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

‘iPhone X’ may carry powerful six-core A11 processor

More information about the upcoming “iPhone X” have been posted online from the leaked iOS 11 Golden Master (GM) build which suggests a powerful six-core A11 processor.

Twitter user Longhorn (@never_revealed) shared the composition of the upcoming iPhone’s A11 processor, which consists of four high-powered Monsoon cores and two low-powered Mistrals.

Longhorn earlier reported that Mistral was the high-powered core, but later retracted to clarify that it was the other way around.

Another Twitter user going by Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) corroborated Longhorn’s information.

Such an arrangement suggests that the upcoming iPhones will have a more efficient way of handling apps. Apps and tasks that work in the background or require little processing power, like music playback and email, could be handled by the two low-power Mistral cores to conserve battery.

More processor heavy apps like games could then be forwarded to the four high-powered Monsoon cores to ensure smooth performance.

Apart from processing capabilities, other details about the iPhone X were mined from the iOS 11 GM. These include memory size and camera sensor types. Steve T-S also posted that the new iPhone will come with an IR camera.

 

 

 

Apple’s big event is just a day away. Whether these information leaks are accurate or not will be confirmed when the new iPhones are finally unveiled on September 12. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Dating app Tinder finds gold at Apple’s App Store

Tinder for the first time became the top-grossing app in Apple’s online shop, topping the likes of Netflix, Pandora and hit mobile games like “Clash Royale.”

Tinder wore the crown as the top money-making app at the App Store, according to rankings posted online by market data firm App Annie on Friday.

Tinder, which made its debut five years ago, lets people swipe left or right on profiles to indicate those that they like as possible date partners.

The dating application’s ascension to the top came quickly after it announced this week the worldwide roll-out of a new “Gold” service with features including the ability of subscribers to see who out there has “liked” them.

Tinder Gold was described in a blog post as a “members-only service, offering our most exclusive features: Passport, Rewind, Unlimited Likes, five Super Likes per day” and more.

“Think of it as your personal Swipe Right concierge—available 24/7—bringing all of your pending matches to you,” Tinder said.

“Now you can sit back, enjoy a fine cocktail, and browse through profiles at your leisure.”

Tinder Gold made its debut at $4.99 a month, and was to be available on Android-powered smartphones in a month or so.

Tinder introduced a “Plus” subscription service in 2015 that freed users of a daily cap on the number of “swipes,” and has pursued ad revenue.

Tinder, owned by a Match Group subsidiary of IAC/InterActiveCorp, boasts some 50 million users and is reported to be valued at several billion dollars. JPV

source: technology.inquirer.net

New MacBooks expected to be revealed at Apple developers conference

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will be seeing more than software announcements as reports have surfaced that new MacBooks will be revealed at the event.

According to Bloomberg, Apple is planning upgrades for the 12-inch MacBook and MacBook Pro product line which would be announced at WWDC, to be held from June 5 to 9 in San Jose, California.

The Pro line is said to be getting a 7th-generation Intel Core (Kaby Lake) processors. On the other hand, the 12-inch MacBook is only hinted at getting a “faster Intel chip.”

Insiders have also claimed that an update to the aging 13-inch MacBook Air is being considered. What the update entails is not clear, but it is likely that U-series Core i5 and i7s can be expected.

Apparently, the updates serve as a response to circulating rumors that Apple has been neglecting development for the Mac. Either way, the speed boost should be a good enough statement that Apple has not forgotten the Mac just yet. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPhone 8 set for October release; reports assure no production delays

Rumors of an iPhone 8 release being delayed has been going around for the past couple of weeks. Apple analyst KGI Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that it was due to production issues. However, a new report states otherwise, asserting that the new iPhone is in fact on schedule.

DigitTimes and Economic Daily News report that the launch for the iPhone 8 will happen in September, and Apple will start selling the new devices by October. Normally, new iPhones would be available in stores by September.

As for the device itself, speculations hint at a curved design and an edge-to-edge display. It is said that it will also have wireless charging and augmented reality features,  reports TechRadar.

If you skipped on the iPhone 7, then October 2017 appears to be the month to look forward to. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPhone 8 mass production may be delayed by up to two months

Apple fans may have to wait until much later this year to get their iPhone 8 fix.

A reputable Apple analyst, KGI Ming-Chi Kuo, has indicated that mass production of the iPhone 8 may be delayed by one to two months from Apple’s usual release dates, reports 9to5Mac.

