MacRumors

Apple could be developing a version of Xcode that runs on iPads, according to a new rumor circulating this week. The capability has been linked to the release of iOS 14 by rising Apple leaker Jon Prosser, and if true, it would enable full-scale app development to take place on Apple's mobile devices for the first time.

Developers use Xcode to create apps for iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS. However, Xcode is a complex app and has only ever been available on Mac. While Apple offers the Swift Playgrounds app for learning about coding on mobile, it has never indicated that it has any plans to bring Xcode to iPad.

But according to a tweet posted on Monday by Prosser, Xcode "is present on iOS/iPadOS 14," the implications of which are "huge" because it "opens the door for 'Pro' applications to come to ‌iPad‌."

Responding to Prosser's tweet, iOS developer and MacRumors writer Steve Moser noted that a hidden Xcode Preview app is present in iOS 13 that acts as a companion app for showing layout previews on device from the main Xcode Mac app. However, Prosser appears to be referring to the existence of a native full-fat version of Xcode for ‌iPad‌.

Such a step would be a big undertaking for Apple, requiring an overhaul of Xcode's interface to take advantage of the ‌iPad‌'s primarily touch-based operating system. If successful though, it could make full-scale app development a possibility for mobile users who don't have a Mac.

Hopefully we'll hear more at this year's virtual Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple will reveal annual updates to all of its operating systems, including its plans for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.

Apple has broadened the reach of its major services, including the App Store, iCloud, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Arcade, by announcing their launch in 20 additional countries starting today. Apple also said on Tuesday it was expanding the availability of Apple Music to 52 additional countries.

"We're delighted to bring many of Apple's most beloved Services to users in more countries than ever before," said Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and International Content. "We hope our customers can discover their new favorite apps, games, music, and podcasts as we continue to celebrate the world's best creators, artists, and developers."

The ‌App Store‌, ‌Apple Arcade‌, ‌Apple Music‌, ‌Apple Podcasts‌ and ‌iCloud‌ are now available in the following countries and regions:

• Africa: Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Libya, Morocco, Rwanda, and Zambia.
• Asia-Pacific: Maldives and Myanmar.
• Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia.
• Middle East: Afghanistan (excluding ‌Apple Music‌) and Iraq.
• Oceania: Nauru (excluding ‌Apple Music‌), Tonga, and Vanuatu.

‌Apple Music‌ is also expanding to the following countries and regions:

• Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Chad, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Tunisia.
• Asia-Pacific: Bhutan.
• Europe: Croatia, Iceland, and North Macedonia.
• Latin America and the Caribbean: the Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Turks and Caicos, and Uruguay.
• Middle East: Kuwait, Qatar, and Yemen.
• Oceania: Solomon Islands.

With global smartphone shipments falling, today's expansion reflects Apple's growing reliance on services as a major source of revenue alongside its hardware. In terms of revenue and profit, Apple recorded its best quarter ever at the start of this year, and CEO Tim Cook hailed the company's "all-time record" for services.

Apple is inviting some developers to a special Accessibility session designed to teach them how iOS apps can take advantage of accessibility features built into the operating system, according to an email shared by developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

The event, set to be held on April 23, will be an online session that takes place live, with developers able to ask questions and sign up for individual consultations. This is the first time Apple has held an online event where developers are able to interact with engineers.

It appears that Apple may be using the session as a test run for WWDC, which is set to be a digital-only event this year. Apple plans to offer an online keynote and online sessions, which will likely be similar to the Accessibility session.

France has asked Apple to remove a Bluetooth limitation that it claims is delaying the launch of a government-designed app for contact tracing to fight the coronavirus, reports Bloomberg.

iOS has a restriction that prevents apps like the one France is working on from using Bluetooth in the background if the data collected is going to be moved off of the device, which is a rule designed to protect user privacy. With this limitation, a contact tracing app is only able to access Bluetooth when an iPhone is unlocked and the app is open.

France's Digital Minister Cedric O told Bloomberg that that France is aiming to launch a contact tracing app by May 11 and that Apple's restriction is standing in the way.

"We're asking Apple to lift the technical hurdle to allow us to develop a sovereign European health solution that will be tied our health system," O said in an interview with Bloomberg. Ministers have discussed their concerns with Apple, but aren't making progress, he said.

An Apple spokesperson contacted by Bloomberg declined to comment, but pointed toward Apple's previous statement on its partnership with Google for a multi-platform contract tracing feature.

