Teardown shows new Apple’s 12-inch MacBook adds tamper-evident screws, very minor improvements
Our friends over at iFixit are doing their ritual teardown of Apple’s new 12-inch MacBook, and while the new device is essentially the same as the previous generation save for some updated internals, the repair guide site also noticed some tweaks as far as repairability goes.
Most notably, Apple replaced a tri-wing screw with a much more common Phillips screw, which is always a plus for allowing for easier repairs, although it continues to use its proprietary Pentablobe screws on the exterior of the case. That might be the only new positive for the updated MacBook, however, as iFixit also notes that it discovered hinge screws for the device are “filled with some sort of substance that disintegrates when you insert a screwdriver.” The site speculates that it appears to be an Apple effort at “tamper-evident screws,” which in theory could allow the company to know if a third-party or DIY repair attempt has been made voiding warranty. Or as iFixit put it, “make you feel like a hoodlum for repairing your own machine.”
Filed under: Mac Tagged: 12-inch, MacBook, repair, screws, teardown
Microsoft releases Word Flow keyboard for iPhone with one-handed mode, custom backgrounds
Microsoft is bringing its predictive Windows Phone keyboard, called Word Flow, to the iPhone. The third-party keyboard is now available for free in the US App Store. The keyboard features traditional keycap input as well as the popular swiping-between-letters gesture input method popularized by Swype.
Filed under: Apps, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: App Store, Apps, iOS, iPhone, keyboard, Microsoft, Windows Phone
Reporters allowed inside Pegatron iPhone assembly factory for the first time
Over the weekend, Bloomberg posted an exclusive report of Pegatron’s iPhone plant in China. Although Foxconn is Apple’s primary assembler, Apple has moved more of its iPhone assembly contracts to Pegatron in recent years to diversify its supply chain.
The Bloomberg report describes how the factory is managing its workforce, tracking hours via automated systems, and tackling labor issues like overtime. This is the first time Pegatron has allowed official press to photograph the insides of the factory, where 50,000 people work on the floor.
Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Apple, Foxconn, iOS, Pegatron, Working conditions
Beyonce’s ‘Tidal exclusive’ album, Lemonade, now available on iTunes to download
Initially billed as an exclusive to Tidal, Beyonce’s new Lemonade album is now available to buy on iTunes. Jay-Z’s streaming music service had been touting the album as an exclusive location to listen to Beyonce’s latest music. Whilst Tidal maintains exclusive streaming rights, the album is now being freely sold for download elsewhere.
Tidal has attempted similar stunts in the past, with Kanye famously stating his album ‘The Life of Pablo’ would never be on Apple Music and would be exclusive to Tidal. However, a track from the album soon showed up on Apple’s services a few weeks later. There is currently a class action lawsuit forming around the false claims of exclusivity.
Filed under: Apple Music, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Apple Music, Beyoncé, iOS, kanye, Music, streaming, Tidal
Apple continues to dominate tech companies financially, took 40% of all profits in Silicon Valley last year
Although slowing iPhone growth began to impact Apple’s bottom lin numbers in the last quarter of the year, the company dominated Silicon Valley in 2015 as far as finances are concerned. In a survey of public tech companies in the Valley, total profit was $133 billion. Apple, alone, recorded profit of $53.7 billion dollars, responsible for 40% of the entire profit pool. The data was collected by SiliconValley.com.
Apple also ranked no. 1 by far in revenue, taking $234 billion in sales. Trailing far behind, the next closest was Alphabet (Google), at $74 billion …
Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Apple profits, money, profits, Revenue, Silicon Valley
KGI: iPhone sales in 2016 could be lower than 2014 as iPhone 7 has no ’attractive’ updates
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities has today published a new research note in which he has some not-so-good predictions for how Apple will fare in the smartphone market during 2016. Kuo predicts that Apple, under the “worst case scenario,” could see iPhone shipments in 2016 lower than what it saw in 2014. Furthermore, Kuo anticipates that Apple will be the only top-five smartphone brand to see a decline in shipments year over year.
Filed under: AAPL Company, iOS Devices Tagged: Investor, iPhone, KGI, shipments
Review: Griffin’s BreakSafe is the magnetic USB-C connection the 12-inch MacBook needs
One of the most interesting accessories that came out of the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year was Griffin’s BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable. As a 12-inch MacBook owner (and lover), one of the things I’ve missed the most with the machine is the MagSafe connection. Apple introduced the MagSafe technology 10 years ago, but thanks to the switch to a single USB-C connection, it is nowhere to be found on the ultra-slim MacBook.
That’s where Griffin’s BreakSafe comes in the. Retailing for $39.99, the BreakSafe is a six-foot-long magnetic USB-C cable. The BreakSafe brings the laptop-saving MagSafe technology that Apple users have to love to the 12-inch MacBook. And it does it surprisingly well, but it’s not perfect…
Filed under: Mac, Reviews Tagged: BreakSafe, Griffin, MagSafe, review
This week’s top stories: WWDC, iPhone rumors, 12-inch MacBook updates, Apple Car & more
In this week’s top stories, the iPhone rumor mill was in full effect as reports surfaced claiming Apple could introduce an new all glass design for a next-generation device. That news was accompanied by Apple’s 12-inch MacBook refresh, an official announcement for WWDC, and the latest Apple Car news. Head below for the quick links to all of this week’s top stories and much more:
Filed under: AAPL Company, Apple Car, iOS Tagged: 12-inch MacBook, AAPL, Apple, Apple Car, iPhone 7, Snapchat, top stories, WWDC
Apple will require all new Apple Watch apps to use the native SDK from June 1
Apple has announced that it is ending support for the original watchOS SDK and original Apple Watch 1.0 apps, which required a phone to even open. From June 1st, Apple will require developers of new Apple Watch apps to use the native SDK, which came with watchOS 2. The requirement was posted on the Apple Developer news page last night.
Filed under: AAPL Company, Apple Watch, Developers, iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: Apple watch, Apple Watch 2, Apps, developer, iOS, watchOS, watchos 2
Apple begins charging WWDC 2016 lottery winners
As it has in the past, Apple held a lottery for WWDC 2016 tickets. The lottery opened on Monday, April 18th, and closed earlier today at 10:00AM PST.
The lottery format puts developers on even ground, lending all a chance to win the right to purchase a $1,599 ticket. Though Apple has stated that it plans on notifying winners of the lottery by Monday, April 25th, some winners have already begun to see their credit cards charged. more…
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Lottery, WWDC, WWDC 2016, wwdc lottery