Category: Apple

Apple iPhone 9 : Everything We Know So Far

It’s that time of the year again. One of the most anticipated events is right around the corner and yes we’re talking about the launch of the new iPhone. With numerous rumours, speculations and an equal number of eager fans, we take you through everything you need to know about the upcoming iPhone 9.

It has been rumoured for a very long time that Apple will introduce three new variants of the iPhone this year. Reports say that we will see a 5.8 inch screen device which will be the successor to the iPhone X. This will be supplemented by a 6.5 inch version of the same and a 6.1 inch model which is said to be the cheapest, owing to its lower specifications.

via MKBHD

Launch:

Starting with the iPhone 5, Apple has never broken tradition and strayed away from the date of 12th September. Other than the off-timed release of the iPhone SE, all the iPhones have been launched on this day. Therefore, we can expect Apple to launch the new iPhone 9 on 12th September this year as well.

Also Read: iPhone 6.1 Inch Specs Leaked Ahead of September Launch

Name:

A lot of speculations regarding the nomenclature of the new iPhone are doing the rounds. With various analysts and experts putting out what they think will be the name, we think Apple might stick to calling it the iPhone 9. While many will argue that it could be called the iPhone 11, doing so might just add to the complexity. With naming it the iPhone 9, Apple can complete the numbers loop and move on to a much simpler system for nomenclature. The iPhone could then possibly drop the numbers and just be identified by the year it was launched in.

However, speculations do suggest other names such as the iPhone XS or the iPhone X2. Some analysts also suggest the name iPhone 11 and a possible successor to the iPhone SE.

Design:

Reports suggest that the new iPhone 9 will be based on the design of the iPhone X. This means that Apple will be getting rid of Touch ID and embracing the Face ID technology completely. If this is true, Apple will implement the glass body, dual camera setup design along with the notch on the new iPhone 9.

Along with this, the iPhone 9 is expected to be available in various colours. Another interesting addition to this would be the fact that the aluminium frame in the lower variant will supposedly not be matching the colour of the glass body. Whatever, the rumours be, we expect to see a fresh array of colours on the iPhone 9.

Display:

The iPhone 9 and its plus version will reportedly have OLED screens complete with a glass body and Stainless Steel casing. The lower variant of the upcoming iPhone 9 will have a slightly different design due to its price bracket, according to experts. It might be packing an LCD panel along with its Glass body which probably will be encased by Aluminium instead os Stainless Steel, helping to cut down on production cost. It is also very likely that the new iPhone 9 will not have Apple Pen Stylus support, according to sources.

Via Hronika

3D Touch

Analysts claim that Apple might discontinue the 3D Touch with the new iPhone 9. This might happen due to two reason; the added difficulty in the manufacturing process it causes and the fact that no one is actually finding it useful. This could be true as most iPhone users do not use 3D touch extensively and some do not even know of its existence.

Touch ID

With the design of the iPhone X, the fingerprint scanner could have become outdated for Apple which might now bank on the Face ID feature for its security. However, latest reports talking about a Patent Apple has, might hint at it making a comeback. The patent refers to an in-display fingerprint scanner. This might be a game changer for Apple if it is ever introduced.

Processor:

Reports say that the new iPhone 9 will operate using the A12 bionic chipset from Apple. The A12 will manage to offer a better experience than the existing, powerful A11 due to its manufacturing process. The A12 is reportedly made using the 7nm process as opposed to the A11’s 10nm process. This is expected to offer 1.6x the logic density along with a 20% speed improvement and 40% power reduction.

The A12 reportedly offers an increase in multi-core usability, supposed to bring up multi-core performance by 25-30%. The GPU performance is reported to have an even higher increment at 40%. This might not directly translate to gaming performance, according to experts. Analysts predict a real time number of around 25%.

With some reports even suggesting that the iPhone 9 may run on the older A10 chipset, the possibilities are endless. However it is expected that Apple will run with something that will ensure the iPhones performance is far greater than any existing Android device.

Battery:

The new iPhone 9 will supposedly have an improved battery, putting an end to any woes users had. The plus variant of the iPhone 9 might house the biggest battery of the three, owing to its size. Reports about the A12 chipset don’t stop at performance and tell us about the improved battery life as well. The new chipset is said to optimise battery life and ensure longevity. Apple is also said to have worked on increasing the idle battery life of the iPhone 9. The idle battery life is an impressive part of the present set of iPhones. An improvement with the iPhone 9 might just take things to the next level.

