Category: Apple

Apple Hires Contractors That Listen To Private Conversation Through Siri

Apple is a company that has always promised its customers industry-leading security. For the most part, it holds true. The company is one of the better-trusted consumer brands in the world, at least in terms of data privacy. However, a new report has surfaced which claims that the tech giant is regularly listening on private conversations by its hired contractors through Siri, its digital voice assistant.

Home Pod

Initial reports had revealed that Apple was hiring contractors across the globe to listen to Siri recordings to improve the voice assistants capabilities. What came as a surprise was the fact that the company had failed to enlighten its users regarding this practice. Now, a fresh report suggests that there have been “countless instances” of recordings carrying sensitive information or private conversations. Furthermore, it has also been reported that some cases of illegal activities have also been caught in the recordings. Apple had initially promised users that anonymity is being maintained and no user info is accessible. However, a source claimed that the recordings also feature user data showing locations, contact details and app data.

Apple started the initiative of human interaction with Siri recordings to improve its interface and interactional capabilities. The company said that only a small portion of Siri requests are analysed and users’ Apple ID is not associated alongside the recordings. Addtionally, Apple claimed that all reviewers are under strict confidential guidelines and are undertaken at secured facilities. Although the contractors and audio reviewing isn’t a secret, its privacy terms do not inform users of the practice.

Also Read: Indian Smartphone Market Reaches Record-Breaking 37 Million Shipments In Q2

People conscious about their privacy and afraid of the accidental triggering of Siri can turn off the “Hey Siri” feature. The new accusation marks the increasing frequency with which even the most trusted brands are being doubted. In a modern interconnected world, data privacy is now increasingly more important. Apple has yet to respond to the latest reports but a statement is expected to arrive soon.

July 27, 2019
Apple iPhone 11 Leaked Internals And Camera Features Roundup

Historically, Apple releases the latest entry of its flagship smartphones in September. The latest models are reportedly dubbed iPhone 11 and will launch in three different variants. The traditional launch event will host the latest generation of iPhones that will be successors to their previous iterations; iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. Now, we have provided a small roundup of leaked internals and features of the upcoming smartphones.

Reportedly, 2019 iPhone will feature similar resolution as its predecessors while keeping the lightning port and sport a new Taptic engine. It means that the upcoming Apple handsets will not carry the USB-C port that is already available on the latest iPad Pros.

Display & Ports

Previously, reports had unsurfaced claiming the tech giant to move towards a more AMOLED centric electronic product line. However, the 2019 iPhone XR might be skipping the new display which may arrive on its 2020 edition next year. The deal with Samsung for a large number of AMOLED panels will have Apple include such displays on a more broader scale in the near future. Additionally, the exclusion of a USB Type-C port is rather odd considering 2018 iPad Pro already features the universal port.

Internals & New Taptic Engine

2019 iPhone or iPhone 11 will run on the latest A13 SoC, codenamed Cebu, from Apple. It will be the latest instalment in mobile processors from the company and improvements are expected on power management and performance. A beefier version of the chipset might be included in the upcoming 2019 iPad Pro as well.

Past reports had suggested that Apple is moving to discontinue its proprietary Taptic Engine owing to cost and lack of flexibility. Now, a fresh report claims that ‘leap haptics’ from Apple will replace the previous engine for haptic feedback. Haptic feedback is a touch and pressure sensitive system that allows for more customised functionality. Users could press on apps and launch certain functions that were available. Apple is rumoured to be removing its Taptic Engine on iPhones for a new iteration that might be more cost-effective.

