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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 designs, a new keyboard for MacBook Pro, iOS virtualization in court, Apple Watch issues, new screen leaks. iPad Pro and Apple Suddenly a portable prototype appears.
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).
Apple folds into the iPhone 13
While most iPhone 13 phones, expected to launch in September 2021, should stay with the current-gen regular form factor, Apple is working on something a little more radical. Could we see a special edition foldable iPhone 13 in the next 12 months? Forbes Gordon Kelly reports:
“… popular industry insider Jon Prosser has revealed that Apple is testing a new foldable iPhone and has an indication of its launch schedule.
“According to my sources, there is a foldable iPhone prototype similar to the style of Samsung’s Z Flip,” explains Prosser. “There are housings for this device that are being tested at a factory in Shenzhen Foxconn. I say this device housings because it is not the complete unit, mostly they are just trying to test the durability of the hinge [at this stage]. “
More here on Forbes.
Dynamic MacBook keyboards for everyone?
With Apple Silicon now rolling out inside new MacBooks, the next step will be to take the current tired design and bring new ideas and technologies to the laptop market. There have been a number of patents published around the keyboard, but the last one feels more. realistic as a 2021 feature. I reported earlier this week:
“One way to think about this is to consider your smartphone keyboard. When you press the Shift key, the letters on the keyboard will move to uppercase as a visual indicator of the output. Symbols may appear when punctuation mode appears and By Of course, many keyboard interfaces have dynamic autocomplete options that appear in a stripe across the top of the kyeboard.
“Now imagine that beginning, but on your next MacBook.”
Read more here on Forbes.
IOS virtualization tool in court
Apple is currently in litigation with security firm Corellium, specifically against its software that offers a virtual iOS environment that helps researchers investigate vulnerabilities and security issues in the software. Russell Brandom reports:
“In ruling on a motion for summary judgment in the US District Court for South Florida, US District Judge Rodney Smith has dismissed Apple’s claim of copyright infringement on the Corellium software and has concluded that Corellium’s use of Apple code constituted fair use … additional features within the Corellium tool strengthened its case for fair use, particularly the ability to modify the kernel or observe and stop processes “.
More at The Verge.
iPhone wins Christmas
Christmas day is always a great day for smartphone activations. 2020 was no different, but the economic impact of 2020 may have contributed to a shift in platform options for the holidays. Apple’s iPhone 11 came out at number one, iPhone XR at second, and iPhone 12 Pro Max at third. As for Android? LG’s K30 was the only non-Apple device in the top ten. Android devices have had a bigger impact than the competition. Lisa Moshfegh writes:
“The success of previous years’ models, particularly the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR, may show that American consumers were more sensitive to prices this holiday season. Notably absent from this year’s list is the flagship iPhone 12 mini, which brings the features of the iPhone 12 into a smaller device. However, with a discount of only $ 100 compared to the iPhone 12, the mini version has yet to catch the attention of consumers. “
More of Flurry’s research here.
Why is my new Apple Watch running slow?
The flood of new Christmas Day gifts always leads to the Christmas Day flood to Apple’s activation servers and software update servers. Each year they are guaranteed to be delivered at a slower rate than normal, but this year it was a bit more uncomfortable with server issues reported around the world. Chance Miller reports on the consequences:
A variety of reports on Twitter indicated that some Apple users were unable to activate new devices, and most of the complaints apparently centered on the Apple Watch. The problem arose notably when users around the world began unwrapping new Apple products on Christmas morning.
… after 36 hours of trouble, Apple says it has resolved these issues. The company simply says, “Users may have experienced a problem with this service” and that “Some users were affected.”
More on 9to5Mac.
Let’s pop the color on the iPad Pro
More talk on Apple’s shift to mini-LEDs for products with larger screens this week, with the latest Digitimes report highlighting Apple’s efforts to find more than one major mini-LED supplier to establish a domestic market for keep the bill of materials low and innovations high. Offering deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and improved contrasts, the mini-LED should make displays that use it really pop while keeping power consumption low. Eric Slivka reports:
“Previous reports, including leading analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, have indicated that the iPad Pro Mini-LED will launch sometime in the first half of 2021, but today’s DigiTimes report indicates that the debut is expected in the first part of that time period.. “
More on MacRumors.
And finally…
What came before the Apple Watch? That would be a “mystery device from Apple that will probably be a watch, but it’s stuck in a box.” Thanks to the unofficial ‘Apple demo‘account on Twitter, this week we saw a look back:
No digital crown, some large pushers, but an already familiar look on the screen. Michael Potuck picks up the story:
“The software is older than watchOS 1.0 and Apple Demo shows that the internal build works with a variety of photos showing the user interface and more. Referencing the Apple Lisa computer from the 1980s, Lisa Simpson is even used as an application icon in the Apple Watch prototype for the “Lisa Tester.” “
More on 9to5Mac.
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 edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
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