Apple Creates Cutting-Edge Design for Slimmer USB-C Port in iPhone Air

**iPhone Air Features 3D-Printed Titanium USB-C Port That Is Lighter and More Robust**

Last year, amid speculation regarding Apple’s designs for an ultra-slim new iPhone, many believed that the USB-C charging port would impede the device’s slim profile. Nevertheless, Apple unveiled a groundbreaking solution for the iPhone Air’s USB-C port by employing 3D-printed titanium.

Apple has recently released its slimmest product so far with the M4 iPad Pro. Users promptly recognized that the device’s slimness posed challenges to the traditional design of USB-C ports. Earlier insights suggested that Apple’s USB-C chargers were marginally thicker than the devices they were paired with, raising questions about how slender the forthcoming iPhone Air might be.

Even though the iPhone Air is bulkier than the iPad Pro, Apple endeavored to devise a thinner USB-C port, resulting in a major technological leap. As stated in Apple’s press release, the new titanium USB-C port is 3D-printed, enabling it to be thinner and more durable while utilizing 33% less material compared to conventional forging techniques.

This manufacturing innovation allows the iPhone Air’s USB-C port to be more streamlined than typical designs without sacrificing strength, mitigating potential bending concerns. Importantly, there has been no suggestion that this method will be incorporated in the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max, which are projected to utilize standard USB-C ports.

The slimmer USB-C port on the iPhone Air does not impede the functionality of charging cables or accessories; rather, it is the internal components that have been fine-tuned for a more condensed design. This progress illustrates Apple’s dedication to advancing smartphone design in the quest for the thinnest iPhone to date.

Cutoff Time for Quick iPhone 17 Pre-Order Access

Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air are set to kick off tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. PT. To facilitate a seamless and effective pre-order experience, Apple has rolled out a ‘Get Ready’ feature that enables customers to get ready in advance.

### Final Opportunity to Prepare for iPhone 17 or iPhone Air Pre-orders

Apple has been striving to improve the iPhone pre-ordering system throughout the years. With numerous customers keen to obtain their new devices at the same time, pre-selecting your iPhone model can offer a considerable advantage. This pre-selection feature is available solely through the online Apple Store and the Apple Store app.

Nonetheless, there is a cutoff for securing your pre-selections. As per Apple’s latest update, customers can finalize their preferred model, accessories, carrier, payment method, and trade-in options until **9 p.m. PDT** this evening. After these selections are saved, customers will be merely one click away from finalizing their pre-order when it opens tomorrow morning.

If you intend to buy an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max, or iPhone Air, it is strongly advised to take advantage of the ‘Get Ready’ feature in the Apple Store app or on Apple.com.

The cutoff for saving your pre-order selections is **9:00 p.m. PT / 11:00 p.m. CT / 12:00 a.m. ET** tonight, September 11.

For individuals still pondering which model to select, Apple has offered suggestions to help make the correct decision.

By saving your iPhone 17 or iPhone Air pre-order preferences before the deadline, you can guarantee a swift and efficient checkout process tomorrow morning.

Ongoing Promotions for Apple Watch Ultra 3, M4 MacBook Air with $200 Savings, and $750 Reduction on iPhone 16/15 Pro Max

# Pre-Order Offers and Savings on Apple’s Latest Devices

As the tech community eagerly awaits the debut of Apple’s newest gadgets, a variety of pre-order offers have surfaced, providing considerable discounts on sought-after items. This article showcases the top pre-order deals for the new Apple Watch Ultra 3, along with savings on other Apple products, including the AirPods Pro 3 and the M4 MacBook Air.

## Apple Watch Ultra 3 Pre-Order Promotions

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is ready for pre-order, with numerous retailers presenting enticing discounts. Best Buy is offering a $50 price cut for its Plus and Total members, reducing the price from $799 to $749.99. This deal is straightforward and requires no store credit or enhanced trade-in values, making it a compelling choice for members.

Moreover, Best Buy’s trade-in program enables customers to earn up to $250 in credit for trading in an Apple Watch Ultra 2, $185 for an Apple Watch 1, and $180 for an Apple Watch Series 10. However, Apple’s trade-in program might provide better valuations, potentially granting credits up to $335 for an Ultra 2 trade-in.

## Savings on M4 MacBook Air

Beyond the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple’s 15-inch M4 MacBook Air variants are also experiencing noteworthy price reductions. B&H is presently offering a $200 discount on various configurations, including 16GB, 24GB, and 32GB variants. This makes the M4 MacBook Air an attractive choice for those in search of a powerful laptop without upgrading to the pricier M4 MacBook Pro series.

