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  • Apple TV 6 may launch at Apple TV+ event in Q4 2021, ‘Apple Arcade+’ service in development

    Apple TV 6 may launch at Apple TV+ event in Q4 2021, ‘Apple Arcade+’ service in development

    The rumor: Apple is preparing upgrades to Apple TV, tvOS and Apple Arcade in 2021, according to The Verifier (54.3% accurate).

    For the next Apple TV:

    • New remote
    • Game controller in development
    • Processor faster than A12
    • 64/128GB storage (with higher tiers potentially coming in the future)
    • More than 3GB RAM
    • Launch at a TV+ event in the fourth quarter of 2021

    Rumored details about ‘Apple Arcade+’:

    • “Preliminary details reveal that the company is in advanced contacts with major and well-known gaming players in order to offer their games outside of the Xbox, PlayStation and PC consoles” The Verifier says
    • The expanded service may launch as soon as later this year

    And for the reported changes coming in tvOS 15:

    • Major design refresh; App Store will see upgraded UI
    • Kids mode with better parental controls
    • Screen Time
    • Upgraded broadcast schedule, improved recording management and channel subscription bundles

    Our take: Wild to hear that the new Apple TV could still be 9 months away. Expecting some pretty big things from this 6th-gen version after seeing it delayed time and time again. As for Apple Arcade+, call me skeptical: I think we might see a price bump and I certainly see a future where AAA games make their way to the platform. But it would be a bit odd to have 2 different tiers.

  • Future Macs may gain Face ID and cellular connectivity

    Future Macs may gain Face ID and cellular connectivity

    The rumor: After previewing the major upgrades coming to MacBook Pro, iMac and MacBook Air later in 2021, Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate) has also hinted at other major features coming later down the road.

    • Face ID was reportedly meant to be included in the major iMac redesign later this year, but has been pushed back to a future model instead
    • Apple is also testing cellular connectivity (5G?), a feature that has never been natively available on the Mac

    Our take: Of any instance to put Face ID in a product, it has always made the most sense to me in the context of the Mac. You’re already looking directly at your computer and it would be a seamless way to authenticate yourself, rather than always looking down and scrambling to find the Touch ID sensor…or typing in your full account password. But Gurman says this and cellular connectivity aren’t coming soon.

  • 2021 MacBook Air: Slimmer bezels, thinner/lighter design & MagSafe

    2021 MacBook Air: Slimmer bezels, thinner/lighter design & MagSafe

    The rumor: Apple is preparing a redesigned MacBook Air that could release as soon as soon as the second half of 2021, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    Here’s what to expect:

    • “Thinner and lighter” design with Apple Silicon inside
    • The same 13.3-inch display, but with slim bezels
    • 2 USB 4 ports for I/O
    • MagSafe charging is also making a comeback
    • This new MacBook Air will be a higher-end offering, with the existing model remaining as the entry-level option

    Our take: Seems like Apple is giving all their notebooks the thinner bezel treatment in 2021, which will make them look significantly more modern. For the MacBook Air, I’m most excited to see how the thinnest and lightest MacBook gets thinner and lighter.

  • iOS 15 likely won’t support iPhone 6s, SE (2016) & 3 older iPads

    iOS 15 likely won’t support iPhone 6s, SE (2016) & 3 older iPads

    The rumor: iOS 15 won’t support a number of Apple’s older devices, according to iPhone Soft (not yet rated).

    • On the chopping block for iPhone: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE (2016)
    • And for the iPads not getting iOS 15: iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2 and iPad 5

    Our take: While it was impressive that iOS 14 supported the same devices as iOS 13, there is only so much that Apple can do with old hardware. Most of these devices saw 5+ years of support, which is respectable.

  • Apple’s VR headset: ‘pricey’ with limited AR features

    Apple’s VR headset: ‘pricey’ with limited AR features

    The rumor: Apple is continuing work on a VR headset with some AR features, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • It will mainly be a VR headset: Gurman says “it will display an all-encompassing 3-D digital environment for gaming, watching video and communicating”
    • Some AR functionality will also be present on the device…but they won’t be the focus
    • What makes it different than the competition? Super high-res displays, a built-in fan and some of Apple’s highest-end chips…some of which beat the M1 in benchmarks
    • Due to a limited market and higher price tag than competing headsets, “some Apple insiders believe the company may sell only one headset per day per retail store”
    • There won’t be any room for eyeglasses, so Apple is working to implement “custom prescription lenses” in front of the screens
    • The Apple VR headset could launch as early as 2022

    Our take: Gurman compares this VR headset to the $5,999 Mac Pro: an ultra-premium device aimed at an extremely specific niche. I’m certainly interested, but it doesn’t seem like this is going to be anywhere near affordable.

