KGI: ‘Increasing likelihood’ iPhone 8 will feature glass front and back, stainless steel metal for premium models

Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities has released a new report further forecasting that the 2017 iPhone will likely adopt and glass front and back design like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s. The idea seems to be that the new Jet Black iPhone 7 has proved highly popular with customers due to the appeal of its glossy finish, and glass would make it much less scratch prone; Apple has recommended customers use a case with the glossy aluminum model to avoid ‘micro abrasions’ from general usage.

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How to replace iPhone 7 & 7 Plus battery, display, Taptic Engine & more in new repair guides

If you’re looking for info on how to repair or replace your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus battery, display or other components, look no further. As it does every year, repair guide site iFixit is usually one of the first to rip apart Apple’s new iPhones to find out what’s inside, and for that reason they are also one of the first to offer up detailed guides on how to repair and replace various parts of the devices. 

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Happy Hour Podcast 087 | Siri Speaker, Apple Watch sleep tracking, and the latest in HomeKit

This week Benjamin and Zac talk about the latest Siri Speaker rumors, potential Apple Watch sleep tracking and smarter heart rate tracking features, the latest news in the HomeKit space, and much more. 9to5Mac’s Happy Hour podcast is available for download on iTunes and Apple’s Podcasts app, or through our dedicated RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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‘A Game of Thrones: Enhanced Edition’ hits iBooks today, promises ‘a world of additional content’

On the 20th anniversary of the first publication of A Game of Thrones, George RR Martin told the Guardian that a special edition of the book due to be released today on iTunes represents ‘an amazing next step in the world of books.’

A Game of Thrones: Enhanced Edition [offers] ‘a world of additional content,’ said its publisher HarperCollins, ranging from interactive character maps to detailed annotations, character journeys and timelines, family trees [and] audio clips.

The book, which is exclusive to iBooks, includes an extract from The Winds of Winter. Martin said that he was excited by the opportunity to offer readers access to a whole range of secondary material …

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As expectations grow for MacBook Pro launch next month, different reports suggest late October launch [Poll]

With numerous reports suggesting that Apple will launch a new MacBook Pro range in late October, one sketchy rumor suggests that the keynote presentation will take place on October 24. A Monday doesn’t seem particularly likely, and the ‘multiple sources’ cited are apparently just anonymous emails, but sometime around that date seems more likely than not. Logic dictates that a new OS update will be required for these new machines and if they were ready late September/early October, Apple would have added the to the September event.

Additionally, Apple is known for its late October launches, having had one in October 4 of the past 5 years (skipping last year) and it wants to have its channel full of inventory for the runup to the holidays in November.  So October is a safe guess for upcoming products… more…

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Apple’s first Chinese R&D center will be in Zhongguancun Science Park Beijing, employ 500

Tim Cook last month told the Chinese government that Apple would be building its first research and development center in China by the end of the year, and local media now appears to have some specifics.

The center will reportedly be located in Beijing’s Zhongguancun Science Park and employ 500 staff.

The R&D center has a registered capital of CNY100 million (US$14.994 million), with total investment likely to reach CNY300 million in the future. The center plans to hire a total of 500 employees, focusing on the development of computer software and hardware products, communication, audio and video devices, as well as advanced technologies for consumer electronics products and the information industry.

The Digitimes report – citing local media – says that the role of the center is expected to go beyond research …

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New York’s Union Square Cafe will use Apple Watches to enhance customer service

New York’s Union Square Cafe will use Apple Watches to enhance its customer service efforts when the restaurant re-opens next month, reports Eater.

When Meyer’s 30-year-old Union Square Cafe reopens in Manhattan next month, every floor manager and sommelier will be wearing an Apple Watch. And when a VIP walks through the front door, someone orders a bottle of wine, a new table is seated, a guest waits too long to order her or his drink, or a menu item runs out, every manager will get an alert via the tiny computer attached to their wrist.

The restaurant – owned by Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer – is working with reservation system startup Resy to deliver a hi-tech approach to the entire restaurant experience, from reservation to check …

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