Dutch brand ZENS today announced the availability of its AirPower-like wireless charging mat with 16 overlapping coils, allowing two devices to be charged anywhere on the mat.
The ZENS Liberty can charge any Qi-enabled devices, with the 16 coils providing a total output of 30W (2x15W) as well as supporting Apple and Samsung Fast Charge. Meanwhile, the built-in 2.4A USB port can be used to charge another device, including an Apple Watch using the optional Apple Watch USB-stick accessory.
The 16 overlapping charging coils give complete freedom of placement, allowing you to place two devices anywhere on the charging pad. For those who were wondering why the USB-port of the Liberty is placed on the top side of the charging pad, the Apple Watch USB-stick is the reason why. This add-on is specifically made for the Liberty so you can simultaneously charge an iPhone, AirPods and an Apple Watch with the Liberty, the ideal 3-in-1 wireless charger!
The USB-stick is made of the same aluminum as the Liberty and is placed in a vertical position in the USB-port of the Liberty to charge the Apple Watch in sleep-mode. The stick can also be connected to any USB-A-port to charge an Apple Watch without the mat. The USB-stick is officially MFi certified and works with Apple Watch Series 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
The ZENS Liberty has a USB-C connection and comes with a 60W USB-C certified power adapter. Separate power plugs for the E.U., U.K. and U.S. are included to make the adapter suitable for global usage.
The mat is available either with a surface of high-quality woolen upholstery textile (Atlas by Kvadrat) or with a tempered glass surface revealing the overlapping coils within. The fabric version costs $139.99 (€139.99), while the Glass edition costs $179.99 (€179.99). Both models come with a three-year extended warranty. The Apple Watch USB-add-on is available separately for $39.99 (€39.99).
This is the closest alternative to Apple's canceled AirPower mat, which would have been able to charge three devices placed anywhere on the mat, including an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.
Apple canceled the AirPower in March 2019, stating that "after much effort," the mat failed to achieve the company's "high standards." An earlier report from Sonny Dickson claimed the AirPower would have been equipped with 21 to 24 coils, but reports claimed the mat suffered from overheating and potentially dangerous electromagnetic interference issues.
Expect a full review of the ZENS Liberty Wireless Charger on MacRumors soon.
Consumer spending on the App Store totaled a record $193 million on Christmas Day 2019, representing a 16 percent increase year on year, according to a new report by Sensor Tower.
Approximately $84 million was spent on the Google Play store, representing year-on-year growth of 2.7 percent. Apple's App Store accounted for 70 percent of spending between the two platforms, which amounted to $277 million combined.
That total represented combined year-over-year growth of 11.3 percent for the two stores, which brought in $249 million combined in user spending on Christmas Day in 2018.
Sensor Tower says the increase in spending was largely due to new mobile device owners and people who received App Store gift cards, with games being the most popular purchase.
The majority of mobile spending on Christmas, approximately $210 million, was focused on the Games category, which generated 76 percent of revenue across both stores and grew about 8 percent Y/Y from $195 million. PUBG Mobile from Tencent’s TiMi studio led in-game spending with $8.5 million, up 431 percent from the $1.6 million players spent in the game on Christmas 2018.
Other apps accounted for approximately 2 percent more of all spending this Christmas compared to a year prior, bringing in an estimated $67 million. The top non-game app for overall spending on Christmas was reportedly the dating app Tinder, which brought in a gross global revenue near $2.1 million.
The App Store makes up a huge portion of Apple's services business. It currently receives a 30 percent cut of all revenue that developers earn from the App Store, with the exception of subscription apps. For apps where a customer maintains a subscription for more than a year, developers are entitled to an 85/15 split, with Apple taking a 15 percent cut rather than a 30 percent cut.
LG today announced the upcoming debut of its 2020 8K TV lineup featuring eight new TVs in sizes ranging from 65 inches to 88 inches, all of which support Apple's HomeKit and AirPlay 2.
There are premium 77 and 88 inch LG Signature OLED 8K TVs along with 8K LG NanoCell TVs in 65 and 75-inch sizes. LG says that all of the TVs exceed the official 8K Ultra HD definition set by the Consumer Technology Association and are able to play native 8K content.
