9to5Toys Lunch Break: Fitbit Wristbands from $90, iPhone 6s car vent mount $5, Tomb Raider 2 for iOS $1, more
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TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:
Fitbit Wireless Activity Wristbands w/ free shipping: Charge $90 (Reg. $130), Charge HR $110 (Reg. $150)
Aukey Magnetic iPhone 6s Car Air Vent Mount $5 (Reg. $8)
Games/Apps: Tomb Raider 2 for iOS $1, Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Pack $40, Nintendo Refurb 2DS $60, more
App Store Free App of the Week: Colorburn adds 1,000 photo filters to your iOS device for free (Reg. $1)
Lifeline 2 and Lifeline: Silent Night games for iOS/Android drop to $0.99 each
Apple is giving away Pixite’s Union image blending iOS app ($2 value)
Disney’s Castle of Illusion drops to its best price in over a year: $1 (Reg. $10)
MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:
Daily Deals: Microsoft Universal Bluetooth iPad Keyboard $40, Jawbone UP Move Activity Tracker $20, more
- Microsoft unveils new Xbox One Bundles: Rainbow Six Siege & pick your own game
- Harman Kardon releases a new HD audio multi-room speaker line with outdoor functionality
- Jaybird slates Freedom, X3 Bluetooth 4.0 athletic headphones for Q2 2016
- Parrot’s new DISCO drone hits the skies with 50MPH speeds and extended flight times
- Altec Lansing’s new Bluetooth earbuds are completely wireless and have built-in GPS
MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:
Beats by Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless Active Collection Earphones from $120 shipped (Reg. $200)
Apple 27-inch Retina 5K iMac (Late 2014) 3.5GHz/8GB/1TB Fusion: $1,699 shipped (Orig. $2,499)
Best Buy Apple sale: iPad Air 2 $125 off, iPad Air $100 off, iPad mini 4 $100 off, much more!
Anker ToughShell iPhone 6/s/Plus Case w/ built-in tempered glass screen protector: $10 (Reg. $18)
- Hyper USB Type-C 5-in-1 Hub with Pass Through Charging: $40 + shipping (Reg. $50+)
- LG Watch Urbane Android Wear Smartwatch $200 shipped (Reg. $259)
- Roku announces fresh 4K UHDTVs w/ HDR capabilities as 1080p models hit all-time low prices
- Media: Mission Impossible Collection $36 ($60+ value), more
- Add 75 classic films to your DVD collection for $105 (Reg. $330)
- Apogee Groove portable USB DAC/headphone amp $240 shipped (Reg. $295)
- LeapFrog LeapTV Educational Gaming System $45 shipped (Reg. $60)
- Get in shape this year w/ huge savings on home workout gear
- Free PS Plus Games for January: Grim Fandango Remastered, Medal of Honor, more
- Lightning 3600mAh Aukey Portable Battery Pack + MFi cable: $10 shipped
- Anker iPhone/iPad accessories: Car Chargers from $6, Nylon MFi Lightning Cable $8
- USB-C cables w/ Prime shipping: 3-ft for $6, 5-ft for $7, plus more
- TurboTax 2015 for Mac/PC price drops: Deluxe $40, Premier $55, more
- CBS All Access: Free two-month trial for Chromecast owners ($12 value)
- SUBWAY sandwich offer: Get a free 6-inch sub w/ the purchase of a drink
NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:
DJI introduces new 4K drone with a more affordable price, updates Inspire 1 PRO
Samsung’s newest ‘Family Hub’ refrigerator sports a Tesla-like 21-inch 1080p display
- Altec Lansing’s new Bluetooth earbuds are completely wireless and have built-in GPS
- LG goes after Amazon Echo with its new SmartThinQ hub
- This astonishingly detailed LEGO Millennium Falcon took 7,500 pieces and over a year to build
- This $20,000 hoverboard can actually fly, brings 2015 to a close in spectacular fashion
- Thimble’s DIY robot subscription service launches on Kickstarter to great success
- Here are the Holiday Best Sellers from Amazon’s record-breaking year
- ShiftWear sneakers use flexible displays to showcase custom artwork on your shoes
- The new iOS-connected Hamwells e-Shower recycles your water
Filed under: Tips and Tricks Tagged: 9to5Toys, Amazon, app deals, Best Buy, Daily Deals, Fitbit Wireless Activity Wristbands, free apps, Gold Box, iPhone 6s Car Air Vent Mount, Microsoft Universal Bluetooth, video games
Check out 9to5Mac for more breaking coverage of Tips and Tricks, 9to5Toys, and Daily Deals.