It is also rumoured that the new iPhone 9 might have a dual sim slot. This would be a welcome change for iPhone Users.

Camera:

An improved camera experience with regard to the new iPhone 9 is highly anticipated. It is rumoured that the top variant of the iPhone 9 will sport a triple camera setup. This would possibly increase the rear zoom capability of the iPhone 9, according to reports. the triple camera setup could possibly offer other advantages such as better low light performance.

However, some say that this might not be coming with the iPhone 9, making us wait till 2019 for it. 2019 however might be the year for a triple camera setup if not this year. The three cameras would help in generating a depth map which could help Apple in the field of Augmented Reality, something Apple is really crazy about at the moment.

As of now, we have all sorts of combinations popping up when it comes to what we can expect. A triple camera setup for the top model, a single camera for the cheaper version or even a dual camera setup all three. The most common one however, is a dual camera setup for the iPhone 9 and the iPhone 9 Plus while the cheaper variant get a single camera. Regardless, it is safe to expect that we will see a big upgrade in the camera department. This is with regard to both software and hardware.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S10 To Have In Display Fingerprint Reader

Availability:

If you were planning to get yourself the cheaper variant of the iPhone 9, you might have to hold on for a little while. Well known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the cheapest variant of the iPhone 9 might be available only in October, owing to delays in its production schedule. The other two variants will be available in September, according to him.

Coming Full Circle:

The iPhone 9 will be crucial for Apple in all aspects. At a time when Apple is under threat from numerous manufacturers taking the smartphone market by storm, this will be a decisive product. Apple needs to ensure that it stays on top of the innovation race in this fast-tech driven world. Every month or so, we see a ground breaking smartphone emerge. Apple needs to ensure that the iPhone 9 will be competent enough to not only take on its current competition but stay relevant till 12th September 2019.

August 29, 2018
iPhone 6.1 Inch Specs Leaked Ahead of September Launch

Apple will launch the next versions of the iPhone on 12th September 2018. The phones are expected to be based primarily on the iPhone X and launched as incremental updates. One of the expected iPhones to launch in 2018 is a new “affordable 6.1 inch variant. This may as well be dubbed the iPhone 9.

The 6.1 inch iPhone is expected to have an LCD display allow for comparatively more affordable pricing with respect to the flagship iPhones it will launch with. Developers have found information relating to the new iPhone in Apple Xcode. Apple’s Xcode shows names like “iPhone xx” and “iPhone9.7”. The code also reveals that the 6.1-inch phone will have the following model number : “N84”.

More information found in Xcode reveals that this new device will have a DCI-P3 LCD panel and will be powered by Apple’s A10 chipset.

2018 iPhone Lineup

Apple is expected to launch three new iPhones this year. With rumours speaking of dual sim options the 6.1 inch variant may be the most likely recipient of this feature. This variant will be aimed more towards markets like India and China. Apple will launch the new Apple iPhones on 12th of September with Pre Orders expected to begin 14th of September.

Also Read : These Are The Three Variants of the New 2018 Apple iPhone

Pricing will be key, however, if Apple continues its upwards trend for pricing the flagship model may as well cross US$ 1200. This will make the smartphones far less affordable for users. However the device with a 6.1 inch display may be priced as low as US$ 699 making them a tad bit cheaper. This will offer a more affordable option for buyers.

The iPhone X will be upgraded and launched in two variants, most likely the iPhone XI and XI Plus. The plus variant may end up being the most expensive iPhone yet. Apple is expected to bump up performance for tasks like Gaming, AR and machine learning. New improvements for Siri with the launch of the iOS 12 are also expected on the new iPhones.

Apple will also pay good focus on cameras this time around, and with the focus of most brands on front cameras, the 2018 iPhones may finally have excellent front cameras with upto 4K video recording courtesy the high performing chipsets. Apple will also improve on FaceID features, but it is highly unlikely that TouchID will make a comeback with an in-display fingerprint sensor in the 2018 iPhones.

August 23, 2018
Job Opening At Apple Hints At Health-Centric Processor

With its disputes with Qualcomm, Apple decided to use Intel chipsets in its upcoming smartphones. However, the company also announced that it will focus on using in-house chipsets for the iPhones. Which is why along with the iPhone X and iPhone 8, the company introduced the A11 Bionic chip. This chip has a dedicated neural processing unit for AI applications. A new job posting on Apple’s website shows that the company may be planning on bringing a health-centric chipset to its products.

