Tech Talk

Last month, VMware announced the next major version of its virtualization software for Mac, Fusion 12, and as of today, the update is now available . As we noted last month, Fusion 12 includes a number of updates and improvements, such as eGPU compatibility, support for container-based applications built with Kubernetes, DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1 support, improved security for the sandbox rendering engine, improved accessibility controls, and more. Fusion 12 has also been optimized for macOS Big Sur, with both host and guest support for Apple's upcoming release. On systems running macOS Catalina , Fusion 12 will continue to run with kernel extensions as it has in the past, but on macOS Big Sur, Fusion will take advantage of Apple's APIs to run virtual machines and containers. With the launch of Fusion 12, VMware is also restructuring its licensing to bring it in line with Workstation 16, Fusion's sister software for Windows and Linux. The basic level of Fusion is no

Amid reports Monday morning that Oracle has won the battle with Microsoft to acquire TikTok's U.S. operations, China's state-run English TV channel is claiming that no sale with any U.S. buyer will go ahead (via Reuters ). ByteDance will not sell TikTok's U.S. operations to Oracle Corp ORCL.N or Microsoft Corp MSFT.O and will not give the source code for the video platform to any U.S. buyers, China's state-run English television channel CGTN reported on Monday, citing sources . People familiar with the matter told Reuters that ByteDance abandoned the sale of TikTok in the United States and decided to pursue a partnership with Oracle in hopes of avoiding a U.S. ban while appeasing the Chinese government. ByteDance declined to comment on CGTN’s report. A source also told the South China Morning Post that the tech upstart has decided not to sell or transfer the source code behind its popular video app. The development follows a report from The Wall Street Journa

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers last month seized a shipment of OnePlus Buds earphones at JFK Airport apparently believing they were counterfeit Apple AirPods , reports The Verge . CBP tweeted last night that its officers had "recently seized 2,000 counterfeit Apple ‌AirPods‌ from Hong Kong, valued at $398K had they been genuine." Hey, give those back! 🙃 — OnePlus USA (@OnePlus_USA) September 14, 2020 The tweet also linked out to an official press release that praises CBP officers for "protecting the American public from various dangers on a daily basis," adding "the interceptions of these counterfeit earbuds is a direct reflection of the vigilance and commitment to mission success by our CBP officers daily." Based on the accompanying photos, however, the seized products are actually legitimate OnePlus Buds, as clearly described on the earphones' boxing. Whether the 2,000 seized units were all OnePlus Buds isn't imm

SoftBank is nearing a deal to sell its Arm Holdings to Nvidia, the world's largest graphics chipmaker, reports The Wall Street Journal . According to those familiar with the matter, a cash-and-stock deal between the two companies could occur early next week and would be valued at over $40 billion, which could potentially be the largest deal ever in the semiconductor industry. SoftBank initially acquired Arm for $32 billion four years ago. The two companies have reportedly been in talks for weeks over a possible deal, and if completed, scrutiny may arise among antitrust regulars since Nvidia itself is currently a customer of Arm. Companies that utilize Arm technology would also not be in favor of a deal without explicit assurances that Arm's instruction set will continue to be available for equal licensing opportunities. SoftBank allegedly approached Apple to see if it was interested in the purchase of Arm, but Apple hadn't planned to pursue a bid due to Arm's l

Staples is now offering the AirPods Pro for $199.00 , down from $249.00. This $50 discount is among the best prices that we've ever tracked for a new pair of AirPods Pro, and beats the ongoing $219 price tag of the Bluetooth headphones seen at retailers like Amazon and Verizon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Staples. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. The AirPods Pro are available for free shipping with an expected delivery date of Wednesday, September 16. You can also choose to pick up the AirPods Pro in stores. The $50 savings will expire on Saturday, September 19, or while supplies last, and it's likely that Staples will run out of stock at this price before that date. $50 OFF AirPods Pro for $199.00 Staples also has Apple's AirPods with Charging Case for $129.00 , down from $159.00, which is a price that's matching Amazon's current sale . Head to Staples soon

Proven leaker known as " L0vetodream " has today shared a range of information about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 6, charging features, and product release dates. In a series of tweets teased earlier today, the leaker explained that the Apple Watch Series 6 would come in a new, unspecified color. new color for Apple Watch — 有没有搞措 (@L0vetodream) September 13, 2020 The iPhone 12 has been repeatedly rumored by a variety of reliable sources to be arriving in a new blue color. In what may be a mere coincidence, Apple is also using an all-blue color scheme for its Tuesday event . Although the leaker does not say what new color is coming to the Apple Watch, it seems likely that it will be blue to match the new ‌iPhone 12‌ models. The leaker's other information was far more ambiguous, stating that an unspecified Apple product will have fast-charging functionality. Considering that WatchOS 7 has new sleep-tracking capabilities , thereby reducing the amount o

