Author: Sam Kohl

  • Apple releases new iOS 14.8 update with security fixes

    Apple releases new iOS 14.8 update with security fixes

    The news: Apple just dropped what will likely be the final major, update to iOS 14, iOS 14.8.

    • According to the release notes, “This update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users”
    • No other changes or features are mentioned, causing confusion for why this is named as a more major a 14.x update

    Our take: Looks like Apple has outlined the security updates here. Seems like a good idea to update when you can.

  • Gurman: Second Apple event for iPad and Mac happening later this Fall

    Gurman: Second Apple event for iPad and Mac happening later this Fall

    The rumor: Apple will hold two events this Fall, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate).

    Our take: This has been my theory from the get-go. I’d bet on an October event for the redesigned iPad mini, M1X MacBook Pro…and perhaps a revamped M1X Mac mini…

  • Rumor says iPhone 13 will start at 128GB storage, iPhone 13 Pro gets 1TB

    Rumor says iPhone 13 will start at 128GB storage, iPhone 13 Pro gets 1TB

    The rumor: Apple is upgrading base and Pro iPhone storage with iPhone 13, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • According to a new research note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo provides the following info for iPhone 13 storage:
      • iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
      • iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
    • Over the past year, rumors have been a mixed bag on how much storage the Pro iPhones specifically will have

    Our take: I still don’t really understand the need for 1TB of storage on an iPhone, but here it is: it’s happening. But I’d bet the best part of this new option will be the pricing…

  • Apple Watch Series 7 release on-schedule, says Kuo

    Apple Watch Series 7 release on-schedule, says Kuo

    The rumor: Apple’s next watch won’t be impact by the delays in mass-production, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    Our take: This closely mirrors a recent report from Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate), who also suggested that Apple’s next watch would also ship in close proximity to the event, and wouldn’t be delayed much if at all. Good news here!

  • AirPods 3 coming at Apple’s September 14 event, according to Kuo

    AirPods 3 coming at Apple’s September 14 event, according to Kuo

    The rumor: Apple will unveil AirPods 3 on Tuesday, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • AirPods 3, which have already been leaked extensively, may be announced alongside iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7 at Apple’s ‘California Streaming’ event on September 14
    • Also mentioned in the research note, obtained by AppleTrack, are the Apple’s plans to apparently continue producing AirPods 2 in the future…perhaps as a budget option

    Our take: I know this may sound like a hot take, but this is now what I’m most excited to see on Tuesday. Plus, it marks the first time Apple will announce a new pair of AirPods on stage since the originals in September 2016.

  • Apple will soon carry every color of the new M1 iMac in-store

    Apple will soon carry every color of the new M1 iMac in-store

    The rumor: Apple plans to soon stock all iMac colors in-store, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate).

    • Apple will reportedly announce this “minor Mac news” at their ‘California Streaming’ event on September 14
    • Previously, only Blue, Green, Pink and Silver were available in Apple Stores

    Our take: Random news, but cool that these colors will be more accessible now.

  • Judge rules Apple must allow developers to use other payment systems

    Judge rules Apple must allow developers to use other payment systems

    The news: In the high-profiles Epic. vs. Apple bench trial, a judge has now issued a permanent injunction that Apple must tweak a core part of the App Store business model.

    • Per the official ruling, “Apple Inc. and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and any person in active concert or participation with them (“Apple”), are hereby permanently restrained and enjoined from prohibiting developers from (i) including in their apps and their metadata buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms, in addition to In-App Purchasing and (ii) communicating with customers through points of contact obtained voluntarily from customers through account registration within the app”
    • In layman’s terms, developers are now allowed to bypass Apple’s 15-30% commission on in-app purchases for the first time, with the injunction going into effect in 90 days
    • A key part of Epic’s argument focused around Apple’s monopolist power with the App Store…but the judge said that this was not found to be the case, a significant blow for the developer (on top of the fact that Apple is not required to reinstate Epic’s App Store account to re-publish their apps)

    Our take: I’m quite happy with this outcome, and this is, at the very least, fair. Developers should not be forced to give Apple 15-30% of their entire App Store revenue stream to Apple at this point in the platform’s history.

  • Kuo says Apple Watch Series 7 production issues have been fixed

    Kuo says Apple Watch Series 7 production issues have been fixed

    The rumor: Following brief delays, Apple has fixed production issues for Apple Watch Series 7, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • Per a new research note obtained by AppleTrack, Kuo says the new design will be the “key selling point of the Apple Watch 7”
    • As suggested previously by Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate), the new display with slimmer bezels and a new lamination process was causing the brunt of the issues

    Our take: Good news for everyone looking to purchase this at launch…although Kuo notes that mass production is not expected to start until mid-September with shipments happening at the end of the month. I would say a release for the Series 7 in October is almost certain due to these unforeseen issues, but still not as bad a delay as I feared.

  • Apple Watch Series 7 may see longest battery life yet

    Apple Watch Series 7 may see longest battery life yet

    The rumor: Apple may make their watch battery last longer for the first time in the line’s history, according to Max Weinbach (68.8% accurate).

    • “The Apple Watch Series 7 is bound to see its first real battery life improvement since the original Apple Watch,” says PineLeaks on Twitter
    • Apple has promised up to 18 hours of battery life on Apple Watch since the device was released in early 2015

    Our take: Finally. I can’t remember a single other Apple product that has seen battery life remain absolutely unchanged for this long…and I’m hoping the improvements could allow the watch to be charged every 2-3 days (instead of every night). Alongside the new design, perhaps this could wind up being the killer upgrade this year.

  • iPhone 13 rumor says new bronze and pink colors coming

    iPhone 13 rumor says new bronze and pink colors coming

    The (sketchy) rumor: Apple is planning to make a splash with fresh colors on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, according to Ukrainian retailer KTC (not yet tracked).

    • iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 are said to be getting a new pink colorway (concept above) while the Pro models will see a more reserved bronze option to replace Pacific Blue
    • KTC also suggests that iPhone 13 models will max out at 128GB storage and Pro models will go up to only 512GB…not 1TB like sources have suggested

    Our take: I have no idea if KTC has any inside info whatsoever, but bronze has been rumored multiple times before. Pink, though, while I think it would sell incredibly well, has not yet been leaked by a reputable source…

  • AirPods 3 may get improved bass, larger case battery

    AirPods 3 may get improved bass, larger case battery

    The rumor: Apple will be increasing the battery capacity for the next-generation AirPods charging case, according to Max Weinbach (68.8% accurate).

    • AirPods 3 may ship with an updated wireless charging case…now coming standard…that includes a ~20% larger battery according to a new report shared on Twitter by PineLeaks
    • The batteries inside the pods themselves are said to be identical inside to those found in AirPods Pro
    • While the overall sound profile will be similar to AirPods 3, improved “bass and low ends” are expected

    Our take: This is the first we’ve heard, to my knowledge, of improved sound coming to AirPods 3: bass is the number one area where AirPods 2 are lacking now. No mention of a release date, but sources have suggested we could see these later this month.