Denon adds Siri functionality to its lineup of smart speakers
You can now use Siri on select Denon Home Series speakers — provided you already have a HomePod in your house.The Denon Home Sound Bar 550Denon, a company known for its wireless receivers and smart speakers, has quietly rolled out a feature that allows you to control Siri on select smart speakers. This includes the Denon Home Soundbar 550, which also features support for Dolby Atmos.Like the EcoBee Smart Thermostat lineup, you still need to have a HomePod or HomePod mini added to your Home network. Because Siri is only available on first-party Apple devices, Denon's speakers are only relaying the information to the Apple speakers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Meta unveils travel mode for using Quest headsets during flights like Vision Pro
Update: Three weeks later, Meta has announced the feature alongside a new partnership with an airline. Original coverage from April 18 below… Today I learned two things. First, apparently Meta Quest headsets don’t work on planes? I guess Apple knew to prioritize that feature for Vision Pro. And second, support is reportedly on the way. Add this to the list of ways competition from Vision Pro is making a better product. more…

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9to5Mac Daily: May 13, 2024 – Will the new M4 iPad Pro have a bending problem?
Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from 9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is available on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock: Ad-free versions of every episode Monthly bonus episodes  more…

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iOS 17.5 helps detect unwanted Bluetooth tracking tags
iOS 17.5 updates bring cross-platform tracking notifications for pesky Bluetooth trackers plus new Apple News+ features for subscribers. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

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OpenAI launches GPT-4o just in time for rumored iOS 18 partnership with Apple
Today OpenAI held a spring update event, where it outlined some of its latest work on the ChatGPT platform. One key announcement was the arrival of a new Mac desktop app, but the larger focus was on a new flagship model of ChatGPT. This new model, GPT-4o, arrives just in time for a rumored deep integration into iOS 18 at WWDC. more…

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MagSafe Monday: After a cracked and scratched iPhone screen, the ESR for iPhone 15 Pro Case is my solution
Maybe it’s me, or maybe it’s the iPhone 15 Pro, but I finally cracked my first iPhone screen ever. I used my local Best Buy for the repair as they handle authorized Apple repairs. They did a fantastic job, and it was done within a few hours. A few weeks later, after a day of yard work, I noticed a small scratch on my screen. Ugh, right? Thankfully it wasn’t cracked, but I clearly cannot be trusted at this point. I decided to upgrade my iPhone case to one with a built in screen protector. I ended up with the . more…

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Apple set to expand Vision Pro sales outside of U.S. next month
Apple is reportedly preparing to start selling its Apple Vision Pro spatial computer in markets outside the U.S., including Germany, France… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.

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Apple Vision Pro: Available in more markets after WWDC
Macworld Apple Vision Pro went on sale in the U.S. on February 2, 2024. It’s a mixed reality headset (Apple calls it a “Spatial Computer”) that marries an M2 processor with a lot of custom silicon, sensors, cameras, and more. The starting price of $3,499 and limited availability means that it’s a niche product, but it’s the first in a new category that Apple believes will be critical in the coming years. Update May 13, 2024: A new report from Bloomberg says Apple is preparing to expand Vision Pro beyond the U.S. market after WWDC in June, but with no specific territories or dates given. Apple Vision Pro release date: UK, Canada, Europe, Australia Apple is yet to say when Vision Pro will be available to buy outside the U.S. beyond saying that it will be shipping to “more countries” later in 2024. With WWDC in just a few weeks, we don’t expect any international launches prior to that event but will probably hear more about the timing of broader availability at that time. A new report from Bloomberg says that Apple is training workers Germany, France, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and China, so those may be some of the first markets outside the U.S. to be able to buy Apple Vision Pro. Apple Vision Pro price and availability Apple Vision Pro Read our review Price When Reviewed: $3,499 Best Prices Today: $3499 at Apple The headset was first announced at WWDC in on June 5, 2023, with pre-orders starting January 19, 2024 and availability on February 2. The starting price is $3,499 for 256GB of storage, with a 512GB model available for $3,699 and a 1TB model for $3,899. Apple Vision Pro is only available in the United States to start, with other