Hearing tidbits from the supply chain from time-to-time, Nikkei Asia often reports on delays and shortages ahead of anybody else.
Rumor accuracy
[coming soon]
Rumor list
2021
April
- Some MacBook and iPad models delayed until second half of 2021, link
Blog
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Nikkei Asia: accuracy rating pending
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2021 iPad Pro & iPad mini first look shows minor design tweaks
The leak: Newly surfaced dummy units give us our first real-world look at new iPads coming soon, according to Sonny Dickson (57.7% accurate).
- The new iPad Pro looks identical to the current generation, with virtually no design changes whatsoever…we’ve heard historically that the number of speaker holes is changing, though
- As for the updated iPad mini, it’s not the full-screen redesign that many were hoping to see: Dickson says it’s just slighter thicker than the current generation (but with no explanation as to why)
Our take: This lines up with what other credible sources have said: no major design changes for iPad Pro or iPad mini this year. Everything new is happening on the inside.
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iOS 15 may included redesigned Control Center, support for dual authentication
The rumors: Apple is preparing to revamp Control Center and more in iOS 15, according to McGuire Wood (accuracy pending).
- A redesigned Control Center may launch at some point later in the beta cycle, and it reportedly “takes inspirations” from macOS Big Sur
- A dual-authentication API may also be in the works for developers…for a 2021 iPhone model that is rumored to support both Touch ID and Face ID
Our take: A Control Center design with design elements from macOS would be yet another suggestion that iOS 15 may be the most neumorphic design yet. We’ve also seen Apple tweak some developer icons on iOS to look a lot less flat. Yet Wood has not been formally tracked yet so we recommend taking this rumor with a grain of salt. The concept above from Aleksey Bondarev looks so good.
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Apple updates Find My app, promotes 3rd-party tile tracker with AirTags MIA
The news: A new version of Find My is out now for devices running iOS 14.3 or later, offering new functionality for 3rd-party accessories and devices.
- Apple has formally announced the Find My network, a “crowdsourced network of hundreds of millions of Apple devices that use Bluetooth wireless technology to detect missing devices or items nearby, and report their approximate location back to the owner”
- The frist “Works with Apple Find My” products include Belkinās SOUNDFORM Freedom earbuds, Chipolo’s ONE Spot tracker and VanMoofās new S3 and X3 e-bikes
Our take: This is the strangest press release from Apple yet. We know they’ve been working on AirTags, an tile-like tracker, and updated AirPods. But in their big unveil for the Find My network…Apple instead promoted 3rd-party earbuds from Belkin and an item finder from Chipolo (who I’ve never heard of). Why would Apple take this opportunity to specifically promote 3rd-party accessories instead of unveiling their own? It seems to suggest AirTags wouldn’t be coming soon.
But then there’s this:
Today Apple is also announcing a draft specification for chipset manufacturers that will be released later this spring. With this, third-party device makers will be able to take advantage of Ultra Wideband technology in U1-equipped Apple devices, creating a more precise, directionally aware experience when nearby.
We also know that AirTags have a U1 chip inside. And Apple says those U1 specs for 3rd-party manufacturers are coming later this spring. This strongly suggests that AirTags are coming in spring…Apple just doesn’t want another company to beat them to the punch with U1 functionality inside.
If the launch of AirTags wasn’t clear before, this adds even more fuel to the fire.
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2021 Apple TV to support 120Hz refresh rate
The leak: The next Apple TV will support a higher refresh rate, according to 9to5Mac (77.2% accurate).
- In the latest tvOS 14.5 beta, “Multiple references to ‘120Hz’ and ‘supports120Hz’ have been added to tvOSā PineBoard in the latest beta release…PineBoard is the internal name of the system that controls the Apple TV interface”
- Apple is rumored to release a new Apple TV sometime in 2021, but no credible source has provided a concrete timeline just yet
Our take: So Apple is working on an updated TV after all. There was some speculation after that weird remote situation that there actually wouldn’t be a new Apple TV coming. 120Hz support is killer for those who have a TV that supports the tech, and will make everything appear buttery smooth. It’s coming to the iPhone in 2021, too.
