iPhone 16’s Vision Pro Upgrade
This week, a third-party case manufacturer showcased their products for the upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. The most notable change is the redesigned camera module to accommodate the new Apple Vision Pro technology. The camera layout shifts from a diagonal arrangement to a vertical one, allowing for stereoscopic video recording for playback on the Vision Pro headset.
New Button Designs for iPhone 16
The iPhone 16 is also rumored to feature new button designs. The Capture Button and the Action Button, which will be introduced on the vanilla iPhone, may utilize capacitive technology instead of physical buttons. This would reduce the number of moving parts on the phone and allow for seamless operation.
iPad Launch Date Announced
After months of speculation, Apple has finally announced the date for its next launch event: Tuesday, May 7th. While no official information has been released, it is widely expected that the new iPad will be unveiled during the event. The Apple logo on the event invite, partially concealed by splashes of colored paint and a hand holding an Apple Pencil, suggests the arrival of a new Apple Pencil and the compatibility of the upcoming iPad with the device.
Apple Vision Pro Demand Falls Short
Initial projections estimated sales of the Apple Vision Pro, a niche mixed reality headset, to reach around 700,000-750,000 units. However, recent reports indicate that sales are likely to fall short, with numbers closer to 400,000. This is attributed to production and supply constraints rather than a lack of demand.
Intel MacBook Pro Problems
The latest macOS update has caused issues for MacBook owners with Intel-powered machines. Connectivity problems with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, failed Time Machine backups, UI lag, and various issues in first- and third-party apps have been reported. Apple has not yet acknowledged these issues or provided a timeline for a fix.
Apple Open Sources AI Ideas
Apple released eight different large language models through the Hugging Face AI community, making them open source. These Open Source Efficient Language Models are designed for local processing on consumer devices. Apple’s move highlights its emphasis on AI and its strategy to differentiate itself in the growing market of AI-powered Android devices.
Apple’s AI Server Plans
Apple is also reportedly planning to design its own artificial intelligence server processor. This move is part of the company’s ambitious plans for AI-focused cloud servers in the future. The processor is expected to be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process.
Calculator App Finally Coming to iPad
A notable addition to iPadOS 18 will reportedly be the introduction of a built-in Calculator app. The lack of an official calculator app on the iPad has been a long-standing issue, often addressed with third-party alternatives like PCalc and Calcbot.
