Why iPhone 14 looks like iPhone 12

May 17, 2022

You might be disappointed that the upcoming iPhone 14 will look just like the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 12.

But don't be a h8ter. Apple has its reasons, as we explain.

To lighten your mood, read about the jaw-dropping accessibility tech Apple just unveiled for users with disabilities.

A new Door Detection feature is a good example.

Designed for users who are blind or have low vision, the upcoming feature means the iPhone will be able to detect doors. It will tell you if they are open or closed, have a handle or a knob, and read out any signage (such as street numbers, among other things).

It's almost like a bionic eye, and shows the amazing abilities of the artificial intelligence built into our devices these days. I find it staggering.

-- Leander Kahney, EIC.

It’s understandable if you’re feeling slightly underwhelmed by the upcoming iPhone 14. Leaks, combined with artist renders, give us an early glimpse of the iOS handset coming this autumn. And if they’re accurate, this year’s iPhone lineup will look nearly identical to its predecessors going back years. That’s because Apple uses a three-year cycle in iPhone designs these days. That’s not laziness – there’s a solid reason for the choice.

You can clear up a big chunk of your iPhone’s storage space by limiting how many podcasts you keep downloaded. iOS 15.5, which Apple released Monday, introduces a feature to automatically limit the number of episodes you have downloaded in your podcast library. If you struggle with storage on your iPhone, enabling this setting will free up space.

Apple’s Door Detection uses advancements in hardware, software and machine learning to help people who are blind or low vision use their iPhone and iPad to navigate the last few feet to their destination. This is one of several innovative software features unveiled Tuesday for users with disabilities.

Pay attention to renewal notices for App Store subscriptions because these are the only alerts you’ll receive that the cost is going up. Developers are now allowed to increase iPhone app subscription prices without users having to opt in.

Apple reportedly slowed the pace at which it will require its corporate employees to return to the office. They were scheduled to be back at their desks three days a week starting later this month, but rising numbers of COVID-19 cases supposedly pushed that back.

Why carry multiple charging cables when you can get one that connects to all your gear at once? The 4-in-1 Multi-Port & Apple Watch Charging Cable lets you top off four devices simultaneously without a mess of cords. And for a limited time, this combo Lightning/USB-C/Apple Watch cable is on sale for $17.99 (regularly $34).

Apple’s Reminders app has gone from strength to strength in recent years. But for a more-comprehensive task-management app on iOS, iPadOS and macOS, look no further than Todoist. Trust me: It’s the best to-do app out there.

Smart home accessory specialist Ecobee unveiled two new smart thermostats Tuesday. Smart Thermostat Premium and Smart Thermostat Enhanced offer larger displays than before, a redesigned interface and more.

Cupertino rebranded its Apple Music Live series, which kicks off a new season with a live performance by Harry Styles in New York City. Apple Music subscribers can tune in to the live show on May 20, and enjoy a seven-part video interview with Styles anytime.

Tweet o' the day

One more thing ...

"Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this ... and I found it fascinating. None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But 10 years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, it's likely that no personal computer would have them." -- Steve Jobs

Reply

or to participate.