Apple's fall 2021 event, called "California Streaming," opened with a video montage that seemed designed to sell the audience on how beautiful California is. The montage then concluded with Tim Cook stepping onto a stage at Apple Park in Cupertino. Perhaps this is Tim Cook's way of trying to persuade remote Apple employees reluctant to give up working from home that it's time to return to the office? From there, Cook and the Apple team introduced a host of new products including the iPhone 13 lineup consisting of four new models, a ninth-generation iPad and sixth-generation iPad mini, and the Apple Watch Series 7 (but no Apple Watch SE update). Notably, no new AirPods were announced. While some of the new iPhone camera features are pretty exciting (Cinematic Mode, anyone?), there were no big surprises during the event. But even so, shiny new iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches are always exciting. Here's everything you should know about Apple's latest devices.
Apple Events
iPhone 13 Rumors: What to Expect With the Next iPhone Release
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Apple has announced its fall event, so on September 14 we're slated to meet the new iPhone. We're likely to see the iPhone 13 this fall, and there are some interesting theories as to what we might see, such as the return of Touch ID and a bigger battery. Here's everything we know about the iPhone 13, including a leaked rendering by MySmartPrice, what we might expect in terms of size, and some questions about the new camera placement.
Everything Apple Announced at the WWDC 2021 Keynote
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple covered a lot of ground in its preview of iOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS 12, and iPadOS 15 during the second virtual WWDC keynote. The announcement was a bit scattered, as presenters covered an unwieldy range of topics from exciting FaceTime improvements, a contextual way to manage notifications and Do Not Disturb called Focus, and beefed-up privacy protections for everything from iCloud and Health to Siri and Safari. Some of the changes were expected, such as widgets for the iPad Home screen, while others, such as the ability to FaceTime with Android users, were not. Here's everything Apple announced today.
Will There Be Another Apple Event This Fall? New AirPods & MacBook Pros Could Still Be Announced in 2021
By Elisabeth Garry
The Apple Event California Streaming came and went on September 14 without any word on new MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, AirPods 3, or AirPods Pro 2. Might these devices and more be coming in an October or November Apple Event? We'll have to wait and see. While we wait, let's dive into rumors about what we can expect from these new devices, whenever they arrive.
iOS 15 Release Date, Plus New Features & Major Delays
By Erin MacPherson
Apple confirmed during its September 14 "California Streaming" event that iPhone users will have access to exciting new iOS 15 features starting on Monday, September 20. While software updates are usually staggered across multiple days, most users will have an update available within a day or so of initial rollout. So what features can you start playing with right away, and which will you have to wait for? We'll give you the low-down on the update to iOS 15.
Apple Announces the 9th-Generation iPad & 6th-Generation iPad Mini
By Cullen Thomas
Apple announced two updated iPads at its September 14 event in 2021. The two iPads are the iPad (9th generation) and a redesigned iPad mini (6th generation); we'll go over the features and pricing of both iPads, which seem optimized for video use, including features like increased brightness, better color with TrueTone, and also Center Stage, which allows the cameras to track your movement while you record a TikTok or a chat in a FaceTime Call. Let's get started.
iPadOS 15 Release: When to Update iPad & Which Features Are Available Now
By Erin MacPherson
Apple announced during its "California Streaming" event that iPadOS 15 is rolling out on September 20, but we've learned that some iPadOS 15 features won't be available yet. Delayed features are part and parcel with Apple's large annual software updates, so while we're not surprised to learn that we'll have to wait on certain functionalities, we're still a little bummed. When can you update, and which iPadOS features will be immediately available and which will be delayed? We'll walk you through it.
Every fall, Apple's events shake up the tech world with exciting product releases! This year, we expect several events, announcing a series of new iPhone 13, Apple Watch 7, AirPods 3, two new iPads, a new MacBook Pro, and maybe some brand new devices. Let's dive right in!
Follow Our iPhone 13 Event Coverage on September 14
By Leanne Hays
Apple will hold a fall event, called California Streaming, on the 14th of September at 10:00 a.m PDT. We'll finally find out if the rumors are true about the new iPhone 13 line, as well as other devices such as the Apple Watch 7, new AirPods Pro and AirPods 3, new iPad mini and iPad ninth generation, and a possible new MacBook Pro. Our team will be watching the Apple event livestream, and we'll host a conversation in our private Facebook group as the event happens; you're invited to join in, ask questions, and share your opinions. We'll tape a special podcast episode after the announcement, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Read on to learn more about how to be a part of our event coverage.
When & How to Watch the Next Apple Announcement on April 20
By Elisabeth Garry
On Tuesday, April 20, Apple will finally hold its 2021 event, Spring Loaded. We may get confirmation of rumored new products like AirTags, new iPads, an M1 iMac, and maybe even a new iPhone SE. Some dreams will be fulfilled, some crushed into the dirt. We'll cover all of it, offering commentary during the event in our Facebook group and in the special podcast episode we'll be recording right after. Here’s how you can watch Apple's April event too.
Follow Our October iPhone 12 Event Coverage
By Sarah Kingsbury
Apple will hold a second fall event on October 13, where we'll finally find out if the rumors are true about new, much delayed iPhone 12 line, as well as other devices such as Air Tags, a new HomePod, and more. Our editorial team will be watching the Apple event live stream, and we'll host a conversation in our private Facebook group as the event happens; you're invited to join in, ask questions, and share your opinions. We'll tape a special podcast episode after the announcement, where we’ll discuss everything just announced. Read on to learn more about how to be a part of our event coverage.
