Google is in talks to acquire popular fitness tracker maker Fitbit, according to Reuters, which could help the company better compete with the Apple Watch along with its existing Wear OS smart watch platform.

The report claims there is no certainty that the negotiations between Google parent company Alphabet and Fitbit will lead to any deal, and the exact price that Google has offered for Fitbit is unknown at this time.

Google does not currently sell any own-brand fitness trackers or smart watches, but its Wear OS platform runs on smart watches sold by several third-party brands, such as LG, Huawei, and Fossil.

This article, “Google Reportedly in Talks to Acquire Apple Watch Competitor Fitbit” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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After an all-time-low price hit the AirPods with Charging Case last week, a few new retailers have now discounted the more expensive AirPods with Wireless Charging Case. You can get the Qi-compatible version of the 2019 AirPods for $164.99, down from $199.00 ($34 off) at both Amazon and Adorama this week.

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.

This is one of the lowest prices we’ve ever tracked on the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case among the major Apple resellers, which previously sat at $169.00 for a few weeks on Amazon. For those interested in the standalone Wireless Charging Case, Adorama offers the accessory for $64.99, down from $79.00 ($14 off), which represents another low price in this sale.

Apple updated the AirPods in March 2019 with with “Hey Siri” support and various connectivity improvements thanks to the updated H1 chip. We routinely keep track of the most notable AirPods discounts in our dedicated Best Deal on AirPods guide, so be sure to check it often if you’re on the hunt for new AirPods.

Otherwise, our full Deals Roundup has a wide-ranging recap of all the best Apple-related sales happening right now.

This article, “Deals Spotlight: AirPods with Wireless Charging Case Drops to $164.99 ($34 Off)” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Ahead of Apple TV+ launching on Friday, reviews are now out for some of the first series premiering on the streaming video service, including The Morning Show, See, Dickinson, and For All Mankind.

Most reviews have panned The Morning Show and See, opinions were mixed about Dickinson, and For All Mankind was acclaimed.

The Morning Show

– Variety: “Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston can’t salvage this politically muddled, underthought, and underwhelming streaming misfire.”

– The Hollywood Reporter: “After a brutally dull pilot and a meandering second episode, there are distinct hints in the third hour of a more satisfying and confident The Morning Show, one that actually gets value out of leading ladies Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon.”

– Rolling Stone

– Vanity Fair

– Entertainment Weekly

– The Telegraph

– TVLine

– TV Guide

– Deadline

– Decider

– CNET

– AppleInsider

– CNN

See

– Variety: “Spiraling away from narrative control as its first three episodes unreel, this series, about a post-apocalyptic future in which nearly everyone is blind, wastes the time of Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard, among others, on a story that starts from a position of fun, giddy strangeness and drags itself forward at a lugubrious pace.”

– The Hollywood Reporter: “As you’ll find is a trend with this first batch of Apple TV+ originals, See isn’t close to a good show thus far, but it does just enough to make you believe that under the right circumstances, there might be a good show here somewhere, eventually.”

– The Telegraph

– TVLine

– TV Guide

– Deadline

– Decider

– CNET

– AppleInsider

– IndieWire

– The Guardian

Dickinson

– Variety: “Given the show’s scattered narrative and stylistic approach to Emily’s life and work, its biggest strength by a long shot is its star […] Even when the show around her starts to crumble under its own ambitious weight, [Hailee] Steinfeld usually finds a way to carry it.”

– The Hollywood Reporter: “The writing is well-informed by historical research, with episodes based on many real events from her early life. But in wanting to be both a serious teen drama and a black comedy simultaneously, the half-hour show instead comes off as tonally incongruous, awash in wry hipster flatness.”

– The Telegraph

– TVLine

– TV Guide

– Collider

– Deadline

– Decider

– CNET

– AppleInsider

For All Mankind

– Variety: “Of the original series launching Apple’s streaming TV service Monday, ‘For All Mankind’ is by far the strongest, especially because it makes the most of its budget and subsequent capacity to dream a bit bigger than most.”