The pricing for these models is competitive, particularly when juxtaposed with the forthcoming M5 MacBook Pro models anticipated later this year. For example, the 16GB/512GB Pro model is tagged at $1,429, which is $230 higher than the equivalent MacBook Air configurations.

## Featured Accessories

In conjunction with these device offers, several accessory brands are launching new items designed for the latest iPhone series. Totallee has unveiled ultra-thin cases for the iPhone 17 lineup, aimed at delivering protection without bulk. Dbrand has also introduced its fresh collection of iPhone 17 cases, utilizing scratch-resistant materials and customizable skins.

TORRAS has launched its Ostand Q3 Silicone and Ostand Q3 Air cases, which provide military-grade protection and built-in stands, available at promotional prices during the initial launch phase.

## Conclusion

With the introduction of new Apple devices, consumers have numerous pre-order deals and discounts to benefit from. Whether your interest lies in the Apple Watch Ultra 3, M4 MacBook Air, or accessories for the iPhone 17, now is an ideal time to explore these savings prospects. As always, it’s wise to compare pricing across various retailers to ensure you’re securing the best deal available.

iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: Main Distinctions and Fresh Features

On Tuesday, Apple unveiled the latest iPhone 17, along with the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air. Here’s a rundown of all the new features in the iPhone 17!

## New Colors

The iPhone 17 is available in **Lavender, Sage, Mist Blue, White, and Black**, moving away from the iPhone 16’s Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, White, and Black. The Black variant is lighter, and the White variant is brighter than its predecessor.

## ProMotion Display

For the first instance in a non-Pro iPhone, the iPhone 17 incorporates ProMotion, which includes:

– Adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz for a smoother display and enhanced battery longevity.
– Always-On display for showing time, Widgets, and notifications while the device is asleep.

The display size has expanded to 6.3″, increased from 6.1″, due to slimmer bezels.

## Ceramic Shield 2

The iPhone 17 introduces Ceramic Shield 2, which provides:

– 3x improved scratch resistance.
– A new 7-layer anti-reflective coating to minimize glare.

All new models offer a peak brightness of 3000 nits outdoors, enhanced from 2000 nits, delivering 2x better contrast.

## A19 Chip

The A19 chip boosts performance, emphasizing AI capabilities with new Neural Accelerators for enhanced machine learning tasks. It offers “MacBook Pro-levels” of power and a 20% performance increase in GPU compared to A18.

## Improved Battery Life and Charging

The iPhone 17 features notable battery life enhancements:

– Up to 30 hours of downloaded video playback (an increase from 22 hours).
– Up to 27 hours of streamed video playback (up from 18 hours).

It supports Qi2.2 with fast charging at up to 25W and 40W fast charging, achieving a 50% charge in just 20 minutes.

## New 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide Camera

The iPhone 17 incorporates a 48MP ultra wide “Fusion” camera, a 4x upgrade from the previous model. It enables full-resolution 12MP Macro photos and 24MP ultra wide photos by default.

## All-New Center Stage Front Camera

The upgraded front camera utilizes a square image sensor, allowing smooth transitions between portrait and landscape photos. It boasts an 18MP resolution and features Center Stage for video calls, automatically adjusting the frame. A dual capture mode permits simultaneous recording from both front and back cameras.

## New N1 Wireless Networking Chip

The iPhone 17 marks the introduction of Apple’s inaugural in-house wireless chip, enhancing overall wireless performance. It now supports Bluetooth 6 and precision dual-frequency GPS, along with NavIC support in India.

## Physical Size and Thickness

The iPhone 17 is marginally heavier and thicker:

– 7.95 mm thick (up from 7.80 mm).
– 177 g (up from 170 g).

It is also slightly taller and narrower:

– 5.89 in tall (increased from 5.81 in).
– 2.81 in wide (decreased from 2.82 in).

## Pricing and Availability

The iPhone 17 begins at 256 GB of storage for $799, down from $899. The 512 GB version is now priced at $999 instead of $1099. There is no iPhone 17 Plus for this year.

Preorders will commence at 5:00 AM PT on September 12, with in-store availability on September 19.