It's almost here! Apple's annual September event is right around the corner, although it will certainly look a little different this year and might not include one of the major products we expect to see each year at this time. This week also saw new rumors about iPhone 12 launch plans, new developments in the dispute between Apple and Epic Games, and a rumor about the chip destined for the first Apple Silicon-based Mac. Read on below for all of the details on next Tuesday's event and more! Apple Announces Digital-Only Event Set to Be Held September 15 Apple on Tuesday announced that it will be holding a digital-only media event on Tuesday, September 15 , with the event being streamed from the company's Apple Park headquarters. While September is the traditional time for Apple's iPhone event, reliable sources are indicating that we will NOT be seeing the introduction of the iPhone 12 lineup at next week's event. Instead, the event with a tagline of &q

Bose is now taking pre-orders for its new QuietComfort Earbuds , which are set to rival Apple's AirPods Pro in the premium true wireless ANC earphones market. As the QuietComfort brand name suggests, Bose's latest earbuds feature active noise canceling combined with passive isolation, offering "all the noise cancelling performance of our best over-ear headphones — from a compact, truly wireless earbud." Bose says its new StayHear Max silicone tips are designed to conform completely to the contours of the ear to create a gentle seal, while an array of internal and external microphones detect ambient noise and produce an opposite signal to cancel it out in a fraction of a millisecond. Another thing Bose's earbuds have in common with ‌AirPods Pro‌ is a transparency feature, which allows the user to simultaneously listen to music while still hearing the environment around them – whether that's to hear traffic during a run or an important train announcement

Microsoft has made its Surface Duo dual-screen Android phone available for purchase, with prices for the device starting at $1,399. The Surface Duo combines two 4:3 OLED displays that are connected side by side with a hinge. The two 5.6-inch displays result in a 3:2 8.1-inch overall tablet-style screen size. The device can be held horizontally or vertically, with the same app utilizing the two screens or different apps displayed on either screen. Alternately, it can be stood up like a tent to watch movies on one screen in landscape mode. The 360-degree hinge means it can also be folded up into a more traditional form factor with a screen on either side, or closed up altogether like a book. "Join a Microsoft Teams meeting and see participants on one screen while you present your PowerPoint slides on another. Open the Amazon Kindle app and read a book like a book. Position Surface Duo's screen like a tent and watch a video hands-free. Use Surface Duo in Compose mode to q

Apple today opened its new Marina Bay Sands retail store in Singapore, and YouTube channel Superadrianme TV has produced a video walkthrough, embedded below, that gives viewers a real sense of what it's like to visit the stunning one-of-a-kind construction. The video includes Apple's traditional clapping welcome for customers at the official opening, the 45-meter-long underwater entrance tunnel from Basement 2 of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, and the long escalator ride to the reach the top. It also shows off the domed main floor, including the central oculus at the apex of the structure and the surrounding louvered blinds, which illuminate the interior while keeping customers protected from the scorching rays of the midday sun. The store includes not only the usual product display areas and gigantic video wall anchoring The Forum, but also Apple's first underwater Boardroom for business meetings, training, and private events. Apple Marina Bay Sands is the c

Feral Interactive today announced the release of World War II real-time strategy game "Company of Heroes" for iPhone . Originally developed for Windows by Relic Entertainment, the critically-acclaimed RTS was recently designed and developed by Feral for the ‌ iPad ‌, which has now become a universal app. The game sees players command two crack companies of American soldiers and direct an intense campaign in the European Theater of Operations starting with the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. Feral has optimized the game for ‌iPhone‌, and it features the same sophisticated command wheel and command panel options seen on ‌iPad‌ that let players execute real-time tactics, adapt to constantly shifting environments, and do battle with the opposition to secure the liberation of France. According to MacRumors sister site TouchArcade , on first look the jump to ‌iPhone‌ is very impressive. I played the game on an older iPad Pro for review and everything is more responsive on m

Scotland is the latest country to implement Apple's and Google's Exposure Notification API in their COVID-19 contact tracing app, now available on the App Store . The Protect Scotland app was developed by NHS Scotland and is based on the exposure notification technology that was jointly developed by Google and Apple. Some other countries that have implemented or are committed to implementing the API include Italy, Latvia, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Saudi Arabia. Built into iOS 13.5 on the Apple side, the API allows iPhones and Android smartphones to interface with one another for contact tracing purposes. If and when you happen to be nearby someone who later tests positive for COVID-19, you can receive a notification and take the appropriate steps to self isolate and seek medical help if necessary. Apple recently rolled out a new Exposure Notifications System that does not require an app to be downloaded for the feature to be turned on. After updating to iOS 13.7,