Permanent silly season

The rumor cycle has become more of a constant barrage of information that is difficult to parse. Whether it's anonymous tipsters or guesswork presented to look like a leak, there's no real way to determine what is more or less accurate.

But sometimes you get one that reads as total bullshit. Thankfully, AppleInsider has a rumor rating system that we use to help everyone see where we believe a piece of information exists on the spectrum.

For example, I have no idea why this known Weibo leaker decided to share some obviously dubious conjecture. They said that iPhone 18's launch in the spring was determined because of iPhone 17's success.

That could almost make sense, except Apple doesn't make these decisions on a whim. Rumors have been around about this particular move since before the iPhone 17 even launched.

Then there's this story from Tuesday that was presented as new information, except we've been talking about this possibility since before it was even called Apple Intelligence. The rumor is that users will be able to freely choose what AI models are used for which functions in the OS 27 cycle.

The thing is, the industry has long expected Apple to introduce a kind of "AI App Store" that lets users pick models. That was discussed before the fateful WWDC 2024 where Apple announced features that haven't released yet. Don't worry, you'll get your $25 settlement soon enough.

Even more recently, the rumors and various code leaks show that Apple is indeed working to bring more AI options to users. It was previously pitched as an API that developers could tap into, so if the user had the AI app installed, they could direct Apple Intelligence to access the model offered by the app.

Then there's this seemingly off-the-cuff story about Apple considering Samsung or Intel for chip production as an alternative to TSMC. We already knew Apple had considered Intel multiple times in recent years, at least its foundries, but this story is so obvious it hurts.

It did move the stock market though. Intel was up on the news, which, I suppose, is the point of this kind of reporting.

Look, I'm not trying to pick on anyone, but you'd have to be crazy to think that Apple hasn't been to every semiconductor producer on Earth to try and find ways to get out from under TSMC's monopoly. The problem isn't with TSMC, they're the best for a reason, but with the potential that China could disrupt the global semiconductor supply chain on a whim.

In any case, Samsung is the number two in this field, and Intel is being buoyed by the US government. That's where I'd be looking too.

Rumors and leaks are fun, but let's make sure we're not getting caught up in the craze. It isn't just about what these people say, it's about their history, the possibility that they're correct, and if it's been said before.

Oh, and the Apple Watch Pride Band is great this year. An instant buy for the wife.