Category: News

  • iPhone 12 pre-orders go live tomorrow at 5am PST

    iPhone 12 pre-orders go live tomorrow at 5am PST

    The news: Following their October 13 event, Apple has confirmed that pre-orders for iPhone 12 go live bright and early on October 16.

    • When: Around the world, pre-orders go live at 5am PST/6am MST/7am CST/8am EST on October 16. The devices begin arriving at doorsteps on October 23.
    • What: Only the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available to order initially. iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders happen on November 6.

    Our take: It’ll be an early morning for those of us in the US. And it seems like they will sell out quickly. I’m gonna go with iPhone 12 Pro for my personal device this year.

  • iPhone 12 tidbits: Actually starts at $729, Qi charging limited to 7.5w, 5G cutout & more

    iPhone 12 tidbits: Actually starts at $729, Qi charging limited to 7.5w, 5G cutout & more

    The news: Following the reveal of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, a number of interesting new details have emerged about Apple’s new handsets.

    • Higher starting price than advertised: Apple says iPhone 12 starts at $699: this is only available through a special carrier offer with AT&T or Verizon, currently. Unlocked models of iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 start at $729 and $829 respectively.
    • Smart Data Mode: This mode means that 5G will be used only as needed, and seems to be enabled by default. The Verge says that 5G will only be enabled when streaming a movie or doing a video call, but not when checking email or Twitter. Apple suggests this can be toggled off.
    • Mysterious side cutout: Apple has confirmed this is a transparent cutout for the faster mmWave 5G frequency (sorry, no Touch ID here).
    • RAM: iPhone 12 has 4GB RAM while iPhone 12 Pro has 6GB RAM (confirmed by MacRumors)
    • Qi charging is remains at 7.5w: You’ll only be able to get the faster 15w wireless charging speeds when using an official MagSafe accessory.
    • MagSafe Duo and Leather Sleeve accessories: Neither of these fascinating products have a release date yet. Apple just says “MagSafe Duo Charger and Leather Sleeve will be available at a later date.”
    • Apple ProRAW: A speaker in the Keynote said the feature was coming to iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max before the end of 2020. Apple’s press release more ambiguously claims “Apple ProRAW will be available in a future iOS 14 update.”
    • 1080p FaceTime: You can broadcast your face in 1080p over FaceTime on Wi-Fi and 5G (non-iPhone 12s are limited to Wi-Fi only)
    • 3 months free of Apple Arcade: Similar to the free year of Apple TV+ last year, Apple is giving buyers of a new iPhone 12 (or other Apple products) 3 months free of Apple Arcade
  • AirTags & iOS 14.3 may ship as soon as November

    AirTags & iOS 14.3 may ship as soon as November

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to release AirTags and another significant update to iOS 14 before the end of the year, according to Jon Prosser (84.7% accurate).

    • AirTags, Apple’s Tile-like tracking accessory, could debut in November after months of delays
    • iOS 14.3, also scheduled to ship in November, is said to include support for AirTags
    • AirPods Studio have reportedly been pushed back due to production issues

    Our take: In the past few months, Prosser has gotten a seriously good pulse on when new products are coming…and when they aren’t. The only argument against release AirTags now is that…a whole bunch of people sit and work from home all day so they’re not exactly losing their stuff. iOS 14.3 in November sounds about right, though, with iOS 14.1 and 14.2 likely dropping later this month.

  • iPhone 12 has 4GB RAM, 12 Pro has 6GB

    iPhone 12 has 4GB RAM, 12 Pro has 6GB

    The news: iPhone 12 Pro has significantly more RAM this year than last year, as spotted by MacRumors (70% accurate).

    • A new Xcode beta has revealed RAM on iPhone 12 Pro now sits at 6GB, and is corroborated by a new Geekbench result
    • Like iPhone 11, RAM on iPhone 12 and 12 mini remains at 4GB

    Our take: This probably explains why some features (ex. Dolby Vision 4k60p) have been restricted to the higher-end Pro iPhones this year. Plus, it’s a nice benefit for those willing to spend a bit more on their mobile.

    Xcode .plist file, courtesy of MacRumors

  • Apple October 2020 event leaderboard update

    Apple October 2020 event leaderboard update

    This is our biggest leaderboard update yet. While other products see rumors intermittently throughout the year, Apple’s biggest product, the iPhone, is relentlessly leaked week-by-week until the eventual Fall unveil. Following the October 13 event, here’s how iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and HomePod mini rearranged the source leaderboard.

