Technology - Google News

New color options for MagSafe 3 charging cable now available - 9to5Mac
Apple's new iOS 16 Lockdown Mode fights hacking and targeted spyware - USA TODAY
iPhone 14 release — which current iPhones will be discontinued? - Tom's Guide

New color options for MagSafe 3 charging cable now available - 9to5Mac

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 04:16 PM PDT

Pre-orders of the new M2 MacBook Air began on Friday a month after the announcement at WWDC 2022. One of the key features of Apple's new laptop is the return of the MagSafe port for charging – and for the first time, the cable matches the color of the MacBook. The new color options for the MagSafe 3 charging cable are now available from Apple.

Unlike the old MagSafe versions, the new one has a MagSafe to USB-C cable separate from the plug adapter, so that you can combine it with a more powerful charger. And since the new MacBook Air is available in four different colors, Apple has created four different versions of the MagSafe 3 cable in each of the MacBook colors.

The colors are Space Gray, Silver, Midnight, and Starlight. Even if you didn't buy an M2 MacBook Air, you can still take advantage of the new cables if you own a 2021 MacBook Pro. That's because both laptops use the same MagSafe 3 standard.

However, unlike the MacBook Air, the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro comes with a white MagSafe 3 cable no matter which model you have chosen. With these new color options, consumers can finally purchase a MagSafe 3 cable to match their Space Gray MacBook Pro. It's worth noting that the cable is covered with a woven to increase its durability.

Here's how Apple describes the accessory:

This 2-meter charge cable features a magnetic MagSafe 3 connector that helps guide the plug to the charging port of your Mac notebook. Pair it with a compatible USB-C power adapter to conveniently charge your notebook from a wall outlet and take advantage of fast-charging capabilities. The magnetic connection is strong enough to resist most unintended disconnects, but if someone trips on the cable, it releases so your Mac notebook stays put. An LED turns amber when the battery is charging and green when it's fully charged. Made with a woven design for long-lasting durability.

Keep in mind that MagSafe 3 cables are not compatible with the old MagSafe port from the 2015 MacBook Pro and 2017 MacBook Air (or previous models).

New color options for MagSafe 3 charging cable now available.

Each USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable costs $49 in the United States, and you can buy them from the Apple Store. You can also find other accessories for your Mac on Amazon.

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Apple's new iOS 16 Lockdown Mode fights hacking and targeted spyware - USA TODAY

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 01:31 PM PDT

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We're apparently getting even closer to a public beta release of Apple's much-hyped iOS 16 as developers received a third beta update this week.

And many experts say they continue to be impressed with what they're seeing so far. For example, users will soon get the chance to edit a message after it's sent or unsend a message. Also, users will get an updated lock screen and other key software updates Apple announced during its Worldwide Developers Conference last month.

"They'll really come into their own when, if the rumors are accurate, the iPhone 14 Pro models get an always-on display," said noted UK-based tech blogger and developer Oliver Haslam. "But even on current hardware, being able to see some information without fully unlocking is a bigger deal than it might seem at first blush."

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What is Lockdown Mode?

And On Wednesday, Apple revealed a new previously unannounced feature called Lockdown Mode for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who worry they might be subjected to hacking attempts and spyware attacks. Apple calls the feature, to be released soon, "an extreme, optional protection for the very small number of users who face grave, targeted threats to their digital security."

What phones will have iOS 16?

That new feature comes as speculation grows that the public beta release of iOS 16 could come as soon as next week. Currently, the software is only available to registered developer beta testers. The official release of iOS 16 will be this fall and likely will coincide with the arrival of new iPhones usually unveiled around September.

The feature will be available on iPhone 8 models, iPhone XR, and newer models released after 2017. Unfortunately, this also means that the very reliable, but older iPhone 6 and 7 models cannot support iOS 16.

However, for the cost-conscious, the iPhone 8 is a very affordable model, said Lucas Freeman, the director of support at Swappa, an online marketplace selling used and refurbished mobile devices.

"The iPhone 8 and XR are still strong devices several years after their release," said Freeman, adding that the iPhone 8 has an average price of $175 on Swappa. "iOS 16 will work great on those models."

Keeping your iPhone on Lockdown Mode

Lockdown Mode also provides protections from blocking attachments, link previews in certain messages, vulnerable web browsing technologies, and incoming FaceTime calls from unknown numbers.

In a statement, Ivan Krstić, Apple's head of security engineering and architecture, said "Lockdown Mode is a groundbreaking capability that reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting users from even the rarest, most sophisticated attacks."

In addition to Lockdown Mode, the tech giant also announced a $10 million grant and an up to $2 million bug bounty through the Apple Security Bounty program for any researchers that can manage to break through the new feature.

