Larger M-series iMac may be coming

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman

Based on the fact that Apple increased the 21.5-inch model

Could likely be a 30-inch version

Thinks Apple will update when they have a souped up version of the M1 (M1X) or an M2X.

The timeline for the update is not set, but it’s possible we could see next gen M-series Mac updates this Fall

Speaking of some of those new Macs…

Gurman has reported that he expects a new MacBook Pro with miniLED display to be announced between September and November

He didn’t go into specifics, but to date multiple sources have predicted new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with Apple M1X processors with more cores, 16-32 core GPUs, support for up to 64GB of RAM, more ports. Including the return of HDMI, SD Card Slots, and MagSafe.

The new machines are also expected to have a flatter edge design similar to todays iPhones and iPads.

Ming-Chi Kuo thinks we may also get an updated MacBook Air with a 13.3-inch miniLED display around mid-2022

Another future Mac enhancement predicted by Gurman is FaceID

He did not provide a timeline beyond saying he expected it to happen in the “next couple of years”

The FaceID sensors would give Macs advantages both with authentication and augmented reality

The challenge, especially for laptops which have very thin screens, is fitting in all the required sensors.

Cost is also a factor in bringing the tech to entry level products like the iPad and iPhone SE

Apple’s Mac marketshare continues to hold steady at around 8 percent

This is from recent estimates from IDC and Gartner

IDC estimates Mac shipments in the second quarter at around 6.16 million units, up from 5.63 million last year

That would give Apple about a 7.4 percent share of the PC industry. Down just slightly from 7.6 percent

Gartner’s numbers are a little more positive

They think Apple increased their marketshare slightly from 7.4 percent to 8.5 percent

And as component shortages get resolved and new MacBook Pro models arrive Ming-Chi Kuo thinks Apple could see up to a 45 percent increase in MacBook shipments in the second half of this year.

Updates on TSMCs new chip manufacturing plant in Arizona confirm that they plans to have the facility up and producing chips by the first quarter of 2024

It’s expected could produce both A-series and M-series chips for Apple at the plant once it’s online.

Apple Car could have US batteries

Apple had been reported thinking of working with battery suppliers in China but insists that battery partners produce their Apple car batteries in the US.

Business Insider reported that Kevin Lynch, who leads Apple Watch development at Apple, might be moving to a lead role on the Apple Car project.

Apple’s car project is currently led by Apple’s head of AI and machine learning, John Giannandrea.

According to the report Lynch would keep his title as VP of Technology and would continue to also work on Apple Watch and but be less involved with Apple’s Health initiatives

Apple TV+ shows get Emmy nods

Apple TV+ shows are nominated for 34 awards at the 2021 Primetime Emmys

That’s up from 18 nominations last year.

Ted Lasso was received the most nominations for any Apple TV+ show, with 20 of the nominations

Other Apple shows and docs to receive nominations include Servant, Boys State, Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, Bruce Springsteen's Letter to You, Central Park, and Mythic Quest.

In a report from The Wrap, Apple has signed a multi-year first-look film deal with Adam McKay’s production company Hyperobject Industries

McKay is a writer, producer, and director and has worked on films like The Big Short and Ant-Man

Apple still seems very interested in expanding out it’s in-house studio efforts, Apple Studios and acquisitions are likely part of the plan.

According to Variety the studio A24, who has several existing and upcoming projects with Apple, has been mulling the idea of a sale and Apple has supposedly expressed interest.

Talks for the sale with a cost estimated at $2.5-$3 billion have been happening on and off for about 18 months.

Apple has also been said to be considering a buyout of Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine.

The Wall Street Journal says Apple is also looking to expand it’s Apple Studios footprint in LA

Reports claim Apple needs more space for it’s growing studio business and looking for a “large production campus” with soundstages where they can continue to produce original content for Apple TV+

The facility could be as large as half a million square feet.

Apple studios currently has a 128,000 square foot facility in Culver City undergoing renovations to serve as the AppleTV+ head office.

Apple Pay wants in on ‘pay later’

Reports that Apple is looking to once again partner with Goldman Sachs to expand their Apple Pay offering to include a buy now, pay later option

These payment offerings have become popular with options from services like Affirm, Klarna, and PayPal

Apple’s service, according to Bloomberg, would be called Apple Pay Later and would not require Apple Card ownership.

You could make a purchase, with credit approval, and then pay in monthly installments.

According to Bloomberg the application process would happen with in the Wallet app and there would be interest free and interest-accumulated plans.

An “Apple Pay in 4” interest free option with 4 payments every two weeks

Or use “Apple Pay Monthly Installments” paying monthly for a longer term with interest.

The iPhone 13 may be big

Apple looks to be gearing up to sell a ton of iPhone 13 models if we want to believe reports from Bloomberg

They say the company is expecting to ship around 90 million iPhone 13s during it’s launch period. That is about 15 million units more than normal.

The continued demand for upgrading to 5G iPhones is likely to drive a lot of that demand.

The models and phone sizes for the 13 are expected to remain unchanged from the 12 series

Of course they will have upgraded processors, cameras, and a smaller notch

They hope ultimately to replace the notch with under-display tech, but that is likely a while off.

