Apple today registered two unreleased iPad models in the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) database, using the model identifiers A2200 and A2232, according to listings uncovered by MySmartPrice and confirmed by MacRumors.


Both iPad models are listed as running iPadOS, suggesting the devices will launch this fall.

The two identifiers follow five other new iPad model numbers that were added to the database earlier this month. As with the previous identifiers, it's unclear which models these numbers refer to, but it's worth noting that Apple has already released a new iPad mini and 10.5-inch iPad Air this year.

That leaves possible revisions to Apple's two iPad Pro models, which analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects will enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2019 or the first quarter of 2020.

There's also the prospect of a potential successor to the entry-level $329 iPad: A recent rumor suggested mass production of a new 10.2-inch iPad was set to start this month, so a launch could in the offing this fall.


In addition to today's iPad filings, Apple also registered several Mac models, but all of them reference machines that are already available, suggesting the filings are simply being updated to reflect models shipping with macOS Catalina, also due to be released in the fall.

Similar EEC filings have preceded the launch of new Apple products on numerous occasions, including multiple iPad, iPad Pro, iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods models. The filings are legally required for any encrypted devices sold in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

Safari is one of the most important apps on the iPhone and iPad, allowing iOS users to access the web on their devices. Safari is one of the apps that routinely gets updated when new versions of iOS are released, and iOS 13 is no exception.

Safari in iOS 13 offers a whole range of useful updates, from an updated start page to a new download manager. Below, we walk through all of the new and important features in Safari in iOS 13.

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Revamped Start Page

Safari in iOS 13 has a revamped start page (the page that's available when you open a new Safari window or tab) that now incorporates Siri Suggestions and other features.


The start page includes access to your favorite websites as usual, but Siri Suggestions will also surface relevant websites in your browsing history along with frequently visited sites, links sent to you in the Messages app, and more.

The new start page is designed to let you get to what most interests you quickly, and it makes sure you don't forget to check out websites recommended to you by friends and family.

Website View Menu

In the Smart Search field where you can search or type in URLs, there's a new icon on the left denoted by two As.


Tapping on this icon opens up the new Website View menu, where you can access the following controls:

• Text Size Options - Adjust the size of the text on the website you're on.


• Enable Reader View - Enable Reader View on the website you're on, which gets rid of ads and formatting for a clean book-style reading interface.


• Hide Toolbar - Eliminates the Toolbar so you can see the webpage you're on full screen.


• Request Desktop Website - Loads the desktop version of a website instead of the mobile version. This feature is for the iPhone, as the iPad now automatically loads desktop versions of websites instead of mobile versions. This turns into "Request Mobile Website" if the desktop site is already loaded.


• Website Settings - Provides access to individual settings for each website. You can set the site you're on to load in Reader view automatically or to always load as a desktop website. You can also enable or disable content blockers on a per-site basis, and toggle access to the camera, microphone, and you're location. You can view sites where you've customized the settings in the Safari section of the Settings app under "Website Settings."

Website Settings

In the Safari section of the Settings app, there are new per-site controls that let you adjust everything from page zoom to privacy settings for all of the websites you visit (with settings for individual sites customizable using the View Menu mentioned above).


Custom settings you've set will also be listed here along with the toggles to control all websites by default. Available settings:

• Page Zoom - Sets the page zoom level for all websites from 50 percent to 300 percent. The default is 100 percent.


• Request Desktop Website - Lets you enable Request Desktop Site for all websites by default.


• Enable Reader View - Lets you enable Reader View for all websites by default. Sites with a Reader mode will always load in that view.


• Enable/Disable Content Blockers - Lets you toggle on or toggle off content blockers for all websites.


• Camera Access - Controls camera access. Available settings are Ask, Deny, and Allow.


• Location Access - Controls location access. Available settings are Ask, Deny, and Allow.


• Microphone Access - Controls microphone access. Available settings are Ask, Deny, and Allow.

If you've enabled some of these settings on a per-site basis using the View Menu, such as turning on Request Desktop Site for MacRumors.com, you can disable the presets or delete them in the Website Settings section using the Edit menu for each category.

There's also an option to clear all settings when using this view.

• How to Request a Desktop Website in Safari for iOS
• How to Make Text Bigger in Safari for iOS
• How to Hide the Toolbar in Safari for iOS

Photo Upload Resizing

When uploading a photo to a website in Safari, you can now choose what size image to upload. Options include Actual Size, Large, Medium, and Small, with each option providing the file size at the bottom of the display once it's selected.

