MacRumors

Apple has acquired AI Music, a startup that uses artificial intelligence to generate personalized soundtracks and adaptive music, reports Bloomberg. AI Music developed an "Infinite Music Engine" meant to create bespoke audio solutions for marketers, publishers, fitness professionals, and creative agencies.

The technology is able to generate dynamic soundtracks that change based on user interaction. Music during a workout, for example, could change based on the wearer's heartbeat, adjusting to workout intensity. AI Music described it as a feature that could allow advertisers to create audio that would match user context, like mood.

AI Music's website no longer functions, but the company's prior LinkedIn page said it was "on a mission to redefine how we create, interact and experience music."

AI Music allows brands, developers and sonic adventurers access to our intelligent music library. Our goal is to give consumers the power to choose the music they want, seamlessly edited to fit their needs or create dynamic solutions that adapt to fit their audiences.

Apple completed its purchase of the UK-based AI Music company in recent weeks. Prior to acquisition, AI Music had approximately two dozen employees, according to Bloomberg.

Apple could potentially make use of the AI Music technology in several ways. Songs that can update based on heart rhythm could be useful for Apple Fitness+, and Apple's Photos app uses royalty-free music to provide songs for photo slideshows, so on-demand generated music that matches mood could come in handy for that purpose.

Apple is working on an updated version of the iPad Air, and the new tablet is set to launch this spring at an event that's expected to be held on March 8.

We're not expecting too many changes to the ‌iPad Air‌, but there are a few updates, with everything we know outlined in this guide.

Design

The ‌iPad Air‌ is expected to look identical to the current model, with no outward-facing design changes planned. It's possible that Apple will introduce new color options to set the updated models apart from the existing ‌iPad Air‌, which comes in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue.

Like the iPad Pro, the ‌iPad Air‌ features an all-display design, but it does not include Face ID. Apple instead uses a Touch ID Power button for authentication purposes. The tablet will continue to feature ‌Touch ID‌, and it will have a 10.9-inch display and a USB-C port.

While there are no physical changes expected, the ‌iPad Air‌ will adopt features that were first introduced in the iPad mini 6, its sister tablet.

5G Connectivity

Like the latest ‌iPad mini‌, the updated ‌iPad Air‌ will adopt a 5G chip that will allow it to connect to 5G networks. The chip in the ‌iPad mini‌ is limited to sub-6GHz 5G networks rather than the fastest mmWave 5G networks, so it's possible we could see this same limitation in the ‌iPad Air‌, but not guaranteed.

Sub-6GHz 5G is the more widely available version of 5G that can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the United States and other countries, while mmWave 5G is more limited in availability and in range.

AT&T; and Verizon have recently expanded their 5G networks with C-band spectrum that improves the availability of mmWave networks in the U.S., so it's possible Apple will take this into account when updating the ‌iPad Air‌.

Updated Processor

We're expecting the ‌iPad Air‌ to get the same 6-core A15 chip that's in the ‌iPad mini‌ 6 and the iPhone 13 lineup. Apple downclocked the A15 chip in the ‌iPad mini‌, so it runs at 2.9GHz instead of 3.2GHz as it does in the iPhone, but it's not clear if the same clock speed will be used for the ‌iPad Air‌.

With the downclocked A15, the ‌iPad mini‌ is around two to eight percent slower than the ‌iPhone 13‌ when it comes to CPU performance, but either way, it will be an improvement over the A14 chip in the current model.

Center Stage and FaceTime Camera

Rumors suggest the ‌iPad Air‌ will adopt an updated 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera that will work with Center Stage, a feature first introduced in the ‌iPad Pro‌ and the ‌iPad mini‌ 6.

Center Stage is a FaceTime feature designed to keep you in focus and perfectly framed when you're on a ‌FaceTime‌ video call. The wide-angle front-facing camera shows more of the room that you're in, while the processor inside the iPad works to keep you front and center even as you move around.

If more than one person is participating in the call, the camera will zoom out to attempt to keep everyone in view and make sure they're part of the conversation. Though designed with ‌FaceTime‌ in mind, Center Stage also works with other third-party video apps like Zoom.

As for the rear camera, it is expected to continue to feature a single-lens setup, though Apple could add a quad-LED True Tone flash, which would be a new addition as the current ‌iPad Air‌ does not include a flash option.

Other Features

We are not expecting any other notable changes in the ‌iPad Air‌. Because the body design is staying the same, it's unlikely that we'll see any significant updates to the battery life.

