Category: Apple

Apple Wont Ditch The iPhone’s Notch Till 2020
Apple was one of the first companies to launch a smartphone with a display notch. The notch was first seen on the iPhone X which was launched in the year 2017. This year Apple launched three new devices, the iPhone XS, the iPhone XS Max, and the iPhone XR; all of which have a notch display. Although Apple’s notch raised a few eyebrows initially, a lot of Android OEMs have incorporated it on their smartphones. Several Android smartphone manufacturers are experimenting with different shapes and sizes of the notch.

The Future Of The Notch

OnePlus, another leader in the smartphone industry launched the OnePlus 6 with a narrow notch in the display. Its successor, the OnePlus 6T has a smaller waterdrop notch which translates into an even higher screen-to-body ratio. The future smartphones from the company are expected to push the screen-to-body ratio even further.

Samsung, the number one global smartphone manufacturer, has refrained from incorporating the notch on their smartphones. However, the company had launched the Galaxy A8s smartphone which has a punch hole in the display for the front-facing camera. Furthermore, the company is expected to launch the Galaxy S10 in Q1 of 2019 which is believed to have a non-circular cutout in the display which will accommodate multiple front-facing cameras. Other companies including Huawei, Honor, and Lenovo have either launched smartphones with this type of camera cutout or are about to do so which indicates this type of notches are the future.

When Will iPhones Get Punch-Hole Cameras?

As far as I know, the 2019 iPhone still uses Notch, and in 2020 will use hole in display.

— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) December 23, 2018

A Chinese leaker, Ice universe claims that the Apple iPhone’s that will launch in 2019 will have a similar wide notch as their predecessor. However, he claims the 2020 Apple iPhones will do away with the notch and incorporate the punch hole cameras in the display. These claims can be agreed with due to various reasons.

Also Read : Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Running Android Pie, Snapdragon 660 Spotted Online
- Unlike Samsung, Apple does not manufacture displays for their smartphones. The company sources them from 3rd party manufacturers like LG and Samsung. Therefore, Apple needs to collaborate with these 3rd party vendors to design and develop displays with this feature. Apparently, the development and mass production of all this will take time.
- Another hindrance that limits Apple from using this type of display is their complex Face ID recognition mechanism. Apple iPhone’s have one of the most secure facial recognition on any smartphone. To achieve this level of security the company makes use of an IR camera which is combined with the regular camera sensor. All these components are housed in the notch of current iPhone models. To launch iPhone’s with a punch-hole camera, Apple will have to first resolve this issue.
December 25, 2018
Apple To Launch iPad Mini 5 And Entry Level iPad Next Year

After launching the new iPad Pro this year, it seems like Apple might also launch a new iPad Mini. This will be the fifth-generation of the iPad Mini. That is not all, the tech giant will also reportedly launch a 10-inch entry level iPad as well. What’s more, the report also claims that this will all happen in the first half of 2019. The entry level iPad is also said to be available in two versions.

The iPad Mini has been long due for an upgrade with the last variant coming out in 2015. After the launch of that model, the only changes the iPad Mini received was a few price cuts. However, things were looking up as few reports had detailed that Apple would launch an iPad Mini this year, along with the iPad Pro and the new MacBook Air. Unfortunately, we did not see that happen. But things might change with the introduction of this so called, ‘low-cost’ iPad Mini.

The New iPad Pro

The iPad Mini 5 is said to have an upgraded processor and a lower cost display panel. The new entry-level iPad will replace the 6th generation 9.7 inch iPad. The new iPad is said to have a 10 inch display with a much narrower frame. The entry level tablet is expected to carry on some design elements from the 2018 iPad Pro, but won’t be as sleek as the same. It is, however, expected to have Apple Pencil support, just like its predecessor.

Also Read : Huawei P30 To Feature A 40 MP Triple Rear Camera

With a decline in iPad sales over the years, Apple is looking for avenues to ensure that its popular tablet is back in the spotlight. It will also look to cut costs, to ensure a cheaper price for the new iPads. One such example is the reported plan to shift to Korean made LED displays from the current Japanese LED displays.

