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The Smart-Acoustic Edition Wednesday, November 9, 2022

AirPods Pro 2 May Be Harder To Find For The Holidays As Apple Loses One Supplier Over Possible Production Issues, by Zac Hall, 9to5Mac

Reliably supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo highlights a notice from AirPods Pro 2 supplier Goertek received by a “major overseas client” with instructions “to suspend the assembly production for a smart acoustic product.”

Kuo believes that product to be AirPods Pro 2.

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware As Users Complain Of Audio Drift Issues, by Chance Miller, 9to5Mac

Apple is rolling out a new version of firmware to AirPods Pro 2 this afternoon, bringing Apple’s latest AirPods Pro to version 5.1.58 with build number 5B58 (up from 5A377). The update comes as users continue to complain of issues surrounding audio drifting and audio syncing.

Apple Releases New Firmware For Powerbeats Pro And Beats Studio Buds, by Juli Clover, MacRumors

Apple does not provide details on what’s included in refreshed firmware updates for the Beats earbuds or for the AirPods, so we are not sure what improvements or bug fixes the new firmware brings.

Apple Debuts Special Edition Powerbeats Pro In Fun New Colorways, by Juli Clover, MacRumors

Apple’s Beats by Dre brand today announced the upcoming launch of a new set of limited edition Powerbeats Pro earbuds that have been designed in collaboration with fashion designer Melody Ehsani.

Coming Soon

iOS 16.2 To Introduce 'Custom Accessibility Mode' With Streamlined Experience For iPhone And iPad, by Filipe Espósito, 9to5Mac

Codenamed “Clarity,” this new mode basically replaces Springboard (which is the main iOS interface) with a more streamlined one. The feature, which is still unavailable to users in the current beta, will be available as an accessibility option, aimed at making the iPhone and iPad interface more user-friendly for those users who may find it too complicated.

Stuff

Apple Frames 3.0 Launches With iPhone 14 Pro And Apple Watch Ultra Support, Multiple Resolutions, More, by Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac

The fantastic Apple Frames Shortcut created by MacStories’ Federico Viticci has been upgraded today with a major new version. The latest iteration was completely rewritten for improved performance and reliability. And it comes with support for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Ultra, and M2 MacBook Air, multiple display resolution options, and more.

Native Union Launches Ultra-portable 'Fold' MacBook And iPad Stand, by Michael Potuck, 9to5Mac

The unique design offers a durable and stable surface to lift your MacBook or iPad and packs up neatly into an included carry pouch.

Notes

Apple Can Be Great Or It Can Be Google–but It Can't Be Both, by Jason Snell, Macworld

Some ads are good, and some are bad. And to protect Apple’s brand and products from bad ads, someone in charge needs to get perspective and be able to tell the difference. Apple’s public image and the image of Apple’s products are on the line. It would be a shame for the company to wreck itself for such a minor revenue boost.

It's Official: Two-storey Apple Pacific Centre Store To Open Next Week, by Kenneth Chan, Daily Hived

Apple announced today the Apple Pacific Centre store will officially open on Friday, November 18, kicking off weekend-long grand opening celebrations. This will be the largest Apple Store in Metro Vancouver.

The two-storey structure replacing the former mall rotunda entrance spans a total floor area of about 14,000 square feet, based on the 2019 development permit application. The main entrance into the store also boasts an impressive terraced plaza.

Apple’s Brain Drain Hinders Efforts To Pick Its Next Jony Ive, by Mark Gurman, Bloomberg

In some ways, the department has been in flux since the death of Steve Jobs more than a decade ago, according to people with knowledge of the situation. The Apple co-founder had forged a partnership with Ive that helped establish the clean, simple aesthetic that remains the tech giant’s hallmark today. But an increased emphasis on costs, along with other distractions, created new difficulties, they say.

[...]

Over the past few years, the team has lost the majority of senior designers who worked under Ive, with many of them going to his new firm, LoveFrom. That has now made it harder to replace Hankey, people with knowledge of the matter said. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.

Bottom of the Page

I am uncomfortable with the idea the only way to prevent Apple from updating the firmware on my AirPods -- podOS? -- is to not charge my AirPods and not use my AirPods.

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Thanks for reading.