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Fitbit’s latest Blaze activity tracker/watch has color, 5-day battery & Apple Watch ‘style’
This morning Fitbit took the stage at CES to announce its latest activity tracker. The Fitbit Blaze sits between the Charge HR and Surge trackers in the company’s current product lineup. While it may look a whole lot like many full-blown iOS/Android smartwatches, its main focus is still fitness rather than numerous third-party app complications.
Update: Fitbit’s stock price is plummeting on the news that it is entering Apple’s Watch realm. As of this writing, the stock price is down 11% and falling. Investors clearly aren’t fans.
The Blaze is the first Fitbit to feature a high-resolution color touchscreen LCD display. It comes with a elastomer band and stainless steel frame, but in a move reminiscent to Apple’s focus on style with its Watch, Fitbit is also offering a wide range of different bands and frames. You can even customize its look even more through a variety of clock faces. There is some resemblance to what Apple is doing but clearly the focus here is on fitness.
Blaze was designed to help you get in the best shape of your life by offering valuable health data, motivational coaching, and detailed workout instructions with animated images. PurePulse delivers all-day heart rate information that can “help you maintain workout intensity and better track calories burned during each workout” and provide vital data like “resting heart rate and heart rate trends over time.” Other features like Multi-Sport and SmartTrack take the pain out of logging individual workouts. A single charge is estimated to last up to 5-days.
Aside from its fitness tracking abilities, Blaze can also relay call, text and calendar alerts, as well as adjust volume and song selection from your iPhone or Android smartphone.
Fitbit Blaze can be pre-ordered now with a black, blue, or plum band for $199.95 and is expected to be released in March. Looking for a deal on a current generation Fitbit? The Charge is on sale for $89.99 (Reg. $130) and the Charge HR is down to $109.99 (Reg. $150).
Full press releases follows:
- Enhanced fitness features like FitStar™ by Fitbit® on-screen workouts, Connected GPS, PurePulse® heart rate tracking, and SmartTrack™ automatic exercise recognition help motivate and push your fitness further
- Focus on style featuring a slim design, easily interchangeable bands and frames, and a beautiful, color touchscreen with a variety of clock faces to fit your personal style
- Curated to fit your life and focused on the features that make tracking your health and fitness easier, Fitbit Blaze includes the smart notifications that matter most, like call, text and calendar alerts, so you can stay connected to what’s important, and a long battery life of up to 5 days allows you to keep up with your life, day and night
“One of the first things we learned in this industry is that fitness is personal – and if something isn’t your style, you won’t wear it,” said James Park, CEO and Co-Founder of Fitbit. “With Fitbit Blaze, we pushed the boundaries of what’s possible to create a beautiful, versatile device that can be customized to fit your personal style – while packing a powerful fitness punch to help you reach your goals. Fitbit Blaze delivers a combination of innovative features that were carefully selected with intention and purpose, designed to motivate and offer a fitness experience that is more effortless and more useful with advanced guidance and coaching.”
Enhanced Fitness Experience
In addition to tracking all of the best all-day activity stats you have come to expect from Fitbit, Fitbit Blaze was built with next-generation features to help you take your workouts to the next level:
- FitStar Personal Trainer on-screen workouts deliver guided instructions and animated images to three of the most popular personal trainer workouts from FitStar: Warm It Up (8 minutes), 7 Minute Workout, and 10 Minute Abs. Each workout is free and can be accessed at any time with no app or smartphone required, offering a fast, effective workout you can do anywhere.
- Connected GPS helps you train smarter by delivering real-time exercise stats like distance, pace and minute-mile split times when connected to a smartphone’s GPS. After each workout, stats sync wirelessly to the Fitbit dashboard to let you review your route, speed and elevation in more detail.
- PurePulse continuous, wrist-based heart rate tracking helps maximize any training routine with simplified heart rate zones to help you maintain workout intensity and better track calories burned during each workout. PurePulse also provides all-day insights into overall health, including resting heart rate and heart rate trends over time, all without an uncomfortable chest strap.
- Multi-sport mode lets you record specific activities like biking, cardio, running, weights, yoga and more while providing relevant, real-time performance stats to help you get the most out of each workout. PurePulse is enhanced while in Multi-sport mode for even better heart rate tracking, especially during high intensity workouts.
