Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including the latest iPhone 16 leaks, details on the folding iPhone, iPhone 17 specs revealed, Apple Maps reaches the web, fixing the Mac’s notch, Apple TV’s budget problem, and Android’s iPhone adoption rate rises.
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.
A New Look For The iPhone 16 Pro
Apple looks set to follow the recent trends of bringing in a pink colorway, and it could be coming to both the vanilla iPhone 16 and the more capable iPhone 16 Pro. With the increased fashionable competition from established manufacturers such as Samsung, and newcomers such as Nothing Tech, making sure the iPhone feels current is a quiet but important part of the brand:
“This fall’s iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will offer a new color, called Rose, according to a new report from OvO Baby Sauce OvO. That source is relatively new but is gaining some traction, and the claim matches earlier reports:
(Forbes).
How The iPhone Will Fold
Apple’s plan for a foldable iPhone appear to have advanced this week, with multiple reports on the decision over the form fact. Where competition from Samsung has focused on different choices (tablet size folding to phone, or phone size folding to a memory of the StarTAC, Apple looks set to focus on just the normal form factor:
“There are two kinds of folders, one that folds out from phone to tablet, the other that is phone sized when open and folds down to something more pocketable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6. The Apple folder will be in the latter category, the report says. It also says that when unfolded, it will have similar dimensions to the current iPhone, and that Samsung may be the supplier which will deliver the displays for the new phone.”
(Forbes).
Stunning iPhone 17 Display Revealed
As more details on the iPhone 16 family come into focus, it’s also becoming clear that the upcoming phones will not be as revolutionary as many have hoped. Some of the biggest expected changes are not going to arrive until 2025. The 120Hz display, popular on many mid-range Andorid handsets, will not arrive until the iPhone 17 at the earliest:
“…leaker “Ice Universe” on Weibo, who has a good track record for iPhone display details, has released a series of specifications and prices for the iPhone 17 range. The leak backs up the use of LTPO screens, except for one model marked as being the iPhone SE 4, which will have the older LTPS displays.
(Apple Insider).
Mapping On The Web
One of the key differentiators in Apple’s osftware suite over Google is Apple Maps. Until now it’s been an app-only based experience, but that changed this week as a beta of Apple Maps On The Web was released. It’s not a compelte feature set, but its on its way:
“Apple says Apple Maps on the web is currently a “public beta.” The web interface includes directions, businesses and points of interest, Guides, and more. More features, including the popular Look Around feature, will be added in the “coming months.” You also currently can’t log in to your Apple ID on the web to access saved places and custom Guides.”
(9to5Mac).
The Mac Notch Reborn
Apple’s noteched display on the Mac allows for smaller bezels in the saw way the tnotch allows for more display space on the iPhone. yet macOS doesn’t handle the notch as part of the UI in the way iOS does. Thankfully, Igor Marcossi decided to fix it:
“Just like the Dynamic Island, NotchNook expands out from the notch, revealing a “Nook” with basic media controls (sort of like Live Activities in iOS) and other customizable widgets. Then there’s a “Tray” tab that you can drop files or apps into; it’s similar to the macOS dock, except that the tray empties when you quit NotchNook.”
(The Verge).
Apple TV’s Production Budget
The days of big-money projects for Apple TV may be coming to an end. While streaming rivals are growing, Apple’s slate of expensive films and TV series is going to be thinned out as budgets tightened and more risk is handed to production companies rather than Apple:
“Management is trying to pay less up front for shows and is quicker to cancel ones that aren’t working (see chart below). It’s forcing third-party studios to shoulder more of the burden when productions go over budget and is starting to license programming from competitors to reduce the service’s reliance on original series.”
(Bloomberg).
And Finally…
Apple is capturing more switchers from the Android market, with CIRP’s latest study showing 17 percent of iPhone sales are going to former Android users, up ten percent year-on-year, but there’s a sting in the tale:
“While that might sound like good news for Apple, CIRP believes the higher percentage of Android switchers could be a factor in the relatively weak iPhone 15 sales this year. The theory is Android users are most interested in a new OS and new device at a competitive price – but they don’t need the latest and greatest from Apple.”
(9to5Mac).
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.
