Tag: Apple Intelligence

  • Apple Cuts iPhone 16 Production: Is Low Demand the Reason?

    Apple Cuts iPhone 16 Production: Is Low Demand the Reason?

    In a note to investors shared by 9to5Mac, analysts from Barclays have disclosed that Apple has decided to cut the production of the iPhone 16 by three million units. These reductions were traced back to a significant semiconductor partner linked to iPhone orders, as revealed by supply chain evaluations.

    Lower Demand for iPhone 16

    The analysts from Barclays indicated that shipments of the iPhone 16 are projected to drop by 15% compared to last year. However, the performance in the previous quarter met expectations. According to the report, the September quarter is expected to see 51 million iPhone 16 units shipped, benefiting from two additional days of sales compared to the iPhone 15 models.

    Challenges Ahead in December

    Looking towards the December quarter, Apple faces more obstacles. The production reductions, along with a decline in demand, place the iPhone 16 shipments at a higher risk. Analysts speculate that this slowdown may be related to the introduction of Apple Intelligence, the new AI features from Apple, which are not yet fully implemented. This delay in rolling out Apple Intelligence could be a factor in the weaker demand. It’s noteworthy that the new models, particularly the Pro versions, do not show significant differences in design apart from the introduction of the new Capture button.

    Impact of Apple Intelligence on Demand

    The phased release of Apple Intelligence seems to play a crucial role in the dip in demand. Apple introduced iOS 18.1 Beta with Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 16 in mid-September, but the delay in presenting the complete set of features might have led to a less enthusiastic response from customers. Barclays analysts mentioned, “We think Sep-Q iPhone units are on track for 51M as the best case (consensus and Barclays both at 51M for Sep-Q estimate), assuming some channel fill in line or better vs. last year due to more selling days. We believe July and August sell-through has been flattish Y/Y.”

    Another concern for Apple is that the comprehensive Apple Intelligence features may not be widely available outside the U.S., which could influence global shipments. Additionally, the absence of significant design changes might also be contributing to the reduced demand. While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feature a new camera layout, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models maintain a striking resemblance to their previous versions.

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  • iPhone 16 Pro Max Manufacturing Cost is One-Third of Retail Price

    iPhone 16 Pro Max Manufacturing Cost is One-Third of Retail Price

    Market research firm TD Cowen has disclosed the total manufacturing expense (bill of materials) for the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max. This includes the costs of components, assembly, and packaging. Their findings indicate that the total manufacturing cost for the 256GB iPhone 16 Pro Max is $485, which is nearly one-third of its retail price.

    High Costs for Display and Cameras

    To provide some context, the manufacturing cost of the iPhone 15 Pro Max is $453, which is $32 (or 7%) less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. According to the analysis, the display and rear camera system are among the most costly components of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The rear camera system alone constitutes 16% of the overall manufacturing cost. Interestingly, the display panel and touchscreen have the same expense as the rear camera system.

    In contrast, the back camera setup of the iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $70, representing 15% of its total manufacturing cost. This difference might stem from the fact that the 12MP ultrawide camera in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is cheaper than the 48MP camera in the latest model.iPhone 15 Pro Max costs $70

    Minor Increases in Component Costs

    Additionally, the new A18 Pro chip featured in the latest iPhone is only $5 more expensive than the A17 Pro chip used in its predecessor. Costs for memory and storage have also risen by $5 each. Other enhancements, like the larger battery, reportedly remain at the same cost of $15.

    Notably, the bill of materials for the standard iPhone 16 has risen to $416, up from $395 for the previous model. Apple has also set the price of the iPhone 16 at $100 higher on its US website compared to the iPhone 15.

    New Features and Current Limitations

    All models in the iPhone 16 series now feature a new Capture button, enhancing camera accessibility. Interestingly, the BOM analysis does not mention this newly introduced button, despite a prior report suggesting it could cost users up to $750 to replace. Currently, the main selling feature of the new devices—Apple Intelligence—is still in its beta phase.

