Top Stories: iOS 14.4, Apple Earnings Record, Apple Watch Series 7 Rumors

This week has seen a good mix of Apple news and rumors, led by the release of iOS 14.4, a hit report from Apple and a new report that the next Apple Watch may be able to watch. blood sugar levels.

We’ve also put Apple’s new “Time to Walk” feature into practice for Apple Watch, while AirPods Max owners can now purchase stand-alone ear pads to mix and match colors. Read on for all the details!

Everything new in iOS 14.4

Apple publicly released iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 this week with a handful of new features and bug fixes for iPhone and iPad users.

iOS 14.4 introduces notification on iPhone 12 models with non-genuine cameras, the ability to classify the type of Bluetooth device in Settings for correct headphone identification for audio notifications, etc.

Apple also released watchOS 7.3, which extends the ECG application on Apple Watch Series 4 and newer to Japan, Mayotte, Thailand, and the Philippines, and introduces a new “Unity” watch face based on the Pan-African flag. . tvOS 14.4 is also available, while macOS 11.2 remains in beta.

Apple announced this week that its App Tracking Transparency privacy measure will be required starting with upcoming beta versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14, which means apps will need to ask for permission to track users and collect. the random identifier of their device for advertising purposes. purposes. Apple says software updates will be released in early spring.

Apple reports record quarter with $ 111 billion in revenue

Apple this week released its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021, which is the fourth quarter of calendar year 2020.

The quarter was a blast for Apple, which reported a record quarterly revenue of $ 111.4 billion, with strength in all product categories including iPhone, iPad, Mac , etc.

Apple prospered financially during the pandemic as many customers work, learn and connect with others from home. Apple launched many new products and services during the quarter, including the entire iPhone 12 lineup, highly rated Mac M1s, a redesigned iPad Air, HomePod mini, AirPods Max, Apple Fitness +, and offerings from Apple One subscription.

Apple Watch Series 7 reportedly has blood sugar monitoring

Apple Watch Series 7 reportedly offers blood sugar monitoring through an optical sensor, according to a report released this week by AND News.

The report, which mainly focuses on the blood sugar capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, explains that Apple intends to integrate blood glucose monitoring into the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 using a sensor. non-invasive optics.

Apple has gradually expanded the health monitoring capabilities of the Apple Watch, recently adding the ability to monitor blood oxygen levels from the Apple Watch Series 6 introduced last September.

Convenient with the new Apple Fitness + “ Time to Walk ” feature

This week, Apple officially launched Time to Walk, a new feature that lets Apple Watch users who subscribe to Apple Fitness + listen to audio stories from celebrities, musicians, athletes and other guests. influential while they walk – like podcasts. For wheelchair users, the feature is called Time to Push.

Time to Walk episodes are automatically downloaded to Apple Watch with a Fitness + subscription, and users can start an episode directly from the Workout app. According to Apple, new episodes ranging in length from 25 to 40 minutes will appear in the Workout app from a different guest every Monday through the end of April.

The first guests are musicians Dolly Parton and Shawn Mendes, NBA star Draymond Green and actress Uzo Aduba, known for her role as Suzanne Warren in the original Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black”.

We took a look at Time to Walk in one of our latest YouTube videos to see what it’s all about and if it’s a cool addition to Fitness +.

Apple now sells standalone ear pads for AirPods Max

Apple now sells AirPods Max ear cushions 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.

The ‌AirPods Max‌ ear pads magnetically attach to the ear cups and can be popped out right away, so it’s easy to switch to a new color.

MacRumors has simulated all of the possible AirPods Max color combinations, so if you’re wondering what a particular color might look like with your ‌AirPods Max‌, the article is a valuable resource. Replacement earbuds were initially scheduled to ship within one business day, although delivery of colors other than silver and black quickly crept into late March or early April. However, the first orders are already reaching customers.

In other product news, Apple this week announced the release of a limited-edition “Black Unity” version of the Apple Watch Series 6. This special model will be available throughout February in honor of the Black History Month and is accompanied by a “Black Unity” Sport Band based on the Pan-African flag.

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