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Apple rumors - page 36

Apple will release its first mini-LED MacBook Air in 2022

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2020 MacBook Air
MacBook Air could get a fancy new display next year.
Photo: Apple

Apple will introduce its first MacBook Air with mini-LED display panel in 2022, TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in a new research note to clients published Thursday.

Kuo previously reported that the next-gen displays will be introduced to the high-end MacBook Pro this year. They are also rumored to be part of the next 12.9-inch iPad Pro, debuting in April. Kuo’s latest report, seen by Cult of Mac, suggests that they will also be introduced to Apple’s entry-level laptops, too.

2021 iPad Pro might pack performance on par with M1 Macs

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An iPad Pro with a mini-LED display could be in the offing.
A blazing fast processor and Thunderbolt could be hallmarks of the 2021 iPad Pro.
Photo: Cult of Mac

The 2021 iPad Pro will get a considerable performance boost, according to a trusted source. To the point where the tablet is as fast as the M1 Macs released last autumn.

In addition, the USB-C port in the next iPadOS device might support Thunderbolt.

Apple’s rumored March event reportedly will take place in April

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Apple April Event — Oops!
Time marches on. So do March events.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s next product launch will take place in April, not March, a soon-to-be-eyebrowless Jon Prosser claimed Wednesday. Prodigious leaker Prosser had been so sure of his predicted date of March 23 for Apple’s next event that he wagered the integrity of his own facial hair on it. Now he’s admitting defeat.

“The event is in April,” Prosser tweeted. In a follow-up, he suggested that Apple had not previous hosted an April event, so “I get it if you’re skeptical. But here we are.”

We don’t know anything about iOS 15 yet. And that’s great, because Apple spoilers suck.

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iPadOS 14 is good but iPadOS 15 just needs some new features to even better.
Things have been reassuringly quiet on the iOS 15 front.
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

We don’t know anything about iOS 15 yet. And I’m totally OK with that. By comparison, this time last year we already knew plenty about iOS 14. This year, Apple’s somehow managed to keep leaks to virtually zero — despite the fact that many Apple engineers are working from home right now.

Here’s why I’m not shedding any tears over the lack of leaks. And why, frankly, I’d be happy if that same secrecy extended to other Apple products, too.

Goodbye, iMac Pro … and good riddance! [Cult of Mac Magazine 392]

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Goodbye, iMac Pro ... and good riddance.
Farewell ... and don't let the door bang you on the bezel on your way out.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iMac Pro was sleek and fast and capable and ultimately … uninspired.

That’s Cult of Mac writer Luke Dormehl’s take on Apple’s recently expired pro all-in-one. He serves up a compelling “Dear John” letter to a weird period in Mac history. And it doubles as a lovingly hopeful look at what the future holds.

If you want to peer even deeper into the Cupertino crystal ball, we’ve got a hot mess of new rumors and leaks this week as we speed toward a probable Apple event on March 23. Catch up with this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it to enjoy on iPhone or iPad, or get the stories below in your browser.

Apple accuses former employee of leaking trade secrets to the press

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Apple Glass concept from the Hacker 34.
VR glasses is one of the secret projects that a former Apple employee might have leaked to the press.
Concept: the Hacker 34

Apple filed a lawsuit against Simon Lancaster on Thursday, accusing the former employee of leaking company secrets to the media.

He worked at Apple as a materials engineer for over 11 years, helping to design upcoming products. That gave him access to information not publicly available. Apple alleges he traded that info for personal gain.

Check out Apple’s sleek MagSafe power bank that might never launch

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An Apple MagSafe power bank render from ‘Front Page Tech’
The Apple MagSafe power bank might look something like this. If it ever gets launched.
Screenshot: Jon Prosser/Front Page Tech

Two different leakers claim to give the world very early looks at Apple’s MagSafe power bank for on-the-go charging. This will allegedly attach to an iPhone with magnets so it can wireless juice up the handset.

But there are questions whether Apple can fix problems with development and actually release the product.

New image might show redesigned AirPods 3

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AirPods 3 might borrow some features of AirPods Pro.
New AirPods could replace 2019’s AirPods 2 in Apple’s lineup.
Graphic: Cult of Mac

Real-world images of the third-generation AirPods allegedly leaked out Wednesday. These could give an early look at the in-ear headphones that might launch before the end of March.

The pics supposedly show that AirPods 3 won’t borrow a major feature of AirPods Pro.

