Apple's mixed-reality headset might use a magnetic cable for its external power supply

This power bank might be what the Apple mixed-reality headset's power supply will look like (Photo: Apple)

Apple's rumoured mixed-reality headset is expected at WWDC 2023. And we're getting more details ahead of its launch. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more about the external power supply the headset comes with. The power supply is offloaded from the headset because it'll help prevent overheating and make it lighter. Gurman reports the "Reality Pro/Reality One" headset will have two ports: a USB-C interface for data transfers and a "new proprietary charging connector." It features a round tip that magnetically attaches to the headset. You would supposedly need to rotate it to lock the cable in place. From this description, it looks like it's reminiscent of the MagSafe power port. 

The power supply will reportedly be the size of an iPhone and look similar to Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack. It can reportedly power the headset for up to two hours on a single charge. You will recharge it via a USB-C cable connected to a MacBook Pro power adapter. Gurman believes Apple will offer an option to buy additional packs to extend its battery life.

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iPhone 15 Dynamic Island tipped to integrate the proximity sensor

Image: MacRumors

The Dynamic Island isn't going away anytime soon. The Apple iPhone 15 series is expected to bring the controversial notch to all models. But reports are claiming there's going to be a slight change over the iPhone 14 Pro version. Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims the proximity sensor will be integrated inside the Dynamic Island area this time instead of sitting below it.

The proximity sensor detects when you hold up a phone to your ear so it shuts off the screen. The position shift might be related to rumours of Face ID improvements. But Kuo said this won't result in any changes to the look or functionality of the Dynamic Island. He said Apple supplier Finisar will move to offer Apple 940nm wavelength proximity sensors instead of the iPhone 14 Pro's 1380nm sensors. This new proximity sensor is supposedly part of a Single Pearl Module with the codename "Sphinx." We expect the Apple iPhone 15 series to debut in September.

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Apple's rumoured HomePod with a display might come in 2024

Photo: Apple

We've heard about Apple's plans to release a low-end iPad that serves as a smart home display. But it looks like that isn't the only IoT (Internet of Things) device in the works. Rumours suggest we may see a HomePod sporting a display. Apple analyst Ming-Chu Kuo reports the company is working on a HomePod with a 7-inch panel, which we could see within the first half of 2024. Chinese supplier Tianma will reportedly manufacture its display. And the device "could enable tighter integration with Apple's other hardware products" and signify a "significant shift in the company's smart home strategy."

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Apple 15" MacBook Air, Apple Silicon Mac Pro reportedly in the works

Aside from the iMac, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports in his weekly newsletter that Apple is getting ready to release the long-rumoured 15-inch version of the MacBook Air. The company is also supposedly working on a refresh for the 13-inch variant as well as the first Apple Silicon-powered Mac Pro. He expects these Macs to arrive sometime between late spring and sometime in summer. But it isn't clear if these new MacBook Airs will ship with an M3 processor. But he speculates "at least" the 13-inch model could feature the new chip given there's an M2 version of it already.

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