Category: News

  • WWDC 2022 rumored to take place on June 6 (and it’ll be in-person)

    WWDC 2022 rumored to take place on June 6 (and it’ll be in-person)

    The rumor: Apple’s yearly worldwide developer conference will return to a destination event, according to Jon Prosser (69% accurate).

    Sam’s take: I’m almost certain that this is the right date (Apple always holds WWDC in the first or second week of June). But I am skeptical that it’ll be in-person. Sure, COVID-19 cases are steadily decreasing now. But isn’t it possible that another, even more transmissible variant could appear by June? I have no doubt that Apple will take the utmost precaution to keep everyone safe if WWDC 2022 is in-person…but it seems like there’s still a lot of risk in returning to large gatherings right now. I would be comfortable attending, but I can also understand that a lot of folks would not feel the same way.

  • iPhone 14 Pro will have an even LARGER camera bump…here’s why

    iPhone 14 Pro will have an even LARGER camera bump…here’s why

    The rumor: Apple’s new camera system on iPhone 14 Pro will have some big consequences, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5% accurate).

    • “The main reason for the larger and more prominent rear-camera bump of the 14 Pro/Pro Max is upgrading the wide camera to 48MP,” Kuo says
    • This significantly higher megapixel system apparently means that multiple elements of the new camera system are increasing in size…contrary to what the initial renders of iPhone 14 depicted.

    Sam’s take: I can’t believe I actually thought, even for a second, that we would get a flush camera on an iPhone again. To be fair, I’m okay with the camera bump increasing if that means we’ll get some even crazier images and videos from iPhone 14…but it is getting to the point where it’s comical. How much further can you push a camera bump on a phone considering the iPhone 13 Pro is already pretty ridiculous?

  • You’ll be able to subscribe to an iPhone (like you do for Apple Music) later this year

    You’ll be able to subscribe to an iPhone (like you do for Apple Music) later this year

    The rumor: Before the end of 2022, you might be able to subscribe to an iPhone the way you do Apple Music, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • “The idea is to make the process of buying an iPhone or iPad on par with paying for iCloud storage or an Apple Music subscription each month. Apple is planning to let customers subscribe to hardware with the same Apple ID and App Store account they use to buy apps and subscribe to services today,” Gurman says
    • Rather than an installment plan, this new subscription service will be a set price each month that will allow you to upgrade to new hardware as soon as products release
    • There could be further integration with existing Apple One or AppleCare subscriptions, too
    • Apple’s new subscription service is rumored to launch at the end of 2022, but could slip until 2023

    Sam’s take: This is an interesting idea that I never thought about before…and it just seems like a lot of overhead for Apple (who already seems to be doing quite well with the current pay full cost system). But access wise, this could unlock a whole new sector of people who were previously priced out of Apple products: and I think that’s a good thing. Looking forward to seeing what Apple’s pricing on an iPhone subscription month-to-month would be, though.

  • 15-inch MacBook Air may launch in 2023…yes, please!

    15-inch MacBook Air may launch in 2023…yes, please!

    The rumor: Apple may be working on a big brother to the 13-inch MacBook Air, according to Ross Young (92.9% accurate, via 9to5Mac).

    Here are the big takeaways from the Quarterly Advanced IT Display Shipment and Technology Report…

    • Apple is planning a new version of the current MacBook Air with a larger screen between 13 and 14-inches
    • There is also said to be a second MacBook Air with a screen size of around 15-inches in the works, too
    • On an unrelated note, a new $329 iPad with a “slightly larger” display is also in development

    Sam’s take: This is the MacBook that I think should replace the base 13-inch MacBook Pro that exists currently. Why do we need a base version of a Pro device when a 15-inch MacBook Air could fill that spot in a much more useful way? I’m really hoping we see this, even though I’m not convinced it will actually happen.

  • Apple’s iPhone 15 will have under-display Face ID (report)

    Apple’s iPhone 15 will have under-display Face ID (report)

    The rumor: Apple is working on high-end iPhones with under-display Face ID, according to The Elec (66.7% accurate).

    Here’s the report…

    • Both under-screen Face ID and a hole punch cutout are said to be present on iPhone 15 Pro models when they launch sometime in 2023
    • The display tech will reportedly be provided by Samsung, who plans to use it in their upcoming foldable phones
    • Prior reports said Apple was working on a truly all-screen design with no notch or cutouts at all for the 2023 iPhones…

    Sam’s take: With the launch of this still well over a year away, I have no idea if Apple will actually be able to achieve the truly all screen design, or if this new info from The Elec will be closer to what we end up seeing (just a single camera hole punch). My gut says that this latest report is right, because there’s a part of me that believes a design like the one above is just too good to be true.

  • Apple finally launches digital ID cards in first US state

    Apple finally launches digital ID cards in first US state

    The news: After announcing the feature many months ago at WWDC 2021, the rollout of digital ID cards in iOS 15 has officially begun.

    • Users in Arizona can now add their Driver’s License or State ID to Apple Wallet…but there’s a catch: you can only use it at TSA security checkpoints in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as of right now
    • Many states are to follow: Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio and the territory of Puerto Rico along with Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma and Utah

    Sam’s take: I’m incredibly excited for this to roll out nationwide, but is anyone else confused as to why this is so limited in its current state? Listen, I just flew over the weekend, and it would’ve been incredible to use this instead of my physical card. But I had assumed that digital ID integration meant this would work in most or all case scenarios where you’d need to present your ID. Not only at TSA in an airport… I have no doubt it’ll expand to more interactions in the future, but right now most folks won’t ever be able to use this.