The new TVs work with Apple HomeKit and AirPlay 2, allowing them to interact with other AirPlay 2 devices and to be controlled via Siri voice commands. HomeKit support also means the new LG TVs will show up in the Home app.
LG's 2020 8K TVs include a new AI processor that takes advantage of deep learning for optimized picture and sound quality. The TVs are able to recognize faces and text on the screen, fine-tuning and sharpening for natural skin tones, better defined facial features, and clearer characters.
LG will be showing off its 8K TV lineup at the Consumer Electronics Show, which is set to kick off next week.
Apple shares today hit a new all-time high and reached a closing price of $300 following yesterday's New Year's holiday, marking significant growth over the course of the last year.
iPhone sales in late 2018 and 2019 saw a major drop in China due to rising iPhone prices and trade tensions, but Apple has managed to boost sales by lowering prices, offering promotions, and introducing the iPhone 11 at a new $699 price point.
Apple stock has surged over the course of the last two months thanks to reports of better than expected iPhone 11 and 11 Pro sales and reports of stronger than ever AirPods sales.
Former HBO CEO and chairman Richard Plepler has signed a five year deal with Apple to produce content for Apple TV+, reports The New York Times.
Under the terms of the deal, Plepler's newly formed company, Eden Productions, will make TV shows, documentaries, and films exclusively for the Apple TV+ streaming service.
Plepler worked at HBO for 27 years before leaving in February 2019, eight months after AT&T became its owner, and under his leadership, HBO had hits like "Game of Thrones" and "Big Little Lies."
Rumors of talks between Plepler and Apple first surfaced in November, with Plepler making it clear at the time that he did not want to return to TV as an executive, but instead wanted to take on a new role as a producer.
In today's article from The New York Times, Plepler explained why he didn't want to continue working as a TV executive:
"It was instantaneously clear to me that I had a wonderful and very privileged run at HBO and I wasn't going to be able to duplicate that again," Mr. Plepler said in his first interview since leaving the network. "And I didn't want to try to duplicate that again. It felt very clear to me that I just wanted to do my own thing."
Plepler was drawn to Apple because he has been a "longtime admirer" of Eddy Cue, who runs Apple's software and services, including overseeing Apple's TV division. Cue got in touch right after Plepler left HBO and invited Plepler to "talk" when things settled after his departure.
According to Plepler, he had conversations with multiple people about his next step, but his only "serious" talks were with Apple. Apple TV+ is new enough, said Plepler, that he felt he could "make a little contribution there."
Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht, the two Eddy Cue hires who run Apple's TV business, will work with Plepler. Van Amburg said that he's looking forward to seeing Plepler "thrive" at Apple.
Along with Plepler, Apple has signed production deals with multiple companies, including A24, Imagine Documentaries, and Oprah Winfrey, plus it has established deals with producers and directors like Jason Katims, Alfonso Cuaron, and Justin Lin.
Now that it's 2020, many retailers have kicked off their first sales of the year. We've rounded up some of the more notable sale events in this article, including those for Mophie, Pad & Quill, Nimble, and Best Buy.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Mophie
Mophie is offering 25 percent off its entire site, with no exclusions according to the retailer. This means you can save on Mophie's iPhone battery cases, wireless charging mats, portable batteries, and more.
This discount applies to all of Zagg's brands, so you can also shop for 25 percent off Invisible Shield, Braven, iFrogz, Gear4, and Halo. Mophie is also letting shoppers know that there might be a delay on orders placed through January 6, with some orders not shipping until next week.
Pad & Quill
On Pad & Quill, you can shop a New Years Event that is offering 25 percent off select items. You can stack these savings with our coupon code MR15 to get an additional 15 percent off your order.
With this set of discounts, you can get an accessory like the Cambridge Leather 12.9-inch iPad Pro Case for $61.16, down from $119.95. Be sure to browse through the full New Years Event sale to see everything discounted, but you can also use MR15 on anything you see on Pad & Quill's website.
Nimble
Nimble is giving our readers a chance to get 30 percent off their orders, which is a solid discount on the company's eco-friendly charging products. Use the code MACRUMORS30 to see the discount applied in your cart.
