MacLife April 2023

ARE WE STARTING to feel the long–term effects of Jony Ive’s departure from Apple? It was recently revealed that Apple is removing the role of VP of Industrial Design that was previously held by Ive (which Evans Hankey filled thereafter until late last year). Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but it feels like this is a sign that Apple is losing its way in the design department — although maybe I’m late to the game here and it already has. Case in point are the latest hardware launches on test in this issue. The new MacBook Pro 14–and 16–inch (2023) shares the same shell as the model two years prior, and the Mac mini (2023) has an identical form to its 2020 predecessor. Last year’s MacBook Pro 13–inch (2022)…

ARE WE STARTING to feel the long–term effects of Jony Ive’s departure from Apple? It was recently revealed that Apple is removing the role of VP of Industrial Design that was previously held by Ive (which Evans Hankey filled thereafter until late last year). Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but it feels like this is a sign that Apple is losing its way in the design department — although maybe I’m late to the game here and it already has. Case in point are the latest hardware launches on test in this issue. The new MacBook Pro 14–and 16–inch (2023) shares the same shell as the model two years prior, and the Mac mini (2023) has an identical form to its 2020 predecessor. Last year’s MacBook Pro 13–inch (2022)…

APPLE HAS RELEASED a second–generation HomePod smart speaker, in a design virtually identical to the original introduced in 2018 and discontinued in March 2021. It costs $299, the same as the original (which launched at $349 but was widely criticized as expensive even after its price cut). The HomePod mini remains available at $99. Apple says the HomePod (2nd generation) has next–level acoustics with advanced computational audio, including support for immersive Spatial Audio tracks. With “all–new” room sensing technology, it detects sound reflections to determine whether it is against a wall or in the open, then adapts its soundscape in real time. Precise directional control of its beamforming array of five tweeters separates and beams direct and ambient audio for a much more immersive listening experience. You can also create a stereo…

APPLE HAS RELEASED a second–generation HomePod smart speaker, in a design virtually identical to the original introduced in 2018 and discontinued in March 2021. It costs $299, the same as the original (which launched at $349 but was widely criticized as expensive even after its price cut). The HomePod mini remains available at $99. Apple says the HomePod (2nd generation) has next–level acoustics with advanced computational audio, including support for immersive Spatial Audio tracks. With “all–new” room sensing technology, it detects sound reflections to determine whether it is against a wall or in the open, then adapts its soundscape in real time. Precise directional control of its beamforming array of five tweeters separates and beams direct and ambient audio for a much more immersive listening experience. You can also create…

APPLE WIRELESS CHIPS? Apple is reportedly working to phase out Wi–Fi and Bluetooth chips made by Broadcom, plus 5G modem chips by Qualcomm, replacing both with its own all–in–one wireless chip. This could save it a lot of money: last year Broadcom earned almost $7bn (20% of its revenue) from Apple, its largest customer, and Qualcomm nearly $10bn (22%). It may not be easy, though: a source says Apple canceled plans to release a fourth–gen iPhone SE in 2024 because of problems with its first in–house 5G modem. COLOR–SAMPLING PENCIL Apple has applied for a patent on a Pencil with optical sensors that can sample the color and texture beneath it, then transmit the data wirelessly to a paired iPad or other device, for use in a drawing or painting…

APPLE WIRELESS CHIPS? Apple is reportedly working to phase out Wi–Fi and Bluetooth chips made by Broadcom, plus 5G modem chips by Qualcomm, replacing both with its own all–in–one wireless chip. This could save it a lot of money: last year Broadcom earned almost $7bn (20% of its revenue) from Apple, its largest customer, and Qualcomm nearly $10bn (22%). It may not be easy, though: a source says Apple canceled plans to release a fourth–gen iPhone SE in 2024 because of problems with its first in–house 5G modem. COLOR–SAMPLING PENCIL Apple has applied for a patent on a Pencil with optical sensors that can sample the color and texture beneath it, then transmit the data wirelessly to a paired iPad or other device, for use in a drawing or painting app. Texture–sampling and…