News on the sidelines week 12 - 18 January

Apple Glass launch Vision Pro Globally before the Worldwide Developers Conference, the launch of the iOS 17.3 update next week, the launch of the Apple Glasses app store, and now you can purchase outside the App Store, a problem with the iPhone 16 Pro with a storage capacity of 1 TB, a serious security flaw in the iPhone 12, and other news. Exciting on the sidelines…

Removed the blood oxygen feature in the Apple Watch

Apple has made changes to its US website regarding the Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, no longer mentioning the Blood Oxygen feature included with these models, as indicated by a banner on the product pages and the absence of any mention in the product comparison. The change comes in response to a sales ban imposed by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which found that Apple infringed Masimo's oximetry patents on the Apple Watch 6 in 2020. Apple Watches sold in the US will still have the Blood Oxygen app, Users will receive an alert that it is not available, and will be directed to the Health app on their iPhone. The Blood Oxygen feature will continue to work on pre-sold 9 and Ultra 2 models, and remains available on Apple Watches sold outside the US, as the sales ban does not apply to these regions. Apple is actively challenging the ITC's ruling through an ongoing appeal.

Apple pays compensation to iPhone 7 users

Apple has agreed to pay $35 million to settle a lawsuit over audio problems with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. If you are a US resident, owned one of these devices between September 16, 2016, and January 3, 2023, and experienced audio issues, or paid for repairs related to those issues, you may be eligible for compensation. Apple is now notifying eligible customers via email. The deadline for taking actions such as choosing a payment method or objecting to the settlement is June 3. If approved by the court on July 18, the settlement could provide up to $349 to those who paid for repairs and up to $125 to others. Despite the settlement, Apple denies any wrongdoing. The audio issue, known as “Loop Disease,” involved microphone issues after updating to iOS 11.3. Apple has acknowledged this internally, but has not addressed the issue publicly. Apple initially offered free repairs, but that ended in 2018, leading some customers to pay around $300 for repairs. The settlement, if approved, aims to compensate affected customers after years of silence.

A security flaw has been discovered in the iPhone 12 and M2 MacBook Air that could lead to sensitive data being accessed

A cybersecurity firm called Trail of Bits has found a vulnerability called “LeftoverLocals” that could allow attackers to access sensitive data in some Apple GPUs in older models like the iPhone 12 and M2 MacBook Air, allowing attackers with physical access to... The device retrieves the processed data into the GPU's local memory.

This issue is of particular concern due to the increasing use of GPUs in processing large language models (LLMs) for AI applications.

The vulnerability enables an attacker to eavesdrop on another user's LLM interactive session, potentially accessing sensitive information.

Apple fixed this flaw in newer devices with the A17 Pro and M3 chips, and the third-generation iPad Air was also fixed. However, it is uncertain when or if older models will get security updates to directly address this issue. It is important to note that remote exploitation of this vulnerability is highly unlikely, as physical access to the device is required. Apple recommends users install the latest updates for security fixes for such issues.

iPhone 16 Pro 1TB models may experience performance issues

Apple is considering using high-density quad-level NAND (QLC) flash memory to provide 1TB capacity for the iPhone 16 Pro models. This shift from NAND flash will allow the current triple-level cell (TLC) to provide more storage capacities at a lower cost, but high-density quad-level NAND flash has slower read and write speeds, and may be less powerful. Apple can address these issues through continuous improvements. The move to quad-level NAND flash may also enable Apple to offer iPhones with up to 2TB of storage. Apple will likely continue to offer 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB triple-level NAND flash storage options. Despite its drawbacks, QLC NAND is expected to account for about 20% of all NAND shipments in the industry from the second half of 2023 to the first half of 2024, indicating growing adoption.

Apple wants $73.4 million from Epic to cover its legal expenses

Apple is seeking $73.4 million in legal fees from Epic Games after winning an antitrust case against it. The Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from both Apple and Epic in their long-running lawsuit over App Store rules, effectively ending the case that began in August 2020.

Apple won most points in the lawsuit, but lost on one point related to how apps handle payments. Apple responded to this point by changing the App Store rules.

Apple now wants Epic to cover its litigation expenses, which total $73.4 million. Apple's claim is based on Epic's violation of its developer agreement, as Fortnite offered an alternative to in-app payment on the App Store. The court set the date of March 5, 2024, to hear Apple’s claim for fees.