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Kang: New iPad Pro coming mid-April, Wi-Fi version may come first
The rumor: Apple’s next iPad Pro is coming in just days, according to Kang (97% accurate).
In a response to being asked about when the new tablet was coming, Kang provided the following details…
- The tablet is releasing in the middle of the month (April)
- The Wi-Fi-only iPad Pro is releasing ahead of the cellular version
Our take: This is, by far, Kang’s most cryptic post yet. It was created in response to being harassed about the device from some of his followers (don’t do that, if that is you). Seems like this new iPad is imminent…
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Report suggests media ‘will soon’ receive new Apple products
The rumor: Apple may be seeding review units of new Apple products to members of the media “soon,” according to DuanRui on Twitter.
- DuanRui, a Twitter account who frequently aggregates rumors spawning in Asia, says “Some people say that Apple’s cooperative media will soon receive new Apple products,” but also notes, “I don’t know if it is true or not”
- Apple is rumored to hold an event sometime in April where an updated iPad Pro and AirTags will be released
Our take: There’s a lot of smoke for new products this month. At a minimum, we will be seeing a new iPad Pro. But I’m hopeful for AirTags as part of a larger event, too.
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Tim Cook says he plans to retire within the next 10 years
The news: Tim Cook says that he doesn’t believe he’ll be the CEO of Apple in ten years, as heard first on the latest episode of the Sway podcast.
- When asked about his next decade at Apple, Cook says “10 more years…probably not. But I can tell you that I feel great right now. And the dateās not in sight. But 10 more years is a long time and probably not 10 more years.”
- Tim Cook took on the role as CEO when Steve Jobs resigned on August 24, 2011
Our take: I thought Tim would be planning to step down sometimes in the next year or two, but he doesn’t allude to that at all in this latest interview. The interview, which is great, by the way, gives Cook an even more human feel and is by far the most casual conversation I’ve ever heard him in. He’s right though…in ten years Cook will be 70. I don’t think many people would want to run the biggest company in the world at that age.
This podcast has cemented in my mind just how great of a person Tim Cook is. He speaks with such brilliance and intelligence, and I really believe the decisions that he makes at Apple are not primarily driven by money. He’s trying to solve complex issues from LGBTQ+ activism to voting rights and sees Apple as his way to make great change in the world. I can’t think of a better leader for Apple right now, and I’m going to genuinely miss Cook when he retires in a few years.
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Tim Cook says iOS 14.5 is coming in ‘just a few weeks’
The news: Tim Cook has confirmed that iOS 14.5 is coming soon, as heard first on the Sway podcast.
- When questioned about when iOS 14.5 is coming, Cook says “Itās just a few weeks now,” which points to a release in late April or early May
- iOS 14.5 includes new emoji, ‘Mask ID,’ new Siri voices and more
Our take: Very rare to hear news from the mouth of Cook himself. I’d bet this is coming alongside those new Apple products that seem to be just around the corner.
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New images show iPhone 13 Pro dummy unit with smaller notch
The leak: New images of an iPhone 13 dummy unit show design changes in the notch, provided by Macotakara (68.6% accurate).
- The updated notch is thinner, with the speaker relocated to the upper portion of the bezel
- Almost all other parts of the 2021 dummy iPhone appear to look identical to last year’s iPhone 12 Pro
Our take: This is the first real-life image we’ve seen of the potential notch design for 2021, and I think it looks great! I really hope we see this instead of the other design Apple is testing.
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27-inch iMac likely getting new colors, larger display with 2021 refresh
The rumor: The largest 27-inch iMac is getting larger, according to L0vetodream (89% accurate).
- Translated, L0vetodream says “The iMac’s screen is really big, bigger than the biggest one”
- Last month, when questioned about the new iMac, the mysterious leaker tweeted out an array of colorful Apple Watch bands…suggesting that Jon Prosser’s (78.2% accurate) rumor is correct
Our take: Not new info, but coming from L0vetodream (89% accurate) this means the info is quite reliable. Again, I think this iMac is coming sooner than the Fall.