Apple rumors - page 7

Apple VR/AR headset might actually be good

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Apple VR/AR headset concept by Ahmed Chenni.
This concept might be very close the VR/AR headset that Apple unveils later in 2023.
Concept: Ahmed Chenni/Freelancer.com

Apple supposedly made great improvements in the software for its upcoming VR/AR headset recently. Someone who got a chance to test prototypes several times reportedly was “blown away” by the latest iteration, after finding earlier versions disappointing.

If true, this would help explain why Apple finally apparently stopped delaying the release of the product, which will combine virtual reality and augmented reality features.

Rumor: iPhone 15 could feature frosted glass back

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iPhone 15 already in trial production
Apple could offer iPhone 15 in an iPhone 12-like cyan color.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

A new rumor claims Apple will offer the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus in a cyan-green color. Additionally, the company apparently plans to use a frosted glass back on these phones.

Up to this point, Apple only used frosted glass on its iPhone Pro lineup. (The iPhone 14 series features a clear glass back.)

New iPhone 15 leaks sound encouraging! [The CultCast]

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An image of iPhone 14, adorned with the phrases
The iPhone of the future is coming into focus ...
Photo: Apple/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest iPhone 15 rumors provide a fuller picture of what to expect this year. Sounds like big changes are coming in iOS 17. But a last-minute reversal means a hardware feature we were counting on probably won’t happen.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Whatever you do, don’t get “juice jacked” this summer. We offer easy ways to avoid this menace.
  • How much would it take to get you to give up your iPhone forever?
  • The morons running General Motors ditched CarPlay. Get ready for sales to crash!
  • A new edition of What We’re Into dishes up pasta, podcasts and a sci-fi show.

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 live stream, embedded below.

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iOS 17 could drop support for iPhone X and several older iPads [Update: Nope!]

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iPhone X with a red X sign on top.
iPhone X and other A11-powered iPhones could miss out on iOS 17.
Photo/Graphics: Bargus/Rajesh

A sketchy rumor claims Apple will drop support for iPhone X and iPhone 8 series with iOS 17. The next iPadOS release also reportedly will be incompatible with first-generation iPad Pros and iPad 5.

With iOS 16 last year, Apple stopped supporting several older devices, including the iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 series.

iOS 17 might be more exciting than expected

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iPhone 14 is the first Apple handset to ditch the physical SIM card tray altogether.
iOS 17 is coming with a lot more features than initially rumored.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
WWDC23

Apple’s upcoming iOS 17 update will be bigger than initially planned. The company reportedly changed its strategy during the development process to add some “nice to have” features to the iPhone operating system.

Latest iPhone 15 rumors sound like a mixed bag [The CultCast]

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iPhone 15? The CultCast show notes page.
Just how different will iPhone 15 be?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iPhone rumors are flying, and some of them sound fantastic! But then there’s the one about a potentially troublesome mute button…

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple TV+ gets ready to invade theaters in a big way.
  • Celebrity portraits created by Midjourney V5 look shockingly realistic. Erfon’s been trying his hand at AI-generated art, too, and he’s loving this new technology.
  • We’re giving away a selfie stick with superpowers.

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 live stream, embedded below.

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A HomePod with special skills + Tim Cook’s VR power play [The CultCast]

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AI-generated image of a HomePod smart speaker with an embedded display.
No, the next-gen HomePod isn't gonna look like this. AI can't do everything! (At least not yet.)
Image: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: That old rumor about a HomePod with a built-in display for FaceTime calls and smart-home wizardry resurfaces. But this time, some fresh details make Erfon even more cranked up than usual about Apple’s smart speaker.

Also on The CultCast:

  • It sounds like Tim Cook pulled a power move on Apple’s design team to make sure the company foists an expensive AR/VR headset on the masses sooner rather than later. Who’s excited? Show of hands?!?
  • Apple TV+ racks up another Oscar, and Erfon is almost intrigued enough to resubscribe. (Especially if his “get three months free” trick works again.)
  • The baton’s about to wave on Apple Music Classical. We’re all quivering with excitement!

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 live stream, embedded below.

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Reports of iPhone SE 4’s death were greatly exaggerated

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iPhone 14
The iPhone SE 4 might look very much like the iPhone 14.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to release an iPhone SE 4 based heavily on the design of the iPhone 14, according to a new report from a reliable source.

Word that Apple canceled the low-cost handset leaked out recently, but work on the device has supposedly started again.

