App optimization for iPhone X will be a painstaking process

326

You might be one of the many people who are looking forward to the iPhone X instead of the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus launched by Apple this year. Worldwide reception from consumers and fans for the iPhone 8 series has been sub par at best. The iPhone X on the other hand might set off a whole new series of problems when it comes to app optimization.

The image above is a screenshot of a video uploaded by a user on Reddit. The video, which can be found at the source link below, showcases the user opening up the Instagram app on the iPhone X, which has yet to be released. The Instagram app has yet to be optimized for the iPhone X’s odd screen size, either that or it is still poor optimized so far.

This brings up yet another issue – how about the other non-Apple made apps? While iOS 11 should be well optimized for the iPhone X’s screen, it might not be the same case for the sea of apps out there made by millions of different developers. A fellow Reddit user replied to the post saying, “It’s because Instagram hard coded offset values into their app, something Apple told developers repeatedly not to do”.

It looks like Apple has a whole lot of work left to set things straight with the optimization of apps on its iPhone X. Are you still planning to get one yourself?

app
apple
instagram
iphone x
optimization
screen size


AppChat lets you talk about the apps you use on your smartphone

277

The term Apps exist since the inception of iPhone and it has now been used so frequently in the computing world, while most of us geeks will tend to talk to our friends about the apps we use everyday, here comes an app that wants you discuss about apps you’re using on your smartphone.

AppChat is an app that lets you chat with registered users about the app you are using, released by XDA-Developers, there’s almost 80,000 app topics within the app and users will be able to benefit from learning the best way to use a particular app and in return, app developers can also take advantage of knowing instant feedback from users of their own work. In fact, such tool is definitely much more useful than leaving comments on app stores despite having the risk of being spammed.

Image Credit: Android Headlines

The idea behind the app is certainly a good one and who knows one day we shall be seeing Google or Apple implementing such feature into their app stores which will allow instant communication between users and app developers. AppChat is exclusively available for Android devices at this point of time so do head on to the
 Play Store
to download and start chatting away about your favourite app, I’m sure there’s something that you can learn from there.


Apple refreshes 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard and better internals

446

Apple first introduced the new Magic Keyboard on the 16-inch MacBook Pro and the recently launched MacBook Air. Now, it’s also coming to the 13-inch MacBook Pro alongside several upgrades.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro finally joined the other two MacBooks by getting the new Magic Keyboard which comes with a scissor mechanism with 1mm of key travel. You’ll also get a physical Escape key, Touch Bar and Touch ID as seen in newer MacBooks.

Apart from the new keyboard, the updated MacBook Pro will also have twice the storage compared to its predecessor — starting from 256GB and maxing out at 1TB. If 1TB isn’t enough, you can also get up to 4TB SSD storage with the MacBook Pro. In addition to that, Apple also added a 32GB RAM option for its MacBook Pro and is now using 3733MHz memory as a standard configuration on some models for faster performance.

Speaking of performance, the MacBook Pro will also be offered with up to 10th-generation quad-core Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Plus Graphics, — this means faster and better performance even when it comes to heavy tasks like video editing, 3D rendering and so on.

With the new MacBook Pro, you’ll also be getting a 13-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, wide-stereo sound for an immersive audio experience and the Apple T2 Security Chip for data encryption.

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro’s normal pricing starts at RM5,599, but if you’re in the education sector i.e you’re a student, homeschool teacher or anything of the sort, you can get the MacBook Pro from RM5,169. Its availability hasn’t been announced but it should be soon, so keep an eye out on Apple’s
official site
 every now and then.

10th Gen Intel Core
intel
macbook pro
Magic Keyboard
retina display


Apple’s next 13-inch MacBook Pro may come with the new Magic Keyboard in 2020

368

When Apple launched the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, the company used a redesigned scissor switch keyboard dubbed Magic Keyboard. This will soon be followed by 2020’s 13-inch MacBook Pro, if the sources are reliable.

The previous MacBooks have been using butterfly keyboards, whereby the keys are faulty and nonfunctional. Apple has also offered free repairs to customers facing these issues, acknowledging the problem with the keyboards.

Apart from getting the redesigned keyboard, rumours are also suggesting that the 13-inch MacBook Pro may instead get an upgraded 14-display.

We can only wait for 2020 until the release of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro, which should be around the first half of May.

apple
macbook pro
Magic Keyboard


Apple 2022 plans leaked: Three iPads and two Apple Watches

1.1K

More information about the iPad and Apple Watch have surfaced after Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman

released the latest edition of his
Power On

newsletter which provides an inside scoop on what we can expect from Apple heading into 2022.

Three new iPads: iPad, iPad Pro & iPad Air

In his newsletter, Gurman reveals that Apple has plans to release three iPads
–

an upgraded entry-level iPad,
a
redesigned iPad Pro, and iPad Air.

Not much information is revealed in terms of its hardware upgrades but we can expect the entry-level iPad to sport a
thinner body as previously rumored
. As for the iPad Pro, it might feature an added
back glass
 to enable support for wireless charging that works similar to MagSafe on the iPhones; but for the overall design, it should not deviate too much from its current form. Moving on to the iPad Air, we can expect some specification upgrades to match the iPad mini that has the A15 Bionic chip, Center Stage, and 5G options. It will also be equipped with
the same LCD
 instead of an OLED one for it to maintain its price.

Two new Apple watches

Mark Gurman also did not miss out on the smartwatches and mentions an
updated Apple Watch SE

, that
 other than a slight change to its design, there might also be added health features like a blood oxygen sensor and ECG functionality. Moreover, a new Apple Watch specifically made for athletes with a more “rugged” design with better resistance to damages like scratches, cracks, or dust was
 also said to be in the works
.

These are just rumors however so it’s best to take it with a grain of salt; so make sure to stay tuned as we bring you more updates on these devices.

Source-
 Bloomberg
, v
ia MacRumors
(1)

(2)

apple
apple watch
apple watch se
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iPad Air
iPad mini
ipad pro


Apple’s upcoming 27-inch iMac could have a Mini-LED display

758

Earlier this year, Apple discontinued their
21.5-inch iMac
 to make room for future iMac projects, now as we get closer to 2022, we are starting to see more leaks of Apple’s upcoming 27-inch desktop, with many sources claiming it will have a Mini-LED display, but a new article by DigiTimes Asia says otherwise.

Back in October, a leaker by the name of @dylandkt on Twitter had claimed that the new 27-inch iMac would be designed simillar to the
 24-inch iMacs
 but would come in different colors, have ProMotion and a Mini-LED display. He also mentioned other details like an HDMI slot, SD Card slot, a starting price up to $2000 USD, and that Apple was testing FaceID.

iMac (Pro)
 Promotion and Mini Led
 Base model 16gb Ram 512gb Storage
 M1 Pro and Max
 Dark bezels
 HDMI, SD Card, Usb C
 Similar design to iMac 24 and Pro Display XDR
 Starting price at or over 2000 dollars
 Ethernet on brick standard
 Face ID was tested (Not confirmed)
 1H 2022

— Dylan (@dylandkt)
October 30, 2021

There were several sources that backed up this leak, such as Ross Young, who did say that the new 27-inch iMac would come with ProMotion and a Mini-LED screen.
DigiTimes Asia
 even supported this information with a paywalled article of their own, however, they just published an article saying that the new iMacs will
not ship with a Mini-LED
 display but an LCD one instead.

We still believe it is Mini LED.

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss)
December 22, 2021

This left a lot of users confused on which display these new iMacs would have, but there is still speculation that Mini-LED could have been misinterpreted, and Apple could be using an LCD screen with Mini-LED backlighting instead. But do keep in mind that this is all speculation and rumors with nothing confirmed by Apple yet, so stay tuned for more updates from us.

Via –
9to5mac

27-inch iMac
apple
imac
MiniLED


Apple upgrades 27-inch iMac with faster 10-core Intel processors

473

Apple
 added a few upgrades to its 27-inch iMac today, including 10-core Intel processors, higher memory capacity, better AMD graphics and faster SSDs.

Up to 10-core processors, 65% better CPU performance

Image credit: Apple

The upgraded iMac can be equipped with 6-core or 8-core 10th gen Intel processors, but those who want more can go for the 10-core processor; this enhances the CPU performance up to 65% as compared to the previous generation 8-core iMac.

Higher memory capacity, upgraded AMD graphics, bigger SSD

Image credit: Apple

Apple also doubled the memory capacity for its iMac to 128GB and upgraded the AMD graphics. Now, the iMac uses the Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics and offers up to 55% faster performance graphics-wise. There’s also an 8TB SSD option and the Apple T2 Security Chip which provides stronger data encryption.

The Retina display is also better now; there’s a new nano-texture glass that improves the viewing experience and reduces reflection and glare on the 5K display. To top it off, the
FaceTime HD camera
 supports 1080p resolution and the T2 Security Chip enhances the camera experience with tone mapping, exposure control and face detection.

27-inch iMac official price and availability

Image credit: Apple

The
27-inch iMac
 starts at RM7,999 and can be ordered on Apple’s
official site
 and also in the Apple Store app. It will be available in select Apple Authorised Resellers within this week.

27-inch iMac
AMD Radeon 5000
apple
imac
Intel processors


PS5 users can now get 6 months of Apple TV+ for free

1K

Do you own a PS5, or you planning on getting one soon? If your answer is a yes, we have some good news. Apple will be giving you a free six-month subscription of Apple TV+.

Get a PS5, get free Apple TV+

This new promotion is a result of collaboration between Apple and
Sony
. It’s clear that Apple is trying to attract more Apple TV+ subscribers while Sony just wants you to have more reasons to get their new PS5.

The new offer will end by July 22, 2022 — you’ll have about a year’s time to get yourself a PS5 if you don’t already own one. After your trial period, you’ll be charged RM19.90/month. Needless to say, you’ll need to have a PlayStation Network account and an Apple ID.

You can still redeem even if you’re already subscribed

Even if you are already subscribed to
Apple TV+
, you are still eligible to redeem this free six-month subscription. However, you need to make sure that you’re subscribed to Apple TV+ itself, not the bundle offer like Apple One.

The free trial is not available to everyone, but it is available over 60 countries. This includes Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and of course, Malaysia.

apple
Apple TV
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Apple unveils 8th generation iPad and all-new iPad Air

831

Apple has announced an update to its entry-level iPad and introduced an all-new iPad Air in its September virtual event today, while the former is merely a spec bump that now comes with a faster A12 Bionic processor, the redesigned iPad Air is the main highlight that will make most people really excited, as it is the first product to be powered by the A14 Bionic Chip.

