Plenty of Apple, iPhone, and iPad news gets released every single day – but we know you’re busy, so we’ve got your back. Here, we’ve picked out some of the most important stories from the past week or so and summarized them for easy digestion. You’re welcome.
Let’s take a quickfire look at some of the most interesting recent headlines of late. As ever, click through to read the full stories if you want to know more!
Apple VR headset could be only a year away
In our last News Bites round-up we touched upon the growing body of rumours surrounding Apple’s VR headset plans. Now a fresh analysis from JP Morgan (spotted by iMore) suggests that Apple’s debut VR headset could be just a year away from launch. Besides a claimed Q1 2022 release window, the report also claims that the device will feature six lenses, LiDAR, and a time-of-flight sensor, which would seemingly aid with depth perception and positional tracking for AR and VR applications. It’s also claimed that Apple’s effort will sport a similar design to existing VR headsets, but that it will be even more expensive.
Apple Car rumours heat up
We’ve had a flurry of fresh and reputable Apple Car rumours over the past week, suggesting there’s something to the idea that the company is back in the automated car game. Bloomberg reported that Apple was set to invest $3.6 billion in Hyundai-Kia in order to produce its debut automobile, which could hit roads in 2024. CNBC confirmed these reports of a partnership, and added that Apple will be jumping straight in with a fully autonomous vehicle. So no Tesla-style half-way houses here. The Apple Car will be made in North America, with Apple taking full control over the car’s hardware and software.
iOS 14.5 solves mask issue for Apple Watch owners
Face ID is a wonderful thing, but it’s been rendered a lot less useful now that everyone’s wearing masks whilst out and about. Apple is set to partially solve this issue in iOS 14.5 – provided you have an Apple Watch. The next version of iOS, which is currently out in beta form, will enable your iPhone to authenticate your identity using your timepiece. If your Watch is unlocked, your iPhone will follow suit, accompanied by a little haptic prompt. This will only work with iPhone access, however, so you won’t be able to authenticate payments without the usual Face ID or password authentication.
iPhone 13 to get better ultra wide camera
‘New iPhone to feature improved camera’ is hardly the most noteworthy of headlines. But a little tidbit of information about the forthcoming iPhone 13 has us interested thanks to its specificity. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Thomas O’Malley have separately claimed (via MacRumors) that the iPhone 13 will sport an upgraded Ultra Wide camera lens. A significantly brighter f/1.8 aperture should let way more light in than is typical for such a sensor, which should lead to brighter and better landscape shots from the next Apple smartphone. The analysts seem to disagree over precisely which iPhone 13 models will receive this upgrade, however.