Google has added a new feature to its Search app that allows you to hum a song that's stuck in your head, and then use the company's machine learning algorithm to try and identify it.
In the Google app or using the Google Search widget, tap the mic icon and say "what's this song?" or click the "Search a song" button. Then start humming the tune for 10-15 seconds. When you're done, the Google app returns results showing the most likely options based on the tune.
Then you can select the best match and explore information on the song and artist, view any accompanying music videos or listen to the song on your favorite music app, find the lyrics, read analysis and check out other recordings of the song when available.
You can also whistle or sing the tune, and the app will use its machine learning models to "transform the audio into a number-based sequence representing the song's melody," which it then compares to existing songs.
Google says it trains the models on sources including humans singing, whistling or humming, as well as audio recordings, ignoring things like instruments and vocal quality to zone in on the numeric sequence. You don't need to use perfect pitch for it to work, and the results were impressively accurate in our tests, so if you have a frustrating brain worm that you just can't identify, this is the easiest way to put you out of your misery.
The feature is currently only available in English on iOS, but Google says it hopes to expand it to more languages in the future.
Apple has held events in September and October so far, first focusing on the Apple Watch Series 6 and iPad Air and then new iPhone 12 models and the HomePod mini. There are still a handful of products that Apple is expected to launch before the end of the year, so will we see a November event?
From AirPods Studio to an Arm-based Silicon Mac, there are still new devices that we could see this year. Below, we've outlined the rumored products that didn't make an appearance at the October event.
AirPods Studio
Apple is planning to add high-end over-ear "AirPods Studio" headphones to its AirPods lineup, and some rumors suggest that may be a product that's ready to go and set to launch before the end of 2020.
There was speculation that AirPods Studio would show up at the October event, but a massive leak outlining what we'd see at the event didn't include AirPods Studio, so we ended up knowing not to expect it.
Both AirPods and AirPods Pro launched in the later months of the year, so there's still a good chance we're going to get new headphones this year. Rumored to be priced starting at $350, AirPods Studio will feature Active Noise Cancellation and a retro-style design that could involve both a premium model made from high quality materials and a sport-oriented model made from breathable, lighter weight materials.
AirPods Studio could feature magnetic ear cups and headband padding that can be swapped out for a customizable look, much like Apple Watch bands, and there could be neat features like ear detection so there's no right or left side when wearing the headphones.
The 2020 launch date isn't a sure thing, as there's been some mixed information suggesting the AirPods Studio might not be ready for launch, so it's unclear just what's going to happen.
AirTags
We've been hearing rumors about Apple's Bluetooth-based item trackers for well over a year, and there's never been a clear launch timeline. It would have made sense to unveil the AirTags alongside new iPhones given the interoperability between them, but that didn't happen.
If you've been living under a rock and aren't familiar with AirTags, they're Apple's version of the Tile. AirTags are small Bluetooth-equipped item trackers that you can attach to important but easily lost items, allowing the AirTags (and the items) to be tracked right inside the Find My app alongside your Apple devices.
There's no guarantee that AirTags are launching in 2020, so there's a chance that we aren't going to see them this year. In fact, leaker Jon Prosser, who has a mixed track record when it comes to reporting Apple's plans, recently said the AirTags won't be coming until March 2021. Prosser has since said that the AirPods Studio headphones have actually been pushed back, so Apple is going to debut AirTags instead. Given the super mixed information, we'll have to wait to see what ends up launching.
Recent speculation suggests that Apple perhaps has had the AirTags ready to go for quite some time (hence code found in early versions of iOS 13), but has held them back to allow third-party item tracker manufacturers time to develop their own solutions that integrate with the Find My app in an effort to stave off antitrust accusations. Since AirTags rumors first leaked, Tile has been unhappy because a better Apple-designed Bluetooth tracker that integrates right into the Find My app has the potential to tank Tile's business.
Apple Silicon Macs
Apple itself has said that the first Mac with an Apple Silicon chip is coming before the end of 2020, so we can count on at least one Mac launch in November or December.
