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News
Mini-LED expanding to MacBook Air Next Year
There’s been an expectation for a while now that Apple will finally introduce Mini-LED tech to their iPad line-up this year
The current belief is the new iPad Pro 12.9-inch model would get the new display technology with it’s next update which may happen in mid-to-late April according to Bloomberg
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks Apple will also bring the tech to the MacBook Air in 2022, but that they will reserve the tech in iPads for the “Pro” lines while moving to OLED panels in less expensive iPads like the iPad Air.
OLED panels would be be less expensive than Mini-LED panels and offer some of the same benefits in terms of higher contract rations and better energy efficiency
Apple would avoid OLED in the Pro models likely over concerns about burn in since Pros tend to use single apps for longer periods of time.
Bloomberg is also claiming that the updated iPad Pros are likely going to have Thunderbolt
This would add the ability for them to use external monitors and Thunderbolt peripherals
The report also claims that the updated processors will offer performance comparable to the current M1 chips
Even with the comparable performance it does look like Apple with keep the A-series naming
9to5Mac found references to “A14X” in the fifth beta versions of iOS 14.5
The A14X is based on the T8103, which is the codename for the Apple M1 chip
The overall design is expected to remain mostly the same, but there will likely be updated cameras that might include slight design changes to the iPad’s camera bump.
There’s also a rumor based on info from a case manufacturer that the new iPads could have fewer speaker holes (not less speakers, just fewer holes for the speaker) though why is unknown.
Apple improvements to under display fingerprint scanning
I don’t normally discuss Apple patents because often the technologies are either years off or will never see the light of day
This week through MacRumors noted a patent in an article on Patently Apple that seems very relevant to the rumors that Apple want to bring an under display TouchID system to future iPhone’s. Maybe even this years iPhone 13
The trouble with most under display fingerprint systems is they suffer from low resolution due to low-light throughput and diffraction
The main problem is the systems use the light from the display to light up the finger and then pass that light back through gaps between the display pixels.
Apple’s patent titled, “Under-display fingerprint sensing based on off-axis angular light” looks to solve that shortcoming.
Apple claims to do this bu using a series of "angle-dependent filtering options between the display and the sensor."
The example in the patent is set up to work with OLED displays, so seems like tech that could be applied to upcoming iPhones.
I asked last time about your thoughts on the need for or return of a TouchID system
The most common response was that TouchID makes a lot more sense in a world where we now are required to wear face coverings
I’m not sure why Apple couldn’t just adopt the “power button” TouchID sensor like they have in the iPad Air
AppleTV+ orders ‘untitled’ Maya Rudolph comedy
Apple has announced that they have provided a straight-to-series order for a new half hour comedy series starring Maya Rudolph
The series is currently untitled but is created by Alan Yang, who has already worked with Apple TV+ on the anthology series “Little America”, and Matt Hubbard who previously worked on "Parks and Recreation" and "30 Rock."
In the show Rudolph stars as Molly “whose seemingly perfect life is upended after her husband leaves her with nothing but 87 billion dollars”
Apple is reportedly in talks to support the next project from Peter Farrell, who’s film Green Book, won an Oscar for Best Picture
The upcoming film is called “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” and could star Zac Erfon and Russell with a possible supporting role from Bill Murray
The film is based on the best selling book “The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War” by John “Chick” Donahue and J.T. Malloy.
It’s a story about Donahue who in 1967 decided to bring beer to his childhood friends who were fighting in Vietnam
The movie is set to start filming this summer.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple has signed an “eight-figure” deal with the screenwriter Tracy Oliver
Know for writing “Girls Trip” and “Little”, Oliver will develop TV and feature film projects for Apple TV+
Apple’s series “Ted Lasso” won even more awards this past week
It was awarded Best New Series and Best Comedy Series at the 2021 Writers Guild of America awards
The Apple TV+ film “The Banker” earned an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
So far across all awards for television and films Apple TV+ content has received 88 wins and 342 nominations for the first year of the service.
More on Apple’s “mixed reality” headset
Ming-Chi Kuo said in a recent investors note that the Apple headset will include advanced eye tracking
The system include a transmitter and a receiver and operates with one or more different wavelengths of invisible light
The system would allow Apple to create more natural visual experiences and allow the user to interact more comfortably with their external environments
There would also be opportunities to possibly create user interface experiences based on eye moments and they system could allow better performance by letting the system reduce resolutions in areas where the user is not looking.
It’s not clear if the system will have full iris recognition, but Kuo notes that could be a possibility.
