Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our Saturday morning roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
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All aboard Apple's money train
If anyone was in doubt, Apple took the opportunity this week to demonstrate once again that it is the most efficient money-making machine in the history of business.
(You may have heard that some historical firms - such as the Dutch East India Company - made more money, or were worth more, if you take inflation into account. But this claim does not stand up to scrutiny.)
We thought Apple did surprisingly well during the worst days of the pandemic, but its results for Q3 2021, released on Tuesday night, put those numbers in perspective. In the three months ended 26 June, the company made revenue of $81.4bn (up 36% on the same quarter in 2020) and profit of $21.7bn (up 93%).
It's an astonishing performance, with only one fly in the ointment: chief financial officer Luca Maestri revealed to investors that shortages of iPhones and iPads are likely in the next quarter, which will encompass the launch of the iPhone 13. It probably doesn't hurt to whip up the pre-order hype train a little, but it would hurt for Apple to leave significant demand for its new phone unfulfilled.
That's a possible bump in the road ahead. But over on the US site - and giving us the headline for this section - Jason Snell reports that even iPhone chip shortages can't slow down Apple's money train.
Here at Macworld, by the way, we often wonder how interesting Apple's financial results are to the average reader. Do you care how many billions Apple has added to its giant swimming pool of gold coins this year? Get in touch on Twitter if you think we should write more coverage of the company's quarterly earnings - or way, way less.
Face ID forever
Face ID is a convenient feature on the iPhone and iPad Pro (although it faced some difficulties under lockdown until Apple taught it to cope with face masks). But it won't be long before the speedy facial recognition appears on all of Apple's devices - or at least the premium versions of each.
That's according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, in a discussion of the company's long-term biometric strategy in his Power On newsletter. Gurman thinks Face ID will come to the Mac within a couple of years, and spread to the rest of the range after that.
Another clue to the future of Face ID arrived this week in the form of a successful patent application. Apple has been awarded a patent for Electronic device display for through-display imaging, which primarily explores the idea of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor being embedded in a device's screen, but explicitly links this to related ideas such as facial recognition.
It's too late for the iPhone 13, of course, but this could well mean that the iPhone 14 in 2022 has no notch at all. And it will also make it a lot easier to add Face ID (or Touch ID) sensors to a wider range of Apple devices.
News in brief
Bad news for Siri fans: Apple's voice assistant will lose 22 features this autumn for reasons that remain unclear. The news emerged via a discreet support document for developers, and is unlikely to be popular.
Last week we learned that users are deserting Android in droves and switching to iOS. But Google is fighting back - it's working on a Switch to Android app that will make it easier to move in the opposite direction.
Maybe Google won't have that much of a battle on its hands though. In Different Think, our regular Tuesday column, Karen Haslam argues that Apple is letting down ex-Android users.
Dan Moren explains how Apple can make iMessage better.
Ted Lasso, Apple's hit comedy about an American football coach who moves to the UK to manage a struggling football team kicked off on Friday 23 July and, according to Apple it broke records on Apple's subscription TV service, with the biggest premiere audience on the Apple TV+ service to date. If you want to find out how you can watch it - and why you should - read: How to watch Ted Lasso.
A whopping 700 million people around the world now pay for at least one Apple subscription service, we learned during the firm's earnings call (discussed above). This is great news for Apple's pivot from hardware to services, but there are gaps in what we know: are the newer services, such as TV+ and Arcade, pulling their weight, or do those numbers lean heavily on proven performers like iCloud And Apple Music?
Apple has hit another low note with the App Store, says the Macalope.
Apple has ordered an astonishing 100 million A15 chips for the upcoming iPhone 13. This is well up on orders placed ahead of the iPhone 12 launch last year, and gives an idea of quite how bullish the company is feeling about sales of the new handsets.
Roman Loyola says he won't miss the Touch Bar.