8th Gen iPad – the most powerful entry-level tablet

Like its predecessor, the 8th Generation iPad remains unchanged in terms of design, hence you get a 10.2-inch display, support for the first generation Apple Pencil and smart keyboard and sadly, a Lightning connector.

With the A12 Bionic chip, the new iPad is 40% faster than its predecessor and has 2x faster graphics, coupled with the chips neural engine, this will offer a significantly speed bump when running games and AR applications, battery life is still kept at 10-hour mark.

8th Gen iPad 10.2-inch Malaysia Price

The
8th Gen iPad
 will be available in storage capacities of 32GB and 128GB, local pricing remains the same as before as it starts at RM1449 for the base storage WiFi only model, the 128GB WiFi+Cellular version will set you back at RM2399.

4th Generation iPad Air – More colors and the return of Touch ID

The 4th Generation iPad Air is definitely a huge surprise in today’s launch as not only it takes on the iPad Pro’s hardware design with more colorful options, it is currently the most powerful iPad in the lineup with a new 6-core Apple A14 Bionic chip powering it.

Don’t expect the new iPad Air to be an exact clone of the last generation iPad Pro, that’s because it lacks certain hardware such as the 120Hz ProMotion display, quad speakers and Face ID. However, what you get in return isn’t too shabby, as you get a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color space, landscape stereo speakers and a surprise – Touch ID being integrated into the power button.

The new iPad Air features a single 12MP camera system that’s directly sourced from the iPad Pro, which supports 4K video recording. Like its newer pro siblings, the iPad Air will support the floating Magic Keyboard with trackpad, and best of all, Apple is including a 20W charging USB-C charging brick in the box, slightly faster than the 18W brick that comes with the current iPad Pro.

4th Generation iPad Air Malaysia Price

Available in color options of Silver, Space Grey, Rose Gold, Green and Sky Blue, the new iPad Air comes in storage capacities of 64GB and 256GB. Local pricing of the new iPad Air are listed below:

iPad Air WiFi

64GB – RM2,599

256GB – RM3,249

iPad Air WiFi + Cellular

64GB – RM3,149

256GB – RM3,799

On a side note, Apple is making iOS 14, iPadOS 14 and tvOS 14 available starting today, so do check for that update coming to your devices.

apple
ipad
iPad Air
wwdc


Apple A13 chips for 2019 iPhones to enter mass production this month

384

A report published by
Bloomberg
 has confirmed that TSMC has started production of Apple’s new A13 chipset for 2019 iPhones. The A13 reportedly went into early test production in April and is planned to be mass produced before the end of this month.

The Apple A13 mobile chipset will be built using TSMC’s second-generation 7nm node utilizing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. We can expect the Apple A13 chipset to be a significant upgrade over the A12 in terms of performance.

The Bloomberg report also confirms the 2019 iPhones will come with more cameras than Apple’s 2018 lineup. While the
iPhone XR successor
 will have a dual-camera setup on the back with an improved zoom range, the high-end models will have a triple-camera setup on the back. The additional camera on the back of the iPhone XS and XS Max successors will have an ultra-wide-angle lens.

In terms of software features, Apple is said to be working on an auto-correction feature that will fit people back into a photo who may have been accidentally cut out. As shown by leaked renders of the 2019 iPhone models, the rear camera array will fit into a
square
 on the top left corner. All the 2019 iPhones will come with reverse wireless charging support as well, similar to the latest flagship smartphones from Huawei and Samsung.

apple
Apple A13
iphone
tsmc


Apple acknowledges and apologises for its unresolved MacBook keyboard issues

339

Every company has their own strengths and weaknesses, and in this case, one of Apple’s weaknesses lies in its MacBook keyboard that have been constantly criticised for its faulty keys.

The keyboard issue has been raised since 2017, and while Apple tried to improve the MacBook keyboards by adding a rubber membrane to its third-generation keyboard, a recent column written by Joanna Stern at The Wall Street Journal proved that the issue remain unsolved.

Image credit: The Wall Street Journal

According to Stern, the company is not entirely clueless regarding their keyboard problem. An Apple spokesperson said, “We are aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard and for that we are sorry.”

He however also pointed out that the majority of MacBook users are happy with the new keyboard, though it’s clear that the company should definitely come up with better solutions.

It is worth noting how creative Stern is in expressing her views; she wrote her column without the letters ‘E’ and ‘R’ to highlight the problem that the keyboard is causing.

apple
keyboard
macbook


Apple acquires Asaii to discover music artists before they become popular

377

Apple is focusing on enhancing Apple Music with its recent collaborations and purchases. It purchased Shazam, a song-identification service, collaborated with Genius, expanding its lyrics database and now bought over Asaii, an analytics startup.

Image credit : Asaii

Asaii is a music analytics company that can discover new artists with its technology, using an analytics engine to score song data through social media and streaming services such as Facebook, Spotify, Twitter and so on to identify breaking artists before they become mainstream. The acquisition of the company will help Apple Music in finding artists 10 weeks before they appear on charts, and the technology was said to have a 70% success rate in doing so.

Asaii also have a recommendation algorithm that can suggest music to users based on the songs they listened to, which allows Apple to match with Spotify’s recommendation services. Spotify also started allowing unsigned artists to upload music to its platform, which is why the acquisition of Asaii will be able to bring Apple Music on par with Spotify. A report by Axios said that the startup was bought for less than $100 million.

apple
Apple Music
Asaii


Apple acquires education tech startup

315

Apple has again acquired another tech startup. However, unlike their previous acquisations, this tech startup is focused more on the education side of things.

Based on a report by Bloomberg, Apple has acquired LearnSprout, a tech startup that develops software for schools and teachers to track students’ performance. According to
LearnSprout’s
 website, the company’s software is currently being used in more than 2,500 school districts in 42 U.S. states.

Seeing as Apple is allegedly working on education tools for the iPad that will allow students to see interactive lessons, track their progress, and share tablet computers with peers, Apple’s acquisition of LearnSprout wouldn’t come as a big surprise. Of course, it is entirely possible that Apple’s acquisition of the edu-tech startup will be related to iTunes U, iBooks, or something entirely new. As neither party has said anything about the acquisition thus far, Apple’s plans with LearnSprout is all speculation at this point.

Source :
Bloomberg

acquisition
apple
learnsprout


Apple acquires face recognition startup RealFace

287

Unlocking your iPhone with your face may no longer be just a pipedream as Apple has acquired Israeli-based startup called RealFace recently.

Established back in 2014, RealFace is a company that works on facial recognition technology that utilises deep learning. Much of that technology would then be used to develop biometrics systems that would allow users to login to their devices without needing to input any passwords. Thus far, the company has published an app called Pickeez that utilises the company’s own facial recognition technology to choose the user’s best photos from every social media platform they’re on.

For now, neither Apple nor RealFace have issued a statement about the supposed acquisition, and the deal that was reached by both parties remain private at the time of writing. However, financial website Calcalist believes that the deal is worth “several million dollars.” While it is unlikely that face recognition technology can be perfected in time for the upcoming iPhone, we fully expect this tech to be ready for the iPhone that comes out in 2018.

Source:
Times of Israel
,
Calcalist

acquisition
apple
facerecognition
realface


Apple officially acquires Intel smartphone modem division to push towards 5G

289

It has officially been confirmed that Apple has acquired Intel’s smartphone modem division for a whopping $1 billion along with the 2,200 employees that currently work in the in the division.

Of course, intellectual property as well as equipment and leases will now belong to Apple; the move is an effort from the fruit company in pushing development of 5G smartphones in the near future.

This also potentially saves Apple tonnes of money down the line – there isn’t the need for the initial stages of the R&D process, and they can cut out a big part of sourcing from external vendors.  Plus, $1 billion is cheap change to a company as wealthy as Apple – they boast a revenue of $265,595 billion in 2018.

With this acquisition, Apple is becoming a strong brand – so it’ll be interesting to see what’s in store in the near future.

5g smartphone modem
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intel


Apple adds a software to discourage unofficial repairs on the MacBook Pro and iMac Pro

450

Repairing an Apple device has proven to be a tedious process, YouTubers like Linus Tech Tips have videos showing the issues on getting their iMac repaired and he has even stated that Apple Genious employees have problems diagnosing Mac products. The only alternative is to send these products to third-party fixers to rectify the problem.

However, Apple is not happy about this unauthorised repairs and now Mac devices will require a proprietary software called Service Toolkit 2. If you were to change your MacBook Pro’s display, logic board, keyboard, trackpad and the Touch ID, the device will be locked. On the other hand, replacing the iMac Pro’s logic board or flash storage will lock the device. It will only be unlocked if the Service Toolkit 2 is used by an Authorized Service Provider. It might be a safety measure is in place to ensure the integrity of the device but that goes against the right-to-repair laws which force companies to release parts and instructions to users and third-parties that are able to repair the device.

This might be an issue for Apple users in Malaysia as it cost a lot of money to get replacement parts for Apple products and most of us know that going to an official shop to get a device repaired is not ideal as the prices are always jacked up compared to a third-party specialist that is able to get parts for cheaper.

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imac
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Apple agrees to pay $18mil in law suit for intentionally breaking FaceTime on older iPhones

362

Apple has reportedly agreed to a payout of USD18mil to settle a class action lawsuit that claims the company had intentionally ‘broke’ FaceTime on devices running on iOS 6 and older.

Back in February, Apple was hit with the lawsuit in its native California where 3.6 million devices were said to have been affected by the issue. The story goes that Apple were found to have infringed on peer-to-peer tech patented by
VirnetX
 when developing the back-end for their FaceTime app.

Image credit: WCCF Tech

As a solution, Apple then had to develop its own peer-to-peer tech or risk blowing budget by
relying
 on a third-party relay method for FaceTime to work. When Apple finally did develop their P2P standard, it was set to debut for the iOS 7 update – but the issue with iOS 7 itself was that it was too ‘
heavy
’ for older iPhones like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S to handle, and these devices would experience slowdown, system crashes, and erratic
behaviour
 – this resulted to many opting to stick to iOS 6.

The next problem, is that since people are sticking to iOS 6, they would continue to use the old FaceTime software, meaning Apple had to continue paying for the third party relay method – so Apple figured they could just break FaceTime for iOS 6 users, forcing them to update their devices, or to get a new one.

iOS 7
Image credit: The Verge

This accusation was proven to be true when internal emails were found admitting to ‘breaking’ FaceTime on iOS 6 devices, to force a
users
’ to move update.

