Leak Suggests New iPad Pro Models Unlikely to Debut at Today’s Apple Event

Apple has suffered an embarrassing leak of its major product announcements today, just hours ahead of its much-publicized “Gather Round” event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park.

An XML sitemap file briefly available on Apple.com included intended URL links for Apple’s entire iPhone lineup as well as the company’s redesigned Apple Watch Series 4, but one product line noticeably absent from the list of links was the iPad Pro.

Apple has been working on updated iPad Pro models that adopt an iPhone X-style design with slimmer bezels and no Home button, with the iPads instead set to gain a TrueDepth Camera System that will allow Face ID to be used for biometric authentication purposes.

Rumors have suggested the new iPad Pro models will be available in screen sizes that are approximately 11 and 12.9 inches, with Apple using chamfered edges that are similar in design to the iPhone SE. The antenna lines on the device may also be located at the top and bottom, similar to the iPhone 7.

Based on today’s leak, there’s a good chance Apple has decided to hold over its new iPad Pro announcement for a separate October launch event. If that’s the plan, Apple will likely also use next month’s event to announce a raft of new Macs, including refreshed iMacs, a new Mac mini, and a new low-cost MacBook Air.

Additionally, a question mark remains over the fate of the Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat. Apple introduced the AirPower in September 2017 and promised to launch it in 2018, but development issues have delayed its release.

The AirPower is designed to charge the Apple Watch (Series 3 and 4), glass-backed iPhones, and AirPods all at the same time, with a wireless charging case required to enable wireless charging for the AirPods.

In July, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed Apple aims to release its multi-device AirPower charging mat “before or in September”, however there’s no mention of the AirPower in today’s aforementioned leaked XML sitemap.

On the other hand, Apple could be planning to host the device on its website under a generic “Accessories” listing, which could theoretically give it a non-identifying URL link. But given the clear listing of the company’s other upcoming products, that possibility seems unlikely at this stage.

Of course, Apple could still surprise us later today by unveiling both its new iPad Pro lineup and the AirPower, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

The keynote begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. MacRumors will be covering the event live from Steve Jobs Theater, with a live blog, hands-on photos, news stories, videos, and live tweets via @MacRumorsLive on Twitter.

Related Roundup: iPad ProBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Caution)
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Silicone and Leather Cases for iPhone XS and XS Max Targeted in Latest Leak

Now that we know the names, storage capacities, and colors of the new iPhones set to be unveiled in a few hours, AllThingsHow has shared leaked product sitemap data related to select iPhone accessories.

The current iPhone X Silicone Case in Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED
The sitemap includes links to iPhone XS silicone cases in Black, White, Midnight Blue, (PRODUCT)Red, and Stone, as well as XS leather cases in (PRODUCT)Red, Taupe, and Black. There are also mentions of OtterBox cases for both the iPhone XS and XS Max in the sitemap.

For the iPhone XS Max, Apple will also offer silicone cases in the same colors, including Black, White, Midnight Blue, (PRODUCT)Red, and Stone. Leather cases for the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max were not glimpsed in the data shared today, but are still expected options for the larger device.

Lastly, AllThingsHow discovered the iPhone XR name within a section of the sitemap that mentions AppleCare for all models of the new smartphone, which is an expected inclusion in every year’s new iPhone announcement.

Other leaks this morning include the confirmation of the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR names, storage capacities and colors for each model, new 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch sizes, and the new Apple Watch’s front panel.

We’ll be covering the full “Gather Round” event when Apple goes live at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time later today, so be sure to follow @MacRumorsLive and our own live blog for all the latest details as the event happens.

Related Roundup: iPhone Xs
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Adobe Announces Updates for Premiere Pro, After Effects, Character Animator and Audition

Ahead of the 2018 International Broadcasting Convention that kicks off later this week, Adobe today shared details on updates that are coming to Premiere Pro, After Effects, Character Animator, and Audition.

Premiere Pro, Adobe’s video editing software for professionals, is gaining new Motion Graphics templates and support for infographics created by dragging and dropping spreadsheet files into the Motion Graphics interface.

New Reduce Noise and Reduce Reverb sliders have been added to the Essential Sound panel, the Lumetri color panel features Selective Color Grading tools for more precise color editing, and there’s a new Timecode shortcut entry.

Other new features include support for Google VR 180, Spatial Markers for easier editing of VR content, and a Theatre Mode for working within the Adobe Immersive Environment. Performance improvements have also been included, with hardware-based encoding and decoding for H.264 and HEVC along with improved image processing.

After Effects, used by designers to create motion graphics, is gaining simplified authoring for streamlined content editing, font controls for quickly changing fonts, new selective color grading tools for Lumetri Color, and new in-app learning tools for those who are new to After Effects.

