Apple rumors

This week was full of mac related rumors. Let's start from Apple Silicon iMac. A developer has discovered an unreleased ARM-based iMac in an Xcode crash log for his macOS app. That means, the new iMacs are coming soon.

Next is iPad. The new iPad Pros should be released in April. The new tablets are a continuation of current lineup, with a few new features:

• A mini-LED display (at least in 12.9-inch version),
• A14X processor, similar to M1 silicon,
• Thunderbolt connection,
• and of course better cameras.

Xcode attacked!

Security researchers discovered a trojan, called XcodeSpy, which compromises Developers’ Macs with a trojanized Xcode project. Once activate, malware has access to microphone, camera, keyboard, and also can upload/download files.

What's even worse, it is super easy to get affected by this trojan. All you have to do is download and build infected Xcode project. The project contains obfuscated script that is added as a one of built steps of the project. So be careful when you running 3rd-party projects on your machines.

Image credits: Johannes Plenio

Apple's Mixed Reality headset

According to rumors, the upcoming Apple's AR/VR headset will have:

• 15 cameras,
• micro-OLED display,
• weight of 200-300 grams.

The headset might be released in 2022 for ~$1000, where the Apple Glasses might come in 2025.

AirPods 3 leaked?

The photos of the upcoming AirPods have been posted on Twitter. They look like AirPods Pro but without the tips. This would align with rumors merging two designs together.

If those photos are real, it means the AirPods 3 are coming soon. Maybe even this month, during March Apple event.

Image credits: Waldemar Brandt

Ideal MacBook Pro?

There are new rumors surrounding the upcoming MacBook Pros and it looks like it might be the best MacBook Pro ever. Here is the list of rumored features:

• Apple's custom M1 chip,
• New flat edged design,
• Mini LED  14-inch and 16-inch displays,
• SD Card Reader
• MagSafe charging connector,
• HDMI port,
• No Touch Bar,
• Scissor keyboard.

If those rumors are true, and the new chip is as fast as everyone is expecting it to be, this might be the best MacBook Pro ever.

Image credits: MacRumors

Perseverance landed

NASA's probe Perseverance survived the Mars atmosphere and successfully landed on the surface. The landing sequence was an engineering masterpiece. At first, the probe free-fallen through the Mars atmosphere. Then, deployed parachutes to decelerate. When the spacecraft was close to the surface, it fired onboard thrusters to slow itself down and hovered above the ground. Then the Perseverance was lowered down on cables to the surface.

Now, when the rover is on Mars, it can start its primary mission:

• studying Mars' Habitability,
• seeking Signs of Past Microbial Life,
• collecting and Caching Samples,
• preparing for Future Human Missions.

Also, during this mission, NASA will test a drone called Mars Helicopter. If it works, it will be the first time we will be flying (not just falling) on Mars.

New iPhones rumors

It's this time of year when we start getting rumors about upcoming tech. This time it's about iPhones. Let's start with iPhone 13:

• Always-On Display With 120Hz ProMotion,
• Touch ID integrated into a screen,
• Stronger MagSafe,
• Support for astrophotography,
• Grippier phone's back.

There are also rumors that foldable iPhone will have 7-inch display and will be released in 2023.

Image credits: NASA

Reddit vs Wall Street

This week Reddit users trolled the heck out of sharks of Wall Street. A hedge fund wanted to earn money by betting that Gamestop stocks would fall. Reddit users noticed that and started buying out the stocks. This caused the rise of stock value by over 1700%. As a result, the hedge fund bankrupted because it couldn't repay all the debts.

This is the first time something like this happened. This whole situation is being compared to French Revolution - "poor and small" people/investors turned against the rich people using their own tactics and tools against them.

Apple is doing just fine

Apple released financial reports for last quarter, and it looks like it  just broke its quarterly revenue record earning $111.4 Billion in Q1 2021. The revenue mostly comes from iPhones (42%) but iPad also gained a lot (in total 7%), and almost matched the Macs (8%).

SpaceX carpooling?

SpaceX launched Falcon 9 rocket with record breaking 143 satellites. This was done under the SmallSat Rideshare Program which is basically a space carpooling. Small businesses can share a flight with other companies instead of buying an entire rocket at a much higher price.

With such program, SpaceX has done just another step into affordable space exploration.

Image credits: Clay Banks