Brand New Camera

Many have already seen the new triple camera setup which is featured on the back of 2019 iPhones. The iPhone 11 and 11 Max will feature a triple camera on a square module at the back while the cheaper 11R only sports a dual-camera setup. The third additional sensor is now leaked to be a wide-angle lens which would allow for ultra-wide shots from the rear. Notably, one new feature that will be available to users is Smart Frame. It is a function that captures an image from both the primary and wide-angle lens which thereon lets the users manually adjust the framing, or perform automatic perspective and crop correction.

iPhone 11 Concept

However, the new function is only accessible for a limited time after a shot is taken and will discard additional footage soon after. The front-facing camera on the iPhone 11 will also see an upgrade. The selfie shooter is getting added support for 120fps slow-motion recording. A function which is not seen on a more broader scale in the current market.

Also Read: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER Review

As of right now, no concrete conclusions can be drawn about what is confirmed and what is false. Only Apple’s official launch announcement in September can clear all doubts and rumours. Stay tuned for more information regarding the upcoming iPhone. More information is expected to arrive soon and updates will follow promptly.

July 24, 2019
Another Day, Apple Watch Saves Yet Another Man’s Life

Apple Watch which was originally intended as an extended accessory to the iPhone has turned into a lot more. The smartwatch with built-in health-related sensors like a heart rate monitor (HRM) has saved a significant number of lives in the past.

Likewise, a 48 year old Brit named, Paul Hutton received a life-saving surgery after his Apple Watch notified him of irregular heartbeat pattern which would frequently drop below 40 bpm (beats per minute). For reference, the heart rate of a healthy human ranges between 60 bpm and 100 bpm.

When the Apple Watch notified him for the first time, the man visited a general practitioner who apparently diagnosed him with low heart rate. In order to resolve the issue, he cut down on caffeine. Nevertheless, his Apple Watch which was upgraded in 2017 continued to send notifications.

Following continuous warnings from the wearable device, he has referred him to a consultant who diagnosed him of a potentially life-threatening condition called, ventricular bigeminy. Readers who are unaware, this condition is referred to as a problematic heart rhythm in which there are repeated rhythmic heartbeats, one long and one shorter. This irregular heart-pumping action can lead to the improper blood supply to vital organs of the body.

The sufferer has since undergone a complex surgery that has supposedly fixed the underlying health issue. Though he continues to use his Apple Watch and perhaps will use it even in the future.

Also Read: Galaxy Note 10 Will Support Zoom Audio, Display & Battery Details Also Revealed

To sum it up, technology has actually come a long way and devices like Apple Watch are of great use in saving precious lives.

What is your take on health-related technology and gadgets? If you use any such gadgets yourself, do let us know in the comments below.

July 23, 2019
Apple To Buy Intel’s 5G Modem Business For US$ 1 Billion

American technology giants Apple and Qualcomm dropped all pending lawsuits against each other and signed a six-year licensing agreement back in the month of April this year. As a repercussion of the decision, chipmaking giant Intel, who was the chief supplier of smartphone modem for the Apple iPhone for the last few years; announced that it is quitting any development on 5G modems. Now, the latest reports reveal that Apple is in advanced talks in buying the dormant 5G modem division from Intel for a hefty sum of US$ 1 Billion.

About the deal

As mentioned above, due to the settlement between Apple and Qualcomm, Intel announced that it is quitting the 5G modem business. The reason cited of the decision by the latter was that Apple is its most important client and without it, the company does not see a path forward. With the chipmaker moving out of the modem business, Apple could really benefit with the company’s resources and expertise. Intel was also the sole supplier of network modems for the iPhones launched in the year 2018, which include the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR.

Also read: Huawei’s First 5G Smartphone Will Soon Be Commercially Available

It has been rumoured time and again that iPhones with support for 5G connectivity may arrive as soon as next year. And Apple is looking forward to using its own 5G modems inside the devices. However, for the near future, the company may have to use third-party modems, like the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50/X55 ones; as it may take years for it to develop a viable and sustainable modem business for its handsets. It is speculated that when the deal with Qualcomm ends in the year 2025; Apple will be ready with its own smartphone modems for use in future iPhones.

