1. The iPhone 17 Air, expected to be released next year, is rumored to be significantly thinner than previous models; 2. It is speculated that the thickness of the iPhone 17 Air will be similar to that of the current iPad Pro, which is around 5.1mm for the 13-inch model and 5.3mm for the 11-inch model; 3. This reduction in thickness is seen as a premium feature that will appeal to design-conscious customers.
Recent #Apple news in the semiconductor industry
1. Capcom has updated its Resident Evil games on iOS to require an internet connection for launching, adding a form of DRM. 2. This move is seen as a way to gather additional data and possibly recoup costs, despite the games being single-player. 3. The sales performance of AAA games on iPhones has been underwhelming, with Resident Evil games selling fewer than 100,000 copies in total.
➀ Apple has laid off approximately 100 employees in its digital services division, indicating a strategic shift in business focus. ➁ Affected employees have been given 60 days to find another position within Apple. ➂ The largest layoffs were in teams responsible for Apple Books and Apple Bookstore, suggesting a reduced emphasis on these services. ➃ Other service teams, including those operating Apple News, have also been impacted. ➄ This move follows multiple rounds of layoffs in 2024, affecting various projects and departments within the company.
➀ iPhone 16 Pro models to feature larger screens and new color options. ➁ Standard iPhone 16 models to have vertically aligned cameras and improved camera lens coatings. ➂ All iPhone 16 models to include an 'Action Button' and a new 'Shoot Button' for photography. ➃ Exclusive AI features may debut on iPhone 16, enhancing Siri capabilities. ➄ iPhone 16 Pro models to use Samsung's high-performance M14 OLED panels and potentially redesigned Face ID. ➅ iPhone 16 to be powered by new A18 series chips with enhanced neural engines.
➀ Both A18 and A18 Pro are rumored to feature independent dies with reduced cache sizes. ➁ The two SoCs are said to share the same CPU cluster but have varying GPU cores. ➂ The standard A18 is expected to have a 5-core GPU, while the A18 Pro is rumored to have a 6-core GPU.
1. The Mac Studio, Apple's powerful compact desktop, is currently $200 off at B&H Photo. 2. This discount applies to the base model M2 Max with 32GB of RAM, suitable for most demanding workloads. 3. The Mac Studio, combined with the best monitors and keyboards, serves as an ultimate workstation for professionals.
➀ Apple is reportedly testing base-level Mac computers with at least 16GB of RAM. ➁ All new Macs are M4 Apple Silicon models, with even the lowest-end base model featuring 16GB of RAM. ➂ Apple is preparing a smaller Mac Mini, new MacBook Pro, and iMacs built around M4 chips for release later this year.
➀ Meta has canceled the development of its high-end mixed-reality headset, 'La Jolla', which was intended to compete with Apple's Vision Pro. ➁ The project aimed to use high-resolution, high-cost micro-OLED screens and was initially planned for a 2027 launch. ➂ Meta's investment in the Metaverse since 2019 ranges from $36 billion to $46.5 billion, with no profits and significant losses in its Metaverse unit.
➀ Apple is rumored to launch the iPhone 16 on September 10, potentially featuring AI capabilities and a removable battery. ➁ The new model is expected to have enhanced voice control and a larger screen size for the Pro and Pro Max versions. ➂ A significant software upgrade is anticipated to help regain market share in China, where sales have been declining.
➀ Apple's iPhone 16 launch event is set for September 10, according to a credible leak. ➁ The event will also unveil new Apple Watch and AirPods models. ➂ iOS 18, featuring Apple's AI advancements, will be detailed during the event.
➀ Apple is reportedly continuing to invest billions in developing its own cellular modems, despite challenges in performance and heating issues. ➁ Current Apple devices use Qualcomm modems, which are considered superior in the market. ➂ The motivation for Apple's in-house development includes reducing reliance on Qualcomm and potentially integrating a unified chip for all wireless functions.
1. The M4 MacBook Pro models are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year, with an October event likely. 2. All MacBook models will receive the new M4 chip, including a more affordable 14-inch version. 3. Other Apple devices, such as the Mac mini and iMac, may also upgrade to the M4 chip by the end of the year.
1. The latest chip, M4, was introduced in the iPad Pro; 2. The Mac mini and iMac are expected to be upgraded to M4 by the end of the year or early next year; 3. The MacBook Pro is likely to be upgraded to M4 in October, with the MacBook Air following in the spring.
➀ Apple announces that starting from iOS 18.1, developers can use the Secure Element in iPhones to enable NFC functionalities in their apps without using Apple Pay or Apple Wallet. ➁ This move allows for various NFC applications including contactless payments, access control, and more. ➂ Developers need to sign a business agreement with Apple and pay a yet-undisclosed fee. ➃ Apple emphasizes the use of advanced security technologies to protect user privacy and safety. ➄ Apple's decision follows regulatory pressure from the EU, which has led to broader concessions including opening up third-party app downloads and payment systems.
1. Apple is developing a tabletop device with an iPad-like display attached to a robotic arm, codenamed J595. 2. The device is intended to serve as a smart home command center, videoconferencing machine, and remote-controlled home security tool, with a target price of $1,000 and a potential release in 2026 or 2027. 3. The project includes Siri integration and custom iPad OS, allowing for voice commands and dynamic display movement.
1. LG is seeking compensation from Apple after the cancellation of the Apple Watch Ultra's MicroLED display project; 2. LG had invested heavily in preparation and acquired 14 U.S patents for the MicroLED display; 3. The cancellation has affected various partners and incurred significant costs for LG, including specialized technical experts and equipment relocation.
1. Best Buy is currently hosting an 'Apple Sales Event' with significant discounts on various Apple products. 2. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M3 Pro chip is on sale for $1,999, saving $500. 3. Other deals include the 9th Generation Apple iPad for $224.99, saving $105, and various MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Mini, AirPods, and Apple Watch models with discounts ranging from $50 to $300.
1. Apple has revised its App Store policies in Europe to avoid fines from regulators; 2. The update includes mechanisms that allow developers to freely guide consumers to alternative payment options outside the App Store; 3. Apple previously introduced a system known as 'StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement' but faced criticism from the European Union for restricting promotional activities on preferred platforms.
➀ Apple users affected by the butterfly keyboard issue have started receiving payouts up to $395 per laptop. ➁ The class action lawsuit was filed in 2018 and resulted in a $50 million no-fault settlement in 2022. ➂ Payouts vary based on the number of top case replacements, with up to $395 for two or more replacements.
❶ Apple has opted to use Google's TPUs instead of Nvidia's GPUs for developing its AI models. ❷ The Apple Foundation Models (AFMs) were trained using Google TPUv4 and TPUv5 chips, with AFM-server utilizing 8,192 TPUv4 chips and AFM-on-device using 2,048 TPUv5p chips. ❸ Apple's detailed research paper reveals the company's efforts in AI transparency and performance optimization.