Apple and Google on April 10 announced a partnership that will see the two companies developing a Bluetooth-based smartphone tracking solution to allow governments and health agencies to reduce the spread of the coronavirus while also protecting user privacy.

The solution will take advantage of a decentralized API that will keep users' data on their smartphones rather than allowing governments to build a centralized contact database. France and the European Union are pushing for data to be sent to a central server that's managed by state health services.

The UK government has run into a similar problem with Apple in the development of its own app for contact tracing as it too wanted to use Bluetooth in the background for tracking purposes.

Apple and Google in May will release APIs that will allow for interoperability between Android and iOS devices using apps from public health authorities, while later in the year, a broader Bluetooth-based contact tracing platform will be made available at the OS level.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

When Apple debuted the new Magic Keyboard with Trackpad for the iPad Pro, Logitech also announced new keyboards with trackpads that take advantage of the trackpad functionality in iPadOS 13.4 but are designed for older iPads, including the most recent iPad Air, the 10.5-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, and the 7th-generation iPad.

We got our hands on one of the new Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Cases with Trackpad designed for the ‌iPad Air‌, and we thought we'd check it out to see how it works and whether it's worth the $150 purchase price.

Design wise, this is a high-quality keyboard case that's got a Microsoft Surface look and feel to it thanks to the fabric build, offering full protection for the ‌iPad‌ except for the section where the keyboard connects. With the keyboard attached, though, the ‌iPad‌ is protected when the case is closed up and not in use.

A pop-out kickstand provides 40 degrees of adjustment so it can be set to different angles for typing, watching media content, and browsing the web, and it's a solid kickstand that works well. There's also a handy Apple Pencil holder at the top to keep that accessory tucked away when not in use.

The trackpad and keyboard combo is fantastic with the iOS 13.4 trackpad integration, and it adds a new level of productivity to cases that just offer keyboards. The trackpad is a bit firm and there's a small zone at the top where it can't be clicked, but that doesn't hinder every day use.

Smooth scrolling, tap to click, and gesture support make it a pleasant usage experience, and it's clear that this was designed from the ground up with iOS 13.4 in mind. It's a solid experience that outperforms the Brydge Pro+ with trackpad that we also recently looked at.

The Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case supports the same gestures that you get with a Magic Trackpad 2. A three finger swipe to the left or the right swaps between apps, a three finger swipe down goes to the Home screen, a two finger swipe down brings up Spotlight search, and a three finger swipe up opens up the multitasking interface.

The keyboard is a little bit cramped when typing, but the keys feel great under the fingers with a decent amount of key travel. We did run into an issue where some keys occasionally failed to work, which as cover in the update below, was fixed by changing the settings of the keyboard.

The keys are backlit and brightness can be toggled using function keys, with other options available for accessing the Home screen, adjusting screen brightness, accessing search, and accessing media controls.

When using this keyboard in the lap without a flat surface, it works, but it's not the best experience. It's simple to type, but there is some screen wobble depending on how hard you're typing.

All in all, this is a solid keyboard option for those who don't have an ‌iPad Pro‌ and won't be able to get the Magic Keyboard. For those who want to add more functionality to their iPads and use them for a lot of typing and tasks where a trackpad would come in handy, Logitech's Combo Touch Keyboard Cases with Trackpad are well worth the purchase price and can be picked up from the Apple Store.

Update: As suggested by on the MacRumors forums, the bug where the keys weren't working properly was fixed by opening up Settings, accessing the General setting, and changing the language of the keyboard to U.S. English instead of automatic.

"American Idol," one of the many shows to be on hiatus amid the ongoing health crisis in the United States and other countries, is set to return to television on April 26 to finish out the current season, and filming is being done remotely using iPhones.

"American Idol" showrunner Trish Kinane told Deadline that over the course of the last few weeks, the show's producers have been working on a plan to allow contestants to film in their own homes. Each person was sent lighting equipment, wardrobe, and the latest iPhones for self-filming purposes.

Kinane called the new high-end iPhone models from Apple "amazing" and said she wouldn't be surprised to see them used in the studio in the future.

"These are kids who are really used to iPhone technology, they are really familiar with it and use it every day. In the end, we decided rather than send them some complicated camera that you really need a camera operator to use, we would go with the the technology that they're familiar with. These top of the range iPhones are amazing. It wouldn't surprise me if we were using iPhones in the studio in the future," she said.

