Fastest iPhone 13 Feature, Powerful Mac Pro Update, MacBook Pro Shock Release

Returning to another week of Cupertino news and headlines, this week’s Apple Loop features increased iPhone 13 production, new Wi-Fi 6E features, hiding the notch of iPhone, MacBook Pro launch dates, the new Magic Keyboard, powerful GPUs for the Mac Poll Pro and iPad Mini, and the promise of a thinner iPhone.

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 recap of Android news here on Forbes).

Apple will search for CSAM images on your iPhone

Apple announced the inclusion of “extended protections for children” on most of its platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macos and watchOS). about how this functionality can be extended by governments around the world, Apple’s image as a privacy-focused company, the pressure it will put on other manufacturers to include this system “because Apple does it. do ” :

Apple intends to install software on US iPhones to search for child abuse images, people briefed on its plans say, alarming security researchers who warn it could open the door to surveillance personal devices of millions of people… The automated system would proactively alert a team of human examiners if they believe illegal images are detected, who would then contact law enforcement if the material can be verified. The program will initially only be rolled out in the United States. “

No single link here, it’s a pretty broad topic, so I would start with Apple’s own statement, followed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s discussion of the implications of “… a backdoor in its system. data storage and messaging system, “The Register’s emphasizing why” this technology has a mission creeping everywhere. “

The production of the iPhone 13 increases

With the iPhone 13 launching around five weeks away, Apple started sourcing handsets ahead of a retail release in late September. He also brought a new manufacturer into the process of assembling the new handsets. Given that Apple has increased the backlog on the iPhone, that shouldn’t be too much of a surprise … assuming Tim Cook and his team predicted sales correctly:

“Chinese electronics maker Luxshare Precision Industry will build up to 3% of the next series of iPhone 13s, winning orders from Taiwanese rivals Foxconn and Pegatron… Luxshare will start building the iPhone 13 Pro – like the premium model should be called – this month, sources say, a major breakthrough for a company that has never produced an iPhone on its own.

(Nikkei Asia).

Improved Wi-Fi for iPhone 13

Last year, the iPhone finally adopted 5G to improve the smartphone’s connectivity with the rest of the world. This year the focus will be on tighter connections, with the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E – which should deliver a more consistent experience. Sam Fathi of MacRumors has an interview with Kevin Robinson of the Wi-Fi Alliance to find out more:

Launched in 2019, it promises to give users a more consistent, robust and reliable Wi-Fi experience that works across a range of devices. Wi-Fi 6E, which on the surface is simply Wi-Fi 6 extended to 6 – GHz, was most recently announced in January 2020. ”

(Mac Rumors).

Apple is preparing AirPods 3 for September

Alongside the iPhone 13 family, Apple’s traditional September will even see the launch of third-generation AirPods. The headphones are expected to support a wireless charging box and a more curved design. They were also due to launch in April, but supply issues affected the product. Presumably, the longer lead time allowed inventory to build up as needed:

Arguably the only tech product that can compete with a new iPhone for attention, the arrival of third-generation AirPods will provide some solace to millions of iPhone fans after Apple’s CFO , Luca Maestri, confirmed that the ongoing chip shortages will “primarily impact” the production of iPads and iPhones ahead of the Christmas rush. ”

(Forbes via Dylandkt).

Hide the iPhone notch

Beyond the iPhone 13, Apple’s R&D team continues to work to minimize the impact of the notch that houses the selfie camera and FaceID technology. A new patent describes sliding part of the screen to cover the sensors when not in use. From the patent:

“” It may be desirable to hide cameras and other input / output devices when not in use. Therefore, the electronic device can be provided with one or more adjustable windows. Windows can be formed in display window regions that overlap input-output devices in the electronic device. For example, a window can overlap a camera or other optical component. “”

(Definitely Apple)

When is your new MacBook coming?

During WWDC 2020, Tim Cook announced that Apple will be moving the Mac platform completely to the ARM-powered Apple Silicon chipset. Now we have a better idea of ​​Mark Gurman’s timescale. The MacBook Pro M1X in the coming months, a “high-end” Mac Mini by the end of the year, and both the “high-end” Mac Pro and iMacs by the end of 2022:

“Looking ahead, Gurman says new MacBook Pros with more ‘M1X’ processors are still on track for release in the ‘coming months’, while a new high-end Mac mini will arrive’ shortly. long after. ”In 2022, Gurman expects the iMac to“ complete a full transition by the end of next year ”and a“ revamped, smaller Mac Pro with Apple Silicon ”to arrive “Later next year also”.

(via 9to5Mac).

The magic keyboard is not for everyone

The TouchID-enabled Magic Keyboard that came with the iMac is now available for purchase separately. But before you all rush to the keyboard that takes care of fingerprints, take note … the keyboard only works with Macs with Apple Silicon:

“This makes the newly available stand-alone keyboard particularly useful for M1 Mac Mini owners, given that it is the only M1-based computer that does not include a form of biometric Touch ID security out of the box. “

(The edge).

New Mac Pro GPU

Three new top-of-the-line AMD GPUs for Mac Pro will also be on sale this week for Mac fans, offering significantly more power than the current Vega II cards they replace. I wonder how these will fit into the Apple Silicon ARM-based Mac Pros that will launch before the end of 2022?

“The new Radeon cards are also a big expense: the price of these upgraded GPU modules ranges from $ 2,400 up to $ 11,600, and that’s in addition to the Mac Pro’s base asking price of $ 5,999. So while the continuing shortage of chips and GPU scarcity may make you want a new graphics card, Apple’s new offerings are probably not worth the price of admission… According to Apple, these new Mac Pro GPU options will deliver up to 84% faster performance when using Octane X rendering software, and up to 23% performance increase when using Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve editing suite. ”

(Tom’s Guide).

The changing iPad Mini

Apple is currently conducting a customer survey on the screen size of the iPad Mini. It asks for thoughts on size, apps used, and preferences for running in landscape or portrait mode. Many remember the survey in which Apple asked about the inclusion of a USB charger in the iPhone’s retail packaging and drew their own conclusions about the potential of a new iPad Mini. :

“Rumors abound that Apple is planning a really big redesign of its iPad mini later this year that could include a new A15 processor and a design redesign to match the iPad Air and iPad Pro M1 (2021). , currently the best iPad models Apple has to offer. “

(iPlus).

And finally…

Apple is poised to adopt Integrated Passive Device (IPD) technology, which will allow thinner components and more space within the same physical structure. So, will Apple use it to increase battery size or make the iPhone even thinner? I know where my money is, and it’s not trying to hit two days of power

“… Apple is expected to dramatically increase the adoption of IPD (Integrated Passive Device) in new iPhones and other iOS products, providing TSMC and Amkor manufacturing partners with solid business opportunities.” The report further added that the peripheral chips for iPhone, iPad and MacBook series become thinner with higher performance to leave more space for higher capacity battery solutions for devices, IPD demand rising sharply in line with the trend, the sources mentioned. “

(Definitely Apple).

Apple Loop gives you seven days of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Remember to follow me so you won’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.