Category: News

Redesigned 27-inch iMac pushed until Summer 2022
The rumor: Apple won’t be releasing a new iMac this Spring after all, according to Ross Young (100% accurate).
- While the new iMac was initially expected to come at Apple’s March/April event, Young now believes the new iMac is coming sometime this Summer (see: WWDC?)
- The display will be a 27-inch Mini-LED panel, but it won’t have as many dimming zones as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro or new MacBook Pros
Our take: Usually when something sounds too goo to be true…it probably is. While this was, absolutely, the thing I was most looking forward to seeing this Spring, we’ll still be getting a new iPhone SE, iPad Air and Mac mini in just a few months.

As we reported in today's DSCC Weekly, we no longer expect the Apple iMac Pro to launch in the spring. Looks more like summer. Still with a MiniLED backlight, but fewer MiniLEDs/zones than in iPad/MacBook Pro's.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 31, 2022
January 31, 2022
eSIM only iPhone 14 may be optional, says analyst
The rumor: Apple won’t be forcing users to switch to an eSIM only iPhone just yet, according to GlobalData analyst Emma Mohr-McClune (via MacRumors).
- “We don’t believe that Apple will take the ‘big bang’ approach—getting rid of existing systems and transferring all users to eSIMs—but rather launch an eSIM-only variant of its upcoming new model—retaining the dual eSIM-plus-physical SIM slot model for the mass market and its key carrier channel” Mohr-McClune says
- Apple is rumored in introduce at least one eSIM only iPhone in September of this year…bundled with a major redesign that is also shipping
Our take: I do think this is plausible, even though GlobalData has no track record or history of sharing Apple rumors. Apple switching the entire world to eSIM overnight will not be happening, as physical SIMs are too significant in many markets around the world. I could see Apple offering eSIM only as the default, though, with the option to order a physical SIM tray model if needed.
January 29, 2022
What’s new in iOS 15.4 beta 1? Mask ID, new emoji & more
The news: Apple just released the first beta of iOS 15.4 to developers…and it’s already a bigger update than all of iOS 15.3 that released earlier this week.

What’s new?
- Face ID now works with masks and different glasses…even if you don’t own an Apple Watch
- New emoji including melting face, low battery and interracial handshakes (via Emojipedia)
Holy wow Universal Control is incredible.

This is me moving between a MacBook Pro, an iPad mini, and an iPad Pro using just the MacBook trackpad and keyboard. It's aware of position, lets you drag files, and supports iPadOS gestures.

The hype was real and it all just works 🤯 pic.twitter.com/PWUTLYZtkW
— Federico Viticci (@viticci) January 27, 2022
- iPadOS 14 finally enables amazing Universal Control feature
- iOS 15.4 also introduces a new keyboard brightness option in Control Center (via MacRumors)
- New Apple Card balance widget
- iCloud Keychain now supports notes for logins
- PS5 controllers now have adaptive trigger support
- EU users can add their digital COVID-19 vaccination to the wallet app (via MacRumors)
January 27, 2022
Your iPhone will soon be able to accept credit cards and work as payment terminal
The rumor: Apple is preparing to ship a new feature that will turn your iPhone into a payment terminal, according to Mark Gurman (87% accurate, via Bloomberg).
- When the new feature ships later this year, you’ll be able to use the NFC functionality on your iPhone to accept payments from NFC-enabled credit cards…essentially replacing traditional point-of-sale (POS) or payment terminals (pictured above)
- The new feature could be included in iOS 15.4, which is expected to launch in beta soon
Our take: This is…kind of an insanely big deal? I’m surprised I haven’t seen more folks lose their minds over the fact that, within a few months, someone will be able to tap their credit card on the back of your phone and pay you for something…with no additional hardware. I’m calling it now: when this ships, it will be incredibly detrimental for the likes of Square and Shopify.
January 27, 2022
Download Apple’s stunning new Black Unity wallpapers here
The news: Alongside a new watch band and watch face, Apple has also released some fresh wallpapers ahead of Black History Month, as well.
- The 3 new wallpapers, customized specially for the perfect fit on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, feature ambient reds and greens…the colors of the Pan-African flag
- These images are heavily inspired by Afrofuturism, “a philosophy that explores the Black experience through a narrative of science, technology, and self-empowerment”
You can grab the new wallpapers below.

