Apple chipmaker TSMC said that the earthquake that hit southern Taiwan earlier this month caused damage that will impact production, but has not yet given a clear indication of the scale of the problem. The company is one of two chip fabricators for the iPhone 6s, and is expected to be the sole manufacturer of the A10 chip for the iPhone 7.

The 6.4-magnitude earthquake on February 6 killed 116 people and injured many more, with significant damage also caused to manufacturing facilities …

TSMC initially said that it expected 95% of production capacity to be restored within 2-3 days, and that the long-term impact would be a loss of around 1% of 2016 production. However, Digitimes now reports the company says that damage to one of the chip-fabrication facilities is “worse than originally assessed.”

The company has, however, indicated that it is “confident” of hitting its revenue targets for the first quarter of the year, suggesting that it still expects the impact to be relatively minor.

It had been speculated that Apple’s reported decision to switch from a TSMC/Samsung mix for the A9 chip to TSMC only for the A10 may have been influenced by benchmark tests showing that iPhone 6s models equipped with the TSMC chip ran cooler and offered better battery life than Samsung variants. Apple played down the differences, saying that benchtests are not typical of real-world usage, and that the difference amounted to 2-3%.

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: A10, a9, earthquake, iPhone, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, Samsung, Taiwan, Taiwan earthquake, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Taiwan Semiconductor manufacturing company, TSMC

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Apple has launched a replacement program for the USB-C cable that came bundled with 2015 Retina MacBook units, finding that some cables were faulty. Bad cables would result in the MacBook not charging, or charging unreliably when connected to a power adapter.

From Apple’s help site, affected customers can order a free replacement USB-C cable. Retina MacBook owners who provided a mailing address at product registration will be shipped a new cable automatically by the end of February … If you did not provide this information when buying the MacBook, visit Apple’s site to order a replacement cable instead …

You can tell if you are affected by looking at the printing on the side of your Apple USB-C cable. If the cable lacks a serial number next to the ‘Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China’ text, you should be eligible for a replacement. See the image below for a comparison of the affected and redesigned cables. Please note that although these are the graphics Apple provides, they appear to have made a Photoshop mistake with the ends — the photos depict Lightning cables, not USB-C connectors.

The replacement process can be initiated at an Apple Store with a Genius Bar appointment, at an authorized reseller or online via Apple Support channels. The program runs through June 8, 2018 so you have a couple of years to get your cables swapped out. If you can’t reach an Apple Store, it may be simpler to just buy a USB-C cable from a third party; I recommend the Anker USB-C cables which include additional reinforcement to prevent fraying, and will likely last longer than Apple’s first-party offerings.

…
Affected cables:

Redesigned cables (identifiable by inclusion of serial number):

Filed under: AAPL Company, Mac, Tech Industry Tagged: MacBook, replacement program, USB-C

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Apple is currently on target to start selling its next iPhone and iPad models the same week that the new products are introduced in March. Apple is currently planning to introduce a new 4-inch iPhone dubbed the “iPhone 5se” and a new iPad Air at an event on Tuesday, March 15th, then put the products up for sale online and in retail stores as early as Friday, March 18th, according to sources. Apple is unlikely to offer pre-orders for the new devices, according to sources who cautioned that the plans could still change.

Launching the new iPhone and iPad models so soon after introduction and not offering pre-orders would be a new strategy for Apple. Apple typically releases new iPhone models one or two weeks following the introduction events and an online pre-order period. A similar strategy has been followed for many new iPad releases, but the iPad Pro hardware actually went on sale over two months following the device’s initial introduction. Manufacturing of the new 4-inch iPhone began ramping up in January, sources say.

The new 4-inch iPhone 5se is designed to spur iPhone hardware upgrades for customer seeking newer technologies and faster devices without the need to upgrade to the far larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s and 6s Plus screen sizes. While the iPhone 5se’s body will be nearly identical to the 2013 iPhone 5s, the new smartphone is said to include Apple’s latest A9 and M9 processors, an NFC chip for Apple Pay, support for always-on Siri activation, the iPhone 6’s camera system, and the ability to take Live Photos. The device will come in the same colors as the 6s, according to sources: gold, rose gold, silver, and space gray.

