France looks past Google, Apple for virus contact tracing

France, which has long been sceptical of the growing power of US tech titans, is seeking to bypass Apple and Google for a smartphone app to help trace people infected with the novel coronavirus.

The move, which leaves France relatively isolated in Europe alongside Britain and Norway, reflects differences on how such apps should be structured, who has access to sensitive data and their effectiveness.

A number of countries have already deployed "contact tracing" apps on smartphones that track a person's contacts and alert them if need be, generating vital information to help contain outbreaks and slow the spread of the virus as nations ease lockdowns and get back to work.

These apps can be based either on a decentralised or centralised architecture.

A decentralised architecture keeps the information about whom a person has been in contact with on the smartphone.

If the person declares themselves to have been infected by the coronavirus, then those people deemed to have been in close contact for an extended period receive a notification to isolate themselves and get tested.

In a centralised system the data is managed by an authority, say a national health service, that would have access to the data to ensure those who are exposed are indeed following the proper health and isolation recommendations.

Apple and Google banded together last month to develop coronavirus contact tracing technology that would work across their operating systems.

The technology, set to be released later this month, embraces a decentralised architecture that would enable smartphone users to control their own data, and choose whether to notify the authorities if they have been exposed.

- Titans setting the terms -

Numerous tech experts and privacy advocates prefer a decentralised option because of data privacy concerns, worried about governments establishing databases that could be used for surveillance, even after the pandemic.

But France, along with London, contest that argument and prefer a centralised architecture that will provide them with the information needed to ensure the spread of the disease is effectively contained.

Norway also opted for a centralised system for its "Smittestop" or "stop infection" app launched last month.


Being dependent on Apple and Google means "staying in an extremely restrictive framework for usage" of the data, said a source close to France's contract tracing effort.

"It is Google and Apple who are defining the debate" in what is essentially a public health issue, the source added.

To become an effective tool for public health authorities, a contact tracing app has to be widely used -- experts say by at least 60 percent of the population -- but also provide them with needed information about who is getting sick as well as where, which can be important for taking quick measures to close hotspots.

Decentralised apps that make use of the Bluetooth radios on smartphones can be built so they do not even record the location of where people are in contact.

Nations cannot easily go around Apple and Google and develop their own apps as Apple in particular makes it difficult to keep Bluetooth enabled in its operating system.

People would need to keep the app open at all times, an inconvenience that would likely lead to many people not having it running on their phones.

- Systems rolled out -

So far Apple has resisted pleas from France and other countries for help to get around that technical issue.

While the European Commission has not yet taken a formal position on the options, it acknowledges a decentralised system is better on data privacy grounds.

"If both approaches can be in conformity with data protection laws, from a point of view of minimising the collection of data, the decentralised approach is preferable as less data would be stored" on a centralised server, a Commission spokesman told AFP.

Several European countries are expected to roll out contact tracing apps in June, which should provide some indication as to the best strategies.

France hopes to have its app in operation on June 2, and the official leading its development has said it will work very well on an iPhone despite Apple's lack of cooperation.

The technology arm of Britain's National Health Service has been testing its centralised system on the Isle of Wight since May 5 and plans to unroll it nationwide in the coming weeks.

Germany has opted for a decentralised system compatible with the Apple/Google initiative that it hopes will be ready in several weeks.

Italy, which has also gone for a decentralised system, should have its app ready by the end of May, Innovation Minister Paola Pisano told the Corriere della Sera daily on Monday.

In Austria, the Red Cross has launched an app based on a centralised model that has 600,000 users, but it is expected to evolve into a decentralised application.

Switzerland is currently testing its decentralised app.

Agence France-Presse

Towards an iPhone with no ports by 2021

One of the future versions of the iPhone, which will probably not be released before 2021, will have no physical connections, opines famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF Securities, whose focus is Apple developments.

According to Kuo, Apple plans to definitively drop its Lightning port and simply intends not to replace it. Kuo is convinced that Apple has decided not to replace its Lightning port with one of the USB-C connectors, which are a standard feature of the Android ecosystem.


In the next two years, at least one iPhone (probably the most high-end one) will have absolutely no physical ports, and will rely on wireless for charging and data transfers. The problem is that until now, inductive charging is slower than charging with a wired connection. So there is little chance that in the near future Apple will be able to compete with the likes of Vivo or Realme, both of which are already offering hyper-fast wired charging systems.

At the same time, the analyst once again indicated that Apple is working on an iPhone SE 2, which is due for release in the first half of 2021. It will be equipped with a 5.5- or 6.1-inch screen, with a full-screen design that has a smaller notch than current models.

Finally, let us not forget that earlier this year Kuo suggested that all of the new iPhones to be presented in 2020 (and by inference thereafter) would be 5G compatible. RGA

source: technology.inquirer.net

Freebies Are the Key Hook of the ‘Streaming Wars’

If you make it free, will they come? Apple, Disney and AT&T’s WarnerMedia want to jump-start their challenges to Netflix by offering freebies and deep discounts on emerging streaming plans.

That includes a free year of Apple TV Plus for customers of new Apple devices and a free year of Disney Plus to higher-tier Verizon customers.

Some existing HBO subscribers will also get the supercharged version, HBO Max, at no additional cost.

Experts say these services can worry later about holding onto customers — perhaps by offering must-see shows they can’t get anywhere else or tying discounts to other services that are difficult to drop.


“Next year is a race to aggregate consumers,” said Kevin Westcott, who heads Deloitte’s U.S. telecommunication, media and entertainment consulting business.

“The first war is getting them to sign up for a service.
The second war is retaining them.”

The new services have to attract users with marketing blitzes and the promise of original shows and movies, then build a big enough library of old favorites to help keep them.

