O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: April

  • Rumor: Apple expected to announce M2-based 11-inch, 12.9-inch iPad Pro units this month

    Rumor: Apple expected to announce M2-based 11-inch, 12.9-inch iPad Pro units this month

    This could be the truly awesome iPad Pro you’ve been waiting for.

    Per Mark Gurman and Bloomberg, Apple is rumored to be announcing new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets in “a number of days.”

    The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, codenamed J617 and J620, will be the first update to the higher-end iPad since April 2021, where both models gained the M1 chip and a new 12.-9-inch mini-LED display. For their first update in a year and a half, the upcoming ‌iPad Pro‌ models are expected to gain the M2 Apple silicon chip, offering faster performance and possibly new charging capabilities.

    It’s thought that the new iPads will look similar to the current models, with no significant changes expected. Early rumors hinted at a mini-LED display for the smaller 11-inch model, which is currently only available on the 12.9-inch model. This feature is no longer expected to be incorporated on the 11-inch tablet.

    It’s also thought that the updated iPad Pro models could feature a form of MagSafe charging. There is also the possibility the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models could feature reverse-wireless charging capabilities, allowing users to charge their iPhone or AirPods on the back of the ‌iPad‌. 

    Given the incremental update expected with these updcoming iPads, Apple is thought not to be planning a media event for October, and is instead expected to launch the new iPads and updates to the Mac lineup through press releases and updates on its website.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and Bloomberg

  • Apple lifts face mask mandate for some of its corporate employees

    Apple lifts face mask mandate for some of its corporate employees

    No one loves wearing a COVID-19 mask, and Apple seems to be cognizant of this, a leaked internal memo pointing towards the company lifting its mandatory mask requirement at “most locations.”

    According to the memo, which was obtained by The Verge, Apple could be lifting the corporate requirement at many of its locations while still asking employees to respect co-workers who prefer to continue wearing face masks.

    “Don’t hesitate to continue wearing a face mask if you feel more comfortable doing so.” The email noted, “Also please respect every individual’s decision to wear a mask or not.”

    The decision to drop the mask mandates for corporate employees arrived in spite of the reported BA.5 variant of COVID-19. The Bay Area transit system reinstated its own mask mandate because of this new variant. Apple first dropped its mask mandate for corporate and retail stores in March. During that time, COVID-19 cases started decreasing. But in May, COVID-19 cases rose again, prompting Apple to reinstate its mask mandate for corporate and retail stores.

    The email, which was written by Apple’s COVID-19 Response Team, does not specifically state which locations will still require employees to wear face masks. The email also cited that the decision to lift the mask mandates was “in light of recent circumstances,” but did not specifically state what those circumstances were.

    The corporate lifting of the face mask mandate could be interpreted as Apple’s way of encouraging employees to return to the office. Apple began this effort back in April, but noted various reactions, both positive and negative, from employees. Some reportage even cites that a number of employees were forced to quit. In May of this year, Apple decided to slow down its RTO order and allowed employees to continue their WFH setup. Those who decided to return to the office were required to wear a face mask.

    It’s unknown as to how widely this policy will spread across Apple’s corporate hemisphere, or whether Apple will continue to modify the policy given the current COVID-19 numbers across the United States.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and The Verge

  • Apple to announce Q3 2022 earnings on Thursday, July 28th

    Apple to announce Q3 2022 earnings on Thursday, July 28th

    Apple on Tuesday announced that the company will report its third fiscal quarter earnings of 2022 on Thursday, July 28.

    The earnings report and subsequent call will provide insight into product performance in the period between March and June. Apple in April introduced the Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPad Air, and iPhone SE 3, and in June, followed it up with the 13-inch M2 MacBook Pro.

    Apple has not issued guidance for its earnings reports over the last two years given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as well as component shortages, and the company is expecting to take a revenue hit because of product supply issues. Macs, iPads, and other products have been hit by long wait times that have impacted sales.

    In the year-ago quarter, Apple reported $21.7 billion in profit on $81.4 billion revenue, which was a June quarter record.

    The quarterly earnings statement will

    be released at 1:30 p.m. Pacific/4:30 p.m. Eastern, with a conference call to discuss the report taking place at 2:00 p.m. Pacific/5:00 p.m. Eastern. 

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors

  • Apple begins testing expanded Apple Maps functionality in France, Monaco, and New Zealand

    Apple begins testing expanded Apple Maps functionality in France, Monaco, and New Zealand

    Following up on its WWDC 2020 announcement stating it would bring improved Apple Maps to additional countries, Apple has begun testing of more detailed maps, which are now available in France, Monaco, and New Zealand.

    Users in the territories can see more detail and better renders of 3D objects in Apple Maps. Elements such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Mont Saint-Michel have been spotted with improved renders, as well as speed limit updates.

    The maps of Monaco and New Zealand offer more detail, such as the numerous jetties of Monaco. A view of Auckland shows the introduction of 3D-rendered elements to the map.

    Apple typically takes around 47 days to test an Apple Maps update in public, and it’s thought that the changes for this expansion will wrap up by July 15.

    The testing follows after the 14th expansion of Apple Maps, which saw the new experience introduced to Germany and Singapore in April.

    If you’re over in Monaco, France, or New Zealand, please let us know if your Apple Maps experience has changed in the comments.

    Via AppleInsider and justinobeirne.com

  • Foxconn states iPhone 14 production delays are “rather limited” following COVID-19 lockdowns

    Foxconn states iPhone 14 production delays are “rather limited” following COVID-19 lockdowns

    Last week, rumors of a possible iPhone 14 delay gained traction as a result of several COVID-19 lockdowns in China over the past few weeks. On Tuesday, Foxconn went on record to say that its outlook for the current quarter and 2022 are positive thanks to improving supply chain stability in the country.

    Per Nikkei Asia, Foxconn chairman Young Liu offered the following comments to shareholders:

    “The overall lockdown impact on Foxconn is rather limited. You can tell from our revenues in April, and May’s performance is also better than we estimated,” Liu said, referring to strict COVID containment measures imposed in and around Shanghai.

    “Foxconn previously forecast this year would maintain a similar level from last year, after factoring in inflation, war [in Ukraine] and other uncertainties, but now we think the full year will be better than our estimate,” he added.

    Foxconn was down 4 percent in revenue in April compared to the previous month, and iPhone assembler Pegatron and MacBook maker Quanta Computer saw revenues down 35 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

    The iPhone 14 Pro is set to feature the A16 Bionic chip, while the regular models will likely use a revamped version of the A15 processor.

    It’s also rumored that Apple will offer four iPhone 14 versions with 6.1- and 6.7-inch sizes.

    Foxconn also offered the following comments regarding the COVID-19 situation in China:

    We think such COVID controls will continue to happen, and it is our operational focus to make sure the facilities can keep operating.

    It’s also been noted that Apple is working to diversify the production of its wares from China to other countries to offer a guaranteed supply chain.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac and Nikkei Asia