Office supplies in the form of classic MacOS system tools from the 80s, a 7-inch screen iPod, Apple winning an Oscar for a short film, leaked images of parts of Apple's mixed-reality headset, the release of the renewed iPhone 13, Apple facing challenges in making Siri resemble ChatGPT, and other exciting news on the sidelines...
For the first time since the iPhone X, there is an increase in the price of the iPhone 15 Pro
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Jeff Pu, a technical analyst at Haitong International Securities, expects that the upcoming generation of iPhones, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, will be more expensive than the previous Pro models due to the upgrades they will receive, such as a titanium frame, haptic touch buttons, an A17 Bionic chip, an increase in random-access memory (RAM), and a periscope lens for increased optical zoom on the Pro Max model.
This is the second time that an increase in the prices of iPhone 15 Pro models has been rumored, as the Pro model started at $999 in the United States since the release of the iPhone X in 2017, while the Pro Max started at $1099 since the release of the iPhone XS Max the following year. It is uncertain whether the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will also see an increase in prices compared to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which start at $799 and $899 respectively.
Apple is working on a ChatGPT-like assistant
According to the New York Times, Apple engineers, including the Siri team, are testing generative artificial intelligence concepts that can be integrated into Siri, despite the challenges they face due to its outdated design. Siri was designed based on "old code," making it difficult for engineers to add new features or phrases to the database, and the entire update process is considered slow and complex.
John Berkey, a former Apple engineer, believes that there is no way to make Siri a "smart and creative assistant" like ChatGPT due to these problems because it is built on "old code that takes weeks to update with basic features only." Reports indicate that Apple and other major companies are also rethinking their approach to artificial intelligence in response to the growing interest in generative artificial intelligence technology.
The suppliers compete for orders to produce Apple's 5G modem
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A new report indicates that many suppliers are interested in manufacturing Apple-designed 5G modem chips. It is likely that TSMC will manufacture the modem, and it is said that ASE Technology and Amkor Technology are competing for final assembly, as they have experience in assembling Qualcomm modem chips. Qualcomm currently supplies Apple with 5G modem devices, but it is rumored that Apple is developing its own chip as an alternative. The first device equipped with an Apple 5G modem is expected to be the fourth generation of the iPhone SE in March 2024. All iPhone 15 models will be equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modems.
Apple releases a new ad titled "Hello Yellow"
Apple has released a new ad called "Hello Yellow" to promote the new yellow color for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, which was released in September 2022. The ad uses a blend of live-action footage and animation. The new yellow color option is the only change to the devices, and the price remains the same. The devices come equipped with features such as camera improvements, longer battery life, collision detection, and satellite-based emergency SOS service. Other color options for the devices include Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Red.
Shop with a Specialist over Video
Apple has launched a new service called "Shop with a Specialist over Video" for customers in the United States who are shopping for iPhones from the company's online store. This feature allows customers to connect with an Apple specialist via a live video session to learn about the latest iPhone models, features, transitioning to iOS, trade-in offers, corporate deals, and more. The service is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day on the Shop iPhone page on Apple's website. During the video session, the sales staff will share their screen with the customer, but will not be able to see the customer. Apple guarantees that the video session is completely secure.
Renewed iPhone 13 models are available in the United States
Apple has added renewed iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max models to its online store in the United States. Renewed iPhone 13 prices start at $619, while renewed iPhone 13 Pro models start at $759, and renewed iPhone 13 Pro Max models start at $849. These refurbished devices are unlocked and come with a one-year warranty, in addition to the option to purchase AppleCare Plus.
Apple to launch Ultra Apple Watch with MicroLED screen in 2025
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Apple plans to release a new Apple Ultra watch featuring a microLED screen in either 2024 or 2025. Reports suggest that Apple will expand this display technology to include iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks eventually. MicroLED screen technology allows for increased brightness and is expected to be more costly in manufacturing. Apple has been actively developing this technology since acquiring LuxVue in 2014. The primary supplier of microLED chips for Apple will be ams OSRAM, and there is a possibility that Taiwanese suppliers may become additional suppliers by 2026-2027.
Leaked image of components of Apple's mixed reality headset
Images of what appears to be components of Apple's mixed reality headset have been leaked by a Twitter user with a proven track record of accurate information on Apple products. The images display ribbon-like "flats" that wrap around the user's eyes and are connected through sockets at the ends to other components such as the screen or the motherboard that contains the processor and chips that power the glasses. Another image shows a set of three sensors or cameras along a flexible strip of similar length.