The iPad Air 3 is said to include a Smart Connector and support for Apple-branded accessories, which could mean that updated Smart Keyboards and Apple Pencil support for the 9.7-inch device are in the pipeline. The new iPad is also expected to include a variant of the A9 processor, an upgraded camera system, and potentially a rear flash for brighter photos. At its March 15th event, Apple is also planning to unveil a series of new Apple Watch Sport Band colors, a Space Black Milanese Loop, and NATO-style nylon bands.

(Image: Getty Images)

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apple Inc, Apple iPhone 5C, Apple iPhone 5S, iOS, iPad, ipad air, iPhone, IPod Touch

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When Apple bought Beats back in 2014, it got a headphone/speaker line and the foundation for what became Apple Music. Now it appears that Beats co-founder and rap legend Dr Dre is going to be playing an even bigger role in the company. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple is currently producing an original series called Vital Signs with Dr Dre as the show’s star. It’s a new move for Apple, creating original video content, and one that is expected to be used to promote Apple Music.

While rumors of Apple developing a streaming TV package have been up and down over the last few years, there has been talk separately in recent months that Apple could be interested in creating original content as well. But Vital Signs is said to be distributed over Apple Music, not iTunes specifically or a new streaming package, which follows similar moves from Google’s YouTube to promote subscriptions.

THR notes that the series will run six-episodes long at around 30 minutes each with Apple funding the project. The series itself is described as a “semi-autobiographical” drama, which suggests it could resemble the film Compton that Apple Music made a point to promote along an exclusive soundtrack.

While technically a half-hour, the show is not a comedy. Instead, it is described as a dark drama with no shortage of violence and sex. In fact, an episode filming Monday and Tuesday this week featured an extended orgy scene. Sources tell THR  naked extras simulated sex in a mansion in the Bird Streets neighborhood of Los Angeles’ Hollywood Hills. (Dre’s wife Nicole Threatt Young was on set to witness the shenanigans, one insider says.)

The series is expected to be released all at once when it’s complete, although filming is still ongoing and the project hasn’t been officially announced. The report also notes that similar projects aren’t currently in development, although other series with artists on Apple Music remain possible.

The focus of the Vital Signs project seems to be promoting Apple Music through exposure and a likely-exclusive series. Dr Dre currently hosts a regularly scheduled radio show on Apple Music’s Internet streaming Beats 1 station as well.

Apple has previously experimented with Apple Music as a video platform as well. Music videos are already available on the platform, and late last year Apple Music exclusively carried Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour film for subscribers.

Filed under: Apple Music Tagged: Apple Music, Apple TV, Dr Dre, iTunes, video, Vital Signs

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John Gruber surprised podcast listeners today by getting Apple’s own Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi on The Talk Show to discuss a variety of topics behind Apple. Since Tim Cook took leadership at Apple, it hasn’t been unheard of for Apple execs to appear on Gruber’s show. The first occurrence was last June when Phil Schiler met John Gruber on stage during WWDC to discuss Apple’s recent announcements and decisions over the past few years. This marks the second time that Federighi has been on the The Talk Show, and Cue’s first.

Very special guests Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi join the show. Topics include: the new features in Apple’s upcoming OS releases (iOS 9.3 and tvOS 9.2); why Apple is expanding its public beta program for OS releases; iTunes’s monolithic design; how personally involved Eddy and Craig are in using, testing, and installing beta software; the sad decline of Duke’s men’s basketball team; and more.

Some scoops too, including: the weekly number of iTunes and App Store transactions, an updated Apple Music subscriber count, peak iMessage traffic per second, and the number of iCloud account holders.

Be sure to listen to the interview on Gruber’s site, or within iTunes‘ podcast section.

We’re breaking down the finer points. Check back shortly

Filed under: AAPL Company, General, iOS, iOS Devices, Mac Tagged: App Store, craig federighi, Eddy Cue, iMessage, iTunes, John Gruber, the talk show

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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

12-inch Retina MacBook $300 off across the board at B&H, prices start at just $999 – tax only in NY

Apple iPhone 6s/Plus (Verizon + Sprint) on-contract pricing gets slashed by $200, 64GB now just $100

$50 iTunes gift card for $40 w/ email delivery from PayPal (20% savings)

Best Buy, Target and Radio Shack are all discounting 4th Gen. Apple TV, 32GB from $117 & 64GB from $162 shipped

Many Apple Watch models now $100 off at Target and Best Buy: 38mm Sport $249 w/ free shipping (Reg. $349), more

App Store Free App of the Week: The Mesh puzzler goes free for the first time (Reg. $2)

