Category: News

  • UK carrier source code references iPhone 13

    UK carrier source code references iPhone 13

    The leak: O2, a popular wireless carrier in the UK, has included references to Apple’s unreleased iPhone 13 on their website…ahead of an expected September unveil.

    Our take: This could be one of two things: a) Apple is known to communicate with carriers ahead of the launch of a new phone and this could simply be preparation for the phone’s official launch in a few weeks or b) just a guess from a random developer that works for O2 that is making their best guess as to what Apple’s next phone will be called. But more and more evidence is pointing to iPhone 13, not iPhone 12s.

    Thanks Patton!

  • Apple Music acquires Primephonic classical music service, promises dedicated app next year

    Apple Music acquires Primephonic classical music service, promises dedicated app next year

    The news: Apple has confirmed their most recent acquisition of Primephonic, which will be shut down on September 7 prior to being integrated into Apple Music next year.

    • Primephonic is “the renowned classical music streaming service that offers an outstanding listening experience with search and browse functionality optimized for classical, premium-quality audio, handpicked expert recommendations, and extensive contextual details on repertoire and recordings.”
    • A dedicated Apple Music Classical app is said to launch sometime next year with Primephonic integration and exclusive content

    Our take: This acquisition comes a bit out of left field, but seems to tap into a music niche that Apple wants to be associated with their brand. But the fact that Primephonic is just shutting down on September 7 with no integration into Apple Music until next year is a bad look. Why not keep the service up until you can make a smooth transition into Apple Music?

  • iPhone 13 may be able to make calls and send texts with no service

    iPhone 13 may be able to make calls and send texts with no service

    The rumor: Apple is planning to use low-orbit satellites to bring communication to places it has never gone before on iPhone 13, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • “We predict that the iPhone 13 hardware specs will support LEO (low Earth orbit) satellite communications. If Apple turns on the software, when iPhone 13 users are not in 4G/5G coverage, they can also call and transmit via satellite communications” Kuo says
    • Mark Gurman previously reported on Apple’s plans to allow iPhones to communicate with satellites in December 2019

    Our take: This could be the killer feature of the iPhones this year, and beat any Android devices to the punch. The applications of this technology are wild and would allow people to communicate in places that they simply could not before. That being said, I’ll be impressed if we see this feature land on iPhone 13 and not something next year or the year after. If it does come this year, it will be huge for Apple.

  • Apple Watch Series 7 will include new watch faces optimized for larger displays

    Apple Watch Series 7 will include new watch faces optimized for larger displays

    The rumor: Apple is planning a revamped design and more for the upcoming 2021 Apple Watch models, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Power On).

    Our take: Sure, the new watch faces sound great…but again, what new features are actually coming to the Series 7? We’ve heard essentially nothing other than it will look new, which will make upgrading year-over-year essentially pointless for even Apple’s most diehard fans. Don’t get me wrong, a new design goes a long way. But the past three years of which upgrades have been incredibly muted and the lack of competition to this product is showing.

  • ‘Apple Glass’ may be Tim Cook’s final product as CEO

    ‘Apple Glass’ may be Tim Cook’s final product as CEO

    The rumor: Apple’s upcoming augmented reality glasses are set to drop around 2025, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Power On).

    Our take: I think Cook wants his legacy to be a product that fundamentally changes the world and the way we work in it. For Steve Jobs, that was the iPhone: for Cook, I think he sees that device as these AR glasses. We’re still years away from this watershed moment, though.

  • Apple’s iPhone 13 may be getting more expensive…here’s why

    Apple’s iPhone 13 may be getting more expensive…here’s why

    The rumor: Apple’s upcoming iPhone 13 series may be more expensive than the iPhone 12 due issues with chip production, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • Per the new report, prices for chip production from TSMC, one of Apple’s manufacturers, could see increases as high as 20%
    • In turn, “Apple is likely to set higher prices for its upcoming iPhone and other series, according to market sources. Multiple notebook brand vendors, which have raised their prices by 5-10% so far this year, continue to explore ways to mitigate the impact of rising costs on their profitability” DigiTimes says

    Our take: Wow…the first we’ve heard of a price increase for iPhone 13, all due to the chip shortage. Considering the breadth of the rumored upgrades this year, this will literally be a tough sell. The prices for the iPhone 12 lineup are already quite high, so I’m curious to see how much Apple may be planning to hike here. Then again, this is just coming from DigiTimes, a source that is only 61% accurate…

  • New image claims to show ‘iPhone 13’ branding

    New image claims to show ‘iPhone 13’ branding

    The leak: A new photo with “iPhone 13” branding was just shared on Twitter by Weibo-wizard DuanRui.

