Looking back on another week of Cupertino news and headlines, this week’s Apple Loop includes iPhone 15 5G battle, more iPhone Wi-Fi issues, Apple specs leak iPhone SE, the disappointingly late MacBook Pro, the iPad magic keyboard review, remembering the U2 nightmare and Union success in Scotland.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many, many discussions that have taken place around Apple over the past seven days (and you can read my weekly Android news roundup here on Forbes).
The iPhone 15’s 5G battle
It might not be the sexiest part of the package, but without the 5G modem, your iPhone’s connectivity won’t be much better than that of the retired iPod Touch. Apple has been using Qualcomm lately, although it is working on its own 5G modem. Widely expected to be ready for the iPhone 15, Qualcomm itself has indicated that its modem will power the vast majority of iPhone 15 models:
Qualcomm has told investors it will continue to supply the ‘vast majority’ of modem chips for Apple’s iPhone 15 line in 2023. The company said it previously planned to supply just 20% of iPhone modems. 5G by then, given Apple’s ambitious roadmap. for its own 5G modems.”
(Forbes).
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14, 2022: New iPhone SE reviewed by Washington Post reporter Geoff … [+]
iPhone Users Facing Connectivity Issues
Apple is still struggling with a significant number of issues with iOS 16. The recent iOS 16.1 update was supposed to fix them, but alas, the latest version of the iPhone operating system is still causing issues for many. many users:
“Based on what users share, they say their iPhones disconnect periodically and sometimes randomly throughout their day despite no change in their surroundings. Other users say their iPhones sometimes disconnect from the Wi-Fi when left on standby, like overnight. Some users have tried to reset all network settings on their iPhone, but the reset seems ineffective.”
(MacRumors).
How big do you want the SE to be?
What screen do you want to see on the next iPhone SE? Maybe you should let Apple know because the company is still trying to decide between a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 6.1-inch LCD, or a smaller 5.7-inch LCD:
“[the iPhone SE will use the] XR design launched in 2018. It features the long notch at the top of the screen and a full screen-to-body design. This means no home button to integrate a Touch ID sensor. Unless Apple offers a side-mounted option, the next iPhone SE could be the first with FaceID. Still, this display is one of the big decisions Apple has yet to make.”
(Forbes).
MacBook Pro Lag
Apple’s press launch in October skipped all updates to the MacBook Pro, and devotees’ eyes turned to November in hopes of a new business macOS laptop for Christmas. Alas, while we might see the launch of the Mac Pro running Apple Silicon, next-gen laptops appear to be pushed back to 2023:
“Apple has had November releases for Macs before, quite often, and there had been plenty of rumors about the possibility of the same for these refreshed MacBook Pros… [the supply] The channel is currently working to be on track for a 2023 launch, instead of a November or late 2022 launch.”
(iPlus).
iPad Keyboard of Choice Review
Along with the new iPad Pro (reviewed here on Forbes), Apple’s “don’t call them tablets” family of tablets saw the iPad get a new Magic Keyboard Folio case, offering both a case and a detachable computer for $249. Juli Clover reviews the new accessory:
“Someone who wants to use the 10th generation iPad for composing emails, browsing the web, and other writing tasks may want to invest in the keyboard because it turns the iPad into a kind of all-purpose machine. Mac, ideal for working at home or There are cheaper keyboards on the market, but Apple has packed a lot of features into the Magic Keyboard Folio that are worth it for some users.
(MacRumors).
The day the music wouldn’t die
It still gives some music lovers a cold sweat, but Bono – thanks to his recently released memoir – reminded everyone of the day U2’s Songs Of Innocence album appeared in everyone’s iTunes catalog… and there remained no matter how many times you tried to remove it:
“Cook finally agreed to put a copy of the album on everyone’s iTunes account. People hated him, the album wasn’t great, Bono apologized, and Apple finally released a tool special to allow people to remove it. But less than a year later, Apple would announce its Apple Music streaming service, and today it’s arguably more of a subscription organization than ever.”
(The edge).
And finally…
Staff at the Apple Store in Glasgow have succeeded in their quest to unionise. It should be the first of the Scottish stores to follow the path set by Apple Stores in the United States, France and Sweden:
“In what has been called a ‘historic moment’ by union representatives, the Buchanan Street Glasgow branch of the US tech giant will now be unionized after workers voted overwhelmingly to be represented by GMB Scotland. After negotiations, Apple agreed to a voluntary recognition vote after a large number of its Glasgow workers joined the GMB.”
(Apple Retail Workers Union via the Glasgow Times).
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 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.