Apple thinks that demand for iPhones will be strong despite the pandemic, as it plans to make 75 million 5G iPhones in total. The company already said that it would release the new iPhones “a few weeks” later than last year’s models (which shipped on September 20th), but the lower-end devices will be available before the Pro models, according to Bloomberg’s sources.

Apple could also release two new Watches, including a successor to the flagship Series 5 and a Series 3 replacement that will go up against lower-end Fitbit-type devices. Meanwhile, the iPad Air will take a page from the 2019 iPad Pro with slim bezels and Touch ID on the power button. Finally, Apple will reportedly release a smaller and cheaper HomePod speaker, along with Apple-branded over-ear headphones. Apple has released over-ear Beats headphones before, but never ones with the Apple name.

The company is also working on a new Apple TV device, but that might not arrive until next year. Apple could also release iOS 14 in September, even though the iPhones won’t be shipping until later. All of this is still in the rumor stages, though it’s broadly in line with past Apple releases — albeit with a couple more devices than usual. Now, all we need is a final date for the event itself.

That’s because, according to the rumor, the thickness-obsessed designers at Apple have a custom antenna — they bought Intel’s tech last year for a reason — that makes the 5G iPhone sleeker than is possible if the company relies on Qualcomm’s.

Plus, even though Qualcomm and Apple have squashed their beef over royalties, the claim is that Apple would prefer to use as few of the other company’s components as possible to keep from paying them more. That the phone will use a Snapdragon X55 modem for 5G — just like Samsung’s models — is apparently a given, but the choice between the two options is reportedly in play for at least a few more weeks.

That’s because eventually Apple needs to make a choice and begin production of the devices — not to mention accessories like cases — before they’re introduced and go on sale in the fall. The additional wrinkle, of course, is the complexity of 5G tech that’s still relatively new, and Apple’s struggles using its own antenna design in the iPhone 4.

If you’re keeping track of the internet TV landscape there may be change incoming, as the Wall Street Journal reports Comcast — which is preparing to launch the NBCU-powered Peacock streaming service — is in advanced talks to buy Xumo TV. While Xumo isn’t as familiar of a name, its app is readily available on mobile devices and many smart TV platforms, with the draw of offering free, ad-supported video streaming.

Mostly, it pulls together streams from other providers like ABC News, the Today Show or Wired in its front end so cord-cutters can have their usual TV experience, albeit without paying a dime, and the company also licenses its tech on apps or integrations for companies like LG, Vizio, Sharp and Hisense. While Peacock may have ad-supported or discounted elements and could be free for current pay-TV subscribers, it’s not quite clear what it would have in common with Xumo. The WSJ suggests Xumo could provide technical and business support.

Of course, the deal isn’t done, but with Peacock set to launch in April, then Comcast may want to get things cleared up well before it launches a new streaming home for The Office and Parks and Recreation.

If everything is accurate (and that’s a big “if,” given that Galaxy S11 isn’t due to be released until next year), then the new camera position will likely be welcomed by buyers. As it stands now, taking selfies with the S10 can be a bit tricky due to the offset camera position.

Guess who is bringing you the very first and early look at the #Samsung #GalaxyS11…
As usual, 360° video + gorgeous 5K renders + dimensions, on behalf of my Friends over at @91mobiles -> https://t.co/ejj58wPNSH pic.twitter.com/QNS2dsyLp7

— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) November 22, 2019

The lens array on the back has been moved from the center to the upper left, matching the camera position on the Galaxy Note 10. There would be two rows of cameras, with up to five separate lenses along with an LED flash. This could mean an even greater choice of zoom, wide-angle and possibly depth sensing cameras. The main camera will reportedly have a 108-megapixel sensor, first seen on the Xiaomi Mi Note 10. We could also see a 5x optical zoom, 8K video recording and more.

Other changes show a curvier screen, with more rounded corners and minimal side bezels. According to recent leaks, it could have a 6.7-inch 120Hz refresh on the AMOLED panel. The power and volume buttons have been moved to the right side, and Samsung may have eliminated the Bixby button. Unlike the S10, the renders show no dedicated headphone jack, unfortunately.

Samsung has already unveiled the Exynos 990 chip that will likely be used for the phone in Korea, but it’ll reportedly pack a Snapdragon 865 chipset elsewhere. The phone will likely arrive in February next year, so this information is coming well ahead of time. Keep in mind that while @onleaks has a solid reputation for leaks, you’d still do well to take this with a grain of salt.

On one hand, such a variation clause would be fairly common practice given that no company wants to renegotiate all of its deals to offer a tweaked service. And certainly, bundling News+ with either TV+, Music or both, would make good sense as an extra-value add-on. If a bundle did launch, and it is if, it may offer one, two or all three services with some small reduction in charge compared to buying them all individually.

