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With a number of products apparently just about ready to launch, we're starting to hear our first specific rumors about the possibility of an Apple media event near the end of next month, although continued impacts from the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic are leading to some uncertainty about Apple's plans.


Other news and rumors this week included more mentions of "AirPods Pro Lite" earphones, "AirTags" item trackers, the "CarKey" NFC functionality appearing in iOS 13.4 betas, and some of our first rumors about iOS 14.

Read on for all the details, and make sure to watch our video covering some of these stories and more.

Apple Event Rumored for March 31: iPhone 9, iPad Pro With 3D Sensing, More?

Apple often holds its first media event of the year in March, and that trend might continue in 2020.

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A report this week claimed that Apple is aiming to host a special event on Tuesday, March 31, with rumors suggesting that the company may introduce a new lower-cost "iPhone 9" and refreshed iPad Pro models sporting a triple-lens rear camera system with 3D sensing.

Keep in mind that Apple's plans may change due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in China. Apple already announced that it does not expect to meet its revenue guidance that it provided for the March quarter due to the outbreak.

'AirPods Pro Lite' Production Reportedly Delayed Due to Coronavirus Outbreak

A report from hit-or-miss Taiwanese publication DigiTimes this week claimed that Apple suppliers have delayed production of so-called "AirPods Pro Lite" until at least the end of the second quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in China.

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The publication describes the "AirPods Pro Lite" as an "entry-level version" of the existing AirPods Pro, but no features or specifications have been outlined.

All in all, details are slim right now. "AirPods Pro Lite" is somewhat of an oxymoron, as "Pro Lite" just sounds like regular AirPods, but it has been speculated that perhaps Apple will release a less expensive version of the AirPods Pro with the same design and sound quality but without noise cancellation.

Supply Chain to Ramp Up for Apple's Item Tracking Tags in Second to Third Quarter of 2020

Shanghai-based Universal Scientific Industrial will begin supplying the system-in-package for Apple's rumored Ultra Wideband item tracking tags in the second to third quarter of 2020, with shipments to reach tens of millions of units by the end of the year, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

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Last month, Kuo said the Ultra Wideband tag would be one of Apple's major new hardware products in the first half of 2020, but he has yet to provide a more specific release date for the accessory.

MacRumors uncovered evidence of Apple working on item trackers in iOS 13 code last year, including an unreleased "Items" tab in the Find My app and a potential "AirTag" name for the tags, which would attach to everyday belongings like keys and backpacks for tracking purposes. Ultra Wideband support would allow for more precise location accuracy than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth LE.

Apple's Upcoming 'CarKey' Feature Will Let You Send Digital Keys Using Messages App

As discovered in the first beta of iOS 13.4, Apple is working on a new "CarKey" feature that will allow an iPhone or an Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start NFC-compatible vehicles.

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Now, in the second beta of iOS 13.4, MacRumors has discovered that "CarKeys" will be able to be sent to people using the Messages app.

It appears that Apple will be partnering with vehicle manufacturers for "CarKey," indicating that it may be a factory installed option like CarPlay. It remains unclear when Apple plans to announce this feature.

We've also put together a roundup of everything else added in the second beta of iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4.

iOS 14 May Allow Users to Set Third-Party Web Browser and Mail Apps as Default

Apple is considering allowing iPhone and iPad users to set third-party mail and browser apps as defaults instead of its own Safari and Mail apps starting in iOS 14, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

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The report adds that Apple is working to allow third-party music services like Spotify and Pandora to be streamed directly on the HomePod with Siri in a future software update, as is possible with Apple Music. Spotify currently can only be streamed on the HomePod via AirPlay.

Latest Foldable Smartphones Experiencing Failures and Durability Issues

Foldable smartphones are the latest device trend, with companies such as Motorola and Samsung having released new foldable smartphones over the course of the last few weeks.

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The first foldable smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy Fold, had major durability issues that caused its launch to be delayed. Samsung's newest foldable device, the Galaxy Z Flip, seems to be faring a bit better so far, but there are still some complaints about its build quality and problems with the display. The same is true of Motorola's latest smartphone, the RAZR.

On our YouTube channel this week, we shared our impressions of the Galaxy Z Flip and its durability after 48 hours of usage.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

So if you want to have top stories like the above recap delivered to your email inbox each week, subscribe to our newsletter!

Article Link: Top Stories: Apple Event in March With iPhone 9, iPad Pro With 3D Sensing, and More?
 
