Author: Sam Kohl

iPadOS 16 rumored to finally gain laptop-like functionality
The rumor: Apple’s is planning some major upgrades for iPadOS 16 next week, according to Mark Gurman.

Here’s the report, via Bloomberg…
- Redesigned multitasking view: “makes it easier to see what apps are open and switch between tasks”
- Ability to resize app windows like you can on macOS, making it easier to use multiple apps simultaneously
- Improved split-view functionality for running apps side-by-side
Sam’s take: Windowing on the iPad could finally be the game-changer needed to make iPadOS a viable laptop replacement. At the same time, I feel like we’ve heard time and time again that this year would finally be the year that iPadOS gets better! And then every year, it doesn’t. So call my expectations on windowing tempered, to say the least. That being said…maybe this is finally the year?
June 2, 2022
Some MacBook Air models are out of stock ahead of rumored WWDC refresh
The news: Some MacBook Air models are seeing lagged shipping times, as first spotted by Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate).
- Both models of the M1 MacBook Air aren’t shipping out until June 8, where other M1 machines are shipping within 2-3 days
- Apple is rumored to introduce a redesigned MacBook Air at WWDC on June 6 according to recent rumors
Sam’s take: The evidence of a new MacBook Air coming on Monday is mounting. This is, by far, the most likely new piece of hardware we’re going to see…but I’m still betting on a teaser of the AR/VR headset or new Mac Pro, too. But it’s only a few more days until we definitely see this colorful MacBook Air.

Of the regular M1 Macs, the MacBook Air is the only line showing any shipping delay (besides one iMac configuration) pic.twitter.com/euqzxG78IL
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 31, 2022
June 1, 2022
New MacBook Air rumored to release at WWDC on June 6
The rumor: Apple is planning to unveil a new MacBook Air at their worldwide developers conference next week, according to Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate, via Power On).
- “If there’s any hardware at WWDC, it will likely be on the Mac side. The company has been aiming to launch the next MacBook Air with M2 chips at the conference. The recent supply chain crunch due to Covid-related closures in China has complicated that, but developers say that Apple employees are increasingly using next-generation MacBook Airs with their apps. That’s a sign that the new Mac is close,” Gurman says
- A teaser of the upcoming AR/VR headset could also happen, but a full unveil isn’t likely according to Gurman
Sam’s take: Since Apple themselves has confirmed that they are done unveiling M1 series chips, it makes perfect sense that they would start with M2 sooner rather than later. I think this new MacBook Air is incredibly likely, but I also think we’ll be getting a preview of the AR/VR headset or new Mac Pro, too.
May 30, 2022
iOS 16 getting redesigned lock screen with new wallpapers, Messages upgrades and more
The rumor: iOS 16 “is a fairly significant upgrade,” according to Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate, via Power On).

Here’s the latest on iOS 16…
- There will be “updates to notifications, iPad multitasking, and the Messages and Health apps”
- Lock Screen redesign with new wallpapers that support “widget-like capabilities”
- Improvements to windowing and multitasking on all platforms…but especially on iPad
- Messages is getting expanded social features, especially with audio messages (sounds cool!)
- And everything else that we’ve heard already…
Sam’s take: I’m fascinated to see how big this Lock Screen redesign is going to be, considering there haven’t been any major updates to the Lock Screen, well, ever. I also think Apple has so much room to capitalize on iMessage as a broader social platform and starting with voice messages is brilliant (I’ve seen these grow in popularity tremendously in recent years). Overall, it’s really looking like iOS 16 is going to be the biggest update in years.
May 29, 2022
iPhone 14 to finally gain always-on display mode
The rumor: Apple’s most expensive iPhones could gain an always-on on display mode this year, according to Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate, via Power On).
- “I’m told to expect the always-on mode as an exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models, codenamed D73 and D74, if the feature ends up making the cut,” Gurman
- This will reportedly be enabled through iOS 16, which Apple is unveiling at WWDC on June 6
Sam’s take: Extremely petty (but predictable) that the always-on display would be limited to the Pro iPhones only. And as reported, I completely expect this to be software-locked to the newest iPhones (rather than it coming to all iPhone models through iOS 16). Still, better late than never considering that Android has had this for as long as I can remember.
May 29, 2022
Apple trademark for realityOS surfaces ahead of WWDC
The news: A trademark for an unreleased operating system that will likely power Apple’s AR/VR has been discovered by Parker Ortolani.
- A trademark under the name of “realityOS” was submitted in December of 2021 and is set to be filed worldwide on June 8, 2022…coincidentally 2 days after the headline WWDC keynote on June 6
- More and more evidence of an unveil of Apple’s realityOS operating system is mounting as we progress throughout the year, suggesting that at least the software for Apple’s headset could debut at WWDC in just about a week
Sam’s take: Well this is just fascinating, isn’t it? The thing is, I’m really split about what it means exactly. My bets are that we’re going to see a bunch of reveals for augmented reality in some fashion this year…even if it isn’t the exact headset. But it could happen, right? Perhaps Apple gives a teaser of the headset before a full unveil later this year. Or perhaps we just get a glimpse into realityOS (rOS). It’s going to be an exciting week ahead of dub dub!