USB-C support will continue to be included, and it will be compatible with Apple accessories that include the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil 2.

Pricing

‌iPad Air‌ pricing is not expected to change, and it will likely be priced the same as the current ‌iPad Air‌. Existing models start at $599 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB available for $749. We haven't heard rumors about storage changes, and the ‌iPad mini‌ 6 also starts at 64GB storage.

Release Date

Rumors suggest the refreshed ‌iPad Air‌ is going to be released alongside an updated version of the iPhone SE at an event that's set to be held in March. Right now, Apple is targeting Tuesday, March 8 for the event.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the 2022 ‌iPad Air‌, notice a mistake, see something we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

The Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has fined Apple five million euros for a third consecutive week for allegedly failing to satisfy the requirements it set regarding alternative payment systems for dating apps, according to Reuters.

The ACM today said it has still not received enough information from Apple to assess whether Apple has properly complied with the order, the report states. The competition regulator will continue to fine Apple five million euros per week, up to a maximum of 50 million euros, until it finds the company has come into compliance.

Last month, the ACM said that Apple had "raised several barriers" for dating apps looking to offer alternative payment systems in the Netherlands. For example, developers must submit an entitlement request form on Apple's website, and the entitlement can only be used with a new app binary distributed solely on the App Store in the Netherlands.

The ACM said Apple is also forcing dating apps to choose between the App Store's standard in-app purchase system or alternative payment systems. The regulator said that dating apps must be able to offer both options in the Netherlands.

Apple provided additional details for dating apps wishing to offer alternative payment systems in the Netherlands last week, including that it will charge a 27% commission on transactions made in dating apps that use alternative payment systems.

Apple has appealed the ACM's order, arguing that alternative payment systems in the App Store pose privacy and security risks for customers. Apple also said it will be unable to assist customers with refund requests, subscription management, and other issues encountered when purchasing digital goods and services through alternative systems.

Apple's 14-inch MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 8-core CPU, 512GB) has dropped to $1,749.99, down from $1,999.00. This sale price will be reflected after you add the MacBook Pro to your cart on Amazon and receive an automatic coupon worth $200.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

In total this discount reaches to $249 off the original price of the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and it's a new all-time low price on this model. You can get the sale in both Silver and Space Gray color options, and both are in stock and sold by Amazon.

You can find even more discounts on other MacBooks by visiting our Best Deals guide for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. In this guide we track the steepest discounts for the newest MacBook models every week, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often if you're shopping for a new Apple notebook.

Update: The sale quickly expired, but if it returns to Amazon we'll update this article again.

Update 2: The sale has returned, but only in Space Gray.

Update 3: The sale has expired again.

Apple's first Mac with Face ID is unlikely to be a MacBook because the technology necessary to embed the authentication hardware into a thin notebook display still doesn't exist, according to well-connected Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.

Gurman's latest thoughts on the subject appeared in the Q&A; section of his latest "Power On" newsletter. On whether ‌Face ID‌ will ever come to the Mac, Gurman writes:

Face ID was in the cards for the original M1 iMac. Naturally, the iMac is the thickest Mac with a built-in display since Apple's laptops have fairly thin screens. At this point, the technology to embed Face ID into the thin MacBook displays doesn't exist. So if Face ID comes to the Mac, I think it will be on an iMac or external monitor first. Apple has definitely been working on this, but time will tell if they launch it.

First shown off in 2017 with the launch of the iPhone X, Apple's ‌Face ID‌ facial recognition system has since replaced Touch ID in most of the company's subsequent iPhones and iPads, and rumors have inevitably suggested a future Mac will adopt ‌Face ID‌.

Broaching the topic in July 2021, Gurman said he believed Apple intended to launch its first Mac with ‌Face ID‌ "within a couple of years," and that Apple had initially planned to include ‌Face ID‌ in 2021's 24-inch iMac, but its inclusion was delayed because of the all-in-one machine's 2021 redesign.

There have been rumors that Apple has tested ‌Face ID‌ for its next larger ‌‌iMac‌‌, tentatively dubbed "‌iMac‌ Pro," but it is not a confirmed feature and it remains unclear whether ‌‌Face ID‌‌ will make it into the release version of the machine.

