Surprise iPhone details, latest iOS issues, Apple hurts Facebook

Looking back on another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the new iPhone SE, Apple’s latest privacy issue, new Macs are coming, mysterious MacBook Pro launch, apps breakthrough medical devices, how Apple hurt Facebook, and saying goodbye to a legendary 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 Android news roundup here on Forbes).

Your next new iPhone SE is almost here

While the iPhone 14 family will deliver a complete refresh to Apple’s smartphone lineup, they won’t be the only new iPhones this year. The third generation of Apple’s entry-level iPhone SE family is set to launch at the upcoming March event, with production reportedly underway:

“The affordable iPhone SE 3rd Gen will likely be 5G-capable. However, it should have the same design and build as the previous-gen model. Alongside the iPhone SE, we may see a 5G iPad Air during this event. – if the leak ends up being accurate.”

(XDA Developers).

Apple user privacy issue

following last week’s news from ZDNet that Apple stored users’ voice data without permission, Apple clarified its position, noting that the bug was fixed in iOS 15.2 and not 15.4. However, the situation remains worrying.

“While the company should be credited for acting faster than originally thought (two months after the user’s audio was wrongly shared with Apple, instead of five months), it doesn’t did nothing to absolve the company’s lack of transparency on this issue Upon learning that user audio was recorded without permission and set on Apple servers, the only acceptable action was for Apple to be transparent and communicate to users what had happened.

“Bug or not, the error represented a clear violation of users’ privacy. As it stands, on several occasions Apple has now accessed its users’ audio recordings without their permission (details below). ) and each time Apple had to get caught before admitting what happened.”

(ZDNet via Forbes).

New Macs are coming, but which ones?

Thanks to some timely (and required) certification submissions, Apple has tacitly confirmed that three new macs are on the way. Beyond the model numbers, we are left with speculation and hunches on what to expect, but there are two obvious gaps that need to be filled before the end of the year:

“Last year saw the iMac launch at the Spring event, albeit in mid-April, rather than the more traditional March slot. See iMac Pro a year later certainly matches Apple’s love of schedule-based regularity.The Mac Pro is also awaiting the switch to the ARM-based chipset.With the latest release in December 2019, this machine could wait until the end of the year, or both “Pro” machines could be out now, as the final members of the M1 family before the M2 is introduced at WWDC in June for a Q4 launch.”

(Forbes).

What about a MacBook Pro M2?

What if it was a MacBook Pro? There are certainly discussions in the air, with the focus on a potential debut of the m2 chip in an entry-level MacBook Pro. That may be the case with Apple making a decision much closer to the moment, hence the mixed signals online. No doubt a subtle management of expectations will take place over the next few weeks so that no one is disappointed with the final choice on the calendar:

“Based on new information seen by MacRumors, the upcoming 13-inch MacBook Pro retains the same design as the current version, including the Touch Bar, but unlike the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, it won’t have a notch or a ProMotion screen, contrary to some rumors.

“If so, that means the main difference in the new entry-level MacBook Pro model will be the new M2 chip, which includes the same number of processor cores as the M1 processor, up to 10 cores. improved graphics and performance.”

(MacRumors)

First FDA Approved Diabetic Pump Control App

The US regulator FDA has approved Tandem Diabetes Care’s mobile application which will allow diabetics to control their own insulin pumps via their smartphone. This will be the first application authorized to provide this service. Previously, any system required the discharge to be controlled directly by the pump. Now the app can be used:

“With this update, pump users will be able to schedule or cancel boluses of insulin, which are taken at mealtimes and are essential for blood sugar control.” Giving a meal bolus is now the most common reason for which a person interacts with their pump, and the ability to do so using a smartphone app provides a convenient and discreet solution,” said John Sheridan, president and CEO of Tandem Diabetes Care, in a statement. The change could be a big improvement for people who prefer not to take pumps out in public places or attach them to underwear like bras.”

(The edge).

How Apple hurt Facebook and Meta

How have Apple’s moves to restrict user tracking in on-device advertising impacted Facebook and parent company Meta? The headline numbers are $10 billion in revenue, but this announcement last week knocked $250 billion off the company’s value. What happens next? Peter Kafka dives deep to discover:

“The short version, as COO Sheryl Sandberg told investors last week: Facebook’s ad targeting has become less precise because it now knows less about its users. Which means Facebook advertisers have to spend more money in hopes of reaching people on iPhones – and that Facebook advertisers, who used to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns down to the penny, now have to make far less educated guesses about whether their ad dollars are working”

(Recode).

And finally…

It’s time to say goodbye to the iPhone 6 Plus, as Apple places its first ‘big’ iPhone on the vintage list; which effectively means that repairs may still be possible, but only if the parts are in stock. It’s a silent descent to the deprecated list and the death knell of support, but it’s a graceful descent.

“The vintage product list includes devices that Apple stopped distributing for sale more than five years ago and less than seven years ago. Apple provides service and parts for vintage devices up to 7 years old, or as required by law, but repairs are subject to parts availability. Apple stopped supporting iPhone 6 and 6 Plus with software updates in 2019 with the release of iOS 13.”

(MacRumors).

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.