Apple generates a lot of news, and it can be hard to keep up. If your mind was on other things this week, our Saturday-morning roundup of Apple-related headlines will bring you up to date.
If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up to our newsletters. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news stories.
Three days until iPhone 13
There’s no point being coy about this: the biggest event of Apple’s year happens this week and all the evidence suggests it’s going to be a doozy.
Yep, the invites have gone out – and the invites have been scanned for clues – and we’re all set for a blockbusting iPhone event on Tuesday.
No promises for guessing that the centrepiece of the festivities will be the iPhone 13 (accompanied by the 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max – by referring to “New Phone #1” and so on in an FCC filing Apple has pretty much confirmed that it will launch four new models). Last-minute leaks and rumours this week revealed speed benchmarks (it’s the fastest in the world), battery-life improvements, new colour options and MagSafe cases for the new phones.
But we’re also optimistic that the Apple Watch Series 7 will appear alongside the iPhone 13: the device’s biggest problem has been solved, and it’s back on track.
And there’s a decent chance that we’ll be getting new AirPods as well: after all, it’s been two and a half years since the standard AirPods were last updated.
The event starts at 10am PDT on Tuesday 14 September, which translates to 6pm UK time. Here’s how to watch the event live, and remember to hit Macworld.co.uk on the night for expert analysis of the announcements as they come in. It’s going to be big, and wow, there’s a lot of links in this section.
Video of the week
As discussed above, Apple’s ‘California Streaming’ event takes place on Tuesday, and the company is expected to announce the iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7 and maybe new AirPods. Potential new iPhone features include the ability to photograph stars at night, an always-on display and portrait mode videos.
In the video embedded below, Macworld Executive Editor Michael Simon and Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis join Juliet Beauchamp to discuss what’s expected at the event.
News in brief
A price hike is coming for new iPhones, iPads and MacBooks released this year and next year, as a result of the global chip shortage.
Following up on our ‘App Store under siege’ analysis in last week’s Apple Breakfast, Anders Lundberg reports that the App Store’s under pressure and Apple is cracking.
A landmark ruling in the Apple vs Epic legal dispute, meanwhile, could change the App Store forever.
In Different Think, our regular Tuesday column for controversial opinions, Martyn Casserly asks Apple to kindly stop messing with his health.
A Chinese company wants to ban the iPhone for patent infringement. Xiao iRobot wants Apple to stop manufacturing, selling and exporting iPhones with Siri, which is the subject of a patent dispute dating back 10 years.
Apple TV+ gets its fair share of criticism, but this week it got an unexpected pat on the back: a report has found that it’s the best streaming service for user privacy.
Software, bugs & problems
Apple has delayed the rollout of its CSAM photo scanning plan, following widespread criticism. Human rights organisations around the world pointed out that the “child protection” approach, while well-intentioned, could infringe on users’ privacy and create a surveillance tool.
iOS 15’s beta tweaks show Apple is finally listening, says the Macalope – just like it always has.
WhatsApp is planning a selective privacy feature, based on a new feature in the app’s latest iOS beta. The feature lets you show your Last Seen status to some contacts and not to others.
The rumour mill
The iPad 8 is sold out, offering a clear hint that the new generation of iPads will be here soon.
Apple has been granted a patent for a curved iMac with the computer, screen, keyboard and trackpad all built into a single piece of glass. Here’s what it could look like:
The Apple Car project appears to be in jeopardy, following the news that Doug Field, the project leader, has left Apple and moved to Ford. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has called this “the largest setback in a history filled with setbacks for Apple’s car project”.
This is probably the largest setback in a history filled with setbacks for Apple’s car project. As I wrote in January, there is no Apple Car launching anytime soon, not 2024, not 2025. Further out now, if ever. https://t.co/Xzew7iW35n— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 7, 2021
Leaker Jon Prosser (aka Prosstradamus) pointedly chose the week in which Apple sent out invitations to this year’s iPhone unveiling to drop a big reveal about next year’s model. Tim Cook is unlikely to send him a Christmas card. Here’s what the iPhone 14 will look like, Prosser reckons:
Image courtesy of Front Page Tech.