  • iOS 14.4 is releasing soon, this is what’s new

    iOS 14.4 is releasing soon, this is what’s new

    The news: Apple seeded the release candidate (RC) version of iOS 14.4 to developers on Thursday, suggesting a broader public release will be happening soon. We’ve posted the full changelog below.

    Changelog

    iOS 14.4 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:

    • Smaller QR codes can be recognized by Camera
    • Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications
    • Notifications for when the camera on your iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

    This release also fixes the following issues:

    • Image artifacts could appear in HDR photos taken with iPhone 12 Pro
    • Fitness widget may not display updated Activity data
    • Typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard
    • The keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages
    • Audio stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri
    • Enabling Switch Control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the Lock Screen

    For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website:
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

  • AirPods Max actually have a removable headband

    AirPods Max actually have a removable headband

    The news: AirPods Max are more modular than we thought, thanks to a new discovery by iFixit.

    • AirPods Max feature a removable headband: using a SIM tool (or paperclip), you poke the small hole at the top of each ear cup after removing the magnetic cushion
    • The ear cushions are also interchangeable…but Apple hasn’t put them on sale just yet

    Our take: This is super cool, it’s a feature that we thought got cut…but it’s here! Perhaps this suggests a sport variant is on the way…

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  • Sensor-shift stabilization may come to all iPhone 13 models

    Sensor-shift stabilization may come to all iPhone 13 models

    The rumor: Apple may be expanding one of the most impressive features on iPhone 12 Pro Max to more models in 2021, according to DigiTimes (65.1% accurate).

    • Sensor-shift stabilization works to minimize shakiness by steading the entire camera sensor, not just the lens
    • DigiTimes says that sensor-shift stabilization will come to all iPhone 13 models in 2021

    Our take: Sensor-shift stabilization is, by far, the most impressive camera upgrades in years. Video has been the best on iPhone for as long as I can remember, and this will keep things competitive.

  • Next Mac Pro could resemble Power Mac G4 cube

    Next Mac Pro could resemble Power Mac G4 cube

    The rumor: Apple is planning two new models of the Mac Pro, with one being significantly smaller than what we have currently, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • 2 new models: the first will look identical to what we have now, but with faster Intel chips; the second will be less than half the size of the current Mac Pro with Apple Silicon inside
    • Gurman notes the smaller Mac Pro design “will feature a mostly aluminum exterior and could invoke nostalgia for the Power Mac G4 Cube, a short-lived smaller version of the Power Mac, an earlier iteration of the Mac Pro”

    Our take: The current Mac Pro is a pretty sizable machine, but slimming it down to less than half its current size? That will be a sight to see. Depending on how powerful the 2021 iMacs are, this new machine could definitely be a contender for me.

  • 2021 iMac redesign detailed: ultra-thin bezels and flat back

    2021 iMac redesign detailed: ultra-thin bezels and flat back

    The rumor: After nearly a decade, Apple is planning a major overhaul for the next generation iMacs, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • Bezels on the new iMac will be similar to those found on the Pro Display XDR
    • The rear housing of the iMac will also return to being flat
    • “The iMac redesign will be one of the biggest visual updates to any Apple product this year” Gurman says

    Our take: If there is one product that I’m looking forward to this year–more than anything else–it’s this new iMac. I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this machine. It is shaping up to be the perfect machine for me!

  • iPhone 13 to be ‘S’ upgrade, in-screen fingerprint reader & no ports in testing

    iPhone 13 to be ‘S’ upgrade, in-screen fingerprint reader & no ports in testing

    The rumor: Apple is planning an ‘S’ year upgrade for the 2021 iPhones, according to Mark Gurman (89.1% accurate).

    • The new in-screen fingerprint scanner (supplied by Qualcomm) will likely be used in tandem with Face ID
    • Apple is also testing some models with no charging port, in favor of exclusively wireless charging

    Our take: Good to hear both of these are on the table this year from Gurman, who is the source I trust the most. Although there may not be as many upgrades on the phones this year, I’m personally stoked for Touch ID to make a comeback.