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Apple starts preorders for its next crop of new iPhones, HomePod smart speaker - CNBC

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 05:43 AM PST

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is unveiled during a virtual product launch.

Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Apple on Friday began accepting orders for the final two iPhone 12 models that were announced in October, including the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the iPhone 12 Mini. Its new HomePod Mini smart speaker is also available to order for $99.

This is the first year Apple has ever introduced four different models of the iPhone at the same time, and it split the launches of the iPhone 12/iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max/iPhone 12 Mini between October and November. The delay from a traditional September iPhone launch has been attributed to the ongoing spread of the coronavirus.

iPhone revenue was down 20.7% year-over-year during Apple's fiscal fourth quarter, largely because the new iPhones weren't available to buy yet. Investors won't know how popular the latest devices are until it reports its fiscal first quarter 2021 results.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at $1,099 and has the largest display ever on an iPhone and includes some extra features over the regular $999 iPhone 12 Pro, like better low-light camera performance. The iPhone 12 Mini offers many of the same features as the regular iPhone 12 but in a smaller form factor that may appeal more to people who don't want a large phone. It's the most affordable new option and starts at $699.

After Apple's Oct. event, however, some analysts said Apple failed to do a good enough job explaining why consumers should buy the more expensive Pro models over the regular iPhone 12, which CNBC said is the model most people should buy.

"In past phone cycles, we have felt that AAPL makes a strong case why tech-savvy consumers should gravitate towards the highest end solution (iPhone X in 2017, iPhone XS in 2018, iPhone 11 Pro in 2019), but we do not believe such a case was made as strongly in 2020," Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note in October.

The HomePod Mini speaker could help Apple more effectively compete against Amazon and Google in the smart speaker market. The original HomePod still sells for $299, but that's far more expensive than the sub-$99 price you can pay for an Amazon Echo or Google Nest speaker. It has Siri built-in, which you can use to ask the weather, for directions and more.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Mini arrive in stores on Nov. 13 and the HomePod Mini arrives in stores on Nov. 16.

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Apple watchOS 7.1 has landed, and here's what it brings to your Apple Watch - TechRadar

Posted: 06 Nov 2020 01:55 AM PST

It's a big day for Apple fans, as not only are iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders opening, but software updates are also rolling out, with iPhone users getting iOS 14.2, while Apple Watch users get watchOS 7.1.

While this Apple Watch update is ultimately quite small, it includes some things that could prove very useful to select users. First up, there's a new feature in the form of alerts when your headphone audio level could impact your hearing.

There's also a fix for a bug that prevented some users from unlocking a Mac with an Apple Watch, and another bug that caused the screen to be dark on wrist raise for some Apple Watch 6 users.

Big in Russia

But watchOS 7.1 is a really big update for users in South Korea and Russia, as it finally brings ECG support to the Apple Watch 4 and above in those countries, as well as adding support for irregular heart rhythm notifications.

To download the watchOS 7.1 update, make sure your Apple Watch is near your iPhone, and that the latter is connected to Wi-Fi, then head to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap General > Software Update. Assuming the update is found, just tap 'Download and Install' – though you'll want to make sure you have at least 50% charge on your Apple Watch first.

The watchOS 7.1 update should be available now, but it might not have hit all watches quite yet, so if you don't see it make sure to check again soon.

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