Category: News

  • Gurman: No Touch ID on iPhone 13

    Gurman: No Touch ID on iPhone 13

    The rumor: Face ID will remain the defacto biometric system on this year’s new iPhones, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • “The company has tested an in-display fingerprint scanner for this year’s devices, however that feature will likely not appear on this generation” Gurman says
    • Previous rumors suggested that Touch ID would be making a comeback on the 2021 iPhones, allowing for Face ID + Touch ID dual-authentication

    Our take: Super disappointing to hear that in-display Touch ID will, yet again, not make the cut this year. Seems like the main (and only) incentive to go Pro will be the 120Hz display…

  • Apple developing ‘Apple Pay Later’ service to pay for products over time…without Apple Card

    Apple developing ‘Apple Pay Later’ service to pay for products over time…without Apple Card

    The rumor: Apple is working on a new service called “Apple Pay Later” that allows you to pay for nay Apple Pay purchase over time, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • “The service is currently planned to work as follows: When a user makes a purchase via Apple Pay on their Apple device, they will have the option to pay for it either across four interest-free payments made every two weeks, or across several months with interest, one of the people said. The plan with four payments is called ‘Apple Pay in 4’ internally, while the longer-term payment plans are dubbed ‘Apple Pay Monthly Installments.’”
    • The interest rates for payments across several months aren’t currently known
    • No release date has been set for the upcoming feature just yet

    Our take: This is a pretty big move…the ability to pay later for any purchase made with Apple Pay. Even more surprising is that this is separate from Apple Card, and will be more broadly available to Apple Pay users. With no interest for two months on most purchases, there’s almost no reason not to pay for your stuff over time.

  • Apple releases new colors for leather AirTag accessories

    Apple releases new colors for leather AirTag accessories

    The news: Just months after the launch of AirTag, Apple has introduced a slew of new colors for their Leather Loop and Key Ring accessories.

    • The Leather Loop adds Baltic Blue, California Poppy and Forest Green to the existing Saddle Brown and (PRODUCT)RED colors
    • Leather Key Ring gets California Poppy and Forest Green on top of the already released Baltic Blue, Saddle Brown and (PRODUCT)RED options
    • The products are available for $39 and $35 respectively at apple.com

    Our take: Is California Poppy the best-looking color ever? Very possibly. Some nice color upgrades for the best AirTag accessories today, but the rumored magnetic key ring accessory is still MIA…

  • Apple releases all-new MagSafe Battery Pack for $99

    Apple releases all-new MagSafe Battery Pack for $99

    The news: Apple just released a new MagSafe-enabled battery pack that attaches directly to the backs of iPhone 12 models.

    • Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack features a total of 2920mAh of juice inside and requires iOS 14.7, which should be launching soon, to work properly
    • The product is available in white only for $99 on apple.com

    Our take: This is a wonderful idea and is an instant-cop for me. These are the type of wildly cool MagSafe accessories that I want to see!

    Update: As noted by Andru Edwards, there are actually two 1460mAh batteries inside the pack, not just one as we previously reported.

  • Exclusive: Next Apple Silicon MacBook Pros may be limited to 32GB of RAM

    Exclusive: Next Apple Silicon MacBook Pros may be limited to 32GB of RAM

    The exclusive: New information seems to cast doubt on the existence of 64GB RAM options for the upcoming MacBook Pro models, a ‘downgrade’ compared to current configuration options for Intel models, AppleTrack has learned.

    • 16GB of RAM will be standard on the 16-inch MacBook Pro as it is now, but we believe there may not be a 64GB RAM option as has been suggested by other sources
    • Apple allows current 16-inch MacBook Pros powered by Intel to be configured with 16, 32, or 64GB of RAM

    Luke Miani’s take: This is a weird one folks. It seems odd that Apple would remove the option to upgrade to 64GB of RAM, and other sources have suggested that the option will remain…but the information we have received and verified indicates that 16 and 32GB will be the only options for the new machines. While this may disappoint some, I have to wonder if low demand for the more expensive $800 option for 64GB RAM contributed to Apple’s decision making here.