If this iPhone 15 Pro rumor comes true, we’ll be seeing red [The CultCast]

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The CultCast Apple podcast logo with an iPhone Pro and an angry red background.
Why can't we have a real red iPhone 15 Pro?!?
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumor indicates Apple just can’t kick its obsession with lackluster iPhone colors. Yes, the iPhone 15 Pro might come in “dark sienna,” aka the red that dare not speak its name.

If so, you can color us disappointed.

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple’s longstanding dream of adding a blood glucose monitor to Apple Watch takes an important step forward.
  • New leaks and rumors give us an even better look at what iPhone 15 might bring.
  • Tim Cook reportedly hoovers up the entire output of TSMC’s next-gen 3nm chips. Power move!
  • Apple Watch faces a legal hurdle that could get it banned in the USA. (Spoiler alert: Not gonna happen.)

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 live stream, embedded below.

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Why a super-size MacBook Air might be the perfect laptop [The CultCast]

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When it comes to laptops, size matters!
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The upcoming 15.5-inch MacBook Air might be the perfect laptop for many people. In fact, Erfon plans to buy one almost immediately. And he might get his chance in as little as six weeks! How can he contain his excitement?

Also on The CultCast:

  • What’s next for iPhone 15?
  • “Periscope lens” is a strange term, and one of these things is likely coming in the next iPhone Pro Max. Let’s discuss!
  • The MagSafe cable gets a … software upgrade. Welcome to 2023. 🤣
  • Sir Jony Ive designs a logo fit for a king. Literally.

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 live stream, embedded below, along with this week’s CultCast show notes.

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iMac with Apple M2 upgrade looks unlikely

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24-inch iMac 2021 with Apple M1 processor. In blue and pink
The M1 iMac could stay in Apple's product lineup for three years.
Photo: Apple

There reportedly haven’t been any signs that a 24-inch iMac with an Apple M2 processor is on the way. And that means the next iMac upgrade might be as much as a year away.

That would leave users of the all-in-one Mac desktop waiting for a total of three years for a faster version.

iPhone Ultra? Take our money now! [The CultCast]

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Concept art shows what the iPhone Ultra might look like in a promo image for The CultCast, Cult of Mac's weekly Apple podcast.
If the "iPhone Ultra" looks like this, we're in. (Or at least one of us is.)
Concept art: Jonas Daehnert

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Apple’s squinty supreme leader Tim Cook sees room to push the high end of the iPhone market, and you know what that means … iPhone Ultra incoming! We know at least one feature this thing will pack — a big, fat titanium price tag.

Also on The CultCast:

  • A cool mockup shows what that rumored iPhone Ultra might look like.
  • We could get reverse wireless charging on iPhones after all.
  • Insiders explain the messy breakup between Apple and Intel (and reveal the best time to buy a Mac … sorta).

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 live stream, embedded below.

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Apple could launch an ‘Ultra’ high-end iPhone as soon as 2024

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iPhone Ultra concept with dual front cameras
Are you ready for an Ultra iPhone?
Concept: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly working on an iPhone “Ultra” that could debut in 2024. The company is internally discussing adding an even-more-premium iPhone that sits above the Pro series.

Apple apparently does not want to replace the iPhone Pro Max with an Ultra model. Instead, the iPhone Ultra would be an entirely new addition to the company’s smartphone lineup.

Will new HomePod dazzle our ears like the original? We hope so. [The CultCast]

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Two HomePods and the logo for
We've got our ears all cleaned out and ready to listen.
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The first reviews of the 2023 HomePod make Apple’s updated smart speaker sound pretty formidable. We can’t wait to hear for ourselves. (Unfortunately, if you didn’t already place your HomePod order, you’re probably looking at a substantial hang time.)

Also on The CultCast:

  • An iPad with a folding screen might be just around the corner.
  • Retina alert: Apple Watch Ultra might get an even bigger, brighter screen next year.
  • Former Apple design chief Jony Ive’s latest creation is … a bright red nose!

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 live stream, embedded below.

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Foldable iPad with carbon-fiber kickstand could launch in 2024

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AI rendering of a folding iPad.
Are you ready for a foldable iPad?
Render: Midjourney/Lewis Wallace

Apple’s rumored foldable iPad could feature a carbon-fiber kickstand. While expensive, carbon fiber is durable and would help keep the device’s weight in check.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks the foldable iPad might launch in 2024 with an all-new design.

Leaked Apple documents confirm iPhone 15 Pro to feature Wi-Fi 6E and A17 Bionic

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iPhone 15 already in trial production
The differences between the regular and Pro iPhones will only increase with iPhone 15.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac/Pixabay/Pexels

A leaked internal Apple document confirms the company will adopt Wi-Fi 6E on this year’s iPhones. However, only the iPhone 15 Pro lineup will support the faster Wi-Fi standard.

