For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with BluShark to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a high-quality leather band designed for the Apple Watch.

BluShark makes a whole range of watch bands for traditional watches. BluShark has offered a collection of nylon and silicone designs in a variety of colors for a few years, but the company is expanding into ‌Apple Watch‌ bands and has them available for purchase now.

BluShark has launched a series of high-end leather ‌Apple Watch‌ bands crafted from Italian calf hide and ethically sourced crocodile and ostrich leathers, sized to fit both 40mm and 44mm ‌Apple Watch‌ models.

The leather ‌Apple Watch‌ bands are available in different shades of brown and black, with each one carefully stitched to hold up to wear over time. As with all leather products, expect these bands to take on a unique patina as they age.

Seven winners will be provided with an $80 gift card to purchase any of the ‌Apple Watch‌ bands in the collection, which will be available for between $40 and $78. The watches come with stainless steel lugs, but BluShark will also be able to provide lugs for other ‌Apple Watch‌ finishes. BluShark is also releasing a series of ‌Apple Watch‌ adapters within the next two to three weeks that will allow existing BluShark nylon and silicone bands to work with the ‌Apple Watch‌.

To enter to win our ‌‌giveaway‌‌, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the ‌giveaway‌ restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

BluShark

The contest will run from today (November 15) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on November 22. The winners will be chosen randomly on November 22 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

This article, “MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Leather Apple Watch Band From BluShark” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In an ongoing effort to keep track of upcoming (and current) Black Friday sales, we’ve begun highlighting the biggest and best discounts offered by major retailers. Last week we started with Best Buy and Target, and today we’re moving on to Walmart.

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

Walmart is set to host its Black Friday sale beginning online on Wednesday, November 27 at 10 a.m. ET, and then starting in stores Thanksgiving day at 6 p.m. ET. You’ll find the usual array of TVs, smart watches, smartphones, tablets, headphones, video games, and much more discounted throughout the event.

Apple

This includes Apple devices like the AirPods with Charging Case for $129, down from a regular price of $159. This price undercuts the $134-$144 price of the wireless headphones that will be seen this Black Friday at Best Buy, Target, and Staples.

You’ll also have a chance to save on the 32GB 10.2-inch iPad, priced at $249, down from $329, which is the same price seen among the major retailers this season and one of the best all-around deals you can find on Black Friday.

Walmart will have the Apple Watch Series 3 in 38mm for $129, down from $199; while the 42mm will be $159, down from $229. These prices will come below Target’s sale on the Series 3, and are looking like some of the best discounts on Black Friday for the 2017 Apple Watch.

For iPhones, you’ll be able to get up to $450 in Walmart eGift cards with qualified activation on iPhone XS ($450), XS Max ($400), XR ($400), 11 ($300), 11 Pro ($300), and 11 Pro Max ($300). If you also trade in an eligible smartphone, you’ll get an additional $250 on a Walmart eGift card. The retailer will also have the 32GB iPhone 6s Plus for $149 on Straight Talk or Total Wireless plans.

Electronics

Walmart will have a big selection of discounts on various electronics, from audio equipment to smart watches, networking, and more. It should also be a good time to invest in a low-price 4K television if you’ve been holding out, with prices starting between $148 and $280 for solid options.

Walmart’s ONN brand will have a 50-inch 4K Roku Smart TV for $148. If you’re looking for higher quality sets, brands like Philips will have a 65-inch 4K Android Smart TV for $278, while Samsung will offer its 50-inch 4K Smart TV for the same price of $278.

Audio

• Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones – $129, down from $199
  
• Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones – $89, down from $119
  
• Anker Rave Mini Wireless Party Speaker – $100, down from $149
  
• JBL Flip 3 Speaker – $50, down from $100

Smart watches

• Fitbit Inspire HR – $69, down from $99
  
• Fitbit Versa Lite – $99, down from $159

Storage

• SanDisk ImageMate 64GB MicroSD Card – $8, down from $12
  
• SanDisk ImageMate 128GB MicroSD Card – $14, down from $20

Security and Networking

• Arlo 3-Camera Security System – $179, down from $249
  
• Netgear Nighthwak AX3000 Router – $99, down from $199

Video Games

Many of the same video game deals that we’ve seen highlighted at Target and Best Buy will emerge at Walmart this year. Sony’s 1TB PlayStation 4 bundle with God of War (2018), Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition, and The Last of Us Remastered will be $199, down from $299.

On Microsoft’s side, you’ll be able to get the 1TB Xbox One S All-Digital Console for $149, down from $249, just like Best Buy. There will also be a bundle with the 1TB Xbox One X Console and Gears 5 at $349 and the 1TB Xbox One S with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at $199. These bundles offer savings between $100 and $150.

For both Microsoft and Sony, the Xbox Wireless Controller and DualShock 4 will both be on sale for $39 in select colors, matching Target and Best Buy. These sales make for perfect opportunities to save on wireless controllers that work with iOS 13 and tvOS 13 as well.

