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Apple Slashes 2025 MLS Season Pass to as Low as $25

Apple Slashes 2025 MLS Season Pass to as Low as $25

Apple has significantly discounted the MLS Season Pass for the remainder of the 2025 season, offering the annual subscription at $29, or $25 for Apple TV + subscribers, down from the regular $99 price. The reduced rate covers the rest of the current MLS season and playoffs, including access to every match live and on demand, with separate English and Spanish commentary, with French available for Canadian matches. Other features of the pass include "MLS 360," a whip-around show featuring highlights and commentary from every game, and "Sunday Night Soccer," a newly introduced featured match broadcast every Sunday. This price drop is consistent with Apple's pricing strategy in previous years, gradually lowering the cost of entry as the season progresses. Monthly subscriptions remain unchanged at $14.99 per month, or $12.99 per month with ‌Apple TV‌+. The discounted annual subscription is only valid through the end of the 2025 season, after which it will automatically renew at the standard $99 price unless canceled. MLS Season Pass originally launched in 2023 as part of Apple's 10-year partnership with Major League Soccer. Subscribers who want to take advantage of the new discounted price can sign up via the ‌Apple TV‌ app. To prevent automatic renewal at the full price next year, users must manually cancel their subscription before the start of the 2026 season. Tags: Apple TV Plus , MLS Season Pass This article, " Apple Slashes 2025 MLS Season Pass to as Low as $25 " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Report: Apple Demands Suppliers Switch to Robotics for Manufacturing

Report: Apple Demands Suppliers Switch to Robotics for Manufacturing

Apple is significantly accelerating the rollout of automation and robotics across its manufacturing supply chain, DigiTimes reports. While Apple has advocated for increased automation in supplier facilities for over two years, sources familiar with the matter say that Apple now requires automation as a standard prerequisite for awarding manufacturing contracts. This is said to be part of a broader effort to minimize labor dependency, stabilize product quality and uniformity across different facilities, and reduce long-term production costs amid ongoing supply chain diversification away from China. Apple's alleged automation mandate spans all major product categories, including the iPhone , iPad , Mac, and Apple Watch. Apple now purportedly expects suppliers to fund their own automation upgrades rather than rely on Apple to finance or subsidize the necessary capital equipment. This policy change diverges from Apple's previous approach, where the company frequently invested in tooling and machinery for contract manufacturers to meet its specifications. The financial burden of this new automation requirement is apparently already impacting supplier margins. High initial capital expenditure, coupled with operational disruptions during integration of robotic systems, has reportedly strained profitability for some suppliers. Apple still continues to assist suppliers in areas related to environmental responsibility. The company's 2030 target to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire supply chain includes direct support for upgrading to energy-efficient equipment and more sustainable materials. Apple ostensibly hopes that increased use of robotics will help standardize processes, digitize inspections, reduce the impact of labor shortages and political instability, implement consistent processes for new suppliers, and mitigate the challenges of maintaining consistent build quality when production is increasingly split across multiple countries. Tag: DigiTimes This article, " Report: Apple Demands Suppliers Switch to Robotics for Manufacturing " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

ScarCruft Uses RokRAT Malware in Operation HanKook Phantom Targeting South Korean Academics

ScarCruft Uses RokRAT Malware in Operation HanKook Phantom Targeting South Korean Academics

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new phishing campaign undertaken by the North Korea-linked hacking group called ScarCruft (aka APT37) to deliver a malware known as RokRAT. The activity has been codenamed Operation HanKook Phantom by Seqrite Labs, stating the attacks appear to target individuals associated with the National Intelligence Research Association, including academic figures

