Thursday, October 6, 2016

Three New iPad Pros in Spring 2017, iPhone 7 Battery Life, Apple TV 3 Discontinued - MacRumors

We're starting to hear a bit more about Apple's plans for the iPad lineup, although updates still are not expected until early next year. The latest rumor claims the iPad mini will be the next to receive the "iPad Pro" treatment, with Apple moving to standardize many features across all three iPad sizes to include True Tone displays, quad speakers, and 12-megapixel rear cameras.

In addition to a new 7.9-inch "iPad Pro mini" and an updated 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it looks like the 9.7-inch iPad Pro will be getting a bit larger, with this rumor claiming it will become a 10.1-inch model while an earlier report indicated it will move to 10.5 inches.
 
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Popular Stories Oct 06, 2016
Which? Magazine Claims iPhone 7 Has 'Poor Battery Life' Compared to Rival Smartphones
A new study by UK consumer testing magazine Which? has generated some controversy for its finding that the iPhone 7 has considerably lower battery life than many competing smartphones. The 4.7-inch iPhone is, however, compared to larger rivals with displays measuring 5.1–5.3 inches, which means they are able to fit larger batteries. The 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus was not included in the study.

In other iPhone 7 news, Apple has confirmed that the device's rear camera cover is indeed made of sapphire as on the past several iPhone generations. A number of "tests" in recent weeks had raised some questions about whether this was the case as users found they were able to damage the cover using supposedly softer materials.
 
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Apple Discontinues Third-Generation Apple TV
Nearly a year after Apple launched the fourth-generation Apple TV with App Store support, the company has quietly discontinued the previous third-generation set-top box. Apple had been keeping the third-generation model available as a $69 entry-level option for those who did not want to step up to the new $149–$199 box.

The discontinuation has been rather gradual, with Apple moving to reduce the prominence of the third-generation model on its website in recent months before completely removing it from sale this week.
 
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macOS Sierra Now Available as an Automatic Download
Two weeks after its public release, Apple has started making macOS Sierra available as an automatic download for those who have the option enabled on their Macs. The change means that those who have yet to upgrade to Sierra may see the new operating system downloaded to their machines in the background so that it's ready to be installed whenever the user decides to upgrade.

Apple is trying to be intelligent about the process, initiating the download only on machines that can be upgraded to Sierra and which have sufficient free space, while ensuring the download process itself doesn't affect regular usage of the Mac. Some users are unhappy with the move, however, considering the download is rather large and not all users are planning to upgrade in the foreseeable future.
 
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Google Unveils Pixel Phone, Smart Home Hub, and More at AI-Focused Event
One of our most popular stories this week wasn't even about Apple, instead focusing on Google's latest hardware announcements. The headliner was the new Pixel and Pixel XL phones, new flagship devices that include Google's most advanced "Assistant" artificial intelligence features yet.

Google's other announcements include the new Google Home smart home hub that will compete with Amazon's Echo, a new Google Daydream virtual reality headset, Google Wi-Fi mesh networking base stations to provide Wi-Fi throughout users' homes without dead spots, and an upgraded Chromecast Ultra media streaming device.
 
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Apple Moves Q4 2016 Earnings Call to October 25 Due to 'Scheduling Conflict'
Apple this week announced it is moving its quarterly earnings release and conference call to October 25 from the previously announced October 27 date due to an unspecified "scheduling conflict." On the surface, it's a pretty mundane change, but it's leading to speculation of an announcement about Mac updates sometime during that week. We're expecting to see redesigned MacBook Pro models around that timeframe, and Apple is supposedly working on updated MacBook Air and iMac lineups that could debut at or around the same time.
 
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Thursday, September 29, 2016

New MacBook Pro Coming Soon, Jet Black iPhone Shortages, Swimming With Apple Watch - MacRumors

Following the launches of the iPhone 7, Apple Watch Series 2, and macOS Sierra, Apple is reportedly now turning its attention to the Mac, with several updates due to be released before the end of the year. The most high-profile of these is a redesigned MacBook Pro featuring a slimmer design, Touch ID support, and an OLED "touch bar" replacing the traditional function keys along the top of the keyboard.

We've heard that Apple is zeroing in on a late October timeframe for launching the new MacBook Pro, with the macOS 10.12.1 update that is currently in developer and public beta testing primarily bringing support for the new hardware. We may also be seeing updated MacBook Air and iMac models around the same time, but details on the rest of the Mac lineup remain up in the air.
 
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Popular Stories Sep 29, 2016
Jet Black iPhones Face Global Shortage as New Color Proves Difficult to Manufacture
Jet Black models of the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus remain in short supply nearly two weeks after launch, and a new report claims the shortages are due to a combination of strong demand and poor manufacturing yields, with 30–40 percent of casings failing to pass quality control standards.

