A new report this week, citing various sources within Apple’s Far East supply chain and published by DigiTimes, seeks to shed some additional light on previously rumored iMac Pro plans for 2017.

While iDrop News reported earlier this month that Apple may have a top-tier iMac currently in development, potentially boasting features like an incredible 8K UHD display (7680 x 4320 pixel resolution), up to 64 GB of RAM, and some iteration of discreet AMD-powered GPU chips, the DigiTimes report adds a bit of fuel to the fire — shedding some additional light on the upcoming machine’s myriad of pro-centric specifications.

Specifically, according to the report, Apple’s iMac Pro will feature a “server grade” configuration, and will thusly feature a powerful, quad-core Intel Xeon E3-1285 CPU, as few as 16 — but as many as 64 — GB of ECC RAM, and up to 2 TB of NVMe SSE Storage in addition to “the latest” discreet GPU chip from AMD, according to the report.

Apple is also rumored to have a 21.5-inch iMac model currently in the works. The 21.5-inch model and the 27-inch iMac Pro will be developed by Apple’s long-time Mac manufacturing partner, Quanta Computer.

As these specifications might suggest, Apple is gearing up to differentiate the next iMac from iMacs past, creating a machine that’s destined to further penetrate the ‘Pro’ segment of the market that Cupertino has progressively been trying to tap into in recent years. In fact, when Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi, sat down earlier this month with tech industry insider, John Gruber, the former pointed out that a few new ‘pro-centric’ Mac desktops would actually be coming later on this year.

“And now you look at today’s 5K iMac,” Federighi said. “It’s incredibly powerful, and a huge fraction of what would’ve traditionally — whether it’s audio editing, video editing, graphics, arts, and so forth — that would’ve previously absolutely required the Mac Pros of old, are being well addressed by iMac.”

Apple’s own research cited how 30% of the company’s total base of Mac users have conducted their work utilizing one of Apple’s Pro apps — such as Logic Pro, or Final Cut Pro — at least once per week; while, within that 30% range, there exists an 80/20 split between MacBook Pro users, and Mac desktop users, respectively, with the iMac encompassing the latter majority of those desktop Mac sales.

An iMac Pro would certainly appeal to a much larger segment of Apple’s Pro users, many of whom flock to the company’s most powerful offerings, time and time again, due to their superior performance and long-lasting quality. And since it’s been a few years since Apple last addressed the iMac desktop in any way, the iMac Pro would certainly deliver on Tim Cook’s promise of many “great new desktops” to come.

iPhone 8 design rumors have been circulating the web like wildfire in recent days, with reports conflicting most notably in regards to Apple’s plans for the upcoming flagship’s Touch ID sensor positioning — among a horde of other design characteristics, including the bittersweet decision to axe the iPhone 8’s rumored curved OLED display. But a new schematic that was leaked on Wednesday morning, if indeed it turns out to be the real deal, could effectively put many of those Touch ID-related rumors to rest.

Posted by the famed but historically inconsistent serial leaker, Sonny Dickson, to his official Twitter account, the leak shows what appears to be a 2D schematic depicting the iPhone 8’s back chassis. What’s sure to stand out most of all though, is that gaping, circular cut-out plastered just beneath the Apple logo on the back of the device, suggesting that Cupertino might have unfortunately resorted to a rear-mounted Touch ID sensor after all.

Worth noting, however, is that while the front of the iPhone 8 — which has also been rumored to be dubbed the ‘iPhone Edition’ — is expected to boast minimal bezels all the way around its massive 5.8-inch OLED display, a slew of conflicting reports have surfaced in recent weeks suggesting that, well, Apple could ultimately go one of several different routes with Touch ID.

For the record, Apple has been rumored to be working on an embedded Touch ID solution for what seems like years now; meaning that the sensor would essentially be built into the OLED display, itself, allowing the user to unlock, interact with, and carry out Apple Pay transactions on their device by merely placing their finger on the front display glass. However, it was rumored recently that due to a number of unforeseen manufacturing issues, Apple had decided to scrap the embedded Touch ID concept — instead opting for a rear-mounded fingerprint sensor, similar to a host of high-end Android devices, that would enable the company to expedite the iPhone Edition to market and release it alongside its iPhone 7s and 7s Plus counterparts this September.

