Author: Sam Kohl

  • Leaked Apple Pencil 3 photo shows glossy design & new tip

    Leaked Apple Pencil 3 photo shows glossy design & new tip

    The leak: A new photo of the Apple Pencil 3 has leaked, first shared by Mr.white (50% accurate).

    • Apple may be switching back to a glossy design for the exterior of the pencil
    • There’s also a new tip that is much larger and seemingly screws directly into the pencil (the current generation replaceable tip screws in over a protruding sensor)
    • A new iPad Pro is rumored to launch later this month

    Our take: With White’s super mixed track record, I certainly have my doubts here. Why would Apple go back the glossy design? Other than slight nostalgia from the first generation pencil, I don’t really see a clear benefit here.

    https://twitter.com/laobaiTD/status/1367102458124660745
  • iPad mini with edge-to-edge display may be in early development

    iPad mini with edge-to-edge display may be in early development

    The rumor: Apple is working on an all-new iPad mini, according to Kang 康总 (97.8% accurate).

    • The edge-to-edge iPad mini is said to be in the P2 stage, which is early on in a product’s development cycle
    • It’s possible that Kang 康总 could be referring to a different model (our translation here is a bit inconsistent), but an iPad mini seems most likely

    Our take: While there has been speculation of an edge-to-edge iPad mini for years, this is the first we’ve heard from a credible source. If we do ever see this product ship, I wouldn’t expect it for some time.

  • What’s new in iOS 14.5 beta 3?

    What’s new in iOS 14.5 beta 3?

    The news: Apple just released the third beta of iOS 14.5 to developers with a number of tweaks and changes.

    What’s new?

    • Find My gains a new Items tab that was previously hidden, suggesting AirTags launch is imminent
    • New bookmark button (and separate section for them) in Podcasts app (via Steve Moser)
    • Apple News newsletter feature can now include the latest issues of magazines you follow (via Steve Moser)
    • Exposure Notifications app added, but currently hidden from user view
    • Apple Card will soon be able to be shared with family members (via 9to5Mac)

  • Prosser: Leaked Apple M1X benchmarks are legit

    Prosser: Leaked Apple M1X benchmarks are legit

    The rumor: Apple’s follow-up to the M1 processor will be quite the upgrade, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • Data from cpu-monkey suggests that in the Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark, the Apple M1X is nearly 100% faster than the M1 chip
    • Single-core scores, on the other hand, appear to remain unchanged
    • As mentioned first on the Genius Bar podcast, the M1X benchmarks are said to be legitimate

    Our take: I canceled my order of a high-end iMac Pro after seeing these scores. I don’t think the future of resale for Intel Macs is going to be fun for anyone once the M1X Macs drop.

  • 2023 iPhone to get full-screen design with no notch or cutouts

    2023 iPhone to get full-screen design with no notch or cutouts

    The rumor: Apple is preparing the iPhone of our dreams for the next major redesign in 2023, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).

    Here’s what to expect:

    • All current visual distractions may be eliminated for a true all-screen design, with no notch or other cutouts visible
    • A new periscope telephoto lens will be added for additional zoom capabilities
    • Under-screen Touch ID will also be present

    Our take: This is my dream device. Makes sense that Apple is saving most of these upgrades for the next super cycle release in a couple of years. This being said, Kuo notes that this device will only be possible if Apple continues to see good development progress.

  • 2022 iPhone may remove notch in favor of hole-punch design

    2022 iPhone may remove notch in favor of hole-punch design

    The rumor: Apple may be removing the notch in 2022, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).

    • At least the Pro iPhones will see the notch removed in 2022, but Kuo says it could happen across all new models, too
    • In lieu, Apple will adopt the hole-punch camera design popularized by Samsung and others
    • Kuo says the 2022 iPhone will also get an autofocus front-facing camera

    Our take: I’m starting to see a trend here from Apple’s approach to the 3 year super cycle:

    1. Major redesign (ex. iPhone X, iPhone 12)
    2. Minor refinements (ex. iPhone XS, 2021 iPhones)
    3. Bigger refinements (ex. iPhone 11, 2022 iPhones)

    I wonder if this means we’ll go notch/holeless in 2023?

  • iPhone SE 3 likely coming in 2022 with 5G & similar design

    iPhone SE 3 likely coming in 2022 with 5G & similar design

    The rumor: We won’t be seeing a new iPhone SE model this year, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).

    • Here’s what Kuo says to expect on the third-generation iPhone SE:
      • 4.7-inch display
      • Similar design
      • Faster processor
      • 5G
    • Apple may launch this new iPhone SE in the first half of 2022

    Our take: Kuo is in disagreement with Macotakara (68.6% accurate) who believes a new iPhone SE is launching within the next couple of months. Going to believe Kuo here, who is 10% more accurate.

  • iPhone 13 may get 120Hz display, new ultra-wide lens & larger batteries

    iPhone 13 may get 120Hz display, new ultra-wide lens & larger batteries

    The rumor: Apple is planning a handful of upgrades for the 2021 iPhones, according to a new report from Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).

    Here’s the latest (new info is bolded):

    • Same 5.4/6.1/6.7-inch displays but now with LTPO 120Hz support
    • Upgraded ultra-wide angle camera with new 6 element ƒ/1.8 lens
    • All models will be slightly heavier due to larger internal batteries
    • USB-C not coming this year
    • LiDAR only on Pro models

    Our take: If you had to pick a weak point for iPhone 12, I would definitely consider it to be the battery life. It’s good right now, but I’m ready for it to be great. We just haven’t seen much mobile battery innovation from Apple in recent history.