territories coming throughout 2024. You can only buy it online directly from Apple or at an Apple Store. Part of the reason for this is the necessity to get a proper fit and optical inserts. Apple takes a scan of your face (you do this yourself with your iPhone if you are buying online) to select a proper face seal size. If you wear prescription eyewear or need readers, you can order special Zeiss inserts for $99 (readers) or $149 (prescription); the headset does not work with your own eyewear. If you want to buy the Vision Pro you can order one from Apple’s website, or by using the Apple Store app on your iPhone. You can also go to an Apple Store for a fitting and to purchase one. Apple Apple Apple There are also other accessories available for purchase, including a travel case ($199), battery ($199), Belkin Battery Holder ($50), Solo knit Band ($99), Dual Loop Band ($99), Light Seal ($199), and Light Seal Cushion ($29). AppleCare+ is also available for $499. Apple Vision Pro review In our Apple Vision Pro review, we found the technology very impressive, but the comfort and software—both apps and operating system—quite limited. There’s a lot of potential there, but it will take quite a while for the software to mature enough to unlock it, and for most users, the Vision Pro will never be worth the price. Will there be a cheaper Apple Vision Pro? We take the fact that the Vision Pro has the word “Pro” in its name as a big hint that a more affordable version will be coming down the line. An “Apple Vision Air,” if you will. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman believes that a cheaper headset will arrive in 2025. He reported in October that Apple is already working on the sequel to the headset, which will be cheaper than the original model. However, new rumors about the successor to Vision Pro – both what it will be and when it will arrive – change frequently. They all have one thing in common, though: there isn’t expected to be any new hardware in 2024. The Vision Pro is likely to follow the example of the HomePod with the expensive pro model paving the way for a cheaper option down the line. But it could be a while before the economies of scale and advancements in technology make a cheaper Apple Vision product viable. Apple Vision Pro compatibility The Vision Pro is its own product with its own software ecosystem. It has its own App Store, and runs software independent from other Apple products (though apps like Messages and Photos can sync via iCloud with your other Apple products). There is support for iPad apps, however. By default, all iPad apps are made available for use on Vision Pro and can be found in the Vision Pro app store, but developers can opt not to allow their apps to be used on the device. White many iPad apps are available, prominent exceptions include YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix. Apple Vision Pro specs The Vision Pro is powered by an M2 processor with 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores–the same as you would find in a MacBook. It has 16GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of flash storage. There are 14 cameras on the inside and outside, a LiDAR scanner, multiple IR illuminators, an accelerometer, gyroscope, and multiple microphones. A custom R1 processor is made to process the vast amount of data from these sensors very quickly, for lightning-fast eye tracking and a delay for the video pass-through of only 12 milliseconds. When wearing the Vision Pro you look through custom catadioptric pancake lenses at a pair of micro-OLED displays, one for each eye. About the size of a postage stamp, each of these displays has a stunning resolution of about 3,386 pixels per inch, more than 4K per eye. Of course, what matters is pixels per degree when looking through the lenses, which on Vision Pro is around 34 pixels per degree (less than you’d see looking at an iPhone display, but more than most other VR headsets). Apple does not disclose the field of view for the Vision Pro, but it appears to be somewhere around 110° horizontally and 90° vertically. The Vision Pro is actively cooled, with a fan inside, but the fan runs so quietly you can’t hear it. There are two individually amplified drivers inside each audio pod on the side of the headset near the headband connection. They deliver Personalized Spatial Audio based on the user’s own head and ear geometry. As a result, the sound feels like it is coming from the space around you. Vision Pro also matches the sound to the room using audio raytracing. The Vision Pro also recognizes the user’s iris via a new method to unlock the device and authenticate passwords and purchases called Optic ID. Like the iPhone and Mac, all data is stored on a dedicated Secure Enclave processor. On the outside of the headset is an OLED display with a lenticular lens over it that Apple calls EyeSight. It projects a rendered image of your own eyes with correct perspective, so others can see you looking at them. If you are in a fully immersive environment and can’t see anyone, the EyeSight display shows a blueish haze. Apple Vision Pro battery life Apple Vision Pro connects to an external battery