Apple Loop: iPhone 16 Pro Special Offer, Advanced iPhone Camera Leaks, Macs Left Behind
Taking a look back at this week's news and headlines from Apple, including Apple's massive camera plans, iPhone 16 special offers, new OS numbers, the Intel Macs left behind, WhatsApp arrives on iPad, Apple tries to be a gaming platform again, and The Talk Show loses an important guest.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the many discussions around Apple in the last seven days. You can also read my weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes.
SHANGHAI, CHINA - MAY 15, 2024 - Customers experience the newly released iPad Pro and iPad air at ... More the Apple Store in Shanghai, China, May 15, 2024. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Apple looks set to upgrade its 48 megapixel main camera used throughout the iPhone range to a 200 megapixel—which would bring it in line with flagships such as Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra. A larger sensor will allow for more image detail, better video stabilisation, and more data for AI processing. But it's the zoom option it opens up for smaller iPhones:
"Furthermore, the added resolution available from the new sensor could potentially show enormous improvements in iPhones without a dedicated telephoto lens, such as the 'non-Pro' and 'e' models. by expanding the current 48-megapixel '2x optical quality' zoom to an equivalent 4x with a new 200-megapixel Fusion camera."
(Forbes).
Meanwhile, Apple has improved its offer to those looking to buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro. The trade-in value for smartphones handed over in the purchase has been posted, but you only have until June 18th to take advantage of it.
"All the iPhone trade-in rates have increased, but some have only gone up by as little as $5 compared to what they were before, and the full discount only comes when you trade in for an iPhone, not for anything else. Across the board, the trade-in values stretch from $50 for an iPhone 8 up to $650 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max, assuming each is in good condition."
(Forbes).
One of the big draws at Apple's upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference will be the updates across the board to Apple's various operating systems. While the code will be closely examined, another change is going to be much more visible. It's time to change the numbers:
"Instead of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, macOS 16, tvOS 19 and visionOS 2, Apple will standardize the numbers so they all refer to a year, specifically next year, rather like the way automobiles are named for the upcoming year. This is all according to a new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who claims that the change is 'to bring consistency to its branding.'
(Forbes).
With the upcoming launch of MacOS 26, Apple is closing in on a world where it only supports its own silicon. Hardware always drops off the supported list, but this year only a handful of Intel-based Macs remain supported; these are generally the 2020 models that were on sale in the months ahead of the Apple Silicon M1 reveal in Nov. 2020:
"Notably absent from this list are the 2018 MacBook Pro models, the 2020 Intel MacBook Air, the 2017 iMac Pro, and the 2018 Mac mini. These are also the oldest machines officially compatible with macOS Sequoia. As such, they are the most likely to lose support in any case."
(Apple Insider).
It's taken some time, but Meta has finally decided that iPad users can finally log on to WhatsApp with an iOS/iPadOS app that finally supports the tablet:
'...the most recent build that hit Apple's App Store brings support for Apple's tablet. It's been a long time coming, and WhatsApp is even beating Instagram to the punch. While the release notes for the latest build, 25.16.81, don't mention anything special, this fresh piece of code does enable support for the iPad. Once you've updated, it'll stretch and fill the screen appropriately on an entry-level iPad, the iPad mini, or both sizes of the iPad Pro or iPad Air."
(Techradar).
Apple is going to take another swing at the gaming market. While the iPhone has been a boon for smartphone gaming, the big hitters remain resolutely reluctant to work with Apple, instead focusing efforts on the home consoles of Sony and Microsoft, the portable powerhouse of Nintendo, and the halfway house of the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. Can another pre-installed app launcher with Apple achievements change that sentiment?
"The move is meant to enhance the experience on Apple devices at a time when gamers have plenty of alternatives, including cloud services and consoles. Nintendo Co. is preparing to roll out its much-anticipated Switch 2 device just days before Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, when the new app will be introduced."
(Bloomberg).
Curious news ahead of WWDC as one of the marquee Fringe events has annoucned news on its guest list This will be the first recording of John Gruber's podcast 'The Talk Show' at WWC to not feature a leading name from inside Apple:
"Ever since I started doing these live shows from WWDC, I've kept the guest(s) secret, until showtime. I'm still doing that this year. But in recent years the guests have seemed a bit predictable: senior executives from Apple. This year I again extended my usual invitation to Apple, but, for the first time since 2015, they declined."
(Daring Fireball).