– The Hollywood Reporter: “The Apple TV+ series is a solid effort at epic, alternate-history storytelling, but feels a bit derivative and moves too slowly.”

– The Telegraph

– TVLine

– TV Guide

– Deadline

– Decider

– CNET

– AppleInsider

– Collider

– IndieWire

Apple TV+ is Apple’s upcoming subscription-based streaming video service, launching November 1 in over 100 countries and regions.

Apple TV+ will be available on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, and other platforms, including online at tv.apple.com, for $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. Since September 10, customers who purchase any iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, or Mac can get one year of Apple TV+ for free.

This article, “Apple TV+ Series Review Roundup: The Morning Show, See, Dickinson, and For All Mankind” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Spotify today announced that its streaming music service has reached 113 million paying subscribers as of September 30, up from 108 million as of June 30. Spotify’s monthly active user count also increased to 248 million through September, inclusive of users listening to its free, ad-supported tier.

In a letter to shareholders, part of its third quarter earnings results, Spotify said that publicly available data indicates that it is adding roughly twice as many subscribers per month as Apple Music:

We continue to feel very good about our competitive position in the market. Relative to Apple, the publicly available data shows that we are adding roughly twice as many subscribers per month as they are. Additionally, we believe that our monthly engagement is roughly 2x as high and our churn is at half the rate.

‌Apple Music‌ had 60 million paying subscribers as of late June, according to Apple’s services chief Eddy Cue. Spotify has remained nearly twice as large as ‌Apple Music‌ in terms of paying subscribers over the last year.

This article, “Spotify Reaches 113 Million Paying Subscribers, Says It’s Growing Twice as Fast as Apple Music” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple is ramping up hiring for a team working on new HomeKit-based devices and software, having posted at least 15 openings for engineering positions on the team in the last month, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.

The report claims the efforts are headed by Andreas Gal, the former CTO of Mozilla who joined Apple last year following the iPhone maker’s acquisition of Silk Labs, an artificial intelligence startup that had created a privacy-focused security camera and smart home hub system.

Details are vague, but one possibility is said to be new smart home devices beyond the HomePod speaker. Apple is also said to have explored creating a wide range of smart home accessories, such as modules for opening and closing windows, cabinets, and doors, but those efforts were reportedly put on hold.

This article, “Bloomberg: Apple Increasing Hiring for Team Working on New HomeKit Devices Beyond HomePod” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Back in July, we reported on a rumor that Apple is considering using a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on its 2020 iPhones, allowing for a smoother on-screen experience. DigiTimes now reports that industry observers believe many 5G-era smartphones are likely to use upgraded displays capable of up to 120Hz refresh rates, reigniting speculation that next year’s iPhones could use Apple’s ProMotion display tech.

However, DigiTimes notes that whether Apple will adopt displays with a 120Hz refresh rate “remains to be seen.”

The arrival of 5G is ushering in hardware upgrades to support related applications and services. It is expected more 5G smartphones will come with displays offering high refresh rates that can enhance user experience. It remains to be seen whether Apple will launch its first 5G iPhone in 2020, or will adopt displays with 120Hz refresh rate…

The DigiTimes article bases its prediction on the penetration rate of over 120Hz panels in the gaming notebook segment. Observers note that this has surpassed 30 percent and is still growing, which is prompting panel makers to step into the sector and develop panels with refresh rates ranging from 120Hz to 240Hz.

The gaming-oriented Razer Phone 2 has such a panel with a fast refresh rate, while Asustek’s ROG Phone II, which launched in the second half of 2019, also boasts one. DigiTimes also notes that the Google’s Pixel 4 comes with a 90Hz display and Sharp’s recently released Aquos R3 features a 6.2-inch IGZO 120Hz display, while several Chinese brands are expected to roll out models with higher refresh rates in 2020.