- SmartTrack automatic exercise recognition automatically recognizes and records continuous movement activities like biking, hiking and running, with general categories for aerobic workouts (i.e., Zumba®, cardio-kickboxing and other dance classes) and sports (i.e., tennis, basketball and soccer). It gives you more ways to stay motivated and get credit for your workouts by effortlessly recording them in the Fitbit app and automatically adding them toward weekly exercise goals.
“As a former professional athlete, nothing gets me more motivated than a great coach,” said Tony Gonzalez, football legend and FitStar Trainer. “FitStar Personal Trainer offers workouts you can do anytime, anywhere, using your computer, tablet or phone and it’s only getting easier, thanks to this new integration with Fitbit Blaze.”
Get Fit in Style – Focus on Fashion and Personalization
Fitbit Blaze is a sleek, versatile timepiece that fits your personal style with:
- Premium interchangeable bands made from genuine leather, stainless steel and high-performance elastomer to let you design a look that’s extremely personal and a perfect fit – whether at the gym, in the office or out on the town.
- A unique modular design that allows you to easily remove and insert your tracker into a new frame, so you can wear Fitbit Blaze with style at work and then swap it instantly into a new frame with a workout-friendly wristband. Use the quick release spring bars to switch your bands and change the look of your device in seconds.
- Fitbit’s first vibrant, high-resolution, color touchscreen and multiple clock faces make the device uniquely yours and distinguishable from others.
Curated Features that Fit Your Life
From the inside out, Fitbit Blaze is a carefully curated experience designed to help you take action without distraction. Each feature was selected with intention and purpose to help you stay connected, maximize your entire day and night, and fit effortlessly into your life:
- Stay connected with smart notifications you need. Fitbit Blaze features the smartphone notifications you need most instead of being overwhelmed with unnecessary information.
- Bluetooth® Smart connectivity delivers call, text and calendar notifications through on-screen messages and a vibrating alert, so you can see what matters most at a glance
- Accept and reject calls directly from Fitbit Blaze when connected to a compatible smartphone
- Adding motivation to any workout is easy with on-screen controls for playlists and volume when playing music from your connected smartphone
- Track your night with automatic sleep tracking to know how long and well you sleep, plus set a silent alarm that gently vibrates to wake you.
- Long battery life of up to 5 days on a single charge lets you live your life and track your exercise, sleep and heart rate day and night, with the confidence you won’t lose a step or miss a beat.
- Compatible with more than 200 Android, iOS, and Windows mobile devices so you can access stats and motivational interactive tools, which help to motivate millions to achieve their goals within the community of Fitbit users they choose.
Pricing & Availability
Fitbit Blaze is available for $199.95 (U.S.) for presale today at Fitbit.com and tomorrow at major North American retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Brookstone, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, Sports Authority, Target, and Verizon, with global retail availability starting in March 2016. It will be available with black, blue, and plum bands at introduction, along with a stylish collection of premium accessory bands and frames. A full line of easily interchangeable accessories will be available in a variety of colors and styles with additional accessories coming soon. Accessories available at introduction include:
- Classic high-performance elastomer bands available in black, blue and plum ($29.95 U.S.)
- Luxe genuine leather bands paired with stainless steel display frames available in black, mist grey and camel ($99.95 U.S.)
- Luxe stainless steel link band paired with a stainless steel display frame available in silver ($129.95 U.S.)
Consumers who want to experience Fitbit Blaze in person will be able to do so in advance of in-store retail availability at select Best Buy locations in the United States and Canada. Beginning February 20, visit select Best Buy locations where Best Buy Blue Shirts will be available to assist shoppers with trying on the device with its accessories and to complete a preorder.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Fitbit Blaze
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New LaCie + Seagate drives bring USB-C, style, and high SSD/HDD capacities
Following its annual tradition, Seagate has announced a new collection of stylish, premium-priced drives in time for the 2016 CES, most now featuring USB-C and USB 3.1 connectors. Three of the drives carry Seagate’s LaCie branding; one is a handsome but Seagate-branded model.
