“So, is there some kind of promotional tie-in?” My husband was searching for answers. “No. They’re just green phones.” This was not a satisfying answer, so he continued.
“Is it an environmental thing? Like are they made out of recycled plastic or something?”
Also no, I informed him. They’re just regular phones, but green.
“Oh, I bet it’s for St. Patty’s Day!” It also seemed unlikely that Apple would time the release of a new phone color for what is more or less an unofficial binge drinking holiday in this country, but I conceded that it was possible, given the mid-March timing.
Earlier this week, Apple announced some really interesting new hardware, including a new desktop for creatives and a display that doesn’t cost a fortune. It also announced new iPhone 13 colors: regular green for the regular iPhone 13 and alpine green for the 13 Pro Max.
“Alpine green” on the left, and just “green” on the right.Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
I set the two green iPhones on the dining room table alongside another recent green flagship phone: the Samsung Galaxy S22. I reviewed it earlier this month, and I was caught a little off guard by just how much I liked the green treatment.
So now, I am now confronted with three different shades of green on three different phones. The regular green on the standard iPhone is a little more saturated, more Kelly green than I was expecting. It also makes the Apple logo stand out more than I like. Alpine green is a bit softer and more muted. And sitting side by side by side, they both make the green S22 look much less green than I thought it was and more of a deep blue-green.
I’m not sure what it is about the green phone or why they’re suddenly having a moment. They’re not the first green smartphones by any means — Apple sold the iPhone 11 in a playful mint green and the 11 Pro in a dark “Midnight Green.” OnePlus has also offered “glacial” and “pine” green color options in recent history. But it’s noteworthy when the two top phone makers in the US suddenly both offer their flagships in various green treatments. Was there a memo the rest of us missed? Who decides these things? Green isn’t even the Pantone color of the year.
In any case, a green phone just looks different, but not in an attention-hungry kind of way. It’s a subtle statement, something that makes you wonder about the person carrying it. They probably really have their shit together. Like maybe they’ve already filed their taxes, and they drink enough water every day. Maybe they’ve figured something out that the rest of us haven’t. It’s also the color of American money.
Anyway, the iPhone 13 Pro is the current best green phone, followed by the standard iPhone 13, and the Galaxy S22 ranks third.
Finally, a way to see reactions from iOS users instead of having them laid out like walls of text. Photo: Florence Ion / Gizmodo / Screenshot: Google
When it rains updates in Android land, it pours. Google’s latest Android feature drop comes with a bundle of new messaging abilities that should help make you feel less of the Green Bubble struggle. Additional features are also en route to a few Android-adjacent platforms, including Google TV and Android Auto.
Hello, Reaction Emojis
Now when a friend texts your Android smartphone from their iPhone, you’ll be able to see their reactions to your messages. It’s a feature Android users have been waiting for, and though it doesn’t solve all the problems of texting with iPhone-using friends, at least now you’ll see an emoji instead of a wall of text. The reactions ability will be available to devices set to English, with more languages to follow.
Photo Saves Get a Bit Easier
Unfortunately, that’s the extent of the parity between Android and iPhone users in messaging. Since iMessage doesn’t use RCS, Android folks can’t send high-resolution video to iPhone users. To get around the current limitation, Google added Photos integration into the Messages app so that you can drag-and-drop photos and videos from a trip without leaving the screen. However, this sends an external link to Google Photos rather than the attached media. At the very least, it means you don’t have to hop around between apps.
iOS reactions will appear below the message as if they were sent to an iPhone recipient. Image: Google
Messages Gets Serious
YouTube will also adopt a similar mechanism for displaying videos in-line. When you share YouTube video links through Messages, it’ll embed a preview directly into the conversation.
If you manage a ton of correspondence through the Messages app, Google will start to sort them by type, similar to how it categorizes messages through Gmail. Conversations are flagged as either Personal or Business. Messages will also delete one-time password prompt messages every 24-hours to help reduce clutter in your inbox.
As for friends you haven’t chatted with in a while, Messages will start to gently nudge you to reach out if it notices you left someone hanging in a conversation. And it’ll remind you when there’s a birthday on the calendar, provided you’ve set up these reminders for yourself through your calendar app.
A Few Android Update Odds and Ends
Google is pushing through minor feature updates outside of the Messages app, too. If you’re on an Android device, there’s a new Screen time widget you can take advantage of that will let you see how many hours you spend on the screen and what you’re doing when you’re on it. And if you’re a Google Photos user, you can take advantage of the Portrait Blur edit function even on older photos.
The ability to correct your grammar is built into the Gboard keyboard app. Image: Google
The Gboard app is also getting more helpful. The keyboard app now has Grammar Correction on every Android device, not just the Pixel. The Emoji Kitchen mashups are getting more varied, too, which are as fun as the feature sounds. It mishmashes emojis together to let you send creative stickers by simply typing out emojis in the keyboard app, one after the other.