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AirPods Pro Light? What a name. Go for AirPods Maxi Mini. Or AirPods Plus Minus. Maybe AirPods 2 1/2? How about something shorter like AirPods ANC L 200 S Lite White New Gen 2.0 ?
 
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I hope default apps aren’t only for Mail and Safari, I want a default photos app, default messaging app and so. Also, my wallet can’t wait for Apple Tags.
 
The low-cost iPhone originally had me excited. But when I heard it was predicted to be the same size as the iPhone 8, I lost interest. While I have the 8 and still think it's the most beautifully designed phone Apple has made, I was hoping for something smaller. Since apparently that's not going to happen, squared-off sides aren't the thing that will win me over. I might as well hold out for the better tech coming in the fall.
 
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I hope it comes with 9 Plus!
I prefer plus models than max *shrugs*
 
I want an iPhone with nearly indestructible glass. Not a folding phone with some scratch prone crap plastic screen. Imagine what happens when a piece of sand gets closed in the screen.
 
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AirPods Pro Light? What a name. Go for AirPods Maxi Mini. Or AirPods Plus Minus. Maybe AirPods 2 1/2? How about something shorter like AirPods ANC L 200 S Lite White New Gen 2.0 ?

Hopefully, these are just names the analyst are coming up with.

I cringe every time I hear the redesigned iPhone 8 referred to as the iPhone SE2.
 
I've always wondered why guessing what is coming retains such interest. You can guess whatever you want, "hey, it may come in purple with yellow side buttons for a real artistic flair", reality plays out every single time that you will only know when the product is released and then it is what it is, what does all this guessing accomplish?????
 
AirPods Pro Light? What a name. Go for AirPods Maxi Mini. Or AirPods Plus Minus. Maybe AirPods 2 1/2? How about something shorter like AirPods ANC L 200 S Lite White New Gen 2.0 ?
Since when does Digitimes ever know the marketing name of an upcoming Apple product? I guess they think since there’s a Pro Max there could be a “Pro Lite”.

But compared to your “ANC L 200 S Lite White New Gen 2.0”, “Pro Lite” looks genius. Don’t quit your day job.
 
Tim, if you read this: get rid of the guy in charge of your products naming. "Pro" followed by "Lite", seriously dude?
 
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The first foldable smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy Fold, had major durability issues that caused its launch to be delayed.
I'm just shocked to read this news about foldable phones not being up to high-quality standards yet! 🤣 This is so typical for Samy to steal the ideas, build a faulty device & then attempt to pawn it off on gullible suckerss willing to part with LOTS of money. Hah! 🤣
 
“Top Stories: The Same Stories You’ve Already Seen, Pasted Together”.
 
The problem with Apple is its almost singular focus on mobile with almost no strategy for desktop. I couldn't care less about mobile nonsense designed to drain money from our pockets and keep us addicted to notifications. I want Apple to make the Mac great again.
 
The problem with Apple is its almost singular focus on mobile with almost no strategy for desktop. I couldn't care less about mobile nonsense designed to drain money from our pockets and keep us addicted to notifications. I want Apple to make the Mac great again.
Agree with your first and third sentences.

Your second sentence is a bit silly though.
 
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The problem with Apple is its almost singular focus on mobile with almost no strategy for desktop. I couldn't care less about mobile nonsense designed to drain money from our pockets and keep us addicted to notifications. I want Apple to make the Mac great again.
The desktop has four models. The Pro and mini are back from the grave, both having been brought current. They cover a wide range of requirements for those who don’t want an all-in-one. The iMac and iMac Pro are for those do.

What exactly is it that you’re wanting but not getting? What, in your view, is the missing strategy? Or is this just about price? Because that argument got old about 30 years ago.

Whose needs aren’t being well met? Those who want a mini with a better GPU? Those who a cheaper Pro? Those who want a gaming computer? What is the user profile that is being let down by the current lineup? What (viable) business strategy addresses that?

Most home users buy MBA/MBP, but some buy iMac and a few the mini; almost none buys iMac Pro or Mac Pro. Most business users buy MBA/MBP, but others buy iMac and a few the mini... and some iMac Pro or Mac Pro.

The four product lines for home and the six for business would seem to cover most requirements. In my opinion, the Mac is in the best shape it’s ever been in. Am I wrong? Am I not demanding enough?

I’m not saying any model is perfect and couldn’t be improved, I just don’t know what “almost no strategy for desktop” means.
 
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