Category: Apple

Apple iPhone X In Blush Gold Colour Could Be Launched Soon

The 2017 iPhone lineup saw a huge shakeup. The iPhone X was a big departure from what we were accustomed to seeing and the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus also offered great upgrades over the previous generations. Another big difference between the iPhone 8 and iPhone X was the colour variants. While the iPhone X is only available in a Silver and Space Gray, the iPhone 8 is available in Space Gray, Silver and Blush Gold.

It now seems that the iPhone X will also be available in the Blush Gold colour variant. Prominent leaker on Twitter teased the iPhone X with a few pictures of the production unit. He has not mentioned a timeline for the introduction of the new colour variant. But, with a few Apple events scheduled, the launch could happen very soon. The pricing of the iPhone X Blush Gold colour will be the same as the regular iPhone X available in the market right now.

D21A – “Blush Gold” iPhone in production. pic.twitter.com/l2xGYIYsCh

— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) March 19, 2018

The Blush Gold colour is a mix of Gold and Rose Gold. The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are the only two devices available in this colour as of now. If the iPhone X is indeed launched in this colour, it looks like the upcoming 2018 iPhone lineup will be launched in Blush Gold as well.

Apple iPhone X Specs

The Apple iPhone X has a 5.8-inch 2436 x 1125 px OLED True Tone Super Retina display.

Under the hood, the smartphone has the Apple A11 Bionic chipset with a neural engine, a hexacore processor, 3GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, and 256GB.

iPhone X

The phone runs on iOS 11. It is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery and supports wireless charging as well. The iPhone X is also IP67 certified for water and dust resistance, and wireless charging.

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The iPhone X has dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, and it’s equipped with dual optical image stabilization. In between the two cameras is a quad-LED True Tone flash. Both the front and back cameras have the portrait mode.

March 20, 2018
This Device Can Break Into Any iPhone

Smartphones have become our primary devices very quickly. Our documents, pictures, music, everything resides in our palm thanks to smartphones. Also, over the years, smartphones have come under scrutiny for their lacklustre security. A few months ago, OnePlus 5 was found to be vulnerable to hacking. While that was software based, a new device claims to be able to break into any iPhone.

GrayKey

A new device called GrayKey looks, ironically, like an Apple TV and can bypass any iPhone’s security code. The device is made by Grayshift, an Atlanta, US-based company and comes to light after the recent debate around company ethics and smartphone security. A couple of years ago, FBI asked Apple to give it access to the iPhones of San Bernardino shooters. Apple declined and FBI discovered that there are third-party services that can break into iPhones. While FBI was able to bypass those iPhones, it is surprising that Apple has not yet closed that backdoor access.

GrayKey has two lightning cables attached to it. The process of hacking into an iPhone starts with the iPhone being connected to the device for two minutes. After two minutes, the iPhone is disconnected and it shows a black screen. The black screen then displays the passcode and other information. However, it is worth noting that this process depends on how complex the passcode. It can even take up to two days to crack the code.

Grayshift claims that even disabled phones can be cracked. Once the iPhone is unencrypted, all the data is downloaded to the GrayKey device. What is even more mindboggling is the price of this device. The GrayKey is available in two variants, the US$ 15000 (Rs 975,675 approx.) model needs an internet connection, and is geofenced to work on a single network. The other variant costs a whopping US$ 30,000 (Rs 1,951,350 approx.) which doesn’t need an internet connection and can bypass devices as the owner wants.

It is worth noting that these devices will be nullified if and when Apple comes up with a fix for this vulnerability.

March 19, 2018
Apple iPhone X Advertisement Shows An iOS Bug

Apple launched the iPhone X with a radical design change. This was the first iPhone to skip the infamous home button in favour of a bezel-less design. This also meant that Apple had to drop Touch ID and introduce an able replacement. Face ID uses 3D sensors for such accuracy which are housed in the now iconic notch. While the iPhone X has been well-received, iOS 11 has had a rocky start. But, it has come a long way since its introduction in September, thanks to timely updates.

