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Apple Sued $0.15 By Chinese Accessory-Maker

Apple was hit with a somewhat bizarre lawsuit earlier this week, which was lodged by China’s self-described “second-largest manufacturer” of parts and accessories for consumer electronics products — a firm long-adorned by Chinese customers, named Pisen.

At the core of Pisen’s argument is that by implementing a “mandatory certification program” for its myriad of cable and adapter accessories, Apple is engaging in a form of “unfair competition” in the Chinese cable market.

“Pisen, known for its tech product accessories such as data cables, power plugs and power banks, said on its official Weibo account that the Beijing Intellectual Property Court has already accepted their lawsuit,” a report published by the South China Morning Post confirmed.

Apple MFi Certified Program

Launched back in 2005 as an exclusive licensing program for Apple’s iPod accessories, the ‘MFi certified’ designation has since been expanded to cover accessories and peripherals from almost all of Apple’s product categories. MFi, an acronym for ‘Made For iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch’, is in a sense a business for the Cupertino-company, in itself.

Essentially, Apple charges accessory-makers licensing fees which allow them to have the ‘MFi certified’ badge applied to their product’s packaging, giving the customer a loud-and-clear indication that what they’re about to buy is 100% designed and optimized to work with iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.

MFi is a profitable business for Apple. But, it’s also intended to ensure that only the highest-quality accessories are available from retailers; and that only the highest-quality accessories are used with Apple’s devices to ensure safety, guarantee quality, and help retain warranty coverage should something go wrong.

Here’s the thing, though: according to a statement from the South China Morning Post, Pisen claims “Apple’s MFi mandatory certification does not make products safer;” but rather, that it has instead “damaged fair competition in China’s electronic components market.”

Pisen claims in court documents that some of its products were removed by “multiple” e-commerce retailers in China and Europe as a direct result of Apple having “filed multiple complaints” with them claiming that Pisen’s products infringed on Apple’s intellectual property. Meanwhile, Pisen claims that it believes Apple is exploiting its dominant position in the market to “disrupt fair competition,” citing how the iPhone-maker has rejected Pisen’s personal application for MFi certification “multiple times.”

What Does Pisen Want?

According to Pisen’s statement to the South China Morning Post: “[The Shenzhen firm] is demanding that Apple stop its ‘unfair’ trade practices and is seeking 1 yuan as nominal compensation for economic losses.” That’s it, folks.. Just 1 Chinese yuan — the equivalent of roughly 15 cents American.

So what’s the point then? Well, while we can obviously neither confirm nor deny any probable cause, it would appear that either one of two scenarios are currently playing out. Either the South China Morning Post simply made a typographical error and entered in the wrong financial information, or Pisen, itself, is essentially suing Apple as a publicity stunt, seeking a paltry amount in ‘compensation’ so as to minimize its liability while maximizing the exposure of its brand and products.

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Samsung Reveals iOS-Compatible Smartwatches Before Apple Watch S3

With Apple all but confirmed to unveil its next-generation Apple Watch Series 3 in just a few short weeks, Samsung has yet again beaten the iPhone-maker to the punch by informally announcing its own, next-generation wearable devices — the iPhone-compatible Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro — earlier this week.

Samsung Gear Sport

First up, we have the Gear Sport: featuring a traditional ‘sport watch’ form-factor and design, Samsung’s upcoming smartwatch will boast a rounded, 1.2-inch AMOLED display, and will be fully-compatible with iPhone and Android devices thanks to the South Korean-company’s Tizen operating system. The device will run on an unidentified 1 GHz dual-core processor, come equipped with 4 GB of SSD Storage, feature a small 300 mAh battery, and include an expansive suite of connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, GPS and GLONASS to support navigation, as well as an NFC reader (for Samsung Pay). You’ll also get a relatively standard slate of fitness-centric sensors including a barometer and a heart rate monitor.

To protect your Gear Sport from the elements, it comes equipped with the maximum in water, dust, damage and corrosion protection, including meeting the rigorous MIL-STD-810G durability standards set forth by the U.S. Military, along with 5 ATM water-resistance. Which in the simplest terms possible, essentially means you’ll be able to wear your Gear Sport with confidence up to 250 meters (or about 820 feet) below sea level.

Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro

The Gear Fit2 Pro, meanwhile, is much less of a watch and more of a dedicated fitness tracker; however it will maintain at least some of the design and material elements as the Gear Sport. Much like its predecessor, the Gear Fit2, Samsung’s Gear Fit2 Pro features a similar, curved rectangular AMOLED display measuring 1.5-inches. It will also feature the same internal specifications as the Gear Sport, aside from running on a slightly modified  software platform.

Launch, Price, Etc.

Samsung’s Gear Fit2 Pro is actually available to pre-order now for just $199 from the company’s official website. Availability will be in the same Black and Black/Red design configurations shown in the image above, and a firm launch date of September 15th has been set for the device. The Gear Sport, meanwhile, should ship sometime this holiday season, but pricing and availability remains on the hush until further notice.

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Apple Press Invites Confirm iPhone 8 Unveiling on Sept. 12

Apple has essentially confirmed that it will unveil the iPhone 8 — and several other devices — at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12.

Today, the tech giant sent out press invites to members of the media for an event at the company’s new Apple Park campus in Cupertino. The event will be the first one held at the new Steve Jobs Theater, named after the company’s late co-founder and former CEO. “Let’s meet at our place,” the minimal invitation reads.

To be clear, Apple didn’t exactly specify what the event would entail — or if it would even announce any new devices. But the evidence is pretty clear. Apple typically unveils new iPhones at its fall event in September, in time for the holiday shopping season. There have also been a number of reports from carrier sources suggesting that the keynote will take place on Sept. 12. So it’s more likely than not that we’ll be seeing our first glimpse of the upcoming iPhone 8 on that day.

This year’s fall event is looking to be one of Apple’s most significant announcements in recent years, thanks mostly in part to its highly anticipated iPhone 8. The device (which will correspond to the iPhone’s 10th anniversary) is expected to sport a revolutionary new design, including a massive edge-to-edge OLED display packed into a smaller form factor. It’ll also carry advanced facial recognition, enhanced augmented reality capabilities and wireless inductive charging. The premium flagship will also do away with the Home button and will feature a new glass sandwich design.

In addition to the iPhone 8, the company is widely expected to introduce an iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus. While these incremental devices will share a similar form factor and design to their predecessor, they’ll be upgraded with inductive wireless charging, better internals and a new glass back. Other devices likely on the roster include a new Apple Watch with LTE and possibly an Apple TV with 4K and HDR streaming.

As far as software goes, Apple is likely to roll out the next-generation of its various operating systems sometime after the event. That includes a general release of iOS 11, macOS High Sierra, watchOS 4 and tvOS 11. Notably, as the iPad and Mac lineups were refreshed earlier this year, Apple isn’t likely to introduce any new devices in those categories. We may hear a bit more about Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker at the event, however.

As with past Apple fall events, the 2017 keynote will kick off at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Apple will stream the event live on its website and on the Apple TV.

iDrop News will be covering the event in-depth as it happens, so be sure to check back here on Sept. 12 for the latest news, updates and announcements.

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Apple Seeds New iOS 11 Developer Beta After Just 3 Days

The pace of iOS 11 beta releases is getting quicker. Today, Apple seeded the ninth beta version of its iOS 11 software to developers — just three days after seeding beta 8.

Considering how quickly iOS 11 beta 9 was released after its predecessor, it’s unlikely that the new software carries any major outward-facing changes. It’s much more likely that it squashes a number of bugs, and introduces under-the-hood improvements. On a similar note, since the update probably killed a fairly important bug, we can expect a public beta to be released soon.

iOS 11 itself is a major update to the mobile OS and carries a number of updates for various devices. It introduces a new refreshed and customizable Control Center and a new Lock screen that’s now merged with the Notification Center. The software also adds peer-to-peer Apple Pay payments via Messages and a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature. More minor updates include a handful of visual and UI tweaks and refinements to Siri, Photos, Camera and other native apps.

For the iPad, iOS 11 is perhaps the biggest update to the tablet — and it will bring a number of features that’ll make the platform function more like a personal computer. That includes a new Mac-like Dock, a dedicated Files app for managing data, a rehauled App Switcher, and vastly improved multitasking, including a system-wide drag and drop. Apple Pencil support has also gotten a boost. Lastly, iOS 11 introduces ARKit, a powerful new development toolset that’ll allow app developers to create a wide range of augmented reality applications. Notably, it’ll turn iOS into the largest AR-capable platform virtually overnight.

