Apple does not plan to release the third generation of the Apple watch SE this year, iPad with slimmer edges like the iPhone 15, Apple requests developers to describe the reasons for using specific software tools in their applications, Apple agrees to include the X icon for Twitter in the Apple app store. Furthermore, this year will see the launch of the iPad Mini 7 and the Apple Ultra 2 watch, alongside other exciting news.
Apple's Vision Pro Headset developer labs remain nearly empty
Apple organizes developer labs in various cities specifically for the Vision Pro Headset, aiming to assist developers in creating applications for them. However, it appears that there is limited interest from developers to attend. One of the issues is that the labs are only available in California, requiring developers from other locations to travel at their own expense. Moreover, the initial release of the Apple Vision Pro Headset will not be worldwide, which may discourage some developers from investing time in creating applications for them. Apple also offers a restricted developer toolkit to select developers, and there are strict rules and requirements to obtain it.
The labs aim to provide developers with hands-on experience and help them create flawless applications for the Apple Headset. The expected release of the Apple Vision Pro Headset is in early 2024, but this timeline might change.
Expectations of decreased demand for iPhone 15
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates lower demand for the iPhone 15 series compared to the iPhone 14 series this year. This poses a challenge for Apple's suppliers to increase their revenue in the latter part of 2023. The upcoming iPhone 15 lineup is expected to consist of four models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Rumors suggest they will feature a USB-C port and a dynamic island. The iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to have additional features, leading to higher prices, which might impact demand due to the challenging economic conditions caused by inflation.
No sign of Apple's Turing AI in 2024
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's progress in Turing AI technology lags significantly behind its competitors, and there is no evidence of its launch for general AI services next year. During the latest earnings call, Apple is unlikely to discuss AI extensively due to its lack of significant progress in this field. It appears that they have no clear strategy yet in this domain.
In the past month, Mark Gurman mentioned that Apple is working on "Apple GPT" AI projects that could rival ChatGPT. However, Apple's direction in this field remains unclear.
During the earnings call, Tim Cook acknowledged the challenges to address with AI and expressed their intention to approach its development thoughtfully. Apple considers AI crucial and plans to integrate it into products cautiously.
Apple launches an advertising campaign titled "Pay the Apple Way."
Apple recently launched a new advertising campaign for its payment method, "Apple Pay," using the slogan "Pay the Apple Way." The goal is to showcase the simplicity, speed, and built-in security of using Apple Pay for purchases via iPhones or Apple watches, eliminating the need for physical cards. The campaign includes billboards in the United States and the United Kingdom, along with immersive experiences in major cities.
Additionally, they released four videos demonstrating the ease of using Apple Pay, to be shown across various platforms.
The campaign is already underway, and Apple Pay is widely used as a contactless payment method, accepted by over 85% of retailers in the United States.
Apple Ultra 2 Watch to come in black titanium.
According to reliable leaker account ShrimpApplePro, the upcoming second-generation Apple Ultra 2 Watch will feature a new black titanium body, in addition to the current "natural" titanium coating. Apple previously tested a darker titanium coating for the current Ultra model but decided against releasing it at the time. This addition is likely to be introduced with the new model this year.
It is also expected that the new Apple Ultra 2 Watch will include a faster S9 chip, based on the A15 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 13 series. The announcement for the Apple Ultra 2 Watch is anticipated in September, alongside the Apple 9 Watch, rumored to be available in pink color.
The Apple Ultra Watch was released in September 2022 and is designed for outdoor activities such as long-distance walking, extreme water sports, and diving. It is a larger and more robust version of the regular Apple Watch, priced at $799 in the United States.
Apple may unveil the iPad Mini 7 later this year
Apple is working on the 7th generation of the iPad Mini, and it might be launched before the end of the year. The improvements are expected to focus on the processor, possibly featuring the A16 or A17 Bionic chip. Additionally, it is likely to come with enhancements in both the front and rear cameras. The device may also introduce features such as Photonic Engine, ProRes video recording, audio zoom, stereo audio recording, portrait mode, and support for portrait lighting. There are possibilities of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support, as well as Apple Pencil hover, which is currently limited to iPad Pro models. However, more detailed information about the device has not been revealed yet.