Aside from the technical limitations, there are also practical questions surrounding the implementation of ‌Face ID‌ on a Mac. For example, unlocking a Mac from sleep using ‌Face ID‌ would seem reasonably straightforward, but using it to authenticate actions like purchases would presumably mean it would have to be confirmed by a physical button press or perhaps be used in conjunction with ‌Touch ID‌.

As for ‌Face ID‌ on future iPhones, for at least some of the iPhone 14 models, Apple is working to eliminate the notch that houses the hardware needed for ‌Face ID‌. Display analyst Ross Young has said he expects to see both a pill-shaped cutout and a circular cutout on some ‌iPhone 14‌ models. The circular cutout will likely house the ‌Face ID‌ dot projector, and the pill-shaped cutout will include the front camera, ‌Face ID‌ infrared camera, and possibly other components.

In addition to the question of ‌Face ID‌ on Mac, Gurman's latest newsletter reiterated that Apple is planning to hold a virtual event on Tuesday, March 8 to introduce new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, which are both expected to feature an A15 chip and 5G support.

Amazon today has a pair of AirPods deals that offer good second-best prices on the second- and third-generation AirPods models. There are a few other AirPods on sale right now, including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, and you can find all of these discounts in our Best AirPods Deals guide.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with the AirPods 2, these have returned to $99.99, down from $129.00. This is the second time we've seen this model drop to this price in 2022, and it's just $10 off from the all-time low seen during the holidays.

Secondly, the AirPods 3 have dropped to $149.99, down from $179.00 thanks to an automatic coupon worth $19.01 applied at the checkout screen. Similar to the previous deal, this is just $10 off from the record low 2021 holiday price, and a great second-best offer for 2022.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that Apple is planning to hold a virtual event on Tuesday, March 8 to introduce new iPhone SE and iPad Air models, which are both expected to feature an A15 chip and 5G support.

Gurman said Apple also plans to launch at least one new Mac this spring, but it's unclear if that Mac would be introduced at Apple's event. This new Mac could be a high-end Mac mini powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, as an Apple silicon replacement for the 27-inch iMac is not expected to launch until as late as August or September.

Apple has at least four new Macs powered by M2 chips in its pipeline, including refreshed models of the MacBook Air, entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, 24-inch iMac, and entry-level Mac mini, according to Gurman. It's likely these Macs will launch later in the year after Apple finishes releasing its final Macs with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.

Gurman believes Apple will remove the Touch Bar from the new entry-level MacBook Pro, and he expects the notebook will lack a ProMotion display.

Things are definitely starting to heat up as we head toward Apple's first media event of 2022, and it looks like we may now have a date! We should be getting a few product introductions at the event, but there's lots more coming later in the year.

Also this week, we took a closer look at the new Universal Control feature that's in beta right now, comparing it to the existing Sidecar feature that lets you extend your Mac's desktop to a nearby iPad. Make sure to read on below for details on these stories and more from the past week!

New Low-Cost iPhone SE 5G and iPad Air Coming at Virtual Event Scheduled for March 8

Apple is planning to unveil an updated version of the iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air at an event that's set to take place in March, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is said to be targeting Tuesday, March 8 for the iPhone SE event.

At least one new Mac with Apple-designed chips could be introduced at the event, and prior rumors have suggested that this might be the Mac mini. iOS 15.4 may also be tied to the March event and the new devices, so we can expect to see the update launch in the first half of March.

Mini-LED iMac Pro to Launch in Mid-2022, Not Expected at Spring Event

Apple is widely rumored to be working on a replacement for the 27-inch iMac that is powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and it is possible that it will have iMac Pro branding.

Display industry consultant Ross Young this week said that he no longer expects Apple to release the iMac Pro in the spring and that he now believes an August or September launch is more likely. The current Intel-based 27-inch iMac was released in August 2020.

The new iMac Pro is expected to feature a similar design as the 24-inch iMac, a ProMotion display, and more. Check out our guide covering everything we know about the new iMac Pro for more details.

Universal Control vs. Sidecar: What's the Difference?

Macs and iPads include support for two separate features called Sidecar and Universal Control that allow the devices to be used together, but in different ways, as we demonstrated in a recent video.

Make sure to check out our guide covering the differences between Universal Control and Sidecar to learn more. Universal Control is still in beta testing and will be available as part of macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4.

'The MacRumors Show' Podcast: Jon Prosser Talks iPhone 14 Leaks and More

On the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast, well-known leaker Jon Prosser joined our hosts Dan Barbera, Hartley Charlton, and Sami Fathi to discuss iPhone 14 leaks, the infamous flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 rumor, and more.