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based ‌iPhone‌ users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event. According to the data, 68.3% of current ‌iPhone‌ users intend to purchase an ‌iPhone 17‌ model at launch, marking an increase from 61.9% recorded ahead of the iPhone 16 launch in 2024. The iPhone 17 Pro and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max models are expected to dominate early sales, accounting for 38.1% of planned upgrades. The standard ‌iPhone 17‌ is the choice for 16.7% of respondents, while 13.5% expressed interest in the all-new iPhone 17 Air , which is expected to feature an ultra-thin design. Only 3.3% of respondents indicated they are holding out specifically for a foldable ‌iPhone‌, which Apple has yet to release. The survey highlights that 72.9% of users feel more satisfied with their ‌iPhone‌ today than in previous years, but 27.1% said they believe Apple has "lost its edge" compared to rival smartphone makers. Battery life emerged as the most important upgrade driver, with 53.% of respondents citing it as their top reason for upgrading. Other motivating factors included new designs and features (36.2%), display improvements (34.3%), camera upgrades (28.1%), and AI and software enhancements (7.1%). Price remains the primary deterrent, with 68.9% of users listing cost as the main reason for not upgrading. Satisfaction with existing devices is also a significant factor, with 71.7% stating they are content with their current ‌iPhone‌. A smaller share of users cited interest in foldables (7.5%), discomfort with eSIM (6.6%), or interest in switching to Android (5.3%) as reasons for holding off. Foldables from Samsung and Google are emerging as a competitive threat. If Apple does not release a foldable ‌iPhone‌ by 2026, 20.1% of respondents say they would consider switching to Samsung, and 10.2% to Google. Brand loyalty remains high, with 69.6% of respondents stating they plan to stay with Apple regardless of competing products. When asked to choose between device thinness and battery capacity, 47.5% of respondents said they would accept a shorter battery life in exchange for a thinner design. Meanwhile, 29.7% said they are not interested in ultra-thin phones at all. 44% of ‌iPhone‌ users said they view Apple Intelligence as a very important feature. Another 33% said AI does not matter to them. When asked which company leads in AI, 44% named Apple, while both Samsung and Google were selected by 6.6% of respondents. Ten percent of users said no brand currently leads in the AI space. 36.8% of users would delay upgrading if prices rise significantly, while 29.2% said they would decide based on the size of the increase. Only 34% said they would proceed with their purchase regardless. The survey was conducted using an online survey platform, with responses collected in August 2025 from a sample of over 2,000 U.S. adults who currently own an ‌iPhone‌. The ‌iPhone 17‌ lineup is expected to be announced on Tuesday, September 9. Related Roundups: iPhone 17 , iPhone 17 Air , iPhone 17 Pro Tag: SellCell Related Forum: iPhone This article, " Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17 " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Review: $399 Beosound A1 Portable Speaker Shows Why Bang & Olufsen Commands a Premium

Review: $399 Beosound A1 Portable Speaker Shows Why Bang & Olufsen Commands a Premium

Bang & Olufsen recently released the third generation of its award-winning Beosound A1 portable Bluetooth speaker, and after playing with it for a good month, I'm scrambling to come up with negatives. Sure, at $399 it's pricey, and this ultraportable unit from B&O is unashamedly pitched at the premium end of the Bluetooth speaker market, but the Danish high-end audio manufacturer's principled attention to design and craftsmanship almost justifies the price alone. Fortunately, it sounds great, too. Design Taking the A1 out of the box, the first thing that strikes you is the compactness of the unit relative to its weight, especially given the materials used in its construction. At about 1.27 pounds (576 grams), it's not the lightest ultraportable speaker I've held, but its beautifully minimalist 'hockey puck' design is disarmingly slight, partly thanks to designer Cecilie Manz's decision to embed the power, volume, play/pause, and pairing controls around the rim, with the attached waterproof leather strap adding a touch of surfer appeal. There's also a USB Type-C charging port on the rim alongside a charging LED. The speaker features a pearl-blasted aluminum body with over 2,100 precision-milled holes, one of which contains an LED power indicator. It's a distinctive style whichever way you look at it, but thought has also gone into keeping it portable. The polymer base has a suede-like finish that ensures the 1.81-inch (4.6cm) tall A1 sits happily on most surfaces, and its 5.24-inch (13.3 cm) diameter means it's possible to grasp the grilled dome and pick it up with one hand. The unit sits snugly in the larger pockets of a raincoat, although trying to fit it in a light jacket pocket may present more of a challenge. The A1's solid aluminum casing certainly feels like it could take a few knocks, but its smooth finish is bound to attract scuffing and dents if you bash it about or throw it in a backpack with other hard objects. Many customers will take pride in looking after premium gear they've paid top dollar for, so the lack of a protective pouch at this price point is the only disappointing omission. Ease of Use Powering on the Bluetooth 5.1 speaker and holding the pair button saw it show up instantly in both iOS and macOS. Pairing was established without a hitch – it's MFI (Made for iPhone) certified, after all – and it didn't drop out as long as the speaker remained within a reasonable range. It also happily hopped between two paired devices depending on which one was playing audio, thanks to its Multipoint feature. Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are also supported, though I didn't have the hardware to test these. The B&O iOS app is a free download that works with all of the company's speakers and can be used to upgrade the device's firmware. You can also use it to pair two A1 speakers with each other and enjoy true stereo separation, just bear in mind there's no facility to connect the units to a larger multi-room setup. (AirPlay isn't supported, but B&O did eventually add support in previous models, so I'm hopeful that's to come in the future.) In addition, the app lets you switch to a handful of presets designed for the A1, titled "Ambient," "Party," "Speech," "Favorite," and "Optimal." You can also create your own by adjusting a circular interface labeled "Bright," "Energetic," "Warm," and "Relaxed." They do make an audible difference, but in the end I settled for the "Optimal" setting, preferring the A1's default sound signature. Sound Quality The Beosound's three-microphone array provides excellent speakerphone quality, and had no problem picking up voices from across a room. But it's the sonics that truly impress. Hung aloft, placed on a desk or even on the floor, the A1 disperses sound in all directions with surprising confidence and ease. Its wide angle of projection is actually slightly disorienting at first – one person entered the room wondering where the audio source was hidden, when the speaker was sat in plain sight. According to B&O, the A1 features the largest woofer in its D class, delivering deeper bass with a Bass SPL of 64dB (2dB more than its predecessor). At 60 watts of power, it effortlessly reproduced Jim Morrison's baritone wail and Krieger's expansive freeway riffs throughout The Doors' "L.A. Woman," while a few tracks from Django Django's eponymous album soon had the coffee table rattling with a clarity and detail that's rare in a speaker of this size. Switching to some dub techno and dialing up the internal amp using the A1's onboard controls easily overrode the source device's maximum output, but it was almost impossible to induce distortion at high volume, thanks to the responsiveness of B&O's proprietary digital signal processing. That inevitably puts a limit on the output of the A1, but it can easily exceed comfortable listening levels in a medium-sized living room, and it does sound consistently lovely, especially in the midrange. It's also compatible with SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs. Achieving decent audio separation at this scale is no easy feat, but the A1 dealt with jazz and classical genres with considerable aplomb, with only a handful of deep double bass notes going missing in instrumental tracks from time to time, which is totally forgivable for a unit of this size, with a frequency response of 54Hz - 20kHz. I took the A1 out to the garden during a kid's birthday party and its detailed sound remained just as confident when pumping out Disney tunes and the like. It performed especially well when hung from a nearby fence via its leather strap, providing great projection across the lawn. I used the A1 at average volume each afternoon over the course of a week, testing it in a variety of scenarios – between the shower (it has an IP67 waterproof rating), garden, the local park, and my office space. The unit's battery life was easily up to the task, which is no surprise given that it extends up to 24 hours on a single charge. When the unit's LED light eventually flashed to indicate the battery was approaching its last 10 percent of power, it still lasted an entire afternoon, and when I charged it via the supplied cable, the A1's battery reached full capacity in around an hour. Given what I'd put it through, the advertised "up to 24 hours" charge doesn't seem far fetched at all. It's worth noting that the A1 features modular architecture designed for a 10-year lifetime and is the first Bluetooth speaker to receive Cradle to Cradle certification. B&O says the certification "aims to support a serviceable, upgradeable, and repairable approach to product design." The company offers a replaceable battery service and up to 5 years warranty with Beocare. Bottom Line Overall, the A1 is an extremely impressive-sounding Bluetooth speaker that lives up to its multi-generational reputation. Its thoughtful, stylish aesthetic easily places it above other speakers in the design department, but its audio output is equally attention-grabbing, and beats most premium rivals. Achieving bass-rich clarity and sonic detail from such a small unit is a remarkable achievement, and coupled with its balanced dispersion and excellent battery life, the A1 really does live up to the tired old adage that you get what you pay for. Where to Buy The Beosound A1 is available in natural aluminum, warn granite, honey tone, and eucalyptus green colors for $399 from Bang & Olufsen's website and authorized resellers. Tag: Bang & Olufsen This article, " Review: $399 Beosound A1 Portable Speaker Shows Why Bang & Olufsen Commands a Premium " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums

