July 20 MacBook Pro ARM update below, post originally published on July 16.
Glancing at another week of Cupertino news and headlines, this week’s Apple Loop includes new details from the iPhone 12, the killer feature of the iPhone, the dying but not yet dead MacBook Air, the iPad Pro vs. MacBook Pro, the case. Apple EU prosecutor, Car Keys on the Apple Watch, battery acceleration and the world’s longest Apple dongle …
Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions that have taken place around Apple in the past seven days (and you can read my weekly summary of Android news here on Forbes).
Impressive iPhone 12 camera revealed
Leaks around the iPhone 12 family continue to appear. If Apple can meet its normal schedule, expect an announcement in early September. But we can already see the device well if we gather all the information. Gordon Kelly of Forbes has taken a closer look at Enoylity Technology’s video renders highlighting new camera technology and physical design:
“What stands out immediately is the leaking wide-angle chassis design that will make Apple draw inspiration from the popular iPhone 4 as well as the flat-edged iPad Pro line. However, what was missing were those leaks and what Enoylity has brought together is the new quad-core camera setup with Apple’s new LiDAR sensor and smaller notch, something Apple is understood to be cutting down three generations from the iPhone X. “
Read more here on Forbes.
The killer feature of the iPhone SE
As more manufacturers launch their mid-range Android phones to the market, they all have something in common. They’re packing into every spec to make the phones feel like a match to the flagships, and they all have one thing in common … they’re great screen phones. Which gives Apple iPhone SE an edge, as I discussed earlier this week:
“Leading manufacturers have decided that being good in the midrange is all about bringing all the big numbers on the flagship spec sheets to a lower price. And that means big screens that need two hands for any part operation. top of the screen.
“Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. But size is not everything, and there is a vocal contingent that wants a small and powerful phone at an affordable price. There really is only one option.”
Read more about the SE’s killer feature here.
SHANGHAI, CHINA – APRIL 24, 2020 – Just Call Se2, Shanghai, China, April 24, 2020. New from Apple … [+]
Apple’s MacBook Air is dying but not dead yet
Apple’s estrangement from Intel has given those looking for a new Mac a bit difficult. It is clear that ARM is the future of platforms, their applications and their services. But the new ultrabook-style MacBook ARM hardware won’t be on sale for some time, and those laptops will be the first public version of the platform. The Intel MacBook Air is not dead. Brendan Hesse reports:
By contrast, many recently released Intel-based Mac and MacBook models have excellent specs. A Mac release in 2020, 2019, or even 2018 could easily last a few more years, more than enough time for Apple to perfect its ARM chips. through some hardware iterations and so third-party developers can transfer their applications.
“Yes, one of the biggest problems facing new ARM Macs is application compatibility … Intel Macs, on the other hand, runs all the MacOS applications out there at the moment (obviously), and will certainly continue to do so for For many more years Apple has a good track record of supporting older products long after launch, so their Intel Macs will remain relevant even after Apple has completely switched to ARM. “
More at LifeHacker.
July 19 Update: The MacBook ARM 2020 will be the first of many Mac machines to be updated in the next two years, which will have a significant impact on laptop manufacturing supply lines. With Apple designing its own chips, it’s a relatively easy task to follow the chain from ordering parts to retail shelves. BGR India reports:
“A new report from Digitimes states that in the first half of 2021, Apple will contract a small part of TSMC’s production capacity for its latest chips. Although the company has not confirmed this before. It is evident that the supplier will be TSMC.
“According to industry analysts, the first Mac devices with custom Apple Silicon chips are likely to be the MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro. After the chips were released in these two models, the rest of the products in the brand could also experience this transition. “
Given the two-year window to update the Mac platform, an increase in processors is expected during 2021. I would expect the first ARM machines due later this year to use the A12Z processor (which matches the current iPad Pro and kits. for Mac Mini-based developers). It remains to be seen whether TSMC’s order is either higher volume on the A12Z, or a new A13 or A14-style chip for the Mac and iPad platforms.
Going back to iPad Pro vs. Macbook pro
With the switch from Mac to ARM and the Developer Transition Kit using the same A12Z chip as the iPad Pro, the discussion once again turns to the iPad Pro invading the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air space. With the addition of the Magic Keyboard and an update for iPadOS, is Apple’s “Accurate Your Next Computer Not a Computer” Accurate? Michael Simon investigates:
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work. I spent more time fighting my iPad than loving it, and when the push came to an end, it was just too difficult to do things as quickly and efficiently as I do on my Mac. Some of it is muscle memory, for Of course, but there are still fundamental problems with the iPad that prevent it from being the first working device that Apple wants it to be, so I quit.
“While there is a lot I like about the iPad Pro and Apple’s full tablet experience, it’s not as simple as a trackpad as the missing link between it and the Mac.”
More at MacWorld.
EU court rules in favor of Apple over tax issues
After a long period of investigation into the issue of tax exemptions made by the Irish government to Apple, the EU General Court has decided that they did not constitute illegal state aid to the company. Daniel Boffey reports:
“The European Commission took a heavy blow in its battle to prevent EU member states from granting tax agreements to multinational corporations after the block’s general court ruled that Apple did not need to pay € 13 billion (£ 11.7 billion) in back taxes Irish government
“The Luxembourg-based court found that the EU’s executive body had failed to demonstrate that the iPhone maker had benefited from an allegedly illegal deal with the Irish authorities, in a decision with broad repercussions for the bloc’s plans to crack down tax evasion. “
More in The Guardian.
Air quality measurements are seen in an air pollution app on an Apple Watch in this photo … [+]
Open your car with your Apple watch
The Apple car key reaches your wrist. The utility that allows users to open their cars with a touch of their phone has been featured in the latest version of the Apple Watch software. Juli Clover reports:
WatchOS 6.2.8 introduces Car Key, a feature also available on the iPhone with iOS 13.6. Car Key is designed to allow an iPhone or Apple Watch to be used instead of a physical key to unlock an NFC-enabled vehicle.
“Car Key needs to be implemented by automakers to function, and BMW is one of Apple’s first partners. BMW’s Digital Key for iPhone feature will allow iPhone owners to tap to unlock their vehicles, start the car by placing iPhone in the smartphone tray, place limitations on young drivers and share passwords with up to five other users. “
More on MacRumors.
IPhone battery clearance offered to users
Remember 2017 and the discovery that Apple was accelerating the performance of older iPhones. This led to changes in Apple’s service provisions that allowed batteries to be replaced in older models. The original problem, that of performance reduction without offering users a choice, was addressed in later versions of iOS, but legal action was taken against Apple in the United States. Now there is a resolution. Paul Thurrott reports:
“This was not enough for Apple’s customers, of course, and a series of lawsuits were combined into a class action lawsuit that the company finally settled in March 2020. Under the terms of the settlement, Apple will pay up to $ 500 million in better yet , affected customers will be paid $ 25 for each affected iPhone they own (ed). “
More at Thurrott.com.
And finally…
Apple hardware is famous for using its own connectors and ports, which require dongles and adapters to connect to universal devices. Niles Mitchell decided to find out how long he could make a dongle on his YouTube channel.
Apple Loop brings you seven days of highlights every weekend here at 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.
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