Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes new images of the iPhone 12 Pro, a closer look at the iPhone 9, a privacy switch for location in iOS 13, Apple’s competitor to the AirPods Pro, why Steve Jobs’ iPad vision failed, Apple’s strong quarterly numbers, and more gym for your Apple Watch.
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).
More Concept Video Of The iPhone 12
Not only were more details of the iPhone Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max camera released this week, but all the leaks mean the concept artists can start work on how it actually looks. The teams at Let’s Go Digital and Concept Creator have done just that with the camera leak, as I discussed earlier this week.
“The two Pro models are widely expected to ship with a three lens camera system, and a fourth time of flight camera on Pro Max to gather extra depth information which will be useful both in AR-powered applications and Apple’s post processing filters (including he addition of bokeh or portrait lighting).
“Once more Apple is using an off-centre design for the camera hub, and the flat surface reminiscent of an induction hob from Ikea remains. The push to have a front aspect that is all screen continues, with a mix of smaller bezels and larger screens contributing to the effect.”
Concept images of the iPhone 12
LETS GO DIGITAL / CONCEPT CREATOR
The iPhone 9 Comes Into Focus
Before the iPhone 12, Apple is expected to release another iPhone. The spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, the iPhone 9 will become Apple’s entry level phone. There has been some discussion over the design, but as the potential launch in March approaches, the leaks are solidifying around an iPhone 8-esque design with iPhone 11 specs. Sagar Bakre reports:
“Now the latest information coming our way from reliable leakster Evan Blass once again suggests that the iPhone 9 will sport a home button, and it will go official in Spring 2020.
“The renders of the iPhone 9 leaked earlier this month revealed its design, and rumors have it that it’s basically the iPhone 8 with improved innards. We will hopefully know more about the iPhone 9, or whatever Apple decides to call it, in the coming weeks.”
Switching Of Location Services In iOS 13
This week saw the release of another update to iOS. Version 13.3.1 is a small release, but includes a number of features that help increase the on-device security around location. David Phelan explains the impact of isolating the U1 chip:
“Now, a new toggle in Settings means you can turn off Bluetooth, Wi-fi and Ultra Wideband. It’s not that easy to find, by the way.
“Once you’re in Settings, choose Privacy Settings, then Location Services and, all the way down at the bottom of that screen, System Services. Towards the bottom of the next screen you’ll see an option for Networking and Wireless. Slide the toggle switch to off and you’ll see the screen below which explains that you’re turning off location services for networking and wireless, which will affect Bluetooth, Wi-fi and, crucially, Ultra Wideband performance.”
Apple Prepares Competitor To AirPods Pro
Hiding inside the iOS 13 update is another piece of news. Although unannounced, the new code makes reference to the Powerbeats 4, a replacement to the popular Powerbeats 3 wireless headphones. If you want something a bit more secure than the hanging buds of the AirPods, you might have something to buy very soon. Juli Clover and Steve Moser report:
“We can expect the Powerbeats4 to offer the same features that have been added to modern earbuds like the AirPods 2, AirPods Pro, and Powerbeats Pro such as an H1 chip for improved connectivity and ‘Hey Siri” and “Announce Messages with Siri ” support.
“Powerbeats 4 will likely be close to identical to the Powerbeats Pro , but with a wire and a more affordable price tag. Apple charges $249.95 for the Powerbeats Pro , and $199.95 for the Powerbeats3. It’s likely the Powerbeats 4 will be priced similarly to Powerbeats3.”
SAN FRANCISCO – JANUARY 27: Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs demonstrates the new iPad as he speaks during … [+]
GETTY IMAGES
The Magical And Revolutionary iPad Never Arrived
This week saw the tenth anniversary of the iPad, triggering a number of retrospectives in the tech pres. While Apple’s tablet has proven to be a financial success, has it really delivered on the promise made by Steve Jobs when it was launched? Daring Fireball’s John Gruber does not think so:
“The iPad at 10 is, to me, a grave disappointment. Not because it’s “bad”, because it’s not bad — it’s great even — but because great though it is in so many ways, overall it has fallen so far short of the grand potential it showed on day one. To reach that potential, Apple needs to recognize they have made profound conceptual mistakes in the iPad user interface, mistakes that need to be scrapped and replaced, not polished and refined. I worry that iPadOS 13 suggests the opposite — that Apple is steering the iPad full speed ahead down a blind alley.”
The Financial Numbers Are In
Apple has announced its Q1 financials, with revenue of $91.8 billion, $3.4 billion ahead of the expected amount. Apple’s stock is up on these numbers, as well as the per share profit. Where did the value come from? Unsurprisingly revenue is still very much biased towards the iPhone. Alex Wilhelm breaks it down:
“Product revenue: $79.1 billion; Services revenue: $12.7 billion; Net income: $22.2 billion
“As you can see, Apple’s product revenue led its quarter. Digging into that line-item, here are the building blocks of its lucrative hardware business:
“iPhone: $56.0 billion; Mac: $7.2 billion; iPad: $6.0 billion; Wearables, Home and Accessories: $10.0 billion”
For all of the talk of moving to a services and software first approach, Tim Cook and his team still need the iPhone. More analysis at TechCrunch.
And Finally…
Apple has rolled out ‘Apple Watch Connected’ which always gyms to incorporate the Apple Watch into their own apps and program,s to increase engagement and benefits to their members. It puts more focus on the sports features of the Watch, as well as drawing more people into Apple’s services layer. Samuel Axon reports:
“Participating gyms must offer an app for either the iPhone or the Watch that allows members to track their fitness progress or activity, they must accept mobile payments via the tech company’s Apple Pay system, and they have to offer some kind of rewards to members for achieving specific goals using the Watch. Additionally, gyms that make use of certain types of fitness equipment must use equipment that supports Apple’s GymKit API for tracking workouts”
[“source=forbes”]