Apple hardware like iPhones and AirPods have made many appearances on TV shows, videos, and webcasts filmed at home and shared by celebrities, TV presenters, musicians, and more.

For "American Idol," ABC is working "hand-in-hand with Apple." Rob Mills, ABC's SVP of Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night Programming, said that this kind of home filming wouldn't have been possible five years ago.

"We are blessed to live in a day and age where we have technology, even if this had happened five years ago, I don't know if it would be possible. There is a real can-do spirit here that is exciting and exhausting, it's been fun to figure it out."

There will be four more "American Idol" episodes this season, which will see the 20 contestants whittled down across three episodes before the fourth episode's two-hour finale. The show will feature performances filmed at home with an ‌iPhone‌, along with appearances by the "American Idol" judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest.

Apple today shared a new ad called "Float," which highlights the new 2020 iPad Pro and its Magic Keyboard. The video features a colorful hummingbird flying around an equally colorful ‌iPad Pro‌ display with Magic Keyboard attached.

The hovering and floating of the hummingbird alludes to the fit of the Magic Keyboard, which "hovers" above the keyboard and stand using a magnetic attachment for adjustable viewing angles.

Introducing the new iPad Pro. It's faster than most PC laptops and features the most advanced mobile display, ever. With Wide and Ultra Wide Pro cameras and the new LiDAR Scanner to take AR to the next level. Oh, and it floats on a new backlit Magic Keyboard with trackpad.

The video also highlights the new dual-lens camera system with LiDAR Scanner on the ‌iPad Pro‌, and it features the tagline "Your Next Computer."

Apple debuted the new 11 and 12.9-inch 2020 ‌iPad Pro‌ models in March, and at the same time, introduced the new Magic Keyboard. The keyboard was meant to launch in May, but Apple last week released it early, and the new accessory is arriving to customers as of this week.

Pricing on the ‌iPad Pro‌ starts at $799, while pricing on the Magic Keyboard starts at $299. Both can be ordered from Apple's website.

Apple today informed developers that it has released updated Human Interface Guidelines for HealthKit, providing new guidance on using the Apple Health app icon, additional guidance on using Apple Health-related terms, and new privacy and data usage guidelines.

HealthKit is the SDK that allows developers to create integrations with the Apple Health app for health and fitness-focused apps, allowing data collected by the app to show up in the Health app, where it can be aggregated with health data from other apps. Apps are also allowed to access relevant data from the Health app.

The new guidelines for developers who use HealthKit can be found on Apple's developer website. Developers who use HealthKit are required to provide a coherent privacy policy, request access to health data only when needed, and provide descriptive messages when asking for permission to access health data.

Developers are now able to use the Apple Health icon to promote their apps, and unsurprisingly, Apple has a list of specific guidelines for developers who want to use the icon.

Only the Apple-provided guideline can be used, no alterations are allowed, the name Apple Health must be close to the icon, and the icon can't be used as a button. HealthKit integrations should be referred to Apple Health with no outward mention of the HealthKit APIs.

Apple has also created a "Works with Apple Health" badge to allow developers to promote HealthKit-enabled apps on websites.

Apple's complete Human Interface Guidelines for HealthKit can be found on the developer website.

Apple is likely to defer the launch of new AirPods Pro to the second half of 2020 or some point in 2021, according to supply chain sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.

A paywalled preview of the report:

Apple likely to defer new AirPods Pro launch
Apple is likely to defer the launch of its new AirPods Pro to the second half of 2020 or even 2021, according to sources at related suppliers.

Last month, DigiTimes had reported that Apple's suppliers would kick off production of a new entry-level version of AirPods Pro between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, but it would not be surprising if that timeframe has changed due to the impact of the global health crisis.

Earlier this month, leaker Jon Prosser claimed that Apple was planning to release so-called "AirPods X" around September or October with a BeatsX-like design for sports and running. Prosser said those "AirPods X" are likely the same product as the entry-level AirPods Pro that DigiTimes has been referring to.

"AirPods X" were first rumored by the seemingly prescient Twitter user "l0vetodream" in early March, but details remain slim.

Prosser more recently said that Apple has new AirPods ready to launch, possibly alongside a 13-inch MacBook Pro refresh next month, suggesting that a third generation of the standard AirPods could also be on the horizon.

Sony today announced pricing and availability for its new 2020 LED and OLED televisions, which it announced at CES in January to support AirPlay 2. Select Sony TVs will also be getting the Apple TV app at some point in 2020, but Sony has yet to confirm a date for that launch.

