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Samsung Addresses Note 7 Customer Concerns in Video Message Apology

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Amid a global recall of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones which have been identified as a potential fire hazard, Samsung has taken the unusual step of directly addressing customers in a video message posted on its website.

In the video, Samsung America president and COO Tim Baxter admits that "we did not meet the standard of excellence that you expect and deserve".

samsung-apology

Samsung America president and COO Tim Baxter addresses customers.

For that, we apologise, especially to those of you who were personally affected by this. To those of you who love the Note, the most loyal customers in our Samsung family, we appreciate your passion and your patience. We take seriously our responsibility to address your concerns about safety. And we work every day to earn back your trust, through a number of unprecedented actions and with the extraordinary support of our carrier partners, suppliers, and the United States Consumer Productions Safety Commission.

Here are the facts: the CPSC has worked closely with us to develop, expedite and execute a plan to protect American consumers. We notified them of a potential defect in the original Note 7 batteries and then issued a global directive to stop sales immediately. To date, we have already exchanged a 130,000 units - a fast and meaningful start. And with the CPSC's partnership, we will continue implementing corrective steps to exchange every single Note 7 on the market.

To be clear, the Note 7 with the new battery is safe. The battery cell issue is resolved. And this finding has been affirmed by a recognized independent lithium-ion battery expert. To our Note 7 owners, if you have not yet replaced your original Note 7, please, please, power it down, and return it.

The video was timed to coincide with an official CPSC announcement of the recall that came on Thursday, which prohibits by U.S. federal law the sale of Note 7 handsets.

The directive comes 13 days after Samsung first acknowledged the magnitude of the problem and Consumer Reports urged the company to prevent all sales of the potentially dangerous phone, which has caused 55 recorded cases of property damage and 26 burn cases so far.

According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials say that the company has "exacerbated the situation in the way it has communicated with regulators and consumers" by offering initially "conflicting information". The video appears to be a response to that charge.

Samsung promises that replacement phones will be ready for exchange no later than next Wednesday, September 21.

Tag: Samsung
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iPhone 7 Undergoes Extreme Durability Test in New Video [Updated]

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Hardware review YouTube channel JerryRigEverything has put the new iPhone 7 through an intensive durability test, concluding that Apple has designed a "solid phone" with good build quality, but with a couple of reservations.

The latest video shows how a black matte iPhone 7 stands up to scratching, applied heat, and bending. In the first test, the screen stands up to a utility knife with no problems. However, when a harder level 6 mineral pick is applied it incurs damage, suggesting that coins and keys won't scratch it, but care should be taken to protect it against other abrasive materials that can be found in pockets and purses.


The iPhone 7 screen also lasts almost 10 seconds on contact with an open flame, after which the pixels get warm and turn off before completely recovering within seconds. In conclusion, screen durability is described as being "on par with typical smartphone screen hardness".

On the back of the phone, the anodized aluminum casing on the matte black model holds up well against key scratches, leaving hardly a mark, but it can't stand up to the cut of a razor blade.

Elsewhere, the new Taptic Engine home button stands up to the assaults of a razor blade, but suffers a deep scratch with a mid-level hardness pick. JerryRigEverything claims that this proves it is regular glass and not sapphire, contradicting Apple's own specifications for the phone.

Similarly, the rear camera lens on the iPhone 7 is demonstrated to be scratch-resistant when a razor blade is used, but it scratches deeply with a level 6 hardness pick. According to the reviewer, sapphire would be expected to withstand up to level 9, so the lens isn't sapphire either, but Apple would disagree. Meanwhile, the buttons are confirmed as metal, while the antenna bands remain plastic.

From a purely durability perspective, JerryRigEverything calls the removal of the headphone jack on the new iPhone "an extremely bad move", owing to the fact that two accessory types – headphones and charging cables – must now use the same port, doubling the rate of wear and tear. Another reason to use wireless headphones instead, perhaps.

Lastly, the bend test confirms the iPhone 7's aluminum chassis isn't susceptible to bending like the iPhone 6, which received plenty of criticism for this. However, waterproofing adhesive between the screen and the frame does begin to tear when significant pressure is applied, suggesting that sitting on the phone is still inadvisable.

Update: Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller has confirmed that the top of the home button and the lens cover are both made of sapphire.

Tags: Bend Test, Bendgate
Related Forum: iPhone
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Apple Removed HomeKit Support for Third-Generation Apple TV With iOS 10 [Updated]

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Apple is quietly phasing out HomeKit hub support for the third-generation Apple TV, meaning users who update their iPhones and iPads with iOS 10 will not be able to use the remote access feature in the Home app unless they have a fourth-generation set-top box.

