The brand-new iPad Mini just got a massive $99 discount
Macworld The new iPad Mini has only been around for a few days, but we’re already seeing a jaw-dropping discount that makes this $490 device become available for $400. I don’t know about you, but that smells like Black Friday is knocking on the door. The cool new iPad Mini features the A17 Pro chip, which means it supports Apple Intelligence. Since we’re currently reviewing the iPad Mini, we can share that we already love this compatibility, as well as the speed boost delivered by the new chip. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display is gorgeous as well, with great color and deep contrast. We also love to see that the base model comes with 128GB, which is double what the previous version had. So take advantage of this super early Black Friday deal and snatch the iPad Mini for $400 at Amazon while you still can. Get the new iPad Mini for $90 offBuy it now at Amazon

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Today in Apple history: Apple begins retail venture inside CompUSA
On November 4, 1997, Apple unveils a deal to add a mini "store within a store" in CompUSA outlets. It's a dry run for today's Apple stores. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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New iPads bring only modest increase to Apple tablet shipments
iPad shipments grew only slightly last quarter, despite the release of new high-end and mid-range tablets in the spring. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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Apple delays cheaper Vision Pro beyond 2027 – Ming-Chi Kuo
Apple's plans for a more affordable Vision Pro headset have been pushed back beyond 2027. As a result, the only new head-mounted… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Pricey new charger for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods tempts with good looks [Review] ★★★★☆
Our hands-on review of the new Journey Nova 3-in-1 charger finds its unusual looks intriguing and its functionality just fine. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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European regulators evaluate iPadOS changes for compliance with Digital Markets Act
Antitrust regulators in the European Union are set to judge whether or not Apple has done enough to bring its iPad operating system under compliance with rules outlined in the Digital Markets Act.iPadOSIn March, Apple released iPadOS 17.4, with more than 600 new APIs, expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser engines, and more. The changes allowed third-party developers to distribute apps outside of Apple's App Store in the EU, a change Apple begrudgingly made to comply with the Digital Markets App (DMA).Now, EU regulators are assessing whether or not Apple has gone far enough. The assessment will be based on the input of interested stakeholders. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Delays Cut-price Vision Headset Until 2027, Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo Says
Apple has scrapped plans for a budget mixed-reality headset initially slated for 2025, pushing the launch to 2027, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The company will instead focus on releasing an upgraded Vision Pro next year featuring its M5 chip and enhanced AI capabilities, he said. The canceled lower-cost model would have stripped features like EyeSight and used cheaper components to target mainstream consumers. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 — everything you need to know
Thunderbolt 5 has arrived, and Apple has adopted it on some of its new Mac models. Here's what has changed in Thunderbolt 5 vs. Thunderbolt 4.Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 — USB Type-C continues to be used.As a connectivity technology, Thunderbolt is deeply associated with Apple, due to its usage in Macs and then, later, the iPad Pro. Many of its products now support Thunderbolt 4, with it providing massive amounts of bandwidth for data transfers, as well as handling charging and even video duties.Just like many other standards in the tech world, Thunderbolt is iteratively upgraded over time with new features. While the world is largely on Thunderbolt 4 for the moment, Thunderbolt 5 is just starting its rollout, and it promises to make big changes to what it can offer to users. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV gains watch list, Apple hides Thread radios, and more new products on HomeKit Insider
On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast we talk about Apple's continued use of hidden Thread radios, Apple TV's new watch list feature, and more new smart home products launching.HomeKit Insider PodcastRecently, Apple launched tvOS 18.1 which didn't contain many user-facing feature. One seems to have flown under the radar though.With this update, the TV app has a new separate watch list for movies and TV shows that you have not started. This differs from the Up Next queue that shows all content — stuff you've started watching and stuff you have not. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Report: Cheaper version of Vision Pro delayed ‘until beyond 2027’