Google TV lovers might like the new Highlights feature coming to the platform, which aggregates clips and other content related to your favorite shows and movies. It makes it easier to find related content without whipping out a smartphone and casting it on the screen.
This massive features update also brings wireless pay for parking using Android Auto. When you’re in the car, say, “Hey Google, pay for parking,” and the Assistant will lead you through the necessary prompts for paying from your phone. The feature is available for ParkMobile street parking zones in about 400 cities. They have a website where you can locate their parking spots, which you’ll want to do before you rely on it.
Android’s answer to Apple’s AirDrop is the last in this maelstrom of updates. NearbyShare will now let you send files to multiple folks at once rather than one at a time. All you have to do is add them as receivers during the transfer. The ability is available on all devices with Android 6 and up.
Your iPhone is getting an operating system update soon. Apple’s new iOS will arrive next week, the tech giant announced Tuesday at its first event of the year. iOS 15.4 has seen five beta versions and introduced AirTag anti-stalking alerts, a gender-neutral voice option for Siri, new emoji, updates to Face ID and the long-awaited arrival of Universal Control. The iOS 15.4 beta has since rolled out to the public, and a final version of the operating system will be available as a free update next week and come preloaded on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro in their new green variants, as well as the latest iPhone SE.
As the name denotes, iOS 15.4 is the fourth major update to iOS 15, which launched with the iPhone 13 in September. These updates, which started with December’s iOS 15.1 release, have added more features to Apple’s iPhone operating system and improved existing ones. iOS 15.4 will follow iOS 15.3.1, which was released last month to patch a security vulnerability in iPhones and iPads.
As with every operating system beta, we recommend only downloading on a tester device, rather than your primary iPhone. Beta releases are intended to test for stability and bugs, which means they’re not optimized like release versions — you’ll likely experience shorter battery life and app instability.
When is the iOS 15.4 release date?
Apple hasn’t announced an exact release date for iOS 15.4, but the company said the update would be available as a free upgrade next week. The new green iPhone 13, the alpine green iPhone 13 Pro and the new iPhone SE will come with iOS 15.4 preloaded, according to Apple.
How do I download the iOS 15.4 beta?
You’ll first need to sign up for Apple’s Beta Software Program. Once you’re in the program, download the configuration profile from Apple. Then you should be able to find the latest beta version by going to Settings > General > Software update and selecting Download and Install. Again, we only recommend this for secondary and tester devices due to the buggy nature of beta tests.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews and advice on iPhones, iPads, Macs, services and software.
What is Universal Control?
Universal Control lets you use other devices as second screens, moving content seamlessly between them using only one device. This eagerly anticipated feature was initially announced as part of MacOS Monterey, but was delayed over the fall, with a new timeline pointing to “this spring.” Universal Control has shown up in the iOS 15.4 beta, and will launch as a public beta alongside the Monterey OS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 updates.
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New Green Finishes Coming for iPhone 13
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Can I use Face ID with masks?
Apple is updating its Face ID feature to be usable while wearing a mask. Because the feature uses a smaller portion of your face to verify your identity, you’ll need to be more precise about the angle you’re holding your phone at when using Face ID. Your phone will even prompt you if it needs you to look more directly at the screen. The updated feature should work for people who wear glasses, but it won’t work with sunglasses.
What new emoji are coming?
If you’re the kind of person who prides yourself on creative and fun emoji use, you’re going to love iOS 15.4. There are 37 new emoji in the update, including new options for pregnant people, hands forming a heart shape, a salute and — my personal favorite — a lip-biting emoji. These were revealed last fall, and also include a melting face, a face holding back tears, a bird’s nest, coral, a lotus, a low battery and kidney beans.
Another feature included in the update is the ability to copy text from objects using the camera while in the Notes or Reminders apps. And, as spotted by ZDNet, the iOS 15.4 beta also fixes a bug related to recordings of Siri interactions.
For more Apple news, read about how Apple will reportedly let your iPhone be a payment terminal and how Apple is reportedly preparing a wide array of new products for this fall. Also, here’s how the 2022 iPhone SE compares to the 2020 version, and should you buy an older iPhone SE now?
Apple unveiled a slew of new products on Tuesday, including a new iPad Air, the high-powered Mac Studio computer and the successor to one of its best-value phones, the iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE’s $429 price tag is slightly higher than the 2020 model’s $399 MSRP, but it’s still one of the cheapest iPhones ever released. Indeed, when adjusted for inflation, the 2022 iPhone SE is actually cheaper than the very first iPhone.
