It’s official: Apple is unveiling the iPhone 12 range on October 13. Well, it hasn’t mentioned the phones by name but it’s holding an event then, and we fully expect the new handsets to be in attendance.
And this could be a big year for the iPhone, as we’re expecting a lot of changes with the iPhone 12 – more even than in a typical year.
Below you’ll find the ten big changes that we’re expecting with the iPhone 12 range. These things haven’t been confirmed, but the majority of them have been extensively rumored, so they’re very likely happening.
1. 5G finally
From the Samsung Galaxy S20 to the Huawei P40 and even more affordable handsets like the OnePlus Nord, we’re seeing a lot of 5G phones, but so far no iPhone models are among them.
That’s all expected to change with the iPhone 12 range, as Apple is finally thought to be launching a 5G iPhone. Most rumors suggest that every main model will support 5G – though there may be 4G versions of some of them too.
The addition of 5G will allow users to take advantage of the very fastest possible mobile data speeds (assuming they also have 5G coverage and a 5G plan).
2. Four phones rather than three
iPhone 12 series potential design renders (Image credit: Everything Apple Pro)
The iPhone 11 range includes the standard model along with the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, but with the iPhone 12 range we’re expecting four models – an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and – probably – an iPhone 12 Mini, though some earlier rumors mentioned an iPhone 12 Max instead.
Either way, it amounts to one more option, which when coupled with the possible choice of 4G or 5G, and the recent iPhone SE (2020) as another option, means the iPhone range could be bigger than ever this year, with loads more handsets to choose from.
3. New screen sizes
We mentioned above that there’s likely to be a fourth iPhone model – and that of course means a new size option, but in fact some of the other sizes could be changing too.
Rumors suggest that a basic model, likely dubbed the iPhone 12 Mini but possibly just the iPhone 12, will have a 5.4-inch screen, while the next model up (probably called the iPhone 12, but possibly called the iPhone 12 Max if the smaller model takes the standard name) is thought to have a 6.1-inch screen.
Then there’s the iPhone 12 Pro, which will probably be 6.1 inches as well, just with better specs, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is said to have a 6.7-inch screen.
For comparison, the iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 11 Pro is 5.8 inches, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max is 6.5 inches.
So if the rumors are right then Apple will launch the biggest iPhone ever with the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max, and the smallest numbered iPhone in years with the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 Mini.
4. Two cheaper options
There was only one cheaper iPhone 11 model (Image credit: Future)
The extra iPhone model also means there should be two relatively cheap options to choose from, rather than the single basic iPhone 11 model offered in 2019.
This year, there’s thought to be both the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 12, providing two choices for anyone who doesn’t need or can’t afford a Pro model.
Some leaks even suggest that the iPhone 12 Mini could start at just $649 (roughly £500 / AU$910), which would make it cheaper than the iPhone 11 – though still not exactly affordable. For real affordability you should consider the iPhone SE (2020), or a phone not made by Apple.
5. A new chipset
This isn’t a surprising change given that each new generation of iPhone has a new chipset, but it is still a potentially big one, as it could make the iPhone 12 range a lot more powerful.
Apple is expected to equip the phones with its A14 Bionic chipset, which we’ve already seen in the iPad Air 4 (2020). Early benchmarks suggest this is around 20% faster than the A13 Bionic found in the iPhone 11 range, and when you consider that those are still very powerful phones, that should mean the iPhone 12 range is exceptionally speedy.
You might not even initially have a use for all that power, but it should help keep the phones future proofed.
6. A new color
A concept image of the possible new color (Image credit: Max Weinbach / EverythingApplePro)
You might not think of a new color as a big change, but it fundamentally changes how a phone can look so we’d say it counts, and the iPhone 12 range may get one in the form of a navy blue or dark blue shade.
However, some rumors suggest this might be reserved just for the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. Whether the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini would then get a different new color is unknown.
7. A 120Hz screen
There has been lots of disagreement among leakers as to whether any iPhone 12 models will have a 120Hz screen, with the most recent information suggesting that there will be a 120Hz screen – but only on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
A 120Hz refresh rate can make motion feel smoother, so that interacting with your phone overall feels smoother and slicker. It’s a feature we’ve seen on a number of Android handsets such as the OnePlus 8 Pro, but not yet on an iPhone.
So it could make a big difference to how using an iPhone feels, but if it’s really only coming to the iPhone 12 Pro Max then you’ll probably have to spend a lot to get it.
8. A LiDAR scanner
An example of what the iPhone 12 Pro camera could look like (Image credit: Phone Arena)
One big new feature that’s rumored for the iPhone 12 range is the presence of a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanner, though – as with the 120Hz screen – reports suggest this might only be present on the more premium models – probably either just the iPhone 12 Pro Max or both that and the iPhone 12 Pro.
In any case, a LiDAR scanner is something we’ve already seen on the iPad Pro 2020, but which isn’t yet available on phones. It’s essentially an advanced method of judging depth and distances, which could allow for improved portrait mode and augmented reality experiences on the iPhone 12 range.
Apple has been hyping augmented reality for years, and with the new phones it could become that bit better and more useful.
This has been extensively rumored and could serve a number of purposes – it could cut costs, as well as making for smaller and lighter packaging which would be cheaper to ship, thereby cutting costs even more.
Plus, with many people likely already having a compatible power adapter it might not be missed by many, and would cut down on environmentally damaging e-waste. So there are a lot of reasonable reasons for it.
10. An iPad-inspired design
While the iPhone 12 range probably won’t have a complete design overhaul, it does look like there will be some significant differences to the iPhone 11 range, with the new phones reportedly being inspired in part by the iPad Pro 2020, along with the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5.
Specifically, the main change looks to be a flatter, squared-off metal frame, in place of the rounded edges on current models.
Visually that would leave the phones looking a little different, but it could make for a very different in-hand feel, and not necessarily for the better. We’ll have to wait and see though.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
