Category: News

Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack just got a whole lot better
The news: Apple just made a significant improvement to the MagSafe Battery Pack through a software update, as first noticed by 9to5Mac (82.8% accurate).
- While previously capped at a grueling 5W charging rate while attached to your iPhone, a newly released software update (version 2.7.b.0) increases the speed to a quicker 7.5W…making it more comparable to 3rd-party alternatives
- Wondering how to update? It’ll happen automatically over the course of a week by just attaching the battery pack to your iPhone…but for a faster firmware upgrade (about 5 minutes) just plug it into your Mac or iPad with a Lightning to USB cable
Sam’s take: This is insanely cool. Will it make me use my MagSafe battery pack more? Probably not. But if I ever do need to boost my battery, it’ll now charge up moderately faster! And it’s comparable to the other packs on the market.
April 21, 2022
Apple discontinued the HomePod. Now it’s selling for over $500 new.
The news: Getting your hands on an original HomePod is getting harder and prices are soaring, as noted first by 9to5Mac’s Chance Miller.
- Apple (oddly) discontinued the HomePod in March 2021 with no clear replacement…aside from the lower-end HomePod mini that couldn’t match its older brother in sound fidelity
- Now, that original HomePod (which used to retail for $299 new) is going for an average of $350 on eBay
- Even crazier? Some factory sealed models selling for upwards of $500, as noted by The Verge
Sam’s take: The original HomePod as an “appreciating asset.” I never thought I’d see the day.

Since its discontinuation last year, I have noticed a small but vocal minority of folks talking about buying up the remaining stock online…I just didn’t think much of it because I assumed there would be a ton of new, opened models around for years at sub-MSRP. Apparently not. Folks are buying these up way more frequently than I think I or anyone else expected, begging the question: why hasn’t Apple made a suitable replacement?

I get that the first HomePod was pretty hit-or-miss, but I do think the market wants some kind of proper follow up to the HomePod. Maybe this time, just around the $249 mark.

https://twitter.com/ChanceHMiller/status/1516537846747828228?s=20&t=XX4i58PC-AUmEB_76IEPTQ
April 21, 2022
iPhone 14 to gain improved FaceTime camera for better selfies
The rumor: In addition to larger camera upgrades on the main cameras, Apple is also improving the selfie camera too, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5% accurate).
- Apple is planning to add autofocus to the front-facing camera for the first time, which is said to “enhance the focus effect for FaceTime/video call/live streaming”
- There will also be an improved f/1.9 aperture for better low-light performance and a better looking depth-of-field effect (the iPhone 13 has a worse f/2.2 aperture currently)
Sam’s take: That improved aperture sounds really nice…especially on the selfie camera that basically stayed the same between iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Autofocus could be an even bigger improvement, though, as we’ve never had that on the front camera before. You’re just gonna look a lot better on the iPhone 14 cameras in most scenarios.

(1/2)
The front camera of four new iPhone 14 models in 2H22 would likely upgrade to AF (autofocus) & about f/1.9 aperture (vs. iPhone 13's FF (fixed-focus) and f/2.2).
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) April 19, 2022
April 19, 2022
iPhone 14 molds surface with first look at new sizing…and no mini model
The leak: Our first “hands-on” photos of iPhone 14 have been shared on Weibo by user Quick Evaluation Laboratory (via ShrimpApplePro).
- Just like last year, there will be 4 iPhone 14 models to chose from…but this time there is only 6.1 and 6.7-inch sizing
- Apple’s camera bumps on both Pro models appear to be getting moderately larger year-over-year
- The post also claims that iPhone 14 Pro models will feature the pill + hole design, where the lower-end iPhone 14 devices will retain the notch
- Quick Evaluation Labratory does not have a history of sharing leaks, but these models line up very closely with previous rumors from reputable sources and other design leaks
Sam’s take: These look pretty spot on to me…for the detail that we can glean, of course. Being that these are metal molds, we only get a look at the key changes (of which there aren’t many). Biggest takeaway here for me is that we’re seeing the sizing of the lineup side-by-side for the first time. RIP iPhone mini.

Damn
Sooner that I expected https://t.co/tzPTN7Wlwc pic.twitter.com/dr1gLEUyEg
— ShrimpApplePro 🍤 ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) April 18, 2022
April 18, 2022
iPhone 14 won’t be getting USB-C (again)
The rumor: Apple is keeping their proprietary Lightning port standard on iPhone 14, according to ShrimpApplePro (not yet tracked).
- As seen on iPhone 14 Pro Max CAD images shared initially by ShrimpApplePro, the connector on the bottom remains the Lightning port yet again…not USB-C as nearly every human on the planet was hoping for
- Apple’s Lightning port was first introduced on the iPhone 5 in 2012, making it now almost 10 years old with almost no improvements since launch
- Rumors suggest that Apple will drop ports on the iPhone entirely before ever putting USB-C on the device
Sam’s take: Am I surprised? No, not even in the slightest. Am I still absolutely heartbroken and disappointed beyond belief? Of course.

No USB-C. pic.twitter.com/q5rmYhYquK
— ShrimpApplePro 🍤 ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) April 5, 2022
April 17, 2022
New Mac Pro and 7K Display coming later this year
The rumor: Apple still has one Mac that hasn’t been updated with Apple Silicon, but not for long, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Power On).
- “Apple has a pro monitor in the works to go with the next Mac Pro—so it’ll probably be announced later this year alongside that high-end new Mac. Expect a 7K display and potentially a webcam, along with some of the new iOS ties featured in the low-end monitor,” Gurman says
- Apple themselves has confirmed an update for the Mac Pro is still coming, and rumors suggest it could be a half-size version of what is available now
Sam’s take: We assumed for some time that a new Mac Pro would launch this year, but Gurman seems to believe we’ll see not only that…but an updated version of the Pro Display XDR, too. As someone who uses the current-generation XDR, I’m really hoping for 120Hz ProMotion and a webcam, mic and speakers. Basically, a 32-inch ‘Studio Display Pro’.
April 17, 2022
Apple’s 9 new Mac computers with a M2 chip inside, revealed
The rumor: Apple is planing to release a slew of new Macs with variations of the M2 chip inside, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Bloomberg).

