Author: Sam Kohl

  • 2021 iPad Pro sticker leaked, mysterious source says launch in mid-April

    2021 iPad Pro sticker leaked, mysterious source says launch in mid-April

    The leak: Apple’s new iPad Pros are coming in less than a month, according to Weibo user Uncle Pan (not yet tracked).

    • The sticker, which is usually placed on the rear of Apple accessories, says the unannounced accessory supports “iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation)…”
    • Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate) has previously said a new Magic Keyboard would be launching alongside the new iPad Pro models
    • In a reply on Weibo, Uncle Pan says the new tablets are coming in “mid-April”

    Our take: While Uncle Pan is not a proven source just yet, this sticker seems to be legitimate and lines up with other credible reporting about a new iPad Pro (and updated Magic Keyboard) coming in April.

  • Apple announces WWDC 2021: June 7-11 & online-only

    Apple announces WWDC 2021: June 7-11 & online-only

    The news: Apple has confirmed the dates for WWDC 2021 in their latest newsroom update.

    • When: Monday, June 7 to Friday, June 11, 2021
    • Where: Online! For the second year running (due to COVID-19), WWDC will not take place at a large conference center in California as it has historically
    • What: New versions of iOS, watchOS, macOS and tvOS…and Apple’s AR glasses?

    Our take: I’m super confused by the branding this year, because those glasses in the artwork absolutely seem to be referencing some with AR capability. Apple though, is not rumored to introduce those for some time now. I have a feeling this is more of a tease than anything else…

  • In split from recent trend, Apple has yet to announce WWDC 2021

    In split from recent trend, Apple has yet to announce WWDC 2021

    The (lack of) news: Apple has yet to announce the dates for this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

    Here’s when the dates have been announce historically:

    • 2012: April 25
    • 2013: April 24
    • 2014: April 3
    • 2015: April 14
    • 2016: April 18
    • 2017: February 16
    • 2018: March 13
    • 2019: March 14
    • 2020: March 13
    • 2021: ?

    Our take: While the conference will likely happen in June per usual, Apple may be waiting to announce WWDC until late April. Why? If the event is primarily digital like last year, months of notice in advance would not be necessary.

  • Prosser: No new AirPods coming in April

    Prosser: No new AirPods coming in April

    The rumor: Even amid a number of revealing leaks, AirPods 3 won’t be unveiled in April, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate) on the Genius Bar podcast.

    • According to Prosser’s source who hasn’t been wrong yet, AirPods will not be featured at the upcoming April event
    • AirPods 3 are rumored to have a hybrid in-ear design and are expected to go on sale sometime later this year for ~$149

    Our take: This lines up with what Kuo (76.6% accurate) and DigiTimes (65.1% accurate) have also reported. Doesn’t look like new AirPods are coming soon, after all.

  • Apple references ‘iOS 15’ & ‘macOS 12’ in WebKit code

    Apple references ‘iOS 15’ & ‘macOS 12’ in WebKit code

    The leak: Apple has all but confirmed the naming for their major 2021 iOS and macOS software updates, according to 9to5Mac (77.2% accurate).

    • While Apple usually refers to upcoming software versions as “TBA,” an employee specifically referenced “iOS 15” and “macOS 12.00” in an open-source WebKit repository
    • Beta versions of the software updates will likely be released sometime this June at WWDC, if Apple follows what they have done historically

    Our take: iOS 15! macOS 12! While Apple could call these something different when they’re released this Summer…I don’t think they will. This sounds right.

  • Apple Watch Series 7 ‘Explorer Edition’ may launch later this year

    Apple Watch Series 7 ‘Explorer Edition’ may launch later this year

    The rumor: Apple is working on a new, stronger edition of the Apple Watch, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • The tougher watch could be made of a more rubberized material and designed for “athletes, hikers and others who use the device in more extreme environments”
    • While functionality would be identical to other Apple Watch models, there may be better impact resistance (Apple is also working on new swim tracking features, but these are likely coming to all models)
    • A launch could happen as soon as later this year, but Apple has also discussed a 2022 release date

    Our take: If Apple is exploring an option like this, there must be a big enough market for rugged watches. Personally, I have never found the watch to be overly fragile or ‘un-rugged,’ but it certainly can’t compete with something like a G-Shock. I can’t imagine too many people would want something like this?

