Kicking off another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes amazing details on the iPhone Pro Max, the new MacBook Air issue, Apple’s repair program issues, the surprising microLED display support, mixed reality projections, Apple’s Very Special Event and New iPhone Accessibility features.
The Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many Apple discussions over the past seven days (and you can read our weekly Android news roundup here on Forbes).
iPhone Periscope Physical Problems
More details about Apple’s use of the periscope lens have surfaced and may answer the tricky question of why Apple kept its best camera for the iPhone 15 Pro Max; In previous years, the iPhone Pro and Pro Max devices used the same camera technology. The short answer? Apple cannot break the laws of physics:
“The reason for the curvature is that it increases the gap between the lens elements and the sensor, so the range of motion is higher for the lens, which directly translates to an output of higher zoom. Additionally, this design results in a lens that’s not much thicker than a standard lens (think of the lens as the zoom lens you see in traditional digital cameras), but it’s much taller horizontally. »
(Forbes).
Apple MacBook Air problem
Apple’s next MacBook Air is expected to offer the first 15-inch display in the macOS consumer computing space. The larger screen will provide great productivity, and that will be a huge draw for devotees. Unfortunately, there is a problem with these older chipsets…they don’t support external displays:
“If your workflow requires more than a screen and you want to stay on a tight budget, the 15-inch MacBook Air may not be suitable for your purpose, attractive and affordable as it is. As with the old Apple MacBook wallet, if you want more advanced features – in this case, support for multiple monitors – you’ll have to pay for the more expensive MacBook Pro model.
(Forbes).
The success of the Apple repair program
Apple was quick to highlight the third-party repair program when the topic of right to repair came up. This allows repair shops to order parts and use Apple-provided tools to perform basic repairs (such as screen replacements and battery replacements). How does the program work in Australia? For independent do-it-yourselfers, not so brilliantly.
At the time, reformers said they believed the move was a token gesture aimed at ruling out any potential right-to-repair legislation that the Productivity Commission review might have recommended. Two years later, some say their concerns have been addressed. Reformers I spoke to noted that Guardian Australia in Australia and the US notes that Apple’s slow response times and high cost of parts make it nearly impossible for them to compete viable.
(Guardian).
These offers are for us
Apple is preparing to reduce its reliance on Samsung Display for its devices. Ongoing research and development of MicroLED technology may be moved to its own factories, rather than outsourced to the South Korean company’s display division. Besides the material benefits (low power consumption and bright colors are the most important), production control and supply chain monopoly make a nice combination:
“Apple has developed micro-LED displays extensively over the past decade, and once production begins, it intends to implement a critical ‘mass transfer’ stage of the manufacturing process itself, according to sources involved in the project.
(Nikki Asia).
Discussion on expectations of Apple headsets
This week has seen a lot of buzz about Apple’s next mixed reality headset. Each of them, in their own way, tries to tell what the authors expect to publish at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where many “project-knowledgeable” people promote these ideas. Mark Gurman sums up the geekerati predictions:
According to people familiar with the seven-year development process, the device Cook will showcase has strayed from its initial vision. Originally envisioned as an inconspicuous pair of goggles to be worn all day, the Apple device has evolved into a headset that looks like a pair of ski goggles and requires a separate battery.
(fleurberg).
A party we want to see
And just to add to the rumours, even though Apple has already announced the dates for WWDC, this week saw a “special event” announced for…the first day of WWDC. Almost like Tim Cook and his team have something they want the world to pay attention to and watch, not just dedicated developers:
Nothing has been confirmed by Apple, but it could have something to do with xrOS, the software platform that will power Apple’s mixed reality headset, and the headset itself. Latest reports suggest the headset is set to launch in June and some analysts believe it could boost the entire AR/VR industry.
(GSM circuit).
Finally…
Apple has confirmed that a number of updated accessibility features will appear on iPhone later this year. These include assisted access, direct speech and their own personal voice:
Today, Apple previewed cognitive, visual, and auditory accessibility and mobility software features, as well as innovative tools for people who can’t speak or are at risk of losing their ability to speak. machine learning to ensure user privacy,…”
(Apple Newsroom).
The Apple Loop brings you seven days of special events every weekend here at Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any future coverage. 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.
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