How to Download iOS 11 Beta 9

iOS 11 beta 9 is currently available as an over-the-air update for registered Apple developers, provided that they have the appropriate configuration profile installed on a device. Like previous releases, it’s also available from the Apple Developer portal.

We’re likely only a few weeks off from the official rollout of iOS 11. The software is expected to become available to the general public after Apple’s fall announcement event, which is currently slated for Tuesday, Sept. 12.

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Top 5 Highest-Paid Apple Executives

Even more diverse than Apple’s deep and complex history is its work environment, which consists of over 116,000 full-time employees around the globe, according to 2016 estimates. Whether managerial, custodial, services-oriented or otherwise, each of these people contributed to Apple’s overall goal of innovation and growth in some way. It’s a burdensome task, to be sure, but interestingly enough while so many work behind the scenes at Apple to keep the wheels turning, the actual majority of the work is leveraged by just a few top executives in their respective roles. Use the right arrow to see Apple’s top 5 most influential, highest-earning executives currently on the roster.

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Massive 6.46-inch OLED Display ‘in Development’ for iPhone 9

Apple and Samsung have already begun “earlier than usual” development of OLED display panels destined for 2018’s iPhone models, which will feature massive 5.85- and 6.46-inch OLED displays, according to a report published Thursday by Korea’s The Investor (via the Korea Herald).

“The development schedule has been advanced considering diverse factors such as funding, facility investment and production plans,” one source familiar with the proceedings told ET News, via the Korea Herald. “Work for this year’s iPhone started in April, also earlier than usual.”

The report goes on to allege that Apple was at one point entertaining screen sizes of just 5.28-inches and 6.46-inches; however, due to a number of factors including consideration of the heightened demand for larger-screen phones and recent advancements in the technology and manufacturing industries, the company has decided to move ahead with the larger, 5.85-inch and 6.46-inch panels instead. The displays will reportedly be developed exclusively by Samsung Display Co., the display-making subsidiary of Samsung Electronics who’s already building the 5.8-inch OLED panel for Apple’s iPhone 8 model due out in a few weeks.

Of course, while this wouldn’t be the first report we’ve come across about the prospect of Apple launching a huge, 6.46-inch iPhone in 2018, worth noting is that the 5.85-inch model supposedly joining it will feature the same (or a very, very similar) form-factor to this year’s iPhone 8 flagship, which will ironically enough feature a 5.8-inch OLED display, too, the Korea Herald notes, meaning it would be fundamentally simpler for Apple to carry-over the same design of the iPhone 8. It will definitely be exciting to see what Apple has in store for the iPhone next year, if that’s the case; and especially in years to come.

Of course, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves and forget that it’s still 2017, and we’re still weeks away from Apple’s September 12th event, However if you’re an iPhone fan, through-and-through, there’s no doubt this is an exciting time to be one. After years of giving us relatively little in the way of innovation or design advancements, Apple is apparently starting to turn the tables in its own favor for a change — and all the other large-screen phone-makers out there should be very concerned.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook Collects $89 Million in Stock Rewards

In the wake of Steve Jobs’ most unfortunate and untimely passing, Apple in 2011 asked its acting Chief of Operations, Tim Cook, to replace his late and long-time confidant, and specifically tasked Cook with keeping the iPhone-maker at the forefront of success, innovation, and the technology industry as a whole. At the time, Cook allegedly signed a 10-year compensation package/contract that included up to 2.94 million shares of AAPL stock, plus salary based on performance, which would be distributed on key dates if Apple is able to meet or exceed its goals.

And so it seems, according to a report from The Guardian citing filings with the SEC, Cook just recently collected the bounty of his first big payday as the top boss of Apple: a whopping $89.6 million heap of cash, resulting from his offloading of some 560,000 shares of Apple stock.

About half of those shares were granted to Cook simply because he stayed on the job at Apple for the last five-years; while the other half (somewhere around 280,000 shares) were granted based on the company’s persistently positive shareholder returns over the past three-years running. Cook’s shares were reportedly valued at the closing price on Thursday, August 24th, which was $159.27 apiece.

According to the terms of his original contract, Cook’s compensation package spans a 10-year period of time, from its signing in 2011 through 2021, and includes 2.94 million shares of AAPL plus salaries and bonuses, as deemed fit by the board. So long as he remains the top boss at Apple and growth remains steady, Cook will receive an additional 560,000 shares annually, through August, 2020, while the final load of 1.26 million shares will come his way in August, 2021, at the close of his contract.

Interesting and worth noting is that while he’s also paid a pretty descent salary for his work at Apple, the majority of Cook’s (and other executive compensation) comes in the form of restricted stock units (RSUs), which are essentially whole-value shares of AAPL stock that will be redeemable for their cash value on a future date. Cook’s original package, inked in August 2011, was valued at around $376 million. However since Apple has been performing quite well under Cook’s leadership, the estimated value of his package has already climbed to a whopping $480 million — based on Wednesday’s closing price of $163.35/share.

The moral of the story is that if Apple continues beating expectations and shattering profit-ceilings from here on out, Cook’s ultimate fortunate could rise far, far higher. Of course, that’s all just mud in the bucket to him, as Cook, much like his other tech executive pals, has pledged he’ll be donating the majority of his Apple fortune to charity.

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Apple Reportedly Won’t Hide iPhone 8’s ‘Sensor Notch’

According to sources with knowledge of Apple’s imminent plans, the company’s upcoming iPhone 8 flagship will usher in an entirely new way of interacting with iPhone as we know it. With iPhone 8, which could also be called the iPhone Edition or iPhone X, Apple has ventured into a new smartphone form-factor category, which will not only eliminate the concept or need for a traditional, clickable Home button, but will also maximize key features like the handset’s massive, 5.8-inch OLED display by incorporating certain UI enhancements throughout iOS 11, according to a Bloomberg report.

iDrop News shared the most noteworthy iPhone 8 UI changes yesterday morning, however we’ve also caught wind of yet another change that’s definitely worth noting.

Previously, it was revealed that the iPhone 8 will feature a front-facing notch, which will house the device’s sensor array, camera modules, and earpiece. Aesthetically, the ‘notch’ is rather obtrusive and has been the subject of quite a bit of gripe online. In other words, it’s kind of ugly, and most people were secretly hoping that Apple would find a way to mitigate that.

Then, earlier this summer, iPhone 8 hopefuls were given a ray of hope when concept images surfaced showing the iPhone 8’s notch having been camouflaged using the marvelous, dark-black qualities of an OLED display. As you can see in the image below, instead of the two “ears” on either side of the sensor notch, it appeared as if Apple could somehow use the upper-most portion of its OLED display to merely blend in with the notch.

However Bloomberg’s sources were able to confirm, unfortunately, that Apple has made the “firm decision” against camouflaging the sensor bar in any way. Major bummer. And according to Bloomberg’s sources, the decision creates a number of small issues. Chiefly, the report pointed out, the notch is “noticeable during app usage,” and particularly within apps that utilize “non-black” backgrounds.

Bloomberg notes that while the status bar was designed to change color in accordance with the onscreen task, unfortunately due to size limitations within the “ears”/status bar area, there wasn’t a whole lot in the way of UI elements that Apple could fit in.

The notch fits in an area at the top of the display which is reportedly split evenly, with the iOS Clock icon going on the left-hand side, and the battery/connection status on the right.

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7 Ways You’re Ruining Your iPhone

Your smartphone is your constant companion. Many of us depend on our iPhones for a variety of tasks, which can range from unimportant to incredibly vital. But, of course, smartphones are only useful when they work properly. Since most users take them everywhere and use them for practically everything, they’re incredibly prone to misuse and damage.

For the most part, iPhone-killing accidents are unintentional, unexpected and unavoidable. But there are a variety of ways that you could be inadvertently destroying your iPhone. Or, at the very least, decreasing its lifespan. Press the right arrow to learn seven ways you might be damaging your device.

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Apple Wins an Emmy for Siri on Apple TV

Apple has taken home an Emmy for Siri’s technical features on Apple TV, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced on Tuesday.

