Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including reviews of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16, two new iOS updates, Apple’s European troubles, Sleep Apnea certification for the Apple Watch, a capacitive case addition, and chips in America.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.
Review The Pro
As the iPhone 16 family goes on sale, the first reviews of the latest smartphones are coming through. Let’s start with the big-ticket handsets of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. With larger screens, smaller bezels and improved optical zoom, the Pro handsets are a collection of small step-ups from last year’s model. It’s the new Camera Control button that has changed the experience for the better. David Phelan reviews the handsets here on Forbes:
“The Camera Control is a game-changer. Tap once from standby to launch the camera (you can even do this as you’re taking it out of your pocket for the ultimate in readiness), tap again to shoot video or take a photo… There’s a learning curve here but it’s shallow and easily managed. And the results are terrific—this is easily the best way to shoot video and stills on an iPhone, with perfect placing of the button and fast and responsive mechanics in the Control itself.
(Forbes).
Sometimes You Want Vanilla
The new Camera Control button is also present in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, as well as the vanilla handsets and the more expensive Pro models. This year, Apple has equalised the chipsets, with both picking up the latest A18 architecture. David Phelan once more with the handsets:
“Apple has created an all-new processor this year, the A18 and a souped-up version called the A18 Pro is in the iPhone 16 Pro. Enough of the numbers, the point is that the new chips are both designed for Apple Intelligence, and this may mean the 16 and 16 Plus got more of a speed boost than they otherwise would have. Yet another way the regular iPhones have inched closer to the power of the Pro this year.
(Forbes).
iOS Updates For The Wild And The Wary
Apple has released the first public version of iOS 18. It brings new features both to the iPhone and older models, although Apple’s generative AI Apple Intelligence will not make its first faltering debut until iOS 18.1. Of note, Apple is also updating iOS 17 to v17.7. Given how wary many consumers are about avoiding the first iteration of a big release—a wariness leads to many not installing updates and missing out on security fixes—this is a practical call:
“iOS 17.7 is more of a security update for those who want to keep their iPhones safe but don’t want to trust to the first version of a big new release. I’ll be discussing both here and I’ve waited a little longer this time as with a big whole-number downloads can mean a longer wait and update issues perhaps can take longer to surface.”
(Forbes).
Except For Users In Europe
While many in Apple’s community are looking forward to Apple Intelligence’s arrival, those in the European Union will not be receive the brave new world of generative AI. The iPhone family is now effectively split in two, with Apple downgrading some features in Europe until the legal landscape is clearer:
“Thanks to the impact of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Apple has taken the drastic decision to remove its generative AI software suite—the clunkily backronymed Apple Intelligence—from every iPhone in Europe. It refuses to release the software to the European user base without clear guidance from the regulatory authorities. “
(Forbes).
Was It A Good Night’s Sleep?
Following on from confirmation that the FDA has cleared Apple’s AirPods for use as hearing aids, the Apple Watch 9, Watch 10 and Watch Ultra have been classified as devices that can aid the diagnosis of sleep apnea. The wearable joins Withings and Samsung’s wearables in offering the service:
“The FDA classes the feature as an “over-the-counter device to assess risk of sleep apnea.” Apple is quick to note that the addition is not a diagnostic tool. Rather, it will prompt users to seek a formal diagnosis from a healthcare provider. The condition, which causes breathing to become shallower or repeatedly stop during the night, is associated with a variety of different symptoms. “
(Techcrunch).
When The Case Needs To Sense
Alongside a fleet of new iPhones comes an army of new cases. This year, Apple’s design team has thrown in a wrinkle with the Camera Control button. The capacitive nature means that case manufacturers can’t simply have a pushable section making contact. Some are merely offering a cutout and direct access. Apple has a different approach, packing new materials into the case for a flush and seamless feel.
“At a high level, Apple basically replicated the sapphire crystal-capped button portion of its Camera Control and set it into its cases. Getting in deeper, the button is constructed from seven layers and on the inside of the case — the part where the six little bumps are visible — there is a thin silicon seal that is optimally aligned to the Camera Control button to allow for seamless tensor performance.”
(PetaPixel).
And Finally…
The US government’s drive to bring more chip manufacturing to the country is paying off. Tim Culpan has been following the progress of TSMC’s efforts to set up in the county, and the A16 chipset for Apple’s iPhone is rolling off the production line:
“This is a BFD. TSMC Arizona is the marquee project of the US government’s $39 billion CHIPS for America Fund under the CHIPS Act. Six months ago, I thought Apple might tap Arizona for a less-consequential chip like the H-series used in AirPods. I was surprised when I heard it was the A16. The fact that they went for the most-advanced chip they could manage on US soil, in terms of both technology and volume, shows Apple and TSMC want to start big.”
(Tim Culpan).
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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