Remember the reports back in June 2021 that Apple had threatened leakers with legal action? It turns out it's not only leakers that Apple is targeting and it seems that the company's motives are not simply to protect its intellectual property. In one such letter Apple has outlines its concern that the prototypes could be used by third-party accessory manufacturers as a basis to "develop and sell mobile phone cases and other accessories that are not actually compatible with the unreleased products." More here: Apple's desire to stop leaks is to protect its partners.
Software, bugs & problems
Apple released a batch of security updates this week following the discovery of a IOMobileFrameBuffer security flaw that could have been lead to arbitrary code being executed. iOS 14.7.1 and Big Sur 11.5.1 both address this IOMobileFrameBuffer security flaw, as does watchOS 7.6.1. The three updates "provides important security updates and is recommended for all users," according to Apple.
iOS 14.7.1 also fixes that annoying bug preventing iPhone owners from using Touch ID to unlock their Apple Watches. (Here's how to update iOS.)
As for the software updates coming later this year: iOS 15 could be able to recognise people even if their faces are obscured, based on newly published article by Apple's scientists.
And as we outline in Which Monterey features work on my Mac, various new features coming in the new macOS later this year will be destined only for M1 Macs. However, it seems that Apple has now decided that it will allow support for the Live Text feature on Intel-powered Macs after all. Read: Apple to bring OCR-like Live Text to Intel Macs.
The rumour mill
Apple is working on a new external monitor, codenamed J327, to replace the Pro Display XDR. The really interesting bit is that the monitor will feature a built-in A13 processor chip, and can thus be used as an external GPU.
The iPhone 13 will support 25W fast charging, according to the latest report. Handy upgrade, or excuse to sell a bunch of higher-wattage power adapters? You decide.
Talking of the iPhone 13, it looks increasingly likely that the new iPhones (and the new Apple Watches that are customarily announced at the same event) will have a third big announcement to compete with: sources say the third-gen AirPods will be released in September.
Interested to know what'll happen to the iPhone next year? We're fairly sure the iPhone 14 Pro will be made of titanium.
Excited about the big-screen new iMac? Cool your jets, because it's unlikely to be here until 2022.
Apple has already brought the delights of mini-LED screen backlighting to the iPad Pro 12.9in, but we're hearing that the MacBook range will soon (or relatively soon) get to join the party. Sources say a mini-LED MacBook Air will come out in 2022.
We could get a mini-LED iPad mini too, if reports are to be believed. And the mini is going to get a bigger screen at last!
Apple deals of the week
I've embedded a list of the best current Apple deals below, but other than that, we're done for this week. See you next Saturday, and stay Appley!
1. Apple iPhone 12 (64GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £799
Now: £669 (£130 off)
View Deal
Amazon's £653 offer from late July has now vanished, but this (hopefully longer-lasting) deal on the iPhone 12 is almost as appealing. Very has the same price but is likely to charge more for shipping.
2. Apple iPad Air (2020, 64GB, cellular)
From: Amazon
Was: £709
Now: £541.43 (£167.57 off)
View Deal
Amazon hasn't had this much off the iPad Air 4 since around Prime Day. It had £230 off then, but this is still a top deal.
3. Apple iPad Pro 11in (2021, M1, 128GB)
From: BT Shop
Was: £749
Now: £729.34 (£19 off)
View Deal
Save £20 on the brand new M1 iPad Pro 11in from BT Shop – it's the best price we can see at the moment.
4. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 256GB) - Refurbished
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £999
Now: £839 (£160 off with SUMMER10)
View Deal
This 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip costs £999 from Apple, but you can pick up a refurbished model in Pristine condition and save £160 with code SUMMER10 at checkout.
5. Apple iPhone 11 (128GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £649
Now: £599 (£50 off)
View Deal
Save £50 on the iPhone 11 (128GB) from Amazon. It's the lowest price we can see at the moment.
6. Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, Cellular)
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £479
Now: £394.99 (£84 off)
View Deal
MusicMagpie's price on the 40mm Watch 6 with cellular connectivity is £84 cheaper than buying new. It's in "Pristine" condition too.