It looks like Apple had a quality assurance mess up with the new iPhone X advertisement. Towards the end of the video, a very old iOS 11 bug was spotted by 9to5Mac. The text that was supposed to stay inside the bubble appears a tad faster than the bubble animation. Having a minor glitch on any smartphone OS is common. However, the showcasing of this bug in an official advertisement highlights the bugs-ridden story of iOS 11 so far.

https://youtu.be/-pF5bV6bFOU

This is not the only bug that the iOS 11 has. There is an unusual UI bug on Music app and there are even screen rotating issues. In fact, we recently reported about the black screen of death as well. There is even a rumour in the industry that, Apple will refine the user experience of the iOS 11 next year, instead of launching the iOS 12. In fact, the company will unveil the new iteration of iOS at WWDC 2018.

Apple iPhone X Specs

The iPhone X has a 5.8-inch 2436 x 1125 px OLED True Tone Super Retina display. The phone runs iOS 11.1 and is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery which charges through the Apple signature lightning port placed at the bottom of the phone or via wireless charging. Because of the all-glass design, the iPhone 8 also has wireless charging.

Under the hood, the smartphone has the Apple A11 Bionic chipset with a neural engine, a hexacore processor, 3GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, and 256GB. The small bezels mean there is no physical home button, which is now replaced with gestures for navigation. Siri is activated by pressing the now larger lock/unlock button. The iPhone X is also IP67 certified for water and dust resistance, and wireless charging.

March 17, 2018
Apple iPhone SE 2 Might Have Wireless Charging

Apple launched the iPhone X, which showcases the best of Apple’s design and engineering. Though it is a great smartphone, the US$ 1,000 price tag makes it a tough buy. Many features of the iPhone X will trickle down to upcoming iPhones. While major iPhone launch will happen in September, rumours about the iPhone SE 2 don’t seem to fade away.

A new leaked back case of the iPhone SE 2 shows design similarities to the iPhone 8. This picture suggests that the iPhone SE 2 will have a glass panel with support for wireless charging. Similarly, the case has round cutouts for the volume buttons, which is distinctive of the iPhone SE design.

Apple introduced the iPhone SE after the launch of the iPhone 6S. The iPhone SE had hardware similar to the iPhone 6S in a compact shell with aggressive pricing. In fact, the iPhone SE is the cheapest iPhone ever (launch price).

Most of the leaks and rumours about the iPhone SE 2 are very conflicting. A report says that the iPhone SE 2 is expected to follow the iPhone X’s design cues while others have conceded that the device will retain the original iPhone SE design.

iPhone SE 2 Concept

Considering the first scenario, if SE 2 comes with an iPhone X like the design, what will be the future of the iPhone 8, which might retail for a much higher price? In the second scenario, the company has to stick with Touch ID.

The certainty of the launch of an iPhone SE 2 is extremely slim. But, the constant leaks are enough to create an air of hope, especially with WWDC 2018 coming up soon.

March 17, 2018
Apple iPhone SE 2 With An iPhone X Style Display Leaks In Video

After the launch of the iPhone X, there have been plenty of rumours about an iPhone X like iPhone SE 2. The original iPhone SE was launched back in 2016 and the company skipped an incremental update in 2017. However, many reports have claimed that Apple could launch the iPhone SE 2 at WWDC 2018. The reports have been conflicting, though, some claiming that the iPhone SE 2 will have hardware update and retain the design of the original iPhone SE. While some have claimed that it will have a design similar to the iPhone X.

You may also like: Apple iPhone SE 2: What To Expect?

A new video of a possibly fake iPhone SE 2 has surfaced online. The video showcases an iPhone X with a metal frame similar to the iPhone SE. While it might sound very interesting, it is highly unlikely that Apple would take this route. Especially considering that the iPhone SE 2 could be a much more affordable device than the iPhone X.

The size of the device in the video is also suspect. The iPhone SE was intended for people who wanted an iPhone with new hardware and the old small screen design. The leaked device has the same display as the iPhone X which potentially contradicts the reason behind the iPhone SE’s introduction.