There are multiple new TVs available to order from Sony, all of which support Apple's HomeKit platform and ‌AirPlay‌ 2. With these integrations, streaming content from your iPhone or iPad to a Sony TV will be possible, and select integrations with Siri will be supported thanks to ‌HomeKit‌.

While most of the new Sony TVs are up for pre-order, some are available now. This includes the 86-inch X950H 4K HDR LED TV for $4,498.00 at Amazon and Best Buy. This set has HDR, Dolby Vision, and IMAX Enhanced modes, and there's also a 49-inch model priced at $998.00 at Amazon and Best Buy.

Additionally, there's the X800H 4K HDR LED TV, which supports 4K content, Dolby Vision, and MotionFlow XR for less blur in fast scenes. In terms of smart TV features, users can control the TV with their voice by connecting to ‌HomeKit‌ and ‌Siri‌, as well as Alexa and Google Assistant. There are numerous models of this TV that can be purchased today.

• 43-Inch at Amazon / Best Buy - $598.00
• 49-Inch at Amazon / Best Buy - $648.00
• 55-Inch at Amazon / Best Buy - $748.00
• 65-Inch at Amazon / Best Buy - $898.00
• 75-Inch at Amazon / Best Buy - $1,398.00
• 85-Inch at Amazon / Best Buy - $2,298.00

The rest of the Sony TV pre-orders include the A8H Bravia OLED 4K HDR TVs and the X900H 4K HDR LED TVs. Both of these have models that can be pre-ordered now at select retailers, and shoppers can expect a launch date sometime this summer. For more information on all of Sony's new TVs, be sure to check out the company's announcement post.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Last week, Apple began accepting orders for its new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, several weeks earlier than anticipated. Now, the media has shared several hands-on reviews and unboxing videos of the keyboard on YouTube.

The Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro and has a floating cantilevered design that allows the viewing angle to be adjusted up to 130 degrees. In addition to the full-size keyboard with backlit scissor switch keys, there is also a built-in trackpad, taking advantage of trackpad and mouse support added in iPadOS 13.4.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn was mostly impressed with the Magic Keyboard, noting that the keys both sound and feel better than the Smart Keyboard. Two downsides he pointed out include the overall keyboard case being quite heavy and the keyboard lacking function keys for common tasks. Bohn added that the trackpad is small but works smoothly.

Earlier today, we learned that the combined weight of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard is slightly heavier than the MacBook Air.

Reviews

• The Verge
• Engadget
• TechCrunch
• MobileSyrup
• Gear Patrol
• Daring Fireball

Video Reviews and Unboxings

The Magic Keyboard is available on Apple.com at price of $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple hasn't specified the weight of its new Magic Keyboard, but a MacRumors reader who received their unit early has weighed the larger model for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and found it to be 710 grams. That makes the Magic Keyboard heavier than the ‌iPad Pro‌, which weighs 641 grams.

It's not surprising that the keyboard has to have some heft to counterbalance a connected ‌iPad Pro‌ and provide a sturdy base for working on. But that makes their combined weight 1,351 grams, which is heavier than a 13-inch MacBook Air (1,290 grams) and closer to the weight of a 13-inch MacBook Pro (1,370 grams).

So if you were expecting a 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and Magic Keyboard to be a lighter option than using a laptop when you're on the road, then it's worth being aware that that's not necessarily going to be the case. On the other hand, 9to5Mac claims the Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ weighs 601 grams, which would mean that their combined weight would be 1,072 grams. That's lighter than any MacBook that Apple currently sells.

In our upcoming review of the new Magic Keyboard, we'll look at weight considerations, portability, and more. Apple's Magic Keyboard includes a floating cantilevered design for viewing angles, a backlit keyboard with scissor-switch keys, and an integrated trackpad. You can order one for the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ for $299, and for the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ for $349 on Apple.com.

LG has released a short teaser trailer for its new Velvet smartphone that shows off the company's new design language, which includes a vertically cascading rear triple-camera array.

The layout moves away from the large camera bumps that have become common on smartphones, including Apple's iPhones. The so-called "raindrop" camera positions smaller lenses below the larger main camera, reminiscent of dripping water.

LG has described the design as "a nod to the natural world with a visual form factor that differs from the industry trend." Presumably the unusual arrangement doesn't impact on the function of the camera.

