A+ Report

Late last week, Bloomberg released a report describing some of the planning going on in the Apple retail division to prepare for the launch of the Apple Vision Pro headset, previously announced as available in the US “early next year.”

The report states that Vision Pro will be sold by appointment only, at least initially. Customers will be assisted by Apple retail staff to get a Vision Pro with the appropriate headband and light seal to ensure a proper fit.

No Apple product has ever had such a complex rollout.

Appointments will be mandatory for retail purchases. A designated area within the store will be allocated by Apple to facilitate headset demos and sizing tools to aid customers in selecting the right headset and accessories. Initially, the device will be available for purchase in major cities such as New York and Los Angeles before expanding to all Apple stores in the US.

The logistical complexity is a consequence of the vast array of accessory choices. Apple will provide a wide variety of headband and light seal sizes. Stores need to keep a large inventory of "try-on stock" and spares, in addition to purchasable stock, to cater to customers who wish to buy multiple headsets. Apple stores will also need to have Carl Zeiss prescription lenses available in their inventory. According to Bloomberg, Apple stores may require hundreds or even thousands of lenses in stock at any given moment.

The top strap, which is still being developed, is intended to improve comfort for users with smaller head sizes. Apple is looking into collaborating with accessory makers to make pouches for the external battery pack, in order to support a variety of clothing.

With these factors in play, it becomes even more challenging for Apple to deploy Vision Pro outside of their stores. The report says Apple does not anticipate selling Vision Pro in third-party retail locations at least until 2025.

Customers will also have the opportunity to purchase online. A face scanning app is in the works at Apple to help users select the right size of light seal for their face. During checkout, users will be required to upload a facial scan and provide their eye prescription information if they wear glasses and need corrective lenses for the headset.

Vision Pro will only be available in the US during launch. Apple has pledged to expand to more countries by the end of 2024. According to Bloomberg, Canada and the UK are the most probable first choices for expansion, with Europe and Asia to follow.

The old adage, "the best camera is the one you have with you," applies to our ever-present smartphones. However, Apple has warned that some iPhone photos could be removed permanently on July 26th if not backed up properly.

Your digital photo archives are always at hand for showcasing or browsing. But due to certain changes announced by Apple, lack of preparation might lead to loss of your iPhone photos in a few weeks.

Apple plans to end its My Photo Stream feature on July 26th. Introduced in 2011 as a free image cloud storage feature for Apple devices, it enabled easy access across devices by storing up to 1000 images for 30 days. Despite there being time left before this change takes effect, Apple started phasing out this service from June 26th and ceased uploading new images. Therefore anyone who hasn't stored their images elsewhere after deleting them from their iPhone could face issues.

Photos uploaded before June 26 will remain in iCloud for thirty days from upload date and accessible where My Photo Stream is enabled; however, no pictures will survive beyond July 26 when the service ends.

Nevertheless, these adjustments won't affect any photos saved on your phone or other device even if they're not backed up elsewhere.

“The photos in My Photo Stream are already stored on at least one of your devices, so as long as you have the device with your originals, you won’t lose any photos as part of this process,” Apple explains in its service notice. “If a photo you want isn’t already in your library on a particular iPhone, iPad, or Mac, make sure that you save it to your library on that device.”

To secure and save endangered photos within your stream open the Photos app and follow through: tap 'Albums' -> 'My Photo Stream' -> 'Select'. Choose which pictures need saving then press ‘Share’ followed by 'Save Image'.

There’s a great report from Mark Gurman on Bloomberg today - let me summarise it for you.

Seven years ago, Apple was criticised for the introduction of AirPods and the removal of iPhone’s headphone jack. Today, these wireless earbuds are a top product for Apple, contributing billions to their annual revenue and positively impacting iPhone sales. And you see them everywhere.

The success of the AirPods also helped boost the company’s Wearables, Home and Accessories category, outpacing both iPad and Mac in sales growth. Revenue quadrupled since AirPods’ launch reaching $41 billion last year.

