Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes surprising iPhone 14 Pro specs, Apple’s embarrassing MacBook Pro decision, here comes the MacBook Air, USB-C pressure, the next display for the iPad, ultrasonic AirPods plans, and fifteen years of iPhone camera success.
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).
New iPhone, Same Old Battery
Apple looks set to offer incremental updates to the battery capacity of the new iPhone 14 Pro. The latest iPhone 14 Pro is expected to go from 3095 mAh to 3200 mAh, while the three other key models will come with broadly similar capacities to their iPhone 13 counterparts. No doubt Apple will be hoping software updates will improve efficiency, but with larger camera sensors and brighter screens, that’s going to be a big ask:
“Shared by credible industry insider ShrimpApplePro, a new Baidu post has published what it claims are the battery capacities for all iPhone 14 models. This is the first time capacities have been reported for the new range and while three models have received minor battery increases, a drop for the iPhone 14 Pro may mean your money is better spent elsewhere.
(Forbes).
DHAKA, BANGLADESH – 2022/05/18: A man uses his iPhone 13 pro to take pictures in an office. (Photo … [+]
Slowing Down The Faster MacBook Pro
Apple’s latest MacBook Pro – the first to ship with the M2 Apple Silicon chipset – may offer more processing power than the M1 model from 2020, but it’s proving to be a slower machine thanks to Apple’s decision to use a slower storage solution:
“Given the rest of the design remains stuck with the looks of the 2016 MacBook Pro – including a lack of ports and comically huge bezels for a premium laptop – you would hope this is the case. Why would you buy a laptop that is weaker than the previous generation? This is where things get interesting. Thanks to Apple’s decisions around the configuration of SSD storage in the M2 MacBook Pro, writing to and reading from storage is slower than the M1 MacBook Pro,”
(Forbes).
The MacBook Air Is Nearly Here
While questions remain in the community on what useful purpose the M2 MacBook Pro services, the newly redesigned M2 MacBook Air is waiting in the wings… with a release date just over two weeks away:
“The new MacBook Air was announced and previewed during WWDC earlier this month, with Apple stating availability will begin in July. The MacBook Air features a redesigned body that is thinner and lighter than the previous model. Thanks to the M2 chip, the MacBook Air features up to 18 hours of battery life, according to Apple. With a launch planned for July 15, pre-orders can be expected to go live on Friday, July 8.”
(Mac Rumors).
How About One Port To Rule Them All?
Apple is facing more regulatory pressure to switch the iPhone to the widely used USB-C port instead of its own proprietary lightning port. Once more the idea of a standard port – and therefore a standard charger across all mobile devices, is the key part of the conversation.
“Brazilian regulators are pushing for smartphone manufactures to standardize their charging ports. Anatel, the Brazilian regulatory agency, states that standardization would allow for greater consumer convenience. Additionally, it believes that the move could reduce electronic waste by allowing customers to reuse chargers they already have.”
The Next Next-Generation iPad Display
While we wait for the new iPad with its OLED screen (promising more vivid colours and deeper blacks), Samsung is working on the next OLED screen for the iPad to come after this one.
“The Elec reports that Samsung Display will “likely be able to mass-produce Gen 8.5 OLED panels in late 2024 to aim for Apple’s second-generation OLED iPad.” It’s still not clear whether Samsung will invest in the production of Gen 8.5 OLED, which will use full-cut substrates and deposit organic materials vertically, but the company is said to decide by next month.”
(The Elec via 9to5Mac).
Using Sound To Improve The AirPods
While your AirPods may be waterproof, the liquid sitting on the surface makes controlling the in-ear buds sometimes problematic. Apple’s latest published patent suggests a new way to solve this damp problem:
“Apple’s patent covers ultrasonic touch sensing capability. In some examples, this ultrasonic touch sensing capability can be integrated into existing device structures to facilitate user input without adding extra structure. Unlike capacitive touch sensing systems, in some ultrasonic touch sensing systems the transducers/electrodes can be implemented far from touch areas, and long-range touch sensing can be achieved (e.g., sonar).”
And Finally…
Fifteen years ago, the launch of the iPhone saw the myth of Steve Jobs creating the modern smartphone, but there’s no doubt that the iPhone supported what is now the de facto vision of a smartphone. Part of that is the camera and its impact on photography. On the anniversary, AP photographers talk about the iPhone influence. Here’s Vadim Ghirdă:
“Most vendors and, frankly, most people in Romania get nervous if they realise a photojournalist is taking their picture, even in the most mundane situations. It often leads to unpleasant interactions. The smartphone, though, seems to be a magical stress-relief device. Even if people realise that you are a journalist, they no longer, in most situations, see you as a menace. They relate to you. In adverse situations, it can save the day.”
(The Guardian).
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.