The Cupertino company was specifically honored with a 2017 Technical / Engineering Achievement Award for “Contextual Voice Navigation for Discovering and Interacting with TV Content,” according to the Emmy website. In addition to Apple, tech firms Comcast, Universal Electronics and Nuance Dragon TV also won an award in the category.

Siri first appeared on the Apple TV platform in 2015, when the company introduced a new set-top box and a revamped Siri Remote tailored for direct interaction with the virtual assistant. But Siri for Apple TV goes beyond simple voice commands, instead using the extent of Apple’s artificial intelligence technology for deeper user interactions with the virtual assistant — like a “What did he just say?” feature that rewinds a movie or TV show and automatically switches closed captioning on.

Indeed, the virtual assistant has a wide range of capabilities. Users can ask Siri broad commands such as “shows me funny movies,” but Siri can also handle granular and intense searches such as “show me the Modern Family episode with Edward Norton.” The virtual assistant can also answer a variety of questions related to the media at hand, including specific director and cast information or the year a particular TV show or movie was released.

This isn’t the first time that Apple has won an Emmy, either. In 2013, the tech giant was awarded an Emmy for “Outstanding Commercial” for an ad spot titled “Misunderstood.” The company also won an Emmy for technical work related to mobile-streaming tech, Business Insider reported.

This year’s Emmy award winners, Apple included, will be honored at the 69th annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards event, slated to take place at the Las Vegas-based National Association of Broadcasters trade show on April 8.

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Gesture Controls Will Completely Replace iPhone 8’s Home Button

It’s pretty well-known at this point that the upcoming iPhone 8 won’t have a physical Home button. But now, a new report suggests that it might lack a virtual Home button, too.

In place of a software-based Home button, Apple is reportedly opting for touch-based gestures to operate important tasks, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The publication also reportedly viewed images of the upcoming OLED iPhone. In lieu of any kind of circular button — virtual or otherwise — is a “thin, software bar,” Bloomberg reported.

What those gesture controls look like in a practical sense varies depending on the task at hand.

• To open the phone, for example, a user will drag that software bar up to the middle of the screen.
• When within an app, a similar gesture will start iOS’s multitasking pane — which has been redesigned to appear as a series of “standalone cards,” rather than a stack of cards on current iPhones.
• A simple flick upwards, rather than a Home button press, will close an app and return the user to the Home screen.

A newly redesigned Dock interface will also appear on the Home screen, which will be similar to the new dock on iOS 11 for iPad, according to images of the new device shown to Bloomberg.

Hardware Changes

In addition to the software changes, the edges of the iPhone 8’s OLED screen will sport rounded corners, as opposed to the squared corners of the current iPhone. The display itself, however, will be completely flat — although it will “curve” into a stainless steel band on the sides of the device. That steel band will also feature “small antenna cuts” for improved reception. Additionally, the side-mounted power button will be longer so it’s easier to press when holding the premium flagship with one hand.

The device will still have extremely thin bezels around its edges, even though the top and bottom bezels have been removed. Though, because of the way that OLED displays show the color black, the sensor notch and thin edges of the phone will reportedly blend in “perfectly” with black pixels. Presumably, that will be most noticeable on apps with predominantly black backgrounds, or when the device is turned off.

Other New iPhone 8 Features

Bloomberg also doubled-down on a few other well-known facts about the new flagship. Namely, the publication indicated that the iPhone 8 will use 3D facial recognition to unlock the device and make purchases — and the flagships’ infrared sensor will allow for facial recognition in the dark. The camera suite has also been “reconfigured” to enhance augmented reality experiences, and the device will feature inductive wireless charging.

The iPhone 8, along with several other devices, is largely expected to make its debut at Apple’s annual fall event next month. While no date has been set in stone, several reports have suggested that the keynote will take place on Sept. 12. Presumably, the new devices will become available for preorder that Friday before shipping to consumers on Sept. 22.

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iPhone 8 Rumored to Hit Store Shelves Sept. 22

Apple’s premium iPhone 8 flagship could hit store shelves and begin shipping out to customers as soon as Friday, September 22, according to retail sources.

So far, we’ve heard several reports that peg the date of Apple’s fall keynote event as Sept. 12. Judging by Apple’s historical standards, that would make the following Friday a likely roll out date. Today, a new leak corroborates that date.

UK-based wireless provider O2 has reportedly confirmed to its staff members that the iPhone 8 is due to start showing up on shelves on Sept. 22, according to noted phone leaker Benjamin Geskin. The dates are “almost confirmed,” Geskin added, though his report is corroborated by other recent predictions. The leaker also pegs the tentative date of Apple’s fall event as Sept. 12.

Geskin’s new information seems to correlate with a previous report from earlier in August. That report suggested that carriers — specifically European-based ones, like O2 — are already being notified about Apple’s upcoming release timeline, in order to make preparations for marketing and inventory purposes.

As of the writing of this article, press invitations for Apple’s fall event have yet to be sent out. But if Sept. 12 is indeed the date, then it’s likely that the invites will begin showing up in inboxes soon.

The iPhone 8 is one of Apple’s most highly anticipated devices in recent memory. It’s largely expected to introduce revolutionary new features, such as an edge-to-edge, bezel-free design; advanced facial recognition in place of Touch ID; inductive wireless charging; and enhanced augmented reality capabilities. Of course, that level of demand — along with supply issues at launch — could lead to a shortage of devices. Basically, it might be hard to get your hands on one for quite a while.

In addition to that premium flagship, the company is also rumored to release two nominally updated iPhone 7s devices, an LTE-equipped Apple Watch, and an Apple TV with 4K and HDR streaming.

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Virtual Pets, Zombies, and Realistic Food Shown in New ARKit Demos

Anticipation is mounting as the public launch of iOS 11 draws nearer by the day. Of course, Apple’s next-generation software for iPhone and iPad has been circulating the beta tester circuits for months now, allowing testers and, more importantly, developers, to get acquainted with and create wonderful things for iOS 11 users. And by all accounts, the software is poised to usher in a substantial update for iPhone (and particularly iPad) users, offering tons of new capabilities and features for compatible iOS devices.

One of those amazing advancements will be the emergence and growth of Augmented Reality (AR)-based applications within the iOS ecosystem; several of which we’ve had the pleasure of witnessing for ourselves over the last few months. Well, the official iOS 11 isn’t even out yet, and again we have another round of ARKit creations to feast our eyes on.

For those who need a quick refresher: ARKit is Apple’s latest developer kit announced back at WWDC 2017 in June, and will allow devs to create a wide range of AR-based apps for iPhones and iPads. As we’ve seen before, these apps can have a wide range of implications and will work with everything from games to utilities to shopping, navigation, and so much more.

In the first of four demo videos, we meet Kabaq: a company who wants to revolutionize the future of ordering food through its ARKit app. In the demo, Kabaq demonstrates its ‘virtual food on a plate’ mechanism, which appears to be geared towards changing the way we might order food from a restaurant, for example. The video shows customers in a restaurant literally being able to arrange various foods on their plate and get a 360 degree view of what the menu offerings look like. It’s an interesting application, and could possibly have implications for the future of casual or up-scale dining.

In the second demo video, a team of developers is shown promoting their work on the upcoming ARZombi app, which will essentially offer players an ultra-realistic (yet unequivocally AR-based) experience fighting off zombies.. And whether you’re into that kind of stuff or not, the game looks like heaps of fun, you guys. Could you imagine your actual living room ‘invaded’ by virtual zombies? We’ll hedge our bets and say you’d rather not, but just in case you were curious — enjoy!

The third video shows a unique virtual pet game that’s currently trending as a campaign on Kickstarter. This app is perhaps the most interesting of what we’ve found today; and if it ever gets off the ground running, the concept could potentially pave the way to a “Tamagotchi-style” category of ARKit apps. In traditional Tamagotchi-style games, players are able to bring a virtual pet or creature into their ‘physical’ worlds and interact with them on various levels. So the concept sounds interesting, and would undoubtedly prove to be a hit among kids if it ever comes to fruition.