You can get big savings on Nimble's Fast Charge Kits, which include a portable battery, USB-C to Lightning cable, 18W wall charger, and USB-C to USB-C cable. You can get the 5-Day Kit (including a 13,000 mAh portable battery) for $73.47, down from $104.95.
Best Buy
Best Buy is starting 2020 with a new Apple Shopping Event, which is offering sales on devices including the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, iPhone 11, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats headphones.
iPad Pro - Save up to $100 on select models [My Best Buy members only]
MacBook Pro - Save up to $400 on select models [My Best Buy members only]
iPhone 11 - Save up to $250 with qualified activation and trade-in
Taking advantage of new AssistiveTouch functionality in iPadOS, the trackpad can be used to bring up the Dock from any app with a two-finger tap, access the App Exposé screen with a three-finger tap, and more.
The full-size QWERTY keyboard features LED-backlit keys with three levels of brightness and an advertised three-month battery life per charge. It is compatible with the latest-generation 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, connecting via Bluetooth 4.1 rather than the Smart Connector.
Pricing is set at $199.99 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $229.99 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the first 500 pre-orders estimated to ship in late February 2020, followed by the remainder of pre-orders shipping in late March 2020.
Amazon has returned the Powerbeats Pro to their lowest-ever price of $199.95, down from $249.95, for a limited time only. This sale is the same one we've been tracking for the Powerbeats Pro since last fall, offering a solid $50 discount off the original price of the wireless headphones.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Every color of the Powerbeats Pro are being discounted as well, so you can get the Black, Ivory, Moss, or Navy for $199.95 today. It's unclear how long the sale will last this time, but Amazon is marking it as a "limited time deal," so if you've been waiting for the sale to return, be sure to head to Amazon soon.
Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.
Apple will be making several changes to the suppliers of its products in 2020, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
For starters, Kuo expects Chinese company Goertek to begin assembly of AirPods Pro in the first half of the year. The addition of a second supplier alongside Luxshare Precision should help improve supply of the popular earphones, which continue to face multi-week shipping estimates on Apple.com.
Luxshare itself will replace Quanta Computer as the exclusive manufacturer and supplier of S-series chips for the new Apple Watch in 2020, aka Series 6 models if Apple sticks with its naming trend, Kuo added.
And last, Kuo expects Chinese manufacturer BYD Electronic to replace Quanta Computer as the sole assembler of the iPod touch in 2020, as well as obtain at least 10-20 percent of non-cellular iPad orders. Naturally, if this goes well, the company is expected to receive an even larger percentage of orders in 2021 and beyond.
Kuo outlined these details in a research note with investment firm TF International Securities, seen by MacRumors.
As expected, Apple chipmaker TSMC has secured orders for the "A14" processors to go in this year's iPhones and is expected to start manufacturing the chips in the second quarter, according to industry sources cited in a DigiTimes report.
The sources said Apple's 5G mmWave handsets to be released in 2020 are reportedly to each carry at least three AiP modules, which can also be packaged with FC_AiP (flip-chip) process in addition to InFo_AiP.
TSMC has been working hard to miniaturize its fabrication process to 5 nanometers – down from 7 nanometer fabrication seen in the A12 and A13 – with the aim of securing orders for Apple's processors in its iPhones for the fourth year running.
Previous successes in miniaturization have enabled the foundry to be Apple's exclusive supplier of A-series chips, beginning with the A10 Fusion chip in the iPhone 7/7 Plus, and continuing with the A11 Bionic chip in the iPhone 8/8 Plus and iPhone X, the A12 Bionic in the iPhone XR/XS/XS Max, and the A13 Bionic in the iPhone 11 series.
Last year it announced a $25 billion investment in the new 5nm node technology in a bid to remain the exclusive supplier of the processors.
Apple is expected to release five new iPhone models in 2020, including a so-called iPhone SE 2 with a 4.7-inch LCD display in the first half of 2020, followed by a higher-end all-OLED 5G lineup consisting of 5.4-inch, two 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch models in the second half of the year.
