Tag: mark gurman

  • Apple is still working on a new version of AirPower

    Apple is still working on a new version of AirPower

    The rumor: Well over a year after AirPower was officially canceled, the company continues to work on making the wireless charging mat happen in some capacity, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • Following technical issues with the original version of AirPower, Gurman reports that “Apple is developing a less ambitious wireless charger for the iPhone”
    • Both Jon Prosser (77.8% accurate) and L0vetodream (89.2% accurate) have reported the same thing

    Our take: I can’t explain why, but AirPower (in some form or another) is still something I really want to see. It’s almost completely irrational because it’s literally just a wireless charger…but there’s something about the animations in the original teaser trailer that would make the wireless charging experience ever-so-slightly better.

  • Apple TV 6 with new remote potentially delayed until 2021

    Apple TV 6 with new remote potentially delayed until 2021

    The rumor: The sixth-generation Apple TV originally set to debut later this year may not make the cut after all, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • The new Apple TV will feature “a faster processor for improved gaming”
    • A refreshed remote is also coming, with Find My functionality built-in
    • The set-top box was initially scheduled to ship before the end of 2020, but now it may not come until sometime in 2021

    Our take: I’m honestly impressed at this point that the Apple TV hasn’t been updated in three years. With the only internal improvement being a faster processor, it’s unclear what the hold-up really is. The new Find My features in the remote sound nice, but is this really what’s causing the continued delays?

  • Lower cost Apple Watch ‘SE’ to replace Series 3

    Lower cost Apple Watch ‘SE’ to replace Series 3

    The rumor: Apple is preparing to replace the current Apple Watch Series 3 with a lower-cost variant, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • The cheaper Apple Watch will launch later this year alongside the Apple Watch Series 6
    • As stock for the Series 5 watch on Apple’s site dwindles, a launch could be imminent
    • AppleTrack speculates the lower-cost wearable could get the ‘SE’ moniker, similar to how Apple named the $399 iPhone SE

    Our take: With the Apple Watch Series 3 going away this year, Apple needs a suitable replacement for that slot: something that’s cheap enough to manufacture but compelling enough to purchase. I could see something like the S4 processor from the Series 4 making its way inside the new ‘SE’ timepiece.

  • iPhone 12 to ship ahead of 12 Pro in October

    iPhone 12 to ship ahead of 12 Pro in October

    The rumor: Apple is planning a “staggered” release for the iPhone 12 lineup, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • While the 5.4 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models will launch first, the 6.1 and larger 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro models will ship later
      • It’s unclear whether or not the Pro models will be shipping in October
    • DigiTimes (61% accurate) previously suggested that the two 6.1-inch models would roll out first

    Our take: This feels far more realistic than one Pro and one non-Pro model shipping together. I can only hope that the extra time needed for the Pro models is to ensure a 120Hz display makes the cut…

  • iPhone 12 may ship with iOS 14.1

    iPhone 12 may ship with iOS 14.1

    The news: As Apple is planning to ship iOS 14 in September, the iPhone 12 series will run a newer update when they release later on, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • iOS 14.1 will likely be the firmware that ships with the iPhone 12 series in October
    • The update will also include new features previewed at WWDC 2020:
      • More detailed App Store privacy pages (see below)
      • Support for App Clips code scanning in the Camera app

    Our take: Development on iOS 14 is going smoothly, so a month between 14.0’s release and a larger 14.1 update seems realistic. Plus, 14.1 will surely bundle in a number of new software features exclusive to the 2020 iPhones.

  • iOS 14 will launch in September

    iOS 14 will launch in September

    The rumor: iOS 14 is still on schedule to launch in September 2020, according to Mark Gurman (86.7% accurate).

    • With the release of the iOS 13.7 beta, there was some concern that iOS 14 would be delayed
    • The new version of iOS always launches in September each year

    Our take: Gurman has a great track record for this type of thing, so I’m all-in for September. If you look at the state of the beta right now, it’s pretty obvious everything is going as planned…amazingly.

  • Apple Fitness subscription service coming soon

    Apple Fitness subscription service coming soon

    The news: Alongside the release of a broader subscription bundle, Apple is also preparing to reveal a new Fitness subscription service, according to Mark Gurman (86.6% accurate).

    • Development of new Fitness functionality leaked months ago, when MacRumors obtained imagery from a leaked build of iOS 14
      • “With the fitness app, users may be able to download fitness videos that cover a range of different workout options and activities, getting guidance on completing those activities on the Apple Watch. Apple provides a gallery of different workout routines that can be downloaded and synced to the Apple Watch, with the videos themselves shown on the iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV.”
    • An update to iOS 14 is coming later this year with an updated Fitness app for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV

    Our take: Aside from Apple Music, I think this is the other subscription service that I’ll be signing up for. Seems to be a great offering already from the leaks alone.

  • ‘Apple One’ services bundle releasing in October

    ‘Apple One’ services bundle releasing in October

    The news: Apple is planning to release multiple variants of a subscription services bundle in October of this year, according to Mark Gurman (86.6% accurate).

    • There will reportedly be multiple tiers, consisting of the following makeup:
      • Music/TV+
      • Music/TV+/Arcade
      • Music/TV+/Arcade/News+
      • Music/TV+/Arcade/News+/iCloud storage
    • ‘Apple One’ is likely coming in an update to iOS 14 later in 2020
    • The bundled savings will be “$2 to upwards of $5 a month”

    Our take: I’m surprised it has taken Apple this long to get a proper bundle in the works. That being said, I don’t think I’ll be subscribing unless there’s an Apple Music and iCloud storage bundle. None of the other services are that compelling to me right now.

  • Apple AR/VR headset to have ‘ultra-high-resolution screens’ and cinematic speakers

    Apple AR/VR headset to have ‘ultra-high-resolution screens’ and cinematic speakers

    The news: Apple’s mixed AR/VR headset “will make it almost impossible for a user to differentiate the virtual world from the real one,” according to Mark Gurman (84.3% accurate).

    • The wearable device has ultra-high-resolution screens and a cinematic speaker system
    • Apps primarily focused on gaming and watching videos will be available on a dedicated App Store
    • Siri will also be present on the headset

    Our take: I’ve tried VR a handful of times but have never been impressed yet–I fail to be enthralled in the different world that the tech promises. I think if anybody can do it, it will be Apple. But even then I’m not sold yet.

  • Mounting evidence suggests iOS 14 will be ‘S’ update

    Mounting evidence suggests iOS 14 will be ‘S’ update

    The news: Amid a global pandemic and the prevalence of bugs in iOS 13, evidence suggests iOS 14 will be a smaller ‘S’ update like iOS 12.

    • Previously, after stability and performance got out of hand in iOS 11, Apple issued a smaller iOS 12 update that was much more stable
      • iOS 13 was buggier than 11
    • More recently, iOS 14 was again rumored to have a significant focus on performance

    Our take: The thing right now is that we still don’t have enough info to know for sure…but based on the above evidence AND the fact that Apple employees working on iOS 14 were forced to work from home, the ‘S’ year is certainly plausible.

  • Transition to ARM Macs to be revealed on June 22

    Transition to ARM Macs to be revealed on June 22

    The news: At WWDC this year, Apple plans to reveal their transition to Macs with Apple-designed processors, according to Mark Gurman.

    • New Mac hardware with Apple-designed chips isn’t coming until 2021
    • Eventually, all of Apple’s Macs will one day includes these new ARM processors

    Our take: This will be the biggest internal change to Mac computers ever, and the implications here only seem to be good ones: better performance, graphics, and AI processing than Intel chips. Sign me up!