Author: Sam Kohl

  • iPhone 12 may ship with iOS 14.1

    iPhone 12 may ship with iOS 14.1

    The news: As Apple is planning to ship iOS 14 in September, the iPhone 12 series will run a newer update when they release later on, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • iOS 14.1 will likely be the firmware that ships with the iPhone 12 series in October
    • The update will also include new features previewed at WWDC 2020:
      • More detailed App Store privacy pages (see below)
      • Support for App Clips code scanning in the Camera app

    Our take: Development on iOS 14 is going smoothly, so a month between 14.0’s release and a larger 14.1 update seems realistic. Plus, 14.1 will surely bundle in a number of new software features exclusive to the 2020 iPhones.

  • Alleged iPad Air 4 images show Touch ID, all-screen design

    Alleged iPad Air 4 images show Touch ID, all-screen design

    The leak: A seemingly-real quick start guide for the fourth generation iPad Air has surfaced on Twitter, courtesy of DuanRui.

    • An all-screen design is complimented by Touch ID, which can be found in the newly elongated lock/power button
    • There’s a FaceTime HD camera on the front of the tablet
    • A single camera is located on the rear, upper-left hand corner
    • The iPad Air 4 may be coming as soon as September, according to recent leaks

    Our take: If these images are fake…they’re really, really good fakes. They look legitimate to me, and they line up with most everything we’ve heard about the next generation iPad Air…that it’s a slightly watered-down iPad Pro.

    Touch ID in the power button…hmmm. It’s a stretch for sure, but even it is slightly longer and consistent between these images. Again, I’ve seen bad fakes of quick start guides in the past, and this just feels different. Tweet us with your thoughts @appltrack.

  • iOS 14 will launch in September

    iOS 14 will launch in September

    The rumor: iOS 14 is still on schedule to launch in September 2020, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • With the release of the iOS 13.7 beta, there was some concern that iOS 14 would be delayed
    • The new version of iOS always launches in September each year

    Our take: Gurman has a great track record for this type of thing, so I’m all-in for September. If you look at the state of the beta right now, it’s pretty obvious everything is going as planned…amazingly.

  • iOS 13.7 beta released with better COVID-19 notifications support

    iOS 13.7 beta released with better COVID-19 notifications support

    The news: Apple just released iOS 13.7 beta 1 to developers.

    • According to 9to5Mac, “iOS 13.7 lets you opt-in to the COVID-19 Exposure Notifications system without the need to download an app. System availability depends on support from your local public health authority”
    • This the first time Apple has ever released an iOS x.7 update
    • Apple has more details about exposure notifications here: http://covid19.apple.com/contacttracing

    Our take: The barrier of needing an app to participate in exposure notifications always felt odd to me, and it seems the new update will allow anyone to opt-in. Pretty cool.

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max images show UI changes, same-size notch

    iPhone 12 Pro Max images show UI changes, same-size notch

    The leak: New images of a prototype iPhone 12 Pro Max have surfaced, courtesy of EverythingApplePro and Max Weinbach (39.1% accurate).

    • Notch size is unchanged in these new images
    • The bezels shown on the iPhone 12 Pro Max are quite thick
    • A larger 6.7-inch display allows for more information on display
      • AM/PM notation
      • Tweaked battery icon

    Our take: This leak corroborates the other iPhone 12 Pro Max screenshots shared prior. I love the AM/PM notation as it seems Apple is taking advantage of the extra screen space. However, I am extremely disappointed to see that notch is the same size as before.

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max screenshots show 120Hz support, 4k240p slow-mo

    iPhone 12 Pro Max screenshots show 120Hz support, 4k240p slow-mo

    The leak: Screenshots from a nearly complete iPhone 12 Pro Max test unit have been leaked by Jon Prosser (77.8% accurate).

