Apple appears to want to broaden its MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineup to capture more market share. Photo: Apple
Apple is developing new form factors and planning upgrades for its MacBook lineup, Bloomberg reported Thursday. That should result in a 15-inch M2 MacBook Air and a new version of a 12-inch M2 MacBook arriving by late 2023 or early 2024.
And, likely sooner than that, we could see faster chips in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
Lockdown in China has affected the development of Apple's AR/VR headset Concept: Martin Hajek/Computer Bild
Supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks Apple’s AR/VR headset won’t ship until the second quarter of 2023 due to delays caused by COVID-19 lockdowns in China.
Apple made no mention of its long-rumored AR headset, or the realityOS platform upon which it reportedly will operate, during Monday’s WWDC22 keynote — as predicted by Kuo himself. However, the company could announce the headset at a special media event next January, according to the analyst.
A Mac mini with a faster M2 chip could be right around the corner. Photo: Apple
An unannounced Mac mini is now listed on the B&H website, though without full product details. The desktop’s most eye-catching feature is an Apple M2 processor, which also has not yet been announced.
In addition, the retailer lists a “Mac mini Tower” running an M1 Pro. Both products are labeled as “New Item – Coming Soon.”
M2 MacBook Air's color options might not look as dazzling as the M1 iMac. Image: Darvik Patel
Contrary to rumors, the upcoming M2 MacBook Air may not come in the same eye-catching colorways as the M1 iMac.
Instead, it will be available in the standard three colors as the current-gen MacBook Air, with a shade of blue being the only new addition to the lineup, according to the latest intel.
WWDC22 will give us our first official looks at iOS 16, macOS 13, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9. But you don't have to wait. Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac
We’re less than a week away from WWDC22, but it’s not too late to take a look ahead to the unveiling of iOS 16, macOS 13, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9. As always, these operating system upgrades are expected to be the highlights of Apple’s annual developer conference.
Some details about them already leaked out, though. Here’s a foretaste of WWDC22.
Don't expect Apple's AR/VR headset to show up at WWDC22 Photo: RendersbyIan
Apple is unlikely to showcase its long-rumored AR/MR headset — or even demo the realityOS that powers it — at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
His mood-dampening remarks follow lots of buzz in recent weeks that indicated Apple finally would take the wraps off the secret project at WWDC22.
The reason? There’s still a lot of time before the headset enters mass production. And Apple doesn’t want its competitors to steal its ideas and rush a copycat to market, Kuo said.
iOS 16 could give the iPhone's lock screen much-needed usability boost Photo: the Hacker 34
Apple could introduce major enhancements to the iPhone’s lock screen in iOS 16, with wallpapers that offer widget-like functionality, according to a new report. The OS reportedly will add always-on display support for the iPhone 14 Pro series as well.
Apple is expected to showcase iOS 16 — code-named “Sydney” — during the WWDC22 keynote on June 6.
We're scrutinizing these new purple iPhone 14 Pro renders. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After eyeballing the latest iPhone 14 Pro renders from John Prosser and Ian Zelbo, we’re left with two big impressions. One, that iPhone looks awfully familiar. Two … purple? Really?!?
Also on The CultCast:
Please let the latest cryptic HomePod rumor be true.
Can your eyes handle the even-fancier Studio Display that’s supposedly coming soon? And can your wallet?
This week’s giveaway features a mophie 3-in-1 travel charger that makes us wish we could enter. (Don’t worry. You can, and we’ll try to hid our jealousy.)
Erfon’s got a bit of a crush on Soundcore Frames, the Bluetooth sunglasses you can hear.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
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Will Apple Watch Series 8 bring the redesign we've been waiting for? Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: That big, flat Apple Watch redesign we expected in 2021 might arrive this year to soothe our lingering disappointment. The latest renders by Ian Zelbo, spurred by a tweet from leaker ShrimpApplePro, make Apple Watch Series 8 look quite appealing.
Also on The CultCast:
Is Cupertino about to “fix” Apple TV’s biggest problem?
The AR/VR headset Apple’s been working on for so long sounds like it’s almost ready for prime time.
Apple employees, like many other tech workers these days, just don’t want to report to the office. Who can blame ’em?
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
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There's something slightly familiar about the iPhone 14 design... Concept render: souta
It’s understandable if you’re feeling slightly underwhelmed by the upcoming iPhone 14. Leaks, combined with artist renders, give us an early glimpse of the iOS handset coming this autumn. And if they’re accurate, this year’s iPhone lineup will look nearly identical to its predecessors going back years.
That’s because Apple uses a three-year cycle in iPhone designs these days. That’s not laziness – there’s a solid reason for the choice.
