Apple's Latest Beta Updates

This past week, Apple released the fourth build of iOS 16.1 and tvOS 16.1, along with the fifth build of iPadOS 16.1 for developers and testers. As always, Apple recommends not to install these beta versions on primary devices.

In addition to these updates, the new macOS Ventura is nearing its release, with beta testers receiving its tenth build this week. A full release date for these operating systems has yet to be announced.

USB-C Charging Port Mandate

After much discussion, the EU confirmed that starting in 2024, all smartphones sold in Europe must feature a USB-C charging port. This legislation aims to minimize electronic waste, as many consumers discard old chargers and cables when purchasing new devices.

This decision will impact Apple, which has continued to use its proprietary Lightning port for the iPhone 14. Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that USB-C may debut on next year's iPhone 15.

AirPods Pro 2 Battery Notification Issue

As I write this, I’m enjoying my AirPods Pro 2— I truly love them!

However, I came across a Reddit thread discussing an issue where some users received notifications via the Find My app indicating they should replace the battery in the case and both earbuds. Apple is aware of this problem, and while no official announcement has been made, it appears to be related to the earbuds or charging case reaching critically low battery levels.

Fortunately, I haven't experienced any such notifications, but it seems like this should be a relatively simple bug to resolve with an over-the-air firmware update.

Foxconn's Revenue Surge

This week, CNBC reported that Foxconn is experiencing remarkable revenue growth due to a surge in demand for the two pro iPhones. As the primary assembly partner for Apple’s iPhone, Foxconn has seen a year-on-year demand increase of 40.4%, with figures 83.2% higher than those in August. To put it into perspective, Foxconn's revenue for September reached $25.9 billion!

Before last month's Apple keynote, many had predicted that the iPhone 14 Plus would be the top seller. With the iPhone 14 Plus finally launching today, it will be interesting to see how well it performs.

New Display Anticipation

Display analyst Ross Young predicts that Apple is set to launch another display in the first quarter of 2023. Young, who was a guest on the Minus Sixteen podcast earlier this year, first shared this information with his followers on Twitter. He forecasts that a 27-inch mini-LED display will be available by spring 2023.

This upcoming display is not intended to replace the Pro Display XDR but will feature a 120Hz refresh rate and ProMotion. It is expected to be priced higher than the Studio Display, which starts at £1499.

October Keynote Speculation

Despite some sensational YouTube titles, there is still no solid evidence suggesting that Apple has changed its plans regarding a keynote event in October. As I mentioned last week, this doesn't mean we won't see more exciting products from Apple this year; they just won't be announced at a formal event.

Expected product updates include Macs, iPad Pros, and possibly a new 4K Apple TV. The Mac Pro's development is under strict confidentiality, and its release may not occur until Q1 2023, alongside the long-awaited headset.

iPhone 14 Plus Launch Day

Believe it or not, Friday, October 7, marks the release date for Apple's iPhone 14 Plus in Australia and New Zealand. Due to time-zone differences, our friends down under are always the first to experience new products on release day.

As New Zealand lacks official Apple Stores, customers in Australia will be the first to have hands-on experience with the iPhone 14 Plus. If you’re reading this in Australia, I’d love to hear your first impressions of the iPhone 14 Plus!

Apple's Legal Victory in France

Apple had a small win this week in France. In 2020, the company was fined €1.1 billion after one of the country's premium resellers went bankrupt, claiming that they suffered due to Apple's uncompetitive practices. The accusation was that Apple enforced fixed prices among resellers to align with prices at Apple Stores and on Apple.com.

However, this week, one of the three main price-fixing charges was dropped, resulting in a significant reduction of the fine when the rate used to calculate the total was adjusted. Ultimately, Apple ended up paying only €373 million—a much lighter penalty.

That's all the news I have for you this week! I’ll be back next Friday with more updates. Have a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead!

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Originally published at https://talkingtechandaudio.com on October 7, 2022.