Apple Loop: New iPhone 13 Surprise, Emoji For Everyone, Stunning MacBook Pro Feature
by Ewan Spence · ForbesTaking a look back at another week of news and headlines from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the latest iPhone 13 leaks, a surprise new iPhone, Google’s YouTube update, new MacBook Pro chips, a unified Office, and 217 new emoji.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).
Secrets Of Apple's iPhone 13
Max Weinbach brings together the latest rumors and leaks around the iPhone 13, which currently include the long-awaited 120mHaz refreshing display, a reworking of the MagSafe attachments, and the expected improvements to the camera system:
"Exclusive iPhone 13 Leaks Dump! 120Hz Always On Display, MagSafe Improvements, New Matte Texture, Vapor Cooling Chamber, Short Notch & tons more!"
The World Needs An iPhone 13 Mini
Tim Hardwick looks at the potential for the iPhone 13 family to have a ‘Mini’ device, although the old-timer in me still raises an eyebrow at a 5.4 inch screen being mini. Anyway, there’s a good chance that Family 13 will retain the smaller size even if sales of the 2020 Mini have been poor. If there’s no iPhone SE update in 2021 (something strongly suggested by Jon Prosser), then the 13 Mini might be in a better place to gather up the ’small iPhone’ crowd than last year’s 12 mini:
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Why No One Should Underestimate Apple
"This belief is reflected in the earliest reports of the iPhone 13 series, all of which underlined that Apple would follow the same four-model lineup as the iPhone 12 in the same three sizes. Indeed, Apple will have had its iPhone 13 production and supply chain operation planned out well in advance, and if the above reasons for poor iPhone 12 mini sales are on the mark, Apple may well be expecting an upturn in demand for the smaller size in its target markets, as vaccination programs roll out and lockdowns ease over the course of the year."
Google’s Slow App Updates
Google’s short pause on proving app updates for its iOS clients - which many believe was in response to Apple’s requirements to disclose what personal details are collected for its ’Privacy Nutrition Tables’ - with YouTube for iOS and iPadOS bumping up to version 15.49.6:
"While it’s normal for tech companies to pause work over the winter holidays, updates usually resume by mid-January. Some speculated the lack of releases was due to app nutrition labels, but YouTube filled out the App Privacy section long before this update today.
"In fact, the YouTube family (Music, TV, and Studio), save for Kids, was updated with the Apple requirement in early February. Google publicly stated its commitment to add labels, and the current count is at over a dozen apps:"
Apple’s New MacBook Technology Leaks
Any new mobile hardware has a habit of showing up on the benchmarking. Last year saw Apple’s ARM-based M1 processor online before the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and macMini update arrived. The industry is expecting an uprated M1 chip this year, potentially in a new MacBook Pro… and the M1X has shown up on benchmarking as if by magic. More details at CPU Monkey.
One App To Rule Them All
Microsoft’s Office is now available as a single unified app on iPadOS, echoing a similar move on iOS earlier this year. The functionality of Word, PowerPoint, Excell, and OneNote can now be found within ‘Office’:
"While individual Office apps have been available for the iPad since 2014, the unified Office app launched in February 2020 has until now only been able to run on the iPad as a windowed iPhone app. Office for iPad is free to use for iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini users, but requires an Microsoft 365 subscription to make full use of all features. For iPad Pro users, a paid subscription is required to even edit or create documents."
And Finally...
As for iOS, beta 14.5 brings us lots of… new emoji!
“New emojis have arrived on iOS as part of the latest iOS 14.5 beta. These include a heart on fire, exhaling face, and gender options for the people with beards. Also included in this update is a vaccine-friendly syringe emoji, and support for couples with a mix of skin tones."
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth 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.