Apple’s A19 iPhone Range Unveils Unmatched Capabilities

### A19 Chip is Available in Three Variants for iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro

Each year, one of the standout features of Apple’s latest iPhones is the introduction of a new A-series chip. This year, with the launch of the A19, Apple is implementing a major shift in its iPhone variety by providing three unique variants of the chip across several models.

#### A Fresh Take on Chip Variants

In contrast to recent years, when iPhone upgrades seemed more evolutionary, Apple has unveiled an intriguing set of announcements with its newest iPhones. The inclusion of the iPhone Air has redirected attention, yet the A19 chip continues to be a vital part of the updated range.

For the first time, Apple is offering three distinct versions of its A-series chip for the iPhone range:

– **iPhone 17:** A19 chip
– **iPhone Air:** A19 Pro chip featuring a 5-core GPU
– **iPhone 17 Pro:** A19 Pro chip equipped with a 6-core GPU

This signifies a break from earlier models, where normally only two variants were on offer. The only exception was seen with iPad variations that were released subsequently.

#### Performance and Efficiency

Apple asserts that the A19 Pro chip is superior in both speed and efficiency when compared to the standard A19 chip. Moreover, it is anticipated that the A19 Pro will incorporate 12GB of RAM, unlike the 8GB present in the non-Pro variant. Although Apple has not officially verified this, it is thought that the chip in the iPhone Air is a binned variant of the one used in the iPhone 17 Pro.

The disparity in GPU cores between the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro—5 cores compared to 6 cores—might not greatly affect most users. However, for those pursuing maximum performance, the iPhone 17 Pro, with its complete 6-core GPU and sophisticated vapor chamber cooling technology, emerges as the standout option.

#### Future Implications

The launch of three A-series chips is expected to establish a benchmark for upcoming iPhone iterations. As Apple persists in its innovations, the subsequent generation, the A20 chip, may also feature multiple variants, particularly with the anticipated debut of the iPhone Fold and modifications to the iPhone 18 lineup.

In summary, while the variations among the A19 chips may not be significant for every user, they signify a major shift in Apple’s strategy regarding its iPhone range, paving the way for more diverse and powerful devices ahead.

Apple’s Embracing Method to Wellness Functions: Two Essential Tactics

Apple is occasionally criticized for intentionally restricting new features from older devices without any valid justification. For instance, there was significant concern when dual capture video recording was limited to the iPhone 17, despite the fact that this feature has been compatible with third-party applications since the iPhone 11, indicating it is clearly unrelated to hardware limitations.

However, regarding the newest health features, the company is sensibly adopting a much more inclusive stance.

### Hypertension Alerts

The main new health feature of the Apple Watch models is hypertension notifications, which inform users about indications of chronic high blood pressure. Hypertension is an extremely grave health issue characterized by the consistent high force of blood against artery walls, placing individuals at substantial risk for heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. The World Health Organization estimates that hypertension leads to approximately 7.5 million fatalities each year, representing nearly 13% of all deaths. In the United States, the CDC ranks it as the 13th leading cause of death, accounting for over 42,000 fatalities annually.

Although launched with the Apple Watch Series 11 and the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the company is also extending this feature to three prior models:
– Apple Watch Ultra 2
– Apple Watch Series 10
– Apple Watch Series 9

### Sleep Scores

Another feature debuting with the latest Apple Watches, yet also accessible on older models, is Sleep Score. This feature offers users insightful information regarding their sleep habits. Users have mentioned that sleep data can be comforting, particularly during episodes of insomnia, as it provides actual sleep cycles and disruptions, helping to reduce concerns about sleep quality.

Sleep score is available with watchOS 26 for Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) or newer, and all Apple Watch Ultra models, connected to iPhone 11 or newer, operating iOS 26. Furthermore, any device supporting sleep tracking can be utilized by an iPhone to create a sleep score in the Apple Health app.

Both choices to incorporate these health features into older models are prudent. While individuals may express dissatisfaction concerning the company retaining optional features like multi-camera video recording on the iPhone, it’s an entirely different situation to withhold health features known to have the capacity to save lives.

Apple Broadens Complimentary Satellite Messaging Service: A Confirmation of My Forecast

### Apple’s Satellite Messaging Service: A Crucial Support in Crises

Apple’s satellite messaging system, launched with the iPhone 14, has revolutionized user communication in emergencies, particularly in regions without cellular service. Initially intended exclusively for urgent situations, the service has broadened to encompass roadside aid and the capability to contact family and friends, thereby increasing its usefulness for users.