Already, HBO Max will have “Friends ” exclusively, and Disney is taking back its older movies from Netflix.

A lot of shows and movies won’t be available at launch but will be added over time.
Free helps in the meantime.

Netflix has spent years building up its 158 million subscribers worldwide.
Hulu has 28 million.

The new players want to ramp up subscribers quickly to show they can compete.

So the services have launched the digital equivalent of the old cable promos: lure you in with discounted rates, then jack up the price after a year or two.

But digital customers have more choices than cable customers of yore so a big question is whether they’ll stick around.


Apple TV Plus debuts Friday for $5 a month with just nine shows and a few more coming soon.
It’s already cheaper than the $13 a month Netflix charges for its most popular plan.
Buyers of any new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod Touch get a year for free.
That suggests a market of 40 million customers, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said.

Disney Plus, which arrives Nov. 12, is also cheaper than Netflix at $7 a month.
Disney struck a deal with Verizon to give customers of all unlimited wireless plans and some home-internet customers a free year.

Members of Disney’s free D23 fan club were also eligible to buy three years of Disney Plus service upfront for the price of two years.

Disney is targeting 60 million to 90 million worldwide by 2024.

AT&T’s HBO Max, which launches in May for $15 a month, is the most expensive of the new services.

That could make it tough for AT&T to reach its goal of 50 million U.S. customers and 75 million to 90 million worldwide by 2025.

But AT&T will make the service free for about 10 million existing HBO subscribers, or about a third of its U.S. subscribers.
HBO Max will also be included with AT&T’s higher-tier wireless and broadband offerings.

Comcast’s Peacock service will be free for many of its own cable and internet customers.
The regular price hasn’t been announced yet.
The service launches next spring.

“I don’t think customers are going to have to make difficult choices about cutting one in order to add another for the first few years,” said MoffettNathanson Research’s Craig Moffett.

But companies can’t run the services at a loss forever, and when discounts end and prices rise, customers may flee.
After all, the services add up fast, and signing up to multiple ones could end up costing as much as the cable packages people are ditching for streaming.

There’s a lesson to be drawn from the latest TV-industry attempt to counter cord-cutting.
Cable-like online packages like Sling TV and YouTube TV have ended discounts or raised prices, causing customers to flee and new sign-ups to slow down.

Sony announced Tuesday that it will quit offering PlayStation Vue, one of the first to challenge traditional TV packages.

Even the dominant player isn’t immune.
Netflix has raised prices slowly, which helped shield it from price shock, but its latest small increase has hurt customer growth.

Westcott, the Deloitte consultant, compared the streaming promotions to efforts to lure wireless customers from competing companies.


T-Mobile has long offered Netflix free to many customers.
Verizon includes six free months of Apple Music with some of its unlimited plans.
Many offer other deals like paying off your phone early or getting a phone for free if you switch.

“They were constantly looking for ways to steal you off other players,” he said.

How will these services keep users once they’ve reeled them in?

The companies can constantly refresh their services with new shows and movies, Diffusion Group president Michael Greeson said.

Cathy Yao, an analyst at Diamond Hill Capital Management, also said companies can try to create “stickiness” by bundling the services with other products and services so a customer is less inclined to unsubscribe.

For example, including HBO Max with wireless and broadband services will make consumers more likely to stick around for all three, Yao said.

It’s similar to how Amazon packages its streaming service with its $119-a-year Prime loyalty program.

Ultimately, the content will be king, experts say.
The services are investing billions into creating new shows and building up their libraries to find or create the next “Stranger Things.”


Apple TV Plus inked high-profile deals with Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Jennifer Aniston.

Comcast’s NBCUniversal reportedly paid $500 million to take back “The Office,” and Netflix reportedly paid even more to claim global rights to “Seinfeld.”

“The weapon of choice for retention is exclusive programming,” said Peter Csathy, founder of Creative and an industry consultant.
“All of these behemoths are investing billions of dollars in originals with the hope of finding the next ‘Game of Thrones’ that becomes ‘Must See TV.'”

source: usa.inquirer.net

Apple New Privacy Enhancements for Iphone 11 and iOS 13

Apple’s iOS 13 in the iPhone 11 is a software update that comes with plenty of privacy enhancements but in some cases, only if you take the time to understand how they work.

Among the changes: You’ll be able to sign in to third-party services with your Apple ID account rather than Facebook’s or Google’s.

You’ll also get more notices and warnings about apps tapping location data.
The free update is available for existing iPhones on Thursday and will come with new iPhone 11 models out Friday.

Here’s how to navigate the new privacy features and make the most of them.


Apple  iPhone 11 Sign-In

Google and Facebook have long made it easy to sign into third-party services without having to create new accounts and new passwords to remember.

Trouble is, by leaning on those companies, you’re also opening the door for them to collect more data about you.


You may find that disheartening given numerous privacy lapses, especially involving Facebook.

Apple is offering an alternative.

The company doesn’t have the same need to collect data, as it doesn’t count on profits from data-driven targeted ads the way Google and Facebook do.

Apple promises it won’t track you when you use “Sign in with Apple.”

One attractive feature is the ability to mask your real email address.

Apple can give you a new, unique email for every service you use, and will automatically forward messages to your own email account.

You can reduce junk mail by disabling forwarding from specific companies, while still using that Apple email to sign in.
Apple says it won’t snoop on messages.

Apps that offer an outside sign-in system, such as Facebook’s, must also include Apple’s to be on iPhones.

But Apple’s system is limited to sharing your name and email address.

If the app needs more information, you’ll have to provide that on your own or fall back on Facebook or Google anyway.

But don’t stray from Apple’s garden.

You’ll need to sign in through a web browser if you use the service on Android, Windows or other non-Apple devices.