    Sources that increased

    🏀 Mark Gurman: 87.8 ⮕ 88.3% accurate

    • +30 correct rumors
    • -2 incorrect claims

    🧻 Jon Prosser: 74.5 ⮕ 85.2% accurate

    • +69 correct rumors
    • -6 incorrect claims

    👨‍💻 Ming-Chi Kuo: 74.6 ⮕ 77.5% accurate

    • +19 correct rumors
    • -1 incorrect claims

    🗞 WSJ: 76.7 ⮕ 77.4% accurate

    • +1 correct rumor

    ❓ MacRumors: 69 ⮕ 70% accurate

    • +1 correct rumor

    🧭 Macotakara: 66.7 ⮕ 69.6% accurate

    • +16 correct rumors
    • -5 incorrect claims

    🍍 Max Weinbach: 63 ⮕ 67.1% accurate

    • +23 correct rumors
    • -8 incorrect claims

    🔢 DigiTimes: 61.3 ⮕ 65% accurate

    • +14 correct rumors
    • -4 incorrect claims

    🦅 Barclays: 57.9 ⮕ 64.5% accurate

    • +9 correct rumors
    • -3 incorrect claims

    ✅ The Verifier: 51.3 ⮕ 51.9% accurate

    • +1 correct rumor

    💵 Economic Daily News: 36.1 ⮕ 36.8% accurate

    • +1 correct rumor
    • -1 incorrect claim

    Source(s) that stayed the same

    🧧 Kang 康总: 97.8 ⮕ 97.8% accurate

    • +84 correct rumors
    • -2 incorrect claims

    Sources that decreased

    🌙 L0vetodream: 88.9 ⮕ 87.9% accurate

    • +32 correct rumors
    • – 5 incorrect claims

    Note: As you may have noticed, no source is 100% accurate. That’s because all sources get some info right and some info wrong: do not harass anyone for their track record. The leaderboard functionality on AppleTrack is here only to help Apple enthusiasts better understand how likely a rumor really is.

    As always, if you notice a discrepancy on someone’s record, let us know.

  • MagSafe Duo and Leather Sleeve accessories weren’t given a release date

    MagSafe Duo and Leather Sleeve accessories weren’t given a release date

    The news: While ship dates for most of Apple’s newly-announced products have been highly publicized, two of the most interesting new accessories weren’t given the same treatment.

    • Apple says “MagSafe Duo Charger and Leather Sleeve will be available at a later date.”
    • The new accessories are optimized for the all-new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

    Our take: This is a bit sus, and I immediately thought about AirPower after reading the ‘later date’ copy. There’s not indication (yet) that this will be another canceled product scenario, but I do find it odd that is doesn’t even say ‘by the end of the year.’ Time’s ticking.

  • iPhone 12 Pro & Pro Max announced with larger displays, 5G & more

    iPhone 12 Pro & Pro Max announced with larger displays, 5G & more

    The news: Apple just announced iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro Max with all-new designs and so much more.

    • All-new iPad Pro-like design with stainless steel edges for the most premium feel
    • 6.1/6.7-inch Retina Pro Display XDR
    • 4 total colors, including a new Pacific Blue
    • 5G connectivity
    • Ultra wide, wide and telephoto cameras with f1.6 aperture and better low-light performance
      • 10-bit HDR recording and capture in Dolby Vision
    • iPhone 12 Pro Max gets even better low-light performance and handheld stability
    • LiDAR sensor for improved AR and faster autofocus

    Our take: The most Pro iPhones ever. I think I’m sign with the 6.1-inch model.

  • iPhone 12 and 12 mini announced with all-new design, 5G & more

    iPhone 12 and 12 mini announced with all-new design, 5G & more

    The news: Apple just announced two new iPhone 12 models after months of anticipation.

    • 5.4/6.1-inch display sizes
    • Radical new iPad Pro-like design with flat edges
    • 5G is headlining the set of new features
    • Super Retina XDR display with Ceramic Shield for 4x better drop detection
    • Thinner, smaller and lighter than iPhone 11
    • A14 processor with 6-core CPU and up to 50% faster graphics
    • New dual-camera array with a 7-element wide angle lens
    • MagSafe wireless charging that aligns chargers and accessories perfectly
    • No charger or headphones in the box

    Our take: This is the biggest iPhone upgrade in 3 years. Pretty slick!

  • HomePod mini announced: Siri, U1 chip and ‘Intercom’

    HomePod mini announced: Siri, U1 chip and ‘Intercom’

    The news: Apple just announced a new, smaller version of the HomePod called HomePod mini.

    • There’s a huge touch screen on the top of the device, complimenting the white and Space Gray finishes
    • The audio array has been completely redesigned to fit inside the new body
    • A U1 chip inside works directly with the U1 chip inside your iPhone
  • HomePod mini revealed, here’s your first look

    HomePod mini revealed, here’s your first look

    The news: Ahead of the October event in just an hour, we have our first official look at HomePod mini, courtesy of serial-leaker Evan Blass.

    • There’s a larger touch screen on the top of the HomePod mini, similar to the original
    • Space Gray and White are the two available colors

    Our take: I like it. Looks sharper than I expected. Glad Apple chose a slightly different design than just a carbon copy of the existing HomePod.

  • Full iPhone 12 lineup revealed, first look at all the new colors

    Full iPhone 12 lineup revealed, first look at all the new colors

    The news: Just hours ahead of Apple’s October 13 event, we have our first official look at the entire iPhone 12 lineup, shared by serial-leaker Evan Blass.

    • iPhone 12/12 mini come in a number of tweaked colors and shades
    • iPhone 12 Pro features a new LiDAR sensor and blue color as anticipated
    • Full details for the phones will be confirmed in just under and hour and a half at the Apple event

    Our take: The new colors look really good, but it’s hard to see the real design changes in the 12 series because of these 2D images. Less than an hour until the event!

    iPhone 12 mini & 12

    iPhone 12 Pro

    iPhone 12 Pro Max

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