Apple quickly improved upon the AirPods’ original design—introducing hands-free Siri support, better battery life, noise cancellation features with Pro models—and is now preparing for further enhancements including health-related features like hearing tests and body-temperature measurements.

In efforts to position AirPods as a potential hearing aid—a market worth $10 billion annually—Apple has added features like Conversation Boost and Live Listen but awaits regulatory approval. The US Food & Drug Administration eased purchase rules on hearing aids last year which offers opportunities for companies like Apple who have started hiring engineers from traditional hearing aid manufacturers.

Plans include introducing sensors that can measure body temperature via wearer’s ear canal—an approach deemed more accurate than wrist temperature collected by current devices such as Apple Watch Series 8. Though health-focused enhancements may take time to develop; other changes occur sooner with plans to shift towards USB-C charging ports paralleling similar moves across other products in line with ongoing developments within industry standards.

Despite these anticipated changes, don’t expect an immediate new launch for all-new AirPods Pro hardware still under development following their three-year upgrade cycle established since its launch back in 2019.

Recently at Worldwide Developers Conference, previews were showcased featuring upcoming additions alongside iOS17 roll-out plans inclusive of several long-awaited functions such as mute/unmute button during calls or improvements made around device switch capabilities among paired devices plus adaptive audio feature enabling automatic shifts between noise-cancellation versus transparency modes.

Some of these changes should have been in place years ago - others are welcome improvements that I’m looking forward to.

Bloomberg reports that Apple is set to release refreshed versions of its major product lines, including a new Apple Watch Ultra and the iPhone 15, planned for a traditional autumn launch.

Two new 24-inch iMacs are also expected to be released. Early work on an even larger 30-inch model has begun, which would make it Apple’s biggest all-in-one screen size yet. Refreshes for iPad Pro and iPad Air are anticipated too, with OLED screens finally coming to the two iPad Pro models.

The next-generation Apple Watch 9 will reportedly come in two sizes along with the introduction of an 'Apple Watch Ultra'. The MacBook Pro range will feature three variants sized at 13-,14- and 16-inches respectively. All these models will sport Apple's new M3 chipset.

However, the company's $3,500 Vision Pro headset won't utilise this chip but instead rely on their current-generation M2 processor.

Surprisingly, another refresh of the recently launched 15-inch MacBook Air is already underway according to Bloomberg.

As well as unveiling these products, attention is being given to how well Vision Pro sells - Apple's latest venture into virtual reality (VR). Despite some users reporting motion sickness or discomfort from wearing it, overall reactions have been positive due largely because Vision Pro boasts high-definition screens and custom processors designed specifically to reduce latency — making it more powerful than most competitors in the VR space.

Finally, Bloomberg reported that Apple plans on relaxing restrictions over who can take home their headset while extending access beyond senior engineers/executives towards selected developers starting next month as they look forward to expanding the VisionOS ecosystem.

Already under way are projects focusing on bifurcated products: one being a second-generation high-end model continuing the original Vision Pro series; and another lower end version.

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Interactive text, an underrated iOS feature present since the iPhone's inception, allows you to tap phone numbers or addresses for quick actions. However, not all apps integrate this feature and some even restrict copying parts of a message.

Understandable, but annoying.

But today, I'm going to share a little tip to work around that.

To overcome this limitation, you can use Live Text to copy any text or access un-tappable phone numbers and addresses by taking a screenshot.

To do so, ensure your iPhone runs on iOS 15 or higher. Follow these steps:

1. Take a screenshot of the desired text.

2. Tap the floating preview at the bottom left to open the editor.

3. Disable the markup tool by tapping Pen icon in top toolbar.

4. Tap the Live Text button in bottom-right corner; iOS highlights all text in the screenshot.

5. The Copy All button copies everything; alternatively, tap on specific text to select and copy as usual.

Phone numbers and addresses will be underlined for easy calling or locating via your default Map app with just one tap. Once finished, click Done and choose Delete Screenshot option to remove it from your camera roll. Although not as convenient as selectable in-app texts, it serves as an effective workaround for now.

Let me know if this tip is useful to you and if you'd like to see more of this kind of content in this feed.