In the list of Apple products which would use a health-focussed chip, the Apple Watch could be the first. According to the job post, the company is looking for ASIC (Application-specific integrated circuit) architect. Unlike common SoC, an ASIC chip only has a specific task to perform. For instance, high-efficiency Bitcoin miner is an ASIC. In simple terms, a Bitcoin is a form of electronic cash. However, the Cupertino company wants to use these ASIC chips for health focussed functionalities. The previous job openings at the company were for people with experience in health, wellness, and fitness sensors. These listings hint at the company’s future plans with its products, including, but not limited to, the iPhones.

Image: Apple ASIC Architect Job Opening

The current line of Apple iPhones including the iPhone 8 and iPhone X use the A11 Bionic chipset. This chipset uses a custom Apple GPU for graphics output. For LTE connectivity one of the iPhone variants uses a Qualcomm modem while the other variant uses an Intel modem. This is also what the company could be planning to move away from. In favour of in-house chipsets and modems, Apple may soon drop Intel and Qualcomm modems. However, the new 2018 iPhone lineup would most likely use the Intel modems. There is no word on the availability of this ASIC chipset but we think it could be seen in the next generation-Apple Watches. Stay tuned as we will be bringing more updates on the story on further development.

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August 16, 2018
Dual SIM Apple iPhone With A 6.1-inch Display Is Launching But You Can’t Have It

Apple had a good Q3 in 2018 earning US$11.5 billion in profits. There have been rumours of a Dual SIM iPhone set to launch this year. For Apple, a Dual SIM flagship smartphone would bode well for its sales figure, especially in the emerging Asian markets like India and China. However, a recent report suggests that Apple fans waiting for a Dual SIM iPhone, especially in India, may not be able to buy it. This Dual SIM smartphone will likely be launched with a 6.1-inch LCD display, this could be the iPhone 9. The other variants will likely sport a 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch display which would be the iPhone XI and iPhone XI Plus.

BEST OFFERS ON Apple iPhone X

According to the reports, Apple wants to launch the Dual SIM iPhone exclusively in China. The reason, as the report claims, is that the company plains on growing a strong foothold in the Chinese market. Currently, the major players in the Chinese market are companies like Huawei and Xiaomi. Apple iPhones account for less than 5% of the Chinese smartphone market share, hence this could be Apple’s strategy to rope in more customers. However, China is not the only market where Dual-SIM smartphones are popular. The Indian mid-range smartphone segment provides a buyer with plenty of Dual-SIM smartphone options. The fact that Apple may not be planning to sell a Dual SIM iPhone in India might disappoint a lot of loyal Apple fans eagerly waiting for the company to launch a Dual SIM flagship smartphone.

Apple’s Dual SIM iPhone will quite likely be the less costly variant in the 2018 iPhone lineup. Especially since the company is planning to launch it in a market where mid-range smartphones dominate the flagship lineup. With that said, the best bet for Apple fans in India should wait until Apple launches the new iPhone in its September event. In all likelihood, the news about a China exclusive Dual-SIM smartphone could be fake. So, stay tuned for our full coverage of the story.

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August 6, 2018
These Are The Three Variants of the New 2018 Apple iPhone

It was with the release of the Apple iPhone X in 2017, that the rumours about the next Apple iPhone began. While Apple reported record profit earnings, the company dipped to the third position as a smartphone seller behind Samsung and Huawei, with 20.9 & 15.8% respective market shares. It is an undeniable fact that overall smartphone sales have taken a hit and are relatively low in the last two years. This is also one of the reasons why HTC recently decided to quit the Indian market. However, as Apple’s September iPhone event approaches, more leaks emerge for next generation devices from the company.

Apple's 2018 iPhone lineup (5.8" / 6.1" / 6.5") pic.twitter.com/W2NB3euzKb

— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) August 1, 2018

The leaked images showcase both the front and rear panels of these iPhones in black and white colour variants. The three alleged screen sizes are, 5.8-inch for the iPhone XI, 6.1-inch for the iPhone 9, and 6.5-inch for the iPhone XI Plus. It has become apparent from these images that the iPhone with 6.1-inch display also has a single camera, so, it’s safe to assume that this is the alleged more affordable 2018 iPhone 9.

All three devices appear to have a notch, so it is safe to assume that even the cheaper iPhone 9 along with the 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch iPhones will have Face-ID. In the image it appears that the left most device will be iPhone XI and the right most will be the iPhone XI plus, both of which have a vertical dual camera. The middle one will have a single camera, may be dubbed the iPhone 9 and will be the most affordable of the 2018 iPhones. This naming system will also eliminate any confusion as Apple may continue to sell the iPhone X, hence in 2018 Apple iPhone 9, iPhone X and iPhone XI may be sold.

