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7'Let Loose' Apple Event
12 Days 00 Hours 30 Minutes

APPLE MISTAKENLY TELLS CUSTOMERS THEIR IPHONE TRADE-INS ARE 'CANCELED'

Thursday April 25, 2024 5:59 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today sent an email to some iPhone Upgrade Program members to inform them
that their previously-completed iPhone trade-in has been "canceled," but the
email was almost certainly sent in error based on the circumstances.

Apple told customers it never received their iPhone, even though they sent it in
months ago. In many cases, the customers physically handed their iPhones to an
Apple Store employee in person, so there is no possible way they could be at
fault.

"Because you didn't trade in your iPhone, we are unable to complete the trade-in
process," the email says, according to a screenshot shared with us by reader
Quinn Everett. "The associated loan on this iPhone will resume."

Everett and others said the Apple Store app also shows their iPhone's trade-in
status has changed to "canceled," suggesting that Apple's email is legitimate.
The email has been widely shared across the MacRumors Forums, Reddit, and X,
with many customers receiving it in the early hours of Thursday morning in the
United States.

Many customers who received the email completed their iPhone trade-in last
September, when the iPhone 15 series launched, so the delayed timing of the
email suggests that it was sent as a result of a system glitch. Apple did not
immediately respond to our request for comment, but we will update this story if
we receive an explanation.

Tag: Apple Trade-In Guide
Show Full Article
9 comments

APPLE PARTNER TSMC UNVEILS ADVANCED 1.6NM PROCESS FOR 2026 CHIPS

Thursday April 25, 2024 5:45 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

Apple chipmaker TSMC has announced plans to produce highly advanced 1.6nm chips
that could be destined for future generations of Apple silicon.

TSMC yesterday unveiled a series of technologies, including the "A16" process,
which is a 1.6nm node. The new technology significantly enhances chip logic
density and performance, promising substantial improvements for high-performance
computing (HPC) products and data centers.

Historically, Apple is among the first companies to adopt new, state-of-the-art
chip fabrication technologies. For example, it was the first company to utilize
TSMC's 3nm node with the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌
Max, and Apple is likely to follow suit with the chipmaker's upcoming nodes.
Apple's most advanced chip designs have historically appeared in the iPhone
before making their way to the iPad and Mac lineups, and ultimately trickling
down to the Apple Watch and Apple TV.

The A16 technology, which TSMC plans to begin producing in 2026, incorporates
innovative nanosheet transistors along with a novel backside power rail
solution. This development is expected to provide an 8-10% increase in speed and
a 15-20% reduction in power consumption at the same speeds compared to TSMC's
N2P process, alongside up to a 1.10x chip density improvement.

TSMC also announced the rollout of its System-on-Wafer (SoW) technology, which
integrates multiple dies on a single wafer to boost computing power while
occupying less space—a development that could be transformative for Apple's data
center operations. TSMC's first SoW offering, which is already in production, is
based on Integrated Fan-Out (InFO) technology. A more advanced chip-on-wafer
version leveraging CoWoS technology is slated for readiness in 2027.

TSMC is also making progress toward manufacturing 2nm and 1.4nm chips that are
likely destined for future generations of Apple silicon. Its 2nm "N2" node is
scheduled for trial production in the second half of 2024 and mass production in
late 2025, to be followed by an enhanced "N2P" process in late 2026. Trial
production of the 2nm node will begin in the second half of 2024, with
small-scale production ramping up in the second quarter of 2025. In 2027,
facilities in Taiwan will start to shift toward production of "A14" 1.4nm chips.

Apple's upcoming A18 chips for the iPhone 16 lineup are expected to be based on
N3E, while the "A19" for the 2025 ‌iPhone‌ models is expected to be Apple's
first 2nm chip. The subsequent year, Apple will likely move to an enhanced
version of this 2nm node, followed by the newly announced 1.6nm process.

Each successive TSMC node surpasses its predecessor in terms of transistor
density, performance, and efficiency. Late last year, it emerged that TSMC had
already demonstrated prototype 2nm chips to Apple ahead of their expected
introduction in 2025.

Tags: Apple Silicon Guide, TSMC
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13 comments

ANDROID BOSSES IPHONE IN SMARTPHONE ACTIVATION MARKET SHARE

Thursday April 25, 2024 5:22 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

New iPhone activations are down to a low not seen in the U.S. smartphone market
for the last six years, according to a new Consumer Intelligence Research
Partners (CIRP) report.

While CIRP notes that Apple's installed smartphone base is higher than recorded
activations, the figures show its share of new iPhone activations fell from 40%
to 33% over the past year, suggesting a shift away from the higher market shares
Apple enjoyed in previous years.

Historically, around the time when competitors like Blackberry and Windows
phones were more prevalent, iPhone's activation share hovered around one-third.
This increased steadily until the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when
various factors contributed to a spike in activations. However, Apple's iPhone
share appears to have reverted to its long-term average, with two out of three
new smartphone activations now from Android devices.

CIRP suggests the decline is due to the increased price of modern smartphones as
well as better durability. While innovation has slowed, there has been a shift
from two-year subsidized purchases to more transparent buying plans, which has
prompted consumers to hold onto their devices for longer. This trend appears to
impact iPhone sales more significantly than those of Android devices, suggesting
Apple may need to adjust its strategy to regain market momentum.