The $499 that Apple charged for the base model original iPhone back in the fall of 2007 would be worth around $673 in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator. The $599 model with 8 GB of storage would cost $807 today.
The new iPhone SE replaces the version released in 2020, and features 5G technology as well as Apple’s latest iPhone processor, the A15. Apple CEO Tim Cook also said that the device features “the best single-camera system ever in an iPhone.”
The new iPhone will be available in black, white and red color options. The model with 64 GB of storage will cost $429, but there will also be 128 GB and 256 GB models priced at $479 and $579, respectively.
The $429 SE is now the cheapest new iPhone available for purchase from Apple. The most expensive phone — the iPhone 13 Pro Max with 1 TB of storage — cost nearly $1,200 more at $1,599.
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NEW YORK, March 8 (Reuters) – Apple Inc (AAPL.O) on Tuesday added 5G connectivity to its low-cost iPhone SE and iPad Air and introduced a faster chip for a new desktop, a high point in Apple’s move to power its devices with microprocessors designed in house.
The new Studio desktop starts at $3,999 with the new M1 Ultra chip. The iPad Air also got Apple’s M1 chip that was developed for laptops.
“Apple Silicon strategy is the key highlight,” said analyst Neil Shah of Counterpoint Research. “Apple is scaling the portfolio of its in-house semiconductor capabilities to power a broader set of richer devices from affordable iPhone SE to the most powerful product Mac Studio.”
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Apple’s Mac Pro still runs on Intel Corp microprocessors.
Apple slightly hiked the price on the iPhone SE to $429 from $399 for the previous model. The new phone starts shipping March 18. read more
The iPhone SE comes with an A15 Bionic chip, which Apple says is the fastest among competition, a 4.7-inch retina display and a home button with touch ID.
“This is important for our existing users who want a smaller iPhone at a great value,” Chief Executive Tim Cook said.
Nabila Popal, an analyst at IDC, said the new iPhone SE will cater to consumers looking for a budget 5G device, and it could be particularly popular given the economic uncertainty caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“A cheaper iPhone with 5G is good news for Apple, especially in these times of uncertainty,” Popal said.
But demand for larger screens could negatively impact iPhone SE sales, Popal added. Some consumers might instead opt for older iPhone models with bigger screens in the same price range.
The M1 Ultra is made by connecting two M1 Max chips and is eight times faster than M1 chips. Its first use will be in the creative professional-focused Mac Studio computer.
Apple will offer two versions of the Mac Studio, one with the M1 Max chip and the other utilizing the M1 Ultra chip.
Mac Studio pricing starts at $1,999 for the version with the M1 Max chip and $3,999 for the M1 Ultra loaded computer.
Apple also debuted a new monitor called Studio Display that can be paired with any Mac, including Macbook Air and Macbook Pro models, and which is priced at $1,599.
Apple shares were about flat for the day in mid-afternoon trading.
The company which has been broadening its services and other products also said its Apple TV+ product would begin showing Major League Baseball games on Friday nights. The weekly double header will be available in eight countries.
The new iPad Air gets its first refresh in two years with a new design, 5G connectivity and the M1, popular in MacBooks. The starting price remained $599 and it will be available starting March 18.
The new iPad Air also features a 12-megapixel front camera.
Apple also announced new iPhone 13 models in two new finishes, including alpine green.
During the presentation, Cook made no mention of the conflict in Ukraine. Apple said on March 1 it had paused all product sales in Russia in response to the Russian invasion. The Russian state media, RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the Apple Store outside Russia. read more
Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation.”
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Reporting by Danielle Kaye in New York and Nivedita Balu and Kanika Sikka in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Ashwini Raj, Ahmed Farhatha, Shivansh Tiwary and Nilanjana Basu in Bengaluru; Editing by Karishma Singh, Peter Henderson and Lisa Shumaker
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
While the new Phone SE is tipped to include a number of upgrades, I’m most curious to see how Apple improves the camera. The rumors point to Apple including just a single wide camera once again, but we could see much better image quality. And that’s because Apple’s A15 Bionic chip should provide better computational photography capabilities, such as a proper Night mode and improved HDR. However, we would not expect Cinematic mode for video, as that requires a second lens.
I’ll be very eager to test the iPhone SE 3 vs the Google PIxel 5a and we have a preview up now.
(Image credit: Amazon)
The iPad Air 5 is tipped to launch today powered by an M1 chip. We already thought of the iPad Air 2020 as a low-cost alternative to the iPad Pro, so what would the differences be now?
The iPad Air presumably will still offer a 10.9-inch display, compared to 11 inches for the iPad Pro. Both panels have 264 dpi, so they’re equally sharp. But the Air’s screen is a little less bright (500 nits vs 600 nits) and only the iPad Pro features ProMotion for 120Hz refresh rate.