According to previous leaks, emerging markets like India and China could receive dual-SIM 2018 iPhone variants. These markets are also the key sales places for Apple and a dual-SIM iPhone could help improve the smartphone’s sales. Apple projected that it will bag even more profits in the fourth quarter of this. Since the company has been at the forefront of bringing feature-rich smartphones, albeit, at a hefty price, we look forward to see how the 2018 iPhone lineup performs. While there’s still a month before the new iPhones launch, you can go back to our Apple iPhone X vs Samsung Galaxy S8 Feat. Galaxy Note 8 video.

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August 2, 2018
Apple Q3 2018 Results Impressive, Dual SIM iPhones Due This Year

Started in the backyard toolshed of Steve Jobs’ parents’ house, Apple is now one of the top brands in the world. Apple started the smartphone trend with the first iPhone. However, it was the iPhone 3GS which raked up the most sales in 2009. On 31st July 2018, Apple released a report for its Q3 revenue, revealing that the company has earned record profits. The company was able to achieve 17% more revenue than last year. Apple sold 41.3 million iPhones, 11.553 million iPads, and 3.72 million Macs. The total profits earned by the company stands at a whopping US$11.5 billion.

iPhone X

The majority of profits earned by the company is through the sales of iPhones, iPads, and Macs accounting for US$53.3 billion worth of the company’s revenue, while its services like Apple Music, accounted for US$9.548 billion. With that said, iPhones led the overall sales of US$29.906 billion out of the total US$53.3 billion. Apple predicts that it may collect revenue between $60 billion and $62 billion in the Q4 of 2018. For reference, the revenue earned from the company’s services alone is 37% more than the last year’s US$7.266 billion.

Also ReAD: Spotify Lite Being Tested For Emerging Markets Like India

Since Apple’s event is hardly a month away, the company may be launching dual-SIM iPhones. Dual SIM phones are popular in developing and growing markets like India and China. These markets have also become the key sales places for Apple. The launch of dual-SIM iPhones will not only cater to the public demand but also help improve the smartphone’s sales. According to the recent leaks, the company might also be planning to release two iPhones this year with a 6.5-inch “alleged” iPhone X Plus and a 6.1-inch iPhone 9, with the latter in all likelihood being the cheaper smartphone of the two. Furthermore, the company is planning to bring an update for the HomePod, which is a wireless speaker with inbuilt Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant.

HomePod

HomePod works in a similar way as the Amazon Echo or the Google Home speakers, it can be used as a conventional wireless speaker but it also has all the capabilities of Siri built-in. With the new update of iOS 12 beta, users will now be able to make and receive calls with the HomePod as the default audio output source. Earlier in iOS 11.4, users had to manually change the source during a call to set the HomePod as the audio output in. The iOS 12 update will also bring improvements to Siri’s general knowledge base and the ability to set multiple timers. With this update, the HomePod will also be closely integrated with the Macs running on Mojave.

Apple has undoubtedly had a great impact in shaping the future of smartphones with its iPhone lineup. Apple has been at the forefront of bringing feature-rich smartphones, albeit at a hefty price. Thus, it will be interesting to see how Apple actually performs in the Q4 despite its sale projections.

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August 1, 2018
Apple iPhone 9 and X Plus Displays Leaked

It is an undeniable fact that Apple iPhones have had a great impact in shaping the future of smartphones. Despite lacking GPS and video recording capabilities, the 2007 released iPhone did fairly well in the market. However, iPhones started gaining their popularity even more after the launch of the iPhone 3G with GPS. The Apple iPhone has evolved ever since, and now is among the top selling smartphones. All the iPhone models starting from 2013’s iPhone 5s had a fingerprint sensor. Apple used the physical home button of the iPhones as the fingerprint sensor until the iPhone 7 came along. With the iPhone 7, Apple introduced its “taptic” home button which uses haptic feedback instead of a physical button to produce a button like feedback. In 2017, however, the company entirely got rid of the home button and fingerprint sensor on one of the models the “iPhone X” and introduced the Face-ID unlock mechanism. Now new 2018 iPhone lineup is about to launch in September. The recent leaks for the smartphones are images of two display panels and the rear panels.