The report covers a 12-month period ending each quarter and includes data from
CIRP's quarterly survey of mobile phone customers. The aim of this approach is
to remove the seasonal spikes typically associated with new device launches and
holiday sales, providing a clearer view of ongoing trends, according to the
firm.

Tag: CIRP
Show Full Article
36 comments

HOW TO MAKE YOUR IPHONE SCREEN LESS BRIGHT IN BED

Thursday April 25, 2024 3:46 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Most of us stare at our iPhones for far too long, and this constant exposure to
a bright screen can strain our eyes, especially in low-light conditions or
during the twilight hours. That's where the ability to dim your iPhone screen
beyond the standard brightness settings becomes a game-changer.

If the screen of your iPhone or iPad is too bright for comfort, the usual
solution is to go to Settings ➝ Display & Brightness and drag the Brightness
slider to the left, or open Control Center and adjust the corresponding setting
from there. However, if the lowest setting offered by the Brightness level just
isn't dim enough for you, there's another way to make your screen even darker.

This feature is particularly useful if you find yourself needing to use your
device in dark environments, such as in a bedroom where a partner is sleeping,
or in a dimly lit theater. It's also a boon for anyone with light sensitivity,
providing a more comfortable viewing experience that minimizes eye strain and
fatigue. Let's look at how to set it up below.

REDUCE WHITE POINT

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Select Accessibility from the list of options.
3. Scroll down and select Accessibility Shortcut.
4. Tap Reduce White Point, then drag it up near the top of the list using the
three lines icon.

Now that's set up, simply triple-click your iPhone's Side button to display the
Accessibility Shortcut menu, then tap Reduce White Point.

Your iPhone display will now be dimmer than the dimmest setting offered by the
standard Brightness level.

RESET WHITE POINT

To return the white point to its normal level, simply triple-click the Side
button again and tap Reduce White Point to uncheck it.

ADJUST WHITE POINT

If the White Point is still too bright (or too dim), you can adjust it manually:
In Settings, go to Accessibility ➝ Display & Text Size, then scroll down and
turn on the switch next to Reduce White Point.

This will reveal a slider that you can move left or right to change the
brightness level.

TRIGGER REDUCED WHITE POINT AT BEDTIME

It's possible to make the Reduced White Point setting come on when Bedtime
starts, or when your Sleep focus is enabled. This offers an automated approach
to minimizing screen brightness, which is particularly beneficial for winding
down before bedtime.

Blue light is known for its potential to disrupt natural sleep patterns by
inhibiting the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for sleep regulation.
That makes an automation especially useful if you have a habit of reading or
browsing on your iPhone as part of your nighttime routine, allowing you to do so
without significantly impacting your sleep quality. Here's how it's done.

1. Open the Shortcuts app, then tap the + icon in the top-right corner of the
screen.
2. Tap Add Action.

3. Type "White Point" in the search field, then choose Set White Point when it
appears below.
4. Tap the blue "Turn" text, then choose Toggle from the dropdown menu.
5. Tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen.

After following the above steps, you should see your new "Set White Point"
shortcut in the Shortcuts menu.

The Shortcut is now ready to use in a new custom automation. It's easy to make,
just follow these steps.

1. In the Shortcuts app, select the Automation tab, then tap the + icon in the
top-right corner of the screen.
2. Under "Personal Automation," choose Sleep.

3. On the "When" screen, choose Bedtime Begins and Run Immediately, then tap
Next.
4. On the "When Bedtime Starts" screen, choose your custom Set White Point
shortcut.

You're all done. In the future, when Bedtime starts or when you enable the Sleep
focus, your screen's white point will be automatically reduced.

TRIGGER WHITE POINT WHEN BEDTIME ENDS

To make sure the white point on your iPhone's display is reset when bedtime ends
in the morning, you just have to create an additional automation. This basically
involves the same steps you just used to create the first custom automation,
except instead of choosing Bedtime Begins in step 3, select Waking Up. Here are
those steps again for your convenience, but with a modified step 3.

1. In the Shortcuts app, select the Automation tab, then tap the + icon in the
top-right corner of the screen.
2. Under "Personal Automation," choose Sleep.
3. On the "When" screen, choose Waking Up and Run Immediately, then tap Next.
4. On the "When Bedtime Starts" screen, choose your custom Set White Point
shortcut.

That's it! The white point on your iPhone display will now return to normal when
your bedtime ends.

Tag: Shortcuts
Show Full Article
32 comments

THREADS TESTS OPTION TO ARCHIVE POSTS AS PLATFORM HITS 150M+ USERS

Thursday April 25, 2024 3:26 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Threads is testing an option that allows users to archive old posts so that they
don't appear on their profile, according to Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

In a post on the Meta-owned social media platform, Mosseri said that the archive
option being tested with a small number of people included a manual setting for
individual posts, as well as the ability to automatically archive all posts
after a certain period of time.

Users also have the option to unarchive a post to make it public again. If beta
testing goes well, the ability to archive posts is likely to be rolled out
globally as an option rather than a default behavior, which Mosseri said was the
overwhelming preference based on user feedback.

