News on the sidelines for the week of August 2 - 8

Apple released iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1 updates, postponing production of the foldable iPhone and iPhone 16 Pro in white, gray and dark black colors in a new image, and the battery capacities of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 models with a camera. 24-megapixel front camera, a loss in the market value of major technology companies led by Apple, audio playback with video recording in a new feature on iOS 18, and other exciting news on the sidelines...

Apple releases update 17.6.1

Apple has released iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1, minor updates to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. Apple has also released iOS 16.7.10 for devices that cannot be upgraded to iOS 17. The new update comes a week after iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 released. The update can be downloaded as usual by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes. This update includes important bug fixes and addresses an issue that prevents advanced data protection from being enabled or disabled. The Advanced Data Protection bug affected a small number of users. Those who tried to turn on Advanced Data Protection and were unable to enable it, saw an error message and it was clearly inactive. Affected users who tried to turn it off saw it disabled in the interface, even though it was actually still active for iCloud data.

The Advanced Data Protection feature works to provide protection and encryption by default for your files when stored on its cloud service, but that protection was limited to a small number of those files, but Apple introduced a feature called Advanced Data Protection to encrypt more files, and this includes reminders, shortcuts, bookmarks in Safari, Siri shortcuts, and copies. Back up your device, messages, notes, photos, voice memos, and even pass cards in your wallet, so we recommend that you enable advanced data protection for iCloud as follows:

• Go to settings, then your name
• Then iCloud and scroll down
• And tap Advanced data protection and turn it on

 Follow the instructions that appear after that to successfully enable the new feature and encrypt the majority of your files intricately and strongly to prevent anyone from accessing your data in the cloud.

Humane's AI pin returns outsell

Humane launched its $699 AI pin late last year, but it was not well received and faced criticism for its poor performance. The company is now facing a major problem as returns outpace sales, with only about seven thousand units remaining in the hands of consumers out of ten thousand units shipped. Total sales amounted to about $9 million, but the company is facing a problem with returns worth $XNUMX million, especially since it cannot renew the returned units due to technical limitations, and thus they become scrap or waste.

Humane also had an issue with the device's charging case, which was found to pose a fire risk, prompting the company to warn customers against using it. Although the company raised over $200 million from investors and planned to sell one hundred thousand pins in the first year, the device's poor performance led to its failure. Reports indicate that pre-launch reviewers raised concerns about the pin's functionality, but it was released nonetheless.

The iPhone 16 lineup could be launched earlier than usual in Korea

Apple is considering launching the iPhone 16 series in Korea earlier than usual, due to weak demand in China. If this is true, it will be a major shift for Apple, as Korea has not been part of the initial launch countries since the iPhone 3GS in 2009. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 16 series in mid-September, or on the XNUMXth of the month. Sources indicate that preparations appear to be underway for an early launch in Korea.

Historically, despite the strong market share of the iPhone in Korea, new models were launched in the country weeks after they appeared in other markets, partly due to Apple's strict confidentiality policies and strict security measures to prevent any details about new phones from being leaked, as well as the device certification system. The new strict rules in Korea. However, Apple now appears to be in the process of reconsidering its strategy for the Korean market, driven by stable demand in the country and the potential for positive early sales. This comes in light of Apple's market share in China falling to 14% in the second quarter of this year, which may provide an opportunity to redistribute inventory to other markets such as Korea.

iOS 18 adds a new option to allow audio to be played on the iPhone when shooting video

In iOS 18, Apple added an option in the Camera app's settings menu that lets you choose whether audio playback on the iPhone should stop or continue when you start recording video. In previous versions, when shooting video, any audio, including music and podcasts, was turned off.

But if you want to play audio along with what you're shooting, you can use the QuickTake method to record video in photo mode, where any audio can continue to play while you're shooting. The only problem is that QuickTake records at lower quality than video mode.

But this will not be a problem soon, in iOS 18, you can control audio playback in video mode thanks to the Play Audio option. Apple indicates in the settings that “audio playback will not stop automatically when recording video,” and that “when playing audio using the speaker on the iPhone, the audio will be recorded in mono, not stereo.”

Discover hidden AI prompts in macOS beta

A Reddit user discovered prompts for new AI features integrated into the beta version of macOS 15.1, revealing Apple's attempts to avoid bugs and hallucinations in its AI features. These instructions or prompts included specific directions for various "Apple Intelligence" functions, such as the Reply feature. Smart in email and the Memories feature in the Photos app. These instructions are intended to prevent artificial intelligence from generating false information and to ensure that the content produced is appropriate for the user. “We will devote a detailed article to these instructions and demands.”

Apple's AI tools also include general guidance for avoiding mistakes. Apple Intelligence features are scheduled to begin officially rolling out in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 updates later this year, with new features expected to appear gradually until 2025.

The upcoming Apple Watch SE could be made of plastic

Mark Gurman from Bloomberg confirmed that the next generation of the Apple Watch SE will come with a body made of hard plastic instead of aluminum. The use of plastic can help reduce costs and attract parents looking for an Apple Watch for their children. In July, Apple launched a campaign encouraging parents to buy Apple watch for kids, highlighting its benefits such as location and contact tracking and activity tracking. Adults can set up watches for their children using their phones, with features to prevent their use during school.