Also Read: 2018 Apple iPhone With LCD Display Won’t Have 3D Touch

It becomes apparent from these images, the new 2018 iPhone lineup does not have any significant design changes. Also, the image of the rear panel of these iPhones reveals a single rear-mounted camera for the device with 6.1-inch LCD display. We can assume that this will be the cheaper 2018 iPhone. The 2017 iPhone X had a stainless steel frame so we expect the 2018 models to have a steel frame as well. However, the rumours also suggest that the iPhone with a 6.1-inch display will use an aluminium frame. An aluminium frame will help keep the cost of manufacturing the iPhone down, further providing evidence for a cheaper 2018 iPhone 9.

2018 iPhone X Plus (6.5-inch) and iPhone (6.1-inch) Dummy Models. pic.twitter.com/QrgkT6u0vS

— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) July 29, 2018

The images tweeted by the tipster Ben Geskin, suggest that the new 2018 iPhone with 6.1-inch display will have thicker bezels. As compared to the alleged iPhone X Plus which will have relatively slimmer bezels. Apple’s biggest competition during launch the Galaxy Note 9 is rumoured to have the “best” slow-motion recording camera @960fps. It will be interesting to see how the new iPhone cameras will perform against Samsung’s new offering.

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July 31, 2018
Apple Watch Shipments Exceed 3.5 Million In Q2 Of 2018

While Apple was late to arrive in the wearables industry, the company is now the top brands in the segment. The Apple Watch Series 3 launched at the September 12 event, last year. Since then, the company also released an LTE variant of the smartwatch which can replace your iPhone if you manage to forget it at home or somewhere else. The sales figures for the company’s smartwatch show that the second quarter of 2018 was the best period for the company. The company managed to ship close to 3.5 million smartwatches in this quarter. To put this in perspective, this is 30% more shipment than the company’s performance last year.

Also Read: Apple Will Release All 3 2019 iPhones With OLED Displays

Competitors like Fitbit and Garmin, have been in the wearable industry long before Apple. The company still managed to put up a strong Q2 performance this year. With that said, the formerly mentioned companies have also performed well. In fact, both Fitbit and Garmin are dominating the smartwatch market share. So, despite shipping 3.5 million products, the company suffered a decline in its market share. Which dipped from 43% to 34% in Q1 of 2018. Also worth noting is that the numbers show Apple Watch Series 3 is the more popular watch from the company. As compared to its previous gen smartwatches.

Apple Watch Series 3

Apple has a way of bringing the same features as the competition but in a more refined manner. For instance, the Watch Series 3 has a new and advanced heart rate sensor. This heart rate sensor will notify an increased heart rate of the user, while he or she is not active. The smartwatch also provides cellular functionality allowing you to place calls or use iMessage for texting without having their smartphone connected. The Watch Series 4 also allows users to stream 40 million songs from the iTunes and the Music App. The display of the watch acts as an antenna for the electronic SIM card.

With rumours of an Apple Watch Series 4 now picking up the pace, it will be interesting to see what the company does differently with this iteration of its wearables. We have previously covered the Apple Watch Series 3 in-depth.

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July 30, 2018
2018 Apple iPhones To Drop Qualcomm Chips for Intel

Apple is about to launch its new line of iPhones for 2018 at its September event. The leaks and rumours about the smartphone suggest there will be a relatively cheaper iPhone along with the usual flagship this year. Apple iPhones going forward may not use Qualcomm wireless chipsets in favour of Intel modems.

Also Read: Apple iPhone Front Panels Leaked Images Reveal Thin Bezels

There is a state of turmoil between Apple and Qualcomm. The chipset manufacturing company wanted to charge Apple a percentage of the company’s revenue for using Qualcomm’s modems. This led to the company suing Qualcomm for a hefty amount. In the US, Qualcomm might have to pay $1 million. Now, according to the Chief Financial Officer of Qualcomm, the new 2018 iPhones will not be using the company’s modems. Instead, the smartphones may launch with an Intel modem. There are still a few months before the 2018 iPhones will launch so this news should not affect the launch whatsoever. However, it is worth noting that iPhones have been using Qualcomm modems for a long time. For Apple to switch over to Intel for its wireless chipset is natural since Qualcomm and Intel are the two of the biggest chipset manufacturing companies.

How Will This Affect The New Apple iPhones?

iPhone X

As mentioned previously, the decision to go with an Intel modem may not affect the iPhones all that much. However, it will be interesting to see how the Intel LTE modems perform as compared to ones by Qualcomm.

In 2017 the Apple filed the first lawsuit against Qualcomm and the two have been exchanging lawsuits since. The 2018 iPhones will remain unaffected by the company’s decision to not use Qualcomm chipsets. However, Intel announced that it will not be able to produce 5G ready modems by 2019 so it will be interesting to see what Apple decides to do in 2019.

