iPhone 12 launch, Amazon has deals, and more tech news you need to know today

Your Tech News Digest via the DGiT Daily Tech Newsletter for Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

1. Apple apparently introduces us to speed

Apple’s event ends today with a virtual stream at 10 p.m. PT. Given that this is an iPhone event, it will be very interesting to see what we get there, but beyond the iPhone, what we’re getting today is a little bit mysterious. It’s always fun and attracts more attention.

• iPhone: The rumors of a 5G range on four devices have been solid for some time: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• Apple will most likely tell us that these are the fastest iPhones ever, including download speeds. Will networks support 5G better when Apple is under pressure from Samsung and so many other Android brands that are already there?
• MagSafe iPhone wireless charging? I like what I see of this magnetic wireless charger for iPhone 12 that appears to have leaked from Japan (MacRumors). It might just be part of a new official case, but MagSafe has always been a great Mac feature.
• Audio: We saw Apple stop selling third-party audio equipment from its own stores, and Apple removed the Beats page from its website prior to today’s launch, but then it went back online. So maybe nothing there?
• But we should at least see a new HomePod and possibly headphones.
• AirTags: Then there are the promised AirTags which you can use to track and find other devices like Tile.
• Apple TV? The Apple TV 4K is now three years old. And it’s expensive for what you get. We’ve seen reports of a new model or even models in the works, but it could be early 2021 releases.
• Probably not arm-based Macs. The Macs with Apple Silicon are more like November releases per Bloomberg.

Update: Apple’s website is also unavailable in advance.

2. Amazon Prime Day Deals

Amazon Prime Day is here and I know what it can be like when it’s overwhelmed with offers and discounts and what actually is a good buy (and whether you really need it!).

Let me try to help Here you will find a page with all relevant offers for streaming, smartphones, smart home, TV, audio, laptops etc. Here you will also find the best Prime Day offers in Great Britain. There is a lot.

While I don’t dig into monitors or laptops too much, here are just some of the best deals on things you have probably chosen of me!

• The Samsung Galaxy S20 is available on Amazon at a huge $ 320 discount, which brings the unlocked version down to $ 679.
• You can get a Google Pixel 4 flagship for a cheaper price than the Pixel 4a 5G: 64GB Pixel 4 is now $ 449, 128GB Pixel 4 for $ 549.
• The audio deals are really good: the new Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are priced at $ 52 at $ 298, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus on Amazon are $ 87 and save $ 63. Both great deals, in my book.
• I was told that the best audio deal available is for the Shure AONIC 50, which is $ 100 less than $ 300. I linked to the SoundGuys review as you want to know why this is a good thing, but click through there to get the Amazon deal.
• Apple Gear has a few deals: Apple AirPods for $ 115 ($ 44 off). This is the best deal for them so far. Apple AirPods Pro for $ 199 also save $ 50.
• There’s also up to $ 120 off microSD cards, and robotic vacuum deals are always welcome.
• As always, Amazon also offers offers on its own devices. The new Echo Dot (4th Generation) hasn’t shipped yet but is already on sale, a double pack for $ 80 ($ 20 off), while the Kindle Paperwhite is the cheapest for $ 80, but it does There are also reconditioned models for $ 49.
• Another one from Amazon: I think the $ 80 Fire HD 10 is a pretty good deal for the top of the line tablet. However, 32 GB of storage space for a base unit is not much. So add $ 50 for the 64GB and it’s always a good idea to pay the ads removal fee!
• The Yubikey Security Key NFC also dropped to $ 16.20, $ 10 off (40%!)

Deals come and go today and tomorrow, so keep an eye out for the best deals and flash sales.

3. Here’s the new Nest thermostat: a brightly colored, cheaper smart thermostat for $ 130. Instead of its intelligent learning capabilities, the device now uses Solos, Radar to determine if you are at home or in the office and adjusts temperatures accordingly. It also lost the touch dial, replaced with a strip. I’ll have to see more of this as I’m not sure it’s a full set of improvements! (Android Authority).

4. OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei has left the company. He is reportedly starting a new company. Does that mean something new for smartphones with a OnePlus atmosphere? (Android Authority).

5. Apple on the development of the A14 Bionic for the iPad Air and beyond: Entry into Apple’s new chipset with platform architecture VP Tim Millet (Engadget).

6. Facebook prohibits Holocaust denial and bias posts, as Zuckerberg says, his “thinking has evolved”. In the end. (AP).

7. Interesting insights into how Microsoft used courts to take down a ransomware botnet (Reuters).

8. Disney wants to be Netflix now (Gizmodo).

9. Doom runs on a Samsung fridge thanks to xCloud (The Verge).

10. The Pentagon hires SpaceX to develop rockets that can deliver packages anywhere in the world in less than an hour (Vice).

11. Alphabet’s latest X project is a plant sniffer plant buggy that uses computers to find out and optimize plant nutrition. It’s a little unclear what exactly is going on, but it’s a data collection model first. In my opinion? (The Verge).

12. “Why does natural hair only have so many natural colors while feathers, scales, etc. have a wide spectrum?” (R / nostupidquestions)

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