Apple announces a collaboration with Adobe, NVIDIA, and others to develop the Pixar 3D standard
Apple has partnered with Pixar, Adobe, Autodesk, NVIDIA, and Linux to support and enhance the OpenUSD technology. This technology enables various 3D tools to work together more seamlessly, making the creation of animated movies and other content easier. Apple believes that OpenUSD will facilitate the creation of better augmented reality experiences, which is essential for their platforms and tools. They form a group called the Alliance for OpenUSD to improve and promote the use of this technology across the industry.
Samsung begins mass production of OLED screens for iPhone 15
Samsung, Apple's main OLED supplier, has received approval to start massive production of screens for the upcoming iPhone 15 series, expected to be released in September. LG Display and BOE, the other screen suppliers, faced delays in obtaining approval for their screens, particularly due to difficulties in implementing thin bezels and smaller notches. As a result, BOE had to deliver its initial shipments to Samsung, and it is expected to have higher shipments in 2023. Though there may be limited availability of the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max at launch, Apple still plans to release all iPhone 15 models as scheduled.
Twitter transitions to X in the Apple App Store
The social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has updated its official app on the App Store to align with the new branding introduced by Elon Musk. The app's logo is now "Unleash your glory! Blaze your glory" and is described as the "trusted digital town square for everyone."
The renaming of Twitter to X aims to make the app more like the Chinese app WeChat. The process was gradual, and some parts still refer to Twitter. X received special treatment from Apple for the name change, which faced some delays due to App Store policies. The new branding has faced criticism for being uninspiring and linked to adult content.
Twitter Blue is now called "X Blue," offering a subscription service allowing up to three hours of video downloads. Linda Yacarino, the current CEO of X, envisions the platform to be supported by artificial intelligence, providing limitless interactions in voice, video, messaging, payments, and banking services, and creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities.
Apple asks developers to describe the reason for using specific software interfaces in their apps
In an effort to protect user privacy, Apple asks developers to explain the purpose of using certain application programming interfaces (APIs) in their apps before submission to the App Store. Although this is aimed at safeguarding privacy, some are concerned that it might lead to more app rejections, especially for common APIs like UserDefaults.
If developers do not provide a valid reason for using these APIs, their apps will receive a warning starting from later this year, with the release of iOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma. As of spring 2024, apps using these APIs without valid reasons will be rejected. Developers will have the opportunity to appeal the rejections and request approval in cases not covered by the guidelines. For more details, developers can check the Apple Developer website.
Other News
◉ Elon Musk wants to talk to Tim Cook about reducing the App Store fees for content creators who earn money through subscriptions on the X platform (formerly Twitter). Currently, Apple takes a 30% cut of the total subscription fees earned by content creators on X. Musk suggests that Apple should receive 30% of the fees retained by X, not the creators' full profits, which may result in less revenue going to Apple.
◉ Apple announces that Apple Cardholders have collectively deposited over $10 billion in savings accounts provided by Goldman Sachs. The savings accounts were launched last April and reached this milestone in just four months, thanks to their user-friendly features, such as no fees, no minimum deposit, and no minimum balance requirements.
◉ Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple's suppliers will begin mass production of the second-generation AirTag in the fourth quarter of 2024. It is expected to integrate better with Apple's Vision Pro counterparts. However, no further details about the potential new features have been disclosed.
◉ The upcoming Apple Watch 9 will have a design similar to the Apple Watch 8 series, coming in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The aluminum model will feature a new pink color option alongside the existing options. The stainless steel model will retain the gold, silver, and graphite color options. Apple Watch 9 is expected to have a new chip for improved performance, similar to the A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 13.
◉ Apple acknowledges a problem with the Screen Time feature on iPhones and iPads. Screen Time allows parents to remotely manage their children's device and set app restrictions and time limits. However, some parents have reported occasional settings reset or improper syncing across all devices in the family group. Apple is aware of the issue and promises updates to fix it. One issue was addressed in a previous iOS update, but some parents still face the problem in the latest updates.
tools in their applications, Apple agrees to include the X icon for Twitter in the Apple app store. Furthermore, this year will see the launch of the iPad Mini 7 and the Apple Ultra 2 watch, alongside other exciting news.