via a custom tether, and the battery lasts for around 2 to 2.5 hours. The battery pack has a USB-C port that can only be used to recharge it, though you can use the Vision Pro with the battery plugged in. Weight & Dimensions According to Apple Vision Pro tech specs, the headset weighs 21.2 to 22.9 ounces (600 to 650 grams) depending on the Light Seal and headband configuration. That’s about the weight of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (24 ounces/682 grams). It’s not necessarily heavier than other VR headsets but quite a bit heavier than the Meta Quest 3, which weighs 18.2 ounces (516 grams). The weight is very front-heavy, mostly in the metal and glass out in the front of the face seal instead of distributed around the sides. The battery pack weighs 12.5 ounces (353 grams). What it is like to use Vision Pro With a Vision Pro headset users will be able to watch a movie, listen to music, browse photos, look at 3D objects, and even collaborate on a presentation. Users experience a three-dimensional interface and input system that they control with their eyes, hands, and voice. You select things by looking at them and pinching your fingers together, then dragging objects around or flicking your hand to scroll. A virtual keyboard is used to enter text where appropriate, either by poking at the keys or looking at each key in succession and pinching your fingers together. You can also use voice input to enter text, or a bluetooth keyboard. Apple has posted a 10-minute guided tour explaining how navigation and gestures work as well as several apps.  Apple Apple Apple When you first put on Vision Pro you see your surroundings. You can freely move apps to fill the space around you and they can expand into your space. The digital crown lets you adjust volume or the degree of immersion in your environment–from fully immersed in a virtual space to seeing “passthrough” video of your own space. Here’s an primer on what the Vision Pro buttons do. A user can bring Mac wirelessly into Apple Vision Pro just by looking at it and choosing to connect to it, if it is logged into the same Apple ID. The Mac display will blank out and be replaced by a big 4K virtual display in your Vision Pro environment; you’ll continue to use the Mac keyboard and touchpad, however, and audio will still play from the Mac. Apple Vision Pro software and apps The Vision Pro headset runs visionOS, an operating system that Apple has designed from the ground up for visual computing. The latest version is visionOS 1.1, which includes support for managed profiles, improved Personas, and lots of bug fixes and minor improvements. There will also be a number of well-known Apple apps available at launch, such as Safari, Messages, and FaceTime. Apple launched Vision Pro with more than 600 optimized apps. Apple Vision Pro terms As with many Apple products, the company has some of its own branding around things that may be better understood by other names. Here are some of the things you may see associated with Vision Pro and what they mean. Spatial Computing: Computing that appears to happen in the environment around you rather than inside a computer (or phone). A sort of umbrella-term that encapsulates AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality). It is not inaccurate to call Vision Pro and Mixed Reality headset. Spatial apps: Apps designed with the Vision Pro hardware in mind, as opposed to iPad apps running in a window. Some Spatial apps are fully immersive experiences, others are almost indistinguishable from iPad apps. Fully immersive: A “fully immersive” experience is one in which your surroundings are not visible: you’re completely surrounded in a virtual environment. In other words Virtual Reality. Spatial Audio: Audio that seems to come from specific places in your environment. Persona: A 3D digital recreation of you, created by scanning your face using the Vision Pro cameras. It is meant to be used to represent you in video conferencing apps like FaceTime or Zoom, since the Vision Pro has no cameras that can actually see your face (just specialized internal cameras for eye tracking). Spatial Video: A new 3D video format that can be captured with either the Vision Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro. Spatial Videos can be viewed using a Vision Pro or even a Quest headset, and look a bit like a 3D diorama of a memory. It’s an emotionally charged and effective way of capturing the moment. Apple Inc, Computer Accessories, Virtual Reality

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Apple and Google's cross-platform anti-stalking tracker standard arrives in iOS 17.5
Apple and Google have finally implemented their industry specification for detecting AirTags and other trackers hidden on a person, to help minimize the instances of stalking.AirTag, a tracker that will support Apple and Google's industry standard. Initially announced in May 2023, the industry standard between Apple and Google is titled "Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers." After a year of waiting, it's finally becoming a reality on consumer devices.The new standard will alert users on iOS and Android if a Bluetooth tracking device owned by someone else is being used to track them. Users will get new alerts on their smartphones if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is found to be moving with the user over time, regardless of platform. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 17.5 includes these 15 security patches for iPhone users
