Apple Loop: Controversial iPhone 7 Leak, New iPad Launch Date

Taking a look back at another week of news from Cupertino, this week’s Apple Loop includes the leaked iPhone 7 design, the key to Apple’s success in 2016, the vital missing feature in the iPhone SE, Apple’s streaming event on March 21st, why Siri is not unlocking your iPhone, Apple’s Supreme Court appearance over eBook pricing, Apple fighting for public opinion against the FBI, and Apple’s new Twitter support account.

Apple Loop is here to remind you of a few of the very many discussions that have happened around Apple over the last seven days (and you can read the weekly digest of Android news here on Forbes).

Gambling On The iPhone 7 Design

As expected, the case manufacturers looking to get ahead of the production game are gambling that they have the dimensions and ports figured out for the iPhone 7. Serial leaker @OnLeaks has picked up details of a new iPhone 7 case that highlights the curve on the corners, the flat back… and the lack of a 3,5mm stereo jack for your classic headphones. Benjamin Mayo picks up the story for 9to5Mac:

On the bottom of the phone, it appears to feature only a Lightning port surrounded by two equal-width speaker grilles, which could mean the phone will include some kind of stereo sound output. Aside from the lack of a headphone port, it’s hard to see any other major differences from the case leak.
…It would generally be expected that the iPhone 7 feature more significant design changes, as is usual with Apple’s tick-tock cycle. Unfortunately, this case does not help paint a better picture than ‘iPhone 6s with no headphone jack’. Questions about thinness also cannot be answered, as there are no written dimensions.

The headphone jack is going to be the lightning rod (no pun intended) of the design, and Jay McGregor picks up on this with his follow-on report:

The debate will rage on whether or not this is a good move for consumers. Do the pros of potentially better sound and a thinner phone outweigh the negatives of a painful transitional period, the initial limited amount of products with a lightning port connector (forcing people to buy new headphones or a proprietary convertor) and the issue of electrical waste? No, in my opinion.
Perhaps the unusually early nature of these leaks have forewarned headphone makers to prepare new designs for the world’s most popular smartphone, which will neutralize some of the teething issues. But there’s no doubt that this will be an awkward sell.

Apple iPhone 6S and iPhone 6 Mophie Juice Pack (image: Ewan Spence)

One Word That Will Guide Apple In 2016
The iPhone SE is on the way, flanked by a new iPad. The presumptively titled iPhone 7 will follow in September. At some point the Apple Watch 2 will arrive unexpectedly (probably on the arm of Chuck Norris). Apple has a lot going on this year, but it all boils down to trying to maximise the impact of a single word. Upgrade:

Apple needs to persuade its existing users to move up to the newest technology. When technology was immature, the yearly jump in capability used to be enough to bring the majority of people over. That’s no longer the case. Looking into the back catalogue, the iPhone 5S it’s still ‘good enough’ smartphone for most people. The iPad range has the same issue as many tablet devices in that ultimate power is not the main purchase reason – the older models remain convenient for email and browsing. It’s rare for people to see laptops and desk-bound computers as anything other than multi-year investments. And the jury is still out on the upgrade cycle of a smartwatch, even if the Apple Watch 2 is likely to make the sort of leap that you saw between the iPhone and the iPhone 3G.

Watch for Apple pushing the idea of ‘switch to your new Apple device’ at every opportunity during 2016.

What Is The iPhone SE Missing?

From the reports we have at the moment, the iPhone SE is going to be missing one of Apple’s best hopes at challenging the user interface paradigms for the next few years – it looks like 3D Touch will not be present in the ‘not-budget’ handset. For 3D Touch to take off, it needs to be in the vast majority of handsets before developers will use it for primary features. With the iPhone SE set for many years of use, forgoing 3D Touch is a courageous choice. Ashraf Eassa looks at this issue in more depth for the Motley Fool:

The exclusion of this feature is likely for a couple of reasons. The first is that the additional components required to add 3D Touch tack on cost and that may simply reduce margins by too much, particularly on a low-cost device. Secondly, Apple likely wants to give customers a reason to “buy up” to the higher-priced iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
Although I understand Apple’s reasoning, and it probably makes sense from a near-term financial and business perspective, I still believe that Apple should have endowed the SE with 3D Touch.
… In addition to the app ecosystem argument, there’s also the simple fact that Apple spent a significant amount of time touting 3D Touch as the killer new feature in the iPhone 6s/6s Plus. In fact, of the roughly 1 hour that Apple spent at its fall event talking about the new iPhones, a full 10 minutes were spent on extolling the virtues of 3D Touch.
It just seems strange for the iDevice maker to launch a new premium-tier phone without this key feature.