A rundown of the 3 new Macs expected later this year…
- Redesigned MacBook Air: M2 chip with a 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU
- Redesigned Mac mini: M2 or M2 Pro chip are coming down the road (but there’s also a M1 Pro Mac mini in testing, and this is likely the version that will drop in 2022)
- Low-end MacBook Pro revamp: same M2 chip as new MacBook Air, likely in the old MacBook Pro form factor
There are more M2 Macs coming, too, we just don’t know when…
- Updated 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros: M2 Pro or Max chips, with the M2 Max being upgraded to a new 12-core CPU and 38-core GPU
- Revamped Mac Pro: M2 Ultra chip faster than what is currently found inside Mac Studio
Sam’s take: This is a LOT of Macs, and I can’t remember a time in history where Apple has ever been this focused on regularly updating their computers like this. It’s probably because the Mac is doing better than ever, and growing at rates that were never thought to be possible. And it’s for good reason: Apple Silicon is simply incredible, and there are now options out for almost every segment of the market. Essentially, I can’t believe we’re here, but I’m stoked that we are: the Mac is officially back.
April 15, 2022
Apple AR/VR headset delayed until early 2023, according to new report
The rumor: We are still many months away from getting our hands on the next major Apple release, according to Jeff Pu (50% accurate, via 9to5Mac).
- While not certain, Pu says that Apple’s mixed-reality headset “may face a slight delay for the first quarter of 2023”
- This aligns with prior rumors from Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate), who also believes that the first units may ship in early 2023, with an announcement taking place later this year
Sam’s take: It sounds like this headset, considering it is something entirely new, probably won’t be in our hands until early 2023. I certainly don’t believe the announcement will happen this late…but the launch seems likely around then. Maybe we get surprised and get it earlier! But my expectation is shipping early next year.
April 13, 2022
iOS 16 may get trio of new health features including medicine reminders
The rumor: iOS 16 may get some nice upgrades in the Health app, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Bloomberg).
- “An updated version of the Health app on the iPhone this year is expected to add expanded sleep tracking functionality, medicine management and new women’s health features. Apple has been working on a medicine management tool that will let users scan their pill bottles into the app. The software will monitor adherence and remind users to take their medication. But the initial version of the feature for this year is unlikely to include all of the planned functionality,” Gurman says
- Apple is expected to debut iOS 16 at WWDC 2022 which kick off on June 6
Sam’s take: As someone who takes medicine daily, integration in the Health app would be so much more useful than the daily notification I set in the Reminders app. Plus, I could see it alongside all of my other health data. Gurman also references new women’s health features here, which is referring to a new body-temperature sensor on Apple Watch Series 8 that will help with fertility planning. While limited in scope, I do think this feature could be really impactful for those trying to conceive (or avoid it).
April 12, 2022
watchOS 9: low-power mode, refreshed watch faces & new health features
The rumor: Apple is planning a ream of new features for watchOS 9, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Bloomberg).

Here’s what’s coming to watchOS later this year…
- Improved atrial fibrillation detection “to calculate what is known as ‘burden,’ or how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a certain period”
- New low-power mode that allows you to still use parts of the watch while extending battery life…there is a power-reserve mode currently, but it only shows the time
- “Many” existing watch faces will be updated (but no additional details are provided)
- More pre-selectable workouts and “additional metrics” are also coming
- Down the road, watchOS will also support satellite connectivity like on iPhone 14, but we don’t know exactly when
Sam’s take: All of this sounds incredibly useful, in contrast to the upcoming hardware health features for future Apple Watch models. Low-power mode will be an instant hit, I’d love to see some tweaked watch faces, and I look forward to seeing exactly what new workout types are supported (give me a Frisbee workout, please). While I was severely underwhelmed by watchOS 8, it sounds like watchOS 9 will be a breath of fresh air.
April 12, 2022
Apple Watch Series 8 may get body-temperature sensor later this year (but it’s for women only)
The rumor: Apple is working to add a body-temperature sensor to Apple Watch Series 8, but not how you’d expect, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Bloomberg).
- While major health advancements like noninvasive glucose monitoring and a blood pressure sensor are still years away, Gurman says that the Apple Watch Series 8 could get a body-temperature sensor later this year
- But here’s the thing…the body-temperature sensor won’t actually tell you the temperature of your body (and, initially, it’ll only be for women to help them with fertility planning)
- Rather than provide precise measurements, the feature will be like Apple’s other health pursuits: a moderately helpful general guide meant for wellness, not a medical-grade health device
Sam’s take: I have to be honest…this one of the most disappointing rumors I’ve ever heard. I think helping women with fertility tracking is awesome! But if Apple will be using temperature data to do this…why not just share that with the user? I had incredibly high hopes for the Apple Watch as a serious health device, but it looks like Apple just wants it to be a tool, not the tool for your health.

Gurman says that, down the road, a future Apple Watch might be able to tell you if your temperature is higher than normal (ex. a fever)! But also that this Apple Watch “is unlikely to show an actual measurement.”

Listen, I get that there’s tremendous liability involved in giving users health data. But Apple’s current and future health sensor just don’t sound like they’ll be all that useful. Why stop at half-way there and call it day when you could take some extra time to really get things right and create something truly transformative?
April 12, 2022