The class action lawsuit will see Apple part with USD18mil, where by each class member will receive USD3; while the original two named plaintiffs are to receive USD7,500 each. For shame Apple, for shame.

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Apple AirPods 2 Review: Upgraded Convenience, Similar Flaws

15.4K

The AirPods may look like a weird headphone sticking out of someone’s ear, but to many who has been using it like a staple – me included, the AirPods delivers excellent wireless performance and convenience that other wireless earbuds have attempt to compete.

The
new AirPods
, which most of us would simply refer as the AirPods 2, has the same design as your current AirPods with a new charging case that charges wirelessly, a new H1 chip that pairs faster with your iOS devices and extends an extra hour of talktime from the original 2-hour claim, which might not seem a lot to make one replace their current AirPods.

However, for users who wants to own a pair of wireless earbuds, the AirPods 2 could be a good one to start with if what you care about is connectivity over sound quality.

I am not suggesting that the AirPods 2 has bad sound, in fact I’d consider it to be one of the best sounding wireless earbuds I’ve ever listened to, but once you are in a noisy environment such as inside a subway or a busy café, that’s when you will start to appreciate earbuds with better noise isolation tips.

Like the first-gen AirPods, the AirPods 2 is an extremely simple to pair with an iOS device.

All you need to do is to flip open the case and your iOS device instantly shows a connection dialog with its battery levels, tap the ‘Connect’ button and you will be connected within 2 seconds, even switching connection between my iPad Pro and MacBook Pro is effortless.

Pairing the AirPods 2 with my Pixel 3 XL takes the same time as my iPhone XS Max, the pairing speed is noticeably faster than the previous AirPods, which is commendable of Apple to improve on that aspect.

I have no issues with the AirPods’ capacitive tap controls on the left and right earbuds, which can be configured to call out Siri or control music playback on an iOS device or Mac.

Sadly, I wished Apple could have added single or triple taps rather than limiting it to double tap, what’s worse is that it disables ear detection when it is connected to an Android device, which you will have to manually stop your music once you take them off.

Apple’s H1 chip doesn’t just ensure a rock steady wireless connection, it also has an impressive connection distance, which I can easily stream music and answer phone calls from my iPhone, while roaming around my 1000 square foot SOHO office with zero connection drops, it also enables ‘Hey Siri’ support that works pretty well, but do it often in the public, you will find people looking at you awkwardly.

Audio performance is similar to its predecessor, though lacking oomph in bass, sound details are well produced with a decent tuning in high and mid frequencies, it sounds particularly great when listening to Asian Pop and Jazz music, but once you start playing music with high pitch vocals, you may want to lower down the volume as it could strain your ears.

Over my one month experience with the AirPods 2, I never had any issues with battery life as my average listening duration is a good 1.5 hours, which after that I’ll usually place them back to the charging case.

Wireless charging is an absolute convenience, though it charges much slower than the wired route, it would make a lot of sense once the next generation iPhones come with reverse wireless charging, but most of the time I’d opt for the wired route if the charging case runs low on battery, as I simply can’t wait for an hour to be fully charged.

For existing AirPods owners, you will be happy to know that it will work properly with the new wireless charging case, as long as you are willing to shell out RM439 for it.

Should you upgrade to or buy the AirPods 2?

Guess which is which?

Like I wrote earlier, the AirPods 2 isn’t a necessary upgrade from the original AirPods, unless its battery is failing or you require that extra hour of talk time, you’d better be off with the wireless charging case for added convenience.

Otherwise, there’s many alternatives to the if you have such budget to purchase wireless earbuds.

Ultimately, the AirPods 2 is unrivaled when it comes to connectivity and the very reason why you’d rather spend RM700 over other wireless earbuds, even paying an extra RM180 for the wireless charging case makes sense too, you also don’t need to be locked in Apple world to enjoy its benefits.

Go for it, the AirPods 2 is definitely worth your hard earned cash for what it offers.

The Good

Impressive pairing speed and distance

Decent audio performance

Battery life

Wireless charging case

The Not so Good

Noise isolation

Earbuds design not for everyone

Still drops out of your ear when you work out

AirPods 2
airpods 2 malaysia
airpods 2 wireless charging
apple


Apple may launch the AirPods 3 alongside the iPhone 13

727

Apart from the
iPhone 13
 that will be launching this September, the next AirPods 3 are also rumored to make its debut in the coming months.

AirPods 3 will differ in looks from its predecessors

Image credit: 52audio

It’s been three years since the last AirPods were launched, and reports are suggesting a slight change in design for the upcoming earbuds. The AirPods 3 will supposedly sport shorter stems like the AirPods Pro, meaning their charging case will also be sized differently.

DigiTimes
 also revealed that components for the AirPods 3 have already started shipping and will increase in the next few months. Even the iPhone 13’s production has already begun to prevent a delay in product launch like last year.

These earbuds will still be the less pricey ones

There isn’t much information on the AirPods 3 yet, but rumour has it it’ll come with more sensors to cater to health and fitness features. That being said, we expect it to be priced lower than the AirPods Pro, so these earbuds will still be the “affordable” wireless earbuds while the AirPods Pro remains as the premium model.

airpods 3
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iphone 13


Apple AirPods Pro 2 to be delayed until Q3 of 2022

799

If you’ve been holding out for the upcoming Apple AirPods Pro 2, you may have to wait till Q3 of 2022 in order to buy it.

LeaksApplePro
– who’s been notorious for disclosing secret Apple-centric updates – says that the fruit company’s latest earbuds are expected to cost $249 (about RM1,041), and will offer better battery life, improved noise cancellation, and even ambient light sensors.

AirPods Pro gen 2
 -249$
 -Better battery life
 -A bit better of noise cancelling.
 -Ambient light sensors.
 Overall, a not so great update, more of like the AirPods gen 2 over AirPods gen 1.
 Expect them to release in Q4 2021 or Q1 2022.

— LeaksApplePro (@LeaksApplePro)
October 19, 2020

With its arrival delayed till next year, we can’t help but feel like there will be more improvements under the hood that the leakster isn’t telling us – we could perhaps see the through-body feature implemented in the earbuds like we
reported

before.

At the meantime, if you think Q3 of 2022 is too long of a wait, you can check out  our
review

of the first-generation AirPods Pro and see if it floats your boat.

airpods pro
AirPods Pro 2
apple


Apple AirPods Pro will be available for RM1,099 – comes with active noise cancellation and actual ear tips

438

The Apple AirPods is a popular product – it’s the company’s only true wireless earbuds, and its latest 2019 iteration spawned all sorts of spicy memes.

And if you loved the memes, be prepared to see even more as Apple introduced the AirPods Pro. Like its name suggests, it’s the regular AirPods, but with added features. One difference you’ll notice straight away is that the ear buds now feature silicone ear tips.

the airpods pro said:
pic.twitter.com/m0koh0zULO

— ☽ (@gagasyuyi)
October 28, 2019

The meme-lord in me beams with excitement as the initial flurry of memes have surfaced – the best one is of course the ear buds being compared to Pokémon’s Bellsprout!

Memes aside – the new earbuds also feature active noise cancellation that Apple says uses two microphones, along with software, to remove background noise based on different surroundings. One of said microphones faces outwards and detects sounds from outside, while the second microphone is built inwards and “listens toward the ear” (never thought I’d write a sentence like this).

But if you don’t want to completely drown out outside noise, the AirPods Pro comes with Transparency Mode, which lets you hear your surroundings whilst a song is playing on your device. To activate this mode, simply control that from your smartphone or squeeze the bottom part of your earbuds.

The AirPods Pro is powered by a H1 chip that computes everything and allows for “Hey Siri” demands. Plus, Apple claims that their new earbuds can last up to four-and-a-half hours of listening time, and three-and-a-half hours of talk time on a single charge. The Wireless Charging Case will allow 24 hours of listening time and 18 hours of talk time.  Like before, the case is Qi-certified and supports wireless charging.

The Apple AirPods Pro is priced at RM1,099, a near RM300 step up from the regular AirPods. Apple didn’t specify when the earbuds will be officially available, but we’ll keep you updated when it arrives.

airpods pro
apple
earbuds
earphones
ios


Apple’s next AirPods Pro to come with health-monitoring features

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We’ve heard stories about the Apple Watch saving lives; well, Apple may be doing the same with the
AirPods Pro
 by including health monitoring tools.

AirPods Pro may save your life in the future

The current AirPods Pro already come with dual optical sensors, a motion-detecting accelerometer, a speech-detecting accelerometer and a force sensor. These sensors are not used for health purposes for now, but there could be changes in the future. Apple may even add new sensors to bring in health-monitoring features.

A Bloomberg
report
 also suggested the motion sensors will be updated with fitness tracking features. Even Kevin Lynch, Apple’s Vice President of Technology, mentioned that there’s potential for its other products to monitor users’ health.

New respiratory rate feature will be available in watchOS 8

Image credit: Tom’s Guide

The current AirPods Pro were previously tested and proven to be able to monitor a user’s respiratory rate. What this could mean — in the future — is users may be able to get early treatment if the AirPods Pro detects irregular respiration rate.

Users won’t have to wait long either; the respiratory rate feature is rumoured to come in watchOS 8 update. This either means that the AirPods Pro will be used to detect your respiratory rate and share the information with your watch, or your Apple Watch itself will be able to do the same – it could be both.

While you still have to depend on your Apple Watch for more health-related functions, rest assured that more Apple devices, even the earbuds, will be able to safe your life when the time comes.

Source

airpods pro


Apple AirPods Pro officially available in Malaysia for RM1,099

783

The Apple
AirPods
 Pro have finally made its way to the country and it’s priced at RM1,099. You can order it from Apple’s website
here
.
 You can also opt to get an engraving done for free.

An obvious difference in aesthetics sets the
AirPods
 Pro apart from the regular version – this allows for a vent system that’s used for pressure equalization for its different noise cancellation modes.
Inside
 are also two microphones that work together with software to adjust background noise based on the surrounding the wearer is in.

All these improvements allow for Transparency Mode which lets you hear your surroundings almost naturally whilst a song is still playing. A small button on your left earbud lets you switch between modes.