Listen to The MacRumors Show via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or subscribe by copying our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. We also have a video edition available on YouTube.

Redesigned iMac Pro, New AirPods Pro, and More Expected to Launch This Year

In addition to a redesigned iMac Pro, Apple is also planning to launch new AirPods Pro and several other products this year, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman outlined in his latest newsletter.

The second-generation AirPods Pro are rumored to have several new features and will launch in the fourth quarter of 2022, which runs from October through December, according to oft-accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Three New iOS Features Expected for iPhones Later This Year

Apple finally enabled Universal Control in the macOS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 betas seeded last week, but there are still at least three other features expected to be added to future iOS versions later this year, including support for driver's licenses in the Wallet app.

We have put together a list of three new features that are planned for future iOS versions, along with a few features that are set to be expanded later this year.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Apple is working on an updated version of its most affordable iPhone, and the new 2022 version of the iPhone SE could be coming out within a matter of weeks. While not the most exciting refresh, there are some features that are going to be great at the $399 price point that the ‌iPhone SE‌ sells at.

This guide covers everything that we know about the upcoming ‌iPhone SE‌ based on rumors and past release history.

Design

We are not expecting any design changes for the next version of the ‌iPhone SE‌. It's going to continue to look like the current 2020 ‌iPhone SE‌, which is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8. The current ‌iPhone SE‌ is available in black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED, so we could see similar color options for the new model.

It will feature a 4.7-inch LCD display with thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button, making it Apple's most modern ‌iPhone‌ that still offers ‌Touch ID‌. All other iPhones have transitioned to Face ID, and there are rumors that future versions of the low-cost ‌iPhone‌ will do so as well, but not at this time.

The back of the device will be made of glass to facilitate wireless charging, but it won't include MagSafe technology. Like old models, the new ‌iPhone SE‌ will feature IP67 water and dust resistance. We're also not expecting changes to the battery life given the lack of design updates, so battery life will likely be the same.

5G Speeds

5G connectivity will be the major selling point of the new ‌iPhone SE‌, with Apple bringing 5G speeds to a much more affordable ‌iPhone‌. At the current time, Apple's cheapest 5G iPhone is the $599 iPhone 12 mini, but the ‌iPhone SE‌ will be a good deal cheaper if the rumors are accurate.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said it will be the most affordable ‌5G iPhone‌ available, and in terms of connection speeds, it could be on par with Apple's iPhone 13 and 13 Pro models. It's worth noting that with the ‌iPhone 13‌ models, the fastest mmWave 5G speeds are limited to the United States, and that's likely to be the case with the ‌iPhone SE‌ as well should it support mmWave speeds.

We haven't really heard either way if Apple plans to limit the more affordable iPhones to sub-6GHz networks, but it seems unlikely.

Updated Processor

The current ‌iPhone SE‌ has an A13 Bionic chip, and the 2022 model is expected to get a newer, faster chip. Apple could opt to go with the A15 chip, putting it on par with the ‌iPhone 13‌ models, though we've also heard a rumor about the A14.

When the 2020 ‌iPhone SE‌ was released, it included the same A13 chip that had been used in the iPhone 11 models the prior September, so we could see the same situation in 2022 with the new ‌iPhone SE‌ adopting the A15.

Battery Life

The current ‌iPhone SE‌ lasts for 13 hours when watching videos, eight hours when streaming videos, and 40 hours when listening to audio, and it is capable of fast charging and can charge to 50 percent in 30 minutes when using an 18W power adapter or higher.

Cameras

The ‌iPhone SE‌ is expected to feature an updated camera, and it could adopt the latest Wide-Angle camera from the ‌iPhone 13‌. We don't know specifics at this time, but camera improvements are planned.

The current ‌iPhone SE‌ features a 7-megapixel front-facing camera and a single-lens 12-megapixel rear camera.

Naming

Apple could call the new ‌iPhone SE‌ the ‌iPhone SE‌ 5G to differentiate it from the 2020 version, but it could also just stick with the standard ‌iPhone SE‌ name.

Display analyst Ross Young has said that the ‌iPhone SE‌ could be called the "‌iPhone SE‌ Plus" even though it's not getting a larger display, but that seems unlikely because historically, the "Plus" naming has denoted a larger screen size.