Apple ‘slashes’ orders for iPhone 12 mini

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iPhone 12 mini held up
Tiny in size. Tiny in demand. (At least by iPhone standards.)
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 12 mini is looking more and more like the runt of the iPhone 12 litter — and not just because of its diminutive size.

While the iPhone 12 series reportedly has been a massive hit for Apple overall, the iPhone 12 mini hasn’t been along for the ride. On Wednesday, Nikkei Asia reported that Apple is “slashing its planned production of the iPhone 12 mini for the first half of this year.”

Apple reportedly pushes back production of redesigned MacBook Pro

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13-inch MacBook Pro with M1 boasts amazing speed and battery life.
MacBook Pro is reported to get a big redesign this year.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple delayed plans to start mass-producing its next-gen MacBook Pro until this fall, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia. Originally, Cupertino was expected to start building the new laptops in May or June.

This MacBook Pro is widely expected to boast a new form factor and come in both 14- and 16-inch screen sizes. It is also anticipated to kill off the LED Touch Bar in favor of a row of physical keys, bring back the MagSafe charger, feature a built-in SD card reader and HDMI port, and sport a fancy mini-LED display.

In other words, it sounds like it’ll be worth the wait. But you will likely be waiting.

iPhone could get a periscope lens in 2023, improved telephoto lens this year

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iPhone 12 Pro series include cameras tat support ProRAW
The iPhone camera setup is set to get even better.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone will get a periscopic telephoto lens in 2023, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims in a new research note seen by Cult of Mac.

Although Kuo doesn’t provide much in the way of details, this would greatly improve the zoom capabilities of the iPhone. Currently the best iPhone for camera zoom is the iPhone 12 Pro Max. That handset features a 2.5x optical zoom in, and 2x optical zoom out. Digital zoom goes up to 12x.

A periscope zoom could increase this significantly. For example, the 2019-era Huawei P30 Pro and Oppo Reno offer 10x zoom capabilities using a periscope lens.

Apple’s next big keynote could take place on March 23: Here’s what to expect

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The Apple March event is almost here.
Tim Cook and Co. are allegedly about to unveil iPad, Apple TV, AirPods and more.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

Get your wallets ready, because Apple will supposedly launch an array of new products on March 23. On the docket for the event will supposedly be an updated iPad Pro, AirPods and Apple TV, as well as the debut of AirTags.

iPhone: The Next Generations! [Cult of Mac Magazine 391]

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The future of the iPhone is coming into focus.
The future of the iPhone is coming into focus.
Cover: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

An unusually deep and detailed report from one of the world’s most reliable Apple analysts gives us a possible look at where the iPhone is headed in the next few years.

From no-brainers like bigger batteries (coming later this year) to more mysterious possibilities like a folding model (2023 at the earliest), this week’s top stories offer a glimpse of what the next generation of iPhones might bring.

Get up to speed with this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it now to read on iPhone or iPad, or get all the top headlines in the link lists below. And let us know if the features you’re craving are on Apple’s agenda.

Next-gen Apple Pencil spills out in leaked photo

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Apple Pencil 2
The Apple Pencil 2 (shown here) might soon be replaced.
Photo: Apple

An Apple tipster may have leaked an image of a new version of the Apple Pencil. The picture comes with no description, but the stylus shown appears to be either shorter or thicker than the current one.

Replacing iPhone notch with hole-punch camera makes no damn sense

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Replacing iPhone notch with holepunch camera makes no damn sense
This isn’t an improvement.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

Apple might get rid of the screen notch in the 2022 iPhone. But before you start celebrating, there’ll be a hole-punch camera in its place, according a trusted analyst. If true, this will be one step forward and two steps back.

The notch is a superior solution to a hole in the middle of the display. Here’s why.

iPhone’s Lightning port won’t disappear anytime soon

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At least one iPhone will lose Lightning in 2021, according to one report
Not going anywhere.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Highly respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo can find no evidence that Apple plans to remove the iPhone’s Lightning port for charging and data transfers. It won‘t be replaced by USB-C. And a portless model isn’t coming, either.

iPhone 13 could boast the bigger battery you desperately desire

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iPhone 13 might sport a 120Hz display.
A faster refresh rate might be a highlight of 2021’s iPhone 13.
Concept: ConceptsiPhone

As the saying goes, you can never be too rich or have too long a battery life. Apple apparently listened, because a respected analyst says there will be room in all the 2021 iPhone 13 models for larger batteries.