The
AirPods
 Pro is powered by a H1 chip that computes everything the earbuds is capable of and even allows “Hey Siri” commands. In terms of battery life, Apple claims that this can gives you up to four-and-a-half hours of listening time and three-and-a-half hours of talk time. The accompanying Wireless Charging Case also gets you a total of 24 hours of listening time and 18 hours of talking time.

Our Editor-in-Chief Warren has gotten his hands on a pair of these new earbuds, and naturally, we’ve tested it out. From our experience, it’s safe to say that the
AirPods
 Pro is one of the best earbuds money can buy right now.

airpods pro
apple
earbuds
headphones
music


Apple and LG collaborate to develop 3D cameras for the smartphone

302

What comes next after dual-lens cameras on a smartphone? If you asked either LG or Apple, both companies would say 3D cameras. In a report by The Korea Economic Daily, it appears that Apple and LG have entered a collaboration that would see both companies attempt to develop a smaartphone camera module that enables 3D photography.

According to sources close to the situation, Apple is currently studying how to apply its 3D camera technology into LG Innotek’s smartphone camera. “Since LG Innotek also has its own 3D camera and related technologies, such joint efforts will likely to bear fruit sometime within the next year,” says the sources.

Assuming that Apple and LG manages to come up with a breakthrough within the next few months, it is possible that a 3D camera could be implemented into the next iPhone. Currently, the iPhone 7 Plus has already used LG’s dual-cam solution for its Portrait Mode. Only time will tell if the collaboration will lead to an interesting development in smartphone photography technology.

Source:
The Korea Economic Daily
,
9to5Mac

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Apple and L’Oréal revealed a battery-free wearable to measure UV exposures

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L’Oréal and Apple recently collaborated to create a wearable that can provide users with UV data so that they can protect themselves against the harm done by the sunlight.

There are two harmful rays by sunlight; UVA and UVB. The UVA is more harmful compared to the UVB as it is able to penetrate into the skin’s thickest layer whereas the UVB will usually damage the outer layer of your skin, causing your skin to tan or get sunburned. This is why we are always urged to apply sunscreen especially when we’re going out to places with constant sunlight exposure, so that we can prevent ourselves from getting into the worst scenario; skin cancer.

Apple and L’Oréal’s created the wearable called La-Roche-Posay My Skin Track UV, which is a sensor clip that can provide its users with UV data and also monitor the environment’s atmosphere such as the humidity and pollution levels. Users will need to download the app for them to be able to receive all these information, and these data will also be in Apple’s Health app. Users will also be notified when they are exposed to high levels of UV rays so that they can either avoid staying at the location for too long or apply more sunscreen.

Now this device is battery-free as it is powered by solar energy and due to the simple and neutral the design is, the sensor clip can be clipped onto users’ clothes whether it is by the sleeve or by the collar, or even clipped at the users’ bags and watches and because it’s such a tiny device it doesn’t compromise the fashion style of its users and it is very portable and convenient. The device will be available to be purchased on
apple.com
 and also selected Apple stores for the price of USD 59.95 and it is the first device that can measure UV exposure without the needing a battery.

apple
health
la roche-posay
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My skin track uv
UV exposure
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Apple and Nike collaborate on a new design for the Apple Watch

5.8K

Apple and Nike have come together once again to create a sporty looking version of the Apple Watch, dubbed the Apple Watch NikeLab edition. Unlike the previous collaboration between the two companies, the new Apple Watch will come with a “Light Bone/Black” band, giving it a more sleek and laid-back feel unlike the Apple Watch Nike+. The NikeLab edition will come in both 38 mm and 42 mm sizes just like the previous version of the device.

Sadly there is no new hardware or software upgrades, making this new design for the Apple and Nike fans that are looking for a new addition to their collection. If you have used the Series 2 watches, you will feel right at home as the external design is the same. The difference between this new design change is that it limited time only design that will be made available at nike.com, NikeLab Stores and Apple’s pop-up store in Isetan, Japan. Based on MacRumors, this will be the first time an Apple Watch will not be made available from Apple.

The new design smartwatch will be available on April 27, no pricing details have been announced but seeing as it is a limited time and edition of the Apple Watch, be expected to pay the premium price that comes with all Apple based products.

Source:
Mashable

apple
apple watch
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Apple and Qualcomm came to an agreement, dropping all lawsuits

345

Apple and Qualcomm have decided to make up once and for all, reaching an agreement to drop the lawsuits against each other.

Both tech giants that have been fighting for quite some time, but they’re finally letting things go with a slight catch — Apple will have to provide an amount of payment that is not disclosed to public to Qualcomm. In addition, there will be a six-year license agreement that is effective as of April 1, 2019 and there will be a two-year option for extension and also an agreement on a multiyear chipset supply.

With the settlement, it could be possible that Apple’s 2020 iPhones will come with 5G modems made by Qualcomm, while previously it was solely dependent on Intel. If we’re being really positive, it might even be possible to see 2019 iPhones with 5G support.

Previously, Apple and Qualcomm has filed lawsuits against each other for patent infringement and overly high royalty rates. Now that the companies have come to an agreement, let’s hope there will be no more war between them in the near future.

apple
qualcomm


Apple and the FBI returns to Congress to debate encryption

298

The iPhone saga may be over, but that doesn’t mean that the debate over encryption is over. For the second time, both Apple and the FBI will be appearing in front of a congressional commitee to debate about encryption.

As many of you may remember, Apple and the FBI have appeared before Congress
in March
 to debate over the necessity of building a backdoor into iOS. Seeing as the iPhone 5C that started this whole chain of events has been cracked, the upcoming debate that will be held in Congress will be focused solely on encryption. Titled ‘Deciphering the Debate Over Encryption: Industry and Law Enforcement Perspectives’, the debate will be led by FBI Executive Assistant Director for Science and Technology Amy Hess and Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell.

Unlike the first hearing, third parties are also expected to appear for the encryption debate. Those that are scheduled to appear include security and cryptography researcher Matthew Blaze, MIT researcher Daniel Weitzner, RSA president Amit Yoran, and law enforcement representatives from New York, Indiana and the National Sheriff’s Association.

Source:
Reuters
,
Engadget

apple
congress
encryption
fbi
security


Apple has announced the best paid and free apps of 2017

308

Every year, Apple announces the best apps in the App Store to which they celebrate the most used and downloaded apps on the iPhone and this year is no different. The company has also broken down the ratings to SEA to show what we and our Asian brethren are spending their precious data quota on.

When it comes to apps, the biggest change in the chart comes from AR apps, mainly due to Apple’s move to invest more time and research in the field and it has proven to be fruitful. Apps like My Very Hungry Caterpillar AR which brings the classic children’s book character to life right in front of your eyes and AR Dragon are among the apps that peaked in the AR category.

Other than that, they have also seen multiplayer games from last year like Clash Royal and Hearthstone still sitting on the top of the charts alongside new games like Art of War: Red Tides, Stormbound, and Guns of Boom.

Mental health is as important as physical health and users know this as Apple has seen growth in this category. Relaxation apps like Bloom and Lake as well as meditations apps like Zen Studio contribute to the list of top mental health apps.

Aside from that, Apple has also compiled a lost of App Store Editors pick which is broken down into app of the year and game of the year for both the iPad and iPhone:

2017 iPhone App of the Year:
Enlight Videoleap

2017 iPhone Game of the Year:
Splitter Critters

2017 iPad App of the Year:
Affinity Photo

2017 iPad Game of the Year:
Old Man’s Journey

 For an easier breakdown of the top paid and free apps and games on iOS, check out the list below:

Free iPhone Apps

Ranking

App Name

1

Grab – Ride Hailing App

2

WhatsApp Messenger

3

Uber

4

YouTube: Watch  Listen  Stream

5

Facebook

6

Messenger

7

Instagram

8

oBike – Bike Sharing

9

Google Maps – GPS Navigation

10

Carousell

11

Gmail – Email by Google

12

WeChat

13

Spotify Music

14

Google Chrome

15

My Singtel app

16

FoodPanda – Food Delivery

17

UberEATS: Food Delivery

18

Google Translate

19

Healthy 365

20

Snapchat

Paid iPhone Apps

Ranking

App Name

1

Gudak Cam

2

TouchRetouch

3

kirakira+

4

Scanner for Me + OCR

5

Enlight

6

Forest by Seekrtech

7

LightX

8

Tabs & Chords – learn and play

9

Afterlight

10

Glitché

11

Analog Paris

12

Plotagraph+ Photo Animator

13

The Wonder Weeks

14

ProCam 5

15

ProCamera.

16

Facetune

17

Slow Shutter Cam

18

Halide – RAW Manual Camera

19

Pixomatic photo editor

20

Fontmania – Add Artworks & Text to Your Photos!

Free iPhone Games

Ranking

App Name

1

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

2

Super Mario Run

3

Fight List – Categories Game

4

Coin Master

5

Word Cookies!

6

Candy Crush Saga

7

8 Ball Pool™

8

Clash Royale

9

Episode – Choose Your Story

10

Pokémon GO

11

Lords Mobile

12

Piano Tiles 2™

13

Subway Surfers

14

Asphalt 8: Airborne

15

Roll the Ball® – slide puzzle

16

Toy Blast

17

Choices: Stories You Play

18

Clash of Clans

19

Cookie Run: OvenBreak

20

Critical Ops

Paid iPhone Games

Ranking

App Name

1

Minecraft

2

Football Manager Mobile 2017

3

MONOPOLY Game

4

Monument Valley 2

What do you think about the top apps for 2017, have some of your top apps? Share it with us in the comments and let the others know what are your top apps for 2017.

2017
apple
apps
ipad
iphone
top


Apple announces a bug bounty program

366

Bug bounties have been a rather common sight these days, with various private tech companies and governmental organizations around the world awarding those who manage to find vulnerabilities in their system with cash. Today, yet another company is annoucing its own bug bounty, and said company is none other than Apple.

Announced at the Black Hat cyber security conference in Las Vegas, Apple announced that it plans to offer rewards of up to USD200,000 to those who manage to find critical security bugs in its products. The rewards for Apple’s bug bounty program is split into five different categories of risk and reward, with exploits that allows someone to gain sandbox access being worth USD25,000, while those who detect vulnerabilities in secure boot firmware components will be awarded up to USD200,000. In a twist to the award system, Apple is encouraging those who manage to identify a bug to donate their earnings to charity. If Apple approves of a researcher’s selected institution, it will match their donation.