Although it’s not the SE 2, the leaked video has given us a glimpse of what the iPhone X could look like with a metal frame instead of a steel one. It is possible that Apple will announce the iPhone SE 2 at WWDC 2018. Or, Apple could host a separate event for the iPhone SE 2. Apple is expected to launch a few upgrades for its MacBook lineup as well. Since WWDC usually focuses on software, its hardware products could be unveiled at an event after WWDC, or before it. However, there has been no confirmation from Apple so far.

March 16, 2018
Google Assistant Now Available For Apple iPads
Google Assistant is one of the best AI assistants right now. It competes closely with Amazon Alexa but, has a much better integration with the mobile OS. Also, Android is the most used OS in the world which means Google Assistant is available on more devices. But, Google Assistant has not limited itself to just Android devices. Google made the Assistant available for iPhones in 2017 and has now rolled out the support for iPad as well. However, unlike an Android device, the Google Assistance has some limitations due to API restrictions.

The Google Assistant on Apple iPads can perform tasks like setting a reminder, turning on the light etc. In fact, it can also be used to make a video call or sending a text message.

The Assistant can also be used with another app using iOS multitasking capabilities. However, as this is an Apple device, Google Assistant cannot be revoked by long pressing the home similar to Siri. The Google Assistant will be available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil) and Spanish.

One has to download the app from Apple app store

Here are the some of the basic commands that can be used with Google Assistant
- Set the mood by having the Assistant “dim the lights”
- Cast to your TV by asking the Assistant to “watch the latest news on the living room TV”
- Stay in touch by asking the Assistant to “video call mom” or “text Lauren”
- Keep up with your chores by asking the Assistant to “remind me to take out the recycling at 8 PM”
Minimum hardware and software required
- iOS 10 or latest operating system
- 155.6 MB of Data
- 300 MB of Storage
March 14, 2018
New Google Maps Feature Lets Users Publicly List Locations
Google Maps recently announced a bunch of new features for India. These new features ease the process of searching or sharing an address. The company has combined area code with the local code to generate a unique “Plus” code for every geographical area. The Google Maps Plus code can be broadcasted across social media platforms for sharing.

Google Maps Plus Code

The Google Plus code is a combination of GPS location details and the local area pin code. Up until now, Google Maps let the users share direct GPS locations. However, with the Google Maps Plus Code, the sharing of location is a lot easier. This feature is available for both Android and iOS operating systems.

How to add missing Address
- Open Maps
- Touch and hold the place to select the marker
- Click on the description of the place
- Click on “Add a missing place” option
- Enter the details such as name, website etc and press the arrow mark on the top right corner
How to generate Plus Code
- Open Maps on your iOS or Android device
- Touch and hold the place to select the marker
- Click on the description of the place
- Scroll down to the bottom to find the Plus code
- Copy the code by pressing on it
How to search an address using Plus Code
- Copy and paste the code into Google Maps search bar and hit enter to find the navigation for the address
- Or simply, copy paste the code into Google search, and the address will be shown in the search results
March 14, 2018
You Can Buy A Gold iPhone X For US$ 4510

If you have a spare US$ 4,510, then you can get yourself a limited edition Gold Apple iPhone X. In fact, this could be your only chance to buy a golden iPhone X, as the official iPhone X is only available in Grey and White colour only.

For the hefty price that you are paying for the device, you are not just getting an ordinary gold iPhone. Instead, you are getting an iPhone with 24-carat gold plating. In fact, these are the first set Caviar to feature Apple logo on the back.

Caviar is a luxury smartphone brand, which changes the external looks and aesthetics of Apple products. The company is known for customised iPhones and Apple Watches.

There are two versions of Caviar’s Gold iPhone X. One can choose between “classic gold” and “liquid gold”. The classic gold version retails for US$ 4,510 and the liquid gold version retails for US$ 4,805.

Apple iPhone X Specifications

The iPhone X has a 5.8-inch 2436 x 1125 px OLED True Tone Super Retina display. Under the hood, the smartphone has the Apple A11 Bionic chipset with a neural engine, a hexacore processor, 3GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, and 256GB.

The small bezels mean there is no physical home button, which is now replaced with gestures for navigation. Siri is activated by pressing the now larger lock/unlock button. The iPhone X is also IP67 certified for water and dust resistance, and wireless charging. The phone runs iOS 11.1 and is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery.