Macworld In a recent interview, Tim Cook himself acknowledged that Vision Pro’s hefty price tag is a barrier to widespread adoption of the product. “At $3,500,” he admitted to The Wall Street Journal, “it’s not a mass-market product. Right now, it’s an early-adopter product.” You might think, then, that getting down the price would be a priority at Apple Park, and pundits believe the company is working on a (comparatively) budget-focused model, perhaps called the Vision SE or just plain Vision and pitched at around $2,000. But the latest reports indicate that this won’t arrive any time soon. The next item on Apple’s mixed-reality release schedule, agree the respected analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman, is instead an upgraded and presumably identically priced version of Vision Pro, which will see the device’s M2 processor chip replaced by the as yet unreleased M5. (The most advanced chips currently available in Apple products are the M4 family.) In a post on Twitter yesterday, Kuo predicted that this model will appear in 2025, while Gurman discussed the upgrade in his Power On newsletter this weekend but didn’t specify a timeframe. The budget model, Kuo explains, has been delayed to a launch “beyond 2027.” Why would Apple prioritize another $3,499 headset instead of something within the reach of a larger market? Well, Kuo suspects that cutting the price wouldn’t actually move the needle significantly on unit sales because it wouldn’t create “successful use cases.” “Simply reducing the price wouldn’t help create successful use cases,” he writes. “It’s similar to the HomePod situation—even after launching the cheaper HomePod mini, Apple’s smart speakers failed to become mainstream products.” It’s certainly true that most potential customers struggle to see how Vision Pro would fit into their lives. It doesn’t yet have a killer app that would justify the outlay of $1,000, let alone $2,000 or $3,499. But a further headache for Project Vision SE is the loss of the wow factor. Vision Pro may not be a practical choice for 99% of Apple fans but it does reliably blow them away when they experience a demo. But Vision SE, in order to get that price down, is likely to involve substantial compromises and key feature cuts. And at this point in the product’s lifecycle, Apple may simply feel that these compromises are unacceptable.

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New Apple Intelligence videos offer workplace solutions, including for stolen pudding
Apple has released a pair of new videos highlighting Apple Intelligence’s capabilities, this time in the office. Prior videos have focused on the iPhone 16, but the MacBook Pro is highlighted here—fitting for the new workplace focus. more…

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EU commission assessing whether the iPad offers sufficient interoperability with third-party headphones and ‘smart pens’
The EU commission announced today that it is now formally assessing whether iPadOS, the underlying software for Apple’s iPad tablets, is in compliance with the Digital Markets Act. The DMA requires that iPadOS must allow the choice of a default web browser, allow alternative app stores, and support accessory ecosystems “like headphones and smart pens”, in the European region. more…

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Apple will finally deliver major Apple Intelligence features in early December
with the release of iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS 15.2… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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M4 14-inch MacBook Pro vs M3 14-inch MacBook Pro compared: A portable speed boost
Months after a debut on the iPad Pro, Apple has finally moved the M4 to the MacBook Pro. Here's what's different in the base 14-inch MacBook Pro between the M3 and M4 versions.M4 14-inch MacBook Pro [left], M3 14-inch MacBook Pro [right]Apple's regularly scheduled update to the MacBook Pro lineup has happened again, but this time in somewhat unusual circumstances. This generation features the M4 chip, an Apple Silicon creation that oddly launched earlier in 2024 in the iPad Pro, not a Mac.With this being one of the first launches of M4 Mac models equipped with the newer chip, this is a launch that has been expected for quite some time already. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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How to install App Store apps on an external SSD
Apple's macOS Sequoia now lets you install apps on external SSD drives instead of taking up space on your internal one — but it doesn't tell you this, so here's how to do it.A Samsung T9 external SSD attached to a MacBook Pro and with a Mac App Store logoEven with the latest Macs all starting at with at least 256GB of SSD storage, that space fills up fast — and you can't upgrade it later. What you can do is add external storage, whether that's for more space or to have an emergency external boot drive.Now Apple has added a new option to the Mac App Store that means you can use external drives for apps. Previously the Mac App Store app would always install the app to your boot drive, but now it's up to you. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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My Apple Watch-fueled fitness journey — how hardware and software are helping me fix my health
My health is something that I haven't always done a great job of protecting. That changes now thanks to an Apple Watch Series 10 and a swathe of supporting software and hardware.The Apple Watch Series 10 is a huge part of my fitness journey.Apple has long made a play that it's as much a health company as it is a tech company, thanks in no small part to the popularity of the Apple Watch. It's why the company has medical professionals on staff and it's why Apple made such a big deal about the launch of sleep apnea detection alongside the Apple Watch Series 10's unveiling. With that in mind, it's probably no surprise to anyone that Apple will sit at the center of my new health focus.And Mike Wuerthele and I are going to going to bring you all along for the ride. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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New iPad mini vs old iPad mini: What’s different?