    New features shown in the first screenshot:

    • LiDAR sensor autofocus and subject detection
    • New video modes of 4k120/4k240p video
    • Enhanced night mode with extended exposure times
    • Advanced noise reduction
    • Bit depth video
    • Zoom enhancements

    And from the second, arguably more exciting screenshot:

    • High refresh rate (120hz) support
    • Adaptive refresh rate changes from 60 to 120hz as needed

    Our take: These screenshots are pretty wild. Don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like this before. Confirms a lot of what we’ve been hearing, and they’re almost certainly real with Jon’s track record. That being said…these are test features. Not all will likely make the cut.

  • 120Hz display may still launch on iPhone 12 Pro

    120Hz display may still launch on iPhone 12 Pro

    The rumor: Amid issues implementing 120Hz displays on the iPhone 12 Pro series, the feature may still make the cut, according to Jon Prosser (77.8% accurate).

    • Prototypes currently exist with 120hz working on the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • Other sources have recently indicated that iPad-Pro like ProMotion tech is not coming in 2020

    Our take: Who is to believe at this point? Prosser (77.8% accurate) has been consistent in saying from the get-go that 120Hz is coming. But Weinbach (39.1% accurate) doesn’t think it will make the launch. Across the board, sources seem split on this defining feature.

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max case shows new camera setup

    iPhone 12 Pro Max case shows new camera setup

    The leak: A fresh image of an updated iPhone 12 Pro Max case shows a tweaked camera design with a new circular cutout.

    • The new cutout below the right camera lens is likely for the new LiDAR sensor
    • Triple cameras will remain for another year
    • It’s unclear if a LiDAR sensor is also coming the the smaller iPhone 12 Pro, too

    Our take: The camera placement looks about right to me. We’ve still yet to see the real implications for what a LiDAR sensor is truly capable of, but Apple seems to be sold on the promise if it’ll be on the latest Pro iPads and iPhones.

  • Apple’s foldable iPhone may have a fabric hinge, Face ID & more

    Apple’s foldable iPhone may have a fabric hinge, Face ID & more

    The rumor: Apple is actively working on the development of a foldable iPhone, according to Jon Prosser (77.8% accurate).

    • The current foldable prototype has a fabric hinge
    • 2 separate display panels align perfectly to create a ‘seamless’ screen
    • Stainless steel rounded edges are also present
    • There’s also an outer display with no notch, but slim forehead with embedded Face ID
    • No release date is currently known

    Our take: So Apple obviously has a lot of products currently in development that we’ve heard about: Apple Glass, Apple Car, foldable iPad, foldable iPhone…so on and so forth. The foldable iPhone is still something I just have a really hard time seeing from Apple. I have absolutely no doubt that they’re playing around with the idea for some kind of foldable…but the concept itself is still so niche in my mind. I’d bet that if this ever makes it to market, it’s still 2-3 years out.

  • First look at original AirPower prototype

    First look at original AirPower prototype

    The news: Our first ever hands-on images of an AirPower prototype have surfaced on video-sharing site bilibili and noticed by Mr.white (25% accurate).

    • There are layers of copper coils stacked on top of each other, likely leading to excess heating and ultimately resulting in the product’s cancellation
    • Above the coils sits a keyboard-esque looking aluminum panel with cutouts of complex circuitry
    • A Lightning connector was present on the device, as well

    Our take: The original AirPower certainly would’ve been an engineering marvel. I’m curious to see how things turn out for the second version reportedly in the works…

  • Test Apple livestream reveals possible September 10 event

    Test Apple livestream reveals possible September 10 event

    Update 12:50pm PST: Jon Prosser (77.8% accurate) says no event is happening on September 10.

    The news: Apple briefly scheduled a livestream on YouTube that may have revealed the date of their next Special Event.

    • September 10, 2020 was the date for when the ‘test’ livestream was set to take place
    • The scheduled livestream has since been made private

    Our take: Apple doesn’t usually hold events on a Thursday, but this is one of those scenarios where things feel too convenient to be a mistake. Apple could have scheduled a test livestream for any day…but September 10, 2020, specifically? I think it’s very possible that they leaked their next event.

    Screenshot via u/ninjadinogaming