Since HomeKit's announcement in 2014, iOS device owners running iOS 8.1 or later have been able to communicate with their third-generation Apple TV over iCloud remote access, which enables the set-top box to relay commands to HomeKit accessories when they're away from home.

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However, Apple has been confirming via its Twitter support account that once users update their devices to iOS 10, only a fourth-generation Apple TV or later is able to act as a HomeKit hub using the Home app to communicate remotely with the home automation platform. Apple has updated its support document on HomeKit remote access to reflect the change.

The news will no doubt come as a blow to owners of third-generation Apple TVs who use the feature, with the lack of HomeKit support in iOS 10 signaling another nail in the coffin for the older set-top box, which lacks native tvOS features like the App Store and Siri integration only available on the later model.


Apple's staggered depreciation of the third-gen device was also reflected in news last week that the company is pulling the device from its retail stores, with staff instructed to remove any remaining models from store shelves.

On Tuesday, Apple released tvOS 10 for the fourth-gen Apple TV, which added Siri support for managing HomeKit accessories, the ability to control HomeKit using third-party apps, and a whole host of other new features.

Update: Apple has published an updated support document to reflect the fact that the third-generation Apple TV works with remote access in iOS 10 (with the exception of HomeKit-enabled cameras), but does not support set-up of HomeKit automation or user permissions.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, iOS 10
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Apple Not Accepting Returns or Exchanges in Hong Kong

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iphone7-plus-jetblack-select-2016Apple updated its purchase policy for Hong Kong today to reflect that all Apple and Beats products purchased at its retail stores in the region cannot be returned or exchanged.

The exact reason for Apple suddenly disallowing returns and exchanges at its five Hong Kong retail locations, and whether it is a temporary move, remains unclear at this time.

Apple previously allowed customers in Hong Kong to return or exchange undamaged products with the original receipt and packaging within 14 days of the date of purchase.

The change was made on the same day iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus launched in Hong Kong, where the smartphones have been reselling on the black market for up to 15,000 Hong Kong dollars, or up to $1,933 in U.S. dollars. CNBC and South China Morning Post both ran articles about these lucrative scalping efforts, which have become commonplace with every iPhone launch, earlier today.

Hong Kong is a hotbed for black market electronics due to the lack of import taxes and duties added to foreign goods purchased, as is the case in neighboring mainland China. Scalpers often attempt to illegally smuggle new iPhones across the border to mainland China to make significant profits, including one smuggler caught with 94 iPhones strapped to his body in 2015.

A tipster informed MacRumors that the return policy change also applies in Macau, another special administrative region of China.

Tags: Apple Store, Hong Kong, Return Policy
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How to Customize Favorite Contacts in iOS

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2013 08 26 09 38 25 Phone iOS7 App Icon RoundedOn iPhone, Apple has a neat way to organize your favorite contacts and even access them quickly, thanks to its Home screen widget system. In addition to adding one-tap phone calling icons, you can customize whether each contact icon will call, FaceTime, text, or email the person you tap on.

Note that the basic communication preferences stored within each contact card on your iPhone will come into play when customizing your new favorites widget, so be sure to add in any phone numbers and email addresses before you start if you haven't done so already.

Customize Favorites in the Phone App

Follow these steps to navigate through the new way you can customize favorites in the phone app.

  1. Launch the Phone app on your iPhone.
  2. The app should open on the Favorites tab, but if not tap to it.
  3. Tap the "+" button in the top-left corner of the screen.
  4. Search for the contact you want to add and tap it.
    phone app

  5. Choose between Message, Call, Video, or Mail as your shortcut.
  6. To pick a number or email other than the one shown as default, tap the small down arrow to the right of Message, Call, Video, or Mail to pick from any number/email already stored in your phone for this contact.
  7. Return to the Favorites tab and your new quick access contact will be at the bottom of your Favorites list.
  8. Tap Edit in the top-right corner to delete or reprioritize contacts. You can also swipe left on a favorite in your Favorites list and tap Delete to remove it.

When organizing your new favorite contacts, be sure to note that the first four contacts will receive top billing in the favorites widget, but a total of eight can fit.

Setting Up the Favorites Widget

The favorites list's granular settings allow you to jump into the contacts you only text with, while still accommodating those people you more often speak with on the phone. The personalization doesn't stop there, however. Follow the next few steps to get your favorites widget up and running.