There's no word yet on exactly which Mac will get an Apple Silicon chip first, but based on rumors, candidates include a new MacBook Pro, a new MacBook Air, a resurrected 12-inch MacBook, or a new 24-inch iMac.
Apple is working on a revamped 14-inch MacBook that will be similar to the 16-inch MacBook and a redesigned 24-inch iMac to replace the 21.5-inch iMac, and the launch of both of these significant redesigns would be an ideal time to unveil fresh new Apple-designed chips.
Regardless of which Mac comes first, Apple is transitioning its entire Mac lineup to Apple Silicon chips, a process that's expected to take a year. By the end of 2021, Apple may be well on its way to sunsetting all Macs with Intel chips. We may not be able to count on AirPods Studio or AirTags for certain, but new Macs are definitely coming.
Apple TV
As with AirTags, rumors about a next-generation Apple TV have been floating around for months, if not years. We haven't had a new version of the Apple TV since 2017, and we're long overdue for an update.
Apple is said to be working on multiple Apple TV set-top boxes, including one that has an A14X chip that offers console-like performance. There are also rumors of a new Apple TV remote with Find My integration to keep it from getting lost.
No Apple TV made an appearance at Apple's October event, and it's not looking like we're going to see it a potential November event, either. According to an August report from Bloomberg, a new Apple TV might not be ready to launch until sometime in 2021.
November Event?
There's a chance that Apple could hold a third November event to show off new products because the Apple Silicon Macs at a minimum are event-worthy devices. Of course, there's no guarantee at this time, because the devices that are still on the horizon could also come out through a press release.
Predicting a possible event date in November is tricky. November 3 is election day in the United States, November 11 is Veterans Day, and November 26 is Thanksgiving in the United States with Apple giving all corporate employees that week off. If Apple does hold an event, we could perhaps get invites in the first week of November with an event to take place on November 9 or 10 ahead of Veteran's Day.
A recent rumor has suggested that Apple is actually planning an Apple Silicon event for November 17, so that could be when we'll see an announcement instead. That date is getting awfully close to Thanksgiving a week later, but Apple doesn't have a lot of options in the month of November.
In 2020, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max as the successors to the popular iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, with a new squared-off industrial design, the A14 Bionic chip, a LiDAR Scanner, and MagSafe. As Apple's premium flagship offerings from 2020, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max were the most fully-featured iPhones available until the launch of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 Pro started at $999 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max started at $1,099, and while Apple has now discontinued them, customers may still find them available for much lower prices from third-party stores. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are actually a number of differences between the devices besides just screen size. Our guide highlights the differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you.
Comparing the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max share virtually all of the same key features. Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR display technology, A14 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, a "pro" camera setup with 12MP Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto lenses, LiDAR Scanner, and are available in the same colors. More interesting is where the two devices differ.
Differences
iPhone 12 Pro
6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution
Telephoto lens with ƒ/2.0 aperture
2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range
Digital zoom up to 10x
Dual optical image stabilization
Battery life with 17 hours of video playback
Weight of 6.66 ounces (189 grams)
Originally priced at $999, $1099, $1299 for 128GB/256GB/512GB
iPhone 12 pro Max
6.7-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2778-by-1284-pixel resolution
Telephoto lens with ƒ/2.2 aperture
2.5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 5x optical zoom range
Digital zoom up to 12x
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Battery life with 20 hours of video playback
Weight of 8.03 ounces (228 grams)
Originally priced at $1099, $1199, $1399 for 128GB/256GB/512GB
Aside from physical size, Apple has added a few more camera improvements into the Max. Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see where exactly the iPhone 12 Pro contrasts with its larger sibling.
Display Size
The most noticeable difference between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max is the display size. The iPhone 12 Pro has a size of 6.1 inches, and the 12 Pro Max has a size of 6.7 inches. This means that the larger phone will be able to display more content, with the UI elements of apps spaced further apart, and items such as the keyboard will be much bigger. The smaller phone, however, will be much more pocketable and easy to use with one hand.
