Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes Apple’s latest security fix, iPhone 15’s Important Change, Tap To Pay in the UK, Mac shipments on the rise, the missing iFold, a new Apple store, and trying to look like an iPhone.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).
Apple’s Serious And Urgent Security Fix
This week, Apple pushed out a Rapid Security Response for the latest iOS, iPadOS and macOS versions. It addressed a vulnerability in WebKit, Apple’s browser engine, and allowed a fix to be installed without a complete update to the operating systems:
“Rapid Security Response updates are designed to provide iOS and macOS users with security fixes without the need to install a full software update. Today’s updates address an actively exploited WebKit vulnerability, so it is a good idea to update as soon as possible.”
(MacRumors).
A Deeper Shade Of iPhone
While many were expecting red, it now looks like Apple’s new color of iPhone will be a dark blue/grey color. While this won’t have an impact on the specs of the handsets, it will help boost sales… just as the other unique ‘hero’ colors,
“While a seemingly small detail, interest in iPhone finishes has skyrocketed as the phones have moved from function to fashion items. Apple knows this and each new range comes with a hero color that inevitably outsells all other options. If Unknownz21 is right in their opinions, that certainly looks likely to happen again.”
(Forbes).
Tap To Pay In the UK
Apple has rolled out its ‘Tap To Pay’ option to select customers in the United Kingdom. This will allow merchants to use an iPhone as a contactless terminal – something previously requiring dedicated hardware.
“According to Apple’s announcement, Revolut and Tyl by NatWest are the first payment platforms allowing their business customers in the UK to use the company’s Tap to Pay technology. Adyen, Dojo, myPOS, Stripe, SumUp, Viva Wallet, Worldline and Zettle by PayPal will be the next financial services to support the feature in the region. Apple didn’t mention a specific rollout date for them, only that support for Tap to Pay will be “coming soon” for their customers.”
(Engadget).
Apple’s Healthy Mac Shipments
IDC’s report on global PC shipments shows PC shipments fall, while Mac sales have remained not only healthy but have seen a year-on-year rise of just over ten per cent, although IDC notes that a weaker-than-expected 2022 for Apple may be helping boost growth over the last twelve months:
“Apple benefited from a favorable year-over-year comparison as the company suffered supply issues during 2Q22 due to COVID-related shutdowns within the supply chain.”
(IDC via 9to5Mac).
No iFold Just Yet
Apple may have a significant number of patents around foldable displays and transformable hardware, but customers have yet to see any products. Details from the supply chains suggest that Apple is looking at retail hardware, with 2026 suggested as the earlier for a foldable product to go on sale:
“Apple is reportedly now in talks with display suppliers to launch a foldable MacBook model (or foldable iPad(, which is expected to rev up the sluggish display market. BusinessKorea reports today that Apple is expected to launch a foldable laptop as soon as 2026. Apple is in talks with suppliers to launch the foldable MacBook model and plans to launch it in 2026 after taking the wraps off of it in 2025.”
(Business Korea via Patently Apple).
A New Apple Store
Apple’s latest store is a virtual one. This week saw the launch of an Apple Store on the WeChat platform in China. This should allow users of the incredibly popular app to purchase physical products and accessories and have them shipped to their home addresses. Given the penetration of WeChat, the maxim of “go where the customers are” appears to have been heeded:
“[This marks ]…an expansion of the U.S. firm’s retail channels in the world’s second largest economy. The announcement by WeChat, China’s dominant messaging app which also provides e-commerce, livestreaming and payment services, said users would be able to buy Apple products including iPhones, iPads and Macs from the store.
(Reuters).
And Finally…
Apple has been steadily working to bring macOS closer to iOS and iPadOS to create more synergy between the platforms, both in apps and code and in look and feel. The next major releases are in beta, and a closer look at macOS reveals a somewhat familiar look:
“So, good news for Continuity fans: that’s basically what’s going on with Sonoma. Ventura [macOS 13] looked a heck of a lot like iOS, and Sonoma [macOS 14] looks even more like iOS. I turned my office’s Mac Studio on after installing the developer beta and thought, for a second, that I might be hallucinating my iPhone’s lockscreen. It’s remarkably reminiscent.”
(The Verge).
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any coverage in the future. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here, or this week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
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