Author: Sam Kohl

  • Upcoming ‘Apple Studio Display’ will have 7K resolution, A13 processor inside

    Upcoming ‘Apple Studio Display’ will have 7K resolution, A13 processor inside

    The rumor: Apple is working on an even higher-end display for pros, according to 9to5Mac (82.4% accurate).

    The details…

    • “While it’s unclear whether the new Apple Studio Display is a replacement for the Pro Display XDR or a new option in the lineup with distinct features, people familiar with the matter told 9to5Mac that the new display has a 7K resolution”
    • 9to5Mac speculates that this could mean a larger 36-inch display with a 218PPI density is coming
    • The rumor site previously shared details about this same display last year, including that it will have an A13 chip with neural engine inside

    Sam’s take: This is…somehow crazier than the existing Pro Display XDR. A potentially 36-inch screen with 7K resolution? It’s safe to say this is not the consumer monitor that we’ve been hearing about. This is an even higher-end (and potentially more expensive) display for legitimate professionals who have coin to blow.

  • Rumor: iPhone SE 3 will ship with mmWave 5G

    Rumor: iPhone SE 3 will ship with mmWave 5G

    The news: In his first-ever Twitter leak, established leaker Ming-Chi Kuo (70.4% accurate) predicts various details about the upcoming iPhone SE.

    The report…

    • Sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G
    • Storage capacities of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB (returning after disappearing in September)
    • White, black and red colors
    • Similar form factor to the current iPhone SE
    • Mass production in March 2022…with estimated shipments of 25-30 million this year

    Ian’s Take: There is quite a bit of new information here. I am glad that Apple is bringing back 256GB; I was very confused when they got rid of it mid-cycle. Many people assumed that the SE 3 would only ship with Sub-6 GHz 5G, the lower spec, for cost-saving measures. But it looks like Apple will be giving their cheapest device the same 5G as their flagship iPhone 13 series. This will make the phone even more enticing for Android users looking to switch. Despite my excitement for mmWave, I am worried that battery life will be abysmal…

    Lastly, I am just so excited to see Kuo active on Twitter. Previously his reports had to be “obtained,” and now he is making them very accessible.

  • New rumor says iMac Pro could launch at March 8 event

    New rumor says iMac Pro could launch at March 8 event

    The rumor: Apple will “definitely” unveil a new Mac next week, according to Twitter user DuanRui.

    Sam’s take: As many accurate leaks as DuanRui has posted about in the past, I’m just not convinced a high-end iMac Pro is coming next week. Young’s track record is simply unbeatable at this point.

  • Apple officially announces March 8 special event

    Apple officially announces March 8 special event

    The news: After weeks of anticipation, Apple has confirmed that they will be holding a special event at Apple Park on March 8, 2022.

    • “Peek performance” is the tagline for Apple’s first (virtual) event of the year
    • It kicks of per usual at 10am PST and will be streamed on apple.com

    Sam’s take: What I’m expecting right now: iPhone SE 3, new iPad Air and redesigned Mac mini. Is this event likely going to change the world? Probably not. Could it? Maybe.

  • Apple may finally discontinue the elderly Apple Watch Series 3 later this year

    Apple may finally discontinue the elderly Apple Watch Series 3 later this year

    The rumor: Apple’s cheapest Apple Watch might finally stop being sold, according to Mark Gurman (85.5% accurate, via Power On).

    Sam’s take: Nothing much to say here except finally. This should have happened 3 years ago. This is a bad product at this point in time and doesn’t make any sense at this point.

  • Apple Watch Series 8 getting ‘major updates’ in 2022

    Apple Watch Series 8 getting ‘major updates’ in 2022

    The rumor: “This year will be the biggest in the history of the Apple Watch since the original model,” according to Mark Gurman (85.5% accurate, via Power On).

    • “Look out for major updates to activity tracking” Gurman says, while adding that faster processors will be coming to the standard, SE and upcoming extreme sports models
    • No new health sensors will likely be added to the Apple Watch Series 8, although a body temperature thermometer is possible

    Sam’s take: I certainly hope Gurman is right here, because the Apple Watch hasn’t had a breakthrough since the Series 5’s always-on display. I’ve commented on the stagnation and maturity of the line multiples times in recent years, but Apple has kept up the same slow-and-steady development cycle. It’s not that the Apple Watch is bad—it’s undoubtedly the best wearable in the world—it’s just boring because they’re almost no real competition. I’ve been ready for something major, to say the least.