Apple will make a rare official appearance at next week's annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where its HomeKit smart home system will take the limelight, reports Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
With Amazon and Google expected to roll out new software capabilities for their internet-connected products and voice-activated smart platforms, Apple's own smart home system will also be on show.
Apple's HomeKit, a system for controlling devices in the home, will also be on display. Some companies will show off new gadgets for the home that work with Siri, Apple's digital assistant.
According to the report, the company isn't expected to release any new hardware at the trade show, but Apple executive Jane Horvath is scheduled to speak on a consumer privacy panel on January 7.
Ahead of last year's CES, Apple put up a giant sign in Las Vegas touting the security of its devices, and in 2018 some Apple employees reportedly met with potential augmented-reality glasses suppliers there, but otherwise it has traditionally chosen to stay away. Apple's presence at CES 2020 is the first time in decades that the company has attended in an official capacity.
Apple could launch a second version of the so-called iPhone SE 2 before the end of the year, according to DigiTimes. The latest prediction from the hit-and-miss industry publication is said to come from sources in Taiwan's supply chain.
The latest news coming from the supply chain is that Apple is likely to add yet another LCD-based model to its iPhone lineup for 2020. This new member will be an upgraded version of the widely speculated iPhone SE2 featuring a 5.5- or 6.1-inch LCD display and available at the end of 2020 or in earlier 2021, said the sources.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to release five new iPhone models in 2020 – a so-called iPhone SE 2 with a 4.7-inch LCD display in the first half of 2020, followed by a higher-end all-OLED lineup consisting of 5.4-inch, two 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch models in the second half of the year.
However, some supply chain makers at iPhone's assembly partners claim to have received roadmaps showing production of "six items" of iPhones, claims DigiTimes. According to the report, Taiwan-based driver-IC backend firm Chipbond Technology is said to have landed COF packaging orders from Apple for both LCD devices.
The initial model of the so-called iPhone SE 2 is expected to resemble the iPhone 8, including a 4.7-inch display with bezels and a Touch ID home button, but with a faster A13 chip and 3GB of RAM. The device will continue to have a single-lens rear camera, according to Kuo, like the original iPhone SE and the iPhone 8. Similar to DigiTimes, Kuo believes that a larger "iPhone SE 2 Plus" is also in the works, but he predicts it won't arrive until 2021.
Imagination Technologies announced on Thursday that Apple has replaced a licensing agreement with the British chipmaker for access to its intellectual property in exchange for license fees.
In a brief statement on its website, the U.K. firm said that the substitute multi-use license agreement, first announced in February 2014, would allow Apple access to a "wider range" of Imagination's IP.
London, UK; 2nd January 2020 – Imagination Technologies ("Imagination") announces that it has replaced the multi-year, multi-use license agreement with Apple, first announced on February 6, 2014, with a new multi-year license agreement under which Apple has access to a wider range of Imagination's intellectual property in exchange for license fees.
The development marks a dramatic shift in relations between the two companies following three years of discord, beginning in April 2017 when Apple told the chipmaker that it planned to stop using its graphics technology in iOS devices within two years.
Imagination relied on Apple for up to half of its revenue and saw its shares fall by 60 percent on the news of Apple's plans. Imagination also publicly criticized Apple, claiming that it doubted the tech giant could go it alone without violating Imagination's patents, IP, and confidential information.
After entering a "dispute resolution procedure" with the company, Imagination accused Apple of unauthorized use of its IP. Apple hit back by claiming that the firm had known for nearly two years that it was winding down the relationship, and was only revealing the separation after Apple had invoked a clause in its contract to pay lower royalty rates.
Imagination lost 70 percent of its value following the dispute with Apple, and despite a successful restructuring and a return to profitability for the company, put itself up for sale in June 2017. Imagination was bought by the Chinese-funded private equity firm Canyon Bridge in November 2017.
In our What to Expect article that we shared yesterday, we covered everything that we're expecting to see from Apple based on current product rumors and historical release data.
New iPhones with 5G, OLED displays, and upgraded 3D triple-lens camera system with significant augmented reality improvements are in the works, Apple is working on updated Macs and iPads, and AirTags, an innovative new accessory for tracking lost devices, is on the horizon.