Advanced Puppet pins for the Mesh Sculpting feature let users define position, scale, and rotation for a pin, offering better control for more organic movements, while a new Javascript engine enables faster expressions and Depth Passes allows for 3D objects to be positioned in space to add dimensional elements to videos.

There’s a new native Mocha plug-in for After Effects, along with end-to-end support for VR 180, H.264 and HEVC video support on macOS, and performance and GPU optimizations to improve effects like Fill, Curves, Exposure, and Noise.

Audition includes new DeReverb and DeNoise effects for removing background noise and reverb with support for real-time adjustments, a revamped multitrack feature, one-click session management, and more.

Character Animator is gaining the Characterizer, a feature first unveiled at Adobe Max. Characterizer lets users import art and then record words and facial expressions to generate a new, unique character, automatically creating a puppet in just a few seconds.

Character Animator is also getting Replays for reusing facial expressions and signature moves, Magnets for letting puppets interact with objects, improved walk behavior, and a squashiness parameter for the physics behaviors.

Full details on all of the new features coming to Adobe’s Premiere Pro, After Effects, Character Animator, and Audition software can be found on Adobe’s website.

Adobe plans to roll out these Creative Cloud updates later in 2018.

Tag: Adobe
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Tesla’s wireless smartphone charger returns and it’s $16 cheaper

Tesla

With more and more smartphones offering wireless charging capability, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of third-party firms are coming up with compatible devices to try to persuade you to part with your hard-earned cash.

Tesla, a company better known for electric cars than smartphone extras, recently launched its own wireless charger, but the $65 device soon sold out.

The good news for those who missed it the first time around is that it’s back on Tesla’s website. Even better, it’s available for the lower price of $49.

Now, if you’re one of the original buyers and you’re already bristling with anger at the sheer audacity of Tesla cutting the price in the space of just a couple of months and … well, take a deep breath and read on. The company promises it’s going to refund credit cards used for the earlier purchases to the tune of $16. So everything’s good.

Sleek and stylish, the charger is available in black and white flavors, and offers a standard 5W of output. To use it, you simply place your Qi-enabled phone on the wireless base, and then press and hold the power button for three seconds to begin the charging process.

The charger’s integrated USB-C cable and USB-A port means its 6,000 mAh battery can also power other mobile devices, and on the go, too.

While it’s true that there are plenty of cheaper wireless chargers on the market with higher output, maybe that Tesla logo will be too hard to resist for some. Digital Trends recently highlighted some of the best options on the market today, ranging in price from just $13 all the way up to $80. But be sure your phone supports wireless charging before you hit the order button.

Solutions do exist for phones without built-in support, with most options consisting of special attachments, cases, or stands that have the necessary components to transfer the energy.

Interested in Tesla’s wireless smartphone charger? You should probably act fast. The listing says that due to high demand, shipment is currently taking between three and four weeks, which, if you’re also waiting for one of the company’s cars to be delivered, should be easy enough to handle.

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Which streaming boxes offer a 3.5mm headset jack?

Best answer: If you want to use headphones for private watching, the Roku Ultra is going to be the best streaming box for you.

Amazon: Roku Ultra ($89)

Why this is the streaming box for you

Roku has offered 3.5mm headphone jacks on its streaming sticks and boxes for years, and it’s still present on the latest Roku Ultra. If you’ve ever used another Roku streaming device — or a TV with Roku built-in — you’ll immediately be at home with this remote. If not, it’s super easy to learn how to use the remote and navigate the interface, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is easy to find on the side of the remote. There are earbuds included to get you started, but feel free to swap these out for your favorite headphones.

Almost every streaming service and digital store is available on Rokus, although iTunes isn’t available, unfortunately. And if you’re using this with a newer TV, know that it supports UHD and HDR playback.

Our pick

Roku Ultra

$89 at Amazon

The least expensive box with a headphone jack.

The Roku Ultra offers an easy-to-use remote and interface, and most importantly the remote has a 3.5mm audio jack for your headphones. Roku has all your favorite streaming services, and it’ll work perfectly with your new 4K TV.

Why you may consider some upgrades

The Roku is great if you just need something for streaming services like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime Video. But if you also want a box for games or playing DVDs and Blu Rays, it’s worth spending a bit more money.

An upgrade pick

NVIDIA Shield TV

$199 at Amazon

Great games and most streaming services

NVIDIA’s Shield TV features a headphone jack on the game controller, so you can use that and your favorite headphones for private movie-watching. The Shield runs Android TV, so your favorite streaming services are present. Plus, it supports 4K HDR playback, perfect for your new TV.