For those hoping to participate in Apple’s bug bounty program, do note that Apple isn’t opening this up to the general public. Apple is currently limiting the bug bounty program to researchers who have made valuable vulnerability disclosures to Apple themselves. While this prerequisite may be loosened in the future, Apple’s bug bounty program will currently be invite only.

Source:
TechCrunch
,
VentureBeat

apple
bugbounty
security


Apple announces its new video streaming service, Apple TV+

300

Like many were expecting, Apple finally announced Apple TV+, its new and original video subscription service, featuring shows and programmes from famous celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan and more.

To further enhance the experience, the Cupertino tech giant also introduced Apple TV app and Apple TV channels which will allow its users to “watch shows, movies, sports, news and more in one app across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, smart TVs and streaming devices.”

We already know that Netflix won’t be joining in Apple TV+, but users can still get HBO, SHOWTIME and Starz, depending on their subscription service. With the new Apple TV app, iOS users will be able to enjoy programmes both online and offline, in addition to renting or purchasing iTunes movies and TV shows.

Apple TV+ will be available later this fall and its pricing has yet to be announced, while the Apple TV app is coming in May for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV users, and during the fall for Mac users. Like Apple’s new game subscription service — Apple Arcade — Apple users can share Apple TV+ and channel subscriptions with their family members through Family Sharing.

apple
Apple TV
ios
ipad
iphone
mac
macos


Apple announces local pricing for Apple Watch Series 4

324

Apart from announcing the price of the iPhone Xs and XR, Apple has also officially revealed the price of the much anticipated Apple Watch Series 4, which comes with a larger display than its predecessor, a built in electrocardiogram on its digital crown and improved fitness tracking features.

The Watch Series 4 sold here is the GPS model and it is available in 40mm and 44mm wrist sizes, you can either choose to go with the standard elastomer sport band, the fabric seashell sport loop band or the Nike sport band, all of the wristbands mentioned are priced the same, so you get to choose without splurging extra cash.

In terms of hardware, the Apple Watch Series 4 isn’t much bigger than its predecessor all thanks to its slimmed down bezels, it also has louder speakers for making phone calls, and it offers the same 18-hour battery life.

The Apple Watch Series 4 will retail at RM1,749 and RM1,899 for the 40mm and 44mm model respectively, preorders will start on 19th October and is available 26th October. Meanwhile, Apple has also stopped selling the Series 1 and reduced the price of Series 3 starting at RM1,229.

apple watch
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apple watch series 4 malaysia price


Apple announces new bands for the Apple Watch

262

Unlike both the iPhone and the iPads, there are no drastic announcements for the Apple Watch. What Apple has announced for the smartwatches are new bands, as well as a new starting price.

New to the Apple Watch is the Woven Nylon band. As the name implies, the band is made out of Nylon and would come in various different colours. Aside from the Nylon band, Apple has also announced that the pre-existing Sport variant of the Apple Watch will be receiving some new colours soon. The Milanese Loop band will also be receiving a new colour in the form of Space Black.

Thanks to the introduction of the Woven Nylon band, the Apple Watch will now have a starting price of USD 299 (RM 1,213) for the 38 mm Nylon band variant. As of now, Apple has yet to clarify if there will be a price drop for the other Apple Watch variants, but assuming there isn’t a price drop for them, that would make the Nylon band the ‘entry level’ Apple Watch.

apple
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Apple announces ‘Peek Performance’ event on 8 March

960

In a typical fashion, Apple has sent out media invites on its spring launch event that’s happening on March 8th in the US, and this time, we are teased with a ‘Peek Performance’ message.

So, what can we expect from Apple this round?

Well, there’s going to be new devices for sure as we are looking to the third generation iPhone SE, which is expected to take on the same design as the outgoing model though equipped with the faster A15 Bionic chip, which will undoubtedly make it the most affordable and fastest 5G iPhone ever, but we do of course  hope that Apple has resolved the terrible battery life on the new model.

iPad Air

A refreshed iPad Air is also expected since the current hardware is already a year old, which could also see the chip being updated to the A15 Bionic chip with 5G connectivity, along with a new FaceTime camera that supports Center Stage, there has also been rumors that the iPad Air could also come with an OLED display as well.

Portrait Mode on FaceTime will not be supported on Intel based Macs running macOS Monterey

For Macs, we are looking to the Mac Mini and 13-inch MacBook Pro, as Apple is expected to give these dated machines a performance boost with the long anticipated M2 chip, while we also expect a redesigned Mac Mini due to the M2 chip being so efficient and not requiring such a big footprint.

If you want to watch the event, Apple is live streaming the event on its official YouTube channel, Apple.com and Apple TV, so stay tuned to the page while we bring you updates.

apple
apple m2
iphone se
Mac Mini
macbook pro
peek performance


Apple announces record-breaking $1.22 billion App Store holiday sales revenue

255

Apple has recently reported that the App Store has broke records during the holiday season with customers spending over $1.22 billion between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in a blog post.

According to Apple, on New Year’s day alone, customers spent $322 million, setting a new record for the Apple App Store.

“The App Store had a record-breaking holiday week and New Year’s Day. The holiday week was our biggest week ever with more than $1.22 billion spent on apps and games, and New Year’s Day set a new single-day record at more than $322 million,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

It was revealed that gaming and self care apps was amongst the most popular choice of download during the holiday season.

Apple has also revealed that Fortnite, PUBG, Brawl Stars, Asphalt 9, and Monster Strike was the top downloaded games on the Apple App Store.

As a bonus, the Apple App Store has turned 10 this year.

apple
Apple App Store


Apple announces repair program for the iPhone 6 Plus' "Touch Disease" flaw

251

Some of you who are on the iPhone 6 Plus would have heard about the “Touch Disease” flaw. According to Apple, this little flaw occurs when one drops the iPhone 6 Plus frequently, and results in an unresponsive touchscreen with a grey line visible at the top of the display. If your iPhone 6 Plus has this problem, you would be glad to know that Apple has launched the Multi-Touch Repair Program for the iPhone 6 Plus. The bad news? It’s going to cost you.

From today onwards, any iPhone 6 Plus device that has been affected by the “Touch Disease” can send their phone to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for repairs. The cost of the repair is RM629, although Apple has noted that repair costs at Apple Authorized Service Provider outlets may vary.

Those of you who’ve already fix the issue previously will be entitled to a reimbursement from Apple. The reimbursement amount will equal the difference between the price you paid for the original service to your iPhone 6 Plus and the manufacturer’s suggested service price. This means that if you’ve paid more than the RM629 it costs to fix the issue, you’ll be able to get your money back. If you’ve paid less…well…no one needs to know about it.

Source:
Apple

apple
iphone6plus
multitouchrepairprogram
touchdisease


Apple announces RM25,000 third-gen Mac Pro, supports a 28-core CPU, up to 1.5TB RAM and more

357

Along with a host of announcements made by Apple earlier this morning at WWDC 2019, one of the biggest was of course, the third-generation Mac Pro.

Apple revisits the machine after six years of little to no updates, and completely reworks the trusty workstation. Gone is the trash can design of old, and in with the new…cheese grater design? The design of the machine takes cues from the very first Mac Pro, being a tall, boxy, aluminium mammoth.

The most noticeable design element is, well, the cheese grater air intake vents at the front and back – one massive flaw of the second-gen Mac Pro was its thermal dissipation which were limited by the small ‘trash can’ design. With the third-gen, Apple’s solution to the issue are big holes, everywhere.

The machine also come with luggage handles, leg stands and even cartwheels, which helps in portability, compensating for its size – that is double the size of the second-gen. Plus, the case allows for “360-degree” access for easier maintenance and upgrading works.

Now, let’s get on to specs – the third-gen Mac Pro can fit up to a 28-core Intel Xeon CPU with 300 watts of power, up to 1.5TB of RAM, and a Radeon Pro Vega II Duo (which fits to GPUs in one enclosure) or a Radeon Pro 580X.

The case supports 8PCIe expansion slots, 2 MPX modules, Afterburner graphics (which enables playback of three streams of 8K video simultaneously); two Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio minijack, and two built-in 10GB Ethernet ports.

A beast workstation of course, needs to be accompanied by an equally great display. Step in the new Pro Display XDR – a 32-inch Retina 6K pro display that also features the same air vent holes as the Mac Pro. The monitor supports high dynamic range and something Apple calls Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR). This is supposed to allow for better contrasts between light and dark colours.

The Mac Pro is priced from $5,999 (RM25,058), while the Pro Display XDR is priced at $4,999 (RM20,881) so the Mac Pro isn’t made for consumers; as usual, the Mac Pro is made for professionals who’ll make enough quality content with it to see a return on their investment.

apple
apple mac pro
wwdc 2019


Apple announces the 4-inch iPhone SE

276

Rumor time is over! Apple has finally announced the iPhone SE, the alleged successor to the iPhone 5S in its keynote at Cupertino, California.

Firs and foremost, the obvious 4-inch screen on the small form factor of the iPhone. Instead of the rumored A8 chip, the iPhone SE surprisingly runs on the A9 processor, the same one powering the flagship iPhone 6S. Running alongside it is the M9 motion processor. Dubbed the most powerful 4-inch phone ever, Apple claims the iPhone SE to have incredible battery improvements across the board. The 4-inch handset also sports a 12MP iSight rear facing camera, capable of recording 4K video and Apple’s own Live Photos.

Apple boasts the sale of 30 million 4-inch iPhone’s last year, claiming that 4-inch iPhone’s are mostly a consumer’s first smart phone, or a first iOS device after switching from Android. The iPhone SE will be available in more than a hundred countries by the end of May. It comes in two storage options, a 16GB variant at $399 (RM1610.94) and a 64GB variant at $499 (RM2014.69). What do you think?

4inch
a9
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Apple announces the all new 12-inch MacBook

314

Apple has finally announced its rumoured product in its Spring Forward event, the new 12-inch MacBook is now live and it is stunningly thin and beautiful, the new MacBook also comes in the same color options with the company’s recent products – Space Grey, Silver and Gold.

The new MacBook doesn’t just only feature a new display size, Apple has made the logic board 67% smaller than its predecessors to fit in the 13.1mm thin form factor, its weight is equivalent to two
iPad
 Airs at 2 pounds and features an all new touch pad with Force Touch and a butterfly mechanism on its keyboard that offers more precise and stable typing on a thin machine.

