPhone 16 launch when the A18 chip is unveiled. M4 MacBook Air: Design and specs The M4 upgrade would be the fourth generation of the M-series chip in the MacBook Air, but it’s not the fourth time around for the current Air design. Apple shipped the M1 MacBook Air in 2020 with an older design that was used with Intel chips and the current design wasn’t introduced until the M2 chip upgrade in July 2022. Apple isn’t expected to change it at all for the M4. Apple made a slight change to the Air’s design with the M3 update in March 2024, but only for one specific color. The Midnight version now has an anodization seal to help cut down on fingerprints–it’s a similar process introduced with the Space Black MacBook Pro. Apple is not expected to offer the process for the Silver, Space Gray, and Starlight colors.  Mark Gurman reported in April that Apple may increase the upper memory limit of its high-end desktop Macs, which use higher-end M-series chips. If the M4 has enhanced AI capabilities, it could require more memory regardless of whether it’s a base M4 or something higher. But to maintain costs as well as to persuade customers to consider investing in a higher-level device, Apple could decide that the base M4 won’t get more memory.  Another feature that could get an upgrade is battery life. If the MacBook M4 follows the iPad Pro’s chip design, it could be more engery-friendly with two extra efficiency cores. That could mean more battery life. The Midnight MacBook Air now has an anodization seal to cut down on fingerprints.Macwelt Everything else about the MacBook Air will likely stay the same with an M4 upgrade. The display, size, weight, camera, mics, speakers, ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth are expected to remain unchanged. M4 MacBook Pro: Price Here are the prices for the current standard configurations of the M3 MacBook Air for reference. 13-inch MacBook Air $1,099/£1,099: M3 with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU; 8GB unified memory; 256GB SSD $1,299/£1,299: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 8GB unified memory; 512GB SSD $1,499/£1,499: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB unified memory; 512GB SSD 15-inch MacBook Pro $1,299/£1,299: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 8GB unified memory; 256GB SSD $1,499/£1,499: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 8GB unified memory; 512GB SSD $1,699/£1,699: M3 with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU; 16GB unified memory; 512GB SSD Reports for the M4 MacBook Air prices have yet to be made. Apple will likely offer similar configurations and we don’t expect prices to change much.

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Lowest price ever: Apple's M2 MacBook Air drops to $699 while supplies last
Amazon has issued a record-breaking discount on Apple's M2 MacBook Air, dropping the price down to $699 while supplies last.Snap up the lowest price ever on this M2 MacBook Air - Image credit: AppleThe $699 record low price on the standard 13-inch MacBook Air M2 is courtesy of Amazon when ordered in the Space Gray finish.Buy for $699 on Amazon Continue Reading on AppleInsider

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Mass production of M4 MacBook Air models is imminent
Apple is close to the start of mass production of new M4 MacBook Air models for release in early 2025, a follow-up to a wave of new Macs… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Early 2025 Apple bonanza includes M4 MacBook Air, iPhone SE, iPad Air, 11th-gen iPad
Macworld We expect the M4 MacBook Pro, M4 Mac mini, and M4 iMac announcements next week to be the last major product released for 2024. But it appears that Apple is going to start 2025 in a big way. According to a new report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is gearing up to start production of the M4 MacBook Air for a release in “early 2025.” How early? Gurman states that Apple has a December software update planned (likely macOS 15.2), and then after that, Apple will release the M4 MacBook Air between January and March of next year. The new MacBook Air will simply be a chip update from the M3 to the M4 for both the 13- and 15-inch models, which Gurman said have the codenames J713 and J715. The M4 MacBook Air release will come about a year after the M3 MacBook was released in March of this year. Gurman also reports that the new Mac Studio once had a similar schedule as the M4 MacBook Air, but Apple has decided to push it back to a March or June release. The current Mac Studio, released in June 2023, features an M2 Max or M2 Ultra chip. It is presumed that Apple will outfit the new Mac Studio with M4 Max and M4 Ultra chips since the company is phasing out the M3 series. The rescheduling will mean the Mac Studio will go two years between updates. Gurman reports that an M4 Mac Pro is still in the works but offered no updates on its release schedule. Gurman had previously reported that the M4 Mac Pro could be available in late 2025 or at WWDC in June at the earliest. But the first half of 2025 isn’t just for the Mac. Gurman reports that for the “spring product release cycle,” Apple plans to release “a revamped iPhone SE, fresh iPad Air models and upgraded iPad keyboards” as well as the 11th-generation iPad. As heavily rumored, the iPhone SE will represent a complete redesign for the budget phone, with an iPhone 14-style design, Apple Intelligence support, and the first Apple-design modem. The 11th-gen iPad and iPad Air updates will likely be smaller spec bumps. To catch up on all the rumors, check out the following: M4 MacBook Air: Everything you need to know M4 Mac Studio: Everything you need to know M4 Ultra Mac Pro: Everything you need to know iPhone SE 4: Everything you need to know about Apple’s next budget phone M4 MacBook Pro: Everything you need to know M4 iMac: Everything you need to know M4 Mac mini: Everything you need to know