The system is said to be using Sony Mico-OLED displays and could offer both AR and VR capabilities
Reports claim Apple is trying to develop a system that will be more portable and lighter than other systems currently on the market
Kuo claims Apple wants to keep the weight to under 150 grams (current VR headsets can weigh over 300 grams)
One way they plan to accomplish the weight reduction would be by reducing the bulk by using Fresnel hybrid ultra-short focal length lens
Using this type of lens could also provide an improved field of view.
the lens system might also be a reason Apple plans to use micro-OLED displays since they could compensate for reduced brightness caused by the lenses.
Still the system is only meant to be “portable”, but not really mobile
Apple is reportedly also still working on a AR “glasses” product that could be released around 2025
Right now most are predicting Apple could have their mixed reality headset on the market by as early as 2022, but that timeline could easily change.
Of course Apple’s offering is also expected to carry an “Apple Premium” price tag. Current estimates are a target price point around $1,000 USD.
More discontinued iMacs
Not long after discontinuing the iMac Pro it now looks like Apple has discontinued some configurations of the 21.5-inch iMac
Unfortunately you can now no longer the the 4K 21.5-inch iMac with it’s larger 512GB and 1TB SSD storage options.
The only two configurations are now the 256GB SSD or the 1TB fusion drive (BTW, don’t get the Fusion Drive)
It’s believed that we’re getting close to seeing Apple release redesigned Apple Silicon based iMacs, so that might be a sign that that release is imminent.
In fact 9to5 Mac notes regencies to new iMac models in the latest beta builds of macOS Big Sur
The regencies carry names that match the reported code names for upcoming Apple Silicon iMacs that were previously mentioned by Bloomberg
For future Macs Apple will need places to fab their chips and despite Apple dumping Intel (and Intel being pretty publicly bitter about it) Apple might not be totally done with Intel.
At least Intel hopes they aren’t
Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger shared plans recently that Intel hopes to open up a founding business with a factory being built in Arizona and also has Planck for other foundries in Europe.
He also mentioned that Intel hopes to pursue Apple as a possible customer.
Right now Apple uses TSMC as their sole supplier of current A-Series and Apple Silicon chips, so there actually could be a likelihood that they would like to diversify their supply chain.
HomePod Mini hides hidden capabilities
The HomePod mini turns out to have a humidity and temperature sensor built into it.
The feature was uncovered by Bloomberg and confirmed by iFixit
For now it appears that Apple has chosen not to do anything with it, but it’s there.
It’s a Texas Instruments HDC2010 Humidity and Temperature Digital Sensor. It’s about 1.5 mm squared and sits near the bottom edge of the case by the power cable
It’s possible that Apple could enable it in software at some point and could be handy for home automation.
Bloomberg also mentioned that Apple has"been developing new speakers with screens and cameras."
They are careful to be clear that is is just something Apple has been playing with and doesn’t mean will actually see HomePods with screens as an actual product.
The idea is intriguing though. Could enable facial recognition for supporting multiple users and allow for a stand-alone FaceTime device for video calls.
MacRumors’ Steve Moser found FaceTime, iMessage, and image AVFCapture frameworks in the beta of tvOS 14.5
tvOS is currently also the basis for the OS on the HomePod.
Maybe it’s time to revisit the concept of an Apple Television.
Combine the technology of a large display, Apple TV, and the HomePod and you have a living room media hub product that could be VERY compelling.
120Hz displays again rumored for iPhone
Yes we’ve heard it before and someday it might be true. Maybe this time?
This time coming from “The Elec”. They say Apple will adopt new LTPO displays in the iPhone 13 bringing “ProMotion” 120Hz refresh rates to and lower power consumption.
The displays would actual have variable refresh rates with support up to 120Hz
Another feature being possibly attached to the displays would be always on. This is mostly because Apple witched to LTPO for the Apple Watch OLED displays when thyme added the “always-on” feature to the Apple Watch.
It’s not clear if the displays would only be featured on the Pro line, something Ming-Chi Kuo has mentioned in the past, or if they would be used across the line.
Another rumor about the iPhone 13 is there could be a smaller notch
MacRumors has purported images of replacement front glass panels for the iPhone 13 models from a Greek repair provider
If real the images show a smaller notch with the earpiece speaker hole moved to the very top edge of the display.
And YouTuber Max Weinbach, at EverythingApplePro, claims to have info on possible new finishes and features coming to this years iPhone Pros
Including a new “matte black” color option
New coating for the stainless steel band to reduce fingerprints and smudges
A new rear-camera design with lenses that protrude less from the body (something we’ve heard in other rumors)
He also mentions Apple is looking to improve Portrait mode using the depth information from the LiDAR camera system
Improved noise cancellation with beam forming for phone calls.
Recent rumors are also pointing to the iPhone launch returning to September this year.
Weinbach also claimed to have the scoop on Apple’s upcoming AirTags item trackers
Including claiming that they would be just slightly larger than a 50 cent coin and have a price of around USD $39
He also claims there will just be one size though previously we’d heard that there were possibly going to be two sizes available.