Playing fetch in the park with Peanut!🐶🌳 (We're on #Kickstarter! https://t.co/k4ZcIowxRr)#madewitharkit #arkit #vr #indiedev #gamedev http://pic.twitter.com/IpQEc1Io6W

— Ridgeline Labs (@ridgelinelabs) August 20, 2017

In today’s fourth and final demo video, ARKit is seen being used in a mixed art/educational setting; the app’s developer, Fabian Rasheed, can be seen painting and demoing a sculpture, for example, using an Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro. It’s a fascinating app concept, dubbed MakerStudio, which Rasheed says is designed for the purpose of allowing users to create 3D objects and then paint them using AR components in their imminent world.

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Apple Stock Hits Record-High as iPhone 8 Optimism Soars

Shares of Apple’s common stock (NASDAQ: AAPL) closed at an all-time high of $162.80 apiece on Tuesday, prior to adding additional, per share gains during after hours trading, according to the latest report from CNBC News, which is based in part off bullish estimates from market research firm IDC.

In its latest research note, IDC analysts claimed they expect Apple to ship approximately 9.1% more iPhones throughout 2018 than it will this year — a generous estimate, representing the tech-giant’s largest, year-over-year surge in iPhone growth since the iPhone 6s back in 2015, IDC noted.

This time around, of course, the growth will instead be driven almost entirely by pent-up demand for Apple’s iPhone 8, iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus handsets; particularly among users who’d be upgrading from much older, legacy iPhone models — some of which won’t even offer support for iOS 11.

Up, Up and Away

While Apple’s trillion-dollar future may seem brighter than ever before, according to some analysts, the company’s stock likely has even more room to run higher from its current peak. For instance, in an August 22nd research note, Canaccord Genuity analyst T. Michael Walkley cited that he expects there to be a strong interest among users in upgrading their iPhones over the next year or so; while, of course, noting that said growth will help “to drive record earnings.”

“Our surveys indicate strong consumer interest in and anticipation for new iPhones anticipated to launch in September,” IDC analysts said, citing its data which revealed there are approximately 635 million active iPhone devices in circulation.

Still, it’s difficult and far too early to tell just how well the iPhone 8 will perform. For starters, the device isn’t even out yet, and it’s already receiving backlash for allegedly being incredibly expensive. Certainly, the iPhone 8 won’t be the only pricey smartphone on the offering block this fall, but if Apple truly wants to sell as many of them as analysts have been predicting, then then company sure better hope that iPhone 8 is packed to the brim with drool-worthy features and specs to swoon the masses.

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Will iPhone 7 Cases Fit the iPhone 7s?

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus devices might be a bit larger than their predecessors, which could complicate matters for case manufacturers, according to a new supply chain report.

That extra size entails a few extra millimeters in each dimension when compared to the current-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, according to supply chain sources cited by TechnoBuffalo. Other than the minute size differences, the two incremental “s” devices are largely expected to retain the same relative form factor as the current models — though with a new glass sandwich design. You can compare the dimensions below.

iPhone 7 vs iPhone 7s Size Comparison

Model	Height	Width	Depth
iPhone 7	138.3 mm	67.1 mm	7.1 mm
iPhone 7s	138.44 mm	67.26 mm	7.21 mm
iPhone 7 Plus	158.2 mm	77.9 mm	7.3 mm
iPhone 7s Plus	158.37 mm	78.1 mm	7.41 mm

* Measured in millimeters.

Will iPhone 7 Cases fit the iPhone 7s?

Of course, the differences will hardly be noticeable to the average consumer. A 0.1-millimeter increase in depth, for example, is about the same size as the thickness of a sheet of printer paper. The size differences could cause problems for tightly fitting cases manufactured for the iPhone 7 lineup’s dimensions, however. While many current-generation cases will work with the new devices, it all comes down to how precisely the accessories are machined and how tightly they fit. Looser cases should fit fine, however they may block the iPhone 7s’ wireless charging capabilities.

Why Will the iPhone 7s Be Bigger Than the iPhone 7?

The reason behind the small size differences is currently unclear, but it’s likely because of extra features and functionality packed into the iPhone 7s lineup. Apple’s two incremental “s” devices are rumored to sport a new glass back panel to facilitate its other key feature: inductive wireless charging capabilities. It’s curious because Apple is usually committed to keeping its devices as minimal and thin as possible. But, with all technology, there’s always a trade off between form and function. Wireless charging, for example, presumably needs a bit extra space in addition to the glass back.

While it’s impossible to independently verify the authenticity of the report’s sources,  TechnoBuffalo’s iPhone 7s dimensions do line up exactly with a previous leak earlier this month. That report also suggested that the iPhone 7s will be slightly larger, although with a reduced camera bump. At the time, dimensions for the iPhone 7s Plus were not available.

Apple is slated to unveil its iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus devices next month, with current rumors pointing toward a Sept. 12 launch date. Judging by historical patterns, that could mean that at least some of the new devices will begin shipping to consumers on Friday, Sept. 22. In addition to the iPhone 7s incremental updates, Apple is largely expected to announce its premium iPhone 8 flagship with a revolutionary new design and features, as well as a new LTE-equipped Apple Watch and 4K Apple TV.

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Apple Battles Hollywood to Keep 4K Movies $20 on iTunes

Apple is currently battling with movie and TV studios over the exact price of 4K media content on iTunes, according to a new report.

As the expected announcement of a 4K-capable Apple TV looms, Apple is reportedly “scrambling” to strike deals with studio executives in Hollywood, according to the Wall Street Journal. While Apple wants to price 4K movies at about $20 in iTunes, Hollywood is pushing back and apparently seeking to attach a higher premium on its content.

A $20 price point is much lower than what competitors like Google currently charge. And it’s around the same price that Apple already charges for certain newly released HD movies on its multimedia platform. Movie and TV studios, on the other hand, want to charge about $25 to $30 for a 4K movie — at the very least, according to sources familiar with the discussions. While content platforms like Apple’s iTunes typically seek lower prices to entice customers and generate profits in the long-term, content creators and studios generally prefer charging a premium to protect profits.

Apple is largely expected to unveil a new Apple TV with 4K and HDR streaming capabilities as soon as next month, possibly on Tuesday, September 12. The Cupertino tech giant is also rushing to wrap up its discussions with Hollywood studios well before that date.

Even without the Hollywood deals, however, the next-generation Apple TV is well-positioned to take advantage of existing 4K streaming options. Amazon, which provides 4K streaming, is slated to offer Apple TV support sometime this year. And Netflix already offers certain 4K content on other streaming platforms and devices.

A 4K Apple TV could help the company revitalize its set-top box and content services businesses. The Apple TV has been lagging behind other competitors as far as offering 4K and HDR options. Similarly, iTunes has been steadily losing marketshare to companies like Amazon and Comcast — even as the overall video market is steadily growing.

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Critical CVS App Flaw Shared Private User Data on 40+ Servers

Researchers affiliated with the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley, California, have discovered a flaw in U.S. pharmacy-giant CVS’ iOS app, which has apparently been causing the mobile application to “inadvertently share users’ location data with more than 40 web servers.” That’s according to Serge Egelman, director of user security and private research at ICSI, who shared his team’s findings with both CVS and the International Business Times this week.

According to the report, Egelman and his team discovered the “critical privacy flaw” within the CVS Pharmacy mobile app’s in-built Store Locator feature, which results in the app dispatching the user’s precise GPS coordinates to “dozens of third-party web servers.” Egelman said he and his team “could not imagine a legitimate reason” why an app like CVS’ would share customer’s location data with so many third-party sources.

How Does This Happen?

The CVS Pharmacy mobile app for iOS comes standard with a GPS-driven Store Locator feature, allowing shoppers to locate and get directions to their nearest CVS pharmacy location by merely sending their GPS location data directly to one of the company’s servers. Sounds fairly simple and harmless enough, right? Well, Egelman and his team unfortunately found that the CVS app was inexplicably sending these vital customer details to “any other server that loads on the CVS store locator’s web page.”

“We double checked our logs and even manually re-tested the app. It wasn’t an error; we were able to reproduce this result every time, on multiple versions of the app,” Egelman said about his team’s efforts to pin-point the issue in a blog post, while adding that he believes “the most likely explanation is simply really poor software engineering practices.”

Researchers went on to say they have no idea why or how the CVS app would be voluntarily configured to function the way it was found, but Egelman has nevertheless reported contacting CVS and sharing his team’s findings with them.. As for CVS’ response? Well, it certainly begs a few more questions than it answers: “[CVS] does not share your location or information with any third parties,” the company allegedly said in response to Egelman’s email. “You may, however, if you are not using our app, turn off the locations.”