  • Another rumor says Apple Watch Series 3 will FINALLY be discontinued this year

    Another rumor says Apple Watch Series 3 will FINALLY be discontinued this year

    The rumor: Apple’s most outdated watch will be going away soon, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5% accurate).

    • Apple may discontinue the Series 3 Watch in the third quarter of 2022 due to its slow chip inside…
    • “The computing power can’t meet the requirements of the new watchOS,” Kuo says

    Sam’s take: This is now the second time we’ve heard that Apple is looking to nix the Apple Watch Series 3, and I hope with all my heart that it’s true. Due to the low $199 starting price, a lot of folks are rightfully drawn to this product…only to realize that using it isn’t a good experience in 2022. The processor is severely outdated, updates are a nightmare, and its age has shown for years now. Good riddance.

  • New iPhone SE has nearly 10% larger physical battery

    New iPhone SE has nearly 10% larger physical battery

    The news: In the first publicized teardown of the brand new budget iPhone, PBKreviews found the actual spec of the new battery inside.

    • Apple’s newest iPhone SE ships with a larger 2,018 mAh battery, which is nearly 10% larger than the 1,821 mAh pack found in the previous-generation
    • The A15 chip inside should also propel battery life even further due to its power efficiency

    Sam’s take: There is no better news for me than hearing about physically larger batteries inside of iPhones. For years, Apple would keep the same batteries (or sometimes even shrink them) due to minor power advancements from the processor: but nothing compares to a pack that can simply hold more juice. This 10% mAh upgrade should be a moderate upgrade.

  • New video shows Mac Studio is upgradable (but Apple blocked it in software)

    New video shows Mac Studio is upgradable (but Apple blocked it in software)

    The news: Despite having a removable Solid-State Drive (SSD) and an extra slot, the Mac Studio is non-upgradable due to software locks, according to a new video from Luke Miani.

    • YouTuber Luke Miani decided to test whether or not the machine is actually upgradable through a series of comprehensive tests…
    • Miani took the wiped SSD from the second machine and inserted it in the open slot on the first machine, but the Mac’s status light blinked SOS and it wouldn’t boot up
    • He then swapped the SSDs between two Mac Studios and found again that neither would boot
    • In a disappointing move, it appears that Apple has locked user-upgradability in software (the device recognizes the SSD, but Apple stops it from booting)

    Ian’s Take: After Apple’s announcement that they were going to allow users to repair their iPhones with genuine Apple parts, I had hoped that Apple would allow upgradeability. While I am disappointed in this move by Apple, it is certainly not without precedent. Apple currently solders the SSDs in all of their other computers with Apple silicon making upgradability impossible. In the Mac Studio, the SSD isn’t soldered and could be upgradable…but Apple has locked it in software.

    This is a clear message to me that Apple doesn’t care about the right to repair. Hopefully, if Apple receives enough backlash, they will change this (it is, after all, only software). One can only hope that Apple’s upcoming Mac Pro is upgradable, or pro users will certainly not be happy.

  • M2 MacBook Air now expected to debut later in 2022

    M2 MacBook Air now expected to debut later in 2022

    The rumor: Apple’s new MacBook Air won’t be out for a few more months still, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate).

    • “It was due to launch either at the end of last year or early this year, but now it should be coming around the second half of the year” Gurman says
    • Apple’s new MacBook Air will be powered by the upcoming M2 chip and be completely redesigned with new colors and MagSafe charging

    Sam’s take: At this point, we’ve been waiting on this notebook for quite some time now…and it almost sounds as if Apple pushed this back in order to give the M1 Ultra chip some room to breathe after it just released in the Mac Studio. Either way, this is still shaping up to the MacBook Air upgrade ever so it’s worth waiting for if you can do it.

    That being said…the current M1 MacBook Air is an incredible value and it continues to be the best Mac for most people.

  • Mac Studio has a removable SSD, despite what Apple tells you

    Mac Studio has a removable SSD, despite what Apple tells you

    The video: While not technically user-replaceable, in a surprising move, Mac Studio’s solid-state drive (SSD) is not soldered, according to YouTube channel Max Tech.

    • Taking apart the Mac Studio is a dangerous ordeal with an exposed power supply…but there is a removable SSD…a first for Apple Silicon
    • It was assumed that the SSD would be soldered, but instead it is a simple connection covered with tape (there is also an extra slot on the opposite side for future upgrades)
    • Apple says that the Mac Studio features non user-accessible storage, but it is very possible that authorized providers could offer upgrades in the future

    Ian’s Take: While Apple didn’t go as far as making the SSD user-replaceable, this is a step in the right direction. When Apple first unveiled its plans for Apple silicon, many assumed that nothing would be user-replaceable and everything would be soldered. While that has been true for all Apple silicon Macs so far, even the Mac mini, the Mac Studio changes this. While this removable SSD does not tell us much about the Mac Studio, it could give us a peek at the upgradable future of a more modular Apple Silicon Mac.