iphone 12 – Apple Breakfast: Apple Starts Selling Touch ID Keyboard
Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our Saturday morning roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
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New products
On the very day that David Price published his Different Think column complaining that Apple doesn’t announce anything in August (read: Different Think: Give us a summer blockbuster, Apple!) Apple launched the new Touch ID keyboard, mouse and trackpad. So you can now buy the Touch ID keyboard – previously only available with the 24in iMac. Just note that it requires a M1 Mac to work. More information here: How to buy a Apple Keyboard with Touch ID.
The Mac Pro also got an update – but not the one we were waiting for. Mac Pro update rumours were pointing to the Mac Pro getting a new Intel Xeon W processor – specifically an Ice Lake Xeon processor. But all Apple’s done is launched a collection of new graphics options for the 2019 Mac Pro. More here: Mac Pro gets new high-end graphics cards.
And if you are wondering where you can buy these new products, Apple’s made it a little easier. You will now see a Store tab on Apple’s website that will take you to a dedicated store front. This new layout is reminiscent of the Apple website navigation from around 1997 to 2015. This change should make shopping at Apple a simpler experience. The homepage of the store is https://www.apple.com/uk/store or https://www.apple.com/store if you are in the US (which is what it used to be).
News in brief
Windows 365 has launched (although it’s only for business/enterprise use right now). Why are we telling you this? Because it will bring Windows 10 AND Windows 11 to Macs, iPad and iPhones! Find out more here: How to use Windows 365 on Mac, iPad and iPhone.
Software, bugs & problems
There was news this week that the Apple TV app has a bug affecting some users. As a result of the bug audio is not playing in rented movies. Reports indicate that the bug affects Apple TVs, smart TVs, Chromecast, Roku, and other streaming products with the Apple TV app. (Read What TVs and streamers have the Apple TV app).
We also heard of a fault with the new M1 MacBooks. Apparently some users are finding that their screens crack for no apparent reason. Read: M1 MacBook Fault: Reports of Cracked Screens.
You may have missed the news that you can now beta test the AirPods Pro. Testers have noticed that the latest update to the beta includes the ability to increase the volume for conversations, a feature known as Conversation Boost. That new feature joins support for spatial sound in FaceTime and improved noise reduction. More here: New AirPods Pro features available in beta.
The rumour mill
It’s pretty clear by now that Apple is getting ready to launch a new iPhone, Apple Watch and even new MacBooks this autumn, but this week we had some more evidence that new variants of the Watch and Mac are coming: Apple registered new Mac and Apple Watch models in the EEC database.
Also coming alongside the new iPhone 13 is a new set of AirPods, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, an Apple leaker with a proven track record. Gurman said in his latest newsletter: “Look for Apple to debut its new low-end AirPods this fall, around the same time as the next iPhones.” Read: AirPods 3 To Launch With New iPhone.
Gurman also revealed that he believes Apple’s new iMac and Mac Pro will arrive by November 2022 – which is two years after the first M1 Mac launched, and, he says, in keeping with Apple’s two year deadline. And another revelation from Gurman’s newsletter: expect a two to three year wait before Apple launches a foldable iPhone. That’ll mean that the foldable iPhone could launch as much as six years after the first foldable smartphone, but nobody is saying Apple aspires to be first.
There’s lots of rumours about the iPhone 13, but what of the iPhone 15. Apparently the 2023 iPhone will have smaller components and bigger battery.
Apple deals of the week
I’ve embedded a list of the best current Apple deals below, but other than that, we’re done for this week. See you next Saturday, and stay Appley!
1. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 12.9in) – Wi-Fi + Cellular
Now: £1085.79 (£63.21 off)
View Deal
Amazon has a decent discount on the M1 iPad Pro 12.9in (128GB) with 5G. If it sells out, get it at the same price from the BT Shop.
2. Apple iPad Air (64GB, 4th Gen, Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Now: £593.98 (£115 off)
View Deal
While Costco’s discount on this model is the highest around, it’s only available to those with a Costco membership. If you don’t have one, pick up this decent £115 discount on the same model from Amazon.
3. Apple Music
From: O2
Was: £9.99 per month
Now: Free up to 6 months on O2 (up to £59.94 off)
View Deal
New and existing O2 customers can get up to 6 months of Apple Music on eligible plans – whether that’s on SIM-only, device, phone contracts!
