- iOS 14 leaks, at this point, have already revealed a ton of fresh insight about Apple's product and software roadmap for the rest of 2020.
- The tech blog 9to5Mac has also found, based on a look at an early iOS 14 build, that Apple is also apparently working on a larger version of the iPhone 9, which we'll call the iPhone 9 Plus for now even though the name hasn't been confirmed yet.
- The phone, which along with the iPhone 9 would replace the iPhone 8 models, is expected to be released sometime this spring.
- Visit BGR’s homepage for more stories.
A slew of leaks related to the next generation of Apple's iOS software has produced a pretty comprehensive look at this point at the iPhone maker's hardware and software roadmap for the rest of 2020, including everything from myriad HomeKit improvements to new iOS gestures as well as the possible addition of blood oxygen level tracking to the Apple Watch soon. Meanwhile, an analysis of an early iOS 14 build has revealed the existence of an iPhone 9 Plus model, which would be in addition to the iPhone 9 we already expected and which confirms rumors that had already been circulating in support of a larger variant of the 4.7-inch entry-level iPhone 9. The expectation is that the name of this larger handset will carry "Plus" in the branding, and that it will run on the A13 Bionic chip -- the same used in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. This revelation about an iPhone 9 Plus comes via 9to5Mac, which reported on the iOS 14 leak related to the new phone in a report that includes other tidbits, such as the fact that these new iPhones will feature the solid state Home button included with the iPhone 7 and 8 models. Additionally, the iPhone 9 and 9 Plus will offer Touch ID in lieu of Face ID, in addition to supporting Apple Pay and the ability to scan NFC tags in the background, per 9to5. The report also emphasizes that the iPhone 9 model names are still not 100% confirmed at this point, with some rumors pointing instead to iPhone SE 2 as the name instead of “iPhone 9” (though, again, “Plus” is still expected to be part of the naming convention for this new, larger model). The iPhone 9 is expected to retail for $399, the same price as the original iPhone SE when it debuted in 2016. Apple was rumored to be ready to unveil the iPhone 9 and other new products during a media event in March, which is now said to be canceled due to coronavirus concerns. The good news, however, is that Apple will supposedly unveil new products this spring even without a proper press conference, though release timing is now unclear.
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A more recent iPhone 12 leak from a different reliable source added even more new information about Apple's upcoming new iPhone models. According to that leak, the new handsets will sport a 64-megapixel main rear camera, Night mode will work across all rear camera sensors instead of just the main wide-angle camera, and all the new iPhone 12 models will have an upgraded OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
We already took a peek last week at 
Here, the designer makes more use of the space available for each app to display contextual information. For example, the Messages app will tell you how many new messages await, while the Home app could remind you to turn off the lights when you’re not home.
A key feature shown in these renders is the possibility of sorting the apps by various parameters. You might want to see the last opened apps on the phones, the ones you use frequently, or just the apps that have new notifications.
As exciting as these renders might be, we’re still only looking at concept images that have nothing to do with the real thing. Apple’s actual design for the new iOS home screen hasn’t leaked alongside the iOS 14 code that was just discovered, so these could end up being close or nothing like the real thing.
But Apple is at least considering adding Face ID cameras to the Mac. Better said, the tech described in a 2019 patent titled 
The text would be scrambled in those areas where others are gazing, but you'll be able to work normally. This type of technology applies best to a MacBook or iPad, both of which have large screens. But there's no reason not to have it on board of the iPhone as well. The following image clearly makes a case for having this Face ID feature enabled on MacBooks:
And yes, you'd need proper 3D face recognition support on a computer to authenticate the user or users allowed to glance at the screen. Face ID already protects certain content on the iPhone screen from being displayed to strangers. Other people can't read your notifications thanks to Face ID, even if you leave the iPhone or iPad sitting on a table — although the screen has to be locked for the feature to work.
As with other Apple patents, just because Apple has been studying this new privacy and security innovation, there's no guarantee we'll see it on the iPhone 12, 2020 iPad Pro, or any of the upcoming MacBook Air and Pro models. But all iPhone 12 models and new iPad Pros will ship with Face ID cameras, just like their predecessors. Not to mention that user privacy and security is a feature Apple often advertises when talking about its new products.
