This week, the iPhone Air 2 gets delayed, Tesla might be about to allow CarPlay, and Apple is going to sell you a $200 sock.
Would you like a FREE iPhone lesson every day?
Quick thing before we dive in: I’ve started sending one really useful iPhone tip every day called The Daily Swipe. It’s free, simple, and you can join here.
More bad news for the iPhone Air
I mentioned a few weeks ago that Apple had not had the launch they were hoping for with the iPhone Air, with early reports suggesting that sales were quite significantly below expectations, especially for a brand new product, and one positioned as a more meaningful addition than the Plus model it effectively replaced.
If you’re unfamiliar, for the past few years Apple has offered a Plus version of the regular iPhone. It was essentially just a bigger iPhone, and much like the iPhone Mini before it, the Plus never really found a strong audience. The iPhone Air was supposed to be Apple’s third attempt at cracking the all-important “third model” spot - something that sits between the regular iPhone and the Pro models.
Unfortunately, it looks like the bad news is getting worse. Several outlets this week are reporting that Apple has removed the iPhone Air 2 from its 2026 product schedule, with no new internal launch date set. According to those same reports, Apple has now informed supply chain engineers of the change. The expectation, it seems, is that the iPhone Air 2 may be relegated to a less prominent spring release window, likely in early 2027, rather than appearing at next September’s flagship iPhone event.
Part of the reason, it seems, is to make space for other marquee devices like the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the long-rumoured iPhone Fold, both of which are still expected to launch in September 2026. But it also appears that the Air 2 is proving difficult to build, with more technical challenges than expected.
Which raises the question: why isn’t the iPhone Air selling?
On paper, it has everything Apple fans should want. It’s a remarkable piece of engineering, incredibly thin and lightweight, and still manages to pack in a high-end chip and a display larger than the standard iPhone 17. It’s far more comfortable to carry around than the Pro models and still feels like a premium device in your hand.
But for most people, the compromises are just too big. The most obvious is battery life. While not disastrous, it falls noticeably short compared with the Pro models. The second is the camera system - or rather, the lack of one. With only a single camera, and no telephoto or ultra-wide lens options, it’s hard to recommend the Air to anyone who cares even slightly about iPhone photography.
Apple seems to be aware of this, with early rumours suggesting that the iPhone Air 2 may attempt to fix some of these problems. The most obvious upgrade would be to add a second rear camera, likely a 48MP ultra-wide, bringing it in line with the regular iPhone 17. But the Air’s unique internal design, where all components are housed in the top “camera bar” to keep the rest of the phone ultra-thin, leaves very little room to squeeze in that second lens.
It’s also rumoured that Apple may look to include vapor chamber cooling, as seen in the 17 Pro, and either increase the size of the battery or switch to a more advanced design to improve battery longevity. Apple likes having a battery story to tell each year, and you’d imagine they’ll want to tout some form of improvement if the Air gets a second chance.
For now though, the project appears to be on pause rather than cancelled, and I suspect Apple will be watching very closely to see how sales continue through 2026. If consumer interest remains low, they may well decide to cut their losses.
Some analysts estimate the iPhone Air accounted for around 3% of all iPhone sales during its launch month. That puts it far behind the Pro and Pro Max models, and is almost certainly not the outcome Apple was hoping for.
It’s a fascinating case study in product design. Apple built something thin, elegant, and technically impressive - but the market seems to be saying, loud and clear, that what it wants is a thicker, heavier phone with a better camera and more battery life.
Time will tell whether Apple listens.
Enjoy tips videos, but struggle to remember everything?
Then you should definitely take a look at iPhone Essentials Plus. It’s my dedicated iPhone training portal with more than 150 lessons covering every aspect of your device, and I’m adding new content all the time.
Each lesson includes a short video, a step-by-step guide with screenshots, and a downloadable PDF, so no matter how you like to learn, you’re sorted. There are no ads, no sponsors, just straight-up content, and it’s all available for a one-time payment, no subscription.
