AppleTalk: iPhone Air of Ultra?

What can we expect from Apple in the last weeks of 2024? Four years ago, to everyone’s surprise, the AirPods Max headphones were released in December, but I don’t expect any more hardware announcements this year. Apple will participate next week Black Fridaywith a gift card worth 200 euros if you buy certain products. At Apple Music it is Billie Eilish yesterday was named Artist of the Year, Apple Arcade 15 new games for the holidays and the Podcast of the Year will be announced on December 3.

iOS 18.2 is expected to be released on December 9, alongside iPadOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2, watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, visionOS 2.2, and HomePod Software 18.2. The latter platform is expected to be renamed HomeOS in 2025 in a major smart home offensive by Apple. Finally, the first developer beta version of iOS 18.3 will probably be released in December, followed by a public beta in January.

Air vs Ultra

The thinnest iPhone to date was the iPhone 6 from 2014, which was 6.9 mm thick. The iPhone Air is expected next year. According to rumors, it will be only 6.6 mm thick and will take the place of the Plus model in the line-up. Samsung will of course not be left behind and will also release a slim design version of its Galaxy S25, which will be presented at the end of January. The Galaxy S25 Slim is expected in April.

Such a slim device is nice, but I immediately think back to the wonderful renders by designer Jonas Daehnert for a iPhone Ultra. A premium iPhone that is thicker (12 mm), slightly heavier, can withstand a knock better and offers more battery capacity. Daehnert’s design is clearly inspired by the Apple Watch Ultra. What would you prefer: Air or Ultra?

Home Hub DIY

As mentioned, Apple will be investing heavily in the smart home in the new year. According to various sources, it is working on a new Home hub with a screen that runs on homeOS. The hub will be equipped with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri. In addition, you will reportedly be able to run stock Apple apps such as Safari, Notes and Calendar. Central, however, is a dashboard with widgets to control your HomeKit home. The interface will be a mix of StandBy mode and Control Panel.

The hub with a 6-inch screen will resemble an iPad with its built-in battery, speakers and a FaceTime camera. You can hang the screen on the wall or place it in a stand equipped with extra speakers. Comparable to the Google Pixel Tablet indeed.

Nothing is known about a price yet, but such a ‘HomePad’ will probably not be cheap, knowing Apple. The large HomePod costs 350 euros, the cheapest iPad starts at 409. Speaking of the iPad, you can already make such a hub yourself with Apple’s tablet. Any existing iPad equipped with Apple silicon should be sufficient, such as the 2022 iPad Air.

I found some nice wall mounts on Etsy, like this one universal for less than a tenner, this one hidden version for about twenty euros, this one from oak wood for thirty euros or this holder which for a little more money doesn’t even show a charging cord. Share with us your photos of your solution, we like it.

One more thing ⌘

Strong video from tech journalist and CNet host Bridget Carey on Apple Intelligence. She responds to Apple’s latest commercials, which in her opinion are not the crazy ones celebrate like Apple did before, but right the lazy ones. Like the tuned out dude who clearly has not prepared a meeting and gets away with an AI-generated summary. A creepy George Costanza-type that goes all out in an email because a colleague has eaten his pudding but just in time has AI change the tone of his email. The irritating nietsnut who suddenly manages to come across as very professional to his manager. And the woman who forgot her partner’s birthday and surprised him with one treat which he most likely already receives every day on his own iPhone. Apparently, things are now done in tech too, thanks to AI dom to be?

Have a nice weekend!