Updated on July 21 with new details about the Apple AirPods release date.
A look back at this week’s Apple news and headlines: new iPhone 16 features, iPhone 16 Pro release date, Apple’s AI delayed, iPad Pro Files app improvements, Cellbrite locked out of iOS, Microsoft grants Apple’s AI wish, shelves full of Emmy nominees, and more.
The Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions that have taken place regarding Apple in the past seven days. You can also read our weekly digest of Android news on Forbes..
White titanium iPhone 15 Pro Max (Photo: Ming Yeung/Getty Images)
Major feature updates for iPhone 16 Pro
Apple has been lagging behind when it comes to the basic features Android users expect from a mid-range smartphone, let alone a premium one, and following a leak from last week, we now have more information about the fast-charging iPhones coming this year.
“Recent reports say the battery will change, and not just because it will charge much faster when the battery is low. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will support 40W wired charging speeds…”
“All phones in the iPhone 15 series currently support wired charging speeds of up to 27 watts, provided you have a powerful enough charging plug. That means you can charge your iPhone 15 from zero to 50% in about 30 minutes. That’s not bad, but faster would be better.”
(Forbes).
Release dates for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro
Tim Cook’s Apple has adopted a predictable release schedule for each generation of iPhone, and there’s no indication that the iPhone 16 family in 2024 will change that pattern. Forbes’ David Phelan weighs in on possible launch dates and when the phone could be unveiled.
“We believe the keynote will be on Tuesday, September 10th… Apple varies on how far in advance they release their keynotes, but it’s usually a cryptic, confusing message that reveals a lot more than you’d expect. Since Apple likes to grab attention with their keynote announcements, we believe the announcement will happen on Wednesday, September 4th or Thursday, September 5th for maximum impact. Once this is confirmed, we’ll pretty much have a pre-order and release date.”
(Forbes).
Update: AirPods 4 expected to be released this year
It’s not just the latest iPhone that many are eagerly awaiting. Apple’s AirPods are even older. The current third-generation AirPods were announced on October 21st. A cheaper option that stripped the case of MagSafe/Qi charging was released in September 2022, but Apple’s audio accessories have remained unchanged since then. The Apple community will be happy to hear that the fourth-generation AirPods are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
“The AirPods 4 models will reportedly have a design that is a “fusion” between the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro, including a shorter stem. Neither AirPods 4 model will feature replaceable tips like the AirPods Pro, but “they will have an improved fit…The new AirPods 4 models are expected to be released in the second half of 2024. Apple typically releases new AirPods around the same time as its new iPhones, in September.”
(9to5Mac).
iPhone 16 Pro software delayed
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro may be coming out in late September, but the real upgrade is Apple’s introduction of AI. The grandiosely titled “Apple Intelligence” should help the company make some progress catching up with Android, but it won’t happen overnight. It probably won’t happen until 2024.
“But the AI that’s noticeably missing from the iPhone won’t be available until Q1 2025. Tim Cook and his team will be asking Apple’s loyal fans to buy their phones with the promise that they’ll receive AI at some point in the future. In the meantime, all those benefits will be available on Android. [since 2023]Apple’s iPhone will be two generations behind Android’s AI efforts before it even leaves the Cupertino stage.”
(Forbes).
Carry the files you need
While the update to iPadOS 18 isn’t as extensive as many had hoped, Apple did address some issues and annoyances users were facing. The Files app now offers more intelligent downloads and offline access from key iCloud sources.
“Not only on iPad, but also on iPhones with iOS 18, when you long press a file or folder, a new menu will appear.[ダウンロード済みのままにする]You’ll see a button. That’s right, you can tell iPadOS to keep an entire folder or file downloaded forever, never to be moved to the cloud again.”
(9o5Mac).
The safe iPhone is back
Cellbrite is a familiar name in the security industry for its ability to digitally unlock smartphones for law enforcement, and the company now reports that with its current toolset, smartphones running the latest versions of iOS are immune to their approach.
“According to the leaked documents, at least as of the publication date of this article (April 2024), Cellebrite cannot unlock iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later. The company has confirmed the authenticity of the documents. Cellebrite devices, which are widely used by law enforcement agencies, can crack most Android smartphones, although there are exceptions…
(9to5Mac).
The Arrival of AI
Many will wait for AI in the iPhone 16 family, but those who need it now might want to consider an uncommon solution, at least when it comes to AI image generation… Microsoft:
“After nearly a year in preview, Microsoft Designer is finally available to everyone. Once available to try on Microsoft Edge and other browsers through a website, Designer is now available on more platforms, including apps for iOS, Android, and Windows. The app itself is free, but you’ll need a Microsoft account to sign in and use it. Previously, elements were available through Copilot in other Microsoft apps, such as Word.”
And finally…
This year’s Emmy nominations have been announced and Apple is proudly touting the success of Apple TV, with a record 72 nominations making it the best year ever for Apple’s creative teams.
“Apple TV+ has had its biggest Emmy win ever, with 16 nominations for Apple Originals including Lessons in Chemistry, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, Palm Royale, Loot, Hijack, STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 piece, Girls State, The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy, Masters of the Air, Silo, Physical, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, The New Look and Sugar.”
(apple).
Apple Loop will be bringing you the 7 Days of Forbes highlights every weekend, so be sure to follow us so you don’t miss any of our upcoming articles. You can read last week’s Apple Loop hereor This week’s Loop’s companion column, Android Circuit, can also be found on Forbes..
