News on the margins August 30 – September 5

Titanium Gold: A new color for the iPhone 16 Pro, Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone SE4 with an OLED screen for the first time, Huawei reveals the first tri-fold smartphone, Macs with M4 processors in November 2024, a Mac mini without USB-A ports, talks to invest in OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, and other exciting news in On the Sidelines…

Bluetooth 6 Released, Could Boost iPhone's Precise Search Feature

The latest version of Bluetooth was released this week, and it includes a new feature called “Channel Sounding” that could benefit Apple’s “Find My” feature. The technology promises to achieve “centimeter-level accuracy over large distances,” making it easier and faster for users to find lost items. Apple could use this technology in conjunction with Ultra Wideband to improve its existing Precision Finding feature.

Bluetooth 6.0 paves the way for more accurate location tracking for devices that don't have ultrawideband chips, like the Apple TV's Siri Remote and devices from other companies.

It's not clear when the first devices with Bluetooth 6.0 will be released, but since the specifications are only available to manufacturers and their developers now, Apple devices are likely to be the first to support the technology at least a year away.

The iPhone 16 silicone cases do not have a hole for the new capture button.

Apple will introduce a new dedicated camera button called “Capture” on some iPhone 16 models. A new rumor suggests that Apple’s silicone cases will feature a custom design that doesn’t hinder the multi-functionality of the button. Several rumors have suggested that all iPhone 16 models will feature this new button. It will be located on the right side, where the mmWave antenna is located on iPhones sold in the US. The capacitive button is said to support multiple gestures and respond to pressure. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently suggested that it may only be available on the Pro models.

Other rumors suggest a 2TB storage option for the iPhone 16 Pro

As the iPhone 16 launch approaches, rumors are swirling about a potential significant storage boost for the iPhone 16 Pro models. According to a report in January, the maximum storage capacity on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could double to 2TB.

This is due to Apple’s potential adoption of Quad-Level Lack (QLC) NAND flash memory technology. This technology could allow Apple to pack more storage into a smaller footprint while reducing costs compared to the current Triple-Level Lack (TLC) NAND technology. But these are just rumors for now, as similar rumors have previously surfaced for the iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro that have not materialized.

But there are new factors that lend credence to the recent 2TB rumors. The iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to get major camera upgrades, including an improved ultrawide camera with a 48MP sensor. Additionally, Apple is said to introduce a new image format called “JPEG-XL” and the ability to shoot 3K video at 120fps with Dolby Vision on the Pro models. All of these improvements could justify the need for larger storage options.

With Apple's "It's Glowtime" event approaching on September 9, the possibility of a 16TB iPhone 2 Pro model remains uncertain, but the combination of new features and advances in storage technology makes it a possibility.

Intel Unveils New Lunar Lake Processors to Compete with Apple and Qualcomm

Intel has unveiled its new “Lunar Lake” Intel Core Ultra 200V processors, designed specifically for thin and light AI-powered computers. The company claims these are the most efficient x86 processors ever, and are “built without compromise.” The processors feature four p (for power) cores and four e (for efficiency) cores, similar to Apple Silicon, with memory integrated into the processor itself.

In performance tests, Lunar Lake processors outperformed AMD processors by 16% and Qualcomm processors by 68% in gaming. Intel also claims that these processors offer a 20% improvement in performance per watt compared to Qualcomm processors, while consuming up to 40% less power than the previous generation.

Consumers can expect several extra hours of battery life, along with significant gains in performance, graphics, and AI. However, memory is limited to 32GB, meaning Intel doesn’t currently have processors that can compete with Apple’s Pro and Max silicon. Devices with Intel’s latest processors are scheduled to be available starting September 24.

Microsoft's New Copilot Plus Devices Face Challenges in Gaming

Microsoft’s new Copilot Plus devices, designed to deliver super-fast AI performance and long battery life, are struggling with gaming. They rely on Qualcomm Snapdragon chips built on the Arm architecture, which can cause problems running games designed for traditional x86 architecture. To solve this problem, Microsoft has developed Prism, the Mac equivalent of Rosetta 2, to enable x86 apps to run on Arm-based Windows devices.

However, tests have shown that Prism doesn’t perform well. Of the 1300 games tested, only about half were able to run without errors or issues. Additionally, anti-cheat software for some popular games like Fortnite and League of Legends can’t be translated to the Arm architecture, preventing these games from running even if they don’t require high graphics. Early reviews of the Copilot+ hardware have confirmed these issues, with reports of poor performance in apps like Premiere Pro and Blender, and the inability to run many popular games.

Microsoft has acknowledged these challenges, noting that games with high graphical requirements may not run on Copilot+ devices. While the company aims to provide a “high-quality gaming experience” on the new devices, it advises gamers looking for high performance to opt for alternative computers. This issue poses a significant challenge for Microsoft, especially since about 15% of laptop users are gamers, who are not used to dealing with such compatibility.