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iOS 18.2 beta is available with loads of new Apple Intelligence features
Macworld The beta for iOS 18.2 has begun, less than a week before for wide release of iOS 18.1. While 18.1 is the first release with Apple Intelligence features for supported phones, many of the most exciting features are coming in iOS 18.2. This release includes Visual Intelligence, Genmoji, the Image Playground app, the new Mail app with AI-sorted categories, and integration with ChatGPT. While the AI features of iOS 18.1 might make the average iPhone 16 user say, “Is that it?” the Apple Intelligence features in 18.2 will be a little more sensational. However, while Siri’s interface changed in iOS 18.1, the new smarter Siri still isn’t a part of this release. That will likely be coming in iOS 18.3 or 18.4, due for release around March 2025. We have a list of the Apple Intelligence features coming to iOS 18 along with their expected release timeframes. This first beta is available only to developers so far, but a public beta will likely come soon. iOS 18.2: All the new features The first iOS 18.2 beta release is only available for iPhones that can run Apple Intelligence: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, or any iPhone 16. It also has a new secondary waiting list. The initial waiting list for Apple Intelligence features from iOS 18.1 will get you access to ChatGPT integration, Visual Intelligence, and the new Writing Tools features. But you’ll have to hop onto a second waiting list for the image generation features—Genmoji, Image Playground, and the Image Wand tool. Here’s what’s available in the iOS 18.2 beta so far: Writing Tools updates: Instead of just choosing to make a selection of text more professional, causal, or concise, you will have a freeform field to describe how you want to transform text. Examples: make this a poem, include a lot of dad jokes, or use a lot of sarcasm. Genmoji: Create a new emoji right on the system keyboard. Image Playground: Generate new images based on text prompts. Apple will suggest new costumes, items, or locations, and will make suggestions based on the context of a Messages thread or note in the Notes app. Images can be based on people you know by using identified images in Photos. Images are limited to cartoon or illustrative styles rather than realistic. Visual Intelligence: For iPhone 16 owners with the Camera Control button. Press and hold Camera Control to get additional information about a location, translate a sign or poster, detect phone numbers and addresses to quickly add to Contacts, and more. You can also tap a button to ask ChatGPT about what’s on screen, or another to perform a Google image search. Image Wand: An offshoot of Image Playground, this uses Apple’s image generation tools to create an image in an open area on a note in the Notes app, using the context from the surrounding area and the rest of the note. Start with a blank area or a rough sketch you make yourself. ChatGPT integration: If Siri can’t answer a question, it now has the option to ask ChatGPT. You need to give permission for each request and only limited data is shared. You don’t need to log into ChatGPT, but you are able to if you want to, or have a premium ChatGPT account you wish to use. You can ask Siri to have ChatGPT generate images., and use ChatGPT in the Writing Tools to generate text, too. In addition to the new user-facing features, there are new developer tools for integrating image generation and writing tools into third-party apps. Apple Intelligence is localized into English for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK in this release. iOS 18.2: How to install the iOS beta The iOS 18.1 beta is currently only available for developers, but anyone can get it. Beginning with iOS 17, you don’t need to be in the $99 per year developer program to access the developer beta. A free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app: Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store. Open the app. Tap on Account. Sign in using your usual Apple ID. Registered developers can choose to get the iOS 18.1 beta instead by going to the Settings app, then General > Software Update, and selecting iOS Developer Beta in the Beta Updates tab. When you return to the main Software Update screen, you’ll Upgrade to iOS 18 at the bottom of the screen under the Also Available heading. Tap that and it’ll take you to the iOS 18.1 beta. As always, remember to back up your iPhone before you install the beta. If you want to run the public beta, follow these steps: Head to beta.apple.com and register your Apple ID for the beta. Go to Settings  > General  > Software Update  > Beta Updates and select the beta you wish to install. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the beta.

