Category: News

  • Apple may announce 2 new 13-inch MacBooks on November 10

    Apple may announce 2 new 13-inch MacBooks on November 10

    The rumor: Apple is preparing significant updates to 2 of their most popular notebooks, according to Lovetodream (88.5% accurate).

    • First to get Apple Silicon will likely be 2 new MacBook models
    • Apple currently offers two notebooks in a 13-inch size: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
    • Previous rumors suggested Apple would bring back the ‘MacBook’ line

    Our take: As I’ve said from the beginning, Apple is planning to start small and build up to bigger and better computers with their own silicon inside. This makes perfect sense to me.

    https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1323318103145525248?s=20
  • Apple announces ‘One more thing’ event on November 10

    Apple announces ‘One more thing’ event on November 10

    The news: Apple has just announced a third Fall event on November 10, with the tagline ‘One more thing.’

    • The event will be live-streamed from Apple Park at 10am PST, and is likely the last special event of 2020
    • The first Mac(s) powered by Apple Silicon are widely expected, alongside AirTags, a puck-shaped tracking accessory with AR features

    Our take: So excited to see the first ARM Mac at this event. Apple seems to be ending 2020 with a bang, especially since they used the ‘One more thing’ tagline as the teaser phrase for the event.

  • Many 13″ MacBook Pro & 21.5″ iMac models out of stock ahead of rumored November event

    Many 13″ MacBook Pro & 21.5″ iMac models out of stock ahead of rumored November event

    The news: A number of popular Macs aren’t shipping until early December, according to data provided on apple.com.

    • Everything that’s out of stock right now:
      • All 21.5-inch 4K iMac models ship on December 3
      • The highest-end 27-inch 5K iMac ships between November 25-December 3
      • All iMac Pro models ship on December 10
      • Both higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pro models ship on December 2
    • And the computes in stock:
      • All Mac mini models
      • All MacBook Air models
      • All Mac Pro models
      • The base, non-4K 21.5-inch iMac
      • Both 16-inch MacBook Pro models
    • Apple is rumored to hold their next event on Tuesday, November 17 where the first Mac(s) powered by Apple Silicon will be unveiled

    Our take: Stock supply on Apple’s site isn’t always a guarantee that new products are on the way, but with rumors swirling of new Macs on the way…the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 21.5-inch iMac shortages align perfectly with the leaks. Earlier this year, stock for Apple Watch Series 5 was out of whack just ahead of the Series 6 unveil.

    • 27-inch iMac
    • 21.5-inch iMac
    • iMac Pro
    • 13-inch MBP

  • Apple launches repair program for faulty AirPods Pro

    Apple launches repair program for faulty AirPods Pro

    The news: After months of complaints from users experiencing crackling noises and weakened active noise cancellation (ANC), Apple has launched an official repair program for AirPods Pro.

    • Eligible AirPods Pro models exhibit at least 1 of the following:
      • Crackling or static sounds that increase in loud environments, with exercise or while talking on the phone
      • Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected, such as a loss of bass sound, or an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise
    • AirPods Pro manufactured through October 2020 are in the pool of possible affected units
    • Apple says “the program covers affected AirPods Pro for 2 years after the first retail sale of the unit”

    Our take: Although buzz about these issues died down, I always had a sneaking suspicion that something else…other than a faulty software update…was at play here. Send your AirPods Pro in right away if you’re in the affected group!

  • iOS 14.2 brings optimized charging to AirPods for the first time

    iOS 14.2 brings optimized charging to AirPods for the first time

    The news: Updating to iOS 14.2 could have a positive impact on your AirPods battery life in the long-term, according to an important change mentioned in the official release notes.

    • As described by Apple, “Optimized battery charging for AirPods to slow the rate of battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spends fully charged”
    • Battery degradation was a big issue for owners of original AirPods, as the batteries inside each earbud (and even the charging case) are so tiny
    • Apple first introduced optimized battery charging for iPhone with iOS 13

    Our take: Super happy that this is here, because I have experienced, first-hand, huge issues with AirPods battery life after holding onto them for a couple of years.

  • iOS 14.2 adds support for iPhone 12 leather sleeve case, coming soon?

    iOS 14.2 adds support for iPhone 12 leather sleeve case, coming soon?

    The news: Apple confirmed in the release notes for iOS 14.2 that special functionality for iPhone 12’s leather sleeve has been enabled.

    • The leather sleeve case is not (yet) available for sale, but appears to enable an always-on-display mode for a small portion of the display, viewable through a window in the case
    • Apple first showcased the leather sleeve case for iPhone 12 at the October 13 event

    Our take: Support for the leather sleeve case in this update definitely suggests that it’ll be available to order soon. Maybe next Friday (November 6) when pre-orders for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max start?

