{"id":81740,"date":"2022-04-01T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=81740"},"modified":"2022-04-01T15:50:46","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T20:50:46","slug":"apple-news-roundup-march-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/81740-apple-news-roundup-march-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple News Roundup: March 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to our monthly Apple News Roundup. This column recaps the top 10 biggest Apple news announcements from each month. This edition features the highlights from March of 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Apple unveils M1 Ultra \u2014 the world\u2019s most powerful chip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple announced the M1 Ultra<\/a> which is the most powerful and capable chip for a personal computer. Available in the all-new Mac Studio<\/a>, the chip features UltraFusion\u2014Apple\u2019s innovative packing system that interconnects the die of two M1 Max chips to create a system on a chip with unprecedented performance and capabilities. \u201cM1 Ultra is another game-changer for Apple silicon that once again will shock the PC industry,\u201d said Johny Srouji, Apple\u2019s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple-M1-Ultra\"
Image source: Apple Newsroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Apple halts all sales in Russian online store <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Due to the continued Ukrainian invasion, the Apple Online Store in Russia has halted sales<\/a> of all products in Russia. Ukrainian minister Mykhailo Federov previously called on Apple to stop operating all services in Russia, including iCloud and the App Store. Several other tech and media companies have since followed suit and limited access to state-backed Russian media. Additionally, Apple shared a comprehensive statement<\/a> on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Russian
Image source: Bloomberg LP<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Apple announces the new iPhone SE <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new iPhone SE<\/a> is the most affordable iPhone featuring an iconic design, the powerful A15 Bionic (which powers advanced camera capabilities and enhances the photo editing and gaming experience), 5G, better battery life, improved durability, and a new camera system\u2014featuring Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, and Deep Fusion. The iPhone SE comes in three colors\u2014midnight, starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED and is now available for purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple
Image source: Apple Newsroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Apple reveals new products at Peek Performance event<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Apple\u2019s March 8th \u201cPeek Performance\u201d event, the company revealed a host of new products<\/a> aimed at creators living on a budget. The aforementioned M1 Ultra chip and the new iPhone SE were among these products. The iPad Air<\/a> also got a refresh and a new set of specs\u2014at a price comparable to Android\u2019s best mid-range tablets. Also announced was the new Mac Studio<\/a>\u2014the ultimate Apple machine built into a small aluminum box, that is available with the M1 Ultra chip configuration. The Studio Display pairs well with this new Mac, as does the green iPhone 13. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple's
Image source: TheTechXP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Apple\u2019s Impact Accelerator presents business opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Last fall, leaders from 15 companies across the US participated in Apple\u2019s inaugural Impact Accelerator<\/a>\u2014a three-month virtual program that included customized training and access to Apple mentors and an alumni community. The Impact Accelerator was launched in 2020 as part of Apple\u2019s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative<\/a> and is designed to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector for Black-Hispanic\/Latinx and Indigenous-owned businesses\u2014on the cutting edge of green tech and clean energy. Learn more about the program here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Insert
Image source: Apple Newsroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Apple launches first driver\u2019s license and state ID in Wallet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple announced Arizona<\/a> as the first state with access to add their driver\u2019s license and state ID to Wallet. Arizonans can simply tap their iPhone or Apple Watch and securely present it at select TSA security checkpoints in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Additional states will offer this feature soon\u2014including Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico, as well as the seven states Apple previously announced. For more information visit apple.co\/wallet-id<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Driver's
Image source: Apple Newsroom<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Apple plans new hardware subscription service <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple is planning to change how customers buy hardware<\/a> products, starting later this year with the iPhone. According to a Bloomberg report<\/a>, Apple is planning to let users buy iPhone and iPad hardware \u201csimilar to paying a monthly app fee.\u201d The move would fit into Apple\u2019s ongoing push toward subscription services as a whole and could tie into Apple One bundles and AppleCare.com. The service is slated to launch by the end of 2022 or in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Verge
Image source: Vjeran Pavic, The Verge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Apple buys UK fintech startup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple has acquired<\/a> British fintech start-up Credit Kudos<\/a>\u2014a firm that develops software that uses consumers\u2019 banking data to make informed credit checks on loan applications. The company operates in a space in the world of fintech known as \u201copen banking.\u201d The deal reportedly worth $150 million, signals that Apple is looking to broaden the scope of its financial offerings. Additionally, the Apple Card provides benefits such as daily cashback rewards, and UK users will presumably be able to launch the Apple Card in the UK and other countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple
Image source: Macworld<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Apple\u2019s $4.7 billion in Green Bonds supports technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple plans to use the world\u2019s first commercial-purity low-carbon aluminum from ELYSIS<\/a>\u2014the company behind the world\u2019s first direct carbon-free aluminum smelting process\u2014in the iPhone SE. The company\u2019s investments in Green Bonds have helped jump-start the development<\/a> of new low-carbon manufacturing and recycling technologies. \u201cApple is committed to leaving the planet better than we found it, and our Green Bonds are a key tool to drive our environmental efforts forward,\u201d said Lisa Jackson, Apple\u2019s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. For more information visit investor.apple.com\/Apple_GreenBond_Report.pdf<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Insert
Image source: Apple Newsroom<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Apple\u2019s \u201cCODA\u201d wins Oscar for Best Picture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCODA\u201d<\/a> became the first film with a predominantly Deaf cast to win Best Picture<\/a> at the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles held on March 27. And this award makes Apple the first streaming service honored with Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Star Troy Kotsur is also the first Deaf male actor to win an Oscar and Si\u00e2n Heder won Best Adapted Screenplay. \u201cWhat an incredible journey it has been since the moment we first saw \u2018CODA\u2019 to today\u2019s historic recognition from the Academy,\u201d said Jamie Erlicht, Apple\u2019s head of Worldwide Video. \u201cCODA\u201d is now streaming on Apple TV+.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple
Image source: Apple Newsroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n