Next-gen Intel Kaby Lake processors on track to launch this year as Samsung unveils new super-small SSDs
We can usually get a decent idea of what the insides of an upcoming Mac will look like thanks to announcements from part manufacturers. A report last week detailed some of the changes that Apple has planned for its MacBook Pro refresh in the fourth quarter of this year and now Intel and Samsung have both made announcements that could offer a glimpse into what else Apple will introduce…
Filed under: Mac Tagged: Apple, Intel, Kaby Lake, MacBook, Samsung
Limited availability may mean one of Apple’s most outdated products might see WWDC refresh
It’s been true for way too long now that Apple’s Thunderbolt Display is due for a comprehensive upgrade. Apple’s $999 27-inch display has a dated design and has much lower resolution than the Retina 5K iMac for $800 more. For those reasons and more, it’s been on everyone’s Do Not Buy list for quite some time, but that may be about to change.
Filed under: Mac Tagged: Thunderbolt Display
Adobe Photoshop Sketch for iOS gains layer support, new 3D Touch features
Adobe Photoshop Sketch for iOS is already one of my favorite iPad Pro apps to use with Apple Pencil, and the latest update adds new features that makes it even better for illustrating. Sketch also added iPhone support earlier this year, and the new version includes 3D Touch features for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: Adobe Photoshop Sketch
Comment: iOS status bar on iPhone and iPad needs some rethinking
Apple’s conservative approach to the iOS status bar on iPhone and iPad is easily one of the clear design victories over Android’s unruly approach. Android, by design, will show separate icons for each Twitter mention, Instagram comment, Facebook alert, and any other alert, which I personally find to be overwhelming and just plain ugly. iOS doesn’t allow app icons to clutter the status bar. Instead, it uses temporary banners, lock screen messages, app icon badges, and the Notification Center curtain to show you what you’ve missed. But I have noticed a few examples lately where the iOS status bar has gotten sloppy and needs some real attention before iOS 10.
Filed under: iOS, Opinion Tagged: iOS, status bar
Mophie launches new iPhone Juice Pack battery cases with wireless charging
Mophie is today launching a new line of wireless Juice Pack products for iPhone that add wireless charging capabilities to the previous lineup of popular battery cases.
Filed under: iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Battery pack, charge force, charging, iPhone, juice pack, Mophie, QI, Wireless
9to5Toys Lunch Break: 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro 256GB $1,200, SanDisk 480GB SSD $94, Mac App Bundle $25, more
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TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
The World Class Mac Bundle brings together 8 outstanding apps: $25 w/coupon (Orig. $401)
Apple 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro (latest version) 2.7GHz/8GB/256GB $1,200 shipped (Reg. $1,499)
Apple’s newest 13-inch 1.6GHz/8GB/256GB MacBook Air is on sale for $1,000 shipped (Reg. $1,119)
Amazon Gold Box – storage & networking products up to 60% off: 480GB SSD $94, 200GB microSD $60, much more
Pay what you want for 26.5 hours of photography tutorials and 100 stock images
Get 83 hours of coding tutorials with the Comprehensive Android Development Bundle: $40 (Orig. $727)
App Store $1 Amazing Apps & Games Sale: Halo, Runtastic, Lifeline, djay 2, Runstastic, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Octagon arcade-runner free for the first time in over a year ($2 value)
KAMI paper puzzle game goes free on iOS for the very first time today (Reg. $2)
Review: Pelican’s impressive Elite Luggage is built like a tank, but is it worth the price tag?
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
AmazonBasics Felt Sleeves for MacBooks up to 15-inches are on sale from $8 Prime shipped
- Ringke iPhone 6s/Plus cases in multiple styles & colors from $3 shipped (Reg. $10)
- Mohu Leaf 30 4K-Ready Ultra-Thin HDTV Antenna: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)
- Smartphone Accessories: Lumsing Bluetooth earbuds $14, more
- Games/Apps: XCOM 2 for Mac $40, Borderlands 2 Complete $12, iOS freebies, more
- Daily Deals: Insignia 43-inch LED 1080p HDTV $200, more
- Amazon’s HD digital movie sale from $4: The Hurt Locker, Hunger Games, many more
- Bring the NBA Finals home w/ this ESPN Two-Player Basketball Game for $79 (Reg. $110+)
MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:
Sabrent dock: multiple powered USB ports+ HDMI to your Mac $60 shipped (Reg. $90)
- Philips Smart Lighting: Hue Go Portable LED $80, Wireless Hue Tap Switch $50
- Many acclaimed Bose speakers on sale, SoundLink Mini II $179 shipped (Reg. $199)
- Cabela’s $100 Gift Card for $85 shipped (15% off), more
- Amazon is handing out $5 in-app credits when you download select Android games
- Smart 1080p HDTVs (Refurb): 50″ VIZIO $320 (Orig. $430), Sony 48″ $300 (Orig. $500)
- Withings Activité Pop Activity Tracker and Watch: $85 shipped (Reg. $140+)
- BlenderBottle ProStak 22-Ounce Bottle from $9 Prime shipped (Reg. $12+)
- Cuisinart Food Processor in Brushed Stainless Steel $119 shipped (Reg. $150), more
- Google Play MP3 Albums for $1 (Reg. $12+): Goo Goo Dolls Greatest Hits, Deftones, more
- SanDisk Ultra II 480GB 2.5-inch Internal Solid-State Drive: $108 shipped (Reg. $130+)
- Garmin vívofit Activity Tracker in multiple colors w/ Heart Rate Monitor: $50 (Reg. $80)
- OLALA’s 13000mAh portable iPhone charger packs a lot of juice for just $28
- Gold’s Gym XRS 20 Olympic Multi-Workout Bench for $97 shipped (Reg. $200+)
- FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System with Starter Bag/Roll Set $60 shipped (Reg. $80+)
