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Avatar for Jordan Kahn

Jordan Kahn

jordankahn

Dir. Partnerships

9to5Mac / 9to5Google / 9to5Toys / Electrek.co / DroneDJ / SpaceExplored

Jordan manages the internal Partner Program for sponsorships and partnerships across the 9to5 network’s media brands including 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, Electrek.co, SpaceExplored and DroneDJ.com.

Jordan also writes about all things Apple as a Senior Editor of 9to5Mac. He covers Google for 9to5Google.com, the best gadgets and deals on 9to5Toys.com, and EV and solar news on Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series and makes music sometimes.

Contact Jordan with partnership inquiries and long-winded complaints:  

Connect with Jordan Kahn

Apple’s full letter to artists on Apple Music streaming payouts

In an open letter being sent to artists today (below), Apple for the first time broke down how it pays artists for streams on the service. It said the average play rate is $0.01 per stream, but it didn’t break down specific streaming rates that vary based on geography and discounted Apple Music plans.

Some of the highlights:

  • Apple said it paid an average of $0.01 per stream for individual paid plans last year
  • It paid the same 52% headline rate to all labels
  • Royalties were paid out for more than 5 million recording artists worldwide in 2020
  • The number of artists that generated recording and publishing royalties over $1 million per year increased over 120% since 2017
  • The number of recording artists that generated over $50,000 per year has more than doubled.

Apple said the open letter will be part of a new ongoing series to keep artists informed:

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Video claims to show Apple magnetic wireless charger prototype

A new video sent to 9to5Mac this morning claims to show a prototype of a new Apple accessory that appears to be a wireless charger of some kind.

The video follows reports earlier this year of an upcoming small wireless charging mat from Apple. It also could be related to recent reports that the upcoming iPhone 12 models will feature an internal ring of magnets in the back of the device that could allow for the attachement of accessories like wireless chargers.

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Apple introduces specs for photography strobe accessories that augment iPhone 11’s flash

Apple’s iPhone 11 models could soon support new strobe and flash accessories for photography that connect via the device’s built-in Lightning connector, according to sources briefed on new specs shared with manufacturers in Apple’s Made-for-iPhone (MFi) licensing program.

The specs could allow for new types of accessories like a Made-for-iPhone battery case with a built-in flash that connects over Lightning.


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Apple’s new MacBook Air and Pro models are eligible for free keyboard repairs

MacBook Pro keyboard

Following a refresh for the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models today, Apple has informed repair staff that the two new MacBook models are eligible for its Keyboard Service program offering free repairs on keyboards in certain MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models. The two new models added today include the MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019) and the MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports), according to a memo to staff obtained by 9to5Mac.


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Apple finds issue w/ logic board in some 2018 MacBook Airs, offers free repair

Apple has confirmed in an internal document to repair staff that it’s identified an issue with the main logic board in what it says is a “very small number” of MacBook Air models. Apple Stores and authorized repair staff have been informed to replace the main logic board in affected machines at no cost to customers, according to the document obtained by 9to5Mac.


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PencilKit lets devs easily implement Apple’s low latency & new dynamic Pencil tools

Apple introduced PencilKit at WWDC 2019 this week for much easier implementation of Apple Pencil experiences in third-party apps. The new framework will allow devs to tap into the same low latency and the new Apple Pencil tool palette and “markup anywhere” features that Apple itself uses for drawing and annotating in its own apps.


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iOS 13 includes new Accessibility features for motion sensitivity and color blindness

iOS 13 accessibility color blindness

This week during Apple’s WWDC sessions for developers the company showed off some new features for accessibility coming to iOS 13. These include new settings to improve app interactions for users with various motion sensitivity and color-blindness disabilities. The new features will be available in Apple’s own apps starting with iOS 13 and in third-party apps via new APIs for developers.

