Apple May Launch This Year's 'iPhone 12' Lineup in Two Stages, With 6.1-inch Models Debuting First

Apple last week confirmed that its "‌iPhone‌ 12" launch will be delayed this year due to the ongoing global health crisis and restrictions on travel. Apple last year started selling iPhones in late September, but this year, Apple projects supply will be "available a few weeks later," suggesting a release sometime in October.


We're expecting a total of four OLED iPhones in 5.4, 6.1, and 6.7-inch sizes in 2020. It's not clear if all ‌iPhone‌ models in the upcoming lineup will be available later than usual, or if some models will come out first followed by additional models, but a new DigiTimes report today cites supply chain sources suggesting Apple could adopt a phased launch approach.

Apple may launch its 5G iPhones in two stages, with two 6.1-inch models in the first and another two 6.7- and 5.4-inch devices in the second, the sources said, adding that suppliers of SLP (substrate-like PCB) mainboards for the former models have recently kicked off shipments, with those for the latter to start in late August.

Shipments of flexible boards for new iPhones will peak some 2-4 weeks later than usual this year, the sources said.

Multiple rumors previously indicated the new ‌iPhone‌ won't launch on time due to development and production delays, as well as reports on delays from Apple suppliers like Broadcom and Qualcomm, but this is the first time we've heard word from the supply chain of a possible phased launch.

Rumors suggest the 6.7-inch ‌iPhone‌ and one 6.1-inch model will be higher-end devices with triple-lens cameras, while the 5.4 and 6.1-inch models will be lower-end iPhones with dual-lens cameras and a more affordable price tag.

All of the iPhones expected in 2020 will use 5G technology, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo also thinks Apple's iPhone 12 models may not come with wired EarPods in the box to drive demand for the company's AirPods and cut down on costs.

As a result of the later phased launch of the new iPhones, Taiwan's PCB makers in the supply chain won't see their shipments peak until the fourth quarter this year, however the makers aren't worried by the delays in volume shipments to Apple, according to DigiTimes.

Related Roundup: iPhone 12

Tag: digitimes.com

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'Today at Apple' Creative Sessions Return to Apple Stores in China

Apple's "Today at Apple" in-store creative sessions are returning to some retail locations in mainland China, following a pause due to the global health crisis.


Today at Apple will resume at the following nine stores across the country on Monday, August 3, writes Michael Steeber (via 9to5Mac).

• Apple Zhujiang New Town


• Apple MixC Nanning


• Apple Nanjing Jinmao Place


• Apple Suzhou


• Apple Parc 66 Jinan


• Apple Shanghai iapm


• Apple MixC Chengdu


• Apple Kunming


• Apple Tianyi Square

The locations all feature Apple's latest store design with a video wall, where sessions will take place. A maximum of three sessions per day are scheduled at each store, and participants can expect changes to the usual session plan.

Sessions requiring headphones have been stricken from the schedule, as have those usually including community-based Walks, which are being replaced with photography and art sessions that abide by social distancing and hygiene rules.

The reintroduction of Labs and Performances by local artists, which often draw crowds, has been delayed. Forum cube seating is spaced further apart, so the maximum number of people at a session will be less than normal. Apple says it will also be disinfecting equipment used after each session.

Tags: China, Today at Apple

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App Recap: Filter, Hue Menu Bar, TimeBloc and Major App Updates

In this week's App Recap, we've highlighted productivity app "Filter," utilities app "Hue Menu Bar for Philips Hue," and productivity app "TimeBloc" as three apps that are worth checking out. We've also compiled a list of apps that received major updates this week.

Apps to Check Out

• Filter - Website and App Blocker (Mac, Free) - Filter is an app that lets users organize websites and apps to block into customizable lists that feature a duration or end time set by users. Once the blocker has been started, users will be unable to access the selected websites or apps, which can help reduce distractions and maintain focus. Although free to download, Filter's free version only features a blocking time limited to 10 minutes. The app's subscription, which has no limit on blocking time, is available in both monthly and yearly subscription options priced at $2.99 and $19.99 respectively.


• Hue Menu Bar for Philips Hue (Mac, $3.99) - Hue Menu Bar lets users control Philips Hue lights directly from the menu bar on a Mac. The app's convenient location allows for easy lighting control without the need to open Apple's native Home app. The app also features the ability to switch between multiple Hue Bridges. In just a click, users are able to turn lights on and off, adjust brightness, change light colors for specific lights or entire groups, and more.

• TimeBloc - Daily Planner (iOS, Free) - Productivity app TimeBloc lets users organize daily tasks in a simple manner. TimeBloc's timeline allows users to block their days into events that can be customized with icons and colored tags. Additionally, users can create routines that will seamlessly integrate into the timeline. The app also supports calendar integration, so users can import events directly into the app. TimeBloc is free to download, but advanced notifications, statistics, and the ability to create more than one routine and more than two calendars are limited to subscribers of the app's premium plan that's priced at $26.49 per year.

App Updates

• Adobe Photoshop - Adobe this week updated its Photoshop app for iPad with two features that were previously limited to the desktop version of the software: the refine edge brush and the rotate canvas tool. The refine edge brush enables more precise image selection to achieve realistic selections of objects. The rotate canvas tool allows users to rotate a canvas using a two-finger rotation gesture.


• Amazon Alexa - Amazon this week unveiled a redesigned Alexa app with a new home screen that features an Alexa button at the top of the screen that encourages users to tap the button or say Alexa to invoke the digital assistant. In addition, suggestions on the home screen are based on how customers have used the app and what Amazon services they take advantage of. The update will be rolling out to users worldwide over the course of the month.


• Apple Store - Apple this week updated its Apple Store app with a new "For You" tab that offers easy access to order status, devices, accessory recommendations, services, and more.

Are you using a great new app we've missed? Let us know in the comments and we'll check it out for next week's App Recap. Are you a developer of a unique app you'd like us to consider? Send us a message through our tip line at the top of the page and we'll check it out.

Tag: App Recap

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California Is Burning: 20,000-Acre Fire Rages On Uncontained, Forcing Thousands to Evacuate

In case we needed another reminded that climate change is burning up the planet, California officials reported this weekend that a fire in Cherry Valley has burned through 20,516 acres of land and is currently not contained.

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Ancient Microbes, Virtual Comic-Con, and Mind-Boggling Sperm, Best Gizmodo Stories of the Week

Since the world is both metaphorically and, in some places, literally on fire these days, I’ve replaced doomscrolling through my feeds with something more wholesome to preserve my already perennially shaky mental state: farming sims. Nice try, depressing news, but I can’t hear you when I’m 100+ hours deep in Stardew…

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