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  • Chinese retailer says iPhone 13 releasing on September 17, AirPods 3 on September 30

    Chinese retailer says iPhone 13 releasing on September 17, AirPods 3 on September 30

    The rumor: A Chinese retailer claims to have the release dates for both iPhone 13 and AirPods 3, according to IT Home (not yet tracked, via MacRumors).

    • The listing, which isn’t verified, shows iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max releasing on September 17…with AirPods 3 releasing a bit later on September 30
    • IT Home, who first noticed the image, doesn’t have a reliable track record and has altered images in the past

    Our take: While these dates could coincidentally end up being right, I’m highly doubtful that this random retailer somehow got access to the release dates prior to anyone else. They could be accurate, but with no track record I’m highly skeptical. We’ll keep you updated if any more reliable sources report these release dates…

  • iPhone 13 Face ID could work with foggy glasses and masks

    iPhone 13 Face ID could work with foggy glasses and masks

    The leak: Apple has been testing a prototype version of Face ID that would make significant improvements, according to Jon Prosser (74.3% accurate, via FrontPageTech.com).

    • The prototype, which currently exists as a case that an iPhone 12 fits inside, features a new Face ID array that is almost identical to the one that will likely be found on iPhone 13, suggesting that these improvements could ship as early as this year
    • “Internally, Apple employees are being asked to wear masks AND glasses to test the new hardware. Some tests are conducted with masks on / masks off. Others are conducted with glasses on / glasses off while wearing a mask” Prosser says

    Our take: This is interesting, and would absolutely fix what is still Face ID’s Achilles heel: masks. The unlock with Apple Watch feature was a major step forward, but for everyone without an Apple Watch, wearing a mask with Face ID is still a bad experience. I’m not convinced this will actually happen on iPhone 13 with the testing occurring so recently, but on the 2022 iPhones…maybe.

  • Rumor says Apple Watch Series 7 could come in new 41/45mm sizing, old bands still compatible

    Rumor says Apple Watch Series 7 could come in new 41/45mm sizing, old bands still compatible

    The rumor: Apple is increasing the screen sizes for Apple Watch Series 7, according to UnclePan (not yet tracked).

    • “I vaguely feel that the two models of Apple Watch Series 7 this year are 41mm and 45mm, and the new and old have universal bands,” says UnclePan on Weibo
    • Larger screens have also been rumored by numerous other sources, but no one has mentioned a specific size until now

    Our take: So UnclePan has gotten some things right and wrong, but I’m still not entirely sold on his credibility as a solid source. But…this sounds about right, as many other credible sources have mentioned screen upgrades coming this year. Super cool that all of your old bands will work again, too!

  • Both 14/16-inch MacBook Pros may have same M1X chip

    Both 14/16-inch MacBook Pros may have same M1X chip

    The leak: Apple’s upcoming, revamped MacBook Pro models will have the same performance, according to dylandkt (81.3% accurate).

    • Both 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models will reportedly feature the M1X chip…with the exact same performance
    • But “expect a notable increase in price for the 14 inch over the 13 inch,” Dylan says

    Our take: I was expecting the larger MacBook Pro to have better performance, as it has always been historically. If you can get the exact same config on the 14-inch as the 16-inch, then it’ll be tempting to opt for the smaller MacBook this time around…

    https://twitter.com/dylandkt/status/1430011160267472900?s=20
  • New picture shows production equipment at Apple Park ahead of September event

    New picture shows production equipment at Apple Park ahead of September event

    The news: Apple executive Lisa Jackson has updated her profile picture on Twitter, and it could hint at the next Apple event that is just around the corner.

    • In the background of Jackson’s new profile picture, seen above, production equipment including lighting and what appears to be audio/lighting controllers can be seen in the foyer outside of the Steve Jobs Theater
    • Apple is rumored to hold their first hardware event of the Fall in September, as is tradition for the company
    • “Lisa Jackson is Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, reporting to CEO Tim Cook,” as noted on Apple’s leadership page

    Our take: Pretty surprising to see even this small peek into what appears to be a recent shoot at Apple Park…presumably for the upcoming event(s) in September. What’s clear is that Apple was at least producing something recently outside of the Steve Jobs Theater…

    https://twitter.com/ThisIsNoahEvans/status/1429446926987038723?s=20
  • M1X Mac mini releasing ‘in the next several months’

    M1X Mac mini releasing ‘in the next several months’

    The rumor: Apple is planning to update the Mac mini with a faster chip in the (somewhat) near future, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Power On).