That eliminates much of the convenience.

iPhone 11 Location

Maps, ride-hailing, and many other apps need your location data to work.

But does your drug store or coffee shop really need to know where you are and where you’ve been?

Previously, Apple gave you just a few choices on the matter.

You could share your location continuously with an app, provide it only when you were using the app, or deny the app access to any location information.

(The last choice breaks many apps, and it can be a challenge to turn location back on if you change your mind.)

Now Apple will let you grant location permission temporarily.

If you close the app or restart the phone, you’ll have to grant permission again.

You can keep doing that until you’re more comfortable with the app and its use of location, at which time you can make permission permanent.

But permanent doesn’t mean sharing while the app is in the background.

After you’ve used an app for a while, the phone will prompt you with details on where and how many times it has tapped your location.

Only then can you grant “always allow” access. You can also take it back if you’ve given it before.

The idea is to arm you with more information before deciding.

Unfortunately, there’s no “reject once” option to see how well an app works without a location.

Once you reject it, you’ll have to go into settings to turn location back on.

LOCATION, THE SNEAKY WAY

Even if you’ve denied location access, apps might be able to infer it through Bluetooth connections.

A retail store, for instance, might have Bluetooth beacon trackers to detect people who have its app installed.

Now, apps must especially ask for that permission.

(There are exceptions when a music app, for instance, wants to stream to headphones you’ve already paired with the phone.)

Apps that have been updated for iOS 13 must tell you specifically why they need Bluetooth.

Citi’s app, for instance, says it’s to enable after-hours entry to ATM lobbies without pulling out your card.

You’re left guessing with older apps. If you’re not sure, just say “no.”

Apple is also clamping down on apps’ ability to infer your location by identifying nearby Wi-Fi networks, which can be matched to location databases.

Apps that want that information must already have location permission from you or meet Apple’s criteria for needing that information.

This won’t affect your ability to use apps over Wi-Fi, as that’s set up through your phone, not the app.

iPhone 11 Camera Privacy

When sharing photos through the Photos app, you can now remove embedded location information by tapping on the small “Options” link at the top of the screen. Location is shared by default, and you need to turn it off each time.

You can disable the camera’s ability to embed location information, to begin with. To do that, go to “Privacy” in the phone’s settings, then “Location Services,” ”Camera” and finally the “Never” option.

This feature exists in earlier versions of iOS as well.

iPhone 11 Reducing Robocalls

A new setting lets you silence unknown callers.

You’ll still hear from numbers you’ve recently called or ones stored in your contacts, as well as from numbers the digital assistant Siri finds in other apps, such as within your emails.

But the iPhone will assume everything else is spam and send it straight to voice mail.

This option is off by default; you need to turn it on under “Phone” in the settings.

Apple will also suggest the option when you look through your recent and missed calls, as you see the iOS 13 privacy enhancements are pretty helpful.

source: usa.inquirer.net

iOS 13 The Anti Hacking Operating System

Apple hit back Friday at a Google research report suggesting iPhones may have been targeted by a long-running hacking operation, calling it inaccurate and misleading as they prepare to launch iOS 13.

Apple spokesman Fred Sainz said in a statement the research released by Google created a “false impression” that large numbers of iPhone users may have been compromised.

Sainz said that contrary to what Google claimed, the incident was a “narrowly focused” attack which affected “fewer than a dozen websites that focus on content related to the Uighur community, an ethnic minority in China.

“Regardless of the scale of the attack, we take the safety and security of all users extremely seriously,” he wrote.

“Google’s post, issued six months after iOS patches were released, creates the false impression of ‘mass exploitation’ to ‘monitor the private activities of entire populations in real-time,’ stoking fear among all iPhone users that their devices had been compromised. This was never the case.”


Researchers with Google’s Project Zero security task force said last week that an “indiscriminate” hacking operation that targeted iPhones used websites to implant malicious software to access photos, user locations, and other data.

“Simply visiting the hacked site was enough for the exploit server to attack your device, and if it was successful, install a monitoring implant,” said Project Zero’s Ian Beer.

Sainz said Apple believes that the website attacks were operational for roughly two months, not two years as Google implied.

“We fixed the vulnerabilities in question in February — iOS 13 working extremely quickly to resolve the issue just 10 days after we learned about it,” Sainz said.

“When Google approached us, we were already in the process of fixing the exploited bugs.

Security is a never-ending journey and our customers can be confident we are working for them .”- iphone iOS 13 to be released next week.

rl/acb

© Agence France-Presse

Apple Awards $250 Million for iPhones Screen

Apple on Tuesday deepened its ties with a Kentucky manufacturing plant by awarding $250 million to support Corning Inc.’s continued work to develop glass for iPhones and other devices.

The award builds on the $200 million that Corning received from Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund in 2017, the tech giant said.

The combined investments support Corning’s research and development that will be crucial for next-generation consumer devices, Apple said.

Scratch-resistant glass for every generation of the iPhone has been made at Corning’s plant in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Corning also supplies glass for iPads and Apple Watches.

“Apple and Corning’s rich history dates back more than a decade and our partnership revolutionized glass and transformed the technology industry with the first iPhone,” Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer, said in a release.

“This award underscores Apple and Corning’s shared belief in the vital role that ingenuity plays in creating industry-leading products, and the pride that both companies take in applying American innovation and advanced manufacturing to solve some of the world’s toughest technology challenges,” he added.

Wendell P. Weeks, Corning’s chairman, chief executive officer and president, said the additional investment will allow the Corning, New York-based company to develop “groundbreaking new glass innovations” while expanding its manufacturing capabilities.

“Most importantly, our ongoing collaboration allows us to create vital new capabilities for end users and continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible well into the future,” he said.