In addition, the iPad Air likely won’t get Face ID, which is unique to the iPad Pro. And the iPad Air will probably still feature a single camera, compared to the wide and ultra-wide shooters on the iPad Pro. We’ll have to see what happens at the Apple event.
(Image credit: Kate Kozuch/Pantone)
One of today’s rumors is that Apple will roll out a new iPhone 13 spring color, just as it did with the purple iPhone 12 last spring. What could Apple announce today? Our Kate Kozuch mocked this up using Granite Green. “I want the green color to look more like this to reflect one of Patone’s colors of 2022,” Kate says.
What do you think of this as a possible iPhone 13 color?
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Is it me or does it fell like the iPhone SE 3 apologists are already coming out of the woodwork before the phone is announced? Today CNET has report that cites CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood, who says that “Not every Apple purchaser feels like they need to have the absolute cutting edge. They just want an iPhone.”
That’s true, but if the rumors are accurate Apple will be sticking with the same 4.7-inch display size two years after the iPhone SE 2020. Meanwhile, the Google PIxel 5a has a 6.34-inch display, which is much more mainstream at this point. I know the iPhone SE 3 is tipped for other welcome upgrades, such as 5G and A15 Bionic power, but I’d like to see a larger screen as well.
A little late, but my #PeekPerformance #AppleEvent Bingo is here!Retweets appreciated! Please don’t share without linking here. pic.twitter.com/SJMB85ZvviMarch 7, 2022
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It’s time for Apple Event bingo! Well, almost. Twitter leaker Dylan @DylanMcD8 has posted a fun (and very colorful) Apple Event bingo card with all sorts of possibilities for today’s festivities.
The options range from the rumored Studio Display and Another MacBook Gets a Notch to mention of Ukraine and a New color (presumably for the iPhone 13). My favorite is “Apple removes something and calls it a feature.”
Our 5 wildest guesses of what could be announced at today’s #AppleEvent1. Foldable iPhone2. Smart AR glasses 3. A new Apple TV Plus series, preferably starring Steve Buscemi4. A keyboard case for the iPad mini (please!!!)5. HomePod sound barMarch 8, 2022
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Hey, there’s nothing wrong with very wild guesses for things that could be announced today at the Apple event. Some have speculated that the Apple AR/VR headset could make its first appearance today based on the teaser for the Apple event.
I don’t think a foldable iPhone is happening anytime soon, but we could definitely see a new Apple TV Plus series unveiled during the event. A HomePod sound bar sounds like fun and could maybe give Apple an answer to the Sonos Arc. Spatial Audio without headphones? It could happen.
(Image credit: MacRumors)
Let’s talk about the rumored Apple Studio Display. According to 9to5Mac, it packs a very impressive 7K resolution. The current Pro Display XDR has a 6K panel for a 32-incher. But the new Apple Studio Display could stretch 36 inches. What’s not clear is whether this display will launch today at the Apple Event, though Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it is a distinct possibility.
(Image credit: Apple)
If you’re wondering how to watch the Apple event, there are plenty of options. This includes the Apple website and the Apple TV app through a wide array of Apple devices. You can also use Apple’s YouTube channel.
Apple announces their March #AppleEvent and here is what you can expect.📱iPhone SE📱iPad Air💻 MacBook Air💻 MacBook Pro🖥 Mac mini📱New iPhone Cases⌚️New Apple Watch Bands📆 March 8th⏰ 11:30 am IST❤️ if you’re excited. pic.twitter.com/otJHPbjITSMarch 8, 2022
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Could Apple be unveiling 5 new products today or more? According to the Twitter account Tech Recevent, the following is on tap. A new iPhone SE, iPad Air, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. Plus, the account says to expect new iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands.
That’s a lot for one event, and that doesn’t even include the recently rumored Mac Studio and Apple Studio Display. Regardless, prepare for a lot of announcements.
It’s #AppleEvent day! Like this tweet for a surprise pic.twitter.com/xWTBNL7eD6March 8, 2022
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Here’s a mildly amusing way to kill some time before the Apple event starts. If you like tweets like this with the Apple event logo you’ll see a fun animation. This one comes from 9to5Mac.
(Image credit: Apple)
Right on cue the Apple Store is temporarily down as Apple stocks all the new products expected to be announced today at the Apple event. And there could be a lot of new items popping up, ranging from the iPhone SE 3 and iPad Air 5 to a new Mac Studio and Apple Studio display.
We’re now less confident in a new MacBook Pro or MacBook Air showing up with an M2 chip, but anything could happen.
(Image credit: Luke Miani)
We have more info about a possible Mac Studio computer. As reported by MacRumors via the Korean blog Naver, the new Mac Studio is primarily based on the Mac mini, but with more powerful hardware. “Apple is working on two versions of the Mac Studio: the same M1 Max chip as the 2021 MacBook Pro, and an upgraded version of the Apple Silicon chip that is more powerful than the current M1 Max chip.”
