Author: Sam Kohl

  • Working iPhone 13 prototypes reportedly have Touch ID under-the-display

    Working iPhone 13 prototypes reportedly have Touch ID under-the-display

    The rumor: Apple is moving forward with the development of a reinvented version of Touch ID, according to Jon Prosser (79.2% accurate).

    • 2 functional iPhone 13 prototypes in testing are said to have under-screen Touch ID right now
    • Prosser notes that the presence of a feature on an early prototype does not guarantee that it will ship on the final product next year
    • That being said, other sources have also stated that Touch ID will make a comeback soon

    Our take: Could definitely see this and 120Hz being reserved for the Pro models next year. This would be a big reason for me to upgrade.

  • iPhone 13 to launch in September 2021, per usual

    iPhone 13 to launch in September 2021, per usual

    The rumor: Following a disrupted year of development and production in 2020, Apple plans to launch the iPhone 13 on time in 2021, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).

    • This information suggests that the new iPhone models will launch in September 2021, rather than the October/November timeline we saw this year
    • Current iPhone 13 rumors include a 120Hz display on Pro models, and the return of Touch ID

    Our take: With most companies learning how to work better throughout a pandemic, it sounds very realistic that the iPhones next year will launch as they have historically…in September.

  • The Elec: 66.7% accurate

    The Elec: 66.7% accurate

    Self-described as “South Korea’s no.1 tech news platform,” The Elec publishes Apple rumors infrequently but often with great accuracy.

    Rumor list

    2022

    ⏳iPhone 15 will have under-screen Face ID + hole

    2021

    ⏳2022 iPhones will all have LTPO displays
    ⛔️2022 iPad Air will have OLED display
    ✅Next iPad Air coming in 2022
    ⏳More iPads getting OLED display in 2023

    2020

    ✅AirPods 3 will have AirPods Pro-like design
    ✅AirPods 3 won’t have ANC
    ✅AirPods 3 will have H1 chip
    ⛔️AirPods 3 coming in the first half of 2021
    ✅LTPO display coming on 2 2021 iPhones
    ✅LTPO display will enable 120Hz
    ⛔️iPad Pro with Mini-LED releasing in Q42020
  • AirPods 3 may cost $199, H1 chip inside

    AirPods 3 may cost $199, H1 chip inside

    The rumor: Apple is planning to upgrade AirPods in the first half of 2021, according to The Elec (75% accurate).

    • AirPods 3 will feature a similar design to AirPods Pro, but won’t include noise cancellation
    • A H1 audio chip may power the pods inside
    • These updated entry-level AirPods, coming in the first half of 2021, are rumored to cost $199

    Our take: Most interesting bit of the report from The Elec is this: “Apple initially planned to launch a Lite version right after the AirPods Pro were launched in October of last year. But the company canceled this as AirPods Pro were selling better than expected.” Seems like third generation AirPods were supposed to come out in 2020…but too many people were already buying AirPods Pro.

  • Download the official Apple M1 wallpapers here

    Download the official Apple M1 wallpapers here

    The wallpapers: In macOS 11.1, Apple included two new stunning wallpapers…including the one on the box art of the new M1 MacBook Pro.

    • There are two new variations of the ‘light stream’ style wallpapers:
      • Light Stream Green
      • Light Stream Pink

    Our take: Super glad to see Apple release these officially, in high resolution. The green variant is one of my favorite new desktop images in years.

  • iOS 14.4 beta 1 released to developers

    iOS 14.4 beta 1 released to developers

    The news: After releasing iOS 14.3 on Monday, Apple followed up with a new major beta release for developers on Wednesday morning.

    • The update is 4.55GB on my iPhone 12, one of the larger updates in recent history
    • Build number is 18D5030e
    • Developing…

    What’s new

    • Some modem firmware updates on iPhone 8 (6.41.00 from 6.21.0) and iPhone 12 (1.31.03-5 on iOS 14.3, now is 1.41.00) confirmed so far, source
  • Final Cut Pro 10.5.1 released with new sharing options and stability improvements

    Final Cut Pro 10.5.1 released with new sharing options and stability improvements

    The news: Continuing with the deluge of new updates across all products, a new version of Final Cut Pro has just been released.

    Here’s what changed:

    • New export options: There’s a new share option for creating files that will be specifically uploaded to YouTube and Facebook
    • Anything else? Stability improvements are noted, but nothing is cited in particular

    Our take: After updating, my timeline definitely felt more responsive when dealing with a large 30+ minute chunk of video. New Youtube and Facebook sharing options are great!

  • iOS 14.3 released with AirPods Max, Fitness+ support, ProRaw and more

    iOS 14.3 released with AirPods Max, Fitness+ support, ProRaw and more

    The news: Apple just released the largest update to iOS 14 yet with Fitness+ support bundled alongside a slew of other changes.