Although it is not certain whether these ribbon flats are related to Apple's mixed reality glasses, their design seems to support rumors that they are intended for the upcoming device. Apple is expected to unveil its first-generation mixed reality headset at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June and launch them later this year.
Comparison of iPhone 15 3D models with iPhone 14 cases"
The Japanese website Mac Otakara compared the iPhone 15 3D models with the same assumed sizes of iPhone 14 cases and found that the changes in iPhone 15 dimensions mean that most cases made for the previous generation will not be suitable.
The video shows 3D printed versions of iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max, featuring curved edges, smaller frames, and a USB-C port replacing the Lightning port on all four models. The dynamic island feature will be available on all four iPhone 15 models, with the notch completely removed. The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature a curved front glass that disappears into the frame and the use of titanium instead of stainless steel for the body. Watch the video:
Approximately 50 million dollars in compensation for Tim Cook this year
At Apple's annual shareholder meeting, it was announced that the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, could receive approximately 50 million dollars in compensation this year if the company achieves its financial goals. This will include a base salary of 3 million dollars, a cash bonus of 6 million dollars, and stock grants worth around 40 million dollars.
Cook's salary decreased by about 50% from the previous year, where he received 99 million dollars. The pay will be closely linked to the overall performance of the company, as shareholders have been concerned about Cook's salary package in the past.
Apple shareholders agreed to a proposal to vote annually on setting executive salaries. Other top executives at Apple are set to earn around 27 million dollars each in 2023.
All members of Apple's board of directors were re-elected, despite proposals calling for the removal of Al Gore and Tim Cook. Many of the measures did not receive sufficient votes to pass.
Other News
◉ Apple Releases Fourth Beta of iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3, and watchOS 9.4 for Developers.
◉ Apple has released a new advertisement promoting the second generation of AirPods Pro, highlighting the active noise cancellation feature and confirming that it offers up to double the active noise cancellation of the original AirPods Pro. The second generation of AirPods Pro also features improved sound quality, longer battery life, scroll-based volume control, an updated charging case with a built-in speaker, and a U1 chip to support Find My. Apple released the second generation of AirPods Pro in September 2022.
◉ Apple has announced the opening of its fifth retail store in South Korea, located in the central Gangnam area of Seoul, offering Apple store services. To celebrate this occasion, Apple has created a special wallpaper for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, available for download on the store's page. The company manages over 520 retail stores worldwide, including four other locations in Seoul.
◉ India is planning to implement new security rules that require phone companies like Apple and others to allow users to remove pre-installed apps and review operating system updates. The goal is to prevent espionage and misuse of user data by foreign countries, especially China. The rules will also apply to new models and compliance will be checked by a certified laboratory. The government gives companies one year to comply, but there are concerns about possible delays and business losses.
◉ Apple and BBC won the Oscar for their short animated film "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse". The film follows a boy and his animal friends on a dream-like journey to find a home. This is Apple's first Oscar for a short animated film.
◉ It is said that Apple is planning to launch a redesigned HomePod speaker with a 7-inch screen in the first half of 2024. The screen is expected to provide deeper integration with other Apple devices.
◉ The Biden administration has demanded that Chinese TikTok owner ByteDance sell its stake in the app or risk facing a potential US ban. TikTok has been in the crosshairs of Americans for years, and concerns about the app have increased in recent months. TikTok is also set to be banned on the phones used by British government ministers and civil servants.
◉ Foxconn, a supplier to Apple, has won a request to manufacture AirPods for the first time, with plans to build a factory in India, confirming the company's efforts to diversify production away from China. According to Reuters, Foxconn will invest more than $200 million in a new assembly plant for AirPods in the southern Indian state of Telangana. The decision to produce in India was made by Apple, and construction of the factory is expected to begin in the second half of this year, with production starting by the end of 2024 at the earliest.
◉ Designer Philip Lee has released a design for office tools called Trashbot 2.0, which includes a set of desk accessories designed to resemble the classic Mac OS system from the 1980s. The collection includes a desktop-like surface board, a Trashbot pencil case holding pens, an Error Bot figure, and three desktop icons with magnetic appearances that can be attached to the board. You can also write notes on Memo and attach them. The collection can be purchased from the Classicbot website for $46.
◉ These are not all the news items on the margin, but we have brought you the most important ones. It is not necessary for non-specialists to occupy themselves with every detail, as there are more important things to do in your life. Do not let devices distract or divert you from your life and duties, and know that technology exists to make your life easier and assist you with it. If it steals your life and occupies you, it is not necessary.