KGI claims that the possible causes for delay involve production of some cutting-edge major components. These include the custom OLED display, a custom Aple A11 10-nanometer SoC (system on chip), a newly-designed 3D touch module, and 3D sensing cameras.

The delay would also leave Apple vulnerable to competition from its rivals, as more bezel-less Android devices make it to the market.  Furthermore, despite the rumors, Apple has yet to officially hint at what the iPhone 8 will actually look like.

Given the trend, it’s fairly safe to assume that it will also be a bezel-less device. It would at the very least put Apple on equal footing with Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi in that area.

KGI has indicated a pessimistic outlook on the sales of iPhone 7 models—interim updates at best that KGI believes will pale in comparison to more recently released smartphones.

Until more information gets released directly from Apple, there isn’t much else to do but wait and speculate. Who knows, the iPhone 8 might end up being worth the wait. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple users could get some cash from app privacy lawsuit settlement

iPhone users who have used certain apps such as Twitter, Yelp and others between 2009 and 2012 could be getting a small cash back from the settlement of the app privacy lawsuit concerning the misuse of the “Find Friends” feature on iOS.

Foodspotting, Foursquare, Gowalla, Instagram, Kik, Path, Twitter and Yelp will be contributing a total of $5.3 million as payment to customers based on the terms of settlement, according to Fortune.

The amount will be seeded to customers through Amazon credits or by check. The payments are expected to be processed late this year.

“Find Friends” allows users to see who among their contacts are also using certain apps. However, app makers violated user privacy by failing to inform them that user contact lists are being transferred to company servers.

Despite the large amount being pooled together by these eight companies, it is likely that users eligible for the settlement money will only get a few dollars due to the sheer number of users who downloaded the aforementioned apps.

Either way, eligible users will receive an email from the app makers. In Twitter’s case, users will be prompted by a tweet with a ”@settlementnews” handle. Alfred Bayle/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

Apple to build iPhone in India this year—official

NEW DELHI—Apple is to start making iPhones in India this year, a local government official said Friday, as the firm looks to tap a booming middle class as sales in China slow.

The US giant has not confirmed the move, but chief executive Tim Cook said this week the company intended to “invest significantly” in India, where a pick-up in the economy provides ample opportunity for growth.

“We have an understanding with Apple and we expect them to start manufacturing in Karnataka by the end of April,” Priyank Kharge, minister of information technology and biotechnology in southern Karnataka state, told Agence France-Presse.

He said the new operation would likely assemble iPhones for the domestic market.

Apple has only a two-percent share of the Indian market, well behind rival Samsung on 23 percent, according to research firm Canalys.

However, last year it had 48 percent of the premium sector in which phones sell for $450 and above.

Experts said manufacturing locally would reduce the company’s costs and enable it to lower prices.

“They’re eager to be here because they’ve identified India as a strategic focus market,” said Jaideep Mehta of research firm IDC.

“They had a fantastic 2016 in India and shipped more two million devices to India, and now they’re looking to ultimately manufacture here as that gives them more flexibility to respond to market changes.”

Apple currently sells its phones in India through third-party retailers.

It is eager to open its own stores but Indian law would require it to procure 30 percent of the components of its products locally.

It is not clear whether the Karnataka plans would help it clear that hurdle.

Reports in Indian media said Wistron Corp., a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, was lined up to assemble iPhones at a plant on the outskirts of tech hub Bangalore.

Apple outsources all its manufacturing globally.

Analysts said that if confirmed the move would be a coup for India’s government, which has been trying to persuade foreign companies to manufacture in the country.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple proved a phone can change the world in just 10 years

SAN FRANCISCO— Few people realized it at the time, but the world shifted fundamentally a decade ago when Steve Jobs pulled the first iPhone from Apple’s bag of technological tricks.

“Every once in a while, a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything,” Jobs declared as he paced across a San Francisco stage.

It obviously wasn’t an empty boast. We all know now that Jobs’ “magical product” has reshaped culture, shaken up industries, put computers in billions of pockets and made it possible to do just about anything with a few taps on a screen. Besides its then 3.5-inch touch screen, the first iPhone featured a browser for on-the-go web surfing and built-in apps to check email and get directions.

GOING MOBILE
Apple has sold more than 1 billion iPhones since its debut, spawning millions of mobile applications and prodding other technology companies to make similar smartphones that have become like phantom limbs for many of us.

We use iPhones and their copycats to instantly share video and pictures with friends and family from almost anywhere. We use them to figure out where we are going. We use them to find the best deals while shopping in stores and to pay for stuff at the checkout stand. We use the phones to a hail ride, to tune instruments, to monitor our health and help find our next jobs.

