Developers behind iOS camera app Halide say that they are planning to ship a version of the app that enables Portrait Mode on iPhone XR for "all sorts of things," and not just people (via Reddit). Because the iPhone XR has a single-lens rear camera (and not a dual-lens like iPhone XS), the cheaper smartphone doesn't capture as much depth information and the Portrait Mode bokeh effect in Apple's own Camera app only works on people.
As Wired explained in its review, if you try to take a Portrait image of a pet or object, the camera app will state "No person detected" at the top of the screen. Now, Halide says that it has already gotten the iPhone XR camera to work with Portrait Mode on pets and inanimate objects, but results haven't been consistent and some subjects can be harder to create a depth effect around.
We think with some more tooling, we'll be able to ship a version of our app that enables portrait mode for all sorts of things. It seems it'll be a bit more 'temperamental'; in some settings it won't work if there's not enough variance in relative distance of objects, but a can of soda water on my desk worked just fine.
Still, as Halide's Reddit post explains, this means that third-party camera apps on the iOS App Store will be able to provide users with a form of Portrait Mode on iPhone XR that enables bokeh effects around more than just people. Halide mentions that the iPhone XR's depth map is "way lower resolution" than the dual cameras on the iPhone XS, "but it seems usable."
iPhone XR launched a few days ago on October 26 and was met with positive reviews from the media, which praised its LCD display, bright colors, and iPhone XS-level performance. Thanks to the smartphone's lower price tag in comparison to the iPhone XS and XS Max, most outlets agreed that the iPhone XR will be the smartphone that most people will want to choose when looking at the new 2018 lineup of iPhones.
Update 12:00 p.m. PT: Halide has submitted version 1.11 to the iOS App Store, which unlocks the ability to take photos with Portrait Mode effects on pets and objects using iPhone XR. Now that it's been submitted, Halide says the update will be out soon, once it passes App Store review. More information can be found in the company's blog post.
A newly discovered icon in iOS 12 appears to confirm recent rumors surrounding Apple's redesigned iPad Pro, which is expected to be unveiled on Tuesday.
Similar to a previous icon found in iOS 12 beta 5, the new icon discovered by 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo features a tablet with slimmer bezels and no Home button, and more importantly, no notch.
A recent case maker's rendering of the upcoming iPad Pro displayed many of the same design elements shown in the icon, including the rounded corners and a small top and bottom bezel, with the top bezel housing the TrueDepth camera system for Face ID.
Dimensions sourced from the same case maker indicate the smaller iPad Pro will be 7 inches wide and 9.7 inches tall, while the larger model will be 8.5 inches wide and 11 inches tall.
Icon elements aren't always proportional relative to the physical dimensions they represent, but the way the iPad Pro's bezels are drawn suggests Apple has also left plenty of room for holding the device without unintentionally triggering the touchscreen.
The new iPad Pro models are said to be equipped with an A12X Bionic processor that's even faster than the A12 chip in the new iPhone lineup, with a USB-C connector potentially replacing the Lightning port, and a new version of Face ID that works in both portrait and landscape orientation.
The new iPad Pro devices are expected to be announced at Apple's second fall 2018 event, set to be held on Tuesday, October 30 in New York City at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Apple is planning to live stream the event on its website and through the Events app on the Apple TV, but for those unable to watch, MacRumors will have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.
For more details on everything we could see at the product unveiling, check out our comprehensive What to Expect event roundup.
Update: In related news, 9to5Mac's Guilherme Rambo has tweeted that the rumored Apple Pencil 2, codenamed B332, will support gestures. A user will be able to change properties of the drawing stroke by sliding a finger along the sides of the pencil, for example, according to his tweet.
Apple Pencil 2, model B332, will support gestures. The user will be able to change stroke properties by sliding along the sides of the pencil.
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) October 28, 2018
The new Apple Pencil is expected to be unveiled at Apple's event in Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Apple owes $7 billion in royalties to Qualcomm since halting payments because of its ongoing dispute with the mobile chip maker over unfair licensing practices, according to a court hearing on Friday (via Bloomberg).
Apple began withholding the payments through its manufacturers last year, after the tech giant filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm claiming that the chipmaker was charging unfair royalties for "technologies they have nothing to do with." However, Qualcomm maintains its technology "is at the heart of every iPhone," and that the royalties are entirely valid.
"They're trying to destroy our business," Qualcomm lawyer Evan Chesler said at the hearing in federal court in San Diego. "They're now $7 billion dollars behind in royalties. The house is on fire and there is $7 billion of property damage right now."
The two companies have been locked in the wide-ranging legal battle since 2017, with Apple accusing Qualcomm of unfair patent licensing practices and Qualcomm accusing Apple of patent infringement.
Apple argues that the mobile chipmaker is forcing it to pay for the use of its chips in iPhones and then again through patent royalties, a practice Apple refers to as "double-dipping." However Qualcomm claims it is doing nothing illegal and that Apple has agreed to the business model for years.
