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  • 2020 16-inch MacBook Pro refresh possible soon

    2020 16-inch MacBook Pro refresh possible soon

    The evidence: Apple may be refreshing the 16-inch MacBook Pro soon, as spotted by Atharva Kale and MacRumors.

    • Boot Camp for macOS was recently updated, mentioning a 16-inch MacBook Pro (2020) for the first time ever
    • In Apple’s own words, at WWDC 2020: “We have some new Intel-based Macs in the pipeline that we’re really excited about.” (watch the clip below)
    • So far, the only new Intel Mac announced since June was a 27-inch iMac, which suggests a new 16-inch model would likely retain an Intel chip

    Our take: It’s been about a year since the 16-inch MacBook Pro was released initially, so it is feasible that an upgrade is coming soon. But I have a hard time imagining that Apple would introduce a new Intel Mac at next month’s November 17 Apple Silicon event.

  • Apple considering mid-range HomePod model

    Apple considering mid-range HomePod model

    The rumor: Following the recent announcement of HomePod mini, Apple is considering a mid-range model to fill the gap, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • The new HomePod would be situated “in size, price and sound quality” between HomePod mini ($99) and HomePod ($299)
    • Gurman also says Apple could ultimately cancel this new model in favor of further price cuts to the highest-end HomePod

    Our take: For a product line that has struggled to sell well for so long, I don’t think anyone is asking for or is interested in a third HomePod model. The HomePod has potential to be a great smart speaker, but a third model doesn’t seem like a good move.

  • AirPods Pro 2 may have new circular design, upgraded wireless chip

    AirPods Pro 2 may have new circular design, upgraded wireless chip

    The rumor: Apple is working on a radical upgrade to AirPods Pro, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • The stem on new AirPods Pro may be eliminated in order to create a look more similar to Galaxy Buds, Echo Buds and Pixel Buds
    • 2nd generation AirPods Pro will also feature an upgraded wireless chip on the inside (H2?)
    • AirPods Pro 2 are expected sometime in 2021

    Our take: It certainly makes sense for Apple to break from their current design to compete with other designs that are becoming increasingly popular. But changing the pods to look too similar to competitors could be damaging for the instant-recognition that AirPods have accrued.

  • AirPods 3 to have shorter stem, replaceable ear tips; coming in 1H21

    AirPods 3 to have shorter stem, replaceable ear tips; coming in 1H21

    The rumor: The third generation version of AirPods will see a significant change in their iconic design, according to Mark Gurman (88.3% accurate).

    • ‘AirPods 3’ will look and feel similar to AirPods Pro, but will lack some of the high-end features like noise cancellation
    • Improved battery life may also come to the new model of truly wireless earbuds
    • Apple may launch third generation AirPods in the first half of 2021

    Our take: I’m super disappointed to hear that Apple is doing-away with the iconic AirPods design. AirPods Pro have never worked well for me and still regularly fall out of my head when I use them in any athletic capacity. I don’t think in-ear earbuds are the best option for everyone, even though AirPods Pro are beloved by a ton of people.

  • Sources split on AirTags reveal

    Sources split on AirTags reveal

    The latest: Apple is preparing to release a new accessory known as AirTags…but two highly-rated sources are split on when the circular devices will be revealed.

    • Jon Prosser (85.5% accurate) says AirTags will be released next month alongside the first Mac with Apple Silicon at a November 17 event
    • Mark Gurman (88.3& accurate) doesn’t think so, citing ‘several development delays’ and the fact that Macs and AirTags are completely unrelated

    Our take: With both sources scoring above 85% accurate on our leaderboard, either one could very well be right about AirTags. The two things giving Gurman an edge here are a significantly longer track record and almost 3% better accuracy. At the same time, Prosser has been on a roll with dates lately.

  • Video shows Verizon 5G loses 75% of the time to 4G LTE

    Video shows Verizon 5G loses 75% of the time to 4G LTE

    The news: 5G on iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro may not be as ‘real’ as Apple and Verizon have suggested, according to a new video from iupdate.

    • In the video, 5G won only 3 times out of 12: 4G LTE won 9 times
    • mmWave 5G, where available, crushed 4G in download speeds…but somehow lost in the upload test

    Our take: 5G was not at all what I expected. I thought at the very least I’d see a marginal improvement in almost every test on 5G, but that wasn’t the case. 5G is slow…unless you’re in one of the very few mmWave coverage areas.

    A table provided exclusively by iupdate, with the results of the testing.

  • AirTags will likely be available in two sizes, ‘coming soon’

    AirTags will likely be available in two sizes, ‘coming soon’

    The rumor: Apple is working on two different sizes for their upcoming AirTags accessory, according to L0vetodream (87.9% accurate).

    Our take: Interesting. 2 sizes for AirTags? Can’t imagine why Apple would opt for two variants on such a simple product, but this has my attention.

    https://twitter.com/L0vetodream/status/1318424420193505280?s=20
  • iOS 14.2 beta 4 includes 16 new wallpapers, download them here

    iOS 14.2 beta 4 includes 16 new wallpapers, download them here

    The fun: Included in the release of iOS 14.2 beta 4 are a crop of new wallpapers that are quite a bit different from what Apple normally includes in updates.

    • There are drawn and real-life wallpapers available that include light and dark mode variants, with 16 total new images available to choose from
    • The wallpapers break from Apple’s standard operating procedure and are reminiscent of photo wallpapers from iOS 4 to iOS 10

    Our take: These are genuinely interesting because they feel so…I don’t know…random? Listen, I’m all for new wallpapers from Apple. But these don’t seem to follow and clear rhyme of reason…

  • Download the official iPhone 12 wallpapers here

    Download the official iPhone 12 wallpapers here

    The fun: Apple has released 5 new wallpapers in iOS 14.1 that correspond to the 5 new colors of iPhone 12.

    • Similar to iPhone 12 Pro wallpapers, these colorful images also appear to have been inspired by the addition of 5G connectivity
    • These wallpapers were extracted directly from the iOS 14.1 firmware and are available in the highest quality possible

    Our take: Green in dark mode looks amazing.

  • Download the official iPhone 12 Pro wallpapers here

    Download the official iPhone 12 Pro wallpapers here

    The fun: Purchasers of a new iPhone 12 Pro this year will be happy to know that four new wallpapers come pre-installed, as Apple does every year.

    • All four wallpapers feature light and dark modes, following a trend that started with iOS 13
    • The designs this year appear to be inspired by 5G radio waves, colorized to match the tint of each iPhone

    Our take: Blue in dark mode is the best.

  • First iPhone 12 unboxings show new Blue and Graphite colors

    First iPhone 12 unboxings show new Blue and Graphite colors

    The news: A day prior to official videos going live after embargoes are lifted, some hands-on videos of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have surfaced online.

    • This is our first look at iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro that both officially release on Friday, October 23
    • On top of redesigned, thinner packaging, there is a new screen cover made of a thin paper on both models this year, with information about what the buttons on each side of the phone do

    Our take: The phones both looks really sharp, and these are low-quality videos. Can’t wait to hold these in person on Friday!

    The first unboxing of iPhone 12 in blue, shared to YouTube by Ben Geskin.

    And a brief unboxing of iPhone 12 Pro in Graphite, from DuanRui.