India reduces customs duties on mobile phones and their components, never-before-seen footage of Steve Jobs, Microsoft accuses the European Commission of causing a global outage, Meta Company files a patent that mimics Apple's EyeSight feature, and iPhone SE 4 production begins in October. An internal change in the iPhone 16 will reduce the temperature rise, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 17 with Apple's 5G chip
Since 2018, there have been rumors that Apple was developing its own 5G modem, but the project has faced multiple challenges and delays. But analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple plans to launch two iPhone models equipped with a 5G modem of its own design in 2025, including the fourth-generation iPhone SE in the first quarter and a new, ultra-thin iPhone 17 in the third quarter. Currently, Apple uses Qualcomm modems in all current iPhones, and has extended its modem supply agreement with Qualcomm until 2026, indicating that the transition to its own 5G chips will be gradual over several years. Apple had acquired most of Intel's smartphone modem business in 2019 to design its own 5G chip, which would reduce its dependence on Qualcomm after legal conflicts between the two companies.
Apple Maps is now available on the web
Apple has launched a public beta version of Apple Maps on the webAvailable on Safari and other browsers. It offers features similar to Apple Maps, including getting directions, searching for places, viewing ratings and hours, and ordering food directly from the place card. You can also discover shopping and dining places around the world. Additional features will be added in the coming months.
Apple Maps on the web is now available in English across Safari, Chrome, and Edge browsers on Mac and iPad devices, and on Windows. Apple plans to support additional languages, browsers, and platforms in the future.
This move aims to compete with Google Maps and provide an alternative for users and developers alike.
You can try Apple Maps on the web via the website Maps.Apple.com Apple's own. Developers can link to web maps in their apps, so users can get driving directions and see location information.
If you are a business owner, company, service or restaurant, register your workplace on Apple Maps. This will be very useful, especially with the advent of Apple’s intelligence feature, which may suggest your location when the user asks about your services. Register from this link
Apple's intelligence features are not yet available in beta versions of the iOS 18 update
Apple Intelligence features have not yet been added in the fourth developer beta of the iOS 18 update, raising questions about the possibility of them being delayed. But it has been confirmed that Apple is still planning to add some Apple Intelligence features in an upcoming beta, which means developers will be able to test the first features before the public release of iOS 18. These features are expected to be added before the end of August, in preparation for the public launch in September.
Apple Intelligence features will be available in US English only at launch and will require iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as Mac and iPad devices with an M1 processor or later. Features will include summarizing texts, prioritizing notifications and email, creating custom emojis and images, as well as a smarter version of Siri. Some features and support for additional languages and software platforms will be added “over the next year.” The full rollout of Apple Intelligence on the iPhone is expected to be completed in 2025.
Ultra-slim iPhone 17 with an A19 chip, a single rear camera, and a titanium frame
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared alleged specifications for the ultra-thin iPhone 17. He stated that it will come with a 6.6-inch screen with a dynamic island of the same current size, an A19 processor, a single rear camera, and a 5G chip designed by Apple. It is also expected that the device will have a titanium and aluminum frame, but with a lower percentage of titanium than the Pro versions.
Kuo added that this ultra-thin model will not be a replacement for the iPhone 17 Plus, but rather it will be a completely new model, focusing on the new design as the main selling point rather than technical specifications. Given these specifications, it seems that this model will not be the iPhone 17 Ultra as previously thought. It is still very early for the launch of the iPhone 17, so we will hear and read a lot of rumors about it.
Apple is adopting a technology that may pave the way for an iPhone with a capacity of 2 TB
Taiwanese research firm TrendForce reported this week that it expects Apple to begin releasing iPhones with quad-level storage (QLC) technology instead of the currently used triple-level storage (TLC) technology by 2026. This technology could pave the way for storage capacities of up to 2 terabyte.
In addition, QLC storage technology is less expensive than TLC in terms of price per gigabyte. However, one of the disadvantages of QLC storage is that it is less fast to read and write compared to TLC storage.
The density and cost advantages of QLC technology may lead to Apple potentially launching 2TB storage capacity for future iPhones. The TrendForce report indicates that Apple will adopt this technology by 2026 and that it could be integrated into the iPhone starting with the iPhone 16, iPhone 17, or iPhone 18, so there is still a lack of clarity about the exact time frame for this change.
An internal change in the iPhone 16 will reduce temperature rise
According to a report from The Information website, Apple is planning to improve the heat management system in the iPhone 16 series. It will be equipped with a larger graphite plate inside the chassis to address potential overheating issues, which confirms previous rumors about improvements in the heat management system. This step comes after overheating problems that some iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users faced when they were launched last year, which Apple partially addressed through an update to iOS 17. This change is expected to help avoid similar problems with New releases.
Production of the iPhone SE 4 is scheduled to begin in October
According to a new report, Apple suppliers plan to begin mass production of the fourth generation iPhone SE next October, after about two years of rumors about it. If this timing is accurate, it means that it will not be announced with the iPhone 16 series as expected. The launch may be delayed until next January, or March, compared to the launch of previous generations.
