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Taking a look at another week of Cupertino news and headlines, this week’s Apple Loop includes the latest iPhone 13 details, new iOS privacy controls, future MacBook Pro features, Apple TV update, China app issues. and Apple’s self-assessment. car driving ambitions.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions that have taken place at Apple over the past seven days (and you can read my weekly Android news roundup here on Forbes).
IPhone 13 details confirmed
As 2020 draws to a close, the iPhone 12 looks more like a stopgap, released in a difficult year for everyone. The features many expected in this year’s phone are now confirmed by multiple sources that will appear on the iPhone 13. Gordon Kelly of Forbes discusses two of the big changes; one to the screen and one to the Internet connectivity:
“LTPO is the key that unlocks ProMotion 120Hz displays on iPhones, because you can dynamically adjust refresh rates during low-intensity tasks (viewing photos, reading emails, etc.) to save battery life at other times.
“… Apple will add WiFi 6E to the iPhone 13 lineup. While the name makes 6E sound like an incremental upgrade over WiFi 6, it will be” perhaps the most disruptive boon to Wi-Fi users in the last 20 years. “According to Broadcom Executive Vice President Vijay Nagarajan”.
Read more here on Forbes.
A customer tests Apple Inc. iPhone 12 Pro Max at the Apple flagship store during a product … [+]
© 2020 Bloomberg Finance LP
IOS privacy controls detected by beta users
Apple’s move to offer more privacy controls to consumers would be rolled out as part of the iOS 14 launch in September. Delayed to early 2021, beta program users who have early access to the next version of iOS report that the tracking system is starting to appear. Joe Rossignol reports:
“Ahead of time, the message for users to allow or deny tracking has started to appear in the first beta version of iOS 14.4, seeded last week. A screenshot shared on the MacRumors forums shows that the application of the NBA requests to track a user’s activity, with customizable fine print indicating that the data will be used to provide users with a “better and personalized advertising experience.” IOS 14.4 should be released publicly in January or February, aligning with Apple’s “early next year” deadline for this change. “
More on MacRumors.
Touch keyboards, wireless charging and more ideas for MacBook
After the M1 processor upgrade, early Macs essentially kept the same look. This was reassuring for the user base, but it left MacBooks just as tired as before (even if they were connected for speed). Thanks to some recently published patents, we can get a taste of some of Apple’s ideas for the next generation of notebooks. The ideas coincide with other moves by Apple in its hardware, as I reported earlier this week:
“The patent is based on techniques and methods previously published in September 2020. It is clear that Apple’s R&D team is working towards a clear vision for next-generation hardware.
“Looking at the rest of Apple’s portfolio of devices, you can see the other side of the coin. The iPhone range has offered wireless charging capabilities for some time, but the iPhone 12 family upped the ante by adding magnetic capture under recycling. ‘MagSafe “. This could possibly allow any MacBook to only offer MagSafe charging and limit it to Apple and Apple-approved accessories. “
Read more here on Forbes.
Apple TV needs an update
Is the Apple TV stuck in the slow lane? What was once the cornerstone of Apple’s connected home has been gathering metaphorical dust as it pauses in the face of speed competition. When your set-top box is $ 180 and the competition is $ 50, and there is very little “exclusive” in your box, then something must change. Mark Gurman argues that an update is urgently needed in 2021:
“One Apple TV differentiator might have been exclusive access to content, but in recent years the industry has shifted to a model where everyone’s content is available everywhere. Apple TV + shows also appear on TVs. Google, Amazon, and Roku devices. And the company’s services are now also available on new Xbox, PlayStation 5, and televisions from Sony to Samsung. While that hasn’t helped Apple’s hardware sales, the move has expanded sales. Apple service revenue. ”
More on Bloomberg.
The App Store and Chinese licenses
Apple is removing a large number of applications from the Chinese App Store. Most are apps that are premium games or offer in-app purchases. Developers who have not confirmed a proper license to Apple run the risk of having their apps removed from the store, according to Tim Higgins:
“Four years ago, the Chinese government began requiring video games to be licensed before being released, but developers were able to circumvent the requirement in Apple’s app store. Apple has not said why the loophole existed or why. the company began shutting it down this year. Software developers regret the change, citing difficulties in obtaining approval in China for their games. “
Read more in The Wall Street Journal.
And finally…
There has been a lot of talk about an autonomous car from Apple this week, dated 2024 and ‘breakthrough’ battery technology in the vehicle. The Reuters team has more details:
“Apple has made enough progress that it is now aiming to build a vehicle for consumers, said two people familiar with the effort, who asked not to be named because Apple’s plans are not public. Apple’s goal of building a personal vehicle for the mass market it contrasts with its rivals. ” like Alphabet Inc’s Waymo, which has built robotic taxis to transport passengers for a driverless transportation service. “
It’s a wonderful image and it would certainly be a halo product for Apple. Practically, however, Jon Gruber is not so sure:
“My favorite story about the Apple car project, from before the reboot announced by the return of Doug Field, is that they actually had a concept for an Apple-designed and branded car. And they added it all together and it turned out to be so embarrassingly expensive. they had to seriously hit the reset button. That’s right, it’s not a shame. “
More on Daring Fireball.
Apple Loop brings you seven-day highlights every weekend here at Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss out on any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s issue of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