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  • Four New M4 MacBooks Launching Next Month: Gurman Report

    Four New M4 MacBooks Launching Next Month: Gurman Report

    Apple is now turning its attention to the Mac lineup following the iPhone 16 launch, with an anticipated event in October. The company’s September event highlighted the expanding Apple ecosystem and advancements in AI, branded as “Apple Intelligence,” but notably lacked any Mac and iPad announcements.

    Expected Mac Announcements

    According to industry expert Mark Gurman, the upcoming October event will likely showcase the new M4-powered Macs, which promise to outperform the current M3 models. The expected lineup includes:

    • J604: A new entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro featuring the M4 chip.
    • J614 and J616: New high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, each available with two professional-grade M4 chip options.
    • J623: A new iMac equipped with the M4 chip.
    • J773: A redesigned, more compact Mac mini, offered in M4 and M4 Pro chip configurations.

    Gurman notes, “I’m told that most of these Macs are already shipping from factories (except for some of the higher-end MacBook Pros and the Mac mini with the M4 Pro) and are ready for launch right now.”

    Shipping and Future Releases

    Gurman also indicates that Apple is likely holding off on the announcement until all the new Macs can be shipped simultaneously. M4 MacBook Air models (J713 and J715) are anticipated in the first quarter of 2025, with a new Mac Studio (J575) expected by mid-year. Additionally, a Mac Pro (J704) is slated for release before the end of 2025.

    The absence of an M4 MacBook Air in the immediate future may be disappointing for some, given its popular fanless design.

    Advancements in Apple’s Silicon

    Apple’s transition to its own silicon chips has markedly enhanced its computer offerings. Previously criticized for offering lackluster specs at a high price, Apple’s computers have now become significant contenders in the market. The emphasis on AI in these new desktops underscores Apple’s dedication to progress in this field.

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  • iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Launch: New Design, Camera Button

    iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Launch: New Design, Camera Button

    The iPhone 16 series has been officially launched, featuring the standard model, plus, pro, and pro max editions. These devices serve as the successors to the iPhone 15 lineup introduced last year. In addition to these new smartphones, Apple has also announced the AirPods 4 and Watch Series 10. The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus come with several incremental upgrades over their predecessors. A major focus of this year’s models is Apple Intelligence. Discover more details below.

    iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Launch

    A key update in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus is the design. Apple has revisited the iPhone X-style by eliminating the square camera island and diagonal sensor layout seen in recent iPhones. The latest models feature a protruding, pill-shaped camera module with vertically aligned sensors. Additionally, the tech giant from Cupertino has replaced the traditional mute switch with the Action Button from last year’s Pro models. The iPhone 16 pair retains the frosted glass back panel. Interestingly, both models come with a dedicated camera button, which we’ll discuss further.

    These devices maintain the OLED screens of their predecessors, measuring 6.1 and 6.7 inches. The display includes a dynamic island and provides a peak brightness of 2,000 nits.

    Camera and Performance

    Regarding cameras, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus include the same setup as their predecessors, with a 48MP main lens, 2x telephoto, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle sensor. The ultra-wide angle also allows for macro photography. These phones can capture spatial photos and videos, a feature previously exclusive to pro models. The camera button operates similarly to a DSLR shutter button, allowing light presses to focus and full presses to capture images. The button is touch-sensitive, enabling adjustments like zoom through sliding motions.

    The iPhone 16 series is powered by the A18 processor, with both models offering 8GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage. The devices will support Apple Intelligence features set to release next month, showcased during the WWDC event. They include hardware-accelerated ray tracing and can handle AAA games. A thermal sheet is included to enhance sustained gaming performance. Although Apple claims a significant battery boost for the iPhone 16 models, exact capacities are not disclosed.

    Additional Features and Pricing

    Additional features include a USB-C port, emergency SOS via satellite, WiFi-7, MagSafe charging, and more.

    Pricing for the iPhone 16 begins at $799, whereas the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 for the 128GB base variants. Pre-orders start today, with official sales beginning on September 20.

    iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Launch: New Design, Camera Button
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  • Apple’s New AI Tool Removes Objects in Developer Betas

    Apple’s New AI Tool Removes Objects in Developer Betas

    Apple's latest AI advancements were unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. While the exact date for a public rollout is still unknown, various AI features are anticipated to arrive next year on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Beta versions have been made available by the Cupertino tech firm. The Developer Beta 3 for iOS and iPadOS 18.1, along with macOS 15.1 Sequoia, introduces an AI-driven 'Clean Up' tool within the Photos app, aiming to rival Google's Magic Eraser and Samsung's Object Eraser.