Saving Open Tabs as Bookmarks

Safari in iOS 13 includes a new feature that lets you bookmark all of your open tabs. To get to it, long press on the bookmark icon at the bottom of the Safari window, and then choose "Add Bookmarks for [x] Tabs."


Selecting this will provide you with an interface where you can choose a new folder name and location for the bookmarks to be saved.


You can open up all the bookmarks that you've saved into new tabs (or bookmarks from any other folder) by opening up the Bookmarks interface, long pressing on the folder, and selecting the new "Open in New Tabs" option. There's also an option to copy the contents, which has also been added in iOS 13.

• How to Bookmark Multiple Open Tabs in Safari for iOS

Accessing Open Tabs From Search

When you start typing the address of a website that's already open in another tab, Safari will direct you to the open tab in iOS 13 rather than opening up a new tab. This makes sure you don't open unnecessary tabs.

Automatically Close Safari Tabs

If you want to set your Safari tabs to automatically close after a set period of time, there's a new option to do so in the Safari section of the Settings app.


Open up Settings, choose Safari, scroll down to where it says "Close Tabs" and select the option that you want. The default setting is manual, which means tabs won't close unless you close them yourself, but you can also set tabs to clear automatically after one day, one week, and one month.

Redesigned Share Sheet

The Share Sheet in iOS 13 has been redesigned, making options like Copy, Add to Reading List, Add Bookmark, and more easier to get to with a new list-style view.

Multiple contact suggestions are also included in the Share Sheet now, including people you've recently spoken to in Messages and AirDrop devices that are nearby.


There's a new feature for sharing an entire web page as a link, a PDF, or in Reader view from the Share Sheet, and through the "Options" interface, you can choose whether to send content as a PDF or a Web Archive. By default, though, iOS 13 will pick "the most suitable format" for each app or action.

Sign In With Apple

Though not enabled in the beta right now, Apple is introducing a new Sign In with Apple feature that's a privacy-focused alternative to existing sign-in options from companies like Twitter, Google, and Facebook.

Sign In with Apple is designed to let you sign in with various apps and websites using your existing Apple ID as an authentication method. Unlike sign in options from Google, Twitter, and Facebook, Apple's new option doesn't track or profile you when using Sign In with Apple.


With Sign In with Apple, there's no need to create a login name or email address when signing up for a new website account. Sign In with Apple is authenticated via Face ID or Touch ID, and your information is further protected with two-factor authentication.

If you don't want to share your email address with an app or service that uses Sign In with Apple, Apple has created a "Hide My Email" feature to let you create unique single-use email addresses that forward to your real email address while keeping it inaccessible to third-party apps and services.


Sign In with Apple is designed to work in Safari on iOS, Safari on Mac, in apps, and on other platforms.

Weak Password Warnings

When signing up for a new website account, if you attempt to use a weak password, Safari will give you a warning and suggest a stronger password.

Stronger Encryption

In iOS 13, Safari history and open tabs that have been synced to iCloud are protected with end-to-end encryption, which means that no one but you can access your browsing history.

Enhanced Anti-Fingerprinting Protections

Apple has bolstered anti-fingerprinting protections in Safari in iOS 13, adding new protections related to browser fonts. Anti-fingerprinting techniques prevent companies from tracking your web browsing activities from website to website.

Download Manager

Safari features a new Download Manager that matches the Download Manager in Safari for desktop. When you choose to download a file, such as an image, a little download icon is displayed in the top right corner of the display.


Tapping on the icon will let you see a list of files that you've downloaded, and tapping on the magnifying glass next to any file opens its enclosing folder.

By default, your downloaded Safari files are saved in a "Downloads" section of the Files app, but you can customize the file storage location by opening up the Settings app, selecting the Safari section, and tapping on the "Downloads" section.


You can choose to save files in iCloud Drive, on your iPhone, or in another location such as a different iCloud folder, Dropbox, or another cloud service.

Items in your Safari Download Manager can be set to be deleted after one day, upon successful download, or manually. One day is the default.

Safari on iPadOS

While all of the above features are available on both the iPhone and the iPad, there are some additional changes and updates that were added into iPadOS, the version of iOS 13 that's designed to run on the iPad.