When it launched back in July, Threads was very barebones, with Meta working to
add new functionality on a regular basis to bring the network in line with X
(Twitter). It has since gained a web app, an ability to search for posts, and a
post editing feature. Just last week, Threads began rolling out an option to
some users to filter search results by the most recent posts, rather than just
posts suggested by its algorithm.

The slow trickle of new features appears to be gradually paying off: The app now
has more than 150 million monthly users, according to Mark Zuckerberg, who
revealed the figures on Wednesday during Meta's first-quarter earnings call.

The number indicates an increase of about 20 million new users since February,
suggesting steady growth, albeit at a slower rate than its initial rapid
popularity, when the app racked up 100 million users in its first week.
Zuckerberg said in October he believes Threads has a good chance of becoming
Meta's next billion-user app.

Tag: Threads
Show Full Article
15 comments

APPLE RELEASES SAFARI TECHNOLOGY PREVIEW 193 WITH BUG FIXES AND PERFORMANCE
IMPROVEMENTS

Wednesday April 24, 2024 5:03 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the
experimental browser Apple first introduced in March 2016. Apple designed the
‌Safari Technology Preview‌ to test features that may be introduced into future
release versions of Safari.

‌Safari Technology Preview‌ 193 includes fixes and updates for Accessibility,
CSS, Forms, JavaScript, Rendering, Web API, and Web Inspector.

The current ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ release is compatible with machines
running macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma, the latest version of macOS that Apple
released in September 2023.

The ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ update is available through the Software Update
mechanism in System Preferences or System Settings to anyone who has downloaded
the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari
Technology Preview website.

Apple's aim with ‌Safari Technology Preview‌ is to gather feedback from
developers and users on its browser development process. ‌Safari Technology
Preview‌ can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while
designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Tag: Safari Technology Preview
Show Full Article
6 comments

WHATSAPP FOR IOS GAINS SUPPORT FOR PASSKEYS

Wednesday April 24, 2024 4:40 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp today announced that it is rolling out
support for passkeys on iOS, a feature that will let WhatsApp users log in to
their accounts on iOS devices using Face ID, Touch ID, or their device passcode.

Passkeys serve as a replacement for a traditional password, and because device
authentication is required, passkeys put a stop to online attacks like phishing.
With a passkey, there's no password to steal, and no one-time SMS or
authentication code that can be intercepted.

Passkeys are also more convenient, because logins are done with a quick ‌Face
ID‌ or ‌Touch ID‌ scan rather than a password. WhatsApp passkeys can be enabled
by opening up the app settings, choosing the Account section, and tapping on
"Passkeys."

Apple has supported passkeys since 2022, and they work on devices that run iOS
16 and later, iPadOS 16 and later, and macOS Ventura and later. Many companies
have been implementing support for passkeys, including X (formerly Twitter),
Google, TikTok, PayPal, Best Buy, Microsoft, PlayStation, and eBay.

Tag: WhatsApp
Show Full Article
22 comments

IMAZING IPHONE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE GETS FRESH DESIGN, SUPPORT FOR VISION PRO

Wednesday April 24, 2024 4:22 pm PDT by Juli Clover

DigiDNA today announced the launch of iMazing 3, an updated version of its
iPhone and iPad management software designed for Macs and Windows machines.

play

iMazing 3 features an updated user interface with a dedicated "Discover" section
that makes it easier to find popular tools for doing things like transferring
photos from an ‌iPhone‌, downloading Messages, transferring music, and making
backups.

A Device Overview section offers details about connected products like serial
number, model number, device ID, date of latest backup, and more, for simple
multi-device management, and there's also a Data section for accessing saved
media, messages, contacts, and other content.

For battery management, there is a battery section that provides details on
current temperature, design max charge, effective max charge, and charge cycles,
plus there are options for managing storage.

The iMazing 3 software on Mac works with the Vision Pro in addition to the
‌iPhone‌ and the ‌iPad‌, and there is support for remote pairing. Other new
features include a Dark Mode, improved Backup and snapshot management, and a
redesigned settings interface.

iMazing 3 can be downloaded from the iMazing website at prices starting at $40.
iMazing customers who purchased the software after October 20, 2020 can upgrade
for free, and those with older licenses can upgrade at a 50 percent discount.

Show Full Article
25 comments

APPLE RELEASES OPEN SOURCE AI MODELS THAT RUN ON-DEVICE

Wednesday April 24, 2024 3:39 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today released several open source large language models (LLMs) that are
designed to run on-device rather than through cloud servers. Called OpenELM
(Open-source Efficient Language Models), the LLMs are available on the Hugging
Face Hub, a community for sharing AI code.

As outlined in a white paper [PDF], there are eight total OpenELM models, four
of which were pre-trained using the CoreNet library, and four instruction tuned
models. Apple uses a layer-wise scaling strategy that is aimed at improving
accuracy and efficiency.

Apple provided code, training logs, and multiple versions rather than just the
final trained model, and the researchers behind the project hope that it will
lead to faster progress and "more trustworthy results" in the natural language
AI field.

> OpenELM, a state-of-the-art open language model. OpenELM uses a layer-wise
> scaling strategy to efficiently allocate parameters within each layer of the
> transformer model, leading to enhanced accuracy. For example, with a parameter
> budget of approximately one billion parameters, OpenELM exhibits a 2.36%
> improvement in accuracy compared to OLMo while requiring 2x fewer pre-training
> tokens.
>
> Diverging from prior practices that only provide model weights and inference
> code, and pre-train on private datasets, our release includes the complete
> framework for training and evaluation of the language model on publicly
> available datasets, including training logs, multiple checkpoints, and
> pre-training configurations.