If Apple wants the iPhone SE to stop being portrayed as a cheaper and weaker iPhone, then it needs to make some tough decisions. I agree with Eassa, 3D Touch should have been in the SE.

Apple iPhone 6S (image: Ewan Spence)

Looping In A New Announcement
Apple has announced a press event for March 21st, and has stated that it will be streamed live on Apple TV for iPad, iPhone, and Mac users. It is widely expected to see the launch of the aforementioned iPhone SE, and an update to the 9.7 inch iPad. Apple Insider notes a few more moments that may be happening:

The keynote will kick off that Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. It will be held at Apple’s corporate headquarters at 1 Infinite Loop in Cupertino, Calif.
It’s possible the presentation could be the last to be held at Apple’s current headquarters, as Cook said at last month’s annual shareholders meeting that the 1,000-seat theater at Apple’s upcoming Campus 2 may open in time for next year’s shareholder meeting. Apple is also expected to hold an event this fall, but it will likely be in San Francisco rather than Cupertino, if history is any indication.

We’ll bring you coverage and reaction of the event here on Forbes later in the month,

Apple iPhone SE event on March 21: 5 things to expect from Infinite Loop

 

Apple’s next event iPhone event will be held at Infinite Loop on March 21. Apple is expected to launch the 4-inch screen iPhone SE. (Source: Apple)

Apple has confirmed that its next iPhone event will be held on March 21 at 1, Infinite Loop. Apple is expected to basically turn its big products into something small, and maybe there is ‘one more thing’ on the cards.

In all likelihood, there is an iPhone SE or iPhone 5Se, whatever Apple calls it. Apart from that, Apple will probably showcase a 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and may show some updated version of the Apple Watch. Apple Watch 2 is not expected at the event, but then who knows, it could be the wild-card at the event.

At the end of the day, it is an Apple event and it will never fall short of a surprise. We will know all of that and more on March 21 but for now, here is what we expect from Cupertino-based company

4-inch iPhone

 

Sure it is going to be small but the price need not beFor two consecutive years, Apple defied its own proposition that large phones have no significance. Apple’s smallest smartphone comes with a 4.7-inch display now, even though the iconic consumer technology once believed 4-inch should be the maximum size for any smartphone display.

When Apple announced its iPhone 6 in 2014, there were calls for a smaller iPhone with similar specs from people who owned iPhone 5s or older version. On March 21, Apple is expected to deliver on that call.

According to 9to5Mac, the smartphone will be called iPhone SE, and will feature a design similar to iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s series. The 4-inch iPhone is expected to feature hardware similar to iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s, and may not be so cheap.

Apple is in the cusp of deciding its market preference. It has almost topped out in China, and sees India as the next major market. Apple could, in fact price it under $400 to make it an attractive proposition for its Indian audience.

9.7-inch iPad Pro or iPad Air 3

 

Apple might introduce 9.7-inch iPad Pro and not 9.7-inch iPad Air 3 as it was rumoured earlier (Source: Nandagopal Rajan)

Apple’s iPad Pro may well be one of the not-so-mass market Cupertino product. It tried to bring pro features to iPad but struggled to deliver any use with it.

While iPad Pro was great for designers, it felt underwhelming for general consumers. The larger part of the issue was its 12.9-inch enormously huge display. According to 9to5Mac, Apple plans to introduce newer iPad with 9.7-inch display and similar Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support.
So will it be called 9.7-inch iPad Pro or iPad Air 3. We will get to know that in 9 days time.

Apple Watch

Apple Watch could well be the most successful smartwatch ever. It has really outsold many Android Wear watches, and its software has evolved considerably since the time it was introduced.
Apple is not expected to update its smartwatch at this event, it is likely to keep that for some other time. It will actually introduce newer bands, and perhaps new additions like a FaceTime camera, if you go by the rumours.

Rumours suggest Apple may introduce a new fashion partner like it did with Hermes at September event. Also there could surprise announcement of Black Milanese loop band.

OS Updates

Apple might actually use the new 4-inch iPhone to introduce iOS 9.3 Apple iOS 9.3 should improve the split-screen multitasking feature and may officially introduce Night Mode which turns the colours easier on your eyes in dark environment.

Apple may also speak about new Mac OS X updates, especially after that recent report of a first-ever Mac ransomware attack.

One more thing

While it is uncertain, there is a fair chance of Apple updating its Macbooks. In fact, all the three Macbooks – Macbook, Macbook Air and Macbook Pro – are due for an upgrade and Apple might use this opportunity to show them some love.