Apple is considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on the iPhone in 2020, and is discussing with Samsung and LG. pic.twitter.com/4aoU303umu

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) July 21, 2019

Having a similar display on a new iPhone without sacrificing battery life would obviously be a big draw. Apple already uses variable refresh rate technology in its iPad Pro models, and markets the tech under the moniker “ProMotion,” which it says dynamically adjusts the display to the movement of content for fluid scrolling, greater responsiveness, and smoother motion. It does all this on the fly, which means it also conserves battery life.

Of course, Apple’s ‌iPad Pro‌ models use LCD panels rather than OLED, and rumors have suggested Apple will complete its transition to an all-OLED iPhone lineup in 2020 with new 5.4-inch, 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch devices.

If Apple is indeed in discussion with Samsung and LG to bring a ProMotion-style screen to a new breed of OLED iPhones, as one leaker claimed earlier this year, then it would raise next year’s smartphone performance bar even higher.

This article, “DigiTimes: 5G Era to Usher in Wide Adoption of Higher Refresh Rate Smartphone Displays” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple’s “iPhone SE 2” is scheduled to go into mass production in January 2020 and will launch at the end of March, according to the latest information from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

The timing basically tallies with Kuo’s previous reports on the so-called “‌iPhone SE 2‌,” in which he predicted a Q1 2020 release for the device, which is expected to start at $399.

Relying on historical patterns in Apple’s product release schedule to predict future launches is not without risk, but March has traditionally been the launch month of Apple’s more affordable iPhone.

The original iPhone SE was announced on March 21, 2016, pre-orders began on March 24 and the device was officially released on March 31, 2016. It was re-released almost a year later on March 24, 2017 with larger storage capacities. Apple has also held special launch events in the last week of March for the last two years.

Specs for the new low-end iPhone are said to include:

• 4.7-inch display
• A13 CPU (same as iPhone 11)
• 3GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 64GB and 128GB options
• Space Gray, Silver and Red colors
• Home button
• No 3D Touch

Kuo expects the device to look similar to the iPhone 8 and believes it will be a popular upgrade option for existing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S owners, serving as a “key growth driver” for Apple in 2020. He believes these customers have low desire for new features like Face ID and multiple cameras, suggesting the “‌iPhone SE 2‌” will stick with Touch ID and a single-lens rear camera.

In terms of shipments, Kuo estimates that monthly shipments of the ‌iPhone SE 2‌ will be between 2 million and 4 million. Kuo also expects the ‌iPhone SE 2‌ will use a liquid crystal polymer LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) antenna design to facilitate transmission efficiency.

According to other industry sources, LG is in talks with Apple to supply LCD displays for the successor to the iPhone SE, with the panels currently undergoing last-minute quality checks.

Of course, “‌iPhone SE 2‌” might not be the final name of the device, with iPhone 8s and iPhone 9 speculated as other possibilities. With a larger 4.7-inch display, the device won’t be as portable as the original iPhone SE, which will surely disappoint fans of that model.

This article, “Kuo: ‘iPhone SE 2’ Entering Mass Production in January and Launching at the End of March” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple has started advising iPhone 5 owners to update to iOS 10.3.4 before November 3, otherwise several key functions like iCloud and the App Store will no longer work on their device because of a time rollover issue.

Back in July, Apple released updated versions of iOS for older iPhones and iPads models, including the iPhone 5, to address an issue that could impact GPS location performance and lead to the system date and time being incorrect. The GPS time rollover issue began affecting GPS-enabled products from other manufacturers on April 6, 2019, but Apple’s affected devices aren’t impacted by the problem until just before midnight UTC on November 3, 2019.

For iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad with Wi-Fi and Cellular, the 10.3.4 update is required to maintain accurate GPS location and to continue to use functions that rely on correct date and time including ‌App Store‌, ‌iCloud‌, email, and web browsing. An iOS 9.3.6 update is available for the also-affected iPhone 4s and cellular models of the original ‌iPad‌ mini, the ‌iPad‌ 2, and the ‌iPad‌ 3.