December 22, 2018
Apple’s Blackmagic eGPU Pro Now Available For Purchase
Apple announced the Blackmagic eGPU Pro alongside the MacBook Air and Mac Mini in October. The Blackmagic eGPU Pro is an updated variant of the Blackmagic eGPU which was previously launched. Although the eGPU Pro was launched a few months ago, it was not available for purchase till now. The consumers can now place orders for the eGPU and Apple will commence deliveries from 15 January 2019.

What Is The Blackmagic eGPU Pro?

The Blackmagic eGPU is an external Graphics Processing Unit for Apple computers. It can be connected to any compatible Apple machine using a Thunderbolt-3 cable. The Blackmagic eGPU Pro when connected to an Apple laptop or desktop computer will provide it with sufficient horsepower to run graphics-intensive tasks, like playing video games and rendering video content. Apple claims that the eGPU is powerful enough to run intensive tasks that were previously possible only on the high-end iMac Pro.

Design And Specifications

The Blackmagic eGPU Pro looks like a tower PC cabinet with an aluminum build and plastic base plate. The eGPU has cold air inlet vents at the bottom and hot air outlet vents at the top which allow it to stay cool even during intensive data processing tasks. It measures 2944 x 1768 x 1768 mm and weighs in at 4.5 kilograms. The rear side of the unit has various input and output ports which are as follows:
- 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- 4 x USB 3 ports
- 1 x HDMI 2.0 port
- 1 x DisplayPort 1.4 port
- 85W power delivery port
The Blackmagic eGPU Pro features an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 graphics card with 8 GB of HBM2 memory. The RX Vega 56 has 56 computing cores that have a base frequency of 1156 MHz and a boost frequency of up to 1471 MHz. The device supports Apple desktop and laptop computers which run on macOS 10.14.1 Mojave or later.

Price And Availability

Also Read: Xiaomi Launches Mi Pay Mobile Payment Service In India

The Blackmagic eGPU Pro is available at a price of $ 1,119 from Apple’s US website and the company will deliver the first batch between 15-23 January 2019.
December 21, 2018
After China, Apple iPhones Now Face Ban In Germany

Apple and Qualcomm’s patent war has gotten uglier, as some iPhone models have been banned from sale in Germany as well. Earlier, a few iPhone models had been banned in China, following a lawsuit filed by Qualcomm. Allegedly, Apple is using technology patented by Qualcomm. These were related to photo editing and arranging apps on a touchscreen. Apple seems to have found a fix for the China problem by rolling out a software update. But the German issue seem to be more complex.

The German Ban

In Germany, Qualcomm has asked for a ban on some iPhones which are using chips made by Intel. The Judge involved in the hearing ruled that some of the phones contain a combination of chips from an Apple supplier and Intel. This violated one of Qualcomm’s patents regarding envelope tracking. This feature helps mobile phones save battery while sending and receiving wireless signals.

Earlier this week, Apple had released a software update for its iPhones in Germany, hoping to avoid the ban by using a software update. However, the update was regarding the spotlight feature in the contacts menu. It had nothing to do with the modems in question. The intel modems came into use in iPhones starting from the iPhone 7. While the latest lineup of iPhones use Intel modems, exclusively. While Apple is already working on designing and manufacturing its own chips, that won’t be a possibility for some time now.

The ban in Germany has led to the stop of iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models in Germany. While Apple has appealed against the decision, there is nothing it can do as of now. However, the ban is only limited to Apple retail stores and the models will still be available with third party resellers. The latest lineup including the iPhone XR and the iPhone XS remain unaffected.

Also Read : iPhone Ban In China To Be Lifted Due To iOS Update

Apple’s China Issue

In China, Apple hopes to reverse the ban using the latest software update. But until then, some models of the iPhone are banned there as well. If the ban wasn’t enough to hurt sales of the iPhone in Apple’s third largest market, a new movement is now troubling the tech giant as well. The recent arrest of the CFO of Huawei in Canada has led to outrage in China. More people are shunning their Apple devices. And switching to Huawei and other ‘home-made’ devices to protest against the ‘unfair arrest’.

December 21, 2018
Apple Accepts Some iPad Pros Ship Slightly Bent, Calls It ‘Normal’

The iPad Pro 2018 was introduced last month. The new iPad carries a brand new design language and a killer performance, which is worthy to even replace a laptop, in some cases. The new design features slim bezels on all sides and the lack of a home button. The rectangular build sure does look great, but ran it to some problems soon after its release. Users started complaining that the new iPad Pro can be easily bent, thus comprising the integrity of the device. Now, Apple has confirmed that some of the iPads may ship bent. But they do assure customers that this will not affect the performance of the device.

