Top Stories: Epic Games vs. Apple, Hidden AirTag Mode, Apple Music Hi-Fi, Colorful MacBook Air?

While we wait on the freshly introduced iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV designs to launch later this month, this week saw the kickoff of the big Impressive Games v. Apple trial, with great deals of juicy tidbits coming out as the two sides make their arguments.

Apple Watch Likely to Gain Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Blood Alcohol Monitoring
Apple Watch continues to involve into an all-in-one health tool on the wrist, with functions like heart rate tracking, the ECG app, and blood oxygen tracking– and this might just be the beginning.
The Telegraph this week reported that Apple is the biggest client of the British electronics startup Rockley Photonics, which has actually established non-invasive optical sensing units for identifying numerous blood-related health metrics, consisting of high blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood alcohol levels.
Rockleys sensors beam infrared light through a users skin, just like the existing sensing units on the back of the Apple Watch for detecting heart rate and blood oxygen levels, so its possible that more blood-related health functions might be pertaining to future Apple Watch designs.
In a December 2020 interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated the Apple Watch is still in the “early innings,” noting that the company is testing “mind blowing” capabilities in its laboratories. “Think about the quantity of sensors in your automobile,” stated Cook, adding “and probably, your body is a lot more crucial than your cars and truck.”
Samsung Expected to Supply 120Hz Displays for iPhone 13 Pro Models
Apples upcoming iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max designs are commonly reported to feature OLED displays with approximately a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in material and scrolling appearing smoother.
Korean site The Elec this week reported that Samsung will be the unique supplier of the 120Hz screens, with LG relatively out of the running.
120Hz support will be enabled by Apple embracing low-power LTPO display screen innovation, according to previous reports. LTPO innovation would lead to a more power-efficient backplane, enabling a 120Hz refresh rate without a substantial impact on battery life.
Similar to current Apple Watch models, LTPO could likewise allow iPhone 13 Pro designs to have an always-on display screen with the clock noticeable.
iPad Mini 6 Delayed Until Second Half of 2021
Apple is reported to be working on a new iPad mini with slimmer bezels, permitting a larger 8.4-inch display screen, however the gadget might release behind expected.
In a research study note this week, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo briefly pointed out that the new iPad mini will launch in the second half of 2021. Earlier reports had actually suggested the device might release this spring.
The sixth-generation iPad mini is anticipated to have a similar style as the third-generation iPad Air, including a Touch ID home button and a Lightning adapter, and the device will likely get a much faster chip too. The present iPad mini launched in March 2019 and features a 7.9-inch display screen, A12 Bionic chip, and assistance for the initial Apple Pencil.
Kuo likewise stated Apple plans to introduce an 8-inch collapsible iPhone in 2023, taking on the likes of Samsung and Huawei.
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This week also saw some reports about a Hi-Fi tier for Apple Music, more biometric noticing capabilities for Apple Watch, and timing for the next-generation iPad mini launch. We also saw people digging into Apples new AirTags, consisting of the discovery of a hidden “designer mode” in the Precision Finding function. Continue reading for information on these stories and more!
Epic Games vs. Apple Trial Over App Store Policies Begins
The highly-anticipated Epic Games vs. Apple bench trial kicked off this week in California court, with attorneys for both business presenting their cases prior to District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
Epic Games has tried to paint the App Store as monopolistic and anti-competitive, noting that designers are required to use Apples in-app purchase system, and thus pay Apple a 30% commission on sales. The business behind the popular fight royale video game Fortnite believes Apple needs to enable both third-party app stores and direct payment systems in apps.
Legendary Games described the App Store as a “walled garden” and provided e-mails from previous and present Apple executives like Steve Jobs, Phil Schiller, and Eddy Cue in an attempt to show this claim.
Apple has argued that a single, curated App Store is essential to safeguard the security, privacy, reliability, and quality that customers have pertained to get out of the company. Apple likewise argued that Epic Games has taken advantage of the App Store community for over a decade.
” Epic desires us to be Android, but we dont want to be,” said Apple legal representative Karen Dunn, referring to the capability to sideload apps outside of the Google Play shop. “Our customers dont want that either,” she added.
Apple got rid of Fortnite from the App Store in August 2020 after Epic Games introduced a direct payment alternative in the app, in defiance of the App Store guidelines. Epic Games then submitted an orchestrated claim versus Apple, implicating the company of anti-competitive behavior.
The trial is set to last three weeks and will consist of testament from Apple executives like CEO Tim Cook.
Apple Rumored to Announce Third-Generation AirPods and Apple Music Hi-Fi in Coming Weeks
While it has just been a couple of weeks given that Apple hosted its Spring Loaded event, a brand-new rumor from music market website Hits Daily Double suggests that third-generation AirPods might be introduced along with a new Apple Music Hi-Fi tier in the “coming weeks.”
Hi-Fi or high-fidelity audio would result in enhanced sound quality for songs/albums. The report declared that the new Hi-Fi tier will be priced at the same $9.99 each month rate as Apple Musics specific plan, recommending that high-fidelity content may be offered to existing customers at no service charge.
Lending credence to this rumor, MacRumors contributor Steve Moser found referrals to Hi-Fi support in the iOS 14.6 beta.
As for the third-generation AirPods, they are anticipated to have a comparable style language as the AirPods Pro, however without Active Noise Cancellation. The brand-new AirPods could be revealed in a news release soon, or held for the WWDC 2021 keynote on June 7.
AirTag Precision Finding Has a Hidden Developer Mode
Apples brand-new AirTag product tracking accessory is equipped with a U1 chip for Ultra Wideband spatial awareness, making it possible for a convenient Precision Finding feature on iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models.
Accuracy Finding provides users with the specific range and instructions to their AirTag with an on-screen arrow in the Find My app, with a combination of sound, haptics, and visual feedback helping them find the AirTag.
Surprisingly, an AirTag user has actually inadvertently discovered the existence of a hidden “designer mode” in the Precision Finding user interface. The overlay, which appears after tapping a products name four times in the Precision Finding user interface, shows real-time diagnostic and technical info about the features operation, consisting of accelerometer and gyroscope coordinates, haptic feedback, screen resolution, tracking animations, and more.
There does not appear to be a simple method to reset the settings that appear after you tailor them.
Prosser: Next MacBook Air Could Come in Colors Similar to iMac
Leaker Jon Prosser was the first to declare that the iMac would come in a range of colors, and he now says we may see Apple make a comparable relocation with the next MacBook Air.
While his source was “really cryptic” in making recommendation to a blue MacBook, the source recommended that this would be for Apples consumer note pad lineup, indicating this being a MacBook Air rather than a MacBook Pro.