Author: Sam Kohl

  • iOS 14.2 beta 4 includes 16 new wallpapers, download them here

    iOS 14.2 beta 4 includes 16 new wallpapers, download them here

    The fun: Included in the release of iOS 14.2 beta 4 are a crop of new wallpapers that are quite a bit different from what Apple normally includes in updates.

    • There are drawn and real-life wallpapers available that include light and dark mode variants, with 16 total new images available to choose from
    • The wallpapers break from Apple’s standard operating procedure and are reminiscent of photo wallpapers from iOS 4 to iOS 10

    Our take: These are genuinely interesting because they feel so…I don’t know…random? Listen, I’m all for new wallpapers from Apple. But these don’t seem to follow and clear rhyme of reason…

  • Download the official iPhone 12 wallpapers here

    Download the official iPhone 12 wallpapers here

    The fun: Apple has released 5 new wallpapers in iOS 14.1 that correspond to the 5 new colors of iPhone 12.

    • Similar to iPhone 12 Pro wallpapers, these colorful images also appear to have been inspired by the addition of 5G connectivity
    • These wallpapers were extracted directly from the iOS 14.1 firmware and are available in the highest quality possible

    Our take: Green in dark mode looks amazing.

  • Download the official iPhone 12 Pro wallpapers here

    Download the official iPhone 12 Pro wallpapers here

    The fun: Purchasers of a new iPhone 12 Pro this year will be happy to know that four new wallpapers come pre-installed, as Apple does every year.

    • All four wallpapers feature light and dark modes, following a trend that started with iOS 13
    • The designs this year appear to be inspired by 5G radio waves, colorized to match the tint of each iPhone

    Our take: Blue in dark mode is the best.

  • First iPhone 12 unboxings show new Blue and Graphite colors

    First iPhone 12 unboxings show new Blue and Graphite colors

    The news: A day prior to official videos going live after embargoes are lifted, some hands-on videos of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have surfaced online.

    • This is our first look at iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro that both officially release on Friday, October 23
    • On top of redesigned, thinner packaging, there is a new screen cover made of a thin paper on both models this year, with information about what the buttons on each side of the phone do

    Our take: The phones both looks really sharp, and these are low-quality videos. Can’t wait to hold these in person on Friday!

    The first unboxing of iPhone 12 in blue, shared to YouTube by Ben Geskin.

    And a brief unboxing of iPhone 12 Pro in Graphite, from DuanRui.

  • Digital Apple event may happen on March 16, 2021

    Digital Apple event may happen on March 16, 2021

    The rumor: Apple plans to hold a special event in March 2021, according to Jon Prosser (85.8% accurate).

    • The event, likely digital, may be taking place on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
    • Set to headline the event is AirPods Studio, which have been in development and rumored for years
    • AirPods Studio have reportedly hit production issues that have caused them to be pushed back

    Our take: Already talking about Apple events into 2021: wild. Apple historically releases something each year in March, so this makes sense to me. Plus, Prosser is pretty good with dates.

  • Video shows unboxing of redesigned iPhone packaging, only 1 sticker included

    Video shows unboxing of redesigned iPhone packaging, only 1 sticker included

    The news: Apple refreshed the packaging on all iPhones they currently sell, and a new video from YouTuber Rjey gives us our first look at the physical changes…inside the box.

    • Due to slimmer internal packaging, the box has essentially been trimmed to half the size of previous boxes
    • Of course, the reduction in height was achieved by removing EarPods and the charging brick
    • Only 1 Apple sticker remains inside, bundled with the quick start materials (previously there were 2 stickers)

    Our take: That leak from a few moths ago was legitimate. This is the smallest, thinnest iPhone box ever and Apple is able to pack way more of these on each shipment pallet now.

    Thanks for the tip, Jinay!

  • Apple Store experiences major issues after iPhone 12 pre-orders go live

    Apple Store experiences major issues after iPhone 12 pre-orders go live

    The news: Apple’s online store was experiencing significant outages worldwide as iPhone 12 pre-orders went live.

    • Users report seeing numerous errors and bad gateways right after the store came back online around 5am PST
    • Many were able to make it to checkout, only to experience lengthy loading times as ship dates quickly began to slip

    Our take: So you’re Apple, and you launch a big new product…how do you not have the capacity to handle this launch? This year was the worst-pre-order experience in recent memory for me, hasn’t been this stressful for a long while.

    https://twitter.com/reneritchie/status/1317077802945028098
  • Apple ARM Mac event likely happening on November 17

    Apple ARM Mac event likely happening on November 17

    The rumor: Apple will unveil the first-ever Mac with Apple Silicon inside in mid-November, according to Jon Prosser (85.2% accurate).

    • At least one new ARM Mac powered by Apple Silicon is expected at the November event, which Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate) has also rumored
    • Leaks suggest it will be either a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro or the reincarnation of the ‘MacBook’ line
    • AirTags, Apple’s Tile competitor, may also be coming at this event

    Our take: Prosser, whose credibility increased significantly following Apple’s last event, was spot-on when leaking the date for Apple’s October 13 event. So we’re likely just over a month away from the first ever Mac made with Apple Silicon!

  • Sources agree refreshed Apple TV likely delayed until 2021

    Sources agree refreshed Apple TV likely delayed until 2021

    The rumor: Apple no longer has plans to update the Apple TV this year, according to Jon Prosser (85.2% accurate).

    • The Apple TV 6, which may have an A12x processor inside and redesigned remote, is now scheduled to release sometime in 2021
    • Mark Gurman (87.8% accurate) also suggested that the Apple TV originally scheduled for this year had been pushed back
    • However, The Verifier (51.9% accurate) maintains that a new model is still coming in November or December of this year

    Our take: For once, Gurman and Prosser agree on this one: no new Apple TV this year. Sigh. Not that there are a ton of Apple TV fans drooling over the idea of an updated model, but 3 years without an update is a bit much.

  • Evan Blass: 92.9% accurate

    Evan Blass: 92.9% accurate

    A prolific source with years of leaks behind him, Evan Blass, better known as evleaks, has seen a recent resurgence in sharing official images of Apple products ahead of their unveiling.

    Rumor accuracy

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    Rumor list

    2020

    October 13

    • First look at HomePod mini, link
    • First look at iPhone 12, link
    • First look at iPhone 12 Pro, link
    • First look at iPhone 12 Pro Max, link

    September 15

    • First look at iPad Air 4, link
    • First look at iPad 8, link

    September 14

    iPad Air 4

    • A14 processor, link
    • USB-C

    iPad 8

    • A12x processor
    • Lightning

    Apple Watch Series 6

    • 2 sizes
    • S4 processor

    Apple Watch SE

    • 2 sizes

    September 9

    • iPhone 12 will have 5G, link
  • iPhone 12 pre-orders go live tomorrow at 5am PST

    iPhone 12 pre-orders go live tomorrow at 5am PST

    The news: Following their October 13 event, Apple has confirmed that pre-orders for iPhone 12 go live bright and early on October 16.

    • When: Around the world, pre-orders go live at 5am PST/6am MST/7am CST/8am EST on October 16. The devices begin arriving at doorsteps on October 23.
    • What: Only the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to order initially. iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders happen on November 6.

    Our take: It’ll be an early morning for those of us in the US. And it seems like they will sell out quickly. I’m gonna go with iPhone 12 Pro for my personal device this year.