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Apple Patents Under-Display Fingerprint Sensor Amid Face ID Rumors

Apple has been granted a patent for a way to use acoustic imaging technology to read fingerprints through display glass. The patent was published on Tuesday by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The patent, 9,747,488, details a method for an “active sensing element” used in acoustic imaging systems. An acoustic sensor is notable because it wouldn’t require optical access to a fingerprint to work. Basically, it doesn’t need to “see” a finger to authenticate it and could be placed underneath display glass without any issues.

How Does It Work?

The method works by using a suite of acoustic transducers installed near the bottom of a device. These transducers would send piezoelectric signals — essentially pressure-based electric charges — to the top of a device’s display. The ridges of a finger would create a unique acoustic pattern which could be used to identify a particular fingerprint. Those signals could then be sent back to a sensor for authentication.

However, such a system has several simulations and difficulties. For one, piezoelectric components typically operate at fairly high voltages and can create spikes of electric current that could potentially be damaging to other components. Apple’s patent also details a way to mitigate these issues with a system of integrated transducer controls that can operate independently of each other.

Notably, this isn’t the first time that Apple has been rumored to be exploring acoustic imaging systems for biometric authentication. The USPTO published an Apple patent application in February that focused on the architecture of a similar system. It’s also worth noting that many of those inventors are the same as the one published today.

Touch ID or Face ID?

It’s an interesting development, especially in the midst of rumors that Apple will do away with Touch ID in favor of an advanced facial recognition system for its upcoming iPhone 8. While the premium flagship was originally rumored to sport an under-display fingerprint solution, most experts are now predicting that such a system won’t be on the iPhone 8.

And while today’s patent doesn’t exclusively mention any particular device, the limitations of an acoustic imaging system could hint at the specifics of the company’s problems with implementing under-display Touch ID. Earlier in the year, a display-embedded fingerprint sensor was reportedly one of Apple’s biggest design “bottlenecks.”

Apple’s rumored switch to Face ID as the primary — and possibly sole — method of biometric recognition has been met with some understandable skepticism. A best case scenario for Apple might be to install a backup authentication method on the device. But, currently, there’s really no evidence to suggest that a fingerprint sensor will be present on the upcoming flagship.

As usual, today’s patent isn’t necessarily representative of Apple’s future plans or of upcoming features on its devices. Indeed, as we get closer to the company’s September event, the odds of a display-embedded Touch ID system for the iPhone 8 are slim to none. Of course, Apple could surprise us, or it could be holding off on acoustic imaging tech for a future iPhone.

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Fitbit Ionic vs. Apple Watch Comparison

Fitbit this week has unveiled its first actual smartwatch, dubbed the Ionic, a product slated to go toe-to-toe with competitors like the market-dominating Apple Watch.

While the Fitbit Ionic remains a fitness-oriented device, it adds new additions like a full-fledged operating system called FitbitOS, an app store, customizable watch faces, and a NFC-based payment system called Fitbit Pay. The Ionic will be able to sync with iOS, Android and Windows devices.

Here’s how the Ionic stacks up to the Apple Watch.

Design

Aesthetic value is obviously extremely subjective, but it’s worth noting that the Fitbit Ionic has a much sportier and fitness-focused appearance. As The Verge’s Chaim Gartenberg points out, that design doesn’t necessarily lend itself well to dressier or more formal events. The difference is pretty clear when the Apple Watch comes in several different variations and can adapt to a variety of situations.

OS & App Store

The Ionic’s biggest change is the introduction of an open operating system, created in part thanks to Fitbit’s acquisition of Pebble. FitbitOS is, according to Engadget, “impressively mature” for a fledgling operating system. But it does have some limitations.

The notifications are currently non-interactive, for example. And while FitbitOS will sport an app store with third-party offerings, the selection will be rather limited at launch. Currently, some of the apps include Accuweather, Pandora, Strava and Starbucks.

The Ionic will also come equipped with a suite of first-party apps, including Coach — a rebranded Fitstar. Coach will feature animated instructions for various workouts, including some free activities, but will cost $7.99 a month or $40 a year for full access.

watchOS, on the other hand, is a much more fleshed out operating system with deep iOS and Siri integration. And, of course, it’s hard to argue with the ubiquity and range of options available on Apple’s own App Store.

Hardware

As far as hardware goes, the Fitbit Ionic will come equipped with GPS, heart rate and blood oxygen sensors, 6000-series aluminum, and a 1,000-nit LCD touchscreen. Its battery is estimated to last about four days on a single charge, but that number falls to about 10 hours if GPS is used continuously.

The current-generation Apple Watch Series 2 has a similar suite of sensors but sports a 1,000-nit OLED display and stainless steel, ceramic and sapphire crystal construction. The Apple Watch has a slightly more conservative battery estimate of about 18 hours on a charge, but that of course varies by usage.

Both devices are water-resistant up to 50 meters.

NFC-based Payments

While Apple Pay integration has long been a feature of the Apple Watch, Fitbit’s NFC solution might have a slight edge. Fitbit Pay, as the platform is called, will reportedly be accepted anywhere contactless American Express, Visa and MasterCard transactions are accepted. Apple Pay, on the other hand, only works with retailers that are compatible with Apple’s NFC tech. That’s a much smaller list than Fitbit Pay will support at launch.

Cellular Connectivity

As far as connectivity options, the Fitbit Ionic and Apple Watch Series 2 have roughly the same capabilities. That even match might change with the introduction of the Apple Watch Series 3, however. The S3 is rumored to sport an LTE modem, which will allow it to work much more independently than the Ionic or previous iterations of the Apple Watch.

Price & Availability

The Fitbit Ionic will ship in October and will start at $299.95. At launch, additional strap options will be limited to two variations: a sport band for $29.95 and a leather band for $59.95. The smartwatch will be available in gray/silver, blue/orange and charcoal/gray color configurations. Some additional accessory options include Flyer Bluetooth headphones and the updated Aria 2 smart scale.

Current-generation Apple Watch Series 2 models start at $269. Of course, Apple Watches are available in a much wider range of color and design variations and have a large variety of accessories, too. As far as the Apple Watch Series 3, it’s likely to debut sometime next month. Because the next-gen lineup has yet to be announced, its retail price and shipping date is still up in the air.

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Apple’s Upgraded Self-Driving Lexus SUVs Spotted in Sunnyvale

Apple is currently using a small fleet of Lexus SUVs to test its self-driving tech on California roads. But while news of those vehicles first surfaced in June, Apple’s fleet appears to have gotten some substantial upgrades. One of these new self-driving cars has been spotted in the wild.

Photos of the vehicles, which are easily distinguished because of their large LIDAR apparatuses, were reportedly taken near an Apple office in Sunnyvale, California. The Apple Lexus SUVs were spotted by a MacRumors reader named Amy, who shared pictures with the website. According to the site, Amy regularly sees the vehicles around the Sunnyvale area — which has been previously reported as one of the primary locations for much of Apple’s autonomous vehicle research, testing and development.

The vehicle appears to have a much more elaborate self-driving system installed on its roof than previously seen vehicles, which includes a wider array of sensors and cameras, along with the usual GPS antenna, radio communications equipment and additional chassis-mounted sensors. A distance-tracking sensor also appears to be installed on the vehicle’s rear left wheel, along with a variety of components that appear to be Puck LIDAR sensors made by Velodyne.

In April, Apple received a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to begin testing its autonomous vehicle tech on public roads. Similarly, in June, Bloomberg reported that Cupertino had leased a fleet of Lexus RX450h SUVs from a Hertz-owned fleet management company. The vehicle spotted in the photos appears to be a newer model 450h, possibly a 2016 or 2017. Previously, Apple was using 2015 models, which could mean that the company is adding newer vehicles to its fleet.

The existence of Apple’s self-driving program, known as “Project Titan,” has been a poorly kept secret for years now. Originally, it was rumored that Apple was developing its own proprietary vehicle — an “Apple car,” so to speak. But after a relatively bumpy road, Apple switched gears to focus on creating a suite of underlying autonomous driving systems. Part of the sea change for Titan was longtime Apple executive Bob Mansfield taking the helm as project lead, whittling the project down to a much sharper focus.

Apple CEO Tim Cook basically confirmed the existence of Project Titan during a June interview with Bloomberg. “We’re focusing on autonomous system,” Cook told the publication. “It’s a core technology that we view as very important.” The project is rumored to have as many as 1,000 engineers and experts working on it.

