Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
Mail chauvinists
This was probably the biggest story of the week, but no one is sure if it’s legit or not. A security company claimed the iPhone Mail app is vulnerable to hackers – and has been since 2012! But not everyone was convinced, not least because the company failed to provide concrete proof.
Apple, predictably, released a statement arguing that the issues (which have been patched in the latest iOS beta) “do not pose an immediate risk to our users”.
Phishing lines
Elsewhere, a fleet of phisherman dusted off an old classic: our colleagues in Sweden were informed of an iPhone battery virus scam. iPhone batteries can’t get viruses, of course, so don’t get caught out by that one.
On a more positive note, Apple has updated the range of games in Apple Arcade and the shows in Apple TV+. (Of the new material we recommend Beyond Blue and the free Fraggles lockdown episode, respectively.) And the Apple Music web player is out of beta at last.
What’s in store for May?
Our crystal-ball gazers have been making predictions about the Apple products you can expect in May. That was one of the most popular articles of the week, so you’re clearly just as curious as we are.
Looking further ahead, it emerged this week that a new 23in iMac is on the way, while Apple’s long-dead AirPower project has risen from the tomb and split into two. AirPower is a fascinating case study in how not to develop a product – Apple announced it to the world and then had to apologise when it discovered that it simply wasn’t viable – but we’re still excited to get hold of one when they finally appear.
The rumours don’t stop there. Apple has patented a smart ring, and it looks like the iPhone SE Plus will be delayed until the second half of 2021. We’re also expecting a new set of Powerbeats Pro in the near future.
Virus news
Quite correctly, the world’s focus has been on COVID-19’s impact on people, not businesses – but business are suffering just the same. We learned this week that two of Apple’s largest subcontractors have laid off thousands of workers and slashed overtime for those who remain.
More positively, parts of the world seem to have spotted light at the end of the tunnel. South Korea has been one of the success stories of a truly grim period, and for this reason the Apple Store in Seoul was the first outside China to reopen its doors. (You will remember the frightening moment in March when they all closed at once.)
We hope that more stores follow soon – not because we are desperate to buy new iPhones, but because it will be a signal that things are improving.
Oh, and Tim Cook appeared on the Big Night In fundraiser. He seems like a nice chap.
Happy birthday Apple Watch
How time flies when you’re… cooped up inside all day. Well, perhaps not, but it does seem like yesterday that Apple was announcing its first foray into the wearables sector. But the Apple Watch celebrated its fifth birthday yesterday.
The Apple Watch has come a long way in that time. The first model copped a lot of flack but the Series 2 was when it really came of age – vastly improving battery life and adding better water resistance, a faster chip and GPS. Everything since then has been gilding the lily, as far as we’re concerned.
Grumpy corner
We enjoy a good rant at Macworld. This week our writers vented their spleens about Why Apple needs to ditch Intel and (brace yourself) Why the iMac needs a redesign. That can’t be right, surely? The lovely old iMac? Have a read and see if you agree.
We even broached the subject of whether the iPhone SE is an example of Rip-off Britain. Those transatlantic exchange rates are looking pretty rough right now, it’s true, although the SE still seems like a reasonable deal given it comes with an A13 processor. (Even if GSMArena reckons it’s been underclocked to preserve battery life.)
And that’s it for the week. Stay Appley, everyone!
Author: David Price, Editor
David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.