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The iPhone 17 Pro is less than a month away, and we’re hearing more and more about its design and hardware features. As for software, Apple’s iOS 18.6.1 update brought back the Apple Watch blood oxygen measuring feature. The company is also said to be working on two AI projects aimed at improving Siri, while Elon Musk is considering a lawsuit against Apple.
Here’s what happened during the past week, and why it matters. |
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Apple's new frame design, battery layout, and component arrangement for the iPhone 17 Pro Max appear to have been leaked. Two sets of images published this week show a redesigned chassis, with a camera bar on the rear of the phone.
Meanwhile, a separate rumor claims that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max is looking at a big telephoto lens upgrade, and we may also see a more powerful GPU. Claims of a $50 price increase for the iPhone 17 Pro were also reiterated, and Apple could mask the change by upping the base storage option.
Our take: Although the images published this week seemingly surfaced from case manufacturers and enthusiasts, they do show the same overall design. Telephoto improvements are a likely option for the iPhone 17 Pro, but it’s unclear if a price increase will truly happen or not.
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If you've ever opened a video file on your Mac, chances are you've used QuickTime Player. There’s a lot more it can do, though! QuickTime is one of Apple's most underrated built-in tools. Whether you're looking to trim a clip, record your screen, or convert a video file, QuickTime can get the job done.
Recent updates have made QuickTime more versatile than ever, but many of these useful enhancements are often overlooked. Luckily, this week’s newsletter-exclusive guide will walk you through everything QuickTime Player can do and how to get the most out of it. Check it out!
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According to a report published this week, Apple is working on two separate projects related to Siri. Codenamed Linwood and Glenwood, they’re part of a sweeping plan to make Siri far more capable and competitive in the generative AI era. Linwood focuses on internal innovation, while Glenwood aims to see how third-party models can improve Siri.
Apple is also said to be working on Siri-enabled robots, though they are reportedly behind schedule. Separately, Elon Musk says xAI will 'take immediate legal action' against Apple, which allegedly favors ChatGPT and OpenAI by never featuring Grok or X in the App Store. Apple shared its response to the accusations, citing that it doesn't play favorites with the App Store.
Our take: Apple is under pressure to prove it can still innovate in software after missing the first wave of consumer-facing generative AI. It may have to turn to third parties. Siri’s promised personal context features and in-app actions have been delayed and are still nowhere to be found. Musk's lawsuit, meanwhile, should he ever actually file one, has no more than a single snowflake's chance in hell of winning.
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The macOS 15.6 kernel development kit, released by Apple this week, was found to have details about multiple unreleased products. Code from the software revealed that the next-generation Apple Vision Pro will get the M5 chip, while the iPad mini 8 is expected to gain Apple’s A19 Pro chip and an OLED display.
The Apple Watch Series 11, meanwhile, could see a relatively minor upgrade in terms of processing hardware. The KDK code also included references to an upcoming Apple Studio Display, as well as planned upgrades for the Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini. Apple is set to use the A17 Pro in the next Apple TV 4K and a new chip for the HomePod mini. An updated Mac Pro with the M4 Ultra chip may still be in the works as well.
Our take: Apple has inadvertently revealed details about its future products before. Earlier this year, the company accidentally made public a software file for the M4 MacBook Air, well ahead of launch. Given that the information came from Apple itself, there’s no doubt we’ll see these chip updates and devices in the coming months.
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The blood oxygen sensing feature is again available to U.S. Apple Watch users with the rollout of iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1. On Thursday, Apple announced that it would be bringing the much-missed Blood Oxygen feature to Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
iOS 26 developer beta 6, meanwhile, adds five new variants of the iPhone’s default “Reflection” ringtone. Assets from the update suggest that AirPods could soon receive Apple’s Live Translation feature. iOS 26.4 is also reportedly in internal testing.
Our take: The Apple Watch Blood Oxygen feature was disabled in early 2024 due to a patent dispute with the company Massimo. Apple hasn't specified exactly what it has done to resolve this, but it did say that the move was "enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling." It’s unlikely Apple will provide any additional information about the matter.
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Apple has yet to enter the foldable phone market, while rival companies have already experienced success with their products. Following the release of the well-reviewed Samsung Galaxy Fold 7, a familiar question remains: where's the iPhone Fold? The lack of an iPhone Fold in the lineup continues to be puzzling to some, but there’s likely a good reason for it. AppleInsider’s Oliver Haslam offers an idea as to why Apple’s waiting to reveal its first foldable iPhone.
Apple is also believed to have spent $10 billion on research for the Apple Car, yet the company’s vehicle never saw the light of day. Rumors about the company's robotics program point to lessons learned and technology invented from the program, however. AppleInsider’s William Gallagher explains how the now-abandoned Apple Car project likely influenced the iPhone maker’s robotics efforts.
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Whether you're looking to take online courses or you're expecting to go to college in the fall, an iPad can go a long way. Apple’s tablets are ideal for taking notes, reading textbooks, multitasking, and more, but choosing the right iPad model can be challenging.
In this week’s video, we explain which iPad models are worth your money — and which ones to skip! From the iPad Air vs iPad Pro to storage tips, AppleInsider has you covered. Check out the full video to learn more, and share it with your friends! |
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For in-depth insights on recent developments in the area of technology, you should check out the AppleInsider Podcast. This week, Apple announced it’s bringing back the blood oxygen sensor to the Apple Watch, and we’ve also heard claims that the iPhone 17 will be costlier but have more storage. William Gallagher and Wesley Hilliard also discuss what's coming next with the MacBook Pro. For all the details, tune in to the full episode, and be sure to share it with your friends!
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The 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro is available right now from Amazon with a massive discount — up to $300 off the retail price! Its 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display offers up to 1600 nits peak brightness and has ProMotion technology. You also get an HDMI port and an impressive six-speaker system built in, making it an excellent option for pro users.
If you’re in the market for something more affordable, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, with an impressive 24GB of RAM, is on sale for just $1499 over at B&H Photo.
Amazon also has the base model 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro at its lowest price ever!. At only $1299, the standard M4 MacBook Pro has never been cheaper! |
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Be sure to check out our Price Guides to find the best deals on M4 MacBook Pro configurations:
If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. |
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The iPhone 17 range is less than a month away, and we already know what it will look like. It remains to be seen if Apple will be as successful in its in-house AI efforts or if it will need to turn to a third party for help with Siri.
At AppleInsider, our mission is to keep you up to date on all major developments in the area of technology, particularly related to Apple, its products, and endeavors.
We publish stories, guides, and reviews throughout the week, so be sure to check out AppleInsider.com.
For any comments, questions, or suggestions regarding the AppleInsider Newsletter, reach out to marko@appleinsider.com. |
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