In more recent news, the New York Times reported last week that Apple was using its self-driving car technology as an employee shuttle. That new project, dubbed PAIL (Palo Santo to Infinite Loop), will ferry Apple staff to and from the company’s various campuses and office locations.

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This Sustainable Clean Energy Solution Costs Less Than an iPhone

Avant Garde Innovations, an Indian cleantech startup, has developed an affordable and small wind turbine that generates energy for less than three-quarters of the cost of its traditional counterparts, promising to make clean energy affordable to enterprises and households alike.

“It will bring down the cost of setting up small wind turbine equipment from a minimum Rs 2 lakh per kilowatt of capacity to Rs 50,000 per kilowatt,” said Arun George to The Economic Times. George, along with his brother Aloop, founded Avant Garde Innovations.

The new type of wind turbine features a compact design that reduces maintenance needs, which is why it is all the more impressive that it can generate enough power to meet the daily needs of an average Indian household, even at very low wind speeds. One turbine, about the size of a ceiling fan, can generate 5 kilowatts of power each day and costs about $750, whereas traditional home wind turbines typically cost thousands of dollars.

The efficient design is a far cry from the hulking industrial-grade wind turbines that can be seen squatting in open fields. The Georges hope that their innovation, which has already won recognition from the United Nations Foundation, will one day “eliminate energy poverty, reduce dependence on struggling state power grids and create energy self sufficiency for all the needy ones through distributed, localised and affordable renewable energy.” Their company has also attracted interest from the likes of prominent venture capital groups like Sequoia Capital and Keiretsu Forum.

“Investors are also interested because the design holds promise of being implemented as hydel or tidal turbines too. It could also be converted into an automobile motor after certain modifications,” Arun George said.

Currently, the turbines are only available in India and Australia, though the startup has been approached by North American manufacturers interested in setting up a joint venture to expand into Asia and the Middle East.

“We are seeing large potential in Asia and the Middle East markets, to begin with. Besides, a couple of government and private corporations from the Middle East are keen on the product,” Arun added.

But Avant Garde Innovations believes it’s the most significant step toward helping households access clean and affordable energy: “In doing so, we believe we can collectively usher in our world a cleaner environment, new economic prosperity and social change”, the company website states.

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New York Police Dept. to Swap 36,000+ Windows Phones for iPhones

Back in October, 2014, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and members of his administration announced a frivolous, $160 million plan to distribute smartphones to every active police officer in the NYPD, as well as to install a touchscreen tablet device into every patrol car. The initiative, de Blasio said at the time, “would help bring the department into the 21st century;” however it was a plan met with equal parts criticism and skepticism, each of which was fueled, all the more, when it was announced shortly thereafter that the department had chosen Windows Phones, of all devices, as their ‘go-to’. (Specifically, officers were able to choose between the Nokia Lumia 830 or 640 XL.)

The department’s decision to employ 36,000+ Windows Phones was an intriguing one, especially in light of other mobile operating systems like iOS and Android leading the way in terms of marketshare. Nevertheless, NYPD officials insisted, partially because they were “already using Microsoft software” to run video-surveillance systems at the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative Command Center, Microsoft smartphones were preferable to most members of the force.

According to an account published by The New York Post, the department also quipped that the price of the Windows Phones were much lower than iPhones, which played a factor in the final decision, too. However for the most part, department officials said, these devices are crucial tools by which members of the force can access NYPD databases while on the move, receive real-time 911 call data, and access a variety of other search capabilities — and so Windows Phone seemed like the better way to go.

Fortunately, (for members of the force, at least) just under a year or so after the program officially completed rolling out, NYPD officials have reportedly announced plans to begin replacing those old and discontinued Lumia devices with newer iPhone models. The complete replacement of all devices should take through the end of 2017, the report added, while stopping short of providing any detail into what model of iPhones will be offered.

The decision is likely to put New York City tax-payers and city council members on watch, especially since neither Windows Phones nor iPhones are considered “inexpensive.” However for the sake of the NYPD and its ability to conduct business as efficiently as possible, we must say: iPhones have always been a wise choice, guys.

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4 New Devices to Be Revealed at Apple’s Sept. 12th Event

Use the right arrow to see 4 new devices we expect to be revealed at Apple’s September 12th event.

Earlier this morning, The Wall Street Journal published a report indicating that Apple has set in stone September 12th as the day it will launch a number of the year’s most highly-anticipated products, including the company’s oft-publicized iPhone 8 flagship.

While we’re still waiting for the company to send out official press invitations, news of an early-September special event timeframe have circulated before, and so we can essentially be assured this will be the day. Interestingly, the WSJ report states that Apple is vying to hold the event at its all-new Steve Jobs theater at Apple Park. Most recent footage of the site’s construction progress, however, shows that Apple’s 120,000 square-foot underground auditorium might not be ready in time to be packed with spectators on September 12th.

In a fallback scenario, Apple could always hold the event at either the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, or at its “Town Hall” auditorium located at Apple’s 1 Infinite Loop campus — both of which have previously served as venues at which Apple has launched major products. Regardless, wherever the company decides to hold its special event, all signs point to it being a big one.

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Apple Releases iOS 11 Developer Beta 8 and Public Beta 7

Apple on Monday seeded the eighth beta version of iOS 11 to registered developers for testing purposes, just one week after releasing beta 7. In addition to the developer beta, Apple today has also released the corresponding iOS 11 beta 7 to public beta testers. iOS 11 beta 8 seems to be a relatively minor update, clocking in at just over 60 megabytes.

Changes Made in iOS 11 Beta 8

• New splash page for the native Home app.
• Reintroduction of developer ads in App Store searches.
• Bug fixes.
• Performance enhancements, and various other under-the-hood changes.

iOS 11 itself is a major update and introduces a wide range of changes and features including subtle UI tweaks, a new customizable Control Center and a new Lock screen, peer-to-peer Apple Pay payments in Messages, and a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature. It will also mark the launch of ARKit, a powerful development toolset that’ll turn Apple’s mobile OS into the largest augmented reality platform in the world.

For iPad users, iOS 11 will also introduce a number of enhancements like a dedicated file management app, a new Dock with improved multitasking, system-wide drag-and-drop, and a revamped App Switcher. Those features will make the iPad platform much closer in functionality to a full-fledged personal computer.

How to Download iOS 11 Dev Beta 8 / Public Beta 7

iOS 11 beta 8 is currently available as an over-the-air update for registered developers, provided that the proper configuration profile is installed on the device. It’s also available from the Apple Developer Center. In addition, iOS 11 beta 7 is available to members of Apple’s public beta software program. If you haven’t signed up already, you can do so here.

The new software is expected to be released to the public early next month after Apple’s fall announcement event. That keynote is rumored to take place on Sept. 12, meaning that we might be a little less than a couple weeks from the OS’s launch.

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20+ New Workouts Are Coming to Apple Watch This Fall

A slew of additional workout types and fitness activities are coming to the Apple Watch operating system this fall, according to new strings of code, icons and titles unveiled in the latest iOS 11 developer beta unearthed by iHelpBR. Presumably, the icons and titles will be used when reviewing Apple Watch-tracked activities and workouts on a connected iOS device. The new workouts include the following and more.

New Workouts Coming to Apple Watch

•  
• Basketball
• Barre
• Bowling
• Climbing
• Core Training
• Cricket
• Cross-County Skiing
• Curling
• Dance
• Equestrian Sports
• Fencing
• Fishing
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Jump Rope
• Kickboxing
• Lacrosse
• Pilates
• Sailing
• Skating
• Surfing

While the new workouts are not yet present in the most recent watchOS 4 beta, the latest Apple Watch software does include additional activity options such as outdoor swimming, elliptical workouts, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and others. Notably, the addition of HIIT training was officially confirmed by Apple during WWDC ’17.

On the current-generation Apple Watches and corresponding operating systems, there are only 12 workout options to choose from. Those include workouts related to Walking, Running, Cycling, Swimming, Elliptical, Rower, Stair Stepper and “Other” — with the latter option having less specific data tracking and metrics.

