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iPhone 12 preorders: How to buy 2 of Apple's new phones now – CNET

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Four new iPhone 12s, four different prices. And not every iPhone will arrive at the same time.


Apple/Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

iPhone 12 preorders are now open. Well, at least for two models. With a total of four new iPhones coming in 2020 — the most ever — the preorder process and release date schedule is staggered. The iPhone 12 and iPhone Pro are the first phones to go on sale: US preorders started today, Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). As of 8:15 a.m. PT Friday, the iPhone 12 Pro orders are slipping to late October, or the first week of November with free shipping, or a few days earlier if you pay for faster shipping. 

The iPhone 12 is still marked for delivery on launch day, Friday, Oct. 23, which is also when those first two models hit stores. But if you want the iPhone 12 Mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you’ll have to wait until Nov. 6 to place an order, and until Nov. 13 for them to actually ship.   

The other big change for 2020 is pricing: All four carriers are selling two iPhones for $30 less than if you buy a SIM-free model from Apple. With so many models (here’s how to tell them all apart) and staggered sale dates, this is certainly Apple’s most confusing iPhone launch yet.

Each new iPhone has 5G connectivity, a first for Apple, an OLED display and camera improvements, especially the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max.

Read more: The new iPad Air is arriving Oct. 23


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iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, Pro and Pro Max explained

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We lay out everything you need to know about buying an iPhone 12, including the full pricing options across carriers, models and configurations. And if you’re switching to a new iPhone 12, make sure you go through our checklist on your current iPhone

iPhone 12 pricing: All four new models

64GB 128GB 256GB 512GB
iPhone 12 Mini (Carrier model) $699 $749 $849 N/A
iPhone 12 Mini (SIM-free from Apple) $729 $779 $879 N/A
iPhone 12 (Carrier model) $799 $849 $949 N/A
iPhone 12 (SIM-free from Apple) $829 $879 $979 N/A
iPhone 12 Pro N/A $999 $1,099 $1,299
iPhone 12 Pro Max N/A $1,099 $1,199 $1,399

When can I buy the iPhone 12?

This year, Apple is staggering the release of all the iPhone 12 models. That means the timing of preorders will be based on the model you want. 

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: Preorders are now available. They opened Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 a.m. PT (8 a.m. ET). Availability and sale date is Oct. 23, though shipping time for the iPhone 12 Pro is slipping to late October or early November. 

iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max: Preorders begin Friday, Nov. 6 (no time announced yet). Availability and sale date on Nov. 13.

Unless otherwise noted below, all US carriers and retailers will begin preorders and deliveries at the same time.

What are my iPhone 12 color options?

  • iPhone 12 Mini: Black, red, white, green, blue
  • iPhone 12: Black, red, white, green, blue
  • iPhone 12 Pro: Gold, silver, graphite, blue
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: Gold, silver, graphite, blue

How much does the iPhone 12 cost?

iPhone 12 Mini 

The iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest of the lot, with a 5.4-inch display. It’s also the least expensive model. 

  • 64GB: $699 
  • 128GB: $749
  • 256GB: $849

Order (starting Nov. 6) from Apple | AT&T | Verizon | T-MobileXfinity Mobile | Walmart | Target | Best Buy 

iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch screen and two rear-facing cameras and is available in a handful of bright and fun colors. 

  • 64GB: $799
  • 128GB: $849
  • 256GB: $949

Order from Apple | AT&T | Verizon | T-Mobile | Xfinity Mobile | WalmartTargetBest Buy 

iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 Pro also has a screen size of 6.1 inches, but it has a stainless-steel housing, three rear-facing cameras and a lidar sensor for improved AR functions.  

  • 128GB: $999
  • 256GB: $1,099
  • 512GB: $1,199

Order from Apple | AT&T | Verizon | T-Mobile | Xfinity Mobile | WalmartTargetBest Buy 

iPhone 12 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch screen, the largest ever in an iPhone. Like the smaller version, the Pro Max also has three rear-facing cameras, and a lidar sensor for improved AR.  