The iPhone X has dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, and it’s equipped with dual optical image stabilization. The sensors are both larger and faster, according to Apple, and the main camera is equipped with a wide angle lens and has an f/1.8 aperture while the secondary telephoto lens has an f/2.4 aperture. In between the two cameras is a quad-LED True Tone flash.

March 14, 2018
Apple To Host WWDC 2018 From June 4th

Apple has announced that its annual developer’s conference, World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC 2018) will commence on the 4th of June till June 8th. For the second year in a row, the conference will take place at McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. The developer’s conference is for app and software developers where Apple unveils the latest version of all its operating systems.

This time around, the company is expected to announce iOS 12, macOS 10.14 10.14, watchOS 5 and tvOS 12. Apple also uses the conference to unveil new innovations and give a sneak peek into what the future holds for Apple. At the WWDC 2017, Apple unveiled the HomePod, its first-ever smart speaker which recently went on sale.

To participate in the conference, you will need tickets. And for that, Apple has announced that it will rely on a lottery system since the demand has been extremely high over the years. Apple is also offering up to 350 WWDC Student Scholarships, wherein students and members of all STEM organisations can earn a free ticket to WWDC 2018.

What To Expect From WWDC 2018

At WWDC 2018, Apple is expected to showcase its advancements in AR technology since it unveiled ARKit at WWDC 2017. Since launching ARKit, iOS has become the largest platform for augmented reality. New versions of iOS as well as macOS are also expected to be announced. Reports claim that the new version of iOS will not have a lot of design changes. In fact, since iOS 11 has been a shaky update so far, iOS 12 will concentrate on stability more than anything else.

iPhone X Plus Concept

While WWDC has historically been about software, Apple has been unveiling a few products lately. WWDC 2018 could see the announcements of an entry-level MacBook and the most affordable MacBook Air. While chances are slim, a HomePod Mini could be unveiled as well. Although, there has been no rumour about it all.

This conference will also serve as a sneak peek into what will be in store for the upcoming iPhones. Apple iPhones of 2018 is expected to look similar to the iPhone X. This means that Face ID will now be a primary feature and not a one-off attempt which a lot of people assumed. Apple might showcase new technologies that will better Face ID on the upcoming iPhones and the current iPhone X.

While a lot of people expected the iPhone SE 2 to be unveiled at WWDC 2018, it doesn’t seem likely. However, one can always hope.

March 14, 2018
Apple Might Launch An Entry-Level MacBook In 2018

Recently, there has been a lot of demand for compact notebooks. Apple appears to be preparing to cash in on this demand by launching an affordable MacBook. A report suggests that Apple might launch a new MacBook in Q2 of 2018. This will be a successor of the 12 inch model that was updated in 2017. The device is expected to be priced similarly to the entry-level Air model or slightly higher than that.

The new Macbook is expected to go into mass production from June. These notebooks will be manufactured by two assembly chains. Quantum Computers have said to fulfil 70 percent orders and Foxconn will fulfil rest. Apple is aiming at 6 million device shipments. However, the actual volume is expected to reach 2/3rd of the target.

12 inch MacBook

The displays for the new notebook will be sourced from LG, as there is an issue with the Chinese supplier. The notebook will have a 13.3-inch display with a native 2560 x 1600 px resolution, similar to the current MacBook Pro lineup. Similarly, the upstream supply chain for the production of 2018 iPad Pro, and an inexpensive iPad 2018 have already begun. Also, the company is expected to launch the inexpensive iPad in Q2 of 2018 and the iPad Pro in the second half of 2018.

Expected features of Apple MacBook 2018

As mentioned, the notebook will have a 13.3 inch display with 2560 x 1600 px resolution. Under the hood, the notebook will have Intel’s latest Core M series chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Similarly, the notebook will have a similar form factor as of the original iteration with a butterfly mechanism keypad.

The notebook might also feature Touch ID for the authentification. However, we do not expect the notebook to have Touch Bar.