If the aforementioned workouts become available in the latest OS, they’ll mark a much wider range of loggable activities. It’s currently unknown whether all of the new workouts will be available across the Apple Watch lineup or restricted to the upcoming generation of wearable. Like the Apple Watch Series 2 and swimming activities, some of the new workouts might require additional equipment or sensors not found in current-gen Apple Watch models.

Apple is widely expected to unveil an Apple Watch Series 3 at its September event (which is currently rumored to take place on Sept. 12). The upcoming Apple wearable is rumored to include a new LTE modem for cellular connectivity, but not much else. While LTE capabilities would allow the Series 3 to be less dependent on an iPhone, the upcoming device still won’t replace your main handset any time soon.

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Source Claims iPhone 8’s Wireless Charging Will Be Really, Really Slow

We’ve previously noted the many benefits of Qi wireless charging and why we personally believe Apple should use the standard in its upcoming iPhone models. Not only is Qi fast, having recently been updated to include Fast Charge technology in v1.2, but Qi is also a member of the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) which Apple joined earlier this year in hopes of strengthening its position in securing wireless charging tech for the iPhone 8.

Interestingly, a slightly modified version of Qi is already being used by Apple to facilitate wireless inductive charging on the Apple Watch, so it only makes sense that the company would also use the latest Qi standard on the iPhone 8 as well, right?

Maybe so, but a new report published over the weekend by the Japanese blog, Mac Otokara, has indicated that Apple will instead use an older, slower wireless charging platform for the iPhone 8, according to “information resource that is well versed in WPC,” who indicated that despite newer, faster options being available, Apple will allegedly employ a wireless charging technology that would cap speeds at just 7.5-watts

The latest Qi v1.2 standard, in comparison, which offers proprietary ‘Fast Charging’ technology at up to 15-watts, continues to rollout with new Qi charging pads and has been available in select high-end Android smartphones for a while now. It’s unclear, therefore, why Apple would resolve to employ a previous-generation technology on a device that, by all measures, will embody ‘the next-generation’ of iPhone.

Why Not Allow Fast Charging?

One possibility is that Apple may have decided to cap its tech at a lower wattage to help preserve the longevity of its batteries over time. Rapid (or ‘Fast’) charging via wireless or USB standards can dramatically decrease a battery’s overall lifespan. Still, if the report is indeed accurate, we’d be hard to believe that Apple would cap one of its next-generation iPhone’s most highly-anticipated features a full 50% slower than the rest of the industry.

As of this write-up, we still don’t know exactly what platform Apple has embraced to employ wireless changing on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7s handsets. It was rumored earlier this year that the company could be exploring an all-new form of long distance wireless charging, however more recent mumblings from the rumor mill hint that the company may have settled for a more traditional standard like Qi or PMA. Regardless, it’ll be just a few days until we find out what Apple has up its sleeve this year, so be sure to stay tuned for everything iPhone 8 and more.

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Apple Now Accepting Donations for Hurricane Harvey Relief

Apple is now accepting donations to help disaster relief efforts in southeastern Texas in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Harvey.

The company is encouraging users to donate to the American Red Cross by displaying banners on its U.S. website and iTunes storefront. Like with previous donation campaigns, users can opt to give $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 or $200, which Apple will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the American Red Cross’ relief operations in Texas. The donations will be processed as normal iTunes transactions, but iTunes Store credit can’t be used and the contributions are not tax deductible, the company added.

Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall late Friday night. Over the weekend, the hurricane caused catastrophic flooding, leaving residents trapped in homes and overburdening local emergency services. Harvey was downgraded to a tropical storm as of Monday morning, but rescue teams and first responders are still working to assist people in Houston and other areas in southeast Texas. The storm has killed two people and that death toll is likely to rise, according to CNN.

The Red Cross is currently on the ground in Texas, providing safe shelter, comfort and relief services to those impacted by the storm. Relief efforts include food, comfort kits, medical equipment and other supplies. Currently, the organization has supplies to provide services to 28,000 people, with supplies for an additional 22,000 on the way, according to their website. In the wake of the hurricane, over 30,000 people are expected to be housed in shelters, The Guardian reported on Monday.

Apple CEO Tim Cook sent a tweet early Monday morning, urging users to join in the relief effort.

Prayers for Texas and all those affected by #HurricaneHarvey. Join us in the relief effort by donating: https://t.co/QLBMFOjaDG

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 27, 2017

Apple typically hosts donation campaigns for relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters and other events. The company has collected funds for the Red Cross after the 2016 floods in Louisiana, Hurricane Matthew, the wildfire in British Columbia, and numerous others. More recently, the company accepted donations to anti-hate advocacy groups after the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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5 Worst iPhone Apps of All Time

We love the App Store because it houses a vast library of valuable applications that make our lives better. However, not all apps are great. Some are are downright terrible – on a functional and even a moral level. Continue reading to learn the top five worst iPhone apps of all time.

5 Razor – Electric Shaver Simulation

Let’s be real: this app is totally and completely useless. Described as an “indispensable grooming tool for the iPhone user,” the app’s creators say that “no virtual electric razor will shave you closer!” Except that it’s an app and not an actual razor. It also apparently sports fake leg-shaving functionality, which lets it “be used by either sex.”

We get it — it’s meant to be a joke. But it also costs 99 cents. Maybe it would be different if it were free. We’re not sure that whatever “prank” you could pull on your friends is even going to be funny at all — let alone funny enough to warrant spending actual money.

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This Is How ‘Apple Pay Cash’ Will Work in iOS 11

Apple first debuted their peer-to-peer payment system, Apple Pay Cash, in June. While the company was vague on the specifics of the new payment platform, code found within the latest iOS 11 developer beta could shed some more light on how exactly the system works — including the setup process, and some of its restrictions and limitations.

As a refresher, Apple Pay Cash is the company’s upcoming peer-to-peer payment system that will allow iOS users to send (as well as receive) payments to family and friends. It’ll feature deep integration with iMessage and Siri, and the digital assistant will be able to recognize when an iMessage conversation is talking about sending or receiving money.

Chief among the new information is the fact that a user will need to verify their identity with Apple before using Apple Pay Cash, according to tidbits of code dug up by Brazilian site iHelpBR. This can be done via an iOS device’s camera, by placing a driver’s license or other photo identification document within the camera’s frame. Additionally, another line of code seems to suggest that there will be an age requirement to use Apple Pay Cash.

There’s also a line of code that suggests peer-to-peer will not be available to users who have not verified their identity, or users whose identity verification process has failed for whatever reason. While peer-to-peer payments will be disabled, a user’s Apple Pay Cash balance can still be used within apps or at physical and online retail outlets.

After the verification process, users will have to add a connected bank account, debit card, or credit card from which sent funds will be drawn. The system will apparently warn users that a debit card “works best,” perhaps because credit cards typically carry an associated fee for peer-to-peer transactions (which you can see on most competitors, such as Venmo).

Once a debit or credit card is added, a user can send funds to their family and friends from within iMessage. Although it’s worth noting that any funds received will be put into a separate “Apple Pay Cash” card within the Wallet app, not directly into a user’s bank account. The balance on this Cash card can then be used for normal Apple Pay transactions, peer-to-peer payments, or later withdrawn into a connected bank account.

The virtual card will also utilize a four-digit PIN for extra authentication such as when Touch or Face ID fails. Additionally, there seems to be a cap on the amount of money a card can hold — as there’s a line of code stating that an “Apple Pay Cash balance cannot exceed” an unspecified number.

iHelpBR also found some more expected findings within the iOS 11 beta. For one, if a user declines a payment or if a payment “expires,” that money will be put back into the account it was sent form. Payments seem to expire if they sit for a long period of time without being accepted. And, of course, an Apple Pay Cash card will be synced via iCloud across a user’s devices.

The leaked information doesn’t clarify everything about Apple Pay Cash, but it does clear up certain aspects of the platform. While a release date isn’t set, it’s likely to debut with or shortly after iOS 11 in the fall.

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How to Clean AirPods and Keep Them Clean

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Use a VPN to Circumvent Verizon’s HD Video Throttling

Earlier this week, Verizon made a controversial change to its data plans that throttles all smartphone video to 720p at best. Tablets, on the other hand, will have a ceiling of 1080p for video. The limitations will also apply when customers use their smartphones as mobile hotspots. The move, which is effective as of now, makes it impossible to stream 4K video on Verizon’s mobile network.