He didn’t provide any speculation on when the new AirTags would be released beyond saying “Soon”
New AirPods might be further off
At least if what DigiTimes says about one component suppliers shipments is correct
ASE Technology, a Taiwanese supplier of optical sensors has orders sweated for production in the third quarter of 2021
The timing actually lines up with the most recent predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said the third generation AirPods would begin mass production in the third quarter of 2021
That was an adjustment to his original estimate of the “first half” of the year.
As a reminder the updated Pods are supposed to have a design more like the current AirPods Pro
The case will be shorter and wider
The buds will have shorter stems and the flat “force” controls
They will not have silicone ear tips and will forgo the active noise cancellation to retain their less expensive price point.
Pricing is expected to remain the same at USD $159 for a wired charging case and USD $199 for the wireless
Next Apple Watch may be ready for the great outdoors
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that Apple is toying with the idea of developing a more rugged version of the Apple Watch
It would have a more robust case design and be targeted at athletes, hikers, and other who need a device better suited for more extreme environments
One feature could be a more ruggedized rubberized casing with better shock absorb acne.
The report says inside Apple it’s sometimes referred to as the “Explorer Edition” and it would be an additional model option in the lineup similar to the Hermès and Nike editions.
The report also says along with the possible new model Apple also is looking to expand the Apple Watches swim tracking features.
If Apple does go forward with the new “Explorer” model it would like be released along side new updated Apple Watches which
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
Another fix for iCloud Syncing issues
Last time we discussed some ways to troubleshoot and potentially fix iCloud syncing issues
I suggested turning it off and back on again. Basically logging out of iCloud and logging back in.
That of course comes with the challenges as you need to answer scary questions about your data and storing it locally or not, etc. Plus you may need to re-set-up things like Find My and Apple Pay cards.
Bob wrote in with another thing you might try that could be a little less drastic.
Bob’s tip actually can work for a number of general Network issues.
Basically reset the network settings
On your iOS device go to Settings > General > Reset. Tap “Reset Network Settings”
You will be asked to enter your passcode and then to confirm and the your device will reboot
You will also need to reconnect to any networks, so have you WiFi password handy.
This can be a good tip if your device is not reliably connecting to your wi-if network.
New MacBook Pro, old display
Russell got a shiny new M1 MacBook Pro, but has a 15 year old 20-inch Apple Cinema Display he still would like to use.
The trouble is how to hook it up.
The 20-inch model should be a “standard” single link DVI-D connection.
You should be able to use a simple USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 to DVI adapter
If you have a “Dual Link” DVI display you could use the same set-up, but you’d only get up to the single link resolutions
For Dual-link there does appear to be some Dual Link to USB-C adapters or you could get a Dual-Link DVI to mini display port adapter and then a Thunderbolt 3 to USB-C adapter (Mini Display Port is the same connector as Thunderbolt).
Resolutions may be the tricky part to figure out and that the thing… the 20-inch Cinema Display is 1680 x 1050 resolution.
Today you can get a 1080p (1920 x 1080) display for about $100 bucks.
With better response times, higher contrast ratios, and a wider color gamut
Of course it won’t have the Apple design
Connect via HDMI using an HDMI adapter.
A deal on a HomePod?
With the discontinuation of the HomePod Mustafa asked, “Is now the time to start trying to find deals on Homepod?”
My answer is… it depends?
From what I’ve seen it seems like in many case HomePod prices have gone up.
Especially if you want the Space Gray, which is harder to find.
It’s also not clear how long Apple will support them and if they will continue to add ANY new features or enhancements in future software updates.
There is the HomePod mini, but it’s really just not the same in my opinion.
I might pick up a second if I can ever get a deal, like maybe $149 USD to $199?
Maybe we’ll start to see used ones near then end of the year? Still I think it’s a tough call.
Community App Recommendations
My last couple “things of the moment” had some alternatives recommended by the community.
One I had was a TouchBar app that let you use the TouchBar as an app launcher.
I mentioned that I don’t really use the TouchBar that much and this app was kind of neat.
I still find using Spotlight to launch apps to be faster and more convenient personally
Kino says for making the TouchBar much more useful he uses [Better Touch Tool](https://folivora.ai)
Says it put his TouchBar on “steroids”
Can fully customize the TouchBar any way you like and can even change it per app, including the Finder
Allows multi-finger gestures for the TouchBar
Sliding two fingers or three fingers can adjust volume, brightness, etc.
It also lets you fully customize gestures and your trackpad as well as set up keyboard shortcuts and a lot more.
Honestly it’s an amazing App if you want full control over the touch experience on your Mac.