New rumors out of China are also claiming the the iPhone 13 might get a 25W power adapter and faster charging

Nekkei Asia says the 3rd gen AirPods will also be debuted along side the iPhone 13

Expected to have a design similar to Air Pods Pro with shorter case and stems, but not have advanced features like active noise cancellation.

AirPods Pro could also get an update with no stems, but the AirPods Pro update is not expected until the first half of next year.

Apple is also expected to follow up the iPhone 13 with a smaller 5G version of the iPhone SE in the first half of 2022

Information from DigiTimes claims that the updated device will remain Apple’s “entry level” device

With a 4.7-inch display and updated A14 Bionic process, the one found in the iPhone 12

The design is expected to remain the same (that of an iPhone 8) and it will still be Apple’s only iPhone with a TouchID sensor and Home button.

More on the new iPad mini

9to5 Mac says they have more details on Apple’s updated iPad mini which is expected to be out later this year

They claim it’s code named “J310” and will come with an new A15 processor and add a Smart Connector and accessories.

They also say, like other iPads, it will adopt a USB-C port

It’s also believed that the new model will have smaller bezels and an 8.4-inch display.

DigiTimes believes the new iPad mini could also get a minLED display like the recently updated iPad Pro, though display analyst Ross Young refutes the claim based on his check with the supplier Radiant Opto-Electronics.

It’s worth noting though that Ming-Chi Kuo had previously stated an iPad mini with a miniLED display would arrive in 2020. Obviously that never came to fruition.

New Apple Display?

9to5Mac claims to have exclusive information indicating that Apple is doing internal testing on a new external display

The say it’s being developed under the code name J327 and they specs are uncertain at the moment

The one thing they do believe is that the display will feature an Apple A13 Bionic chip, which implies that it would have a Neural Engine and be capable of Machine Learning tasks. It would also have it’s own built in GPU.

As much as we want this to be the rumored replacement for Apple’s Thunderbolt Display, it seems like this might just be what Apple is developing for the next version of their $6K Pro Display XDR.

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Multiple Displays with M1 Macs

Barry contacted me to let me know he’s been using multiple displays on two M1 Mac set-ups

A MacBook Air with two DisplayPort monitors (and it’s own monitor) as well as a Mac Mini with two DisplayPort monitors and a USB-C external monitor.

Using docks from [Targus](https://us.targus.com/products/usb-c-universal-dv4k-docking-station-with-100w-power-dock190usz)

This dock supports Thunderbolt 3 and two 4K UHD displays connected via DisplayPort or HDMI

If you connect USB-C DisplayLink monitors you need the [DisplayLink](https://www.displaylink.com) driver

AirTags as HomeKit triggers

Turns out AirTags can be used for more than just locating lost items

I was reading an [article from iMore](https://www.imore.com/how-use-shortcuts-siri-control-apple-tv) about Apple TV shortcuts where you can automate function like turning on your AppleTV, opening apps, launching the remote on your phone, controlling settings, etc.

Then I thought I wonder if you could use HomeKit automations along with this.

One way to tigger a HomeKit automation is by using an NFC tag

I thought, what NFC tags to I have? Apple Card case and… AirTags

Turns out, not surprisingly, I was not the first to figure this out. Lots of info online including the Dutch site [iCulture](https://www.iculture.nl/tips/airtag-nfc-tag/)

To set up an NFC triggered automation

Open the Shortcuts App

Tap on the “Automations” tab

Click the “+” and choose “Create Personal Automation”

Scroll down and tap “NFC”

Tap “Scan”. Now scan your tag and give it a name

The will set up the tag as the “When” event

Now tap Next and then add your actions.

You can build out any kind of shortcut.

You can also trigger HomeKit automations you already have setup

One trick when you’re done is you might want to turn off the “Ask Before Running” option.

If this is on when the tag is detected you’ll get a notification and you need to tap that and tap “run” before the automation will run.

One other quirk of using existing tags is they will still trigger their “default” behavior.

AirTag will try to direct you to found.apple.com in safari, but you can just ignore that alert.

Play around with this and have fun.

There are all kinds of other triggers for personal automations

Battery Packs for Mac Mini?

Darren has the 13.3 inch M1 MacBook Pro with a 27-inch BenQ monitor

He had originally hoped the 16-inch M-series MacBook Pro would be out, but that hasn’t happened.

When he’s ready to upgrade he’s now wondering if the next gen Mac mini might be an option when coupled with the 27-inch display

The one possible issue is living in a Thunderstorm area with frequent power outages the advantage of a fully charged M1 laptop is you can have hours of battery power to get you through.

UPS and battery backup systems don’t offer much running time.

There are portable battery units from companies like Anker and Jackery that range from about $200 to around $1000 USD

The problem with this is cost and the amount of power they might provide. You also have to factor in the power draw of the monitor

If you draw too much power from these they will also shutoff to protect your gear.

[iMore](https://www.imore.com/best-portable-batteries-mac-mini) did a nice breakdown of some options for Mac mini’s

The Mac mini has a 150W power supply

The current M1 Mac mini consumes around 7W while idle and 39 watts under full load.

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