From Apple’s support document:

Starting just before 12:00 a.m. UTC on November 3, 2019, iPhone 5 will require an iOS update to maintain accurate GPS location and to continue to use functions that rely on correct date and time including ‌App Store‌, ‌iCloud‌, email, and web browsing. This is due to the GPS time rollover issue that began affecting GPS-enabled products from other manufacturers on April 6, 2019. Affected Apple devices are not impacted until just before 12:00 a.m. UTC on November 3, 2019.

If iPhone 5 models in particular are not updated by November 3, 2019, Apple says users will have to back up and restore using a Mac or PC in order to update, because over-the-air software updates and ‌iCloud‌ Backup will not work.

If you have an iPhone 5, check to make sure your device has updated successfully by following these steps.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone 5.
2. Tap General -> About.
3. Look for the number next to Software Version.

The updated software version should be 10.3.4.

This article, “Apple Reminds iPhone 5 Owners to Update to iOS 10.3.4 by November 3” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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“AirPods Pro” will come in as many as eight colors, including White, Black, and a new Midnight Green finish to match iPhone 11 Pro models, according to a Chinese-language report from the Economic Daily News.

AirPods Pro concept via Jablíčkář.cz

Google’s machine translation of the report is not easy to decipher, so the source of the information is unclear. Eight colors would certainly be a lot, although it is not out of the question given that Apple has made Beats headphones like the Solo3 available in over a dozen colors over the years.

The report also backs rumors that the AirPods Pro will feature active noise cancellation and water resistance. Last month, in the iOS 13.2 beta filesystem, MacRumors discovered an icon depicting never-before-seen, in-ear AirPods with rubber ear tips that would presumably help to block out ambient noise.

Apple plans to release the AirPods Pro in time for the holiday shopping season this year, according to the Economic Daily News, with the report claiming the earphones could be unveiled as early as next week.

This is not the first time the Economic Daily News has reported that Apple plans to release new AirPods in a black color, as the publication made the same claim back in February. A month later, Apple released second-generation AirPods with Hey Siri support, up to 50 percent more talk time, and an optional wireless charging case, but the black color was nowhere to be seen.

However, it is worth noting that Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said Apple originally planned to release the second-generation AirPods in 2018, but they were delayed, so it is possible the black color was always intended to be for these third-generation AirPods with noise cancellation and water resistance.

Indian blog MySmartPrice also said black AirPods were in the works back in February, claiming they would feature a matte finish with improved grip. Combined with last week’s Economic Daily News report claiming that the AirPods Pro will sport a new metal design, perhaps the earphones and their charging case will look similar to the back glass of iPhone 11 Pro models, complete with matching colors.

Leaked photos, knockoffs, and accessories all point towards the AirPods Pro charging case being wider to accommodate the ear tips.

As higher-end earphones, the AirPods Pro will likely have improved sound. Last week’s Economic Daily News report also claimed that the AirPods Pro will feature multiple listening modes, suggesting they could have the same Transparency feature as the new Beats Solo Pro, which turns on the external microphones so the wearer can hear outside noise without pausing music playback.

Unsurprisingly, higher-end AirPods would likely have a higher price tag than the current AirPods. Economic Daily News estimates pricing may start at around $259, which would be $100 more than the current AirPods with a wired charging case. However, supply chain reports are usually guessing about pricing.

Apple typically unveils redesigned products during its keynotes, but an October event is looking unlikely this year, so possibilities include Apple announcing the AirPods Pro with a press release, hosting an unprecedented November event, or waiting to unveil them at its typical March event next year.

This article, “AirPods Pro to Feature New Colors, Including Black and Midnight Green, According to Chinese Report” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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October is rapidly drawing to a close, and while time has run out for Apple to announce a media event for this month, there are still a number of known and rumored product launches in the works. This week saw fresh rumors about the so-called “AirPods Pro,” the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the Mac Pro.