March 12, 2018
Apple iPhones And iPads Might Get A New Type Of Charging Port

For years, Apple’s iOS devices have come with a lightning port for charging and data syncing. In fact, it has been the only port on an iPhone since 2016 after the company ditched the headphone jack. While the rest of the smartphone makers are making a switch to the USB Type C port for all their devices, Apple might have different plans.

A leaked patent has revealed that the company might introduce a new type of charging port for its upcoming iPhones. The new charging port will be wedge-shaped for better water resistance while charging. The new port will have a wedge-shaped pin and a rubber gasket. This arrangement will squeeze to create a vacuum, making the charging port water and dustproof.

It is worth noting that the same arrangement has been applied to the USB Type C ports found on the company’s laptops. If this does happen to be a legitimate plan, it won’t be surprising. In fact, it was surprising to see Apple go the Qi standard route for its iPhone X. Everyone expected a proprietary technology of wireless charging as well.

Conclusion

Many have called for Apple to switch to USB Type C ports for its iOS devices. Apple has already made its laptop lineup almost only USB Type C so it makes sense for the company to do it with its iOS devices. This will play well into Apple’s ecosystem as well. People who own a MacBook and an iPhone could only carry a single cable to charge their devices.

March 10, 2018
Android Has More Loyal Users Than iOS

The debate of Android vs iOS always seems to reach an impasse. At the end of the day, comparing an iPhone X to a Galaxy S9 is like comparing apples and oranges. However, loyalty towards a smartphone or a platform can be measured and compared. A study has done exactly that and conceded that Android users are more loyal than iOS users.

A new report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners has claimed that Android users do not switch to iPhones as frequently as they used to. The study has found out that Android has a 91% loyalty rate, compared with 86% for iOS. This is measured as the percentage of U.S. customers who retained their OS platform when they upgraded their smartphones in 2017.

MIUI On Redmi Note 5 Pro

Mike Levin, partner and co-founder of CIRP explains:

With only two mobile operating systems at this point, it appears users now pick one, learn it, invest in apps and storage, and stick with it. Now, Apple and Google need to figure out how to sell products and services to these loyal customer bases.

Experience 9.0 On Galaxy S9+

It is worth noting that the rate of switching is different from the total number of people switching. Levin said:

We know Android has a larger base of users than iOS, and because of that larger base, the absolute number of users that switch to iOS from Android is as large or larger than the absolute number of users that switch to Android from iOS.

Looking at the absolute number of users in this way tends to support claims that iOS gains more former Android users, than Android does former iOS users.

This has become more obvious than ever. With the dwindling popularity of BlackBerry and feature phones a thing of past, Android and iOS are the only players left in the OS game. This explains the two companies’ behaviour as well. As smartphones now reach a saturation point, services these companies provide will play a major role in influencing consumer behaviour.

That somehow explains the Apple HomePod. From the outside, the HomePod seems like an absurd smart speaker which can’t even connect to an iOS device. However, Apple is pushing its services to people who want a really good sounding smart speaker. With time, Apple will rely heavily on services for major revenue generation, services like Apple Music.

For Android users, brand loyalty is evident thanks to the array of devices available. Users can move from one device to another and pick up from exactly where they left off. There are definitely more options to choose from for Android users which means they can get a better experience from a new device without changing their services.

Stock Android 8.1 Oreo On Pixel 2 XL

However, it is worth noting that iOS was once the more loyal platform. Back in 2013, iPhone users were more loyal than Android users. But, ever since then, the loyalty of Android users has been on a rise.

Conclusion

With smartphones becoming more or less the same, at least in the flagship category, it seems like people have picked their preferred OS. Now, it is up to Google and Apple to maintain that customer base and keep innovating to provide more options to users part of their ecosystem. As for the debate of iOS vs Android, it will continue on for a long period of time.

March 9, 2018
Apple iPhones In 2019 Will Not Have A Notch

Before Apple launched the iPhone X, there were enough speculations that it would be different from anything we had soon thus far. Leaks pointed to an unusual design language with a notch on top. However, nobody knew what purpose this notch was going to solve. At the launch event, Apple launched the iPhone X with its notch and Face ID. However, what felt like an aberration back in September, is now becoming a trend.