Desktop Websites

All websites on the iPad now display in desktop mode rather than mobile view, better mimicking the viewing experience that you get on a Mac.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Safari on iPadOS introduces 30 additional shortcuts that can be used when browsing, similar to the shortcuts that can be used for Safari on a Mac.

The new keyboard shortcuts work with the Smart Keyboard from Apple or any third-party Bluetooth keyboard.

• Use default font size in Reader (Command + 0)
• Open link in background (Command + tap)
• Toggle downloads (Command + Alt/Option)
• Open link in new window (Command + Alt + tap)
• Use selection for Find (Command + E)
• Email this page (Command + I)
• Open link in new tab (Command + Shift + tap)
• Decrease Reader text size (Command + -)
• Zoom in (Command + +)
• Zoom out (Command + -)
• Save webpage (Command + S)
• Change focused element (Alt/Option + tab)
• Focus Smart Search field (Command + Alt/Option + F)
• Dismiss web view in app (Command + W)
• Increase Reader text size (Command + +)
• Download linked file (Alt + tap)
• Add link to Reading List (Shift + tap)
• Close other tabs (Command + Alt/Option + W)
• Scroll around screen (arrow keys)
• Paste without formatting (Command + Shift + Alt/Option + V)
• New Private tab (Command + Shift + N)
• Actual size (Command + 0)
• Open search result (Command + Return)
• Toggle bookmarks (Command + Alt/Option + 1)

Full Toolbar in Split View

When using Safari in Split View, the full toolbar is now displayed. In iOS 12, the search bar was visible, but none of the additional tools for doing things like accessing bookmarks, getting to the Share Sheet, and more.

Creating New Windows

iOS 13 supports multiple windows from the same app in Split View, and to create two Safari windows, you can drag a link from one Safari window into to another to open Split View or Slide Over.

Dragging a link into a multitasking window with another app already open will open Safari as the secondary window. So, for example, you can open up Messages, receive a link, and drag it to create a Split View interface that has Safari (with the webpage in the link) and Messages open.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about Safari, know of an iOS 13 Safari feature we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Contractors that are working on Siri regularly hear confidential medical information, drug deals, recordings of couples having sex, and other private information, according to a report from The Guardian that shares details collected from a contractor who works on one of Apple's Siri teams.

The employee who shared the info is one of many contractors around the world that listen to Siri voice data collected from customers to improve the Siri voice experience and help Siri better understand incoming commands and queries.


According to The Guardian, the employee shared the information because he or she was concerned with Apple's lack of disclosure about the human oversight, though Apple has several times in the past confirmed that this takes place and the practice has been outlined in past reports as well.

The whistleblower said: "There have been countless instances of recordings featuring private discussions between doctors and patients, business deals, seemingly criminal dealings, sexual encounters and so on. These recordings are accompanied by user data showing location, contact details, and app data."

In a statement, Apple confirmed to The Guardian that a small number of anonymized Siri requests are analyzed for the purpose of improving Siri. A small, random subset (less than 1 percent) of daily Siri activations are used for grading, with each clip only lasting for a few seconds.

"A small portion of Siri requests are analysed to improve Siri and dictation. User requests are not associated with the user's Apple ID. Siri responses are analysed in secure facilities and all reviewers are under the obligation to adhere to Apple's strict confidentiality requirements."

Apple has not made its human-based Siri analysis a secret, but its extensive privacy terms don't appear to explicitly state that Siri information is listened to by humans. The employee said that Apple should "reveal to users" that human oversight exists.

The contractor who spoke to The Guardian said that "the regularity of accidental triggers on the watch is incredibly high," and that some snippets were up to 30 seconds in length. Employees listening to Siri recordings are encouraged to report accidental activations as a technical problem, but aren't told to report about content.

Apple has an extensive privacy policy related to Siri and says it anonymizes all incoming data so that it's not linked to an Apple ID and provides no information about the user. Still, the contractor claims that user data showing location, contact details, and app data is shared, and that names and addresses are sometimes disclosed when they're spoken aloud. To be clear, Apple says that all Siri data is assigned a random identifier and does not include location or contact details as stated by the contractor.

As well as the discomfort they felt listening to such private information, the contractor said they were motivated to go public about their job because of their fears that such information could be misused. "There's not much vetting of who works there, and the amount of data that we're free to look through seems quite broad. It wouldn't be difficult to identify the person that you're listening to, especially with accidental triggers - addresses, names and so on.

