Author: Sam Kohl

  • What’s new in the AirPods Max 3C39 update?

    What’s new in the AirPods Max 3C39 update?

    The update: After releasing the first firmware update for AirPods Max earlier this week, we now have confirmation of what exactly has changed, courtesy of Guilherme Rambo.

    • Phantom battery drain has addressed, and AirPods Max now lose battery much slower while in the Smart Case
    • A crash after being connected to a new device has also been fixed in 3C39

    Our take: Shoutout to Gui for giving us the release notes Apple didn’t. Glad that both of these issues have been corrected OTA and there was nothing more serious at play here.

  • New MacBook Pros may not launch until second half of 2021

    New MacBook Pros may not launch until second half of 2021

    The rumor: Apple’s redesigned MacBook Pro models may not be launching for a few months still, according to Nikkei Asia (not yet tracked).

    • Nikkei says that mass production, which was initially scheduled for May or June, will not happen until the second half of 2021
    • Previous reports suggested that the new MacBooks could lunch as soon as this Summer

    Our take: If there’s any good news in the story, perhaps it’s the fact that something like the iMac may have been pushed up for release…but that’s just a guess. Doesn’t seem like these new MBPs will be launching until sometime in the Fall.

  • New AirPods 3 renders depict likely final design

    New AirPods 3 renders depict likely final design

    The leak: New renders for Apple’s upcoming AirPods 3 have been shared by Gizmochina (not yet tracked).

    • While not shown anywhere in the new images, Gizmochina mentions that AirPods 3 will likely ship with replaceable eartips…but it appears they could be optional?
    • AirPods 3 look like a truly hybrid design between AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro
    • These new AirPods could release as soon as March 23 at Apple’s first event of the year

    Our take: The fact that these new renders don’t show the eartips as mandatory gives me hope. And with all these leaks popping up…I think the March event is safe bet.


  • New iMac is reportedly ‘ready’ and could launch any time

    New iMac is reportedly ‘ready’ and could launch any time

    The rumor: The highly-anticipated iMac redesign could be releasing sooner than later, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • Prosser says a new iMac is “ready” and could theoretically launch at any time…but it is not likely coming at Apple’s March 23 event
    • Other sources have suggested the new iMac would launch sometime later in 2021

    Our take: I mean I’m wildly excited but skeptical at the same time. Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate) has a better track record and says that we shouldn’t expect new iMacs for a few months still. Perhaps they’re both right: one iMac model in the first half of this year and the second a bit later on.

  • First look at Apple’s rumored MagSafe Smart Battery pack

    First look at Apple’s rumored MagSafe Smart Battery pack

    The leak: The first renders of Apple’s rumored MagSafe battery accessory have been shared by Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • The battery pack will be made primarily of aluminum, with a high-quality plastic finish (similar to Magic Mouse)
    • Prosser reiterates that, due to overheating issues caused by reverse wireless charging functionality, the product could ultimately be scrapped

    Our take: Personally, I’d be more interested in the lower-end silicon version that has also been rumored. But having reverse wireless charging on iPhone would be great.

  • AirPods Max 3C39 firmware released

    AirPods Max 3C39 firmware released

    The news: Apple released the first AirPods Max software update since launch on Tuesday morning.

    • Users have been reporting battery drain issues for weeks now, and it’s possible that today’s update fixes that
    • Apple never provides exact release notes for AirPods updates, so this is our best guess currently

    Our take: I’ve noticed a lot of inconsistent battery performance on my pair of AirPods Max. Sometimes I don’t have to charge them for a while…and other times they are just dead. Hopefully 3C39 evens things out.

  • 2021 iPad Pro slated to launch as soon as late March

    2021 iPad Pro slated to launch as soon as late March

    The rumor: Apple’s next iPad Pro is just around the corner, according to DigiTimes (65.1% accurate, via MacRumors).

    Our take: This lines up with what other sources have been reporting as well. There’s not way we don’t see a new iPad Pro this month.

  • Ahead of Apple’s March 23 event, 4 new products are reportedly ready to ship

    Ahead of Apple’s March 23 event, 4 new products are reportedly ready to ship

    The rumor: Ahead of a rumored March 23 event, Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate) has shared a number of products that could launch at any time.

    • Here’s what Prosser says is ready: Apple TV, new AirPods, AirTags and iPad Pro
    • This being said, it’s unlikely that we’ll see all of this in March alone

    Our take: I think AirTags and a new iPad Pro will be announced on March 23 at an Apple event, with the possibility that an updated Apple TV makes an appearance, as well. Don’t think new AirPods are coming until April/May.

  • Apple releases iOS 14.4.1, watchOS 7.3.2 & macOS 11.2.3 with security updates

    Apple releases iOS 14.4.1, watchOS 7.3.2 & macOS 11.2.3 with security updates

    The news: Apple released a slew of security updates for iOS, watchOS and macOS on Monday morning.

    • So…what’s new in these updates? Apple says “this update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users”
    • Specifically, Apple has fixed a WebKit vulnerability that was seemingly pretty important

    WebKit

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

    Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

    Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

    CVE-2021-1844: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group, Alison Huffman of Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research

    Our take: Looks like these updates were pushed out due to a potential security risk, but there isn’t anything else new to see here. Updating simply nets you better security on your device, which is always recommended.

  • Apple March event scheduled for the 23rd (sources)

    Apple March event scheduled for the 23rd (sources)

    The rumor: Apple is definitely holding an event in March, according to Kang 康总 (97.8% accurate) and Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • Both sources, rated above 75% accurate, say that Apple has set the date, March 23, for their first special event of 2021
    • OnePlus is rumored to hold a product unveil on the same day, as well

    Our take: Everything has been pointing to Apple holding an event in March, and two of the best sources out there have just confirmed it. I’d expect Apple to announce the event on March 16.

  • Apple (essentially) discontinues the iMac Pro

    Apple (essentially) discontinues the iMac Pro

    The news: Late Saturday evening, Apple made a number of major adjustments to the iMac Pro website.

    • “While supplies last” has been added to the buy now page, and you can no longer choose between different configurations
    • Only one model remains for sale: the $4,999 base model with a 10-core Intel Xeon W processor
    • Apple is rumored to introduce new iMac models sometime later this year

    Our take: As I predicted, the iMac Pro was a stopgap product for the time between late 2017 to late 2019 (when the redesigned Mac Pro was released). As much as I’d love to see a new iMac Pro in the future…for now, I think this is the end.