Apple Loop brings you seven days worth of highlights every weekend here on Forbes. Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss any coverage in the future. Last week's Apple Loop can be read here, or this week's edition of Loop's sister column, Android Circuit, is also available on Forbes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Top Tech Stocks to Buy in June
Nvidia's recent earnings results show that the AI train remains full speed ahead. The Trade Desk quickly put a Q4 hiccup behind it with stellar Q1 2025 performance. Meta Platforms continues to produce, with AI growth opportunities on the horizon. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia › After a rocky couple of months in the stock market due to uncertainty regarding U.S. trade policy, it seems the storm clouds, for now, are beginning to part. Meanwhile, some of the leading technology companies continue to demonstrate stellar business performance. It's never a bad idea to invest slowly and steadily in quality stocks that go out and earn your capital. Here are some of the top technology stocks that you should consider nibbling on in June. Recent earnings from Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) show that artificial intelligence (AI) momentum is alive and well. The company's leadership in AI data center chips continues to drive staggering growth, including a 69% year-over-year increase in revenue in Q1 of Nvidia's fiscal year 2026, a 12% rise from the previous three months. Nvidia beat analyst estimates for both revenue and earnings, and its Q2 guidance was roughly on par with Wall Street's expectations, despite a forecast $8 billion revenue loss due to government restrictions on chip sales to China. Nvidia's growth continues to highlight the ongoing investments companies are making in hardware to build the infrastructure needed to fuel widespread AI adoption over the coming years, as well as in upcoming industries, such as robotics and autonomous vehicles. Analysts estimate that Nvidia will grow earnings by an average of 29% annually over the long term, which easily justifies buying perhaps the world's leading AI stock at its recent price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 48. It sounds dramatic to call AI a once-in-a-lifetime growth opportunity, but Nvidia, at least for now, continues to justify the hype with its business results. Independent adtech company The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) took quite a tumble after an uncharacteristically poor quarter in Q4 of last year. The company's technology platform enables companies to purchase digital ad inventory, match it with their target audience, and track the performance of their ads. It's a leading alternative for advertisers beyond the powerful, but closed, ecosystems of Google (Alphabet) or Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META). However, the stock has begun to rebound. The Trade Desk's Q1 2025 results blew by analyst estimates, an encouraging sign that the business remains in tip-top shape in a digital advertising market that continues to grow. The Trade Desk has transitioned about two-thirds of its customers to its new Kokai platform, which utilizes AI algorithms to help advertisers optimize their programmatic ad spending and campaign performance. The Trade Desk has a long track record of profitable growth, and a trillion-dollar global advertising market offers plenty of runway for that to continue. The stock's enterprise value-to-sales ratio was a steep 29 at the end of last year. It has since dropped to 14, allowing investors to buy this adtech winner at a significant discount to its previous valuation. Social media is a massive advertising landscape, and Meta Platforms has dominated it for years. The company's family of apps -- Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads -- has a staggering 3.43 billion daily active users. It's a cash cow that generated more than $10 billion in free cash flow in Q1 2025 alone, which is remarkable considering the billions of dollars Meta Platforms is investing in AI projects. Meta Platforms continues to grow its user base and core advertising business. However, its AI projects could be game changers over the next decade. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is attempting to create a new consumer ecosystem beyond smartphones, featuring augmented reality headsets and smart glasses. Additionally, Meta developed and open-sourced its foundational AI model, Llama, which crossed 1 billion downloads in March. Analysts expect Meta Platforms to grow its earnings by an average of 18% annually over the long term, and there may be upside to that as its AI investments eventually bare fruit. The "Magnificent Seven" stock trades at a P/E of about 25, which is arguably a bargain for a company with its anticipated growth, and one of the most dominant core businesses you'll find. Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Nvidia wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $651,049!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $828,224!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 979% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Top Tech Stocks to Buy in June was originally published by The Motley Fool
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Pete Hegseth Net Worth—Here's How the Secretary of Defense Built His Wealth