Apple says that it is releasing the OpenELM models to "empower and enrich the
open research community" with state-of-the-art language models. Sharing open
source models gives researchers a way to investigate risks and data and model
biases. Developers and companies are able to use the models as-is or make
modifications.

The open sharing of information has become an important tool for Apple to
recruit top engineers, scientists, and experts because it provides opportunities
for research papers that would not normally have been able to be published under
Apple's secretive policies.

Apple has not yet brought these kinds of AI capabilities to its devices, but iOS
18 is expected to include a number of new AI features, and rumors suggest that
Apple is planning to run its large language models on-device for privacy
purposes.

Tag: Artificial Intelligence
Show Full Article
55 comments

SPOTIFY AND APPLE AGAIN CLASH OVER APP STORE RULES AND FEES

Wednesday April 24, 2024 2:36 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Spotify has not been able to get Apple to approve an EU app update that added
information on subscription pricing and links to the Spotify website, and it
turns out that's because Spotify has not agreed to the terms of Apple's Music
Streaming Services Entitlement.

A recent antitrust ruling from the European Commission fined Apple nearly $2
billion and mandated that Apple "remove anti-steering provisions" for music apps
in the European Economic Area (EEA). As a result, Apple updated its App Store
rules with a Music Streaming Services Entitlement that allows music apps in the
EEA to inform users of other ways to purchase digital music content or services
and to add website links for purchasing digital music subscriptions.

That might sound like a win for apps like Spotify, but Apple requires developers
who use the entitlement to pay a 27 percent fee (reduced for subscriptions older
than one year and for small businesses) on all website purchases referred by
Apple. So if Spotify puts a link in its app and a user clicks it and subscribes,
Spotify would owe Apple a 27 percent commission (three percent less than the App
Store purchase fee).

Spotify does not currently pay Apple any money, and it does not want to.
Directly after the European Commission's ruling, Spotify on March 5 submitted an
EU app update that had information on subscription pricing and links to its
websites for customers to make purchases. This was prior to when Apple had
announced its entitlement plan.

Apple ignored Spotify's app update, and Spotify complained on March 14 that
Apple had not "acknowledged or responded" to its ‌App Store‌ submission. Spotify
at the time called on the European Commission to force Apple to approve its app
update.

Apple kept ignoring Spotify's submission, until today, when Spotify submitted a
new version of its app. Spotify said on X (formerly Twitter) that the update has
no links and includes just the "bare minimum" on pricing and a mention that
subscriptions can be purchased from Spotify, which it claims is acceptable under
the European Commission's ruling.

Spotify left out a small detail, though. It turns out that Spotify did not
request a Music Streaming Services Entitlement and did not agree to Apple's new
terms for the entitlement. The ‌App Store‌ Review Team sent Spotify a letter
(via AppleInsider) that says the entitlement is required even though there is no
link because Spotify's submission has a call to action to purchase a Spotify
subscription on its website.

> We are reaching out to let you know about new information regarding your app,
> Spotify - Music and Podcasts, version 8.9.33.
>
> As you may be aware, Apple created a new Music Streaming Services Entitlement
> (EEA) for iOS and iPadOS music streaming apps offered in EEA storefronts. The
> entitlement allows music streaming apps to use buttons, external links, or
> other calls to action to direct customers to a purchase mechanism on a website
> owned or controlled by the developer. You must accept its terms before adding
> any of these capabilities to your app. Please find more information about the
> entitlement here.
>
> We note that your current submission includes a call to action to purchase a
> Spotify subscription on your website. As such, you must accept the terms of
> the Music Streaming Services Entitlement (EEA) and include the entitlement
> profile in your app for submission. To be clear, this entitlement is required
> even if your app does not include an external link (nor does it require that
> you offer an external link). We will, however, approve version 8.9.33 after
> you accept the terms of the Music Streaming Services Entitlement (EEA) and
> resubmit it for review.
>
> If you have any questions about this information, please reply to this message
> to let us know.

Apple says that if Spotify agrees to the terms of the Music Streaming Services
Entitlement, it will approve the latest Spotify app update. Without a link to
the Spotify website, Spotify would presumably not have to pay Apple a commission
because there would be no way for Apple to track clicks from its app to Spotify,
but there may be some other part of the entitlement that Spotify is reluctant to
agree to.

Apple does not plan to let Spotify include a link to the Spotify website without
paying the required 27 percent fee, but adding subscription pricing information
without a link does seem to be permitted per the language of Apple's letter to
Spotify.

Spotify has confirmed that it does not plan to opt in to Apple's EU ‌App Store‌
business terms, which are separate from the Music Streaming Services Entitlement
and are part of the changes that Apple implemented as required by the Digital
Markets Act.

Because Spotify does not want to agree to the EU ‌App Store‌ business terms, it
is limited on the features that it can add to its app in the EU. To offer the
Spotify app directly from its website in the EU, Spotify would need to agree to
the terms and would have to pay a 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee for users that
download the app.

