Tag: mark gurman

  • New MacBook Air rumored to release at WWDC on June 6

    New MacBook Air rumored to release at WWDC on June 6

    The rumor: Apple is planning to unveil a new MacBook Air at their worldwide developers conference next week, according to Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate, via Power On).

    • “If there’s any hardware at WWDC, it will likely be on the Mac side. The company has been aiming to launch the next MacBook Air with M2 chips at the conference. The recent supply chain crunch due to Covid-related closures in China has complicated that, but developers say that Apple employees are increasingly using next-generation MacBook Airs with their apps. That’s a sign that the new Mac is close,” Gurman says
    • A teaser of the upcoming AR/VR headset could also happen, but a full unveil isn’t likely according to Gurman

    Sam’s take: Since Apple themselves has confirmed that they are done unveiling M1 series chips, it makes perfect sense that they would start with M2 sooner rather than later. I think this new MacBook Air is incredibly likely, but I also think we’ll be getting a preview of the AR/VR headset or new Mac Pro, too.

  • iOS 16 getting redesigned lock screen with new wallpapers, Messages upgrades and more

    iOS 16 getting redesigned lock screen with new wallpapers, Messages upgrades and more

    The rumor: iOS 16 “is a fairly significant upgrade,” according to Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate, via Power On).

    Here’s the latest on iOS 16…

    • There will be “updates to notifications, iPad multitasking, and the Messages and Health apps”
    • Lock Screen redesign with new wallpapers that support “widget-like capabilities”
    • Improvements to windowing and multitasking on all platforms…but especially on iPad
    • Messages is getting expanded social features, especially with audio messages (sounds cool!)
    • And everything else that we’ve heard already…

    Sam’s take: I’m fascinated to see how big this Lock Screen redesign is going to be, considering there haven’t been any major updates to the Lock Screen, well, ever. I also think Apple has so much room to capitalize on iMessage as a broader social platform and starting with voice messages is brilliant (I’ve seen these grow in popularity tremendously in recent years). Overall, it’s really looking like iOS 16 is going to be the biggest update in years.

  • iPhone 14 to finally gain always-on display mode

    iPhone 14 to finally gain always-on display mode

    The rumor: Apple’s most expensive iPhones could gain an always-on on display mode this year, according to Mark Gurman (86.5% accurate, via Power On).

    • “I’m told to expect the always-on mode as an exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models, codenamed D73 and D74, if the feature ends up making the cut,” Gurman
    • This will reportedly be enabled through iOS 16, which Apple is unveiling at WWDC on June 6

    Sam’s take: Extremely petty (but predictable) that the always-on display would be limited to the Pro iPhones only. And as reported, I completely expect this to be software-locked to the newest iPhones (rather than it coming to all iPhone models through iOS 16). Still, better late than never considering that Android has had this for as long as I can remember.

  • Apple board gets early demo of unreleased AR/VR headset

    Apple board gets early demo of unreleased AR/VR headset

    The rumor: Apple’s first all-new product since the Apple Watch is almost ready to be shown to the masses, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Bloomberg).

    • “Apple Inc. executives previewed its upcoming mixed-reality headset to the company’s board last week, indicating that development of the device has reached an advanced stage, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The company’s board, made up of eight independent directors and Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, convenes at least four times a year. A version of the device was demonstrated to the directors during the latest gathering,” Gurman says
    • An early preview of a new product for the board isn’t unprecedented…they also got a demo of Siri before anyone else back in 2011
    • The upcoming AR/VR headset is rumored to be unveiled later this year before shipping out to customers in early 2023

    Sam’s take: Apple showing this to folks outside the company suggests to me that they have something really special on their hands. I don’t want to say that a teaser at WWDC is happening, but I would be remiss to say that the timing sure is peculiar. If Apple can demo the product for the board, they can certainly put together a teaser for everyone else…and a developer conference would be the place to showcase an all-new platform. No inside info, I’m just saying! It’s not the craziest idea.

  • iOS 16 is reportedly ‘a bit buggy’ in current builds

    iOS 16 is reportedly ‘a bit buggy’ in current builds

    The rumor: The current internal versions of iOS 16 still need their fair share of work before releasing as a public beta, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate).

    Sam’s take: This update suggests a couple things to me: 1) the presence of bugs this late in the game indicates that iOS 16 will be a larger update than last year and 2) that Apple probably hasn’t made stability a focus. The combination of these is ultimately exciting…but also concerning because of how bugs could impact the cool stuff that Apple is trying to do. Interesting that we’re hearing this news still weeks ahead of WWDC…

  • Gurman: Apple to announce new software and ‘other products’ on June 6

    Gurman: Apple to announce new software and ‘other products’ on June 6

    The rumor: Apple could be announcing new hardware at WWDC this year, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Power On).