Corning employs about 400 people at its technology development and manufacturing operations in Harrodsburg. It’s been part of the central Kentucky community for more than 65 years.

The company said the new Apple award won’t result in an immediate increase in jobs at the Kentucky operation but enables “future opportunities that may lead to growth.” The Harrodsburg plant is Corning’s longest-running U.S.-based manufacturing facility.

Apple and Corning first teamed up more than a decade ago when former Apple CEO Steve Jobs ordered the plastic screen on the company’s first iPhone to be replaced with a scratch-resistant glass just a few months before the product was to launch.

source: usa.inquirer.net

Apple Arcade: Apple Launches Game Subscription Service

Apple on Tuesday announced that its eagerly-awaited online gaming subscription service, Apple Arcade, will launch next week, offering exclusive
titles for mobile and desktop users.

The newserviceavailablefromApple’s online marketplace and costing $4.99 per month will include more than 100 game titles made for Apple
devices.

“You can’t find these games on any other mobile platform for subscription service, no games service ever launched as many games, and we can’t
wait for you to play all of that,” product manager AnnThaitold the Apple media event in Cupertino, California.

GC-rl/EC

source: usa.inquirer.net

Apple unveils iPhone 11 models with dual cameras

CUPERTINO - Apple unveiled its iPhone 11 models Tuesday, touting dual cameras and ultra-wide lens capabilities as it updated its popular smartphone lineup.

The newest handsets come as Apple seeks to spur new upgrades in a slumping global smartphone market.

The new iPhones are "jam packed with new capabilities and an incredible new design," Apple chief executive Tim Cook told a launch event in Cupertino, California. — Agence France-Presse

Apple iPhone 11 launch expected on Sept. 10

As anticipation mounts for the launch of iOS 13 (date unknown), the seventh beta of the operating system was launched on Thursday, Aug. 15, for developers. Within the software, The Verge reported that Brazilian media organization iHelp BR uncovered an image suggesting the date when Apple’s next flagships smartphones will be announced.

The image is named “HoldForRelease,” and what appears to be a screenshot of an iPhone home screen is a calendar app icon set to Tuesday, Sept. 10. iHelp BR noted that when iOS 12 was released, the calendar app displayed on a similar image in the software displayed its respective launch date as well, Sept. 12.


The launches of the previous iPhones all took place within four days of Sept. 10 during their respective release years, so it is likely that this prediction is accurate.

Three new iPhones are expected to be announced this year that are allegedly successors of the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. HM/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Samsung ditches headphone jack after jabs at jackless rivals

NEW YORK –  Samsung executives have long poked fun at rivals for ditching the headphone jack in smartphones. With the new Galaxy Note 10, the company will now be doing exactly the same thing.

The Note 10, announced Wednesday, squeezes in more battery power and other goodies, but at the cost of the familiar old jack.

So now the company is doing an about-face and declaring that many people use wireless headphones anyway.

Samsung, which for years has pushed bigger and bigger displays, is also introducing a smaller version of the Note for those who think phones have just gotten too big.

The new Note models will come out Aug. 23. The main model is being called the Note 10 Plus and will have a display measuring 6.8 inches diagonally.

Though the display is bigger, the overall size is about the same as last year’s 6.4-inch Note 9. To accomplish that, Samsung shrank down even more of the bezel surrounding the display.

The smaller, 6.3-inch version will be called the Note 10 and will sell for almost $950, or $150 less than the Plus. It’s designed for those who want the Note’s signature stylus without its once-signature size.

“You hit a certain point where you can’t get much bigger without being physically too large to hold,” Technalysis Research analyst Bob O’Donnell said. “That’s the challenge they are running into.”

Hardware innovation in mobile devices has been slowing for years. Samsung is addressing that with a foldable model, with twice the display when unfolded. The Samsung Fold is coming in September after Samsung made a few design changes to address problems with reviewers’ phones breaking.

Apple is expected to release new iPhones next month. A version that works with next-generation 5G cellular networks isn’t expected. Samsung will have a 5G version of the Note 10 Plus starting at almost $1300.

The Note 10 Plus will have a 7.5% boost in battery capacity over the Note 9, though Samsung’s high-end phones have already been promising all-day battery life. Samsung made no references to the headphone jack during its 70-minute announcement event in New York.

Samsung officials told reporters separately that while the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack might seem small, every smidgeon of saved space can help extend battery life.

Samsung is including wired headphones that plug into the phone’s USB-C data and charging port. An adapter for other wired headphones is sold separately for $10. Apple and Google also have ditched the standard headphone jack.

But O’Donnell noted the irony: “If you guys gave everybody else grief for doing it, why are you doing it?”

Beyond that, the Note 10 phones introduce new stylus features, including the ability to flip through music and photo libraries by gesturing with the stylus in the air. The phones bring a wider-angle lens already found in the S10 and use software to make audio appear louder — and thus closer — in video recordings when zooming in.

And by connecting a Note 10 to a Windows or Mac computer with a USB cable, users can interact with phone apps there and drag and drop files between devices.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appeared briefly to expand on a partnership with Samsung. The collaboration includes giving Note users the ability to receive and respond to text messages and take phone calls from a Windows computer. Apple has long offered similar features, but only for its own devices such as the iPhone and Mac. /gsg

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple’s complete 2020 iPhone lineup to support 5G

MacRumors reported yesterday, July 28, that the highly-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reason to believe that all 2020 iPhone models will support 5G connectivity.

Though Apple has yet to officially disclose its 5G smartphone plans to the public, notable Apple analyst Kuo wrote in a document to investors that the company is planning for its entire 2020 iPhone portfolio to support 5G connectivity.

It was previously believed that only two out of three phones, the high-end iterations, would support the latest cellular network.