It cannot be a coincidence that the “realityOS” trademark owned by a company that seemingly doesn’t exist and is specifically for “wearable computer hardware” is being filed around the world on June 8, 2022 https://t.co/myoRbOvgJa + https://t.co/AH97r95EMn pic.twitter.com/uvsiZCj2rR
— Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani) May 29, 2022
May 29, 2022
New iPhone 14 Pro renders show controversial notch design, larger cameras and more
The renders: Apple’s upcoming iPhone 14 Pro will look just a bit different year-over-year, according to the latest leaks and rumors rendered out by Jon Prosser (69.1% accurate, via FPT) and Ian Zelbo.

This is what’s new on iPhone 14 Pro:
- A revamped notch taking the form of a pill + hole design that, yes, looks like the letter “i”
- The camera bump on the back is not only taller than it was before, it’s larger too
- Light purple will be the new, special color for Pro models in 2022
- A titanium frame around the phone may replace stainless steel…but we’ve only heard that from a few sources so far
Sam’s take: This is our best look yet at iPhone 14 Pro yet. These renders are unlike anything we’ve seen so far with impeccable lighting and detail that I’m only used to seeing in imagery from Apple themselves. Does iPhone 14 look that much different than iPhone 13? No. But there are some key changes, like the new notch design, that I’m a huge fan of. I really like the changes that Apple did make here.
May 25, 2022
Apple releases new Apple Watch bands and faces to celebrate pride
The news: Ahead of the beginning of pride month, Apple just released new watch bands and faces to celebrate the occasion.
- The new Pride Edition Sport Loop features an embossed rainbow and the word “pride” written on it, and ships out on May 26 for $49
- A new Pride Edition Nike Sport Loop was also released, with a rainbow set in dark mode…it also ships on May 26 for $49
- Don’t forget the 2 new watch faces: Pride Threads corresponds with the first band and combines vibrant threads to show you the time, where Nike Bounce is a simpler, bold rainbow gradient with the time placed on top
Sam’s take: Apple’s yearly pride releases have become a staple in the community as everyone looks forward to them now. This year, they’ve done a great job yet again…even though the designs aren’t as stunning as last year to me. Regardless, I greatly admire and appreciate Apple’s support and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community…they began recognizing pride ahead of others and have been relentless since. Bravo.
May 24, 2022
AirPods Pro 2 reportedly won’t get USB-C port this year
The rumor: Apple’s upcoming AirPods Pro 2 headphones won’t be getting a new port, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5% accurate).
- “I predict the charging case of AirPods Pro 2 will still support Lightning, not USB-C,” Kuo says
- The new pair of AirPods Pro is said to be launching in the second half of the year, likely in the Fall
Sam’s take: Small but disappointing tidbit from Kuo. We heard recently that Apple would be switching away from Lightning to USB-C on all of their accessories…but it doesn’t seem like that is happening for at least another year. I’d bet we’ll see things changing after the iPhone 15 gets USB-C next year.

(4/4)
5. For Chinese companies, Luxshare ICT and Goertek, who are AirPods series assemblers, setting up facilities in Vietnam instead of India can also reduce potential geopolitical risks.
6. I predict the charging case of AirPods Pro 2 will still support Lightning, not USB-C.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 24, 2022
May 24, 2022
New HomePod said to release as soon as Q4 2022
The rumor: Apple is planning to drop “a new version of HomePod in 4Q22-1Q23,” according to Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5% accurate).
- Kuo doesn’t clarify whether he is talking about a new HomePod mini…or if Apple is planning to bring back the original HomePod that was discontinued in 2021
- Either way, the new version won’t look much different, as Apple isn’t rumored to be changing much of the hardware design
- We could see this new HomePod as soon as October…but also as late as March 2023
Sam’s take: The fact the the HomePod mini isn’t specifically mentioned here is really interesting to me, as I feel Kuo would’ve clarified that he was referring to a new version of the mini if that’s what we were getting. It almost sounds like Apple could be resurrecting the original HomePod in some way? But this is just my speculation, to be clear. Perhaps it’s that Apple TV x HomePod combo device we’ve been hearing about…

Apple would release a new version of HomePod in 4Q22-1Q23, and there may not be much innovation in hardware design. Smart speakers are undoubtedly one of the essential elements of the home ecosystem, but I think Apple is still figuring out how to succeed in this market.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 20, 2022
May 20, 2022
Apple Studio Display ‘Pro’ delayed until October due to production issues
The rumor: Apple’s rumored Mini-LED Studio Display won’t be releasing this Summer after all, according to Ross Young (92.9% accurate).
- A new 27-inch Mini-LED Apple monitor with 120Hz ProMotion is now said to be releasing in October 2022…initially we thought it was coming in June
- Lockdowns in China due to COVID-19 have reportedly contributed to the delays, and Apple is looking to move production elsewhere to mitigate
- It’s still somewhat unclear what exactly this monitor will be called, but it essentially sounds like a ‘Pro’ version of Apple’s existing Studio Display
Sam’s take: If this leak was from anyone else other than Young, I would have some major doubts. And even now I still do! Because Apple offering 2 slightly different 27-inch displays is extremely confusing to me. Basically, I’m just hoping that there’s a new 32-inch Pro Display XDR in development with these same specs, and it won’t be replaced with this smaller 27-inch monitor…

Apple leak! The 27" MiniLED monitor has been delayed as it was going to be produced at Quanta in Shanghai which has been locked down. Production is in the process of being moved to a different location and has been delayed. It now looks like an October release.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) May 20, 2022
May 20, 2022