AllYouCanTech

Apple and Amazon Cleared of Wrongdoing in iPhone and iPad Price-Fixing Lawsuit

A federal court in Seattle has rejected a lawsuit that accused Apple and Amazon of illegally manipulating prices for iPhones and iPads. The suit, filed in 2022 by Steven Floyd and his legal representatives, claimed that Apple aimed to restrict the number of iPhone and iPad resellers on Amazon’s marketplace. The lawsuit asserted that Apple agreed to sell its products to Amazon at lowered wholesale prices in return for Amazon limiting third-party vendors. Both companies have refuted these claims.

The case dismissal occurred after U.S. District Judge Kymberly Evanson determined that Floyd’s attorneys did not inform the court that Floyd had withdrawn from the case. Instead, they alleged he had become difficult to contact while seeking new plaintiffs to take his place. Judge Evanson stressed the necessity for transparency from legal representatives in her judgment, indicating that the misrepresentation required a reassessment of previous court orders and findings.

In her ruling, Judge Evanson remarked, “The Court depends on counsel to be honest, by rule and by necessity… Without a plaintiff left to pursue this case, it must be dismissed.” Floyd’s individual claims were dismissed with prejudice, and the court rejected any efforts to introduce new named plaintiffs. The judge also pointed out that court resources are finite, which impacted her choice to dismiss the case following numerous hearings intended to resolve the matter equitably.

The rejection of this lawsuit signifies a notable development in the ongoing examination of pricing strategies within the tech sector, especially regarding major companies like Apple and Amazon.

Apple Includes Apple Watch Series 3 and iPhone 11 Pro Max in Vintage Products Catalog

**Apple’s Vintage Product Listing: iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3**

Apple has recently included the iPhone 11 Pro Max along with all versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 in its vintage product listing. This categorization has consequences for users and collectors of these devices.

### Comprehending Apple’s Vintage Designation

Apple marks a product as “vintage” five years post its discontinuation from sale. Although this designation does not directly impact the availability of hardware service and parts, it signifies that the product is no longer actively supported by Apple. After another five years, products are termed “obsolete,” meaning they will cease to receive any official support or service from Apple.

### Recently Listed Vintage Products

According to MacRumors, the following items have been included in Apple’s vintage products list:

– **iPhone 11 Pro Max**
– **Apple Watch Series 3 Versions:**
– Aluminum, 38mm
– Aluminum, 42mm
– Edition (Ceramic), 38mm
– Edition (Ceramic), 42mm
– Hermes, 38mm
– Hermes, 42mm
– Nike, 38mm
– Nike, 42mm
– Stainless Steel, 38mm
– Stainless Steel, 42mm

It is noteworthy that the regular 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro was not included on the vintage list, with only the larger iPhone 11 Pro Max being listed.

### Consequences for Users

For individuals still using these devices, the vintage classification acts as a reminder of the product’s age and the eventual reduction in support. While hardware service and parts might still be on hand, it’s recommended that users think about upgrading to newer models as support may lessen over time.

### Final Thoughts

The inclusion of the iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 3 in Apple’s vintage product list signifies a notable milestone in the lifecycle of these devices. As technology progresses, users should remain aware of the status of their devices and plan ahead for necessary upgrades.

Two Affordable Accessories for the iPhone 17 Pro to Think About

# Safeguarding Your iPhone 17 Pro: Case and Screen Protector Options

Although numerous users appreciate the elegant design of an iPhone without any protective accessories, the iPhone 17 Pro includes features that justify the use of a case and screen protector. With budget-friendly choices available, experimenting with these accessories can be a low-risk investment.

## The Advancement of iPhone Screen Protection

Five years prior, Apple launched Ceramic Shield glass, asserting it delivered quadruple drop performance, significantly lessening the likelihood of shattered displays. Nonetheless, many users continue to encounter scratches following a year of utilization. The newly unveiled Ceramic Shield 2 vows to offer three times improved scratch resistance, yet worries about deep scratches persist among users.