The displays themselves use the exact same technologies and have the same features, but the main reason to prefer the iPhone 12 Pro will be because of its better fit in the hand and easier one-handed use. Likewise, those that prefer a larger display, to the point that it may begin to cannibalize the 7.9-inch iPad mini, will clearly prefer the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Dimensions and Weight
As a smaller phone, the iPhone 12 Pro obviously has a lesser height and width than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 Pro is 14.1mm shorter and 6.6mm narrower than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. However, both phones have the same thickness of 7.4mm. The iPhone 12 Pro is also 39 grams (1.38 ounces) lighter than its larger counterpart, at just 189 grams (6.66 ounces) in total.
Cameras
The camera is another key area of separation between the devices. The two iPhones have very similar rear camera arrays, with three 12MP cameras, including an Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto, and a LiDAR Scanner, and many of the same software features, such as Smart HDR 3, Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Apple ProRAW. However, the larger size of the 12 Pro Max has allowed Apple to add three additional camera features.
The Wide camera of the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 47 percent larger sensor with bigger pixels, which lets in a lot more light than the Wide-angle camera of the iPhone 12. Low-light photos taken with the iPhone 12 Pro Max are 87 percent better, according to Apple, with images also featuring more detail and better color.
The Telephoto lens on the iPhone 12 Pro has an f/2.0 aperture while the Telephoto lens of the iPhone 12 Pro Max has an f/2.2 aperture, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a 65mm focal length and 2.5x zoom lens that is superior to the 52mm focal length and 2x zoom lens in the iPhone 12 Pro, allowing for a 5x optical zoom range.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max also has sensor-shift optical image stabilization on its Wide lens instead of lens-shift optical image stabilization. This means that the camera sensor moves to counteract shake, rather than the lens. The result is improved optical image stabilization.
Increased zoom in, better low-light performance, and sensor-shift optical image stabilization are noteworthy, if not especially groundbreaking, camera improvements. Nevertheless, if you heavily use your iPhone for photography and videography, the advancements on the 12 Pro Max will likely be appreciated.
Battery Life
The iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max also differ when it comes to battery life. The iPhone 12 Pro can deliver up to 17 hours of video playback, according to Apple. However, since the iPhone 12 Pro Max is much larger, it can accommodate a larger battery and therefore offer a longer battery life. This means that the iPhone 12 Pro Max can reportedly deliver up to 20 hours of video playback. Real-world battery life for both devices is likely to be lower than Apple's estimates, as mixed usage tends to be a bit heavier than video playback alone.
If battery life is a priority for you, the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers excellent battery life. If you choose to get the iPhone 12 Pro, it will still have a fair battery life, but it does not reach the capability of the 12 Pro Max.
Other iPhone Options
With an original a starting price of $999, if the iPhone 12 Pro is outside your comfortable spending range, you should definitely consider its cheaper counterpart, the iPhone 12 ($599/$699), or even the iPhone 11 ($499).
The most obvious decision point between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max falls comes down to screen size. The camera enhancements of the iPhone 12 Pro Max also make it the best iPhone for photography and videography. Likewise, heavy battery users will value the added capacity.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max represents the most you can get out of an iPhone in all areas, but that does not necessarily translate into a worthwhile purchase for all users. A large 6.7-inch phone is not for everyone. Some may consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max's size excessive or uncomfortably large, while others will love the larger display for consuming media.
Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and Apple offers the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup in three different sizes to meet all users' needs. Since the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max share almost all features except for some camera hardware, it comes down to individual taste. The added $100 in price seems a fair trade for the added size, battery life and camera features.
Apple's iPhone mini has the shortest battery life out of all the iPhones in the iPhone 12 lineup due to its small size, but Apple has not provided public information about the battery's capacity. A regulatory filing from Brazil, however, suggests the iPhone 12 mini has a battery capacity of 2,227mAh.
The same regulatory information says the iPhone 12 features a 2,815mAh battery, which is smaller than the 3,110mAh battery in the iPhone 11.
The regulatory info comes from ANATEL, Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency that certifies new electronic devices. The listing was found by Brazilian site Tecnoblog, with the site claiming to have found documentation on all four of the new iPhone models. Information on iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max battery capacity has not yet been shared, however.