According to Kuo, the purpose behind this change is to ensure that Apple can offer its audience an option that will adequately compete with lower-priced Android smartphones that will support 5G.

He provided two additional reasons as to why Apple would give its lowest-tier model this flagship technology, the company now has more resources to expand this type of technology thanks to its recent acquisition of Intel’s modem chip division, and it would aid in the development of its AR ecosystem.

This year is expected to see the launch of a slew of 5G smartphones including Huawei’s Mate X, Samsung’s S10 and Galaxy Fold, and Motorola’s Moto Z3.

Though Apple will be far from the first company to offer a 5G-supporting device, when it launches next year it will have the most comprehensive product line in the industry. HM/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Design chief departure adds to uncertainty at Apple

WASHINGTON, United States — The departure of chief designer Jony Ive adds to uncertainty at Apple as the California tech giant shifts into new segments like services and streaming media amid a slowdown in sales of the hugely profitable iPhone.

Ive, the driving force behind the trend-setting design of the iPhone and other Apple devices, announced Thursday he would leave Apple later this year to create his own firm, while continuing to collaborate with the company.

But Ive’s departure highlights Apple’s move to de-emphasize its hardware — with the global smartphone market largely saturated and increasingly competitive — and focus on music, streaming television, digital payments and other services and subscriptions.

“The major question now going forward is around future product innovation with one of the key visionaries of the Apple brand gone,” said Daniel Ives at Wedbush Securities in a research note.

“In our opinion this news only adds to the current agita around the Apple story as the company is branching out into television and gaming.”

The analyst added that Ive “is leaving a hole in the company and is clearly irreplaceable as he has been one of the most important figures at Apple throughout the past few decades.”

Prepared for transition? 

Other analysts said Apple is well-prepared for Ive’s transition and that it may even allow the company to benefit from fresh ideas.

Avi Greengart of the research and consulting firm Techsponential said that while Ive was instrumental to Apple’s success in product design, he had been gradually shifting into new areas such as its retail stores and new Cupertino campus, handing over products to his proteges.

“He’s been halfway out the door for a while,” Greengart told AFP

“The design team at Apple has remained consistent, and I don’t worry that all of a sudden Apple’s design is going to decline significantly.”

Design has been and will continue to be a major focus for Apple, Greengart said, noting that there will be many design challenges as Apple moves more heavily into wearable tech and other kinds of products.

“Wearable technology is where Apple already has a big lead in the smartwatch space and it is investing heavily in augmented reality for mobile,” Greengart said.

He said there is “an intense design challenge” in wearables, notably for the segment of eyewear in which Google and others have struggled.

“Investing in design is something Apple can absolutely do and can’t afford not to do,” he said.
With Ive handing over the role of product innovation,  “this has a chance to reinvigorate parts of Apple design,” Greengart said.

Who’s in charge? 

British-born Ive joined Apple in 1992 and was a key collaborator of co-founder Steve Jobs in designing the iPod, iPhone, iPad and Macbook as well as the iOS software system for Apple devices.

The company said its design team leaders Evans Hankey and Alan Dye will now report to Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

John Gruber, a software designer who writes the tech-focused Daring Fireball blog, said the new structure raises questions about Apple’s design culture going forward.

“It makes me queasy to see that Apple’s chief designers are now reporting to operations,” Gruber wrote.

“I don’t worry that Apple is in trouble because Jony Ive is leaving; I worry that Apple is in trouble because he’s not being replaced.”

Gene Munster and Andrew Murphy of the investment firm Loup Ventures said in a note to clients they were “puzzled” by the new design team structure but expect that to be temporary.

“Apple’s core competency of design is unmatched and from its culture of design-first thinking, the right leader will emerge in time. Thanks to Jony Ive,” they wrote. /ee
Agence France-Presse

source: technology.inquirer.net

Star-studded debut for Apple’s streaming service

CALIFORNIA—A stream of celebrities, including Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston and “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa, are announcing new TV shows exclusive to Apple’s new streaming TV service.

Aniston will star with Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell in a show called “Morning Show.”

Spielberg will direct a sci-fi show called “Amazing Stories,” inspired by stories his dad used to read as a kid.

Momoa will star in a show called “Sea,” which takes place in a world devastated by a virus that wiped out most of the population, leaving survivors blind.

Big Bird of “Sesame Street” also showed up to promote a new show for preschoolers.

Apple’s long-awaited video streaming service is called Apple TV Plus and includes original programming that CEO Tim Cook says will show “great storytelling.”

The service will compete with Netflix and Amazon Video.

Apple’s new subscription TV service will be available this fall. —AP

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Apple opens new chapter amid weakening iPhone demand

SAN FRANCISCO  — Apple hoped to offset slowing demand for iPhones by raising the prices of its most important product, but that strategy seems to have backfired after sales sagged during the holiday shopping season.

Results released Tuesday revealed the magnitude of the iPhone slump — a 15 percent drop in revenue from the previous year. That decline in Apple’s most profitable product caused Apple’s total earnings for the October-December quarter to dip slightly to $20 billion.

Now, CEO Tim Cook is grappling with his toughest challenge since replacing co-founder Steve Jobs 7 ½ years ago. Even as he tries to boost iPhone sales, Cook also must prove that Apple can still thrive even if demand doesn’t rebound.


It figures to be an uphill battle, given Apple’s stock has lost one-third of its value in less than four months, erasing about $370 billion in shareholder wealth.

Cook rattled Wall Street in early January by disclosing the company had missed its own revenue projections for the first time in 15 years. The last time that happened, the iPod was just beginning to transform Apple.

“This is the defining moment for Cook,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives. “He has lost some credibility on Wall Street, so now he will have to do some handholding as the company enters this next chapter.”