Both Apple and Qualcomm have filed multiple lawsuits against one another, with Qualcomm also seeking import and export bans on some iPhones in the United States and China.
While Apple introduced iPhones back in September, there are still a number of products that the company is planning to refresh before the end of the year, necessitating a second fall 2018 event, set to be held on Tuesday, October 30 in New York City.
Apple's October event will focus on the iPad and the Mac, and below, we've rounded up everything we expect to see along with a few other products that might possibly make an appearance at the keynote.
Apple is working on updated iPad Pro models that adopt an iPhone XS-style design with slimmer bezels and no Home button, with the iPads instead set to gain a TrueDepth camera system that will replace Touch ID with Face ID for biometric authentication purposes. The design of the iPad Pro has been confirmed by Apple in several leaked icons discovered in iOS 12.
Though the iPhone XS uses a notch for the TrueDepth camera, the upcoming iPad Pro models are expected to feature slim top, bottom, and side bezels all around the display. Apple is not planning to use an OLED display for the new iPads due to cost and production issues.
2018 iPad Pro mockup via iDropNews
Recent CAD drawings sourced from a case maker along with additional leaks have given us some insight into the dimensions of the new iPad Pro models. The smaller iPad Pro is expected to be 7 inches wide (178.52mm) and 9.7 inches tall (247.64mm), while the larger model will be 8.5 inches wide (215mm) and 11 inches tall (280.66mm).
The smaller of the two iPad Pro models may be as thin as 5.86mm, and it's not clear how thick the larger iPad Pro model will be. It could be as thin, or somewhat thicker like the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Bezels for both iPad Pro models could measure in at around 6mm at the top, bottom, and sides.
Based on multiple leaks, Apple is apparently relocating the magnetic Smart Connector on the new iPad Pro models from the side to the bottom near the Lightning port, which could perhaps require a new vertically oriented Smart Keyboard. It's not clear why Apple is making this change, and it's not known if Apple is indeed releasing a new Smart Keyboard that connects differently.
Originally, it was thought that Apple was relocating the connector because Face ID would be limited to portrait orientation since that's the way it works on the iPhone, but code in iOS 12.1 suggests that after being set up vertically, Face ID will work on the iPad in both portrait and landscape modes.
Design wise, the new iPad Pro models are said to feature a "diamond cut" at both the front and the back, which suggests the tablets could have a design similar to the iPhone SE with beveled edges. Antenna lines on the device may also be located at the top and bottom, similar to the iPhone 7, rather than in a block at the top.
Renderings of 12.9-inch iPad Pro based on alleged CAD drawings
There are other major changes in store for the iPad Pro. Apple is said to be planning to eliminate the headphone jack from the iPad lineup like it did in the iPhone starting with the iPhone 7, and it's rumored to use a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.
A USB-C port would allow for faster charging and new functionality not possible via Lightning such as the ability to drive a 4K monitor.
Inside, the new iPad Pro models are said to be equipped with an A12X Bionic processor that's even faster than the A12 chip in the new iPhone lineup.
Renderings of 12.9-inch iPad Pro based on alleged CAD drawings
Alongside new iPad Pro models, Apple is said to be planning to introduce a second-generation Apple Pencil with a new design.
Little detail is known about the new Apple Pencil, but it could feature an AirPods-like pairing experience with the ability to switch the Apple Pencil between devices without the need to plug it into a Lightning port.
It will attach magnetically to the side of the new iPad Pro models, and it is said to feature a new charging method, though there are no details on what that charging method might be. It's possible the accessory will charge wirelessly when docked to the iPad Pro, with Apple eliminating the Lightning port.
Rumors have also suggested new Apple Pencil will support tap and swipe gestures, which would allow iPad Pro users to do things like change the size or color of a brush within a sketching app using the sides of the Apple Pencil.
iPad mini
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple is working on an upgraded iPad mini that features an upgraded processor and a lower-cost display panel, which suggests it will be more affordable than the current version.
Kuo wasn't entirely sure if Apple plans to release the iPad mini at its October event or at a later date in 2018 or early 2019, but there's a possibility it will be unveiled alongside new iPad Pro models.
We don't have any other information about the new iPad mini at this point in time, but it sounds like it's not going to get the same design refinements that are coming to Apple's iPad Pro lineup.
Apple has a 13-inch MacBook Air replacement in the works, which has been the subject of rumors for more than a year now. It's still not clear whether Apple plans to label the machine as MacBook Air or a MacBook, but some concrete details about the upcoming notebook can be gleaned from everything we've heard.
Positioned as an entry-level low-cost machine in Apple's product lineup, the notebook will be 13 inches in size and it will feature a Retina display. It is said to be similar in design to the current 13-inch MacBook Air, but with slimmer bezels.