Without any doubt, the new 12-inch MacBook uses a super efficient Intel Core M processor to reach that thinness, it is also technically the first Core M powered Notebook with fanless cooling (the Yoga 3 Pro still has it). Apple has also designed a new contoured battery cell to fully utilise the chassis’s space that offers up to 9 hours of battery life, the laptop now features one USB-C port for all purposes – charging, transferring data, audio and display output. Last but not the least, the MacBook’s Retina Display has a resolution of 2308×1440 and is 30% more efficient than its MacBook Air siblings.

Apple will start selling the new MacBook on April 10 with the starting price of RM4499 and up to RM5499 that comes with a faster CPU and 512GB of SSD storage. Other updates to other MacBook line ups include 5th Generation Intel Core processors that results in a longer battery life, and the new Force Touch mechanism touch pad is now available on the MacBook Pro 13-inch model.


Apple announces the new iPad mini and an all-new iPad Air, starting from RM1,699

558

Apple made a surprising announcement today, introducing the new iPad mini and also an all-new iPad Air. The announcement that is done ever so subtly comes as shock, but that just fuels the excitement of Apple fans.

Image credit: Apple

The iPad Air comes with an ultra-thin 10.5-inch design, and still comes with a Touch ID, unlike the iPad Pro that has equivalent bezels and no Touch ID. Of course, the iPad Air is also powered the A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine that can be found in the newer iPhones, and also has True Tone technology that offers a sharper display. As for the camera, the iPad Air comes with 8MP rear camera with f/2.4 whereas its front houses a 7MP FaceTime HD camera. In addition, the iPad Air also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil and comes with two speakers.

Image credit: Apple

The iPad mini on the other hand, is an upgraded model of its predecessor with a 7.9-inch Retina display that also supports True Tone technology. It also retains Touch ID and comes with the A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine. The iPad mini, in truth is almost similar to the iPad Air, except for its display size. It also has the similar camera specs and supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, plus it also comes with two speakers.

Image credit: Apple

Both the iPad Air and iPad mini comes in two variants: Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular. They support nano-SIM and also eSIM, and has Bluetooth 5.0 technology. On a side note, Apple has also revealed an upcoming update to iWork which will enhance the usage of Apple Pencil with the iPads.

The new iPad Air and iPad mini are now available in three colours: silver, space gray and gold. It comes with either 64GB or 256GB and you can pick between the Wi-Fi only variant or the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant.

Below are the prices for the iPad Air and the iPad mini:

iPad Air

64GB, Wi-Fi: RM2,199

64GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: RM2,749

256GB, Wi-Fi: RM2,849

256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: RM3,399

iPad mini

64GB, Wi-Fi: RM1,699

64GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: RM2,249

256GB, Wi-Fi: RM2,349

256GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular: RM2,899

apple
Apple pencil
ipad
iPad Air
iPad mini


Apple announces watchOS 6 along with app downloads and new fitness features

261

The WWDC 2019 conference kicks off today bringing with it announcements of what’s to come to Apple’s offerings soon. One update come by way of watchOS 6.

The Apple Watch is a magnificent piece of hardware that’s packed with even more impressive software; with the new update, users can expect a host of upgrades and additions to what makes the Apple Watch tick.

For those who take aesthetics seriously, there will be a host of new watch faces – gradient, classic, digital, language, and even sun dial.

For those who rely on audio feedback, watchOS 6 introduces haptic chimes – the Apple Watch notifies the user with sound of notifications and reminders – cool stuff.

To bring more interactivity, watchOS 6 will also now feature apps from the App Store – some of which include Audio Books, calculator, voice record, and more. Users can access the App Store on the watch and simply download the apps like on the iPhone.

Lastly, to bring in a more holistic upgrade to an otherwise simple operating system, Apple are improving health and fitness aspects of watchOS 6 – the biggest being “trends”. This is an app that lets you keep track of your fitness progress along with guidance on how you can get back on your feet if you’ve been lacking.

Another addition to the OS is Cycle Tracker – a menstrual cycle tracking app that’s been streamlined for easy usage. Apple has also announced the app on the iPhone and iPad as well so anyone can use the app.

apple
apple watch
watchos 6
wwdc 2019


Apple announces worldwide USB-C cable replacement program

361

With USB type C increasingly appearing on mobile devices, the technology has yet stumbled again, this time with Apple’s new 12 inch Macbook.

According to Apple, certain USB-C charging cables that come with Macbooks through June last year may fail due to a design issue. Because of that, affected users may experience their Macbook not being able to be charged, or not charging consistently. Apple will be providing newly designed USB-C charging cables to users who are eligible for this replacement program. This program also covers USB-C charging cables which are purchased separately as an accessory.

Apple claims that Macbook owners who have provided their mailing address during product registration or via Apple Online Store will be sent new cables by the end of this month. Other eligible users will have to follow a different replacement process. Firstly, identifying an affected cable as shown below:

The first image shows an affected cable. which does not have a serial number after the text like the cable in the second image. The second image features the redesigned cable. Hence, only users with charging cables resembling the first image are eligible for the replacement program. Affected users will have to verify their serial number to confirm their eligibility. For more info, visit your nearest Apple retail store, Apple authorized reseller, or contact Apple support.

Source:
Apple

apple
c
macbook
program
replacement
type
usb


Apple announces WWDC 2017 to be held at San Jose

290

It has been more than a decade since Apple held its annual WWDC events outside of San Francisco. Things will change this year as Apple has announced that WWDC 2017 will be held at San Jose, California, more specifically, at the McEnery Convention Center.

Apple’s WWDC events mostly do not involve the unveiling of new Apple products, and we expect the 28th WWDC to be no different, unless the Cupertino company changes its mind. The event has been set from June 5-9, where fans will be keeping an eye out for refreshed software instead of hardware. Do expect refreshes of MacOS, iOS, watchOS and more when WWDC 2017 commences less than four months from now.

There isn’t too much significant talk about what will be happening in terms of Apple’s various software platforms, so it will probably be the usual software updates with a couple of added features thrown into them, better performance and what not. We won’t be expecting a lot from Apple in terms of hardware too later this year as it has redesigned its line of Macbook Pro’s, unless the company decides to finally renew its aging Mac Pro powerhouse. What do you think?

Source:
Apple

2017
apple
california
conference
cupertino
developers
ios
jose
macos
san
software
tvos
watchos
wwdc


Apple’s patent for AR headphones was granted; could prove useful for conference calls

299

USPTO has granted Apple’s patent for AR headphones where you can listen to people’s voices as if they’re in the room — but there’s actually no one there.

Using AR technology, the headphones will produce augmented stereo sound that replicates a real physical meeting so everyone has their own “position” so when you’re looking at a different direction, the audio volume changes accordingly. This allows user to detect the person speaking without depending solely on his/her voice, resulting in a more natural experience.

Just like physical conference rooms, the AR headphones will position each individual in different ‘seatings’ in its self-created virtual room. If Apple really proceeds with creating the AR headphones based on the patent, these headphones can be extremely useful as a business tool for conference calls and meetings.

On a side note, Apple is also reported to be developing AR Glasses that may be arriving in 2021 or 2022.

apple
AR headphones


Apple Arcade has an annual subscription plan for RM199.90 in Malaysia

480

Apple Arcade was out a few months back, but Apple is now offering a yearly subscription plan — in addition to its original monthly plan of RM19.90/month.

If you’ve already subscribed to Apple Arcade, then you’ll be able to see the yearly plan when you click on “Edit Subscription”. You can pick between the monthly plan that’ll cost you RM19.90/month or the annual plan that’ll cost you RM199.90/year.

Of course, if this is your first time, you’ll also get a month of free-trial before deciding which plan you’ll go for. But if you’re an Apple enthusiast and can see yourself playing multiple Apple Arcade games in the long run, then the annual plan is definitely a better choice.

Here’s how the math goes; if you choose to subscribe to Apple Arcade’s annual plan, you’ll be paying RM199.90, which is roughly RM16.66/month. That’s cheaper by RM3.24/month, which doesn’t seem much, but totals up to RM38.88 a year — that can get you three cups of The Alley’s Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk, almost six cups of Tealive’s Original Pearl Milk Tea, or maybe 10 packs of
nasi lemak.

Anyways, we’re just letting you know that there’s an annual plan for Apple Arcade now and you should subscribe to that if you want to save a little bit of cash. Don’t forget, you get to share the Apple Arcade with up to six family members and you can play these games even when you’re offline.

apple
Apple Arcade
ios


Apple Arcade — Apple’s gaming subscription service that’ll excite gamers

357

Last week Apple decided to launch its products one-by-one for three consecutive days, probably to keep everyone’s focus on them. A few hours back Apple announced Apple Arcade during its launch event at the Steve Jobs Theater, a game subscription service.

Many have been expecting the TV streaming service, and there were only slight suspicions and rumours regarding Apple Arcade, but this service is going to come with more than 100 new and exclusive games from famous game developers.

Once users subscribe to Apple Arcade, they’ll be able to play all the games without ads and additional purchases. That aside, iOS users will be able to play the games on any of their iOS devices and the service will be accessible to maximum six family members.

“We are working with some of the most innovative game developers in the world to create over 100 new and exclusive games to play across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV,” said dPhil Schiller, Apple’s senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. The company announced that Apple Arcade will feature games from big titles from Cartoon Network, LEGO, SEGA, Konami and more.

The games will also be able to be played in offline mode, and some will come with game controllers support. As long as users remain subscribed to the service, they’ll be able to access new games as the company updates its service.

Apple Arcade is going to be launch in more than 150 countries in fall 2019, and it will be seen as a new tab on the App Store but its pricing remains unknown. This should be an exciting change for iOS users who love gaming, especially since there will be games to cater for all ages.

app store
apple
Apple Arcade
Apple TV
ios
ipad
iphone
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macos


Apple Arcade is officially available in Malaysia for all iOS 13 users

396

The wait is over — Apple Arcade is now available in Malaysia and the subscription-based service currently has various categories of games to be downloaded.