The leaker says the Mac Studio name may change, but it “represents a new category for professional users between Mac mini and Mac Pro.” So we would expect a premium price tag. The current Mac mini M1 starts at $699.
(Image credit: Concept Creator/LetsGoDigital)
Hold up. A last-minute iPhone SE 3 rumor says that the new cheap iPhone could get MagSafe charging, which refutes earlier reports. A user on the blog Naver has tipped this news, and also says that the iPhone SE 3 2022 will get a Ceramic Shield display for better durability and “significantly” improved battery life. This is all welcome news, especially if the price stays under $400.
Pro tip! 👂 🎶 Use the TV App on iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple TV with AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or recent MacBook Pro speakers and you’ll be able to hear the #AppleEvent in Spatial Audio! pic.twitter.com/o31iB352IOMarch 7, 2022
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Here’s a great tip from Rene Ritchie on Twitter. If you want to hear today’s Apple Event in Spatial Audio, just use the TV App on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. It’s not the same as being there live (well, no one can be there live) but it will definitely feel more immersive.
Get the inside story. Watch a special #AppleEvent today at 10 a.m. PST.March 8, 2022
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Apple is spinning up the hype machine with a quick Twitter tease ahead of the Apple Event today at 1 pm ET/ 11 am PT. Apple says “get the inside story,” so we’re guessing that’s referring to the new Apple silicon inside the new products, including the A15 Bionic for the iPhone SE and the new M2 chip for a possible range of new Macs.
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple is widely expected to unveil its new M2 chip today at the Apple event. But how is it different? According to a recent tip by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing multiple Macs with the new M2 chip that includes an 8-core CPU with 4 efficiency cores and 4 high-performance cores, plus 10 GPU cores.
This would be a jump up in 8 GPU cores in the M1 chip, and Apple could also dial up the speed of the high-performance cores. The M2 chip could appear in a number of devices, including a new Mac mini 2022, entry-level MacBook Pro 2022 and more.
(Image credit: Luke Miani)
We’ve just published a report that Apple could launch a new Mac Studio today, which Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is calling a cross between a smaller Mac Pro and a more powerful Mac mini. Plus, Gurman says a new Apple Studio Display is ready to go.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Let’s pivot back to the iPhone SE 3 (2022) again for a second, as there’s an interesting new rumor about that phone.
According to a user on the Korean blog Naver, via Macrumors, the iPhone SE 3 will be MagSafe-compatible and will also come with Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology on the front. It was also reportedly have “significantly” better battery life.
The MagSafe part is interesting right away, as we’d previously heard that it wouldn’t get that feature — though we weren’t unduly worried. As far as the battery goes, the Naver user says the improvements come from the iPhone SE 3 having the latest A15 Bionic chip, which would make sense. Let’s hope this is all true.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide/Henry T. Casey)
While the iPad Air seems like a lock to get an update today, it’s not the only iPad in Apple’s lineup that we could be getting a new version of. There is a chance that the iPad Pro sees an update, though this one feels less likely than the iPad Air does.
The main argument for Apple updating the iPad Pro today is that Apple always seems to have a new version of the high-end tablet ready in the spring. After all, last year’s spring event included an iPad Pro as part of the proceedings.
Whether it shows up today or later this year, analysts expect the next 11-inch iPad Pro to adopt the mini-LED screen Apple added to the 12.9-inch model last year (pictured above). Additionally, there’s the possibility that Apple could turn to the new M2 silicon to power its Pro tablets.
Truth be told, we haven’t heard many rumors about the iPad Pro in the buildup to the Peek Performance event, so it could be possible that Apple holds off on an announcement, keeping its iPad Pro powder dry until June’s Worldwide Developer Conference.
(Image credit: Henry T. Casey/Tom’s Guide)
One other rumor around the iPad Air 5 is that it will get an OLED display, but this now seems unlikely.
Though a report from DigiTimes claimed Apple was working on a 10.9-inch tablet with an OLED screen — which would tally with the Air — subsequent reports from The Elec and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo instead say that won’t happen “due to costs and performance not meeting the company’s expectations.” So while we’ll watch with interest, we’d be surprised if Apple unveiled an OLED-sporting iPad Air 5 today.
(Image credit: Apple)
So let’s say the iPad Air 5 does launch today — what upgrades do we expect it to have? After all, the last model arrived less than 18 months ago, and in our iPad Air (2020) review we described it as “one of the best tablets ever.”
Well, a new chipset seems like a given. We had thought it might get Apple’s A15 Bionic — along with 5G connectivity. However, a last-minute leak from sources speaking to 9to5Mac has instead tipped the iPad Air 5 to come with Apple’s M1 chip.
