Category: News

  • 2020 iMac: the biggest winners and losers

    2020 iMac: the biggest winners and losers

    Rumors of a new iMac were swirling for months prior to yesterday’s release. Here’s how the spec-bumped machine with no redesign shook things up on the leaderboard.

    Sources that improved

    🌙 L0vetodream: 88.6 ⮕ 89.2%

    📱 Jeff Pu: 60 ⮕ 71.4%

    🧻 Jon Prosser: 72.7 ⮕ 77.8%

    Sources that stayed the same

    🏀 Mark Gurman: 86.6 ⮕ 86.6%

    Sources the went down

    🖥 Sonny Dickson: 73.7 ⮕ 62.5%*

    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 average enthusiasts better understand how likely a rumor really is.

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

    *Sonny’s redesigned iMac rumors were likely a generation early…

  • iPhone 12 may feature built-in magnets…for AirPower?

    iPhone 12 may feature built-in magnets…for AirPower?

    The rumor: The iPhone 12 and official cases from Apple may feature built-in magnets, according to a user over on Weibo and EverythingApplePro.

    • The ring of magnets circle the usual placement of the wireless charging mechanism
    • Apple is working on a new version of AirPower that could debut as soon as this Fall

    Our take: One of the biggest problems with AirPower in the past was that the ability to place a watch, phone, or AirPods anywhere on the mat meant that lots of coils had to overlap. This created a lot of heat and is ultimately why the first version of AirPower failed. By using magnets, you could have devices sit exactly where they need to and have more control over where the charging coils should be placed. I’m just speculating that this is what the plan is, but it doesn’t sound too out-there.

  • Download the new 2020 iMac wallpaper

    Download the new 2020 iMac wallpaper

    The news: Apple included a nice marketing wallpaper in some of the images of the new 27-inch iMac.

    • Nearly every color of the rainbow is present in the image
    • @apple_idesigner worked some magic to provide you with the new wallpaper early

    A fuller-resolution version of the wallpaper will be published as soon as it becomes available from Apple.

  • macOS Big Sur beta 4 adds 4K YouTube support in Safari

    macOS Big Sur beta 4 adds 4K YouTube support in Safari

    The news: Safari on macOS Big Sur beta 4 finally supports native playback of YouTube videos in 4K.

    • For years, videos could only be played in up to 1080p
    • Users were forced to choose Chrome or another web browser for higher resolution viewing

    Our take: As somebody who watches (and creates) YouTube videos every day on a 5K iMac, this is a godsend. There was always some weird engineering explanation for why 4K videos never worked, but none of that matters anymore. Videos will look so much better than they used to.

    https://twitter.com/reneritchie/status/1290753904246915073
  • iOS 14 beta 4 released: new TV app widget, 3D Touch returns, more

    iOS 14 beta 4 released: new TV app widget, 3D Touch returns, more

    The news: Apple just released iOS 14 beta 4 to developers with a new TV app widget, further tweaks inside Music and more.

    • In beta 4, car keys support and Apple News+ audio stories still aren’t present
    • Tweet us @appltrack if you find anything new!

    What’s new

    New (+Add) button UI in Apple Music. iOS 14.0 dev beta 4
    byu/mvbalan iniOSBeta
    • UI tweaks in Music
    • 3 dots for more info in Music are smaller
    • Search has been greatly improved
    • COVID-19 exposure tracking now front-and-center in Settings, source
    • 3D Touch is back
  • 2020 iMac released: no redesign, nano 5K display, upgraded mics and speakers

    2020 iMac released: no redesign, nano 5K display, upgraded mics and speakers

    The news: The long-awaited iMac is available now…but it’s not the machine with slimmer bezels we were hoping for.

    • Faster 10th-generation Intel processors up to 10 cores
    • Double the memory capacity (up to 128GB)
    • Next-generation AMD graphics
    • SSDs now standard across all iMacs
    • New nano-texture glass option for less reflectivity
    • 1080p FaceTime HD camera
    • Higher fidelity speakers
    • 3 studio-quality mics
    • The design is identical to last year (and many, many years before)
    • The new wallpaper is slick, as always

    Our take: While I’m happy the new iMac is finally here, it’s certainly nothing to write home about: it’s a spec refresh. I have a feeling that the Apple Silicon refresh, maybe some time next year, is when we’ll see the new iPad Pro-like design with ultra-slim bezels. But I still ordered one of these new iMacs now.

  • 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models could debut ahead of others

    6.1-inch iPhone 12 models could debut ahead of others

    The rumor: Apple will debut both 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models ahead of the 5.4 and 6.7-inch variants as part of a two-wave release, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • iPhone 12 Max (6.1-inch) and iPhone 12 Pro (6.1-inch) could release prior to the iPhone 12 (5.4-inch) and iPhone 12 Pro Max (6.7-inch)
    • Apple confirmed the new iPhones will be shipping later than usual this year

    Our take: It would be a bit odd for Apple to launch one Pro and one non-Pro iPhone from each tier at the same time, and then follow-up a bit later with the release of the smallest and largest models. That being said, it’s an interesting idea for sure: I’m just not sold on it.

  • Analysis: iOS 14 beta 4 release date

    Analysis: iOS 14 beta 4 release date

    The analysis: iOS 14 beta 4 is likely to drop for developers and public beta testers early next week, according to historical data from THINKY BITS.

    • The average number of days for a beta 3 release (excluding 7.0 as an outlier) is 14
    • Tuesday, August 4 and Wednesday, August 5 at 10am PST are the most likely release dates for iOS 14 beta 4

    Our take: Apple waited to drop beta 3 until a Wednesday, so there’s precedent for that to happen again. Definitely seems like a Monday drop is unlikely.

  • Apple may skip September in favor of October 2020 Special Event

    Apple may skip September in favor of October 2020 Special Event

    The news: Apple plans to unveil new products at a special event in October 2020, according to Jon Prosser (80% accurate).

    • Apple confirmed the new iPhones would be coming later than usual this year
    • Prosser also says new iPads are coming in October
    • Apple has held an event in September ever year since 2012

    Our take: With COVID-19 clearly disrupting Apple’s development for new products and the new iPhones launching later, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if Apple skipped their usual September Special Event. Disappointing, sure. But not surprising based on Apple’s wonky hardware release schedule this year.

  • Apple unveils new universal gift cards

    Apple unveils new universal gift cards

    The news: Apple has introduced a new universal gift card for all of its stores and services, as first noticed by iCulture.

    • The new, simplified gift cards can be redeemed to purchase anything that Apple sells
    • Old Apple Store and iTunes & App Store gift cards still work like normal

    Our take: This is way better than before. Should make gift-giving much clearer with no ‘wrong’ gift card to buy now.

  • Apple confirms iPhone 12 will launch ‘a few weeks later’ this year

    Apple confirms iPhone 12 will launch ‘a few weeks later’ this year

    The news: Apple confirmed yesterday’s news of a non-September launch for this year’s iPhone lineup during their Q3 2020 earnings call.

    • This marks the first time Apple has ever publicly acknowledged an iPhone launch…ahead of launch
    • For nearly a decade, Apple has always launched new iPhone models in September
    • A launch for all new models in October is likely, but November is also a possibility

    Our take: As we’ve discussed for months, there was almost no way COVID-19 wouldn’t have impacted the development of the new iPhone models this year. Now it’s official.