Category: News

  • 2023 iPhones may include Apple-designed 5G modem

    2023 iPhones may include Apple-designed 5G modem

    The rumor: An Apple-designed 5G modem will debut in just a couple of years, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • A 5G modem designed by Apple may debut as soon as 2023, as Apple plans to stop using Qualcomm’s modems
    • Apple is pushing forward on their quest to design and produce more and more of the components inside the iPhone

    Our take: Seeing this makes me think about other parts of the iPhone that Apple might want to design and manufacture one day. Will Apple-designed screens and less of a reliance on Samsung’s tech be next?

  • Apple’s next MacBook Air could come in blue & more colors

    Apple’s next MacBook Air could come in blue & more colors

    The rumor: Apple may be updating the new MacBook Air with fresh colors, according to Jon Prosser (77.6% accurate).

    • Prosser’s source, who hasn’t been wrong yet, claims to have seen a blue MacBook Air prototype recently…sparking parallels to the revamped colors on the new iMac
    • Apple could be updating the MacBook Air with a thinner and lighter design as soon as sometime later this year

    Our take: This is wonderful news and it lines up with a more general strategy that I see Apple deploying with fun colors for their lower-end products and serious shades for their higher-end offerings. People love colors and most people aren’t buying Pro Apple products.

  • Download the new M1 iMac wallpapers here

    Download the new M1 iMac wallpapers here

    The wallpapers: Bundled with each of the new M1 iMac models is a host of new wallpapers that happen to all be a part of the “hello” branding.

    • There are 7 new light and dark mode wallpapers that ship with the redesigned iMacs
    • 9to5Mac has extracted the wallpapers from the latest version of macOS and you can download them below
  • Video shows first look at iPhone 13 Pro Max model

    Video shows first look at iPhone 13 Pro Max model

    The leak: Our first proper hands-on look at the iPhone 13 Pro Max has been shared on YouTube by Unbox Therapy.

    • A smaller notch with a relocated speaker can be seen on the front of the upcoming iPhone 13 Pro Max
    • The camera module is also a bit larger year-over-year when compared to last year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max

    Our take: This is one of the most realistic-looking iPhone models that I’ve ever seen. Props to Lew for doing a solid job of showing the device off. Looks pretty similar to iPhone 12 Pro Max overall, though.

  • iOS 14.5.1 update released with App Tracking Transparency fixes

    iOS 14.5.1 update released with App Tracking Transparency fixes

    The news: Apple just released the first bug-fix update to iOS 14.5 after its major launch last week.

    • “This update fixes an issue with App Tracking Transparency where some users who previously disabled Allow Apps to Request to Track in Settings may not receive prompts from apps after re-enabling it. This update also provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.” Apple says
    • Many users, including myself, reported issues with ATT not working as expected
  • iPad mini 6 now expected to release in second half of 2021

    iPad mini 6 now expected to release in second half of 2021

    The rumor: Apple’s next-generation iPad mini is still months away, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (76.6% accurate).

    • Kuo’s updated estimate suggests the iPad mini 6 is coming in the second half of 2021, versus sometime in the first half
    • An updated iPad mini has been rumored for years now, and is expected to have a larger display with slimmer bezels and faster processor

    Our take: Again, this is not the redesigned iPad mini that so many want…just a tweaked version of the existing model. Like most product delays, I’m sure there’s some reason behind this, but it also seems like Apple has been sitting on the new mini for some time.

  • AirPods 3 & Apple Music HiFi to launch ‘in the coming weeks’

    AirPods 3 & Apple Music HiFi to launch ‘in the coming weeks’

    The rumors: Apple is preparing to release 2 new music products soon, according to HITS Daily Double (not yet tracked).

    • The new HiFi tier of Apple Music is said to cost only $9.99/month…the same price as the standard plan
    • AirPods 3 will also likely launch “in the coming weeks,” alongside the new Apple Music offering

    Our take: While I would normally say that a rumor from a source like this is complete BS…they were the site that called the release of the original iPod back in 2001. Considering that HDD doesn’t leak frequently, I believe this one. Can’t wait for HiFi streaming, and especially for the long-awaited AirPods 3.

  • New iMac, iPad Pro & Apple TV releasing on May 21

    New iMac, iPad Pro & Apple TV releasing on May 21

    The news: While Apple previously provided launch guidance of “available second half of May,” we now have the exact launch date.

    • The updated iMac, iPad Pro and Apple TV models all launch on Friday, May 21 (pre-orders go live tomorrow at 5am PST)
    • Apple hasn’t publicly confirmed the release date yet…but it leaked in the source page code for the UK press release (nice find, 9to5Mac!)

    Our take: So the new products are just under a month away. Seems like pre-ordering this round will be the way to go because there have been wide concerns about supply for both iPad Pro and iMac…

  • iPad and Mac supply shortages expected in second half of 2021

    iPad and Mac supply shortages expected in second half of 2021

    The news: During Apple’s quarterly earnings call today, Tim Cook confirmed that two product lines would likely experience shortages in the second half of 2021 (via MacRumors).

    • “The constraints come from semiconductor shortages that are affecting many industries and it’s a combination of the shortages and the very high level of demand that we’re seeing for both ‌iPad‌ and Mac.” says Apple CFO Luca Maestri
    • We first heard of a rumored shortage last week, but even Apple doesn’t seem to be sure of the extent just yet

    Our take: Apple didn’t specify what products exactly would be experiencing the shortage: just iPad and Mac broadly. Guessing this applies to the new 24-inch iMac…but again, not entirely sure yet. And Apple doesn’t seem to know exactly how bad it will be yet either.

  • AirPods 2/Pro 3E751 update released

    AirPods 2/Pro 3E751 update released

    The news: Apple just released a new firmware for AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro, as first spotted by MacRumors.

    • No release notes have been provided for 3E751, and no new changes have been discovered just yet
    • Apple’s last update for AirPods Max corrected issues with phantom battery drain

    Our take: As always, we’ll have to wait and see what’s new in the latest 3E751 update for AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro (Apple never provides a changelog). If I had to guess, it could be some optimization shipping alongside iOS 14.5?

  • Apple ‘M2’ processor reportedly begins production ahead of next MacBook release

    Apple ‘M2’ processor reportedly begins production ahead of next MacBook release

    The rumor: Apple’s first major upgrade to their own silicon has started production, according to Nikkei Asia (rating pending).

    • The new tentatively named M2 chip may be ready to ship by July, meaning it will likely power the new MacBook models set to launch in the second half of the year
    • “Sources said it will eventually be used in other Mac and Apple devices beyond the MacBook” Nikkei notes

    Our take: Two big takeaways in the story for me: 1) Apple may jump to M2 before something like M1X or M1Z and 2) that we likely aren’t getting new MacBook models ahead of the Fall.