Twitter is changing its brand logo from the blue bird to "X" worldwide, and Apple is launching a development kit for the Apple Vision Pro glasses and the iPhone 15 with a hybrid lens and a larger aperture for the first time in the world of smartphones. Apple is also considering a foldable iPad, and there are reasons behind Apple and Goldman Sachs' desire to part ways. An Apple shoes from the 90s are now on sale for $50,000, along with other exciting news.
The Price of iPhone 15 Pro Max
According to the British investment and financial services company Barclays' analyst, Tim Long, it is expected that iPhone 15 Pro models will be more expensive than the current models. Long's information is based on conversations with supply chain companies in Asia.
Below are the estimated prices for the iPhone 15 series in the United States:
◉ iPhone 15 will be sold at $799, just like iPhone 14.
◉ iPhone 15 Plus will be priced at $899, similar to iPhone 14 Plus.
◉ iPhone 15 Pro will start at $1,099, a $100 increase compared to iPhone 14 Pro.
◉ iPhone 15 Pro Max will start at $1,299, a $200 increase compared to iPhone 14 Pro Max.
It is rumored that the reason behind the price increase for the iPhone 15 Pro Max is its improved telephoto lens with periscope technology, allowing for higher zoom capabilities without distortion.
Options for the iPhone 15 Pro action button revealed in iOS 17 codes
The fourth beta version of iOS 17 unveils the potential functions of the action button on the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. This actual button may replace the silent switch and offer nine customizable options, including shortcuts, camera activation, flashlight control, focus mode activation, recording, magnification, translation, and more. The new button is said to be similar to the action button on the Apple Watch Ultra.
Demand for 15-inch MacBook Air weaker than expected
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The initial demand for the new 15-inch MacBook Air has been disappointing, falling below Apple's and its suppliers' expectations. According to a report from DigiTimes, the shipment volume of the 15-inch MacBook Air in July was 50% less than the original estimates. This decline in demand comes amid a significant downturn in the laptop market.
Due to this slow start, some of Apple's suppliers have already requested reductions in shipments of the 15-inch MacBook Air to adjust to the lower demand.
The 15-inch MacBook Air was launched at the previous WWDC developer conference and features a larger screen and two additional speakers while retaining the same design and M2 chip as the 13-inch model. This new size option marks the first time Apple offers a 15-inch screen for the MacBook Air, which was previously only available in 13-inch and discontinued 11-inch sizes.
The report does not indicate if the demand for the 15-inch MacBook Air meets Apple's internal expectations. However, it is expected that Apple will share more information about the laptop's performance during the Q3 earnings announcement on August 3.
Rare Apple Sneakers from the 90s now on sale for $50,000
Extremely rare sports shoes branded with the Apple logo, known as Omega Sports Apple Computer Sneakers, are currently being sold at auction for $50,000.
These sports shoes were specially made for Apple employees during the 90s and were originally presented as gifts at a national sales conference. They were never made available for public purchase, making them exceptionally rare and highly sought after.
Samsung launches new foldable 5G smartphones Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5
Samsung has announced the launch of its fifth-generation foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 at $1,000 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 at $1,800. These new models come with various design improvements for foldable devices.
The Galaxy Z Flip 5 folds in half, revealing a 6.7-inch display with a larger interactive flexible window, 3.78 times larger than previous models, and offering expanded functions, including weather tools, photo editing, text messaging, camera control, recording, magnification, translation, and more. The flip design allows for hands-free selfie photos, and there are improvements in "night photography" and noise reduction using artificial intelligence.
The Galaxy Z Fold 5 opens like a book with a new Flex Hinge design to enhance folding. It features a 6.2-inch cover display when closed and a 7.6-inch AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate when opened. The main screen's brightness has been improved by 30% to enhance visibility in sunlight. It comes with a second-generation Snapdragon processor, 12GB of memory, internal storage of up to 1TB, and a 4,400 mAh battery.
Alongside the new smartphones, Samsung has also launched the Galaxy 6 watch series and Galaxy Tab S9. The Galaxy 6 watch models feature larger screens, improved brightness, and enhanced health features. Prices start at $300 for Galaxy 6 watch and $400 for Galaxy 6 Classic watch.
Pre-orders for the new devices have begun, and the general availability is set for August 11.
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus feature a 48-megapixel camera
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models will come equipped with a 48-megapixel rear camera lens with a new sensor design. This design allows the sensor to capture more light, resulting in improved image quality. There were challenges in producing the new stacked CMOS camera sensor, but Apple has overcome these issues through a partnership with Sony, increasing its production capacity by 100-120% to meet Apple's demand, negatively impacting Android phone suppliers.
Reasons behind Apple and Goldman Sachs' desire to part ways
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Recent rumors indicate that Goldman Sachs is looking to end its financial partnership with Apple. The partnership includes services such as Apple Card, Apple Savings account, and Apple Pay Later. However, Goldman cites that the venture has not been profitable enough for them, and issues with Apple's customer service for the savings account have affected Apple's reputation.
