News on the sidelines week 22 - 28 September

Fears of high temperature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple may launch a new iPad mini this year, Apple may not launch a cheaper version of Apple Glass, Apple launches two renewed Mac Studio M2 and M2 Max devices on its online store, and i models -The iPhone 15 supports the USB-C to Ethernet port for faster internet, the dismantling of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Apple suggests possible fixes for the weather problem on the Apple Watch and other exciting news on the sidelines...

Jony Ive and OpenAI are in advanced talks to build an “artificial intelligence iPhone”

The former Apple designer conducted Johnny Ive Sam Altman of OpenAI, the parent company of GPT Chat, has advanced discussions with Masayoshi Son of Japanese multinational conglomerate SoftBank, which has stakes in several technology companies and others, about creating a billion-dollar project to develop what they call an “AI-iPhone.” “, according to the Financial Times.

The goal is to design a new consumer device that enhances how people interact with artificial intelligence technology, similar to how the iPhone revolutionized touch computing and mobile internet. Altman wants Jony Ive's design agency, LoveFrom, to be involved in the project.

They brainstormed ideas at Eve's studio in San Francisco, but it's still in the early stages with different concepts on the table. SoftBank proposes an important role for British chip designer Arm, in which SoftBank holds a 90% stake, and is offering a $2019 billion investment. In doing so, they want to create a more balanced way of interacting with computers, and reduce dependence on the screen. Although discussions are serious, a final agreement has not yet been reached, and it could take months before any official announcement. If successful, the resulting device could be years away from launch. Jony Ive left Apple in XNUMX to start his company LoveFrom, and several of his old Apple colleagues have joined with him.

Meta launches Quest 3 worth $500 in competition with Apple Vision Pro glasses

Meta Company revealed the Meta Quest 3 mixed reality headset, which costs $500. It says that it is a competitor to the Apple Vision Pro glasses. Meta Quest 3 glasses feature a “4K+ Infinite” display resolution with two screens that provide high-quality images. It also offers 2.2D spatial audio and a more powerful chip for better gaming experiences. The glasses contain cameras that allow you to see virtual objects and interact with them in your real space. It is a little heavier than its predecessor, but better comfortable than its predecessor. Unlike Apple Glass, it does not have an eye tracking feature, and comes with controllers with haptic feedback and hand gesture recognition. It lasts about 499.99 hours per charge, and you can connect it to a computer. Pre-order is available now for $XNUMX, with customer deliveries to begin in October.

watchOS 10.1 beta brings NameDrop to Apple Watch

In the latest watchOS 10.1 beta, Apple Watch users can now use the NameDrop feature. This feature allows you to easily share your contact information with an Apple Watch or another iPhone. To use it, simply go to the Contacts app, select your profile, and tap Share. Next, follow the animation to place your Apple Watch near another Apple Watch or iPhone to transfer contact information. NameDrop was introduced in iOS 17, and now it's finally part of watchOS 10.1, making sharing contacts even simpler. It works with two iPhones running iOS 17, two Apple Watches running watchOS 10.1, or an iPhone running iOS 17 and an Apple Watch running watchOS 10.1.

Apple suggests possible fixes for the weather issue on the Apple Watch

Apple has offered up two potential fixes for the recently reported Apple Watch issue of some data not loading in the Weather app since the launch of watchOS 10, with those affected only seeing empty spots of data where weather data should be, but tapping on the Weather app shows the expected information.

Apple suggests users affected by the issue try the following:

◉ Reset iPhone settings

◉ On iPhone, open Settings, then tap Privacy & Security -> Location Services, then scroll down, then tap Weather.

◉ Under Allow site access, tap Never, then tap Original setting.

◉ Check if the issue is resolved.

If weather data still won't load, Apple suggests trying the following steps:

◉ On the iPhone, open Settings, then tap General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone.

◉ Tap Reset -> Reset Location & Privacy.

◉ Enter your passcode if asked and reset.

◉ Check if the issue is resolved.

Apple on Tuesday also released a new update to watchOS 10.0.2, which was initially thought to fix the weather issue, but it appears a number of users are still complaining about the issue even after the update.