While Apple's Siri privacy policy and security documents do not mention human oversight specifically, they are detailed and provide information on how Siri recordings are used.

As stated in Apple's security white paper, for example, user voice data is saved for a six-month period so that the recognition system can use them to better understand a person's voice. The voice data that's saved is identified using a random identifier that's assigned when Siri is turned on, and it is never linked to an Apple ID. After six months, a second copy is saved sans any identifier and is used by Apple for improving Siri for up to two years. A small number of recordings, transcripts, and associated data without identifying information is sometimes used by Apple for ongoing improvement of Siri beyond two years.

Apple's privacy website has a Siri section that offers up more info, explaining that all Siri queries are assigned a random identifier not associated with an Apple ID. The identifier is reset whenever Siri is turned off and then on again, and turning Siri off deletes all user data associated with a Siri identifier.

When we do send information to a server, we protect your privacy by using anonymized rotating identifiers so that searches and locations can't be traced to you personally. And you can disable Location Services, our proactive features, or the proactive features' use of your location at any time.

Those concerned about Siri triggering accidentally on devices like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and HomePod can turn off the "Hey Siri" feature and can instead activate Siri manually, and Siri can also be turned off entirely.

Following more than a year of regulatory scrutiny, the U.S. Department of Justice today announced that it has approved the $26 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, although with several conditions attached.


T-Mobile and Sprint will join together as "New T-Mobile" to become a dominant third carrier in the United States alongside Verizon and AT&T.; Together, the companies have committed to building out a nationwide 5G network covering 97 percent of the U.S. population within three years and 99 percent within six years.

T-Mobile and Sprint earlier promised that they will not raise prices for three years following the completion of the merger.

Under the terms of the proposed deal, T-Mobile and Sprint must divest a substantial package of assets to Dish Network, including Sprint's prepaid subsidiaries Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile and some 800MHz spectrum. Dish will also gain access to at least 20,000 cell sites and hundreds of retail locations.

The deal paves the way for Dish to become the fourth nationwide facilities-based wireless carrier in the United States, ensuring a competitive landscape. Dish has announced that it plans to deploy a 5G broadband network capable of serving 70 percent of the U.S. population by June 2023.

FCC chairman Ajit Pai:

I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with T-Mobile and Sprint. The commitments made to the FCC by T-Mobile and Sprint to deploy a 5G network that would cover 99% of the American people, along with the measures outlined in the Department's consent decree, will advance U.S. leadership in 5G and protect competition.

T-Mobile CEO John Legere:

The T-Mobile and Sprint merger we announced last April will create a bigger and bolder competitor than ever before -- one that will deliver the most transformative 5G network in the country, lower prices, better quality, unmatched value and thousands of jobs, while unlocking an unprecedented $43B net present value in synergies. We are pleased that our previously announced target synergies, profitability and long-term cash generation have not changed.

The merger remains subject to remaining regulatory approvals and certain other customary closing conditions. Additionally, a number of states filed an antitrust lawsuit in U.S. federal court in June to block the proposed transaction; that lawsuit remains on the docket and must be resolved before the merger can go forward.

Regardless, T-Mobile and Sprint expect to receive final federal regulatory approval in the third quarter of 2019 and anticipate that the merger will be permitted to close by the end of the year.

Apple yesterday announced that it has agreed to acquire the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business. The $1 billion transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals.


Understandably, the acquisition may enable Apple to accelerate development of its own 5G modem, with Reuters citing a source who claims the iPhone maker wants to have an in-house chip ready for use in some of its products by 2021, compared to previously reported timeframes of between 2022 and 2025.

New details lower down: Apple has partnered with Global Unichip, a design house connected to TSMC, on a modem design effort, and has an aggressive goal of 2021 for a working chip (vs the 2025 estimate previously reported by @aatilley ) https://t.co/h7106MAPgy

— Stephen Nellis (@StephenNellis) July 25, 2019

Apple's transition to custom 5G modems will likely happen in phases, starting with lower-end and older models of devices, according to the report. Apple has a multiyear chipset supply agreement with Qualcomm, and a six-year patent license agreement, so it certainly does not have to rush the process.

The report does not explicitly mention the iPhone, so the first product with an Apple-designed modem could very well end up being an iPad. In any case, the transition away from Qualcomm will likely take years, as its modems lead the industry in performance and worldwide compatibility.

