Top Stories: Apple Leaks iPhone SE and AirTags, Apple Buys Dark Sky, and More

[MacRumors]

With the calendar rolling over to April this week, we yet again saw several leaks and rumors, most notably including Apple itself leaking some references to a pair of long-rumored products: a new budget iPhone SE and AirTags item trackers.

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Apple also acquired popular weather app Dark Sky, while Amazon's Prime Video app now allows users to bypass Apple's in-app purchase system and rent or buy movies directly from Amazon.

Check out our roundup below and the video above for details on these stories and more!

New Low-Cost 'iPhone SE' Could Launch Soon

We've been hearing about a new low-cost iPhone for almost exactly a year now, and it looks like it may finally be ready to launch, with new details suggesting a launch is imminent. The new phone will apparently recycle the iPhone SE name used for Apple's previous dedicated budget phone, but this version will look nearly identical to the iPhone 8 but with upgraded internals.

iPhone 8​

The new iPhone SE will reportedly be available in white, black, and red and come in 64, 128 and 256 GB capacities. Apple itself even briefly leaked some confirmation on the new device's name, updating the name of an existing Belkin screen protector for the iPhone 7 and 8 to include a reference to the SE in its online store.

AirTags Leaked in New Apple Video

Whoops! Apple on Thursday referenced its widely rumored AirTags item tracking tags in a support video uploaded to YouTube.

The video was inconspicuously titled "how to erase your iPhone," but on a settings screen for the Find My app, AirTags were clearly mentioned in fine print that indicates "offline finding enables this device and AirTags to be found when not connected to Wi-Fi or cellular."

MacRumors uncovered evidence of AirTags within iOS 13 code last year. The item trackers will compete with Tile, helping users keep track of their personal belongings, such as their keys, wallets, and backpacks.

Apple Acquires Weather App Dark Sky

Well, this was unexpected.

The popular iPhone and iPad weather app Dark Sky this week announced that it has been acquired by Apple. There will be no changes to the app, and it will remain available for purchase in the ?App Store?.

Apple will be ending Dark Sky support on Android and Wear OS on July 1, 2020. Dark Sky's API will also stop working at the end of 2021, which will impact other popular weather apps like CARROT Weather that use Dark Sky as a data source.

Apple Lets Amazon Prime Video App Offer In-App Purchases on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV

The Amazon Prime Video apps for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV now allow customers to purchase and rent movies and TV shows within the app, with Apple allowing Amazon to use its own payment system, skirting the traditional in-app purchase screens.

While this would appear to violate Apple's App Store rules that require all content purchased in apps to go through Apple's in-app purchase system and result in Apple taking a cut of the revenue, Apple says that Amazon Prime is now part of an existing program for a small handful of "premium" video apps, which allows them to use their own payment methods instead of in-app purchases.

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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.

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Article Link: Top Stories: Apple Leaks iPhone SE and AirTags, Apple Buys Dark Sky, and More

 

[macfan90]

Any word on an iMac update? those rumors never came to reality; (duh=rumors) but the iPad and Mac mini turned out correct.

 

[Sykora171]

As a day 1 iPhone SE user, i'm very anxious to see what the final result of the new SE is going to be. I'm disappointed that it won't be a 4" device, but i'll probably force myself to jump to it since my launch day SE is starting to show its age.. (having some GPS accuracy issues)

HERE is the SE I wish we were getting.. I would pay full iPhone 11 price for this.

 

[nylonsteel]

first thing i thought of picture of air tags - oh poker chips

 

[TheShadowKnows!]

As a day 1 iPhone SE user, i'm very anxious to see what the final result of the new SE is going to be. I'm disappointed that it won't be a 4" device, but i'll probably force myself to jump to it since my launch day SE is starting to show its age.. (having some GPS accuracy issues)

HERE is the SE I wish we were getting.. I would pay full iPhone 11 price for this.

View attachment 903511

Agree Sykora. We have Cook to blame for the new SE travesty. A total disconnect with what the SE means to many: single-hand use, and comfortable tight-jeans fit. And, of course, the non-slip edges. Total disappointment on my side, and I know that is fighting words in this forum, but I am not alone by multiples.