The subscription service that is only RM19.90/month is accessible to all iPhone users who have updated their phones to the latest iOS 13. This service will be available in the near future to other Apple products such as the iPad, Mac and also Apple TV.
Some of the games that are already released this month includes Sonic Racing by SEGA, Shinsekai Into the Depths by Capcom and Sayonara Wild Hearts by Annapurna Interactive. Apple Arcade also has multiplayer games like Cat Quest II and Hot Lava, so you can enjoy gaming with your friends and family.

iOS 13 is also publicly available for download so if you’re interested to try out Apple Arcade, now’s the time. You’ll also get a one-month trial so you can play your hearts out before deciding whether you’d like to continue the subscription. Plus, you can share your Apple Arcade with five other family members.

apple
Apple Arcade
iOS 13
iphone


Apple Arcade will likely be priced at USD4.99 per month with one-month free trial

454

Announced during this year’s WWDC 2019 back in June, Apple’s subscription-based gaming platform Apple Arcade garnered some press in the follow weeks that followed its introduction; talks have died down a bit since then, but it looks like Apple Arcade is back on the list of conversation topics.

According to 9to5Mac, who had early access to Apple Arcade, the gaming platform will likely be priced at USD4.99 per month. The reports say that some digging around in the service’s API revealed a promotional message advertising the USD4.99 subscription fee.

9to5Mac also notes that the service will allow access to all members in a Family Sharing account, and will ship with a one-month free trial.

In Malaysian Ringgit, the fee is still affordable; but the question lies in whether we need a pay-to-play mobile gaming platform, especially when the current free-to-play model is so successful  – think PUBG Mobile, Candy Crush, Mobile Legends and more.

Sure, Apple Arcade engages with developers globally to create exclusive titles like The Pathless, Oceanhorn 2, Beyond a Steel Sky and more. They’ll boast more polish than your casual free-to-play titles for sure, but with the Nintendo Switch being as prominent as it is in the portable gaming scene, gamers may not even bat an eye at what Apple is offering.

In any case, Apple Arcade is expected to arrive later this year, not long after the launch of iOS 13, which is touted for a mid-September date.

android
app store
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Apple Arcade
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Apple Arcade will launch this September 19 with over 100 games including titles from Konami and Capcom

441

Game subscriptions look like it’s going to be a thing heading into 2020 – Apple has finally slapped a lunch date for the Apple Arcade, which is set for September 19.

Priced at $4.99 (RM20.79) per month and will get your access to exclusive game titles – some of which are developed by big names such as Konami and Capcom. The whole selling point about Apple Arcade is that it can be played across all Apple devices.

Plus, subscribers will get a one-month free trial, not bad considering you will have over 100 titles to pick and account sharing of up to six members with Family Sharing.

Apple Arcade will be available to download on the App Store on September 19, the same time iOS 13 officially rolls out.

For the full summary that gathers all the major announcements made in Apple Event 2019, check out our video down below!

Apple Arcade
games
gaming
iOS 13
ipad
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mac book


Apple argues that Supreme Court shouldn't listen to Samsung's Appeal

300

The legal war between Apple and Samsung is far from over as Apple has recently file its arguments to the Supreme Court, telling them that there is no reason for it to take up Samsung’s appeal in the long-running patent dispute.

Samsung’s appeal revolves around the issue of design patents, particularly how damages are calculated. Samsung isn’t alone in this appeal as
Google and Facebook
 have also filed arguments encouraging the court to hear Samsung’s appeal.

Filed on Thursday,
Apple’s argument
 is that the method for awarding damages in design patents is a settled issue and not worthy of a review.
Samsung
, of course, argued differently, as the Korean company claims that if the legal precedent in the case stands, innovation and competition will be hampered and opportunistic lawsuits could have negative effects throughout the U.S. economy.

apple
facebook
google
lawsuit
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Apple to ditch Intel for in-house CPUs with upcoming Macs

522

Apple will reportedly be moving away from Intel chips for their upcoming Mac computers, and will instead opt to use in-house processors built using ARM technology – making it the first time in 36 years that a Mac is powered by an Apple-designed chip.

Making the announcement

According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple will make the announcement during the upcoming
WWDC
 conference during the week of June 22. The project is code-named Kalamata and will be unveiled during said conference to give developers time to adjust their products in time for the new Macs that’re coming out in 2021.

A new build

According to
Engadget
, the new ARM chips will be built around the A14 processor used in Apple’s mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad. As mentioned earlier, the chips will be designed in-house and built by Taiwanese manufacturer
TSMC
.

Better performance

According to Bloomberg, Apple’s tests with the new Macs that have ARM-based chipset have shown
improvements over its Intel-based counterparts –
particularly
 when it comes to graphics performance and AI apps.

Image credit: Apple

Apple’s CPUs will apparently also be more power-efficient which could also translate to thinner Macbook laptops down the line. This makes sense as Apple can fine-tune their chips to work with their own products, rather than just using one-size-fits-all chip made by Intel.

With the WWDC conference just a week couple of weeks away, so it won’t be long now to know more about Apple’s new direction for the Mac.

A14
apple
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wwdc 20


Apple ask courts to force Samsung to pay USD180 million more in patent dispute

292

Samsung’s smartphone misery continues in the court as Apple is now asking a U.S. court to force Samsung to pay USD180 million more in supplemental damages and interest.

This request was filed last Wednesday, just over a week after the Korean company paid Apple more than USD548 million for infringing the patents and designs of the iPhone. According to the suit, these damages relate to five Samsung devices that infringed Apple’s patents and were sold after a 2012 jury verdict finding Samsung liable in the dispute.

Apple’s request is part of the Cupertino-based company’s dispute with Samsung that began in 2011 when Apple sued Samsung for violating its patents and copying the design of the iPhone. The 2012 ruling mentioned above forced Samsung to pay USD930 million to Apple, which was later reduced to USD548.2 million as the appeals court said that a phone’s appearance cannot be protected through trademarks.

The outcome of this request remains to be seen as the US is currently enjoying its Christmas holidays. Nevertheless, once the holidays are over, we can expect both parties to be seeing each other in the courts throughout 2016 yet again.

Source :
Reuters
,
Engadget

apple
lawsuit
samsung


Apple begins selling refurbished iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus on its online store

315

Do you want to own an iPhone but you’ve never had the cash to do so? Well, if you’re living in the United States, you would be pleased to know that Apple has begun selling refurbished iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Pluses on its online store today.

As these iPhones are refurbished devices, the prices on these devices have been discounted. For example, the refurbished, SIM-Free 16GB iPhone 6s costs only USD449, while the 16GB iPhone 6S Plus costs a mere USD529. These refurbished iPhones will come in all available colours and will come with a one year warranty. Also important is the fact that the refurbished iPhones are SIM-free, allowing you to use these devices across all U.S. cell carriers. That being said, we don’t quite know if it’ll work with international carriers.

Those who are looking for an more up to date version of the iPhone (read: iPhone 7) may have to wait a while before refurbished versions start popping up on the website, but seeing as Apple has begun selling refurbished versions of their smartphone, getting an iPhone may no longer be as restrictive as it once is.

Source:
MacRumours

apple
iphone6s
iphone6splus
refurbished


Apple blocks new version of Spotify app from the App Store

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Spotify and Apple are about to lock horns again as it turns out that Apple has rejected Spotify’s latest update to its app in late May, citing business model issues.

This new round of disagreement between Apple and Spotify first began when Spotify turned off billing within the Spotify iOS app altogether, cutting off the free users’ ability to upgrade and even shutting off existing premium mobile users’ payments, focing online upgrades. This move cuts off Apple’s full source of revenue from the Spotify service. In what is presumed to be retaliation, Apple has blocked a new version of Spotify’s app on the App Store.

Spotify’s general counsel Horacio Gutierrez has since sent a letter to Apple’s general counsel Bruce Sewell over the move, saying that Apple’s actions is “causing grave harm to Spotify and its customers” by doing so. The letter further states that Apple turned down a new version of the app while citing “business model rules” and demanded that Spotify use Apple’s billing system if “Spotify wants to use the app to acquire new customers and sell subscriptions.” Simply put, Spotify believes that Apple is leveraging the App Store to push its own Apple Music platform at the expense of Spotify.

Apple has yet to respond to Spotify’s allegations, but seeing as neither party would be backing down in this case, you can fully expect to see both Apple and Spotify heading to the courts to settle this dispute.

Source:
Recode
,
TechCrunch

app
apple
applemusic
spotify
update


Apple has bought over Shazam

344

Just as recent rumors have pointed out, Apple has finally announced its acquisition of audio recognition company Shazam. This has been part of Apple’s plan for some time now, and given the fact that Shazam is integrated into Apple’s iOS software, it is no surprise that Apple would want to pick Shazam’s brains even further.

Apple has released a statement to The Verge – “We are thrilled that Shazam and its talented team will be joining Apple. Apple Music and Shazam are a natural fit, sharing a passion for music discovery and delivering great music experiences to our users. We have exciting plans in store, and we look forward to combining with Shazam upon approval of today’s agreement.” Apple sealed the deal at $400 million.

Shazam has also broke the good news – “We are excited to announce that Shazam has entered into an agreement to become part of Apple. Shazam is one of the highest rated apps in the world and loved by hundreds of millions of users and we can’t imagine a better home for Shazam to enable us to continue innovating and delivering magic for our users.”

Apple has also been rumored to implement music recognition for the HomePod, so we are guessing that Shazam will play a big role in that. Luckily for Android users, the Shazam app is still available on the Play Store, following rumors that Shazam will soon be exclusive to Apple’s app ecosystem.

apple
homepod
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Apple Car to launch earliest by 2025

328

Rumours regarding the Apple Car has surfaced recently, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the vehicle will take a few more years before it launches.

Apple has gone back and forth with the Apple Car

According to
Reuters
, Apple is planning to produce its own car by 2024 and it’ll come with “next level” battery technology. Some reported that the company had scaled back to focus on autonomous vehicle system at one point, but Apple is back to its goal of making a car now that its project has been progressing well.

Earliest launch is in 2025

However, Kuo stated that even if Apple Car’s development starts in 2020 and progresses smoothly, it’ll take at least 5 more years for it to launch. He also said that there’s a possibility for an even later launch due to “Apple’s high-quality standards”.

As of now, we don’t have much information regarding the Apple Car. However, it is rumoured to come with a battery that features a “monocell” design and a bunch of
LiDAR sensors
 that can help in distance-scanning for self-driving purposes.

Apple Car


Apple Card under investigation for being gender-bias

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Apple Card has caught the Internet’s attention lately with creator of Ruby on Rails David Heinemeier Hansson criticising its algorithm that is sexist.

According to Hansson, he and his wife have filed for joint tax returns and are married for a long time and his wife even has higher credit score than him, but she was only given 1/20 credit limit compared to Hansson. What made the situation more dire is when Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak chimed in the thread and revealed that he and his wife always get joint cards and had no problem with their other cards and bank accounts, but he has gotten 10 time the credit limit compared to his wife when they applied for Apple Card.