Thanks for listening - please like, share and subscribe to help me grow my audience base. Cheers.

A+ Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

HomePod users can now look forward to enjoying not only Apple Music but also third-party services like Pandora, Deezer, and iHeartRadio. Although the list of compatible apps is limited, Apple aims to change this with iOS 17. This update allows users to ask Siri to play media from apps installed on their iPhone or iPad through HomePod.

With iOS 17, as revealed at WWDC 2023, Siri and AirPlay updates enable users to request their HomePod to play media from an app on their iOS device even if it lacks native HomePod support. The prerequisite is that the iOS app must be compatible with the SiriKit API for voice control via Siri.

Apple clarifies that "once HomePod processes a request, a SiriKit intent is sent to the iPhone; then Siri starts your app and AirPlays content back to the speaker." In essence, Siri will use your iPhone's connection via AirPlay to automatically play requested content.

While native HomePod apps function without needing proximity to your device, using iPhone or iPad apps requires both devices connected within the same Wi-Fi network. Apple reassures that "any app supporting SiriKit Media Intents today will work seamlessly without additional changes."

This integration accommodates music apps, audiobooks, podcasts, radio stations and meditation programs. In certain cases, commands such as liking or adding media are also available. As stated by Apple: "Everything your app can do on iOS today will work on HomePod," including playing artists' songs or albums across various genres.

For households with multiple registered users in the Home App, voice recognition directs requests accordingly. This significant change enhances usability for those who don't subscribe exclusively to Apple Music which comes pre-installed on every Apple device.

This will be a big and welcome change for me, a big radio listener using my iPhone which just won't work on my Homepod Mini if I try to initiate listening there. Hopefully this will fix that issue.

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Last week, the European Parliament passed a law to make it easier to recycle batteries. New rules mean iPhones and iPads have to be redesigned so users can switch out their batteries easier. Android devices will also be subject to the same mandate.

This marks the second significant hardware change for Apple products due to EU legislation; iPhones will soon feature a USB-C port instead of Lightning as a result of another European requirement.

The current iPhone and iPad batteries are technically replaceable but require specialised tools and expertise. Mistakes during this process can cause extensive damage, making it unsuitable for average users with household tools. Since batteries are among the first components to wear out in smartphones or tablets, replacing them could significantly extend their lifespan. However, many devices end up discarded with their original batteries still installed.

The recently passed EU legislation demands that portable batteries in appliances should be designed such that consumers can easily remove and replace them themselves. While swappable batteries aren’t explicitly required by law, it implies that when a device’s battery health declines, replacing it should be straightforward.

Apple has already made steps towards facilitating easier repairs on its handsets after years of producing hard-to-repair phones prioritising slim designs over repairability features like visible screws or removable components without glue usage. After dismantling an iPhone 14 prototype, iFixit stated: “Apple has gone back to the drawing board and reworked the iPhone’s internals to make repair easier.” The company now uses fewer glues and more screws while providing front-and-back panel access in its design.

What's more, Apple brought out the iPhone Self Service Program giving customers what they need to do their own repairs. It's still up in the air if these changes meet EU regulations for user battery replacement.

Though not yet fully approved – awaiting formal endorsement from the European Council following parliamentary approval on June 14, I’m still to see news on that – this rule is expected to pass without issues since both parties have reached prior agreement on it.

While the legislation will only directly affect devices sold within the European Union, it is unlikely that Apple and other manufacturers will create region-specific designs. So, iPhone users worldwide are likely to benefit from these replaceable battery requirements.

Rumours suggest that the iPhone 15 may undergo a significant shakeup, with the regular model potentially featuring a 48-MP sensor currently exclusive to Pro iPhones. This information comes from a supply chain report by Chinese site ITHome, which discusses Sony's production capacity shortages for its camera units due to the upgraded 48-megapixel size.

According to ITHome, Sony has struggled to fulfil Apple's orders for higher-quality camera modules compared to previous iPhone generations. As a result, they have sought assistance from Taiwan Semiconductor. This increased demand could indicate that Apple plans to equip both premium and basic models with the 48-MP camera.