Nintendo’s 2019 holiday bundle will also be available at Walmart, offering the original 2017 Nintendo Switch for $299 alongside a free digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The new Nintendo Switch with an updated battery, as well as the Nintendo Switch Lite, is not on sale this year.

Other miscellaneous video game sales include Call of Duty: Modern Warfare for $38, one of the lowest prices we’ve tracked so far this year, and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 Universal Gaming Headset for $25. This headset is compatible with both PS4 and Xbox One consoles.

$15 video games:

• Spider-Man (PS4)
  
• Watch Dogs 2
  
• Overwatch: Legendar Edition (PS4/Xbox One)
  
• Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
  
• Trials Fusion

$20 video games:

• Team Sonic Racing
  
• Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
  
• Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
  
• World War Z
  
• Days Gone
  
• The Division 2
  
• Kingdom Hearts 3

$25 video games:

• Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled
  
• Spyro Reignited Trilogy
  
• Just Dance 2020
  
• Overwatch: Legendary Edition (Switch)
  
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
  
• Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville

$30 video games:

• Super Mario Party
  
• Mario Tennis Aces
  
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
  
• Splatoon 2
  
• Super Mario Odyssey
  
• Red Dead Redemption II
  
• Borderlands 3
  
• Need For Speed: Heat
  
• Gears 5

To keep track of these Black Friday sales and more, head to our full Black Friday Roundup as well as our separate Deals Roundup.

This article, “Black Friday Spotlight: Walmart Will Offer Competitive Prices on AirPods, Apple Watch Series 3, and 10.2-Inch iPad” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A parliamentary committee in Germany on Wednesday passed an amendment to an anti-money laundering law that would force Apple to open up the NFC chip in iPhones to competing mobile payment providers, according to Reuters. The report claims the law is set to come into effect early next year.

In a statement to Reuters, Apple said it was “surprised” about the sudden decision and expressed security concerns.

“We are surprised at how suddenly this legislation was introduced,” an Apple spokesperson said. “We fear that the draft law could be harmful to user friendliness, data protection and the security of financial information.”

As noted by German financial website Finanz-Szene, however, there appears to be a provision in the law that could allow Apple to keep the NFC chip locked down. Specifically, it appears that Apple might be able to argue that opening up the NFC chip would put the security of its customers at risk.

A rough translation of the passage:

Exceptionally, the system undertaking is not required to comply with paragraph 1 if there are reasonable grounds for refusal to make the provision available. These exist, in particular, if the system undertaking can demonstrate that the safety and integrity of the technical infrastructure services is specifically jeopardized by the provision of such facilities. The rejection must be reasonably justified.

Earlier this month, the European Union’s competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager acknowledged that her department has received “many concerns” over Apple Pay and potential anticompetitive issues. Australia’s big banks have also sought open access to the NFC chip on the iPhone in recent years.

This article, “Germany Passes Law Forcing Apple to Open Up iPhone’s NFC Chip to Apple Pay Rivals, But Loophole May Exist” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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A trio of retailers have begun discounting Apple’s just-released 16-inch MacBook Pro, including Best Buy, Amazon, and Adorama. These sales follow discounts offered by Expercom, which are deeper and extend to custom configuration models as well.

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

If you’re only interested in the two base models of the 16-inch MacBook Pro and would prefer ordering from Best Buy, Amazon, or Adorama, we’ve compiled every discount below. Shoppers should note that in many instances these notebooks will ship later than Apple’s estimated dates, by as much as three weeks, particularly for those ordered from Amazon.

For Best Buy’s sales, you’ll also need to be a part of the My Best Buy program to notice the discounts on each MacBook Pro. Take a look at each price markdown in the list below and be sure to shop before the sales expire.

16-Inch MacBook Pro Sale ($100 off)

• 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Silver – $2,299.00, down from $2,399.00 [Adorama, Amazon, Best Buy]
  
• 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Space Gray – $2,299.00, down from $2,399.00 [Adorama, Amazon, Best Buy]
  
• 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Silver – $2,699.00, down from $2,799.00 [Adorama, Amazon, Best Buy]
  
• 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Space Gray – $2,699.00, down from $2,799.00 [Adorama, Amazon, Best Buy]

Head to our full Deals Roundup for more Apple-related bargains, and then visit our Black Friday Roundup to prepare for the upcoming shopping event, which is now just two weeks away.

This article, “Deals Spotlight: 16-Inch MacBook Pro Gets $100 Discount at Best Buy, Amazon, and Adorama (Starting at $2,300)” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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As outlined in an Apple support document, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro features an adjustable refresh rate.

For professional workflows such as video editing, for example, Apple notes that you can set the refresh rate of the display to match the frame rate of the video you are editing or viewing, with 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, and 60 Hz options. This functionality is not available on previous MacBook Pro models.

Apple says to choose a refresh rate that divides evenly into the frame rate of your content. For example, if the video you are viewing is 24 frames per second, select the 48 Hz refresh rate.