The square bump on the iPhone 11 series divided observers when it was launched last year. The aesthetic still displeases some users, while others dislike the way it prevents the ‌iPhone‌ from lying flat on a table.

Apple's 2020 ‌iPhone‌ lineup, expected this fall, is likely to keep the bump, but it will house an additional fourth lens in the form of a 3D camera, similar to the LiDAR scanner in the 2020 iPad Pro.

LG hasn't announced a launch date for its Velvet smartphone, but its recent steady stream of teasers would suggest a launch can't be far off. What do you think of LG's new design? Let us know in the comments.

Twitter leaker Jon Prosser has shared a pair of images that appear to be schematics of Apple's unreleased "iPhone 12," showing a smaller notch than the one currently found on iPhones with Face ID.

The first image looks like a photo of a CAD illustration, which are sometimes leaked from Apple's supply partners. The second image appears to be based on the first schematic, and draws out the details of the hardware housed within the notch.

To achieve a more compact package, the redesigned hardware layout has the TrueDepth camera's ambient light and proximity sensors in a more central position within the array, with the ‌iPhone‌ speaker sitting above them in the bezel of the handset instead of between them.

Unlike Apple's marketing images of the hardware in the notch, the microphone is not pictured in either image. Prosser says it hasn't been labelled in order to emphasize the other hardware, and that it's actually housed next to the speaker.

Earlier this month, another leaker shared images said to depict the ‌iPhone‌ 12 with a notch that is approximately 1/3 smaller than the current notch, but the images didn't reveal details of the hardware arrangement inside.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to suggest that at least one new ‌iPhone‌ in 2020 will feature a smaller front camera lens for an improved screen to bezel ratio, ultimately resulting in a smaller notch at the front. More recently, sources close to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman have corroborated rumors of a slimmer notch.

We've heard rumors suggesting Apple eventually plans to debut an ‌iPhone‌ design that eliminates the notch entirely, but it's not entirely clear just how that would work as the front-facing camera still needs to be able to function even with some sensors under the display.

Apple supplier AMS last year announced new camera sensor technology that allows the RBG light and the IR proximity sensor used for the front-facing TrueDepth camera system to be embedded under an OLED display. It was thought that Apple could potentially introduce the new sensor tech in its 2020 iPhones to achieve the smaller notch, but that's not what today's alleged leaked schematics suggest.

Last June, one analyst with investment firm Credit Suisse in Asia said that Apple plans to offer notch-less iPhones with full-screen fingerprint authentication in 2021. However, the same analyst said Apple will launch one notch-less ‌iPhone‌ this year, and the rumor mill hasn't swung in that direction and it's unlikely to do so at this late stage in the yearly cycle. Regardless, Apple removing the notch on the ‌iPhone‌ is almost certainly its end goal.

Apple is expected to offer four iPhones in three different sizes this year: A 5.4-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌, a 6.7-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌, and two 6.1-inch iPhones. One 6.1-inch model and the 6.7-inch model will be higher-end iPhones, while the other 6.1-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and the 5.4-inch ‌‌iPhone‌‌ will be lower-end models and successors to the ‌‌iPhone‌ 11‌. Apple is expected to launch the new models in the fall.

An anonymous Twitter account with a fairly accurate track record has shared details about several Apple products that are supposedly under development.

Some of the products mentioned by the account have not been extensively rumored until now, including a new iPad Air with under-the-screen Touch ID, an ARM-based 12-inch MacBook, and an Apple game controller by 2021.

On March 12, the account claimed that Apple is developing so-called "AirPods X" headphones, as leaker Jon Prosser later mentioned on April 7.

Corroborating existing rumors, the account also claims that Apple plans to release third-generation AirPods, refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro and iMac models, a low-cost iPad with an A12 Bionic chip, a smaller HomePod, a new Apple TV, a small wireless charging pad for a single device, and four iPhone 12 models with an A14 chip, 5G support, smaller notch, a ProMotion refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a new Navy Blue color option.

In recent weeks, the account has noted that some products and components have been delayed, including the new iMac models and the A14 chip.

The same Twitter account accurately revealed several details about the new iPhone SE before any other leakers that we know of, including that the device would launch in the second week of April and come in three storage capacities. Likewise, the account accurately claimed that new iPad Pro models would launch in the third week of March.

The account has had a few small misses, including that iOS 13.4 would be released on March 25. The software update arrived one day earlier.

Given the account's accuracy so far, several of these rumored Apple products could be legitimate.