Updated August 23 with the latest reports on iPhone 16 launch dates.
Taking a look at this week’s news and headlines from Apple, including iPhone 16 launch date confusion, iPhone 16 Pro design leaks, iPhone 16 comparison, European iOS 18 changes, MacOS’s iPhone superpower, Goodbye Apple ID and the Apple Podcasts app is coming to Android.
The Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions surrounding Apple in the past seven days. You can also read my weekly roundup of Android news here on Forbes.
Maria Barteczko is seen with an iPhone15 Pro Max in Titanium White on 09, 2023 in Dusseldorf, … [+]
iPhone release date confusion
This week there was much talk of a launch date for the iPhone 18 family. Unfortunately, the excitement had to be tempered as the information it was based on has been proven false. Here’s David Phelan on the rampage:
“First, I’m sure it’s going to be an in-person event and it’s going to be held at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino. And it’s going to start at 10 a.m. Pacific time. But I don’t believe anything else is accurate. I I think the release date is set for Friday, September 20th, but the prime date could be a day earlier or a few days later than the widely anticipated September 10th. We’ll know soon.”
(Forbes).
Update: Apple will stick to the expected iPhone schedule
Writing for Bloomberg and citing sources familiar with the matter, Mark Gurman reports that Apple will launch its new device at an event on Tuesday, September 10. Gurman has a very strong track record covering upcoming Apple hardware and software releases. This weekend’s report supports the long-suspected date for the official unveiling of the new iPhone 16 family. Gurman continues to pick September 20th to begin retail availability:
Although the time has not yet been announced, the company is making preparations for that date, which falls on Tuesday, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private. The reveal will be followed by phone calls. will go on sale on September 20, in keeping with Apple’s typical approach in recent years.”
These dates follow a well-established pattern for iPhone launches, although there could be a reason why Apple might decide to move away from September 10. As Forbes contributor David Phelan points out, the televised debate between the two US presidential candidates takes place that night. Tim Cook and his team may be tempted to sidestep one of September’s biggest news moments to create their own headlines.
(Bloomberg via Forbes).
iPhone 16 Pro design leak
iPhone 18 Pro timing aside, that’s coming into clear focus as the early September launch window approaches. The latest details cover the all-important color that Apple will sell its new flagship in:
“The current colors of the Pro model are called Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium and Black Titanium. The more eagle-eyed will have noticed that Apple is keen to promote the fact that the iPhone 15 Pro has titanium in its construction. The range of new It looks similar, in gray it is likely to be a new version of Titanium.
(Forbes).
What is the difference?
With the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max sitting on the top tier and the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus on the bottom tier, you’d expect Apple to put as much distance as possible between the specs of the two threads. However, with generative artificial intelligence the big draw this year, they will have to be closer than ever:
“Unlike previous years, when Apple worked hard to create a difference between vanilla iPhone models and professional iPhone Pro models, 2024 will have much more in common between the two handsets. Both will ship with the latest Apple Silicon A18 chip and have more RAM. The added power and workspace these provide is needed to run AI-generating software (based on Apple Intelligence).
(Forbes).
Changes in iOS 18 for European customers
The latest iOS 18 builds show the additional steps Apple is taking in Europe to comply with new consumer protection regulations, including options around default search engines, web browsers and more:
“For users in the EU, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will also include a new Default Apps section in Settings that lists the defaults available for each user. In future software updates, users will receive settings of new defaults for calling phone numbers, sending messages, text translation, navigation, password management, keyboards and spam filters to learn more, see Update for applications distributed in the European Union.
(Apple developer).
MacOS gets ready
While the focus is on iOS 18 and the first generative steps of AI on the iPhone, macOS Sequoia is also slated for a mid-September release. Just as iOS 18 won’t introduce AI features until mid-October, macOS won’t either… but it’s needed in September to provide the necessary synergy with iOS:
“This year, Apple plans to release macOS Sequoia around the same time as iOS 18 instead of holding it off until October. Introducing both updates at the same time will ensure that cross-platform features are functional and work as intended, such as iPhone mirroring. A key new feature, iPhone mirroring allows an iPhone running iOS 18 to be controlled using a Mac running macOS Sequoia.”
(MacRumors).
Apple ID branding is going away
In a branding exercise no doubt driven by some data deep in the heart of Cupertino, Apple ID will be renamed Apple Account. Ryan Christoffel warns that, while the change is taking place, people will need to be alert to scams that take advantage of the process:
“Apple IDs are such an important part of accessing various highly sensitive and secure data related to your digital life. That’s why it’s important to be clear on terminology. Phishing schemes, for example, they may seek to take advantage of user confusion during this change.”
(9to5Mac).
And at the end…
Apple has opened up Apple Podcasts on its website to act as a player and you can log in to access your library and various Top Lists. This also has the nice effect of allowing Apple Podcasts to run on Android as a web app:
The website is “accessible to anyone with a web browser on any device,” and Apple says it’s available in all major browsers including Safari, Chrome, Edge and Firefox. It’s supported in more than 170 countries and regions in their local language. It does not support transcripts, chapters or downloads.”
(Podnews).
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here at Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any future coverage. Last week’s Apple Loop can be read here , or this week’s edition of the Loop’s sister column, Android Circuit , is also available on Forbes.