Hey everyone, it’s Mark. The highlight of Apple’s big event on Tuesday will be its thin and light “iPhone 17 Air” — but the device won’t be the right purchase for most customers. Also: The company is planning a Perplexity rival and continues its attempt to launch AI features in China. Lastly, an Instagram app for the iPad finally arrives.

Read more: Get the whole lowdown on Apple’s Sept. 9 “awe dropping” event here, with details about the new iPhones, watches and more.

Last time in Power On: Apple to kick off three-year plan to revamp its iconic iPhone.

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The Starters

Apple’s previous iPhone launch.  Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

The star of Apple Inc.’s event on Tuesday will undoubtedly be the iPhone 17 Air, the first major new iPhone design in several years. But, like Apple’s first “Air” product nearly two decades ago, most people probably shouldn’t buy it.

If you’re familiar with the original MacBook Air announcement in 2008, you’ll remember the highlights: It was one of the thinnest laptops ever created and far lighter than other machines in the category. The device also had cool new capabilities, like a multitouch track pad. Its design — and the decision to jettison features such as an optical drive slot — set the stage for years of new products from Apple and the entire computer industry.

The first MacBook Air didn’t skimp on features like the keyboard or screen size, but it certainly had drawbacks...

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