The ‘Bendgate’

Apple says the the bend is a side effect of the manufacturing process involved in making the iPad Pro. A cooling process involving the iPad Pro’s metal and plastic components, results in this bend. They say that this should not worsen over time or negatively affect the performance of the device. Most interestingly, Apple does not consider this to be a defect. This is not limited to just one variant and both the 11 inch and 12.9 inch model of the iPad Pro can exhibit this.

The statement from Apple is not something that they have admitted to on their own. This is a response to many customers after they took to social media to state that their iPad Pro’s developed a slight bend, without any rough usage or mistreatment of the device. Users also said that they had never applied any extra stress to the iPad Pro.

Also Read : Upcoming OnePlus Device Leaks, Shows Off Brand New Design

Recently, a video by Jerryrigseverything showed him bending the iPad Pro into half without much of an effort. However, Apple still stands by the quality of its iPad Pro. A lot of experts also said that the video was a bit biased and is more of a publicity stunt. Apple claims that the device is extremely thin and is spread over a large surface area, therefore making it more susceptible to this issue. However, no one has reported this issue causing any issued in the working of the device and the iPad Pro is still the best tablet in the market right now.

December 20, 2018
Apple iOS 12.1.2 Update Brings Fix For eSIM Activation Bugs

The eSIM was one of the features bought in with this year’s lineup of iPhones. The feature now enables the iPhones to be dual-SIM, something that had been missing from the Apple flagship devices for a long time. However, the eSIM feature did take its sweet time to reach users, and came with its own set of bugs and issues. Now, Apple has pushed out the iOS 12.1.2 update which not only brings a way to expand the eSIM capabilities of the phone, but also fixes issues with eSIM activation.

The release note for the update says that it fixes bugs with eSIM activation for iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. This issue was being reported by users around the world, and now is being addressed with the latest update. The update also fixes a few more things, which have to do with the issues affecting Apple in China as well. This had to do with the fact that select iPhone devices did not allegedly comply with the patent regulations set by Qualcomm. This would result in a ban in the sale of certain iPhone models, and can hurt Apple’s sales pretty bad, as China is its third largest market.

The iOS 12.1.2 is compatible with all iOS 11 compatible devices. This includes iPhone 5s or later, iPad mini 2 or later and 6th generation iPod touch or later. The update will be prompted automatically, however Beta testers might need to unroll their devices for the update to appear.

Also Read : eSIM Technology Explained : Why Do More Phones Not Have It

What Is eSIM?

The eSIM is an electronic SIM card, as the name suggests. It replaces the physical SIM cards which are used in smartphones these days. This allows for a lot of space inside the phone to be freed up, whcih can be used to incorporate other technology. As manufactures are looking to make phones sleeker, while sitting phones with more technology, eSIM is a great way to do the same. The eSIM also has another interesting feature. For example, you can register a number of eSIM cards on your phone, giving you the ability to switch between carriers without the need to swap out physical SIM cards every time.

December 19, 2018
iPhone Ban In China To Be Lifted Due To iOS Update

Apple and Qualcomm have been engaged in a patent war. Earlier this month, Qualcomm won a legal battle against Apple in China. A Chinese court found Apple guilty of violating two patents which are held by Qualcomm. The court’s ruling will restrict Apple from importing and selling certain iPhone models in the country. The restricted devices include smartphones ranging between the iPhone 6S and the iPhone X models. The patents are related to navigating apps on a touch screen and resizing photos. But according to Apple, they can easily resolve the issue and comply with the court’s ruling.

Apple’s Solution

Both the patents restricting Apple from importing and selling iPhones in China are software related. Therefore, the company can easily seed a software update for the affected iPhone models. Post the update, the smartphone will comply with Qualcomm’s patents resulting in the ban being lifted. The software update from Apple will start rolling out, starting this week.

Also Read: Top Free Android Games For The Month Of December

Furthermore, Apple has already filed for a reconsideration request. The company also said that a ban on iPhones would impact its Chinese suppliers and consumers as well as the tax revenue it pays to the authorities. If the ban is not lifted, the plummeting sales of the iPhone would take another jab. Most notably, China is a very crucial market for Apple. They are Apple’s third largest market after the US and Europe. China accounted for 19% of Apple’s total revenue in the last quarter.

