Top Stories: What to Expect at WWDC, Back to School Promotion, 16" MacBook Pro Gets Faster Graphics Option

[MacRumors]

This week was mostly about Apple gearing up for WWDC, but aside from the expected preparations like updating its apps and websites to stream the keynote and other sessions and beefing up other areas to support the first all-digital WWDC, Apple also cleared the decks a bit with a few launches including a new high-end graphics option for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, SSD kits for the Mac Pro, and the annual Back to School promotion.

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Another big story this week was Apple's rejection of apps for the new "Hey" email service, due to the developers refusing to include a payment option using Apple's in-app purchase mechanism. The situation is leading to a more comprehensive discussion about what the rules for playing in the App Store should be more than a decade after the marketplace's debut.

Check out our video above and read on below for more on this week's biggest stories and to make sure you're ready to go for WWDC on Monday!

What to Expect at WWDC 2020: New iMac, Custom Arm-Based Chip Unveiling, iOS 14, macOS 10.16, and More

In a world that could use a little excitement, WWDC 2020 is finally almost here. While the event will be held virtually this year, it will still be jam-packed with announcements, with everything from iOS 14 to a potential redesigned iMac. For a look at everything we expect or hope to see at Monday's keynote, check out our overview guide!

Ahead of WWDC, Apple got the ball rolling this week by updating its Developer app and extending it to the Mac, announcing its Swift Student Challenge winners, launching its redesigned Developer Forums, and more.

Apple will live stream Monday's WWDC keynote at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time through its website, the Apple Developer apps, the TV app on the Apple TV and other platforms, and on YouTube, but for those unable to watch, we'll be covering the event on MacRumors.com and through our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

16-Inch MacBook Pro Now Available With Up to 75% Faster Radeon Pro 5600M Graphics

As a pre-WWDC treat, Apple has released a new high-end graphics option for the 16-inch MacBook Pro. For an extra $700, the notebook can now be configured with AMD Radeon Pro 5600M graphics with 8GB of HBM2 memory.

Apple says the 5600M graphics are up to 75% faster than the base 5300M option.

Apple has also released user-installable SSD storage upgrade kits for the Mac Pro, with 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB options available. Each kit contains two SSD modules, enabling users to upgrade the internal storage capacity of a Mac Pro themselves without needing to contact a service provider.

Apple Card Extends 0% Financing to Mac, iPad, and More

Previously limited to the iPhone, Apple Card Monthly Installments are now available for the Mac, iPad, AirPods, HomePod, Apple TV, and several accessories, including the Apple Pencil.

This program allows customers to purchase new Apple products and pay for them in 6-24 monthly installments without any interest charges.

Apple Card remains limited to the United States.

Apple Launches 2020 Back to School Promotion: Free AirPods With Eligible Mac or iPad Purchase

Apple has launched its annual "Back to School" promotion in the United States and Canada, several weeks earlier than usual. This year, Apple is offering free second-generation AirPods with the purchase of an eligible new Mac or iPad.

During the checkout process, it is also possible to upgrade to second-generation AirPods with a wireless charging case for an additional $40 or to AirPods Pro for $90.

Phil Schiller: Apple Will Not Change Decision on 'Hey' Email App, No App Store Rule Updates Imminent

The App Store developer rules are back in the spotlight just ahead of WWDC, as controversy has erupted surrounding Apple's rejection of the new "Hey" email service that refuses to implement subscriptions via Apple's in-app purchase.

Apple is digging in its heels in noting that email apps like Hey don't qualify for an exemption of the in-app purchase requirement, which is limited to "reader" apps for content services like Netflix and Spotify. The controversy is leading to a broader discussion about Apple's App Store rules, the fees it charges, and more.

Alleged iPhone 12 Molds and CAD Images Show New iPad Pro-Style Design

Alleged molds and CAD images for Apple's rumored iPhone 12 models suggest that the devices will have flat edges like recent iPad Pro models, as widely rumored. The return of this design would coincide with the 10th anniversary of the iPhone 4, which also featured a flat stainless steel frame.

