Show an ad over header. AMP

Live: Apple debuts 5G-capable iPhone 12, cheaper HomePod

Oct. 13, 2020 06:01PM EST
 Dan Ackermann

Apple on Tuesday introduced a lineup of new iPhone 12 models, all with 5G support, as well as a smaller, cheaper version of its HomePod speaker

Why it matters: Apple's events may not be as drama-packed as they once were, but the iPhone remains the most important product in Apple's lineup and a bellwether for the broader industry.

iPhone

Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed that 5G support is coming to the full lineup of new iPhones, inviting Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg on stage to confirm that the devices will also support Verizon's super-fast (but sparsely available) ultra-wideband flavor of 5G.

  • "5G just got real," Vestberg said, promising the service will reach 60 cities by end of the year. Vestberg also said Verizon is turning on its low-band 5G network in more than 200 cities to offer broad coverage, following T-Mobile and AT&T.
  • The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 has the same size screen as the iPhone 11, but has twice as many pixels, and comes in a smaller, thinner and lighter aluminum case.
  • It features the A14 bionic chip first included in the iPad Air announced last month.
  • It comes with a wide and ultra-wide rear lens, similar to iPhone 11, although the new camera has a wider aperture for better low-light performance.
  • The device will use LTE when speed doesn't matter and switch to 5G in cases where speeds do matter, Apple said.
  • A stronger glass should better protect the iPhone against damage from falls, Apple said.
  • A magnetic back allows for better alignment in wireless charging as well as new accessories, such as a credit card holder.
  • It comes in blue, red, white, a light green and black and starts at $799.
  • The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini is smaller than the iPhone 8, with the same features as iPhone 12, starting at $699.
  • The 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max feature three rear cameras, have a stainless steel coating and a LiDAR scanner not found on the standard iPhone 12 line.
  • The LiDAR sensor, which Apple already includes in iPad Pro, allows for depth sensing, room scanning and precise placement of AR objects as well as for autofocus in low-light settings.
  • The extra rear camera is a telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom capability.
  • Apple is also adding additional video recording options including support for HDR and Dolby Vision HDR.

HomePod mini

The new HomePod mini is a small, mostly spherical speaker designed to offer a cheaper alternative to the company's pricey smart speaker. The device has a touch panel on the top for playing and pausing music.

  • A pair of HomePod minis can be used for stereo sound.
  • The devices will work with online radio services like Pandora and TuneIn and soon, with third-party music services including Amazon.
  • A new Intercom feature can be used to send messages to AirPods throughout the home, as well as to iPhones, AppleWatches and vehicles, via CarPlay.
  • The HomePod mini comes in white and space gray, will sell for $99, can be ordered as of Nov. 6 and starts shipping Nov. 16

The norms around science and politics are cracking

Crafting successful public health measures depends on the ability of top scientists to gather data and report their findings unrestricted to policymakers.

State of play: But concern has spiked among health experts and physicians over what they see as an assault on key science protections, particularly during a raging pandemic. And a move last week by President Trump, via an executive order, is triggering even more worries.

Keep reading... Show less

Apple sets September quarter sales record despite pandemic

Apple on Thursday reported quarterly sales and earnings that narrowly exceeded analysts estimates as the iPhone maker continued to see strong demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

What they's saying: The company said response to new products, including the iPhone 12 has been "tremendously positive" but did not give a specific forecast for the current quarter.

Keep reading... Show less

Podcast: The vaccine race turns toward nationalism

The coronavirus pandemic is worsening, both in the U.S. and abroad, with cases, hospitalizations and deaths all rising.

Axios Re:Cap digs into the state of global vaccine development — including why the U.S. and China seem to going at it alone — with medicinal chemist and biotech blogger Derek Lowe.

How central banks can save the world

The trillion-dollar gap between actual GDP and potential GDP is a gap made up of misery, unemployment, and unfulfilled promise. It's also a gap that can be eradicated — if central banks embrace unconventional monetary policy.

  • That's the message from Eric Lonergan and Megan Greene, two economists who reject the idea that central banks have hit a "lower bound" on interest rates. In fact, they reject the idea that "interest rates" are a singular thing at all, and they fullthroatedly reject the idea — most recently put forward by New York Fed president Bill Dudley — that the Fed is "out of firepower."

Why it matters: If Lonergan and Greene are right, then central banks have effectively unlimited ammunition in their fight to increase inflation and employment. They are limited only by political will.

Keep reading... Show less

Leon Black says he "made a terrible mistake" doing business with Jeffrey Epstein

Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black on Wednesday said during an earnings call that he made a "terrible mistake" by employing Jeffrey Epstein to work on personal financial and philanthropic services.

Why it matters: Apollo is one of the world's largest private equity firms, and already has lost at least one major client over Black's involvement with Epstein.

Keep reading... Show less

Jeremy Corbyn suspended by U.K. Labour Party over anti-Semitism report

The U.K. Labour Party has suspended its former leader, Jeremy Corbyn, after a watchdog report found that the party failed to properly take action against allegations of anti-Semitism during his time in charge.

Why it matters: It represents a strong break by Keir Starmer, Labour's current leader, from the Corbyn era and one of the party's most persistent scandals.

Keep reading... Show less

U.S. economy sees record growth in third quarter

The U.S. economy grew at a 33.1% annualized pace in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said on Thursday.

The state of play: The record growth follows easing of the coronavirus-driven lockdowns that pushed the economy to the worst-ever contraction — but GDP still remains well below its pre-pandemic level.

Keep reading... Show less

Investors have nowhere to hide

The massive losses in oil prices and U.S. and European equities were not countered by gains in traditional safe-haven assets on Wednesday.

Why it matters: The unusual movement in typical hedging tools like bonds, precious metals and currencies means they are not providing investors an asset that will appreciate in the event of a major equity selloff.

Keep reading... Show less
Insights

Insights

mail-copy

Get Goodhumans in your inbox

Most Read

Most Read

More Stories