Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone 17 design leaks, iPhone SE release dates, new iOS 18 features, Starlink comes to iPhone, Tiktok still missing, happy birthday iPad, and more…
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.
iPhone 17 Design Disappointment
Apple’s selfie camera cutout is picking up attention this week. Not only is the iPhone SE expected to move towards the slightly older notch, but the iPhone 17 family was looking at a smaller and narrower window, if not removing it altogether. Alas, that looks to no longer be the case
“This is a blow to those who were hoping that Apple was taking the next step to the holy grail of an all-display front for the iPhone, with no cut-outs for the Face ID cameras or other sensors. Not that anyone was expecting the cut-out to vanish entirely this fall, but a smaller lozenge of black space seemed to be on the cards.”
(Forbes).
iPhone SE Release Dates
Speculation continues to grow around the release date of Apple’s upcoming mid-range smartphone. Unlike the annual iPhone release, 2025’s iPhone SE doesn’t have a fixed historical date for launch. Which means other signs need to be used:
“iOS 18.4 is expected to finish Apple’s first wave of AI tools (just in time for the second-generation roadmap to be presented at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in June 2025). The code will go into public beta after the launch of iOS 18.3 in late January. You guessed it, The full release date looks like early to mid-March.”
(Forbes).
Updated Features For Your iPhone
iOS 18.3 was released this week, bringing some subtle changes to Apple Intelligence but not the final sweeping additions—expected to happen in spring. Nevertheless, the new update brings several smaller yet welcome changes
“Since launch it’s been clear that there are more minor updates in the new release coming: iPhone 16 series phones have a Camera Control and the AE/AF lock toggle is renamed as Lock Focus and Exposure. If you crop content when editing a PDF, Apple will now warn users that the cropped area is not removed from the PDF (which could save some embarrassment). And Messages will add a Genmoji entry to the + button, so it’s easier to create your own personalized emoji—this is another Apple Intelligence feature.”
(Forbes).
Starlink Coming To iPhone
Apple has supplemented its satellite connectivity service provided by Globalstar with the addition of Starlink to iOS 18.3. While Globalstar has served Apple well for emergency SOS services, Starlink will offer more practical data connectivity.
“[IBC Group’s Mario Nawfal] The key difference? No more pointing your phone at the sky—Starlink works right from your pocket.” Nawfal’s comment was reposted by Elon Musk, who said that “Medium resolution images, music & audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation. Next generation constellation will do medium resolution video.”
(Forbes).
TikTok’s Return
Following the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act coming into force, it was clear that the distribution of TikTok in the United States was against the law. That law is still in effect, and that means the TikTok iOS app remains unavailable:
“If you can still access the app, you may have scarcely noticed the activity behind the scenes, though it led to an unheard of response from Apple. But if you had deleted the app, you can’t get it back and if the app developer has updates it wants you to apply, you’re out of luck there, as well. That’s because both Apple and Google are reluctant to offer the app again.”
(Forbes).
Apple Will Not Join Google’s Anti-Trust Case
Apple’s motion to intervene in Google’s Anti-trust case, on the grounds of the impact any decision would have on Apple’s business, has been denied:
“Apple made the request on Dec. 23, 2024, seeking to defend its “property interest” in a billion-dollar exclusivity contract with Google that makes the search engine the default option on its Safari browsers across its devices. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta explained in his ruling that Apple’s motion was untimely and thus he must deny the motion to intervene.”
(Courthouse News Service).
And Finally…
It’s been 15 years since Steve Jobs revealed the Apple iPad. Since then everyone has watched as Apple resolved never to call the tablet a tablet. Still, happy birthday, iPad!
“…the iPad sold over 300,000 units on its launch day in April 2010 and one million within its first month. It catalyzed the creation of a new product category, sparking competition from rivals such as Samsung, Microsoft, and Amazon. By the end of 2010, Apple had sold over 15 million iPads, generating $9.5 billion in revenue and solidifying the device as a key pillar of the company’s product lineup.”
(MacRumors).
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.
