Let’s talk new iMacs, iPhone 12, and the WeChat controversy

It's Sunday, so you know what that means — another installment of Editor's Desk from yours truly! I certainly hope that you guys are still holding up, wherever you may be. It's been one heck of a week, so let's get started.

First, Apple surprised us with updated 27-inch iMacs, with the biggest change being SSDs available across the board, so no more Fusion Drives! Honestly, it's about dang time — this has been the biggest reason why I haven't pulled the trigger on getting the iMac of my dreams. So the base model now starts with a 256GB SSD, but you can't configure the storage — if you want more, you're going to have to go one tier up, unfortunately. The new 27-inch iMac also uses the 10th-generation Intel processors and even bumped the webcam up to 1080p. While the 21.5-inch iMacs did not receive spec bumps, they also got rid of the Fusion Drives across that line as well and went with a standard SSD. If you want to pick up a new iMac, but are unsure of which one to go with, make sure to hit up our buyer's guide.

This refresh of the iMac line may be the last one before a major redesign, so if you like how the iMacs are now, you'd best pick one up before the next update. Even though I'm very much tempted, I think I may hold out just a bit longer before I get an iMac — especially since Apple will be using its own silicon soon enough.

We're approaching the middle of August, so that means that the iPhone 12, despite being delayed, is still right around the corner. A recent report hints that the new iPhones will launch in two phases, with the 6.1-inch versions kicking things off, followed later by 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch versions.

I'm honestly a little disappointed that Apple is getting rid of the 5.8-inch size, as that's what I've grown accustomed to for the past two years with the iPhone XS and iPhone 11 Pro. For me, it's a good middle ground, though I feel like I'm just going to go with the 6.1-inch size when I upgrade because the other two options, for me, are either too small (I can't see enough on the display at once) or too big (impossible one-handed use for me).

Speaking of iPhone 12, there are leaked images of magnets inside the iPhone 12 chassis, as well as official iPhone cases from Apple. This is definitely one of the more interesting leaks lately, as it could have something to do with wireless charging or even a mounting system. I would definitely vouch for having a built-in magnetic mounting system — that would be pretty cool! You wouldn't have to be constrained to using a specific accessory or case to just mount your phone anywhere you need it. And if it's for wireless charging, could it mean the revival of AirPower? Or maybe it would just make it easier to use wireless charging mats? I can't tell you how many times I've had to fumble around with the correct placement before my phone would start charging...

We also saw the drop for the latest public betas this week for iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS Big Sur (finally). In case you're wondering how Big Sur is, you don't want to miss out on Rene Ritchie's macOS Big Sur Preview, where he takes a closer look at all the ins and outs of the next generation of macOS. And with iOS 14, Apple has released some new developer guidelines with requirements for apps that can be set by the user as the default web browser and email client. This is one of my most anticipated features in iOS 14 — I've been wanting to change default apps for literally years now, and it's finally happening. The requirements make sense and are a nice precaution that Apple is taking to protect our privacy as well as meeting standards.

And let's not forget the final order of business — the mess surrounding Trump's executive order to ban business transactions with the owners of both TikTok and WeChat. This is a huge deal, especially for iPhone users in China, because over half a million iPhone users in China would have to switch to Android for the ability to sideload WeChat. And if they don't switch phones, then no one else outside of China can effectively communicate with friends and family who still live in China. Honestly, this is such a trivial thing for the administration to go after, especially considering that the U.S. is the epicenter of a, oh I don't know, global pandemic, but hey, let's go after Chinese apps. Because there aren't any more pressing matters to worry about, right?

-Christine Romero-Chan