December 17, 2018
Five Tech Gadgets We Wish Were Available In India

India is one of the fastest growing markets for technology as the developing nation has a huge population with disposable income and they are not wary of spending on new technology. If we look back, there was a time when we hardly received any new tech. Heck! India skipped out on technology like the Answering Machines and Pagers for the mass market. People who could afford it were few and far between. But the scenario has changed and the tech companies now put immense focus on emerging markets such as India. But there are still a few gadgets and tech innovations that we wish came to India. They may be introduced to the Indian market at a later date but they aren’t available just yet.

Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop

The budget gaming laptop that everyone wanted Xiaomi to introduce to India still hasn’t arrived on the country’s shores yet. If anything, India is known to be a price sensitive market and this laptop is extremely budget friendly. It comes in different variants for every budget. The laptop is a 15.6-inch device that sports a 7th Generation Intel Core i7 or i5 CPU, a 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD and either an Nvidia GTX 1060 or an Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti. The i7/GTX1060 variant sports a 16GB RAM, while the i5/1050Ti variant is coupled with 8GB of RAM. The 16GB of RAM + GTX 1060 model costs CNY 8,999 (Rs 93695 Approx) while the 8GB of RAM + 1050 Ti model costs just CNY 5,999 (Rs 62459 Approx). This is dirt cheap if we compare it to other gaming laptops of similar specs available in the market.

Amazon Echo Wall Clock

Amazon has introduced a lot of home products in the Indian market and all the products have done quite well. Even though smart home products are something that not Indians are completely familiar with, the Echo devices have done quite well. Amazon launched a smart wall clock recently that connects to your Echo device.

You can set the timer using your Alexa-powered smart speaker and the lights around the rim of the clock will light up to show you how much time is left. The use of this can be a little narrow for users but it can be useful to some. People who are working in household settings, people who are working under strict deadlines, bachelors who are forgetful and people working in the kitchen can all benefit from it. One can set up the clock in their kitchen or on top of their study table or desk and keep a track of time and set timers to achieve certain goals. The price of the clock is $30, which directly converted translates to around Rs 2157.

Huawei’s FreeBuds 2 Pro

Wireless earbuds tech is in vogue and we cannot deny the fact that they are here to stay. After Apple launched their Apple AirPods, every other smartphone manufacturers have launched their version. Huawei recently launched the Huawei FreeBuds 2 Pro. But unfortunately there is no news as to when it will be available in India, if at all. This earphone features bone conduction technology, supports wireless charging and has 13nm drivers. The design is eerily similar to the Apple AirPods right down to the earphone case. One can sue the Huawei Mate 20 Pro to charge the earphones through reverse charging as well. It costs CNY 999 which roughly translates to Rs 10,401.

Google Pixel Slate

Apple recently launched the all new iPad Pro in India and it is absolutely beautiful to look at. However, Google has not paid too much heed to their tablet division in India with the Pixel Slate still not available in the market. The Pixel Slate has four different variants with Intel Celeron processor and 4/8 GB RAM with 32/64GB RAM variant starting at £549 (Rs 49702 Approx) being the cheapest one. The fully specced out version of the tablet with 8th Generation Intel Core i7 Processor and 16 GB RAM, 256GB storage will set you back £1,549 (Rs 140235 Approx). It might be the case that Google does not see the product fit for the Indian market or may very well introduce this tech wonder to India at a later date but we sure hope that it does hit Indian shores soon.

Tesla Model 3

The last one on our list is every car enthusiast and environmentalist’s dream. Tesla has been manufacturing battery powered cars for years now but it still hasn’t come to India. Unlike most car manufacturers, who can just set up a business in India and make and manufacture their products, a Tesla requires planning, help from the government and a lot of infrastructure setup throughout the country. The cars, since they run on electricity, need to have charging points spread across the country. In a country where there are places that hasn’t even received electricity even in 2018, Tesla might be a distant dream. Many countries, Norway being the prime example, have different government schemes. These schemes provide exemptions and rebates to people buying electric cars. But it seems like there is no such plan, at least in the near future in India.