iOS 17.5 has landed for everyone with several new user-facing features. And there are also 15 important security fixes that come with the update. Here are the full details on everything that’s been patched. more…

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OpenAI is releasing a ChatGPT app for Mac first, beating Windows
OpenAI is debuting its own app for ChatGPT generative text for macOS users, and it will be released very shortly after the release event is over.ChatGPT is in the App Store nowTo date, ChatGPT has been available for Mac through third party apps. That is about to change.In its series of Monday announcements, the company declared that it will release a first-party Mac app on Monday. This will make the service is constantly available to macOS users. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple News+ subscribers get a new daily game and a new offline mode
On Monday, Apple announced that Apple News+ subscribers get a new, original spelling game called "Quartiles," and support for offline mode.Image Credit: AppleQuartiles plays similarly to Boggle, though it requires players to form words by connecting tiles that contain two to four letters. Users score points based on word length.New puzzles are released daily, and players can share Quartiles puzzles with other News+ subscribers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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UK newspapers tell Apple its 'web eraser' will put journalism at risk
Following AppleInsider's discovery that Safari will add the ability to selectively turn off online ads, UK newspaper groups have complained to Apple.Safari getting new AI tools in iOS 18The Safari feature AppleInsider uncovered in April 2024 will mean users can elect to automatically remove certain parts of web pages, most likely adverts. It's expected that the feature will be released as part of iOS 18, and it will be part of Apple's AI announcements at WWDC.According to the Financial Times, news of this feature has prompted the UK's News Media Association to complain. While the Financial Times says that a letter has been sent to Apple's government affairs chief in the UK, about this feature's threat to the future of journalism. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple's new macOS 14.5 update is out but brings only bug fixes
Apple has released macOS Sonoma 14.5, but it comes with very few visible updates.Following a round of beta test releases, which began in early April 2024, Apple has now publicly released macOS 14.5. AppleInsider always recommends waiting at least a few days before updating, to give time for other users to discover bugs — as they did with macOS 14.4.After that, it's best to install the new version in order to be sure of having the latest security updates.As with that last macOS 14.4 update, though, there are close to no visible differences in the new version. While macOS Sonoma 14.4 added new emoji, Apple has said only that this macOS 14.5 has bug fixes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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ChatGPT arriving on the Mac in new desktop app from OpenAI ahead of WWDC
Today at OpenAI’s spring update keynote, the company announced that ChatGPT would soon become more easily accessible thanks to a brand new desktop app launching on the Mac. more…

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iPadOS 17.5 now available with support for new iPads
Apple has released iPadOS 17.5 with no user-facing updates beyond support for new iPad models and their feature set.iPadOS 17.5 is now availableAll eyes are on the EU and Apple's compliance with the DMA, so recent operating system updates have not had many features focused on the iPad. However, Apple did introduce new iPads and accessories during a video event on May 7, which means iPadOS 17.5 includes support for those products and features.Everyone else gets iPadOS 17.5, but there aren't any user-facing features. The usual bug fixes and performance improvements are cited in the release notes. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple TV owners can now update to tvOS 17.5
Apple has rolled out tvOS 17.5, a relatively minor update focused on bug fixes and performance upgrades.Apple TV 4KApple's release of tvOS 17.5 is now available to the public on Apple TV and Apple TV 4K after completing another beta testing cycle. As anticipated, there are no public-facing notes of interest for this specific release.While the version 17.4 release introduced support for SharePlay via Apple Music, it also introduced a bug that broke third-party Apple TV remote integration. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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Apple Back to School 2024: When and what is Apple’s back to uni deal?
