This week there was a good mix of Apple news and rumors, spearheaded by the release of iOS 14.4, a blockbuster earnings report from Apple and a new report that the next Apple Watch may be able to monitor blood glucose levels.
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We also got hands-on with Apple’s new “Time to Walk” feature for Apple Watch, while AirPods Max owners can now buy standalone ear pads to mix and match colors. Read on for all the details!
Everything new in iOS 14.4
Apple released iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 this week with a handful of new features and bug fixes for iPhone ad iPad users.
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iOS 14.4 introduces a notification on iPhone 12 models with non-genuine cameras, the option to classify the Bluetooth device type in Settings for proper identification of headphones for audio notification, and more.
Apple has also released watchOS 7.3, extending the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 and newer to Japan, Mayotte, Thailand, and the Philippines, and introducing a new ‘Unity’ watch face based on the Pan-African flag . tvOS 14.4 is also out, while macOS 11.2 remains in beta.
Apple announced this week that the App Tracking Transparency privacy measure will be required starting in the next beta versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14, meaning apps will need to request permission to track users and collect their device’s random ID for advertising purposes. Apple says the software updates will be made public in early spring.
Apple reports record-breaking quarter with $ 111 billion in revenue
Apple this week reported its earnings results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, which corresponds to the fourth quarter of calendar year 2020.
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The quarter was a blow to Apple, which reported record sales of $ 111.4 billion per quarter, with strength across all product categories, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac and more.
Apple has fared well financially during the pandemic as many customers work, learn, and connect with others from home. Apple launched many new products and services in the past quarter, including the full iPhone 12 series, rave reviews of M1 Macs, a redesigned iPad Air, the HomePod mini, the AirPods Max, Apple Fitness +, and Apple One subscription bundles.
The Apple Watch Series 7 is rumored to include blood glucose monitoring
According to a report this week, the Apple Watch Series 7 will reportedly feature blood glucose measurement via an optical sensor ETNews.
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The report, which focuses mainly on the blood glucose capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, explains that Apple plans to apply the blood glucose measurement to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 using a non-invasive optical sensor.
Apple has gradually expanded the health monitoring capabilities of the Apple Watch, most recently the ability to monitor blood oxygen levels in the Apple Watch Series 6 introduced last September.
Hands-on with the new Apple Fitness + ‘Time to Walk’ feature
Apple this week officially introduced Time to Walk, a new feature that allows Apple Watch users who subscribe to Apple Fitness + to listen to audio stories of celebrities, musicians, athletes and other influential guests while they run – similar to podcasts. For wheelchair users, the function is called Time to Push.
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Time to Walk episodes are automatically downloaded to the Apple Watch with a Fitness + subscription and users can start an episode directly from the Workout app. According to Apple, new episodes of 25 to 40 minutes will appear in another guest’s Workout app every Monday through the end of April.
Early guests include musicians Dolly Parton and Shawn Mendes, NBA star Draymond Green and actress Uzo Aduba, known for her role as Suzanne Warren in the Netflix original series “Orange Is the New Black.”
We took a quick look at Time to Walk in one of our latest YouTube videos to see what it’s all about and whether it’s a worthwhile addition to Fitness +.
Apple now sells standalone ear pads for AirPods Max
Apple is now selling AirPods Max ear pads on a standalone basis, priced at $ 69 for a set, allowing customers to mix and match colors, including silver, black, sky blue, green, and red.
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AirPods Max ear cushions attach magnetically to the earcups and can be removed instantly, so you can easily switch to a new color.
MacRumors has mocked every possible AirPods Max color combination, so if you are wondering what a particular color could look like with your AirPods Max, this article is a valuable resource. It was initially estimated that the replacement ear pads would ship within one business day, although the delivery of colors other than silver and black quickly shifted in late March or early April. However, the first orders are already in the hands of the customers.
Other product news: Apple announced this week that it will release a limited-edition “Black Unity” version of the Apple Watch Series 6. This special model will be available in February in honor of Black History Month and comes with a Unity “sports band based on the Pan-African flag.
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