Phones have gotten so smart that they even talk back to us via helpful digital concierges such as the iPhone’s Siri and the recently introduced Assistant on Google’s Pixel phone.

“IPhone is an essential part of our customers’ lives, and today more than ever it is redefining the way we communicate, entertain, work and live,” Apple’s current CEO, Tim Cook, boasted in a retrospective that the Cupertino, California, company posted on its website.

ROADKILL IN ITS WAKE

The iPhone’s revolutionary touch screen doomed the BlackBerry, another once-popular internet-connected phone. Mobile phones and their tablet cousins triggered a downturn in personal computer sales that is still unfolding.

An estimated 219 million desktop and laptop computers shipped worldwide last year, down from 264 million in 2007, according to the research firm Gartner Inc. Meanwhile, nearly 1.9 billion mobile phones shipped last year, up from 1.15 billion in 2007.

All told, Gartner estimates about 5 billion mobile phones are currently in use around the world compared to 1.3 billion PCs.

The eroding popularity of PCs spurred shake-ups at powerful tech companies such as Microsoft, Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Dell, none of which adapted nimbly to the mobile world unleashed by the iPhone.

Then-Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer scoffed at Apple’s glass-and-metal gadget, telling USA Today in April 2007 that “there’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance.”

Microsoft wound up squandering the $7.6 billion that it spent to buy phone maker Nokia in a futile attempt to catch up to the iPhone. Ballmer stepped down as CEO three years ago and was replaced by Satya Nadella, who introduced versions of Microsoft’s popular Office programs that worked on Apple’s iPad — a tablet based on the iPhone.

A HUGE HIT … AND THEN A STALL

The iPhone’s success helped make Jobs a revered figure for many, and one whose October 2011 death was mourned around the world.

The device has established Apple as the world’s most profitable company with earnings of $45.7 billion on sales of $216 billion during its latest fiscal year. (Prior to the iPhone’s release, Apple posted an annual profit of $2 billion on sales of $19.3 billion.) Its stock-market value is hovering around $635 billion, thanks to a split-adjusted stock price that’s risen by nearly a factor of 10 since the iPhone’s debut.

Lately, though, the iPhone appears to be losing some steam. People are keeping older models for longer before upgrading or switching over to competing phones that run on Google’s Android software.

Apple suffered its first-ever decline in iPhone sales in its last fiscal year, causing the company to miss its revenue projections and hitting Cook with a 15 percent pay cut .

Most smartphones now run on Android, partly because Google gives away the software. That has helped iPhone rivals woo price conscious consumers, especially outside the U.S., with phones that are much cheaper than the iPhone, whose latest models now cost more than $649 to $849.

In his statement, though, Cook promised the iPhone is “just getting started. The best is yet to come.”

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple creates website ‘teaser’ for Black Friday event

With the Black Friday shopping spree coming up soon, announcements of sales from different retailers and companies are starting to make their rounds. Apple unveiled a new website in anticipation of this great American sale, hinting possible discounts.

The company has mostly stayed out of Black Friday sales in the past recent years. They would often choose to let retail partners do the price slashing, reports 9T05Mac.

On the website are the words “Friday cant’ come soon enough” which is accentuated by an invitation to check out their products come Friday. It is unclear what this “one-day event” will be and what surprises Apple has in store. The last time they participated in Black Friday was in 2014.

While product discounts are a possibility, the greater likelihood is the offering of gift cards and Apple Music promos. But who knows? A lot of surprising things have already happened this year, and what’s another one from Apple to cap things off?  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Smart Now Offers iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus beginning November 11

Smart Communications now offers iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the best, most advanced iPhone ever, featuring an all-new advanced camera system, dust and water resistant design, stereo speaker system and the A10 Fusion chip which is the most powerful chip on any smartphone while delivering the best battery life ever in an iPhone.

“Every year, we look forward to announcing the latest iPhone availability so we are happy to break the news that iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is now within reach of our subscribers,” said Kathy Carag, Smart Mobile Marketing Head.

“What’s even more exciting are Smart’s biggest data offers that will definitely allow consumers to make the most out of their latest iPhones,” she added.


Customers can get their iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus beginning, November 11 both available in retail shops and online at smart.com.ph/iphone7.

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is powered by iOS 10, the biggest release ever of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will also be available. For complete details on pricing, please visit: smart.com.ph/iphone7.