July 23, 2019
2020 Apple iPhone Will Feature A 120hz Samsung Made AMOLED Display

In a bid to be ever innovative, OEMs have tinkered with each and every aspect a smartphone has to offer. For example, the display of a handset is one of its fundamental components with which serves the medium of interaction. Now, there are many companies that offer a display refresh rate higher than the standard 60Hz panel on their devices; the simple increase in refresh rate translates to a massive increase in responsiveness and significantly improved user experience. According to a fresh report, Apple is now also seeking to incorporate a ‘faster’ display on its future generation of iPhones.

Apple is considering a switchable 60Hz/120Hz refresh rate screen on the iPhone in 2020, and is discussing with Samsung and LG. pic.twitter.com/4aoU303umu
— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) July 21, 2019

A renowned leakster shared on Twitter, that Apple is possibly looking into a higher refresh rate screen for its 2020 iPhones. The tech giant is reportedly in talks with leading component suppliers including Samsung and LG who specialise in smartphone displays. Hence, the upcoming iPhone of the following year is likely to feature a display that can switch between 60hz and 120Hz. Notably, the new display could be akin to the 120Hz ProMotion display that is featured on the iPad Pro or employ a similar technology.

iPhone 11 Concept Renders

ProMotion was developed to offer a seamless user experience that would enable a responsive ‘feel’ alongside amazing multi media consumption. Furthermore, it can be said that Apple is looking to better its smartphone offerings making them all the more appealing for its customers worldwide. The year 2019 wasn’t as relatively notable for the company with modest sales volume; but the arriving 2019 flagships and 2020 iPhones could potentially place it on the top of another mobile arms race.

iPhone XR

The company introduced its ProMotion display on its iPad Pro back in 2017. It was essentially a smart 120Hz display which adapted its refresh rate according to the content viewed; basically a dynamic refresh rate. The new display on the 2020 iPhone will sport a refresh rate doubling that of any current gen flagships offerings. Implications of Apple’s shift towards a uniform higher refresh panel across its flagship lineup is huge. We may soon see more OEMs adopting better and faster display panels on their flagships by default, meaning it could be a new industry standard soon.

iPad Pro

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We have already seen gaming smartphones like the nubia Red Magic 3 and the ROG Gaming Phone offer higher refresh rate panels. Apple, one of the biggest names in the mobile industry hasn’t lagged far behind either. Conclusively, even if the report is unconfirmed offers a first look at what the future iPhone may feature. The company has always been renowned for its crisp display, but a more responsive one just seeks to add another plus point. Unfortunately, additional information is currently unavailable so stay tuned for more updates that will arrive soon.

July 22, 2019
Future Apple iPhones Will Feature A ToF 3D Depth Camera

Apple is yet to launch the 2019 iPhones which will allegedly be called the iPhone XI, iPhone XI Max and iPhone XR 2019 or XI R. However, news regarding its 2020 smartphones have already started popping up. According to a new report, the American company has asked its supply chain partners to supply VCSEL components for a rear ToF camera lens. The sensor is said to be incorporated in its 2020 lineup of flagship smartphones.

VCSELs stands for Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers which are a critical component of Apple’s TrueDepth camera. It is found in the iPhone XR, XS and XS Max and enables features such as Face ID, Animoji and Portrait selfies as well as proximity-sensing capabilities of AirPods. The incorporation of a ToF camera system will be a significant improvement from TrueDepth owing to more advanced laser technology. Basically, Apple is upgrading the components housed in the current generation of iPhones allowing for added functionality.

iPhone XS Max

TrueDepth utilizes tens of thousands of laser dots to accurately map a users’ face that offers a secure authentication process. Contrastingly, ToF sensors measure the time taken for a laser to bounce off surrounding objects to create a 3D image; it is similar to how RADARS detect objects by bouncing signals of varying wavelengths. Hence, the ToF provides a more accurate depth perception and better measurement of virtual objects placements. It will essentially allow depth being captured in photos with greater quality.