    • The new info suggests the new Mac mini will have additional ports, and M1X processor and a different design than the current M1 model
    • Gurman also reports that a launch is happening within “in the next several months”

    Our take: We’ve already seen our first look of the Mac mini courtesy of Jon Prosser a few months back. Seems to line up with this info pretty closely.

  • Gurman: AirPods Pro 2 not releasing until 2022

    Gurman: AirPods Pro 2 not releasing until 2022

    The rumor: Apple doesn’t plan to update AirPods Pro this year, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Power On).

    Our take: A reiteration of a prior report, but part of me thought there was a small chance we still saw an AirPods Pro update this year. Seems like it’s still a pretty good time to buy…

  • Apple could bring titanium chassis to iPads in the future

    Apple could bring titanium chassis to iPads in the future

    The rumor: Apple may be planning to expand Titanium beyond the Apple Card and Watch in the future, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    Our take: Considering how much larger iPad bodies are in comparison to the iPhone, I don’t anticipate this happening soon…at all. Down the line, though, titanium would be a really solid form factor upgrade for the iPad Pros. Plus, it would be a nice change fo pace from aluminum (which Apple generally reserves for their lower-end products).

  • Apple rumored to hold multiple September Events this year

    Apple rumored to hold multiple September Events this year

    The rumor: Apple plans to hold more than one event this September, according to DigiTimes (61% accurate).

    • The rumor, seen by MacRumors, says Apple plans to “host a series of product launch conferences in September,” with a new model of the $329 is expected at one of them
    • In this history of Apple as a company, they have never held two major product launch events in September…last year they spread out their announcements between September, October and November

    Our take: With DigiTimes’ weak track record…yes, I’m highly skeptical of multiple events next month. Not saying it’s impossible. Just highly improbable.

  • Apple delays return to office plans until 2022

    Apple delays return to office plans until 2022

    The news: Apple has once again delayed plans for employees to return to the office, according to Mark Gurman (88.8% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • The hybrid work plan, which will require employees to work Monday, Tuesday and Friday in the office each week, is now scheduled to begin in January 2022 (was previously October 2021)
    • ”The memo to staff, sent by human resources and retail head Deirdre O’Brien, added that the company does not currently expect to shutter its offices or retail stores. But she strongly encouraged staff to get vaccinated” Gurman says

    Our take: Probably a good call considering the rise in virus cases, and following the trend that other tech giants have set.

  • In China, you can’t engrave over 1,000 words on Apple products…including characters for “human rights” & “8964”

    In China, you can’t engrave over 1,000 words on Apple products…including characters for “human rights” & “8964”

    The news: A new report from The Citizen Lab highlights the wide variety of words and phrases…and even a number…that you can’t engrave on Apple products in Mainland China.

    • “In mainland China, Apple widely censors political speech, including broad references such as 政治 (politics), 抵制 (resist), 民主潮 (wave of democracy), and 人权 (human rights). In mainland China, Apple also heavily censors references to Tibet and Tibetan religion. Such keywords include 正法 (dharma), 達賴 (Dalai), and 达兰萨拉 (Dharamshala). Such heavy-handed censorship restricts users’ abilities to freely express themselves politically and religiously” says The Citizen Lab
    • This one number, 8964, is also banned, as it refers to the infamous 1989 Tiananmen Square protests
    • The same report also heights that nearly 20% of Apple’s total revenue comes from the Mainland China market

    Our take: Operating in China is simply a catch-22. But what’s odd is that Apple has censored more than what is necessary to operate there. In response, Apple replied here, saying “We handle engraving requests regionally. There is no single global list that contains one set of words or phrases. Instead, these decisions are made through a review process where our teams assess local laws as well as their assessment of cultural sensitivities. We revisit these decisions from time to time. While those teams rely on information from a range of sources, no third parties or government agencies have been involved the process.”