Category: News

  • New video shows AirPower prototype in action

    New video shows AirPower prototype in action

    The leak: A working prototype of the fateful AirPower wireless charging mat has surfaced in a new video, shared by collector Giulio Zompetti.

    • In the new video, you can see how AirPower would have worked when placing a device on the charging mat, complete with a 3D animation of the device placed and overview of all currently charging devices
    • Apple canceled AirPower in March 2019 after announcing it at the iPhone X event in September 2017 and numerous delays

    Our take: This is the first time we’ve ever seen a functional AirPower prototype in the wild. Truly, this would’ve been an incredibly device and although the initial version didn’t meet Apple’s quality standards, there are rumors that something similar is still in the works. I hope something like this sees the light of day eventually.

    https://twitter.com/1nsane_dev/status/1423277245381054472
  • Apple launches redesigned Apple Store at apple.com/store

    Apple launches redesigned Apple Store at apple.com/store

    The news: Apple has launched a redesigned online store for their products following a short maintenance period.

    • There’s a new ‘Store’ tab that allows you to see a better spread of the products Apple sells
    • Product category pages inside of the Store tab now include shopping guides, ways to save, “The Apple Difference” and more

    Check out the gallery below!

    Our take: This new design is a huge upgrade and makes it much easier to see even the small things that Apple has added to their store recently. I hope we see this card-esque styling everywhere on apple.com eventually.

  • The Apple Store is down globally…and no one knows why (update: it’s back)

    The Apple Store is down globally…and no one knows why (update: it’s back)

    Update 4:47pm PST: The Apple Store is back up after being down for just around an hour. Everything looks the same to me so far.

    The news: Apple’s online store is currently down around the world for no apparent reason.

    • “Be right back” Apple says, “We’re making updates to the Apple Store. Check back soon.”

    Our take: This is strange, considering that we just got some new products earlier today. I highly doubt there will be anything new on the store and that this is just maintenance of some kind: but why bring the store down at ~4pm PST in the middle of the day here in the US?

  • Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Mouse & Trackpad accessories are now sold separately

    Apple’s new Magic Keyboard, Mouse & Trackpad accessories are now sold separately

    The news: Apple’s new Magic accessories that were previously exclusive to the M1 iMac are now available for purchase as standalone products.

    • The new Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac models with Apple silicon and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad for Mac models with Apple silicon are all available on apple.com now
    • All of the accessories ship with Apple’s exclusive braided Lightning cable for charging

    Our take: Super happy to see Apple sell these accessories separately, but I really wish the Touch ID keyboard were compatible with older Intel-based machines. I would buy one for my 27-inch iMac in a heartbeat if they were.

  • Apple updates Mac Pro with new Radeon Pro GPU options

    Apple updates Mac Pro with new Radeon Pro GPU options

    The news: On Tuesday morning Apple updated their online store with upgraded pre-built Mac Pro and standalone graphics card options from AMD.

    Our take: Some pricey but powerful options for those with a Mac Pro that are looking to spec their machines out even further. Looking at you, MKBHD team…

  • New Apple Watch and Mac models show up in regulatory filings

    New Apple Watch and Mac models show up in regulatory filings

    The news: Apple is preparing to launch new Apple Watch and Mac models, according to fresh filings from the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) who routinely reveals the existence of new products (via Consomac).

    Here’s what the new EEC filings show:

    • 2 new Mac models: A2442 and A2485 that run macOS 12 Monterey
    • 6 new Apple Watch models: A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477 and A2478 running watchOS 8

    Our take: No surprises here, just more evidence that we are definitely seeing new MacBook Pros and Apple Watches this Fall. iPhones, are coming too, of course.

  • Gurman: AirPods 3 coming this Fall

    Gurman: AirPods 3 coming this Fall

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to unveil AirPods 3 alongside new iPhones this Fall, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • “Look for Apple to debut its new low-end AirPods this fall, around the same time as the next iPhones” Gurman says
    • AirPods 3 have been leaked extensively, but it’s still murky what specific upgrades are coming…aside from a brand-new design

    Our take: I think this hybrid in-ear design is truly going to be game changing for AirPods and spark some fresh interest in a brand that Apple updates only every couple of years. This is the third time we’re hearing new AirPods this Fall, so expect them sometime in the September/October timeframe.

  • Gurman: All Macs will have Apple Silicon inside by November 2022

    Gurman: All Macs will have Apple Silicon inside by November 2022

    The rumor: Apple will hit their two-year transition for Apple Silicon by the end of next year, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • “I think Apple will barely hit its two-year timeline…that leaves the 27-inch iMac, the high-end MacBook Pros, the high-end Mac mini and the Mac Pro as the last remaining Macs to be updated. I’d then expect the iMac to fully transition by the end of next year and the revamped, smaller Mac Pro with Apple Silicon to hit later next year as well. I think Apple will hit that timeline within a month, give or take” Gurman says
    • In this Q&A Section of his weekly newsletter, he reaffirms that new MacBook Pros with Apple Silicon inside are (finally) just around the corner

    Our take: This isn’t necessarily news, as Apple themselves announced that the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon would take two years…but with the incredibly slow rollout thus far there were questions about whether or not they would stick to the schedule. It looks like they are, and that 2022 will be much more busy than 2021.

  • Gurman: iPhone Fold still ‘two or three years’ away

    Gurman: iPhone Fold still ‘two or three years’ away

    The rumor: Apple is actively working on a foldable iPhone, but it won’t be coming anytime soon, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • On the topic of an iPhone that folds, “I think Apple will eventually do it, but it’ll be at least two or three years. I reported earlier this year that Apple has prototyped foldable iPhones, and personally, I think an iPhone with a giant, unfolding 7- or 8-inch screen would be the perfect device for me and a lot of other people” Gurman says
    • Numerous sources have suggested that this ‘iPhone Fold’ is in the works, but have also indicated that it is some time away still

    Our take: I’m still not sold on foldable phones as I’ve yet to be impressed by anything I’ve seen on the market so far. Broadly, I think they’re a gimmick for people that are bored of the traditional smartphone design—and while I get that—it’s not for me. I think Apple will have to come up with a killer design and feature set to make something like this gain mass appeal.

  • Second rumor suggests AirPods 3 releasing in September alongside iPhone 13

    Second rumor suggests AirPods 3 releasing in September alongside iPhone 13

    The rumor: Apple will be unveiling a new version of AirPods alongside the 2021 iPhones, according to dylandkt (81.3% accurate).

    Our take: I was skeptical about the first rumor, but Dylan seems to have release timeframes down pretty well for new products. Looks like we may be seeing AirPods 3 in just under 2 months…

    https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1419103317683212290?s=20
  • What’s new in iOS 15 beta 4? More Safari tweaks, MagSafe Battery Pack support & more

    What’s new in iOS 15 beta 4? More Safari tweaks, MagSafe Battery Pack support & more

    The news: Following the private and public beta release of iOS 15 beta 4, these are the changes you should know about.

    • TL;DR: Safari continues to get better, the new MagSafe battery is now properly supported, and there’s more granular options you can configure across the OS

    What’s new?

    • Continued tweaks to Safari on iOS including a reload and share button in the search bar, and tapping the display will minimize or expand the bar
    • iPadOS’ Safari now looks very close to macOS Monterey and gives you the ability to select your tab bar style
    • Ability to share/not share Focus Status on a contact-by-contact basis
    • New Notifications icon in Settings and ability to show or hide notifications while screen sharing
    • Shortcuts gains “Return to Home Screen” action
    MacRumors
    • New camera icon on the Lock Screen removes the shutter switch