The latest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are also available for members of Smart Infinity’s premium postpaid plans.

For more information on iPhone, please visit:www.apple.com/iphone.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Officially refurbished iPhones now on sale at Apple site

People who want to get an iPhone but want to save a few dollars are in luck. Apple has just started offering refurbished iPhones on its site at slightly more affordable prices.

However, as far as officially offered Apple products go, the discounted prices still carry something of a premium. Savings are estimated to be typically around $80 to $110, reports Tech Crunch.

The current selection is limited to iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, which are priced from $449 for the 16GB version of the 6s to $589 for the bigger 64GB Plus. Savings are calculated to be about 15% from the full retail price.

And since these are officially released by Apple, despite being refurbished, they also get a one-year warranty. Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple adds keyboard touch functions to Mac in major refresh

CUPERTINO, California — Apple’s high-end Mac laptops are getting a touch control strip above the keyboard, part of a long-awaited update aimed at reviving interest in a product often overshadowed by newer gadgets like the iPad and iPhone.

The new Touch Bar, which is both a narrow display and a control panel, replaces the old physical function keys on a traditional laptop. It will offer a variety of controls that change according to the app or website that’s open. It also has functions that will be familiar to many iPhone users — showing word suggestions as you type, for example, or letting you scroll through a library of emojis.

New features, higher price

The company unveiled the laptops at its headquarters in Cupertino, California, where executives showed how the Touch Bar works with a variety of apps and software — providing playback and editing controls for videos or music, for example, and search functions for Apple’s maps and photos apps. Apple is also opening the Touch Bar to work with outside software, including Adobe’s Photoshop editing program and Microsoft’s Word, PowerPoint and Skype.

Along with faster processors and brighter screens, two of Apple’s new laptops will also get a fingerprint sensor, similar to the one on iPhones. The sensor can unlock the device, authorize software installations or recognize a different user and quickly switch to that person’s settings. It works with Apple Pay, so users can authorize an electronic payment for online purchases.

At least for now, the new Touch Bar and Touch ID features will be available only on higher-end models — a 13-inch MacBook Pro that starts at about $1,800 and a 15-inch MacBook Pro at about $2,400. Both ship in a few weeks. Starting Thursday, Apple is selling a 13-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar or Touch ID, but with other improvements, for about $1,500.

Older versions sold for prices starting at about $1,300 for 13 inches and $2,000 for 15 inches. Apple will still sell older MacBook Pros at those prices, along with less expensive MacBook and MacBook Air models. But its cheapest laptop, the 11-inch MacBook Air for about $900, will be sold only to education markets.

The company is also replacing some computer ports with new outlets compatible with USB-C standards, which can be used both for charging and transferring data. Connectors with USB-C technology can transmit data faster than older USB jacks. They are also smaller and have a symmetric shape, which means the USB-C jack can be inserted with either side facing up. But older USB printers and other devices will need adapters. The new Macs still have traditional headphone jacks, unlike the latest iPhones.

Laptops vs. tablets 


Sales of the Mac have been in a slump this year, after a streak of growth in 2014 and 2015 that seemed to defy global trends. Consumers generally are buying fewer PCs and using smartphones or tablets instead.

Apple itself has promoted its latest iPad tablet, the iPad Pro, as capable of replacing the laptop for many users. And in contrast with the Mac’s earlier years — when Apple marketed its computers to people who saw themselves as creative professionals or just independent thinkers — Apple also has begun promoting the Mac as a computer for businesses, which once mostly used competitors’ PCs running Microsoft’s Windows software.

Microsoft, meanwhile, has begun selling its own line of high-end Surface laptops and this week introduced its first Surface desktop PC. Analysts say the new Surface Studio has a premium price and features that will most likely appeal to visual designers and other creative professionals — an area that has been Apple’s strength. Microsoft has boasted about modern controls with touch screens; the Touch Bar is Apple’s answer to that, placed near the keyboard where people’s fingers are already.

For Apple, the Mac line has been eclipsed financially by other products — first the iPod and now the iPhone — that have made far more money in recent years. But the Mac has been important for Apple since co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the first model in 1984. It commands intense loyalty from fans. “The Mac is more than a product to us. It’s a testament to everything we do and everything we create at Apple,” CEO Tim Cook said Thursday.

Baby steps in TV 


Cook also used the event to promote a newer endeavor, Apple TV, and a new unified menu feature that shows recommendations and new episodes of recently watched shows, so viewers don’t have to search through different apps to find them. Amazon’s Fire TV is taking a similar approach with a software update, though the unified experience will be part of the home screen, not an app.