Microsoft explains why Xbox Cloud Gaming is not available on the Apple App Store

Despite Apple allowing cloud gaming apps on the App Store since earlier this year, cloud gaming services have yet to take an interest in creating iOS apps. Microsoft recently explained why, noting that the App Store’s rules are still too restrictive, and that there are many rules that cloud gaming apps can’t comply with for “technical and economic” reasons.

Microsoft’s main complaint is that App Store rules require subscriptions and features on iOS devices to be available with in-app purchases, which is “unworkable.” Apple’s 30% commission fee also “makes it impossible” for Microsoft to make money from its cloud gaming service, calling it “economically unsustainable and unjustifiable.” Microsoft also criticized Apple’s lack of support for alternative app stores and its restrictions on web apps.

In contrast, Apple said in its statement that it “supports and encourages” cloud gaming services on iOS, pointing to successful cloud gaming services such as Antstream. Apple suggested regulators should reconsider their thinking after its support for cloud gaming. The UK will take Microsoft’s comments and those of other parties into account when deciding on its ongoing investigation into mobile browsers and cloud gaming.

Huawei Announces September 10 Event to Unveil World's First Tri-Fold Smartphone

Huawei has announced an event on September 10 where it plans to unveil the world’s first tri-fold smartphone. The timing of the event appears to be a deliberate attempt to compete with Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 reveal. Huawei posted a teaser image on Chinese social media site Weibo showing a device with three sides that fold in an inverted Z shape, clearly hinting at the nature of the device that will be unveiled at the event. The announcement comes at a time when Huawei is experiencing a significant rise in the Chinese smartphone market, with its smartphone shipments up 41% compared to the same quarter last year. In contrast, Apple’s position in China has declined significantly, as it dropped out of the top five smartphone vendors by market share in Q2023 XNUMX. Huawei is also expected to announce new smartwatches and an electric car at the event.

Apple is preparing to launch the iPhone SE4 with an OLED screen for the first time

Apple is expected to launch the fourth-generation iPhone SE early next year with an OLED display for the first time. This shift marks Apple’s full adoption of OLED technology across all iPhone models. The change will remove Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp from the iPhone supply chain, as they previously provided LCD displays to the company.

The SE4 is expected to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, with Face ID instead of a fingerprint, a USB-C port, an action button, an Apple-designed 5G modem, and an A18 processor. It will also feature a larger display of up to 6.06 inches and 8GB of RAM. Suppliers are expected to start ramping up mass production of the device in October this year, with a possible launch in January 2025 or March 2025.

Titanium Gold: A New Color for iPhone 16 Pro

9to5Mac has shared a render of the expected gold color of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, based on information from a reliable source. The site believes that this image is “likely” accurate.

The iPhone 15 Pro models were the first Pro iPhones not to be available in gold since the iPhone X. They were available in four colors: natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium, and black titanium. Adding a gold option to the Pro models would mark a return to the familiar pattern. There are also rumors that the iPhone 16 Pro models will come in gold, bronze, or desert, which is expected to replace blue titanium.

Amazon Launches New AI-Powered Alexa Using Claude

Amazon is preparing to launch an updated version of its Alexa voice assistant in October, which will be based on Anthropic’s Claude AI models. The decision came after Amazon’s internal software ran into performance issues during initial testing, with early versions taking too long to respond. The new “Remarkable” version of Alexa will offer advanced capabilities, including complex, context-aware conversations.

Amazon plans to offer this upgraded version of Alexa as a paid subscription service that will cost between $5 and $10 a month, while the “classic” version will remain free. This shift in Amazon’s strategy comes after its $4 billion investment in Anthropic, and the new Alexa is expected to be officially unveiled at Amazon’s annual hardware and services event in September.

Apple is reportedly in talks to invest in ChatGPT maker OpenAI

Apple is in talks to invest in artificial intelligence startup OpenAI, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The report did not provide details on the potential investment size, but it noted that this new funding round could value the ChatGPT developer at more than $100 billion. Apple has previously announced plans to integrate ChatGPT with Siri in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia before the end of the year.

This will allow Apple users to use ChatGPT for free without having to create an account, with the ability to link paid subscriptions to access additional features. The company confirmed that OpenAI will not store requests sent from Apple devices and users’ IP addresses will be hidden. Apple’s AI features will be available on iPhone 15 Pro and later, as well as Macs and iPads with an M1 processor or later, with US English initially supported, with more languages ​​to be added over the next year.

Miscellaneous news

◉ Apple is developing a new, lower-cost Magic Keyboard for the basic iPad or iPad Air, not the Pro, and is expected to launch next year. It is expected to be released by mid-2025 without an aluminum top cover, but it may have a row of function keys.

◉ The redesigned Mac mini will come without USB-A ports. The new machine will include the M4 Pro chip with five USB-C ports, three on the back and two on the front, as well as ports for Ethernet, HDMI, and audio. The power supply will remain internal. The new models are expected to start shipping in September and October.

◉ Apple is expected to announce new M4-powered Macs in November 2024, according to a leaked report from MacRumors. Apple is rumored to be planning to launch four new Mac models before the end of the year, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, a new M4-powered iMac, and a completely redesigned Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips.

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