Spotify does not let customers sign up for a Spotify subscription in the app as
of right now, so it does not have to pay anything. Web-based distribution and
linking out to the Spotify website both have associated fees, and Spotify is
aiming for a solution where it does not have to pay anything. Spotify's full
statement on its update, from Chief Public Affairs Officer Dustee Jenkins:

> Despite Apple's attempts to punish developers with new fees, we remain
> committed to giving consumers real choice in our app at no increased cost.
> That's why we have submitted a new update to Apple. It features basic pricing
> and website information - the bare minimum outlined under the European
> Commission's ruling in its music streaming case.
>
> By charging developers for communicating with consumers through links in-app,
> Apple continues to break European law. It's past time for the Commission to
> enforce its decision so that consumers can see real, positive benefits.

Though Spotify has a clear path to get its app update approved, the company
claims that Apple is breaking European law by charging the 27 percent fee for
links and it calls on the European Commission to "enforce its decision."

Tags: European Union, Spotify
Show Full Article
134 comments

APPLE VISION PRO GAINS APPLE ARCADE GAMES CROSSY ROAD CASTLE AND SOLITAIRE
STORIES

Wednesday April 24, 2024 11:51 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple Arcade games Crossy Road Castle and Solitaire Stories are set to launch on
the Vision Pro headset tomorrow, adding two additional popular games to Apple's
first head worn device.

In Crossy Road Castle, players can progress through tower levels with pinch and
flick gestures. Up to four players can play at one time, though there's also a
solo version of the game.

Crossy Road Castle for Vision Pro has the same features as the other versions of
the game, including characters and hats to unlock, game controller support, and
challenge events to complete. Levels are procedurally generated, so each new
game is different.

Solitaire Stories provides players with a virtual card table to play classic
solitaire games. There are multiple versions of solitaire included, such as
Klondike Quick Play, Spider, and Draw 3, as well as support for online
multiplayer gameplay.

The game includes a progressive story with increasingly difficult levels, along
with different deck designs to unlock. There are also daily challenges and
contests.

Crossy Road Castle and Solitaire Stories will soon be available for download
from the Vision Pro App Store.

Several ‌Apple Arcade‌ games available on iOS and macOS are receiving updates
today, including Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop, Cooking Mama: Cuisine, Fruit Ninja
Classic, and Zookeeper World.

Tag: Apple Arcade Guide
Show Full Article
78 comments

REVIEW: HYPER'S USB HUBS AND SSD ENCLOSURE OFFER AN ARRAY OF CONNECTIVITY
OPTIONS

Wednesday April 24, 2024 11:41 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Several months ago, Hyper introduced a series of accessories under the
"HyperDrive Next" family, bringing a variety of options for USB-C hubs and other
products. I've recently spent some time testing out some of these accessories,
and I've found them to offer an assortment of capabilities across price points
to suit a variety of users.

USB4 NVME SSD ENCLOSURE

Priced at $119.99, Hyper's USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure offers support for a speedy
external drive inside a robust aluminum enclosure protected by a silicone bumper
to cushion against impacts and provide IP55 dust and water resistance. The
enclosure supports M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4/3 SSDs up to 16 TB with a snap-in
installation process that requires no screws. SSDs in 2230/2240/2260/2280 sizes
are supported.

For testing, I paired Hyper's enclosure with a 2TB WD_BLACK SSD that supports up
to 7,300 MB/s transfer speeds, allowing me to push the enclosure to its limits
without being capped by the SSD. The installation process was as simple as
advertised, and all I had to do was pop open the enclosure by hand, slide the
SSD into the drive slot, secure it with a rubber secure grip, peel off the
protective film on a preinstalled thermal pad, and close everything back up. An
extra thermal pad and secure grips are provided in the box in case you need
them.

A 0.5-meter USB4 cable is included with the enclosure, and upon plugging the
enclosure in to my MacBook Pro, I was able to quickly format it for APFS with
Disk Utility to work with macOS. An illuminated Hyper logo on the enclosure
shines through an opening in the silicone bumper, giving you some information
about drive status. The logo shines a steady white when the enclosure is powered
on and the drive is idle, and it blinks while data is being read from or written
to the SSD. The logo will blink red if detects an SSD is not connected.

Hyper says the enclosure supports up to 3,800 MB/s transfer speeds, and in my
testing with a 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro I saw both read and write speeds
registering around 3,100 MB/s with the WD SSD. That's plenty fast for most
users, allowing for fast file transfers and even the ability to work with large
projects directly from the external drive. I was able to copy a ~28 GB folder
with roughly 17,500 items in it to the drive in around 15 seconds.

The enclosure gets slightly warm even when not in active use, with the finned
aluminum design of the enclosure and small Hyper logo-shaped holes in the
silicone bumper helping move heat away from the drive. The heat was not a
concern in any of my testing, as it remained comfortable to touch.

Overall, I was pleased with the performance of the enclosure, and it's a
convenient solution for backing up data or just adding extra storage. At $119.99
before adding in the cost of the SSD itself, it's pricier than some other
solutions, but when you consider the higher-end specs it offers, it's within the
same price range as many other options from trusted brands.

Hyper is currently sold out of the SSD enclosure on its own site, but does have
it available through Amazon.

