Author: Sam Kohl

  • Tim Cook says he plans to retire within the next 10 years

    Tim Cook says he plans to retire within the next 10 years

    The news: Tim Cook says that he doesn’t believe he’ll be the CEO of Apple in ten years, as heard first on the latest episode of the Sway podcast.

    • When asked about his next decade at Apple, Cook says “10 more years…probably not. But I can tell you that I feel great right now. And the date’s not in sight. But 10 more years is a long time and probably not 10 more years.”
    • Tim Cook took on the role as CEO when Steve Jobs resigned on August 24, 2011

    Our take: I thought Tim would be planning to step down sometimes in the next year or two, but he doesn’t allude to that at all in this latest interview. The interview, which is great, by the way, gives Cook an even more human feel and is by far the most casual conversation I’ve ever heard him in. He’s right though…in ten years Cook will be 70. I don’t think many people would want to run the biggest company in the world at that age.

    This podcast has cemented in my mind just how great of a person Tim Cook is. He speaks with such brilliance and intelligence, and I really believe the decisions that he makes at Apple are not primarily driven by money. He’s trying to solve complex issues from LGBTQ+ activism to voting rights and sees Apple as his way to make great change in the world. I can’t think of a better leader for Apple right now, and I’m going to genuinely miss Cook when he retires in a few years.

  • Tim Cook says iOS 14.5 is coming in ‘just a few weeks’

    Tim Cook says iOS 14.5 is coming in ‘just a few weeks’

    The news: Tim Cook has confirmed that iOS 14.5 is coming soon, as heard first on the Sway podcast.

    • When questioned about when iOS 14.5 is coming, Cook says “It’s just a few weeks now,” which points to a release in late April or early May
    • iOS 14.5 includes new emoji, ‘Mask ID,’ new Siri voices and more

    Our take: Very rare to hear news from the mouth of Cook himself. I’d bet this is coming alongside those new Apple products that seem to be just around the corner.

  • New images show iPhone 13 Pro dummy unit with smaller notch

    New images show iPhone 13 Pro dummy unit with smaller notch

    The leak: New images of an iPhone 13 dummy unit show design changes in the notch, provided by Macotakara (68.6% accurate).

    • The updated notch is thinner, with the speaker relocated to the upper portion of the bezel
    • Almost all other parts of the 2021 dummy iPhone appear to look identical to last year’s iPhone 12 Pro

    Our take: This is the first real-life image we’ve seen of the potential notch design for 2021, and I think it looks great! I really hope we see this instead of the other design Apple is testing.

  • 27-inch iMac likely getting new colors, larger display with 2021 refresh

    27-inch iMac likely getting new colors, larger display with 2021 refresh

    The rumor: The largest 27-inch iMac is getting larger, according to L0vetodream (89% accurate).

    • Translated, L0vetodream says “The iMac’s screen is really big, bigger than the biggest one”
    • Last month, when questioned about the new iMac, the mysterious leaker tweeted out an array of colorful Apple Watch bands…suggesting that Jon Prosser’s (78.2% accurate) rumor is correct

    Our take: Not new info, but coming from L0vetodream (89% accurate) this means the info is quite reliable. Again, I think this iMac is coming sooner than the Fall.

  • Source says Apple’s April releases will include iPad Pro, new AirPods & accessories

    Source says Apple’s April releases will include iPad Pro, new AirPods & accessories

    The rumor: Apple is planning to introduce a variety of new products in April, according to Uncle Pan (not yet tracked).

    • A new version of the iPad Pro, updated AirPods and new accessories are said to be coming at some point in April
    • Pan specifically mentions that a redesigned iPad mini will not be appearing this month

    Our take: Again, while Uncle Pan is not proven to be a reliable source just yet, I think his tidbits are legitimate. Plus, Pan’s post about new Spring MagSafe cases matches up exactly with what a totally different source posted on Weibo.

  • New iPhone 12 MagSafe cases leak in Spring colors

    New iPhone 12 MagSafe cases leak in Spring colors

    The leak: Apple is preparing to release new colors for their Silicone cases with MagSafe, according to Uncle Pan (not yet tracked).

