Designer's Apple concepts are 'too real'

Mockups draw attention of Apple's lawyers

Author

Leander Kahney
August 15, 2024

Designer Antonio De Rosa has been making beautiful, detailed mockups of Apple products for a while.

He’s made mockups of Apple’s rumored folding iPhone. Another concept reimagined the iPhone with Mac Studio styling. And his concept designs of a MacBook Pro had viewers drooling.

De Rosa’s mockups are rendered in exquisite, photorealistic detail — they truly look like the kind of products that Apple would produce.

But on Wednesday, De Rosa said he received a message from Apple’s lawyers, asking him to adjust some of his designs because they look “too real.”

AFAIK, this is unprecedented. Yes, Apple shut down Think Secret years ago for leaking product details, but I don’t recall Apple targeting folks who made concept designs.

Apple’s lawyers said it’s to avoid “confusing” its customers, but perhaps they suspect he’s getting insider info. After, all, check out his gorgeous rendering of a folding iPhone. Full, intriguing story here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • This is a big deal: The biggest state in the country — California — will finally allow digital driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet.

  • I really dig the new colors of the Beats Studio Pros — but associating them with Kim Kardashian? Ugh.

  • We have an exclusive 20% off sale on select snazzy Apple Watch bands from SwitchEasy, from soft silicon to braided nylon and stainless steel mesh. These are some nice bands — and at even better prices than before.

  • Apple’s next big product may be an iPad mounted on a robot arm. There’s something missing about this goofy rumor, but I can’t figure out what it is. We do have a nice (if unrealistic) AI-generated rendering, though.

  • If you thought Apple Intelligence wasn’t coming to the EU, think again.

  • We also have a great deal on a magnetic, multi-device charging cable that brings MagSafe-like magnetic attachment/detachment to all your devices.

  • We hands-on review a great and inexpensive iPad keyboard case that not only costs a fraction of Apple’s offering but does stuff it can’t do.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Designer’s Apple product concepts may look a little ‘too real’

You know when Apple tries to adjust a designer's product concepts for looking "too real," he must be doing something right.

Californians can soon add driver's licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet

California drivers licenses in Apple Wallet, along with other state IDs, will soon be a reality, Apple said Thursday.

J.D. Power names Apple Card No. 1 in customer satisfaction

According to J.D. Power, Apple Card is tops in customer satisfaction among co-branded credit cards with no annual fee.

A message from Cult of Mac Store

Buy any snazzy SwitchEasy Apple Watch band at 20% off

Pick from an array of cool Apple Watch bands in different styles and made of various materials, from braided nylon to stainless steel mesh.

Apple's next big thing is a tabletop iPad on a robot arm?

Apple might be getting into home robots, starting with a $1,000 iPad that can rotate, tilt and move on its own thanks to a robotic arm..

Beats Studio Pro now comes in Kim Kardashian colors (for a price)

The new Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian collaboration brings neutral colors to the cans like she did in 2022 for Beats Fit Pro.

A message from Cult of Mac Deals team

This sturdy magnetic charging cable packs all the connections you need

Get the Statik 360 Pro multi-charging cable with swappable magnetic tips (USB-C, Lightning and Micro USB connections) for just $19.99.

Sonos might revive its old app while fixing the new one

High-level Sonos executives are reportedly considering relaunching the old S2 app following the disastrous launch of its revamped app.

First third-party iPhone app marketplace drops its yearly subscription paywall

The first third-party EU app marketplace, AltStore PAL, has dropped its yearly subscription fee after receiving a grant from Epic Games.

8 best new features coming to the Notes app in iOS 18

Apple makes significant improvements to its Notes app in iOS 18. Here are the top eight features you should be aware of.

Kick team productivity into gear with Microsoft Project, on sale for less than $20

Boost efficiency with lifetime access to Microsoft Project 2021 Professional for PC for just $19.97. Don't miss our Microsoft Project sale.

This iPad keyboard case offers 2 features Apple’s can’t match [Review] ★★★★☆

ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case 360 lets iPad users type in portrait or landscape mode, and use it with or without the keyboard.

Today in Apple history: Original iMac arrives to save Apple

On August 15, 1998, the colorful iMac G3 went on sale to a rabid audience. The original iMac was the world's first internet-ready computer

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

Innovation has nothing to do with how many R&D dollars you have. When Apple came up with the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It's not about money. It's about the people you have, how you're led, and how much you get it.

— Steve Jobs, 1998.

Today’s poll

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Results from yesterday’s poll: How reliable is Face ID for you?

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