AirTags, iPhone 12 and More May Finally Be Unveiled Late October

Everyone was hoping to see an iPhone 12 debut in September, but that possibility is quickly falling apart.

According to a new rumor from Japanese website Mac Otakara, we may have to wait at least another month for Apple to unveil any new devices. When Apple finally hosts its event, it could be overflowing with product announcements with the iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6, and rumored AirTags all sharing the spotlight. 

This delay is disappointing, but not necessarily surprising.

Apple, in July, hinted that the iPhone 12 was going to be delayed. During its Q3 2020 earnings conference call, Apple CFO Luca Maestri confirmed upcoming products might launch a few weeks later than usual.

Typically, Apple announces its new iPhone models in early September with an in-store launch later in September. Apple’s revised timetable seems to jibe with Mac Otakara’s claim that the Cupertino company may hold off on announcing the iPhone 12 and more until October.

An October launch is looking more and more trustworthy, but it isn’t written in stone. An October launch contradicts a recent prediction from noted Apple leaker Jon Prosser. Prosser said Apple would unveil the Watch and new iPad models via a series of press releases in September.

That strategy would be significantly different from what Apple has done in the past. The company typically announces new iPhones and iPads together in the fall, so it would be unusual for the company to separate the two product reveals. Then again, this year is not your typical year.

Supply chain sources suggest Apple may also be ready to unveil its AirTags, a Bluetooth tracking device that’ll rival the top-rated Tile trackers. Mac Okatara claims the Cupertino company wanted to unveil its AirTags this spring alongside the iPhone SE 2020 but had to delay it until the fall. This earlier launch doesn’t come as a surprise. Programming for the AirTags has been spotted in iOS 13 code, suggesting Apple has been preparing to introduce this technology for a while.

These AirTags likely will integrate into the Find My app, which is used to locate iPhone, iPads, Macs, and other devices.

In the latest rumor, Mac Okatara hints that the AirTags also will work with Apple’s new App Clips. New in iOS 14, App Clips allows users to use a snippet of an app without fully opening the app. For example, you could pay for your parking meter using an App Clip instead of opening the full parking app.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]