And if you’re a Mac user, I’ve recently launched a Mac version too. You can pick that up on its own or bundle it with the iPhone course to get the best value. If you’re interested, click the links below to get started.
Purchase Links;
- iPhone Essentials Plus
- Mac Essentials Plus
- iPhone & Mac Essentials Plus Discount Bundle
- iPhone & Lifetime PDF
- Mac & Lifetime PDF
- iPhone, Mac & Lifetime PDF
Tesla ready to play nice with CarPlay?
After years of holding out, Tesla is reportedly testing CarPlay integration, a move that, if true, would mark a major shift in the company’s long-held stance on in-car software.
According to a report from Bloomberg, internal testing is already underway, though Tesla hasn’t confirmed anything publicly and could still walk away from the idea. Notably, this wouldn’t be the full immersive CarPlay Ultra experience. Instead, it would be standard CarPlay, running in a window within Tesla’s own interface, a compromise that lets Tesla maintain control over the rest of the infotainment system.
Tesla has historically refused to support CarPlay or Android Auto, insisting that its own in-house system was more tightly integrated and better for the overall experience. But with CarPlay now seen as table stakes by many car buyers - some surveys suggest up to 50% wouldn’t buy a car without it - this could be Tesla finally giving consumers what they want.
The fact that this comes at a time when rivals like GM and Rivian are moving away from CarPlay is especially interesting. It suggests that even the most software-focused automakers are feeling pressure to adapt to consumer expectations, particularly in a market that’s becoming more competitive and harder to dominate on brand alone.
That said, it’s still early days. We don’t yet know which Tesla models would support CarPlay, whether existing owners could get it via a software update, or if this project will ever actually make it to production. But if Tesla really is softening its stance, it could be a big win for iPhone users, and a sign that even Elon’s empire isn’t immune to Apple’s gravitational pull.
$220 for an iPhone sock? Apparently so.
If you’ve ever wished your iPhone could wear its own designer outfit, Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to bring you exactly that. It’s called the iPhone Pocket, and it’s essentially a pleated, 3D-knitted sleeve for your phone, available in a short strap version for $139.95 and a long strap version for $219.95.
Apple describes it as a “clever extra pocket” designed to “celebrate craftsmanship, simplicity, and delight.” ISSEY MIYAKE’s design director says it explores “the joy of wearing iPhone in your own way.”
In practice, what we have here is a very colourful, very textured sock for your phone that can be worn on your wrist or slung cross-body, with just enough stretch to hold your iPhone and, according to Apple, “everyday items.” What those items might be is anyone’s guess, because we’re still talking about a massive sock.
Critics have already started having their fun. One outlet called it “a glorified $150 sock bag,” and that feels about right. It offers no noticeable protection and doesn’t replace your case, it’s a soft fabric pouch with a strap and a high fashion label stitched into the side. Useful? Debatable. Stylish? Possibly. Overpriced? Almost certainly.
It launches Friday, November 14th, in select Apple Stores and online. Available colours include lemon, sapphire, cinnamon, black and more, although you’ll need to check whether you’re buying the short or long strap version, as colour options differ between the two.
Apple says it’s “designed to fit any iPhone,” but there’s no word on how it plays with wireless charging, MagSafe accessories, or ports. Presumably you’ll need to pull the phone out of the sock to do just about anything with it.
Still, there’s something quite Apple about the whole thing - finding a way to make the iPhone wearable, and maybe even a conversation starter. Whether it’s a smart move or just a reminder that some people really will buy anything with an Apple logo attached… well, that’s up to you.
Deal of the week
Tip of the week
Did you know, you can disable the 'Rate This App' prompts in the App Store, with a simple toggle switch. Head to Settings, then Apps, then App Store, and disable In-App Ratings & Reviews
My new content
10 AMAZING iPhone Productivity tips & tricks
|
How to fix 13 ANNOYING iPhone issues
|