  • Apple is working on a foldable iPad/MacBook that might look like this

    Apple is working on a foldable iPad/MacBook that might look like this

    The rumor: In the works at Apple right now is a new hybrid tablet and laptop device, according to Mark Gurman (85.5% accurate, via Power On).

    • “I’m told Apple has indeed been exploring a dual-screen, foldable MacBook/iPad hybrid that would take the second approach. It would trade in the physical keyboard and trackpad for a fully touch-screen base…the device has been in development for the past couple of years” Gurman says
    • Reputable display analyst Ross Young (100% accurate) was the first to reveal the existence of this 20-inch all-screen foldable a few days ago

    Our take: I am firmly in the camp that believes Apple experiments with a lot of different devices and technologies…but only chooses to release a select few that they believe will really change the status quo. For example, Apple could make a TV screen tomorrow. They’ve been shipping incredible screens on products for years. But they likely haven’t done so because they haven’t found a truly compelling option that would differentiate them from the existing incredible displays made the likes of LG and Sony.

    My point being that I’m highly skeptical on this device right now. Hey, maybe it comes one day. But there’s just no benefit I see from this foldable technology at this point in time. Just imaging typing on a flat touch screen keyboard all the time…

  • New photo claims to show upcoming Spring 2022 iPhone 13 cases

    New photo claims to show upcoming Spring 2022 iPhone 13 cases

    The leak: Apple is preparing to release 4 new iPhone 13 cases, according to a new photo shared by Twitter account Majin Bu.

    • New yellow, orange, blue and turquoise MagSafe cases for iPhone 13 seem to be next up for Apple to release as soon as this Spring
    • Bu, who has been wrong on other leaks before, has shared credible information in regards to new iPhone case colors in the past

    Sam’s take: I’ve been going caseless on my iPhone for years now (I know, high-risk move), so these don’t appeal to me at all. But if I had to choose one to rock, it would be the new turquoise color.

    https://twitter.com/MajinBuOfficial/status/1497857245454950400?s=20&t=8yEK3z1CZqiLcLt-zo-gpQ
  • New iPhone 14 schematic shows actual size of the notch and it’s huge

    New iPhone 14 schematic shows actual size of the notch and it’s huge

    The rumor: Apple is implementing a larger set of front cutouts than previously expected, according to a new post on Weibo that has been verified by Jon Prosser (69% accurate, via FPT).

    • As seen above, the new cutouts take up much more of the display than previous renders had shown
    • It looks as if Apple is essentially taking the components of the notch and applying them directly in the display, eliminating any waste areas that don’t include the cameras or sensors

    Sam’s take: I know the common take would be that this looks worse because it’s bigger…but there’s something about the scale now that actually looks more realistic to me. Probably because it is literally the components of the current notch but without the dead space. I still can’t believe they’re putting a literal i on the front of iPhone 14, but this is a slight improvement?

  • iPhone 14 battery life may improve because of better 5G chip

    iPhone 14 battery life may improve because of better 5G chip

    The rumor: Apple is planning to put a significantly upgraded 5G chip inside iPhone 14 models later this year, according to Economic Daily News (EDN, 83.3% accurate).

    Here’s what you should know…

    • The new 5G chips will be manufactured entirely by TSMC using a new 6nm process, resulting in a chip design that is smaller but also consumes less power
    • Wi-Fi 6E will also be supported on this new 5G chip, meaning that iPhone 14 could also gain that faster wireless tech, too

    Sam’s take: One of the biggest problems with 5G right now is that the modems and chips consume a significant amount of energy over 4G…and that leads to worse battery life. This could fix half of the equation and I can only imagine the improvements when compounded atop a more efficient A16 processor.

  • Apple just announced a new voice for Siri, listen to it here

    Apple just announced a new voice for Siri, listen to it here

    The news: Included in the latest beta of iOS 15.4 is a fifth American English Siri voice, Apple confirmed to Axios.

    • Axios reports that the new voice “is less explicitly male- or female-sounding” and “was recorded by a member of the LGBTQ+ community”
    • The new voice, called Voice 5, is the most notable change included in iOS 15.4 beta 4, which released to developers and public beta testers earlier this week

    Sam’s take: Inclusivity is important to me, and even though there is still a more feminine aire to Voice 5, it’s certainly more neutral than the 4 voices we have currently. It’s wild that this new voice was announced just after I spent some time talking with Jon Prosser about Siri and gendered voice options on our podcast the other day…

    First voice is new, second voices are the existing options