Macworld Apple has finally given the iPad mini a refresh. The iPad mini (2024) features an upgraded processor and support for Apple Intelligence (Apple’s AI solution). We take a look at how the new iPad mini compares to the model it replaces and consider whether you should buy the new model or hunt around for a discounted 2021 version.  Design & Build Apple hasn’t done much to update the externals of its smallest iPad, as the iPad mini (A17 Pro) to give it its full, awkward name, is pretty much identical to its predecessor the iPad mini (6th gen). In terms of size they both share the 195.4 mm (7.69 inches) x 134.8 mm (5.3 inches) x 6.3 mm (0.25 inches) dimensions, and even the weight has stayed the same at 293 grams (0.65 pounds) for the Wi-Fi version and 297 grams (0.66 pounds) if you want to add the cellular option. For the latter, it will have to be eSIM as the new iPad mini no longer supports the Nano-SIM option from the previous model.  Foundry Both accommodate an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and have the Touch ID sensor built into the power button. You get USB-C ports across the board, and the battery life is also the same with Apple stating that you should expect up to 10 hours when watching video via Wi-Fi.  There’s the same camera appointments and layout, the same stereo speakers, microphones, and a magnetic connector allows you to secure your Apple Pencil, although the new iPad mini only works with the Apple Pencil Pro or Apple Pencil (USB-C) (so if you wanted to bring over your Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) from the older iPad mini (2021) you’re out of luck). Thankfully, any cases you already own should still fit just the same.  Screenshot Apple As usual, there’s no waterproofing in the iPad mini, so don’t get it wet.  One noticeable difference is the color-schemes on offer. Whereas the iPad mini (2021) came in Starlight, Purple, Pink, and Space Grey, the new model drops the Pink in favor of a new Blue livery and there’s also a slightly lighter Purple.  Display & Speakers As mentioned earlier, it seems that the display in the new iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the same as on the older model. That means you get a fully laminated 8.3-inch Liquid Retina panel that runs at a resolution of 2,266×1,488 and 326 ppi. SDR brightness tops out at 500 nits, with Wide color (P3), True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating. One small difference, which we expect is down to the processor, is that the new model supports Apple Pencil Hover for the Apple Pencil Pro.  Foundry There’s no ProMotion support on the new iPad mini (nor was there with the older version), which could be sad news for anyone who thought the Pro chip might bring the Pro feature. Apple still refuses to give its non-Pro devices the 120Hz refresh rate that is commonplace on other devices.  Stereo speakers occupy the shorter edges of the device, which, as stated in our review of the 2021 model, despite being a step up from the 5th gen iPad mini due to having two outputs, “the sound quality itself has not improved significantly”.  One thing that has been upgraded this time around is Bluetooth, which moves from Bluetooth 5.0 in the iPad mini (2021) to Bluetooth 5.3 in the new variant. This should improve connections with Bluetooth speakers and headphones.  Specs & Performance The main differentiator between the new and old minis comes from the processor. Three years is a long time in tech, and the A15 Bionic chip in the 2021 model is showing its age. In order for the new iPad mini to run Apple Intelligence (the company’s AI suite of tools), it requires a beefer bit of silicon. This comes in the form of the A17 Pro chip, which is the same as the one used in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.  While both chips are comprised of 6 CPU cores  (2 performance, 4 efficiency), 5-core GPUs, and 16-core neural engines, Apple states that the newer version is 30% faster for CPU performance and delivers a 25% GPU performance increase compared to the A15 Bionic. There are also various gains for gaming performance, which you’d expect from a chip that’s a couple of generations newer than its counterpart.  It’s not only the silicon that gets a boost though, as Apple has finally decided to up the base-line storage allocation from the 64GB in the 2021 model to 128GB for its 2024 replacement. There’s also a 512GB option on the new model if you want a capacious amount of storage in your iPad mini. Basically, the new iPad mini (A17 Pro) is faster and has more onboard storage then the older model, two things that can be crucial for iPads if you want them to last a long time.  