Apple iPhone XR

Apple iPhone 2020 could be able to scan areas up to 15 feet from the device. Current generation iPhones with TrueDepth only work at distances up to 25 to 50cms in comparison. With this, the tech giant is reportedly two years ahead of its competition in the region of 3D sensing technology. Sony is claimed to be the supplier for the ToF technology as Apple is rumoured to be in talks with the Japanese company. However, the company had also invested $390 million (approx. INR 2687 crores) in Finisar Corp which also supplies VCSELs.

Also Read: Sony Is Working On A Foldable Phone With A Host Of New Sensors

Earlier reports had claimed that the 2019 iPhones would also incorporate the new feature. However, Apple has put its plans for AR/VR based technology development on hold for now. The 2020 iPhones could have Apple again incorporating a major distinctive feature that sets it apart from its competitors. Unfortunately, no official statement from the company has been given out yet. Updates will be provided once more information is available, so stay tuned.

July 18, 2019
The 2019 iPhone XR Looks Stunning In Lavender And Green

The iPhone XR which was first released in the year 2018 has turned out to the best selling smartphone for Apple in the current update cycle. In comparison to the flagship grade, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the economical handset has a LCD display versus an OLED and a single camera on the back versus two.

Falling into the footsteps of the original iPhone XR, the company is bound to launch an upgraded handset soon. Surprisingly, the upcoming device will not only differ in terms of just specifications, but Apple will also introduce two new colour options for the device while phasing out two colour variants which were unveiled with its predecessor.

With the 2019 iPhone XR (name not confirmed), Apple will introduce Green and Lavender colour variants which will replace the Coral and Blue colour variants. In addition, the device will allegedly be available in White, Red and Black colour options.

In terms of optics, the 2019 iPhone XR will have dual rear cameras, which is one additional sensor in comparison to the 2018 variant. It is speculated that the second camera will be a Sony ToF sensor which will be used for collecting depth information.

Furthermore, the 2019 iPhone XR is destined to get an updated mobile chipset from the company which is assumed to be called “A13”. In terms of display it will retain a 6.1 inch LCD with Full HD+ resolution. Noteworthy, Apple is also reported to equip its 2019 iPhone models with a USB Type C port as seen with the iPad Pro.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One Smartphone Official Images Leaked

Conclusively, all the reports and claims about the 2019 iPhone XR along with iPhone XI and iPhone XI Max will be clarified at the offiicial launch event which is expected to take place in the month of September.

July 13, 2019
Apple Is Working On A MacBook With Touchscreen Keyboard
Multi national tech companies including Apple and Google register a variety of promising developments in the form of patents each year. A large number of such patents do not turn in to real life consumer ready products. But, they do provide the valuable insight which can be used to determine in what direction a particular product or a company is headed towards.

According to a freshly granted patent, the Cupertino based electronics giant, Apple is working on a MacBook with two displays. The patent exhibits a notebook computer without a physical keyboard and trackpad, rather it features a secondary touch screen which can be used to operate the machine. Even though there is hardly any information available about the device, this technologys holds the potential to open a new world of possibilities. A couple of benefits of that such a MacBook can bring to the table include:
- Slimmer Device: The presence of a conventional keyboard restrains OEMs from reducing the thickness of a laptop beyond a certain point. On the other hand, a touch screen is much thinner and therefore Apple can take advantage of the technology to further reduce the thickness of future MacBook notebooks.
- Longetivity: A mechanical keyboard on a MacBook or any other laptop has a tendency to fail over time if dust particles get accumulated in it. Inversely, such a scenario would not occur with a touch screen display due to absence of any openings or gaps. Nevertheless, a touchscreen is a much more sensitive component. Hence the users need to keep caution not to damage it with accessories like ornaments or a wrist watch.
- Better Water Resistance: In case of an accident, the liquid can easily seep into the main body of the MacBook which can destroy essential component like a motherboard. Having no gaps in the keyboard would allow the device fair much better in case liquid spillage does happen.
- Longer Battery Life: The free space that has been created due to the removal of a keyboard and trackpad can be utilised to equip the MacBook with a larger battery pack.
- Much Versatile Selection Of Accesories and Controls: Due to the touchscreen display’s capability to continuously change the images that are currently being displayed, different applications can show only the necessary controls for that app. This will in turn boost productivity. Besides, existing accesories like the Apple Pencil can be used to add several other functionalities to a MacBook.
Even though the patent seems like a farfetched idea, it has a plausibility to turn into a real life device. As observed with the TouchBar on existing MacBooks, Apple has already prooved that such technology can be implemented. Furthermore, Chinese tech firm, Lenovo had previously showcased a notebook computer with dual displays which seemed quite usable. Noteworthy, touchscreens are much expensive than conventional keyboard and mouse, hence, this new addition can bump up the price of such a device significantly.

