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Sunday, June 21, 2020

Multiple Leaks Suggest No New Hardware at WWDC

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Apple has scrapped plans to reveal any new hardware at WWDC tomorrow, according to leakers Jon Prosser and Max Weinbach who shared the information on Twitter.

While WWDC is usually a software-driven event, until now leaks had strongly suggested the announcement of new hardware, particularly a redesigned iMac with iPad Pro design language. Other rumored hardware announcements were AirTags, AirPods Studio, and a refreshed Apple TV.

WWDC events sometimes have no new hardware reveals, as was the case in 2018. Last year, Apple used WWDC to offer a preview of the new Mac Pro and Pro Display XDR. It is possible that Apple has faced supply chain issues this year, and may have decided to postpone hardware announcements until its manufacturing situation improves. It may also be the case that Apple simply did not have any hardware announcements planned for WWDC.

Looking like any possible hardware has been scrapped for WWDC tomorrow 🤔

Might be wrong about this one. Would love to be wrong!

I’ll be surprised with all of you, either way!
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) June 21, 2020

I had two sources tell me no hardware for WWDC tomorrow. They aren’t on WWDC related teams but heard it through the Apple grapevine. I’d take this with a grain of salt, but thought it was worth mentioning.
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) June 21, 2020

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has also said he does not expect any hardware announcements at WWDC. Prosser and Weinbach are serial leakers, and both caution in their tweets that the information is somewhat uncertain.

Apple will livestream the WWDC keynote and we will be covering the event on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2020

Tags: Max Weinbach, Jon Prosser

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Bloomberg's WWDC Expectations: Arm-Based Chips and New Software, Hardware Updates Coming Later This Year

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Apple will announce Arm-based chips and new software updates at WWDC, but hardware isn't expected until later in the year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

As Gurman said earlier this month, Apple will unveil its work on custom designed chips that use Arm technology, but no Macs will launch with the hardware until late 2020 or early 2021. Apple is announcing the chips early to provide developers with time to update their apps to support the transition to Arm Macs.

According to the report, the next-generation version of macOS, macOS 10.16, will improve porting iOS updates to Macs. Apple last year introduced Project Calayst, which is designed to close the gap between Mac and iOS platforms by making it easier for developers to create Mac versions of iPad apps. Apple in February also added a universal purchases feature that allows developers to bundle iOS, tvOS, and Mac apps together for a single purchase price.

Aside from Mac hardware and software updates, Gurman says that Apple plans to introduce minor updates to tvOS at WWDC, with a new Apple TV set top box launching "as soon as later this year." This claim aligns with previous rumors that Apple is working on an updated Apple TV with an A12 or A12X Bionic chip and higher base storage. A new Apple TV would be a welcomed refresh, as the current fifth-generation Apple TV was released back in 2017.

Gurman in the report reiterates existing watchOS 7 rumors that Apple suggest Apple will add new faces, a kids mode, and a sleep tracking app to the Apple Watch.

As for the HomePod, Apple may be planning to update the HomePod software to support third-party music services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, and more, which that would come ahead of a planned HomePod refresh. Gurman says that Apple is working on a new, smaller version of the HomePod that's set to launch later in the year.

Notably, aside from the mention of Arm-based Macs, Gurman does not appear to be expecting any hardware refreshes. There's no mention of a planned iMac refresh that was rumored, nor details about other products that are in the works like AirTags, suggesting these updates will come later in the year rather than at WWDC. There's a chance that Apple could surprise us with some kind of hardware announcement, but it's looking unlikely.

WWDC 2020 begins this Monday as an online event. Apple will be holding its virtual keynote on Monday, June 22 where it is expected to introduce iOS 14, other new software, a possible redesigned iMac, and more. Check out our "What to Expect at WWDC 2020" article for a full list of what we may see at the virtual event.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2020

Tags: Mark Gurman, Bloomberg, Arm Macs

This article, "Bloomberg's WWDC Expectations: Arm-Based Chips and New Software, Hardware Updates Coming Later This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Google routers updated to improve performance on slower connections

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First Arm-Based Macs to Be 13-Inch MacBook Pro and Redesigned iMac, Launches Coming in Late 2020 or Early 2021

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Apple plans to introduce its Arm-based custom designed chips for Macs at WWDC, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a note to investors today, agreeing with an earlier report from Bloomberg.

Kuo says that the first Mac models to adopt Arm-based chips will be the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro and an iMac with a redesigned form factor, with Apple planning to launch the new models in the in fourth quarter of 2020 or early in 2021 at the earliest.

(1) ARM13.3-inchMacBookPro:
The new model’s form factor design will be similar to that of the existing Intel 13.3-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌. Apple will discontinue the Intel 13.3-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ production after launching the ARM 13.3-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌.

(2) ARMiMac:
‌ARM‌ ‌iMac‌ will be equipped with the all-new form factor design and a 24- inch display. Apple will launch the refresh of existing Intel ‌iMac‌ in 3Q20 before launching the ‌ARM‌ ‌iMac‌.

Kuo says the Arm-based 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ design will be similar to the current 13-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌, with Apple planning to discontinue the Intel version. As for the ‌iMac‌, it will feature an all-new form factor design and a 24-inch display.

Prior to the launch of the Arm-based ‌iMac‌, Apple will refresh the existing Intel ‌iMac‌ in the third quarter of 2020, which is in line with rumors we've been hearing about an ‌iMac‌ refresh that could happen as soon as WWDC. There have been multiple rumors about Apple's work on a redesigned ‌iMac‌, though most rumors have suggested the display will be 23 inches rather than 24 inches.

