Chinese companies are rushing to copy the iPhone 16, the new iPad mini 7 will not come with a charger in the box in European countries, Apple plans to launch smart glasses and AirPods headphones with cameras in 2027, a leaked iPhone SE 4 cover indicates the absence of an “actions” button, the iPhone 18 will use improved 2nm processors with 12GB of built-in RAM, and other exciting news on the sidelines…
Apple's Chief People Officer Leaving After 20 Months
Carol Surface, Apple’s chief people officer, is leaving the company less than two years after joining in February 2023. The reason for her departure was not made clear, as most senior Apple executives stay for much longer periods. Surface was hired when Apple decided to separate the core human resources role from its retail division last year, and she had been reporting directly to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
With Surface's departure, Deirdre O'Brien will once again oversee the People and Retail divisions, having overseen both prior to Surface's appointment. Surface was previously the head of human resources at Medtronic, and the Chief People Officer position was created specifically for her when she joined Apple.
UC San Diego Surgeons Find Promise in Apple Vision Pro Glasses for Minor Surgeries
Surgeons at the University of California, San Diego, tested Apple Vision Pro glasses In surgeries, they performed more than 20 minor procedures while wearing the glasses. According to Dr. Santiago Horgan, director of the university’s surgery center, the Vision Pro glasses could be “more disruptive” than the robotic devices currently used in surgery. And while they’re expensive for regular consumers, they’re affordable for hospitals compared to most other medical equipment.
The Vision Pro helps surgeons view CT images, monitor vital signs and other important information during surgeries without having to look away from the patient. This prevents surgeons from having to contort their bodies into uncomfortable positions, reducing discomfort during surgery. Dr. Horgan praised the Vision Pro’s superior display quality compared to other glasses he has tried before. UC San Diego continues to test the Vision Pro’s capabilities in other medical areas, such as 3D radiology.
Apple's Supply Chain Prepares for MacBook Pro with M4 Chips
Apple’s supply chain is reportedly gearing up for the launch of new MacBook Pro models powered by M4 chips, which are expected to be announced this month. According to a DigiTimes report, these preparations are evident in the September earnings reports from component manufacturers Jarllytec and Shin Zu Shing.
Journalist Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple is planning to announce the first Macs with M4 chips this year, including a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4, 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, an iMac with M4 chips, and a redesigned Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips. Since the base 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 chips has already leaked in Russia recently, there is a possibility that the MacBook Pro lineup will start with 16GB of RAM instead of 8GB. It is not yet clear whether Apple will announce the first Macs with M4 chips at a virtual event this month or through press releases only.
UK Considers Adopting USB-C as a Single Charging Standard
The UK government has launched a consultation to explore whether to make USB-C a standard charging port for electronic devices, in a policy similar to the recently adopted EU regulations. The Office for Product Safety and Standards, part of the Department for Business and Trade, is seeking views from manufacturers, importers, distributors and trade associations on the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a single charging standard across the UK.
The move comes after the EU passed legislation in 2022 requiring most portable electronics to use USB-C for charging by December 2024. The consultation, which runs for eight weeks until December 4, 2024, aims to examine whether adopting USB-C as a standard will benefit businesses, consumers and the environment. Key points under consideration include standardising USB-C as a common charging port, implementing compatible fast charging technology and allowing consumers to buy devices without chargers. The government acknowledges that several manufacturers have already voluntarily adopted USB-C for the UK market, including Apple, which adopted USB-C for new iPhones last year.
Chinese companies rush to imitate the iPhone 16 with the camera button, the “island”, live photos, and more
Chinese smartphone companies are preparing to launch new devices that borrow features from the recent iPhone 16. The upcoming Oppo Find X8 series will include a pressure-sensitive camera control button, similar to the camera control button on the iPhone 16. This button allows users to interact with the camera instead of the screen.
Vivo also recently launched the X200 series, which shows a clear resemblance to the iPhone, including 4K video recording at 120fps and cinematic slow-motion. The X200 series also introduces “Origin Island,” a dynamic interface that closely resembles the “Dynamic Island” on the iPhone. This feature provides real-time notifications and other interactions within an interactive space like the one provided by the iPhone.
These developments highlight the speed with which Chinese smartphone manufacturers are adopting Apple's innovations, trying to offer similar features to their users.
iPhone 18 will use improved 2nm processors with 12GB of built-in RAM
According to a reliable source known for his accurate predictions about Apple’s plans, the 2026 iPhones will use 2nm processors, with a new packaging method that integrates 12GB of RAM. The Chinese user known as “Phone Chip Expert” reports that the A20 chip in the iPhone 18 models will move from InFo (Integrated Fan-Out) packaging to WMCM (Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module) packaging, with the memory upgraded to 12GB.
WMCM technology is able to integrate multiple chips together, allowing for more complex systems and improved communication between components. TSMC is expected to start manufacturing 2nm processors in late 2025, and Apple could be the first company to get these new chips.