Also Read: Huawei Confirms HongMeng OS, But Will Stick To Android For The Near Future

To sum it up, Apple has the technological prowess to fabricate such a MacBook. Given that it chooses this route for its future notebook computers, it would only be a matter of time and perseverance till all the complications are unraveled and this thing turns into reality.
July 12, 2019
Apple iPhone X & XS Prices To Drop Soon After Made In India Units Arrive

Earlier this year, Foxconn was reported to start the production of Apple’s current generation of flagships in India. The renowned Taiwanese contract manufacturer has been working to produce the iPhone X and iPhone XS models in the country. Notably, another manufacturer named Wistron is already producing iPhone 7 for the southeastern nation. The Made in India smartphones will cause the prices to drop for the iPhone lineups in the subcontinent.

Apple’s top end iPhones that are assembled in India will sell for a lower cost and are expected to arrive this August. According to the report, Apple is expanding local assembly in hopes to save on the high taxes; which is levied by the Government on imported fully built devices that are sold in the country. The company is also looking into collaboration with local sourcing firms to open its own retail stores within the Indian subcontinent.

Apple is a popular brand in the premium market of the country with millions of loyal Indian fans. However, the market share still just accounts for 1% of the entire holdings. A shift of market share has been observed after the emergence of brands such as OnePlus. It is reported that Foxconn would start the production of iPhone X series of devices in Tamil Nadu, a south Indian State. Apple is already building the iPhone SE, iPhone 6S, and iPhone 7 models in India’s tech hub, Bengaluru. The American company’s local production of smartphones could provide a sizeable margin to the company on each unit; this in turn will help drive the prices lower.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi K20 & K20 Pro To Go On A Special Alpha Sale Today

The Made In India initiative positively impacting foreign companies is a great deal for the country. It ensures more competitive pricing and choices for the customers which is always a plus point. Apple could now potentially use India as an export hub amidst the US and China trade wars. The company is already reported to shift some of its Chinese production and India is one of the countries that will see a growth in manufactuing of Apple products.

July 12, 2019
Apple To Introduce In Display TouchID In iPhones Starting Next Year

Apple is expected to launch three new iPhones in the month of September this year. These devices will be upgraded versions of the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max respectively. While the launch of the smartphones is highly anticipated; leaks regarding the handsets have revealed that they will be just an iterative update over their predecessor. The company is instead expected to make some major changes with the iPhones starting next year. Now, in a new report, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Quo has revealed that at least one of the iPhones released next year may have an In Display TouchID. This suggests that the company may be planning on ditching the FaceID authentication feature soon.

In Display TouchID

As mentioned above, iPhones starting the year 2020 may sport an In Display TouchID; which is what Apple calls the fingerprint sensor in its smartphones. This would also result in a smaller front facing notch, which was introduced with the iPhone X in the year 2017. It means that the upcoming devices will see a significant increase in their screen to body ratio. However, the analyst also reveals that Apple may be planning to phase out the FaceID face authentication feature starting next year. It is expected to be fully removed from all the company’s smartphones until the year 2021. Unfortunately, it is not known if the upcoming in display TouchID will use an optical or an ultrasonic sensor for authentication.