Eddy Cue explains why Google is the default search engine for the iPhone

to speak out Eddie Keough, head of Apple Services, testified in the antitrust trial between the US Department of Justice and Google, where he answered questions about a deal that stipulates that Google be set as the default search engine on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. According to a report from The Verge, Google pays Apple billions of dollars annually in order to have Google set as the default search engine on Apple platforms. The exact amount Google paid Apple was not revealed during the trial, as much of the testimony in this case was given behind closed doors.

Qiu reportedly last negotiated the deal between Apple and Google in 2016. When asked why Apple chose Google as its default search engine, Qiu said “there was no viable alternative to Google at the time,” and said there still is no viable alternative. "One, we always think it's the best and we allow users to change it easily."

Q mentioned that Apple is more committed to privacy than Google, and that it has put many privacy protections in its Safari browser in order to ensure the protection of users.

This may be one of the reasons for the high temperature of the iPhone 15 Pro Max

Ming-Chi Kuo says that it is noticeable that the iPhone 15 Pro Max models heat up with use, but this is not due to the new 17nm A3 Pro chip. It is believed that this may be due to some changes Apple made to make the phone lighter, such as using a titanium frame and making the area that sheds heat smaller, which affects how well the phone is able to stay cool. Apple may fix this through system updates, but it could mean that the processor may not perform as powerfully, and if this is not fixed properly, it could affect the number of phones they are able to sell. Some tests have shown that the new models can get very hot, and the processor has to slow down to cool down, affecting how well big games like Resident Evil Village and Death Stranding, among others, run.

iPhone 16 will include an additional “Capture” button

The upcoming iPhone 16 series may contain a new button called “Capture Button” located near the power button. This capacitive button, when pressed, will respond to touch and pressure, and provides a clicking sensation or so-called haptic feedback, like the Home button on the iPhone 7. Apple had previously tried something similar but canceled it due to some problems. Besides the capture button, there may also be an 'action button' and some design changes such as a different camera layout and larger screen sizes for the Pro models. However, these are early details, and the final design of the iPhone 16 may be significantly different.

iPhone 15 Pro Max disassembly

iFixit recently released a detailed video of the iPhone 15 Pro Max disassembly process, revealing its internal components. For cameras:

The iPhone 15 Pro Max maintains a similar design to its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. But the back glass panel can be easily removed, which may reduce repair costs for users who don't have AppleCare Plus warranty for back glass damage.

The video briefly shows off the iPhone 15 Pro Max's improved Telephoto lens, which features a quad-prism system for 5x optical zoom capabilities. According to iFixit, the main and ultra-wide lenses appear to be unchanged from the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Thus, camera improvements beyond 5x zoom are attributed to the new A17 Pro chip and operating system.

The iFixit team points out that the internal structure of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, especially its motherboard, is very similar to the structure of the iPhone 15 Pro. The phone has an A17 Pro chip and comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X70 modem, indicating improved 5G connectivity. Despite these advances, iFixit rates the device's repairability at a low 4 out of 10, highlighting concerns about Apple's replacement parts policy affecting third-party repair shops.

iPhone 15 models support a USB-C to Ethernet port for faster internet speeds

iPhone 15 models support connecting to the Internet using an Ethernet cable through a USB-C adapter, which can provide faster download speeds than Wi-Fi. Apple mentioned this feature in a document last week. When you connect an Ethernet cable, a special menu appears on the iPhone containing network details.

One user reported download speeds of over 800Mbps using this feature. Although older iPhones with a Lightning port also have this capability.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple has added the revamped Mac Studio M2 and M2 Max models to its online store. They are desktop computers that were first launched in June 2023. Now, you can get them at a discounted price. The base Mac Studio M2 Max, which has 32GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, is available for $1699, down from its usual price of $1999. The M2 Ultra model, with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, is priced at $3399, a $600 discount from its regular price of $3999. You can find different configurations of these models at discounts ranging from $300 to $1300. These refurbished Macs look almost like new, are tested, and any faulty parts are replaced, so they're as good as new. You also get an AppleCare Plus warranty for these devices, and they have the same return period as new Apple devices, which is 14 days.