    Apple's 'Clean Up' AI Feature Competes with Magic and Object Eraser

    Before diving into the specifics, it's important to note that the beta version is unstable and not advisable for installation on primary devices. The feature is available exclusively on devices that support Apple Intelligence, which includes the iPhone 15 Pro models and Macs and iPads powered by M-series chips.

    The Clean Up tool, as its name implies, can identify and eliminate distracting objects and strangers from photos. It also offers functionalities such as healing blemishes and pixelating people's faces to protect their privacy. While it automatically detects and removes undesired elements, users can choose to tap, brush, or circle objects they prefer not to include in the image. Additionally, you can zoom in to adjust finer details. The tool is also adept at removing unwanted shadows and reflections.

    Editing Photos with the Clean Up Tool

    You can access the Clean Up feature while editing a photo in the Photos app. It is represented by an eraser-style icon located in the bottom toolbar. Edited images will have a 'Modified with Clean Up' label and this information will be added to the EXIF data. The tool is compatible with all images, regardless of whether they were taken with another phone or a DSLR.

    Despite its capabilities, the AI-powered Clean Up feature isn't entirely perfect. It is expected to undergo refinements before the release of a stable version.

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  • Apple Uses Google Tech for Apple Intelligence Development

    Apple Uses Google Tech for Apple Intelligence Development

    The rivalry between Apple and Google is intensifying. While the competition between Android and iOS is commonly known, this contest is broadening into new areas with the advancement of technology. The latest battleground is artificial intelligence, a relatively fresh field.

    Interestingly, this rivalry doesn’t prevent them from leveraging each other’s strengths. A newly published AI research paper by Apple reveals that Apple is utilizing Google hardware to lay the groundwork for Apple Intelligence. Here are the details…

    Apple Utilizes Google’s TPU Clusters for AI Training

    Apple and Google are typically seen as competitors in the tech industry, but it’s intriguing to note that Apple is employing Google hardware in its AI research. It has come to light that Apple is developing its AI models using Google’s v4 and v5p Cloud TPU clusters.

    This information was made public in a recently released research paper by Apple. The study, titled “Apple Intelligence Foundation Language Models,” outlines the data sources and developmental processes behind Apple’s new AI technology.

    The paper elaborates on the data sources Apple used for training its AI models and the methodologies applied during this process. The most eye-catching detail is that Apple initially relied on Google’s v4 and v5p Cloud TPU clusters.

    For those unfamiliar, Google’s Cloud TPU clusters are built to handle high-performance computing tasks, making them perfect for intensive activities like training large language models.

    The Reason Behind Apple’s Move

    The likely motivation for Apple’s decision is “speed.” Many may not recall, but the AI frenzy that began with the release of ChatGPT is less than two years old.

    This implies that companies need time to develop their technologies. Some may move faster in this domain, but Apple might have aimed to save time by using its rival’s technologies.

    Despite this being a temporary measure, Apple plans to invest over $5 billion in AI development over the next two years. This investment is viewed as part of Apple’s strategy to catch up with industry frontrunners like Microsoft and Meta.

    Whether they will achieve this goal remains uncertain.

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  • New Apple Intelligence ‘Image Playground’

    New Apple Intelligence ‘Image Playground’

    Apple’s latest beta software update hints at exciting features coming soon. The iOS 18 Beta 3 simulator reveals an Apple Intelligence settings menu (currently inactive), suggesting integration of a powerful AI suite. macOS 15 Beta 3 introduces “Image Playground,” a tool that lets users generate images based on descriptions with selectable themes, clothing, and locations. Users can choose between animation, illustration, or sketch styles.

