This week brought explosive developments concerning Apple’s strategies, including a significant update on the company’s naming conventions and the long-awaited arrival of WhatsApp on the iPad after 15 years.
One of the most surprising rumors to surface is the suggestion that Apple may be skipping iOS 19 altogether and instead rebranding all of its operating systems under the “26” designation. This shift would align with the company’s upcoming plans, transforming how it names its software versions, similar to the model year naming strategies used by car manufacturers.
As attention turns to Apple’s September release cycle, the iPhone 17 Pro’s launch is highly anticipated. This year, the device will face competition from the newly introduced ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air.” However, the Pro models are expected to feature numerous enhancements. An overview reveals that the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will include at least 12 significant upgrades, making it easy for users to identify the latest iteration. Additionally, a source indicates that Apple is testing a 200-megapixel camera sensor, likely intended for future Pro models, though it may still be a year or two away from release.
In an exciting announcement, WhatsApp has now officially launched a version optimized for the iPad, marking a notable improvement for users after 15 years since the app’s inception. This development has reignited discussions about Meta’s other major platform, Instagram, which still lacks a dedicated iPad application.
Meanwhile, Apple’s plans for a smart home robot have taken an intriguing turn. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the company is pulling back on some of the more ambitious features initially intended for the tabletop robot in order to expedite its market introduction. The robot will reportedly include an adjustable, iPad-like display mounted on a robotic arm and will respond to voice commands. A simpler smart home hub is also in the pipeline and may launch as early as the end of this year, according to Gurman.
In another revelation, it appears that Apple once explored the possibility of developing a satellite-based internet service akin to Starlink. The initiative, which involved a partnership with Boeing to deploy thousands of satellites, was ultimately discarded due to financial concerns and potential impacts on Apple’s relationships with telecommunications carriers. Currently, Apple has scaled back its ambitions and partnered with Globalstar for its existing satellite services, which recently expanded to include Messages and Find My capabilities in Mexico, complementing coverage already established in the U.S. and Canada. The company is reportedly reconsidering the future of these features in light of competing carrier-based satellite services.
Lastly, a recent leak suggests that Apple had tested its highest-end M3 Ultra chip in future MacBook Pro models, as revealed by a user on the Chinese social media platform BiliBili. Code references in an internal build of iOS 18 indicated the existence of unreleased 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro versions featuring the M3 Ultra chip. However, Apple did not proceed with launching these models, possibly due to concerns regarding thermal management and power use.
In product comparisons, Sony’s recently released WH-1000XM6 headphones have sparked interest as they are pitched against Apple’s AirPods Max. In a review on YouTube, Dan scrutinizes both options, noting that while the AirPods Max offer essential features for users integrated into the Apple ecosystem, Sony’s headphones excel with superior comfort and performance.
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