We could also see a lower-cost HomePod, new over-ear headphones, and there could perhaps be some surprises in store like an augmented reality headset or an ARM-based Mac, but those aren't sure bets for 2020 at this time. There are also some outlandish rumors, like folding iPhones and iPads, plus rumors about the Apple Car, virtual reality headsets, and other far off products continue to circulate.
We want to hear from the MacRumors community. What are you hoping to see Apple release in 2020?
Are there new features you're hoping Apple will bring in iOS 14 or macOS 10.16? New headphones? Updated Mac features? New additions to the iPhone lineup?
Let us know what you want to see in the comments, and make sure to check out our What to Expect article for a look at the current rumors. We'll learn more about Apple's 2020 product plans in the early months of the year, and as always, we'll be covering all Apple rumors in-depth here at MacRumors.
Our MacRumors forums are also a useful resource for discussing upcoming products and rumors, and with so many new products rumored for 2020, our forums are the place to be for discussions on what's coming.
Thank you to all of our readers and our forum members for making MacRumors the number one site for Apple news, rumors, and advice on the web. We wouldn't be here without you, and we look forward to another year of rumors in 2020. Happy New Year!
We're expecting to see some major changes from Apple this year, with several exciting new products on the horizon. Significant iPhone changes are expected in 2020, with 3D sensing rear cameras, 5G technology, and an all-OLED lineup.
Apple is also working on updated iPad Pro models, new Macs, Apple Tags, and could have a few other surprises in store like an augmented reality headset, a lower-cost HomePod, an updated Apple TV, and more.
Below, we've rounded up all of the products we're expecting to see from Apple in 2020 based on both current rumors that we've heard so far and past release information.
"iPhone SE 2"
During the first half of 2020, Apple is said to be planning to unveil a new low-cost iPhone that will be sold alongside the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and Pro Max. The smartphone, though called an "iPhone SE 2" in rumors, is actually most similar to an iPhone 8. It might even be called an "iPhone 9," which is Apple's missing iPhone after the company released the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X in 2017.
An iPhone SE and an iPhone 8
It's said to feature a 4.7-inch display with Touch ID, which means it will continue to use the thicker bezels of the iPhone 8 line. Inside, it will be equipped with an A13 chip, the same chip that's in Apple's flagship iPhones.
To keep costs low, it will feature a single-lens rear camera, 3GB RAM, and it will be available in silver, red, and space gray colors. Rumors indicate the new low-cost iPhone will be priced at $399.
Apple in the fall of 2020 will refresh its iPhone lineup as it does every year. In 2020, rumors suggest we can expect to see multiple iPhones in 5.4, 6.1, and 6.7-inch sizes, a deviation from the current 5.8, 6.1, and 6.5-inch sizes that Apple has used for the last couple of years.
Apple is expected to introduce higher-end 6.1 and 6.7-inch iPhone models alongside lower-end 5.4 and 6.1-inch iPhone models, for a total of four iPhones in the fall of 2020.
All of the iPhones in 2020 are expected to feature OLED displays, with Apple doing away with the LCD display of the lower-end iPhone. At least one of the new iPhones that's in the works will feature a redesign with a metal frame that's similar to the frame of the iPhone 4, which had a distinctive, flat look.
A new TrueDepth camera system that cuts down on the size of the notch could be included, and rumors suggest the higher-end models will feature a new 3D triple-lens rear camera system that uses a laser to calculate depth information, leading to improved photographic and AR capabilities. The lower-end iPhone is expected to use a dual-lens camera system.
Every new iPhone coming in 2020 is expected to support 5G technology, which is faster than the current 4G LTE technology. It will take some time for 5G networks to spread across the United States and the rest of the world, but there will be decent availability by the end of 2020.
We don't yet know what the 2020 iPhones will be called, but given the naming of the 2019 lineup, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are likely bets.
Every year when the iPhone is refreshed, Apple also introduces a new Apple Watch, and this year, we're expecting the Apple Watch Series 6. We haven't heard a lot about the Apple Watch Series 6 just yet, but there are a few details that have been highlighted in rumors.
