Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes a shock iPhone price increase, the iPhone 14 Pro is missing, a disappointing MacBook Air delay, App Store dominance may end, dreaming of a new web browser, iOS 16.2’s best features, and satellite SOS comes to Europe.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).
An Ultra Price For An Ultra Phone
The bill of materials for the upcoming iPhone 15 Ultra is expected to increase by $100 compared to the current iPhone 14 Pro Max. And that means Apple will be passing on the price increase to consumers, all of that $100 and then some:
“Now LeaksApplePro states that the iPhone 15 Ultra will have a starting price as high as $1299 — a $200 increase on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and the biggest single generational jump in iPhone history.
“It’s going to be a more expensive iPhone. Even in the United States,” the leaker explains. “Apple has been losing margins year after year. Rising production costs and inflation, that makes the money the company has in the bank worth less, have finally broken the camel’s back.”
(Forbes).
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 07: An attendee holds a new Apple iPhone 14 Pro during an Apple … [+]
This iPhone 14 Is Missing
Although it’s too late to order a new iPhone 14 Pro for Christmas due to production delays, the supply chain for the new iPhone models is catching up with – but not meeting – demand. This will probably mean a better-than-expected calendar Q1 in 2023, so keep an eye on the year-on-year figures for a more accurate portrayal:
“According to a report from UBS seen by AppleInsider, the analysts have reduced iPhone unit estimates by 5% for the December quarter, and 3% for the 2023 fiscal year. While supply has improved and wait times reduced in the US and China, Apple still faces significant hurdles into the new year.”
A New Display For Apple, A Long Wait For Everyone Else
Apple is set to debut a MacBook with a bright and vivid OLED panel, bringing it into line with many Windows laptops… but that equality is not going to happen in the near future. Apple’s geekerati will likely need to wait eighteen months for this to arrive on a consumer-focused MacBook Air:
“2024 is rather a large launch window, yet there are two key moments this could happen; at WWDC in June or later in the year in the October/November window. Given the launch of the second generation Apple Silicon MacBook Air alongside the M2 chipset at WWDC in 2022, I think June 2024 is more likely… Apple is a creature of habit and getting the Mac platform on a regular update cycle that apes the iPhone will no doubt be welcomed by many, not least consumers and enterprises looking for a predictable upgrade cycle.”
(Forbes).
More Than One App Store For Europe
Apple has spent years defending its policy of allowing only its own App Store on the iPhone and iPad, giving it veto power on every developed app that would run on the devices it sells to consumers while citing security and user experience concerns. The European Union’s Digital Markets Act will ban this practice in Europe, with compliance needed by 2024. Apple is preparing to comply with European law and allow other stores access to the platform:
“The moves — a reversal of long-held policies — are a response to EU laws aimed at leveling the playing field for third-party developers and improving the digital lives of consumers. For years, regulators and software makers have complained that Apple and Google, which run the two biggest mobile app stores, wield too much power as gatekeepers.”
(Bloomberg).
Bringing Real Choice To iPhone Browsers
Alongside the App Store decision, Apple is also expected to remove the restriction that the only browser engine that can be used in an iPhone is Apple’s own Safari engine. That means developers looking for more web controls to allow for better browser-based apps should have some iOS alternatives in the future.
“Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and other popular web browsers like Opera and DuckDuckGo are all currently forced to use WebKit on iOS, resulting in limited differentiation with Safari. Apple has previously stated that the WebKit requirement is enforced primarily due to security and privacy considerations, but some find the policy anti-competitive.”
(MacRumors).
All The New Features In iOS 16.2
Apple’s new security features, discussed last week here on Apple Loop, are now available within the public release of iOS 16.2, alongside a number of key features. Joe Rossignol highlights the best new items:
“Apple released iOS 16.2 this week with many new features, including the digital whiteboard app Freeform, Apple Music Sing, Advanced Data Protection for U.S. users, and more. Attention now turns to iOS 16.3, which should enter beta testing this week.”
(MacRumors).
And Finally…
Apple’s use of satellite SOS messaging will be a lifeline to a small group of users (but it creates some great headlines and a feeling of safety in the smartphone. That feeling will reach new customers this week as the SOS service is turned on in parts of the European mainland and the United Kingdom:
“Emergency SOS via satellite, a new safety feature introduced with the iPhone 14 that lets users contact emergency services when they don’t have regular cellular or Wi-Fi signal, is now available in select European countries. The feature launched in the US and Canada last month, but as of today it’s available in France, Germany, Ireland, and the UK.”
(The Verge).
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.