Macworld Apple holds a Back to School promotion every year (now known as the Higher Education Offer to avoid confusion because it’s only open to students once they enter higher education, and the institutions and teachers, not school-age children). As part of the deal, Apple offers an incentive with purchases of qualifying Apple products. Apple’s ‘Back to School’ deal runs in various locations around the world during the summer months. The deal usually ends about a month after the first university semester begins in that country. Apple Higher Education Offer has already run in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and South Korea, where it started on January 4 and ran until March 13, 2024. The offer will likely start in June in the U.S. and Canada, and in July for the U.K. and Europe. It is likely that, when the deal starts up in the Northern Hemisphere, Apple will again give vouchers away with select product sales. In recent years Apple has tended to give away vouchers with qualifying purchases of iPads and Macs, but in the past the company has given away AirPods. Apple gave away vouchers in Australia and New Zealand this year, which was a change from 2023 when it gave away AirPods. However, Apple gave away AirPods or the Apple Pencil with certain purchases in Brazil and South Korea in 2024, so it’s still possible that Apple will switch back to AirPods for the deal in the Northern Hemisphere. Read on to find out when Apple’s Higher Education giveaway will start where you live and what the deal is likely to include. We also explain who qualifies and how to take advantage of Apple’s education deal. What is Apple’s Back To School offer? For a long time, Apple gave away a pair of AirPods with qualifying sales of certain Macs and iPads as part of its education promotion, but in the summers of 2022 and 2023 (at least in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Europe) Apple didn’t give away AirPods to students. Instead, Apple offered gift cards with qualifying purchases. Students get different gift card denominations depending on the products purchased. Not all Apple products are included in the offer. This means those taking advantage of the deal get more choice about what they spend their money on, rather than being limited to headphones. Apple also offers gift cards during its Black Friday shopping event. Apple doesn’t offer the same deal everywhere though. When Apple kicked off its student deal in Australia, New Zealand, and other Southern Hemisphere locations in January 2023, students in those countries were able to choose a free pair of AirPods with their qualifying purchase. But in January 2024 the deal was back to vouchers again, which can, of course, be exchanged for AirPods. However, those based in Brazil could still claim free AirPods with a Mac or free Apple Pencil with their iPad purchase in January-March 2024. This isn’t the only education-related saving Apple offers though. Apple doesn’t only offer education-related deals during the summer months. All products sold to students via Apple’s Education Store include a discount all year round, so you can always make a saving on Apple products, as long as you qualify. The summertime education-focused deal is in addition to these year-long discounts Apple offers to students and education institutions. We explain everything you need to know about getting a discount, including how much you can save as a student and how to use Apple’s Education Store, in our Guide to shopping in the Apple Education Store. We also have advice about the Best Mac for Students and the Best iPad for Students. You may also like to read our Apple student buying guide. Apple Back to School Sale Dates 2024 The Higher Education deal runs at different times depending on which side of the Earth you are based. Apple runs the promotion at different times in different places due to differences in when the school year starts around the globe. Apple runs the promotion in the southern hemisphere in the first few months of the year. Hence, if you live in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Brazil Apple’s deal ran from early January to March 13 2024. The same deal runs between June and late September/October in North America, and between July and October in Europe and the UK. In Australia and New Zealand the deal ran between January 4 and March 13, 2024. Apple’s Higher Education Offer will probably start around June 3, 2024 and run until September 30 in the U.S. In the U.K. and Europe, the deal is likely to run from July 15 to October 21, 2024. Apple Back to School Sale U.S. & Canada dates 2024 June 3 thru September 30 – ESTIMATE In 2023 the deal started on June 5 and ran until October 2 in North America, which was a longer period than traditionally. In 2022 the deal ran from June 24 to September 26, while in 2021 the deal ran from June 17 to September 27. In 2020 Apple launched the U.S. sale on 15 June with an end date set for 29 September, although Apple ended up extending the end date to October 12 instead, moving it to