 

[xnu]

AirTags: $399 per tag, but will be sold in packs of 2 as well for $699. Because if you pay $399 for an AirTag, you best not lose it, so you will need to put an AirTag on your AirTag.

 

[Applebot1]

Had an SE until I had to replace and went for an 11.

I can see why people are disappointed with the new form factor of the new SE once it’s released.

For me personally, I appreciate the larger screen now and wouldn’t go back.

 

[MasterMaCanada59]

About Dark Sky will be not available for Android ... soooo sad (ironic)???

 

[allenvanhellen]

I’d be so happy if they released an iPhone 4S-sized all-screen device with the flat sides and the glass and stainless steel construction.

 

[calzon65]

If it's true the SE will carry the same brand versus something new like SE2 or iPhone 9, it's going to cause consumer/supplier confusion, wasted time and resources like shipping returns ... consumer purchases some SE accessory online but it's not compatible "Oh sorry, you didn't specify the correct SE year".

 

[tCdemon]

I wouldn't be surprise if the iPhone SE looks like the current iPad Pro with just one camera.

 

[Baymowe335]

AirTags: $399 per tag, but will be sold in packs of 2 as well for $699. Because if you pay $399 for an AirTag, you best not lose it, so you will need to put an AirTag on your AirTag.

Why even bother posting something you know is completely wrong?

It is not informational or remotely funny.

 

[dogslobber]

As a day 1 iPhone SE user, i'm very anxious to see what the final result of the new SE is going to be. I'm disappointed that it won't be a 4" device, but i'll probably force myself to jump to it since my launch day SE is starting to show its age.. (having some GPS accuracy issues)

HERE is the SE I wish we were getting.. I would pay full iPhone 11 price for this.

Precisely this. If it's not a 4" display then it's NOT an SE or iPhone 5* successor. A 4.7" display is just another crappy yearly upgrade cycle iPhone 1234 to keep the revenue flowing. Apple, build the correct engineering device and tell marketing to stay the hell away.

 

[Sykora171]

I wouldn't be surprise if the iPhone SE looks like the current iPad Pro with just one camera.

Honestly, I would be okay with this. The LEAST they can do for us is retain the squared sides.

 

[44267547]

I really want to know more about the Apple tags. I think this product has huge potential, and it’s one of these products that everyone could find a use for, it doesn’t have to be specific for one person. I’m just curious how Apple will sell them grouped or individually, and what the pricing will be moving forward. But they have plenty of use cases.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Precisely this. If it's not a 4" display then it's NOT an SE or iPhone 5* successor. A 4.7" display is just another crappy yearly upgrade cycle iPhone 1234 to keep the revenue flowing. Apple, build the correct engineering device and tell marketing to stay the hell away.

Then don’t buy it. You can either keep using your old 4” iPhone, buy one of these, get an 11 model or an Android phone. I don’t think anyone makes a 4” phone anymore to be honest. Anything that small would fail in today’s flagship market and engineering an all new small 4” phone and then selling it at a budget price doesn’t provide a lot of return on investment. Using an old design, but putting new internals in it is the best way to offer customers a good budget phone, but still have an excellent profit margin on it.

 

[RalfTheDog]

I guess it is cool that Apple will let people rent movies on Amazon. It would be far better if Apple let people purchase books for download on Amazon.

Why even bother posting something you know is completely wrong?

It is not informational or remotely funny.

It's not remotely funny because, they are attaching it to another tile. If they were attaching it to your TV remote, with a picture of a clown, that would be remotely funny.

Note:
after reading this, my joke was not remotely funny.

 

[dogslobber]

Then don’t buy it. You can either keep using your old 4” iPhone, buy one of these, get an 11 model or an Android phone. I don’t think anyone makes a 4” phone anymore to be honest. Anything that small would fail in today’s flagship market and engineering an all new small 4” phone and then selling it at a budget price doesn’t provide a lot of return on investment. Using an old design, but putting new internals in it is the best way to offer customers a good budget phone, but still have an excellent profit margin on it.

