Looking back on another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes confirmed details of iPhone 13, Apple’s older 5G model, malware in the new M1 Macs, several MacBook Pro cases, Apple’s win over Epic, the latest AirPods leak, and a very expensive sign.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many conversations that have taken place around Apple over the past seven days (and you can read my weekly dig of Android news here on Forbes).
IPhone 13 updates confirmed
Some major changes are coming to the iPhone 13 family this year; a new design for the ‘grippy’ rear, the long-awaited 120 Hz, and a new ultra-wide camera lens. The changes to the background are particularly interesting:
Weinbach tells Koroy that Apple will be “updating” the matte back of the iPhone 13 Pro models with a “smoother” background with a slightly more comfortable text [to hold]”. It is also understood to be similar to the ending of the Google Pixel series. That said, he warns that the design of the case will not “completely change the same look on the iPhone 12 line.”
Forbes.
A buyer with a protective mask will try Apple Inc. Pro 12 Apple Inc. at Apple’s flagship … [+]
© 2020 Bloomberg Finance LP
IPhone 13 uses an older 5G Modem
The iPhone 13 family is expected to use Qualcomm’s X60 5G modem. This is a step up from the standard X55 in use, but when September comes the X65 should come online. I think Apple would rather have the extra time to top off the currently underrepresented chip rather than go for something on the inflatable edge:
“Note that Qualcomm has already announced a Snapdragon X65 5G modem but it looks like Apple won’t be using the latest modem, probably to keep the cost low. Because the X60 5G modem implemented using Samsung ‘s 5nm node, it should offer better battery performance. “
Gizmochina.
M1 Mac picks up some weird malware
There has been a lot of debate this week about Silver Sparrow malware running on tens of thousands of Macs worldwide. It ‘calls home’ but as it currently stands there is no payment obligation to be active; the malware has the ability to kill itself; and runs natively on Apple’s M1 chip. Dan Goodin takes an overview of the code and its implications “
“In addition to these issues, the malware is notorious for a natively running version of the M1 chip that Apple introduced in November, making it the second known piece of macOS malware to do so. The malicious binary is even more secretive because it uses the macOS JavaScript API installer to execute commands, which makes it difficult to analyze the contents of an installation package or the way in which that folder uses JavaScript commands. “
Ars Technica.
Welcome back, tunes!
The days of a revamped MacBook port option are probably coming to an end. Well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that this year’s macOS laptops will feature an SD Card reader and an HDMI (CNet) output port. The supply chain is also preparing to offer 14- and 16-inch miniLED displays for the MacBook Pro lineup, proposing a small-size patch in the smaller model:
“Apple is expected to unveil 14- and 16-inch miniLED-backlit MacBook Pro models in the second half of 2021, with Radiant as the sole supplier of BLUs and Quanta Computer to become an OEM, the stores noted.”
DIgiTimes.
MacBook USB Problems
Meanwhile macOS users on the M1 powered Mac laptops have found in a few pickles. The USB hubs that offer more I / O ports to users have been partially tested with the operating system. Here is one of the areas that the macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 release will address:
“There have been several reports of Reddit from Mac users who have connected USB-C hubs and docks to their devices, and as a result the device is unprofessional. Affected Macs go blank and unresponsive shortly after attaching the dock Many of the troubled users used hubs and docks that were not purchased from reputable companies. “
MacRumors.
That is a lot of used disk life
This is not the only issue affecting the M1 Macs with a user reporting over SSD usage. While these campaigns are generally evaluated for a very high number of rewrites, there is only a final number of transcripts before things fall below appropriate levels:
“In comparison to Moren, its 2017 iMac records about 2.15 terabytes of data written per month for 14 percent of its lifecycle, while the new M1 MacBook boasts nearly 6TB and has lost 1 percent if its life expectancy is expected.if you take out over the same period, a MacBook SSD could be 30 percent to 40 percent used over the same period .The Moren device has 16GB of RAM, so usage could be even higher for devices with 8GB of RAM “
MacWorld.
Signing in with Apple’s monopoly question
Apple claims that developers will use the ‘Sign In With Apple’ program if it offers systems like Google or Facebook to draw the attention of Antitrust complaints to the U.S. Department of Justice:
“… Apple’s implementation of this option – required by all apps that offer login options from other companies such as Google or Facebook – has caused some concern. -development. And that has prompted complaints that the U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating, said two people with direct knowledge of the situation. “
The Information.
Let’s ask this other app store, shall we?
On the other high – profile case (Epic vs. Apple), the California Court has forced Valve – which runs the Steam game library – to release sales data from 436 games. Apple will use this data to help define the video game market in which the Epic store operates:
“By Wednesday ‘s order by Judge Thomas Hixson, Valve must provide annual sales and pricing data on 436 games available on both its PC game distribution platform, Steam, and Epic Games Store. Apple requested the data so that he can explain the video game market in his case against Epic. “
The edge.
Your ears may thank you later this year
New images of the potential AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2 suggest less starch, a tweak to the main body sitting in our, and changes to the battery issue. It may be some time before their release, with the September / October date being debated:
“At the same time, it is reported that Apple is also designing a new version of AirPods Pro in 2021, again with a completely new design. This time, it is reported that Apple intends to bring AirPods Pro look a bit like some of the competitors in the market from Amazon and Samsung. “
9to5Mac.
And finally …
Apple memorabilia collectors should check out the latest lottery from Rate House Nate D. Saunders. This is one of the earliest signs of Apple Computer Inc. since 1978. It was then sent out to stores for promotion. Applications now start at $ 12,000:
“Apple Computer Inc. ‘s original sign, circa 1978, displays the famous rainbow apple logo. A large sign measuring over 4’ x 5 ‘is one of Apple’ s earliest selling signs, named exhibited by an authorized vendor who learned about Apple by attending a computer conference in 1976. An acrylic sign in a metal frame measures 48.5 ” x 60.5 ”. A few surface markings, and some going to the back of the picture, but the colors of the rainbow are still bright. Very good setting overall. “
Apple Loop will give you seven days of ambition every weekend here on Forbes. Don’t forget to follow me so you don’t miss any future broadcasts. 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.