In the interim, Intel is expected to supply LTE modems for 2019 iPhones, with Apple returning to Qualcomm for the first 5G-enabled iPhones in 2020.

Apple's highly anticipated launch of Apple Card is on schedule and will launch in the U.S. in just a few weeks, reports Bloomberg this morning.

The Apple Card is targeted to launch as early as the first half of August. That timing means the project is on schedule for the summer release date that Apple first announced in March.

According to the report, iPhone users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app, which will have built-in Apple Card support as part of the latest iOS 12.4 update.

Apple is partnering with Goldman Sachs for the card, which is going to be optimized for Apple Pay but will still work like a traditional credit card for all of your transactions. Apple's virtual credit card will also be available as a physical titanium card for use at merchants that don't accept Apple Pay.

According to today's report, Apple expressed misgivings in May about the underlying technology Goldman Sachs had developed to power the credit card, and Apple asked the bank for changes to be made.

However, Apple Card's summer launch still appears to be on track, so Goldman Sachs presumably allayed Apple's concerns in time. The bank is responsible for the underlying infrastructure, managing payment disputes, handling transaction data and collating information for monthly statements.

Thousands of Apple employees have been testing the Apple Card, which offers 3% cash back on Apple purchases, 2% cash back on all Apple Pay transactions, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

According to Apple, signing up for Apple Card will be as simple as opening up the Wallet app, tapping on the Apple Card interface, and walking through the activation steps. Purchases are tracked in the Wallet app, providing a breakdown of spending across different categories like health, food, shopping, and more.

Bloomberg says Apple has also been discussing an expansion into Europe with financial regulators.

For a look at the Apple Card and what to expect when it launches, make sure to check out our dedicated Apple Card guide.

As rumored, Apple today announced that it has signed an agreement with Intel that will see Apple purchasing the majority of Intel's smartphone modem business.

Approximately 2,200 Intel employees will be joining Apple, and Apple will also take over Intel's related intellectual property, equipment, and leases, in a transaction that's valued at $1 billion. At $1 billion, this is Apple's second largest known acquisition after Beats.


Combined with Apple's existing wireless technology patents, the Intel acquisition will give Apple more than 17,000 wireless technology patents in total, ranging from "protocols for cellular standards to modem architecture and operation." Apple says that Intel will continue to develop modems for non-smartphone applications, such as PCs, internet-of-things devices, and autonomous vehicles.

Apple's VP of Hardware Technologies Johny Srouji said that Apple is excited to gain new engineers with expertise in modem development, with the Intel team set to join Apple's cellular technologies group.

"We've worked with Intel for many years and know this team shares Apple's passion for designing technologies that deliver the world's best experiences for our users," said Johny Srouji, Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. "Apple is excited to have so many excellent engineers join our growing cellular technologies group, and know they'll thrive in Apple's creative and dynamic environment. They, together with our significant acquisition of innovative IP, will help expedite our development on future products and allow Apple to further differentiate moving forward."

The acquisition, says Srouji, will allow Apple to expedite its development on future products, which likely includes the Apple-designed modem chip that's in the works. To reduce its reliance on Qualcomm and other modem chip suppliers, Apple has been working on developing its own modem chip. That technology won't be ready for another few years, but the acquisition of Intel's modem chip business could allow Apple to significantly speed up its modem chip development.

Intel CEO Bob Swan said that selling Intel's smartphone modem chip business to Apple will allow Intel to putting its 5G efforts into other areas.

"This agreement enables us to focus on developing technology for the 5G network while retaining critical intellectual property and modem technology that our team has created," said Intel CEO Bob Swan. "We have long respected Apple and we're confident they provide the right environment for this talented team and these important assets moving forward. We're looking forward to putting our full effort into 5G where it most closely aligns with the needs of our global customer base, including network operators, telecommunications equipment manufacturers and cloud service providers."

Rumors earlier this week suggested Apple was in advanced talks with Intel and that a deal could be announced in the near future. Apple and Intel have been having discussions about an Apple acquisition of its smartphone modem business since last year.

The talks paused temporarily when Qualcomm and Apple settled their legal differences and reached a new supply agreement, but resumed not too long afterwards. Intel announced back in April that it was planning to exit the 5G smartphone business, sharing the new shortly after the new Qualcomm/Apple deal was announced.

