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  • The best 2020 Apple Black Friday deals

    The best 2020 Apple Black Friday deals

    The deals: We scoured the internet to find the best deals on Apple products for the biggest shopping event all year, Black Friday.

    Stock will likely go faster than usual with so many of us ordering products from home, so some deals may be sold out by the time you click.

    AirPods

    Apple TV

    • $50 Apple gift card with Apple TV HD/4K at Apple

    Apple Watch

    • Series 6 40mm Stainless Steel (GPS + Cellular) $50-120 off at Amazon
    • Series 6 44mm Stainless Steel (GPS + Cellular) $40-50 off at Amazon
    • Series 6 40mm Aluminum (GPS only) $20-69 off at Amazon
    • Series 6 44mm Aluminum (GPS + Cellular) $20 off at Amazon
    • $25 Apple gift card with purchase of Series 3 at Apple

    HomePod

    • $100 Apple gift card with HomePod (2017 model) at Apple

    iPad

    iPhone 12

    AT&T

    • iPhone 12 mini free with trade-in at AT&T
    • Up to $700 off with trade-in on iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max at AT&T

    T-Mobile

    • iPhone 12 for free with select trade-in at T-Mobile
    • Save up to $950 on iPhone 12 Pro with select trade-in at T-Mobile

    Verizon

    • Up to $700 off with trade-in as a new customer on all iPhone 12 models at Verizon

    MacBook Air

    MacBook Pro

    Mac mini

    Apple gift card

    • $20 Best Buy gift card with purchase of $100 Apple Gift card at Best Buy
  • AirPods 3 likely delayed until April-June 2021

    AirPods 3 likely delayed until April-June 2021

    The rumor: Apple plans to unveil AirPods 3 a bit later than initially planned, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78% accurate).

    • Kuo now expects upgraded AirPods in April-June 2021
    • AirPods 3 will likely share a hybrid design between AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro

    Our take: A bit disappointing, but this is only a brief push back from the February/March timeframe. Excited for the upgraded, non-in-ear design.

  • Numerous redesigned Macs likely coming in the second half of 2021

    Numerous redesigned Macs likely coming in the second half of 2021

    The rumor: Apple plans to significantly upgrade a number of Macs in the second half of 2021, according to L0vetodream (88.9% accurate) and Ming-Chi Kuo (78% accurate).

    • While Kuo suggests design changes are coming only to Macs with Apple Silicon, L0vetodream suggests Intel Macs will see redesigns as well
    • 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models and a smaller Mac Pro are expected
    • Apple debuted the M1 chip in MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini earlier this month

    Our take: Seems like the second half of next year will be huge for the Mac. I am extremely excited to see what Apple can do with their silicon in optimized designs.

    https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1331635944290623490?s=20
  • Apple Watch Series 7 may have redesigned body, health upgrades

    Apple Watch Series 7 may have redesigned body, health upgrades

    The rumor: Apple is planning some big upgrades for the Apple Watch Series 7, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (78% accurate).

    • The body of the watch is said to see an “improved form factor design,” although no other details are currently known
    • Per usual, Kuo says to expect upgrades to health management features
    • The last time the Apple Watch saw a significant design change was in 2018 with the Series 4

    Our take: Curious to see what direction the Apple Watch will go, design-wise. Maybe sharper edges like iPhone 12?

    Hero image courtesy of @Wilson_boi_101.

  • Rumors persist of portless iPhone 13 model

    Rumors persist of portless iPhone 13 model

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to radically shift how an iPhone can be charged, according to Jon Prosser (82.4% accurate).

    • At least one 2021 iPhone will likely have no ports at all, with MagSafe becoming the primary charging method
    • Apple reportedly plans to start small and remove Lightning from more devices over time
    • Other iPhone 13 rumors include a 120Hz display and more

    Our take: This has been coming for years, and I think it’s incredibly smart that Apple does not plan to go portless all at once. One of my friends (hey Sarah!) just texted me the other day expressing concern about MagSafe, so it would absolutely be a mistake to force everyone to jump ship on day one.