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July 26, 2018
Apple Updates MacBook Pro, Now Includes New Core i9 Configurable Option

Apple has updated their MacBook Pro lineup with new hardware upgrades. The MacBook Pro 15 inch is now available with an upto Core i9 Option with 4tB SSD and 32 GB of RAM. These machines are more targeted to resolve the performance needs of many MacBook Pro users who were not satisfied with the 2016 Update.

“The latest generation MacBook Pro is the fastest and most powerful notebook we’ve ever made,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Now with 8th-generation 6-core processors, up to 32GB of system memory, up to 4TB of super fast SSD storage, new True Tone technology in its Retina display and Touch Bar, the Apple T2 chip for enhanced security and a third-generation quieter keyboard packed into its thin and light aluminium design with all-day battery life, it’s the best notebook for pro users.”

Apple will for the first time also allow configurable options in India, for the MacBook pro Line-up allowing Indian consumers to pick their choice of hardware. Also new to MacBook Pro is the Apple T2 chip, first introduced in iMac Pro. With the Apple T2 chip, MacBook Pro now delivers enhanced system security with support for secure boot and on-the-fly encrypted storage, and also brings “Hey Siri” to the Mac for the first time.

Macbook Pro 15 inch Specs:

• 6-core Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.8 GHz

• Up to 32GB of DDR4 memory

• Radeon Pro discrete graphics with 4GB of video memory in every configuration

• Up to 4TB of SSD storage

• True Tone display technology

• Apple T2 Chip

• Touch Bar and Touch ID

Macbook Pro 13 inch Specs:

• Quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.5 GHz and double the eDRAM

• Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics 655 with 128MB of eDRAM

• Up to 2TB of SSD storage

• True Tone display technology

• Apple T2 Chip

• Touch Bar and Touch ID

Apple has also launched new accessories for the MacBook Pro lineup including Apple sleeves for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro in Saddle Brown, Midnight Blue and Black.

Starting at INR 149900 and INR 199900 respectively, the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar and 15-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar are available in select Apple Authorised Resellers later this month.

July 13, 2018
Apple iPhone 9 Renders Reveal An iPhone X Like Notch

A smartphone case maker out of New York, Ghostek has leaked a design render of a smartphone case which shows an iPhone with a single rear-mounted camera and a display panel with a notch which looks same as the one found on the iPhone X. Apart from the beautiful case, what is also worth noting is that the phone follows the iPhone X design pattern yet it is rumored to be relatively cheaper. While there is no word on what the device will be called, we speculate that it could be the iPhone 9.

iPhone 9 Case Renders

Apple may have finally decided to bring up to speed the entire iPhone lineup, as suggested by image of the Ghostek case. The new device will be priced similar to the iPhone 8 while still retaining features from the iPhone X, primarily the notch.

Must Read: iOS 12: Everything You Need To Know

This is exciting news for the people who wanted the iPhone X experience, but were not willing to spend the high price of the flagship. The iPhone 9 ( as we call it) will still miss out on a few features of Apple’s 2018 flagship, like the decision to stick with a single camera and other features like the portrait mode. It is also rumored that the iPhone 9 will have FaceID but it won’t be the same as the one found on the more expensive 2018 devices.

A few schematics of the phone show that the notch is a little more highlighted on this new iPhone and it will also sport a larger 6.1 inch display in comparison to the iPhone 8’s 4.7 inch display. The dimensions of the phone are said to be about 147.12 x 71.52 mm. To no surprise, the render does not show a headphone jack on this iPhone either.

It should be kept in mind that the device will be released alongside the new flagship iPhone. Nonetheless, we will be closely covering this story till both the phones are released in September this year.

July 10, 2018
Apple iPhone X Plus, ‘iPhone 9’ Dummy Hands-On Video Published

The first half of 2018 saw the launch of some exciting smartphones. The second half of the year will witness the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note9, the new Google Pixel lineup and the new Apple iPhone lineup. Just like every year, the chatter around the new iPhones has been on for a while now and more leaks are expected when we get closer to September. A new video of the dummy versions of the Apple iPhone X Plus and iPhone 9 has now surfaced online, revealing the possible size of the smartphones.

In the video, the iPhone X Plus and iPhone 9 are compared with the iPhone X. This appears to be a fair comparison considering the iPhone X successor will have the same screen size. The one thing about the video that feels a bit out of place is its title. It doesn’t appear to be likely that the cheapest iPhone that Apple will launch in 2018 will go by the moniker of ‘iPhone 9’.

