iPhone X speculations mostly got it right

Apple finally lifted the veil from their new devices on September 12, namely the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

In the months leading up to this announcement, numerous speculations were reported and it appears that a lot of these were spot on.

What previous reports got right

Earlier reports stated that there were three devices to expect, but the naming convention was still up in the air until much recently. More recent reports prior to Apple’s announcement suggested that the flagship device would be called iPhone X as a reference to the iPhone’s tenth anniversary, while the successors to the iPhone 7 line would be called the iPhone 8.

Speculations regarding the iPhone X’s full face display design turned out to be correct. Previous reports cited information leaks from Foxconn insiders, appropriated CAD designs, and even data mined from a non-release version of the iOS 11.



Gone is the home button, replaced by iOS 11 gestures to let the 5.8-inch retina display have all of the front face. The glass back, which was earlier reported for the then assumed iPhone 7s, turns out to be a shared feature between the iPhone X and the iPhone 8.

Wireless charging for the iPhone X was also speculated and it turns out to be right on the money.

A facial recognition security system was discovered in the unreleased version of iOS 11 which turned out to be true, in the form of a new artificial intelligence-powered Face ID feature.

A new AI-dedicated chip in the iPhone X allows machine learning tasks to be done on the device and this also helps in recognizing the owner’s facial features. Being AI-powered adds protection from spoofing the biometric system with photos or masks.

Speaking of chips, information dug up from the iOS 11 Golden Master (GM) build, leaked a day before Apple’s big event suggested a 6-core A11 processor. Two of the cores were said to be high-powered while the remaining four were for efficiency. This turned out to be accurate. The A11 Bionic central processing unit of the iPhone X has all six cores, and then some.

Integrated within the A11 is a dual-core chip called the A11 Bionic neural engine which powers all AI-related tasks. Other than Face ID, it’s also used in part by the new camera system, the Animoji feature, augmented reality and gaming.

As for gaming, it gets a three-core chip of its own which is also integrated into the A11 Bionic. It’s said to be 30 percent more powerful than previous graphics chips by Apple.

In total, the A11 Bionic processor has eleven cores inside, each designed to handle a different task that should allow for a smooth user experience.

With a starting price tag of $999 (roughly P50,800), fluid performance can be expected from this new high-end iPhone. The 64 gigabyte and 256 gigabyte models will be available on the market.

Cameras

The Face ID facial recognition feature relies on the front facing 7-megapixel TrueDepth front camera. This front cam comes with wide color capture, auto image stabilization and precise exposure control.

When using Face ID, 30,000 invisible IR dots are projected to form a pattern which will be initially captured then sent to a neural network to create a mathematical model of the user’s face. This information is sent to a secure database and then back to the device so that future verifications can be done by the onboard AI. Allowing the computations to be done locally also helps protect the user’s privacy.

In the back is a dual 12-megapixel camera system which has a wide-angle and a telephoto lens to create HDR photos. This is then coupled with a quad LED True Tone Flash to provide illumination. The Slow Sync feature in this flash allows users to get more even lighting in their photos.

Furthermore, the Face ID system learns about the user’s face and adjusts accordingly. Even when wearing heavy makeup, the system should recognize the user’s basic facial structure.

Not included and new feature

There were some speculations regarding a rear fingerprint sensor, but it appears Apple has done away with it.

Little social feature was added in the form of Animoji. Using the A11 processor and TrueDepth front camera, users can create animated emojis that mirror their own facial expressions.

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

While the iPhone X stands as Apple’s new flagship device, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus can be seen as the true successors to the iPhone 7 series. They retain a similar design philosophy to the iPhone 7 while sporting some of the internal features found on the iPhone X such as the A11 Bionic processor, cameras, wireless charging and retina display.

The iPhone 8 will start with a price tag of $699 (over P35,000) with 64 gigabyte and 256 gigabyte variants. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Galaxy Note 8 launched, has massive screen and redesigned S Pen

One of the most anticipated smartphones for 2017 was finally announced, and it’s as massive as the pressure for it to do well.

The Galaxy Note 8 is the successor to Samsung’s Note line and the unfortunate Note 7. Like its predecessors, the Note 8 is a larger-than-average device with an edge-to-edge 6.3-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display.

This feature provides ample space for owners to utilize the redesigned signature S Pen for writing and doodling.

According to Samsung’s official statement, the S Pen has a finer tip and greater sensitivity than previous pens. It can also be used to translate text on foreign websites. Users need only hover the pen over text to translate specific words or full sentences.

In terms of productivity, a feature called “screen off memo” allows users to quickly jot down notes by simply pulling out the S Pen from its dock.

As for the photography feature, the Note 8 comes with three cameras: one in the front and two in the back. The rear camera assembly is a combination of a wide angle and telephoto lens system. A feature called Live Focus takes advantage of the hardware by giving users control in adjusting depth of field to achieve a bokeh effect. Front and back cameras can also be used at the same time with Dual Capture mode.

But the detail that consumers would be keeping a close eye on is the battery. The Note 8 has a smaller battery capacity at 3,300 mAh, compared to the Note 7’s 3,500 mAh. Note 8 has fast charging capabilities and can also recharge wirelessly.

Samsung points out that the Note 8’s battery has gone through the 8-point battery safety check. It’s a safety process that was developed in response to the Note 7 debacle.

Other features include an Android 7.1.1 operating system, 6 gigabytes of RAM, 64 gigabytes of internal storage with expansion up to 256 gigabytes, and an octacore processor. It also has a headphone jack.

The device and S Pen has a water resistance rating of IP68. This means it can survive accidental drops into water at up to 1.5 meters deep for around 30 minutes.

Pre-orders will start on August 24 and the Note 8 will be available in stores beginning September 15.

Based on specifications alone, the Galaxy Note 8 appears to be a fantastic piece of mobile technology. If all goes well, Samsung may be able to put the past behind it at last. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

New flagship iPhone may be called ‘iPhone Edition’

Last year, Apple said not to expect much from the 2016 iPhone release because they were apparently planning something big for 2017.

Japanese news site Macotara is serving up a dash of new speculations on the 2017 iPhone release and says that the upcoming 5-inch high-end model could be called the “iPhone Edition”, reports 9to5Mac.

According to the report, Apple is said to be testing various flagship prototypes. Some of these models are said to have no Home button while others retain it. Some prototypes apparently also have aluminum, glass and ceramic chassis designs.

Prototype testing is reportedly being carried out alongside engineering validation testing (EVT). However, Apple will need more time to procure materials to proceed with design validation testing and make final decisions. It is because of this that Macotakara claims that the iPhone may have a late release this year.

Other details contained in the Macotakara report mentions a possible OLED display, wireless charging, dual-cameras and a 5-5.1-inch screen real estate.

Finally, Macotakara claims that the iPhone Edition should be announced by September, together with the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus.

Should September actually be the release date of the “iPhone 8″, then that leaves fans quite a lot of time to save up for what should be a major iPhone update. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net