There remains some debate as to whether the iPhone 12 models will feature a smaller notch, and exactly how many models will feature a LiDAR Scanner for augmented reality. It is also unclear whether the devices will be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 modem for 5G, as widely rumored, or the Snapdragon X60 as one report has claimed.

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Article Link: Top Stories: What to Expect at WWDC, Back to School Promotion, 16" MacBook Pro Gets Faster Graphics Option

 

[HenrikWivel]

Already preparing myself for a ‘magical’ event that will get me completely underwhelmed 😊

 

[JosephAW]

I wonder which x86 MBP will be the long term edition like the mid-2012 13" MBP was being sold as new long into 2015?

 

[Azrael9]

Bloomberg outlines what to expect at WWDC, new Apple TV and HomePod coming 'later this year’ - 9to5Mac

Ahead of WWDC 2020 officially kicking off on Monday, a new report from Bloomberg today offers a broader look at...

9to5mac.com

"Ahead of WWDC 2020 officially kicking off on Monday, a new report from Bloomberg today offers a broader look at what to expect. The report explains that hardware such as a new Apple TV and HomePod will be saved for later this year, with WWDC focusing primarily on new software."

Azrael.

 

[newyorksole]

Already preparing myself for a ‘magical’ event that will get me completely underwhelmed 😊

Lmaooo nah I have a good feeling about this.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Already preparing myself for a ‘magical’ event that will get me completely underwhelmed 😊

If it’s coming next week, I think an ARM based Mac roadmap is gonna be plenty exciting. Even if you’re against the idea, it’s still a giant change.

 

[gnipgnop]

Crossing my fingers that a new ATV model will be part of the 'And More' aspect of WWDC.

 

[Azrael9]

Crossing my fingers that a new ATV model will be part of the 'And More' aspect of WWDC.

Bloomberg are saying ATV hardware later this year.

Azrael.

 

[gnipgnop]

Bloomberg are saying ATV hardware later this year.

If so, that probably means the A14 rumor is more likely than the A12X rumor.

 

[Azrael9]

If so, that probably means the A14 rumor is more likely than the A12X rumor.

The A14X was conspicuous by it's absence from this year's iPad 'update.' And I suspect the reason for this was to give distance between iPad and Mac ARM cpus. And do demonstrate a significant leap between A12z and A14X.

My guess: A14X saved for Mac ARM announcement. Two years on from A12X. Progress in Single core and Multi Core. Should be more than a match for the £300-£999 class notebook segment.

It's not like the A14 isn't coming in the iPhone 12. So an A14X for such a significant Mac ARM announcement isn't such a leap? Devs will need a dev' machine to bring their apps to Mac ARM.

Just as they did going from PPC to Intel.

How else will they do this? Simulation?

Azrael.

 

[Tekguy0]

I wonder which x86 MBP will be the long term edition like the mid-2012 13" MBP was being sold as new long into 2015?

Probably the 8th Gen 15w 2-port model.
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If so, that probably means the A14 rumor is more likely than the A12X rumor.

The Apple TV is more likely to get the A10/A12 for HD/14 models, respectively, as both chips are still in production, and since power draw and performance is less of a priority for the things Apple TVs are used for. The HD model is still on the A8 chip.

 

[Mdracer]

Cool new Mimoji audience viewing in AR to pretend like your friends are watching the same program.

 

[glowplug]

AirTags for all the things!

 

[Mdracer]

Lmaooo nah I have a good feeling about this.

Which part?

 

[cmaier]

Bloomberg are saying ATV hardware later this year.

Azrael.

What is it people are hoping for in the new ATV?

 

[Massy1989]

What is it people are hoping for in the new ATV?