As expected, both the smartphones have a design similar to the iPhone X. The iPhone X Plus is expected to feature a massive 6.5 inch OLED display while the iPhone 9 will have a 6.1 inch LCD display. It is believed that Apple will cut cost for the iPhone 9 by reverting to an LCD display and even removing features like 3D Touch. It is, however, expected to have wireless charging, thanks to the all-glass design. The iPhone 9 will also have a single camera setup on the back, compared to the dual-camera setup on the iPhone X successor and iPhone X Plus.

The iPhone X Plus has a size very similar to the iPhone 7 Plus. The iPhone 7 Plus has a 5.5 inch display, meaning the iPhone X Plus will fit in a much larger display without increasing the overall footprint of the smartphone. This also means that the iPhone X Plus won’t be considered a phablet, because of its smaller size. The dual-camera setup is placed vertically on the top-left corner, just like the iPhone X.

The dummies have a design very similar to what we expect from the 2018 iPhone lineup. However, it is still early days for the iPhone 2018 rumours.

July 3, 2018
New Apple India Chief Dismisses Discounts For Apple Products

Apple India’s new country head, Michel Coulomb has some radical plans for the company. Reports claim that he plans to dismantle the current sales strategy set by predecessor Sanjay Kaul to achieve a more ‘organised distribution’ structure for iPhones, iPads and Macs. This essentially means that consumers in India won’t be seeing discounts on Apple products like they’re used to.

With this new strategy, distributors of Apple products in India will be trimmed. Hence, the company will look to maintain the prices of its products since up until now, distributors had the freedom to sell to any retailer, even at lower prices. All these details were shared by three persons directly aware of the development in the company.

The earlier ‘open distribution’ strategy at Apple India had created a lot of discontent amongst its offline trade partners, since the distributors would often indulge in wholesaling to achieve targets leading to rampant deep discounting online and fluctuation in prices almost every day. So much so, Apple was even considered as a discounted brand. The new country head is pulling the plug after reviewing the scenario.

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Coulomb took charge of India for Apple back in December 2017. He also served as MD, Apple for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. According to the executives, he will retain only two national distributors–Ingram Micro and Redington. Brightstar, Rashi Peripherals and HCL Infosystems will be slowly phased out of the system.

Must Read: Apple Wins US$ 539 Million From Samsung In The Ongoing Patent Infringement Trial

This doesn’t mean consumers will never see a discounted iPhone ever again. According to the executives,

While there will still be special promotions online for Apple products, the days of deep price cuts seem to be over.

The move does make sense for Apple. However, it’ll be interesting to see how much this will affect the sales of iPhones in India, a country that is so price-sensitive.

June 15, 2018
Apple iPad With Face ID Hinted At In iOS 12 Beta

Apple launched the iPhone X in September along with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. The iPhone X was a major departure from Apple’s design philosophy and introduced us to Face ID. While Face ID was received with some scepticism in the beginning, however, it has ably replaced Touch ID and the company plans to phase out the fingerprint sensor in all its iOS devices. This means that future iPads will also launch with Face ID, which has been seemingly confirmed in iOS 12.

iOS 12 beta was made available to users right after the first day of WWDC 2018. iOS developer Guilherme Rambo, during his usual poking around in iOS 12 found something interesting pertaining to Face ID and iPads. Rambo tweeted videos and screenshots of iOS 12 that contain hidden references to Face ID on the iPad, including the setup UI and relevant section of the settings menu.

Must Read: Apple iPhone X Was The Best Selling Smartphone In Q1 Of 2018

The Face ID setup UI is finally working on iPad. Clearly not done yet as can be seen by the descriptions mentioning "iPhone". But it's a start :) pic.twitter.com/PVQgfbne15

— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) June 5, 2018

It is worth noting that these references could pertain to a feature that lets users unlock their iPads using the iPhone X. If true, this will be similar to the feature wherein users can unlock their Mac using the Apple Watch. However, there has been enough evidence that suggests that Face ID is coming to iPads and with iOS 12, it could be as soon as late-2018. In December 2017, Apple announced a US$ 390 million investment in Finisar, a facial recognition technology company.

Must Read: Apple Working On An AR/VR Headset With 16K Resolution Display

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Finisar will use the funds to build a 700,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Texas to develop vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) chips. Jeff Williams, CEO at Apple had said:

VCSELs power some of the most sophisticated technology we’ve ever developed and we’re thrilled to partner with Finisar over the next several years to push the boundaries of VCSEL technology and the applications they enable.

