Looking back at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including new iPhone 16 features, iPhone 16 Pro launch dates, Apple’s AI delay, iPad Pro’s improved Files app, Cellbrite locked to iOS, Microsoft meets Apple’s wishes for with artificial intelligence and a shelf full of Emmy nominations/
The Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions surrounding Apple over the past seven days. You can also read my weekly roundup of Android news here on Forbes.
iPhone 15 Pro Max in white titanium (Photo: Ming Yeung/Getty Images)
iPhone 16 Pro key feature update
Apple continues to fall short of the basic features Android users expect from its mid-range smartphones, let alone its premium smartphones. Following on from last weeks leak, we have more information on faster charging iPhones coming this year.
“It’s not just that the battery will be different, although a recent report says it is, but that when it runs out it will recharge much faster. This is due to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max supporting 40W wired charging.” speed…
“Right now, all iPhone 15 phones support wired charging at speeds of up to 27 watts, provided you have a powerful enough charging plug. That means you’ll charge your iPhone 15 from dead to 50% in about 30 minutes. That’s not bad, but faster would be better.
(Forbes).
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro release date
Apple Tim Cook has adopted a predictable release schedule for each iPhone generation, and there are no signs that the 2024 iPhone 16 family will change that pattern. Forbes’ David Phelan looks at the likely announcement dates and announcement announcements:
“I believe the keynote will be held on Tuesday, September 10th… Apple varies in how far in advance they announce the keynote, usually with a gnomic and vague message that reveals more than you’d expect. Apple likes to make a splash to reveal the keynote, so I believe , that this announcement will roll out on Wednesday, September 4th or Thursday, September 5th for maximum effect. Once that’s confirmed, we’ll know the pre-order and release date.”
(Forbes).
iPhone 16 Pro software delayed
While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro may go on sale in late September, the real upgrade will be in Apple’s introduction of AI. The grandiosely named Apple Intelligence should go some way to catching up with Android, but it won’t happen overnight. It won’t even happen in 2024:
“However, the artificial intelligence that the iPhone now clearly lacks will not be available until the first quarter of 2025. Tim Cook and his team will be asking the Apple faithful to buy a smartphone with the promise that they will receive AI at some point. Meanwhile, all these benefits are available on Android [since 2023]. Apple’s iPhone will be two generations behind Android’s AI efforts before it even leaves the Cupertino stage.”
(Forbes).
Take the files you want
While the update to iPadOS18 is not as extensive as many had hoped, Apple has addressed several issues and annoyances that users have been facing. The Files app now offers smarter downloads and offline access from primary iCloud sources:
“Not only on the iPad, but also on the iPhone in iOS 18, you can long press a file or folder and find a new ‘Keep Downloaded’ button in the menu. That’s right, you can tell iPadOS to keep the entire folder or file downloaded permanently, which will never be transferred to the cloud.”
(9o5Mac).
The secure iPhone is back
Cellbrite is a household name in security threat circles for its ability to digitally jailbreak locked smartphones for law enforcement. It now states that with the current toolset, phones running the latest version of iOS are immune to their approaches
“Leaked documents show that Cellebrite cannot unlock iPhones running iOS 17.4 and later, at least as of the publication date (April 2024). The company has confirmed that the documents are genuine. Cellebrite devices, which are widely used by law enforcement agencies, can crack most Android phones, although there are exceptions…
(9 to 5 Mac).
AI is coming
While many will be waiting for AI in the iPhone 16 family, those who need it right now may want to consider an unusual solution, at least for AI generative images… Microsoft:
Previously available in preview for nearly a year, Microsoft Designer is finally available to everyone. Tested with Microsoft Edge and other browsers via the website, Designer is now open for use on multiple platforms, including iOS apps , Android and Windows.” The app itself is free, but requires a Microsoft account to sign in and use. Previously, elements were available through Copilot in other Microsoft applications, including Word.
(Apple Insider).
And finally…
With this year’s Emmy nominations now announced, Apple is proudly promoting the success of Apple TV. With a record 72 nominations, it’s Apple’s best year yet from its production stable:
“With Best Ever Emmy Show, Apple TV+ has been nominated for 16 Apple Originals, including Chemistry Lessons, The Morning Show, Slow Horse, Palm Royale, Loot, Hijack, STEVE! (martin) a 2-part documentary, Girls State, The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy , Masters of the Air, Silo, Physical, Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas, The New Look, Sugar and more”
(Apple).
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