A battery certification leak earlier this summer also indicated that the iPhone 12 mini would have a 2,227mAh battery capacity, but that same leak said that the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro would feature 2,775mAh batteries, which doesn't match up with the ANATEL info.
There is a possibility that the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro have different battery capacities, so the 12 Pro could have the rumored 2,775mAh battery, which would make both certification leaks accurate. The earlier certifications also suggested the iPhone 12 Pro Max would have a 3,687mAh battery, but it's not yet clear if that's accurate.
Apple appears to be using smaller batteries in this year's iPhone lineup compared to last year as the iPhone 11 Pro had a 3,046mAh battery and the iPhone 11 Pro Max had a 3,969mAh battery. Compared to those models, the new iPhones have similar battery life thanks to efficiency improvements introduced by the A14 Bionic chip.
According to Apple, the iPhone 12 mini's battery lasts for up to 15 hours with standard video playback, up to 10 hours with streaming video playback, and up to 50 hours with audio playback.
Both the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro offer up to 17 hours of video playback, up to 11 hours of streaming video playback, and up to 65 hours of audio playback, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max lasts for up to 20 hours for video playback, up to 12 hours for streaming video playback, and up to 80 hours for audio playback.
While not detailed in the tech specs, MacRumors can confirm that Apple's new HomePod mini features a non-detachable power cable that ends with a USB-C connector for use with the 20W power adapter included in the box.
With the switch to USB-C, the HomePod mini could potentially be powered by a wider range of devices and peripherals, ranging from MacBooks to USB-C battery packs with enough wattage, but this will ultimately depend on how much power the HomePod mini draws.
The standard HomePod also has a non-detachable power cable, but it terminates with a plug for direct connection to a wall outlet.
The standard HomePod's power cable ends with a plug (via iFixit)
It's worth noting that soon after the original HomePod launched, it was discovered that the power cable can technically be removed if enough force is applied, so time will tell if this is possible with the HomePod mini too. In an internal document obtained by MacRumors in 2018, Apple warned that the HomePod's power cable should not be removed, noting that this could cause damage to the cable or internal components.
Introduced at Apple's event earlier this week, the HomePod mini has a more compact, spherical design, standing just 3.3 inches tall. However, despite being much smaller, Apple says the HomePod mini still delivers "amazing sound" using "computational audio," a feature that is powered by the same S5 chip as in the Apple Watch Series 5.
HomePod mini will be available in white and space gray for $99, with pre-orders set to begin Friday, November 6 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Apple today launched a new Diwali promotion in India that will see the company providing customers with a set of AirPods with the purchase of any iPhone 11 model. The new iPhone 12 models are not part of the promotion.
Apple is offering the standard AirPods With Charging Case free with purchase, but customers can choose to upgrade to the AirPods with Wireless Charging Case or the AirPods Pro.
To celebrate Diwali, take home AirPods on us with your new iPhone 11. If you like, you can upgrade to AirPods with a Wireless Charging Case or AirPods Pro. And you can add free engraving in Bag to make it personal. Choose from seven regional Indian languages, emojis and more.
AirPods with Charging Case are valued at INR 14,900, with customers able to upgrade to AirPods with Wireless Charging Case for INR 4,000 or AirPods Pro for INR 10,000.
The promotion will last from October 17, 2020 to November 12, 2020, with terms and conditions available on Apple's website. [PDF]
Apple's online store in India launched on September 22, providing Indian customers with a way to make purchases direct from Apple for the first time. Apple is also planning to open retail stores in India in the future.
Following the launch of the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, Apple has begun marketing them through TV commercials, ads, billboards, and more. An ad uploaded to YouTube this afternoon promotes the new iPhone 12 and 12 Pro as "the most powerful iPhone ever," highlighting the design, camera, 5G connectivity, and more.
The spot features the songs "Gopher" by Yma Sumac and "Drumdown Mambo" from Whethan. It shows off the iPhone's design and then features a shockwave that's set off when the device is unlocked as a demonstration of its power.
Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are available for pre-order as of today, with the first orders set to arrive to customers on Friday, October 23.
Apple today shared the trailer for "Fireball," a Werner Herzog documentary that's set to debut on Apple TV+ on November 13.
