Weekly Digest (8/11 - 8/17)

Apple Begins Shipping MacBook Pro M4 Display Panels

Date: 2024-08-15

Apple has started shipping display panels for the upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch models featuring the highly anticipated M4 chips. This move suggests we’re on track for a launch later this year, just in time for the holiday season.

What We Know

According to display analyst Ross Young, Apple received these new display panels in July and August, setting the stage for a likely fourth-quarter release. This timing aligns with earlier reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who hinted at an end-of-year…

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Apple Opens Up NFC API: What It Means for Developers

Date: 2024-08-14

Big News for iOS Developers!

Starting with iOS 18.1, Apple is making a major move by opening up the NFC (Near Field Communication) API to developers. For the first time, devs can tap into the Secure Element (SE) power to offer contactless transactions directly within their apps, independent of Apple Pay or Apple Wallet. This update is not just a minor tweak; it's a significant shift that could redefine how we interact with our iPhones in daily life.

What’s New?

So, what’s the big deal? Apple…

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Apple Releases New iOS 18 and 18.1 Betas

Date: 2024-08-12

Apple has been keeping developers and tech enthusiasts on their toes with a recent flurry of beta updates. In a surprising move, Apple has diverged from its typically predictable release schedule by pushing out an additional beta update for iOS 18.0 just a week after the last one. Even more interesting is that these updates have consistently dropped on Mondays, marking a subtle yet noteworthy shift in Apple's approach.

Here’s a quick rundown of the latest beta releases:

  • Xcode 16.1 beta (16B…

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Inside Apple’s Vision Group: New Products on the Horizon

Date: 2024-08-12

In Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, he sheds light on Apple’s ongoing efforts within its Vision group to develop follow-up products to the recently launched Apple Vision Pro. This initiative includes a more affordable version of the Vision headset, a second-generation Vision Pro, and a pair of Smart Glasses, possibly inspired by Meta’s Ray-Ban models.

Cheaper Apple Vision Headset

The Apple Vision Pro, which began shipping in February 2024 after being unveiled at WWDC 2023, initially …

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Plastic Apple Watch SE: A Strategic Move for Apple

Date: 2024-08-12

A recent report by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg revealed that Apple is planning a significant change to its lineup with the next iteration of the Apple Watch SE. For the first time, the company is expected to replace the aluminum body with a plastic case, a move aimed at cutting costs and appealing to a younger demographic. This shift marks the first use of plastic in an Apple Watch since the product's initial launch in 2014.

The Rationale Behind the Move

Apple's decision to switch to a plastic b…

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