The Apple Watch Series 6 is said to feature faster performance, better water resistance, and improved wireless transmission for faster WiFi and cellular speeds, improvements introduced through a swap to liquid crystal polymer metarial for the flexible circuit boards in the device.
A major 2020 feature is expected to be sleep tracking, with Apple rumored to be adding sleep tracking capabilities to the device for tracking sleep duration and quality, among other things.
Whether there will be other new health tracking features in the Apple Watch Series 6 remains to be seen, but we'll hear more about the new device as launch approaches. To keep up with new Apple Watch rumors, make sure to check out our Apple Watch roundup.
Updated iPad Pro Models
There was no iPad Pro refresh in 2019, and rumors suggest a refresh is coming in the first half of 2020.
Apple is said to be planning to introduce an updated iPad Pro with faster Face ID and a rear-facing time-of-flight (ToF) camera system that would allow for 3D models to be captured using the iPad Pro and then edited with the Apple Pencil for an all-new productivity experience.
The time-of-flight camera system can determine the distance between objects by measuring the time it takes a light or laser signal to get from the camera to the subject in each point of the image. That information is used to create a 3D image of the surrounding area to allow more accurate depth perception and better placement of virtual objects.
There's also a rumor from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that indicates Apple is planning a high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a mini-LED display for launch in late 2020, but it's not yet clear how this meshes with the rumors of an early 2020 launch. Apple could perhaps be planning a staggered iPad Pro launch in 2020, or one of the launch timelines could be off.
Mini-LED will allow for thinner and lighter product designs without compromising on display quality, and will, in fact, bring many OLED benefits like deeper blacks, better contrast, HDR, and better wide color gamut performance.
Other iPads could also see a refresh in 2020, with Apple updating the 10.2-inch seventh-generation iPad and the 10.5-inch iPad Air, but we've heard no specific rumors about these products as of yet.
AirTags
Apple is working on AirTags, a Tile-like Bluetooth tracking device designed to be attached to items like keys and wallets, letting them be tracked right in the Find My app.
There's no prospective release date for Apple's AirTags, but given that we've been seeing signs of them in iOS 13 for months now, Apple is likely targeting a 2020 launch.
Air Tags images found in iOS 13
AirTags feature built-in chips that connect to an iPhone, relaying the position of devices that they're attached to. As with a lost iPhone, you can use any Apple device or a web browser with iCloud to locate a missing AirTags item.
Rumors suggest AirTags will feature an Apple-designed U1 ultra-wideband chip for more accurate tracking than Bluetooth can provide, which will give Apple an edge over its competitors.
Apple in 2020 is rumored to be planning to update the 16-inch MacBook Pro lineup with a new machine that features a mini-LED display. Mini-LED technology will allow for thinner and lighter product designs, while offering many of the same benefits as OLED such as improved wide color gamut, high contrast and better dynamic range, and truer blacks.
Apple is also expected to release a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a scissor switch keyboard, which could come during the first half of the year. Earlier rumors also suggested the 13-inch model could also support up to 32GB RAM.
We haven't heard a lot of specific rumors about other Macs coming in 2020, but Apple is expected to bring its new scissor switch keyboard to the MacBook Air at some point during the year.
We've heard no word about refreshes of machines like the iMac, iMac Pro, and Mac mini, but updates at some point in 2020 are always a possibility. We'll keep track of any potential Mac updates in our Mac roundups, listed below:
Every year in June during the Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduces new software for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Macs.
This year, we're expecting to see iOS 14, iPadOS 14, watchOS 7, tvOS 14, and macOS 10.16. Thus far, we haven't heard any details about what to expect
Lower-Cost HomePod
Apple is said to be planning to introduce a second-generation version of the HomePod, which first came out in 2017. The new version is said to feature a lower price point, which should allow it to better compete with speakers from other companies.
The new HomePod is said to feature two tweeters instead of seven in the current HomePod, resulting in a lower audio quality but a more affordable price tag. There's no word yet on when Apple might introduce a new HomePod in 2020.
There were rumors suggesting Apple was working on high-end over-ear headphones with an "all-new design" that are as convenient as AirPods but with superior sound quality. The headphones were said to feature noise cancelling technology and were meant to be aimed at a higher-end market.