The apparent flagship in the series is the LaCie Chromé ($1,100, shown above left), a 1TB SSD featuring a 10GB USB 3.1 interface with “up to 940MB/second speeds for intensive applications.” Described as “a trophy for tech connoisseurs,” Chromé is a Neil Poulton design that holds a boxy chrome SSD enclosure on an angle atop a circular pedestal. Additional models are discussed below…
Two more affordable options are the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive ($110 and up) and Porsche Design Desktop Drive ($210 and up). Using traditional hard drive mechanisms, the silver all-aluminum Porsche Design drives recall the look of LaCie’s Mirror, but feature larger storage capacities: Mobile Drive can be had in 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB capacities, while Desktop Drive comes in 4TB, 5TB, or 8TB capacities, each with USB-C connectors and USB 3.0 speeds. The Desktop Drive promises to charge a USB-C laptop’s battery while connected.
Last up is the Seagate Backup Plus Ultra Slim (price TBD), which will be offered in 1TB and 2TB capacities, with gold or platinum dimpled enclosures. Measuring 9.6mm thick, the Ultra Slim is claimed to be “the world’s thinnest 2TB mobile hard drive,” over 50% thinner than competing 2TB drives; Seagate has not provided information on its speed or interface, making standard USB 3.0 most likely. Planned for release this quarter, Ultra Slim does not yet have pricing.
More From This Author
Check out more of my reviews, How-To guides and editorials for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a personal gift guide for Apple fans, a great gift guide for iPhone users, a detailed gift guide for Mac users, and a separate gift guide for Apple photographers.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Backup Plus Ultra Slim, Chrome, HDD, LaCie, Porsche Design, Seagate, SSD, USB 3.1, USB-C
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Apple leaks two exclusive Apple Watch Sport models for Chinese New Year
Update: Mashable says the exclusive Apple Watch models (pictured above) will feature yellow gold and silver aluminium color options with dark red straps.
Apple is making two exclusive Apple Watch Sport designs available for certain markets to celebrate the Chinese New Year, set to take place February 8 this year.
A translation of Apple’s announcement indicates that the models will be available for sale until February 22 or while supplies last.
Exclusive models for Chinese New Year…We’re celebrating the new year with two special Apple Watch Sport models, available until 22 February.
Apple will be offering the two special models in markets where the Chinese New Year is celebrated with the announcement message appearing briefly on its China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan web pages before being removed earlier today…
While “Buy Now” and “Shop Now” links for a short time appeared on Apple’s website, it looks like the company might have launched the announcement a bit prematurely. It’s unclear when Apple actually plans to officially make the two exclusive models available for sale or how if at all they might be priced differently than other Sport models.
Apple last introduced new Apple Watch models in September when it introduced a new Sport collection with yellow and rose-gold anodized models and new Sport and Leather band options. (Via MacRumors)
Filed under: AAPL Company, Apple Watch Tagged: Apple watch
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Jaybird slates Freedom, X3 Bluetooth 4.0 athletic headphones for Q2 2016
Jaybird, maker of the popular sweatproof X and X2 Bluetooth headphones, has announced two new models planned for release in the second quarter of this year. Designed to appeal to athletes, the X3 ($150) and Freedom ($200) have both been redesigned from earlier, similarly-named models, and now use power-efficient Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology for full compatibility with current-generation iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches. Each will be available in five colors, and work with Jaybird’s MySound app to create user-defined equalizer settings…
Apart from darker color options, X3 looks substantially like its X-series predecessors, with fairly large earplug-style enclosures large enough to offer seven-hour battery life. As an easy upgrade for fans of the prior model, X3’s sound profile can be adjusted using the MySound app, storing your preferred balance of bass, mids, and highs directly in the headphones. Jaybird promises that an improved antenna design will improve wireless performance outdoors.
By comparison, the new Freedom earphones are a radical rethinking of an earlier, significantly clunkier Jaybird model. They now borrow the shapes, metal, and feel of Klipsch’s sleek Image X10 earphones, now paired with Jaybird’s athletic ear stabilizers and Comply ear tips to fit even the smallest ear canals.
Due to the smaller size of the earphones, Freedom will offer only four hours of battery life per charge, plus an additional four hours when connected to an included charging clip. When they’re released later this year, each version will come with an integrated remote control, microphone for phone calls, pouch-style carrying bag, and USB charging cable. The current-generation X2 model remains available in multiple colors from $140 and up.
