The story is that an early developmental build of iOS 14 has somehow escaped into the wild. So why do we know so little about it?
What happened?
To paraphrase the elements of the claims:
- An unnamed individual purchased and then distributed the iOS 14 software.
- The software was extracted from a developmental iPhone 11 running an internal build of the iOS 14.
- The hardware was purchased from a Chinese vendor.
- The OS was then distributed among hackers and security researchers.
- Information concerning the software then began to leak, principally from the big Mac rumor sites, with 9to5Mac mentioned in the report.
- “Leaked Apple code, documentation, and hardware is often traded on Twitter using a hashtag called #AppleInternals.”
- We don’t know who purchased and shared the code. Was it a competitor? Was it a journalist? Follow the money.
What we know about iOS 14
The strange thing is that despite the operating system apparently being in circulation since February, all we really know about it is this:
- A new PencilKit UI for iOS.
- iMessage improvements.
- A new Home screen with a list view.
- A Clips feature that lets apps run in a kind of demo mode without requiring the entire app be downloaded.
- An AR application designed to support socially distanced retail.
- Improvements in the mouse support on iPads.
- HomeKit features including face recognition and more.
- Integration between Apple Watch and Apple TV for workout apps.
- Blood oxygen level detection for Apple Watch.
- HomePod/TVos.
All these enhancements will be of interest, but it seems strange that some of the most critical improvements likely to be found in the release around graphics and extended support for the creation of Catalyst apps haven’t surfaced at all yet.
We understand the focus this year is on performance and quality as the company sets the scene for next year’s innovations, particularly around Apple Glass and the Mac.
However, with the code in the wild, it’s surprising we haven’t learned more.
Not long to wait
In a sense, this leak has made very little difference.
Traditionally, we’ve always had some insight into Apple’s future plans, and I don’t sense we know more or less than in previous years this year. It’s not exactly rocket science to predict more improvements in Homekit, iPad user interfaces, health technologies and AR, given these have been high focus areas at the company for several years.
It is also probably true that excitement at Apple’s plans will be muted this year, as the disaster of COVID-19 continues to impose huge costs – so the company may even benefit from any additional attention raised by the leak. We only have a few weeks to wait until we learn much more on Apple’s plans at WWDC Online 2020.
What are we expecting at WWDC?
New OS releases, obviously, and perhaps a little more insight into Apple’s intentions for any migration of the Mac platform to its own A-series processors.
Don’t be shocked if this isn’t too openly discussed: Apple continues in its attempt to turn iPads into all the Mac most people ever need.
How Apple handles it
Apple knows it’s a company that’s under more scrutiny than most. It always has been.
We know Apple reads the same blogs and media we do. I’ve been told before that Apple insiders are often frustrated when secrets slip. Any enterprise under such levels of scrutiny would feel the same.
Apple’s approach is interesting.
Many years ago it attempted to litigate against some bloggers for sharing secret information about it. That sparked a huge negative outcry and the company eventually relented, though the whole affair created lasting bad feeling.
It’s not a particularly good look for a huge company to persecute an individual.
These days, the company’s approach is different.
While remaining eminently secretive, the company seems to have a constructive approach to dealing with Apple reporters, working supportively where it can. Sure, it recognizes some stories slip, and that not every decision will be without criticism, but it also sees that working in a constructive way means it can feed facts into conversations that may otherwise be defined by misinformation.
It’s an approach any enterprise defined by high degrees of public interest and scrutiny can learn from, as it shows that the absence of media scrutiny fosters weakness and misunderstanding rather than strength.
Apple has decided it’s strong enough to bear a little scrutiny, in exchange for which it is also able to maximize coverage when it does have something to say – while also showing it is not above criticism. This is also why the company will have more people watching its news at WWDC 2020 than ever before.
Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolic’s bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Copyright © 2020 IDG Communications, Inc.
What i don’t understood is in reality how you’re no longer really a lot more smartly-liked than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You understand thus significantly in relation to this topic, made me in my opinion consider it from so many numerous angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be interested unless it’s something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. At all times take care of it up!
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my website thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
I together with my guys were reviewing the good tips and tricks found on your web blog then at once developed a horrible suspicion I had not expressed respect to the site owner for those techniques. All the people happened to be as a consequence warmed to read through all of them and now have honestly been enjoying those things. Thank you for really being simply kind and then for using such remarkable subject areas millions of individuals are really needing to be aware of. Our own honest apologies for not expressing gratitude to sooner.
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue with your site in web explorer, might check thisK IE nonetheless is the market leader and a huge section of other folks will pass over your wonderful writing due to this problem.
Throughout this awesome scheme of things you get a B- just for effort and hard work. Where exactly you confused us was on the particulars. You know, as the maxim goes, details make or break the argument.. And it couldn’t be much more correct here. Having said that, let me tell you just what did deliver the results. The text is definitely extremely convincing and this is most likely the reason why I am making the effort to opine. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. Next, although I can easily see a jumps in reason you come up with, I am not sure of just how you seem to connect the details that produce your final result. For right now I will yield to your issue however hope in the future you actually connect your facts better.
fantastic points altogether, you just gained a brand new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago? Any positive?
701084 716408I believe this web internet site contains quite superb composed articles posts . 763848
I don’t usually comment but I gotta tell regards for the post on this perfect one : D.
Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
I wanted to construct a comment to be able to express gratitude to you for all the nice guidelines you are showing on this website. My rather long internet look up has at the end of the day been compensated with wonderful ideas to share with my close friends. I ‘d mention that we readers actually are very much lucky to exist in a decent community with very many awesome individuals with interesting strategies. I feel quite grateful to have encountered your site and look forward to many more enjoyable moments reading here. Thanks once again for everything.
597996 476707Fantastic website. Lots of helpful info here. 965823
633496 292558woah i like yur website. It genuinely helped me with the info i wus seeking for. Appcriciate it, will bookmark. 85122
89519 404189Yay google is my world beater assisted me to uncover this great website! . 96805
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
289915 578185Wow! This could be one particular with the most useful blogs Weve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Outstanding. Im also an expert in this topic therefore I can comprehend your effort. 158307
online shopping pharmacy india: mail order pharmacy india – canadian pharmacy india