No over-ear Apple-branded headphones materialized in 2019 despite rumors suggesting a launch could happen as soon as 2019, and we've heard nothing more since then. It's possible the headphones were actually the Beats Solo Pro that launched in October, even though those are on-ear, not over-ear. The Beats Solo Pro, like the Beats Studio3, feature Active Noise Cancellation.
Apple TV
Ahead of the launch of Apple TV+, signs of a new Apple TV model were found in iOS 13, and rumors have suggested an upgraded Apple TV could use a faster A12 processor, but other than that, we haven't heard anything about a new Apple TV.
An updated set-top box could come sometime in 2020, but we don't know when nor do we know any other features that might be included. To follow along with rumors, make sure to check out our Apple TV roundup.
AR Smart Glasses
Apple is working on augmented reality smart glasses that are expected to be offered alongside the iPhone, with the iPhone handling the bulk of the processor needs and the glasses serving a display role.
Offering the glasses as an iPhone companion will allow Apple to keep them slim and lightweight. Some rumors have suggested these glasses could come as soon as 2020, but it's not clear if that's still the case because a recent report from The Information indicated Apple is now aiming for a 2022 launch date.
Apple is working to reduce its reliance on Intel by developing its own ARM-based chips for its Mac lineup, which would allow it to manufacture its chips in house without waiting on Intel's release timelines.
There is no word on when Apple might release an ARM-based Mac, but some rumors have suggested it could come as early as 2020, perhaps in the MacBook Air. For more on Apple's work on ARM-based Macs, check out our ARM-based Mac guide.
Wrap Up
There are some exciting products in the works from Apple in 2020, and we'll certainly see some unexpected surprises as well, as we do every year. Make sure to follow MacRumors.com and the MacRumors roundups over the course of 2019 to keep up with all of the rumors about the upcoming products that Apple has in development through our What to Expect Guide.
As of iOS 13, apps are no longer able to present an "always allow" option when requesting access to a user's location. The only way to immediately grant an app continuous access to location is to navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, tap on an app, and select the "always" option if available.
iOS 13 also periodically reminds users about apps that are continuously tracking their location, complete with a map of those locations. An on-screen alert provides users with options to continue to "always allow" ongoing access to their location or to limit access to while the app is being used.
In light of those changes, The Wall Street Journal today reported that some developers are concerned that the location tracking reminders will hurt adoption of their apps, while some iPhone users are said to have expressed frustration that the reminders appear every few days despite repeatedly selecting "always allow."
Apple responded to the report with a statement insisting that the changes were made to further safeguard user privacy.
"Apple has not built a business model around knowing a customer's location or the location of their device," an Apple spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal, adding that Apple builds its hardware and software with privacy in mind.
The amount of location data collected by apps while in the background has dropped by 70 percent since iOS 13 was released, according to Jason Smith, chief business officer of data intelligence company Location Sciences. Given how easily the data can be used to identify and track individuals, that is a promising sign.
The Apple TV 4K is a fantastic little set-top box that has an easy-to-use interface, an App Store, and options to watch all kinds of content, but there's one major flaw with the device - the Siri Remote.
Apple unveiled its Siri (or Apple TV) Remote with touch surface in 2015 alongside the fourth-generation Apple TV, and it's never been a particularly popular accessory. With that in mind, Swiss company Salt created an alternative Apple TV Remote, which we managed to get our hands on.
Salt is a Swiss telecommunications company that offers the Apple TV 4K in a broadband TV bundle for its customers. There's no way to order this remote in the United States or countries other than Switzerland - it's designed only for Salt customers.
According to Salt, the Salt Remote was designed in close collaboration with Apple after the Salt TV customer base complained about the poor usability of the default remote that comes with the Apple TV.
Available for just under 20 Swiss francs, the Salt Remote looks more like a traditional remote than Apple's version, and it's made from a simple black plastic with buttons for controlling multiple functions.
It is designed to connect to the Apple TV out of the box and requires no pairing to set up. It's both wider and longer than the Siri Remote, so it's harder to lose, which is probably a good thing for most people given how easy it is to misplace the Siri Remote.