Another upgrade pick

Xbox One S

$299 at Amazon

When you want a console for your streaming

The Xbox One S controller has an audio jack for watching Netflix while your partner is sleeping. The Xbox One S features all major streaming services and supports 4K HDR playback, including playing back UHD Blu Rays.

A Sony upgrade

PlayStation 4

$379 at Amazon

If you’re looking somewhere else

Just like the Xbox One, the PS4’s controller offers a 3.5mm audio jack for watching your favorite shows on Hulu without keeping anyone else up. The PS4 offers nearly every streaming service, as well as some compelling exclusive games.

Kuo: 2019 iPhones Unlikely to Feature Time-of-Flight 3D Sensor in Rear Camera

Looking ahead to next year, Ming-Chi Kuo believes that contrary to some analysts’ expectations, Apple is unlikely to integrate a time-of-flight (ToF) depth sensing system in the rear camera of its 2019 iPhones.

Reports of Apple including rear-facing 3D sensing capabilities in its 2019 iPhone lineup first began appearing last year. At the time, Apple was said to be evaluating a ToF approach, which is different from the one it currently uses in the TrueDepth sensor system on the front of the iPhone X.

TrueDepth relies on a structured-light technique that projects a pattern of 30,000 laser dots onto a user’s face and measures the distortion to generate an accurate 3D image for authentication. By contrast, ToF calculates the time it takes for a laser to bounce off surrounding objects to create a 3D image of the environment.

However, in a note to investors this morning, obtained by MacRumors, Kuo said that the company would not use a rear-side application of ToF technology in next year’s smartphone lineup for two reasons.

First, the distance and depth information provided by rear-side ToF is currently insufficient for creating the “revolutionary AR experience” that Apple ultimately wants to develop. Kuo believes that in addition to camera distance/depth data, the complete AR ecosystem Apple is aiming for requires 5G connectivity, augmented-reality glasses, and a “more powerful Apple Map database,” which is presumably a reference to Apple’s efforts to enhance Maps with augmented reality features.

Second, the addition of rear-side ToF would do little to improve the iPhone’s photo-taking capabilities, because the current dual-camera setup is already capable of capturing or simulating enough distance/depth information to make photo-features like Portrait Mode a reality.

“We believe that iPhone’s dual-camera can simulate and offer enough distance/depth information necessary for photo-taking; it is therefore unnecessary for the 2H19 new iPhone models to be equipped with a rear-side ToF,” Kuo concludes.

Last October, Kuo similarly pushed back against reports that Apple would expand its front-facing TrueDepth system to the rear camera on this year’s iPhone lineup, which is due to be announced later today. Given Kuo’s latest remarks on Apple’s smartphone roadmap, rumors of rear-camera 3D sensing capabilities for next year’s lineup seem just as unlikely.

Related Roundup: Apple VR ProjectTags: Ming-Chi Kuo, TrueDepth, 2019 iPhones, Augmented
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Apple’s Online Store Goes Down Ahead of Today’s ‘Gather Round’ Event

Apple’s online store is down ahead of the company’s “Gather Round” media event today at Steve Jobs Theater, at its Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino, California. The keynote begins at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

The iconic “we’ll be back” message on Apple’s website often foreshadows the launch of new products. At today’s event, rumors suggest Apple will be introducing a trio of new iPhone models, Apple Watch Series 4 models, and new AirPods, along with detailing availability of its AirPower wireless charging mat.

MacRumors recapped what to expect at Apple’s event in detail last week, with headline new products expected to include a 6.5-inch so-called “iPhone Xs Max” and larger-screen Apple Watch Series 4 models with EKG functionality. AirPods are also expected to gain “Hey Siri” support and an optional wireless charging case.

Apple will also likely confirm availability of the final, publicly released versions of iOS 12, tvOS 12, watchOS 5, and macOS Mojave during today’s event, or shortly after the event on Apple.com, once it returns online.

Rumors suggest Apple has a number of other products in the pipeline this year, including iPad Pro models with Face ID, a lower-priced MacBook of some kind, refreshed iMac models, and a new pro-focused Mac mini, but it’s unclear if any will be announced today, at a potential October event, or via press releases.

As last-minute rumors, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Monday predicted that the next-generation iPad Pro models will feature a USB-C port, while the new lower-priced MacBook will support Touch ID, but without a Touch Bar.

Look for today’s event to run for around two hours, although if Apple plans on fitting all of its rumored products into its September keynote, then we could be in store for more of a marathon showing. Apple will provide a live stream of the event on the web and through its Apple Events app for the Apple TV.

MacRumors will be covering the event live from Steve Jobs Theater, with a live blog, hands-on photos, news stories, videos, and live tweets via @MacRumorsLive on Twitter. Mac users can get MacRumors headlines delivered to their desktops instantly by enabling Safari push notifications.

