Apple's non-iPhones event, Android 11 official, and more tech news today

Your tech news digest, by way of the DGiT Daily tech newsletter, for Wednesday, 9 September 2020.

1. Apple event: September 15th, but no iPhone 12 yet

Apple announced its September event yesterday, inviting the press and the public to tune in on September 15, 10am PDT with an event titled ‘Time Flies’. Time, you know, like on a watch?

And that’s the question here. In the hours after the announcement, there was some confusion about if this is an iPhone 12 event, or if it’s too early for a new iPhone given what Apple has suggested.

Then, probably the most reliable Apple insider put it to bed:

• Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is confident we won’t see the new iPhone. Instead, it’ll be Apple Watch and iPad announcements.
• Quotes: “The event announcement on Apple’s website doesn’t have its typical tag line that hints at what is to be announced. But the invitation to media says “Time Flies,” indicating the announcement is related to the Apple Watch, not iPhones. The new iPhones won’t launch until October, Bloomberg News has reported.
• “The new iPhones, coming later, will have redesigned cases, updated cameras, and 5G capabilities. Apple also plans to announce the first Mac running its own processors, replacing Intel Corp., before the end of the year. The next updates to iPhone and iPad software are due to be released this month, with Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac software updates coming in the fall.”
• Lots of folks still aren’t sure, given that normally Apple wouldn’t hold an event for its smaller product range in the Watch and iPad.
• But with virtual only events, the sky is the limit.
• And with an absence of further information, I’ll side with Gurman every time.

Also: Apple’s Tile competitor AirTags may finally be in mass-production (The Verge).

2. Android 11!

Android 11 is out! Google officially launched the stable version of Android 11 yesterday, starting the wider rollout to billions of devices.

What you need to know:

• We’ve covered Google’s line of thinking with Android 11 in the past and the stable release came with what we’ve been seeing in the betas: Google’s priority with Android 11 is helping keep users in touch with connected friends and family with fewer interruptions.
• What does that mean? A quick summary: keeping your notifications organized in a new spot within the notifications shade, along with bubbles for conversations to keep chats always available, if you want them.
• There are new tools and features too like a native screen recorder, much easier-to-access media controls, and a useful new setup to control your smart home devices right from the power menu. This means less bouncing between apps, generally.
• And there’s a suite of features surrounding privacy and security.
• The biggest is the ability to give one-time permissions to apps that request to use your camera, microphone, or location data.
• Once you’ve given permission, it’s only for that one use. If you even open the app again, you’ll need to grant permission. This helps ensure that only the apps you trust get permanent access to sensitive things like your camera and microphone. And if it’s an app you’re not sure about but need to use, there’s much less risk involved when you give it the okay for one-time usage.
• First up getting Android 11 is the Pixel line of smartphones, but this year some devices from OnePlus, Xiaomi, and OPPO will get Android 11 software available already, as companies work harder to bring the latest to users faster.

2. Microsoft confirmed the November 10 launch date for its next-generation Xbox consoles yesterday, and confirmed that leaked video too (Android Authority).

3. Mysterious ‘Google Pixel 5s’ breaks cover in new leaked shots (Android Authority).

4. Google’s new ‘Verified Calls’ feature will tell you why a business is calling you (Android Authority).

5. Ex-Google Pixel camera chief Marc Levoy has spoken with The Verge after leaving Google and joining Adobe. Don’t miss it, a super interesting and open perspective on how different approaches to smartphone cameras and sensors are being taken (The Verge).

6. Microsoft is reportedly working on a midrange Surface laptop: rumored to be under $600, between the Surface Go and Surface Pro. Hmm. I feel like the next name has to rhyme: Surface Bro, Surface Yo, Surface Whoa… (Engadget).

7. Apple says ‘Epic’s conduct threatens the very existence of the iOS ecosystem‘ in countersuit (Gizmodo).

8. Taking 5G to work, in offices, and on the factory floor—will it help? (Ars Technica).

9. Razer made the chewing gum gamers didn’t know they needed (Engadget).

10. New Nintendo Switch Hyrule Warriors arrives in November, a prequel of sorts to BoTW (Kotaku).

11. Uber pledges to go all-electric, but …it doesn’t own the cars (Wired).

12. “How are the Covid19 vaccines progressing at the moment?” (r/askscience).

The DGiT Daily delivers a daily email that keeps you ahead of the curve for all tech news, opinions, and links to what’s going down in the planet’s most important field. You get all the context and insight you need, and all with a touch of fun. Plus! Rotating daily fun for each day of the week, like Wednesday Weirdness. Join in!