Category: News

Apple’s butterfly keyboard apparently isn’t dead
The news: Even after years of relentless issues with the butterfly keyboard design and publicly shelving it, Apple is still working to fix it privately, according to L0vetodream.
- Apple is “trying to improve on the structure” and fix it once and for all
- Down the road, the butterfly keyboard may return
Our take: I feel like at some point it is okay to walk away from something that just didn’t work. Three or four times in a row. The whole world will be skeptical of any new keyboard mechanism that looks or sounds the same as “butterfly.”
May 26, 2020
Apple AirTags: Every rumor and leak
Everything we know so far about Apple’s upcoming Tile-like tracking accessory, excited later this year:

100% confirmed
- They’ll be called AirTags (Apple actually leaked this one themselves)
More than 80% likely
- Small and round
- Leather keychain carrying case included, link
- Able to be set up in bulk
- Replaceable/removable battery
- Locate via augmented reality
- Play sound to be located, link
- Push notifications when separated from tag (with the ability to set “safe locations”)
- “Lost mode” for finding lost tags, link
- Coming at WWDC 2020, link
Around 60% likely
- “Completely waterproof”
- Magnetic charging for non-replaceable battery
- Coming in Fall 2020, link
Less than 50% likely
- Scan tags to return them to owner, link
May 25, 2020
Future AirPods to feature ambient light sensors
The news: A future version of Apple’s popular truly wireless headphones will include ambient light sensing (ALS) technology, according to DigiTimes.
- Ambient light sensors are generally used to adjust screen brightness, automatically
Our take: With no screen for an ALS to adjust the brightness for, it clearly won’t be used for that on future AirPods. MacRumors found a second DigiTimes report suggesting it could be used to measure heart rate, and…I did some research and found this: the technology does actually exist! I’ve found heart rate monitoring on the Apple Watch to be spotty when doing something like running, so taking this measurement via the ears would be a solid workaround.
May 25, 2020
Next macOS update to include revamped Messages app
The news: Apple is planning to massively upgrade the Messages app with iOS features in the next version of macOS, according to iOS 14 code obtained by 9to5Mac.
- Proper iMessage effects, stickers, apps, name and photo sharing and more will finally be available
- Rather than adding native features to the existing app, Apple plans to turn it into a Catalyst version (this essentially means porting the iOS version over)
Our take: The Messages app on macOS has seen no significant changes, whatsoever, for years. Even if it doesn’t feel as great as if Apple coded the features natively, Catalyst apps on Mac are still largely good and get the job done. At this point, I’d take almost anything over the current featured-stalled Messages app.
May 23, 2020
Apple may be working on special ‘Steve Jobs’ Apple Glass edition
The news: In addition to a standard pair of glasses for the masses, Apple is also working on a more iconic variation, according to Jon Prosser.
- Revealed to Cult of Mac, the special edition will look just like the glasses Steve Jobs was famed to wear (see image above)
- The standard Apple Glass will look similar to wayfarer glasses
Our take: This is one of the rumors that gives rumors their name. It sounds ridiculous. It sounds exciting. And it sounds like something that dedicated Apple fans would freak over. I would be surprised if this ever actually came to market. But hey, Apple also made the $10,000 gold Apple Watch Edition, which is something I would also never believe if I heard it now.
May 22, 2020
Download the iPad Pro 2020 wallpapers
The news: Alongside the addition of a new LiDAR sensor and better microphones on the 2020 iPad Pro…there are 8 new wallpapers: 4 for light mode and 4 for dark mode.

Our take: The green and purple one in dark mode is the best.
May 22, 2020
Sources split on Apple Glass reveal
The news: Jon Prosser and Mark Gurman, both highly rated between 83-87% accurate, don’t agree on when Apple will be releasing their AR glasses project.
- Jon Prosser (86.7% accurate) says they’re coming in 2021, link
- Mark Gurman (83.9% accurate) says the glasses “won’t launch till end of 2022 or 2023,” link
Our take: With ratings so close, it’s hard to say who’s right here. Gurman follows up with a suggestion that the product coming next year is actually a separate product: an AR/VR headset that Prosser could be confusing with the AR (only) glasses. Prosser says that’s not the case.
May 21, 2020
New Powerbeats Pro (2020) colors revealed
The news: We previously heard that Powerbeats Pro would be getting a color refresh soon…and now we have the official images and details, according to WinFuture.
- The new colors? Lava Red, Cloud Pink, Glacier Blue & Spring Yellow
- They’re coming out on June 1
Our take: Apple is continuing their colorful headphones strategy exclusive to the Beats line. This new summer collection looks pretty fresh, and I think I’d snag “Lava Red” if I was looking to buy a pair of these.
May 21, 2020
Download the new iPhone SE wallpapers
The news: Nothing to see here except these 12 new wallpapers for the 2020 iPhone SE.

Our take: Yellow, in dark mode, is the best one.
May 20, 2020
iPhone 12 may remove EarPods from the box
The news: For the first time ever, Apple might not be including free headphones in the box when you buy the iPhone 12 this September, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (via MacRumors).
- To encourage users to make the jump to AirPods, Apple is said to be running some special promo in the second half of 2020
Our take: If removing the headphones jack was a battle, this is war. While I personally haven’t touched the in-box, wired EarPods since 2016 when AirPods first came out…they are really important to most iPhone users. Removing them is going to make a billion dollar company look relatively pathetic. At least offer EarPods for free as an option for the users who do want them!
May 20, 2020
What’s new in iOS 13.5
The news: The GM release of iOS 13.5–which seems to be launching imminently–includes the official changelog for the first ever x.5 update. Here’s what’s new:
- Face ID jumps straight to the passcode prompt if you’re wearing a mask
- Exposure notifications, which are opt-in, allow you to notify others or be notified if you have COVID-19 or have been exposed to the virus
- Group FaceTime’s dynamically sized tiles can be disabled
- Also opt-in, you can automatically send your Medical ID to emergency services when dialing 911
Our take: Apple and Google’s contact tracking partnership is monumental and a sign of times that no one can recognize as normal. I can’t wait to see how it helps track the spread of COVID-19 and does genuine good. Plus, the new Face ID auto-passcode mask stuff is super helpful.
May 20, 2020