Apple’s “Hi, Speed” event included the company’s most critical release of 2020: the much-anticipated iPhone 12 series. And a long-awaited cheaper HomePod, too.

Here are the most important takeaways from Tuesday’s event to put these new products in context.

It happens before every Apple event. The rumor mill, tech blogs (hello), and iPhone-obsessed nerds pin every hope, dream and desire on the next version of Apple’s devices.

More often than not, those desires are dashed, pushing those wants off to another event. While Apple’s iPhone 12 event showed the steps the company is taking toward iterating on its most popular device, there were also some things left on the wish list.

Apple’s beloved MagSafe branding made its return at Tuesday’s “Hi, Speed” Apple event. And, if it’s not quite like it was before, isn’t that the same as every single story about something being brought back from the beyond?

The new, different version of MagSafe will allow users to snap on accessories to the back of their iPhones. Think wallets, cases and — in a new move for Apple — its first official wireless charging pads for iPhone.

The wait for iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max is over. During its big “Hi, Speed” keynote on Tuesday, Apple showcased its latest flagships with a dazzling new design inspired by iPad Pro, super-fast 5G connectivity, and the latest A14 Bionic chipset.

The lineup also brings new color options, improved cameras, and MagSafe — but not as you know it. You can preorder yours this Friday, October 16, before the new handsets make their official debut one week later on October 23.

Apple showcased the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 handsets Tuesday, showing just how powerful an “entry level” smartphone can be.

While these don’t pack as many features as Apple’s Pro phones, there’s a whole lot to get excited about. Here’s what you get with Apple’s “regular” iPhone 12 phones.

Apple took the wraps of the HomePod mini Tuesday, showcasing a pint-size smart speaker that promises high-end audio at a lower price than its big brother. But the most interesting parts might have nothing to do with music.

With Apple’s custom U1 ultra-wideband chip inside, the HomePod mini also can serve as an advanced hub for home automation. A new Intercom feature promises to connect family members wherever they are. And, in typical Cupertino fashion, the speaker will work closely with other Apple devices.

Apple is prepping the first laptops and desktops to launch with macOS Big Sur 11, according to the Eurasian Economic Commission. It’s possible these will be the initial models running Apple Silicon, as this company’s switch away from Intel chips is scheduled to begin soon.

AirPods aren’t the only wireless headphones that are seeing big discounts for Prime Day. Amazon is also offering its biggest savings so far on Beats, with $75 off Powerbeats Pro, up to $120 off Solo Pro, and more. Bag yours before the sale ends!

Amazon is offering its biggest discounts yet on AirPods and AirPods Pro as part of its huge Prime Day sale. You can save up to $50 on the latest models for a limited time, with prices starting at just $114.99.

Get yours before they sell out!

Woot is offering big discounts on a huge range of refurbished iMac and iMac Pro units today only. You can bag yours for as little as $399.99. Bag one before they’re all gone!

Want to get an advance glimpse of just about everything Apple plans to show off today at its “Hi, Speed” event? Thanks to leaker Evan Blass, now you can!

Blogger and phone leaker Blass posted images of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro variants in all available colors, alongside the new HomePod mini in both Space Gray and White options. Check them out below.

Every year, Amazon’s Prime Day opens the floodgates on digital deals. Prime Day might be the ultimate shopping holiday, but Amazon doesn’t really need your money. Here at Cult of Mac Deals, we’re offering other ways to save, with massive discounts — and four full days of savings!

For example, we discounted each of these iPhone accessories by half or more. And continuing through October 14, you can save an extra 20% off nearly everything in our store by entering coupon code “OCTSALE20” at checkout.

Apple’s online store has temporarily gone down ahead of its “Hi, Speed” event, which will take place Tuesday at 10 a.m. PDT.

When it comes back online following the event, it will likely be with a range of new goodies on offer — including details of the new iPhone 12 handsets and HomePod mini.

Apple showed off its iPad Air 4 at last month’s “Time Flies” event. One thing it didn’t reveal at the time? A precise shipping date for the next-gen tablet, the first new Apple device to feature the 5nm A14 processor. Instead, Apple simply said it would arrive in “October.”

According to tipster Jon Prosser, Apple could make the iPad Air 4 available for shipping at the same time as the iPhone 12.

The only thing wrong with Apple’s product-release events is that there aren’t enough of them. The company supposedly will put on three of them this autumn — and while that’s a good start, there needs to be many more.

Apple held a product-release event in September, and will announce more new products at a second event on Tuesday. Unconfirmed reports point to a third event in November. But there’s no reason to stop there. Apple should keep holding them every month. They get us excited about new products, which is good for Apple — and for Apple fans, too.

Shipments of Macs grew an astonishing 39% during the third quarter of 2020, reports a market-research firm. That’s a far faster growth rate than any of Apple’s rivals.

Still, the entire market for traditional computers — laptops, desktops and workstations — grew 14.6% in the July-through-September period. The reason is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to work or attend school from home.

Apple Watch got an update Monday that fixes a couple of bugs, including one that’s a real doozie. The bug could drain the smartwatch’s battery rapidly, so anyone experiencing that problem should quickly install watchOS 7.0.2.

One of the first Apple TV+ shows for a younger audience, Ghostwriter was both a reboot of a ’90s cult hit and a shoo-in to get renewed. With precious little to choose from, the streaming service’s execs had little choice but to put their muscle behind a show with cheap production costs and limitless potential for story ideas.

Like Apple TV+’s initial batch of Ghostwriter episodes, the second season is in no hurry to go anywhere or say much. However, it’s agreeable company — and its heart is in the right place.

The tyranny of the squircle, a cross between a square and a circle, has been a part of iOS icons since the very beginning. But thanks to iOS 14 — and the enterprising efforts of 24-year-old, London-based designer Tobias Whetton — you can finally change up your Home screen icons and go with another shape of your choice.

(So long as it’s a rectangle, that is.)

Backpacks are great for getting from point A to point B, but they’re basically the same simple cloth bags they’ve been for decades. Today, backpacks are where we carry all our digital gear, so it makes sense that they evolve to meet the digital age.

Keira Knightley has pulled out of Apple TV+ adaptation The Essex Serpent. The Pirates of the Caribbean star was set to play the lead role in an adaptation of Sarah Perry’s 2016 novel of the same name. Shooting would have started in around six weeks.

However, as a result of “family reasons,” involving coronavirus lockdown and childcare, Knightley will no longer star in the series.

The European Union has Apple in its sights as one of the big tech companies on its regulatory “hit list,” The Financial Times reports.

The list singles out companies “subject to new and far more stringent rules aimed at curbing” their market power. Apple has been battling with the European Union for several years, including over an enormous $16 billion tax fine — the largest in history.

Apple’s upcoming HomePod mini smart speaker and sixth-gen Apple TV will both function as ultra wideband base stations, according to Apple tipster Jon Prosser.

This means they will be able to track your location as you move inside your house, if you are carrying another device boasting an Apple U1 chip (like an iPhone 11 or Apple Watch Series 6).

Apple orders could potentially find their way into customers’ hands more rapidly, due to a shakeup in how Apple ships them out, Bloomberg reports.

According to the publication, Apple is beginning to use its retail store network as distribution centers for stock. Previously, it shipped out items from warehouses or even directly from China.

While this won’t mean faster shipping times for all customers, it could do if you live closer to one of Apple’s hundreds of retail stores.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 is going to be the big hit of this year’s Apple lineup.

Apple is rumored to be releasing four iPhone 12 handsets, which will be announced at Tuesday’s “Hi, Speed” event. These will include a 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini, two 6.1-inch handsets (in both regular and Pro variations), and a 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max models.