It's not entirely clear how Apple will distinguish this machine from the 12-inch MacBook if it's going to be a MacBook Air with a Retina display, but if the design is similar to the current MacBook Air, the 12-inch MacBook will still be Apple's lightest machine, justifying its higher price tag.
Various pricing rumors have suggested that it could be available for anywhere from $799 to $1,200, but the most reliable source, Bloomberg, believes it will cost under $1,000.
Whiskey Lake chips appropriate for a MacBook Air-like machine were announced by Intel in August, and so Apple could potentially be planning to use these chips in the device.
Regardless of whether the rumored lower-cost 13-inch notebook is positioned as a MacBook Air or a MacBook, rumors suggest Apple is planning to maintain the 12-inch MacBook lineup and a MacBook refresh is said to be in the works.
Upgraded 12-inch MacBooks are likely to feature Intel's 8th-generation Amber Lake Y-series processors, announced in August. These chips bring processor and battery improvements, so new MacBooks could offer both faster performance and longer battery life.
Aside from upgraded Intel chips, there's been little information on what else Apple might add to a refreshed MacBook lineup.
Apple refreshes its iMac lineup on a regular basis, and reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that an updated model is in the works and set to launch at Apple's October 30th event.
We're expecting new iMacs that feature upgraded 8th-generation Intel processors, improved GPUs, and perhaps the adoption of the T2 chip that was introduced in the iMac Pro and has since been added to the MacBook Pro.
Apple is working on a refreshed version of the Mac mini that's focused on the pro user base. The upgraded device will feature new storage and processor options, and because Apple is aiming it at pro users, some models could be more expensive than previous Mac mini products.
We don't have a lot of additional information available on what to expect from the Mac mini, but one rumor suggested the higher-end model "won't be so mini anymore," hinting at one configuration with a larger size to accommodate higher-end components.
Given that the new Mac mini is going to be a pro-focused machine, it's not clear what chips it will adopt, but Intel this year has announced 8th-generation processors appropriate for both desktop and notebook machines. Past Mac mini models have used the same chips as the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but Apple may be planning to opt for more powerful chips for a pro Mac mini model.
Apple last year announced work on a high-end high-throughput modular Mac Pro that will facilitate regular upgrades to meet the needs of Apple's pro user base.
Apple has said this new, redesigned Mac Pro will launch at some point in 2019, but in the past, the company has provided us with early previews and the work on the Mac Pro is no secret, so it's possible we'll get a little taste of what to expect at this fall Mac-focused event.
As should come as no surprise, Apple is working on a next-generation iMac Pro model, which Bloomberg confirmed this afternoon. There are no new chips available that would be appropriate for an upgraded iMac Pro right now, but it's possible Apple will give us some details on when we can expect a refreshed iMac Pro machine.
AirPower and AirPods
We're still waiting on the AirPower, the three-device charging mat that Apple introduced in September 2017. When it made its debut, Apple said it would launch at some point in 2018, and we've got a few months to go, so it could potentially make an appearance at the October event.
We're not counting on it though, as Apple made no mention of the AirPower at its September iPhone-focused event, where a launch would have made more sense.
The AirPower is designed to charge the Apple Watch (Series 3 and 4), glass-backed iPhones, and AirPods all at the same time, with a wireless charging case required to enable wireless charging for the AirPods.
Alongside the AirPower, Apple is supposed to be introducing a new AirPods Charging Case that adds wireless charging to the earbuds, so if we see the launch of the AirPower, AirPods are likely to launch alongside it.
In addition to wireless charging, refreshed AirPods could gain an upgraded wireless chip that supports hands-free "Hey Siri" functionality. With "Hey Siri" support, AirPod owners will be able to activate Siri without needing to double tap on the AirPods with a finger.
Existing AirPods Charging Case next to redesigned AirPods Charging Case with wireless charging capabilities
No other major changes are rumored for the AirPods this year, but there have been some hints that Apple is working on a set of Apple-branded high-end over-ear headphones that could launch in late 2018 at the earliest, so we may see a mention of them. Rumors on a launch date have been mixed, though, so Apple may not be ready to debut these until 2019.
Apple's event will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, three hours earlier than events are normally held. This year's event is happening earlier because it's taking place on the East Coast instead of the West Coast.
Apple is planning to live stream the product unveilings on its event website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.
For those unable to watch, MacRumors will have live coverage both here on MacRumors.com and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account, along with continuing coverage over the course of the next few weeks.
What are you most looking forward to seeing Apple introduce this year? Let us know in the comments.
Kano, a company that makes a series of coding kits for children and those new to programming, recently released a $99 Harry Potter-themed kit complete with a programmable wand that's perfect for Harry Potter fans who want a fun and engaging way to learn some basic coding techniques.
The Harry Potter Coding Kit is designed to let users build a wand and then program that wand with various gestures that can be used within the Kano app on iOS devices, Android devices, PCs, or Macs.
