What to expect at Apple’s iPhone 13 event | Business News
Ten years ago Tim Cook took over from Steve Jobs as CEO of Apple. Since then, Cook has overseen the launch of 5G iPhones, Apple Watches and home accessories along with being an outspoken CEO on social issues.
A bigger iPhone battery that lasts longer. A diagonally-shaped camera system. And one terabyte of storage.
These are some of the latest rumors about what Apple may announce during a closely watched media event on Tuesday, where it’s expected to reveal the latest iPhone lineup.
At a virtual event held from its Cupertino, California, headquarters, the company is likely to unveil four new iPhones: the iPhone 13 mini, the iPhone 13, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. The company may also introduce new AirPods, a new Apple Watch and something related to augmented reality.
The iPhone 13 devices likely won’t have any groundbreaking design changes. In fact, they’ll probably look very similar to last year’s models, with some exceptions. But there’s a long list of potential feature changes under the hood, including perennial updates such as a faster processor, improved camera capabilities and better battery life.
A person scans and downloads an app to start the process of converting their physical driver license to an official digital version to be stored on a mobile phone at a Harmons Grocery store on August 4, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The stakes are high for Apple. The iPhone continues to be a major revenue driver and central to its ecosystem of products. In April, Apple reported quarterly iPhone sales of nearly $48 billion, a massive 65% increase from the year prior, fueled by demand for its 5G-capable iPhone 12. (Apple no longer discloses the number of iPhone units sold.) Now it must entice customers to spend more than $1,000 for some models of the next generation.
“Apple clearly doesn’t have to do much,” said David McQueen, a director at market research firm ABI Research. “Despite the relatively high price points, consumers will still buy and upgrade to Apple products, partly because of brand strength and the quality of the products, and partly because they have already invested heavily in the Apple ecosystem.”
Here’s what to expect from Apple’s big event, which kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on its website.
No more ‘notch’
There may be at least one notable tweak to the phone’s design: Apple could finally do away with the “notch” at the top of its display, which holds its TrueDepth camera, speakers, microphone and other sensors, to give a less obstructed view of the touchscreen.
When Apple debuted the iPhone X in 2017, it made headlines for removing the Home button and including smaller bezels around the frame to free up screen space. But there was that unattractive notch near the top. Now Apple may remove it all together, possibly repositioning the components to the bezels.
The device could also get an always-on display and an under-display Touch ID.
Diagonal cameras, more storage and bigger, better batteries
The iPhone 13 and more budget-friendly iPhone 13 mini are rumored to have two rear-camera lenses placed diagonally for the first time, potentially to make room for a larger sensor.
Meanwhile, the three rear-camera lenses on iPhone 13 Pro models could come in different sizes and sit inside a thicker bump, reportedly for advancements with stabilization. New camera features could include portrait mode for videos and astrophotography support to take pictures of the night sky.
Other updates might include satellite technology support for sending messages in emergency situations, a faster refresh rate for better gaming, an improved 5G chip and a bigger battery that promises to last all day. (Bigger and better batteries may also be coming to the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini, helping to address one of the common complaints of Apple’s smallest, thinnest and lightest 5G phone and potentially boost its lackluster sales.)
In a recent investor note, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said the iPhone 13 could come with an option for 1 terabyte storage option, double the Pro’s maximum current storage capacity of 512 GB.
Beyond that, there’s potential for augmented reality to be a focus, too. The picture included in this year’s press invite featured an Apple logo over a lake. When users tapped the same picture on the Apple website, it opened an augmented reality tool.
New AirPods and Apple Watches
The company could introduce the new Apple Watch Series 7 model with updated health features and better battery life. Although some of the bigger rumored features, such as glucose monitoring and body temperature readings, aren’t expected to hit until next year, Apple may announce a slightly larger screen, slimmer borders and a faster processor.
Apple may also show off its next-generation AirPods, featuring a design more in line with its higher-end AirPods Pro with spatial audio support and touch controls. The earbuds are rumored to come with a redesigned charging case that includes a 20% bigger battery so people can get more usage out of one charge.
Moving closer to a wireless future
For months, there have been rumors that Apple is about to drop the Lightning port from its iPhones. The move in that direction started years ago with the removal of the cord and plug from the box and continued on with the introduction of MagSafe, a magnetically attached wireless charger that snaps on and off to the back of an iPhone case.
Axing the port won’t likely happen yet — to start, its MagSafe partners need to be ready with more wireless chargers — but the company is said to be working on expanding and improving compatible accessories to get its iPhones more primed for a wireless future.
A price jump?
There could also be at least one unwelcome update this year: higher prices.
Apple tends to keep the cost of its new iPhones relatively close to its most recent prior models, but iPhone 13 prices could be slightly higher this year due to current issues with chip supply that are expected to hike prices.