Other reports, however, have suggested that Apple is in fact still working on the glass-embedded Touch ID solution; and while lower than expected yield rates have caused skepticism among some analysts, Apple could potentially still deliver the Touch ID-embedded device perhaps in October or November of this year, albeit in lower quantities to start, while unveiling it on stage alongside the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus.

The fact that Apple has been working on this under-the-glass Touch ID technology for years is a clear indication that it won’t simply settle for the status quo, though. To that end, Apple is rumored to have been working with various prototypes of the iPhone Edition, with some embodying the embedded Touch ID solution, and some featuring the sensors embedded around back — a la Samsung’s hot new Galaxy S8/S8+ flagships.

But that would be unlike Apple to simply follow in the footsteps of its fiercest rivals in the tech space, right? Therefore, as with all rumors, we highly recommend taking this rumor, too, with a heaping grain of salt, at least until the iPhone manufacturing season kicks into full swing this summer.

Read Our Comprehensive Overview of iPhone 8▶

Last month, iDrop News received a bevy of exclusive information pertinent to Apple’s upcoming iPhone 8 flagship, which could actually be dubbed the iPhone Edition, according to several supply chain sources who shared their knowledge of Apple’s imminent plans. And while we’ve had a few weeks or so to let those rumors sink in, fairly substantial amounts of additional information supporting the claims have surfaced.

The latest round of credence is coming to us this morning courtesy of a report published by the popular Japanese blog, Macotokara, which seeks to shed light on several of the iPhone Edition’s design elements that have previously taken center stage.

According to the report, Apple’s next-generation iPhone will likely borrow several design cues from the glass and metal iPhone 4 handset from 2010. However, while both the front and back of the upcoming device is expected to be covered in sheets of glass, as opposed to a thick metal frame wrapped around the edges, Apple’s iPhone Edition will boast a considerably more durable stainless steel frame — a feature that was first spearheaded by KGI Securities analyst, Ming Chi Kuo, and all but confirmed earlier this year by DigiTimes.

Meanwhile, echoing iDrop News’ sentiments which were recently divulged in leaked schematics, the report goes on to suggest that the top-tier flagship’s dual-lens camera system around back will, in fact, be reoriented to a vertical position. As noted in our previous report, however, this reorientation — as quirky as it may seem — certainly won’t come without benefits to the user. By shifting the camera sensors to a top-bottom position from their current side-by-side orientation, iPhone Edition owners will be able to achieve greater depth of field, forthcoming AR/VR applications, and more when the device is used horizontally.

Image Copyright 2017 iPhone 8 Concept, iDrop News. Attribution required.

Specifically, the report details how the iPhone Edition will feature a ‘glass sandwich’ design, boasting glass on the front and back, with a solid stainless steel frame holding it all together. It’s important to note, however, that while many might speculate that the device will embody the iPhone 4 and 4s, Apple’s design will more than likely be refined in many ways — in other words, merely borrowing some of the 2010-era handset’s aesthetics, while incorporating several newer, more durable materials, and using current manufacturing techniques to achieve a unique design.

The report also goes on to suggest that the iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus duo, which should be unveiled alongside their iPhone Edition counterpart, will feature a chassis that’s slightly thicker than the current iPhone 7 and 7 Plus’ — and while that could mean a number of things, such as that the devices will ship with higher capacity batteries. If true, it also means that the current range of iPhone 7 cases probably won’t fit the new devices, accordingly. We’ll just have to take that with a grain of salt, though, since Apple isn’t known for shaking things up too dramatically when s-model refreshes are in the pipeline.

Available stocks of current-generation, 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro devices are dwindling across the board — perhaps hinting that a refresh is imminent.

According to the Check Availability tool on Apple’s website, most high-volume Apple retail outlets are completely sold out of certain 12.9-inch iPad Pro models — though there are a few exceptions (in what probably are lower-volume brick-and-mortar stores). The lower-priced 32-gigabyte Wi-Fi and 128-gigabyte LTE models seem to be most affected by the stock shortage. Interestingly enough, nearly every single store will get new stock on May 16, per Apple’s website.

Similarly, Cupertino’s online store seems to be completely out of all 12.9-inch iPad Pro models — regardless of color, storage or connectivity options. Per the website, new orders are expected to be shipped in 2 to 3 weeks (which still puts those orders in the early- to mid-May range). Of course, this doesn’t automatically point to a device refresh on May 16 — but, combined with other rumors, the stock shortage could shed some light on the timing of Apple’s latest iPad release.