Kano's Harry Potter Coding Kit starts off by walking users through putting together the pieces of the wand and explaining the different components. There are two black plastic wand pieces, included batteries, a rubber button, and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
In the instructions, Kano explains all of the components of the Printed Circuit Board, such as the power controller, the micro controller, various sensors, a Bluetooth connector, a light, and a vibration motor.
Users are walked through putting together the pieces of the wand, from inserting the batteries into the PCB to putting the PCB inside the wand enclosure and sealing it all up. It's a simple process, but the way that Kano walks through each step and explains each component makes the experience fun and interesting.
Apple's new lower-cost flagship smartphone, the iPhone XR, launched today, and iFixit picked up one of the new devices to take it apart for one of the site's traditional teardowns that are designed to give us a peek inside Apple hardware.
An x-ray provided by Creative Electron offers a look inside the fully assembled iPhone, showing where each component is located.
Opening up the iPhone XR is similar to opening up the iPhone X, with Apple using its standard pentalobe screws that can be bypassed with iFixit tools. iFixit says that surprisingly, the screws don't match the color of the iPhone XR, and compared to the iPhone XS, the SIM slot is lower.
In fact, the SIM tray in the iPhone XR is modular, which is a first for an iPhone. iFixit says that this will allow for faster swapping of a dead SIM reader and a reduction in cost when replacing the logic board.
iFixit says that it's not entirely clear where the iPhone XS got its extra IP-68 water resistance from, given the fact that opening the XR and the XS is similar.
The internals of the iPhone XR look like a cross between an iPhone 8 and an iPhone X, according to iFixit, with a rectangular battery and a rectangular logic board.
The iPhone XR has an 11.16 Wh battery, larger than the 10.13 Wh battery in the iPhone XS, but smaller than the 12.08 Wh battery in the iPhone XS Max. Despite the smaller battery, the iPhone XR gets the best battery life out of Apple's three new iPhones. There's an included Taptic Engine, which provides the Haptic Touch feedback that's available in place of 3D Touch, and a single-lens rear camera module.
The TrueDepth camera system is, unsurprisingly, identical to the TrueDepth camera system in the iPhone X and XS.
The XR is equipped with an LCD that's 0.3 inches larger across than the AMOLED display in the iPhone XS, and it's also thicker and heavier because it requires a backlight. According to iFixit, the larger display is the reason why the Lightning connector is off-axis.
Like the iPhone XS and XS Max, the iPhone XR features a copper wireless charging coil, which should allow for faster wireless charging speeds due to less heat produced.
iFixit gave the iPhone XR an overall repairability score of six. A broken display can easily be replaced with minimal hardware removal, says the site, but Pentalobe screws and waterproofing complicate things.
The Snap Camera app, which can be downloaded from Snapchat's website, offers up a simple interface with a camera field and access to hundreds of Snapchat lenses that add fun effects to your face using the Mac's camera.
The different lenses available in new Snap Camera app for Mac can be used with Twitch when streaming video content, and it is compatible with YouTube, Skype, Google Hangouts, and Zoom as well. Using the lenses does not require a Snapchat account.
Snap's new Snap Camera app features lenses created by Snap, lenses from third-party companies, and lenses created using the Lens Studio tool for Snapchat.
Lenses are available in a list in the app that you can scroll through, but there are also options to search for lenses by keyword, mark favorites, or assign lenses to shortcuts.
We've seen plenty of iPhone XR reviews from media sites that Apple invited to test the new device ahead of its release, but now that the iPhone XR has officially launched in all countries around the world, iPhone XR first impressions from regular Apple customers are now available.
New iPhone XR owners on Reddit, Twitter, and the MacRumors forums have been sharing their opinions on the new device, and for those considering a purchase, thoughts from average consumers provide useful insight.
MacRumors reader Kendo warned that the iPhone XR isn't a middle ground between the XS and the XS Max due to the size of the device's bezels. If you wanted the iPhone XR because the iPhone XS Max was too big, you may still be unhappy with the size.
Because the bezels are one mm thicker (two if you include both sides) and with the 6.1" screen, the width is pretty much identical to the XS Max. It is only a little shorter but also significantly thicker. I was originally in the market for a slightly bigger phone than the XS and a slightly smaller phone than the Max (the cheaper price was just icing on the cake). However because the width is essentially the same, you are better off just getting a Max if money wasn't a concern and you only wanted an "in between" size between the XS and the Max. If you're going to handle a bulky phone anyway, you might as well get the bigger screen on the Max since the width and weight are really similar to the XR.
MacRumors reader tks900 said that he's having second thoughts about his iPhone XR due to its size compared to the iPhone 6s even though the display is gorgeous.
However: It's quite big. And heavy. Coming from the 6S, this is a really different animal. I have large hands and am used to handle my phone with one hand. Impossible with the XR. This bulkiness of this thing becomes even more obvious when I use it with a case. I know many people won't, but to me, the phone is just too slippery without a case and actually even harder to handle.