Here’s a breakdown of the technical specifications for both models; iPad mini (A17 Pro, 2024)iPad mini (A15, 2021)Display8.3-inch Liquid Retina fully laminated panel, 2,266×1,488, 326 ppi. Max SDR brightness 500 nits, Wide color (P3), True Tone, anti-reflective coating8.3-inch Liquid Retina fully laminated panel, 2,266×1,488, 326 ppi. Max SDR brightness 500 nits, Wide color (P3), True Tone, anti-reflective coatingProcessorA17 ProA15 BionicStorage128GB/256GB/512GB64GB/256GBMain CameraUltra Wide camera, 12MP photos, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash with True Tone, Smart HDR 4 for photos, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Cinematic video stabilization, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8 aperture, Digital zoom up to 5x, True Tone flash, Smart HDR 3 for photos, 4K/60fps video, 3x video zoom, Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fpsFront CameraUltra Wide camera, 12MP photos, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash with True Tone, Smart HDR 3 for photos, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Cinematic video stabilization, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fpsUltra Wide camera, 12MP photos, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 2x zoom out, Centre Stage, Retina Flash with True Tone, Smart HDR 3 for photos, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Cinematic video stabilisation, 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fpsWiFi6E6Bluetooth5.35LTE5G (sub-6GHz)5G (sub-6GHz)GPSYesYesPortsUSB-CUSB-CBiometricTouch IDTouch IDApple Pencil SupportApple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil USB–CApple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil USB-CDimensions195.4 mm (7.69 inches) x 134.8 mm (5.3 inches) x 6.3 mm (0.25 inches)195.4 mm (7.69 inches) x 134.8 mm (5.3 inches) x 6.3 mm (0.25 inches)WeightWi-Fi: 293 grams (0.65 pounds); Cellular: 297 grams (0.66 pounds)Wi-Fi: 293 grams (0.65 pounds); Cellular: 297 grams (0.66 pounds)ColorsStarlight, Purple, Blue, and Space GreyStarlight, Purple, Pink, and Space GreyPriceStarts at $499/£499Starts at $499/£499iPad mini (A17 Pro) updated features are shown in bold Cameras The cameras in the two iPad minis are again practically identical, albeit with a minor upgrade on the new one. In both you get the main 12MP f/1.8 Wide camera, that features a True Tone flash, 4K/60fps video recording capabilities, 3x video zoom, Digital zoom up to 5x, and Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps. The only difference is that you now get Smart HDR 4 for photos, instead of the Smart HDR 3 that came on the 2021 model.  Apple It’s a similar story with the front-facing camera, which is an Ultra Wide f/2.4 camera that takes 12MP photos. You a 2x zoom out, which allows for the Center Stage feature that keeps you in the middle of the frame on video calls, plus there’s a Retina Flash with True Tone, Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Cinematic video stabilization, and 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps. Again, the newer device has Smart HDR 4 for photos, rather than the Smart HDR 3 that featured on the 2021 iPad mini.  Connectivity There are a few spec bumps in the connectivity department, with the new variant offering Bluetooth 5.3 (the 2021 has 5.0) Wi-Fi 6e (2021 has 6), GPS, USB-C and if you plump for the cellular model then you’ll get 5G (sub-6GHz) no matter the generation you choose. So, it’s an all-round update for the iPad mini (A17 Pro).  Apple Intelligence One of the main selling points that Apple is pushing these days is for the Apple Intelligence AI tools. These include tools that help you improve your writing and can summarize text for you. Updates to Siri that allow it to be more helpful in general, plus various editing tools in Photos to remove background objects and let you create home movies just by using prompts.  Foundry The iPad mini (A17 Pro) can use Apple Intelligence, but it won’t be available on the iPad mini (2021) due to hardware constrictions. If you want to play with Apple’s AI software, then you’ll need the new iPad mini, an iPad Air or iPad Pro, a M-series Mac, an iPhone 15 Pro/Max, or an iPhone 16-series phone to do so.  For more on what it has to offer, you can read our guide to Apple Intelligence.  