The highly anticipated iPad Pro refresh is certainly looming. Previously, the vast majority of rumors suggested that the new iPad Pro devices would be released alongside the new, entry-level 9.7-inch iPad in March or early April. Of course, that didn’t actually happen leaving much of the Apple news ecosystem confused over the conflicting rumors. Others such as DigiTimes, have reported that the iPads would launch in the second half of 2017 (with a June release being the earliest). That rumor is looking more and more likely as time goes on. Others, like Apple blogger John Gruber, are even predicting a fall launch.

Apple is largely expected to unveil two new iPad Pro devices this year: an updated 12.9-inch model, and a mid-size iPad with minimal bezels in a brand new form factor (reportedly, somewhere in the 10.5- to 10.9- inch range). Both devices are expected to run on Apple’s A10X chipset, and both should feature True Tone displays. While we might have a few good guesses, at this point, it’s totally up in the air exactly when these new iPad Pro devices will be unveiled.

Apple TVs will allegedly get multi-user support and picture-in-picture functionality in tvOS 11, according to a new rumor.

Multi-user support will reportedly allow the creation of different profiles in tvOS — and will tailor on-screen content, apps and other personalized features to the active profile, which is connected to an Apple ID. Reportedly, users will be able to access music bought from Apple Music, view their own photos and videos from iCloud, watch purchased and downloaded content connected to their iTunes account, and use their own apps on the TV, Israeli site The Verifier reported.

According to The Verifier’s undisclosed source, work on multi-user support is in the “advanced stages” — but added a caveat that it could ultimately be delayed until an even later version of the operating system. Multi-user support isn’t a new concept to Apple. The company’s various Mac computers already support it. The iPad does, too — but only in educational mode.

In addition, the Israeli news site also alleged that tvOS 11 will add picture-in-picture functionality. Again borrowing from Mac and iPad devices, picture-in-picture will allow users to “minimize” a playing video, essentially adding a multi-tasking function to the Apple TV. Users will be able to stream their favorite content while using another app — although, reportedly, playing additional video or audio in another window will “turn off” the currently played content. Lastly, the publication suggested that Apple plans to introduce a live programming guide alongside a monthly TV subscription bundle through partnerships with content providers (something Apple has long been rumored to be exploring).

It’s worth noting that The Verifier is a relatively new and fairly obscure Apple news site, and it currently has an unproven track record. This is further complicated by the fact that the publication’s recent claims are all currently unverifiable — and we likely won’t know if they turn out to be true until WWDC in June. That isn’t to entirely discredit the publication, however, as Israel has become a hub of technological innovation in recent years — and there are currently Apple engineers working on various projects in the country.

The latest tvOS update is expected to be unveiled in June at Apple’s 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference.

We’re often asked why we write about rumors and speculation well because people enjoy reading and discussing such things, especially when it comes to Apple. We’re often skeptical about these rumors ourselves and often have the same reaction to most of them — LULZ! There’s a boatload of lulz to be had for the latest speculative set of design schematics out on the internet now. Someone is claiming these particular renderings are the actual final design of the 10th anniversary iPhone… to which we say again… lulz?

It’s still very early to be calling anything a final design for the iPhone 8 especially going off of “leaked” renders. I will say that these particular renders look better than some of the other leaks we’ve seen in the past. From what we see here, the bezels are pretty non-existent all the way around this version of the iPhone 8. The screen isn’t off the edges like the Galaxy S8 but the bezels are fairly thin. It even appears as if the bezels may form a lip around the display, sort of like a case. That could be an optical illusion to my eye or I’m just simply insane.

Very thin bezels, almost lip like.

Still the same familiar shape.

The fingerprint scanner and sensors are shown embedded in the screen.

These leaks still continue to suggest Apple has the fingerprint scanner/home button embedded in the screen, which we hope is true. Samsung wasn’t able to embed the scanner in the screen and we’re not sure why but that would be a welcome addition to the iPhone. My thought is that if Samsung was unable to do it, Apple is likely going to have issues making it work as well. I’m not ready to say this is the final design, but I guess it’s anyone’s guess.

What do you think of these leaked iPhone 8 “final design” renders? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Google+, Twitter, or Facebook.

  Source: BGR