With Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro now out the door and there still being about six weeks until WWDC, much of the Apple news this week focused on rumors. We heard new information about larger displays for Apple's cheaper iPad models, the so-called Apple Glasses, and Apple's high-end "AirPods Studio" headphones.
Other rumors included new upcoming colors for Apple's Powerbeats Pro lineup, a timeframe for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, and details on the iPhone 12 Pro, while we also saw a major update to Apple's Logic Pro X audio editing software. Check out the video above and read on below to catch up on this week's biggest stories!
Apple Glasses Said to Launch in 2022 at Earliest, New 10.8-Inch iPad and 9-Inch iPad Mini in 2020-2021
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was back at it this week with new details about upcoming products over the next two years. First, he expects new 10.8-inch iPad and 8.5-to-9-inch iPad mini models to launch in the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021, respectively. Like the new iPhone SE, Kuo believes these iPad models will be more affordably priced and equipped with the latest generation A-series chips.
In line with other reports, Kuo also expects that so-called Apple Glasses will launch in 2022 at the earliest and offer an innovative augmented reality experience. Apple is believed to be working on two different head-worn products, including a bulkier headset and a thinner and sleeker pair of glasses.
Jon Prosser, who has shared a number of accurate or corroborated rumors in recent months, differs a bit from Kuo when it comes to timing, however, as he says the glasses are currently "aimed for March–June 2021."
Apple's Over-Ear Headphones May Be Called 'AirPods Studio' and Cost $349
Apple's rumored high-end over-ear headphones will be called AirPods Studio and retail for $349, according to leaker Jon Prosser. A separate report this week claimed that the headphones will feature head and neck detection and custom equalizer settings with low, medium, and high frequency adjustments available.
Another rumor this week suggested that Apple will soon release its existing Powerbeats Pro in four new colors, including Cloud Pink, Spring Yellow, Glacial Blue, and Lava Red.
Comparing the 13-Inch MacBook Pro to the MacBook Air and iPad Pro
Earlier this month, Apple refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a more reliable Magic Keyboard, faster 10th-generation Intel processor options, up to 80 percent faster graphics performance, up to 32GB of RAM, double the storage on standard configurations, and more.
In one of our latest videos, we compared the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the recently refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro, looking at performance, design, software, and other considerations. We also shared a detailed feature-by-feature comparison of the base model 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air.
14-Inch MacBook Pro Now Rumored to Launch in 2021
Apple ended up sticking with the same size display when it refreshed the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Magic Keyboard and faster processor options earlier this month, but a 14-inch model might still be on the table.
An anonymous Twitter account with a fairly accurate track record this week suggested that the 14-inch MacBook Pro will launch at some point in 2021.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously said that Apple plans to release at least six Mini-LED products by the end of 2021, including both 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Altogether, these rumors could suggest that a 14-inch MacBook Pro with Mini-LED backlighting will be released at some point next year.
iPhone 12 Pro Rumored to Feature 120Hz ProMotion Display, 3x Camera Zoom, and Improved Face ID
iPhone 12 Pro models will feature a ProMotion display, allowing for a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz for smoother motion content and greater responsiveness, according to leakers Max Weinbach and Jon Prosser. The feature debuted on the iPad Pro in 2017.
On the contrary, display analyst Ross Young has claimed that low-power LTPO backplane technology is essential for the iPhone to support ProMotion, as it would allow for a variable refresh rate as low as 1Hz to preserve battery life. Young does not expect Apple to adopt LTPO on iPhones until 2021, and thus he does not expect the iPhone to support ProMotion until next year.
Weinbach also expects iPhone 12 Pro models to feature 3x optical zoom for photos and improved Face ID for unlocking the device from a wider range of angles.
Logic Pro X 10.5 Released With Live Loops, New Beat-Making Tools, and More
Apple this week announced the release of Logic Pro X version 10.5 with a new Live Loops feature first introduced in GarageBand for iPhone and iPad, a completely redesigned sampling workflow, new beat-making tools, and many other new features.
Live Loops allows users to organize loops, samples, and recordings into a new musical grid. From there, tracks can be further refined using all of the professional production features in Logic Pro X. Remix FX enhances Live Loops with a collection of electronic effects that can be performed in real time over individual tracks or the entire song mix.
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