These iOS handsets supposedly will all come with smaller notches, better 5G modems and fancier cameras, too.

8-inch folding iPhone could arrive in 2023

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Apple invents a unique, no-crease folding iPhone screen
Apple could be set to follow Samsung into the world of folding phones.
Photo: Samsung

Apple could release its first folding iPhone in the next couple of years, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says.

In a new research note to clients, seen by Cult of Mac, Kuo writes that “if Apple can solve the foldable mobile device’s key technology and mass production issues in 2021, then [it] may launch the 7.5 [to] 8-inch foldable iPhone in 2023.”

iPhone SE might get 5G boost in 2022

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The budget 2020 iPhone SE comes in a range of colors.
The 2020 iPhone SE is Apple’s most affordable new model, but it’s getting a high-end feature in 2022.
Photo: Apple

Apple won’t update the iPhone SE in 2021, according to a trusted analyst. But there is a new version coming the year after. And this will be the first in this line of budget iOS handsets with 5G cellular networking.

Mac to the future! [Cult of Mac Magazine 390]

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The past possesses a certain appeal.
The past possesses a certain appeal.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

If the latest Apple leaks and rumors prove correct, this year’s new Macs might seem strangely familiar. From colorful iMacs to the reintroduction of long-lost MacBook ports, it looks like Apple might go retro in a big way.

Cult of Mac writer Luke Dormehl dives into the phenomenon and makes the case for why going “Mac to the future” might be just fine.

And speaking of bad things … our Apple TV+ reviewer Scout Tafoya got an early look at Cherry, the new movie from longtime Marvel directors the Russo brothers. Let’s just say things went a little sour. (Scout’s blistering review of Cherry is pretty epic.)

On the other hand, he liked the new documentary Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry. That movie arrived on Apple’s streaming service this week, in case you’re looking for a little weekend viewing.

Read these stories and more in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. It’s free and built for easy reading on your favorite iOS device. (If you don’t want to download the free app, you can get the links in any web browser below.)

This week on The CultCast: All-new MacBook Pros, iMacs, Mac Pro minis, incoming!

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CultCast 442: AirPods with health sensors
Looks like the Mac lineup is about to get even more magical.
Image: The CultCast

This week on The CultCast: We’ve got new details and leaks on the upcoming MacBook Pros, iMacs and Mac Pro mini … or will it be the Mac mini Pro? Plus: Lossless music is coming to Spotify, which means the mythical Apple Music lossless is likely right around the corner!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

First 14-inch MacBook Pro with mini LED moves closer to release

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First 14-inch MacBook Pro with mini LED moves closer to release
There’s a to of hope that the 14-inch MacBook Pro will have slim screen bezels.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly plans to shake up the design of the MacBook Pro later in 2021. Sources in the company’s Asian supply chain assert that a 14-inch model is on the way, a first for Apple.

Just as importantly, it and an improved 16-inch MacBook Pro supposedly will be the first macOS notebooks with a mini-LED display, improving the look of the screen.

Exciting new render previews Mac Pro mini

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Mac mini Pro
Coming soon to a desk near you?
Photo: Jon Prosser/FrontPageTech

Apple leaker Jon Prosser has shared the first image of what he claims is Apple’s forthcoming Mac Pro mini.

Prosser shared a picture of the new device as part of his latest FrontPageTech video, along with news about the multiple color options for the forthcoming iMac redesign.

Blast from the past: 2021 iMac could bring back multiple color options

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iMac 2021
But will it come in Bondi blue?
Photo: Jon Prosser/FrontPageTech

For the first time since the iMac G3 in the late 1990s, Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer might come in a range of color options, Apple leaker Jon Prosser says.

In a video published Wednesday, Prosser says 2021’s redesigned Apple Silicon iMac will come in black, white, green, blue and rose gold colors. Those are the same color options the latest iPad Air comes in.

Evidence mounts that next iPad Pro will boast mini-LED display

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2020 iPad Pro with official wallpaper
Are you excited about the next iPad Pro?
Photo: Apple

Another report published Tuesday adds more volume to the number of stories claiming that the next-gen iPad Pro will boast a mini-LED display.

The report, from Digitimes, notes that Taiwanese company Ennostar is gearing up to begin production of mini-LED backlight units. This will reportedly start at the end of the first quarter or second quarter of 2021.