Apple's week October 3: ICEBlocked

Apple's week October 3: ICEBlocked
Apple Watch Ultra 3 review complete

Whatever happened this week, it's all overshadowed by Apple's decision to remove ICEBlock from the App Store. It's a terrible situation that doesn't offer much option for alternatives, but people are angry nevertheless, for good reason.

It's complex, but Apple and other tech companies are stuck in a situation that's unprecedented. The United States government is making demands we'd expect from authoritarian governments with no laws to back them up.

On top of that news, we're seeing Amazon and Google rush out AI-powered product announcements in the hopes they'll do well before the AI bubble pops. Apple's HomePod and Apple TV updates are expected soon as well, so the space is becoming increasingly competitive.

Here's the news for the week.

On ICEBlock's removal

I've seen the expected range of reactions to Apple removing ICEBlock from the App Store. The anger and frustration are valid, especially from the app developer and the app's users.

It is a sign that Apple's control over the App Store is a double-edged sword. Because it is the only source, which has benefits to privacy and security, it is also easily targeted by authoritarian governments.

I don't lay the blame at Apple's feet in this situation. There's no way Apple could have defied these demands since its only weapons, the courts, are in Trump's pocket.

However, I do think Apple could do something interesting as a result of this situation. If Apple actually cares about preserving user access to some software, it should create a way for developers to bypass the App Store within specific bounds.

Apple wouldn't give up total control over its ecosystem, but it could do something clever involving Safari and web-based apps. Perhaps web devs could gain access to some APIs via web apps saved to the Home Screen, like MapKit, that would let something like ICEBlock work without the app wrapper.

I'm not a developer and don't pretend to have an answer. And I'm not deluded enough to think Apple would give up critical control over the App Store either.

But there's definitely some kind of middle ground where Apple can say it is out of their hands. And I expect that's related to the web – at least until the US Government starts dictating what can be there too.

Bad Bunny controversy

Speaking of nonsense around extremists, Bad Bunny will be performing at the Super Bowl. It's hilarious because he's an American citizen that makes amazing music, but because it isn't in English, it's somehow a problem.

I'm so tired of the bigots and morons being so loud. Too bad they've got so many platforms to yell from.

We discuss this and more on the AppleInsider Podcast this week.

Upcoming releases

Apple will reveal the M5 soon, but it still isn't clear exactly which devices will get the chipset first. My guess is the MacBook Air, base MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro.

Rumors suggest the Apple Vision Pro will get a small chip bump update with M5. That could also arrive this fall.

I'm not sure what my wallet has space for, but I'd love to check out the Apple Vision Pro update simply to see if games or other aspects perform better.

The iPad Pro is definitely a question since it's likely just a jump from M4 to M5. In my use, I doubt I'd see much difference, so it's all dependent on whether there are hardware-specific feature changes.

It is funny that the iPad Pro leaked via a Russian YouTuber like the MacBook Pro did in 2024. There's obviously some kind of supply chain issue at play, or equally as likely, it's a well-done fake with plausible specs.

New M5 iPad Pro and Apple Vision Pro are imminent

The FCC has been leaking reports of new devices that Apple requested stay confidential. It's not much beyond model numbers, but enough to know the products are nearing release.

I'm not sure how I feel about these leaks. I like knowing generally what to expect, but I don't like having everything leaked ahead of time, especially new designs.

Nearly wed

It's finally October, which means I'm getting married in two weeks. I'm not one to ask these kinds of things, but if anyone would like to provide a gift for the wedding, we're asking for help with our honeymoon fund.

The Buy Me A Coffee link would be the perfect place to contribute!

I'm very excited for the wedding and our honeymoon. Our plans for New Orleans seem to have fallen through due to potential National Guard deployment there. So, we're planning on a different destination, though we're still not quite sure where yet. Maybe Charleston, South Carolina.

I can't make any promises, but I think I have an idea for more things I can write about that won't interfere with AppleInsider.  If I can make it work, I'd love to write about apps that I enjoy or reviews of new apps. If it's a subscription app, the money I get from tips here can help cover that, for example.

Thanks again for reading and for your support! The wedding and honeymoon may create a wrinkle in my posting schedule here, so if I'm unable to post or perform longer posts during those two weeks, don't worry, I'll be back in full after Halloween.

A cat with black and orange colors laying in a basket
Harvie would like to go on a picnic by pretending she's the bread