Redditor Meerkatch said the iPhone XR feels like a toy version of the iPhone XS due to the bezel size.
The bezels on the sides are noticeably big in real life, the bezels are like how a glass screen protector is on an iPhone 6, but the screen protector is the actual screen of the phone excluding the home button and the camera and including a notch (if that makes sense). I wouldn't say it's enough justification to get the Xs. I felt like it's a toy version of the Xs for some reason, it feels like an Apple Watch Sport compared to the Apple Watch Edition (Xs).
Redditor downwardCorgi said that the red color is brighter than blood red and that the bezels aren't noticeable. Using it one handed in some situations is difficult, he says.
It is a slightly darker shade than a typical rainbow flag red. It's maybe slightly brighter than actual blood red. And yeah now that everything is rounded, it's kinda cute. If the display was small the same bezels would look larger, but the phone itself is already big, you just look at the content on the screen, not the bezels.
Reaching top is fine if you use reachability. It's another step but I think it's a fine compromise. Reaching the left edge with the right hand thumb to go back to the previous page is kinda hard but it's possible. So in short, vertically it's fine if you use reachability, it's quick and easy, horizontally, reaching all the way to the other side with a thumb is a bit hard when one-handed. When using with just left hand, probably not as much an issue cause I don't think there's gestures to swipe from the right edge. But typing with one hand still is hard due to the horizontal length.
MacRumors reader c.s. pointed out that the iPhone XR is much easier to grip than older aluminum iPhones, for customers who are coming from an iPhone 7 or earlier.
Just picked up an iPhone XR at the Apple store to replace my iPhone 7. No line at noon, it was an easy buying experience. I've always used the Apple leather case on my 7, and I was pleasantly surprised when handling the XR. My 7 always felt slippery when out of the case, but the XR is much more grippy to me. In fact, I'm opting to go caseless and just got AppleCare in case I regret that decision.
I’ve got my iPhone xr setting up right now. First thing I liked, even though it’s heavier it doesn’t feel as heavy as the 7 plus. First thing I don’t like, the bevel around the screen is pretty thick.
— Probably not a Hero (HSH) 💛 (@HalfSh3ll3dH3r0) October 26, 2018
On the iPhone XR's Display
Redditor 3mbersea shared images of the iPhone XR and iPhone XS Max screens side by side in portrait and landscape mode. 3mbersea says there's a "big difference" in screen quality when watching high quality videos, but not in regular use.
MacRumors reader Nitefly shared some details on the display of the iPhone XR, pointing out that there's some color shifting, but it's slight.
I am posting this from an XR. Phhwooooar what a phone!
There is some colour shift. However, the point at which it makes a material difference is the point at which you would never choose to use the screen at that angle.
In other words, the colour shift is slight in a generous viewing field. At extreme angles, ones you couldn't even watch TV shows from, it is more pronounced. I'd say the screen dimming is more obvious than the colour shifting. Likewise, it's really quite immaterial.
My god, the camera is ace. Also, I viewed this screen right next to an XS and could not see a difference in sharpness at a sensible, 'phone using' distance.
Redditor MonstersUGrad98 confirms that the XR uses the same iOS layout as Plus-sized iPhones, showing a two-column split view in apps like Messages and Mail.
MacRumors reader gig090 said that the iPhone XR's display resolution is "fine" and nothing that you need to worry about, even compared to the XS. The bezels, though, are "a little bit too fat" in comparison to the iPhone XS.
Got my iPhone XR a few hours ago. Very happy with it so far. A big upgrade. The display comments were highly exaggerated - it looks beautiful. Great job @Apple
— aphel (@itsaphel) October 26, 2018
MacRumors reader sjperformance said the LCD display is great, but he prefers the smaller bezels of the XS and XS Max.
Overall good LCD display. Probably best LCD display on an iPhone. The Max a little bit taller. Width is about the same. Weight is good on this XR too. Now the bezels...I don't like them but it's ok. Prefer the smaller thinner bezels of the OLED displays.
On the A12 Bionic Processor
Redditor imagineJack, who came to the iPhone XR from Android, says it's super fast and responsive.
The phone is extremely snappy, fast and responsive. Every app I'm opening stays in memory for ages. (Not sure if this is just a general iOS 12 thing but it's great.) The speakers are great, the camera is great.
iPhone XR first impressions: It’s a bit too big, but I think I’ll get used to it. FaceID is amazing, speed is amazing, screen is amazing, camera is amazing. It’s all amazing. Battery life is excellent too. Now I just have to not drop it!
— Orion Edwards (@borland) October 26, 2018
Have a new iPhone XR? Feel free to share your first impressions and your photos in the comments below.