just a day before Amazon’s Prime Day, which took place over October 13-14, 2020. Apple Back to School Sale UK/Europe – dates 2023 July 15 to October 21, 2024 – ESTIMATE In 2023 the deal ran from July 13 to October 23. In 2022 Apple’s Higher Education Offer (aka Back to School Sale) started on July 14 and ran until Monday, October 20. Apple U.K.’s Back to School Sale in 2020 started on July 9 and lasted until October 29. Apple launched its 2019 sale on July 9, and its 2018 sale began on July 12. Apple Back to School Sale Australia/New Zealand/South America/South Korea 2024 January 4 to March 13, 2024 – CONFIRMED The dates in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea correspond with the new school year there. In 2023 the deal ran from January 18 to March 13. In 2022 the deal ran from January 6 to March 14, 2022. In 2021 the sale ran from January 7 to March 16. In 2023 the deal started a little later on January 18. What is Apple’s education offer in 2024? Apple tends to either give away vouchers or AirPods with qualifying purchases. Read on to find out what is likely to be Apple’s Back To School promotion where you are. Australia and New Zealand When the deal kicked off in Australia in early 2024 the offer included free Apple Gift Cards. This deal finished on March 13, 2024. Students could get a free gift card with the following purchases: AU$240 with a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac AU$160 with a Mac mini AU$160 with an iPad Air or iPad Pro AU$120 with an iPad 10th Gen 20% off AppleCare+ is also available Visit Apple Australia’s website for more information. The terms and conditions of the deal in Apple Australia are here. There were similar gift voucher savings in New Zealand. Brazil and South Korea In Brazil and South Korea Apple gave away AirPods with Mac purchases and Apple Pencil with iPad purchases from January to March 13, 2024. What was Apple’s education offer in 2023? U.S. In the summer of 2023, U.S. students were able to get gift cards with qualifying Apple purchases. For summer 2023 students could get the following: Buy an iMac, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air and get a $150 Apple gift card. Buy a Mac mini and get a $100 Apple gift card. Buy a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 11-inch iPad Pro, or iPad Air and get a $100 Apple gift card. This is similar to summer 2022 when students could: Buy a MacBook Air, 13-inch, 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro, or a 24-inch iMac and get a $150 Apple Gift Card. Buy an iPad Air (5th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch or 12.9-inch, and get a $100 Apple Gift Card. The terms and conditions of the deal are here: U.S. Apple’s education discounts are available all year round. Visit the U.S. Education Store and Canada Education Store for more information. U.K. and Europe For summer 2023 students could get the following with qualifying Apple purchases: Buy an iMac, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air and get a £130/€150 Apple gift card. Buy a Mac mini and get a £100/€100 Apple gift card. Buy a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 11-inch iPad Pro, or iPad Air and get a £100/€100 Apple gift card. For summer 2022 students could: Buy an iPad Air (5th gen), iPad Pro 11-inch or 12.9-inch, and get a £80 Apple Gift Card. Buy a MacBook Air, 13-inch, 14-inch, or 16-inch MacBook Pro, or a 24-inch iMac and get a £120 Apple Gift Card. The terms and conditions of the deal are here: U.K. Apple’s education discounts are available all year round. Students and educators need to log in via UNiDAYS website to see the offers. Educational Store discounts are usually up to £280 for U.K. students. See Apple’s terms and conditions. Apple Apple Apple Which products are part of Apple’s Education offer? Qualifying purchases for Apple’s deal in 2024 included: iMac 24‑inch, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad Pro 12.9‑inch, iPad Pro 11‑inch, iPad Air and iPad 10th generation. In summer 2023 qualifying purchases included: iMac 24‑inch, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad Pro 12.9‑inch, iPad Pro 11‑inch, and iPad Air. Students can also take advantage of a reduced subscription to Apple Music with which they get access to Apple TV+ when they buy an Apple product. Read: How to get the student deal for Apple Music and free Apple TV+. How to get Apple’s Back To School deal As long as you are based in an area where Apple is running the deal at the time of your purchase, and are a student in higher education, or about to start higher education, you can qualify for Apple’s Higher Education deal and get a free pair of AirPods (or gift cards if that’s what the deal is). There are more details about who the deal applies to below. Note that if you qualify you are able to get discounts all year round by shopping in the Apple Education Store, so you don’t need to shop during the Back to Uni deal period to get a bargain. In the U.S. you need to visit Apple’s US Education Store, but logging on from your university network may make the process easier.  