Starting in 2021, Kuo says that all new Mac models will be equipped with Apple processors, and that it will take 12 to 18 months for Apple to transition to an all-Arm lineup.

Kuo also says that an unspecified MacBook model with an "all-new form factor design" and an Arm-based chip will go into mass production in the second half of 2021, while a MacBook model with a mini-LED display will launch in the first half of 2021.

According to Kuo, Apple's custom designed chips, planned mini-LED displays, and scissor switch keyboard will "create competitive advantages for MacBook models in two years" with mini-LED technology significantly improving the user experience.

Related Roundups: iMac, MacBook Pro

Tag: Ming-Chi Kuo

Buyer's Guide: iMac (Don't Buy), 13" MacBook Pro (Buy Now), 16" MacBook Pro (Caution)

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iPhone 12 Dummy Unit Images Feature iPad Pro-Style Design

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Leaker Sonny Dickson has today shared several images depicting what he claims are dummy units of Apple's upcoming iPhone 12 lineup.

Images of iPhone dummy units usually appear every year, just a few months ahead of Apple's usual September-October launch timeframe. They are usually based on CAD schematics sourced from the Chinese supply chain, much like the molds leaked last week. Such dummies are often used to aid case-makers before the official reveal.

The images mostly conform with details we already know, with the device sporting an iPad Pro-style design with flat edges. Apple is expected to launch four iPhones this year, across three sizes of 5.4, 6.1, and 6.7 inches. Dickson's images give a clear comparison of the three new sizes.

The camera setups, however, do not mirror what is expected. Previous leaks have largely agreed that the two ‌iPhone 12‌ models in 5.4 and 6.1 inches will have dual camera setups, while the two ‌iPhone 12‌ Pro models in 6.1 and 6.7 inches will have triple camera setups. It is also of note that the dummies are missing the LiDAR scanner, expected on at least the 6.7 inch model.

Dickson cautions that the notch and camera layouts in these images should not be heavily relied upon. The are believed to offer clear depictions of what the upcoming chassis design may look like across the various new sizes.

Here are the first ‌iPhone 12‌ dummies: 3 sizes (5.4, 6.1, 6.7). Flat edges, 3 cameras on the bump like recent molds. Notch, cameras should not be taken 100%, but chassis promising. pic.twitter.com/fcw3bLhVEF
— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) June 21, 2020

Dickson has been known to leak dummy models in the past, such as of the 2020 iPad Pro refresh. He most recently suggested that WWDC will see the announcement of a new iMac with ‌iPad Pro‌ design language and thinner bezels.

Related Roundup: iPhone 12

Tag: Sonny Dickson

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App Recap: Noted, PodWise, Sidekick and Major App Updates

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In this week's App Recap, we've highlighted productivity app "Noted," utility app "PodWise," and health app "Sidekick" as three apps that are worth checking out. We've also compiled a list of apps that received major updates this week.

Apps to Check Out

Noted. (iOS & Mac, Free) - Noted is a productivity app that fully integrates audio recordings with notes to help users make the most out of note-taking. The app's simple design allows users to easily create notes and start recording in just a few taps. While recording audio, Noted adds a timestamp to each new line, and it's easy to navigate to specific places within the audio. Additionally, users can add #TimeTags, which link to key parts of the audio that can be placed anywhere in the note. Noted also features multitasking, iCloud syncing, the ability to lock notes with a password or Touch ID/FaceID, and more. Noted is free to download, but users looking to gain access to even more of the app's capabilities can upgrade to Noted+, which consists of monthly and yearly subscriptions priced at $2.49 and $23.99 respectively.

PodWise (Mac, $14.99) - PodWise is an app that allows users to seamlessly add metadata to .mp3 audio files such as titles, artwork, chapters, author information, and more. The app consists an intuitive interface that allows users to import the file, add in the desired metadata, and then easily export the file. The convenient chapters feature allows users to listen to the audio and pause at desired points to add chapter information, which can even include URL links and images. Although PodWise is priced at $14.99, it features no ads or additional in-app purchases.

Sidekick (iOS, Free) - Health app Sidekick is comprised of exercises and tips to boost the mental well-being of its users. Upon downloading the app, users can select up to three goals to achieve through Sidekick, which will then create suggestions in users' libraries based on the selected goals. Aside from wellbeing exercises, the app has a toolkit tab that allows users to access daily wellbeing workouts, favorited exercises for specified situations, and more. Sidekick also features an inspiration tab that contains inspirational quotes and tips to improve one's mental well-being.

App Updates

Etsy - Popular shopping app Etsy was updated this week with a new feature that allows for the viewing of items with AR. Users can now explore thousands of items and use AR to determine the fit of the item in a room before adding it to their basket.

Fantastical Calendar & Tasks - Flexibits this week updated its Fantastical app with several new features. The update introduces a "Work From Home" feature that includes automatic conference call detection and timed calendar sets. Timed calendar sets will automatically activate at any given time and day as specified by the user. In addition to timed calendar sets, users can activate location-based calendar sets that will automatically activate a calendar set when a users arrives or leaves a certain location. The update also features bug fixes, other improvements, and new iMessage stickers for those who have the iOS version of the app installed.

Grammarly Keyboard (iPadOS) - Productivity app Grammarly was updated this week with full iPad support that allows users to access the document editor and personal writing statistics. Grammarly also introduced several improvements to the Grammarly Keyboard on iPad.

Notability - Popular note-taking and productivity app Notability was updated this week with improvements to audio controls. Users can now rename, reorder, trim, merge, and split audio recordings. Additionally, the update introduces support for eight new languages for handwriting recognition.