10 PORT USB-C HUB

At the low end of Hyper's USB hub range is the 10 Port USB-C Hub priced at
$99.99. It includes support for a single external display at 4K60Hz over HDMI
while offering a pair of 10 Gbps USB-C ports, two USB-A ports (one at 10 Gbps
and one at 5 Gbps), SD and microSD 4.0 card slots supporting up to a theoretical
maximum of 312 MB/s, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5 mm combo audio jack.

There's also a USB-C port with PD support at up to 140 watts, allowing for
passthrough power to your computer if you hook up an external power adapter.
Otherwise, the hub will run in bus-powered mode off of your computer. The hub
connects to the attached computer over an integrated USB-C cable, which ensures
you always have the proper cable with you but introduces a potential failure
point for the whole accessory. The cable does feel fairly thick and sturdy with
some strain relief reinforcement around where it enters the hub, so hopefully it
will remain durable over the long term.

This is a compact, lightweight (97 grams) hub in a very dark gray or almost
midnight aluminum finish, and in my testing it's proven to be a solid option for
on-the-go use cases. It slips easily into a computer bag or sleeve and offers a
really nice selection of ports to help you make use of a wide variety of
accessories you might run across.

With support for a single external display, this may not be for true power
users, but the vast majority of people are likely to only need to connect to a
single display, especially in travel environments where this hub excels. A more
powerful dock with additional display support and even more ports would likely
suit these users better at more fixed home and office locations.

Hyper is currently sold out of the 10 Port USB-C Hub on its own site, but it is
available through Amazon and Best Buy.

DUAL 4K HDMI 7 PORT USB-C HUB

Hyper's mid-range Dual 4K HDMI 7 Port USB-C Hub priced at $149.99 offers fewer
ports than the lower-end model but with enhanced display support. It includes
two HDMI ports (one HDMI 2.0 at 4K60Hz and one HDMI 1.4 at 4K30Hz), a pair of 10
Gbps USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a single 10 Gbps USB-A port, a 3.5mm combo audio
jack, and a USB-C port allowing you to optionally connect a PD 3.0 power adapter
of up to 100 watts for passthrough charging of up to 85 watts to a connected
computer. If you don't want to connect a power adapter, the hub will run in
bus-powered mode from the attached computer, so no external power brick is
needed.

The design is an unobtrusive space gray plastic with subtle Hyper branding on
the top. An integrated USB-C cable on one side connects to the host computer,
while the available USB-C passthrough power port is on the opposite side. All
other ports are on the rear of the hub, allowing for a relatively clean look on
a desk. There are several rows of tiny Hyper logos on the ends of the hub, with
the top row on each end being ventilation holes. The integrated cable is
convenient for ensuring your cable is always at hand, but if it frays or
otherwise breaks, the hub is rendered useless. It does appear quite durable
based on my time with it though.

Given that this is a hub rather than a wall-powered desktop dock, it's ideal to
take on the go to connect to displays and other devices as needed. While dual
external displays are supported over the HDMI ports, it's important to note that
USB bandwidth limitations means that only one of the displays can run at 60Hz,
with the other running at 30Hz. This is likely fine for less demanding
productivity tasks, but definitely something to be aware of if you're hoping to
drive displays with heavier demands.

The inclusion of two USB-C ports with 10 Gbps transfer speeds is nice for
connecting external drives and other modern devices, while the USB-A port offers
legacy connectivity. I prefer a couple of USB-A ports on my full-time desktop
dock due to a number of accessories I use that have integrated USB-A cables or
proprietary charging connectors that use USB-A at the other end, but for a
portable solution, this hub does the trick just fine.

I connected the USB4 NVMe SSD Enclosure via this hub, and it unsurprisingly
impacted performance of the SSD as it was now sharing bandwidth other
accessories, potentially including displays. I was still able to get write
speeds of around 975 MB/s and read speeds of 850 MB/s, which should be
sufficient for most users' needs.

The Dual 4K HDMI 7 Port USB-C Hub offers a number of connectivity options
primarily aimed at users on the go, but you'll need to ensure it suits your
needs. It's on the pricier side of USB hubs at $149.99, so make sure you need
all of its capabilities and can't get away with a cheaper and simpler option.
But on the flip side, the display limitations mean demanding users may want to
look at other solutions such as separately connecting multiple displays to their
computers for maximum performance.

Hyper is currently listing the Dual 4K HDMI 7 Port USB-C Hub as on sale for
$104.99 on its own site, though it is currently out of stock. Amazon has it
available for the regular price of $149.99, but hopefully Hyper gets this model
back in stock soon at the sale price.

10 PORT BUSINESS CLASS USB-C DOCK

For those looking for more capabilities, Hyper offers the $199.99 10 Port
Business Class USB-C Dock. While this dock has the same dual display
capabilities of one HDMI 2.0 port at 4K60Hz and one HDMI 1.4 port at 4K30Hz, it
offers a different combination of other ports. As a business-focused dock,
there's a heavier emphasis on legacy connectivity such as two USB-A ports, both
of which run at up to 10 Gbps. The extra USB-A port is offset by the inclusion
of only a single downstream USB-C port, which also runs at 10 Gbps.

In addition to the same 3.5mm combo audio jack as on the 7-port hub, the 10-port
model includes a Gigabit Ethernet port and an SD 4.0 card slot supporting
transfer speeds up to 312 MB/s, In another nod to the business market,
Kensington and Kensington Nano lock slots are included to help physically secure
the dock.

