Snapchat update adds new rear-facing camera AR World Lenses
Snapchat is rolling out an app update that includes new 3D World Lenses for the rear-facing camera. World Lenses are like the popular selfie Lenses introduced over a year ago, but with a dash of AR that makes sharing your environment with friends more fun.
Filed under: Apple
Smartphone use while driving may explain end to 40-year decline in road deaths
Japanese state-backed fund hints it may try to limit Foxconn’s stake in Toshiba’s chip division
A fund backed by the Japanese government has hinted that it may try to prevent Apple supplier Foxconn’s attempt to take control of Toshiba’s chip-making division. It has been variously reported that Foxconn is seeking either an outright purchase of the division, or a controlling stake – possibly with Apple’s assistance …
Filed under: Apple
Bloomberg corroborates iPhone 8 glass/steel design, ‘unclear’ if fingerprint sensor will be integrated into screen
Bloomberg has today published its overview of Apple’s plans for the new iPhone lineup this year, largely reaffirming what the rumor mill has said up to now. Apple will reportedly launch three new iPhones in the fall, iterative successors to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and a new ‘top of the line’ iPhone 8 with an ‘overhauled’ design.
Bloomberg details various prototypes for the radical new OLED iPhone with variations of curved glass and stainless steel chassis materials …
Filed under: Apple
Apple reportedly adds second Apple Watch manufacturer to boost production capacity
Apple has added a second Apple Watch manufacturer, according to China’s EDN (via Digitimes). The report claims that this is in part to boost total production capacity in the light of ‘an optimistic sales outlook for the device’ …
Filed under: Apple
Thief caught with 100 stolen phones at Coachella festival thanks to Find My iPhone
A thief who stole more than 100 smartphones from people attending the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was caught thanks to Find My iPhone, say police. One report said that the number of devices found in his backpack was 130.
When festival-goers noticed their iPhones had been taken, they activated Find My iPhone to track the location of their devices. They then identified someone whose movements around the site matched the moving dot.
“A bunch people activated their ‘find my phone’ and pointed at, ‘Hey, it’s that guy, my phone, my dot, it’s moving with that guy,’” said Indio police Sgt. Dan Marshall …
Filed under: Apple
Logitech announces first HomeKit programmable button, toggle smart lights and more with a push
Logitech has today announced the POP Smart Button, a small toggle switch that you can place around your home and trigger smart home actions with a quick press. The POP is the first programmable button to support Apple HomeKit, although it isn’t actually on sale yet. It will be available exclusively at Apple Stores soon.
The POP accessories require a hub; Logitech will sell a bundle of one button and one hub for $60. Owners of the first-generation POP Home Switch are out of luck, they will be getting a software update but it will not add HomeKit integration.
Filed under: Apple
Report: New iMacs to launch in Q3 and ‘server-grade’ iMac with Xeon CPU, ECC RAM, new GPU at end of 2017
Apple has already announced that it will launch new iMacs later this year, including models aimed at pro users. Today, Digitimes reportedly reveals some details about what the iMac update will bring.
The report says that the consumer iMac models are going into production next month, with a launch in the second half of the year. An update is certainly due; the latest 5K iMac launched in late 2015. The pro iMac will seemingly launch later, with ‘server-grade’ components …
Filed under: Apple
Would you still buy the iPhone 8 even if it lacked Touch ID? [Poll]
Earlier today, an analyst report claimed that one option that Apple is considering with the iPhone 8 is ditching Touch ID altogether. The analyst note followed earlier reports claiming that Apple was facing low yield rates in integrating Touch ID beneath the display, perhaps looking towards a rear-device implementation.
Would you still buy the iPhone 8 even if it lacked Touch ID?
Filed under: Apple
Google Maps for iOS adds iMessage app for location sharing, new ‘Directions’ widget
Google today is rolling out an update to its Google Maps app on iOS that further integrates the app throughout the operating system. The update brings the app to version 4.30.0 and includes a pair of notable changes to the user interface as Google works to better compete with the integration offered throughout iOS by Apple Maps.
Filed under: Apple