Download Lara Croft Go, Apple’s Game of the Year 2015, for just $2 (Reg. $5)

Heroes Reborn: Enigma for iOS goes free for the first time as IGN’s Game of the Month (Reg. $5)

Final Fantasy IX is now available for download on iOS/Android

The Martian official iOS/Apple Watch game goes free (up to $3 value)

Apple offering popular iOS video editing app ‘Videoshop’ for free ($2 value)

Final Fantasy II on iOS available free inside the FF Portal app ($8 value)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

Beats by Dr. Dre Solo 2 On-Ear Headphones now half off: $100 w/ free shipping (Reg. $200)

• Best Buy Presidents’ Day Sale: Logitech wireless mouse $10, Samsung 4K HDTV $450, more
• Toshiba Canvio Slim II 1TB USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive: $50 shipped (Reg. $60+)
• Logitech Harmony Touch 15-Device Universal Remote $100 shipped (Reg. $130)
• Games/Apps: Deadpool $25, Fallout 4 hardcover game guide from $20, freebies, more
• Daily Deals: Lenovo 21.5″ 1080p HD Monitor $80, VIZIO 2.1-ch. Sound Stand (refurb) $78, more
• Incase Valentine’s Day Sale – 35% off: EO Duffel for MacBooks $130 (Reg. $200), more
• Philips 60 Watt Equivalent SlimStyle Dimmable A19 LED Light Bulb: $2.97 (add-on, limit 3)

OtterBox COMMUTER WALLET Case for iPhone 6/s (used, very good): $6 Prime shipped (Reg. $30) amzn.to/1LkTysL https://t.co/h9WcsoB41S

—
9to5Toys (@9to5toys) February 12, 2016

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

Pad & Quill’s high-quality leather Lowry Cuff Apple Watch band offers Hermès style for just $104 shipped (Reg. $130)

Save on Apple’s monster 12.9-inch iPad Pro: 128GB Wi-Fi $850 (Reg. $949), 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular $950 (Reg. $1,079)

Apple iPad mini 3 128GB: Wi-Fi $300 (Orig. $599), Wi-Fi + Cellular $430 (Orig. $729)

Best Buy just cut prices for Apple’s iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2 by $100, deals start at $300 w/ free shipping

Apple iPad Air Wi-Fi 16GB $299 or 64GB $349 shipped (Reg. $399/$449)

• iPhone 6/s/Plus Cases from $3 Prime shipped: Dual-Layer w/ Screen Protector $8, more
• Fitbit Charge Wireless Activity & Sleep Band w/ OLED display: $80 shipped (Reg. $130)
• Amazon offers rare 25% discount on Kindle Unlimited : 6-months $45 (Reg. $60), more
• Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories on iOS gets its first price drop: $4 (Reg. $7)
• Beats Studio 2.0 Over-Ear headphones (multiple colors) $150 (Orig. $300)
• TiVo Roamio OTA HD DVR (Refurbished): $30 (Orig. $50), more
• Acer 19.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED Monitor w/ VGA + DVI: $50 (Reg. $100)
• Sharp 50-inch 1080p 3x HDMI Smart LED HDTV w/ built-in Roku: $380 (Reg. $500)
• Everything you need to know to get the most out of Amazon’s Prime Pantry service
• RAVPower USB-C/A Charger $38 (Reg. $56), uNu w/ Lightning Cable $12 (Reg. $20)
• QNAP 4-Bay NAS w/ AirPlay: $354 shipped (Orig. $480)
• Free MP3 downloads from hit artists like Adele, Ed Sheeran, 1D, more
• Microsoft’s new Quantum Break Cirrus White Xbox One Bundle, pre-order now
• Luminid Touch light-up charging cable: $10 (Orig. $20, CA Tax only)
• A .edu email can get you the Sharp 32-inch 1080p HDTV for $150 shipped (Reg. $170)
• Add 2TB of portable storage w/ WD USB 3.0 Hard Drive for $73 (Reg. $90)
• JBL Headphones: J22 In-Ears $15 (Reg. $40) + 3 more deeply discounted pairs
• Multi/Single year magazine subs from $3/yr: Motor Trend, more
• Internal 2.5-inch SSDs: Samsung 850 EVO 1TB $280 (Reg. $300+)
• Samson Meteorite USB Mic for Mac/PC: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)
• Get your engines ready: Rocket League is coming to Xbox One next week
• Amazon’s 7-inch Fire tablet is on sale for $40 shipped (Reg. $50)
• Watch ‘Southpaw’ starring Jake Gyllenhaal & Forest Whitaker for just $0.99 (Reg. $5)
• SizeUp for Mac offers instant window control via keyboard shortcuts: $5 (Orig. $13)
• Sam’s Club Membership + $20 gift card + $21 food credits for $45 ($180 value)
• Free TV HD Digital Downloads at Google Play & iTunes
• Fitbit’s Aria Wi-Fi Scale tracks body fat percentage (open-box): $80 (Orig. $130)
• AmazonBasics 35-Mile HDTV Antenna $20 (Reg. $25)
• Aukey 15,000mAh Dual-USB Power Bank: $18.50 Prime shipped (Reg. $30)
• Xbox One 1TB Elite Bundle + $75 Microsoft Gift Card & game $499 ($600+ value)
• Bowers & Wilkins P3 Headphones (recertified) in multiple colors: $90 (Orig. $200)
• Media: $5 Blu-ray Sale – A Beautiful Mind, Seabiscuit, Knocked Up, more
• $100 worth of Xbox gift cards for $81 shipped
• Aukey’s Bluetooth 4.1 Sport Earbuds + Armband for $16 Prime shipped ($28 value)
• LG Google Nexus 5 32GB Unlocked 4G LTE (Refurb) $140 shipped
• ASUS Transformer Touch Laptop 1.6GHz/2GB/32GB: $179 shipped (Reg. $219)
• Beats by Dr. Dre Solo2 Wireless Headphones Active Collection: $230 (Reg. $300)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