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has built his wealth through his time as a host for Fox News, speaking engagements, and book royalties. Hegseth and his wife, former Fox News producer Jennifer Hegseth have a net worth of $3 million, according to an estimate by Forbes. Hegseth has earned between $100,000 and $1 million in royalties for his books.U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has built his multimillion-dollar wealth through his time as a host for Fox News, speaking engagements, and book royalties. Hegseth was a television commentator before joining President Donald Trump's second administration; he also served in the Army National Guard for several years, and was part of several active-duty deployments. He was confirmed in January. Hegseth and his wife, former Fox News producer Jennifer Hegseth, have an estimated net worth of $3 million, according to Forbes. Here's how Hegseth made his millions. Prior to his role as Secretary of Defense, Hegseth was a co-host on Fox News's "Fox & Friends Weekend." Hegseth reported a total of $4.6 million in salary for 2023 and 2024 as a Fox News host on his most recent financial disclosure. Hegseth has earned at least $900,000 from 41 speeches listed on his financial disclosure. Hegseth has earned anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 and up to $150,000 per speech, according to the disclosure. Hegseth also receives royalties from the books he has written. He received $348,000 as an advance for his book "The War on Warriors", and $150,00 in advance for his book "Battle for the American Mind", per his financial disclosure. The former Fox News host also earned between $100,000 and $1 million in royalties for each book. (The disclosure only requires that a range be provided.) Per his disclosure, Hegseth earned anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million on a rental house in Baltimore, Md. Hegseth and his wife also own an estate in Goodlettsville, Tenn,, worth an estimated $3.2 million and which costs about $19,000 per month in mortgage, according to an estimate by Forbes. Hegseth also owns between $15,000 and $50,000 in bitcoin, per his disclosure. Read the original article on Investopedia Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
GWM's Mass-Produced Off-Road Fleet Takes on China's Largest Desert Rally
XINJIANG, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 1 June 2025 - As engines roared across the vast desert skies, the 2025 Taklimakan Rally—dubbed the 'Asian Dakar"—roared to life in China's largest desert. This FIA-certified premier event stretches 4,500 kilometers across Xinjiang, including 2,350 kilometers of grueling special stages through the infamous 'Sea of Death,' Gobi deserts, and dramatic Yardang landforms—terrain long revered as the ultimate test of man and machine. Marking its boldest return yet, GWM enters the fray with its complete lineup of mass-produced vehicles, unshaken by the challenges that lie ahead. GWM's Mass-Produced Off-Road Fleet Takes on China's Largest Desert Rally Early Dominance Proves Production-Level Excellence GWM has already made a powerful impression, with its unmodified production vehicles dominating key categories. In the T2.1 fuel class, the HAVAL H9 diesel—equipped with a factory-spec 2.4T engine and triple-locking differential—has claimed multiple stage victories, including the punishing SS5 stretch across Moyu's Red and White Mountains. Its confident navigation of shifting dunes and rugged Gobi terrain highlights the brand's expertise in diesel technology and all-terrain engineering. In the hybrid T2E category, the GWM TANK 300 Hi4-T has emerged as a standout contender. Drivers Yao Weiqiang and Zhou Renbin clinched stage wins in SS2, SS6, and SS7, powered by the model's stock Hi4-T system—a 2.0T engine paired with a P2 motor and 9HAT transmission. The setup's seamless torque delivery and rapid responsiveness in intense sandstorms and steep dune climbs reinforce GWM's new energy off-road platform as both powerful and efficient. Stock Cars, Extreme Terrain: GWM's Factory Off-Roaders Hold Their Ground The Taklimakan Rally, recognized globally as a proving ground for endurance, draws elite teams with its unforgiving terrain and rigorous FIA standards. For GWM, the event is more than a competition—it's a bold assertion of technological independence. The brand's three flagship lines—HAVAL, GWM TANK, and POER—are all in the spotlight. Every participating vehicle, from the HAVAL MENGLONG (gasoline) and HAVAL H9 (diesel) to the GWM TANK300 Hi4-T, GWM TANK400 Hi4-T, GWM TANK500 Hi4-Z, and the POER V6, runs with factory-standard engines and transmissions, modified only for safety. No race-tuned upgrades, no compromises—what conquers the desert is exactly what customers can drive off the lot. Built to Last: GWM's Factory Engineering Faces the Desert Head-On 'We chose to compete in the T2 production class to further validate our production vehicles under extreme conditions,' said GWM CTO Nicole Wu. 'Our goal is to bring the same models designed for our users into the heart of the Taklimakan Rally.' Throughout the grueling 4,500-kilometer course, every component faces relentless testing—each shock absorbed by the suspension, every spike in engine temperature, every grain of sand in the drivetrain becomes proof of GWM's 'Intelligent Off-Road' capability. As the rally continues, GWM's message is unmistakable: reliability isn't engineered in laboratories—it's forged in the field. By pushing production vehicles through some of the planet's harshest terrain, GWM is redefining what 'Made in China' means—one sand-covered, stage-winning machine at a time. Hashtag: #GWM The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
