Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
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One day until iPhone 12!
The long wait is almost over. As factories work night and day to churn out enough iPhone 12 handsets for launch, the tech world prepares to see what Apple’s been working on for the past year.
We now know, having this week received invitations from Apple, that Tuesday is the big day. Starting at 6pm UK time, or 10am California time, Apple’s biggest names will hit the (virtual) stage and walk us through the design, features and specs of the iPhone 12, and try to convince us that it’s worth spending a small fortune for the latest hardware. Expectations are so high that even Android users are tempted – although one display expert has said there’s at least one major reason why you might want to wait for the iPhone 13.
Karen has rounded up all the big leaks with 78 hours to go, including full prices, a ceramic screen protector and (hold on to your hats) MagSafe! Don’t get how that would work? Read the article, people. She’s also wrapped up what to expect on 13 October.
Here’s how to watch the iPhone 12 launch event live. We’ll be covering all the announcements as they happen here on Macworld. Join us!
News in brief
Wondering how Apple was able to launch the blood oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch Series 6 so quickly, when it had to wait for FDA approval of the ECG feature in the Series 5? Simple: it classified the oximeter as a ‘wellness gadget’ instead of a medical device, which meant it didn’t have to demonstrate its accuracy.
Give us Touch ID on the iPhone 12, pleads Samuel Nyberg.
Adobe has released a new version of Photoshop Elements for the Mac. One of the new features is the ability to make subjects look in a different direction, slightly creepily.
There’s a glimmer of light for Mac gamers, reveals Anders Lundberg.
The new iPad Air has more RAM than its predecessor, we discovered this week. Nice to have some good news.
Bugs & problems
A serious vulnerability has been found in the Mac’s T2 chip. In a worst-case scenario, hackers can exploit it to bypass your passwords and encryption.
A security update that ‘broke’ macOS Mojave has now been fixed.
Apple has handed out $51,500 to a group of five hackers who’ve spotted vulnerabilities in its products.
In another sign that it’s taking security seriously, the company has poached a member of Google’s Project Zero.
The rumour mill
The iPhone 12 will attract the column inches, but the expected new Apple TV is an important release too. This week a leaker revealed that it will come with a games controller and games to rival Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Apple has removed third-party headphones and speakers from its stores, prompting rumours that it’s about to launch audio products of its own.
Such as the HomePod mini, which could launch next week, according to reliable Twitter leaker l0vetodream.
But possibly not the AirPods Studio; Jon Prosser reckons we might not see them on Tuesday night because mass production won’t be finished until 20 October.
We’ll have to wait until spring 2022 for the next iPhone SE. It will be based on the iPhone 11 chassis, much as the SE (2020) was based on the iPhone 8. While we’re gazing into the far future, it’s also believed that the iPhone 13 will have a smaller notch. Details of both these future phones have been disclosed by an analyst.
And that’s it for this week. Stay Appley!
Author: David Price, Editor
David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.