The MacRumors Show: iPhone Pocket Unveiled and iPhone Air 2 Delayed

[MacRumors]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's new iPhone Pocket accessory, the future of Apple Fitness+, and the iPhone Air 2's delayed launch.

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Apple this week announced the iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory made in collaboration with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE. The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, similar to an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile.

The iPhone Pocket comes in two versions. There's a short strap design available in eight colors for $149.95, and a long strap design in three colors for $229.95. The iPhone Pocket can be used in a variety of ways – handheld, tied onto bags, or worn directly on the body. The limited-edition release is now available on Apple's online store and at select flagship Apple Store locations worldwide, although it is rapidly selling out.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that the future of Apple Fitness+ is "under review." The service apparently suffers from high churn and little revenue, remaining one of the company's "weakest digital offerings."

As a result, Fitness+ is now said to be in the process of receiving new management, with Apple health vice president Sumbul Desai taking control of the service. The health division, now including Apple Fitness+, will report directly to services chief Eddy Cue. The reorganization is likely to lead to added pressure to improve the service.

In other news, it emerged this week that Apple's second-generation iPhone Air is to be delayed on account of the device's low sales, pushed back from the original target launch of fall 2026. Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been a multitude of reports of poor sales and significant production cuts. Apple has responded by scaling back shipments and winding down the supply chain, with all production expected to cease by the end of this month.

Apple now plans to introduce a more substantially redesigned iPhone Air 2 model in the future, perhaps alongside the iPhone 18e and iPhone 18 in the spring of 2027. The new device could feature an additional rear camera with an ultra-wide lens, vapor-chamber cooling, reduced weight, a larger battery, and a new chip.

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up to hear our discussion about the AirPods Pro 3 and the future of the AirPods lineup as a whole.

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Article Link: The MacRumors Show: iPhone Pocket Unveiled and iPhone Air 2 Delayed

 

[bruinsrme]

I’ll say it for you; it’s f’in ridiculous

 

[acblue94]

When will people learn? You can’t delay something that was never officially announced.

 

[Ursadorable]

Who is the target audience for this accessory?

 

[pcunix]

I’m not surprised that Fitness+ is weak. I’m 77 and exercise every day. At first, I was very enthusiastic about this, but after hurting myself twice trying to keep up with the instructors, I quit. They had (maybe still do) a section for Seniors, but it was still too much in some parts and far too little in others.

I think they need an AI instructor who could take input verbally and from your watch to dial it up or down, and avoid certain things users can’t do at all.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

The iPhone Pocket is ripe for Chinese copycats. Those prices are laughable, even for a designer product. You'll see copies for sale soon for $20.

 

[theluggage]

Who is the target audience for this accessory?

People who don't think twice about paying out $230 for a silly gimmick?

Based these pretty much appearing on the iPod's 25th anniversary I guess this was a "joke" product referring to the infamous iPod Socks - which, at $30 for a pack of 6 - were a far more affordable joke.

On the one hand, this isn't anything that anybody needs - if you don't want it don't buy it.

On the other hand - as with $800 wheels & $1000 display stands - I'm not sure what message Apple think they are sending out to the world by courting "Apple makes £230 sock for iPhone" headlines. OK, it gets the brand talked about, but only in the sense of Apple==Expensive, which only makes it harder to make the case for products like the Mac and iPhone.

Plus, my first thought on seeing the pictures was "what's that, some kind of man-kini?" and now I need some brain bleach.

 

[sfrsteel]

Dumb..

 

[The Game 161]

Who is the target audience for this accessory?

given it's sold out more than we think

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Many people [not me] like fashion items. Many here have lots of watches and//or watch bands for instance. And look how many people buy multiple pairs of shoes that cost more than $1k per pair. None of that is for me, but I do not diss on anyone who is into such things; I just enjoy the visual variety on the street.

The unfortunate thing is that most of us will probably see some cheap knock-off before the real thing even hits the street in any kind of volume.

 

[k1121j]

When will people learn? You can’t delay something that was never officially announced.

Just because it wasn't announced does not mean it hasn't been planned.

Do you know they start and plan the release date of the iPhone before its announced?

 

[Delivered]

The air one just launched how can the two be delayed. What is this absolute garbage.

 

[sdm1985]

Having been a loyal Apple fan for many years, they are making it increasingly difficult for me to defend them. They are out of control now. They have no morals. Apple COOKED by Tim.

 

[klasma]

When will people learn? You can’t delay something that was never officially announced.

Of course you can. I’m delaying decisions all the time without officially having announced them.

 

[klasma]

The air one just launched how can the two be delayed. What is this absolute garbage.

Apple is planning devices more than a year ahead. Partly this is due to the supply chain needing a lot of lead time at iPhone volumes. When the Air launched, its successor was likely already mostly planned out.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

I'm not surprised it's Japanese. They enjoy spin-off merchandise. But fashions in Japan die quickly - after a month or two it'll be over.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

Do he have the possility to remove this Ai translation?
Ist horrible!!!

 

[clausbvc]

Click bait, thought a new iPhone mini was coming...

 

[Jackbequickly]

I would not be caught dead with my iPhone is this stupid sock! 🧦 LOL!

 

[robertosh]

 

[deesedani]

What would make this weekly update good is to invite a subscriber of your channel to have 15 minutes on a topic of their choice, ie hardware issues or software issues also what would be good is to discuss a topic about an app ie Photos app, iMessage app, mail
App you would get amazing traction with this format I for certain would love the debate

 

[klasma]

Do he have the possility to remove this Ai translation?
Ist horrible!!!

It's a YouTube feature, you can switch the audio track:

 

[unchecked]

Apple just released a mankini.

 

[radiologyman]

Lighter AIR? I will buy several.

 

[MichaelAdam]

I have to say that I am a bit surprised that running the most popular and well documented site on Apple product and culture, you skipped isse Miyake design for the most iconic uniform that has been created for Steve Jobs new and last look (along the New Balance 992 and the 501 Levi’s jeans) …
As for the new accessory for iPhone with the Japanese brand (as Isse passed away) to me lead to all kind of possibilities and bring back Apple as iconic product designer much more than the very bourgeois collab with Hermes. Hope more will rise in the future. As I know they were in talks years ago with another iconic spectacles brand for their Apple glasses.