  • Kang 康总: 97.1% accurate

    Kang 康总: 97.1% accurate

    ★★★★★

    A mysterious but spot-on source sharing news on Weibo, Kang knows exactly what Apple is working on. To the tee.

    Rumor accuracy

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    Rumor list

    2021

    April

    • New iPad Pro coming mid-April, link
      • Wi-Fi version coming ahead of 5G version (true in China)

    March

    • New AirPods ready to ship, link
    • Apple event happening on March 23, link
    • Apple working on edge-to-edge iPad mini, link

    2020

    October 9

    HomePod mini, link

    • 3.3-inches tall
    • S5 processor
    • $99
    • Pre-orders on November 6/7
    • Releases on November 16/17

    New iPhone models

    • iPhone 12 mini
      • 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display
      • Wide and ultra-wide rear lenses
        • ƒ/1.6
        • Native Dolby Vision shooting
      • Colors
        • Black
        • White
        • Red
        • Blue
        • Green
      • Wireless charging up to 15W
      • mmWave 5G on US models
      • Smart Data Mode
      • Storage
        • 64GB
        • 128GB
        • 256GB
      • No headphones or charger in the box
      • $699
      • Pre-orders on November 6/7
      • Release on November 13/14
    • iPhone 12
      • 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
      • Wide and ultra-wide rear lenses
        • ƒ/1.6
        • Native Dolby Vision shooting
      • Colors
        • Black
        • White
        • Red
        • Blue
        • Green
    • Wireless charging up to 15W
      • mmWave 5G on US models
      • Smart Data Mode
      • Storage
        • 64GB
        • 128GB
        • 256GB
      • No headphones or charger in the box
      • $799
      • Pre-orders on October 16/16
      • Releases on October 23/24
    • iPhone 12 Pro
      • 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display
      • Wide, ultra-wide and telephoto rear lenses with 4x optical zoom
        • ƒ/1.6
        • Native Dolby Vision shooting
      • New 7 element lens
      • LiDAR sensor
      • Colors
        • Gold
        • Silver
        • Graphite
        • Blue
      • Wireless charging up to 15W
      • mmWave 5G on US models
      • Smart Data Mode
      • Storage
        • 128GB
        • 256GB
        • 512 GB
      • No headphones or charger in the box
      • $999
      • Pre-orders on October 16/17
      • Releases on October 23/24
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max
      • 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display
      • Wide, ultra-wide and telephoto lenses with 5x optical zoom
        • ƒ/1.6
        • Native Dolby Vision shooting
        • 47% larger sensors
      • New 7 element lens
      • LiDAR sensor
      • Colors
        • Gold
        • Silver
        • Graphite
        • Blue
      • Wireless charging up to 15W
      • mmWave 5G on US models
      • Smart Data Mode
      • Storage
        • 128GB
        • 256GB
        • 512Gb
      • No headphones or charger in the box
      • $1,099
      • Pre-orders on November 13/14
      • Releases on November 20/21

    MagSafe charging pads

    • MagSafe
      • Charging for 1 device
    • MagSafe Duo
      • Charging for 2 devices

    September 14

    iPad Air color names, link

    • Space Gray
    • Silver
    • Rose Gold
    • Green
    • Sky Blue

    September 13

    iPad 8, link

    • 10.2-inch display will remain
    • A12 processor

    iPad Air 4

    • 10.8/9-inch display
    • A14 chip
    • 64GB base storage
    • Touch ID
    • Stereo speakers
    • Apple Pencil
    • Magic Keyboard
    • 5 colors
    • $599 starting price

    Apple Watch Series 6

    • S6 chip
    • Blood oxygen sensor
    • Altimeter
    • Improved performance
    • Same battery life
    • New color
    • New material strap
    • Fast charging

    Apple Watch ‘SE’

    • S5 chip
    • Altimeter

    June 22

    watchOS 7

    • Sleep monitoring, link
    • Updated home page that seemingly can be shared(?)
    • “Hand-wash monitoring”

    macOS 10.16

    • The name this year is said to be ‘Big Sur’
    • A major UI overhaul will be happening
    • Safari is getting a “huge update”

    iPadOS 14

    • Sidecar, the feature that allows you to display your Mac screen on iPad, will be redesigned
    • “Hand written input” will be “improved and enhanced”

    iOS 14

    • The name will remain iOS
    • Redesigned home screen, with support for widgets and tweaked “alignment”
    • Incoming call UI doesn’t take up the whole display
    • App clips are mini-apps that will allow you to interact with a native interface instantly

    April 14

    iPhone SE (2020)

    • Releasing tomorrow (4/15), link
    • Colors
      • Black
      • White
      • Red
    • Capacity
      • 64gb
      • 128gb
      • 256gb
    • $399 starting price
  • Prosser: AirPods 3 leak is legitimate

    Prosser: AirPods 3 leak is legitimate

    The rumor: Our first look at AirPods 3 is real, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate, via Apple Bitz XL podcast).

    • While many have voiced concerns about the legitimacy of the AirPods 3 leak, Prosser has heard that the leaked images and renders are authentic
    • Rumors indicate AirPods 3 could launch as soon as April

    Our take: As we mentioned prior, 52audio has a great track record when it comes to leaking new AirPods. Seems they were spot-on again.

  • 2021 iPad Pro may be just as powerful as M1 Macs

    2021 iPad Pro may be just as powerful as M1 Macs

    The rumor: Apple is preparing a significant processing upgrade for this year’s iPad Pro, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    Our take: This could be the pivotal point for computing on iPad if the A14x/z is really as powerful as M1. Maybe I’m dreaming, but could this be the year that we finally see Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on iPadOS?