In other iPhone 7 news, the new iOS 10.1 beta that brings the "Portrait" mode with shallow depth-of-field effects to the iPhone 7 Plus is proving popular with our readers, and a number of them have shared some great photos taken using the new feature. Respected camera tests have also given strong scores to the regular single-lens rear camera performance on the iPhone 7.

Not all iPhone 7 users are having a great time, however, as a growing number of users on Verizon and perhaps some other carriers have reported problems connecting to LTE networks. Others have been having issues with Bluetooth audio connectivity in their cars, with the most significant issues seemingly involving BMWs.
 
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Apple Watch Series 2: A Swimmer's Perspective
One of the key features of the Apple Watch Series 2 is its improved water resistance that makes it suitable for swimming, with Apple building swim tracking capabilities into watchOS 3. We took a look at how that tracking performs in the pool, and while there are a few issues, it's a good first start.

Meanwhile, health insurer Aetna has jumped on the Apple Watch bandwagon, announcing this week that it will be providing each of its nearly 50,000 employees with an Apple Watch to help them live healthier lifestyles. Aetna will also be partially subsidizing Apple Watch costs for some of its subscribers.
 
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iOS 10 Overtakes iOS 9, Now Installed on Over Half of Devices
Two weeks after launch, iOS 10 surpassed iOS 9 as the most popular iOS version installed on active devices, according to Mixpanel's analytics data, and iOS 10 is now installed on over half of active devices.

The rapid adoption is nearly on par with iOS 9's release last year, despite some early iOS 10 updating hiccups that may have temporarily led some users to hold off. Apple late last week released iOS 10.0.2 to fix a few of the more significant bugs, and iOS 10.1 is currently in beta testing.
 
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2017 iPhone to Feature Glass Design With Stainless Steel Frame on High-End Models
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a new report once again claiming Apple's 2017 "iPhone 8" will feature a glass design, saying the device will have glass on both the front and back with an aluminum or stainless steel band around the edges. Stainless steel would likely be limited to "high-end" models of the new phone. And differing from other rumors claiming the next iPhone will include a fully "curved" front glass wrapping around the edges, Kuo now says it is likely to use the same "2.5D" tapered glass used on the last several iPhone generations.
 
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Jimmy Iovine Talks Apple Music Exclusives Criticism, Says Service Was 'Too Ambitious'
Apple Music executives Jimmy Iovine and Bozoma Saint John recently sat down with BuzzFeed to discuss the streaming music service and some of the recent controversy surrounding exclusives. Iovine noted that Apple Music's initial plans were "too ambitious" but that the service is now finding its footing with Apple preparing some unexpected new features.

Leveraging Apple's massive user base, Apple Music is seeing strong growth with over 17 million subscribers worldwide and user satisfaction surveys are ranking it at the top of the list. The news comes just as Drake's "Views" album became the first to reach one billion streams on Apple Music.
 
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Thursday, September 22, 2016

macOS Sierra Released, iPhone 7 Supplies Improve, iOS 10.1 Beta With Portrait Camera Mode, Apple and McLaren? - MacRumors 

While all of the attention last week was on iOS 10 and the iPhone 7, the focus shifted to the Mac this week with the release of macOS Sierra bringing some nice upgrades to the Mac user experience. Make sure to check out our recap post with a list of all of our Sierra coverage, including how-tos and feature highlights covering Siri on the Mac, auto unlocking with an Apple Watch, a universal clipboard across Mac and iOS devices, Apple Pay in Safari, and more.
 
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Popular Stories Sep 22, 2016
Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus Pre-Orders Shipping Sooner Than Expected
Despite quoting shipping estimates of at least 2-3 weeks for all Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus models from the moment pre-orders went live earlier this month, Apple has begun shipping initial orders out sooner than expected, with some already starting to arrive in customers' hands. iPhone 7 Plus supplies in general have also improved, with many Apple stores now having them available for reservations, at least early in the day before supplies run out.

With the new iPhones now in the wild, users have been running into a few issues, including "hissing" noises coming from the logic board when the devices are under heavy load and some "No Service" issues that require restarts to resolve. There's also a glitch that causes the remote on the new Lightning EarPods to stop working, and Apple says a fix for that will be included in a forthcoming software update.
 
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Apple's iOS 10.1 Beta Includes Promised Portrait Mode for iPhone 7 Plus Users
Apple this week seeded the first developer and public beta versions of iOS 10.1, which notably includes the "Portrait" mode for iPhone 7 Plus that was shown off at the device's introduction earlier this month but which didn't make it into the shipping product. Portrait mode uses the power of the dual lens camera to introduce bokeh to photos of people or objects, giving a sense of depth by blurring the background of the image. We went hands-on with the new feature, and while it still needs a bit of work, it's shaping up to be a nice addition to the iPhone's camera capabilities.