Apple could use a color electronic paper display panel for a foldable device's cover display. Photo: ConceptsiPhone
Apple is testing electronic paper display tech from Chinese company E Ink for use as the cover screen on future foldable devices, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Color EPD panels could be ideal for foldables with a secondary screen, as they are more energy efficient than traditional OLED panels.
Artist Adam Duff explains why Apple's Studio Display makes perfect sense. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Haters gonna hate, but digital artist Adam Duff explains why Apple’s new Studio Display is the perfect monitor — for some users.
Also on The CultCast:
iPhone 14 leak reveals sizing, pricing and more.
Who needs a smart water bottle?
Apple TV+ has some hits on its hands.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
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This is not the new iPhone 14 picture. Keep scrolling. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
An image supposedly showing the front screen panels of all four iPhone 14 models has leaked out. It gives a side-by-side comparison of some of the most significant changes coming this fall to Apple’s 2022 handsets.
The new “hole and pill” design for the Pro models is clearly on display, as is the first iPhone Max that isn’t part of the Pro series.
Looks like 2022 is gonna be bumpin'! Image: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: It sounds like Apple is planning nearly a dozen new Macs with a next-gen M2 processor. The question is, just how big of a speed bump will that new chip bring? And then there’s iPhone 14, which sounds like it might come with a very big bump indeed — and not the kind you might be hoping for.
Also on The CultCast:
The original HomePod never ceases to surprise.
iPhone 14 could be the ultimate smartphone for narcissists.
Apple might be prepping an ingenious hybrid device to take over your living room.
When you’re tired of wearing earbuds, you’ve got options. Very strange options.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like what you hear.) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
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Special thanks to this week’s sponsor, Squarespace. Get all the tools you need to set up your very own website and commence selling anything online. Start your free website trial today at squarespace.com/cultcast (no credit card required). Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain with code cultcast at checkout.
The front-facing camera in the iPhone 14 might get a significant upgrade. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The iPhone 14 will have an autofocus front-facing camera, if a reliable source is correct. Previous iOS handsets used a fixed-focus selfie cam instead.
In addition, the front camera will allegedly have a lower f-stop. Both changes will help make the iPhone 14 a better option for narcissists.
Apple is still hard at work on a HomePod/Apple TV combo with a FaceTime camera. Graphic: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The next HomePod reportedly won’t be a replacement for the full-size smart speaker. Apple is instead working on a combination Apple TV, HomePod and FaceTime camera.
The device supposedly will be the heart of Apple’s smart home strategy.
Could Apple finally improve notification management in iOS 16? Photo: the Hacker 34
Apple could fix a major iPhone pain point by introducing some “fairly significant enhancements” to notifications in iOS 16, according to a reliable source. Further, the company could make major improvements to health and activity tracking in watchOS 9.
The Cupertino company also supposedly will debut a new multitasking interface in iPadOS 16.
Our big peek into Apple's future plans is just two months away! Image: Killian Bell
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We’ve got a date for WWDC22! Now, the only question is, what tricks will Apple pull out of its virtual hat this year?
Also on The CultCast:
Is Apple’s M1 Ultra chip ultra-disappointing? The first speed tests look underwhelming.
The latest on Apple’s quest to develop a folding iPhone.
Ukrainians use Find My to locate thieving Russian troops.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video livestream, embedded below.
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When AirPods Pro 2 come out later in 2022, they might be the only 'Pro' model. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Apple will release AirPods Pro 2 in the second half of 2022, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. And when it does, the new buds will replace the current AirPods Pro rather than joining them in the lineup. That would signal a strategy change, Kuo said.
Why? After Apple added AirPods 3 alongside AirPods 2 in its earbuds lineup, it noticed a lot of people stuck with the less-expensive product rather than going with the upgrade. Apple wouldn’t want that to happen again.
The iPhone 14 Pro Max could end up much thicker than its predecessor. CAD drawing: ShrimpApplePro
A previous leak had already indicated that the iPhone 14 Pro Max will have a sizable hump, but new specs show the entire device is going to be… well, huge. But it’s all supposedly part of a significant improvement in camera specs.
These leaked specs also reveal other iPhone 14 Pro Max details, like the size and positioning of the new “hole and pill” design allegedly replacing the notch.
Tipsters agree, an iPhone without a notch is on Apple’s drawing board. But not as soon as we might like. Photo: ConceptsiPhone
The good news is that Apple will bring in-display Face ID to the iPhone, finally eliminating the distinctive “notch” at the top of the touchscreen. The bad news is that it’s reportedly not happening as soon as possible.
This means we’re still years away from an iPhone with a truly edge-to-edge display.