A look back at this week’s Apple news and headlines, including two canceled iPhones, the iPhone SE pricing decision, the arrival of iOS 18.2.1, the end of Apple Vision Pro, MacBook Air 2025 projects and the Magic Mouse could finally get fixed.
Apple Loop is here to remind you of some of the many discussions surrounding Apple during the quiet holiday week. You can also read my weekly Android news roundup here on Forbes.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stands next to the new Apple Vision Pro headset (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty … (+)
Early cancellation of iPhone SE
This week, the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE were removed from sale in the European Union. Under a new directive, a large proportion of consumer electronics sold in the EU must now be charged via USB-C. Rather than redesign existing old phones, Apple decided to retire them:
Apple initially resisted the move, saying such a requirement could stifle creativity. However, the change was implemented and Apple moved its iPhones to USB-C starting with the iPhone 15. All the iPad, AirPods, Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard connectors, for example, are also now USB-C only.
(Forbes).
iPhone SE price
The iPhone SE has always been Apple’s mid-range smartphone, alongside the Galaxy A and Pixel A series. That means keeping the iPhone SE priced in the same range as the competition. It seems that Apple is not changing this approach compared to the 2025 model:
“It’s a Japanese source with Apple’s own chip, etc., for $500 or less.” This reference to Apple’s own chip explains how the iPhone SE 4 would be the first iPhone to use an Apple-designed 5G modem. Until now, all 5G iPhones used Qualcomm modems, but Apple is working to replace the third-party chipset. »
(Eyes1122 via Apple Insider).
Apple prepares iOS 18.2.1
While the next big version of iOS isn’t expected until March – and will bring the last of the first wave of Apple’s generative AI tool – a point release is expected to be released to address several bug fixes and security issues.
“Just before the holidays, rumors were circulating about a possible surprise iPhone update, iOS 18.2.1, to address issues generated by the recent mammoth release of iOS 18.2, which made Apple Intelligence available to million users worldwide in early December Now it seems that this surprise has been confirmed and new reports have commented on what will likely be contained in the release.
(Forbes).
Apple Vision Pro production nears end
The “brave new world” of augmented reality that was the Apple Vision Pro headset has not been as adopted as Apple led us to believe. Supply chain indications are that manufacturing of the headsets will cease and that Apple is relying on current inventory to serve the niche audience.
“Apple reportedly told Luxshare, a Chinese company that assembles the Vision Pro, that it would have to stop production in November. Luxshare was making about 1,000 Vision Pro headsets per day in October, half of that produced at its peak Apple will apparently still be able to resume production of Vision Pro if sales pick up since the production lines are not yet to be dismantled.
Apple’s MacBook plans for 2025
As part of a review of the 2025 release schedule, the Apple Insider team highlighted a changing approach to the Mac platform, particularly the MacBook Air. Its potential release has been brought forward to a standalone time.
“Instead, the MacBook Air M4 will usher in the new year on its own. The timing of this product is unknown, other than it being the first, so given Apple’s previous release models, This is expected to be a January or February release. The MacBook M4 Air will be released with a 13- and 15-inch model similar to the M3 generation released in March 2024.
And finally…
Apple’s legendary design powerhouse has never answered the question “So why is the Magic Mouse’s charging point in such an inconvenient place?” Will 2025 see a change so that the Magic Mouse resembles the aura promised by Apple?
“While the Magic Mouse switched from Lightning to USB-C a few months ago, the charging port is still located at the bottom of the mouse, preventing its use while charging. That’s just a minor inconvenience, as charging the mouse is a quick and infrequent process, but it appears Apple will eventually move the port in the next incarnation of the accessory.
(MacRumors).
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