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You can send Genmoji from a non-AI iPhone, but you’ll need a friend on iOS 18.2
One of the most anticipated Apple Intelligence features, Genmoji, have arrived in the iOS 18.2 beta. And they come with some very good news for users without an AI-compatible iPhone. more…

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Apple’s iOS 18.2 reveals next phase of Apple Intelligence
Apple on Wednesday released a beta version of its iPhone operating system, iOS 18.2, with a slew of Apple Intelligence features… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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DEVONthink 3.9.8
Document and information manager updated with a grab bag of improvements and bug fixes. ($99 new, free update, 126.1 MB, macOS 11+)

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CleanMyMac X 5.0
Mac maintenance utility upgraded with redesigned user interface and new scanning features. ($39.95 annual subscription, free update for subscribers, macOS 11+)

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October Prime Day Deal: 13-inch M2 MacBook Airs for $749, $250 off Apple’s MSRP, with free store pickup today
Best Buy has Apple 13" MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs in stock and on sale on their online store for $250 off MSRP as part of their October Prime Day deals. Prices start at $749. Their prices are the lowest currently available for new 13" M2 MacBook Airs: - 13" M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/256GB SSD): $749 $250 off MSRP - 13" M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/512GB SSD): $949 $250 off MSRP Prices valid for online orders only. In-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker.

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October Prime Day Deal: 13-inch M2 MacBook Airs for $749, $250 off Apple’s MSRP, with free store pickup today
Best Buy has Apple 13" MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs in stock and on sale on their online store for $250 off MSRP as part of their October Prime Day deals. Prices start at $749. Their prices are the lowest currently available for new 13" M2 MacBook Airs: - 13" M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/256GB SSD): $749 $250 off MSRP - 13" M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/512GB SSD): $949 $250 off MSRP Prices valid for online orders only. In-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker.

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How to use your Apple Education discount to take up to $300 off new MacBooks at Apple
Need a new Apple MacBook Air or MacBook Pro? If you're a student, teacher, or staff member at any educational institution, you can use your .edu email address when ordering at Apple Education to take up to $300 off the price of a new MacBook. Even parents of students can qualify. Education discounts are also available on most build-to-order options, such as extra RAM and more storage. Details at Apple Education. Not in the US? Click for the Canada store. Click 'Read More' to see all the Apple Education discounts on every MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

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How to use your Apple Education discount to take up to $300 off new MacBooks at Apple
Need a new Apple MacBook Air or MacBook Pro? If you're a student, teacher, or staff member at any educational institution, you can use your .edu email address when ordering at Apple Education to take up to $300 off the price of a new MacBook. Even parents of students can qualify. Education discounts are also available on most build-to-order options, such as extra RAM and more storage. Details at Apple Education. Not in the US? Click for the Canada store. Click 'Read More' to see all the Apple Education discounts on every MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