We'll be sharing a more in-depth look at the iPhone XR and comparing the iPhone XR's camera to the iPhone XS camera, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors for more iPhone XR coverage.
For this week's giveaway, we've once again teamed up with Fuse to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Side Winder cable wrangler, designed to let you quickly and easily wind up your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro's charger cord.
The reel-style construction of the Side Winder keeps your power adapter, cord, and attached extension cable in a neat, compact package with zero tangles and no hassle. It's perfect for use at home or work and it's great for when you need to travel because it makes it so quick to pack up.
When traveling with a traditional Power Adapter and cable setup in a bag or backpack, winding the cord and the extension cable is an exercise in futility because it constantly comes unwrapped, leading to a messy, knotted tangle of cable. That cable tangle is the problem the Side Winder solves.
Side Winder works by enclosing the Power Adapter of your MacBook with a reel that holds the cable. When you need to wind extra cable, a simple twist of the top piece pulls it in. When more cable is needed while the MacBook is in use, you can pull out as much cable as you need to reach a power outlet.
Fuse says that it takes less than six seconds to fully wind a cable using the Side Winder, and the design of the device provides protection against cable damage and fraying by preventing stress at weak points.
Side Winder is compatible with all 45W, 60W, 61W, 85W, and 87W MacBook Pro and Air chargers, with both MagSafe 1 and 2 and USB-C versions available. The MagSafe versions are available for $29.99, while the USB-C version is $33.99. The USB-C model includes a USB-C cord, but neither model includes a power adapter or extension cable.
In addition to offering Side Winders to MacRumors readers in our giveaway, Fuse is also providing a 20 percent discount on all Side Winder purchases. To buy one at a discount, just use this link.
We have 20 Side Winders to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win our giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (October 26) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on November 2. The winners will be chosen randomly on November 2 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Apple's HomePod Siri-enabled smart speaker expanded to an additional two countries today, with the device now available for purchase in Spain and Mexico.
In Spain the HomePod is priced at 349 euros, and in Mexico, it can be purchased for 7,999 pesos. The HomePod is more expensive in Mexico and Spain than in the U.S. due to value added taxes in both countries.
With the HomePod's expansion to Spain and Mexico, the speaker is now available in a total of eight countries. When HomePod first launched in February, it was available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia before expanding to Canada, France, and Germany in June.
Rumors suggest the HomePod could expand to Italy in the near future, with Apple employees testing an Italian language version of the device.
It's now been just over four months since AT&T completed its acquisition of Time Warner, and today AT&T has made a move to streamline WarnerMedia assets with the discontinuation of classic film streaming service FilmStruck. The service is now warning visitors to its website that it will be shutting down on November 29, 2018, and as of today is no longer enrolling new subscribers (via Variety).
FilmStruck was available on iOS and tvOS, but it appears that the app has been removed from both App Stores. On iOS, a search for "FilmStruck" guides users to TCM's new streaming app Watch TCM.
All current FilmStruck subscribers will receive an email with more details, including potential refunds, and the company put together a list of FAQs for more information. FilmStruck will remain in operation for the next month, and in a tweet the company said, "It has been our pleasure bringing FilmStruck to you and we thank you for your support."
FilmStruck debuted in November 2016, offering a lineup of nearly 2,000 classic, indie, foreign, and cult films, as well as acting as the streaming home to the Criterion Collection. Subscribers paid $6.99/month for the service, or $10.99/month for the service with access to the Criterion Collection. Films available on FilmStruck include the original "A Star is Born", "Casablanca", "The Music Man," and many more.
According to a statement provided by Turner and WB Digital Networks, FilmStruck remained a niche service for its entire lifetime, leading to the discontinuation.
“We’re incredibly proud of the creativity and innovations produced by the talented and dedicated teams who worked on FilmStruck over the past two years. While FilmStruck has a very loyal fanbase, it remains largely a niche service. We plan to take key learnings from FilmStruck to help shape future business decisions in the direct-to-consumer space and redirect this investment back into our collective portfolios.”
A few other WarnerMedia digital services have been shut down following the AT&T acquisition, including the Korean drama-focused DramaFever and digital content TV studio Super Deluxe. According to a source familiar with AT&T's strategy, "They felt Time Warner overall had too many initiatives," leading to the pruning of services that lack broad appeal.
Turner Classic Movies offers an alternative for Apple TV owners with the recently launched "Watch TCM" tvOS app. Unlike FilmStruck's separate monthly streaming service cost, Watch TCM is an app that users can connect to their cable subscriptions to watch "nearly every title playing on TCM."
Before FilmStruck goes away for good, the Criterion Collection promises that it will keep subscribers informed about the programming they can watch on the service before it shuts down in late November. Looking forward, the company will be trying to find ways to "bring our library and original content back to the digital space as soon as possible."