"Fireball" explores the cultural and physical influence that meteors, comets, and deep impacts have had on earth in regard to mythology, religion, and human imagination.
Apple acquired the rights for "Fireball" over the summer. The documentary is the third collaboration between Herzog and director and geoscientist Clive Oppenheimer who previously teamed up for "Encounters at the End of the World" in Antarctica and "Into the Inferno" exploring active volcanoes.
"Fireball" joins several other documentaries available through Apple TV+ such as "Tiny World," "Boys State," and "The Elephant Queen."
In other Apple TV+ news, actress Kate Hudson is planning to join the cast of "Truth Be Told" for season 2. Season 1 of "Truth Be Told," which stars Octavia Spencer, focused on the reopening of a murder case after a popular podcast about it.
The first season starred Aaron Paul as Warren Cave, but "Truth Be Told" is designed to be an anthology series with a new main storyline each season. Hudson will play Micah Keith, a lifestyle guru and longtime friend of Spencer's character, Poppy Parnell, with the two exploring a new murder case that "deeply involves both women."
Alongside the iPhone 12 models, Apple introduced a new MagSafe line of accessories that work with a ring of magnets built into the new devices. MagSafe technology is being provided to third-party case makers, who are coming out with MagSafe products.
OtterBox today announced the launch of several cases designed to work with Apple’s MagSafe accessories, including the Figura, Aneu, and Symmetry+ Series.
Priced at $50 to $60, the cases feature slim but protective designs along with MagSafe compatibility. The Figura cases feature multi-color designs and are made from a soft-touch material for a comfortable grip, while the Aneu comes in solid colors with a grippy edge.
The Symmetry+ cases feature a more protective design with DROP+ technology and are infused with a silver-based additive that blocks microbial growth and protects against common bacteria.
When Apple announced Apple Watch Series 6 in September, it also introduced new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop bands in various colors, but the availability of PRODUCT(RED) variants of both bands was delayed until October.
Stock has now arrived, however, and Apple's PRODUCT(RED) Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop for Apple Watch can be ordered today from Apple's online store for $49 and $99, respectively, with shipping times for most sizes currently at 1-2 weeks.
The Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are optimized for Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. Sizes one through nine work with 40mm cases, and sizes four through 12 work with 44mm cases.
Apple donates a portion of proceeds from every (PRODUCT)RED product that it sells to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, with Apple selling a wide range of (PRODUCT)RED products ranging from iPhone and iPad cases to Beats headphones and speakers. Through December 31, Apple is partnering with (RED) to redirect 100% of eligible proceeds from (PRODUCT)RED purchases to the Global Fund's COVID‑19 Response to help support health systems most threatened by the outbreak.
The UK Department of Culture, Media, and Sport is launching an inquiry into music streaming services, including Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube, to ascertain whether musicians are paid fairly (via BBC News).
The inquiry comes after complaints from artists that the payments they receive for their work are "negligible."
The growth of the streaming market "cannot come at the expense of talented and lesser-known artists," said Culture, Media, and Sport Committee chair Julian Knight MP.
The inquiry is set to begin next month, and will seek to gather evidence from industry experts, artists, record labels, and streaming services themselves.
Apple Music pays the most at £0.0059 per stream, followed by Spotify at £0.002 to £0.0038 per stream. The lowest paying service is YouTube, which pays about £0.00052 per stream. These funds are then divided between rights-holders, resulting in artists receiving just 13 percent of revenue on average.
It is reported that in May, violinist Tamsin Little received £12.34 for millions of streams over a period of six months, and electronic artist Jon Hopkins made just £8 for 90,000 plays on Spotify.
Algorithms might benefit platforms in maximizing income from streaming but they are a blunt tool to operate in a creative industry with emerging talent risking failing the first hurdle.
We're asking whether the business models used by major streaming platforms are fair to the writers and performers who provide the material. Longer-term we're looking at whether the economics of streaming could in future limit the range of artists and music that we're all able to enjoy today.