Apple’s app, though, is short of a full-fledged streaming-TV service, which reports say Apple has been pursuing. Rather, it brings together TV shows and movies viewers already get through individual subscriptions. The TV app, coming in December, will be synced with iPhones and iPads, so viewers can catch the next episode regardless of device. Apple said its Siri voice assistant will also direct viewers to live events, such as streaming sports.

Apple said Apple TV already has 8,000 apps, including more than 2,000 games. The addictive building game “Minecraft” will come later this year.

In a minor setback, meanwhile, Apple said Wednesday that it’s delaying shipment of its new wireless earphones, called AirPods, which had been scheduled for late October. In a statement, the company said, “We don’t believe in shipping a product before it’s ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers.” Apple didn’t elaborate.

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPhone launch generates crowds, queues worldwide

SAN FRANCISCO, United States – Apple’s global iPhone launch Friday was marked by excitement and frustration as fans queued to find scarce models of the coveted smartphone.

Scenes in Apple stores around the world on Friday were reminiscent of days before online ordering became a norm and people camped out for days to be first to get hands on the California company’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

Enthusiasm was peppered with disappointment due to shortages of the large-screen iPhone 7 Plus and a jet-black iPhone 7, but it was unclear if the shortages were the result of strong demand or limited supply.

“These initial sales will be governed by supply, not demand,” Apple said in a released statement which noted that the company would not provide launch weekend sales figures.

Investors evidently weren’t certain of what to make of the launch as well, with Apple shares down about a half-percent to $114.92 at the close of trading on the Nasdaq exchange.

BTIG research said in a note to investors that, despite a lack of lines, analysts there expected iPhone sales in the final quarter of this year to grow 3.6 percent to 77.5 million.

At the Apple Store in the Georgetown district of the US capital Washington, dozens of consumers were still waiting in line hours after the store opening to get the new handsets.

“I tried to order it online, but I would have had to wait five to six weeks, so standing in queue was the only option,” said Naval Chopra, who was visiting from India at the time of the launch and joined the waiting group at 5:30 am for an iPhone 7.

“If you’re an Apple fan, there is something special about getting the new phone on the launch day.”

‘Essential part of life’

Washington resident Isaac Combs said he had being hoping to get the large-screen iPhone 7 Plus but learned on arrival they were sold out. Still, he opted for the iPhone 7, despite the smaller display.

The iPhone, Combs said, “is an essential part of life, it’s something I use every day.”

Apple sold of out the larger models quickly and had limited availability of the iPhone 7, with the new jet-black color especially scarce.

The devices chart a new path for the tech giant by eliminating headphone jacks, a move seen as setting a trend for a wireless future.

Apple is seeking to regain momentum and set new trends for the industry, but it remains to be seen if it can generate the same enthusiasm that surrounded previous versions of the iPhone.

While the company has touted total iPhone sales of one billion, the number sold in the quarter ending June 25 fell 15 percent from a year earlier, highlighting concerns over growth for the key profit driver.

Growth has become challenging with many mobile phone markets saturated and Chinese firms including Huawei increasingly popular.

Apple also faces stiff competition from traditional rival Samsung, although the South Korean giant is currently on the back foot after being forced into a massive recall because of exploding batteries of its flagship Galaxy Note 7.

Analyst Michael Walkley at Canaccord Genuity said his brokerage group’s surveys suggest the new handsets will boost Apple’s fortunes.

“With the iPhone 7 off to a strong start, we anticipate improving replacement sales versus the 6S and a return to iPhone unit growth,” he said in a research note.


Tight control on supply 


Analysts were divided over the cause of the shortages, with some saying the handset was more popular than expected, while others suggested the tech titan may be deliberately limiting supply or could be experiencing supply problems.

“Apple clearly controls supply tightly,” said Matthew Kanterman, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

“They’re possibly keeping supply artificially low, or at least lower than demand, so as to avoid having the oversupply of previous years.”

As Asia woke up, consumers in Sydney who had camped out in the rain were among the first in the world to get their hands on the new phones – though others were left bitterly disappointed.

Bishoy Behman, 17, had been sitting outside the Apple store since Wednesday morning but said he and others in the queue found out on Thursday that some models were already sold out.

“I really wouldn’t have lined up if I had known that,” he told AFP. “For them to have not allocated some stock is ridiculous.”

In Hong Kong, some customers were seen near the Apple store in the Causeway Bay shopping district, reselling new phones at a profit.

