Author: Sam Kohl

  • 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models could debut ahead of others

    6.1-inch iPhone 12 models could debut ahead of others

    The rumor: Apple will debut both 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models ahead of the 5.4 and 6.7-inch variants as part of a two-wave release, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • iPhone 12 Max (6.1-inch) and iPhone 12 Pro (6.1-inch) could release prior to the iPhone 12 (5.4-inch) and iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7-inch)
    • Apple confirmed the new iPhones will be shipping later than usual this year

    Our take: It would be a bit odd for Apple to launch one Pro and one non-Pro iPhone from each tier at the same time, and then follow-up a bit later with the release of the smallest and largest models. That being said, it’s an interesting idea for sure: I’m just not sold on it.

  • Analysis: iOS 14 beta 4 release date

    Analysis: iOS 14 beta 4 release date

    The analysis: iOS 14 beta 4 is likely to drop for developers and public beta testers early next week, according to historical data from THINKY BITS.

    • The average number of days for a beta 3 release (excluding 7.0 as an outlier) is 14
    • Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5 at 10am PST are the most likely release dates for iOS 14 beta 4

    Our take: Apple waited to drop beta 3 until a Wednesday, so there’s precedent for that to happen again. Definitely seems like a Monday drop is unlikely.

  • Apple may skip September in favor of October 2020 Special Event

    Apple may skip September in favor of October 2020 Special Event

    The news: Apple plans to unveil new products at a special event in October 2020, according to Jon Prosser (80% accurate).

    • Apple confirmed the new iPhones would be coming later than usual this year
    • Prosser also says new iPads are coming in October
    • Apple has held an event in September ever year since 2012

    Our take: With COVID-19 clearly disrupting Apple’s development for new products and the new iPhones launching later, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Apple skipped their usual September Special Event. Disappointing, sure. But not surprising based on Apple’s wonky hardware release schedule this year.

  • Apple unveils new universal gift cards

    Apple unveils new universal gift cards

    The news: Apple has introduced a new universal gift card for all of its stores and services, as first noticed by iCulture.

    • The new, simplified gift cards can be redeemed to purchase anything that Apple sells
    • Old Apple Store and iTunes & App Store gift cards still work like normal

    Our take: This is way better than before. Should make gift-giving much clearer with no ‘wrong’ gift card to buy now.

  • Apple confirms iPhone 12 will launch ‘a few weeks later’ this year

    Apple confirms iPhone 12 will launch ‘a few weeks later’ this year

    The news: Apple confirmed yesterday’s news of a non-September launch for this year’s iPhone lineup during their Q3 2020 earnings call.

    • This marks the first time Apple has ever publicly acknowledged an iPhone launch…ahead of launch
    • For nearly a decade, Apple has always launched new iPhone models in September
    • A launch for all new models in October is likely, but November is also a possibility

    Our take: As we’ve discussed for months, there was almost no way COVID-19 wouldn’t have impacted the development of the new iPhone models this year. Now it’s official.

  • iPhone 12 and new iPads likely releasing in October

    iPhone 12 and new iPads likely releasing in October

    The rumor: New iPhone and iPad models will be releasing in October of this year, according to Jon Prosser (78.4% accurate).

    • In years without a global pandemic, at least one of Apple’s flagship iPhones always ships in September
    • A Qualcomm executive suggested that a constraint in supply of 5G modems could be why
    • One of the new iPad models in question could be a 10.8-inch, lower-cost iPad Air

    Our take: As I’ve mentioned before, I think it would be silly to assume that the iPhone 12’s development cycle wasn’t thrown for a loop due to COVID-19. October or even November are likely when the new iPhones, specifically will be dropping.

  • New Apple products slated for release in the second half of 2020

    New Apple products slated for release in the second half of 2020

    The news: Numerous sources have suggested that Apple will have a busy second half of the year, with only a handful of hardware releases happening in early to mid 2020.

    Here’s everything we’re expecting to drop within the next five months:

    • 2 new iPhone 12 models (5.4/6.1-inch): iPad Pro-like design, OLED, 5G, A14 chip, dual cameras
    • 2 new iPhone 12 Pro models (6.1/6.7-inch): iPad Pro-like design, OLED 120Hz display, 5G, A14 chip, new blue colorway, triple cameras, LiDAR sensor
    • Apple Watch Series 6: Faster Wi-Fi and cellular, better ECG and blood-oxygen monitoring
    • 10.8-inch iPad Air: possibly featuring an all-screen design and in-display Touch ID
    • Apple TV 6: similar design to the existing Apple TV but shipping with a new remote
    • AirTag: a small, puck-shaped accessory to track your stuff (see Tile)
    • HomePod mini: a smaller, likely portable version of the existing HomePod
    • AirPods Studio: over-ear headphones sharing the AirPods name with great sound quality
    • AirPower wireless charging mat (maybe)
    • First new Mac with Apple Silicon: likely a new MacBook Pro model

    Our take: Rumor has it that the new iMac is dropping sometime in August…perhaps Apple drops a few other products alongside it? Seems hard to fit this much stuff into one or even two events later this year.

  • Leaked image shows likely 5.4-inch iPhone 12 display with smaller notch

    Leaked image shows likely 5.4-inch iPhone 12 display with smaller notch

    The leak: New images have surfaced of what appears to be this year’s 5.4-inch iPhone display, courtesy of a now-deleted Weibo post and a tweet.

    • The updated design is a bit shorter and skinnier than the 2017 notch that debuted with iPhone X
    • Many sources have previously suggested the notch would shrink this year

    Our take: This looks legit to me. The smaller notch feels very Apple and it looks smaller like the rumors have suggested. Can’t wait to see this on some larger models!

  • New iMac likely coming in August, no redesign expected

    New iMac likely coming in August, no redesign expected

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to release an updated version of the iMac in the coming weeks, according to Jon Prosser (78.4% accurate).

    • Unlike previously rumored, the machines will not be redesigned
    • The new models are set to launch sometime in August

    Our take: While product launches in August aren’t common at all…it’s clear that Apple’s hardware launches have been all over the place this year. I can’t say much more…but I think Prosser is dead right on this one.

  • Face ID is likely coming to the Mac

    Face ID is likely coming to the Mac

    The news: Beginning on the iPhone, Apple is looking to expand Face ID to Macs in the future, according to an exclusive report from 9to5Mac (75.1% accurate).

    • macOS Big Sur beta 3 suggests that Face ID will be present on some future Macs
    • ‘Codes such as “FaceDetect” and “BioCapture” found within this extension confirms that Apple is preparing macOS to operate with Face ID’

    Our take: Face ID, to me, has always made more sense on the Mac than the iPhone. You generally sit further away from a Mac at any given moment than your iPhone, so why would moving closer to press a Touch ID sensor make sense? This is the perfect use casenario.

  • New AirPods not expected until early 2021

    New AirPods not expected until early 2021

    The rumor: Apple won’t be upgrading the standard version of AirPods until the first half of 2021, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • Similar to original AirPods release in late 2016, Apple does not plan to update the popular wireless buds yearly
    • Jon Prosser (78.4% accurate) previously suggested Apple could unveil a new AirPods product later this year

    Our take: If you’ve been on the fence about buying new AirPods, it’s probably a good time to buy. I thought we might see some new ones later this year, but now it appears they aren’t coming until 2021. Oh well.