Category: News

  • Redesigned iPad mini first look shows larger screen, USB-C & more

    Redesigned iPad mini first look shows larger screen, USB-C & more

    The leak: A slew of new renders depicting the upcoming, redesigned iPad mini have been shared by Jon Prosser (73.6% accurate, via FrontPageTech.com) and designer Ian Zelbo.

    • The new design essentially looks look a mini iPad Pro, with slimmer bezels and an all-screen design with dimensions of 206.3x 137.8 x 6.1mm
    • Due to the removal of the home button, it seems Touch ID will be relocated into the power button
    • Upgraded speakers described as “crazy nice” will also debut on the new tablet
    • And believe it or not…USB-C may be replacing the Lightning port
    • A smaller version of the Apple Pencil could also ship alongside the new iPad mini

    Our take: This looks phenomenal, and it’s what iPad mini users have been asking for, for years. I don’t think it’s the right tablet for me, but this will certainly become the best small tablet on the market overnight.

  • Download the new macOS 12 Monterey wallpapers here

    Download the new macOS 12 Monterey wallpapers here

    The wallpaper: Apple included two new wallpapers in the first beta of macOS 12 Monterey, and you can download them here.

    • The design takes inspiration from last year’s macOS Big Sur update but with more subtle hues and shades
    • A light and dark mode version of the Monterey canyons can be seen below
  • WWDC 2021 leaderboard update: this is where the best (and worst) Apple sources stand

    WWDC 2021 leaderboard update: this is where the best (and worst) Apple sources stand

    Following WWDC 2021, here’s a look at the updated source leaderboard and where the best (and worse) Apple sources place.

    Sources that increased their credibility

    🏀 Mark Gurman: 89.1% accurate (was 88.7)

    🌙 L0vetodream: 88.8% accurate (was 88)

    🕘 9to5Mac: 78.7% accurate (was 78.5)

    🗞 The Wall Street Journal: 80% accurate (was 77.4)

    Sources that decreased their credibility

    🧻 Jon Prosser: 73.6% accurate (was 78.1)

    🌳 Wedbush: 69.2% accurate (was 72)

    🧭 Macotakara: 64.4% accurate (was 66.2)

    ✅ The Verifier: 54.7% accurate (was 55.3)

    Note: As you may have noticed, no source is perfect. That’s because even the best get some info right and some info wrong: do not harass anyone for their track record. The leaderboard functionality on AppleTrack is here only to help tech enthusiasts better understand how likely a rumor really is.

    As always, if you notice a discrepancy on someone’s record, let us know.

  • Apple references unreleased M1X MacBook Pro in WWDC Keynote tags

    Apple references unreleased M1X MacBook Pro in WWDC Keynote tags

    The news: Apple included two tags hidden in the metadata of their WWDC 2021 keynote that point to a new MacBook Pro, as spotted first by YouTuber Max Balzer.

    Our take: I’ve seen a lot of takes that ‘this was just for SEO’ or ‘wow, Apple is so genius for optimizing the video based on rumors’ but I disagree completely. Every rumor pointed to a new MacBook Pro coming at this event, and it seems like Apple decided to push it back last minute.

  • AirPods Max 3E756 firmware released

    AirPods Max 3E756 firmware released

    The news: Apple just released a new version of AirPods Max software, as noted first by MacRumors.

    • Per usual, Apple has not included any release notes for what has changed in this latest update
    • The new 3E756 firmware comes just one day after lossless and Spatial Audio was released on Apple Music

    Our take: My gut says this has something to do with yesterday’s music updates, but we won’t know for sure unless Apple confirms it. The March AirPods Max update fixed battery drain issues.

  • Apple reveals new Intel-powered Mac Pro still coming

    Apple reveals new Intel-powered Mac Pro still coming

    The leak: New evidence in Xcode 13 beta 1 suggests that there’s still another Intel-powered Mac in the works, as discovered by Twitter user Brendan Shanks.

    • A new addition in the latest Xcode beta reveals “CPUFAMILY_NITEL_ICELAKE_SP” and is likely referring to a new version of the Mac Pro
    • Apple announced at WWDC 2020 that their transition to Apple Silicon would take two years, and we’re only halfway through that cycle

    Our take: This has been rumored for some time now, but our first confirmation from Apple that it’s still happening. Considering that the transition to Apple Silicon is set to pick up later this year, this will be a pretty niche product.

  • Apple launches Spatial and Lossless audio formats in Apple Music

    Apple launches Spatial and Lossless audio formats in Apple Music

    The news: Hours after the conclusion of WWDC 2021, Apple has released two major new audio formats in Apple Music.

    • Select songs are available in Spatial Audio, which surrounds you in sound, and most of the Apple Music library is streamable in lossless quality (on supported headphones)
    • The update was pushed live server-side and can be enabled by going to Settings > Music > Dolby Atmos or Audio Quality

    Our take: Haven’t been able to listen to any of the music yet, but this is live in June as promised. Launch felt a bit underwhelming after such a big announcement, however.

  • Download the official iOS and iPadOS 15 wallpapers here

    Download the official iOS and iPadOS 15 wallpapers here

    The fun: Apple included two new beautiful wallpapers inside of iOS and iPadOS 15 that are now available for download.

    • On iPhone, there are light and dark mode images filled with colorful flobs (that I wish animated)
    • And on the iPad are the same wallpapers, but filled with rearranged content and optimized for the bigger displays

    iOS 15 wallpapers

    iPadOS 15 wallpapers

  • macOS 12 Monterey announced with Universal Control, Shortcuts app & all-new Safari

    macOS 12 Monterey announced with Universal Control, Shortcuts app & all-new Safari

    Here’s the news for macOS 12:

    • Photos, Messages and more upgrades sharing features from iOS and iPadOS 15
    • Universal Control: allows you to control other Apple devices from Mac in an astonishing fashion
    • AirPlay to Mac from iOS devices
    • Shortcuts app introduced as replacement for Automator
    • Safari completely redesigned with new UI, tab groups and web extensions on all devices
  • watchOS 8: new Mindfulness app, significant messaging upgrades & redesigned Photos app

    watchOS 8: new Mindfulness app, significant messaging upgrades & redesigned Photos app

    This is watchOS 8:

    • New Mindfulness app for meditation and breathing
    • Sleep app now monitors sleeping respiratory rate
    • Tai chi and pilates workouts added in Fitness
    • Portrait watch face shows portrait mode photos
    • Photos app redesigned with new mosaic layout and improved memories
    • Messages composition improved with unified view
  • iPadOS 15 revamps widgets, adds Shelf and more

    iPadOS 15 revamps widgets, adds Shelf and more

    This is what’s new:

    • Upgraded widgets can be placed anywhere on the Home Screen, with full-size widgets and a new App Library
    • Multitasking menu now present front and center in all apps with new Shelf section added
    • New keyboard shortcuts
    • Notes: mentions, activity view, tags and Quick Note allows you to instantly access your notepad
    • Translate app comes to iPadOS
    • Swift Playgrounds allows you to build iPhone and iPad apps on device