Plastic materials may also allow the Apple Watch SE to be offered in a range of fun colors, setting it apart from the standard models. The use of plastic is expected to reduce the price of the watch as well, enabling Apple to better compete with companies that offer smart watches at affordable prices. The Apple Watch SE may get an update later this year.

Google and Apple's search engine deal violates antitrust law

A federal judge has ruled that a paid agreement between Google and Apple to make Google the default search engine on Apple devices violates antitrust laws. Google continued to pay Apple billions of dollars annually to be the default search engine in the Safari browser, which strengthened its dominance in the market and prevented competition. Find other competition.

In 2022, Google paid Apple $20 billion, urging Apple to maintain the status quo and not develop its own search engine.

After hearing testimony from Apple, Google, Microsoft, and other companies, the court decided that Google had a monopoly on search on smartphones. The court added that Google violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act. Google and Apple may be prohibited from entering into future research agreements, which will result in revenue losses for both companies. Google intends to appeal the ruling, and the lawsuit may take several additional months to resolve.

Apple leads technology companies in losing market value

Apple shares fell by more than 4%, affected by Berkshire Hathaway's announcement of reducing its stake in the company from 5.6% to about 2.8%, in addition to growing fears of an economic recession in the United States. The Warren Buffett Group's move came as a surprise to many, as Buffett was known for his long support of the company. The move was part of a broader strategy by Berkshire to increase its cash position to a record $277 billion, reflecting a cautious approach to the current economic environment and concern about the durability of the technology sector.

The major US technology companies, known as the “Big Seven” (Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, and Tesla), saw a collective loss of nearly $900 billion in market value.

Nvidia suffered a sharp decline of more than 8% after reports of delays in upcoming artificial intelligence chips. Amazon and Microsoft shares also fell by 8.3% and 5%, respectively, due to growing concerns about the reliability and profitability of their cloud computing services.

However, some analysts remain optimistic about Apple's position in the market, as the company saw services revenue rise sharply to $24.2 billion in its latest earnings report, up from $21.2 billion a year earlier. The introduction of Apple Intelligence later this year is expected to support future growth.

It is once again rumored that all iPhone 17 models will come with a 24-megapixel front camera.

Analyst Jeff Poe expects that all four iPhone 17 models expected to be launched next year will feature an improved 24-megapixel front camera. He stated that one of the iPhone 17 models will come with a 24-megapixel front camera with a six-piece lens instead of five in the current iPhone 15 models.

These changes will significantly improve the quality of images, as images can retain their quality even when cropped to a greater degree, providing greater flexibility in the post-image processing phase. The six-piece lens will slightly improve image quality, as each piece is designed to correct various aberrations and distortions, resulting in clearer, more accurate images.

iPhone 16 Pro models will get the largest increase in battery capacity

Rumors indicate that the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will come with larger batteries compared to previous models, with a significant improvement in the smaller iPhone 16 Pro model. A leaker on Weibo published details of the battery capacity, indicating that the iPhone 16 Pro battery capacity will be 3577 mAh, an increase of 9.25% over the previous model, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max battery capacity will be 4676 mAh, an increase of 5.74%. These increases, combined with efficiency improvements, are expected to increase the actual usage time of both devices on a single charge.

In addition, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to have a battery life of more than 30 hours, compared to 29 hours on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The two devices are expected to use stacked battery technology to increase power density and extend battery life. Other notable changes include support for 40W fast wired charging and 20W MagSafe magnetic charging, which enhances charging performance compared to the current iPhone 15 models.

iPhone 16 Pro in white, gray and dark black colors in a new image

Leaker Sony Dixon revealed a new image of the iPhone 16 Pro, showing three colors, including black, which is darker than the current black color. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to come in black, white, silver, gray or “natural titanium,” and pink or rose gold, which will replace the blue titanium color, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and other leakers.

Dixon's photo shows the white, black, and gray versions, but the rose gold color that was recently rumored to be closer to a bronze color is missing. The iPhone 15 lineup did not include a gold option, so there could be increased demand for the similar version. One rumor suggests that Apple is using an improved process to color the titanium, resulting in a shinier appearance. The glossy finish could look more like the stainless steel Apple has used in previous years, but it will be more resistant to scratches.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple stopped signing the iOS 17.5.1 update, which prevents iPhone users from going back to this version of iOS.

◉ Today, the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteDance for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The lawsuit alleges that TikTok allowed children under the age of 13 to create accounts on the platform and share videos and messages with adults and others, and collected personal data from these children without parental consent.

◉ Tim Cook announced last Thursday that ChatGPT technology will be integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia by the end of this year. This came through Earnings call Company with analysts. This feature will allow users to use ChatGPT for free without having to create an account, and will also allow ChatGPT Plus subscribers to link their accounts to access paid features on these devices. Apple will rely on the latest GPT-4 model from OpenAI to run ChatGPT on its platforms.

◉ Analyst Jeff Poe signed a delay in production of Apple's first foldable device beyond the previously expected schedule of 2025. Poe noted that Apple is facing some problems in producing a durable foldable screen, which led to the production date being postponed to the second quarter of 2026.

Bo had previously expected Apple to launch a foldable tablet with a large screen in 2025, followed by a foldable iPhone in late 2026. But it appears that Apple is facing technical challenges in developing a foldable screen that is strong enough for daily use, which has led to... Postpone her plans.

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