Furthermore, Apple has enhanced the anti-glare capabilities of the front panel, even though it still falls short when compared to the efficiency of nano-texture finishes found on devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro.

## Improving Display with a Matte Screen Protector

To tackle worries about scratches and reflections, a growing number of users are opting for matte screen protectors. A favored choice is the Mothca matte glass screen protector, which provides a distinctive matte surface that minimizes glare while offering reasonable protection against scratches. Priced between $8 and $12, it presents an economical way to test out a matte appearance on the iPhone 17 Pro.

Although the Mothca protector has its drawbacks—such as a subtle rainbow effect and diminished brightness—it delivers a premium feel at an economical price, making it a recommended option for those intrigued by matte displays.

## Selecting a Slim Case for Occasional Use

For users who prefer not to commit to a case for everyday use, a slim case can be a sensible option for particular activities, like kayaking or attaching the phone to motorcycle handlebars. Concerns about damaging the aluminum finish near the camera bump also prompt the necessity for protection.

While Apple’s clear case is available, its design may not be to everyone’s taste. Alternatively, the Spigen Thin Fit case presents a chic option. Offered in several colors, including gray, it provides a sleek aesthetic that pairs well with the cosmic orange of the iPhone 17 Pro. Priced at approximately $29.99 in retail outlets and $23.99 on Amazon, it features MagSafe compatibility and a complete camera cover for additional durability.

## Accessory Suggestions

For individuals seeking to safeguard their iPhone 17 Pro, the Mothca screen protector and Spigen Thin Fit case are outstanding suggestions. The screen protector aids in shielding against deep scratches while offering an anti-glare surface, and the case provides a metallic appearance without excess bulk.

In summary, while some users may choose to forgo a case, the combination of a matte screen protector and a slim case can bolster the longevity and functionality of the iPhone 17 Pro, making them valuable accessories to consider.

M5 Chip Leak Suggests Major Progress for Apple in Key Area

Today, the yet-to-be-announced M5 iPad Pro from Apple appears to have been leaked by the same YouTuber who revealed the M4 MacBook Pro last year. This unexpected disclosure provides us with benchmarks for Apple’s upcoming M5 chip, showcasing considerable enhancements in a crucial area.

### M5 Chip Might Provide Significant GPU Improvements Over M4

Each year, when Apple reveals its new iPhone chip, we gain insights into what to anticipate from the M-class chips in the same lineage. The A19 Pro found in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air signifies a substantial update in CPU performance year-over-year, with notable excellence in GPU capabilities, primarily due to the incorporation of Neural Accelerators.

Apple’s Tim Millet, VP of Platform Architecture, recently discussed the benefits of this technology:

> “Our GPU allows us to implement neural processing across applications that have traditionally been more graphics-intensive. For instance, gaming applications. Leveraging AI to enhance imaging quality, as well as improving the efficiency of certain image rendering tasks.”

Considering that the upcoming M5 chip is based on the same fundamental architecture as the A19 Pro, it is not surprising that the leaked M5 benchmarks exhibit comparable GPU strengths in Geekbench evaluations.

When assessing the M5 against last year’s standard M4 chip, the new chip showcased the following CPU improvements:

– **Single-core:** around 10-12%
– **Multi-core:** around 15%

While these numbers are commendable, they are not extraordinarily groundbreaking. Nevertheless, the GPU enhancements are significant, with improvements reaching up to approximately **35%**.

This increase does not ensure a consistent 35% uplift across all GPU applications, but it implies that the M5 will offer notable improvements, particularly in gaming performance when compared to the M4.

These advancements are anticipated to benefit not just the new iPad Pro, but also the forthcoming M5 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

Another important detail from the benchmarks suggests that the leaked M5 iPad Pro is a 256GB version with 12GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 8GB found in last year’s equivalent M4. It is probable that Apple will feature 16GB or more in its higher storage options, akin to the approach taken with the more expensive M4 models last year.

What are your thoughts regarding the performance of the leaked M5 chip? Share your opinions in the comments.