The Tesla Model 3 is the latest addition to Tesla’s lineup and features a 310 mile range, 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.3 seconds and claims to have the most refined design and engineering among other cars in the category. If we do end up on Tesla’s radar and if the government is indeed trying to bring the pollution down by encouraging customers to buy electric cars, we might find a lot of Tesla buyers in the country.

December 15, 2018
iPhone XR Top Ranked Single Lens Camera Phone According To DxOMark

New Test Reports from DxOMark claim that the recently launched iPhone XR have the best cameras in the single lens camera phone category. It is also noteworthy that the latest Pixel devices have not been tested yet by DxOMark which also sport a single lens. Apple launched three new devices this year, namely iPhone XR, XS and XS Max. The XS and XS Max both have two lenses while the XR sports a single lens.

iPhone XR Camera Specifications

Specification wise, Apple has not cut corners when it comes to the camera of the iPhone XR even though it is at a lower price point. The camera features a 12Mp f/1.8 sensor with 1.4µm pixel pitch. It boasts of a 26mm f/1.8 aperture lens with optical image stabilisation, phase-detection autofocus, and a dual-tone LED flash. The phone also has a Quad-LED dual-tone flash. It shoots 4K videos at 24/30/60 fps and 1080p videos at 30 fps at default settings.

Camera Test Results

According to DxOMark, their scoring system involves it’s engineers capturing and evaluating over 1500 test images and more than 2 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. When the iPhone XR was put under the scanner, it emerged with an overall score of 101. The iPhone XR’s photo score was 103 points and Video score was 96. This gives it a total score of 101 in the camera department.

According to the camera test, the iPhone scored excellently in Autofocus, Artifact removal (which in turn means sharper pictures in low light without artifacts) and Flash. The Bokeh and Zoom of the camera topped out at 35 points. This is a little low when it comes to scoring on the DxOMark. The camera, according to DxOMark produces vivid and pleasant colours in most situations. But it is said to display fine grain luminance noise in indoor and low light conditions.

DxOMark, on their website, stated that the iPhone XR had a great dynamic range in outdoor videos along with very good colour rendering and white balance. It also showcased excellent stabilisation with low residual motion. However, they also remarked that slight instabilities were noticeable in exposure and white balance under changing lighting conditions. This might mean shooting videos at a concert or a party that has rapidly changing lighting may be a little difficult.

It will be interesting to see how the Pixel 3/3XL fares in the DxOMark reviews when it comes out but the iPhone XR’s single camera performance sure will be a touch cookie to crack.

December 7, 2018
Apple Patents Design For Interchangeable AirPods With Biometrics And Brand New Design

The AirPods are the most popular accessory manufactured by tech giant Apple, till date. A pair of wireless earbuds, which connect to your device via Bluetooth, they are one of the most, of not the most popular wireless earbuds. Additionally, they also have Siri connectivity and of course, the excellent design and build quality from Apple. However, the AirPods have been long overdue for an upgrade. This upgrade seems to be near. A recent report stated that we will get to see upgraded AirPods next year. However, a patent by Apple has given us insight as to what the AirPods might look like in 2020 and beyond.

The Patent

The new patent talks about interchangeable AirPods, which will use biometric sensors to make this come true. According to the patent, this will give the AirPods the ability to fit into any ear, regardless of the orientation. This is a step closer to the ‘Golden Bud’ fit Apple had dreamt of, years back. The term refers to a pair of earbuds which will be the perfect fit, for any user. Regardless of the shape and size of their ear.

Apple did go through a lot of steps to ensure the the design of the existing AirPods gives the most universally fitting shape. But there is always room for improvement. The patent describes that the earbuds will be configured with one or more biometric sensors. If at least one of the sensors is pressed up against a portion of the ear, it can then use biometrics to detect which side it is. This will allow to configure and alter the settings for that ear. Hence, the issue of having to see which goes into the left ear and which goes into the right will be eliminated.

New Design

From the images in the patent, we can see that the new AirPods will be totally different in design. They will be more compact, similar to the PixelBuds in terms of size. The patent also included a foam ring which will apparently expand to establish contact with the skin. This is done as some part of the earbuds need to be in contact with the skin to carry out the biometric processes. The company could have chosen plastic, but the foam ring will be more convenient and easier on the user’s ears.

This could also result in a lesser cost of manufacturing and replacement for the AirPods. As now Apple would not have to manufacture Left or Right side specific components. However, whether that will translate to the retail prices of the AirPods is still not known.

