{"id":66583,"date":"2026-04-12T16:49:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:49:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/?p=66583"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:56:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:56:50","slug":"apfelpatient-weekly-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apfelpatient.de\/en\/allgemein\/apfelpatient-weekly-1","title":{"rendered":"Apfelpatient Weekly #1"},"content":{"rendered":"

The MacBook Neo is selling like crazy, the iPhone Fold could be called iPhone Ultra and Apple is closing three stores \u2013 the most important Apple news of the week from April 6th to 12th, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to the very first regular edition of Apfelpatient Weekly \u2013 our new Sunday format where we summarize, contextualize, and evaluate the Apple week. The fact that the first edition is being published right after Easter is quite fitting: Apple is currently taking a short breather after the 50th anniversary celebrations. But it wasn't exactly a quiet week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd25 Story of the Week: MacBook Neo \u2013 Apple's Most Beautiful Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The MacBook Neo has only been on the market for a little over a month \u2013 and Apple already has a problem. However, it's one that every manufacturer dreams of: demand far exceeds supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to renowned analyst Tim Culpan, Apple is running out of the binned A18 Pro chips that power<\/a> the MacBook Neo. What began as a clever recycling strategy - chips with defective GPU cores from iPhone 16 Pro production were used in the Neo instead of being discarded - is now becoming a logistical dilemma. Apple had originally planned for around six million units. Demand significantly exceeds this quantity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The options currently on the table all come at a price: resuming A18 Pro production at TSMC would be expensive. Discontinuing the cheaper \u20ac699 model would be a PR disaster. And bringing forward the MacBook Neo 2 with the A19 Pro was originally planned for 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tim Cook had described the Neo at its launch as having the "best launch week ever for early adopters." Delivery times are currently two to three weeks. The fact that Apple's cheapest Mac is becoming a luxury problem is the story of the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcf0 What else was important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

iOS 26.4.1 and macOS 26.4.1 released<\/strong> \u2013 Apple rolled out<\/a> a bug fix update on Wednesday. Among other things, a problem with iCloud synchronization in some apps was fixed. As usual, Apple did not provide further details. The update closes the vulnerability until the upcoming iOS 26.5<\/a>, which is currently in beta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artemis II: iPhone 17 Pro Max in space<\/strong> \u2013 The Artemis II mission crew took selfies with the iPhone 17 Pro Max in front of Earth while orbiting the moon. After their safe return, Tim Cook personally congratulated them, calling the photos a "new pinnacle of iPhone photography." A PR moment that Apple couldn't have hoped for better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple to close three US stores<\/strong> \u2013 In June, Apple will permanently close three stores in the US, including the Apple Store in Towson, Maryland \u2013 the only unionized Apple Store in the country. Apple cites "deteriorating conditions" in the affected shopping centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple Business launches on April 14<\/strong> \u2013 Apple's new all-in-one platform for businesses combines device management, productivity tools, and customer reach. Particularly noteworthy: Apple will be advertising in Apple Maps for the first time \u2013 albeit with its usual focus on data privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iPhone Fold remains on track for a September release \u2013 and could be called the iPhone Ultra<\/strong> \u2013 Mark Gurman confirms that Apple's first foldable smartphone will be unveiled as planned this fall. He calls it the \"most significant redesign in iPhone history.\" At the same time, evidence is mounting regarding the final name: Two renowned leakers \u2013 Digital Chat Station and Instant Digital \u2013 independently report that Apple will market the device as the \"iPhone Ultra,\" not the \"iPhone Fold.\" This would fit with the existing Ultra line (Apple Watch Ultra, CarPlay Ultra). Punch-hole camera, no Face ID, Touch ID on the side \u2013 the iPhone Fold<\/a> breaks with three design traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Outcome\" premieres on Apple TV<\/strong> \u2013 The dark comedy starring Keanu Reeves, Cameron Diaz, and Jonah Hill launched on April 10th. A Hollywood star is blackmailed with a mysterious video \u2013 Apple TV has a lot to offer in April<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca1 Rumor of the Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple is working on a standalone Siri app.<\/strong> According to Bloomberg, Apple is testing a chatbot version of Siri intended to directly compete with ChatGPT and Claude. The app will be usable via text and voice and will be integrated into iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27 via so-called "extensions." Intriguingly, Gurman recently reported that Apple had no plans for a separate Siri app. Apparently, those plans have changed \u2013 and the ambitions have grown considerably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcca Number of the week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple's Mac sales grew by 9.1 percent<\/strong> year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026. The entire PC market grew by only 2.5 percent during the same period. The main drivers: the MacBook Neo and the new M5 MacBooks. Apple is gaining market share while the competition stagnates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc4e Flop of the Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apple's retail retreat.<\/strong> Three more US stores are closing \u2013 and one of them is the iconic Towson store, Apple's only unionized location. Apple justifies the closures with "deteriorating conditions" at shopping malls. That may be true in individual cases. But the signal it sends is not good \u2013 especially at a time when Apple is expanding its services strategy and should actually be strengthening direct customer contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udd2d What's coming next week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n