    New features, like the upgraded Siri and ChatGPT, won’t be available until 2025

    Apple announced Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024. This AI suite will offer on-device and cloud-based language models. A public beta for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia is planned for this fall, but full features and wider device support will arrive next year. While free, Apple Intelligence requires an A17 Pro chip or M-series chip, limiting access to iPhone 15 Pro models and the upcoming iPhone 16 series – devices with the latest processing power for AI tasks.

    Some features, like the upgraded Siri assistant and ChatGPT integration, won’t be available until next year. The good news is that the initial version of Apple Intelligence will still offer functionalities like notification prioritization, webpage summarization, writing tools, image generation, and Genmoji – features that many users will be eager to try.

    New Apple Intelligence 'Image Playground'
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  • Apple May Equip New Non-Pro iPhones with Latest Chip Again

    Apple May Equip New Non-Pro iPhones with Latest Chip Again

    Apple is gearing up to unveil the iPhone 16 series in September, and rumors suggest that the non-Pro iPhone 16 models will also feature the latest and most advanced A series chip, the Apple A18 Pro.

    In the past, Apple began implementing older-generation Bionic chips on non-Pro iPhones starting with the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 15 series saw the introduction of the 'Pro' branding for the chipset in the Pro models.

    A18 Pro Chip in All Models

    According to the latest rumor, even the non-Pro iPhones will be equipped with the newest A-series chip, potentially named A18 Pro. This information comes from @Nicolás Alvarez on X, who found pertinent codes within Apple's backend. These codes indicate that all four iPhone 16 models will incorporate the A18 Pro chip.

    Impact of Apple Intelligence

    The A15 Bionic was previously sufficient to handle the basic functionalities in iOS. However, this is no longer the case. iOS 18 includes Apple Intelligence, necessitating the phone to run certain AI features natively. Though these are deemed basic AI features, the NPUs in older chips lack the capability to execute these tasks efficiently. Consequently, only the Pro models of the iPhone 15 series, equipped with the A17 Pro chip, support Apple Intelligence.

    The A18 Pro chip is rumored to have a more advanced NPU compared to last year's A17 Pro, potentially leading to a significant improvement in AI performance. This could mirror what is currently observed with the iPhone 15 series regarding the implementation of Apple Intelligence. This development might be the reason behind Apple's decision to equip all iPhone 16 models with the new chip.

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  • Apple Intelligence Features Delayed to Next Year: Here’s Why

    Apple Intelligence Features Delayed to Next Year: Here’s Why

    Apple introduced new AI capabilities branded as Apple Intelligence at the annual WWDC event last week. These features are set to be incorporated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, respectively. Although the new software versions will become available to the public later this year, they won’t come preloaded with all Apple Intelligence features. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the rollout will be gradual, extending into 2025.

    Apple Intelligence’s Gradual Rollout

    Gurman reports that Apple plans to introduce the new Intelligence features in phases over several months. The Cupertino-based tech giant aims to avoid the issues that have plagued other AI systems. Typically, Apple releases features announced at WWDC in September when the new iPhones are launched. However, this time, Apple has disclosed that the latest AI technology will not adhere to a strict schedule. During the recent keynote, the company outlined a roadmap for what will be available later this year and early next year.

    Strategic Delays and Resource Management

    Gurman points out that the delayed rollout of Apple Intelligence has its advantages. It allows Apple to manage its resources more effectively by not overwhelming its staff with the simultaneous release of all features. Initially, Apple will focus on American English, giving the company more time to train its AI models in other languages, a process that could take years. Additionally, the tech giant will take its time to bolster its cloud infrastructure to prevent server crashes due to high user demand. Apple also aims to improve the accuracy of information delivered by its AI services by starting with a smaller user base.

    Some features of Apple Intelligence, including the enhanced Siri assistant capabilities showcased at WWDC—such as contextual searches and on-screen awareness—will not be available until next year. The ChatGPT integration is also slated for a 2025 release. On the plus side, the initial version of Apple Intelligence will include features like notification prioritization, webpage summarization, writing tools, image generation, and Genmoji.

    Non-AI Features

    Gurman also mentions that non-AI features, such as updates to the Mail app and the ability to edit spatial videos, will not be included in the initial software version updates.

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