Category: News

  • Both 14/16-inch MacBook Pros may have same M1X chip

    Both 14/16-inch MacBook Pros may have same M1X chip

    The leak: Apple’s upcoming, revamped MacBook Pro models will have the same performance, according to dylandkt (81.3% accurate).

    • Both 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models will reportedly feature the M1X chip…with the exact same performance
    • But “expect a notable increase in price for the 14 inch over the 13 inch,” Dylan says

    Our take: I was expecting the larger MacBook Pro to have better performance, as it has always been historically. If you can get the exact same config on the 14-inch as the 16-inch, then it’ll be tempting to opt for the smaller MacBook this time around…

    https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1430011160267472900?s=20
  • New picture shows production equipment at Apple Park ahead of September event

    New picture shows production equipment at Apple Park ahead of September event

    The news: Apple executive Lisa Jackson has updated her profile picture on Twitter, and it could hint at the next Apple event that is just around the corner.

    • In the background of Jackson’s new profile picture, seen above, production equipment including lighting and what appears to be audio/lighting controllers can be seen in the foyer outside of the Steve Jobs Theater
    • Apple is rumored to hold their first hardware event of the Fall in September, as is tradition for the company
    • “Lisa Jackson is Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, reporting to CEO Tim Cook,” as noted on Apple’s leadership page

    Our take: Pretty surprising to see even this small peek into what appears to be a recent shoot at Apple Park…presumably for the upcoming event(s) in September. What’s clear is that Apple was at least producing something recently outside of the Steve Jobs Theater…

    https://twitter.com/ThisIsNoahEvans/status/1429446926987038723?s=20
  • M1X Mac mini releasing ‘in the next several months’

    M1X Mac mini releasing ‘in the next several months’

    The rumor: Apple is planning to update the Mac mini with a faster chip in the (somewhat) near future, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Power On).

    • The new info suggests the new Mac mini will have additional ports, and M1X processor and a different design than the current M1 model
    • Gurman also reports that a launch is happening within “in the next several months”

    Our take: We’ve already seen our first look of the Mac mini courtesy of Jon Prosser a few months back. Seems to line up with this info pretty closely.

  • Gurman: AirPods Pro 2 not releasing until 2022

    Gurman: AirPods Pro 2 not releasing until 2022

    The rumor: Apple doesn’t plan to update AirPods Pro this year, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Power On).

    Our take: A reiteration of a prior report, but part of me thought there was a small chance we still saw an AirPods Pro update this year. Seems like it’s still a pretty good time to buy…

  • Apple could bring titanium chassis to iPads in the future

    Apple could bring titanium chassis to iPads in the future

    The rumor: Apple may be planning to expand Titanium beyond the Apple Card and Watch in the future, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    Our take: Considering how much larger iPad bodies are in comparison to the iPhone, I don’t anticipate this happening soon…at all. Down the line, though, titanium would be a really solid form factor upgrade for the iPad Pros. Plus, it would be a nice change fo pace from aluminum (which Apple generally reserves for their lower-end products).

  • Apple rumored to hold multiple September Events this year

    Apple rumored to hold multiple September Events this year

    The rumor: Apple plans to hold more than one event this September, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • The rumor, seen by MacRumors, says Apple plans to “host a series of product launch conferences in September,” with a new model of the $329 is expected at one of them
    • In this history of Apple as a company, they have never held two major product launch events in September…last year they spread out their announcements between September, October and November

    Our take: With DigiTimes’ weak track record…yes, I’m highly skeptical of multiple events next month. Not saying it’s impossible. Just highly improbable.

  • Apple delays return to office plans until 2022

    Apple delays return to office plans until 2022

    The news: Apple has once again delayed plans for employees to return to the office, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • The hybrid work plan, which will require employees to work Monday, Tuesday and Friday in the office each week, is now scheduled to begin in January 2022 (was previously October 2021)
    • ”The memo to staff, sent by human resources and retail head Deirdre O’Brien, added that the company does not currently expect to shutter its offices or retail stores. But she strongly encouraged staff to get vaccinated” Gurman says

    Our take: Probably a good call considering the rise in virus cases, and following the trend that other tech giants have set.

  • In China, you can’t engrave over 1,000 words on Apple products…including characters for “human rights” & “8964”

    In China, you can’t engrave over 1,000 words on Apple products…including characters for “human rights” & “8964”

    The news: A new report from The Citizen Lab highlights the wide variety of words and phrases…and even a number…that you can’t engrave on Apple products in Mainland China.

    • “In mainland China, Apple widely censors political speech, including broad references such as 政治 (politics), 抵制 (resist), 民主潮 (wave of democracy), and 人权 (human rights). In mainland China, Apple also heavily censors references to Tibet and Tibetan religion. Such keywords include 正法 (dharma), 達賴 (Dalai), and 达兰萨拉 (Dharamshala). Such heavy-handed censorship restricts users’ abilities to freely express themselves politically and religiously” says The Citizen Lab
    • This one number, 8964, is also banned, as it refers to the infamous 1989 Tiananmen Square protests
    • The same report also heights that nearly 20% of Apple’s total revenue comes from the Mainland China market

    Our take: Operating in China is simply a catch-22. But what’s odd is that Apple has censored more than what is necessary to operate there. In response, Apple replied here, saying “We handle engraving requests regionally. There is no single global list that contains one set of words or phrases. Instead, these decisions are made through a review process where our teams assess local laws as well as their assessment of cultural sensitivities. We revisit these decisions from time to time. While those teams rely on information from a range of sources, no third parties or government agencies have been involved the process.”

  • Sus iPad mini mold leak claims to show new design

    Sus iPad mini mold leak claims to show new design

    The leak: New images and a video of a purported mold for the upcoming iPad mini show radical changes, according to Techordo, a website with only one post ever in collaboration with Twitter user @xleaks7.

    Our take: Even though this looks similar to what we’ve seen that is legitimate, I’m incredibly skeptical of this site and “leaker.” The Twitter user posted this wild leak of the iPhone 12 last year and it’s safe to say that they were just a tad off. This, combined with the fact that Techordo has 0 presence on social media and only one post on the entire site makes me question whether this is a real leak or just a copy of what we’ve already seen. I’m betting on the latter.

  • What’s new in iOS 15 beta 6? Old Safari design returns & SharePlay delayed

    What’s new in iOS 15 beta 6? Old Safari design returns & SharePlay delayed

    The news: Apple released iOS 15 beta 6 at 10am PST on Tuesday morning as an official launch nears…this time, including some substantial changes in Safari and elsewhere.

    • TL;DR: Safari brings back the old design (as an option) and SharePlay in FaceTime has been delayed

    What’s new?

    • Safari now gives you the traditional top bar option in addition to a revamped bottom bar variation; there are also various UI tweaks including a relocated download indicator and more
    • FaceTime’s SharePlay feature for sharing content over calls has been delayed until a future update to iOS 15 coming this Fall
  • Apple Watch Series 7 CAD images confirm major redesign coming

    Apple Watch Series 7 CAD images confirm major redesign coming

    The leak: New CAD images show the radical design for the next Apple Watch, as shared by 91Mobiles.

    • Apple Watch Series 7 will include flat edges similar to iPad Pro and iPhone 12, much larger speaker grills, and slimmer bezels on the front display
    • This new watch was first shared by Jon Prosser (74.3% accurate) in May 2021

    Our take: Looks like we are indeed getting the radical watch design changes this year (there was some possibility that these could be pushed to 2022). This matches up exactly with what we’ve already seen, and it’s definitely growing on me.