Category: News

  • New iMac is reportedly ‘ready’ and could launch any time

    New iMac is reportedly ‘ready’ and could launch any time

    The rumor: The highly-anticipated iMac redesign could be releasing sooner than later, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • Prosser says a new iMac is “ready” and could theoretically launch at any time…but it is not likely coming at Apple’s March 23 event
    • Other sources have suggested the new iMac would launch sometime later in 2021

    Our take: I mean I’m wildly excited but skeptical at the same time. Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate) has a better track record and says that we shouldn’t expect new iMacs for a few months still. Perhaps they’re both right: one iMac model in the first half of this year and the second a bit later on.

  • AirPods Max 3C39 firmware released

    AirPods Max 3C39 firmware released

    The news: Apple released the first AirPods Max software update since launch on Tuesday morning.

    • Users have been reporting battery drain issues for weeks now, and it’s possible that today’s update fixes that
    • Apple never provides exact release notes for AirPods updates, so this is our best guess currently

    Our take: I’ve noticed a lot of inconsistent battery performance on my pair of AirPods Max. Sometimes I don’t have to charge them for a while…and other times they are just dead. Hopefully 3C39 evens things out.

  • 2021 iPad Pro slated to launch as soon as late March

    2021 iPad Pro slated to launch as soon as late March

    The rumor: Apple’s next iPad Pro is just around the corner, according to DigiTimes (65.1% accurate, via MacRumors).

    Our take: This lines up with what other sources have been reporting as well. There’s not way we don’t see a new iPad Pro this month.

  • Ahead of Apple’s March 23 event, 4 new products are reportedly ready to ship

    Ahead of Apple’s March 23 event, 4 new products are reportedly ready to ship

    The rumor: Ahead of a rumored March 23 event, Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate) has shared a number of products that could launch at any time.

    • Here’s what Prosser says is ready: Apple TV, new AirPods, AirTags and iPad Pro
    • This being said, it’s unlikely that we’ll see all of this in March alone

    Our take: I think AirTags and a new iPad Pro will be announced on March 23 at an Apple event, with the possibility that an updated Apple TV makes an appearance, as well. Don’t think new AirPods are coming until April/May.

  • Apple releases iOS 14.4.1, watchOS 7.3.2 & macOS 11.2.3 with security updates

    Apple releases iOS 14.4.1, watchOS 7.3.2 & macOS 11.2.3 with security updates

    The news: Apple released a slew of security updates for iOS, watchOS and macOS on Monday morning.

    • So…what’s new in these updates? Apple says “this update provides important security updates and is recommended for all users”
    • Specifically, Apple has fixed a WebKit vulnerability that was seemingly pretty important

    WebKit

    Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)

    Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

    Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.

    CVE-2021-1844: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group, Alison Huffman of Microsoft Browser Vulnerability Research

    Our take: Looks like these updates were pushed out due to a potential security risk, but there isn’t anything else new to see here. Updating simply nets you better security on your device, which is always recommended.

  • Apple March event scheduled for the 23rd (sources)

    Apple March event scheduled for the 23rd (sources)

    The rumor: Apple is definitely holding an event in March, according to Kang 康总 (97.8% accurate) and Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • Both sources, rated above 75% accurate, say that Apple has set the date, March 23, for their first special event of 2021
    • OnePlus is rumored to hold a product unveil on the same day, as well

    Our take: Everything has been pointing to Apple holding an event in March, and two of the best sources out there have just confirmed it. I’d expect Apple to announce the event on March 16.

  • Apple (essentially) discontinues the iMac Pro

    Apple (essentially) discontinues the iMac Pro

    The news: Late Saturday evening, Apple made a number of major adjustments to the iMac Pro website.

    • “While supplies last” has been added to the buy now page, and you can no longer choose between different configurations
    • Only one model remains for sale: the $4,999 base model with a 10-core Intel Xeon W processor
    • Apple is rumored to introduce new iMac models sometime later this year

    Our take: As I predicted, the iMac Pro was a stopgap product for the time between late 2017 to late 2019 (when the redesigned Mac Pro was released). As much as I’d love to see a new iMac Pro in the future…for now, I think this is the end.

  • Leaked Apple Pencil 3 photo shows glossy design & new tip

    Leaked Apple Pencil 3 photo shows glossy design & new tip

    The leak: A new photo of the Apple Pencil 3 has leaked, first shared by Mr.white (50% accurate).

    • Apple may be switching back to a glossy design for the exterior of the pencil
    • There’s also a new tip that is much larger and seemingly screws directly into the pencil (the current generation replaceable tip screws in over a protruding sensor)
    • A new iPad Pro is rumored to launch later this month

    Our take: With White’s super mixed track record, I certainly have my doubts here. Why would Apple go back the glossy design? Other than slight nostalgia from the first generation pencil, I don’t really see a clear benefit here.

    https://twitter.com/laobaiTD/status/1367102458124660745
  • iPad mini with edge-to-edge display may be in early development

    iPad mini with edge-to-edge display may be in early development

    The rumor: Apple is working on an all-new iPad mini, according to Kang 康总 (97.8% accurate).

    • The edge-to-edge iPad mini is said to be in the P2 stage, which is early on in a product’s development cycle
    • It’s possible that Kang 康总 could be referring to a different model (our translation here is a bit inconsistent), but an iPad mini seems most likely

    Our take: While there has been speculation of an edge-to-edge iPad mini for years, this is the first we’ve heard from a credible source. If we do ever see this product ship, I wouldn’t expect it for some time.

  • What’s new in iOS 14.5 beta 3?

    What’s new in iOS 14.5 beta 3?

    The news: Apple just released the third beta of iOS 14.5 to developers with a number of tweaks and changes.

    What’s new?

    • Find My gains a new Items tab that was previously hidden, suggesting AirTags launch is imminent
    • New bookmark button (and separate section for them) in Podcasts app (via Steve Moser)
    • Apple News newsletter feature can now include the latest issues of magazines you follow (via Steve Moser)
    • Exposure Notifications app added, but currently hidden from user view
    • Apple Card will soon be able to be shared with family members (via 9to5Mac)

  • Prosser: Leaked Apple M1X benchmarks are legit

    Prosser: Leaked Apple M1X benchmarks are legit

    The rumor: Apple’s follow-up to the M1 processor will be quite the upgrade, according to Jon Prosser (78.2% accurate).

    • Data from cpu-monkey suggests that in the Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark, the Apple M1X is nearly 100% faster than the M1 chip
    • Single-core scores, on the other hand, appear to remain unchanged
    • As mentioned first on the Genius Bar podcast, the M1X benchmarks are said to be legitimate

    Our take: I canceled my order of a high-end iMac Pro after seeing these scores. I don’t think the future of resale for Intel Macs is going to be fun for anyone once the M1X Macs drop.