  • 128GB: $1,099
  • 256GB: $1,199
  • 512GB: $1,399

Order (starting Nov. 6) from Apple | AT&T | Verizon | T-Mobile | Xfinity Mobile | WalmartTargetBest Buy 

Buy from Apple in just a few taps

Naturally, you can buy directly from Apple. Pro tip: Use the Apple Store app on your iPhone to speed up the process. You can pick out your exact model, go through the approval process with your carrier for the upgrade and even sign up for Apple Card or agree to the iPhone Upgrade Program terms. It’s a smooth experience all around. 

Wireless carriers

Buying the new iPhone through a wireless carrier can have the added benefit of deals and promotions, but often the deals require you to switch carriers or add lines to your account. 

AT&T

New or existing AT&T customers can get a free iPhone 12 by trading in an iPhone 8 or newer, and sign up for one of AT&T’s new unlimited plans. 

Verizon Wireless

Verizon announced it was expanding its 5G network nationwide, and alongside that running a promotion for the iPhone 12 that includes a free phone with the trade-in of “select” phones and signing up for a “select” unlimited plan when you switch to the carrier. Existing customers can sign up to pay $15 a month under the same promotion. 

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is running several different promotions for the iPhone 12 launch. For example, you can get two iPhone 12 Pros with two lines of service on an unlimited 5G plan for $100 a month with a qualifying trade-in. Adding a line to your account and trading in an eligible phone can get you up to $850 off an iPhone 12. If you’ve been with T-Mobile or Sprint for five years or longer, you can get $200 off a new iPhone when you trade in your current iPhone. 

Xfinity Mobile

New customers who port their number over to Xfinity Mobile will get $250 off an Apple device, while existing customers will get a $250 prepaid debit card. 

Retailers 

Sometimes big-box retailers like Best Buy or Walmart offer the best deals and promotions. If nothing else, they serve as a backup plan if you’re looking for launch day availability. 

Walmart

You can save up to $130 on the iPhone 12 when you preorder from Walmart. It appears the discount only applies to purchases made with a qualifying device payment plan. 

Target

Target’s website has placeholders for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lines, with an availability date of Oct. 23 for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Currently, there are no promotions listed on the site. 

Best Buy

Best Buy is effectively mirroring AT&T’s offer: Get the iPhone 12 for free with “qualified activation and trade-in with AT&T for new and existing customers,” or the Pro with the same basic stipulations for $6.67 per month over 30 months.

We will continue to update this post as more carriers and retailers announce their plans.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Kuwait bans ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’ video game, likely over it featuring Saddam Hussein in 1990s

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The tiny Mideast nation of Kuwait has banned the release of the video game “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6,” which features the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and is set in part in the 1990s Gulf War.

Kuwait has not publicly acknowledged banning the game, which is a tentpole product for the Microsoft-owned developer Activision and is set to be released on Friday worldwide. However, it comes as Kuwait still wrestles with the aftermath of the invasion and as video game makers more broadly deal with addressing historical and cultural issues in their work.

The video game, a first-person shooter, follows CIA operators fighting at times in the United States and also in the Middle East. Game-play trailers for the game show burning oilfields, a painful reminder for Kuwaitis who saw Iraqis set fire to the fields, causing vast ecological and economic damage. Iraqi troops damaged or set fire to over 700 wells.

There also are images of Saddam and Iraq’s old three-star flag in the footage released by developers ahead of the game’s launch. The game’s multiplayer section, a popular feature of the series, includes what appears to be a desert shootout in Kuwait called Scud after the Soviet missiles Saddam fired in the war. Another is called Babylon, after the ancient city in Iraq.

Activision acknowledged in a statement that the game “has not been approved for release in Kuwait,” but did not elaborate.

“All pre-orders in Kuwait will be cancelled and refunded to the original point of purchase,” the company said. “We remain hopeful that local authorities will reconsider, and allow players in Kuwait to enjoy this all-new experience in the Black Ops series.”

Kuwait’s Media Ministry did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press over the decision.

“Call of Duty,” which first began in 2003 as a first-person shooter set in World War II, has expanded into an empire worth billions of dollars now owned by Microsoft. But it also has been controversial as its gameplay entered the realm of geopolitics. China and Russia both banned chapters in the franchise. In 2009, an entry in the gaming franchise allowed players to take part in a militant attack at a Russian airport, killing civilians.

But there have been other games recently that won praise for their handling of the Mideast. Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Mirage” published last year won praise for its portrayal of Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age in the 9th century.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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