Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including the latest iPhone 16 Pro hardware leaks, keeping your iPhone cool, Apple’s iPhone AI plans, new iOS 17.4 updates, a display for Apple HomePod, unusual Vision Pro returns, and Messages escapes the App Store’s fate.
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.
The Pro’s Bigger Battery
This week, an expected yet welcome change to the iPhone 16 family also leaked. It is no surprise that Apple is set to increase the battery size in its largest handset. The question now, and one that may take some time to answer, is if this will offer extra endurance, or allow more power chipsets to run for the same amount of time while delivering more capability:
“It’s a bit longer-lasting than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, perhaps because the Max has an always-on display with a higher refresh rate. This year, though, it looks like the iPhone 16 Pro Max will take the crown with reports saying that the battery size may grow by 5%. Combine this with extra efficiencies and the actual increase in battery life may be more than that.
(Forbes).
Keeping The iPhone 16 Pro Cool
On its release, the iPhone 15 Pro ran hot. While Apple has mitigated the issue since then through software updates, it can’t change the physical hardware used to keep the chipset as cool as possible. It can take those lessons and apply them to the iPhone 16 family. A smart solution is needed with new AI routines set to demand more from the phone. Reports this week suggest one approach being taken:
“There’s renewed discussion about Apple introducing graphene for the next iPhone to help draw heat away from the chipset. Research has highlighted the benefits of using a boron nitride crystal substrate to increase the heat transfer capacity. This would be a thinner solution than a network of heat pipes and vapour chambers. All of these add bulk to a handset… a route that Apple’s designers have done their best to avoid.”
(Forbes).
iPhone AI Is Coming When?
Artificial Intelligence will drive that extra demand for power. While Android devices are upfront about their use of AI and what’s coming down the line, Apple has been more reserved in its use and promotion of AI. It can’t ignore this much longer, so iOS 18—which should debut in June at the Worldwide Developer Conference —will be Apple’s big AI push:
“Apple’s next-generation A18 and M4 chips for future iPhone and Mac models will feature an upgraded Neural Engine with “significantly” more cores… An upgraded Neural Engine would improve performance for AI/machine learning tasks. iOS 18 is rumored to have new generative AI features for Siri, Shortcuts, Messages, Apple Music, and more.”
(MacRumors).
iOS 17.4’s iPhone Improvements
The release of iOS 17.4 is approaching, and thanks to the legal requirements for Apple to open the App Store by March, it’s a date that cannot be missed. However, the ability for consumers to choose which apps to install on their phone without interference is not the only feature that will improve the iPhone. David Phelan looks at what else we can look forward to:
“As well as the massive changes coming to the App Store, choice of search engine and more coming for EU residents, there’s a lot more, and it will be available internationally. There’s a refinement coming for the brilliant Stolen Device Protection, for a start. Then there are new emoji (hurrah), including a phoenix and a couple of Smileys that shake their heads yes or no. Oh, and a mouth-watering-in-its-freshness slice of lime.”
(Forbes).
New HomePod Code Discovered
Apple’s smarthome family is due to be updated soon, and with it comes something different… a screen. HomePods are currently audio-only devices, but code tucked away in the beta of tvOS 17.4 identifies a new device… and with it, code to suggest it has a screen:
“…tvOS 17.4 beta 3 adds SwiftUI frameworks to the HomePod firmware. Moreover, hangtracerd (a system tool used to debug unresponsive UI in iOS apps) has also been added to the HomePod version of tvOS 17.4. There would be no reason for Apple to add such features to the HomePod system if it wasn’t planning a new device with a fully functional display.
(9to5Mac).
Are Vision Pros Being Returned?
With the 14-day window for “no questions asked” returns on the Apple Vision Pro headset, are the initial buyers handing back Apple’s first iteration of an AR/VR system? Only Apple can answer that definitively, but many noted developers and influencers are facing problems and returning their Vision Pro headsets… they aren’t ready for their needs just yet:
“Despite being as magical to use as I’d hoped, it was simply way too uncomfortable to wear even for short periods of time both due to the weight and the strap designs. I wanted to use it, but dreaded putting it on,” says [Parker Ortolani, The Verge’s product manager], who also posted about returning the device. “It’s just too expensive and unwieldy to even try to get used to the constant headaches and eye strain I was experiencing. I’ll be back for the next one.”
(The Verge).
And Finally…
While Apple is dealing with the EU labelling the App Store as a core platform service and demanding changes to help level the playing field, the iMessage team can relax, as this service has not pciked up the same core platform service tag.
“The EU explains it like this: “Companies operating one or more of the ‘core platform services’ listed in the DMA qualify as a gatekeeper if they meet the requirements,” which include a size that impacts the internal market, control of a gateway for business users or an “entrenched and durable position.” The EU decided on Tuesday, February 13, that iMessage does not meet these criteria, alongside Microsoft’s Bing search engine.”
(Forbes).
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.