  • iPad Pro may gain OLED display in 2021

    iPad Pro may gain OLED display in 2021

    The rumor: After exclusively using LCD panels in the iPad since the tablet’s inception, Apple is planning to use OLED in the not to distant future, according to The Elec (100% accurate).

    • Apple may switch the iPad Pro to OLED…but only after introducing a Mini-LED display on the device in the first half of 2021
    • OLED on iPad Pro could happen as soon as the second half of next year
    • The Elec is the first source to suggest that OLED will come to iPad

    Our take: The Elec has an extremely good track record, but a quick switch from LCD to Mini-LED and the not OLED? This doesn’t make any sense to me. I feel like some product lines may have been conflated in the rumor mill.

  • iOS 15 to support iPhone 7 and newer

    iOS 15 to support iPhone 7 and newer

    The news: Owners of iPhones with A9 chips won’t be getting iOS 15, according The Verifier (54.3% accurate).

    • iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE may no longer be supported with the launch of iOS 15 next year
    • An iPhone 7 or newer will likely be required to run the next major version of iOS
    • iOS 15 beta 1 could release as soon as June 2021, if Apple follows tradition

    Our take: This is what I expected, and historically The Verifier gets this right. Apple technically should have cut off support for iPhone 6s and SE device this year, but gave them another year of life with iOS 14.

  • The Verifier: 53.9% accurate

    The Verifier: 53.9% accurate

    Israeli site The Verifier shares occasional exclusives revealing the development of new Apple products, features and updates.

    Rumor accuracy

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    Rumor list

    2021

    April

    • New Apple Pencil coming at April 20 event, link

    2020

    November 22

    • iPhone 7 and newer required to run iOS 15, link
    • iOS 15 launching in September 2021

    November 9

    Foldable iPhone details, link

    • Larger display than standard iPhone
    • Base storage of 256GB
    • 8GB RAM
    • Coming in 2022
    • $1,499

    June 1

    • iOS 14 to support same iPhones and iPods as iOS 14, link

    April 9

    • iOS 14:
      • Redesigned home screen will allow widgets next to apps, link
        • Side widgets screen will disappear in future iOS versions
        • Live icon animations (ex. Weather shows temperature)
        • List view coming similar to watchOS
      • No major OS redesign
      • Messages app:
        • Delete sent messages after some times passes
        • Set conversation backgrounds
        • More Memoji options
      • AR FaceTime game
      • Siri:
        • Updated design
        • New voices
        • Deeper OS integration
        • Less queries resulting in ‘I found this on the web’
    • Next generation HomePod getting new design
      • Coming later in 2020
    • iPhone 12 getting LiDAR sensor

    April 7

    • iPadOS 14:
      • Even more “extensive” trackpad/mouse support, link
      • Notes app gaining new features
        • Perform calculations
        • Drawing assist
      • Widgets can be moved around on the home screen
      • Small change to gestures
      • Calculator app coming
      • Weather app coming
      • Status bar gets redesigned icons
      • More rounded edges in apps and menus
    • 3rd generation Apple Pencil:
      • Same design as 2nd generation
      • Longer battery life
      • Locate in Find My

    March 31

    • iOS 13 beta coming within days, link
      • Will be iOS 13.4.1

    March 27

    • watchOS 7:
      • “Fresh design,” with tweaks to first party apps, link
      • Blood oxygen monitoring
      • Sleep tracking
      • Not coming to second generation Apple Watch (2016 model)
      • Siri upgrades
    • Apple Watch Series 6:
      • More battery life
      • Broader LTE support
      • WiFi 6
    • 2021 Apple Watch Series 7 to include Touch ID
      • Embedded in Digital Crown or below the display

    March 23

    • tvOS 14:
      • Kids Mode watch profile, link
        • More control of what kids can watch
        • More control of how long kids can watch
        • Updated UI for children
      • Screen Time
    • New Apple TV hardware:
      • Announced at an event in November/December 2020
      • Updated remote
      • A11/A12 processor
      • Storage:
        • 64GB
        • 128GB
    • Apple holding November/December 2020 event