Also read: Nintendo Announces Switch Lite, An Affordable Portable Gaming Console

Apple is expected to launch an entirely new lineup of handsets next year. These have been revealed to be iPhones with a screen size of 6.7 inches, 5.4 inches and 6.1 inches respectively. Notably, all the three new models may feature an OLED display, which was reserved only for the most premium devices in the lineup. While it is not certain, a fourth device, which will also have TouchID support may be exclusively launched in China alongside the 2020 series of iPhones. It is recommended to take these reports with a grain of salt, as it is unlikely that Apple will be giving up on FaceID after just 3 years of introducing it.

July 11, 2019
Made In India iPhones Now Being Exported To Europe

Following the initiation of “Make In India” movement several electronic companies setup their assembly plants in India. Wistron, which is contract manufacturer for Apple started assembling iPhones in the country in the year 2016.

Surprisingly, a report states that India made iPhones which are manufactured by Wistron are now being exported to the European markets as well. According to a senior executive at Counterpoint research, Apple is currently exporting the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 7. Speaking of numbers, close to 1,00,000 units are exported each month.

The iPhone’s that are being exported to Europe are put together at the Wistron facility which is located in Bengaluru. The facility has been manufacturing the iPhone 6S since the year 2018, while the iPhone 7 production began earlier this year(1).

Analysts believe that the move to use India a centre of export would turn out fruitious for both Apple and the country. Besides, it will bolster India’s position as an attaractive destination from foreign investors. Moreover, it will allow Apple to elevate its high dependence on China which is where most of the iPhones are made as of now.

Amidst the rising trade tensions between US and China, Apple had asked its suppliers which include Pegatron, Wistron and Foxconn to move 30 percent assembly lines to locations outside China. Therefore, India holds the potential to becoming one of the biggest Export hub for Apple.

Also Read: Mi Superbass Wireless Headphones To Launch In India Soon

In addition to Wistron, Apple’s another supplier, Foxconn will soon begin manufacturing high end iPhones including iPhone X in the country. It is estimated that out of the total production capacity of 2,50,00 units, 70 percent of the devices will be exported.

Conclusively, if trade tensions between US and China continue to rise, and concurrently Indian government provides lucrative incentives, India could become the second biggest hub for iPhone production and other Apple products.

July 11, 2019
Apple Will Soon Launch Multiple New iPad Models

Earlier this year, Apple quitely refreshed the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with updated innards. In addition to previously launched devices, it seems that the company has a number of other tablets in the pipeline.

The company has freshly gained certification for five upcoming devices which are filed under the “tablet computer” category. Clearly, the upcoming devices will be iPads and they carry the following model numbers “A2068, A2198, A2230, A2197, and A2228”.

The certification was granted by Eurasian Economics Commission or EEC which is based Russia. The listings are critical as every device that can be sold in the region is needs to have the clearance certification from the supervising authority. Companies usually tend to get the devices registered with such bodies just before their launch when the device is ready for mass production. Therefore, the previously mentioned iPads could very well be finalided and they can launch in the near future.

Moreover, the EEC filing also reveals that the future iPad models will run on iPadOS 13 which was revealed at the WWDC 2019 event. The new OS is intended to bridge the gap between a full fledged PC OS and a mobile OS. The newly unveiled OS allows iPad owners to control their devices with a mouse and keyboard with native support. Hence, the device can work as a mobile workstation, possibly replacing a laptop. The iPad OS is currently in the Beta testing stage and will roll out for the general public later this year.

Unfortunately, the EEC listing certification does not reveal any other details about future iPads. However, they are expected to either succed the iPad Pro duo from 2018 or they could be the rumoured 10.2 inch iPad. Though less likely, they could by the foldable iPad which was previously leaked.

Also Read: Full Specs Of Honor 9X Duo Revealed Ahead Of Launch

As of now, nothing can be confirmed about the future tablets from Apple. Therefore, we will have to wait for the company to officially shine some light on the launch of the devices.