In addition to the matter of pay for artists, MPs will investigate how streaming services' playlists and algorithms can distort the music market, and whether new music is being suffocated by the dominance of popular artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, and Drake.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Customers ordering a SIM-free/Pacific Blue/128GB version of the iPhone 12 Pro, for example, are already facing an estimated delivery window of November 6-13. Some configurations of the iPhone 12 Pro remain available for launch day delivery on October 23, but inventory is quickly dwindling, so customers should order as soon as possible.
Availability of the standard iPhone 12 is faring better so far, with many configurations still available for launch day delivery on October 23.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max begin later, on Friday, November 6. Pricing starts at $699 for the iPhone 12 mini, $799 for the iPhone 12, $999 for the iPhone 12 Pro, and $1,099 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Earlier this week, Apple's online store indicated that T-Mobile, Sprint, and SIM-free models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini would start at $829 and $729 respectively in the United States, which was $30 extra compared to AT&T and Verizon models.
However, coinciding with the start of pre-orders for the iPhone 12 today, it turns out that T-Mobile and Sprint are now offering customers the same "instant discount" of $30 with activation. This means the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now start at Apple's advertised $799 and $699 prices respectively with activation on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint.
SIM-free models of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini continue to start at $829 and $729 respectively for use with any carrier.
It is unclear why the "instant discount" for T-Mobile and Sprint models showed up three days after AT&T and Verizon models, but it has certainly created a confusing situation for customers. Pre-orders of the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are available now, while iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders will begin Friday, November 6.
There is no price discrepancy with iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models, which start at $999 and $1,099 respectively regardless of the model selected.
Apple has started accepting pre-orders for the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models through its online storefront and the Apple Store app.
Pre-orders are available in more than 30 countries and regions around the world for the two models that are on sale today. Note that if you want an iPhone 12 mini or an iPhone 12 Pro Max, you'll need to wait until November 6 to pre-order.
Priced starting at $799 ($829 from some carriers and SIM-Free) for 64GB storage, the iPhone 12 is Apple's second-most affordable iPhone this year, priced at $100 over the upcoming iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 Pro is Apple's higher-end iPhone with upgraded camera technology, and it is priced starting at $999 for 128GB storage.
All of the iPhone models this year feature a new flat-edged design that's similar to the iPad Pro or the iPhone 4, with OLED edge-to-edge displays, Face ID, faster A14 chip technology, and, most notably, 5G connectivity. In the United States, all iPhone 12 models support both mmWave and sub-6GHz 5G networks, while in other countries, sub-6GHz 5G connectivity is available.
The more affordable iPhone 12 features a dual-lens camera setup, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a triple-lens camera with a LiDAR Scanner that brings some notable new features to the higher-end iPhones like Night mode portraits and enhanced AR capabilities. For a full rundown on the differences between the two models, make sure to check out our guide.
Pre-orders are available in the United States and more than 30 other countries and regions. Those hoping to get a device on launch day should make sure to pre-order right away because we don't know what Apple's available supply looks like. This year's iPhones are launching in October instead of September because of production delays, so supplies could potentially be constrained.
Major U.S. carriers including Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile are accepting pre-orders for new devices, as are other carriers around the world. Major online retailers such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart are also accepting pre-orders today.
New iPhone cases and the MagSafe charger are also available for purchase as of this morning.
In the United States, customers can purchase the new iPhones from the four major carriers using Apple's site or Apple Store app, or choose a SIM-Free version. Purchase options include carrier payment plans, the Apple Upgrade Program, Apple Card Monthly Installments, or paying in full.
Customers who successfully place an order for launch day delivery can expect to begin receiving their devices on Friday, October 23, which is the official release date for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.
Alongside the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, Apple is offering pre-orders for the redesigned fourth-generation iPad Air, which was first introduced at Apple's September event.
Priced starting at $599 for 64GB of storage, the 10.9-inch iPad Air features an edge-to-edge display with a unique Touch ID power button instead of Face ID. Like the new iPhone 12 models, the iPad Air uses Apple's new 5-nanometer A14 Bionic chip.
The new iPad Air comes in silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and blue, and it features Apple Pencil 2 support, a 12-megapixel rear camera and a 7-megapixel front-facing camera.