Apple's Vision Pro Headset developer labs remain nearly empty
Apple organizes developer labs in various cities specifically for the Vision Pro Headset, aiming to assist developers in creating applications for them. However, it appears that there is limited interest from developers to attend. One of the issues is that the labs are only available in California, requiring developers from other locations to travel at their own expense. Moreover, the initial release of the Apple Vision Pro Headset will not be worldwide, which may discourage some developers from investing time in creating applications for them. Apple also offers a restricted developer toolkit to select developers, and there are strict rules and requirements to obtain it.
The labs aim to provide developers with hands-on experience and help them create flawless applications for the Apple Headset. The expected release of the Apple Vision Pro Headset is in early 2024, but this timeline might change.
Expectations of decreased demand for iPhone 15
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates lower demand for the iPhone 15 series compared to the iPhone 14 series this year. This poses a challenge for Apple's suppliers to increase their revenue in the latter part of 2023. The upcoming iPhone 15 lineup is expected to consist of four models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Rumors suggest they will feature a USB-C port and a dynamic island. The iPhone 15 Pro models are rumored to have additional features, leading to higher prices, which might impact demand due to the challenging economic conditions caused by inflation.
No sign of Apple's Turing AI in 2024
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple's progress in Turing AI technology lags significantly behind its competitors, and there is no evidence of its launch for general AI services next year. During the latest earnings call, Apple is unlikely to discuss AI extensively due to its lack of significant progress in this field. It appears that they have no clear strategy yet in this domain.
In the past month, Mark Gurman mentioned that Apple is working on "Apple GPT" AI projects that could rival ChatGPT. However, Apple's direction in this field remains unclear.
During the earnings call, Tim Cook acknowledged the challenges to address with AI and expressed their intention to approach its development thoughtfully. Apple considers AI crucial and plans to integrate it into products cautiously.
Apple launches an advertising campaign titled "Pay the Apple Way."
Apple recently launched a new advertising campaign for its payment method, "Apple Pay," using the slogan "Pay the Apple Way." The goal is to showcase the simplicity, speed, and built-in security of using Apple Pay for purchases via iPhones or Apple watches, eliminating the need for physical cards. The campaign includes billboards in the United States and the United Kingdom, along with immersive experiences in major cities.
Additionally, they released four videos demonstrating the ease of using Apple Pay, to be shown across various platforms.
The campaign is already underway, and Apple Pay is widely used as a contactless payment method, accepted by over 85% of retailers in the United States.
Apple Ultra 2 Watch to come in black titanium.
According to reliable leaker account ShrimpApplePro, the upcoming second-generation Apple Ultra 2 Watch will feature a new black titanium body, in addition to the current "natural" titanium coating. Apple previously tested a darker titanium coating for the current Ultra model but decided against releasing it at the time. This addition is likely to be introduced with the new model this year.
It is also expected that the new Apple Ultra 2 Watch will include a faster S9 chip, based on the A15 Bionic chip used in the iPhone 13 series. The announcement for the Apple Ultra 2 Watch is anticipated in September, alongside the Apple 9 Watch, rumored to be available in pink color.
The Apple Ultra Watch was released in September 2022 and is designed for outdoor activities such as long-distance walking, extreme water sports, and diving. It is a larger and more robust version of the regular Apple Watch, priced at $799 in the United States.
Apple may unveil the iPad Mini 7 later this year
Apple is working on the 7th generation of the iPad Mini, and it might be launched before the end of the year. The improvements are expected to focus on the processor, possibly featuring the A16 or A17 Bionic chip. Additionally, it is likely to come with enhancements in both the front and rear cameras. The device may also introduce features such as Photonic Engine, ProRes video recording, audio zoom, stereo audio recording, portrait mode, and support for portrait lighting. There are possibilities of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support, as well as Apple Pencil hover, which is currently limited to iPad Pro models. However, more detailed information about the device has not been revealed yet.
