Comment: Offering a 32GB iPhone 6 as an entry-level iPhone seems a risky approach
Apple has an interesting tightrope to walk when it comes to entry-level products. While you and I may choose Apple products because we like the UI, the ecosystem and the designs, a large chunk of the company’s customer base automatically buys Apple simply because it is seen as the most premium brand. They may not know the specific benefits of Apple products, but they are – to quote an old ad slogan for a lager – reassuringly expensive. If they cost more, they must be better.
Indeed, in many markets, being seen with an iPhone, iPad or Mac bestows social status for that very reason, making them aspirational products.
Apple cannot afford to dent that premium image by offering low-end products, but at the same time it needs to bring in new customers to maintain growth. So far, its approach to doing this has seemed to me to be smart. But offering a 32GB iPhone 6 as an entry level iPhone in 2017? That I’m not so sure about …
Filed under: Apple
Apple quietly re-launching iPhone 6 in a gold 32 GB model, available at select Asian carriers
Apple is re-launching the iPhone 6, originally released in 2014, in a 32 GB gold configuration. This model is technically ‘new’ as Apple never sold the iPhone 6 in a 32 GB SKU before; it debuted with 16/64/128 GB options.
The 32 GB iPhone 6 is going on sale at select carriers in Asia as a low-end model; the device is not sold by Apple retail. The device is launching on Taiwan Mobile on March 10 and has been quietly available in China since late February …
Filed under: Apple
City Guides coming to Facebook app, suggests places & events, connects you to friends
Facebook is testing a City Guides feature in its iOS app. When you’re visiting a city, the feature points you to popular attractions, upcoming events and places locals visit – but with the friend focus you’d expect from Facebook. The app highlights places friends have visited, and events friends are attending …
Filed under: Apple
Report: iPhone 8 to start mass production in September, featuring Apple-custom ‘built-in’ fingerprint sensor
Digitimes is today reporting that Apple has developed a custom fingerprint sensor replacement for Touch ID, which will allow Apple to offer biometric fingerprint recognition in the iPhone 8 — a device that is rumoured to have no bezels at all. The report describes the component as a ‘built-in’ sensor which very much implies that it is integrated into the screen.
Rather than use Synaptic or Qualcomm technology, Apple will reportedly be building its own system using Authentec algorithms and Privaris glass tech. Strangely, the report also says that the iPhone 8 will not go into mass production until September …
Filed under: Apple
After contradicting reports, do you think the iPhone 8 will feature USB-C or Lightning connectivity? [Poll]
Over the past few days, we’ve heard two conflicting reports regarding what sort of connection the upcoming iPhone 8 will feature. First, The Wall Street Journal reported that the upcoming iPhone will feature USB-C, with Apple shifting away from Lightning.
Then, earlier today, KGI’s Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the iPhone 8 will feature Lightning connectivity with internal changes to support a faster charging.
Who do you believe?
Filed under: Apple
Tim Cook introduces Al Gore’s new movie ‘An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power’ in Silicon Valley
Former vice president and current Apple board member Al Gore today debuted his new movie “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” in Silicon Valley. The movie comes as a sequel to the original film debuted in 2006.
In attendance of the debut in Silicon Valley today were Apple CEO Tim Cook and VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson…
Filed under: Apple
Amazon says human error caused outage that affected iCloud, other Internet services
Earlier this week, Amazon’s Web Services suffered from a significant outage, bringing down a number of online services and plaguing Apple’s own iCloud platform. While not much was known about what caused the lengthy outage at the time, Amazon has published a new blog post detailing what exactly went wrong, pinpointing it on a human error.
Filed under: Apple
The Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard is the keyboard Apple should be making [Video]
Although I’m a big fan of tactile, clicky mechanical keyboards, I also enjoy the sleekness, quiet keys, and wireless nature of Apple’s Magic Keyboard. I wish Apple would make a full-size Magic Keyboard, but that doesn’t seem to be happening any time soon.
Thankfully Matias, a computer accessory manufacturer that’s been around since the 90s, is offering its own take on what an Apple-made full-sized wireless keyboard could be like. The end result — the $99 Matias Wireless Aluminum Keyboard — is an impressive rendition of Apple design principles, coupled with a few bonus features that truly make this keyboard worth considering.
Have a look at our full video walkthrough for a hands-on look at the Space Gray version of Matias’ Wireless Aluminum Keyboard. more…
Filed under: Apple
Apple expands ongoing legal battle against Qualcomm with new lawsuit in the U.K.
Apple today further expanded its ongoing legal battle against Qualcomm. According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple has now sued Qualcomm in a U.K. court over the same patent and royalty dispute that prompted lawsuits in other countries, including the United States.
Filed under: Apple
Chevrolet is first automaker to offer in-vehicle unlimited data for $20/month
Chevrolet has announced today that they are offering a new unlimited plan for U.S. Chevrolet owners who have an in-vehicle OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The unlimited option will also be available standard for all new Chevrolet models. The new plan is priced at $20/month with service provided by AT&T.
Filed under: Apple