WatchOS 8 Focuses on Health Features, Lacks Major Changes
By Olena Kagui
WatchOS 8 is coming to an Apple Watch near you this fall! This much-anticipated software update, announced at Apple's WWDC keynote event, was met with sighs at the focus on revamping the Breathe app. While the improved Health features come with exciting possibilities, the spattering of minor core features, including more flexible text writing, AirTags on the watch's Find My app, and a new Portrait watch face raise more questions than whoops of excitement. The watchOS 8 beta is available for those who want to try the new features now, while more cautious users can update to watchOS 8 in September when the finished version is released.
MacOS Monterey Blurs Line between iPad & Mac
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
Expect macOS Monterey to further blur the line between your Mac and your iPad. A new Universal Control feature Apple announced at its WWDC keynote allows you to control a Mac and iPad simultaneously using the same keyboard and mouse and drag and drop files easily between devices. Aside from opening up this hybrid work option, macOS includes new iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 features, like media sharing in FaceTime and notification controls tailored for different activities. Other macOS updates include redesigned tabs in Safari and an organization option called Tab Groups, which lets you sort your tabs into—you guessed it—groups that you can revisit later. And let's not forget that your Mac is now an AirPlay destination! The macOS Monterey beta is available for those who want to try the new features now, while more cautious users can update to macOS Monterey in September when the finished version is released.
iPadOS 15 Aims to Improve Multitasking
By Elisabeth Garry
Though Apple's latest iPad Pro has an M1 chip and all the power to perform like an iMac, iPadOS is still no macOS. Apple announced new iPadOS 15 features at its WWDC keynote, including multitasking upgrades, widgets, an iPad App Library, improvements to the Notes app (including the new Quick Note), the Translate app on iPad, and updates to Swift Playgrounds. The iPadOS 15 beta is available for those who want to try the new features now, while more cautious users can update to iPadOS 15 in September when the finished version is released.
iOS 15: New Features, Updates, Release Date & Compatibility
By Leanne Hays
Apple previewed iOS 15 at the June 7 WWDC Keynote; the latest iPhone software update will integrate apps, features, and services, both new and familiar, more seamlessly than ever before. The iOS 15 beta is available for those who want to try the new features now, while more cautious users can update to iOS 15 in September when the finished version is released. These improvements will help iPhone users connect with friends and family, reclaim their time, and get more from apps that we've all grown comfortable and familiar with, like Photos, Wallet, and Maps. Let's go over everything we have to look forward to in the fall, including FaceTime updates, the new Focus feature and redesigned Notifications, the revamped Safari app, and much, much more.
The WWDC 2021 keynot on June 7 is less than a month away, and we are hoping to get some exciting news on iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12, watchOS 8, tvOS 15, and more. Apple's annual developers conference is all-online and free for the second year in a row. This event is a chance for Apple to showcase new software for its devices so that developers and system engineers can learn about changes for the year ahead. The event's highlight is the keynote announcement, which will stream live at 10 a.m. PDT on the 7th. Unlike the usual Apple announcements, the event focuses on software rather than new devices. This year, we expect to see UI upgrades on all the devices, new Apple Fitness Plus features, improved parental controls for Apple TV, and hopefully some new digital designs in the form of Apple Watch faces and screensavers.
Compare the iPhone 12 Models: How to Decide Which New iPhone to Buy
By Erin MacPherson
We're looking at the largest difference in size we've ever seen from an iPhone lineup, but does the range in features reflect those differences? Camera gains dominated the October 13 iPhone 12 announcement, which means if you've got a visual audience to captivate, you may feel like springing for a higher-end iPhone 12 Pro or Pro Max; but if you're not especially concerned about those features, you may do just fine with an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12. Some questions are harder to answer, like whether it's truly worth it to opt for the iPhone 12 Pro, or if you'll save more than money by sticking with the iPhone 12.
iPhone 12 Lineup: Release Dates, Prices & Details for the 2020 iPhones
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
After a turbulent year, Apple has finally announced its 2020 iPhone lineup. This is the first time ever that the new iPhones made their debut after the new iPads and Apple Watch, and only the second time an iPhone announcement came in October. Nevertheless, Apple worked hard to make the 2020 iPhones worth the wait, bringing forth four new models: the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, we are looking at the smallest and largest iPhones you can get, and some of the benefits and drawbacks that come with that. This is also the moment 5G is arriving to the iPhone universe, and that plus the new A14 Bionic chip promises new levels of speed for our iPhones. The Pro models are bringing serious upgrades to cameras and photo processing, but will all of these features make an upgrade worth it? Let's take a closer look so you can decide for yourself if you want to upgrade and, if so, which iPhone is right for you.
Apple Announces New Apple TV 4K
By Elisabeth Garry
Today at its Spring Loaded event, Apple announced the Apple TV 4K 2021, among a bevy of other new products and services. The new Apple TV features an A12 Bionic chip, high frame rate HDR support, color balance technology, and a much-needed redesigned Siri remote. Sports fans and iPhone videographers in particular should be excited about this new installment in the Apple TV line, as well as anyone who has ever wanted to throw their Apple TV Siri remote across the room. Let's take a closer look at these new features before you decide whether you're in or out.
iPadOS 15 Rumors: Home Screen Updates, New Notification Options & More
By Amy Spitzfaden Both
iPadOS 15 is expected to be announced at WWDC next month, and we're pretty excited about some of the rumored new features. Though nothing has been leaked yet, there is some solid speculation about what may be coming to the iPad, including widgets, improved privacy options, and which old iPads may no longer be supported. We've also taken a look at what iPadOS features users hope to see, and whether or not this is likely. We'll also go over the likely iPadOS release date.