Top Stories: WWDC 2021 Announced, iPhone SE Rumors, ‘Cheese Grater’ iPhone Design?

While we’re nonetheless ready on phrase of a possible Apple occasion in April, we did get affirmation about one other upcoming Apple occasion this week, WWDC 2021, which is able to return to its typical early June timeframe however stay in an all-virtual format just like final year’s version.

Other Apple information and rumors this week included a report about future iPhone SE fashions, a loopy Apple patent submitting that exhibits an iPhone with the identical metallic lattice design as the newest Mac Pro, and a few new adjustments within the newest iOS 14.5 beta as we patiently await its public launch. Read on for particulars on these tales and extra from the previous week!

Apple Announces Digital WWDC 2021 Event in June

Apple this week introduced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will happen from June 7 via June 11. For the second consecutive year, the convention will probably be held in an all-online format because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

One good thing about WWDC 2021 being held digitally is that admission is free for all builders, with periods and different content material to be shared on the Apple Developer web site and within the revamped Apple Developer app. By comparability, Apple has traditionally required builders to buy a $1,599 ticket to attend WWDC in particular person, and solely after profitable a lottery to attend.

As typical, Apple says WWDC 2021 will present a take a look at the way forward for its software program platforms, which is able to presumably encompass iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15. There’s all the time an opportunity for a {hardware} announcement or two at WWDC as properly, comparable to redesigned MacE-book Pro and that iMac fashions with Apple silicon.

Now via April 18, Apple is accepting submissions for its annual Swift Student Challenge, a coding contest that duties college students with creating an interactive scene within the Swift Playgrounds app. Winners will obtain unique WWDC 2021 outerwear, a custom-made pin set, and one year of membership within the Apple Developer Program.

All in all, WWDC is all the time one of many most enjoyable weeks of the year within the Apple world for each builders and customers, and we’ll have in-depth protection of the convention because it unfolds!

Next iPhone SE to Feature 4.7-Inch Display, 2023 Version to Have Hole Punch Full Screen Design

The third-generation iPhone SE that is rumored to launch within the first half of 2022 will characteristic the identical 4.7-inch show as the present model, based on show business analyst Ross Young.

Young mentioned he’s additionally listening to {that a} 2023 mannequin of the iPhone SE may characteristic a so-called “gap punch” show design like some Samsung smartphones, which might end in an almost full-screen, notch-less design with solely a small gap for the entrance camera. It’s unclear the place the Face ID sensors can be housed with such a design if Apple continues to supply Face ID, however under-display fingerprint and facial recognition programs do exist for smartphones. In reality, under-screen Touch ID is rumored for a minimum of some iPhone 13 fashions.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo beforehand mentioned the “gap punch” show will debut on a minimum of some high-end 2022 iPhone fashions, so it’s believable that the design can be prolonged to the iPhone SE the next year.

iOS 14.5 Adds New Siri Voices, No Longer Defaults to Female

The sixth beta of iOS 14.5 launched this week provides two new Siri voices for the English language, and introduces a brand new setup choice that can let folks select their most popular ‌voice for Siri, which at the moment defaults to a feminine voice within the United States.

“This is a continuation of Apple’s long-standing dedication to variety and inclusion, and services and products which can be designed to higher replicate the range of the world we stay in,” mentioned Apple, in an announcement relating to the change.

Apple has additionally introduced that iOS 14.5 will recalibrate most battery capability and peak efficiency functionality on iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max fashions to deal with inaccurate estimates of battery well being reporting for some customers. Apple mentioned the bug doesn’t replicate a difficulty with precise battery well being.

iOS 14.5 has been in beta testing since February 1 and is full of new options, comparable to the power to unlock an iPhone with an Apple Watch whereas carrying a masks, assist for 5G in Dual-SIM mode on iPhone 12 fashions, new Waze-like options in Apple Maps, new emoji, AirPlay 2 streaming for Apple Fitness+ exercises, and rather more. Apple beforehand mentioned the software program replace will probably be launched for all appropriate gadgets in “early spring.”

Apple Researching Mac Pro’s ‘Cheese Grater’ Design for Other Devices Like iPhone

Apple is contemplating increasing the 2019 Mac Pro’s distinctive “cheese grater” lattice design to different gadgets, together with the iPhone and a “trash can”-style ‌Mac Pro‌, based on a newly granted patent submitting.

Apple launched the modern milled lattice sample on the ‌Mac Pro‌ and Pro Display XDR in 2019, which is created by machining a spherical array into the inner and exterior surfaces of the aluminum. The result’s a light-weight lattice sample that maximizes airflow whereas creating a particularly inflexible construction.

While patent filings are usually all encompassing and can’t be taken as strong proof of Apple’s plans for precise client {hardware}, they will present an fascinating view into the corporate’s areas of analysis.

Bitcoin Scam App Approved by Apple Robs iPhone User of $600,000+

A rip-off bitcoin app that was designed to appear to be a real app was accepted by Apple’s App Store assessment group and ended up costing an iPhone person 17.1 bitcoin, or upwards of $600,000 at the time of the theft, based on The Washington Post.

In an announcement, Apple mentioned within the “restricted situations” when criminals defraud its customers, the corporate takes “swift action” to forestall related violations sooner or later.

“User belief is at the inspiration of why we created the ‌App Store‌, and we now have solely deepened that dedication within the years since,” mentioned Apple. “Study after examine has proven that the ‌App Store‌ is probably the most safe app market on the planet, and we’re continuously at work to take care of that customary and to additional strengthen the ‌App Store‌’s protections.”

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