Episode 683 July 17, 2010

This Week in Tech News

October 18, 2020

This week, Apple announced four new iPhones around the iPhone 12 moniker. Starting at 128GB. The big thing is that the phones will support 5G access, which Leo says is limited in range and available only in select cities. It's going to be at least a year before 5G is nationwide. So while you're paying for 5G, you're not getting 5G and won't for a while.

But what Leo is really excited about is the iPhone 12 Pro Max camera, which can shoot 4K60 HDR video in DOLBY VISION. And it will really show how Apple Silicon is going to be a game-changer.

New iPhones Confirmed with Apple Announcement

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October 17, 2020

Apple had their "Hi Speed" iPhone event Tuesday, confirming four new iPhones including the new iPhone Mini. But Leo says that they left a few things hanging including when the new Apple Silicon Macs will be announced. Leo says it's likely going to be a seperate event around the middle of November. Tuesday, all Apple talked about is the new Homepod Mini, an intelligent voice assistant/speaker running Siri. The important thing about the HPMini is the price. $99 putting it closer in line with Amazon's Alexa and the Google Home Assistant.

Apple heard complaints by users of the previous version of Homepod that it was too expensive and too limited. Thus, the Homepod Mini came to be. Leo says it looks like a scented candle, and will support Pandora and Amazon Music (eventually). The HomePod Mini also has an intercom feature that can work from the road through your iPhone. Users can also merge multiple pods to create a nifty stereo system.

Then came the iPhones. Four of them in total. The iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the new, smaller iPhone Mini.The standard and Pro are available for preorder right now, for delivery next week. The iPhone Mini and Pro Max will be available for preorder Nov. 6th, delivery Nov. 13th. Typical next generation design, with the iPhone Pro Max getting a LIDAR sensor for augmented reality. That's about it.

Four iPhones to be Announced at Tuesday Apple Event

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October 11, 2020

Leo says that this coming Tuesday, Apple will announce four new iPhones, including the smaller 5.4" iPhone Mini. There will also be a 6.1" iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 Pro and 6.7" iPhone 12 Pro Max. Prices will start at $799. That's the rumor, anyway. There will be six different colors and Dual cameras for the smaller iPhones and three cameras for the pro versions. The pro versions will also have Gold, Silver and Graphite blue colors. Lidar will also be added for augmented reality, which Leo says nobody needs or wants.

The iPhone 12 and 12 pro will be available for preorder on Friday for delivery next week. The iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available along with the iPhone Mini next month.

All four phones will also support 5G, which Leo says isn't even close to being widely available and won't be for at least a year. At this point, it's just marketing and people will be paying an extra $100 for a feature that no one will be able to use if you're a Verizon customer.

Also, Apple will announce the second generation HomePod Mini, which Leo says will be smaller and cost much less at $99. Rumors also suggest a Bluetooth tracker much like TILE and maybe an Apple TV. But only time will tell.

Mac Apple Silicon computers probably won't be announced until next month, according to Bloomberg.

Apple Hi, Speed Event Tuesday

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October 10, 2020

Coming Tuesday, Apple is having another event, hinted by the title "Hi, Speed." Leo says the event is believed the launch of Apple's new 5G capable iPhone 12. There will be four new models, including a new "iPhone Mini," all supported with 5G, even though Leo says that 5G doesn't matter. This is because there's low band 5G, which isn't any faster than LTE, and then mid-high range 5G. Leo says that it will be at least a year or two before 5G will be widespread in this country. Until then, 5G is just marketing.

Meanwhile, the iPhone Mini will be 5.4". Then comes the iPhone 12, a mid-range 5.7" iPhone that Leo says will probably be the best seller. It'll have a lot of colors. This will be followed by the iPhone 12 Pro, 6.1" with three cameras, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max at 6.7" Pricing? Well, they're going to be expensive, but Leo says the iPhone Mini will probably start at $700.

All phones will have the A14 chip, and come with improved battery life.

But what Leo says that we don't really know when they will be available. Usually, the launch is on a Tuesday, followed by the phones being available for order on the following Friday, shipping a week later. That may not be the case with the COVID outbreak. But Leo suspects it will be at least for the Mini and the standard iPhone 12. Pro models may take a few weeks longer.

Leo also thinks that Apple is going to launch its own version of TILE, a tracking fob for your devices, and a new generation HomePod. New Macs will be at a separate event in November. This is all according to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg.

Microsoft Announces Permanent Work at Home Option

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October 10, 2020

This week, Microsoft announced that employees can opt to work at home permanently now. They will give up their office space, but Leo says who needs it? Leo also believes the Covid19 outbreak will be a seed change, prompting more work from home options, keeping cars off the road. And that's a good thing.