    The highlights:

    • Apple Fitness+ is a new subscription fitness service for $9.99/mo of $79.99/yr that works with your Apple Watch to track metrics while you exercise
    • AirPods Max, coming on December 15, are supported in this latest release
    • Apple ProRaw for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max enables you to shoot in RAW, natively, for the first time ever on an iPhone

    Full changelog

    Apple Fitness+

    • A new fitness experience powered by Apple Watch with studio-style workouts available on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV (Apple Watch Series 3 and later)
    • New Fitness app on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV to browse Fitness+ workouts, trainers, and personalized recommendations
    • Video workouts added each week in ten popular workout types: High Intensity Interval Training, Indoor Cycling, Yoga, Core, Strength, Dance, Rowing, Treadmill Walking, Treadmill Running, and Mindful Cooldown
    • Playlists curated by Fitness+ trainers to complement your workout
      Fitness+ subscription available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and United States

    AirPods Max

    • Support for AirPods Max, new over-ear headphones
    • High fidelity audio for rich sound
    • Adaptive EQ adapts sound in real time to the personal fit of ear cushions
    • Active Noise Cancellation to block out environmental noise
    • Transparency mode to hear the environment around you
    • Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for a theater-like listening experience

    Photos

    • Apple ProRAW photos can be captured on iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • Apple ProRAW photos can be edited in the Photos app
    • Option to record video at 25 fps
    • Mirror the front facing camera for still photos on iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X

    Privacy

    • New privacy information section on App Store pages that includes a developer-reported summary of the app’s privacy practices

    TV app

    • An all-new Apple TV+ tab makes it easy to discover and watch Apple Original shows and movies
    • Enhanced search so you can browse by category such as genre, and see recent searches and suggestions as you type
    • Top search results shown with the most relevant matches across movies, TV shows, cast, channels, and sports

    App Clips

    • Support for launching App Clips by scanning Apple-designed App Clip Codes via Camera or from Control Center

    Health

    • Ability to indicate pregnancy, lactation, or contraceptive use in Cycle Tracking in the Health app in order to better manage period and fertile window predictions

    Weather

    • Air quality data is now available in Weather, Maps, and Siri for locations in China mainland
    • Air quality health recommendations are provided in Weather and Siri for the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, and Mexico at certain air quality levels
    • Air quality data in Weather, Maps, and Siri reflects updated national scales for Germany and Mexico

    Safari

    • Ecosia search engine option in Safari

    This release also addresses the following issues:

    • Some MMS messages may not be received
    • Contact groups failed to display members when composing a message
    • Some videos would not appear correctly when shared from the Photos app
    • App folders may fail to open
    • Spotlight search results, and opening apps from Spotlight may not work
    • Bluetooth could be unavailable in Settings
    • MagSafe Duo Charger could wirelessly charge your iPhone at less than the maximum power
      Wireless accessories and peripherals using the WAC protocol could fail to complete setup
    • The keyboard would dismiss when adding a list in Reminders while using VoiceOver

  • Next entry-level iPad may get 10.5-inch display, launch in Spring 2021

    Next entry-level iPad may get 10.5-inch display, launch in Spring 2021

    The rumor: After just updating the cheapest iPad in September, there are already plans to update it again in early 2021, according to cnBeta (61.5% accurate).

    Here are the purported specs:

    • 10.5-inch display in a ‘lighter and thinner design’
    • A13 processor with 4GB RAM
    • 64GB base storage
    • The new iPad could release as soon as Spring 2021

    Our take: After reviewing cnBeta’s track record and adding the site to our database, they do have a brief track record with a handful of hits over misses. I could definitely see Apple upgrading the iPad 9 to the iPad Air 3’s design (which also had a 10.5-inch display). And hopefully the display finally gets laminated.

  • cnBeta: 61.5% accurate

    cnBeta: 61.5% accurate

    With only a handful of rumors over the years, cnBeta occasionally gets a scoop. But even when they do, a few of the details can be a bit off.

    Rumor accuracy

    Rumor list

    2020

    December

    2021 iPad 9:

    • 10.5-inch display, link
    • Lighter and thinner design
    • A13 processor
    • 4GB RAM
    • 64GB base storage
    • Coming in Spring 2021

    2016

    January

    iPhone SE details:

    • Called “iPhone 5e”, link
    • A8 chip
    • 1GB RAM
    • 16/64GB storage capacities
    • Same camera as iPhone 5s
    • Slightly lighter
    • Apple Pay support
    • VoLTE calling
    • Rose Gold color
    • Launch in February/March 2016
    • Cost ~$500

    2015

    August

    • First look at iPhone 6s packaging, link
      • Smaller 1,715mAh battery
  • AirPods Max tidbits: Find My support, no passive audio & more

    AirPods Max tidbits: Find My support, no passive audio & more

    The roundup: A day after being announced, we scoured the internet for all the AirPods Max tidbits that Apple has provided thus far.

    • AirPods Max can be located and pinged through the Find My app
    • While placing AirPods Max in the smart case puts them in an ultra-low power mode…they don’t shut off completely
    • Audio output is Lightning to 3.5mm jack only…no USB audio support
    • Lightning-to-3.5mm cable is a $35 add-on
    • There’s no passive audio support…the headphones must be charged to work at all
    • AirPods Max are fully compatible with non-Apple devices…but some special features, like spatial audio, only work when paired to an Apple product
    • Like with Apple Watch Series 6 and iPhone 12, there’s no power brick included in the box
    • Additional/replacement ear cushions can be purchased for $69 (the headband was also supposed to be replaceable, but the feature got scrapped, according to rumors)
    • Engraving may speed up shipping for once
    https://twitter.com/panzer/status/1336367079704780805?s=20