Pricing

The 2022 ‌iPhone SE‌ is expected to be priced starting at $399, which is the same asking price as the current 2020 model.

Release Date

Apple is planning to hold an event in early March, likely on Tuesday, March 8. This event will focus on the ‌iPhone SE‌, the iPad Air, and at least one new Mac with an M1 Pro/Max chip, likely the Mac mini.

A Future iPhone SE

We've heard rumors of another low-cost ‌iPhone‌ possibly in the ‌iPhone SE‌ family that features an all-display design, and this ‌iPhone SE‌ with a larger display and no Home button is expected to come out in 2023 or 2024.

Display analyst Ross Young believes that Apple is working on a version of the iPhone SE with a larger 5.7 to 6.1-inch display and a hole-punch camera slated. Apple analyst ‌Ming-Chi Kuo‌ has also said that a larger version of the ‌iPhone SE‌ will launch in 2023, featuring an updated, bigger display and 4GB RAM.

Back in 2019, Kuo said there would be an "‌iPhone SE‌ Plus" with a full-screen design, no Face ID, and a ‌Touch ID‌ fingerprint sensor built into the power button on the side of the device, but such a device did not surface. It's possible Apple was working on this ‌iPhone SE‌ for an earlier launch, but pushed it back.

Guide Feedback

Have questions about the ‌iPhone SE‌ 2022, notice a mistake, see something we left out, or want to offer feedback on this guide? Send us an email here.

Apple is planning to unveil an updated version of the iPhone SE with 5G and a new iPad Air at an event that's set to take place in March, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is said to be targeting Tuesday, March 8 for the ‌iPhone SE‌ event.

As we have heard several times before, the new ‌iPhone SE‌ will look similar to the 2020 version that's modeled after the iPhone 8, but it will feature a faster A-series chip, likely the A15, and 5G technology. It is also expected to include an improved camera.

The ‌iPad Air‌ will also feature an updated A-series chip and 5G connectivity, but it too is expected to feature no major design changes. At least one new Mac with Apple-designed chips could be introduced at the event, and prior rumors have suggested that this might be the Mac mini.

iOS 15.4 may be tied to the March event and the new devices, so we can expect to see the update launch in the first half of March.

The March event is expected to be digital-only rather than in person, similar to the events we've had for the last two years. It will be followed later this year by WWDC, where Apple will introduce new software, and several keynote events later in the year.

As Gurman has said previously, Apple has a wide range of product updates coming this fall, including new iPhones, refreshed AirPods Pro, new Apple Watch Series 8 and SE models, a refreshed MacBook Air, a new iMac, and a Mac Pro.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with WaterField Designs to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Tech Folio Brief that will come with matching Leather Cord Organizer Clips and Tech Pocket.

Priced starting at $359, the Tech Folio Brief is a compact carry-all that's perfect for Apple's MacBooks, iPads, and other accessories. The Tech Folio is available in 14 and 16-inch sizes, with the 14-inch size ideal for Apple's 13 and 14-inch MacBook Pro models and the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, while the 16-inch size is designed for the 15 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

WaterField Designs makes a whole range of bags that are packed with pockets and storage space, and the Tech Folio is no exception. It's divided into sections that can hold all kinds of things.

The padded briefcase section is deep enough to hold two laptops, a water bottle, documents, and other accessories. It can be zipped down halfway so it's easy to get at what's inside, and if you want to lock up the contents, there's a double zipper that fits a small lock. When not filled with a laptop, the sides collapse in for a slimmer look.

Along with the briefcase section, there's a tech section with multiple pockets for holding cables, power adapters, mice, battery packs, AirPods and other earbuds, plus other items you might need. This section zips open flat for easier access.

The Tech Folio is available in ballistic nylon or waxed canvas with full grain leather accents. The 14-inch version is 6.5 inches wide, 10.5 inches tall, and it has a 15.65 liter capacity. The 16-inch version measures in at 15.75 inches wide, 11.5 inches high, and it has a capacity of 19.29 liters.

WaterField Designs has lots of other accessories, and the Tech Folio can be ordered with matching Leather Cord Organizer Clips. As the name suggests, the clips are designed to hold cables and cords to keep them wrangled while inside your bag. The clips are priced at $15 and come in a set of four, with color options that include blue, black, chocolate, and crimson leather.

The Tech Folio in the ‌giveaway‌ will come with the matching cord clips and also a compatible Tech Pocket, which is an accessory pouch that can be used on its own or in another bag. Priced starting at $49, the Tech Pocket is sized to hold dongles, adapters, earbuds, an iPhone, and more.