“We’re doing this to ensure all customers have a great experience on our network since there is no visible difference in quality on a smartphone or tablet when video is shown at higher resolutions than 720p on phones and 1080p on tablets,” Verizon announced.

Regardless, the news should come as a blow to both existing and prospective Verizon customers, given how straightforward and simple Verizon’s unlimited plan used to be. Those who already have Verizon plans, unlimited or not, should already see their video throttled 720p on smartphones and 1080p on tablets. New customers, who purchase Verizon’s single-line “Beyond Unlimited” plan, will have to shell out $85 a month to enjoy the same video quality.

Verizon also unveiled a cheaper version of its unlimited data plan that costs $75 a month for a single line, with the caveat that video will be throttled to 480p on smartphones and 720p on tablets.

Rather than convert the video to lower resolutions itself, Verizon told Ars Technica that it will restrict the bandwidth for all mobile video and allow the video applications to do the rest of the legwork: “We will manage HD video throughput by setting speeds at no more than 10Mbps, which provides HD video at up to 1080p video”, a Verizon representative said.

Though Verizon also claimed to Ars that “[m]ore than 96 percent of customers have not used 4K video,” the move is sure to irk many new and existing Verizon customers. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid Verizon’s video throttling: virtual private networks, or VPNs.

A VPN encrypts your data, making it essentially impossible for your carrier to tell whether you are streaming video. Though the VPN may slow your internet speeds, it will help you avoid Verizon’s bandwidth limitation on video streaming so you can enjoy higher resolution with fewer delays and interruptions.

If you’re a Verizon customer, we recommend you check out lifetime subscriptions to VPN Unlimited and Disconnect VPN, which cost $49.99 each.

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Silicon Valley’s Dark Secret: Mental Health Disorders

The idea of the “tortured creative” has been around a very long time. At points, it might even seem to border on cliche. But the link between genius and mental health issues has been recognized since antiquity — it was, of course, Aristotle who wrote that “there is no genius without having a touch of madness.”

We obviously understand much more about mental health issues than we did two thousand years ago — but there is still a lot we don’t know, and undeniably, there is a stigma attached to mental health problems. That stigma is especially strong within the heart of the world’s tech industry: Silicon Valley.

According to the Center for Disease Control, about one in four people in the U.S. suffer from a mental health issue. But while linking genius to “madness” may be antiquated terminology, there’s evidence to suggest that there is, in fact, a link between creative greatness and mental health issues.

A 2016 study conducted by psychiatrist Michael Freeman identified a link between entrepreneurs and depression. That study found that personality traits found in successful creatives and entrepreneurs were also traits associated with the risk of substance abuse, ADHD, bipolar disorder and depression.

Additionally, a 2014 piece by the Psychiatric Times aggregates several studies that seem to suggest a link between creative geniuses and mental health issues. According to that data, it comes to down to the specific temperament of a person and whether or not they’re in a nurturing environment that allows them to utilize that creative genius. Obviously, there are certain environments are not mentally healthy — but more on that later.

In the context of the tech industry, some of the traits associated with bipolar disorder may be especially relevant. During manic episodes, those who suffer from BPD may result in feats of seemingly superhuman productivity — from writing code all night to thinking up ideas of creative genius.

Silicon Valley Culture

If you’re at all familiar with the culture of Silicon Valley, startups and the tech industry as a whole, it may be easy to gloss over mental health. Tech industry culture very often prioritizes productivity over self-care, and any sign of not running at 100 percent is perceived as weakness. That ‘constant go’ shows up from eschewing the proper amount of sleep to using various methods to “hack” normal bodily functions like eating.

This constant go attitude seems to be deeply ingrained into Silicon Valley’s DNA — from the smallest of startups to giants like Apple. Two former managers at Apple said that the work environment at Cupertino was constantly busy and chaotic, and that many of the top executives were “nuts” as far as their work ethic goes.

With that attitude of strength, fortitude and productivity, the culture of Silicon Valley creates a social stigma surrounding mental health issues — even though the people who work in the tech industry don’t suffer any less from those issues than anyone else.

Not having the ability to speak about an illness, or feeling the need to hide or ignore it can obviously be detrimental.

Taking bipolar disorder as an example again, the low periods — as opposed to the highs — could be especially magnified. Making an honest mistake or feeling like one is not reaching their full potential during these times can lead to bouts of extreme depression. To a certain degree, Silicon Valley’s work culture is a recipe for disaster. That problem is made worse by the fact that the tech industry isn’t the most welcoming to those who suffer from mental health.

Success and Happiness

Does success equal happiness? To many of us, it seems that it could. But the truth is more complicated than that. In short, the answer is no. Achieving a high caliber of success in a certain field or pursuit doesn’t automatically equal happiness. We may already know this, but we might also be quick to forget it.

As CNN points out in a recent episode of its “Mostly Human” series, entrepreneurs and startup founders are basically the rockstars of our generation: their faces plastered across magazines, their stories told in publications and series across the globe.

For many people dedicated to creative and entrepreneurial pursuits — and particularly for those in executive positions in these fields — their mental prowess and fortitude are virtues above all others. This doesn’t leave them a lot of opportunities to speak about the various issues or problems they might be facing in their personal lives. To certain individuals in high-profile positions, showing any kind of weakness or vulnerability may not seem like an option. The issue is especially pertinent when there may be literally hundreds of thousands of investor dollars at stake.

Mostly Human’s Laurie Segall went to Silicon Valley to explore the stigma of mental health issues among top executives. Seagull talked to several people whose significant others had worked in the tech industry and who had ended their own lives. They were both high-level tech executives who were battling with mental illnesses, but the stigma made it hard for them to get the help they needed. Their “highs” and work ethic were seen as moments of brilliance, but that cultural pressure made it harder to talk about their illnesses.

“It’s particularly relevant in the Valley because hypo-manic productivity is a sign of strength and opportunity, and even in your weakest moments you’re not supposed to present anything other than your game face,” Penelope Dragnaic, whose husband was one of those executives, told CNN. “It’s not the culture that creates the illness, but it’s a culture that actually makes this illness even harder to grapple with.”

Defeat

For entrepreneurs, every moment of success has its counterpoint — those moments of apparent defeat. And if success doesn’t exactly equal happiness, the mental effects of these low moments can be even more harmful.

Those moments can be life-altering, particularly for executives or founders. Take Apple co-founder Steve Jobs as an example. After he was dismissed from Apple, he wandered the globe in a new existence marked by “doubt, questioning and despair,” according to the autobiography Becoming Steve Jobs.

Jobs founded Apple when he was 21, and the resulting success and pressure of running such a revolutionary company didn’t give him much time to think about life issues in a way that could have helped him, the authors of the book told VentureBeat. What went wrong with Apple became an obsession for Jobs. And although he later returned to Apple to resounding success, he endured a lot of pain from being dismissed from the company in the first place. During one point, his girlfriend at the time points out, he sounded suicidal.

The cultural pressure of “crushing it” is not exactly conducive to self-care and mental health. It becomes even more of a problem as CEOs and entrepreneurs are younger than ever in the tech field.

The Future

Thankfully, there’s a groundswell in Silicon Valley that could turn out to be a sea change for how the culture stigmatizes mental health issues. Among the forefront of the movement is a man named Jerry Colonna. A former investor who fought his own battle with depression, he now helps high-profile individuals in the tech industry as a “CEO coach.” According to CNN, Colonna is gaining notoriety for cutting through the culture and exposing what he calls Silicon Valley’s “dirty little secret.”

“Imagine having that personality type, the propensity to drive yourself, and then having investors say, ‘You better be hungry, otherwise I’m not going to fund you,’” Colonna told CNN. “You take away sleep, and you’ve got a prescription for depression.” According to him, mental health issues are not unique to the tech industry, but as we’ve learned, Silicon Valley’s culture could be amplifying them.

A nonprofit organization called Bring Change 2 Mind is now working within the Valley to help remove the stigma surrounding the discussion of mental health issues — by organizing events and hoping to start a conversation. Another startup called Project Sunrise is hoping to develop a cure for depression. And a neuroscientist named Adam Gazzaley is trying to create a video game that can help treat depression. It’s currently on the road to FDA approval, CNN reported.

The tech and startup industry has a reputation for creativity and developing disruptive technology and methods. The ultimate hope is that the industry can use its strength and combined creative genius to disrupt a long-held but thoroughly unhealthy piece of its culture.

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