If true, that’s absolutely huge news, as the M1 offers 50% faster performance than the A15 and could also have a huge (and positive) impact on battery life. Fingers crossed for this one.
(Image credit: Evan Blass/91Mobiles)
There’s certainly good reason to think the iPad Air 5 will be revealed today. Back in February, trusted Apple watcher Mark Gurman tipped the new tablet to arrive at an event on March 8. The fact that Apple subsequently announced its Peek Performance event for that exact day gives a lot of credibility to the details in Gurman’s report.
And there are plenty of other rumors that back it up — for instance leaker Evan Blass shared an image (above) from an unnamed Asian mobile carrier, reportedly of a product page for the new device.
(Image credit: Apple)
Let’s move away from phones and talk about a different category — namely tablets. Or rather, as this is Apple, iPads.
The most likely new entry in Apple’s iPad range is the iPad Air 5. We hadn’t necessarily expected it to arrive this month, given that the iPad Air 2020 made its debut in October of that year, but there are plenty of rumors that we will see the new model today. Plus, the 3rd-gen iPad Air did launch in March 2019, so there is a precedent for it to be revealed today.
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
A price drop would be big news for the iPhone SE 3, and the fact that it should get an upgrade to 5G plus the A15 Bionic chip is also welcome.
However, the rumors suggest the iPhone SE 3 will stick with an outdated design that’s based on the iPhone 8 — and one Tom’s Guide editor is pretty unhappy about that.
(Image credit: Concept Creator/LetsGoDigital)
Sticking with the iPhone SE 3, one of the key questions we want answering is how much it will cost. The current iPhone SE will set you back $399, making it a cheap phone compared to flagships and indeed compared to rivals such as the $449 Google Pixel 5a.
But at least one analyst thinks Apple could go cheaper still, offering the iPhone SE 3 (2022) for as little as $300. That would be huge news if true — so we’ll be listening out for the price announcement just as eagerly as we will the spec details.
(Image credit: TenTechReview/xleaks7)
One phone we very much expect to see revealed at today’s Apple event is the iPhone SE 3 (2022). There have been so many rumors about it that we can be pretty sure about lots of details — but there are still a few questions to answer.
The most recent predictions come from the respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who tweeted about the phone’s storage and colors a few days. Kuo says the iPhone SE 3 (2022) will come in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB version, and white, black and red.
He also says the design will be similar to that of the existing iPhone SE — which doesn’t surprise us at all.
(Image credit: Luke Miani)
So let’s delve into some of the specifics around what could be released at today’s Apple event. We’ll start with smartphones.
If you think back to the Apple event from the spring of 2021, you’ll recall that Apple just didn’t release new products then — it also updated some of its existing devices. Specifically, Apple introduced a purple iPhone 12 model a year ago, updating the iPhone lineup it had rolled out in the fall.
Could history repeat itself in 2022? Some Apple observers think so, with the possibility of a dark green iPhone 13 joining Apple’s phone lineup being dangled as a potential announcement today. That claim and the above renders come from Luke Miani, who also thinks a purple iPad Air is on tap for today.
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♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
So what can we expect to see today? Lots! We’ve got a list of the likely candidates above, but for another perspective on today’s Apple event, senior writer Kate Kozuch prepared a quick TikTok summary of all the potential products Apple could show off.
(Like what you see? Go to the Tom’s Guide channel on TikTok and click that follow button.)
Good morning and welcome to Tom’s Guide’s live blog for today’s Peek Performance Apple event. Marc McLaren here in the U.K. kicking things off, with various staffers taking over as the day goes on.
Follow it live with us here for all of the latest news and speculation in the run-up to the event, and of course for all of the announcements as they happen from 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT / 6 p.m. GMT.
From its introduction in 2007, Apple’s iPhone has been known as a premium device, with a price tag to match. But at Apple’s March 8 “Peek Performance” event, the company is expected to turn its attention to its lowest-cost smartphone: The iPhone SE.
Unlike the $699 iPhone 13 or $1,099 iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone SE isn’t meant to wow with cutting-edge features like super bright screens, room-sensing lasers or macro photography so much as it’s meant to satisfy for a far lower price of $399.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews and advice on iPhones, iPads, Macs, services and software.
“The first iPhone SE was a hit with many customers who loved its unique combination of small size, high-end performance and affordable price,” Phil Schiller, Apple’s former head of marketing, said in a press release when announcing the most recent iteration, two years ago.
Apple hasn’t tipped its hand about what this upcoming iPhone SE will have, but it’s expected to support 5G wireless as its standout feature. That may seem like old news to anyone who’s been carrying a 5G phone for the past couple of years. But it could entice people who’d otherwise balk at buying a phone that costs about the same as an average month’s rent.
