Rumors

Apple planning to release OLED iPhone in 2017, says report

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 14, 2017

Apple plans to introduce the first iPhone with an OLED display in 2017, reports Nikkei. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet claims that the company has contacted LG and Samsung to discuss ramping up OLED production in time for next year's handset launch.

If true, Apple's move to OLED displays will occur at least a year earlier than some estimates, and two years earlier than predicted by noted analyst Ming Chi Kuo. In a November note, Kuo said that he expects Apple to continue using existing TFT-LCD panels until at least 2019.

Upcoming 9.7-inch iPad Pro may feature 12MP camera

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

The upcoming 9.7-inch iPad Pro will likely feature a 12-megapixel rear camera, reports 9to5Mac. The site claims that prototypes of the rumored tablet being used inside Apple have a rear camera comparable to the sensor in the iPhone 6s.

This would mark an improvement over the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which debuted in November with an 8MP camera. The reasoning behind the move is the smaller iPad is more portable, thus more folks will likely use it to take photos.

Tim Cook on Apple Car: ‘it’s going to be Christmas Eve for a while’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Don't expect the Apple Car to start hitting stores anytime soon, says Tim Cook. During Apple's annual shareholders meeting on Friday, the CEO responded to a question regarding the rumored vehicle, suggesting the project is far from launching.

Business Insider has Cook's full response from the Q&A session: "Do you remember when you were a kid, and Christmas Eve it was so exciting, you weren't sure what was going to be downstairs? Well, it's going to be Christmas Eve for a while."

iPad Air 3 will be a smaller iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard, Pencil support

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

The rumored iPad Air 3 will actually bear iPad Pro branding when it lands next month, reports 9to5Mac. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the site claims that Apple plans to carry its MacBook Pro strategy over to its Pro tablet line.

"Much like the MacBook Pro comes in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, the iPad Pro will soon come in 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch variations." The move makes sense, considering that the new iPad is expected to feature most of the Pro's internals.

iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 expected to launch March 18

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Apple is planning to launch the iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 on Friday, March 18th, reports 9to5Mac. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the outlet claims the launch of the long-rumored 4-inch iPhone and third-gen iPad Air will follow their unveiling at an event on Tuesday, March 15th.

If true, this would mark a departure from Apple's usual launch cycle, in which products are introduced one to two weeks before they are available for sale to the public. Unsurprisingly, 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman says that because of the quick turnaround, Apple is unlikely to offer pre-orders.

TSMC to be sole supplier of processors for iPhone 7, report says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

A new report late Wednesday claims that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will be the exclusive supplier of mobile processors for Apple's next generation iPhone. The news comes from South Korea's Electronic Times, via Reuters, who cites unnamed sources within the industry.

ET says that TSMC beat out rival, and long-time Apple chip-maker, Samsung for the job thanks to its ability to scale its 10-nanometer process. Their report lines up with previous analyst predictions, who felt TSMC would take 100% of Apple's next-gen chip orders thanks to its InFO chip tech.

Apple vying for streaming rights of Thursday night NFL games

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 1, 2018

Apple is among a group of tech giants vying for the rights to stream Thursday night NFL games, reports Variety. The NFL said on Monday it has reached a two-year agreement with CBS and NBC for broadcast rights, and it's been in active discussions with potential partners for digital rights.

According to Variety's sources, Apple is among those potential partners, as are Amazon, Google and Verizon Communications. The League is said to be considering a variety of scenarios, including potentially selling the rights to more than one distributor, and mixing in games played overseas.

iPhone 7 to lose camera bump and rear antenna lines, report says

Cody Lee ∙ February 2, 2016

The iPhone 7 won't feature a camera bump or antenna lines on its rear casing, reports MacRumors. Citing a source who has "provided reliable information in the past," the outlet says the smartphone is going to appear similar in design to the iPhone 6s, except for these changes.

For the camera bump, it appears Apple will use a thinner camera module for the iPhone 7's iSight camera that will allow the lens to sit flush with the back-casing. The iPhone 7 Plus is rumored to feature a dual-lens camera, so it's unknown if it will retain the rear bump or not.

Apple has secret team working on virtual reality headset, report says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 12, 2018

Apple has assembled a large team of virtual and augmented reality experts for a top secret project, reports the Financial Times. The team is said to be building prototypes of headsets that could one day compete against Oculus Rift or Microsoft's Hololens.

Sources say the secret research unit is made up of hundreds of staff Apple has picked up in a series of carefully targeted acquisitions, as well poached employees from companies working on VR tech such as Microsoft and the darling camera start-up Lytro.

Apple developing new long-range wireless charging tech for iPhone and iPad

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is exploring new wireless charging technology for future iOS devices, Bloomberg reported late Thursday. Citing sources familiar with the plans, the outlet says the company is working with partners in the US and Asia to develop wireless charging tech that works over longer distances than current solutions offer.

Bank of America and Wells Fargo adding Apple Pay support to ATMs

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Both Bank Of America and Wells Fargo are working on integrating Apple Pay into their ATMs, reports TechCrunch. The outlet says it has learned that ATM engineers from the two companies have been placed on assignments to build out support for Apple's digital wallet.

When questioned, Wells Fargo's head of ATMs Jonathan Velline implied that the report holds water, telling TechCrunch his team has been working on the technology that will allow the bank to hook into digital wallets to replace the need for cards during ATM transactions.

Apple planning to unveil iPad Air 3 at March event, report says

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple is planning to unveil a third generation model of its 9.7-inch iPad Air in March, reports 9to5Mac. The site's well-sourced Mark Gurman says that the tablet will likely make its debut at an event during the week of March 14, alongside the rumored 4-inch iPhone and new Apple Watch bands.

Gurman doesn't offer much in terms of what the new tablet will look like, though the consensus is the design will resemble the previous Air, or what kind of internals it will have. He does however say that Apple has been testing 9.7-inch panels that support the Pencil, which for now is iPad Pro-only.