Category: News

  • AirPods Pro 2 may release in April with redesigned charging case

    AirPods Pro 2 may release in April with redesigned charging case

    The rumor: Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro may be launching sooner than expected, according to MacOtakara (68.6% accurate).

    • While no details were shared about the pods themselves, there may be a new charging case that will be just as thick, but slightly taller and not as wide
    • The new version of AirPods Pro could release in April 2021, just three months from now

    Our take: Previous reports pegged AirPods Pro 2 for a launch in the second half of 2021: perhaps they are referring to the redesigned version of AirPods 3?

  • Hands-on photo allegedly shows black AirPods Pro casing

    Hands-on photo allegedly shows black AirPods Pro casing

    The leak: Apple may be working on a new color option for next-generation AirPods, according to Mr.white (50% accurate).

    • The image, which we are unable to verify the authenticity of, shows the inner portion of an AirPods Pro case…in black
    • Similar parts leaked ahead of AirPods Pro unveiling in late 2019
    • Rumors of black AirPods have been swirling since the first-generation version were released in 2016, but this is the first image leak we have ever seen

    Our take: There seems to have been quite some care taken to protect the identity of the person who took the photo, but I’m still so skeptical that this will actually happen. Seems too good to be true!

    https://twitter.com/laobaiTD/status/1347740533641277441
  • iPhone 13 may be slighter thicker, ‘thinner’ notch expected

    iPhone 13 may be slighter thicker, ‘thinner’ notch expected

    The rumor: A new report about the iPhone 13’s design has surfaced, courtesy of Macotakara (68.6% accurate).

    Here are the 4 takeaways:

    • While the overall design will be the same, some models may be 0.26 mm thicker (width and height are said to remain unchanged)
    • The camera module will get roughly 0.9mm larger on all iPhone 13 models, but the lenses won’t stick out as much
    • On iPhone 13 Pro, the upgraded camera module will likely mirror the benefits seen on the Pro Max model…including sensor-shift stabilization on the wide-angle lens
    • The Face ID array is getting “thinner,” which lines up with an earlier rumor

    Our take: All of this sounds great. Sure, a thicker phone isn’t great…but Apple has done this time in time again after updating the design in the prior year. Plus, it probably means they’ll be able to fit larger batteries inside.

  • 2021 iPad mini may get slimmer bezels, larger 8.4-inch display

    2021 iPad mini may get slimmer bezels, larger 8.4-inch display

    The rumor: A new version of the iPad mini will be launching in early 2021, according to Macotakara (68.6% accurate).

    • A larger 8.4-inch screen may be surrounded by slimmer bezels, with a similar design to the iPad mini before it
    • Macotakara also expects the Lightning port and Touch ID to remain
    • The new iPad mini may release as soon as March 2021

    Our take: This is great news for anyone who has been waiting for a new iPad mini! It hasn’t been updated in just under 2 years, but Apple doesn’t seem to be done with the product line just yet.

  • Apple Car likely 5-7 years away

    Apple Car likely 5-7 years away

    The rumor: Apple is actively developing a self-driving vehicle, but it won’t hit the road for years to come, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • “Apple Inc. will take at least half a decade to launch an autonomous, electric vehicle because development work is still at an early stage” Gurman says
    • In previous years, the project had been more focused on only developing self-driving technology
    • Other reports pegged a launch as early as September 2021

    Our take: With Gurman’s wildly good track record, I take it he has the best pulse on the car project out of anyone. 2025-2027 is realistic, 2021 is not.

  • AirTags accessories imagine potential use cases

    AirTags accessories imagine potential use cases

    The leak: A pair of AirTags accessories from Nomad have leaked, according to Evan Blass (92.9% accurate).

    • Both a leather keychain (with a square design) and glasses holder (with a circular design) may be in the pipeline
    • The accessories, rumored to release from Nomad in 2021, don’t have pricing or an exact release date just yet

    Our take: Never thought about the possibility of AirTags helping you keep track of your glasses. Pretty cool!

  • Limited edition AirPods Pro released

    Limited edition AirPods Pro released

    The news: Apple has released a special edition of AirPods Pro in honor of the Chinese New Year.

    • “AirPods Pro Year of the Ox Limited Edition” feature special packaging and are engraved with a unique Ox Animoji on the wireless charging case
    • Apple is not rumored to update AirPods Pro until later in 2021, so it may be a good time to buy

    Our take: These are insanely cool, and I would love to see some similar special edition product made available in the US, too. Happy new year!

  • 2021 iPad Pro may release in March

    2021 iPad Pro may release in March

    The rumor: Apple plans to update the iPad Pro within the next three months, according to Jon Prosser (79.2% accurate).

    • Apple may update the iPad Pro line as soon as March: Prosser has also said that this is when Apple will hold their next special event
    • Rumors suggest the next iPad Pro will feature a mini-LED display and 5G connectivity

    Our take: Apple is known to release a new product or two in March. An iPad Pro update then feels right to me.

  • All iPhone 13 models may get LiDAR scanner

    All iPhone 13 models may get LiDAR scanner

    The rumor: Apple plans to expand LiDAR to more iPhones this year, according to DigiTimes (65.1% accurate).

    • All 4 iPhone 13 models may feature LiDAR scanners, which is currently only available on iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • LiDAR is primarily useful in AR scenarios, but also helps with low-light autofocus and portrait mode photos

    Our take: As Apple prepares to launch AR glasses as soon as 2022, a solid ecosystem of AR hardware will be required: LiDAR on all iPhones is a step forward there. Odd that this Pro-positioned feature could go on all models so soon, though.

  • Mysterious Apple AR product launching in 2021

    Mysterious Apple AR product launching in 2021

    The rumor: Apple plans to launch a new augmented reality (AR) product sometime in 2021, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78.2% accurate).

    • This latest report shares no additional details about the AR product, but sources have suggested that a mixed reality AR/VR headset could launch as soon as later this year
    • Kuo also expects new AirPods, MacBook Pro models and AirTags to drop in 2021, as well

    Our take: I could see at least the announcement of this AR/VR headset this year. No Apple Glass, though, the full-on pair of AR glasses: those aren’t coming until likely 2022/2023.

  • AirTags shown in new 360º video, likely coming in Spring

    AirTags shown in new 360º video, likely coming in Spring

    The leak: Our first holistic look at AirTags has been shared by Jon Prosser (79.2% accurate).

    • Similar to previously shared renders, the new 360-degree video provides a level of depth
    • This animation could be displayed to a user when setting up AirTags for the first time
    • Prosser says AirTags are likely, finally releasing sometime this Spring

    Our take: This matches up with what Prosser has shared previously regarding AirTags, and considering he nailed the design of AirPods Max ahead of launch, I’d say these are spot on. Now we just continuing waiting for them to drop.