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

Things have remained very busy this week in the Apple world, even with the holidays fast approaching. Apple pushed several new releases out the door on the hardware and software fronts this week, including AirPods Max, Fitness +, and other new features and enhancements as part of iOS 14.3 and system updates related operations.

We also received rumors about the iPhone 13 and Apple TV, while Facebook and Apple are still embroiled in a growing controversy over Apple’s upcoming move to get approval before companies can track activity on -users for personalized advertising purposes. Read on for details of all these stories!

Hands-On With The AirPods Max

Apple’s new AirPods Max headphones were launched this week, and we’ve picked up a pair to see if their $ 549 price tag is worth it. We have also received feedback from reviewers and customers.

AirPods Max has a high-end design, with a breathable mesh headband that attaches to memory foam ear cups with stainless steel telescopic arms, and a large Digital Crown provides precise, tactile size control. However, there is no power button, which will disappoint some users.

Sound quality and active sound elimination are both impressive with the AirPods Max and competitive with headphones from competing brands such as Sony and Bose. And with an Apple-designed H1 chip in each ear cup, the AirPods Max features instant pairing and automatic switching for Apple devices, longer Bluetooth range, and more.

While the AirPods Max are quite heavy, the handsets have been pretty comfortable in our experience, at least over shorter periods of time. Some users have found that the handsets are heavier on their ears, than the head, as Apple says it designed the headband to dissipate weight and head weight. reduce.

Overall, the AirPods Max are definitely a quality pair of over-the-ear headphones, but the average person should definitely consider looking into other high-end options like WH-1000XM4 at Sony or Bose 700 Stop Phones for hundreds of dollars less.

Apple Fitness + launches with a free trial available

Apple Fitness + ‘s new exercise service is now available, bringing studio-style guided exercise videos to Apple Watch users in a number of areas, such as high-intensity interval training, yoga, dance, running, walking, bike, strength, and more. Apple says new content will be added to the service every week.

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

A key feature of Fitness + is that it integrates personal meters such as heart rate from the Apple Watch to motivate users, animating them on the screen during key moments in the workout. All work videos also offer adjustments for beginners or favorites at a slower pace.

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

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

iOS 14.3 Released – Here’s everything new!

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

In addition to Apple Fitness + and AirPods Max support, other new features include support for Apple’s new ProRAW image format, a dedicated TV + tab in the TV app, a new fertility section in the Health app, privacy leaflets in the App Store, and more. And for iPad users, iPadOS 14.3 updates the ability to delete emails by using the delete key on the magic keyboard.

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

IPhone 13 Pro models plan to adopt LTPO technology for 120Hz display

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

LTPO technology would result in a more powerful backplane, which relies on turning individual pixels on and off on display. At the same time, this could allow a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and smoother movement without causing too much impact on battery life. Like recent Apple Watch models, LTPO could also allow iPhone 13 models to have a display at all times.

While some rumors had suggested that iPhone 12 Pro models would support a 120Hz refresh rate, display industry analyst Ross Young rightly pointed out, noting that the feature will be added along with LTPO in 2021. iPad Pro models have supported up to 120Hz since 2017.

Apple TV is expected later last year

Apple finally plans to release a new Apple TV in 2021, according to the Nikkei Asian Review, over three years after updating the flow box.

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

The standard Apple TV 4K was released in September 2017 and looks almost identical to the previous generation Apple TV HD.

Apple responds to criticism against Facebook, saying users deserve control and transparency

Apple has responded to Facebook criticism about the upcoming iOS 14 privacy step – specifically a change that requires users to give permission to continue their activity for personalized advertising purposes starting early next. year.

Apple has confirmed that it welcomes in-app advertising and does not prohibit tracking, but simply requires apps to obtain specific user permissions to track users for personalized advertising purposes, giving consumers more control and transparency.

“We believe this is a simple matter to stand up for our customers,” Apple said, in a statement sent out to MacRumors. “Users should know when their data is being collected and shared across other apps and websites – and they should have the choice to allow that or not. Transparency Tracking App in iOS 14 urges Facebook to use its approach to track users and create targeted advertising targets, it just wants them to give users choice. “

Facebook said Apple ‘s traffic change will have a “detrimental effect on many small businesses struggling to stay away,” saying the new policy is “about profit, not privacy.” of apps and websites start cutting membership fees or adding more in – app purchase options so that headers meet, making the internet “much more expensive. “

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