It has an easy access magnetic closure that keeps items secure but provides quick access, plus it features a soft, plush lining to keep your gear from getting scratched and a zippered front pocket for things like keys.

One winner will receive a Tech Folio, Tech Pocket, and Cord Clips from WaterField Designs. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the ‌giveaway‌ restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

The contest will run from today (February 4) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 11. The winner will be chosen randomly on February 11 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Since launching in 2015, Apple Music has offered a three-month free trial to first-time subscribers, but the trial period has now been reduced.

Starting this week, Apple Music offers a shorter one-month free trial to first-time subscribers in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries. The change was first spotted by Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

Apple Music pricing remains unchanged, with an individual plan available for $9.99 per month in the United States after the one-month trial period.

For comparison, rival streaming music service Spotify typically offers a one-month free trial for its Premium tier, but it is currently offering a two-month trial as a limited time promotion in the United States and select other countries. Spotify is also offering a three-month free trial to first-time customers who sign up through PayPal.

Apple Music continues to offer a six-month free trial to customers who purchase eligible AirPods, Beats, or HomePod models for a limited time.

Apple suppliers have started production of a new fifth-generation iPad Air and third-generation iPhone SE, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara.

Citing reliable sources in China, the report claims that the new iPhone SE will retain the same chassis design as the current model released in 2020, and the device will apparently continue to lack support for MagSafe accessories. Key features of the new iPhone SE are expected to include a faster A15 Bionic chip and 5G support.

Mac Otakara previously reported that the new iPad Air will have similar features as the new iPad mini, including an A15 Bionic chip, a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage support, 5G support for cellular models, and Quad-LED True Tone flash.

That report said the new iPad Air will have the same overall design as the current model, including a single-lens rear camera. Released in October 2020, the current iPad Air features a 10.9-inch display with slim bezels, a Touch ID power button, and a USB-C port, with color options including Space Gray, Silver, Green, Rose Gold, and Sky Blue.

Both the new iPad Air and iPhone SE models are expected to be announced this spring, with an Apple Event possible in March or April.

Apple and its supplier Broadcom today convinced a U.S. appeals court to reject a jury verdict that required them to pay $1.1 billion for infringing on Wi-Fi patents that belong to the California Institute of Technology (via Reuters).

In 2016, Caltech accused Apple and Broadcom of infringing on its patents related to the Wi-Fi technology used in many Apple devices. Caltech's patents, granted between 2006 and 2012, are highly technical and relate to IRA/LDPC codes that utilize simpler encoding and decoding circuitry for improved data transmission rates and performance. The technologies are implemented in both the 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards used by many Apple products.

In the court filing with the U.S. District Court for Central California, Caltech accused Apple of selling various iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, along with other Wi-Fi products, that incorporate these IRA/LDPC encoders and/or decoders and thereby infringe upon four of Caltech's patents. Broadcom, as one of Apple's main suppliers of Wi-Fi chips, was also named in the complaint. At the time, Apple used Broadcom chips in the Apple Watch, ‌iPhone‌, and ‌iPad‌, as well as the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac.

In 2020, a jury verdict ordered Apple and Broadcom to collectively pay Caltech a fine of $1.1 billion for the patent infringements. Apple was ordered to pay $838 million, while Broadcom was ordered to pay $270 million. Apple hoped to invalidate one of the patent claims, but this was subsequently declined by the U.S. Court of Appeals.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit today declared that the $1.1 billion award, which is one of the largest in U.S. history for a patent dispute, was not justified and ordered a new trial. The new damages trial will only reconsider Caltech's awarded sum, rather than revisiting the patent infringement itself.

Twitter is globally expanding its testing of a new "dislike" or thumbs down button for tweets, which is designed to let people downvote replies on the social media platform.

The company announced the global expansion of the test on Thursday, saying it had "learned a lot" about the downvoting option in its initial limited testing:

We learned a lot about the types of replies you don't find relevant and we're expanding this test –– more of you on web and soon iOS and Android will have the option to use reply downvoting.

Twitter says early tests showed the reason most users clicked the down arrow was because the reply was perceived as offensive, or because they perceived it as not relevant, or both. Twitter also said those testing the feature agree that "it improves the quality of the conversations on Twitter."