Microsoft 365 price jump? Beat it with Office 2021 for life at $40

Microsoft 365 price jump? Beat it with Office 2021 for life at $40

TL;DR : Get a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows —including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more—for just $39.97 (reg. $219.99) through September 7. Let’s cut to the chase: Microsoft just bumped the price of its 365 subscription—for the first time in 12 years—to $9.99/month or $99.99/year. That’s a full 45% increase for everyday users. Meanwhile, you can bypass all that recurring stress with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 —just $39.97 (regularly $219.99). What you get when you hit “buy” A one-time purchase = no more subscription bills Full access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access Works offline, tied to your PC—not your cloud No AI features like Copilot or Designer cluttering the interface Not ready to pay monthly for Copilot “benefits”? You’re not alone. Many people would rather own core productivity tools they actually use—without the AI fluff. Subscriptions are getting more expensive. This one-time deal—Office 2021 for life—lets you sidestep the ridiculous price hikes and maintain full control over what you pay for. It’s not just a purchase; it’s a power move against subscription creep. Click through and own your productivity—no strings attached. Grab one of these Microsoft Office 2021 lifetime licenses for just $39.97 (regularly $219.99) through September 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

A survey of 1,047 US college students on GenAI: 55% use the tech for brainstorming ideas, 18% now question the value of college more than they used to, and more (Colleen Flaherty/Inside Higher Ed)

A survey of 1,047 US college students on GenAI: 55% use the tech for brainstorming ideas, 18% now question the value of college more than they used to, and more (Colleen Flaherty/Inside Higher Ed)

Colleen Flaherty / Inside Higher Ed : A survey of 1,047 US college students on GenAI: 55% use the tech for brainstorming ideas, 18% now question the value of college more than they used to, and more —  Key findings from Inside Higher Ed's student survey on generative AI show that using the evolving technology hasn't diminished …