  • iOS 14.2 GM released ahead of public launch, read the full changelog

    iOS 14.2 GM released ahead of public launch, read the full changelog

    The news: Apple seeded the final version of iOS 14.2 to developers on Friday afternoon.

    Our take: The refreshed now playings views in iOS 14.2 are amazing. Plus, the 100+ new emoji are slick.

    Full changelog

    iOS 14.2 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:

    • Over 100 new emoji, including animals, food, faces, household objects, musical instruments, gender-inclusive emoji, and more
    • Eight new wallpapers in both light and dark mode versions
    • Magnifier can detect people nearby, and report their distance using the LiDAR sensor included in iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
    • Support for iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve with MagSafe
    • Optimized battery charging for AirPods to slow the rate of battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spends fully charged
    • Headphone audio level notifications to alert you when audio level could impact your hearing
    • New AirPlay controls to stream entertainment throughout your home
      Intercom support with HomePod and HomePod mini using iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay
    • Ability to connect HomePod to Apple TV 4K for stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio
    • Option to provide statistics about Exposure Notifications, without identifying you, to participating Public Health Authorities

    This release also fixes the following issues:

    • Apps could be out of order on the Home Screen dock
    • Camera viewfinder may appear black when launched
    • The keyboard on the Lock Screen could miss touches when trying to enter the passcode
    • Reminders could default to times in the past
    • Photos widget may not display content
    • Weather widget could display the high temperature in Celsius when set to Fahrenheit
    • Next-hour precipitation chart description in Weather could incorrectly indicate when precipitation stops
    • Voice Memos recordings are interrupted by incoming calls
    • The screen could be black during Netflix video playback
    • Apple Cash could fail to send or receive money when asked via Siri
    • Apple Watch app may unexpectedly close when opened
    • Workout GPS routes or Health data are prevented from syncing between Apple Watch and iPhone for some users
    • Audio is incorrectly labeled as “Not Playing” in the CarPlay Dashboard
    • Devices could be prevented from charging wirelessly
    • Exposure Notifications is disabled when restoring iPhone from iCloud Backup or transferring data to a new iPhone using iPhone Migration

    For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

  • Under-display Touch ID may come to iPhone in 2021

    Under-display Touch ID may come to iPhone in 2021

    The rumor: Apple is working on an all-new version of Touch ID that sits beneath the display, according to L0vetodream (88.5% accurate).

    • It’s unclear when under-the-screen Touch ID will launch, but previous rumors suggest it could come as soon as next year
    • Apple recently integrated Touch ID into the power button of iPad Air, marking the first time Apple’s fingerprint technology was placed somewhere other than the home button
    • Amid a worldwide pandemic where face coverings are normal, the flaws of Face ID have become increasingly apparent

    Our take: As Jon Prosser (85.5% accurate) explains, MESA = Touch ID codename and uts = under-the-screen. Other sources, such as Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate) have previously suggested this could be used in tandem with Face ID on an iPhone in 2021.

    https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1316988346950823937?s=20
  • “This year has a few more exciting things in store” says Tim Cook

    “This year has a few more exciting things in store” says Tim Cook

    The news: While Apple rarely comments on future products and development, Tim Cook confirmed that there’s still more coming before the end of 2020.

    • Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate) suggests Cook is referring to Apple Silicon Macs
    • Apple is expected to hold their final event of the year on November 17

    Our take: I really like Apple’s new approach of giving us the slightest tidbits about what to expect from them in the future. This is confirmation…from the top…that new products are coming soon!

  • Apple One bundle launches tomorrow

    Apple One bundle launches tomorrow

    The news: Apple has confirmed to Bloomberg that Apple One is releasing on Friday, October 30.

    • Apple One includes 3 tiers (Individual, Family, Premier) and starts at $14.95/month
    • The services bundle was initially unveiled at the September 15 Event
    • Apple also confirmed that Fitness+ is coming later this quarter

    Our take: Still not sure if I’m signing up for any of these bundles.

  • macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 beta references 3 unreleased Macs

    macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 beta references 3 unreleased Macs

    The news: Apple may be preparing to release as many as 3 new Macs, according to hidden references in the latest macOS Big Sur beta, as spotted by Hans Tønning.

    • 9to5Mac notes that the 3 new Mac references include the following:
      • MacHardwareTypes-2020f.bundle
      • MacHardwareTypes-2020g.bundle
      • MacHardwareTypes-2020h.bundle
    • The new bundles don’t reveal what Mac models are coming, and it’s possible that the references could be for 3 distinct models…or just 1
    • Apple is rumored to be holding their final event of the year on November 17

    Our take: Even more confirmation that new Macs are coming. One of these, for sure will have Apple Silicon inside…but I’d bet at least one of these Macs will have Intel inside.

    https://twitter.com/HarckerTech/status/1321848497830875136?s=20