I think you entirely missed the entirety of the point of discussion here.

 

[cjaccino]

Then don’t buy it. You can either keep using your old 4” iPhone, buy one of these, get an 11 model or an Android phone. I don’t think anyone makes a 4” phone anymore to be honest. Anything that small would fail in today’s flagship market and engineering an all new small 4” phone and then selling it at a budget price doesn’t provide a lot of return on investment. Using an old design, but putting new internals in it is the best way to offer customers a good budget phone, but still have an excellent profit margin on it.

Please. Since when did Apple base their products on what their competitors were doing? The iPhone SE represents Apple's best iPhone design. The most likely reason this new monstrosity doesn't have the squared edges is that they will be featured in the iPhone 12. And, of course, they can extend the use of their legacy manufacturing process. You're right that it's about dollars and cents, but you're wrong to take the this stance toward a legitimate, sizable market segment. Apple's release of this new phone is proof that the segment is real. Too bad Apple is failing to address a significant part of that segment with this offering.

 

[DakotaGuy]

Please. Since when did Apple base their products on what their competitors were doing?

The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were based on exactly what the competitors were doing at the time and since that time many of their design decisions like large edge to edge AMOLED displays have followed exactly what their competitors have done.

The iPhone SE represents Apple's best iPhone design.

Says who? This is an opinion. I’d argue their best design so far is the 11, but that’s just my opinion.

 

[phenste]

Wasn’t there a rumor some time ago about this fall’s iPhones returning to the 4/5 design language? (Flat panels, flat band/frame.) Perhaps Apple will begin that design transition with the SE. The accidental mention of SE compatibility on Belkin’s screen protector doesn’t give a ton of hope, but…alas. I’ve heard from so many people that they prefer the flatness/sharper angles of the older phones; “flat vs. curved,” other than the literal size of the phone (which is a lost cause below 4.7” at this point), seems to be the gripe of many when comparing these designs.

[Insert bad pun here about the words “gripe” and “grip.”]

 

[cjaccino]

As a day 1 iPhone SE user, i'm very anxious to see what the final result of the new SE is going to be. I'm disappointed that it won't be a 4" device, but i'll probably force myself to jump to it since my launch day SE is starting to show its age.. (having some GPS accuracy issues)

HERE is the SE I wish we were getting.. I would pay full iPhone 11 price for this.

View attachment 903511

I love your picture. But I'd trade a little screen real estate to keep the finger button. Privacy-wise, the face recognition login feature just isn't something I'm comfortable with.

If you're still using your day 1 SE, I'd encourage you to look at a refurbished one. I'm on my fifth SE, and it looks like I'll be continuing to buy more, based on Apple's choices for this product. I've gotten them from Amazon between $100 and $200. Battery life is not quite what a new phone would offer, but I have no regrets.

Having witnessed the MacBook keyboard debacle, I hope Apple is going to wake up and pay attention when it sees folks continuing to wait with their 2016 iPhones. The iPhone designs that followed were inferior in ways that simply weren't necessary. I'm in this situation with both a 13" Macbook and my SE, wallet ready for Apple to return to quality. Disappointing to see that this former visionary firm can take more than half a decade to recognize that quality still matters.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

How would one use those airtags on keys when it’s just a circle?

 

[Xiroteus]

Yes, that is more like it and the entire point of that line.

As a day 1 iPhone SE user, i'm very anxious to see what the final result of the new SE is going to be. I'm disappointed that it won't be a 4" device, but i'll probably force myself to jump to it since my launch day SE is starting to show its age.. (having some GPS accuracy issues)

HERE is the SE I wish we were getting.. I would pay full iPhone 11 price for this.

View attachment 903511

 

[HappyIntro]

The iPhone SE was pretty special, nothing has felt quite so good to hold since (I'd say the iPhone 4 was the pinnacle of hand held comfort). Apple could do great things with the old SE's physical form factor, such as that super sexy render further up thread. I'm sure Apple's new product committees have had some interesting meetings where they've hashed out the pros and cons of continuing that form factor...for some reason they've chosen to abandon it, apparently, which seems like a shame.