The
@AppleCard
 is such a fucking sexist program. My wife and I filed joint tax returns, live in a community-property state, and have been married for a long time. Yet Apple’s black box algorithm thinks I deserve 20x the credit limit she does. No appeals work.

— DHH (@dhh)
November 7, 2019

The situation has amplified to the point where the New York Department of Financial Services has opened an investigation to the matter. “Any algorithm, that intentionally or not results in discriminatory treatment of women or any other protected class of people violates New York law,” said the spokesperson in its statement to
Bloomberg
.

We wanted to address some recent questions regarding the
#AppleCard
 credit decision process.
pic.twitter.com/TNZJTUZv36

— GS Bank Support (@gsbanksupport)
November 11, 2019

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs, the financial services company that partnered with Apple to offer Apple Card services, has released a statement that promises that they “have not and will not make decisions based on factors like gender.” Hansson further argues that they should in fact offer full transparency in credit assessments to ensure fairness and integrity, something he believes Goldman Sachs is lacking.

I’m a current Apple employee and founder of the company and the same thing happened to us (10x) despite not having any separate assets or accounts. Some say the blame is on Goldman Sachs but the way Apple is attached, they should share responsibility.

— Steve Wozniak (@stevewoz)
November 10, 2019

Apple has since raised the credit limit of Hansson’s wife to match his, but Hansson pointed out that the company still failed to address the root of the issue and remained unpleased. In a tweet posted just an hour ago, Hansson wrote pointed out that Apple should

not push all the blame to Goldman Sachs. “The card is called THE APPLE CARD. Sending out GS spokespeople to deflect on their responsibility and ownership is cowardly. Do better.” Before his tweet, Wozniak himself tweeted that Apple should “share responsibility” with Goldman Sachs.

Apple has not responded yet.

apple
apple card
goldman sachs
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Apple CarPlay coming to Pioneer aftermarket in car entertainment players

353

Think that CarPlay is only available in expensive cars that you won’t be able to afford in your entire life? You will soon have a cheaper option for that, because Apple has confirmed that Pioneer will be selling aftermarket in car entertainment players that will feature the company’s CarPlay feature. Pioneer will provide a firmware update to five of its existing models to support CarPlay and feature CarPlay in its new 2014 NEX series car player models, which includes the $1400
AVIC-8000NEX
, the $1200
AVIC-7000NEX
, the $900
AVIC-6000NEX
, the $750
AVIC-5000NEX
 and the $700
AVH-4000NEX
, which is definitely much more cheaper than buying a new car just for CarPlay.

Come on Pioneer, bring on the players in already, I’ll definitely want one in my car!

Source:
MacRumors


Apple charges around RM1200 for iPhone X screen replacement

278

The iPhone X has gone on sale, so naturally there is an official repair price list released should you need to repair the device, and since it is an iPhone X, you are not going to expect any friendly prices. As spotted by MacRumors, a replacement of the iPhone X’s new OLED display will cost $279 (RM1182), that’s a huge increase over the iPhone 7 Plus and we expect it to be higher over here.

Unlike the US, AppleCare+ for iPhone isn’t offered here as an optional purchase, hence customers won’t be able to pay upfront for the iPhone’s warranty extension and accidental damage protection, the “accidental damage protection” won’t cover screen cracks of course, but allows customers to pay $29 for a screen replacement should it be still within the warranty period. Therefore, it is best that you consider purchasing insurance for your iPhone X if you decide to purchase one when it reaches here.

With that said, the iPhone X’s display is probably as expensive to replace a Galaxy S8’s display, which could cost around RM1,500. However, Samsung does offer a much cheaper screen protection plan at RM149 and offers a one time free screen replacement should anything happens to the phone. Therefore, if you are prepared to own an iPhone X, its best that you consider buying the best possible protection to avoid paying that high bill.

apple
iphone x
iphone x screen replacement


Apple reported to launch China-exclusive iPhones with under-display fingerprint sensor

324

Recent reports are suggesting that Apple is going to launch an iPhone exclusively for the Chinese market — to compete with Chinese manufacturers like HUAWEI — and this iPhone will be sporting an under-display fingerprint sensor.

It’s not the first time Apple has made adjustments for the Chinese market; the latest iPhones that support dual SIM in China uses two physical SIM cards while other countries are given the pairing of an eSIM and a physical SIM card.

That being said, the Chinese media reported that Apple is not adding the under-display fingerprint sensor to its Face ID on the iPhone; instead, they’re replacing it. This is a rather big move since Apple has been removing Touch ID since last year, making it seem like it’s a step backward for Apple.

It is also believed that removing Face ID will be cost-saving and result in the iPhone getting a smaller notch, or maybe no notch at all. This will probably give Apple a better chance of competing with local manufacturers like OPPO and HUAWEI. It’d be great if Apple decides to add the under-display fingerprint sensor instead of replacing it, but that’ll probably just increase its already premium price.

Either way, even if these reports are true — we’re still highly doubting it — it’ll probably be the 2020 iPhones, not this year’s.

apple
china
face id
huawei
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Apple chooses Intel to produce 5G iPhones in 2020

281

Apple has chosen Intel’s chips to be integrated in its iPhones to support 5G networks, and the iPhones will only be available on 2020, a year later than Qualcomm, the company that plans to release their 5G modem chips next year.

Apple will be using Intel’s 8161 modem chip in the future iPhones in 2020 and already have a 8060 modem chip, a precursor to be experimented with the 5G iPhone which is facing heat dissipation issues which was also found in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon’s 5G modem. The high thermal energy causes users to be able to feel the heat on their smartphones and also drains battery life too quickly, which are issues that must be solved to ensure smartphone’s longevity.

It is also reported that MediaTek will be the backup in supplying 5G modem chips to Apple and that it is very unlikely for Apple to collaborate with Qualcomm, despite their faster progress in succeeding in the 5G technology. Qualcomm on the other hand will be expecting flagship 5G smartphones next year from brands such as OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi and others.

The first 5G smartphones will be expected by next year and will most likely be Android devices powered by Qualcomm 5G chips. 5G networks are said to be able to deliver up to 10Gbps, which is so much faster than the current 4G networks.

5g
apple
intel
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Apple close to acquisition of Shazam

307

It is no surprise that bigger companies are often on the look out to acquire smaller companies which add value to their own brand. It has also somewhat turned into a culture practiced by the big players. Recently till now, we have been hearing of attempts by semiconductor Broadcom to acquire Qualcomm. Although the latter company has rejected the former’s initial offer, there’s still no giving up. Now we have a new scenario involving Apple and Shazam.

Most of us have probably heard of Shazam. It is probably the household music recognition app which is widely used by smartphone users worldwide alongside its competitor Soundhound. While Shazam has been integrated into iOS, Apple appears to be keen on buying the company over for a reported $300-$400 million. Sources also claim that both Apple and Shazam have come very close to sealing a deal, with an announcement due later today.

Speaking of music recognition and audio, Apple’s HomePod release has been delayed, so chances are that Apple wants to implement music recognition into the smart speaker, which will likely utilize the technology of Shazam as well. There is also a high chance that the Shazam will be taken off the Google Play Store if Apple decides to pull the plug after the acquisition. What do you think?

apple
audio
google play store
homepod
music recognition
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Apple computers might be using their own processors by 2020

582

Apple is going full Apple, as the company is in the early stages of creating their own processors for the MacBook and iMac which are currently using Intel processors. This information comes from anonymous sources that spoke to Bloomberg earlier this week.

This information was quite a blow to Intel as they have had a partnership with Apple for a really long time, and losing their biggest client saw Intel’s share drop 7.6 percent. Apple is not new to the chip-making market, as they created their own Bluetooth chip to instantly pair its AirPods to an iPhone and a security chip that protects personal data and biometrics from hacks. Some might think that making their own chips is just so they can increase the price of the devices, but building their own chips will allow them better control over the integrity of their devices and makes it easier to release newer products in the future.

This new effort from Apple is called Kalamata, a code name they are using to create an enhanced ecosystem to make their device work even better together.

apple
computer
imac
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Apple could be using an ultrasonic sensor to get the under screen fingerprint sensor to work

379

The iPhone X was supposed to be the first phone in the market that offered an under display fingerprint sensor. However, due to complications, the company could not deliver and replace the security method with a very advanced face recognition technology. Failure did not stop them, because they are coming back with a very different method to get the fingerprint sensor under the screen.

While Synaptics has managed to show their technology in both the Vivo X21 and the Vivo Apex, Qualcomm has been working hard to use ultrasound to read our fingers. This method does not use light or electricity, the ultrasonic sensor will be able to pass through the glass and make it easier to use with any type of phone glass and it will even work fine if your finger is wet or dirty. Downside of the ultrasonic sensor is that it is rather costly to and difficult to make, so we will only expect to see this type of sensor on flagship phones.

As of now, three companies are developing this sensor, Qualcomm, Apple and Samsung. However, seeing that the relationship between Qualcomm and Apple is not the most stable, Apple will probably develop their own type of ultrasonic sensor, which means Samsung and Qualcomm could be hard at work developing this sensor for the mass market, as they have a long ongoing relationship.

apple
fingerprint
qualcom
samsung
sensor
ultrasonic


Apple could ditch the notch design in 2019 iPhones

272

2018 is obviously a year of smartphone notches and vertical camera bumps, all thanks to the influence of the iPhone X despite all the negative comments, the notch design will however be short lived as Apple is reported to remove it from iPhones next year to deliver an ultimate full screen experience, the sensors for the iPhone’s facial recognition feature is said to be relocated under the display panel or in a ‘tiny hole’, this piece of news comes from an industry source that is reported by ET News.

The ZenFone 5 has a thinner but the same notch design as the iPhone X without added functionality.

This is certainly good news for the company, as it has received much criticism on the iPhone X for being an exorbitantly high priced smartphone, though it still has the highest customer satisfaction than Android flagships. The iPhone X has also received huge price cuts from online dealers since it’s launch, though still expensive, you can purchase a 64GB iPhone X from 11street from as low as RM4,198. As for this year, Apple is already reportedly prepping three new iPhone models, which will come in 5.85-inch and 6.46-inch OLED displays, and a 6.04-inch LCD display.

Well, it is good to learn that the notch won’t be the future of full screen smartphone design, but we’ll have a year to see if this ever happens.

apple
iphone x
notch screen