7. Apple Back to School Sale
From: Apple Education Discount
Now: Up to £280 off Mac, £80 off iPad (with free AirPods)
View Deal
Apple's education pricing is available all year round. To be eligible, you just need to prove your status as a current or newly accepted university student, parent buying on behalf of a university student or member of teaching staff at any level. You'll then get up to £280 off a new Mac or up to £80 off a new iPad along with a free pair of AirPods. Here's what you need to know.
8. Apple AirPods Max
From: Laptops Direct
Was: £549
Now: £499.97 (£49.03 off)
View Deal
This near-£50 saving on the AirPods Max is the biggest we've seen to date.
9. Apple MacBook Air (2020, M1, 8GB/256GB) - Refurbished "Very Good"
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £999
Now: £869.99 (£129 off)
View Deal
MusicMagpie also has £129 off the MacBook Air (256GB). This option is graded in a "Very Good" condition.
10. Apple MacBook Pro (2020, M1, 8GB/256GB) - Refurbished "Pristine"
From: MusicMagpie
Was: £1299
Now: £1024.99 (£259 off)
View Deal
If you prefer, there's also £259 off an M1 MacBook Pro with 256GB storage in "Pristine" condition from MusicMagpie.
11. Apple 13in MacBook Pro, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
From: Amazon
Was: £1,299
Now: £1,129.97 (£169 off)
View Deal
Amazon's price beats John Lewis, Currys, and AO, each of which are currently selling at £1,167. It's currently the best price on the market.
Amazon also has £169 off 512GB M1 MacBook Pro, normally £1,499. Get that deal here.
12. Apple 12.9in iPad Pro (256GB, 2020 model with A12Z)
From: Amazon
Was: £1069
Now: £893.92 £175.08
View Deal
Amazon has an incredible £175 off last year's iPad Pro 12.9in with the A12Z Bionic chip. See why it received 4.5/5 stars in our review, along with the Macworld Editor's Choice badge.
13. Apple Watch SE (44mm, GPS + Cellular)
From: Amazon
Was: £349
Now: £323.28 (£25.72 off)
View Deal
Save over £25 on a brand new Watch SE 44mm from Amazon.
14. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in, Cellular)
From: Amazon
Was: £999
Now: £957.78 (£41.22 off)
View Deal
Amazon has knocked over £40 off the brand new iPad Pro 11in with 5G connectivity. It's strong saving on Apple's brand-new and exceptionally powerful M1-equipped iPad Pro for 2021. There's also £62 off the 512GB option.
15. Bitdefender Antivirus For Mac - 1 Year, 3 Devices
From: Bitdefender
Was: £39.99
Now: £24.99 (£15 off)
View Deal
One of our top picks for Mac is Bitdefender, which has £15 off right now for up to three devices.
Normally £39.99, this deal lets you protect three Macs for £24.99. Note that this is the price for the first year only.
16. Apple iPad Pro (2021, M1, 11in)
From: Amazon
Was: £1049
Now: £986.72 (£62.28 off)
View Deal
Save £62 on the 512GB 11 iPad Pro with the M1 chip from Amazon. We're looking at where to buy the M1 iPad Pro at the best price separately here.
17. Apple iPad Air (2020, 64GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £579
Now: £529.97 (£49.03 off)
View Deal
18. Apple iPhone 12 mini
From: Amazon
Was: £699
Now: £579 (£120 off)
View Deal
19. Apple Watch Series 6, 40mm, Nike Sports Band
From: John Lewis
Was: £379
Now: £349 (£30 off)
View Deal
John Lewis is offering money off the Apple Watch Nike Series 6 GPS, 40mm in Space Grey. You may also be able to save up to £120 if you trade in an old Apple Watch.
20. Apple iPhone 12 mini (128GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £749
Now: £613.97 (£135.03 off)
View Deal
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