Apple this week, including two canceled iPhones, iPhone SE pricing, the arrival of iOS 18.2.1, the end of Apple Vision Pro, 2025 MacBook Air plans, and the Magic Mouse might finally be released. Take a look back at the news and headlines. Repaired.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions surrounding Apple during a quiet holiday week. Also check out Forbes’ weekly digest of Android news.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stands next to the new Apple Vision Pro headset (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty) … (+)
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Cancel iPhone SE early
This week, the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE were removed from sale in the European Union. As part of a new directive, some home appliances sold in the EU must be charged via USB-C. Rather than redesign existing older devices, Apple decided to retire them.
“Apple initially resisted this move, saying such a requirement could stifle creativity. However, the change passed, and Apple moved iPhones to USB-C starting with iPhone 15. All iPad, AirPods, Magic Mouse, and Magic Keyboard connectors are now USB-C only.
(Forbes).
iPhone SE price
The iPhone SE has always been Apple’s mid-range smartphone, rivaling the Galaxy A and Pixel A series. That means keeping the iPhone SE’s price in the same range as its competitors. Apple doesn’t seem to have changed its approach for the 2025 model.
“A Japanese source with Apple’s own chip and more, priced at less than $500.” The reference to Apple’s own chip suggests that the iPhone SE 4 is the first iPhone to use an Apple-designed 5G modem. It’s about the rumored story. All 5G iPhones to date have used Qualcomm modems, but Apple has been working on replacing third-party chipsets. ”
(Yeux1122, via Apple Insider).
Apple prepares iOS 18.2.1
The next big release of iOS isn’t scheduled until March, which also coincides with the final release of the first wave of Apple’s generative AI tools, but with some bug fixes and updates to address security issues. A point release will be released.
“Just before the holiday season, we released a surprise iPhone update, iOS 18.2, to fix issues that occurred in the recent big release of iOS 18.2, which brought Apple Intelligence to millions of users around the world in early December. Rumors have been flying around about a possible 1. That surprise seems to have been confirmed, with a new report commenting on what could be included in the release.
(Forbes).
Production of Apple Vision Pro will end
The “brave new world” of augmented reality that is the Apple Vision Pro headset hasn’t caught on as well as Apple would have us believe. Signs from the supply chain indicate that headset manufacturing has been shut down and Apple is relying on current inventory to serve a niche audience.
“Apple reportedly told Luxshare, a Chinese company that assembles the Vision Pro, that it would have to scale back production in November. As of October, Luxshare was producing approximately 1,000 Vision Pro heads per day. It appears Apple could still resume production of the Vision Pro once sales pick up, as the production line isn’t scheduled to be dismantled yet. ”
(McRumors)
Apple’s MacBook planned for 2025
As part of our review of the 2025 release schedule, our team at Apple Insider highlighted a change in our approach to the Mac platform, specifically the MacBook Air. Its possible release was brought forward to the moment of independence.
“Instead, the M4 MacBook Air will ring in the new year on its own. It’s unclear when this product will be available other than to be the first, but given Apple’s past release patterns, it’s likely a January or February release. The M4 MacBook Air will be released in 13-inch and 15-inch models similar to the M3 generation released in March 2024.
(Apple Insider).
And finally…
Apple’s legendary design prowess never answered the question, “So why is the Magic Mouse’s charging point in such an awkward location?” Will we see changes in 2025 that will make the Magic Mouse look and feel as Apple promises?
“Even though the Magic Mouse switched from Lightning to USB-C a few months ago, the charging port is still on the bottom of the mouse and cannot be used while charging. It’s just an inconvenience. It’s a quick and infrequent process, but it looks like Apple will eventually rearrange the ports in the next version of the accessory.”
(McRumors).
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