The internal document shows the antenna architecture of devices codenamed “D8x” (the iPhone 15 Pro) and “D8y” (the regular iPhone 15).

Apple’s full-size HomePod 2 could launch sooner than expected

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The big HomePod could be back soon. But how pricey and how functional will it be?
Apple's HomePod 2 could be around the corner.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

UPDATE: This prediction can true very quickly. HomePod 2 launched on January 18. Get all the details:


Apple’s new full-size HomePod with even better sound quality could launch “fairly soon,” according to the latest rumor. The updated smart speaker should pack improved touch controls and feature Matter with Thread support for more reliable use as a home-automation hub. And it should come at a lower price than the original model.

The HomePod debuted in 2018, but Apple discontinued it in 2021 following poor sales due to its steep $299 price.

Multiple missing Macs might be unmasked tomorrow

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What we're expecting from 2022 MacBook Pro with M2 Pro or M2 Max
The new MacBook Pros could be coming in hot tomorrow.
Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Update: This prediction came 100% true. Apple took the wraps off a pair of Macs on January 17. Don’t miss Cult of Mac‘s full coverage:


Rumors suggest Apple is preparing for a quiet release of new Mac computers as early as Tuesday. These will include updates to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models in addition to the Mac mini. The updates reportedly will be minor, bringing the new M2 chips to the computers.

There won’t be an Apple event — the company will announce the new computers by press release, if the rumors prove correct.

Yes, touchscreen Macs really might be a thing [The CultCast]

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A woman points to her MacBook screen.
Steve Jobs said it would never happen, but we've heard that one before.
Image: Marek Levák/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: Deep down inside, you know you want to give your Mac the finger. Apple might make that happen in the (somewhat) near future, according to the latest rumor. That’s right — Apple reportedly is “seriously considering” making a touchscreen MacBook. That’s enough to get us chattering!

Also on The CultCast:

  • Apple’s headset inches closer to (mixed) reality. But where are you going to put that waist-mounted battery pack if you don’t wear a belt?!? This is chaos!
  • Lots of geeky talk on the future of Apple screens, and why microLED will make a big difference.
  • What Apple products to expect this year, and when we think we’ll see them.

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 live stream, embedded below.

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Apple ‘seriously considering’ a touchscreen MacBook

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A Macbook with the words: Macs? With touchscreens? Seriously?!?
Apple might right-size the Touch Bar lol.
Image: Devin Pickell/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

Apple now has engineers “actively engaged in the project” of adding touchscreens to Mac computers, starting with the popular MacBook Pro. According to Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, a consistent and reliable leaker, the first Mac with a touchscreen display could ship as soon as 2025.

The product is evidently still being tested internally, with no definitive plans for a product launch set in motion.

First Apple Watch with microLED screen could be on the way

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First Apple Watch with microLED screen could be on the way
A future Apple Watch Ultra might include a cutting-edge microLED screen.
Photo: Apple

Apple will bring a microLED screen to its wrist wearable, according to a reliable source of insider info. This would replace the OLED displays currently in Apple Watch.

A switch to microLED would bring an improved type of screen: brighter and less prone to burn-in.

Mac Pro and M2 Mac mini pegged for launch at huge Apple event in March

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A closeup shot of the current Mac Pro:
A Mac Pro with Apple silicon could at last arrive for professionals at a March event.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The long-awaited Mac Pro desktop will finally debut at a big March event, according to a tipster. As will a Mac mini powered by Apple’s M2 chip.

Plus, Apple is apparently getting ready to knock people’s socks off, as three MacBooks are also supposedly on the agenda for the event — including a 15-inch MacBook Air.

Next iPad Pros could boast larger OLED displays

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Here's more proof iPad will get gorgeous OLED screens
The first OLED iPad Pro will not just be better looking, it'll be a bit larger.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple plans a modest increase the screen sizes in the next generation of iPad Pro models, according to a reliable source. Numerous earlier leaks indicted these will also be the first Apple tablets with OLED displays.

That will make the upcoming iPad Pro significant a improvement over the 2022 version.

5 most exciting Apple products coming in 2023

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Apple logo with red background.
These are the Apple products to get excited about in 2023.
Image: Rajesh

Every year, Apple launches a handful of products that stand out from the competition. 2023 is going to be no different, but next year will be special for Apple in many ways.

The company could enter a new product category with its AR/VR headset, and the iPhone could get some major hardware upgrades. Below is a roundup of five Apple product launches to look forward to in 2023.