The dock connects to the host computer via a short detachable USB-C to USB-C
cable, which conveniently snaps into the edge of the dock for travel, so this is
a great balance of convenience and repairability. While the dock can be bus
powered over this connection, you can also provide external power to the dock
that can pass through to your laptop. The dock allows for power input via either
USB-C or a DC barrel connector, but an external power adapter is not provided
with the dock.

I experienced no issues in my testing, with the dock reliably driving two
displays, keeping in mind that the 30Hz refresh rate on the second display may
be insufficient for some uses. Productivity users are, however, unlikely to
notice any issues due to that limitation. Ethernet and USB connectivity worked
as advertised.

SD card reader speeds also appeared as advertised, with my test card nearing its
maximum specs at write speeds of 125 MB/s and read speeds of around 220 MB/s.

While the 10 Port Business Class USB-C Dock is priced at $199.99 at Hyper, Best
Buy is currently offering it for a discounted price of $159.99.

WRAP-UP

Overall, Hyper offers a nice selection of USB-C hubs and docks to suit a variety
of needs. While they don't have quite the capabilities of a Thunderbolt dock,
they can provide good options for port expandability both on the go and in a
desktop situation.

The USB4 SSD Enclosure supports the latest USB standard for high read and write
speeds that should satisfy almost all users, and it comes in a compact package
ideal for extra portable storage. Just make sure the SSD you're using can take
advantage of the speeds the enclosure has to offer.

Note: Hyper provided MacRumors with the hubs, dock, and SSD enclosure for the
purposes of this review. No other compensation was received. MacRumors is an
affiliate partner with Hyper, Amazon, and Best Buy. When you click a link and
make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site
running.

Tag: Hyper
Show Full Article
23 comments

APPLE SEEDS THIRD PUBLIC BETA OF MACOS 14.5

Wednesday April 24, 2024 10:13 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Sonoma 14.5 update to
public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its
launch. The public beta comes a week after Apple released the second public beta
and a day after Apple seeded the beta to developers.

Beta testers can opt-in through the Software Update section of the System
Settings app. Under Beta updates, simply toggle on the Sonoma Public Beta. Note
that you must sign up to participate on Apple's beta testing website.

There have been no new features found in the ‌macOS Sonoma‌ 14.5 developer betas
so far, and Apple listed no additions in its release notes. It is likely that
the update focuses on bug fixes and other small under-the-hood improvements.

Related Roundup: macOS Sonoma
Related Forum: macOS Sonoma
Show Full Article
22 comments

APPLE RELEASES THIRD PUBLIC BETA OF IOS 17.5

Wednesday April 24, 2024 10:12 am PDT by Juli Clover

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates
to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of
its release. The second public iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas come a week after
Apple released the second betas for public beta testers, and a day after the
software was made available to developers.

Public beta testers can get the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to
the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling
on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Public Beta. Signing up on Apple's beta testing
website is required.

iOS 17.5 is limited on new outward-facing features, focusing primarily on
changes in the European Union. App developers in the EU are now able to add
their iPhone apps to their website, so that users can download them directly
without having to use the App Store.

To offer an app for download from a website in the European Union, developers
need to meet specific criteria. Developers need to be a member of the Apple
Developer Program for two continuous years or more and must have an app with
more than one million first installs on iOS in the European Union in the prior
year. Other requirements include submitting to Apple's notarization process and
publishing transparent data collection policies.

This feature is limited to the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act and
is not available to all users.

iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 also have updates to mobile device management and there
are code changes suggesting Battery Health functionality could come to the new
iPads and that Apple will soon add alerts for third-party item trackers.

Related Roundups: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17
Show Full Article
2 comments

APPLE WATCH SERIES 9 NOW AVAILABLE ON APPLE'S REFURBISHED STORE IN U.S.

Wednesday April 24, 2024 9:27 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

Apple today began selling certified refurbished Apple Watch Series 9 models in
the U.S. for the first time since the device was released in September.

The refurbished Series 9 models are discounted by approximately 15% compared to
the equivalent brand new models, with pricing starting at $339, down from $399.
A variety of configurations are available as of writing.

Apple says it puts all of its refurbished products through a thorough cleaning
process and inspection, and performs full functionality testing. In general,
refurbished products sold directly by Apple have a very good reputation.

Like new Series 9 models sold directly by Apple in the U.S. currently, we expect
that the Blood Oxygen app is deactivated on the refurbished models, due to a
legal battle with medical technology company Masimo. Last year, the U.S.
International Trade Commission (ITC) banned Apple from importing and selling
Apple Watch models with blood oxygen sensing after it ruled that the feature
infringed on Masimo's patents. Apple is appealing the decision, and could
re-enable the Blood Oxygen app with a watchOS update if it is overturned.

As a reminder, Apple began selling refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 models in the
U.S. and select other countries last week.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: Apple Refurbished Products
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Show Full Article
6 comments

NEXT APPLE WATCH SAID TO USE MATERIAL ALLOWING FOR THINNER LOGIC BOARD

Wednesday April 24, 2024 9:01 am PDT by Joe Rossignol

At least one next-generation Apple Watch model will start using resin-coated
copper, according to supply chain sources cited by Taiwanese website DigiTimes.

