Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from across the Apple world, including Apple confirming iPhone 17 Pro release dates, new iPhone 17 design leaks, one more thing on the iPhone 17, AirPods Pro 3 details, Apple Radio expansion, the UK going on notice, and bigger than Superman.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.
Here Comes The Seventeen
Apple has confirmed its next launch event, where it is widely expected to unveil the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, as well as the iPad Air. It’s also a chance for Apple to change the narrative around on-device artificial intelligence, a subject that Google is dominating in current weeks thanks to the launch of the Pixel 10 family:
“Kicking off at 10am Pacific Time on 9th September (1pm ET, 6pm UK) the event is likely to retain a familiar mix of prerecorded segments and cover the new iPhone 17 range. This year, we’re expecting a new iPhone Air in addition to the 17, 17 Pro and 17 Max models. It’s not clear if this will replace the larger Plus model or be in addition to it.”
(T3).
A New Look Camera Bar For The iPhone 17 Pro
With iPhone 17 units destined for public sale nearing the shelves, opportunities for a final pre-launch look at the hardware remain. The big talking point is going to be the new camera panel, which echoes an approach taken by Google on the Pixel 6… in 2021:
“Gurman says that the design isn’t madly different, although there’s one way it is, as you’ll see next. Talking about the 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17: “These will look familiar — basically the iPhone 16 in slightly different clothes. The Pro models will have a revamped camera system and updated industrial design on the back of the phone,” he said. That industrial design is a definite change: the camera panel will go from a square in one corner to something that stretches across the width of the phone.”
(Forbes).
Reversing The iPhone 17 Pro Power
Will the iPhone 17 Pro unlock a new feature that has proven popular in competitors’ smartphones, namely the ability to charge wireless devices using its own battery? Reverse charging is, of course, not a new concept. Android devices reaching back to 2018 have been equipped with such a feature, but this will be the first time Apple has deployed this practical option:
“Reverse charging, a function where one device recharges another using its charging system, has been a rumor floating around for years.,, leaker “Fixed Focus Digital” claims that Apple has tested reverse charging in the iPhone 17 Pro. It is also apparently said to be a reliable and “dependable” feature, though no details are provided about what it does, or whether it is cable-based or uses wireless charging.”
(Apple Insider).
AirPods Pro 3 Details Emerge
New details on the AirPods Pro 3 have surfaced, with many of the AirPods 4’s design cues expected to be incorporated into 2025’s Pro variant. These include a smaller case, the removal of the hardware pairing button, a discreet status light, and a new shorter stem for the earpiece. This is on top of the new features in iOS for all Pro owners:
” Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 update will support several new features coming to all AirPods Pro models via a firmware update, including auto-pausing audio when you fall asleep, the ability to use AirPods as a camera remote, an option to keep audio in your AirPods when your iPhone connected to other playback devices (like car stereos), and improved call quality.
(MacRumors).
Tune In To Apple Radio With TuneIn
Apple Music is set to challenge Spotify in the ‘background music’ field as it expands its curated ‘radio’ stations (including Apple Music Hits and Apple Music Country) so they are available outside of the Apple Music app where they are currently locked away:
“Apple distribute its curated radio stations on a global network of devices, including speakers, headphones and cars, through a partnership with TuneIn, the digital radio platform said on Wednesday. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant’s six radio stations will be available outside its app for the first time on TuneIn to its 75 million monthly active users.”
(Reuters).
The UK Goes On Notice
Apple, already facing regulation by Europe, has warned the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Agency that applying EU rules in the UK would be “bad for users and bad for developers”. It’s an assessment that the CMA disagrees with:
“The CMA, however, argues that its interventions will be good for users and UK app developers. In July it found that “around 90-100% of UK mobile devices” ran on Apple or Google’s mobile platforms, adding this meant the firms had “an effective duopoly”. As a result it said it would require Apple and Google to make changes to their services – for example permitting app makers to “steer” users to payment systems outside of Apple’s own App Store.”
(BBC News).
And Finally…
Who’s bigger than Clark Kent? In the world of Apple TV, the answer is Brad Pitt and the 1: The Movie team. Theatrical receipts for the spiritual successor to John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix have passed some crucial milestones:
“Warner Bros. & Apple’s F1 The Movie has grossed an estimated $420.6M internationally through Wednesday. Estimated global total through Wednesday stands at $607.1M. F1 The Movie has now overtaken Superman globally.”
(Box Office Report).
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