“Despite the high profit margins on its iPhones, it would be of no surprise if Apple passed this rise onto the consumer, potentially pushing prices of its iPhones to their highest ever level,” McQueen said.
A slight price change may not dissuade people from upgrading to an iPhone 13. But considering the iPhone 12 Pro models start in the four figures range, it’s unclear how much more people will be willing to pay for a few incremental improvements.
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Get smart: 8 ways to boost your home’s tech intelligence
Simplify cooking with a smart oven
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Brava smart oven starter set, $1095, brava.com
This is one of our favorite new tech developments: smart gadgets that take the hassle out of cooking and deliver high-end meals at the perfect temperature.
A smart oven is a must because it combines the simplicity of an Instant Pot with a touchscreen interface, healthy recipes and heating technology that knows exactly when everything is ready. The game-changer here, however, is the versatility that smart ovens bring: They can handle fish, meat, pizza, veggies and breads — and produce incredible results. Make frozen meals and processed food a thing of the past.
Use a smart garage door opener
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Chamberlain B970T Smart Garage Door Opener, $269, amazon.com
A smart garage door opener might not sound like a big deal, but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of your garage door automatically opening up to greet you when you get home. Sure, the added security is nice: You can set your garage to automatically close if you accidentally leave it open, or even open it from your smartphone if you need to let someone in while you’re away.
But the best part is seeing your garage open as you approach or watching it close behind you as you drive away. (Pro tip: Installing or replacing a garage door opener isn’t exactly trivial, so we recommend working with a qualified contractor when upgrading.)
Upgrade to smart plugs
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Kasa Smart Plug, $14.99, amazon.com
If you’re interested in setting your lamps up with some smart lighting but you’re not keen on smart light bulbs, you can use smart plugs and control your lighting from your phone or use voice commands with a digital assistant. Smart plugs are the perfect way to make sure your lamps are included in your lighting scenes, and they make it easy to set up voice-activated routines. Our favorite starter routine: setting it up so when you say, “Alexa, I’m home!” all of your lights turn on.
Get a robot vacuum
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iRobot Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum, $249.99, amazon.com
This one is a no-brainer: Smart vacuums are affordable and handle everything from mopping to animal hair on their own. There are dozens of different models available, many designed for specific use cases, so even if you’ve got an unusual layout or pets that shed a ton, there’s a robot vacuum out there for you.
Stay organized with a kids’ smart speaker
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If you’ve got kids, consider getting them a kids’ smart speaker. You can use it to help them manage their daily routines with alarms and reminders while supporting their learning with educational apps.
Kid-friendly smart speakers also come with built-in peace of mind: They include filters and parental controls, so you can curate their experience based on their age or needs. They’re plenty of fun, too (yes, Alexa will fart if you ask) — but our favorite feature? They keep kids off screens.
Make life easier with a smart assistant
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Echo Show 8, $109.99, amazon.com
Smart speakers are great, but if you like to cook, or you need a dead-simple, hands-free way to have video calls with friends and family, you’ll want to get one with a screen.
Smart assistants with screens take the experience a step further: You can ask for recipes and get step-by-step video cooking walkthroughs, or instantly chat with a loved one face-to-face. All you have to do is use a voice command to ask. Truth be told, our favorite thing about smart assistants is how they fit in anywhere: Most people use them in their kitchens or on their nightstands, but we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted one in every room.
Close curtains from anywhere with a smart curtain motor
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SwitchBot Curtain Smart Electric Motor, $99, amazon.com
While you can already buy motorized curtains, most are incredibly expensive, require their own remote controls and must be purchased with window coverings themselves. Now, smart curtain motors are changing everything: They’re affordable, easy to set up from your smartphone and work with your existing curtains so you don’t have to completely redecorate.
The smart tech on board is where it gets cool: For example, with the right smart assistant, you can create an automated routine to automatically close your curtains at sunset and open them at sunrise, which will likely save you money on heating and cooling bills.
Customize your lighting with color smart bulbs
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SYLVANIA Smart+ Wi-Fi Full Color Light Bulb, $34.99 (four pack), amazon.com
Smart bulbs that can change color are fun for everyone, no matter what age. You can use them to turn a room haunted-house red for Halloween or bring a party to life with active patterns that continually change. There’s really no limit to the number of scenes you can create, and they’re also perfect for scheduled routines.
Set your lights to cool, soothing tones, or use vibrant colors to change the look of a room entirely. Dial in new scenes from an app, or use a smart assistant to change the lights with voice commands. (Pro tip: If your WiFi network has a guest network, connect your smart home devices to that instead of your primary network so they don’t interfere with web speeds to your more important devices.)
Jaime Vázquez is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product-review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
What to expect at Apple’s iPhone 13 event | Business News Source link What to expect at Apple’s iPhone 13 event | Business News