  • Another report says LiDAR remaining exclusive to iPhone 13 Pro models

    Another report says LiDAR remaining exclusive to iPhone 13 Pro models

    The rumor: Only Pro iPhones in 2021 will feature the LiDAR sensor, according to dylandkt (81.3% accurate).

    • Only iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will include the LiDAR sensor, which makes augmented reality tasks significantly more accurate and assists with focus in low-light
    • A previous report from January suggested LiDAR would make its way to all 2021 iPhones

    Our take: Frankly, I don’t think non-Pro users are missing out on much of anything here. The LiDAR sensor is nice, but it is by no means a significant feature in its current state.

    https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1414338686314074116?s=20
  • Exclusive: Upcoming MacBook Pros to feature upgraded UHS-II SD card slot

    Exclusive: Upcoming MacBook Pros to feature upgraded UHS-II SD card slot

    The exclusive: The next MacBook Pro models will feature UHS-II SD card readers, AppleTrack has learned from a trusted source.

    Luke Miani’s take: Adding UHS-II to the MacBook Pro will be a huge upgrade to video editors and photographers – you know, the people who really want SD card slots! It’s been great to hear in multiple reports that the SD Card slot is making a comeback, but to have this additional high-speed capability is great news. 

  • Gurman: Larger, redesigned iMac will likely feature M1X or M2X chip

    Gurman: Larger, redesigned iMac will likely feature M1X or M2X chip

    The rumor: Apple is planning a more powerful chip for the iMac to replace the current 27-inch model, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • The new, larger iMac is still coming…but Gurman is not sure exactly when this product will be dropping
    • As for the processor inside, “it likely will be an M1X, the beefier version of the current M1, or an M2X”

    Our take: While I was really hopeful for a 2021 release on the larger iMac, I think it’ll probably come sometime in the first half of next year. Don’t worry though, as the M1X MacBook Pro is still on track to release in Fall.

  • Gurman: Apple has no imminent plans for Touch ID on Apple Watch

    Gurman: Apple has no imminent plans for Touch ID on Apple Watch

    The rumor: Apple is not planning to add Touch ID to Apple Watch anytime soon, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • Gurman says that while there is some merit for Touch ID to make its debut on Apple Watch, he doesn’t “see that happening any time soon, if ever”
    • A previous rumor from The Verifier (54.7% accurate) said that Touch ID would be shipping on the Apple Watch Series 7

    Our take: Genuinely, what will the upgrades for Apple Watch Series 7 be? A new design, a faster processor…and what else? Each year the Apple Watch upgrades seem to be shrinking.

  • Redesigned iPad mini likely coming this fall with iPad Air-like design

    Redesigned iPad mini likely coming this fall with iPad Air-like design

    The rumor: The first-ever major redesign for the iPad mini is happening later this year, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate, via Power On).

    • The new look is described as “more similar to the iPad Air, complete with the latest processor and a larger screen with slimmer bezels” which matches the first look shared by Jon Prosser (74.2% accurate) from earlier this year
    • Gurman says that he expects this new iPad mini to come sometime this Fall

    Sam Kohl’s take: Honestly, I’m kind of surprised this is happening at all. Apple has largely ignored the iPad mini for the past few years and I’m fascinated that they’re bringing it back with this huge upgraded later this year. The Fall is looking more exciting by the day.

  • Exclusive: Upcoming MacBook Pros will feature backlit Touch ID button

    Exclusive: Upcoming MacBook Pros will feature backlit Touch ID button

    The exclusive: Apple’s upcoming MacBook Pro redesign will include an upgraded Touch ID sensor, according to new information obtained by AppleTrack.

    • According to new information we’ve reviewed, the upcoming MacBook Pro series will feature a revamped Touch ID button that is backlit by multiple dedicated LEDs
    • Interestingly, the Touch ID backlight is notably separate from the rest of the keyboard, suggesting that there may be unknown additional functionality tied to this key

    Luke Miani’s take: While this information may be minor, there could be additional functionality involved here. While it’s possible this could be a simple backlight like other keys, the dedicated LEDs and repeated emphasis suggest to me that additional functionality could be involved. For example, if the redesigned MacBook Pros carry over the circular ring around the sensor as found on new iMacs, the LEDs could illuminate the ring with animations when prompted to use the sensor, or to confirm sensor readings.