Price & Availability You can buy the iPad mini (A17 Pro) now on the Apple Store or from any good tech retailer. The prices are as follows; iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi) 128GB: $499/£499 (Originally £569) iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi) 256GB: $599/£599 iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi) 512GB: $799/£799 iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi+Cellular) 128GB: $649/£649 iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi+Cellular) 256GB: $749/£749 iPad mini (A17 Pro, Wi-Fi+Cellular) 512GB: $949/£949 Here are the best deals we’ve found for the new iPad mini:  Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) Price When Reviewed: $499 (128GB; Wi-Fi only) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi only) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi only) Best Prices Today: $484 at Amazon | $499 at Apple | $499 at Apple United States With Apple releasing the new iPad mini (A17 Pro), it has officially discontinued the iPad mini (2021), so you won’t be able to buy it on the Apple Store (unless you can find a refurbished model).  As a guide, on its initial release, the iPad mini (2021) cost the following. As you can see the price changed a few times in the U.K. iPad mini (2021, WiFi) 64GB: £479/$499 (originally £479, then £569, then £499) iPad mini (2021, WiFi) 256GB: £619/$649 (originally £619, then £749, then £749, then £649) iPad mini (2021, Wifi+cellular): 64GB: £619/$649 (originally £619, then £749, then £749, then £649) iPad mini (2021, Wifi+cellular): 256GB: £759/$799 (originally £759, then £929, then £799) The best deals for the iPad mini (2021) right now follow – note that the new models have twice as much storage, so make sure you are comparing like with like. Apple iPad mini (6th gen, A15, 64GB, 2021) Read our review Price When Reviewed: Was from $499 (64GB) | $649 (256GB) – Discontinued Best Prices Today: $349.99 at Amazon | $449 at Adorama | $469 at Walmart Should I buy the iPad mini (A17 Pro)? With such a long gap between to two devices, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, it is easy to recommend the iPad mini (A17 Pro). It’s the same familiar iPad mini you know, but now with a faster processor, more storage, plus a few nips and tucks here and there. If you see the old model on a killer deal, then it’s only worth considering if the price really reflects the amount of storage on offer. We’d recommend that you pay the extra to get the new model as it is enough of a step up to make it worth the extra money.  To see what other options Apple has for you, take a look at our iPad buyers’ guide in which we compare all the current models.

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23 Years of the iPod: How Elite Obsolete Electronics keeps the music playing
There’s probably enough material to produce a book about the importance of the iPod to Apple’s history (and revenue). Yet, the company said goodbye to the brand in 2022 as it finally discontinued the last edition of the iPod Touch. There is a small but growing community committed to keeping the dream alive. Elite Obsolete Electronics is one of the companies that saw growing Reddit communities dedicated to the iPod and the iPod Classic. I recently chatted with the owner, Austin Lucas, about the company and its success. more…

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Can Apple innovate if iPhone remains the biggest slice of its revenues?
Every year, complaints come from the usual suspects demanding to know when Apple will innovate, and specifically when it will launch a new, even more popular form factor than iPhone. Does "innovation" require iPhone to fail as a product?Can Apple innovate?Based on criticism, it might seem that for Apple to "innovate," it must get rid of smartphones and deliver some new, arbitrarily different product to take the place of iPhone. But Apple isn't competing against iPhone.Apple is competing against the status quo that exists outside of Apple. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Addresses Apple Intelligence: What Microsoft Missed With Copilot
Apple is offering in-store AI experiences with 15-minute sessions, allowing users and potential customers to interact with the technology and become more familiar with it. Neither Microsoft nor Google currently offers a similar effort. The post appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

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