Looking further ahead, we’re continuing to hear about the “iPhone SE 2” for early next year, while this week also saw the 18th anniversary of the iPod’s introduction.

Accessory Maker Releases ‘AirPods Pro’ Cases Matching Rumored Noise-Cancelling Design

While it looks unlikely that Apple will be hosting an October event this year, rumors suggest at least a few new products are still on the horizon, including the so-called “AirPods Pro.”

MacRumors already discovered an icon of in-ear AirPods with rubber ear tips, lending credence to rumors that Apple is planning to release higher-end AirPods with active noise cancellation and improved water resistance, and last week a Chinese report claimed they will sport a new design and be released by the end of October, perhaps via press release.

At least one accessory maker is already capitalizing on the rumors with a few cases for the “AirPods Pro,” with the product images depicting a wider charging case as previously leaked.

16-Inch MacBook Pro Said to Launch by End of October With Ultra-Slim Bezels and Scissor Keyboard

Last week, Apple effectively leaked the long-rumored 16-inch MacBook Pro itself by way of an icon discovered in the macOS Catalina 10.15.1 beta. The icon, created earlier this month, depicts a slightly larger MacBook Pro with slimmer bezels around the display.

15-inch MacBook Pro icon on left, possible 16-inch MacBook Pro icon on right

And now this week, hit-or-miss industry website DigiTimes has a fresh claim that the 16-inch MacBook Pro will be released by the end of October, noting that Quanta Computer has already begun volume shipments of the notebook to Apple. It won’t be long before we know if this rumor will pan out.

New Mac Pro Nearing Release as Apple Advises Technicians How to Place Computer in DFU Mode

Apple previewed an all-new Mac Pro at WWDC in June, and said the computer will be available to order this fall, but it has yet to specify a release date.

This week, however, Apple updated its Mac Configuration Utility for authorized technicians with an option for the new Mac Pro, and our source believes this likely signals an imminent release.

The new ‌Mac Pro‌ is a powerhouse, with up to 28-core Intel Xeon processors, up to 1.5TB of ECC RAM, and up to a 4TB SSD. A new design includes a stainless steel frame with smooth handles and an aluminum housing that lifts off for 360-degree access to the entire system. Pricing will start at $5,999.

Camera Comparison: iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. Pixel 4 XL

Both the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Google’s Pixel 4 XL have high-end camera systems, so we decided to compare the camera quality of the two devices to see if one has an edge over the other.

Given how advanced smartphone cameras have become, the two devices both perform well, but there are some advantages to each that we discuss.

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iPhone SE 2 Rumors Continue to Mount as LG Reportedly in Talks to Supply LCDs for Device

Rumors are coming in fast and heavy about the so-called iPhone SE 2, with a report this week claiming that LG is in talks with Apple to supply LCD displays for the device, expected to launch in early 2020.

In a research note this week, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the iPhone SE 2 will feature an upgraded antenna design for improved wireless transmission. Kuo previously said the device will resemble the iPhone 8, including a 4.7-inch display and Touch ID, but with a faster A13 Bionic chip and 3GB of RAM.

The budget device isn’t necessarily going to be named the iPhone SE 2, especially given it sounds like it will be a larger device. Other names speculated include the iPhone 8s and iPhone 9.

iPod Turns 18: Here’s What People Thought in 2001

This week marked the 18th anniversary of Steve Jobs unveiling the original iPod. While the iMac started Apple’s renaissance in 1998, it was the launch of the iPod in 2001 that truly set Apple on a path towards becoming the world’s most valuable company.

While many people were thrilled about the iPod, others were not so impressed. We’ve rounded up a sample of some comments about the iPod from the MacRumors forums, The New York Times, and elsewhere on the day the device was announced.

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This article, “Top Stories: AirPods Pro, 16-Inch MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro Rumors, iPod Turns 18” first appeared on MacRumors.com

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