Developers in the US can now offer the option to purchase outside of the App Store

Apple is implementing significant changes to its iOS App Store policies in the US, allowing developers to direct customers to purchasing options outside of the App Store. Apps can include a single link to the developer's website that offers an alternative in-app purchase method, but Apple will still collect a commission of between 12 and 27% on content purchased that way. To enable this option, developers must apply for the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement. Apple's commission on purchases made through these links will be 27% for the first year and 12% from the second year onwards. The changes are a result of Apple's legal battle with Epic Games in 2021, where a court ordered the App Store rules to be amended. Apple won the case all but that point of purchase, and the Supreme Court rejected further appeals, making the rulings permanent. The changes are intended to provide opportunities for developers while reducing fraud, deception, and confusion. Modifications will only apply to the US App Store.

Apple Vision Pro glasses do not support Wi-Fi 6E

Apple Vision Pro does not support Wi-Fi 6E, which extends the capabilities of the regular Wi-Fi 6 standard to the 6GHz band, providing faster wireless speeds and less interference. It is worth noting that devices such as the latest iPad Pro models, iPhone 15 Pro models, and most 2023 Mac models support Wi-Fi 6E. The FCC filing for Apple's Eyewear reveals there are no approved operating frequencies in the 6GHz band, confirming the lack of Wi-Fi 6E support. It has been noted that it also lacks Ultra Wideband support.

It has been confirmed that Apple Glass supports regular Wi-Fi 6 that operates on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Apple has not yet revealed additional technical specifications for the Apple Glass, other than the features that were revealed such as the M2 chip and 256 GB storage space. Pre-orders for the glasses begin on January 19, with a starting price of $3499, and are scheduled to launch on February 2 in the United States.

Launching of the Apple Vision Pro eyeglasses application store

Apple has officially launched the Vision Pro Store ahead of the release of the Vision Pro glasses on February 2. The Store is now available to developers, allowing them to release apps designed specifically for Apple Glass, and these apps will soon be listed as compatible with iOS. Reviewers with early access to Apple Glass can try third-party apps created specifically for them. The visionOS App Store will host apps developed to support Vision Pro's unique capabilities, as well as iOS apps that can run on it in XNUMXD mode. Existing applications can be ported to Vision Pro without developer intervention.

What is the first application you would like us to develop for Vision Pro glasses? Do you have ideas for new applications that work on glasses?

Apple highlights guest and travel modes in Apple Vision Pro glasses

Apple highlighted two features of the Apple Vision Pro in a press release about its entertainment options, such as Guest User Mode and Travel Mode.

The Guest User Mode feature allows users to share Vision Pro with family and friends while restricting access to certain apps such as Photos and Safari. Access to the primary user's Apple account settings, biometrics, passcode, passwords, payment, personal data, and health data will also be restricted. This feature was previously detected in the visionOS simulator, and is automatically deactivated if the glasses are not worn within five minutes.

As for the Travel Mode feature, when activated through the Control Center, it fixes visual elements on Apple Glass for users who wear them on the plane. This feature was previously found in visionOS beta code.

Tim Cook earned $63.2 million in 2023

In 2023, Apple CEO Tim Cook earned a total of $63.2 million, down from $99.4 million the previous year, according to Apple's proxy statement. Cook's earnings consist of a base salary of $3 million, $47 million in stock awards, $10.7 million in performance-based bonuses, and $2.5 million in other compensation. The last category includes contributions to a 401(k), life insurance premiums, vacation cash, security expenses, and personal air travel expenses. As of now, Cook owns 3,280,053 Apple shares. The decrease in Cook's compensation in 2023 was a decision made by Apple's board of directors, shareholders, and Cook himself. For 2024, Cook's target stock award is set at $50 million, with 75% of that subject to performance-based vesting. Other top executives, including Luca Maestri, Kate Adams, Deirdre O'Brien and Jeff Williams, received about $27 million each, mostly in stock awards.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple will no longer be able to sell Apple Watch models equipped with a blood oxygen sensor in the United States, including the Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra.

◉ Apple has released a new firmware update for the third generation AirPods. Apple often doesn't mention any details about new features, nor does it provide instructions on how to upgrade the AirPods software, but firmware is generally installed pneumatically while the AirPods are connected to an iOS device. Place your AirPods in the case, connect them to a power source, then pair them with your iOS device or Mac—this will force the update.

◉ Apple has shared the full release notes for the iOS 17.3 update, which will be released next week. Notes reveal that iOS 17.3 allows the iPhone to connect to select TVs in hotel rooms via AirPlay, but details remain scant at the moment.

◉ Apple has released the candidate versions of iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, and watchOS 10.3 updates to developers.

◉ Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that Apple plans to share new details about VisionOS with developers from around the world at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). This indicates that Apple Glasses will be available in markets internationally before the developers conference.

◉ Analyst Jeff Bo confirmed that the iPhone 16 Pro models will be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will retain the Snapdragon X70 modem found in all iPhone 15 models. Differentiating the modem between the standard and Pro models will be a change in Apple's strategy.

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