Former employees from both companies shed light on how the combination of Apple's technology-focused approach and Goldman's banking culture led to difficulties. Apple prioritized sleek technology and product appeal, while Goldman focused on regulatory compliance and profitability.
During the development of Apple Card, there were challenges related to Apple's unique demands, leading to pre-launch problems. Even Tim Cook himself reportedly faced challenges in getting Apple Card approved due to his high-profile status.
Goldman Sachs faced investigations from the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for disputed transactions and customer service issues. They were also investigated for alleged gender bias in credit line increases.
Goldman Sachs aims to move away from individual banking services and is reportedly looking to hand over the Apple partnership to American Express. However, contractual commitments with Apple and their specific terms make this challenging.
The report indicates that the termination of the partnership between Apple and Goldman Sachs could take about 18 months.
Apple considering a foldable iPad, according to supply chain sources
It is rumored that Apple is intensifying its efforts in foldable devices for the tablet sector, according to sources from the supply chain. This report aligns with previous speculations, as the analyst, Mr. Kuo, anticipates its launch in the year 2024, pointing towards a completely new design with a lightweight and durable carbon fiber frame. Similar to other foldable smartphones from different companies, the foldable device will feature a hinge that allows it to open and close like a book, resulting in a significantly larger screen compared to current models when unfolded.
The iPhone 15 with a Hybrid Lens and Wider Aperture
It is rumored that the iPhone 15 lineup will feature a hybrid lens made of glass and plastic with an aperture of ƒ/1.7, making it the first global smartphone series to possess this technology. The hybrid lens will consist of one glass element and six plastic elements, departing from the current seven plastic elements in the wide camera of the iPhone 14 models. The primary camera of the iPhone 15 models will also retain the same 48-megapixel sensor as the iPhone 14 Pro models but with a wider aperture of ƒ/1.7, allowing it to capture 20% more light. This will lead to improved low-light performance, faster capturing, and the ability to create a shallow depth of field for enhanced background blur.
These rumors have been brought forward by Twitter user "RGcloudS," whose track record is not lacking in Apple-related rumors. He claims that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will receive additional camera upgrades, including an eight-part hybrid lens with two glass elements and six plastic elements for the wide camera, and hybrid lenses with five and six elements for close-up and ultra-wide cameras.
Previously, it was mentioned that the stacked battery technology would be introduced in the iPhone 15 series, but it is now clarified that this upgrade might be reserved for the iPhone 16 series, alongside 40-watt wired charging and 20-watt charging through MagSafe.
Apple Faces a £1 Billion Lawsuit in the UK Over App Store Fees
Apple is facing a collective lawsuit worth £785 million, equivalent to $1 billion, in the UK on behalf of more than 1,500 developers. The lawsuit alleges that Apple's App Store fees, ranging from 15% to 30% on in-app sales, constitute an abuse of dominance. Similar concerns have been raised about anti-competitive practices in other countries as well.
The lawsuit argues that consumers in the UK suffer because developers are deprived of potential funds for research and development, hindering app innovation.
Apple has faced investigations in multiple countries over similar charges, and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority is also investigating the terms and conditions of the App Store.
Apple defends itself, pointing out that the App Store is not the only way for developers to reach users, as they can utilize Safari and web browsers that are not subject to Apple's rules. The company highlights that many developers pay no commission, and those who benefit most from the App Store are often small developers who offer a reduced fee of 15%.
Apple also confirms that it has not raised commission rates or added fees for the past 15 years. The courts have ruled in favor of Apple in imposing commissions and rejected claims of monopolistic power. The company promotes the success of third-party apps, investment in developers, and the quality and security of the App Store as points in its defense.
Othe News
◉ Meta has introduced the highly anticipated "Following" tab in the Threads app, allowing users to view posts from accounts they follow. The app continues to display algorithmically recommended posts under the "For You" tab.
◉ In a support document published last month, Apple acknowledged that some SATA hard drives might unexpectedly disconnect from the 2023 Mac Pro after waking from sleep. Apple is aware of the issue and has promised to address it in a future macOS update, which has now been delivered in macOS Ventura 13.5.
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◉ Apple has released a dedicated app development kit for the Apple Vision Pro glasses, allowing developers to access and test applications. Developers will also receive support for device setup, UI design, and app optimization. This library is only accessible to certified developers, with priority given to those working on apps that leverage VisionOS features. Interested developers can apply on Apple's website, providing details about their skills and current applications.
◉ A man was rescued through the emergency features and collision detection feature on the iPhone 14 on Friday after his car fell 400 feet down a ravine in the Mount Wilson area near Los Angeles.
◉ Twitter has changed its branding from the blue bird to an "X" worldwide. A "temporary" logo shows a white X on a black background, indicating the billionaire's intention to transform the social media platform into an "everything app" similar to the Chinese WeChat app.
Please note that this is a summary of the important news, and it is not necessary for non-specialists to get involved in every detail. Focus on what truly matters in your life, and do not let devices consume or distract you from your duties. Remember, technology is meant to ease your life and assist you, not to take it away. If it robs you of your life and preoccupies you, it is unnecessary.