Apple first announced the iPad Air at its September event, but didn't provide a release date beyond "October." Following today's pre-orders, the iPad Air will launch on Friday, October 23, which is the date that the first pre-orders will be arriving in the hands of customers.
During its iPhone 12 event this week, Apple expended an unusually long amount of talk time on pressing home the benefits of 5G, and even gave the chairman and CEO of Verizon, Hans Vestberg, a segment to explain how "5G just got real."
"The power of Verizon 5G meets the first iPhone with 5G."
That same slogan is at the heart of Verizon's marketing campaign for mmWave 5G on iPhone 12, as this latest ad featuring comedian Chris Rock demonstrates.
mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, making it best suited for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas. In most countries that offer 5G, sub-6GHz networks are more common.
Apple says iPhone 12 models support more 5G bands than any other smartphone, and the devices can automatically adjust to LTE when necessary to save battery life, such as when updates are taking place in the background.
iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders begin today, October 16 at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, with shipments starting Friday, October 23.
Apple will hold another digital event on November 17 to announce its first Apple Silicon powered Macs, according to frequent leaker Jon Prosser.
Apple has already said that this year it intends to introduce the first Mac powered by an Apple Silicon chip instead of an Intel processor. One thing it hasn't revealed is the date it will be announced. According to Prosser's source, that date is November 17. "You should see this confirmed with an announcement on Tuesday, November 10," added Prosser in a followup tweet.
Another known unknown is which Mac model will feature the first custom Arm-based Mac processors. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said it will be a notebook, but rumors have conflicted on whether it will be a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, a new MacBook Air, or a revived 12-inch MacBook.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuobelieves the 13-inch MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will be updated with Apple Silicon chips before the end of 2020, while Chinese language newspaper The China Times claimed the first Apple Silicon Mac will be a new variant of the 12-inch Retina MacBook weighing less than one kilogram (2.2lbs) and with a battery life between 15 and 20 hours.
Whichever models arrive first, rumors suggest the A14X chip will be in the first Apple Silicon Mac. Apple's first Mac processors are said have 12 cores, including eight high-performance cores and at least four energy-efficient cores, according to Bloomberg. Apple is said to be exploring Mac processors with more than 12 cores for further in the future, with the company already designing a second generation of Mac processors based on the A15 chip.
You should see this confirmed with an announcement on Tuesday, November 10th.
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) October 16, 2020
Lastly, it's worth bearing in mind that Prosser has been hit and miss with his recent Apple leaks, sometimes making accurate claims and other times relying on misinterpreted information from his sources or revising his predictions after the fact. However, Bloomberg has previously said that Apple is planning to unveil Apple Silicon Macs in November, perhaps at a November event or via a press release, so there could be substance to Prosser's latest claim.
Apple's online store is down ahead of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro pre-orders, which are set to begin at 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time in the United States.
"You're... early," reads the Apple Store message when attempting to visit the U.S. website. "Pre-order begins at 5:00 a.m. PDT. Enjoy the extra sleep." Apple used to do new device pre-orders at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, but since last year, has been holding iPhone pre-orders at 5:00 a.m.
The iPhone 12 and 12 Pro are launching in more than 30 countries and regions around the world, and a full list of launch times can be found in our time zone guide.
Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models feature a full redesign with a flat-edged look that similar to the design of the iPad Pro. All of the models feature edge-to-edge OLED displays, 5G connectivity, and upgraded camera technology.
Following pre-orders, the first iPhone 12 and 12 Pro shipments will arrive to customers on Friday, October 23. Note that pre-orders will only be available for the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 and 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro, with pre-orders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max launching on November 6.
If you're hoping to get an iPhone 12 or 12 Pro on launch day, it's a good idea to purchase early because there's no word on how much supply Apple will have. Preliminary reports suggest demand is high and supply is low, with pre-orders from telecoms in Taiwan selling out within 45 minutes.
Pricing on the iPhone 12 starts at $829, though some U.S. carriers are offering a $30 discount that drops the price to Apple's advertised $799 price point. Pricing on the iPhone 12 Pro starts at $999.
