So far it looks like demand for the new models is good on the Pro side, but Apple’s strategy for the non-Pro editions might be giving conumers pause
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has done his checks and thinks that demand for the Pro models has been netural or “good”, but thinks that many consumers are holding off on scooping up the iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus
He thinks there is a chance Apple might even lower future order numbers for the devices
He claims pre-orders for the iPhone 14 Plus are “significantly lower than expected.”
To be fair, that model doesn’t even ship until October, so there isn’t as much urgency
Also Pro users tend to be early adopters, which your average consumer is going to more likely wait for their upgrade cycle to come due on their cell plan, at least in the US.
When you get your new phone run your updates
Apple already release iOS 16.0.1 to address a bug when activating iMessage and FaceTime after upgrading
Also addresses a problem that could cause photos to appear soft when zoomin in landscape orientation on iPhone 14 Pro Max and fixes a bug that could cause enterprise single sign-on apps to fail to authenticate.
The aperture is smaller (slower), so collects less light but larger lens so maybe needed
Overall collects 20 percent more light
They were amazed by the ISO range, probably helped by the 48MP combining 4 pixels into one. Means better images, especially in low light, with less noise.
As expected can’t shoot 48MP JPEG and might not be able to be bypassed. Need to use Apple ProRAW
Minimum focus distance is now 200mm (7.8 inches) vs 150mm (5.9 inches) on the iPhone 13 Pro.
means macro shot will switch to the ultra-wide more often in the iPhone 14 Pro.
Slightly higher ISO range on the telephoto
Ultra-wide lost a bit (1mm) of “wideness” focal length. Now a 14mm equivalent, vs 13mm
Front facing (FaceTime) camera get variable focus (and autofocus)
There is now a second ambient light sensor on the back of the iPhone 14 models
make display brightness adjustments more responsive
And helps with camera exposure
Lightning connector still limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps for data transfer
Not great for 48MP Apple ProRAW
Why we need USB-C / Thunderbolt like on the iPads
No customization options for the “Always on” display
Can change any behaviors or what information is displayed
It darkens your wallpaper, shows widgets, and Live Activities
You can turn it off in Settings… Display & Brightness > Always On
When the “Always” on display is actually off
Your iPhone is lying face down
Your iPhone is in your pocket or bag
Sleep Focus is on
Low Power Mode is on
Your iPhone is connected to CarPlay
You're using Continuity Camera
You haven't used your iPhone for a while
Apple says it can use patterns, like your alarm or sleep schedule.
Your iPhone detects that you moved away from it with a paired Apple Watch
Say eSIMs are safer in case your device is lost or stollen
Despite only being on iPhone 14 models in the US over 400 carriers in 100 markets support eSIMs
Devices from the iPhone XS and up can store up to eight or more eSIMs and you can toggle which is active in Settings.
iPhone 13 and later models can have two eSIMs active.
Many carriers offer prepaid data eSIMs, which are handy while traveling abroad.
Battery replacements will cost you more
iPhone 14 model battery replacements are now USD $99 (vs $69 for pervious models)
With AppleCare+ you can be eligible for a free replacement (“can be replaced at no charge if we test your product and its battery retains less than eighty percent of its original capacity.”)
Media is baking a stink, but I don’t see the price increase as an issue.
Are they using it to drive AppleCare? Probably.
If you take good care of your iPhone you probably don’t need AppleCare
The rear glass is much easier to replace
Can be done without having to remove the entire TrueDepth camera assembly
In iPhone 11 models they’d replace the entire device
Apple’s iPhone PR had a small note about “Clean Energy Charging” coming later this year in the US
“Clean Energy Charging aims to decrease the carbon footprint of the iPhone by optimizing charging times for when the grid is using cleaner energy sources"
New iOS 16 stuff you may have missed
iOS 16 has a new Rapid Security Response feature
This allows Apple to deploy critical security updates to your device automatically so they don’t need to wait for a full iOS update
As part of this you can now also a Rapid Security Response update from your device.
Not clear why, but maybe in case it breaks something by accident?
To remove
Settings > General > About
Tap the iOS version
Tap Remove Security Update
The new battery percentage indicator is not available on some older / smaller devices
iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 min, or iPhone 13 mini
Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage
The Home Screen “Search” icon
Replaced the “dots” that indicate app pages
Can be toggled off from Settings > Home Screen. Under “Search” > “Show on Home Screen"
Even if it’s on you can still use the “pull down” gesture on the Home screen
Also the search bar is at the bottom now
Keyboard sounds and haptics are now independent
Settings > Sound & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback
Live Activities is not “live” yet
Apple says they will come to the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island in iOS 16.1 (currently in beta)
Even if you don’t plan to upgrade to macOS Ventura or iOS 16 you’ll want to grab Apple’s latest updates
macOS Monterey 12.6 and iOS 15.7 as they contain fixes for critical security vulnerabilities
Three-finger gesture recognition by the system seems to be “overzealous”.
Noted by game developers, but can impact many apps where three fingered gestures are used
In the OS, it triggers copy / paste actions.