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Sunday Sale: 10th-generation Apple iPads for $50 off MSRP, prices start at $299
Best Buy has Apple's 10th-generation WiFi iPads on sale for $50 off MSRP on their online store, starting at $299. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 10" 10th-generation 64GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP - 10" 10th-generation 256GB WiFi iPads: $449 $50 off MSRP - 10" 10th-generation 64GB WiFi + Cellular iPads: $449 $50 off MSRP - 10" 10th-generation 256GB WiFi + Cellular iPads: $599 $50 off MSRP For the latest prices & deals, keep an eye on our iPad Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Sams Club is offering $70-$150 discounts on Apple’s 11-inch M4 WiFi iPad Pros
Sams Club has Apple's 11" WiFi iPad Pros with M4 CPUs on sale for $70-$150 off MSRP. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 11" M4 iPad Pro 256GB WiFi: $929, $70 off - 11" M4 iPad Pro 512GB WiFi: $1129, $70 off - 11" M4 iPad Pro 1TB WiFi: $1499, $100 off - 11" M4 iPad Pro 2TB WiFi: $1849, $150 off For the latest sales and deals, see our 11-inch iPad Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Sams Club is offering $100-$200 discounts on Apple’s 13-inch M4 WiFi iPad Pros
Sams Club has Apple's 13" WiFi iPad Pros with M4 CPUs on sale for $100-$200 off MSRP. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 13" M4 iPad Pro 256GB WiFi: $1199, $100 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 512GB WiFi: $1399, $100 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 1TB WiFi: $1749, $150 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 2TB WiFi: $2099, $200 off For the latest sales and deals, see our 13-inch iPad Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Sams Club is offering $100-$200 discounts on Apple’s 13-inch M4 WiFi iPad Pros
Sams Club has Apple's 13" WiFi iPad Pros with M4 CPUs on sale for $100-$200 off MSRP. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 13" M4 iPad Pro 256GB WiFi: $1199, $100 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 512GB WiFi: $1399, $100 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 1TB WiFi: $1749, $150 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 2TB WiFi: $2099, $200 off For the latest sales and deals, see our 13-inch iPad Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Sams Club is offering $100-$200 discounts on Apple’s 13-inch M4 WiFi iPad Pros
Sams Club has Apple's 13" WiFi iPad Pros with M4 CPUs on sale for $100-$200 off MSRP. Sale prices for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Order online, and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available): - 13" M4 iPad Pro 256GB WiFi: $1199, $100 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 512GB WiFi: $1399, $100 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 1TB WiFi: $1749, $150 off - 13" M4 iPad Pro 2TB WiFi: $2099, $200 off For the latest sales and deals, see our 13-inch iPad Pro Price Tracker, updated daily.

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Verizon has the iPhone 16 Pro on sale for $10/month, 65% off MSRP, through October 9th
Verizon has the iPhone 16 Pro on sale for 65% off the standard monthly finance cost when you add a new line of service. That's now $10 per month, down from $27.77. Discount is applied to your account monthly over a 36 month term, and no trade-in is required: - 128GB iPhone 16 Pro: $10/month (normally $27.77) Similar discounts are also available with higher-storage models. The fine print: "New line req'd. Unlimited Ultimate plan required. Promo credit applied to account over 36 mos; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR.Taxes & fees may apply. Credits will appear on your Verizon Wireless bill." Promotion is valid from through at least October 9, 2024.. Verizon's deal is live on their site today. For the latest prices & sales, keep an eye on our iPhone Price Tracker, updated daily.

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13-inch M2 MacBook Airs on sale for $849, $150 off Apple’s MSRP, with free store pickup today
Best Buy has Apple 13" MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs in stock and on sale on their online store for $150 off MSRP in Space Gray, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight colors. Prices start at $849. Their prices are the lowest currently available for new 13" M2 MacBook Airs: - 13" M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/256GB SSD): $849 $150 off MSRP - 13" M2 MacBook Air (8GB RAM/512GB SSD): $1049 $150 off MSRP Prices valid for online orders only. In-store prices may vary. Order online and choose free shipping or free local store pickup (if available). For the latest sales & prices, see our 13" MacBook Air Price Tracker.

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Apple restocks 2nd-generation HomePods for $249, $50 off MSRP, Certified Refurbished
Apple has restocked 2nd-generation full-size White and Midnight HomePods for $249, Certified Refurbished. That's $50 off MSRP and the lowest price currently available for a full-size Apple HomePod today. Shipping is free, and each HomePod includes Apple's standard 1-year warranty. The outer case is new. According to Apple, "Each Apple Certified Refurbished Product: - Undergoes full functionality testing and any defective modules identified in testing are replaced. - Is put through a thorough cleaning process and inspection. - Is repackaged (including appropriate manuals, cables, new boxes). - Includes either the Operating System originally shipped with the unit or, in some cases, a more recent version. - Is placed into a Final QA inspection prior to being added to sellable refurbished stock." For the latest prices & sales, see our HomePod Price Tracker, updated daily.

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