The results for the October-December period were slightly above the expectations analysts lowered after Cook’s Jan. 2 warning. Besides the profit decline, Apple’s revenue fell 5 percent from the prior year to $84 billion.


It marked the first time in more than two years that Apple’s quarterly revenue has dropped from the past year. The erosion was caused by the decline of the iPhone, whose sales plunged to $52 billion, down by more than $9 billion from the previous year.

The past quarter’s letdown intensified the focus on Apple’s forecast for the opening three months of the year as investors try to get a better grasp on iPhone sales until the next models are released in autumn.

Apple predicted its revenue for the January-March period will range from $55 billion to $59 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had been anticipating revenue of about $59 billion.

Investors liked what they read and heard, helping Apple’s stock recoup some of their recent losses. The stock gained nearly 6 percent to $163.50 in extended trading after the report came out.

“We wouldn’t change our position with anyone’s,” Cook reassured analysts during a conference call reviewing the past quarter and the upcoming months.

The company didn’t forecast how many iPhones it will sell, something Apple has done since the product first hit the market in 2007 and transformed society, as well as technology.

Apple is no longer disclosing how many iPhones it shipped after the quarter is completed, a change that Cook announced in November. That unexpected move raised suspicions that Apple was trying to conceal a forthcoming slump in iPhone sales — fears that were realized during the holiday season.

Cook traces most of Apple’s iPhone problems to a weakening economy in China, the company’s second biggest market behind the U.S. The company is also facing tougher competition in China, where homegrown companies such as Huawei and Xiaomi have been winning over consumers in that country with smartphones that have many of the same features as iPhones at lower prices.

Although a trade war started by President Donald Trump last year has hurt China and potentially caused some consumers there to boycott U.S. products, many analysts believe the iPhone’s malaise stems from other issues too.

Among them are higher prices — Apple’s most expensive iPhone now costs $1,350 — for models that aren’t that much better than the previous generation, giving consumers little incentive to stop using the device they already own until it wears out. Apple also gave old iPhones new life last by offering to replace aging batteries for $29, a 70 percent discount.

“The upgrade cycle has extended, there is no doubt about that,” Cook conceded.

Apple is banking that investors will realize the company can still reap huge profits by selling various services on the 1.4 billion devices running on its software.

That’s one reason why Cook has been touting the robust growth of Apple’s division that collects commissions from paid apps, processes payments, and sells hardware warranty plans and music streaming subscriptions. Apple Music now has more than 50 million subscribers, second to Spotify’s 87 million streaming subscribers through September.

Apple is also preparing to launch a video streaming service to compete against Netflix, though Cook said he wasn’t ready to provide details Tuesday.

The company’s services revenue in the past quarter climbed 19 percent from the prior year to $10.9 billion — more than any other category besides the iPhone.

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPhone XI to feature long-distance 3D camera, says report

It’s no secret that the iPhone will get a radical upgrade in 2020 when Apple integrates 5G tech into the model, but what can we expect from the upcoming 2019 generation?

According to BloombergQuint, which was recently in contact with Sony, that company will be “boosting production of next-generation 3D sensors after getting interest from customers,” customers that include Apple Inc. In fact, Sony will be undergoing mass production in late summer to meet demands.


These new camera chips are expected to hugely impact mobile photography, gaming and phone user interface, and Sony hopes such tech will reinvigorate the slumping market.

Additionally, several rumors claim that Apple’s next flagship iPhone model will have three rear lenses that potentially have augmented reality functioning.

Apple will reportedly be using new camera features like these to draw their audience to the 2019 model, likely to be released in September, which will be difficult considering the already quickly growing anticipation for the 2020 generation.

In November, Fast Company noted Apple’s plans to release its first 5G iPhone in 2020 which will be powered by Intel’s 8161 5G modem chip, a release that may come a bit late considering some other phone giants’ first 5G devices are slated for the first half of 2019.

Samsung, Huawei and OnePlus all revealed plans to release their own 5G handsets early next year. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPad mini 5 leak reveals better camera setup, headphone jack

The most recent iPad mini rendition was released in September 2015; over three years later, the next generation may finally be arriving.

According to a report by China Times released last week, the iPad mini 5 (the actual name of the device is not yet known) could be launched as soon as early 2019.

Adding weight to that claim, Slash Leaks tweeted an image of a purported case for the device on Monday.

The clear case sports a headphone port, the other typical functional ports of the iPad, and an additional mysterious cutout in the center of the right side. This may potentially be a feature of the case unrelated to the device it will protect; users will have to wait to find out.

The front has an oval cutout in the top left corner which suggests that the front camera may be accompanied by a proper flash. The image also shows that the rear microphone has been shifted to the center.

The iPad mini 4 currently starts at $399 (about P21,000) for 128 gigabytes. Several reports suggest that its successor will be about $100 (about P5,200) cheaper. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple iPad Pro Review 2018 – Best iPad Ever, But Still Only An iPad

iPad Pro 2018 Review: Apple’s latest Pro-line tablet is as close to being a PC as ever

THE QUICK RUNDOWN

Positives

Brilliant, similar design as the iPhone X. This device is packed with amazing features and computing power that beats a lot of PCs. The remodeled Apple Pencil is gorgeously made, and connects magnetically. The Smart Keyboard makes typing as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. It features a USB C port which allows other devices to connect and also charge.

Negatives

Still unable to multitask. A small number of apps and websites are still limited. The Smart Keyboard is quite shaky when placed on the lap. Does not feature a headphone jack (can we all agree that phone and tablet manufacturers need to bring it back already).

THE FULL REVIEW

Apple’s migration from its regular iPads to the 11-inch and 12.9 inch iPad Pro can be compared to the graduation of a college student ready to take on the world. CEO Tim Cook stated that the previous perspective that saw the Apple iPad as a mere tablet has changed, and referred to the iPad as a personal computer. With the new design, and description puts the new iPad in the ranks of the best-selling personal computers in the world.

