The early reviews of Apple’s Carpool Karaoke series are in, and critics aren’t impressed
Apple Music last night premiered the first episode of the Carpool Karaoke series, its spin-off of the viral segment from James Corden’s “The Late Late Show” on CBS. Since the debut, early reviews have been rolling in and they aren’t pretty…
Nintendo Switch review: proving it doesn’t need the iPhone to survive [Video]
Nintendo has been on a path that I, and a lengthy list of other tech-invested people, have long warned about. Its tone-deaf approach to online, its resistance to adopt new technologies, and most importantly — the existence of the iPhone — have all been bad signs for Nintendo. My advice to the Kyoto-based company up until now? Adapt, or succumb to a slow, painful death at the hands of mobile.
That was the way I used to think just a mere six months ago. Then the Switch happened…
iPhone 8 dummy unit shows larger display in compact casing, copper finish
As we approach the actual unveiling of the OLED iPhone expected next month, new dummy units based on recent leaks continue to surface showing how the iPhone 8 could look. Ben Miller has shared images of a new iPhone 8 dummy unit with the rumored copper/bronze/gold color while Benjamin Geskin has shared a cleaner looking render of the same color option.
Apple supplier reports huge orders of 3D sensing component ahead of iPhone 8
During its FQ4 conference call this morning, Apple supplier Lumentum reported a huge increase in orders for 3D sensing laser components thought to be included in the upcoming iPhone 8 to enable advanced augmented reality features, as noted by analyst Gene Munster at LoupVentures. To be specific, the company has $200M in orders during the quarter up from just $5 million in revenue for the 3D sensing tech during the June quarter.
Based on the new info from Lumentum, Munster is predicting around 55m units of the next-gen iPhone models with the 3D sensing camera tech this year and capacity for around 160m next year:
Chamberlain Home Bridge now available, adds HomeKit to MyQ garage door openers
Chamberlain is now shipping its MyQ Home Bridge device that adds HomeKit support to MyQ-connected garage door openers. The new MyQ Home Bridge retails for $69.99, but Chamberlain is offering customers a special $49.99 introductory price for a limited time.
Latest ARKit demo shows off 3D finger painting through augmented reality
We’ve already seen dozens of examples of Apple’s new ARKit framework in use from navigation enhancements to the Falcon 9 landing, and now developer Osama Abdel-Karim has shown off augmented reality finger printing with a 3D twist.
9to5Toys Lunch Break: iPad mini 4 $320, FiftyThree iPad Pencil $18, Amazon Echo Show $50 off, more
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Review: Circle Pay, the cheapest way to send money between countries
Anyone who has ever sent or received payments between countries will know that the process is either expensive, complex or both.
PayPal, for example, is a really simple way to send money to someone, and it takes care of the currency conversion – but at a really terrible rate. Direct bank-to-bank transfers typically offer somewhat better rates, but setting up an international payment can be complex, and the rate you get usually ranges from the poor to the borderline criminal.
Other apps allow peer-to-peer payments, but usually through integrations with existing payment services that offer the same poor rates. Circle Pay claims to be different, offering mid-market rates (the same ones you’ll see if you Google the exchange rate) and no fees at all …
‘Apple’s troubles in China have just started’ after it removed more than 400 VPN apps
Apple has come under considerable criticism following its decision to agree to a Chinese government request to remove VPN apps from its local App Store. Virtual private networks allow people in China to access sites blocked by the government, and to ensure that authorities cannot track the sites they visit.
App-tracking site ASO100.com says that the company has so far removed more than 400 VPN apps. But while Apple is trying to maintain good relationships with China by complying with such requests, analysts and tech commentators believe that its troubles with the country ‘have just started’ …
Apple’s R&D spend up 15%, now at similar level to iPhone development period
Apple’s highly-focused approach means that it spends a smaller percentage of its revenue on research & development than almost any other tech company. But it ramped up R&D spending significantly in its most recent fiscal quarter.
The WSJ noted that Apple increased its R&D spend by 15% in the quarter ending in July, hitting a total of $11.2B for the 12-month period. Things get more interesting, argues the paper, when you view it in percentage terms …