In the Camera App you can three-finger pinch on the viewfinder to zoom in and out
In iOS 16 this can often, but not always, trigger the copy / paste actions
Apple will likely need to make some tweaks so that the gestures are conceded to the App BEFORE the system tries to take over.
The death of Live Photos on the lock screen
Now the long press gesture activate the customized lock screen feature
You can have multiple set-up and can swipe between them
You can also assign them to “Focus” modes.
More time to “unsend” emails
The default, using Apple Mail app, is 10 seconds
Settings > Mail > Undo Send Delay
Can set it to 10, 20, or 30 seconds
Reports of issues on some iPhone 14 Pro models with video in 3rd party apps like TikTok and Instagram
The sensor in the new 48MP camera “shakes” really badly
Might be an issue with the Sensor Shift in the updated optical image stabilization (OIS) system
The new paste permission dialog, SUCKS
Every friggin’ time? Really?!!!
watchOS 9
What does “Low Power Mode” do
It allows for up to double the battery life by disabling or modifying the behavior of some features
Turns Off
Always On display
Heart rate notifications for irregular rhythm, high heart rate, and low heart rate
Background heart rate measurements
If you start a workout heart rate and pace are still measured
Background blood oxygen measurements
Start workout reminder
For safety, fall detection remains on… (seems like heart rate stuff should too?)
If your iPhone is not nearby… turns off
Wi-Fi and cellular connections
Incoming phone calls and notifications
Effects these features
Making a phone call can take longer
Background app refresh happens less frequently
Complications update less frequently
Siri can take longer to process a request
Some animations and scrolling might appear less smooth
Apple’s Next Event
We’ll now that the iPhone 14 is out of the way we’r ready for what’s next
It is expected that we’ll have a Mac / iPad event likely sometime in October
Updated iPads
M2 iPad Pro
MagSafe wireless charging
Same sizes, but no miniLED for the 11-inch
Similar design, but rumors of a 4-pin connector that would be on the top and bottom edges, but not clear what it’s for or why.
10th Gen iPad
Expected to adopt the modern “flat edge” design, but still have TouchID and a home button
Will switch to USB-C and may lose the 3.5mm headphone jack
May have a slightly larger display at 10.5-inches
Use an A14 Bionic chip and add support for 5G wireless
New M2 Macs
Update Mac mini with M2 and M2 Pro options
Updated 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max processors
New processors are expected to use the 5nm process and have increased GPU core counts
Maybe finally we see the final Apple Silicon mac? The Mac Pro with M2 Ultra and M2 Extreme processors?
Updated Apple TV?
Featuring an A14 chip and 4GB RAM
The release of iPad OS 16 and macOS Ventura
Apple rocks the Emmys
Apple TV+ shows had an amazing 52 primetime Emmy award nominations
Directing, Comedy: MJ Delany, “No Weddings and a Funeral, (Ted Lasso)
Outstanding Original music and Lyrics: Schmigadoon!, “Corn Puddin'” by Cinco Paul
Outstanding Main Title Design: Severance
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series: Severance
Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama, or Variety Series: Carpool Karaoke: The Series
If you’re wondering where Lasso Season 3 is…
A report from “Puck” claims it’s actor creator Jason Sudeikis and his “perfectionism”
It’s been in production since September 2021, but they started doing re-writes in April of this year to adjust the story lines of some characters
Also, some filming locations like Chelsea Football Club stadium became unavailable due to the war in Ukraine, since the club had to be sold by it’s previous wealth Russian owner
That along with some alleged budget disputes between Apple and Warner.
A secret conspiracy surrounds Apple’s new spy film “Argylle”
This from BGR
The film is based on a yet to be released book of the same name by Elly Conway
The film has an amazing A-list cast including Dua Lipa, Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena, and Samuel L. Jackson
And Apple has reportedly paid $200 million for the rights to make the film
But here’s the deal…
This is the authors first book and almost nobody knows anything about her.
Now the book, which was supposed to come out on the 29th, has been delays until March
The entity of Elly Conway’s online presence seems to be a two-sentence bio from the publisher, Penguin Random House. And her IMDB page which lists her Argyle credit and one other pre-production film, “The Fall Guy” where she’s listed as a “design assistant”
Signed on to direct the movie is Matthew Vaughn who did the Kingsman movies and X-Men: First Class
He praised the material claiming it is basically the best spy stuff to come along since Ian Fleming’s Bond. Saying, “This is going to reinvent the spy genre.”
So the internet conspiracy theory is that Elly Conway is a pseudonym for someone more well known and with a much more established track record.
J.K. Rowling seems to be a favorite suspect.
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
Connecting Airplay to old audio gear
Andy recommends using an old Apple TV or an inexpensive Roku
You can get a Roku Express for about USD $30 bucks
You’ll also need a Optical to Analog interface to convert the HDMI audio signal back to something you can connect your stereo receiver or powered speakers into. Those run another $15 bucks or so.
So about half the cost of the Belkin product I recommended last week. Still feels less elegant and more “fiddly” to me, but might be worth the savings.