Also Read : Vivo Nex S2 Pics And Hands-On Video Leak

As is with every leak and patent, it is best to take this news with a pinch of salt. We might not see this technology for a while and it is also possible that it may never come into production, as is the case with many patents. But with the demand for the AirPods on the rise, we hope that Apple does implement these new features.

December 5, 2018
Updated Apple AirPods To Launch In Early 2019

The Apple AirPods are one of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market right now. They are stylish, have Siri support and offer great portability as well. However, an upgrade to the earbuds has been long pending. And Apple needs to do this to ensure that they are at par with their competitors and what they offer. A latest report from famous Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo has detailed that we will see an updated version of the AirPods early next year. He also said that we will also see a completely redesigned model in 2020.

The New AirPods

Ming Chi Kuo is known for his extremely accurate predictions about Apple products, from iPhones to MacBooks. In his latest reports, he states that an updated AirPods, with a wireless charging case and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity will hit the stands in the early parts of next year. This model will feature upgrades as well. Though it is not clear at this point as to what those upgrades are.

This wireless charging case is seen in the marketing image of the AirPower mat. Nothing about the AirPower mat has been revealed by Apple, despite the tech giant announcing it way back in September 2017. Additionally, the wireless charging case might be available as a separate accessory. Which customers can use with their existing AirPods as well.

The report also details that the AirPods will face dramatic growth in the coming years. Predictions say that the number of units sold will rise to over 100 millions n 2020, compared to the 16 million units in 2017. The report also details that these are Apple’s most popular accessories ever.

Also Read : Apple Extends Return Period For The Apple Watch 4

The new, redesigned AirPods might be seen in 2020. These might include improvements such as sweat resistance as well. However, judging by the accuracy of his Kuo’s reports, we can expect to see a new version of the AirPods, early next year. The AirPower mat might also make a surprise appearance.

December 3, 2018
Apple Extends Return Period For The Apple Watch 4

The Apple Watch 4 was one of the most interesting devices revealed at Apple’e special September 12th event held this year. The Series 4 Watch has a bigger screen, added and improved features to track your health and many more changes. However, a recent report details that Apple has extended the return period for the Apple Watch 4 to 45 days. Compared to the traditional 15 days they offer on other devices.

The Extension

The information regarding the extension came through MacRumours. They got their hands on an internal document distributed by Apple to their Authorised Service Providers. So now, if any customer wishes to return their Apple Watch 4 after a period of 45 days, their request will directly go to Apple support. Then, customers will need to contact Apple by phone, email or chat online to initiate a refund.

The move is reported to be regarding the health features included in the new watch, especially the heart rate monitor and the ECG app. It also includes irregular heart rhythm notifications. Another document obtained by MacRumours also details that Apple Watch Series 1 to 4 will receive these features with the watchOS 5.1.2 update.

The Motive

However, it is still not clear as to why Apple has extended the return period for the Apple Watch 4. Some claim that this is done to let users get used to the health features and see whether they are really benefiting from it. This includes time for users to test out the ECG feature. And see whether it really has an impact and use in their daily life. However, Apple has warned users that the ECG feature is just to aid your health tracking and should not the used to replace a doctor. You must still rely on regular visits to your doctor in case you are suffering from any health issues.

Also Read : Apple Allows TRAI’s DND App On iOS App Store To Avoid Facing Ban In India

The Apple Watch 4 also includes other features such as automatic fall detection. This will alert emergency services after a certain time duration, if you do not wake up after a fall. It is still not clear as to why Apple has made the move to extend the time period for the return of the Apple Watch. But users will surely benefit from it.

December 1, 2018
Apple Music Finally Coming To Amazon Echo Devices

Amazon Echo devices do not support some essential music and video streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Youtube. But that is about to change soon! Even though Google and Amazon have not reached to an agreement regarding the Youtube fiasco, Apple Music owners will soon be able to stream their songs on Echo devices. Echo customers will be able to stream music from Apple Music starting December 17th.

Amazon’s Echo devices currently support other streaming apps such as Spotify, Saavn, Pandora and Amazon’s own Amazon Music. You can just log in to the Alexa App on your phone and ask Alexa to play music from Apple Music. It is not surprising for Apple to want Apple Music to be available to a broader audience since Amazon Music and other streaming websites have already drawn a lot of audience. Apple Music is also available on Google’s Play Store now. Even though the app was launched as an iOS exclusive back in the day. Apple have their own smart speaker called the HomePod. But it is in an entirely different category in terms of price when compared to the Echo devices.

