News on the sidelines week 15 - 21 October

Facebook soon changes its name, Apple VideoPad scrapped by Steve Jobs at auction, Apple's biggest sales quarter threatened by hardware shortages and other exciting news on the sidelines...

Apple releases updates to sync your Mac-iOS via system update

Late last month, Apple released an unusual standalone software update for Macs running macOS Big Sur called the Device Support Update, which it said was "to ensure proper update and restore of iOS and iPadOS devices with Mac." Normally when you connect your Apple devices to your Mac, a dialog pops up from an app called Mobile Device Updater saying “Software update required to connect” to your iOS device. This usually happens when the device has been independently updated with a newer version of iOS or iPadOS that the Mac doesn't recognize, indicating that a download is required for the Mac to connect to the device.

It appears as if Apple has now chosen to reduce reliance on the Mobile Device Updater by automatically delivering these downloads when they are ready via a system update, and the change is likely an attempt to reduce the frequency with which the Mobile Device Updater dialog appears when an Apple device is connected.

AppleCare+ for the new 16-inch MacBook Pro costs $399

This is a $20 increase over the cost of AppleCare for the previous generation 16-inch model. The cost of ‌AppleCare‌+ for the 14-inch MacBook Pro is $279, which is a $10 increase over the cost of ‌AppleCare+‌ for the previous generation of Intel's 13-inch machines.

Those who opt for one of the new M1 Pro or M1‌ Max models may want to consider AppleCare‌ Plus due to the higher price tag of the hardware and the fact that it's the first generation of a new design, which can sometimes cause problems.

‌AppleCare‌+ service extends repair and support coverage for your MacBook Pro to three years, plus accidental damage protection every 12 months. In the event of accidental damage, a deductible is required, but for manufacturing issues, Apple will cover repairs at no cost.

Apple's biggest sales quarter is threatened by hardware shortages

A shortage of Apple devices threatens to undermine what could be a record holiday season for the company. Soon after the launch of the iPhone 13, shipping estimates for all models began to decline for several weeks. This has been repeated with the iPad mini, Apple Watch 7, and most recently the new MacBook Pro models, whose delivery dates have been pushed back until November or December. Even the $19 polishing cloth will go on sale late next month.

Shipping delays for new Apple products isn't a new phenomenon, but several relatively old Apple products have been experiencing shipping delays since the first half of September, including the iPhone 11 and 12, M1 Mac and 24-inch iMac models, and the Apple Watch. This is all due to the difficulty in obtaining some ingredients, which Tim Cook previously warned about.

Apple announces tech talks where developers can interact with its experts

Apple notified developers about Project Tech Talks 2021, which will allow developers to communicate with Apple experts in more than 100 live online sessions and 1500 available hourly appointments. Apple says developers can use sessions to delve into technical content, get answers to questions, and look for one-on-one meetings for guidance. Sessions will be held online from Apple locations around the world in multiple regions.

Live sessions will provide developers with details on how to incorporate the latest technology into their apps, while 30-minute sessions can be used to make app improvements, design revisions, and bug fixes.

The Apple VideoPad that Steve Jobs scrapped at auction

Bonhams has announced that it will sell several rare prototypes of Apple devices on November 3, including the unreleased VideoPad. The VideoPad was intended to be a personal digital assistant similar to the Newton MessagePad series, with Apple testing three versions of the device between 1993 and 1995, including the VideoPad 1, VideoPad 2 and VideoPad 3. The auction company says the VideoPad 2 that will be auctioned It is the only prototype, and it is estimated to cost $12000.

AirPods 3 have improved in-ear detection, not enhanced conversations

The third-generation AirPods feature a new skin-detection sensor to improve in-ear detection, according to Apple's technical specifications page and Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. In a press release earlier this week, Apple confirmed that its third-generation AirPods feature a new skin-detection sensor that accurately distinguishes whether AirPods are in the ear, pocket, or table, and pauses playback when removed. Industry insiders told TrendForce that a new skin detection sensor could allow third-generation AirPods to detect the water content of the wearer's skin.

Meanwhile, Apple notes that the third-generation AirPods don't support Conversation Boost, which was rumored to be coming with the headset, and this feature is only available on AirPods Pro after a firmware update earlier this month.

Facebook will change its name next week

Facebook is said to be planning to change its name to better reflect Mark Zuckerberg's goal of creating a "Metaverse" that is to focus on the virtual and augmented world as the future of the internet, claiming that the change may come as soon as next week. Zuckerberg says that it will be more than just social communication, as he may follow in the footsteps of Google and create Alphabet, and there will be a mother company that oversees all products Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and more. A Facebook spokesperson declined to give any details about this.

As for Facebook's new name, it's not entirely clear. And The Verge says that even some high-ranking Facebook executives aren't familiar with the name.

Intel still hopes Apple will deal with it

Despite the impressive performance of the M1 Pro and ‌M1‌ Max chips, the first high-end professional chips designed for Mac computers, Intel is said to be making another attempt to win back Apple as a customer. A day before the Unleashed event, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said that although Apple is moving away from his company's processors, he still hopes Apple will return to it as a customer, Apple continues its momentum to break away from them.

Brave browser will replace Google as the default search engine

The increasingly privacy-focused Brave browser is officially dispensing with Google as its default search engine, to be replaced by Brave Search, the company announced.

Brave Search is a requirement for customers who want a search engine that maintains privacy and does not track users, their searches or clicks. The search engine will be set by default instead of Google in the US, DuckDuckGo in Germany, and Qwant in France.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple released the beta version of Safari 15.1 for macOS Big Sur and Catalina for developers, and the design of the previous tab that existed before Safari 15 was restored.

◉ Apple plans to introduce a new 27-inch iMac with ProMotion technology in early 2022, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. This information comes from Young's tweets.

◉ A day after Apple unveiled the redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. Apple's website notes that the 67W USB-C Power Adapter included with the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro isn't capable of fast charging any 14-inch MacBook Pro. To take advantage of fast charging, which allows for a 50% charge in about 30 minutes, Apple says customers can Upgrade to a converter Power 96W USB-C for an additional $20.

◉ Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a note sent to investors that Apple may not start production on the upcoming augmented or virtual reality glasses until the end of the fourth quarter of 2022. It is likely that the device will be launched in late 2022 or early 2023.

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