“It’s an iPhone for people who don’t want all the bells and whistles — they just need a phone, and that’s what it ticks the boxes on,” said CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood.
Part of Apple’s success over the years, he added, has come from offering a lineup of products that deliver what a variety of people want. “Not every Apple purchaser feels like they need to have the absolute cutting edge,” he said. “They just want an iPhone.”
Apple’s likely iPhone SE upgrade comes at a time of international turmoil. The company’s event will be broadcast from its headquarters in California, about 6,000 miles away from Ukraine, the country at the center of Europe’s largest war since World War II. And the fighting, caused by Russia’s unprovoked invasion, comes as the world is still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus continues to spread amid global vaccination efforts, infecting more than 52 million people over the past month alone, killing more than a quarter million. Business leaders, who’ve navigated supply chain nightmares, employee health and increasing inflation, say they’re still unsure when life will return to normal.
CNET reviewer Patrick Holland called the 2020 iPhone SE “the most value for your dollar of any phone Apple sells” when it debuted.
James Martin/CNET
Pushing 5G
The new iPhone SE isn’t expected to be Apple’s only product announcement Tuesday. The company’s also rumored to be prepping new iPads with updated designs, faster chips and potential wireless charging support. In addition it’s expected to update its Mac Mini, the $699 computer that’s a little smaller than a coffee table book, meant to plug into a separate screen, keyboard and mouse.
But the iPhone SE may yet draw some of the most attention when the event is over, by representing not just the lowest-cost iPhone, but also the last of the company’s lineup to run on 5G wireless.
Apple executives have repeatedly said they believe many people are still due to upgrade to the new wireless standard, into which phone carriers have invested untold billions of dollars on network upgrades, new cell towers and other efforts to make the technology work.
Cell carriers are also shutting down older 3G networks, introduced before even the first iPhone. Most people have moved on from 3G over the years — carriers say a fraction of their network traffic comes from 3G devices now — but some people holding on to older phones will be forced to upgrade.
“It’s not about price point — it’s acknowledging there’s a segment of the market that has an emergency phone or don’t have a love affair with their smartphone like other people do,” said Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Creative Strategies. She noted that Apple also offers free software updates to iPhone owners for far longer than its competitors, which in turn has helped keep older phones in circulation as hand-me-downs or secondary devices.
All that may add up to another moment for Apple’s iPhone SE to shine even more.
For more on the rumored iPhone SE 2022, here’s how it might compare to the SE 2020. Plus, is the SE 2020 still a good buy in 2022? And if you’re curious about what else Apple might have in store for this week, check out our roundup of the latest iOS 15.4 rumors.
After much anticipation and rumors, Apple officially announced that it is holding its first event of 2022 on Tuesday, March 8th. The presented tagline for the upcoming event is “Peek Performance,” a supposed play on words for a sneak peek. We’ll likely get a peek (sorry) at a new iPhone SE with 5G and possibly a new iPad Air or Mac Mini.
What time does the Peek Performance Apple event start?
The event will be streamed live on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET. As with Apple’s prior streamed events, it will likely be a pre-recorded presentation, with a flashy introduction and various set dressings for the executives hyping up the new products.
Where can I watch the Apple event?
You can tune in to the event on Apple’s website, through the Apple TV app, or on Apple’s YouTube Channel. If you plan on streaming the event from YouTube or Apple’s website, there is an option to set a reminder or add it to your Apple Calendar.
While Apple hasn’t said anything about what’s being announced at the event, there has been plenty of rumors about what’s to come, including including the aforementioned new iPhone SE, refreshed iPad Air, and various new Macs, possibly with a new M2 chip. We’ll be covering the event with both a live blog and plenty of coverage, so be sure to tune in on Tuesday to find out everything Apple has in store.
The Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G phone is presented at the hall of Samsung at the IFA consumer tech fair in Berlin, Germany, September 6, 2019.
Hannibal Hanschke | Reuters
BARCELONA – The vast majority of new smartphones on display at this year’s Mobile World Congress — an event that tech giants use to showcase their latest handsets — looked remarkably similar to the rectangular slabs we’re accustomed to. But there were a handful with a difference.
These were folding phones — or flip phones — which appear to be making something of a comeback roughly two decades after the style first hit the market.
“We’re starting to see the emergence of foldable devices,” CCS Insight Chief Analyst Ben Wood told CNBC, adding that more are on the way. “There’s all shapes, all sizes, lots of experimentation, and for me, that’s an exciting time.”
South Korea’s Samsung and China’s Oppo were among several smartphone makers showing off devices that can fold in various ways, often doubling a user’s screen size in an instant. Samsung had its Galaxy Z Fold range on display, while Oppo was showing off its Fold N.