Review: Anker’s PowerCore+ gear is some of the best money can buy

PowerEgg Drone has a unique design w/ a 4K camera

• OMBEE’s modular standing desk turns any table into a upright workstation
• The new Andy Warhol Where’s Waldo book is perfect for any Pop Art connoisseur
• 3Doodler Start reimagines the popular Kickstarter project with a focus on children
• BearTek’s new Smart Gloves offer iPhone/Android controls + GoPro support
• Review: Incase and surfer Kelly Slater team up for the ultimate GoPro-focused backpack
• Review: $13 GRDE Explorer Rugged 10,000mAh Solar dual USB Battery w/ 2 USB lamps
• LEGO strikes gold again w/ its latest Ghostbusters set based on the upcoming film
• Be a hero this Valentine’s Day w/ these best-selling Adult Coloring Books from $6
• Ubuntu’s first tablet offers a converged desktop PC experience as well

Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, Daily Deals, free apps, Gold Box, iPhone 6s, iTunes Gift Card, MacBook, video games

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In between a fashion show and album debut at his super confusing Madison Square Garden event yesterday, Kanye West also found some time to take the wraps off his upcoming video game  dubbed “Only One”.

And the game is just as bat sh*t crazy as you could have hoped for with characters controlling West’s dead mother in angel form as they guide her through the gates of heaven on a flying white pegasus in the clouds.

But apart from the gameplay that we get a glimpse of in the full trailer below, it also seems like the game will feature some remastered versions of well-known Kanye tracks, or at least the “Only One” song that accompanies the trailer and shares a name with the game. Kanye first released the song Only One featuring Paul McCartney in 2014 as a tribute of sorts to his mother Donda West who passed away in 2007.

When Kanye showed the game trailer during his live event at Madison Square Garden yesterday, which was also live streamed on music streaming service Tidal, he noted that he had some trouble developing the game initially with some pushback by unknown game developers in San Francisco who didn’t like the concept much:

I worked on a video game and I wanted to show yall… The idea of the game is my mom traveling through the gates of heaven… You don’t understand.. I go out and meet with everybody in San Fran and they’ll diss the f*ck out of me… and I’ll be like ‘I wanna make a game’ and they be like ‘F*ck you’…  this sh*t was hard to do man…

Kanye didn’t confirm a platform or release for the game with only a mention that it will be “coming soon” during the trailer. But it’s very likely Kanye wants to tap into some of the success his wifey Kim Kardashian has had on the App Store (and this doesn’t exactly look like a console title we’ll be seeing on Xbox any time soon). That includes the record breaking Kim Kardashian: Hollywood game for mobile devices that took in around $200 million in 2014, and more recently the Kimoji app.

