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  • Leaked AirPods 3 images show all-new design and updated case

    Leaked AirPods 3 images show all-new design and updated case

    The leak: The first images of what may be AirPods 3 have surfaced online, courtesy of 52audio.

    • They look similar to AirPods Pro, but don’t seem to feature interchangeable ear tips like their counterpart
    • Apple seems to be sticking with a one-size-fits-all physique
    • An updated case is more compact than AirPods Pro, and has a much more compact and vertical design

    Our take: I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this is real. 52audio leaked AirPods Pro ahead of its unveil last year so I think they have a good pulse on this type of thing. So happy this is not the in-ear design we see on AirPods Pro.

  • November 2020 leaderboard update

    November 2020 leaderboard update

    Following the announcement of Apple’s final Fall event, here’s how the source leaderboard has been reworked.

    November 3 changes

    🌙 L0vetodream 88.5 ⮕ 88.7% accurate

    • +1 accurate rumor

    🏀 Mark Gurman 88.3 ⮕ 88.4% accurate

    • +2 accurate rumors

    🧻 Jon Prosser 85.5 ⮕ 84.3% accurate

    • +1 accurate rumor
    • -2 inaccurate claims

    Note: As you may have noticed, no source is perfect. That’s because even the best get some info right and some info wrong: do not harass anyone for their track record. The leaderboard functionality on AppleTrack is here only to help tech enthusiasts better understand how likely a rumor really is.

    As always, if you notice a discrepancy on someone’s record, let us know.

  • Apple November 10 ‘one more thing’ event wallpapers

    Apple November 10 ‘one more thing’ event wallpapers

    The fun: Ahead of next week’s November 10 event, get in the mood with a batch of new wallpapers for iPhone and iPad.

    • The blurred aesthetic looks especially nice with app icons and widgets mixed together on your home screen
    • Full-resolution wallpapers will likely be released from Apple following the event next Tuesday, as both the September and October event invites later turned out to be marketing wallpapers

    iPhone

    iPad

    Our take: I hope Apple includes stock blurred wallpapers on iOS in the future. There were a lot of hints that this was coming, but we still haven’t seen that leaked wallpaper settings redesign yet.

  • Mac Pro with Apple Silicon to be ‘about half the size’ of current model

    Mac Pro with Apple Silicon to be ‘about half the size’ of current model

    The rumor: After updating the entire MacBook lineup with Apple Silicon next week, Apple has even more ambitious plans for some of its desktop models, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • “Apple engineers are currently developing a new Mac Pro that looks like the current design at about half the size,” Gurman says…although it’s unclear whether this will be a replacement for the old model or a second, smaller offering
    • A redesigned iMac is also in development, although it is unclear when this highly-anticipated machine will launch

    Our take: Gurman, who is known for his credible track record, alluded multiple times in this piece that Apple Silicon equals greater power efficiency in the same (or less) amount of space. If Apple can seriously take the behemoth that is the Mac Pro and make it just as powerful in half the original footprint…that says a lot about what Apple Silicon will enable.

  • 13-inch MacBook Air & Pro to get Apple Silicon this week (update: no 16-inch?)

    13-inch MacBook Air & Pro to get Apple Silicon this week (update: no 16-inch?)

    Update 11/9: Gurman has updated his initial report to say that only the 2 new 13-inch models are for sure coming at the event on Tuesday. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon is on the way, but as production is further behind than the other models, it may not make the cut.

    The rumor: Apple is planning 3 significant MacBook updates at their Apple Silicon event next week, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • 13-inch versions of the MacBook Air and Pro and the 16-inch Pro are all getting Apple Silicon on November 10
    • The Apple-designed processor inside is apparently based off the A14 chip included in iPhone 12 and iPad Air
    • No major design upgrades are expected…they MacBooks will look aesthetically similar to how they do currently

    Our take: Wow! So the entire MacBook lineup is getting Apple Silicon next week. We had no idea until now that the 16-inch model would be getting it this early on.

  • Apple may announce 2 new 13-inch MacBooks on November 10

    Apple may announce 2 new 13-inch MacBooks on November 10

    The rumor: Apple is preparing significant updates to 2 of their most popular notebooks, according to Lovetodream (88.5% accurate).