Lockdown Mode is among several included in iOS 16 that gives consumers what they may have wanted for a long time and are finally getting a good example of Apple at its best, Haslam said.

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"It's a feature a vast majority of people will never use. Most won't even know it exists," said Haslam about Lockdown Mode. "But those who do need it, journalists in war zones, people likely to be on the receiving end of spyware attacks for the information they hold or the conversations they could have, they'll benefit from being able to set their devices up to be hardened in a way a normal one wouldn't be."

How do users enable Lockdown Mode?

For those who have iOS 16 in beta mode, here's what you can do:

Launch "Settings" on your Apple device; Then tap "Privacy & Security." Next, scroll down to the bottom and tap Lockdown Mode to turn the feature on. Read the related information about Lockdown Mode and then scroll down to tap "Turn On Lockdown Mode."

From there, "Tap Turn On and Restart" to confirm and enable, or otherwise tap "Cancel" to not enable the feature.

Is iOS 16 Apple's best operating system to date?

Haslam said each iOS update can be considered the best yet due to the new features and Apple addressing some long-standing pain points. He points to an improved Lock Screen and the new Focus Mode feature as examples.

Haslam also has a personal interest in the Photo Library feature as something users like him have wanted for about 15 years. He's excited about the possibility of him and his wife sharing a library of family photos.

"If it works and it can be trusted, it'll change how a lot of people manage photos," he said.

When asked if he thinks iOS 16 is the tech giant's best operating system to date, Haslam said each version has been better than the previous version - with some slight exceptions.

"iOS 16 is no different, but this one feels like Apple took a look at a giant wishlist and went down checking things off," Haslam said. "That said, it's always difficult to grade a new update when we're two betas deep."

"We're still in the early days. Plenty can change, entire features can disappear, new ones can be added."

Aaron Painter, the CEO at Nametag, an ID-based authentication company located in Seattle, agrees. Painter, who has been using a beta version of iOS 16, has been impressed with the Passkeys feature, which offers a new way to sign in to services or websites simply by using your iPhone to log in with Touch ID or Face ID.

Painter, a former longtime Microsoft executive, said Apple's Passkeys feature takes logging in to "the next level far more easily and quickly."

Haslam said the company is at a stage where it can take more chances to improve its products.

"You could say that iOS is now mature enough that Apple can start adding a few bells and whistles while dealing with pain points from years past," he said.

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iPhone 14 release — which current iPhones will be discontinued? - Tom's Guide

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 09:30 PM PDT

The new iPhone 14 arrives sometime this fall — iPhone 14 release date speculation suggests that the phones will appear in September — meaning you'll have a choice of new Apple smartphones in just a few months.

But to make room for the four new models we're expecting Apple to release, some current iPhones will likely disappear from Apple's lineup. And that includes some of the best iPhones you can buy right now.

Apple's playbook in recent years is to keep around a few older models at reduced prices as a way to appeal to shoppers who balk at paying the full cost for a brand new iPhone. That could be especially critical this time around as some new phones, specifically the iPhone 14 Pro models, could see a price hike from their iPhone 13 counterparts.

If you're familiar with Apple, you know the company doesn't disclose anything about its future product plans, right up until the moment that it's ready to announce new phones. That hasn't changed with the build-up to this year's iPhone 14 release, and the rumor mill has been quiet about Apple's planned iPhone lineup beyond the iPhone 14 models. We would expect an uptick in rumors right before the iPhone 14 launch, though.

In the meantime, we can review Apple's recent history to make some guesses about which phones are likely to stick around at reduced prices and which could be harder to find come the fall. Here's what we think Apples future iPhone lineup will look like once the iPhone 14 arrives.

Apple's current iPhone lineup

Before we proceed with what Apple's post-iPhone 14 launch plans will be, let's review what Apple's current phone offerings look like. We're restricting this to the devices currently on sale at Apple, along with their starting prices. Additional older iPhones may available at select retailers and phone carriers, but we're only considering what Apple makes available for sale.

That's eight models in total, with only one — the iPhone SE (2022) having been released in the last calendar year.

iPhone 14: What models are coming in the fall

Rumors have tipped us off about the new models Apple is working on as part of this year's iPhone release. We're expecting four new phones — an iPhone 14, an iPhone 14 Pro, an iPhone 14 Pro Max and an iPhone 14 Max. The first three models will have the same screen sizes as their iPhone 13 equivalents, though the Pro versions could ditch the iPhone's famous notch for cutouts that house the front camera and Face ID sensors.

iphone 14 pro render — (Image credit: Front Page Tech / Ian Zelbo)