Head below for full details on the new features:


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65+ iOS 13 features that Apple didn’t show off at WWDC

install iOS 13

Today at its WWDC keynote presentation, Apple officially announced iOS 13 arriving later this year for iPhone users. The company demoed a few of the notable new features including Dark Mode, a new swipe-based gesture keyboard, as well as new features for Siri, Photos and AirPods. It also, however, quickly flashed a slide on stage showing over 65 other new iOS 13 features arriving with the release this fall. Take a look:


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Apple Watch replacement constraint means some Series 3 repairs will get Series 4 upgrade

Apple Watch Giveaway

Apple appears to be running low on inventory for Apple Watch Series 3 repairs as the company informed store staff today that it will substitute some Series 3 repairs with the newer Apple Watch Series 4. Apple announced the change in an internal memo that was delivered to Apple Store repair staff and Apple’s Authorized Service Providers, according to sources briefed on the update.


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best cyber Monday apple deals 2023

Cyber Monday Deals Hub: Save on Apple, Google, Amazon devices, TVs, fashion, home goods, more!

After one of the biggest Black Fridays in history, it’s now time to turn our attention to Cyber Monday. We’ll be working around the clock to bring you all of the best deals. Be sure to give us a follow on Twitter and download the new 9to5Toys iOS app to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Head below for all of the best Cyber Monday deals.


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Apple launches vintage repair pilot program to fix aging iPhones, MacBooks and more

Apple is introducing a new “Repair Vintage Apple Products Pilot” program that will extend the period of time customers can receive repairs for older devices, according to sources familiar with the initiative. The new program at first will include the iPhone 5 and other Apple products that are about to become obsolete, and in the coming weeks will add more products to the list for devices that previously lost repair support.

Of note, the list also includes the 5+ year old Mid-2012 MacBook Air models following the introduction of an updated MacBook Air at the company’s event earlier this week.

The full list of devices that currently fall under Apple’s new program include:


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Apple introduces new data recovery process for Macs with T2 chip

macOS 10.14.5

Apple has recently documented a new data recovery process internally for Macs that utilize its T2 chip introduced with the iMac Pro and the 2018 MacBook Pro. The new process for repair staff is being introduced due to the T2 chip’s advanced security features including hardware encryption for SSD storage that isn’t compatible with Apple’s previous data recovery methods used on older machines.


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How to: Change your Artist Image with Apple Music for Artists beta

One of the long requested features for Apple Music by artists has been the ability to quickly and easily change bio/profile photos – the main artist image that shows up when someone searches their name on iTunes or Apple Music and also at the top of their artist/catalog page.

Now, Apple’s recently launched “Apple Music for Artists” beta has been updated to allow exactly that. The new feature comes alongside Apple’s refreshed and enlarged artist images that appear in iOS 12 set for release this fall.

Here’s how it works…


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9to5Rewards: Win these customized dark blue ‘9to5Mac Edition’ AirPods from Colorware

This week for 9to5Rewards, we’re giving away a pair of customized “9to5Mac Edition” AirPods from ColorWare, the Minnesota-based company that specializes in custom painted products & skins.

These are a pair of genuine Apple AirPods (Reg. $159) that are specially customized with a dark blue paint job on both the case the AirPods themselves. You’ll also notice 9to5Mac logos in light blue on the case including our clock logo on one side and the words “9TO5MAC EDITION” on the back. These are one of a kind AirPods that Colorware has made especially to giveaway to one lucky 9to5Mac reader. Head below for more. 
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Apple releases 2018 MacBook Pro update to fix CPU throttling/thermal management bug

Apple is today pushing out an update for its brand new MacBook Pros released earlier this month to address a bug that resulted in performance issues related to the machines’ thermal management system under certain conditions. Specifically, the bug affects the new MacBook Pro’s thermal management system and drives clock speeds down lower than necessary under heavy workloads.

Apple provided us with the following statement:


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Video goes hands-on with ‘iPhone X Plus’ 6.5-inch & ‘iPhone 9’ 6.1-inch dummy units & cases

The video and photos below are the latest claiming to show dummy models of a 6.1-inch “iPhone 9” and a 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus” rumoured to be the next iPhone models Apple unveils this fall. The video was sent in to 9to5Mac by friend of the site @shaimizrachi, who has shared accurate dummies for iPhones in year’s past.


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