Apple announces a collaboration with Adobe, NVIDIA, and others to develop the Pixar 3D standard
Apple has partnered with Pixar, Adobe, Autodesk, NVIDIA, and Linux to support and enhance the OpenUSD technology. This technology enables various 3D tools to work together more seamlessly, making the creation of animated movies and other content easier. Apple believes that OpenUSD will facilitate the creation of better augmented reality experiences, which is essential for their platforms and tools. They form a group called the Alliance for OpenUSD to improve and promote the use of this technology across the industry.
Samsung begins mass production of OLED screens for iPhone 15
Samsung, Apple's main OLED supplier, has received approval to start massive production of screens for the upcoming iPhone 15 series, expected to be released in September. LG Display and BOE, the other screen suppliers, faced delays in obtaining approval for their screens, particularly due to difficulties in implementing thin bezels and smaller notches. As a result, BOE had to deliver its initial shipments to Samsung, and it is expected to have higher shipments in 2023. Though there may be limited availability of the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max at launch, Apple still plans to release all iPhone 15 models as scheduled.
Twitter transitions to X in the Apple App Store
The social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has updated its official app on the App Store to align with the new branding introduced by Elon Musk. The app's logo is now "Unleash your glory! Blaze your glory" and is described as the "trusted digital town square for everyone."
The renaming of Twitter to X aims to make the app more like the Chinese app WeChat. The process was gradual, and some parts still refer to Twitter. X received special treatment from Apple for the name change, which faced some delays due to App Store policies. The new branding has faced criticism for being uninspiring and linked to adult content.
Twitter Blue is now called "X Blue," offering a subscription service allowing up to three hours of video downloads. Linda Yacarino, the current CEO of X, envisions the platform to be supported by artificial intelligence, providing limitless interactions in voice, video, messaging, payments, and banking services, and creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities.
Apple asks developers to describe the reason for using specific software interfaces in their apps
In an effort to protect user privacy, Apple asks developers to explain the purpose of using certain application programming interfaces (APIs) in their apps before submission to the App Store. Although this is aimed at safeguarding privacy, some are concerned that it might lead to more app rejections, especially for common APIs like UserDefaults.
If developers do not provide a valid reason for using these APIs, their apps will receive a warning starting from later this year, with the release of iOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma. As of spring 2024, apps using these APIs without valid reasons will be rejected. Developers will have the opportunity to appeal the rejections and request approval in cases not covered by the guidelines. For more details, developers can check the Apple Developer website.
Other News
◉ Elon Musk wants to talk to Tim Cook about reducing the App Store fees for content creators who earn money through subscriptions on the X platform (formerly Twitter). Currently, Apple takes a 30% cut of the total subscription fees earned by content creators on X. Musk suggests that Apple should receive 30% of the fees retained by X, not the creators' full profits, which may result in less revenue going to Apple.
◉ Apple announces that Apple Cardholders have collectively deposited over $10 billion in savings accounts provided by Goldman Sachs. The savings accounts were launched last April and reached this milestone in just four months, thanks to their user-friendly features, such as no fees, no minimum deposit, and no minimum balance requirements.
◉ Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple's suppliers will begin mass production of the second-generation AirTag in the fourth quarter of 2024. It is expected to integrate better with Apple's Vision Pro counterparts. However, no further details about the potential new features have been disclosed.
◉ The upcoming Apple Watch 9 will have a design similar to the Apple Watch 8 series, coming in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The aluminum model will feature a new pink color option alongside the existing options. The stainless steel model will retain the gold, silver, and graphite color options. Apple Watch 9 is expected to have a new chip for improved performance, similar to the A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 13.
◉ Apple plans to make the edges around the screens of the iPhone 15 models thinner using a special manufacturing process called LIPO. This could result in thinner edges compared to any other smartphones. Apple is also looking forward to applying this technology to future iPad devices. LIPO technology was previously used on Apple Watch Series 7 to achieve thinner borders and larger screens.
◉ Apple does not plan to release the third generation of Apple Watch SE this year. The next update is expected in September 2024.
Note: These are not all the news items, but we have provided the most important ones. It is not necessary for non-experts to be engrossed in every detail, as there are more important things to focus on in life. Do not let devices consume or distract you from your life and responsibilities. Remember, technology is there to make your life easier and assist you, not to take it away from you.