MacRumors readers can follow along in our forums, which are a great place to discuss the announcements before, during, and after the event. Be sure to keep tabs on the iPhone and Apple Watch sections in particular.

Tag: September 2018 event
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Apple Leaks iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR Names on Apple.com Ahead of Official Announcement

Apple appears to have leaked the names of its new iPhone lineup on its website, just hours before the company is due to officially announce them at its “Gather Round” event later today.

The names “iPhone XS,” “XS Max,” and “XR” were first spotted by ATH in a product sitemap XML file hosted on Apple.com. The names are linked to new products that come with AppleCare support and are associated with phone cases, seemingly confirming Apple’s official nomenclature for its 2018 iPhone lineup.

The XML file also reveals new Apple cases for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max devices that come in both silicon and leather, with midnight blue, white, black, stone, and Product RED colors set to be available.

Two days ago, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple would introduce the three widely rumored new iPhones using the now-leaked names: a 5.8-inch model named “iPhone Xs,” a larger 6.5-inch model named “iPhone Xs Max,” and a lower-priced 6.1-inch model that Apple would call “iPhone Xr”.

Other rumored names for the less expensive 6.1-inch LCD had included “iPhone 9” and “iPhone Xc,” harkening back to the iPhone 5c that came in multiple colors. Apple’s 6.1-inch iPhone XR is expected to feature an LCD display and a single-lens camera to keep costs lower than the two OLED devices.

Apple is set to unveil the new 6.1-inch iPhone XR alongside the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone Xs and the 6.5-inch OLED iPhone Xs Max at an event that will take place later today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. For full details on what to expect when the new iPhones debut, make sure to check out our roundup.

Update: Apple has since pulled the XML site map from its servers.

Related Roundup: iPhone Xs
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Apple Leaks New Apple Watch Sizes Coming in 40mm and 44mm

Apple is facing a series of leaks in the hours ahead of its “Gather Round” event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, and this time information about the new version of Apple Watch has been revealed. According to AllThingsHow, Apple udpated its sitemap files ahead of the event, which included links to Apple Watch in new 40mm and 44mm sizes.

These are believed to be the new Apple Watch models about to be announced later today, although they don’t carry a “Series 4” designation in the sitemap and are simply called “Apple Watch.” The sizes include both GPS and GPS + Cellular configurations, and include the colors Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.

In 40mm, there’s also a few Nike and Hermès options. Hermès includes an Indigo Craie Orange Double Tour band with a Stainless Steel case, and Nike has Pure Platinum Black Sport Band, Summit White Sport Loop, Anthracite Black Sport Band, and Black Sport Loop paired with various aluminum cases.

These new sizes appear to be upgrades from the previous generation of case sizes, with Apple increasing the cases from 38mm to 40mm for the small size and from 42mm to 44mm for the large size. Apple measures these cases vertically. In terms of width, the current 38mm Apple Watch is 33.3mm wide and the 42mm Apple Watch is 35.9mm wide.

The 40mm and 44mm sizes roughly align with a prediction made by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in July, who stated Apple would reveal two models measuring in at around 39.9mm and 45.2mm.

The upcoming Apple Watch’s big new feature will be a display that’s 15 percent larger, thanks to reduced bezels and likely the slightly increased case size. In a leak a few weeks back, we got a glimpse at a new watch face for Apple Watch, including one that had space for as many as eight complications.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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Apple Watch Series 4 Front Panel Depicted in Alleged Leaked Image

With anticipation mounting ahead of Apple’s imminent product announcements later today, Slashleaks has shared an image of an alleged front panel belonging to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 4, which a leak this morning revealed will come in 40mm and 44mm sizes.

Although it’s hard to verify from the image alone, we do expect the new model to feature a display that’s 15 percent larger than the one on the Apple Watch Series 3, a change implemented through a reduction in the size of the bezels of the device.

The larger display sizes will provide more room on the screen for apps and allow more space for watch faces. Apple is expected to introduce at least one new watch face with support for up to nine complications.

The resolution of the new 40mm Apple Watch is still unknown, but data found within a beta version of watchOS 5 suggests the 44mm version will feature a resolution of 384×480, up from 312×390 in the current 42mm Apple Watch models.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes all Series 4 models will feature rear case ceramic, and potentially come with electrocardiography (ECG/EKG) functionality.

A leaked marketing image suggests the Apple Watch Series 4 will look similar to the Series 3, with no major design changes. As far as we know, that should ensure Apple Watch Series 4 models will continue to be compatible with existing Apple Watch bands.

Apple’s “Gather Round” event will kick off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with Apple planning to live stream the product unveiling on its event website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.

For those unable to watch, MacRumors will have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, along with continuing coverage throughout the rest of September.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Tag: SlashleaksBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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