    • “Apple’s developer conference will be held virtually and span the entire week. The big news will be on Monday, when the company holds its annual keynote address to announce its latest software and other products,” Gurman says
    • WWDC 2022 kicks off on June 6 at 10am PST with the traditional keynote address up first

    Sam’s take: Rumors have been swirling about new Macs coming later this month or in June…and we’re hearing that they will likely be powered by the all-new M2 chip. I would bet that if there are Macs coming soon, Apple would announce them at their event on June 6. And considering there’s specifically an in-person component for dub dub this year, you would think that new hardware is certainly possible.

  • iOS 16 rumored to be largest update in years with new apps and more

    iOS 16 rumored to be largest update in years with new apps and more

    The rumor: Apple is planning “major changes across the system” for iOS 16, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Power On).

    • “While I don’t expect Apple to present a full redesign of the software, there should be major changes across the system, new ways of interacting and some fresh Apple apps. The news about watchOS 9 will be significant as well,” Gurman says
    • Up until this point, the lack of rumors and leaks for iOS 16 suggested it would be a minor update similar to last year’s iOS 15

    Sam’s take: I won’t lie…this has me stoked to see what is coming software-wise at WWDC in just half a month now. “Major changes” and “new ways of interacting” and “fresh Apple apps” sounds like a big deal, and I can’t remember a time in recent history where we’ve gotten all 3 of these at once. Sure, it’s not the complete redesign that I’ve been asking for…but it sounds way closer than I thought.

  • Second report says iPhone 15 getting USB-C port in place of Lightning

    Second report says iPhone 15 getting USB-C port in place of Lightning

    The rumor: Following a blockbuster report from earlier this week, Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate) now confirms that Apple is hard at work on putting USB-C on next year’s iPhone.

    Here’s the latest, via Bloomberg…

    • “Apple Inc. is testing future iPhone models that replace the current Lightning charging port with the more prevalent USB-C connector, according to people with knowledge of the situation, a move that could help the company conform with looming European regulations.” Gurman says. “In addition to testing models with a USB-C port in recent months, Apple is working on an adapter that would let future iPhones work with accessories designed for the current Lightning connector…”
    • Apple last switched the charging port from 30-pin to Lightning in 2012 on iPhone 5, USB-C is said to make its debut in 2023 at the earliest

    Sam’s take: I can’t believe that Gurman is now echoing Kuo’s report from just days ago. This is no joke, and I really do think that we will be getting USB-C on iPhone 15 considering the caliber of reporting here. I won’t believe it until I see it, but this is the most smoke we’ve ever had for the USB-C fire.

  • iOS 15.5 reportedly includes support for unreleased Macs

    iOS 15.5 reportedly includes support for unreleased Macs

    The rumor: While iOS 15.5 might look like a minor update on the surface, compatibility for some new products is also there, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Power On).

    Sam’s take: With many details about what we’re supposed to get at WWDC so scant, I would bet that Apple has something up their sleeve. Remember how the Mac Studio was almost a complete surprise at the March 8 event? Listen, all I’m saying is that development of M2 Macs has been ramping up, and Apple has an event on June 6.

  • Second-generation AirPods Max rumored to launch later in 2022

    Second-generation AirPods Max rumored to launch later in 2022

    The rumor: Apple is planning the first AirPods Max refresh for later this year, according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Power On).

    • Later this Fall, “Look out for an AirPods Max refresh with new colors (and, we hope, a price drop—$550 is absurd for those headphones),” Gurman says
    • The same overall design will remain, however, as no major updates are expected
    • Since AirPods Pro 2 are expected to gain lossless audio support, it is likely that AirPods Max will as well…but no reports have confirmed this yet
    • AirPods Max were first announced in December 2020, and no updates have happened since then

    Ian’s take: I am excited to see the new colors on the AirPods Max! It has been really quiet on that front for a number of months now and I’m ready for something fresh. I would expect Apple to use the same colors of the new iPad Air, but nothing concrete has been reported yet. AirPods Pro 2 are also coming this Fall!

  • The wait is almost over: AirPods Pro 2 are coming this Fall

    The wait is almost over: AirPods Pro 2 are coming this Fall

    The report: Apple is planning a successor to AirPods Pro for later this year according to Mark Gurman (86.4% accurate, via Power On).

    Ian’s Take: Finally! We have been hearing about these updated AirPods Pro for years, with sources constantly disagreeing on release. I am confident that these will release this fall: 3 years is a long time between releases (original AirPods Pro users are already struggling with battery health). This is going to be an exciting fall!