  • What’s new in iOS/iPadOS 14.4.2?

    What’s new in iOS/iPadOS 14.4.2?

    The news: Just over two weeks following the release of iOS 14.4.1, Apple has already dropped iOS 14.4.2.

    • The update contains important security updates, according to the release notes (see below)
    • Apple is currently testing iOS 14.5 with developers and public beta testers: new features include ‘Mask ID,’ fresh emojis and AirTags support

    What’s new?

    Apple’s only referenced change in the update is a fix for a WebKit vulnerability that may have been exploited:

    WebKit

    Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)

    Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

    Description: This issue was addressed by improved management of object lifetimes.

    CVE-2021-1879: Clement Lecigne of Google Threat Analysis Group and Billy Leonard of Google Threat Analysis Group

  • Apple’s first 2021 releases may include new tablet, accessory and wearable products

    Apple’s first 2021 releases may include new tablet, accessory and wearable products

    The rumors: Apple’s April product releases will include a tablet, wearable and accessory, according to Max Weinbach (67.1% accurate).

    • Tablet: a new iPad Pro (with Mini-LED on the 12.9-inch, 5G, upgraded cameras and Thunderbolt support)
    • Wearable: “likely new seasonal Apple Watch bands” (new Solo Loop colors)
    • Accessory: AirTags, Apple’s long-awaited tracking accessory

    Our take: Only new info here is about the Apple Watch bands, which Apple does just about every year. Wouldn’t it be wild if the new watch band was an indigo color?

  • AirTags dimensions leaked (they’re tiny), estimated to cost $39

    AirTags dimensions leaked (they’re tiny), estimated to cost $39

    The rumor: The sizing and potential pricing for AirTags has been leaked by details for AirT Max Weinbach (67.1% accurate, via EAP).

    • The exact dimensions may be 32mm x 32mm x 6mm (see a comparison to a penny here)
    • A retail source, who Weinbach cites, suggests AirTags could retail for $39 each

    Our take: AirTags are smaller than I thought they would be. Like they’re really small. Also, I’ll be surprised if they are only $39 per tag…

  • iPhone 13 may get new orange and matte black colors, upgraded Portrait Mode & more

    iPhone 13 may get new orange and matte black colors, upgraded Portrait Mode & more

    The rumors: Apple is working on better cameras and upgraded colors for the 2021 iPhones, according to Max Weinbach (67.1% accurate, via EAP).

    • Tweaked camera module: The lenses will protrude less but will still individually stick out, and the overall bump depth could be reduced
      • Front-facing camera microphone getting improved noise cancellation and and “clearer-audio”
      • Better optical image stabilization
      • Upgraded Portrait Mode with better edge detection
    • New colors: Apple is reportedly tweaking Space Gray to look closer to black and a new orange/bronze color is also in testing
    • Stainless steel edges on Pro models may be more fingerprint resistant

    Our take: The new orange color could look pretty cool…it’s certainly something we’ve never seen on iPhone before. Overall though, these rumors broadly speak to this absolutely being an ‘S year.’

  • AirPods 3 in production, likely coming in Q3 2021

    AirPods 3 in production, likely coming in Q3 2021

    The rumor: Apple’s third-generation AirPods are now in mass production, according to DigiTimes (65.1% accurate, via MacRumors).

    • The latest report says that AirPods 3 are currently being mass produced, which always happens close to a product’s launch
    • Today’s information corroborates a prior report from Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate) for a Q3 2021 release timeframe

    Our take: While it seemed like AirPods 3 were coming in just weeks, these two latest reports have provided a different narrative.