    • While five new colors are rumored to be coming, we get our first look at new blue, purple, green and peach colorways
    • The new cases are expected to come sometime this Spring, possibly at an Apple April event

    Our take: Whenever we’re getting new products this month…it seems to be soon. I’ve never been this biggest fan of Apple’s cases though, so I’ll probably pass on these. Blue looks nice, however.

  • Major Apple Arcade update adds 30+ new games…including some classics

    Major Apple Arcade update adds 30+ new games…including some classics

    The news: Apple updated Apple Arcade today with 30+ additional games, including some classics, legendary App Store releases and brand-new titles.

    • The notable new additions to the Arcade library:
      • NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition
      • Star Trek: Legends
      • The Oregon Trail
      • Cut the Rope Remastered*
      • Monument Valley*
      • Threes!
      • Fruit Ninja Classic*
      • Chameleon Run
    • Some of the new “Timeless Classics” include games like Good Sudoku by Zach Gage, Chess – Play & Learn, Backgammon and Solitaire by MobilityWare
    • Apple Arcade costs $4.99/month and now includes more than 180 games

    Our take: I’ve asterisked the most exciting additions to Arcade above. I haven’t resubscribed yet since my free trial, but damn does Cut the Rope Remastered look wonderful.

  • iPhone SE 3 coming in 2022, radical redesign in 2023

    iPhone SE 3 coming in 2022, radical redesign in 2023

    The leak: Apple’s next iPhone SE will be coming sometime in 2022, according to Ross Young (100% accurate).

    • What’s happening on next year’s SE: 4.7-inch LCD display & 5G connectivity
    • And the one coming in 2023: 6.1-inch LCD display with a punch hole design, rather than a notch

    Our take: Considering that the 2023 iPhone is supposed to go all-screen with no interruptions, it seems possible that the lower-cost iPhone SE that year could get something wild like a punch hole. But seeing that the punch hole design is relatively premium right now, it will be interesting to see how Apple markets it.

  • This may be the new Apple TV remote: it’s not what we thought

    This may be the new Apple TV remote: it’s not what we thought

    The leak: Apple’s new remote for the Apple TV may not be what we thought, according to 9to5Mac (77.2% accurate) and Apple TV expert Sigmund Judge.

    • While rumors of a new Apple TV remote have been brewing for years, it appears the updated remote will actually be an alternative the the existing Siri remote
    • A leaked image of the new remote was discovered by 9to5Mac…but it turns out that it exactly matches a new remote announced recently by Universal Electronics

    Our take: It seems like Apple was never planning to update the current Siri remote: rather, they worked with Universal Electronics to develop a different remote that may be bundled with packages from cable providers. Weird turn of events here…seems like the current, problematic Apple TV remote shall remain.

  • iOS 14.5 beta 6 released with new Siri voices & more

    iOS 14.5 beta 6 released with new Siri voices & more

    The news: Apple’s latest iOS 14.5 beta release makes significant changes to Siri, as first reported by TechCrunch.

    • Siri no longer defaults to female: You’ll have the ability to choose which voice you want on setup
    • There are also two fresh Siri voices that “sound pretty fantastic”
    • iOS 14.5 also includes ‘Mask ID,’ new emojis and more

    What’s new?

    • Video showing the new Siri voices
    • New battery recalibration tool for iPhone (via 9to5Mac)
  • Apple’s VR glasses to be unveiled ‘in next several months’ at in-person event

    Apple’s VR glasses to be unveiled ‘in next several months’ at in-person event

    The rumor: Apple’s pricey, virtual reality headset is just months away from being unveiled, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • The new report, posted to Bloomberg, says the headset is coming “sometime in the next several months,” likely at an in-person event so that members of the press can go hands-on with the new product in a controlled environment
    • Apple’s VR headset will be relatively lightweight and include 12+ cameras, dual-8K displays and advanced eye-tracking…but may cost about $3,000

    Our take: With Apple’s entrance into VR, they’re going to want complete control over how the device is demoed…so seeding products for review (as they have done throughout the pandemic) isn’t an option for them here. Interesting report from Gurman who believes Apple will go back to in-person events as soon as it’s possible.