Taking a look back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone 16 details, India’s new iPhone advantage, more iPad Pro delays, App Store’s welcome changes, Apple’s Web Browser power, and Microsoft’s big challenge to the MacBook Pro.
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.
The iPhone 16’s Secret Sauce
Apple’s upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference is expected to debut Apple’s big and visible play into the Generative AI and LLM space, although don’t expect the software to become available until September when it will be the leading feature on the new iPhone. What could an AI-boosted Sir offer the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max handsets?
"Being able to describe the screen, no matter the app, opens up a richer avenue for accessibility apps, removing the need to pre-program responses and actions. Those looking to perform complex tasks or find obscure options on their phone could ask Siri to open up a complex app and use an obscure function hidden away in the depths of the menu system"
(Forbes).
People wait in line to purchase new Apple iPhone 15 (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
The Indian iPhone Success Story
Apple continues to diversify its manufacturing base and bring assembly closer to one of its key markets. This week saw reports on it’s iPhone operations in India, and facilities in the country are responsible for a significant number of smartphones:
"The figure accounts for $14 billion of assembled iPhones in the country, or about 1 in 7 of the company's flagship devices, a doubling of production compared to the last fiscal year. Models assembled in India include the iPhone 12 through to the latest iPhone 15, excluding premium Pro and Pro Max models.
(MacRumors).
Is The iPad Pro Still On A Break?
The iPad Pro’s on-again off-again relationship with its release date continues. This week the Ross and Rachel of Tim Cook’s life looks like it will come to fruition early in May. Forbes’ David Phelan has ideas on what comes next."
"I would say the order of business is this: announcement on Monday, May 6 or Tuesday, May 7 as many countries around the world have May Day as a public holiday on the Monday. Then, pre-orders would begin on Friday, May 10. Initial reviews would appear a few days later, with the onsale date of Friday, May 17."
(Forbes)
Another Step in Opening Up The App Store
Apple has opened up the App Store a bit more this week with two changes to its guidelines. the first is to allow subscription-based services to collect customer emails so they can be sent a link to subscribe to a service outside of the App Store and out of reach of Apple’s thirty percent rake.
"It’s not quite the same as signing up in the app, which would entail the commission Apple charges. Instead, “These entitlements also permit music streaming app developers to invite users to provide their email address for the express purpose of sending them a link to the developer’s website to purchase digital music content or services.”
(Forbes)
The second is to allow emulators to download games from outside the app store space, although Aplpe is quick to note that any downloads are the responsibility of the app distributor; there does not appear to be any provision for users to dump their own games and copy them to their iPhone directly:
"The section on mini apps and game streaming has now been updated to include game emulators. “Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games,” Apple says. However, there’s a catch… Apple warns that developers are “responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws.” This raises the question of whether anyone can release a game emulator or only the companies that own the rights to the games distributed for it."
(9to5Mac).
The Rise And Fall Of The Web Browser
One other area where the European Union’s Digital Markets Act impacts Apple is the rise of alternative web browsers. WIth Apple forced to show options to consumers, Safari is losing ground to smaller web browsers, but those companies beleive there is more work to do:
"In iPhones, users can see the choice screen only when they click Safari, and then users are shown a list of browsers with no additional information, said Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner, CEO of Norway's Vivaldi. "The process is just so convoluted that it's easiest for (users) to select Safari or potentially some other known name," he said.
"The complicated design has led European Commission to start a non-compliance investigation, opens new tab into whether Apple may be preventing users from truly exercising their choice of services."
(Reuters).
And Finally...
Apple unlocked a significant amount of power and performance when it switched to ARM-based chipsets for the Mac platform. Will Microsoft do the same this summer with a rafe of ARM-based Windows devices launching? With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, it hopes there is enough to beat the Mac family… if the developers can come on board:
"There is a bit of a chicken and egg situation here; developers will program for ARM if there is consumer demand, but consumers will not demand an ARM laptop if there are no apps. Which is why the balance between emulation and native is key. Emulation means that the laptop is usable out of the box, getting the hardware into consumers' hands, at which point the advantages of ARM-based apps can be leveraged."
(Forbes).
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.
