News on the margin the week December 29 - January 4

Allowing third-party app stores on the iPhone globally, developing gaming capabilities on Mac computers, Samsung and Huawei outperforming Apple’s sales in 2023, changing iPhone sizes next year and other exciting news on the sidelines…

Apple withdraws the iOS 17.3 beta update due to a problem!

Apple removed iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 beta updates three hours after its release due to reports that it caused the iPhone to get stuck on the boot loop in the middle of a black screen. Users shared this issue on several forums. The only solution to this problem is to restore the affected device via PC or Mac. It's possible that the issue is related to the Back Tap setting, but it's not confirmed, as others without Back Tap have also encountered playback issues. Apple will bring the beta back once the bug is addressed to ensure a smooth installation process.

Apple Glass launches in the last week of January

According to a report by Chinese investor news site Wall Street Insights, Apple's Vision Pro glasses are rumored to be launched on Saturday, January 27 in the US. There is speculation that the site may refer to January 27 in China, which corresponds to Friday, January 26 in the United States, which is the most likely date for launch. It is worth noting that Apple rarely launches any of its products on Saturdays, and usually launches them on regular business days to maximize media coverage and stock market reaction. Apple has not officially announced a specific launch date, only stating that Vision Pro glasses will be launched “early” this year. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a late January or early February release, while Mark Gurman is leaning towards a February retail launch.

iPhone sizes will change next year

In the upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, Apple is set to make big changes to the screen sizes of the Pro models. The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will have larger screens measuring approximately 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro models. The increase in screen size will lead to slight changes in dimensions, as the new models have become slightly longer and wider. This modification allows for more internal space, which may allow for larger, longer-lasting batteries. In addition, Apple is exploring the use of micro-lens technology to enhance the brightness of OLED displays. This technology relies on using an array of micro-lenses to reduce internal reflection of the screen, with the aim of increasing its brightness without a significant increase in power consumption.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are not expected to undergo these changes. The same dimensions of the iPhone 15 models will be maintained, and their sizes will be changed in 2025, with the iPhone 17 lineup. It reflects the general shift in sizes throughout the history of the iPhone, From the original iPhone to the iPhone 13 mini, Apple is responding to user preferences for larger screens and more compact designs.

Praise again for the collision detection feature

In Lake Pleasant, Arizona, the Apple Watch's collision detection feature played a crucial role in locating a man trapped in a car accident. The 30-year-old's Apple Watch automatically sent his location information and a distress message to authorities after the accident. Search and rescue teams, guided by this information, were able to locate him, who was walking about five miles from the scene of the accident, found that he had sustained minor injuries, and returned safely to his home.

Likewise, in Maury County, Tennessee, first responders credited the crash detection feature for alerting them of a severe accident on New Year's Day. Although the driver's iPhone fell from the car during the accident, he succeeded in calling emergency services on his behalf. Although Maury County officials acknowledge that crash detection calls result in false alarms in about 75% of cases, they stress the importance of not missing a real emergency. Apple has been continually improving the feature since it debuted with the iPhone 14 in 2022, addressing false positives through software updates and actively seeking feedback from affected call centers.

Apple opposes proposed surveillance powers in the UK

Apple last year described proposed new surveillance powers in the UK as a “serious and direct threat to data security and information privacy” and reiterated its opposition to the proposed legal changes, through the UK technology trade body.

The British government has always wanted to facilitate the process of spying on electronic messages for the security services. This idea was first floated in 2006, which would have banned end-to-end encrypted messaging services like iMessage. Apple said it would pull iMessage and FaceTime from the UK market rather than drop end-to-end encryption, a move the government later backed down from.

The government is still determined to implement its plans and work on amendments to these laws. This could prevent Apple from issuing security updates to fix security flaws if they are exploited by the security services in the United Kingdom to spy on iPhone users.

Last year, Apple described the proposed amendments to the IPA as a serious threat to global privacy, making everyone concerned that the proposed changes to the notification system would make the UK a less attractive place to provide technology services, ultimately disadvantaging consumers.

Analysts: iPhone 16 will bring very minimal changes

According to a recent research note from Barclays, analysts expect “very little” change for the upcoming iPhone 16 compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 15. The report highlights weaknesses in iPhone sizes and mix, as well as a lack of improvement in Mac hardware. , iPads, and watches. Barclays Bank slightly lowered its target price for Apple stock due to these concerns. Analysts express doubts about the iPhone 16, noting that it will not offer compelling features or upgrades. There are also expectations of slower growth in Apple's services sector. The report points to diminishing returns on the ecosystem, noting that Apple's robust ecosystem may face challenges in driving growth with new products and services in the coming years. Interestingly, the report did not mention Apple's Vision Pro glasses, a product critical to Apple's business, despite expectations that it will sell less than five hundred thousand units in 2024. The company's path and potential challenges ahead.

Samsung and Huawei will outsell Apple in 2023, but the market continues to grow

In 2023, Apple faced a decline in iPhone sales due to increasing competition from Samsung and Huawei. Despite this, Apple remains the dominant player in the flagship smartphone market, with a global market share of 71%, down from 75% the previous year. The report by Counterpoint Research indicates that there is a growing trend of users opting for flagship smartphones, which are defined as devices worth more than $600. The flagship smartphone market is expected to witness 6% year-on-year growth in 2023, in contrast to the expected overall decline of the global smartphone market. It is expected that this sector will account for 60% of smartphone market revenues. The shift towards premium devices is particularly noticeable in emerging markets, where consumers are willing to spend more on high-end devices for the sake of social prestige. The report highlights that Apple's decline in market share is due to Samsung's success in the foldable phone market, and Huawei's unexpected return as a competitor to the iPhone. It is worth noting that Apple is not expected to offer a foldable iPhone until at least 2025.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple has worked to improve the gaming capabilities of Mac computers, due to the move to Apple silicon processors such as the M1, M2, and M3. This shift has improved performance per watt on MacBooks, making them able to handle high-end AAA games effectively. A unified hardware architecture across iPhone, iPad, and Mac simplifies the game development process and allows games to be easily ported between platforms. The M3 chipset family offers dynamic caching, boosting GPU performance for demanding applications and games. On the software side, Apple has introduced features like Game Mode in macOS Sonoma, prioritizing CPU and GPU performance for gaming. Apple has also released a toolkit to help developers port Windows games to Mac, with notable games already released and more expected in the future.

◉ The US antitrust case against Apple's exclusive control of the App Store is gaining momentum, with the head of the Justice Department's antitrust unit saying the investigation is "running full steam ahead." This suggests that Apple may have to allow third-party app stores and/or sideloading not only in the US, but also in Europe. As pressure mounts, it becomes increasingly likely that Apple will choose to implement these changes globally rather than on a country-by-country basis.

◉ Masimo CEO Joe Kiani is determined to continue the legal battle against Apple in an ongoing patent dispute, having already spent more than $100 million. Despite warnings about the challenges facing Apple, Kayani believes in the importance of holding the tech giant accountable. Massimo has a history of winning similar cases and receiving significant compensation and returns. Kayani emphasizes the potential impact on a global scale, saying, “If I can change the most powerful company in the world from continuing to behave badly, that will have a greater impact on the world than anything else I do.”

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