- Get a two-pack of Mini 7W LED Flashlights for only $7 Prime shipped (Reg. $9)
- Black+Decker Mini Rice/Food Cooker for under $15 Prime shipped (Reg. $20+), more
- Load up on discounted Toms shoes, accessories & more with this up to 75% off Surprise Sale
- OLALA’s 13000mAh portable iPhone charger packs a lot of juice for just $28
- Goat Simulator heads to outer space in its latest must-see iOS release [Video]
- LEGO Games for Android on sale for $1 (Reg. $5): Batman, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, more
- Mackie Studio Speakers: 5-inch w/ Bluetooth $200 (Reg. $250), 6.5-inch $160 (Reg. $200)
- Get SSD speed and size for $50 w/ Lexar 256GB S75 USB 3 Jumpdrive retractable Flash Drive
- Samsung’s SmartThings home automation lineup now 20% off, get the 2nd gen Hub for $79
Review: We flew DJI’s impressive Phantom 4 drone towards a wall at 20MPH and nothing happened
NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:
iDevices’ latest creation brings HomeKit control to nearly any lightbulb in your house
- This record player has Don Draper-style, AirPlay connectivity and a secret bar
- Olympus wants you to beat the hell out of its new Tough TG-Tracker 4K Action Camera
- Grado Labs latest Brooklyn-made set of headphones blend mahogany & maple woods
- Xiaomi’s first drone records 4K video, lasts 27mins, costs $460
- LG’s new OLED 4K Ultra HDTVs are still lustworthy, just as expensive
- Jaybird’s new Freedom Bluetooth earbuds have an Apple-inspired metal design
- The second generation Boosted electric skateboard promises longer range
- National Streaming Day: I finally cut the cord and haven’t looked back, here’s how I pulled it off…
- Roboterra’s K’NEX-like coding system aims to empower young engineers
- TRNTBL is a modern day vinyl-lovers dream w/ built-in AirPlay, SONOS and Bluetooth
- Black + Decker launches app-connected Bluetooth batteries w/ USB port
- Garmin’s new vívosmart HR+ opts for GPS-tracking and heart rate monitoring over battery life
- The Tap Bluetooth wearable turns nearly any surface into a functioning Bluetooth keyboard
Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Apple, Best Buy, Daily Deals, free apps, Gold Box, MacBook Pro, SanDisk, video games
Apple TV App Store Top Charts algorithm now hides apps that you already have installed
Apple has quietly rolled out a change to the Apple TV App Store on tvOS in the last few days, which affects how apps are listed in the Top Charts. For the Top Charts (Top Paid, Top Free, Top Grossing), the Apple TV App Store will now hide listings for apps that the user has already downloaded, so the charts update dynamically per user. This means users can only browse for apps they don’t already own, removing some clutter and allowing less popular apps more opportunity to be seen. This behavior is novel and isn’t currently replicated by the iPhone and iPad App Stores.
To try this out for yourself, open the Apple TV App Store and download the #1 Top Free app. After force-quitting and re-opening the App Store (by swiping it away in the multitasking tray), the app will disappear from the charts. What was previously listed at #2 will now take the top spot (via Equinux).
Filed under: AAPL Company, Apple TV, Developers, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: App Store, App Store Top Charts, Apple TV, iOS, iPad, iPhone, tvOS
Review: IXCC’s USB 3.0 to Type-C Adapter is a cheaper way to connect legacy USB devices to your MacBook
If you own a MacBook and you wish to interface with legacy USB-A connections, you have several options. Apple itself produces a USB-C to USB Adapter, and it’s available for around $19. There’s also no shortage of third-party options available on Amazon and other resellers.
One such option, IXCC’s USB 3.0 to Type-C Convertor Cable, is a cheap and easy way to garner legacy USB device support on USB-C only MacBooks. Have a look at our brief hands-on video to witness the adapter in action. more…
Filed under: Mac Tagged: 12-inch MacBook, MacBook, review, USB-C, USB-C adapter, video
Opinion: Could Apple really be planning a move to a 3-year cycle on major iPhone refreshes?
That Nikkei report claiming that Apple is moving to a three-year cycle on major iPhone refreshes would be huge news if true.
Apple currently has a very well-established ‘tick-tock’ cycle where we see a new form-factor every two years, and new features within the same casing on alternate years. That’s a very efficient approach: Apple generates new demand each year without having the pressure to design a whole new model each time.
Some will upgrade every single year; others will be more influenced by design, and buy in ‘tick’ years; others will be more concerned about features, and will buy in ‘tock’ years. The result is that every year, you have a bunch of customers eager to buy.
A switch to a three-year cycle would seem a dangerous one – so could it really be true, or is something else going on … ?
Filed under: iOS Devices, Opinion Tagged: iPhone, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, Tick-tock
Apple Campus 2 drone flyover update shows progress on Theatre, solar panels, & more [Video]
Apple has made quite a lot of progress on its under construction “Campus 2” set to become the company’s new headquarters when complete around the end of the year. Since last checking in a month ago, a video update published today by Matthew Roberts for June shows continued progress on the roof of the main circular spaceship building, including a look at the heating and cooling systems installed throughout, and what looks to be some new outdoor areas surrounding the entrance of the underground theatre. Head below for a look at progress made in recent weeks. more…
Filed under: AAPL Company Tagged: ampitheatre, Apple, campus 2, plaza, Solar panels, Theatre