Simon Lohmann, however, fears that these images may prove embarrassing for Prosser in the long run. Perhaps because they turn out to be inaccurate; perhaps because of the seemingly malicious timing with which they have been released.
Roman Loyola lists six ways Apple is planning to radically transform the MacBook Pro.
Apple deals of the week
I’ve embedded a list of the best current Apple deals below, but other than that, we’re done for this week. See you next Saturday, enjoy the iPhone event on Tuesday, and stay Appley!
Top 10 Apple Deals
Apple 11in iPad Pro (2021, M1, 2TB) – Wi-Fi + Cellular
We’re not sure if Amazon will bring back the £639 discount we saw in October on this iPad Pro M1 variant, but almost £600 off is still an excellent deal. See our review of the 11in iPad Pro with M1.
Adobe Creative Cloud – All Apps (1 Year)
Adobe’s slashed 20% off its Creative Cloud subscription prices. The offer ends 14 April.
Apple AirPods 3
The AirPods 3 offer better battery performance, an updated design, and support for Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ. Save £30 from Amazon.
Smarty 12GB data SIM-Only
Grab three months of 12GB data for just £4 per month. If you’re after more data, you can see all its plans here. You can cancel anytime.
Apple iPad mini (2021, 6th gen, 64GB, Cellular)
This is the best deal we’ve seen on the iPad mini you can get the 64GB Cellular (RRP £619) for just £464 – which is less than the RRP for the Wi-Fi model!
Apple MacBook Air, M1, 8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 256GB (2020)
Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm)
Bag the last gen Watch 6 for under £300 at Amazon’s Spring Sale!
Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm, Cellular)
Amazon’s just slashed £160 off the Watch Series 6 with Cellular connectivity as a part of its Spring Sale.
Apple 10.2in iPad (2021, 256GB, Wi-Fi)
Save $50 on the latest regular iPad. It’s a great affordable slate that’s perfect for web browsing or video calls.
Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard for iPad Pro 11
Save an excellent £74 on this Logitech keyboard for the iPad Pro 11 – this is currently the best discount we can see. The Combo Touch works with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen models.
Apple AirTags
Grab this set of Apple AirTags for just under £80 – that’s a saving of roughly £9 per AirTag, which costs £29 separately.
Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS, 41 mm)
The Apple Watch Series 7 has a solid $120 discount in Amazon’s Prime Day sale, making it one of the best prices around.
Beats Solo 3 Headphones
Get £80 off the Beats Solo3 Wireless on-ear headphones (which we gave four stars in our review). They’re available in a range of colours.
Apple AirPods Pro with MagSafe charging case
Amazon’s excellent £64 saving on the AirPods Pro from March is no longer available. Multiple sites are selling for £189 (a £50 saving), including AO and Laptops Direct – but we’d go with John Lewis on account of its two-year guarantee.
Apple Watch SE 2021 (44mm, GPS)
Get a great saving on last year’s Apple Watch SE from Amazon.
Logitech Crayon
Want a more affordable alternative to the Apple Pencil? Check out the Logitech Crayon, which works with all iPads from 2018 and later.
Apple iPhone 12 mini (256GB)
The 256GB iPhone 12 mini has over £100 off from Amazon.
Apple iPad mini (2021, 6th gen)
A handy saving on Apple’s new iPad mini model for 2021, but note that this price applies to the Starlight colour finish only. eBuyer is matching the deal on certain colours.
Apple iPad Air (2022, 256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular)
KRCS has knocked money off the 2022 iPad Air. You will find savings across the whole range.
Apple MacBook Air, M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB (2020)
An excellent deal, this. Save money on the MacBook Air with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU from Very. The discount applies to the silver version only.
This deal is only slightly better than Currys who has the silver model for £1,099.97. John Lewis had the same deal, but it is currently out of stock there.
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.