It is evident that Apple believes Face ID is the future. Apart from the iPhone SE 2, all 2018 iPhones are rumoured to feature the facial recognition technology. With iPads being the only major player in the tablets industry, Apple would want to move ahead of any sort of little competition it has in that space. With Face ID coming to iPads, it also means that there will be a uniformity in all iOS devices in the future.

Whether this means the upcoming iPads will thin bezels like the iPhone X is yet to be seen. With larger devices, you need bezels around the display to hold them and not be prone to accidental touches. The Face ID sensors could easily fit into the top bezel of an iPad.

June 9, 2018
iOS 12: Everything You Need To Know
The first day of the World Wide Developer’s Conference 2018 was an eventful one. Many expected announcements were made and a few anticipated features were yet again snubbed. One of the highlights of WWDC 2018 was the unveiling of iOS 12. The next iteration of Apple’s mobile operating system which will, according to the company, see the biggest software roll-out yet. Apple announced that all the devices that were updated to iOS 11 will receive an update to iOS 12. Here is a list of all the iOS 12 compatible devices:
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 6/6 Plus
- iPhone 6s/6s Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 7/7Plus
- iPhone 8/8Plus
- iPhone X
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2017)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2016)
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Air
- iPad (2017)
- iPad Mini 4
- iPad Mini 3
- iPad Mini 2
- iPod touch 6th generation
One of the issues with iOS 11 was that older devices became agonisingly slow with the new update. Apple has conceded that with iOS 12, the older devices will be about 40% faster and app-load times will be significantly lesser. This is great news for people who are still clinging on to their iPhone 5s or iPhone 6 and would want to upgrade to the latest version of iOS. Apple followed through with Tim Cook’s earlier remarks about iOS 12. The new version will not be a huge visual upgrade, in fact, it will be a performance upgrade for all devices, and not just older iPhones and iPads.

Apple also introduced a group calling feature in FaceTime. Group FaceTime makes it easy to chat with multiple people at the same time. Participants can be added at any time, join later if the conversation is still active and choose to join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac — or even participate using FaceTime audio from Apple Watch. Another interesting feature is the use of Memoji within FaceTime which just adds an extra bit of fun to video calls.

Apple also introduced a few features to Siri, Apple’s AI voice assistant. One of the new features added to Siri is Shortcuts. This will allow any app to access Siri using a particular phrase which can be personalised. Apps will have an ‘add to Siri’ option. For example, if you say “Siri I lost my keys,” Siri will automatically open the Tile app. Siri will also track a user’s activity within an app and predict actions for users at specific times. For example, if a user orders a coffee in the morning, Siri will automatically notify them to order the coffee with the usual order pre-decided.

Apple also claimed that new AR features will be introduced to iOS 12. One of the features is the new AR app called, Measure. As the name suggests, the app lets users measure real-life objects thanks to AR. It also automatically recognises rectangles and gives instant measurements. Impressively, the app can also measure in 3D, which means you can measure more than just the length or breadth of an object.

Apple also unveiled the AR sharing experience thanks ARKit 2.0. This means that developers can create apps that will let multiple users share the same experience or play the same game. Won’t be too long before we AR Beer Pong being played on iPad Pros in dorm rooms.

One of the biggest pain points of iOS users has been notifications. Any moderately social media savvy user knows the struggles of managing notifications from different apps on an iOS device. With iOS 12, Apple has addressed this issue. One of the most talked-about features of iOS 12, before WWDC began, was notifications.

First up is Do Not Disturb mode for notifications. This means that during a user’s specified ‘Night Time’, the iPhone won’t display any notifications. The iPhone won’t light up for a notification meaning less disturbance and users will be able to deal with the notifications once they’re up.

Must Read: WWDC 2018: macOS Mojave With Dark Mode Unveiled

The second important feature is grouped notifications. Unlike any iOS versions so far, iOS 12 will group all the notifications from one app resulting in a much less cluttered lock screen and notification panel. With one swipe, users will get an option to either manage, open or dismiss all the notifications at once.

On paper, these are very important updates to iOS, especially for users with older devices. Many people were anticipating a Dark Mode to make its way to iOS but, they’ll have to make do with Smart Invert for the time being. Apple did, however, commit to the Dark Mode but, on macOS Mojave instead. Whether iOS 12 will be that performance upgrade everyone was hoping for, only time will tell as we expect the final version of iOS 12 to roll-out a few days after the 2018 iPhone lineup is launched.
June 5, 2018