Top Stories: Hands-On with AirPods Max, Apple Fitness + Debuts, iPhone 13 and Apple TV Rumors

Things have been extremely busy this week in the Apple world, even with the holidays fast approaching. Apple this week released several new versions on the hardware and software fronts, including AirPods Max, Fitness + and other new features and enhancements as part of iOS 14.3 and operating system-related updates.

We also received some rumors about the iPhone 13 and Apple TV, while Facebook and Apple remain embroiled in a growing dispute over Apple’s future move to seek permission before companies can track users’ online activity. personalized advertising purposes. Read on for details on all these stories!

Basically with AirPods Max

Apple’s new AirPods Max headphones were launched this week and we took a pair to see if their $ 549 price is worth it. We also shared impressions from reviewers and customers.

AirPods Max has a premium design, with a breathable mesh strap that connects to memory foam headphones with telescopic stainless steel arms, and a large digital crown provides precise and tactile volume control. However, there is no start button, which will disappoint some users.

The sound quality and active noise cancellation are both impressive with AirPods Max and competitive with over-ear headphones from competing brands such as Sony and Bose. And with an H1 chip designed by Apple in every ear cup, AirPods Max offers instant pairing and automatic switching for Apple devices, longer Bluetooth range and more.

While AirPods Max is quite heavy, the headphones have been quite comfortable in our experience, at least for shorter periods of time. Some users have found that the headphones are heavier on the ears, rather than on the head, because Apple says it has designed a band to distribute weight and reduce pressure on the head.

Overall, AirPods Max are definitely a pair of quality headphones, but the average person should definitely consider looking for popular alternatives, such as the WH-1000XM4 from Sony or the Bose 700 Noise Canceling Headphones, with hundreds of dollars less.

Apple Fitness + launches with a free trial available

The new Apple + Fitness + training service is now available, offering Apple Watch users videos with studio-style guided exercises, in a range of categories, such as high-intensity interval training, yoga, dancing, running, walking , cycling, strength and more. Apple says new content will be added to the service every week.

Fitness + requires an Apple Watch Series 3 or later, although workout videos can be viewed on an iPhone or iPad without having an Apple Watch nearby once the service is set up. Videos can also be viewed on an Apple TV, but an Apple Watch is always required.

The main feature of Fitness + is that it integrates personal values ​​such as the heart rate of the Apple Watch to motivate users, animating them on screen at key moments of training. All training videos also offer changes for beginners or for those who prefer a slower pace.

Priced at $ 9.99 per month or $ 79.99 per year, Fitness + automatically appears as a new tab in the Fitness app on the iPhone running iOS 14.3 or later, while iPad users can get the Fitness app from App Store for iPadOS 14.3 or later. On Apple TV, the Fitness app appears automatically once users upgrade to tvOS 14.3. At launch, the service is available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Fitness + offers a free trial period of one month for existing Apple Watch users, and an extended trial period of three months is available for customers who have purchased a new Apple Watch Series 3 or later after September 15, 2020.

IOS 14.3 Released – Here’s Everything New!

This week, Apple released iOS 14.3 and iPadOS 14.3 after a long period of beta testing and there are some new features in the software updates.

In addition to Apple Fitness + and AirPods Max support, other new features include support for Apple’s new ProRAW image format, a dedicated TV + tab in the TV app, a new task section in the Health app, privacy tags in the App Store, and many others. And for iPad users, iPadOS 14.3 restores the ability to delete emails using the delete key on the Magic keyboard.

Other software updates released this week include watchOS 7.2 with a new Cardio Fitness feature that measures VO₂ max, macOS 11.1, tvOS 14.3 and a 14.3 software update for HomePod and HomePod mini.

IPhone 13 Pro models are expected to adopt LTPO technology for the 120Hz display

Two of the four iPhone 13 models to be launched next year (probably Pro and Pro Max) will use OLED displays with low-power LTPO technology, paving the way for a 120Hz refresh rate, according to a Korean supply chain report . this week.

LTPO technology would result in a more energy efficient backplane, which is responsible for enabling and disabling individual pixels on the screen. In turn, this could allow a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and smoother movement, without causing too much impact on battery life. Similar to recent Apple Watch models, LTPO could allow iPhone 13 models to have a permanent display.

While some rumors have suggested that the iPhone 12 Pro models would be compatible with a 120Hz refresh rate, Ross Young, the industry analyst, said exactly the opposite, noting that the feature will be added along with LTPO in 2021. iPad Pro models have accepted up to 120Hz since 2017.

The new Apple TV is finally expected next year

Apple is finally planning to launch a new Apple TV in 2021, according to Nikkei Asian Review, more than three years since the last streaming tape update.

The report did not reveal any potential features, but previous rumors indicated that the next-generation Apple TV could be equipped with a variant of the A12 chip for faster performance and possibly a game controller that would be beneficial for Apple Arcade. There may also be a new 128 GB storage option, compared to a current maximum of 64 GB.

The current Apple TV 4K was launched in September 2017 and looks virtually identical to the previous generation Apple TV HD.

Apple responds to Facebook’s anti-tracking criticism, saying users deserve control and transparency

Apple has responded to Facebook’s criticism of a future iOS 14 privacy measure – in particular a change that will require users to allow their activity to be tracked for personalized advertising purposes beginning next year.

Apple pointed out that it welcomes in-app advertising and does not prohibit tracking, but simply requires apps to obtain explicit user consent to track users for personalized advertising purposes, giving users more control and transparency.

“We believe this is a simple matter of being in favor of our users,” Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. “Users should know when their data is collected and shared in other applications and websites – and should be able to allow it or not. The transparency of app tracking in iOS 14 does not require Facebook to change its approach in terms of user tracking and creating advertising goals, it simply requires giving users a choice. “

Facebook said the change in Apple’s pursuit would have “a detrimental impact on many small businesses struggling to stay afloat,” adding that the new policy is “about profit, not privacy.” Facebook said many apps and websites will have to start subscription fees or add more in-app purchase options to cope, making the internet “much more expensive.”

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