Unlike the Siri Remote, the Salt Remote has no touch interface on the front, offering buttons as an alternative. On the Siri Remote, the touch surface replaces directional arrows and there are limited physical buttons available.
Salt's remote features directional arrows for navigation purposes, volume controls, multiple media controls with play/pause, rewind, and fast forward, a mute button, a menu button, and a power button. All of the buttons are responsive and easy to use.
There is no microphone button for activating Siri because Siri is not an available Apple TV function on the Apple TV set-top boxes in Switzerland. Anyone who uses the current Apple TV remote with Siri for searching for content will definitely notice the lack of a Siri button.
There's also no Home button available on the Salt remote. On Apple's version, the Home button lets you get to the Home screen quickly and access the app switcher to close out apps or swap between apps. Holding down the menu button on the Salt Remote brings you to the Home screen of the Apple TV, but there's no way to replicate the other missing Home button functionality.
Given that this is an inexpensive remote option, it is powered with two triple A batteries that need to be replaced every six months on average, but that's a minor inconvenience.
All in all, the Salt Remote is clean, simple to use, and has no fiddly touch interface to deal with. Unfortunately, given that this is developed by a Swiss company, it is unlikely to come to the United States or other countries.
Apple may have allowed an alternative remote for one telecom, but it's doubtful that Apple would allow the Siri Remote to be replaced in all countries. It's possible that we could, however, see a new Siri Remote design at some point when Apple releases an updated Apple TV.
What do you think of the Salt Remote? Let us know in the comments.
Apple is currently involved in a lawsuit against Corellium, a mobile device virtualization company that supports iOS. Apple has accused Corellium of copyright infringement because Corellium creates software designed for security researchers that replicates iOS.
The lawsuit has been ongoing since August, but it is heating up after Apple amended its lawsuit in late December with a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) filing, suggesting the Cupertino company believes jailbreaking is a violation of the DMCA. Corellium, says Apple, facilitates jailbreaking through its software.
A virtual iPhone on Corellium's website used as evidence in Apple's lawsuit against the company
Corellium's CEO Amanda Gorton has taken issue with Apple's new filing, and yesterday penned a missive lambasting Apple for its jailbreaking position. "Apple's latest filing against Corellium should give all security researchers, app developers, and jailbreakers reason to be concerned," reads the letter's opening statement.
The filing asserts that because Corellium "allows users to jailbreak" and "gave one or more Persons access... to develop software that can be used to jailbreak," Corellium is "engaging in trafficking" in violation of the DMCA. In other words, Apple is asserting that anyone who provides a tool that allows other people to jailbreak, and anyone who assists in creating such a tool, is violating the DMCA. Apple underscores this position by calling the unc0ver jailbreak tool "unlawful" and stating that it is "designed to circumvent [the] same technological measures" as Corellium.
Gorton accuses Apple of using its Corellium lawsuit to "crack down on jailbreaking" and claims Apple is seeking a precedent to eliminate public jailbreaks. She says that Corellium is "deeply disappointed" by Apple's "demonization of jailbreaking" as developers and researchers "rely on jailbreaks" to test the security of their own apps and third-party apps. She further claims that Apple has benefited from jailbreaking by turning jailbreak tweaks into iPhone features.
Not only do researchers and developers rely on jailbreaking to protect end users, but Apple itself has directly benefited from the jailbreak community in a number of ways. Many of the features of iOS originally appeared as jailbreak tweaks and were copied by Apple, including dark mode, control center, and context menus.
In addition, jailbreak creators regularly contribute to the security of iOS. The developer behind the unc0ver jailbreak was acknowledged and credited by Apple for assisting with a security vulnerability in the iOS kernel - a vulnerability he discovered while using Corellium.
Gorton says that Corellium is prepared to "strongly defend" against Apple's attack, and looks forward to sharing a formal response to Apple's claims in court.
Apple is continuing to seek a permanent injunction to prevent Corellium from offering a product that replicates the iOS operating system. Apple wants Corellium to destroy all infringing materials that it has collected, and pay Apple damages, lost profits, and attorney fees.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
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