Apple Daily Report: Apple releases NBA models of its Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones (and more news)

Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, at the end of each week day, we’ll offer this wrap-up of news items you should check out. 

Apple has announced the availability of NBA models of its Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones. They’re available in six versions/colors and cost $349.95.

In its latest Conflict Minerals Report to the SEC, Apple says that 100% of its smelters and refiners were subjected to an audit “for the fourth straight year” as of Dec. 31. Five offending parties were removed during 2018.

The new MacVoices kicks off the 2019 Road to Macstock with organizer Mike Potter’s discussion off this year’s theme of “Create!,” a review of the events and activities associated with Macstock, and all the reasons you should plan to join us in Woodstock IL for one of the year’s best Apple-oriented conferences. Early Bird pricing is in effect, so don’t wait.

Apple has extended the final date of its iPhone trade-in promotion. 9to5Mac notes that the offer continues until March 25.

Samsung has announced plans to open retail stores, in New York, Los Angeles and Houston. And they sound suspiciously like Apple’s retail stores.

A Weibo post spotted by iPhoneHacks.com claims Apple will launch a red variant of the iPhone Xs and Xs Mac this month.

Apple has released a second ad on its YouTube channel highlighting depth control on the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xr, “Bokeh’d.”

iPhone Xs Max users see more than two times faster real-world LTE data speeds as iPhone 5s users on average in the U.S., according to OpenSignal — well, for the most part.