    • The new photo, seen above, shows what appears to be some official packaging for “iPhone 13”
    • Rumors have suggested that this year’s iPhone will be called iPhone 13 or iPhone 12s

    Our take: Like the other sketchy-looking leak from earlier…it appears to be legitimate, but I’m not 100% sure just yet. But iPhone 13 seems plausible.

  • New photo allegedly shows unreleased 45mm Apple Watch size

    New photo allegedly shows unreleased 45mm Apple Watch size

    The leak: A new photo, posted to Twitter by user DuanRui, seemingly provides confirmation of a larger 45mm size for the Apple Watch Series 7.

    • The image, which appears to be heavily cropped, shows an engraving that says “45MM,” a size that Apple doesn’t currently sell
    • An earlier rumor also suggested Apple would offer the Apple Watch Series 7 in 41/45mm variants due to the new looks that includes a redesigned chassis and slimmer bezels on the display

    Our take: Although the photo is top-tier sketchy…I think it’s real. With the screen upgrades that have been rumored by more credible sources, a subtle increase in size adds up.

  • Chinese retailer says iPhone 13 releasing on September 17, AirPods 3 on September 30

    Chinese retailer says iPhone 13 releasing on September 17, AirPods 3 on September 30

    The rumor: A Chinese retailer claims to have the release dates for both iPhone 13 and AirPods 3, according to IT Home (not yet tracked, via MacRumors).

    • The listing, which isn’t verified, shows iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max releasing on September 17…with AirPods 3 releasing a bit later on September 30
    • IT Home, who first noticed the image, doesn’t have a reliable track record and has altered images in the past

    Our take: While these dates could coincidentally end up being right, I’m highly doubtful that this random retailer somehow got access to the release dates prior to anyone else. They could be accurate, but with no track record I’m highly skeptical. We’ll keep you updated if any more reliable sources report these release dates…

  • iPhone 13 Face ID could work with foggy glasses and masks

    iPhone 13 Face ID could work with foggy glasses and masks

    The leak: Apple has been testing a prototype version of Face ID that would make significant improvements, according to Jon Prosser (74.3% accurate, via FrontPageTech.com).

    • The prototype, which currently exists as a case that an iPhone 12 fits inside, features a new Face ID array that is almost identical to the one that will likely be found on iPhone 13, suggesting that these improvements could ship as early as this year
    • “Internally, Apple employees are being asked to wear masks AND glasses to test the new hardware. Some tests are conducted with masks on / masks off. Others are conducted with glasses on / glasses off while wearing a mask” Prosser says

    Our take: This is interesting, and would absolutely fix what is still Face ID’s Achilles heel: masks. The unlock with Apple Watch feature was a major step forward, but for everyone without an Apple Watch, wearing a mask with Face ID is still a bad experience. I’m not convinced this will actually happen on iPhone 13 with the testing occurring so recently, but on the 2022 iPhones…maybe.

  • Rumor says Apple Watch Series 7 could come in new 41/45mm sizing, old bands still compatible

    Rumor says Apple Watch Series 7 could come in new 41/45mm sizing, old bands still compatible

    The rumor: Apple is increasing the screen sizes for Apple Watch Series 7, according to UnclePan (not yet tracked).

    • “I vaguely feel that the two models of Apple Watch Series 7 this year are 41mm and 45mm, and the new and old have universal bands,” says UnclePan on Weibo
    • Larger screens have also been rumored by numerous other sources, but no one has mentioned a specific size until now

    Our take: So UnclePan has gotten some things right and wrong, but I’m still not entirely sold on his credibility as a solid source. But…this sounds about right, as many other credible sources have mentioned screen upgrades coming this year. Super cool that all of your old bands will work again, too!