July 11, 2019

Apple Quietly Updates The Macbook Air And 13 Inch Macbook Pro With Touch Bar

In the year 2019, Apple has already upgraded a number of existing Mac computers which include the 15 inch MacBook notebook computer and the iMac desktop computer. On the 10th of July, the company silently refreshed the 13 inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air with an upgraded display and 8th Gen Intel CPUs. Also, the company has reduced the price of the device to rake in more customers and boost sales. Besides, the 12 inch MacBook which was first unveiled in 2015 has been discontinued.

2019 MacBook Air

In terms of design, the MacBook Air retains the thin and light design which has been a staple to this lineup of ultra-portable notebook computers. The laptop measures 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1/15.6 mm and weighs only 1.25 kg. It sports a 13.3-inch Retina display which supports Apple’s proprietary True Tone technology that can automatically adjust the colour temperature for a comfortable viewing experience.

In addition, the 2019 MacBook Air gets a TouchID sensor for biometric verification. The compact notebook computer is kitted with an 8th gen Intel Core i5 processor which has a base frequency of 1.6 GHz and a turbo boost upto 3.6 GHz. The MacBook Air is offered with 8 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 RAM which can be kitted with upto 128 GB of 256 GB of PCIe based SSD.

The 2019 MacBook Air features a 49.9 watt-hour lithium battery which can provide a battery backup of upto 13 hours dependent on the usage. It features a full-sized keyboard with 78 keys and a Force Touch Trackpad which features multi-touch gestures like pinch and zoom, two-finger scrolling.

MacBook Pro 13 With Touch Bar

Like the MacBook Air 2019, the MacBook Pro 13 features a 13.3-inch Retina display with a pixel density of 227 ppi. The laptop can be configured with two different Intel Core i5 chipsets. Both options have a quad-core CPU that features 128 MB of eDRAM. For further enhancing the security on the laptop, it features Apple’s in-house developed T2 security chip. The secondary chip is used for safely securing sensitive user data like passwords and fingerprint information. According to Apple, this chip combines an additional level of security which is virtually unable to be cracked via brute-forcing.

The highlighting feature of the 2019 MacBook Pro 13 is the addition of the Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID which was first seen on the 2015 MacBook Pro in 2016. The laptop is equipped with a large force touch trackpad which also supports multi-touch gestures.

As the name suggests, the Touch Bar is an elongated touchscreen display placed right above the keyboard keys. The feature is aimed towards replacing the conventional control buttons with a more interactive and modern approach. The Touch Bar can be used to regulate several functionalities like volume and brightness controls on the MacBook. In addition, it can also be used to toggle the most used or favourite apps with a simple tap.

The MacBook 2013 is offered with 8 GB of RAM which can be paired with either 128 GB or 256 GB of PCIe based SSD. The storage is non-user-replaceable, therefore, it cannot be replaced or upgraded at a later stage. Therefore, users must carefully select storage capacity at the time of purchasing the laptop.

Price And Availability

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Both, the MacBook Air Retina and the 13 inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar are available for purchase via both online and offline platforms. Price of both the laptops are as follows:

	Price In US	Price In India
MacBook Air Retina	US $ 1099	Rs 99,000
MacBook Pro 13	US $ 1299	Rs 1,19,000