More From This Author
Check out more of my reviews, How-To guides and editorials for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a personal gift guide for Apple fans, a great gift guide for iPhone users, a detailed gift guide for Mac users, and a separate gift guide for Apple photographers.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: athletic, bluetooth headphones, Freedom, Jaybird, wireless headphones, X2, X3
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Incipio debuts ClamCase keyboards for iPad Pro, mini 4 + Air 2, adds power, notifications
Having acquired Bluetooth keyboard maker ClamCase last year, Incipio today announced five new high-end iPad keyboards under the ClamCase name, including one for the iPad Pro, three for the iPad Air 2, and one for the iPad mini 4. Some of the keyboards feature premium features such as an integrated screen for notifications, a built-in battery pack, and keyboard backlighting. Details and a photo gallery are below…
The lineup begins with ClamCase+ for iPad Pro ($170) and iPad Air 2 ($150), each promising a backlit, full QWERTY keyboard inside a gray, silver, or gold housing, using Incipio’s 360-degree hinge to attach to each iPad. Interestingly, the iPad Pro version will include an Apple Pencil storage slot, and both versions will let you adjust keyboard backlight brightness. Both versions of ClamCase+ are expected in the second quarter of this year.
ClamCase Prompt for iPad Air 2 ($200) is unique in combining a Bluetooth keyboard with a built-in rear OLED screen, enabling users to receive notifications while the keyboard is covering the iPad’s screen. Incipio explains that it offers a “non-disruptive way to receive smartphone notifications during meetings, study sessions, and more;” it will be released in a white/silver version in the second quarter of 2016.
ClamCase+ Power for iPad Air 2 ($200) combines a black, backlit Bluetooth keyboard with a 6000mAh, 2.1-Amp battery that can recharge the connected iPad or another device; a micro-USB port recharges the keyboard and backup battery at the same time.
Last and least interesting is ClamCase Pro for iPad mini 4 ($130), which attaches to the latest mini using the company’s 360-degree hinge. It features Bluetooth 3 for quick, one-touch pairing; no mention is made of keyboard backlighting. It will debut in gray or silver/white in the first quarter of this year.
More From This Author
Check out more of my reviews, How-To guides and editorials for 9to5Mac here! I’ve published a lot of different topics of interest to Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Apple TV, and Apple Watch users, as well as a personal gift guide for Apple fans, a great gift guide for iPhone users, a detailed gift guide for Mac users, and a separate gift guide for Apple photographers.
Filed under: iOS Devices Tagged: Bluetooth keyboards, Clamcase, Incipio, iPad Air 2, ipad mini 4, iPad Pro
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LastPass password manager update adds emergency access, sharing center and new UI [Video]
LastPass has updated its Mac and iOS apps and browser extensions to version 4.0 to add an emergency access feature and shared passwords, as well as a significantly revamped user-interface.
Emergency Access (shown below) is designed to ensure that you aren’t permanently locked out of your account if you ever forget your master password.
Emergency Access lets users designate trusted family, friends or colleagues to have access to their password vault in the case of an emergency. For added security, a user can require a waiting period between when an Emergency Access contact can request access to the vault and when access is granted. During the waiting period, users can decline an Emergency Access request to their vault.
The new Sharing Center is designed to provide a safe method of allowing multiple people access to the same account, such as when two or more family members want access to utility accounts …
The UI changes include the option of a grid view, and hover menus to provide faster access to launching, editing, sharing and deleting entries.
- A redesigned password vault, browser extension menus, and web vault at LastPass.com
- Large, bold visual elements with intuitive new navigation to simplify data management
- A choice between “Grid” view or “List” view to streamline workflow
- Quick “Add” menu in the vault, to instantly save a new site, Secure Note, Form Fill Profile or Folder
- Multi-select of items in the vault to easily make bulk changes
- Tools to help organize a LastPass vault and manage data, including hover menus with options to launch, edit, share or delete items
LastPass remains free to use on either mobile or desktop platforms, with a Premium membership allowing cross-platform use as well as additional features like Touch ID support for $12/year. The latest version can be downloaded from LastPass, and should be making its way to the app stores shortly. If you’re not familiar with password managers, check out our how-to guide.
You can check out the new look and features in the short video below.
Filed under: Apps Tagged: Browser extension, LastPass, Password manager
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Say hello to the first of the 12-inch MacBook clones: HP’s 12.5-inch fanless Core M EliteBook Folio
Apple’s 12-inch MacBook broke new ground when it opted for a fanless Core M processor in a form-factor that was all about creating the sleekest, most portable laptop around – and it was only a matter of time before Windows machines followed suit.
Like the MacBook, the HP EliteBook Folio strips back the ports to just USB-C and a headphone socket – though HP has opted for two rather than one USB-C ports. It weighs a touch more than the MacBook, but is marginally thinner. Design-wise, well, judge for yourself.