iPhone

iPad

Mac
January 26, 2022
Apple releases iOS 15.3…but there aren’t any new features
The news: Apple just dropped their first major software update of the year…but the release is a big update in version number only.
- The only notable change in iOS 15.3 is a fix for bug in Safari where your browsing history and Google ID could be incidentally leaked to websites you visited
- The bug was first noted by FingerprintJS who made a website to raise awareness about the now-patched issue
Our take: Anyone else find it strange that Apple dedicated what is usually a major 15.x release to primarily fixing one thing? Perhaps other features that were planned got pushed back for Apple to rush this out the door? Regardless of the reason (which we’ll probably never know), you should update your devices as soon as you can.
January 26, 2022
Apple releases new Black Unity watch band and first-of-its-kind watch face
The news: Apple just dropped their first new Apple Watch band of 2022 to commemorate the start of Black History Month.
- The new Solo Loop band, which costs $99 dollars and is available to order now, features sprinkles of the vibrant red and green colors of the Pan-African flag and “symbolizes a communal belief in the necessity for a more equitable world”
- Apple also released an accompanying Unity Lights watch face which is the first ever to include 2D ray tracing, where “each pixel on the screen simulates the light and shadow falling across it and the movement of the clock hands simultaneously reveal and hide the light, changing dynamically throughout the day”
Our take: I really, really dig the minimalism of this band and the meaningfulness behind it. It feels well thought out and intentional. And tech-wise: that new Unity Lights watch face is out-of-this-world cool. It’s really dope that Apple is implementing something genuinely new here as their way to celebrate the start of Black History Month.
January 26, 2022
Upcoming iMac Pro may include more powerful M1 Maxer chip
The rumor: Apple is planning a special variation of the M1 Max chip for the next iMac Pro, according to dylandkt (77.5% accurate).
- In addition to the standard M1 Pro and M1 Max chips that Apple will place inside the redesigned 27-inch iMac, there may also be a more powerful 12-core CPU option available (only a 10-core CPU is available now)
- Dylan notes that this chip will be intentionally “targeted towards pros”
Our take: Faster, Pro Apple Silicon this Spring sounds almost too good to be true…but Dylan’s track record for Apple Silicon leaks is simply unbeatable at this point. If this 12-core CPU option does ship this Spring, it will absolutely be the final straw for any remaining Apple Silicon holdouts. But what will they call it? Because they’re running out of superlatives. Introducing…M1 Maxer?

https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1485319903196454913?s=20
January 23, 2022
Leaker reveals Apple’s Spring event: this is what’s coming
The rumors: Apple will be dropping a trio of products at an event this Spring, according to dylandkt (77.5% accurate).

Get ready for new iPhones, iPads and Macs…
- Redesigned Mac mini with M1 Pro or M1 Max chips inside
- Third-generation iPhone SE with 5G
- Updated iPad Air (other rumors have suggested Center Stage and a faster processor)
But there could be one more thing…
- A redesigned, larger 27-inch iMac could also appear at the event, but “there are still concerns with regards to production”
Our take: While the new iPhone SE and iPad Air sounds like minor updates, I’m off-the-charts excited for the new Mac mini…and especially that large iMac. Fingers crossed it makes the cut for the March/April event.

https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1485311433793490953?s=20
January 23, 2022
Apple rumored to release most products ever in Fall 2022
The rumor: Apple is planning for their biggest season of product releases ever, according to Mark Gurman (87% accurate).
- “I’m told that Apple is readying the widest array of new hardware products in its history this fall…(that) list includes four new iPhones, a low-end MacBook Pro, an updated iMac, the new Mac Pro, a revamped MacBook Air, an AirPods Pro upgrade, three Apple Watches, a low-end iPad and iPad Pros” Gurman says
- Previously, Apple held 3 product launch events in Fall 2020 and 2 at the end of 2021
Our take: That is a lot of hardware to ship between September and November. I’m sure it would give Apple a killer holiday quarter, but I’m positive we will see some products before then. It just sounds like the major releases are some months away… Good thing we have the upcoming Spring event and WWDC 2021 to hold us over until then.
January 23, 2022
Apple tightens education discounts with account verification and purchase limits
The news: Getting a student discount on the latest products just got more complicated as Apple has updated their Apple education pricing program with new terms and conditions.
- You’ll now need to sign in with a UNiDAYS account to enter Apple’s education portal…UNiDAYS is a 3rd-party service that independently verifies your status as a student or educator
- Apple has also instituted new purchase limits: only 1 desktop, 1 Mac mini, 1 notebook, 2 iPad and 2 accessories with Education Pricing may be purchased per year
Our take: This is a big change for Apple’s education program, considering that prior to this week you could purchase products as a student with no verification whatsoever. Now you’ll need an account and there are limits to the discounted pricing. But I don’t think these changes will hurt anyone other than those who were previously taking advantage of the system. Want similar prices on Apple products without being a student? Just check out Amazon.
January 19, 2022