◉ Epic Games raised its legal battle with Apple to the Supreme Court, due to Apple blocking third-party markets and violating antitrust laws. The move comes after Epic lost an appeal in April 2023 when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Apple's favor, stating that Apple's App Store rules did not violate antitrust laws by disallowing other app marketplaces. The issues between Apple and Epic have arisen since 2020, with the aim of providing applications directly to users without going through the App Store, so they do not have to give Apple a 30% discount on their sales. Epic listed various reasons in its 488-page filing for why the Supreme Court should hear the case, focusing on the lower court's errors and the broad impact any changes to the App Store could have on countless developers.

◉ Apple has released the first beta version of iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, macOS Sonoma 14.1, watchOS 10.1, and tvOS 17.1 updates to developers.

◉ According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s work on the Apple Car has lost “all clarity” at the moment, and he says that if Apple does not adopt some kind of acquisition strategy to achieve successes in the car market, it is unlikely that the Apple Car will be able to enter into the market. Mass production “in the coming years.”

◉ Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple plans to release new MacBooks and iPads equipped with 3nm chips in 2024, but demand for the devices may be “less than expectations.” In 2023, shipments of MacBook and iPad devices declined significantly by about 30% and 22%. This sharp decline is due to the end of demand for working from home and the decreasing user appeal of new specifications (Apple silicon and Mini-LED screens). Looking ahead to 2024, Apple's demand for 3nm technology is negatively impacted by the lack of growth drivers for MacBook and iPad.

◉ In an analysis conducted by Jeff Poe, all iPhone 16 models are expected to use A18 and A18 Pro processors. This shift from the A16 chipset in the iPhone 15 models is significant. These A18 chipsets will be manufactured using TSMC's N3E process, which is more cost-effective. However, since the iPhone 16 is a year away, the chipset names are speculative, and Apple may choose different names. Jeff Poe has a track record of making accurate predictions, such as changes in previous iPhone models.

◉ Apple has introduced a new resource called “Meet with the Apple Experts” for developers. This initiative provides developers an opportunity to participate in various sessions, workshops, labs, and one-on-one meetings hosted by Apple. More than 50 workshops and consultations are available, some taking place online and others at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino. Most events are open to global developers, while some events involving Apple Glass are held at the Apple Developer Center in Cupertino, California. Topics include exploring WWDC23 highlights, learning about iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates, improving apps on iPhone, and app discovery and marketing. Sessions are conducted in multiple languages, and developers can request personalized design and technology consultations, including insights into the app review process. These courses begin on September 27, and continue throughout October and November.

◉ Apple may have decided not to produce a cheaper version of the Apple Vision Pro glasses, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. There have been rumors of a lower-cost model being released around 2025, but that may not happen. Kuo did not explain why, but he believes that if Apple does not significantly reduce the cost, Vision Pro sales may not grow much in 2025. In 2024, Apple plans to ship about four hundred thousand to six hundred thousand glasses, so this is a good option to try, but It may take longer to achieve great success.

◉ Thierry Breton, a European Union official, asked Apple CEO Tim Cook in Brussels to open Apple's platforms to competitors, in reference to the European Union's digital markets law that aims to limit the power of major technology companies. The law would likely make Apple allow European users to download apps outside of its App Store. While Apple highlights security concerns, Breton believes the EU is able to balance innovation with security. Apple has not yet responded to his comments.

◉ Starting next year, Apple plans to use a new material called resin-coated copper (RCC) to make internal circuit boards slimmer. This could allow more space inside devices like iPhones for larger batteries or new features. With this change, future iPhone models may be slightly larger and may include new camera features. This update was shared by a trusted expert on Weibo, who previously provided accurate information about Apple products.

◉ Apple may launch a new iPad mini, the seventh edition, later this year. This report indicates that Apple's tablet sales may increase due to the new smaller iPad. While some sources like Bloomberg and a leaker hint at a possible update or new iPad model this year, another expert believes it won't be produced until early 2024. If there is a new iPad mini soon, it may have a better chip, camera, and other improvements. . The latest larger iPad models have better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so the new mini could get those features, too.

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