Expected features of the fourth generation iPhone SE include a 6.1-inch OLED screen, face recognition, an action button, and a USB-C port. The device is expected to be similar to the standard iPhone 14, with the possibility of having only one rear camera.
Meta has filed a new patent that blatantly mimics Apple's EyeSight feature
A report from Patently Apple revealed that Meta has filed a patent for a feature that is very similar to the EyeSight feature of Apple's Vision Pro glasses. This feature aims to reduce social isolation in VR by making the user's eyes visible to others on an external screen.
Apple's EyeSight feature uses a scan of a user's face to create a virtual image of their eyes on an external display, preserving what eye contact and interaction with others looks like in the real world. The Meta approach includes a way to update the user's avatar in real time using facial expressions detected by sensors built into the glasses.
The Meta system includes various sensors such as ECG, EEG and PPG, which not only track facial movements but also monitor the cardiovascular health of the user. This integration of health-related functions distinguishes Meta's approach from Apple's EyeSight feature, which primarily focuses on displaying a virtual image to the user's eyes.
Meta's decision to file the patent signals its recognition of the value of Apple's EyeSight feature, despite the comments and backlash it has received. This development highlights a broader trend in the industry towards enhancing social presence when using virtual and augmented reality devices.
Microsoft accuses the European Commission of causing a global service outage
Last Friday, a major outage in CrowdStrike caused global issues affecting Windows computers, disrupting work at airlines, retail, banks, hospitals, rail networks and more. The malfunction was caused by an update to the CrowdStrike Falcon antivirus program that was automatically installed on Windows 10, but Mac and Linux devices were not affected despite receiving the same program.
The main reason Macs are not affected is that Apple does not give software developers access to the kernel level of macOS. Since 2019, Apple has moved to using system extensions that work in user space rather than the kernel level, making Macs more stable and secure.
In contrast, Microsoft claimed that it was unable to provide the same protection due to what it called an “understanding or agreement” with the European Commission, requiring it to provide kernel-level access to third-party security applications. This aims to increase competition and reduce the dominance of large companies in digital markets.
These laws require technology companies to open their systems more to external developers, which may include allowing the installation of applications from outside official stores or granting greater powers to external applications.
Companies like Apple warn that this openness may lead to security risks, as it becomes difficult to control the quality and security of applications that can be installed on devices.
The CrowdStrike incident, as an example, shows how granting broad privileges to programs, such as access to the Windows kernel, can lead to major problems if something goes wrong.
Apple uses this type of event as evidence of its position in resisting some aspects of the DMA, stating that its more restrictive approach better protects users and the world.
Watch never-before-seen footage of Steve Jobs discussing the future of computers in 1983
Rare footage has been shared of Steve Jobs at the 1983 International Design Conference, where he spoke about the future of computers and their impact on everyday life. The archive was launched by Laurene Powell Jobs, Tim Cook, and Jony Ive in 2022, and the site includes a collection of Jobs’ quotes, photos, videos, and messages. In his speech, Jobs predicted that computer sales would exceed automobile sales by 1986, and called on designers to focus on designing electronic products. Jobs was known for his ability to simplify complex technology and support the creative process.
Jony Ive pointed out that Jobs rarely attended design conferences, and that his deep understanding of the dramatic changes that would occur with the spread of computers was amazing. Jobs spoke of the nation's responsibility to design, not just manufacture, and predicted that people would spend more time with computers than with cars within ten years.
Jobs explained that computers would do simple tasks so quickly, they would seem magical. Ive stressed that Jobs was one of the best teachers he had ever met, as he could explain complex technologies in simple and understandable ways.
You can watch the full video of Jobs' talk on the website Steve Jobs Archive On the “The Objects of Our Life” page, along with photos and exhibits from that time.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple launches the fourth beta version of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, and visionOS 2 updates to developers.
◉ Apple releases the pre-final candidate versions of iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 to developers in preparation for their launch soon.
◉ India recently decided to reduce customs duties on mobile phones and their components by 5%, saving Apple between $35 million and $50 million annually. This reduction supports Apple's efforts to increase manufacturing in India, where 14% of all iPhones are now produced in the country. Foxconn has also invested in new factories in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to enhance production capacity. The move is part of India's strategy to strengthen its role in the global supply chain, making high-end smartphones more affordable for Indian consumers.
◉ Apple launched a new environment for the Vision Pro glasses, which is Lake Vrangla, near Oslo in Norway. You can switch between augmented reality and full virtual reality using the Digital Crown. The new environment can be downloaded from the Environments tab in Home View, and is available to all users. The environment contains a night version that presents a peaceful sunset scene, and any video watched over the lake will be reflected in the water. This release comes after Apple announced the Bora Bora environment, which will be available in visionOS 2 later this year.
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