Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Apple Appoints Amar Subramanya as New Vice President of AI Amid Push to Accelerate Innovation 
Apple Leads Singles’ Day Smartphone Sales as iPhone 17 Demand Surges 
Baidu Cuts Jobs as AI Competition and Ad Revenue Slump Intensify 
Australia Moves Forward With Teen Social Media Ban as Platforms Begin Lockouts 
Quantum Systems Projects Revenue Surge as It Eyes IPO or Private Sale 
Wikipedia Pushes for AI Licensing Deals as Jimmy Wales Calls for Fair Compensation 
Banks Consider $38 Billion Funding Boost for Oracle, Vantage, and OpenAI Expansion 
Sam Altman Reportedly Explored Funding for Rocket Venture in Potential Challenge to SpaceX 
Amazon and Google Launch New Multicloud Networking Service to Boost High-Speed Cloud Connectivity 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Nexperia Urges China Division to Resume Chip Production as Supply Risks Mount 
Norway’s Wealth Fund Backs Shareholder Push for Microsoft Human-Rights Risk Report 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
AI-Guided Drones Transform Ukraine’s Battlefield Strategy 
Apple engineers are believed to be usually close to finalizing a prototype of the next iPhone lineup around this time of the year. The first quarter of 2020, however, has not been like any kind of year with the COVID-19 pandemic devastating the world. With that, Apple is reportedly hell-bent on finding ways to make sure the widely anticipated iPhone 12 would not be off track from its planned timeline.
iPhone 12 development: Apple engineers try to keep usual timeline amid a global pandemic
Work in China where most of Apple’s supply chain is located and in the United States where the company is headquartered have both been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Apple engineers are reportedly soldiering on and are trying unconventional ways to work from home to finalize the iPhone 12 prototype.
The Information reported that Apple employees attached to the development of the iPhone 12 have proceeded to work on the upcoming device by meeting through video calls. It is more difficult than it sounds though, per the same report.
Sources reveal engineers find themselves “tracing shapes in the air” and rely on “grainy photos” sent by their supply chain partners in China to finalize iPhone 12 components. On a normal, pandemic-free time, Apple engineers travel to China to visit factories and personally check components that would be used for the new device.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant, though very secretive, maintains a consistent annual production and launch timeline for new iPhones. Aside from the unprecedented challenges they face this year, it is also possible that the risk of seeing product leaks increases.
iPhone 12 release date: What to expect
Despite relentless insider reports, it is unclear at this point if the iPhone 12 would suffer any delay. There are conflicting reports about the smartphone lineup’s release date window. Some sources say Apple would be able to maintain its familiar timeline.
Others have floated the possibility of the iPhone 12 models to be shipped a few months later than usual. Whichever case happens, Apple will most likely keep a September product launch event.