As the name implies, resin-coated copper is a thin layer of copper foil coated
with a resin, such as an epoxy. While adoption of this material would offer many
benefits for a future Apple Watch's logic board, such as improved durability and
water resistance, a key advantage is that it would allow for a thinner logic
board, which in turn would provide additional internal space for other
components and sensors in the Apple Watch.

Any extra space that can be freed up in the Apple Watch is extremely valuable,
as Apple continues to add health features to the device. The next Apple Watch
models due later this year are rumored to feature blood pressure sensing, for
example, and Apple is reportedly working on non-invasive blood glucose
monitoring as a long-term project.

There is still uncertainty surrounding the next Apple Watch lineup, as it is
unclear if the redesigned "Apple Watch X" will be launching this year or next
year. In addition, it was rumored that there might not be an Apple Watch Ultra 3
this year. A new Apple Watch SE is likely this year if Apple sticks to a
two-year refresh cycle for that model.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo last year said iPhone 17 Pro models also
might adopt resin-coated copper for the logic board next year, so this is a
change that might extend to multiple devices in Apple's lineup over the next few
years.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Tag: DigiTimes
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Show Full Article
47 comments

12.9-INCH IPAD AIR NO LONGER EXPECTED TO FEATURE MINI-LED DISPLAY

Wednesday April 24, 2024 8:37 am PDT by Hartley Charlton

Apple's upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air will feature an LCD display like its smaller
sibling, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO and analyst Ross
Young.

Earlier this month, Young said that the larger ‌iPad Air‌ would feature a
mini-LED display like the current iPad Pro of the same size. The existing
10.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ is equipped with a standard LCD panel, and the move to
mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would have provided increased
brightness for HDR content, deeper blacks, lower power consumption, and more. He
said the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ would use leftover mini-LED display panels from
the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, with the 10.9-inch model sticking with LCDs.

Now, in a post to subscribers on X (formerly Twitter), he said that this is no
longer expected to be the case due to the panel's high cost, despite
confirmation from multiple supply chain sources. As a result, both ‌iPad Air‌
models will feature LCD displays, clearly delineating them from the ‌iPad Pro‌,
which is expected to move to OLED.

However, Young added that there may be a new iPad model with a 12.9-inch
mini-LED display introduced in the fourth quarter of 2024. Speculatively, the
device could be a high-end ‌iPad Air‌, a low-end ‌iPad Pro‌, or something else
entirely. Next-generation ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌ models are expected to be
announced at Apple's "Let loose" event on May 7.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Tags: 2024 iPad Air Guide, Mini-LED Guide
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad
Show Full Article
79 comments

BEST BUY TAKES $100 OFF M1 IPAD AIR, STARTING AT $499.99

Wednesday April 24, 2024 7:42 am PDT by Mitchel Broussard

Best Buy this week has steep $100 discounts on every M1 iPad Air model, with
prices starting at $499.99 for the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet. These deals follow in the
wake of Apple's announcement of an event coming in May, which is expected to
include refreshed iPad Air models with M2 chips.

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

As is typical when new product generations are set to launch, we're now seeing
prices consistently dip on the outgoing generation of iPad Air. In addition to
the 64GB Wi-Fi tablet, Best Buy also has the 256GB Wi-Fi iPad Air for $649.99,
as well as both cellular models on sale.

$100 OFF
M1 iPad Air (64GB Wi-Fi) for $499.99

$100 OFF
M1 iPad Air (256GB Wi-Fi) for $649.99

$100 OFF
M1 iPad Air (64GB Cellular) for $649.99

$100 OFF
M1 iPad Air (256GB Cellular) for $799.99

Best Buy has every color available on sale for every configuration of the fifth
generation iPad Air. Across the board, these prices are all solid second-best
prices on the iPad Air. If you're a My Best Buy Plus/Total member, you can also
save 25 percent on the Logitech Crayon stylus when purchasing an iPad.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and
discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Show Full Article
10 comments

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GUIDES

iOS 17 Features

Our comprehensive guide highlighting every major new addition in iOS 17, plus
how-tos that walk you through using the new features.

iOS 17.4 Features

App Store changes for the EU, new emoji, Podcasts transcripts, and more.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: How to Use All the New Features

Get the most out your iPhone 15 with our complete guide to all the new features.

50 New macOS Sonoma Features

A deep dive into new features in macOS Sonoma, big and small.

• 10 Hidden Messages Features in iOS 17
• iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro
• 22 Hidden Features in watchOS 10
• Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2
• 20 Time-Saving iPhone Tips
• 14 macOS Tips to Make Your Life Easier
• 14" MacBook Pro vs. 16" MacBook Pro
• Apple M2 Chip
• AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2
• One AirPod Not Working?
See more guides

UPCOMING

iPad Pro
May 2024

Revamped models with OLED displays, M3 chip, and redesigned Magic Keyboard
accessory.

iPad Air
May 2024

Updated 10.9-inch model and new 12.9-inch model, M2 chip expected.

WWDC 2024
June 10–14

Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference will kick off with a keynote on
June 10.

iOS 18
June 2024 Preview

Expected to see new AI-focused features and more. Preview coming at WWDC in June
with public release in September.

• macOS 15
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Pro
• AirPods 4
• Apple Watch X
• iPad mini
• M4 MacBook Pro
See full product calendar

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