In addition to iOS 10.1, Apple has also seeded the first developer and public beta versions of macOS 10.12.1, the first maintenance update to Sierra. This will likely be primarily a bug fix update, although it may also be laying the groundwork for updated Macs expected before the end of the year.
 
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Apple Reportedly in Talks to Acquire Luxury Carmaker and Formula One Team McLaren
A surprising report from Financial Times this week claims Apple has been talking to British supercar manufacturer McLaren about a potential strategic investment or acquisition. McLaren has denied that any talks are ongoing, but FT stands behind its report and other major news outlets are corroborating the claims with their own sources. The New York Times claims Apple is also exploring an acquisition of Lit Motors, a firm working on self-balancing electric motorcycles.
 
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Intel's Mobile Processor Roadmap May Force Graphics Changes for Apple's 15-Inch MacBook Pro in 2017
Mac users are still waiting for long overdue updates, and hopefully there will be several of those coming before the holidays, but a recently leaked Intel processor roadmap provides a glimpse at what might be in store for Apple's notebooks in 2017 and beyond. Most notably, Intel's next-generation "Kaby Lake" chips will not include any options for high-performance mobile chips with high-end integrated graphics, as are currently used in the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Whether that means Apple will plan to use the upcoming Skylake chips that do support high-end integrated graphics for an extended period of time or perhaps return to using discrete graphics across the board remains unclear.
 
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Friday, September 16, 2016

iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Launch Day, iOS 10 Now Available, 'Stay Tuned' for Mac News - MacRumors

It's iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 launch day, with some customers receiving their pre-orders and others lining up at retail stores for walk-in or reserved purchases. Supplies are very tight, with pre-orders for many models quickly selling out and Apple having no stock of any iPhone 7 Plus or Jet Black iPhone 7 models at its stores. 

With the iPhone 7 making its way into user's hands, the early press reviews are now being followed by the usual litany of stress tests examining the device's resistance to bending and scratching, as well as its new water resistance. And of course there are the usual teardowns of both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to get a look at what's inside the devices.
 
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Popular Stories Sep 16, 2016
Apple Releases iOS 10 With Redesigned Lock Screen, New Messages Features, Third-Party Siri, and More
Earlier this week, Apple released iOS 10 to the public alongside watchOS 3 and tvOS 10, freshening up the user experience for all of Apple's non-Mac devices with a host of improvements and new features. Make sure to check out our overview and video highlighting the new features to try first, as well as our tidbits article that digs a little deeper into what's new.

watchOS 3 brings an all-new app dock to make it easier to access your favorite apps and allows them to run in the background so they're always ready when you need them. And tvOS 10 beefs up the latest Apple TV with better Siri integration and search, as well as a new dark mode.
 
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Hate Clicking the Home Button to Unlock in iOS 10? Try This
iOS 10 changes the unlocking procedure on your iPhone, meaning you have to press the home button to unlock via Touch ID by default, even if the screen is already awake. If you'd like to go back to the old method of simply resting your finger on the home button, we can show you how to do that.

It's just one of the numerous how-tos we've published to help users get up to speed on the new operating system. Check out such topics such as how to use the new screen effects in Messages, navigate the new lock screen, install Messages sticker packs, and use the new emoji features. We've got those and more included in the How-To section of our site.
 
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Tim Cook Says Apple is 'Very Committed' to the Mac and to 'Stay Tuned'
With Apple making virtually no mention of the Mac at last week's media event, some users who have been waiting for Mac updates took to email to complain to Apple CEO Tim Cook about the lack of news. Cook responded to one of those users, noting that Apple remains "very committed" to the Mac and that everyone should "stay tuned," suggesting we may see some announcements in the fairly near future.

Apple is rumored to be introducing some updated Macs as soon as October, led by a revamped MacBook Pro, but as our Buyer's Guide shows, it's been a long time since most Macs have seen any updates.
 
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Apple Watch Series 2 Reviews: 'The First Real Apple Watch' Thanks to Fitness and Processor Upgrades
The new Apple Watch Series 2 is being overshadowed a bit by the iPhone 7, but that doesn't mean there aren't some nice upgrades for the wrist-worn device, including improved water resistance that makes it appropriate for swimming. Built-in GPS also means you can track your runs and hikes without needing to have your phone with you.

Press reviews of the Apple Watch Series 2 have showed the device lives up to Apple's claims, and a significantly faster processor makes for a much smoother user experience. Together, the improvements make this "the first real Apple Watch," although it may still be more of a "want" than a "need."
 
