Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the iPhone 14’s shocking new feature, improving calls on the iPhone 13, Apple’s modem moves, fixing Safari on macOS, Apple’s U-Turn on iPhone repairs, WhatsApp for Mac and iPad, why your AirPods aren’t cool, and the return of Fraggle Rock.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).
Reach Out And Touch The New iPhone
It may not be coming to all of the new iPhones in 2022, but in a move that is just as shocking as the return of the SD Card to the MacBook Pro,the long hoped for return of TouchID looks set to happen on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. Or should that be in the iPhone, as Apple prepares an under-display fingerprint reader:
“Bloomberg’s acclaimed Apple insider Mark Gurman previously noted that in-display Touch ID was tested but did not make the iPhone 13 lineup. So this new information, especially reducing production demands by restricting it to iPhone Pro models, makes a lot of sense. If Touch ID does return, it is expected to be in addition to Face ID rather than replacing it and would be a massive feature in a mask-wearing world. “
(Forbes).
Photo by: STRF/STAR MAX/IPx 2021 9/24/21 The new iPhone 13 line of phones launches to much fanfare … [+]
Helping The iPhone Make Better Calls
Apple is addressing the recently introduced issue of calls being dropped by the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 with an updated to iOS. It doesn’t address many issues – that will come later – but for now one of the fundamental needs of a phone should be fixed now
“A new iOS update is starting to hit phones — no, not the seemingly feature-packed iOS 15.2, but iOS 15.1.1, which Apple says will solve an issue with calls dropping. According to the update note, the new version of iOS “improves call drop performance on iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models.””
(The Verge).
Apple’s iPhone Modem Moment
Qualcomm’s investor conference in New York this week had an interesting detail on Apple’s work on modems. The American chip manufacturer expects only one in five iPhones to ship with its modems, compared to the current domination, once Apple’s own modem chips become available over the next few years:
“At an investor conference in New York, Qualcomm executives said they expect to supply only 20% of Apple’s modem chips by the launch of the iPhone in 2023. Qualcomm Chief Financial Officer Akash Palkhiwala expects Apple to make up a “low single-digit” percentage of the company’s chip sales by the end of fiscal 2024.”
Previously Apple used modems from both Intel and Qualcomm in the iPhone, before moving all-in with Qualcomm. (Reuters).
A Faster Browser, But Not In The Way You Think
Apple has released a “Safari Technology Preview” for Mac users, and those who have purchased the new MacBook Pro 14 and MacBook Pro 16 will be especially interested, as this is the first step Apple will be taking to make it’s won software compatible with its own hardware; namely the fast refreshing display on the new macOS laptops”
“The other error that was unforced appears to be around the 120 Hz fast refresh rate of the display. Carrying the Pro Motion branding, this offers improved scrolling, a smoother user experience, more fidelity in gaming, and reduced eye strain. Although present in the iPad and iPhone portfolios, this was a first for the MacBook range.”
(Forbes).
Apple Agrees You Can Repair Your Own iPhone
Apple has announced that it will allow individual consumers to purchase Apple parts, tools, and manuals for home repairs in a number of territories over the next few years. iFixit has welcomed the news, and points out that many of the arguments Apple has been using to negate the points brought up by Right to Repair advocates have now been neutered:
“This move invalidates many of the arguments Apple and other manufacturers have used against the right to repair. Liability? You understand the risks, and won’t sue Apple if you damage your device, or stab yourself in the palm with a screwdriver. Warranties? Although it’s illegal to void a warranty for a DIY repair, people worry. Apple’s program should tell motivated fixers that their warranty is intact.”
It is certainly a concession given previous attitudes, but with political pressure building around “Right To Repair” Tim Cook may have felt the need to make a highly visible move that can be introduced into hearings and committees being set up by governments across the country and around the world. After all, as Louis Rossman highlights, we’ve still to see what parts are on sale and how granular repairs could be, the turnaround time on ordering parts, the costs, and the tools required.
WhatsApp For Mac And iPad
WhatsApp is making a big push to update its app over multiple platforms. Not only is a Universal Windows Platform version on the way, but work has begun on the long-awaited iPadOS app. Not only that, but as the development team is using macOS Catalyst, once the iPad app is here, the Mac app will be here as well:
“…WhatsApp is working on a new application to release on macOS Catalyst. How is that possible? Thanks to the iPad app! Maybe you don’t know, but Apple allows using compatible iPad apps on macOS Catalyst and WhatsApp is going to enable the support at a later date: they are working on it right now!
“How does the macOS app look? Exactly like the iPad app we spotted some time ago. They have the same interface, but WhatsApp for macOS Catalyst will have some UI improvements: they are needed to use the app correctly on a desktop interface.”
The new Apple AirPods are demonstrated during an event to announce new products on Wednesday, Sept. … [+]
When AirPods Stop Being Cool
The AirPods’ domination of the ‘cool kids listen with these’ demographic may be coming to an end, as Rory Satran reports on a worrying trend for Apple’s marketing department
“In short, AirPods have become too widespread to be cool. So, perhaps inevitably, contrarian trendsetters are reviving some ancient technology: corded headphones. Fashionable young celebrities including Bella Hadid, Lily-Rose Depp and Zoë Kravitz have been photographed strutting around town with blatantly corded headphones. An Instagram account called @wireditgirls has sprung up to document these cords in the wild. And TikTokers record videos that offer both practical reasons and more philosophical justifications for plugging back in.”
And Finally…
Apple TV is bringing back Fraggle Rock, and I have two questions. One; will every Apple territory have a different Inventor, Lighthouse Keeper, or silly creature from outer space? And two; what in the Dave Golez has happened to Mokey Fraggle?
YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=993_k1z31ew
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.