The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro versions are expected to retain three cameras but may also include a periscope-style rear sensor alongside ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. To justify the price difference between regular and Pro models, additional features would be necessary if all iPhones were equipped with a three-stack 48-MP lens.

Respected sources claim that there might be four iPhone 15 models available at release, including an all-new "Pro Ultra" variant at the highest end. The standard 6.1-inch iPhone 15 could also have a larger counterpart called the iPhone 15 Plus measuring at 6.7 inches.

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Apple usually has new colors and styles of iPhones, but most people immediately put cases on them.

That could be changing. Many Apple users treat naked iPhones as status symbols. This behaviour maybe stems from a few different beliefs. Some think cases look cheap, while others just want to imitate celebrities with bare iPhones.

Either way, it's surprisingly trendy. Time Magazine wrote about tycoons like Elon Musk and Jay-Z who were spotted with caseless iPhones. They radiate "stealth wealth" energy.

Supposedly.

Not to mention, plain iPhones look great. People love the glossy look and sharp edges of their devices, so they don't use cases.

They prioritize aesthetics over preservation.

It's definitely worth it to show off the iPhone's design from time to time. People hardly ever take their cases off. Heaps of iPhones live their lives stuck in cases and screen protectors — nobody gets to see what they're actually like. Not even the people who shelled out possibly thousands of dollars to get one.

Well, Apple just got a patent that could make cases obsolete.

Patently Apple reports that the company has been granted a patent for an “abrasion-resistant back panel made of glass or metal” suitable for iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. The key is using more than one material in the chassis construction. Though the patent focuses on metal and ceramic materials, it could potentially apply to others as well.

The patented tech includes a "moldable matrix" made of "abrasion-resistant members" that are tougher than the stuff around it. The diagram shows almost invisible beads laid out in a regular pattern with an average gap of 10-100 microns. It also reveals that areas containing the Apple logo and camera would be free from these abrasion-resistant elements.

This intriguing patent could be close to implementation and might become a significant selling point for those who use protective iPhone cases. Apple sells iPhone cases, but they'd probably rather you show off the device without one - like on an Apple TV+ show - so this feature might show up soon, maybe even with the iPhone 16.

Are you ready to dump your case? Drop me a comment and let me know.

Here are some exciting new Apple Music & Podcasts features and experiences users can anticipate once iOS17 rolls out:

1. Collaborative Playlists: Apple Music subscribers can create and edit playlists with family and friends, incorporating track selections, edits, and emoji reactions.

2. Enhanced Apple Music Sing experience: Using Continuity Camera, users can see themselves on screen with camera filters while singing along to their favorite songs. Can’t see me using it much, but I think my daughters might.

3. Song Credits in Apple Music: Fans can access detailed information about artists' contributions to tracks, including roles and instruments played. One for the geeks, or who like tracking their music family trees - I kind of like doing this every now and again.

4. SharePlay in the car: Everyone can easily choose what's playing by connecting trusted iPhone devices to an ongoing session; listeners control music from their own devices even without an Apple Music subscription. I can see this being both brilliant and a constant source of car drama.

5. Streamable catalog of radio shows on Apple Podcasts: Subscribers gain access to award-winning commercial-free radio programs that automatically notify when a new episode drops. This is one that I’ll be using a lot.

Additionally, improvements are coming soon for Apple Podcasts:

1. New Now Playing experience: A refreshed design showcasing podcast art with enhanced controls for managing queues. Better queue management is well overdue.

2. Episode art exploration: With support for episode art throughout the platform, listeners will discover more details about a podcast's content alongside improved previews, play options or follow functions within episodes and channels in Up Next.

3. App Store connection with subscriptions: Access exclusive content through eligible subscriptions connected to top apps like Bloomberg, Calm, The Economist, L’Équipe, Lingokids, The Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, & WELT.

That’s it for today. Be sure to subscribe on whatever platform you are listening or watching this podcast for more, and be sure to like it too if you do - it really helps me and the show. Cheers.