4. Apple iPhone 12 (64GB)
Now: £679 (£120 off)
View Deal
Amazon’s £653 offer from late July has now vanished, but this (hopefully longer-lasting) deal on the iPhone 12 is almost as appealing. Very has the same price but is likely to charge more for shipping.
5. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
From: LaptopsDirect
Was: £1,299
Now: £1,129.97 (£169 off)
View Deal
6. Apple iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1, 128GB)
Now: £729.34 (£19 off)
View Deal
Save £20 on the brand new M1 iPad Pro 11in from BT Shop – it’s the best price we can see at the moment.
7. Apple MacBook Air, 1.1GHz quad-core, 512GB (2020)
From: LaptopsDirect
Was: £1,299
Now: £979.97 (£319 off)
View Deal
This is the 2020 quad-core MacBook Air with 512GB storage and it’s a really decent saving if you would prefer an Intel-powered model.
8. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 256GB) – Refurbished
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £999
Now: £839 (£160 off with SUMMER10)
View Deal
This 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip costs £999 from Apple, but you can pick up a refurbished model in Pristine condition and save £160 with code SUMMER10 at checkout.
9. Apple iPhone 11 (128GB)
Now: £599 (£50 off)
View Deal
Save £50 on the iPhone 11 (128GB) from Amazon. It’s the lowest price we can see at the moment.
10. Apple Back to School Sale
From: Apple Education Discount
Now: Up to £280 off Mac, £80 off iPad (with free AirPods)
View Deal
Apple’s education pricing is available all year round. To be eligible, you just need to prove your status as a current or newly accepted university student, parent buying on behalf of a university student or member of teaching staff at any level. You’ll then get up to £280 off a new Mac or up to £80 off a new iPad along with a free pair of AirPods. Here’s what you need to know.
11. Apple AirPods Max
From: Laptops Direct
Was: £549
Now: £499.97 (£49.03 off)
View Deal
This near-£50 saving on the AirPods Max is the biggest we’ve seen to date.
12. Apple MacBook Air (2020, M1, 8GB/256GB) – Refurbished “Very Good”
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £999
Now: £869.99 (£129 off)
View Deal
MusicMagpie also has £129 off the MacBook Air (256GB). This option is graded in a “Very Good” condition.
13. Apple MacBook Pro (2020, M1, 8GB/256GB) – Refurbished “Pristine”
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £1299
Now: £1004.99 (£294 off)
View Deal
If you prefer, there’s also £294 off an M1 MacBook Pro with 256GB storage in “Pristine” condition from MusicMagpie.
14. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, 2.0GHz quad-core, 512GB (2020)
From: LaptopsDirect
Was: £1,799
Now: £1,529.97 (269 off)
View Deal
If you aren’t ready to move to the M-series of chips, this is a good price for the 2.0GHz MacBook Pro with Intel processor that Apple is still selling (for now).
15. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB (2020)
From: Ebuyer
Was: £1,499
Now: £1,316.99 (£182 off)
View Deal
Here’s a discount on the best M1 MacBook Pro, it’s a good saving, but you do need to factor in a delivery cost with eBuyer.
16. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
From: Amazon
Was: £1,299
Now: £1,129.97 (£169 off)
View Deal
Amazon’s price beats John Lewis, Currys, and AO, each of which are currently selling at £1,167. It’s currently the best price on the market.
Amazon also has £169 off 512GB M1 MacBook Pro, normally £1,499. Get that deal here.
17. Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + Cellular)
Now: £323.28 (£25.72 off)
View Deal
Save over £25 on a brand new Watch SE 44mm from Amazon.
18. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in, Cellular)
Now: £957.78 (£41.22 off)
View Deal
Amazon has knocked over £40 off the brand new iPad Pro 11in with 5G connectivity. It’s strong saving on Apple’s brand-new and exceptionally powerful M1-equipped iPad Pro for 2021. There’s also £62 off the 512GB option.
19. Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac – 1 Year, 3 Devices
From: Bitdefender
Was: £39.99
Now: £24.99 (£15 off)
View Deal
One of our top picks for Mac is Bitdefender, which has £15 off right now for up to three devices.
Normally £39.99, this deal lets you protect three Macs for £24.99. Note that this is the price for the first year only.
20. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in)
Now: £1018.94 (£30.06 off)
View Deal
Save £30 on the 512GB 11 iPad Pro with the M1 chip from Amazon. We’re looking at where to buy the M1 iPad Pro at the best price separately here.
iphone 12 – Apple Breakfast: Apple Starts Selling Touch ID Keyboard
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