After a proper assessment and usage of the new iPad Pro 12.9 for a couple of days, it is easy to say that it is an unbiased comparison. With new features that bring about a refreshing and ‘easy’ feeling, it can be easily said that Apple has stepped it up another notch with their newest iPad Pro. This device can be referred to as a “computer” but the question that follows is; is this computer right for you?

As Thin As Can Be

To a lot of people, it is still very strange to see an Apple product without a home button. But like the iPhone XR and other Apple X-series phones the iPad Pro lacks a home button, and as the X-series phone, the screen spans from edge to edge… to edge to edge. The sleek design uses slim black bezels of the same width for all four sides, which makes it difficult to distinguish one side from the other. At times, iOS indicates the position of the power button because, it is correct to think that I don’t know exactly where it is.

The design features a 5.9mm aluminum shell back that revolutionizes the look of the tapered glass which the iPad is prominent for and replaces it with a something a lot stronger. With the new design, the back of the iPad is totally flat as can be, straight to the side. The entire design resembles a remodeled iPhone 5. Also, the shape feels like a tweaked version of the 2011 iPad, with the only irregularity being the totally flat back except for the camera.
It consists of an incredibly large Liquid Retina LCD, which amounts for almost 11 or 13 inches, depending on the model. Every model is beautiful and pixel-packed, and owed to the precision-milled glass which is also featured in the iPhone XR, the edges of the display are rounded, alongside several other enhancements. The iPad has a first-class color definition, and owed to this electrifying and definite colors, it can be used for photoshopping and minute color tweaking if the need arises. (Apple ran complete analysis on the color accuracy of its displays in 160 different points.) Another amazing feature of the Pro is that it adapts the warmth of its display to the lighting in your room.

Just like the new iPhone X, XR and the other new designs, the new iPad Pro features a Face ID which employs several HD cameras, sensors, and algorithms to identify its owner. This new technology challenges the long-standing fingerprint technology and claims to provide more security for devices. It functions properly, without the need of a cut-out notch on the screen which is a requirement of the iPhone. Even if it’s not quirk-free. It is normal to hold our iPhones vertically, in a portrait rather than landscape orientation because it can easily fit into one hand. But with the iPad, you will need both hands almost every time you need to use it, and several times, my hand blocks the Face ID camera when I hold it in a horizontal (landscape) orientation. And if I’m just out somewhere relaxing, my face can’t be captured completely. With time, I have adapted to the new feature, and learnt to place my hands away from the camera, and head in front of the tablet, and this has made using the Face ID very effectual and ultimately secure way of locking my device. I’m not one of those people that bother to leverage on passcode or touch ID functionalities, but the Face ID presents a seamless means which is very attractive and easy at the same time.

Also, the 7-megapixel front camera is great at selfies, Animoji, and video chatting, in as much as you do not cover it with your hand. The 12-megapixel back camera reaches the standards of a typical iPhone, even if it is very clumsy, and outright embarrassing to make videos or take pictures with a 13-inch tablet throughout my stay in San Francisco.  The new iPad Pro features augmented reality thanks to its new camera. I analyzed the interior aspect of a plant to gain knowledge of how it lives using an app called Plantale, and it was refreshing to bring a Lego Ninjago playset to life as an iOS game. During my childhood, I kept my Lego creations for as long as possible, and didn’t want to destroy them. It may have been more fun to blow them up digitally.

Yet As Powerful As a PC

The interior of the iPad Pro is the same as the exterior, simply amazing! It comes with an A12X Bionic chip, which can be compared to a turbocharged version of a processor that is inserted into every iPhone XS and XR. The Pro consists of eight cores: it uses four to carry out very challenging work such as playing Fortnite, and four more for carrying out simple tasks like checking your email. Currently, it can carry out this dual functionality more efficiently, which gives it 2x multi-core performance than before. Also, the graphics chip disseminates about 2x the usual power, and all these functionalities does not affect the 10-hour battery life that is promised.

Apple clearly stated that the iPad Pro beats about 92 percent of all laptops in speed; referring to laptops that were in the market last year. This includes laptops with an Intel Core i7 processor. In addition to this claim, it boasted that the new iPad’s game graphics is in the same ranks as the Xbox One S. Every app I’ve used on the Pro has ran seamlessly without any hitches and benchmark numbers have been impressive.

The iPad Pro offers impressive storage options which makes the device a viable option for photographers and video editors. It comes with a 64GB of storage by default which can be increased to as large as 1TB. And owed to the USB-C port availability, it can be simply connected to a camera, external monitor, or several other accessories. The Pro features only one port. You can expand your options by simply connecting a dongle. Also, you should invest in good wireless headphones as well. Despite Apple’s remodeling of the quad speakers to produce great sound, it completely took off the option of the headphone jack.

Pencil or Keyboard?

Both accessories for the new iPad Pro have been improved upon by Apple. The new Apple Pencil, which costs $129 and the Keyboard Folio which costs $179 got visible upgrades this year. Your choice would determine your love for your new iPad.

To me, the Apple Pencil my most cherished accessory. With the new matte plastic design, which has a flat side which is magnetically attached to either side of the iPad Pro, which probes immediate Bluetooth pairing and charging. This all-new simple magnetic charging is one of the biggest tech treat that was in the new iPad Pro, because it makes it incredibly easy to charge, pair and use the Pencil. (Still check on it every once in a while, it can get detached in your bag.)

I’m terrible at art, but I scribbled quite a lot on the iPad Pro. Even after three years since it was introduced, the Apple Pencil still ranks as the most responsive and definite digital writing tool that I’ve ever used. Trying out different virtual drawing tools is pleasurable, and as a south paw, it is good to know that iPad recognizes this and doesn’t think I’m trying to draw using my palm.

