We take a look at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including new iPhone 16 features, iPhone 16 Pro launch dates, Apple’s AI delay, an improved Files app for the iPad Pro, the closure of Cellbrite in iOS, Microsoft granting Apple’s AI wish, and a full shelf of Emmy nominations.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of the many discussions about Apple in the past seven days. You can also read my weekly Android news roundup here on Forbes..
iPhone 15 Pro Max in Titanium White (Photo: Ming Yong/Getty Images)
iPhone 16 Pro Key Features Update
Apple continues to fall behind on the core features that Android users expect from their mid-range smartphones, let alone their premium smartphones. Based on last week’s leaks, we have more information about the fast-charging iPhones coming this year.
“It’s not just that the battery will be different, although a recent report says so, but when it does run down, the recharging process will be much faster. This is due to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max supporting 40W wired charging speeds…
“Currently, all iPhone 15 series phones support wired charging speeds of up to 27W, assuming you have a powerful enough charging plug. That means you can charge the iPhone 15 from full battery to 50% in about 30 minutes. That’s not bad, but the speeds could be better.
(Forbes).
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro release date
Tim Cook’s Apple has adopted a predictable release schedule for each generation of iPhone, and there’s no indication that the iPhone 16 series, due in 2024, will change that pattern. Forbes’ David Phelan takes a look at the possible dates for the new phone’s announcement and the announcement of the new phone:
“I think the keynote will be on Tuesday, September 10th… Apple varies when it announces its keynote, and it’s usually a vague and unclear message that reveals more than you might expect. Apple likes to make a splash with its keynote announcement, so I think it will post this announcement on Wednesday, September 4th or Thursday, September 5th for maximum impact. Once that’s confirmed, we’ll know the pre-order and release dates.”
(Forbes).
iPhone 16 Pro launch delayed
While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro may go on sale in late September, the real upgrade will be Apple’s introduction of AI. The fancy-titled Apple Intelligence is supposed to go some way to keeping up with Android, but that won’t happen overnight. It won’t happen until 2024:
“However, the AI that the iPhone clearly lacks right now won’t be available until the first quarter of 2025. Tim Cook and his team will be asking Apple followers to buy the smartphone with the promise of AI at some point in the future. Meanwhile, all of these features are available on Android. [since 2023]“Apple’s iPhone will be two generations behind Android’s AI efforts before it leaves the Cupertino stage.”
(Forbes).
Take the files you want with you.
While the iPadOS18 update isn’t as comprehensive as many had hoped, Apple has addressed many of the issues and annoyances users have been experiencing. The Files app now offers smarter downloads and offline access from key iCloud sources:
“Not just on iPad but also on iPhone in iOS 18, you can long-press on a file or folder and find a new “Keep Downloaded” button in the menu. That’s right, you can tell iPadOS to keep an entire folder or downloaded file permanently, and never move it to the cloud again.”
(9o5Mac).
iPhone Safe Return
Cellbrite is a well-known name in security circles for its ability to hack digitally locked smartphones for law enforcement agencies. Now, it’s announcing that with its current toolkit, phones running the latest version of iOS are immune to its methods.
Leaked documents reveal that Cellebrite cannot unlock iPhones running iOS 17.4 and later, at least as of the date of publication (April 2024). The company has confirmed that the documents are authentic. Cellebrite devices, which are widely used by law enforcement agencies, can hack most Android phones, though there are exceptions…
(9to5mac).
Coming to Amnesty International
While many will be waiting for AI on the iPhone 16 series, those who need it now may want to consider an unusual solution, at least for generative AI photos… Microsoft:
“After being available in preview for nearly a year, Microsoft Designer is finally available to everyone. After being tested on Microsoft Edge and other browsers through a website, Designer is now available to use on more platforms, including apps for iOS, 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 apps, including Word.”
Finally…
With this year’s Emmy nominations announced, Apple is proud to promote the success of Apple TV. With a record 72 nominations, this was Apple’s best year yet for production:
“With the Emmy Award-winning show, Apple TV+ earned nominations across 16 Apple Originals, including Lessons in Chemistry, The Morning Show, Slow Horses, Palm Royale, Loot, Hijack, STEVE! (martin) a two-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).
Apple Loop brings you seven days of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any future coverage. You can read last week’s Apple Loop episode here.or This week’s edition of Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes..