Also Read : Google’s New Smartwatch Patent To Use Your Skin As A Touchpad

What This Move Means

In 2016, the Apple Music service was made available on Sonos smart speakers as well. It is also available in Microsoft’s app store for Windows 10 users. Apple is clearly looking to stay in the competition as a large portion of people have shifted to Amazon Music. This has happenned because a lot of people are heavily invested in Echo devices. Analysts believe that Amazon Music is currently in the third place behind Spotify and Apple Music. Amazon Music is currently free with Prime subscription in India and has two different types of subscription options in the United States. Amazon has also stated that since the launch of the Echo devices, people have been listening to more music in their homes than before. They also noted that people now stream tens of millions of hours of radio per month through the Alexa devices.

December 1, 2018
Apple Allows TRAI’s DND App On iOS App Store To Avoid Facing Ban In India

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has finally succeeded in getting their App listed in the iOS app store. The App in question is the DND 2.0 app that they have created. Spam calls and spam messages have become a nuisance for Indians recently. This caused the Telecom authority to create the app that blocks all spam calls and messages. One can also report spam callers through this app. Indian smartphone users on an average receive anywhere between five to ten spam calls a day and this app aims to stop these calls.

What Led To This Move

The app saw it’s launch way back in 2016 and Android had allowed the app to be on the Play Store. However, Apple had not allowed it on their iOS App store citing security reasons. Apple had not allowed the App on their store because on installation, the app asks for permission to view the phone’s contacts, recent call history and messages. TRAI had given a January 2019 deadline for Apple to allow the app to the store. failing which they could face a country wide ban. The App store finally has listed the DND 2.0 app before the deadline. Apple had in a previous statement said that they comply with the laws of every country they do business in. The DND app listing is great news for iPhone users as they did not have a way to stop these calls up until now.

Also Read : Upcoming Xiaomi Smartphone Gets FCC Certification

The Do Not Disturb App is quite useful as it helps a smartphone user to register their mobile number under DND to avoid unsolicited commercial communication. It also stops telemarketing calls and texts. The app has an in- built anti SPAM engine which warns a user about spam SMS and incoming calls based on feedback of other users. TRAI’s DND app is available for free from the iOS App Store and it requires iOS 12.1 or later.

December 1, 2018
iPhone XR Is Apple’s Best Selling Model According To Apple

Apple has debunked rumours that their cheapest iPhone model is not selling well. In a slew of recent reports, many news websites had claimed that Apple is reducing production of the iPhone XR. The reason given was because it is not meeting the estimated sales expectations from the company. But in a recent report, an Apple executive was quoted to have said that the iPhone XR is their best selling phone yet.

What Led To This Belief?

Apple’s announcement that they will not be disclosing their unit sales data to their investors also added to the rumours. Even though the company is not providing their exact sales figures, they do occasionally disclose which of their models is selling better than the others. A recent report also suggested that Apple had reduced orders of the XR. This was believed to be because the demand was not matching the supply. Apple’s decision to bring back the iPhone X in Japan was also part of the reason for the media to feel that this was a pushback from the low iPhone XR sales.

According to Apple, the iPhone XR, iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 are selling quite well. Being a cheaper version of their higher end model, the iPhone XR was created for consumers who wished to jump in the Apple bandwagon but did not wish to spend as much as the iPhone XS.

The iPhone XR is not ‘cheap’ per se if we compare it to the relatively less pricey Android phones. But it is the company’s cheapest current generation iPhone. With OnePlus entering the iPhone dominated US market, it will be interesting to see how both companies fight it out to stay ahead in the game. The iPhone XR is also available in more colours than it’s bigger siblings. It is only second to the iPhone 5C which saw it’s release back in 2013.

Also read: Apple iPhone Xr Launched With LCD Display And FaceID

The executive has also said that they have raised $200 million for the Product RED Global Fund so far. The Apple iPhone XR Red with a 3GB RAM and 64GB Storage is currently available on Amazon for a price of Rs 76,499 in India.

Check out our video about the iPhone XR

November 29, 2018