    • First to get Apple Silicon will likely be 2 new MacBook models
    • Apple currently offers two notebooks in a 13-inch size: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
    • Previous rumors suggested Apple would bring back the ‘MacBook’ line

    Our take: As I’ve said from the beginning, Apple is planning to start small and build up to bigger and better computers with their own silicon inside. This makes perfect sense to me.

    https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1323318103145525248?s=20
  • Apple announces ‘One more thing’ event on November 10

    Apple announces ‘One more thing’ event on November 10

    The news: Apple has just announced a third Fall event on November 10, with the tagline ‘One more thing.’

    • The event will be live-streamed from Apple Park at 10am PST, and is likely the last special event of 2020
    • The first Mac(s) powered by Apple Silicon are widely expected, alongside AirTags, a puck-shaped tracking accessory with AR features

    Our take: So excited to see the first ARM Mac at this event. Apple seems to be ending 2020 with a bang, especially since they used the ‘One more thing’ tagline as the teaser phrase for the event.

  • Many 13″ MacBook Pro & 21.5″ iMac models out of stock ahead of rumored November event

    Many 13″ MacBook Pro & 21.5″ iMac models out of stock ahead of rumored November event

    The news: A number of popular Macs aren’t shipping until early December, according to data provided on apple.com.

    • Everything that’s out of stock right now:
      • All 21.5-inch 4K iMac models ship on December 3
      • The highest-end 27-inch 5K iMac ships between November 25-December 3
      • All iMac Pro models ship on December 10
      • Both higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pro models ship on December 2
    • And the computes in stock:
      • All Mac mini models
      • All MacBook Air models
      • All Mac Pro models
      • The base, non-4K 21.5-inch iMac
      • Both 16-inch MacBook Pro models
    • Apple is rumored to hold their next event on Tuesday, November 17 where the first Mac(s) powered by Apple Silicon will be unveiled

    Our take: Stock supply on Apple’s site isn’t always a guarantee that new products are on the way, but with rumors swirling of new Macs on the way…the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 21.5-inch iMac shortages align perfectly with the leaks. Earlier this year, stock for Apple Watch Series 5 was out of whack just ahead of the Series 6 unveil.

    • 27-inch iMac
    • 21.5-inch iMac
    • iMac Pro
    • 13-inch MBP

  • Apple launches repair program for faulty AirPods Pro

    Apple launches repair program for faulty AirPods Pro

    The news: After months of complaints from users experiencing crackling noises and weakened active noise cancellation (ANC), Apple has launched an official repair program for AirPods Pro.

    • Eligible AirPods Pro models exhibit at least 1 of the following:
      • Crackling or static sounds that increase in loud environments, with exercise or while talking on the phone
      • Active Noise Cancellation not working as expected, such as a loss of bass sound, or an increase in background sounds, such as street or airplane noise
    • AirPods Pro manufactured through October 2020 are in the pool of possible affected units
    • Apple says “the program covers affected AirPods Pro for 2 years after the first retail sale of the unit”

    Our take: Although buzz about these issues died down, I always had a sneaking suspicion that something else…other than a faulty software update…was at play here. Send your AirPods Pro in right away if you’re in the affected group!

  • iOS 14.2 brings optimized charging to AirPods for the first time

    iOS 14.2 brings optimized charging to AirPods for the first time

    The news: Updating to iOS 14.2 could have a positive impact on your AirPods battery life in the long-term, according to an important change mentioned in the official release notes.

    • As described by Apple, “Optimized battery charging for AirPods to slow the rate of battery aging by reducing the time your AirPods spends fully charged”
    • Battery degradation was a big issue for owners of original AirPods, as the batteries inside each earbud (and even the charging case) are so tiny
    • Apple first introduced optimized battery charging for iPhone with iOS 13

    Our take: Super happy that this is here, because I have experienced, first-hand, huge issues with AirPods battery life after holding onto them for a couple of years.

  • iOS 14.2 adds support for iPhone 12 leather sleeve case, coming soon?

    iOS 14.2 adds support for iPhone 12 leather sleeve case, coming soon?

    The news: Apple confirmed in the release notes for iOS 14.2 that special functionality for iPhone 12’s leather sleeve has been enabled.

    • The leather sleeve case is not (yet) available for sale, but appears to enable an always-on-display mode for a small portion of the display, viewable through a window in the case
    • Apple first showcased the leather sleeve case for iPhone 12 at the October 13 event

    Our take: Support for the leather sleeve case in this update definitely suggests that it’ll be available to order soon. Maybe next Friday (November 6) when pre-orders for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max start?