Filed under: Apps Tagged: App Store, Apps, Games, kanye west, kim kardashian

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Verizon began lab-testing its 5G network last year, aiming to carry out the first real-world tests this year, and and AT&T has now announced that it will be doing the same. The company seems even more optimistic than Verizon, which estimated 5G speeds some 30-50 times faster than LTE.

We expect 5G to deliver speeds 10-100 times faster than today’s average 4G LTE connections. Customers will see speeds measured in gigabits per second, not megabits. For reference, at one gigabit per second, you can download a TV show in less than 3 seconds. 

Don’t get too excited just yet, though, as there are a couple of small hurdles to be overcome first …

The first is that there is as yet no international agreement on 5G standards. Carriers are currently using their own ideas of the best technology for high-speed data services, but the eventual tech used need to be agreed by 3GPP – the international body originally formed way back in 1998 to agree 3G standards. This is going to take some time.

The original timetable called for a draft standard to be published by 2018, with rollout sometime between then and 2020, but some players are pushing hard for at least some level of 5G service to be offered next year. Re/code reports that AT&T hopes to use the high-speed wireless service to offer broadband to homes in remote areas, and that it can do this even before mobile data standards are finalized.

The second hurdle for iPhone fans is Apple’s attitude to new standards. Apple often adopts a wait-and-see policy, having waited until 2012 to include LTE in the iPhone 5 – some two years after carriers began offering the service. Apple did, though, move more swiftly with LTE Advanced (LTE-A), adding support for the 150Mbit/s fast-track LTE service in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. 

Image: nablabs.org

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: 4G, 5G, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, LTE

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Following in the footsteps of competitors, Adidas and Under Armor, ASICS will buy fitness app-maker, Runkeeper. The move was announced on Medium by Runkeeper’s founder, Jason Jacobs, and indicates that all fitness apparel companies clearly see the need to embed tracking technology, and/or tie-in apps with their brands.

Jacobs notes that partnering with ASICS to fulfill the company’s vision made complete sense. Not only is ASICS a running-oriented company, but, the manufacturer’s shoes are ‘by far’ the most popular brand among Runkeeper users.

In the short term, nothing major will change. Runkeeper will continue on its path, and will be improved faster now that it has major infrastructure (and budget) behind it.

From the end-user standpoint, not much will change. Not only will the Runkeeper product carry on, but we will be able to move even faster. We will be able to pursue the vision we’ve set out to pursue all along, with a partner that can bring many resources to bear that we couldn’t fathom having access to on our own.

While Nike opted to develop its own tracking technology and products years ago with the ill-fated Fuel Band lineup, other fitness companies opted to buy-in to existing apps. Under Armor, as an example, now owns MyFitnessPal and Endomondo, and also has its own tracking wearables. Its recently launched ‘RE’ running shoes, and the Healthbox announced at CES show the fitness giant’s focus on adopting modern tech. Adidas, likewise, purchased Runtastic.

While the post claims nothing will change, it would be unusual if ASICS didn’t leverage the partnership to develop embedded tracking tech in to its running shoes. Having a pair of shoes which automatically track runs, and sync with Runkeeper seems like a no-brainer.

Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Apps, ASICS, fitness, RunKeeper

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Back at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, JBL took the wraps off of its first CarPlay-capable aftermarket head unit, the Legend CP100. At the time, the company teased only that it would be “coming soon,” but now we have an official release date. The Legend CP100 head unit will be available starting February 14 for $399 via JBL’s website.

The JBL Legend CP100 features a 6.75-inch capacitive touchscreen, which is not bad at all for the price. Capacitive touchscreens are also often easier to use as they require a lighter touch than resistive touchscreens that are used in many in-car units. The Legend CP100 also has an AM/FC tuner, rear USB input, rear camera input for adding up a backup camera, and support for steering wheel controls in your car.

While the JBL CP100 does not offer wireless Carplay support, it does offer Bluetooth capabilities so you can quickly place calls and play music wirelessly in your car through a JBL-designed interface, as opposed to using the CarPlay interface via USB connection.

As far as design goes, you can tell in the image above that it is pretty basic. It has a black design with white illuminated buttons. In addition to your standard volume and power buttons, there is also a “push to talk” button, which JBL says provides instant access to Siri.

The JBL Legend CP100 is available for pre-order now on the company’s website for $399.

Filed under: CarPlay Tagged: CarPlay, JBL, Legend CP100

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