For Apple to really put Metal to use in the living room. The Nintendo Switch is a low-performance device and is immensely popular. I think a lot of people realize content is king — The majority don’t buy for just high-end specs alone. Apple is best positioned to throw all their gaming chips in on console competition with an Apple TV vs the Mac, iPhone, or iPad because it has a constant power source and no portability aspect. It’s an opportunity for them to expand Apple Arcade adoption as well. Where they would normally use power conserving techniques in a chip, they can push more to the limits on Apple TV because battery life is of no concern.

Release something like this a year before your AR/VR product and you have two stellar years in a row where you’re just killin’ it on the vertical integration front. I’m not convinced the reverse would work out as well. We’ll see what happens!

 

[scrapesleon]

I’m gonna miss the keynote I got to go back to work unfortunately

 

[cmaier]

For Apple to really put Metal to use in the living room. The Nintendo Switch is a low-performance device and is immensely popular. I think a lot of people realize content is king — The majority don’t buy for just high-end specs alone. Apple is best positioned to throw all their gaming chips in on console competition with an Apple TV vs the Mac, iPhone, or iPad because it has a constant power source and no portability aspect. It’s an opportunity for them to expand Apple Arcade adoption as well. Where they would normally use power conserving techniques in a chip, they can push more to the limits on Apple TV because battery life is of no concern.

Release something like this a year before your AR/VR product and you have two stellar years in a row where you’re just killin’ it on the vertical integration front. I’m not convinced the reverse would work out as well. We’ll see what happens!

I don’t think the problem with ATV and gaming is a hardware problem. Maybe I’m wrong. But it seems to me if they sold the damned things with bundled controllers and then let devs write games that could only be played with controllers (and didn’t mandate that games had to be playable with the remote), it would go a long way.

 

[gnipgnop]

I don’t think the problem with ATV and gaming is a hardware problem.

For Apple Arcade purposes, the ATV can't be too far out of date with the rest of Apple's hardware. The A10X in the current 4K ATV is significantly outperformed for graphics by the A12X from 2018, and it sounds like even the A14 could be a significant graphics jump vs. the A12X. The A13 didn't really do that.

 

[cmaier]

For Apple Arcade purposes, the ATV can't be too far out of date with the rest of Apple's hardware. The A10X in the current 4K ATV is significantly outperformed for graphics by the A12X from 2018, and it sounds like even the A14 could be a significant graphics jump vs. the A12X. The A13 didn't really do that.

My point is simply that you still aren’t going to see AAA games on Apple TV unless Apple does something about storage, game controllers, and changes App Store policies. All you will see is iPad apps with better graphics.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

I wonder which x86 MBP will be the long term edition like the mid-2012 13" MBP was being sold as new long into 2015?

If they still sold the rMBP15, I'd happily buy a brand new one!

 

[FelixDerKater]

Thicker or thinner? 5G. Massive battery?

 

[Tekguy0]

For Apple Arcade purposes, the ATV can't be too far out of date with the rest of Apple's hardware. The A10X in the current 4K ATV is significantly outperformed for graphics by the A12X from 2018, and it sounds like even the A14 could be a significant graphics jump vs. the A12X. The A13 didn't really do that.

I think the A10X is quite capable, but it is the A8 in the HD model that is probably holding them back.
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My point is simply that you still aren’t going to see AAA games on Apple TV unless Apple does something about storage, game controllers, and changes App Store policies. All you will see is iPad apps with better graphics.

Unfortunately, I think scaled iPad apps/games are all that we will see. Without going all out on a console (and including a controller with every purchase), the ATV will stay as an upscale media player with some gaming functionality, not the other way around as is the case in most consoles.

 

[Sirious]

They will rename it to iPhone OS

 

[cmaier]

I think the A10X is quite capable, but it is the A8 in the HD model that is probably holding them back.
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Unfortunately, I think scaled iPad apps/games are all that we will see. Without going all out on a console (and including a controller with every purchase), the ATV will stay as an upscale media player with some gaming functionality, not the other way around as is the case in most consoles.

That’s why i propose they (1) at least offer a “gamer” version with included controllers and (2) permit app developers to distribute apps that need controllers to run (right now they need to make the app also work with the remote, which sucks)