Apple next?
One obvious omission from the folding device market is Apple, but it’s only a matter of time before the iPhone maker launches such a product, according to Wood. “I have every confidence that Apple has had flexible display technology in their labs for more than a decade,” he said.
Apple doesn’t like to rush, he added; “They will wait and see how the market evolves.” Apple did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.
Apple’s iPhones and iPads are so successful that the company doesn’t need to deviate at this point in time, Wood said. When the time is right for Apple to launch a flexible product, Wood expects there to be “some sort of convergence” between the iPhone and iPad.
Last May, renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reportedly said in a note to investors that Apple was planning to launch a foldable iPhone with an 8-inch display in 2023.
Anshel Sag, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, told CNBC that Apple will likely launch a flexible device when when durability is no longer an issue and the display technologies have come down in cost.
“I think we’re probably still a year or two away from that point right now, even though we’re really seeing Samsung and others solving many of the pain points that used to exist,” Sag said.
He added: “If Apple were to come to market with a flexible device I think it would very much look like a ‘flip’ rather than a ‘fold’ device, because it improves the portability of the device and seems much more targeted towards consumer.”
More of the same
Beyond the folding phones, however, Wood said stressed that “not a lot has changed” when it comes to the majority of handsets on display at MWC.
“The rectangular black touchscreen is the dominant form factor. It’s a sea of sameness,” he said.
Some of the new devices at MWC had a slightly better camera or faster charging, but hardware updates on the whole have been fairly incremental, Wood added.
Apple’s iOS 15.4 remains in beta, but the updated version of the iPhone operating system may be released to the public soon. Apple is set to host an event on March 8. We expect to see a few new devices like the iPhone SE 3 and updated iPad, and iOS 15.4 may make its debut, too. This means the update, which reportedly features a gender-neutral voice option for Siri and antistalking alerts for AirTags, is possibly only a week away.
iOS 15.4’s betas have also introduced new emoji, updates to Face ID and the long-awaited arrival of Universal Control. As the name implies, iOS 15.4 is the fourth major update to iOS 15, which launched with the iPhone 13 in September. These updates, which started with December’s iOS 15.1 release, have added more features to Apple’s iPhone operating system and updated existing ones. iOS 15.4 will follow iOS 15.3.1, which was released last month to patch a security vulnerability in iPhones and iPads.
As with every operating system beta, we recommend only downloading on a tester device, rather than your primary iPhone. Beta releases are intended to test for stability and bugs, which means they’re not optimized like release versions — you’ll likely experience shorter battery life and app instability.
When is the iOS 15.4 release date?
Apple has not announced a release date for iOS 15.4, but we could see the update at Apple’s March event. Also, look for an iOS 15.4 RC or “release candidate” version of the beta — these are typically the last versions of the beta before the public launch.
How do I download the iOS 15.4 beta?
You’ll first need to sign up for Apple’s Beta Software Program. Once you’re in the program, download the configuration profile from Apple. Then you should be able to find the latest beta version by going to Settings > General > Software update and selecting Download and Install. Again, we only recommend this for secondary and tester devices due to the buggy nature of beta tests.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news, reviews and advice on iPhones, iPads, Macs, services and software.
What is Universal Control?
Universal Control lets you use other devices as second screens, moving content seamlessly between them using only one device. This eagerly anticipated feature was initially announced as part of MacOS Monterey but was delayed over the fall, with a new timeline pointing to “this spring.” Fortunately, Universal Control has finally shown up in the iOS 15.4 beta and is expected to launch alongside the Monterey OS 15.3 update.
Can I use Face ID with masks?
Apple is finally updating its Face ID feature to be usable while wearing a mask. Because the feature is using a smaller portion of your face to verify your identity, you’ll need to be more precise about the angle you’re holding your phone at when using Face ID. Your phone will even prompt you if it needs you to look more directly at the screen. The updated feature should work for users who wear glasses, but it won’t work with sunglasses.
What new emoji are coming?
If you’re the kind of person who prides yourself on creative and fun emoji use, you’re going to love iOS 15.4. There are over 37 new emoji in the update, including new options for pregnant persons, hands forming a heart shape, a salute and — our personal favorite — a lip-biting emoji. The emojis were revealed last fall, and also include a melting face, a face holding back tears, a bird’s nest, coral, a lotus, a low battery and kidney beans.
Another feature included in the update is the ability to copy text from objects using the camera while in the Notes or Reminders apps. And, as spotted by ZDNet, the second update to the iOS 15.4 beta also fixes a bug related to recordings of Siri interactions.
For more Apple news, read about how Apple will reportedly let your iPhone be a payment terminal and how Apple is reportedly preparing a wide array of new products for this fall.