Apple was planning to use Intel's 5G chips in its 2020 iPhones because of its legal battle with Qualcomm, but rumors suggested Intel wasn't able to meet design deadlines, souring the relationship between the two companies. Apple mended ties with Qualcomm and will now use Qualcomm's 5G chips in its 2020 iPhones.

Apple has established a deal with Qualcomm for chips for future devices as well, and will likely rely on Qualcomm until its own modem chips are ready to be deployed.

Apple says that it expects the purchase of Intel's smartphone modem chip business to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

Apple isn't planning to launch a 5G iPhone until 2020, but carriers in the United States and other smartphone manufacturers like Samsung are already testing 5G, which offers download speeds that are much faster than 4G.

Verizon invited MacRumors to Chicago to test its 5G network, giving us an idea of what 5G speeds will be like when we can use 5G networks on our iPhones in 2020.

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Because there aren't iPhones compatible with 5G networks, we tested 5G speeds in Chicago with an LG V50 and a Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, two smartphones that are Android-based.

Verizon has 5G in a few cities right now, in a limited number of locations, which is why we needed to visit Chicago to test it out. Verizon and other carriers are working on the 5G rollout, but it's a slow process that's still going to be ongoing even when 5G iPhones launch.

There are several 5G nodes scattered across Chicago right now, in the downtown area and in popular tourist areas near Willis Tower and the famous Bean.

In our testing with a 5G Android phone, we were able to hit download speeds of close to 2Gb/s, which is incredible compared to 4G LTE speeds. Near 2Gb/s was the fastest speed we saw, but since 5G is still new and still rolling out, there were inconsistencies.

Sometimes, a speed test on 5G could be under 100Mb/s, and then a retest right after would reach close to 1Gb/s. That's not unexpected because Verizon is using mmWave 5G that's super speedy, but can be impacted by nearby buildings, trees, windows, and sometimes, even heat from direct sunlight.

Verizon and other carriers have a lot of work to do on their 5G rollouts before 5G transfer speeds are ubiquitous, and even then, the highest speeds will be limited to urban areas due to the limitations of mmWave spectrum.

5G speeds in real world usage are impressive and are going to make the next-generation iPhones amazing. Streaming music and movies worked flawlessly, and we were even able to download an episode of Stranger Things (200 to 300MB) from Netflix in just a few seconds. PUBG, a 2Gb mobile game, downloaded nearly instantaneously on a 5G connection.

So when the 5G iPhones launch in 2020 and you're able to connect to a 5G network, you can expect flawless streaming, super fast download speeds for movies and games, instantly loading web pages, and more.

Verizon is still working on upload speeds, which are basically still relying on 4G and not taking advantage of 5G, but eventually, uploading content will be just as speedy.

Android manufacturers are rolling out 5G smartphones this year to be first, but iPhone users aren't likely missing much having to wait until 2020 just because 5G networks are still so limited and connectivity is still spotty as carriers like Verizon work to build out the connectivity.

Right now, Verizon is rolling out 5G to 30 cities, and it's available in Denver, Minneapolis, Providence, St. Paul, and Chicago, where we tested. It’s not really clear what 5G pricing will be at when it’s more widely available from all of the major carriers, but Verizon is so far saying it will be a $10 add-on to unlimited plans that currently start at $85 for a single line, although Verizon is waiving that fee during the early stages of the rollout.

For more on the 5G iPhone, the benefits of 5G, and how 5G will work, make sure to check out our 5G iPhone guide.

Apple is planning to use a scissor mechanism rather than a butterfly mechanism for its upcoming 16-inch MacBook Pro, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a note to investors that was obtained by MacRumors.

Kuo continues to believe the 16-inch MacBook Pro will come in the fourth quarter of 2019, and now, he says Apple will use the more durable scissor mechanism that he previously said would not be used in the MacBook Pro lineup until 2020.

We have revised our prediction that the keyboard of the 16-inch MacBook Pro that will launch in 4Q19 will feature the scissor mechanism instead of the butterfly mechanism. The refresh versions of other MacBook models in 2020 will change to adopt the scissor mechanism keyboard, too. We estimate that shipments of MacBook models that choose scissor mechanism keyboards will reach 400k, 10mn, and 16mnunits, respectively.