But, it looks like the notch was a temporary fix for Apple. A report from South Korea’s Electronic Times claims that the iPhones in 2019 will not have a notch. In fact, the display will completely “fill the front of new iPhones”. This means that Apple is already working on a way to embed all the sensors and the front-camera inside the display.

iPhone X Notch

That being said, the report apparently cites a few inside sources who are familiar with the matter. However, we have not seen any patents granted to Apple that take this route of embedding sensors and camera inside the display. Although, we came across a Samsung patent that envisions something similar. It is fair to assume that this will be the eventual future of smartphones, as companies strive for a truly bezel-less phone.

The possibility of Apple going the Vivo APEX route also seems scarce. Having moving parts inside a smartphone doesn’t seem like a great idea. Since iPhones are made in such enormous quantities, quality assurance will also be an issue with a pop-up camera.

Asus Zenfone 5Z

Conclusion

While the iPhone X received a lot of flak initially, the notch has become iconic. A lot of Android smartphones launched at MWC 2018 sport a notch as well but, without any real purpose. Maybe, with 2019 iPhones launching without a notch, 2020 Android smartphones will also ditch it.

March 8, 2018
Apple Music For Android Gets A UI Update
Apple Music is the second most popular music streaming service in the world after Spotify. The subscription plan is priced at Rs 120 per month or Rs 1,200 per year in India. The music streaming service has about 45 million songs in its library. The company also offers free three months trial, by accepting debit/credit card details. One has to sign up using Apple ID, which can then be used on multiple Android or iOS devices. However, one can stream only on one device at a time.

Apple Music is free to download from Google Play Store. However, it needs an Apple ID and subscription to access the content. However, it is worth noting that Apple Music is only compatible with Android devices running Android 4.3 or newer version.

Now, Apple has silently updated the Apple Music for Android OS. After the latest update, the Apple Music on Android looks much cleaner and similar to the iOS counterpart. Similarly, the update also fixes some of the stability issues, which now offers a more fluid music playback experience.

The music video feature was available on the Android OS from 2016. However, the UI experience was not at par with its iOS counterpart. With this update, Apple has unified the UI of Apple Music on Android and iOS devices. This gives Apple an edge over YouTube which still lacks background playback capability. However, with Android 8 Oreo’s Picture-In-Picture mode, YouTube videos can be played while performing other functions. This, however, is still not possible on iOS.

New features on Apple Music for Android version 2.4
- Option to watch music videos in full screen or now playing window
- Watching music video while browsing the library
- Listening to a music video in the background, while surfing third-party application
- Adding your favourite music video to a playlist and watch them subsequently
March 7, 2018
Apple Could Launch Over The Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation

In 2016, Apple removed the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack from its iPhone 7 devices. The AirPods were subsequently unveiled which, at the time of the launch, received a lot of flak for its looks. However, with time, the AirPods have become the most successful wireless earbuds in the market. So much so that it dominates the market with up to 85% market share of Bluetooth earbuds. In fact, the company has sold more than 13 million pairs of AirPods in 2017 alone.

According to a report, Apple is working on a pair of premium over-the-ear headphones, which will be launched by the end of 2018. However, this plan is not set in stone as the company might scrape off the idea completely. It has been reported that Apple’s plans of launching over the ear headphones have been dodgy over the past year or so.

Apple AirPods

The report also suggests that the company will not launch the over the ear headphone under the Beats moniker. In fact, the company plans on making it a standalone product, similar to the AirPods.

Features

The premium wireless headphones are expected to offer active noise-cancellation. The headphones will be powered by a custom energy-efficient chipset like the W1 found on the AirPods. These headphones will cater those, who are looking for traditional feel headphones with active noise cancellation. In fact, just like the upcoming Apple AirPods 2, these headphones are expected to offer water resistance and wireless Siri integration.

Conclusion

There is no denying that the market is not short on wireless headphones with noise cancellation. Companies like Bose and Sony have plenty of headphones to cater to those who prefer this feature. However, the Apple headphones will largely attract people already in its ecosystem. The presence of the W1 chip means seamless pairing across all Apple products. However, the price of the headphones will be an interesting factor while competing with the likes of Sony, Bose and others.

March 6, 2018