It's worth noting that the dislike button is only visible to the person who is viewing tweets – it is not a publicly available metric or visible to the author of the tweet. Twitter says that it is an internal tool that is designed to help Twitter understand what people think is valuable to a conversation.

Apple says it will take 27% commission on purchases made in dating apps through third-party payment options in the Netherlands, in compliance with a Dutch regulatory ruling.

In an update on its developer support site, Apple said it would collect 27% commission instead of its usual 30% on transactions made in dating apps that use alternative payment methods. Apple says the decreased commission excludes the value for collection and remittance of taxes that the company carries out.

Consistent with the ACM's order, dating apps that are granted an entitlement to link out or use a third-party in-app payment provider will pay Apple a commission on transactions. Apple will charge a 27% commission on the price paid by the user, net of value-added taxes. This is a reduced rate that excludes value related to payment processing and related activities. Developers will be responsible for the collection and remittance of any applicable taxes, such as the Netherlands' value-added tax (VAT), for sales processed by a third-party payment provider.

The details follow Apple's announcement last month that it will comply with a Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) ruling that compels the company to allow third-party payment services to pay for in-app purchases in dating apps.

Apple has warned that it will not be directly aware of purchases made using alternative methods, and will not be able to assist users with refunds, purchase history, subscription management, and other issues that it usually takes care of as part of its own in-app payments system.

As a result, developers who use the new entitlements will have to take on these additional responsibilities, and will be required to provide Apple with a monthly record of each sale of digital goods and content through the App Store within 15 calendar days of the end of Apple's fiscal month.

Apple's concessions came following a December ruling from the ACM that, by restricting dating apps from using third-party payment methods, Apple is engaging in an "abuse of market power." The ACM threatened to fine Apple up to a maximum of 50 million euros per week ($57 million) if it did not allow dating apps to offer alternative payment options.

Despite agreeing to offer the entitlements, Apple is still appealing the ACM ruling, which it argues is not in the best interests of ‌App Store‌ users. Apple says it is "concerned these changes could compromise the user experience, and create new threats to user privacy and data security."

Amazon is increasing its Prime membership subscription prices in the U.S., the company has revealed in its Q4 2021 earnings results.

According to the company, the fee for a Prime subscription is set to increase for the first time in four years, rising to $15 per month (up from $13), or $139 per year (up from $119).

The price hike, representing an almost 17% increase, will go into effect for new customers starting February 18, 2022, while current members will see their plans go up after March 25, 2022.

Amazon says the increase will pay for the "continued expansion" of Prime perks, along with higher employee salaries and more expensive shipping costs. Amazon hasn't said whether the Prime price change will apply in other countries.

An Amazon Prime subscription includes "free" one-day shipping on purchases made on Amazon, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and other Amazon digital platforms and services.

As noted by Engadget, Amazon's recent Prime Video spends are also likely to have been a factor, with the upcoming first season of the new "The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power" series reportedly expected to cost $465 million. Amazon last year also acquired Hollywood studio MGM for $8.5 billion.

Amazon's net profit jumped nearly 57% in 2021 to $33.4 billion, due in part to the lingering effects of the global health crisis, which has had a positive effect on Amazon's core shopping business. Amazon stock jumped 13% in pre-market trading on Friday following its strong fourth-quarter earnings.

Apple today shared a new support document outlining a warning symbol that can show up on the MacBook Pro with Liquid Retina XDR Display or the Pro Display XDR when the screen is running too hot, leading to brightness being diminished.

Apple explains that a caution symbol in the menu bar or Display menu in Control Center on a 2021 MacBook Pro or an Apple Pro Display XDR means the display is in low power mode and "using limited brightness."

This situation can occur if the ambient temperature of the room is high and if bright content has been playing for an extended period of time. Apple offer several solutions for those who see the warning, including lowering the temperature of the room and temporarily putting a Mac to sleep to allow it to cool.

• On MacBook Pro with Liquid Retina XDR display, quit any apps that could be consuming significant system resources.
• Use the Apple XDR Display or Pro Display XDR reference mode unless your current workflow requires a specific reference mode.
• Lower the ambient temperature of the room.
• Close or hide any windows with HDR content.
• Choose Apple menu  > Sleep to put your Mac to sleep. Let your display cool down for 5-10 minutes, then press any key on the keyboard to wake your Mac.

Apple says that users who see this problem continually when the ambient temperature of the room is under 77 degrees Fahrenheit should contact Apple Support for help.