In mainland China, a key market for Apple, scenes were energetic as crowds of customers tested out the new handsets.

Apple faces a complicated picture in China, where it ranked only fourth in the Asian giant’s smartphone market in the first half of this year, facing strong competition from low-cost manufacturers.

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPhone 7 Plus and jet black variants sold out

Despite the negative reactions to the missing earphone jack on the iPhone 7, Apple still managed to sell a generous amount of its new smartphone, so much so that people who didn’t pre-order the jet black version will have trouble picking one up from Apple stores.

According to an Apple statement, the company has already allocated all of its iPhone 7 Plus stock and sold all of the jet black iPhone 7 versions, reports Engadget.

“Beginning Friday, limited quantities of iPhone 7 in silver, gold, rose gold, and black will be available for walk-in customers at Apple retail stores. During the online pre-order period, initial quantities of iPhone 7 Plus in all finishes and iPhone 7 in jet black sold out and will not be available for walk-in customers,” Apple told TechCrunch.

Apple partners as well as carriers will have differing stock levels and may be better equipped to handle customer orders.

Even online orders are indicating a 2-3 week waiting time so customers may need to exercise some patience until backlogs get cleared up and more supply is made available.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple iOS 10 update causing problems for some iPhone users

Apple had been heavily marketing the new iOS update a couple of months back but when the time came for it to be released, trouble brewed as multiple complaints about the update streamed over social media.

For some users, the update process would fail and would be accompanied by a message asking them to plug the iOS device into a PC or Mac for complete system restoration, reports The Verge.

A spokesperson from Apple said in a statement to The Verge, “We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability. The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers.”

Although the initial installation bug proved to be a major headache for a number of affected users, Apple says this has been fixed and that their customers will now be able to safely update their iOS 10 devices. But just in case, it would be wise to keep a backup for an iOS device before proceeding with the update.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

iPhone 7 to cost more in India and UK

The much-awaited Apple iPhone 7 was just introduced on Wednesday with pre-orders becoming available Sept. 9. However, there is some bad news for fans of the iPhone from the UK and India as the devices will cost a lot more than the US release.

The iPhone 7 has been given a a suggested retail price of $649 for the 32GB basic model while the Plus will start at $769. Unfortunately, The Next Web reports that there will be a significant markup for the Indian market which will raise the price to around $903 (Rs60,000). UK buyers will have it easier with just a $60 increase from the base US price, or £599 on the Apple website.

The higher prices can be attributed to the Brexit side effects where many economists already predicted that prices would increase during the run-up to the vote.

The Indian market, however, is a bit more complicated. The higher price is a result of Apple taking into account the sales tax for selling the product. They also sell through third-party partners and that requires a margin for them to make a profit. Lastly is a price buffer to compensate for fluctuations in value of the Indian rupee.

India’s woes may not last long as a recent foreign direct investment ruling in the country will allow Apple to open its own local retail stores, thereby eliminating the middleman.

Apple is currently considering opening up shops in major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi by the end of 2017.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Jet black iPhone 7 vulnerable to fine scratches

When Apple unveiled the iPhone 7, people took issue with its lack of a headphone jack. But there’s another flaw worth noting: the jet black-colored device is more scratch-prone than the other color variations.

Having an iPhone has already become a sort of status symbol, so having a shiny piano black-finished iPhone is sure to turn some heads. However, 9to5Mac reports that there is a warning on the tech specs page for the iPhone 7 that reads:

“The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.”

While the jet black iPhone 7 will retain the sturdiness that is to be expected of the device lineup, it would appear that scratches are something to watch out for. The best solution that Apple can offer is to buy one of the many iPhone cases that will flood the market.

Apart from its striking looks, the jet black version is also limited to a 128GB and 256GB variant while the rest have a minimum of 32GB of storage.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net

Apple iPad gets storage upgrade without price hike

People from different parts of the world were focused on Apple’s event wherein it unveiled the much-awaited iPhone 7. Little did the public know that there was another surprise waiting for them as Apple dropped the prices for the iPad and upgraded storage capacities.

The changes weren’t announced on stage but Apple iPad models will now start with a minimum 32GB of storage while maintaining the same prices as the previous 16GB models. iPad Pros will max out at 256GB of storage, reports Engadget.

However, there will be some variations in the prices depending on which model customers are looking for, particularly between those iPads with WiFi only or cellular capabilities.  Alfred Bayle

source: technology.inquirer.net