Kuo believes that after the 16-inch MacBook Pro launches, future Macs coming in 2020 will also swap over to a scissor mechanism rather than a butterfly mechanism, resulting in more durable keyboards that are not as prone to failure from heat, dust and other small particulates.

A chart from Kuo listing a launch timeline for new Macs with the scissor keyboard. Click to enlarge.
In a previous note, Kuo said that the scissor mechanism that Apple will use will improve the typing experience by offering longer key travel and better durability by adopting a glass fiber for a reinforced structure. A keyboard with a scissor mechanism will be thicker than the butterfly keyboard, but Kuo believes that most users won't be able to tell the difference.

Kuo says that Apple's higher requirements for the scissor keyboard will result in an average selling price of $25 to $30 for the keyboard component, higher than the general ASP of $8 to $12 for this kind of keyboard. Apple supplier Sunrex is expected to provide scissor-based keyboards for the company.

Apple switched over to a thinner keyboard with a butterfly mechanism in the 2015 MacBook, and has since used the same butterfly keyboard in all of its notebook refreshes.

The butterfly keyboard has been prone to failure, despite several design revisions. Apple's newest Mac notebooks use an updated third-generation butterfly keyboard that is supposed to cut down on failure rates with a membrane and new build materials, but Apple has not been able to solve the butterfly keyboard problem entirely.

Negative public opinion, multiple lawsuits, and ongoing issues with all keyboards in Mac notebooks released since 2015 have led Apple to launch a keyboard repair program that applies to all Macs with a butterfly keyboard, including 2019 models.

Apple will repair all butterfly keyboards that experience issues at no cost for four years from the Mac's original date of purchase, but the problem won't be fixed until Apple swaps over to a new keyboard design that's more durable.

Though Apple already refreshed the MacBook Pro in May and July with updated processors, a Touch Bar for the entry-level machines, and other improvements, rumors about a second refresh in 2019 continue to persist. Apple is said to be working on the aforementioned 16-inch MacBook Pro, which could perhaps launch as soon as September or October.

Along with a scissor keyboard mechanism, rumors have suggested the new 16-inch MacBook Pro will have a 3072 x 1920 display with slimmer bezels than the current MacBook Pro models. Kuo's note suggests that the new machine will perhaps be sold alongside existing 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models going forward.

The winners of the 12th annual iPhone Photography Awards were unveiled today.

This year's recipients were selected from thousands of entries from over 140 countries around the world, including Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Peru, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

"Big Sister" shot on an iPhone X by Gabriella Cigliano of Italy
The grand prize winner is Gabriella Cigliano of Italy for her entry "Big Sister," shot on an iPhone X in Zanzibar, Africa:

Last year I spent a month in Wasa, Tanzania, teaching a class of young, curious and amazing guys. Before heading back to Italy we stopped in Zanzibar, where this photo was taken. I still wonder how could I capture that exact moment in all its beauty. I was just observing, a few meters from them, but they were probably more curious about me than I was about them, and that's probably why the girl was looking at me. We couldn't talk much, except for a few words in Swahili I had learned in the previous weeks, but those kids could definitely talk with their eyes. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen in my life, and I'll keep it in my memories forever. The best part was showing them and their mums the photos, for some it was the first time they were seeing their faces, and their excitement was unexplainable, unfortunately my iPhone was in their hands and I couldn't capture that!

A few more winning photos:

"Sea Stripes" shot on an iPhone SE by Diogo Lage of Portugal
"Come Across" shot on an iPhone X by Peng Hao of China
Head over to the iPhone Photography Awards website for the full lists of winning photos and winning photographers.

Apple CEO Tim Cook congratulated last year's winners on Twitter.

Apple had more installed solar energy capacity in the United States than any other company as of the end of 2018, according to a new report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (via CNBC).


Apple led the way with 393.3 megawatts of installed solar energy capacity, topping Amazon and Target at 329.8 megawatts and 242.4 megawatts respectively. Google trailed in sixth with 142.9 megawatts. The rankings are based on both on-site and off-site solar installations in the United States.

Last year, Apple announced that all of its global facilities, including retail stores, offices, and data centers, are now powered with 100 percent renewable energy. Apple Park, for example, is powered by a 17-megawatt rooftop solar installation, four megawatts of biogas fuel cells, and other clean sources.

"We're going to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the materials in our products, the way we recycle them, our facilities and our work with suppliers to establish new creative and forward-looking sources of renewable energy because we know the future depends on it," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.