But Bloomberg points out that the move could anger publishers, who would see their fees cut under any further discount. One outlet is said to receive under $20,000 from News+ subscriptions, less than expected and less than it got from Texture, the app Apple bought to rebrand as News+. Apple’s refusal to allow targeted advertising has meant that some publishers initially eager to sign up are starting to get antsy.

Kuo has said in the past that Apple plans to market the headset as an iPhone accessory. It will reportedly wirelessly offload computing, networking and location-related tasks to the iPhone. In this way, Apple hopes to keep the device thin and light. Without providing additional context, Kuo adds Apple will work third-party brands to launch the accessory. 9to5Mac suggests Kuo means we could see a slate of different iPhone-compatible AR headsets from a variety of brands. MacRumors, meanwhile, indicates the headset is a single product. Based on these interpretations, one possibility is that you’ll be able to buy the headset from both Apple and several other companies. Each headset may feature different styling, but they’ll all use the same underlying components and technology, and they’ll all be compatible with the iPhone.

In the same report, Kuo reiterates his prediction that Apple will launch a new low-cost iPhone SE model sometime in the first quarter of 2020. In a separate report from earlier in the week, Kuo said the “iPhone SE2” will feature Apple’s latest A13 chip inside the frame of an iPhone 8, making it a lower-cost alternative to the iPhone 11.

Kuo also says Apple’s new iPad Pro will feature a time-of-flight camera. While we’ve seen images of the new triple camera iPad Pro before, this is the first time the analyst has specifically mentioned the refreshed model will feature a 3D sensor. A time-of-flight camera measures the amount of time it takes for a laser or LED to bounce off objects in a room (the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera works in much the same way). Once it measures travel time, the sensor is able to map 3D space accurately. Apple will likely use the sensor to boost the iPad Pro’s ARKit capabilities. The company could also use the sensor to create portrait mode photos with smoother depth-of-field effects.

Lastly, Kuo mentions that Apple will release a scissor key MacBook sometime in the second quarter of 2020. Unfortunately, he doesn’t specify the exact model Apple plans to refresh with its new, more reliable keyboard. That said, Kuo has said in the past that Apple plans to ditch its troubled butterfly keyboard mechanism. As always, all the usual caveats apply to reports of this type. Even if the note is accurate, Apple’s plans could change significantly between now and the second half of next year.

This is all still hearsay, though, as neither Verizon nor OnePlus have announced the partnership. Given that OnePlus is now available through T-Mobile and Sprint, a Verizon deal wouldn’t be entirely surprising. OnePlus is expected to unveil the 7T at a North American event on September 26th. With any luck, we’ll learn more about the rumored Verizon deal then.

Of course, the US trade war with China could put a damper on sales. The US plans to implement a 15 percent tariff on Chinese-made smartphones beginning this December. As Android Police points out, that could increase the base price of a 7 Pro by $100, making the phone a bit less attractive.

There may be more shakeups at the media gathering. The Verge expects an AMD-powered Surface Laptop 3 (the first AMD-based Surface of any kind) at the event, although it’s not certain if the new chip option would be available in the 15-inch system, the 13.5-inch variant or both.

The October 2nd presentation could have a wide variety of devices on tap, including an updated Surface Pro, a Qualcomm Snapdragon-based system and a teaser for a dual-screen Surface. It wouldn’t represent a radical departure for Microsoft (outside of the teaser), but it would diversify a lineup that’s still quite small.

Sharp VP Katsuaki Nomura may have also revealed more about more about the display technology in the upcoming Switch(es). He said it will supply its IGZO display panels to a videogame client assumed to be Nintendo, according to an earlier WSJ report.

Those panels are used in Sharp’s high-end 8K TVs and Aquos smartphones like the dual-notch R2. The Switch Lite will have a 720p screen, but the rumored higher-end version could pack in more pixels. It’s not clear if both or one of the new models will use Sharp’s IGZO display tech.

Nintendo has already said that it will only release one console, the Switch Lite, ahead of the holidays. However, it could unveil further plans at the September 20th launch or make announcements later on. At the moment, demand for Switch consoles seems unstoppable, and the Switch Lite should give it a big Christmas sales gift. Any other consoles would just put a bow on it.

This is just the latest rumor to come from Kuo. He previously predicted that the 16-inch MacBook Pro will arrive before the end of this year. He also believes future Macs, coming in 2020, will use the scissor mechanism rather than the butterfly mechanism. That wouldn’t be surprising, given all the complaints over Apple’s butterfly keyboard — including claims that it is susceptible to debris and overheating. Apple launched a next-day repair program for the problematic keyboards, and it attempted to improve them with a switch cover, but those efforts have had limited success.