Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including leaked iPhone 17 details, iPhone 15 features fixed, Apple’s AI promise, iOS long-term support, MacBook Pro repair details, Car Play’s big win, Apple Arcade’s future, and the potential iRing.
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 15’s Embarrassing Reactions Fix
We’ve all been there when we make an air-quotes gesture, and digital confetti is CGI’ed around us during a Facetime call. It may look impressive, but sometimes Apple’s latest enhancement is not welcome. Thankfully, iOS 17.4 addresses this; it’s not a fix per se, given the need for reactions depends on the situation, but it hands over some control to developers and users:
“With the next iPhone update, and also with the next updates for iPadOS and macOS Sonoma, developers will be able to choose to turn these reactions off by default, so that it falls to them, or possibly the users, to turn them on again.
(Forbes).
iPhone 17’s Always On Promise
Always-on displays are a staple of Android devices, yet Apple has limited them to the iPhone Pro models, thanks to running older incompatible displays in the cheaper iPhone models. That’s set to change. While the vanilla iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models to be launched in September will use the older technology, a new style of screen display will debut in with the iPhone 17 family, allowing always-on applications to run across a full portfolio of new iPhones:
“According to a new report in The Elec… the plan is that 60Hz displays, using a technology called Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon, will continue to feature in this fall’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Then, for the iPhone 17 series, the plan is to switch to Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide panels across the board.”
(Forbes).
Apple Promises Big Things With AI
Speaking to investors, Apple CEO Tim Cook has reiterated the company’s approach to using artificial intelligence will break new ground… without being drawn on what this new ground will be. The answer will undoubtedly drive much of the talk at June’s Worldwide Developer Conference, where Apple will attempt to kickstart its visible AI endeavours and contrast them with desktop and mobile software for countless rival manufacturers.
“The question today, however, is does Cook actually believe Apple will move the needle on AI after being mostly mum on the subject so far? Or does Cook simply mean Apple is breaking new ground on its own AI technologies this year? Knowing Cook, he most certainly means the former. We’re certain to learn more about what iOS 18 will have in store for AI features in the coming months. In the meantime, investors are hearing the message they need to stay positive on the stock. “
(9to5Mac).
The Long Support Window Of iOS 18
Apple does not specifiy how long it will support hardware in the way that Andorid manufacturers do at launch. We know that the latest Pixel and Galaxy flagships will pick up seven years of support and security updates, and while we can assume Apple will offer similar, there are no guarantees. This makes it worth noting that the next release of iOS, version 18, will support handsets going back to 2018’s iPhone XR. Six is smaller than seven, but 2018’s Android flagships only offered four years of support at best.
“iOS 18 will be compatible with the iPhone XR, and thereby also the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max models with the same A12 Bionic chip, according to a post on X today from a private account with a proven track record of sharing build numbers for upcoming iOS updates… If this rumor is accurate, iOS 18 would be compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17:”
(MacRumors).
Apple Opens Up MacBook Pro M3 Repairs
Apple has added the MacBook Pro M3 models to its self-repair program, allowing consumers access to information and parts alongside Apple Store repairs and Apple Authorised repair centers. Part of this also includes the diagnostic tools used by service centres.
“Additionally, Apple plans on making its remote diagnostic tool available to customers with M3 Macs starting next month. The tool, which Apple first introduced for M2 Macs and the iPhone 15 late last year, allows users to test devices to ensure “optimal part functionality and performance,” while also identifying any parts that might need repair.”
(The Verge).
Car Play Wins As Apple Car Loses
With Apple reportedly halting development on its own-brand car, is there a winner in Cupertino? Chance Miller reckons there is… the team that develops the CarPlay software that allows your iPhone to talk to your Car:
“Apple spent 10 years – at least – working on Apple Car. I’m sure they had some very good ideas about how in-car infotainment systems should work. My assumption is that some of those ideas are manifesting in the form of next-generation CarPlay. But anyone who follows Apple knows there are other ideas it came up with and was saving for its eventual car. Now that Apple Car is dead, those ideas can come to life through CarPlay, Apple Maps, and Vision Pro.”
(9to5Mac).
Apple Arcade’s Fragile Future
MobileGamer.biz’ Neil Long has an in-depth look at Apple Arcade through interviews and feedback from numerous developers. Apple’s gated gaming community was launched with a prime spot in the 2019 iPhone launch, but that bright future is looking dimmer:
“One developer said there was the “the smell of death” around the service – though others suggested there are now whispers of (another) reboot for the service. Payouts for titles on Apple Arcade have been falling for years, our sources said, and following a shift in strategy very few original games are being greenlit unless they are attached to a big family-friendly IP.”
(Mobile Gamer).
And Finally…
Apple’s R&D team have clearly been working on a smart ring wearable device, as witnessed by the various patents around the technology. While published patents are never guaranteed to reach a commercial product, with the increased interest in smart rings from the likes of Oura, Samsung, and Honor, is the time right for Apple to look at a consumer product?
“The report says, “The growth of global smart ring market has also gained momentum due to the participation of big tech.” The report also says that Apple is working to develop its own smart ring, not least because of evidence of relevant patents.”
(ET News via 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.
