In-Depth Analysis of Speculated Hues for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro

Apple’s upcoming iPhone collection is approaching its release, with color being one of the most thrilling updates this year. Leaks indicate that the iPhone 17 series will not only reintroduce some favorite hues but will also unveil vibrant new tones, including one of the most luminous colors ever available for a Pro model.

## iPhone 17 colors

The regular iPhone 17 is said to come in five variations: (Pinkish?) Purple, Green, Blue, Black, and White. Either Purple and Green or one of them is anticipated to make a comeback from earlier versions, although the green is rumored to be more vibrant, while Blue has seen a variety of shades throughout the years. Black and White remain essential options for those seeking a classic design. Gray has been speculated, but it could either be a Pro variant or completely absent. The standard aluminum finish for the edges is expected.

## iPhone 17 Air colors

The iPhone 17 Air is claimed to showcase a lighter and more polished color scheme: Light Blue, Light Gold, Black, and Silver. Light Gold is anticipated to have a soft metallic sheen. Light Blue may mirror Sky Blue, while Black and Silver maintain the series in timeless, adaptable selections. These shades could be applied to titanium edges similar to those on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro.

## iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max colors

Apple’s premium devices will feature the same four hues: Orange, Dark Blue, Silver, and Black. Orange is the most eye-catching introduction and might be the most daring Pro color Apple has ever introduced. Dark Blue offers a rich, upscale presence, Silver provides a sleek metallic appearance, and Black showcases the well-known professional style. Regarding Gray, that shade remains uncertain. It may be a 17 color, a 17 Pro shade, or entirely absent this year. They will appear distinct from the iPhone 16 Pro even in the same hue, given that titanium is projected to be substituted with aluminum.

Apple is anticipated to reveal the iPhone 17 collection on September 9, with pre-orders likely starting on September 12. If the leaks hold true, 2025 could see one of the most vibrant iPhone launches in recent years.

Threads Exceeds 400 Million Monthly Active Users, Narrowing Gap with X

**Threads Surpasses 400 Million Monthly Active Users: A Major Milestone for Meta**

In a recent wave of updates coinciding with Threads’ second anniversary, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the platform has exceeded 400 million monthly active users (MAUs), reflecting a 50 million increase since April. This announcement underscores Threads’ swift expansion and its potential to compete more robustly with X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

The latest official user count from Meta was shared during its Q1 2025 earnings call on April 30, where it noted an uptick from 320 million MAUs in Q4 2024. Should Threads sustain its current growth pace, it might gain over 100 million users in 2025, bringing it closer to X’s audience.

Since its transition to private ownership, X has stopped providing definitive user statistics, generating doubts about its reported numbers. Former CEO Linda Yaccarino stated in April that X had “almost 600 million” MAUs, a slight rise from 586 million in January. Nonetheless, these figures remain unverified.

### Minor Enhancements Are Accumulating

Threads has experienced a range of improvements that are fueling its user growth. Recent updates feature the launch of a direct messaging system separate from Instagram, support for spoiler tagging, a distinct fediverse feed, and a novel highlighting tool. While these additions may appear modest on their own, collectively they demonstrate Meta’s responsiveness to user feedback, enhancing its appeal to users moving from X.

Furthermore, Threads has announced a leadership shift, with Connor Hayes scheduled to assume daily operations from Adam Mosseri next month, while still reporting to him. This change may affect the app’s forthcoming direction and development.

As Threads progresses, it prompts a question regarding user engagement: Are you utilizing Threads? What are your views on its growth and features? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Investigating Apple’s Possible AI Purchase Alternatives Aside from Perplexity

Since Apple’s recent earnings call, discussions regarding a possible acquisition of Perplexity have subsided, particularly after claims that Perplexity circumvented content limitations. Meanwhile, with a growing number of engineers departing from its Foundation Models team, Apple’s need for new talent is becoming increasingly pressing. If Perplexity isn’t a feasible choice, which other companies could Apple think about acquiring?

Traditionally, acquiring a small, lesser-known AI lab seemed like a sensible strategy for Apple, as noted by Jason Snell on the Upgrade podcast. Nevertheless, Apple has already explored this avenue, reportedly completing over 30 AI acquisitions in 2023, exceeding the total of Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon combined. Despite these initiatives, Apple has faced difficulties in achieving its AI goals and commitments.

For example, while rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic are constantly enhancing their AI offerings, Apple’s Writing Tools, unveiled a year ago, have made minimal advancements. Furthermore, the overhaul of Siri has encountered multiple documented setbacks, signaling a broader concern within Apple’s AI approach.

At this point, Apple requires more than just raw talent; it seeks an infusion of product-ready technology from a firm with a proven history of delivering quality products. This significantly narrows down the list of potential acquisition candidates.

### Who Could Be a Good Fit?

OpenAI and Anthropic are unavailable, and while Perplexity could improve Siri’s functionality, its present focus seems to lie elsewhere. At an $18 billion valuation, Apple might discover greater value in other firms that more closely align with its objectives and culture.

One strong contender could be **Mistral**, a $10 billion French startup recognized for its extensive array of foundation models, APIs, and consumer-oriented products. Mistral’s dedication to privacy and responsible AI development resonates well with Apple’s principles, making it a compelling choice.

Another possible candidate is **Aleph Alpha**, a German entity that has secured nearly $1 billion in funding. However, its emphasis on enterprise and public-sector AI may not coincide with Apple’s consumer-focused strategy, which could create hurdles in motivation and talent retention.

Aside from these, the pool of viable candidates is shrinking. **Ai2** is acknowledged for its open research and tooling, while **Kimi**, situated in Beijing, is recognized for its K2 model. **Cohere** also surfaces as a potential option, leaning towards enterprise solutions.

Newcomers like **Thinking Machines Lab** and **Safe Superintelligence** are attracting interest based on their promises rather than established products, further complicating the landscape.

In summary, Apple’s options for acquisitions are constrained, and as the valuations of AI labs continue to increase, the need for a strategic move becomes more urgent. Currently, Mistral emerges as a key candidate for Apple to contemplate, representing an essential opportunity to realign its AI strategy before the disparity with competitors grows even larger.