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Apple 'Reboots' Self-Driving Car Initiative Amid Project Layoffs and Closures
Amid rumors Apple's "Project Titan" car research may be moving away from building an actual vehicle and more towards developing a platform for autonomous driving, a new report claims Apple has indeed "rebooted" the project and laid off some employees who had been contributing to the effort.

Perhaps conflicting with those claims, however, is another report indicating that roughly a dozen engineers from car manufacturer Magna have been working side-by-side with Apple engineers at Apple's Sunnyvale car research facilities.
 
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Wednesday, September 7, 2016

iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 Unveiled, AirPods Coming Next Month, iOS 10 and macOS Sierra Release Dates - MacRumors

Apple's "See you on the 7th" media event today saw a number of announcements, led by the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2, as well as new AirPods wireless earbuds. If you missed it, Apple has video of the entire event up for replay, and be sure to check out our extensive coverage linked in our recap post. And if you want to see the everything Apple announced at today's event in under five minutes, we've got that too.

If you're looking to get your hands on the new hardware, you'll want to be ready for this Friday, September 9. That's when pre-orders for the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 kick off. The AirPods will launch in late October.
 
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Product Announcements Sep 07, 2016
Apple Unveils iPhone 7 With Water Resistance, A10 Fusion, New 'Jet Black' Color, Updated Cameras, No Headphone Jack, and More
Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 7 today, showcasing a familiar exterior design with a few tweaks and a number of notable upgrades on the inside.

Among the key features are IP67 water and dust resistance, a new quad-core "A10 Fusion" chip, and upgraded front and rear cameras. The iPhone 7 Plus uniquely includes dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, with one wide-angle and one telephoto lens that combine to allow for zoom, depth-of-field features, and more.

As expected, the iPhone 7 also comes without a standard headphone jack, with Apple including Lightning EarPods in the box. Also included is an adapter to allow users to connect their existing headphones to the Lightning port. Finally, there's a new haptic Home button that's not receiving great early reviews from brief hands-on sessions. 

Pricing starts at $649 for the iPhone 7 and $769 for the iPhone 7 Plus, with storage options of 32, 128, and 256 GB. The previous Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold colors are offered, while Space Gray has been replaced by a new matte Black color and a new glossy Jet Black color has been added.
 
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Apple Announces Swimproof 'Apple Watch Series 2' With Built-In GPS and New Ceramic Edition
The new Apple Watch Series 2 looks a lot like the original, but it's seen a substantial upgrade led by enhanced water resistance that lets swimmers use it in the pool to track swim workouts. GPS also helps untether the Apple Watch Series 2 from the iPhone, opening up new tracking capabilities for walking, running, and hiking.

A new dual-core S2 chip brings significant performance improvements, and the display on Apple Watch Series 2 is twice as bright as on the first-generation watch. Pricing starts at $369, with aluminum and stainless steel options, while a new white ceramic Edition model replaces the previous gold options.
 
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Apple Debuts Wireless 'AirPods' With 5 Hours of Music Playback
While Apple is including Lightning EarPods in the box with the iPhone 7, the company also recognizes that wireless is the future and showed off its upcoming AirPods. The wireless earbuds offer up to five hours of playback and come with a carrying case that includes a battery for quick recharges while on the go.

The AirPods use a custom W1 chip to deliver high-quality audio and support for Siri commands, as well as optical sensors and accelerometers that determine whether the earbuds are in your ears. They also include a pair of beam-forming microphones to be able to pick up the user's voice and filter out surrounding noise.

The new AirPods will be available in late October and will be priced at $159. One-touch setup makes it easy to pair with your devices, and pairing will sync over iCloud to all of your devices. Beats has also announced new headphones that take advantage of the W1 chip.
 
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iOS 10 and watchOS 3 Coming September 13, macOS Sierra Coming September 20
For those who aren't looking to buy a new iPhone or Apple Watch, Apple has announced it will be releasing iOS 10 and watchOS 3 on September 13, giving current users access to a host of improvements in Messages, the Lock screen experience, Control Center, and more on the phone and an all-new app Dock and more on the wrist.

Apple didn't talk about the Mac at all today, but did update its macOS Sierra preview page to reveal the public release is scheduled for September 20. We're still expecting some new Mac hardware before the end of the year, but that's likely to start rolling out around October.
 
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iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 and iPad mini 2 Updated With Improved Storage, iPad Pro Price Reduced
Alongside the introduction of the iPhone 7, Apple also made some tweaks to the rest of its iOS device lineup. While they didn't receive any full updates, the iPads did receive some storage bumps and price drops to help sustain them until an expected full update next year.

As is typical with the launch of new iPhones, the previous model is also sticking around as a lower-cost option, but this time Apple is also boosting capacities to make sure all users have enough storage. While the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus have been offered with 16, 64, and 128 GB options for the past year, going forward they will be sold in 32 and 128 GB capacities.
 
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