The “phone chip expert” source has a track record of accurate predictions, having been the first to reveal that the standard iPhone 14 models will continue to use the A15 Bionic chip, while the advanced A16 chip will be exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro models. He was also the first to report that Apple is developing its own AI server processor using TSMC’s 3nm process.
Apple Study Reveals Serious Flaws in AI Reasoning Capabilities
A new study by Apple’s AI research team has uncovered major weaknesses in the reasoning capabilities of large language models. The study, published on arXiv, shows that even small changes in the wording of questions can cause significant inconsistencies in the models’ performance, potentially undermining their reliability in scenarios that require logical consistency.
Apple highlighted a persistent problem with language models: their reliance on pattern matching rather than real reasoning. In several tests, researchers have shown that adding irrelevant information to a question can lead to completely different answers from the models.
The study found that all models tested showed significant performance degradation when faced with seemingly insignificant differences in input data. Apple suggests that AI may need to combine neural networks with traditional symbol-based reasoning to achieve more accurate decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
Apple May Launch $2000 Apple Vision Glasses Next Year
Apple is working on a more affordable version of its Apple Glass, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports. The glasses, called Apple Vision, are expected to cost $2000 and could launch as soon as next year. Apple is aiming to broaden its audience with the new model, which it expects to sell twice as many as the more expensive Apple Vision Pro.
To achieve this lower price, Apple may use a less powerful processor and cheaper materials, while possibly eliminating some non-essential features like the EyeSight display. The company is also working on a second-generation Vision Pro, due for release in 2026, which will feature a faster processor without major changes to other components. Additionally, Apple is developing a smart glasses project alongside the glasses.
iPhone SE 4 case leak suggests no action button
Well-known leaker Sonny Dickson has posted an image on social media showing a case designed for the iPhone SE 4. The design is in line with most rumors, with the expected launch coming next spring. Rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will resemble the iPhone 14 in design, with a 6.06-inch OLED display, a USB-C port, a single 48MP rear camera, an Apple-designed 5G modem, 8GB of RAM, and possibly a multi-purpose “actions” button to replace the mute switch.
Most of the design changes rumored in the renders are in line with what you can see in the image. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice a hole on the side above where the volume controls would be, which appears to be an opening for the mute switch. It’s possible that the manufacturer left this hole because they didn’t know if the button would be there or not. Given that Apple’s suppliers are expected to start producing the device this month, it could be that Apple chose not to add an action button.
Apple plans to launch smart glasses and AirPods with cameras in 2027
Apple is working on smart glasses and AirPods with built-in cameras, with a launch expected in 2027. This is part of Apple's efforts to expand its augmented reality product lineup to include products with broader appeal, after the challenges faced by the Vision Pro glasses in the market, as many users find them expensive and heavy for long-term use.
Gurman notes that Apple’s Vision product group is looking into launching smart glasses that compete with Meta’s glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban. Apple is also working on a software update to bring a similar feature to the iPhone 16 later this year, where users will be able to use the camera app to get information about objects with a simple tap.
Miscellaneous news
◉ Apple has released a new public beta of macOS Sequoia 15.1 to developers, and is releasing a new beta firmware update for AirPods Pro 2 to developers as well.
◉ Apple has announced that the new iPad mini 7 will not come with a charger in the box in European countries, as well as the basic iPads. Since its launch in 2022, cheaper iPads have come with a USB-C charger in Europe, but with the launch of the new iPad mini, all devices in the lineup, including the iPad Pro and iPad Air, no longer include a charger, but rather a USB-C cable. This change appears to be in response to EU regulations on electronic waste, which have also been implemented in the UK. Additionally, Apple has reduced the prices of the iPad in several European countries and the UK.
◉ Apple has no plans to join the smart ring market despite its growing popularity, especially with health capabilities. Although Apple has previously explored the idea, there is no active development of a ring at the moment. Mark Gurman believes that launching a smart ring could reduce sales of the Apple Watch, as it would have the same set of features.
◉ Apple has stopped signing iOS 18.0, preventing iPhone users who upgraded to iOS 18.0.1 from rolling back to the previous version. This is a common practice from Apple to encourage users to stay up to date with the latest security fixes. iPhone 15 and earlier users can roll back to iOS 17.7, which is still signed. The iOS 18.0.1 update addressed bugs in the touchscreen, camera, and Messages app, as well as fixing two security vulnerabilities.
◉ Recent developments suggest that Apple is unlikely to launch an update to the basic iPad this year. For several reasons, including that Apple recently dropped the price of the iPad 10 and stopped including a charger with the device in Europe, a move that would be unlikely if a new release were imminent. Apple’s announcement of a new iPad mini in a separate press release this week also suggests that the iPad 11 is not coming soon. While there was previous speculation that a “new low-cost iPad” would be launched in the coming weeks, recent developments make that unlikely. Given these developments, it seems that the iPad 11 launch could be delayed until 2025 at the earliest.
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