In the U.K. you can visit the UK Education Store, but you will also need to verify your student or staff status with UNiDAYS. Go to the Apple Education Store for other regions using the links below: Canada Australia New Zealand Brazil South Korea When you make your purchase you will be able to request the Apple Gift Card. Who can get Apple’s Back to School deal? If you are registered at a higher education facility (that’s post-K12 education, universities, and colleges) you will qualify for the free AirPods deal as well as Apple’s usual education discount. Employees of these institutions can also qualify. If you are a parent buying for your student offspring then you can also qualify. Here are Apple’s Ts&Cs for the U.S. Alternatively, if you are an employee of a public or private K-12 institution/school in the U.S. or Canada you are also eligible. Apple’s Education pricing isn’t available to parents with kids at school, but a homeschool teacher can qualify. Even when Apple isn’t running the Back to School Deal students and education institutions can still take advantage of its standard educational pricing on its Educational Pricing page (US here / UK here). Which iPads are included in Apple’s Back to School deal? The 10th gen iPad could be a good partner to have at university. The 10th gen iPad could be a good partner to have at university. Macwelt/Apple/Amazon The 10th gen iPad could be a good partner to have at university. Macwelt/Apple/Amazon Macwelt/Apple/Amazon Not every Apple product you can buy in the Education Store is included in the deal. In 2023 Apple included the following iPads in the deal in the U.S & U.K.: iPad Air (5th gen) iPad Pro 11-inch (4th gen) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th gen) It’s notable that Apple didn’t include the cheaper iPad 10th gen, or even the older 9th-gen iPad in the 2023 deal. The iPad mini was also omitted. It will be a surprise if Apple includes the new M4 iPad Pro or M2 iPad Air in the deal for 2024, because they are so new. You can still get discounted Educational Pricing on the iPad and iPad mini if you qualify, you just won’t be able to get the freebie. If you don’t qualify for the education pricing we have a separate guide on where to get the best deals on the iPad. For advice about which iPad to buy read: Which iPad is best for students. Which Macs are included in Apple’s Back to School deal? A MacBook Air is a good choice for students. A MacBook Air is a good choice for students. Foundry A MacBook Air is a good choice for students. Foundry Foundry Not every Apple product you can buy in the Education Store is included in the promotion. Apple doesn’t usually offer incentives to buy the newest Apple products, but this year it does appear to be including the new 15-inch MacBook Air in the deal. In 2023 the following Macs were included in the deal: MacBook Air MacBook Pro iMac Mac mini This was the first year in a while that the Mac mini has been included in the deal. You can already take advantage of education pricing for all of those Macs. If you don’t qualify for an education discount have a look at these round-ups of the best deals on a new Mac: Best MacBook Pro deals MacBook Air deals Mac mini deals Best iMac deals Best Mac Studio deals We also have this advice about which Mac is best for students. Apple Inc, Home Audio, iPad, Mac

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Apple rolls out watchOS 10.5 update with bug fixes and little else
It's time to update your Apple Watch again — Apple has officially released watchOS 10.5.watchOS 10 on Apple Watch UltraThe beta versions of watchOS 10.5 did not introduce any new features. This suggests that Apple is prioritizing the improvement of the system's stability and performance. Such an update is crucial to ensure the devices operate smoothly and any new features added in previous versions work efficiently.Like watchOS 10.4, this update didn't bring any significant updates, However, watchOS 10.2 brought increased Siri integration and user interface improvements. It enabled Siri to access health data, which allows users to query various health statistics using voice commands. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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iOS 17.5 is here with Repair State & EU Web Distribution
Apple's EU DMA compliance is the focus of iOS 17.5, which adds Web Distribution as a method of sideloading apps — available now.iOS 17.5 has been releasedThe initial compliance with the Digital Markets Act in the EU only allowed users to obtain apps from officially certified alternative app marketplaces. The EU stated that Apple's implementation wasn't compliant, and that it must allow sideloading from the web.The feature is now available with the release of iOS 17.5. Apple calls it Web Distribution, and like with alternative app marketplaces, it isn't a free-for-all. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

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