HP has gone further than Apple on the display, however. While the MacBook’s Retina display hits 226ppi, HP has squeezed in a 4K display to the top-of-the-range model, giving it a pixel density of 352ppi.
The EliteBook Folio goes on sale in March, with pricing starting at $999 – but that’s with the entry-level 1080p display rather than the 4K one.
Via and image credit Engadget
Filed under: Mac Tagged: 12-inch MacBook, HP, HP EliteBook Folio, MacBook, MacBook clones
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Biometric company’s lawsuit accuses Apple of underhand tactics to gain access to heart-rate tech for Apple Watch
Biometric specialist Valencell – whose technology is licensed by iRiver, LG, Sony and others – has filed a lawsuit accusing Apple of using underhand tactics to gain access to its patented technology for use in the Apple Watch.
The company claims that Apple violated three of its patents for improving the accuracy and reliability of heart-rate data when using the photoplethysmography (PPG) approach used in the Apple Watch. But the lawsuit alleges more than just patent infringement, reports AI: it also claims that Apple used deceptive techniques to get access to the technology …
Specifically, it suggests that Apple feigned interest in a partnership agreement with Valencell, and that IP addresses belonging to Apple were used to download white papers using fake contact details.
Apple […] obtained such white papers by providing fictitious information. On March 27, 2013 and May 5, 2014, one or more Apple agents downloaded the “PerformTek Precision Biometrics: Engaging the Burgeoning Mobile Health and Fitness Market” white paper from Valencell using fictitious names. On March 10, 2014 and April 23, 2015, one or more Apple agents downloaded the “Earbud-Based Sensor for the Assessment of Energy Expenditure, Heart Rate, and VO2 max” white paper from Valencell using fictitious names. On April 1, 2015 an Apple agent downloaded the “Earbud-Based Sensor for the Assessment of Energy Expenditure, Heart Rate, and VO2 max” white paper from Valencell using a fictitious
It alleges that seven Apple employees did this. The lawsuit names these individuals, and says that all seven not only worked on the Apple Watch, but were specifically involved in development of the heart-rate sensor.
A separate lawsuit makes similar allegations against Fitbit for technology used in the Charge HR and Surge.
In the run-up to the launch of the Watch, Apple focused attention on the advanced heart-rate monitoring capabilities of the device, whose accuracy has been found to rival dedicated monitors. The company adjusted the behaviour of the heart-rate monitor in watchOS 1.0.1.
We have invited Apple to comment on the allegations and will update with any response received.
Filed under: Apple Watch Tagged: Apple Inc, Apple watch, Fitbit, fitness, Health, heart rate, Lawsuit, Valencell
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More Chinese supply chain reports claim Apple has dropped the 3.5 mm headphone jack for iPhone 7, will rely on wireless
Before Christmas, the Apple community spurned a huge controversy as Macotakara claimed that the iPhone 7 will ditch the 3.5 mm standard headphone port completely, to enable further thinness and internal space savings for other components. The 3.5mm jack is a hundred-year old technology based on analogue signals, so although it is ripe for replacement, but almost all headphones sold today rely on the 3.5mm jack. Cutting the port for the iPhone 7 could be a painful transition. Today, the Chinese media has posted further news confirming the original story, claiming that Apple will drop the next-gen iPhone’s 3.5mm headphone jack in favour of wireless headphone standards and Lightning …
Chinese site Anzhou says that supply chain sources have confirmed the removal of the 3.5mm port on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and Apple will instead focus on wireless headphones to output sound. The site claims Apple will make wireless equivalent of Apple’s ‘EarPod’ headphones. Feng notes that Lightning headphones will be the wired alternative option, but Apple ‘expects’ most people to move to wireless particularly if Apple starts bundling wireless EarPods with the iPhone 7 as suggested.
It’s worth noting that Apple did make wireless earbuds for the original iPhone and now produces all sorts of headphones through the Beats subsidiary.
The iPhone 7 (or whatever it is actually called) is expected to be released in the fall with major external and internal changes, potentially including larger batteries and a 256 GB storage option. Do you think Apple should abandon the 3.5 mm jack? It’s been a few weeks since the initial rumor so we are interested in hearing your follow-up feelings in the poll and comments section.
Filed under: iOS, iOS Devices, Tech Industry Tagged: 3.5mm, headphone port, iPhone 7
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