#### Extended Complimentary Coverage

At first, Apple proclaimed that the satellite messaging feature would be complimentary for the initial two years for iPhone 14 users. Nonetheless, the company has since prolonged this complimentary coverage, which now encompasses several forthcoming iPhone models and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. Sources indicate that the latest complimentary periods are outlined as follows:

– **iPhone 14/15**: September 2022 to September 2026
– **iPhone 16/16e**: February 2027 to September 2028
– **iPhone 17/17 Pro**: September 2027 to September 2028
– **iPhone Air**: Up to September 2027 to September 2028
– **Apple Watch Ultra 3**: September 2027 to September 2028

This extension has ignited discussions surrounding the sustainability of the service and potential consequences if Apple were to initiate charges for it.

#### The Danger of Charging for Emergency Services

Market experts, including John Gruber, have voiced worries regarding the fallout if Apple were to commercialize the emergency SOS service. The risk of adverse media coverage, especially in heartbreaking situations where people might not access assistance due to lapsed subscriptions, threatens Apple’s image significantly.

Gruber proposes that Apple might contemplate two primary approaches to preserve the service’s complimentary status. The first option would involve Apple absorbing the expenses indefinitely, viewing it as a public relations investment. The second alternative could involve launching paid subscription tiers to subsidize a free emergency service, akin to strategies utilized by firms like Garmin.

#### Future Considerations

Although Apple has not yet introduced a paid tier, the company seems to be painstakingly evaluating the financial ramifications and market conditions related to the service. The intricate nature of negotiations and the shifting competitive environment might still obscure the long-term expenses connected with providing this service.

Apple’s prudent strategy of continuously prolonging the free service indicates a dedication to keeping the emergency SOS feature available. This approach not only maintains user confidence but also bolsters the brand’s reputation as a frontrunner in safety and innovation.

#### Conclusion

As Apple continues to tackle the challenges of delivering its satellite messaging service, the focus on retaining the emergency SOS feature as complimentary remains crucial. The company’s persistent extensions reflect a determination to uphold this essential service for users, ensuring that assistance is always just a message away, even in the most isolated areas.

AirPods Live Translation Capabilities Encounter Difficulties in EU Nations

### AirPods Live Translation: A Revolutionary Step in Communication

Apple has unveiled an exciting new feature for its AirPods: Live Translation. This cutting-edge ability seeks to eliminate language obstacles, enabling users to engage fluidly across various languages. At launch, the feature supports English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish, with intentions to include four more languages later this year.

#### Compatibility and Prerequisites

One of the most thrilling features of Live Translation is its compatibility across various AirPods models. Owners of AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, and AirPods 4 can enjoy this capability. Nonetheless, a key prerequisite exists: the feature depends on a connected iPhone, which must be an iPhone 15 Pro or later operating on iOS 26. Thus, even if the hardware is suitable, users must confirm that their iPhone fulfills the requisite specifications to take advantage of Live Translation.

#### Regional Restrictions

Despite the exciting features of Live Translation, considerable regional limitations exist that users should consider. Reports indicate that the feature is inaccessible to those situated in the European Union (EU) if their Apple Account Country or Region is also within the EU. This results in a puzzling scenario where users traveling from outside the EU can use the feature, while those within the EU find themselves unable to.

For example:
– An American visiting Spain can utilize Live Translation without issues.
– A German traveling to France, on the other hand, will discover the feature is not available.
– In contrast, a German going to the UK can make use of Live Translation, as the UK is no longer part of the EU.
– Likewise, a Spaniard visiting Brazil can access the feature, but if they head to Germany, they will be unable to do so.

This restriction seems to arise from compliance issues pertaining to Apple Intelligence features, which are presently limited in the EU. The specific nature of these issues remains ambiguous, but it is speculated that they may reflect Apple’s viewpoint on what it considers overregulation by the EU.

#### Prospective Future

As users deal with these limitations, the future of Live Translation appears unclear. Apple has yet to offer a timeline for when these constraints might be eased, leaving users wishing for a resolution that would improve the feature’s functionality. Currently, while the Live Translation capability is a notable progression in communication technology, its practical use is hampered by these geographic limitations.

### Conclusion

Apple’s Live Translation feature for AirPods marks a considerable advancement in dismantling language barriers. However, prospective users should remain aware of the compatibility prerequisites and regional restrictions that presently influence its functionality. As Apple continues to develop new innovations, it will be intriguing to see how they tackle these challenges and improve the user experience moving forward.