Taking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes leaked iPhone 16 details, iOS 17.3 protections, massive Apple Silicon bugs, new iPad Air details, forty years of the Mac, App Store warnings, and a new Apple Store turns up in South Korea.
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).
Apple’s Major Modem Decision
Apple has spent the last few years increasing the distance between the iPhone Pro and iPhone model specifications. That’s set to continue, with the iPhone 16 Pro picking up a new modem, and the iPhone left behind with the 2023 edition:
“Apple analyst Jeff Pu reiterates Apple’s decision to bring Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X75 modem to the iPhone. This modem offers faster download and upload speeds over 5G while using less power and less space than the current X70 modem…But only if you buy the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will face an effective downgrade, missing out on the latest technology.”
(Forbes).
How iOS 17.3 Protects You
The release of iOS 17.3 comes with many features, but many will welcome the new personal security features being put in place to protect a handset if it is lost or stolen:
“For the most sensitive changes, like changing the password, this new feature means a one-hour security delay is put in place if the iPhone is not in a familiar location. These actions include adding biometrics or turning off Find My. Thieves may still find a way in but this new feature makes the iPhone much more secure if stolen.”
(Forbes).
New Apple Silicon Bug Hits Mac Family
Apple is facing an awkward bug in the GPU of various Apple Silicon chipsets. The LeftoverLocals bug allows hackers to read the contents of the GPU memory after processes are completed – notably AI and LLM routines. Until Apple releases a patch, there are some simple precautions to take:
“Crucially, anyone using this attack must have physical access to your Mac. This means the risk is lower than purely online attacks, so maintaining good physical security with your hardware will go a long way to mitigate against this attack. The concern is that hackers could use this attack as one step in a multi-step attack that could do more damage.”
(Forbes).
iPad Air 12.9 Looks Familiar
Details on Apple’s next tablet, the iPad Air 12.9, have leaked this week. While the chipsets are going to be faster and storage likely rising, the physical design is a quiet iteration of previous models:
“The iPad Air 12.9-inch model will feature the Touch ID button on top just like the previous model. The speaker grilles are located on the top and bottom as well. The side switch is also visible on this iPad Air model, and the USB-C port is at the bottom as well.”
(91mobiles).
Forty Years Of The Mac
To celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the Mac, David Phelan has dove into the trivia archives to bring out some little-known facts on the revolutionary computer—including this delightful reminder of Steve Jobs’ voiceover career and the powerful “Think Different” ad:
“You’ll have seen it, and maybe have listened to it. The voice-over… is unimprovably good. But originally, Steve Jobs recorded a version. It was okay, but not a patch on the actor who did the other version, Richard Dreyfuss. Jobs was wise enough to know when he wasn’t the best, and chose Dreyfuss over himself.”
(Forbes).
Apple Opens Up App Store With A Dire Warning
Apple has announced extensive details on how it will open up the iPhone in Europe to comply with the Digital Markets ruling to allow third parties access to the iPhone platform, install applications directly, change payment services, default apps, and more. Apple is making it clear how it views the opening of access to the iOS platform:
“The new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats. That’s why Apple is introducing protections — including Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization for marketplace developers, and disclosures on alternative payments — to reduce risks and deliver the best, most secure experience possible for users in the EU. Even with these safeguards in place, many risks remain.”
(Apple).
The reaction from the Coalition for App Fairness highlights how Apple’s various protections devalue the impact of the ruling; Executive Director Rick VanMeter:
“Apple clearly has no intention to comply with the DMA. Apple is introducing new fees on direct downloads and payments they do nothing to process, which violates the law. This plan does not achieve the DMA’s goal to increase competition and fairness in the digital market – it is not fair, reasonable, nor non-discriminatory,
“Apple’s ‘plan’ is a shameless insult to the European Commission and the millions of European consumers they represent – it must not stand and should be rejected by the Commission.”
(Coalition For App Fairness).
And Finally…
Apple has opened another Apple Store, but this time, it’s a landmark number… the 1000th store. And it’s just a coincidence that it opened in Samsung’s hometown of Seoul in South Korea:
“Apple says “Located in the center of a bustling university neighborhood in Seoul, Apple Hongdae offers an exciting space for students, their families, and the local community to discover and shop Apple’s incredible lineup of products and services.”
(SamMobile).
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.
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