Blog

  • Apple reveals new Intel-powered Mac Pro still coming

    Apple reveals new Intel-powered Mac Pro still coming

    The leak: New evidence in Xcode 13 beta 1 suggests that there’s still another Intel-powered Mac in the works, as discovered by Twitter user Brendan Shanks.

    • A new addition in the latest Xcode beta reveals “CPUFAMILY_NITEL_ICELAKE_SP” and is likely referring to a new version of the Mac Pro
    • Apple announced at WWDC 2020 that their transition to Apple Silicon would take two years, and we’re only halfway through that cycle

    Our take: This has been rumored for some time now, but our first confirmation from Apple that it’s still happening. Considering that the transition to Apple Silicon is set to pick up later this year, this will be a pretty niche product.

  • Apple launches Spatial and Lossless audio formats in Apple Music

    Apple launches Spatial and Lossless audio formats in Apple Music

    The news: Hours after the conclusion of WWDC 2021, Apple has released two major new audio formats in Apple Music.

    • Select songs are available in Spatial Audio, which surrounds you in sound, and most of the Apple Music library is streamable in lossless quality (on supported headphones)
    • The update was pushed live server-side and can be enabled by going to Settings > Music > Dolby Atmos or Audio Quality

    Our take: Haven’t been able to listen to any of the music yet, but this is live in June as promised. Launch felt a bit underwhelming after such a big announcement, however.

  • Download the official iOS and iPadOS 15 wallpapers here

    Download the official iOS and iPadOS 15 wallpapers here

    The fun: Apple included two new beautiful wallpapers inside of iOS and iPadOS 15 that are now available for download.

    • On iPhone, there are light and dark mode images filled with colorful flobs (that I wish animated)
    • And on the iPad are the same wallpapers, but filled with rearranged content and optimized for the bigger displays

    iOS 15 wallpapers

    iPadOS 15 wallpapers

  • macOS 12 Monterey announced with Universal Control, Shortcuts app & all-new Safari

    macOS 12 Monterey announced with Universal Control, Shortcuts app & all-new Safari

    Here’s the news for macOS 12:

    • Photos, Messages and more upgrades sharing features from iOS and iPadOS 15
    • Universal Control: allows you to control other Apple devices from Mac in an astonishing fashion
    • AirPlay to Mac from iOS devices
    • Shortcuts app introduced as replacement for Automator
    • Safari completely redesigned with new UI, tab groups and web extensions on all devices
  • watchOS 8: new Mindfulness app, significant messaging upgrades & redesigned Photos app

    watchOS 8: new Mindfulness app, significant messaging upgrades & redesigned Photos app

    This is watchOS 8:

    • New Mindfulness app for meditation and breathing
    • Sleep app now monitors sleeping respiratory rate
    • Tai chi and pilates workouts added in Fitness
    • Portrait watch face shows portrait mode photos
    • Photos app redesigned with new mosaic layout and improved memories
    • Messages composition improved with unified view
  • iPadOS 15 revamps widgets, adds Shelf and more

    iPadOS 15 revamps widgets, adds Shelf and more

    This is what’s new:

    • Upgraded widgets can be placed anywhere on the Home Screen, with full-size widgets and a new App Library
    • Multitasking menu now present front and center in all apps with new Shelf section added
    • New keyboard shortcuts
    • Notes: mentions, activity view, tags and Quick Note allows you to instantly access your notepad
    • Translate app comes to iPadOS
    • Swift Playgrounds allows you to build iPhone and iPad apps on device
  • Apple unveils new AirPods updates at WWDC

    Apple unveils new AirPods updates at WWDC

    This is what’s new:

    • Conversation boost: beam forming mics help hear the people speaking around you better
    • Announce notifications: Siri will speak notifications and not just Messages
    • Find My support is much better with a new finding UI and improved Bluetooth locating
  • iOS 15 introduces major FaceTime, Messages and notification updates

    iOS 15 introduces major FaceTime, Messages and notification updates

    Here’s what’s new:

    • FaceTime: Spatial audio, voice isolation and wide spectrum audio, video capture and Portrait Mode, plus the ability to schedule calls
      • SharePlay: Listen to Music, movies and tv shows, and share your screen
    • Messages: significant UI updates, pin Messages, new photo collages and stacks, and Shared For You iOS integration
    • Notifications: new summary view, updated UI design, & Focus, a new status updating feature that changes notifications
    • Photos: searchable text and new intelligent memories with memory mixes
    • Wallet: UWB with broader key support & ID cards
    • Weather: new design with more weather insights plus radar
    • Maps: new globe view, improved 3D views with more map detail, beautiful nighttime view and upgraded transit with favorite lines
  • Apple holding Apple Music special event at 12pm PST tomorrow

    Apple holding Apple Music special event at 12pm PST tomorrow

    The leak: Following the WWDC keynote address, Apple is holding another special event at 12pm PST, according to a new video first spotted by @kuromikenny.

    • The video, which has now been deleted, said “Introducing Spatial Audio” and “Tune in at 12pm PT on June 7 to watch this special event.”
    • Apple previously announced that the new spatial and lossless audio features would become available sometime in June

    Our take: Considering that this was now taken down, it feels like it may have been a mistake? Why would Apple hold two event on the same time, at different times? Perhaps this year’s WWDC will be more packed than we’re expecting…

  • watchOS 8 leak reveals new Mind, Contacts and Tips apps coming

    watchOS 8 leak reveals new Mind, Contacts and Tips apps coming

    The leak: Apple is preparing to launch three new watch apps as a part of watchOS 8, first spotted by Khaos Tian on Twitter.

    • Mind, likely a new app for managing your mental health, Contacts and Tips will be debuting alongside watchOS 8
    • A new, official profile for the App Store revealed the existence of the new apps ahead of WWDC kicking off on June 7

    Our take: While Contacts and Tips will be minor upgrades, I am fascinated to know what exactly the Mind app is. We’ve heard rumors of better mental health software coming for years now, and I can’t wait to see what Apple has been up to.

  • macOS 12 to be ‘a more muted update’

    macOS 12 to be ‘a more muted update’

    The rumor: The next version of macOS will be a smaller update, according to Mark Gurman (88.7% accurate, via Bloomberg’s Power Up).

    • “For the Mac, expect a more muted update after the operating system was redesigned with macOS Big Sur last year” Gurman says
    • Rumors have pointed to this year’s macOS 12 update being coined “Monterey” or “Mammoth”

    Our take: A smaller, more focused update makes a lot of sense with Big Sur releasing last year. Plus, the main Mac focus this year is hardware, anyway.