Quick Specs

	MacBook Air	MacBook Pro
Screen	13.3-inch, LED-backlit 2560×1600 px 227 ppi	13.3-inch, LED-backlit 2560×1600 px 227 ppi
Camera	720p	720p
Battery	49.9 watt-hour	58.2 watt-hour
Processor	intel i5, 8th Gen dual-core base 1.6 GHz, turbo boost 3.6 GHz	intel i5, 8th Gen quad-core base 1.4 GHz, turbo boost 3.9 GHz intel i5, 8th Gen quad-core base 2.4 GHz, turbo boost 4.1 GHz
Storage	PCIe SSD 128 GB 256 GB	PCIe SSD 128 GB 256 GB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.2 802.11ac Wi-Fi	Bluetooth 4.2 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Ports	2x USB-C 3.1, Gen 2 (Charging + Data Transfer + DisplayPort)	2x USB-C 3.1, Gen 2 (Charging + Data Transfer + DisplayPort) 3.5 mm audio jack
Graphics	Intel UHD 617	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Colours	Gold Space Grey Silver	Space Grey Silver
Weight	1.25 kg	1.37 kg

July 10, 2019

Apple To Increase The Screen Size Of The Base Model iPads In The Future

Apple is one of the market leaders in the tablet industry. Its iPad offerings are popular in many markets across the globe. The company’s tablets are one of the best in their category alongside the likes of brands like Samsung and Lenovo. Now, Chinese sources have claimed that the upcoming 2019 iPad will start mass production from July alongside details regarding other Apple products, such as the 16 inch MacBook Pro.

According to the report, the base model of the iPads will now see a bump in their standard size to 10.2 inches. It will mark a major design overhaul in a long time, a much-needed improvement. To achieve the new screen size, Apple may reduce the bezels on the devices. This further suggests that the company may also get rid of the TouchID still present on lower end iPads and replace it with FaceID like the iPad Pro.

The tech giants announcement of iPadOS at WWDC 2019 has sought to make its tablet a more viable productive device. It means that with a bigger screen and better OS, the Apple iPad can be more viable for portable work machine similar to the Microsoft Surface.

The company currently offers the iPad 9.7 inches which was introduced back in 2018. It supported the first generation of Apple pencil with price starting from $329; marking a minor refresh over the 2017 iteration. The design upgrade to the base iPad lineup was long overdue and can potentially reignite tablet sales in the global market. Apple has yet to provide any statement regarding the matter.

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The new iPad will start production from the Q3 of 2019 and will replace the entry-level Apple tablets. Its new and improved screen will be a welcomed update for its loyal fans and customers. Finer details like specifications are still unknown. However, more information is expected to be available in the arriving weeks. Updates regarding this will be available soon.

July 10, 2019
Second Public Beta Of Apple’s iOS 13, iPadOS Released

Apple announced the latest iterations of its operating systems for its devices earlier last month at the World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC). These include the new version of the iPhone operating system, iOS 13; a brand new OS for iPads, iPadOS and an upgraded MacOS called MacOS Catalina. The company released the first public betas of the software last month, which can be downloaded by following the guide here. Now, the second public betas of the iOS 13 and iPadOS have been released, which add some features that were seen in the developer’s beta 3 announced last week.

What’s New?

With the second public beta of iOS 13 and iPadOS, Apple has added a few stability improvements. These should improve the performance of the devices running the software and also result in fewer crashes. With the latest update, the FaceTime Attention Correction Feature has also been added to the public beta. Exclusive to the latest iPhones for now, the feature uses Apple’s ARKit to make it seem that the user is maintaining eye contact with other people on a video call via the Facetime application.

On the second public beta of the iPadOS, Apple has added a new animation; which is designed to help the users keep track of the Split View Windows that are active at a time. The animation also works while taking full-page screenshots and in some other elements of the User Interface. All the features seen on the Developer Beta 3 have not made their way into the iOS 13 and iPadOS public beta yet. It may be because they are not stable enough to be used by the majority and should make their way in the next update.

Also read: Huawei’s HongMengOS May Launch On August 9 In China

Users already running the first public beta of either the iOS 13 or the iPadOS should get an Over the Air (OTA) update on their device for the second public beta. If not, going to Settings then About and checking Software Updates should do the trick. If you haven’t installed a beta and want to try it out, know that they are not known to be stable and can experience random crashes; it is thus not recommended on one’s primary device. In that case, waiting for the stable release due later this year is recommended.

July 9, 2019