The refresh rate can be adjusted under System Preferences > Displays. Press and hold the Option key and select the Scaled button and the refresh rate dropdown menu will appear. Apple recommends switching back to the default 60Hz refresh rate after viewing or editing the video content.

The max refresh rate remains 60Hz.

(Thanks, Chris Weaver!)

This article, “16-Inch MacBook Pro Features Adjustable Refresh Rate Below 60Hz” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Two weeks after Apple TV+ debuted, Apple today greenlit a new drama series called “Slow Horses” for its streaming service. The show is based on a book series of the same name by author Mick Herron, and will star Gary Oldman (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Image by Tasos Katopodis/WireImage via THR

The “Slow Horses” series follows a team of British intelligence agents who are delegated to the so-called Slough House department in MI5, where washed-up spies are placed following failed careers. Oldman is set to play Jackson Lamb, the leader of the Slough House spies who are looking to get back into the spy game by any means necessary.

The show will be written by stand-up comedian Will Smith, who previously worked on HBO’s “Veep.” Producers include Graham Yost, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gail Mutrux, and Douglas Urbanski.

‌Apple TV‌+ is currently available for $4.99 per month and offers shows like “The Morning Show,” “See,” “Dickinson,” and “For All Mankind.” M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller “Servant” will be launching this Thanksgiving, followed by the film “The Banker” in December.

This article, “Apple Plans Adaptation of ‘Slow Horses’ Espionage Novels for Apple TV+ With Gary Oldman as Lead” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today activated its in-store reserve and pickup system for the new 16-inch MacBook Pro in the United States.

This system enables customers to purchase the 16-inch MacBook Pro on Apple.com in advance and select a 30-minute window to pick it up at an Apple Store. The tool can also be used to monitor inventory of the 16-inch MacBook Pro at Apple Stores based on city or ZIP code, with stock available at many locations today.

To check if Apple Stores in your area have stock, head to the 16-inch MacBook Pro page on Apple’s website, choose your desired configuration, select “check availability,” and enter your city or ZIP code. Note that many custom configurations with upgraded RAM, storage, or graphics are not immediately available for pickup.

If the 16-inch MacBook Pro model that you want is available at your Apple Store today, proceed with ordering and choose the “I’ll pick it up” option during the checkout process. You can also choose to have someone else pick up the order.

When you get to the Apple Store, let an employee know you have an order to pick up. Make sure to have a valid government-issued photo ID and your order number on hand. Apple also sometimes provides a QR code that can be added to the Wallet app for convenience and quicker check-in, but this is optional.

Apple may also have 16-inch MacBook Pro stock available for walk-in customers at select stores, but inventory will likely be limited.

For customers who ordered online, 16-inch MacBook Pro deliveries begin today.

In addition to a larger display, the 16-inch MacBook Pro features a new Magic Keyboard with a scissor mechanism and physical Esc key, up to 64GB of RAM, up to 8TB of SSD storage, AMD Radeon Pro 5000M graphics options, upgraded speakers and microphones, and more. Pricing starts at $2,399.

This article, “16-Inch MacBook Pro Available Today at Apple Stores in United States With Pickup Reservation” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is removing all vaping-related apps from the App Store today, according to Axios, shortly after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,172 lung injury cases linked to e-cigarette or vape products.

In a statement issued to Axios, Apple said it agrees with expert opinions that vaping is a “public health crisis” and a “youth epidemic”:

We take great care to curate the App Store as a trusted place for customers, particularly youth, to download apps. We’re constantly evaluating apps, and consulting the latest evidence, to determine risks to users’ health and well-being.

Recently, experts ranging from the CDC to the American Heart Association have attributed a variety of lung injuries and fatalities to e-cigarette and vaping products, going so far as to call the spread of these devices a public health crisis and a youth epidemic.

We agree, and we’ve updated our App Store Review Guidelines to reflect that apps encouraging or facilitating the use of these products are not permitted. As of today, these apps are no longer available to download.

Apple had already took a step in this direction in June, when it updated its App Store Review Guidelines to indicate that apps encouraging consumption of vape products are not permitted on the App Store.

Vaping-related apps already installed on iOS devices will continue to function.

Note: This discussion thread is located in our Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

This article, “Apple Removing Vaping-Related Apps From App Store Today Amid Public Health Concerns” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple today sent out emails highlighting its newest Apple Pay promo, which offers customers a 75 percent discount off of all cards purchased through Snapfish.

Snapfish is a photo site that allows customers to print their photo designs on a range of products, including cards, making this a solid discount for those who are planning to purchase holiday cards to send out to friends and family.

To get the deal, customers will need to ‌Apple Pay‌ in the Snapfish app when checking out, and will need to enter the promo code PAYFASTER. Snapfish is offering the deal through November 20. Pricing on cards starts at as little as $1.

This article, “Apple Pay Promo Offers 75% Discount on Cards From Snapfish” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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