    2019

    May 17

    • Safari push notifications coming to iPhone and iPad, link
      • Starting with iOS 13

    April 25

    • New Marizpan apps coming as soon as macOS 10.15:
      • iWork suite (Pages, Keynote, Numbers)
      • FaceTime
      • Mail
      • Calendar
      • Notes
      • Reminders
      • Photos
      • Messages
      • Maps
      • Books
      • Shortcuts
      • Files
      • Podcasts
      • Calculator

    April 13

    • Triple cameras coming to 2019 iPhones, link
      • Night photography mode
      • Convenience upgrades in the camera app
        • “Smarter depth photography”
        • “Advanced AR capabilities”
        • New photo mode for wider shot
      • Major stabilization upgrade

    April 5

    • TestFlight support for Mac apps
      • Coming at WWDC 2019, link

    February 1

    • iOS 13 gaining dynamic wallpapers that change based on daytime, link

    January 31

    • iOS 13 may drop support for:
      • iPhone SE
      • iPhone 6s, link

    2018

    September 21

    • Coming in macOS 10.15:
      • 4 window split screen, link
      • Shortcuts app
      • iOS-like Control Center (came in Big Sur)
      • Refreshed Notification Center (came in Big Sur)
        • Grouped notifications

    September 14

    • iOS 12.1 beta releasing for developers next week, link
      • Will support group FaceTime calls
      • Between Wednesday and Friday
      • Public releasing coming as early as November 2018
    • iOS 12.2 releasing in March 2019
    • iOS 12.3 releasing in June 2019
    • watchOS 5.1 will include ECG app

    August 19

    • New versions of iOS 12 will include features that Apple can enable remotely, link

    2017

    April 16

    • tvOS features coming as soon as version 11:
      • Multiple user support, link
      • Picture-in-picture support

    March 27

    • Siri upgrades in iOS 11:
      • Learn from user habits to offer different actions based on context, link
      • Deeper integration in tvOS and watchOS
      • Larger part in Messages app
      • Siri iCloud sync

    January 20

    • Apple developing Group FaceTime, link
      • Coming as soon as iOS 11
      • Start video call directly via icon in toolbar
      • Call up to five people at once
  • Leather sleeve iPhone 12 cases now available

    Leather sleeve iPhone 12 cases now available

    The news: Apple just released the iPhone 12 leather sleeve cases first previewed at their October special event.

    • Colors include Baltic Blue, Pink Citrus, Saddle Brown and (RED)
    • At $129 USD, the leather sleeve is one of Apple’s more expensive offerings

    Our take: I don’t totally understand the appeal of this case, considering it fully covers your entire phone, but it’s finally out for those interested. Now we wait for MagSafe Duo…

  • iOS 14.2.1 released for iPhone 12 only with MMS text & lock screen touch fixes

    iOS 14.2.1 released for iPhone 12 only with MMS text & lock screen touch fixes

    The news: Apple just released iOS 14.2.1 in order to address a number of launch issues for iPhone 12 models.

    • Fixes for unreceived MMS messages, hearing devices and Lock Screen responsiveness have all been addressed
    • The update is only available for iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

    Changelog

    • Some MMS messages may not be received
    • Made for iPhone hearing devices could have sound quality issues when listening to audio from iPhone
    • Lock Screen could become unresponsive on iPhone 12 mini
  • Download the new M1 MacBook Pro wallpaper here

    Download the new M1 MacBook Pro wallpaper here

    The wallpaper: Apple showcases a new, unreleased wallpaper on the box for the brand new M1-powered MacBook Pro.

    • It’s visually similar to the 16-inch MacBook Pro’s wallpaper
    • Apple hasn’t released a full-resolution original yet, but this article will are updated if or when they do

    Our take: Taken from the box itself, the wallpaper features greens, blues and a streak of pink. It’s one of my favorite stock wallpapers in a while.