Considering the 12.9-inch size, it is still very big, but owed to the thinner bezels that are used in its design, it is a lot more convenient. Now, it can be compared to the size of a magazine, or sheet of paper as it is often referred to by Apple, which makes it a viable option for reading and writing.

Apple also made some improvements on the Smart Keyboard Folio. Just like the Pencil, it also magnetically snaps onto the back of the tablet with the usual delightful click. The most recent upgrade gives you two angles to choose from, keys that are well-spaced with a good amount of travel, and a firm click. If you have typed on any recent year MacBook Pro, you will feel right at home.

My only complaints? I would appreciate if even more angles were included. Also, due to the size of the new iPad Pro, it is quite unstable on the lap. Lastly, since the camera is located on the left hand size, it becomes taxing to take a good position for a video chat.

The Best Tablet

In every way I can think of it, these are by far the most powerful iPads I’ve ever come across. Their standard is unmatched by any other tablet.

But Apple has begged the question: Is it possible for an 11-inch ($799) or 13-inch ($999) iPad Pro to take the place of your MacBook or Windows PC at your place of work? Possibly, yes. However, the nature of your job matched with great patience and a lot of determination must align for this to work.

I established this fact earlier that the drawing capabilities of the Apple Pencil or the natural feel which it brings about cannot be matched by any laptop. They are not even in the same league. Here, the iPad clearly leads the race.

As a full-time replacement for a work PC, it has its downsides. For instance, this review was written using Google Docs on the Pro, while I opened several web pages on the right side of my screen simultaneously, but I spent several minutes longer than usual trying to do my research and get links – and several other minutes to discover how to perform other tasks. My original intent was to use the normal web version of Docs, however, I had to use the app. The place where I work uses a collaboration tool called Airtable, but that didn’t connect with an iPad browser. Again, I was forced to use the app, which didn’t have the features that I desired. It was an incredibly difficult task to attach certain files with the Gmail app. Furthermore, specific apps like Spotify disallow Split View multitasking for now. It forces you to use them full screen. Lastly, spreadsheets are a lot more difficult to operate in the apps I tried.

I discovered several tweaks and answers for these aforementioned challenges, however, I am sure the issues won’t stop coming. The iPad’s web browsers still have the basic features similar to that of smartphones, and most times the apps that are put in place do not function as well, and several desktop features are unavailable. One can easily say a lot of these are the fault of developers, but Apple takes the blame.

Without a doubt, the world is not set to drop their PCs or see the iPad in the same regard just yet, regardless of how powerful and how easy it is to use. After publicly declaring their new iPad Pro as a PC, it is time for them to adjust the policies on iOS to prompt developers to treat the iPad the same way they treat the MacBook. It’s about time for iOS to get critical upgrades that will make things work.

Finally, the iPad Pro is amongst the most powerful computers one can possess. Matter of fact, it can beat any PC or the Mac, but for the time being, it maintains its role as the most powerful tablet in the universe.
 
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source: technology.inquirer.net

New MacBook Air, Mac Mini uses 100% recycled aluminum

The newest MacBook Air and Mac Mini may include a set of new features, but their enclosures are all second-hand and come from 100 percent recycled aluminum.

Apple aimed to further lower the company’s carbon footprint by using an in-house designed, recycled aluminum alloy to wrap its latest computing products. The move is a first for the company, according to a statement.



Apart from recycled enclosures, the Mac Mini will also use recycled plastics for most of its plastic parts.

All in all, the Cupertino, California-based company estimated that the recycled parts brought down each device’s carbon footprint to nearly 50 percent from their last iteration.

The new MacBook Air and Mac Mini were launched at Apple’s New York event on Oct. 30. A new iPad Pro with thinner bezels and Face ID were also introduced at the event.  /ra

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple expected to unveil new iPads, Mac in New York

NEW YORK — New iPads and Mac computers are expected Tuesday as part of an Apple event in New York.

The event is being held at an opera house in Brooklyn, suggesting Apple is pushing products focused on creativity and the arts.


As overall tablet sales decline, Apple has been promoting its high-end iPad Pro as ideal for artists, photographers and other creators. A new model is expected, as the last update came nearly 17 months ago.

There’s been speculation the new iPad Pro will adopt features found in the latest iPhones, including facial-recognition technology to unlock the device. Apple isn’t giving details about the event.

Apple may also release a new Mac, including a MacBook Air laptop, though higher-end MacBook Pro laptops just got refreshed in July.  /kga

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple lists price for iPhone XR repairs — and it hurts

Four days before its official launch, Apple has unveiled the price to repair an iPhone XR screen: $199 (over P10,600).

The iPhone XR repair costs seem expensive until you compare them to that of the iPhone X, XS and XS Max; then it seems like you’re getting a real bargain.


On Monday, the service pricing of the iPhone XR, which officially releases on Oct. 26, was added to the Apple site: screen repair and other damages will cost you $199 (over P10,600) and $399 (over P21,000), respectively. With the phone itself costing $749 (around P40,000), the damage repair could cost over half of what you paid in the first place, so it’s best to invest in a tough case and sturdy screen protector, especially since the Apple warranty doesn’t’ cover, “accidental damage or mishandling.”

To fix just the screen of the iPhone XS Max, you’ll have to drop over a hundred more than for the iPhone XR totaling $329 (nearly P18,000), and other damage repairs will cost you $599 (over P32,000). However, if you do have AppleCare+, a screen replacement for all iPhone models, the XR, XS Max, and everything else, will only cost $29 (around P1,500) and all other damages will total $99 (around P5,300). JB

source: inquirer.net