That fourth phone, the iPhone 14 Max, would be a new model for Apple. It's expected to include a 6.7-inch display like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but its other features — the number of cameras, available storage, the design and the processor used — are rumored to mirror the standard iPhone 14. (We've got an iPhone 14 vs. iPhone 14 Max comparison that looks at all the potential differences.) Note that one rumor claims the phone will be called the iPhone 14 Plus to avoid confusion with the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The inclusion of the iPhone 14 Max means the end of the line for the compact mini iPhone, which has been part of the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 lineups; both iPhone minis released by Apple remain on sale. While Apple doesn't break down sales figures by model, it's reported that the mini is Apple's least popular iPhone, which might explain why it's not sticking around for an iPhone 14 version. The reported lack of sales may also influence Apple's decision on which models will remain part of its phone lineup in a post-iPhone 14 world.

iPhone 14 pricing rumors are also important to keep in mind when trying to figure out which current phones Apple might keep. While it's possible Apple will try to keep prices the same as they were for the iPhone 13, emerging rumors suggest that only the standard iPhone 14 will retain the price of its iPhone 13 counterpart. The iPhone 14 Max, as a larger phone, could feature an $899 price tag.

That could push the price of the iPhone 14 Pro models up, as Apple looks to keep a gap between the pricing of its standard and Pro models. At the moment, the general assumption is that the iPhone 14 Pro models will see their prices rise by $100 over the current models — $1,099 for the iPhone 14 Pro and $1,1199 for the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Which current iPhone models could disappear from Apple's lineup?

Assuming rumors of four new iPhone 14 models pan out, we can expect Apple to thin out the current iPhone lineup to make room for the latest handsets. Any phones that would cannibalize sales of new iPhone 14s would likely be the first to go.

iPhone 13 Pro Max review — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

That means the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are probably living on borrowed time. Since iPhone started with the Pro and Pro Max models in the iPhone lineup back in 2019, it's never kept either version around for more than a year. The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max — forerunners to the Pro/Pro Max naming convention — also dropped out of the lineup once the iPhone 11 launched.

Apple also rarely keeps phones longer than three years after their release date. The iPhone 11, unveiled in September 2019, is rapidly approaching its Sell-By date, so it's a pretty safe bet that it's getting cycled out of the lineup this fall.

Which current iPhone models is Apple likely to keep?

Apple consistently keeps the standard iPhone it introduced the year before, knocking $100 off its price. That's what happened to the iPhone 11 when the iPhone 12 debuted, and the iPhone 12 met a similar fate last fall. That's why we think the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 is almost certain to stay around once the iPhone 14 debuts.

The typical $100 price cut would be especially pertinent for the iPhone 13, as there's no iPhone 14 mini to take up the $699 pricing slot. So it would make sense for the iPhone 13 to fill that space as the next-best option for shoppers who just can't swing the $799 price the iPhone 14 is likely to command.

If Apple thinks it can wring another year's worth of sales from the iPhone 12, it could keep that phone around, too. The iPhone 12 has already seen a drop from its $799 debut price to $699. Should that phone stay — and Apple's past behavior suggests it will — we would expect a new $599 price for the iPhone 12 in the fall.

iPhone 12 mini review — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

That leaves the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 mini — and some complicated questions about just what Apple does with those phones. If you believe the notion that neither model has sold particularly well, there's really no incentive for Apple to keep either around, unless it's to clear up any unsold inventory.

Then again, dropping both minis from the lineup would leave Apple with a sizable gap between the iPhone 12 at its likely $599 price and the $429 iPhone SE, which isn't going anywhere. If Apple's keen on offering a $499 phone, either one of the remaining mini models could fill that slot. The iPhone 12 mini would seem like the more natural progression, since $499 is just a $100 drop from its current price. But if mini sales are as tepid as we've heard, knocking $200 off the iPhone 13 mini would certainly price that model to move.

The fates of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini are probably the biggest lingering question about which current iPhone models are likely to stick around past the fall. If we had to guess, we'd say the more recently released iPhone 13 mini seems like the more obvious candidate to keep around, but it would require a heftier price cut than normal to fit in with Apple's current pricing structure.

Fall iPhone lineup outlook

It's a fun guessing game trying to figure out Apple's fall phone lineup, but there's a practical reason to figure out which phones will still be around once the iPhone 14 arrives. If you're currently considering an iPhone purchase with one of the current models has caught your eye, waiting a few months could mean that you'd be able to purchase the same handset, but at a lower price, assuming its part of Apple's longer-term plans.

Conversely, if that phone's likely to drop out of the picture, come the fall, you'd be better served making your purchase now, even at the current price. (The best iPhone 13 deals can help you save money on your next phone purchase.)

There's another advantage to waiting until the fall to buy an iPhone — you can also see if the rumored improvements to the iPhone 14 really are worth it to you. That way, you've got an even wider array of iPhone choices, regardless of which phones make up Apple's fall lineup.