Blizzard this week introduced an all-new Apple TV app that will allow fans to stream content from BlizzCon 2018 on their 4th or 5th generation Apple TV. For those who can't make it to the Anaheim, California event in person, Blizzard has always provided numerous ways for users to watch panels and videos live (on mobile and BlizzCon.com), but this marks the first year the company has built an app specifically for Apple TV.
While the app and some of its content are free, to get the most out of BlizzCon TV [Direct Link] you'll need to purchase a $49.99 "Virtual Ticket" from Blizzard. This allows you to unlock all of the content to stream on BlizzCon TV, including original BlizzCon video content, a Community Night, the BlizzCon 2017 video archive, and live panel coverage. The Virtual Ticket also unlocks access to in-game items for Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, StarCraft II, StarCraft: Remastered, Heroes of the Storm, and Diablo III.
The BlizzCon TV home screen on Apple TV shows upcoming events, live and on-demand videos, content broken down by various Blizzard games, and more. There's a dedicated e-sports tab, which has already kicked off with content for Heroes of the Storm and StarCraft II, and will see World of Warcraft and Overwatch tournaments begin next week. Blizzard has the full BlizzCon 2018 schedule on its website, and viewers can prepare for opening ceremony events to kick off on Friday, November 2.
Besides the introduction of an Apple TV app, Blizzard is supporting AirPlay and Chromecast streaming from the BlizzCon mobile app to compatible devices for the first time in 2018. Fans will also be able to watch portions of the show live through the Blizzard Battle.net desktop app, so they can chat with friends as the event happens. There's also a BlizzCon TV app for Amazon Fire TV users.
This marks the first Apple TV app developed by Blizzard. The company has created plenty of iOS apps, including a port for Hearthstone, a companion app for World of Warcraft, and an app for the Overwatch League. In 2017, there were numerousrumors surrounding the potential launch of Overwatch on macOS, but they were tenuous and it's now been nearly a year since one of Blizzard's engineers said there are "no plans" for the launch.
You can download BlizzCon TV for Apple TV today by searching for the app on the tvOS App Store, or using the Siri Remote.
At a media event in New York City earlier this month, Google previewed a new low-light camera feature called "Night Sight" that uses machine learning to choose the right colors based on the content of the image. The result is much brighter photos in low-light conditions, without having to use flash.
Google showed a side-by-side comparison of two unedited photos shot in low light with an iPhone XS and its latest Pixel 3 smartphone with Night Sight, and the photo shot on the latter device is much brighter.
Google said Night Sight will be available next month for its Pixel smartphones, but an XDA Developers forum member managed to get the feature to work ahead of time, and The Verge's Vlad Savov tested out the pre-release software on a Pixel 3 XL. The results, pictured below, are simply remarkable.
Without Night Sight
With Night Sight
Without Night Sight
With Night Sight
Without Night Sight
With Night Sight
Google and Apple are both heavily invested in computational photography. On the latest iPhones, for example, Smart HDR results in photos with more highlight and shadow detail, while Depth Control significantly improves Portrait Mode. But, Night Sight takes low-light smartphone photography to a whole new level.
Buongiorno Piazza Liberty! Milan is one of my favorite cities and I am very happy to be here with you today. Around the world, we hope everyone is enjoying the new iPhone XR! pic.twitter.com/hmJb8yrNCM
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 26, 2018
Apple CEO Tim Cook visited the company's Piazza Liberty store in Milan today to celebrate the iPhone XR release, posing for pictures with customers and employees, which he later shared on Twitter.
Video of Tim Cook at Apple Piazza Liberty via setteBIT
While the iPhone XR is available for walk-in purchase at Apple Stores, many locations have few customers waiting in line. At Apple Walden Galleria in Buffalo, New York, for example, VentureBeat reporter Jeremy Horwitz tweeted that he was the only person lined up just minutes before the store opened.
iPhone XR line status 10 minutes ahead of launch: literally no one (except me). Advance-reserved phones apparently are the way former line-waiters went this year. pic.twitter.com/XFyAbDja4r
— Jeremy Horwitz (@horwitz) October 26, 2018
As more customers lean towards online pre-orders, the iconic iPhone launch day lines of the past have dwindled over the years.
Retail employees cheered as the first customers entered Apple's temporary Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan this morning, as recorded by Apple analyst Walt Piecyk, but lines are typically much longer at this flagship location on iPhone launch days. To be fair, Apple is still renovating its iconic glass cube location a few steps away.
There are a few exceptions, as hundreds of customers lined up for iPhone XR launch day at Apple Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan. It was also the grand reopening of the store following several months of renovations, however, so many of those customers may have lined up to check out the new design and score a free shirt.
Line at Apple Shibuya on iPhone XR launch day
As usual on an iPhone launch day, most Apple Stores are opening early at 8:00 a.m. local time, with display models now available.
Stickers have been available on rival messaging platforms including Apple's iMessages and Telegram for some time, so today's announcement isn't a surprise as WhatsApp tries to cement its position as the most popular messenger app globally.
To begin with, WhatsApp is launching sticker packs created by its own in-house designers, along with a selection of stickers from other artists.
WhatsApp users can post stickers in chat threads via a new sticker button, and add new sticker packs by tapping the plus icon, once they become available on iOS and Android over the coming weeks.
Anker announced several new hardware devices at an event in New York City today. Best known for its quality mobile charging accessories, the company continued its push into other consumer electronics markets by unveiling a pocket cinema, a premium smart speaker, and a new line of minuscule USB-C wall chargers.
Starting with the chargers, the PowerPort Atom PD 1 is the smallest 27-watt USB-C power plug that Anker has come up with to date. It's about the size of the 5-watt charger that comes with an iPhone, but pumps out enough juice to power larger devices like a 12-inch MacBook, a Chromebook, and a Nintendo Switch.
Anker says it has used Gallium Nitride components in the charger instead of silicon, which has allowed the company to maximize efficiency while minimizing size. The PowerPort Atom PD 1 weighs 2.2 ounces and fits in the palm of the hand, measuring in at 1.61 x 1.37 x 1.49 inches The PD 1 is just the first in the Atom line, with a 60-watt two USB-C port PD 2 charger and a 100-watt four-port (2x USB-C, 2x USB-A) PD 4 charger also on the way.
The Anker PowerPort Atom PD 1 will be available exclusively on the Amazon website from the end of November for $30.
Meanwhile, Anker announced the Soundcore Model Zero+, a new Bluetooth and Wi-Fi smart speaker that sports a unique radial purse-like design with a built-in handle. It's the first portable speaker from Anker to feature integrated Dolby Audio, and includes drivers designed by Scan-Speak for optimal audio performance.
The Model Zero+ speaker comes with Google Assistant and also supports Google Chromecast, for streaming playing media directly from mobile devices and computers. The unit offers 10 hours of battery life when streaming over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and will cost $250.
A more affordable $200 version of the speaker called the Model Zero was also announced that has fewer features but better battery life. Both units will be available at select retailers from the end of next month.
Anker also unveiled the Nebula Capsule II, a next generation pocket cinema with Android TV built in. The soda can-sized cylindrical unit projects a 1280 x 720 resolution screen onto walls, auto-focuses in about one second.
Anker says the Nebule Capsule II will offer up to three hours of video playtime or 30 hours of Bluetooth audio output on a single charge. It also supports Google Assistant, and can be charged in around two and a half hours using the included USB-C charger.
The Nebula Capsule II is launching as a Kickstarter campaign and will be available for early adopters, with plans to ship early 2019. Super Early Bird supporters can order the pocket cinema for $349, with other tiers costing $369 or $399.
Lastly, Anker today announced a home security camera under its Eufy branding. The wireless camera offers one year of battery life and features face recognition, base station battery backup, free local storage. Pricing and release date have yet to be announced.
Apple's latest Apple Pay promotion, which is Halloween-themed, offers Apple Pay users three free bonus credits when making a purchase of $10 or more in the TouchTunes jukebox app on iOS devices.
TouchTunes is designed to let users play the jukebox at more than 65,000 bars and restaurants across the United States. To get the credit, users will need to download TouchTunes and make a $10+ credits purchase to receive the free credits. Credits within TouchTunes are used to play songs at local jukeboxes.
According to the fine print of the deal, it will last from October 24 to 11:59 Pacific Time on October 31 in the United States and Canada. Only one reward is available per person and per Apple Pay account.
Apple's promotional email also highlights several other apps designed for party planning, including Party City, Pizza Hut, and Walgreens, along with Lyft, Postmates, and Uber for avoiding Halloween traffic.
Apple customers in Australia and New Zealand are always the first to get their hands on new devices on launch day because of time zone differences, and the iPhone XR is no exception.
It's now morning time in Australia and New Zealand and customers who pre-ordered one of Apple's new devices are beginning to receive their shipments. New iPhone XR owners have started sharing photos of the device on Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, and the MacRumors forums.
There are no Apple Stores located in New Zealand, so customers in Australia were the first to be able to purchase an iPhone XR from an Apple retail location. Given that iPhone XR stock quantities remained strong following pre-orders on October 19, Apple should have plenty of stock available for walk-in purchases around the world.
Following New Zealand and Australia, iPhone XR sales will kick off in Asia, Europe, and finally, North America. Apple Stores globally are opening up at 8:00 a.m. local time to allow customers to pick up reserved devices and make walk-in purchases.
In the United States, the first new device deliveries and sales will take place on the East Coast starting at 8:00 a.m.
Aside from Apple, other retailers including carriers and big box stores are also stocking the iPhone XR and should have supply available for launch day purchases.
We'll be sharing first impressions of the new device from actual Apple customers in Australia and New Zealand, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors and if you've received one of the new iPhone XR models, let us know what you think.