  1. Navigate to the widgets screen by swiping right on your iPhone's main Home screen, Notification Center, or Lock screen.
  2. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of your widgets and tap Edit.
  3. Find Favorites and tap the small green plus button to add it to your widgets.
    widgets

  4. Use the triple bar or "hamburger" icon on the right side of the screen to move favorites further up or down the list.
  5. Hit Done to save your changes.
  6. You'll see your favorite contacts as a widget, with the top four contacts getting premium placement.
  7. Tap the little chevron in the top-right corner of the widget to expand it for a total of eight contacts.

Since the favorites widget can show up to eight contacts, you can return to the phone app to add and rearrange your most important friends, family members, and co-workers to see the changes reflected in the widget.

Your customization options include: adding multiple methods of communication for one person (all four if you contact one person multiple ways frequently), removing the default phone call options for message-focused contacts, and setting your top four most used contacts to save room on the widgets screen, without needing to use the "Show More" option.

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Apple Pays $118 Million Tax Bill in Japan After Underreporting Profits

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apple-red-logoApple has paid some 12 billion yen ($118 million) to Japan after underreporting income in the country, according to broadcaster NHK (via Reuters). The company has yet to comment on the matter.

Japanese tax authorities determined that Apple failed to pay withholding taxes on profits it earned from subscribers in Japan and shifted to its Irish subsidiary to pay for software licensing.

The Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau determined that the unit, which sends part of its profits earned from fees paid by Japan subscribers to another Apple unit in Ireland to pay for software licensing, had not been paying a withholding tax on those earnings in Japan, according to broadcaster NHK.

The news comes just over two weeks after the European Commission ordered Ireland to collect 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion) from Apple in unpaid taxes. The executive body said Apple received illegal state aid from Ireland, allowing it to pay a less than 2 percent tax rate between 2003 and 2014. Apple said it is confident the decision "will be reversed," and Ireland has also vowed to appeal.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tags: Corporate Tax, Japan
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Apple Watch Series 2 Teardown Shows Larger Battery and Swimproof Design

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iFixit has published a work-in-progress Apple Watch Series 2 teardown that reveals a 273 mAh battery in the 38mm model, which is 33% larger than the 205 mAh battery in the original 38mm Apple Watch. However, battery life is equal to Series 1 models, likely because of the additions of a GPS and brighter display.

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The teardown says the Apple Watch Series 2's adhesive is "much stronger" than the original Apple Watch, and iFixit assumes this is related to improved water resistance. It also appears that Apple has added a larger metal shield next to the Digital Crown, which is also likely an improved waterproofing measure.

Apple Watch Series 2 is marketed as swimproof, with an improved water resistance rating of up to 50 meters that makes it safe to use while swimming, showering, fishing, washing hands, jogging in the rain, and similar shallow water activities. Apple does not recommend scuba diving, waterskiing, or other high-velocity water activities.

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The teardown also revealed the Apple Watch's new S2 chip, larger Taptic Engine for haptic feedback, new antenna module with a GPS, the addition of a second microphone, and a redesigned speaker that is designed to fill with water, then vibrate to pump excess water from the body of the speaker.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tags: iFixit, Teardown
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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iPhone 7 Plus Teardown Confirms Longer-Lasting 2,900 mAh Battery and 3GB of RAM

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iFixit has published a work-in-progress iPhone 7 Plus teardown that provides a closer look at the smartphone's internal components, including the battery, display, cameras, logic board, and Taptic Engine for the new pressure-sensitive Home button. Interestingly, the smartphone now opens to it side rather than to the top.

iphone-7-plus-teardown
iFixit said the adhesive strip sealing the iPhone 7 Plus is "considerably stronger" than the strip it found in the iPhone 6s Plus, while opening the device revealed lots of glue running along the perimeter of the smartphone. The teardown experts believe the excess glue could be part of Apple's efforts to add water resistance.

The space previously occupied by the 3.5mm headphone jack on older iPhone models now houses the Taptic Engine and a plastic bumper internally covering the cosmetic speaker holes to the left of the Lightning connector. The small plastic piece is likely another waterproofing measure by Apple.

The teardown confirms the 5.5-inch model has a 2,900 mAh battery, which is just over 5% larger than the 2,750 mAh battery in the iPhone 6s Plus. The battery is rated at 3.82V and 11.1Wh of energy. Apple says the iPhone 7 Plus has up to 1 hour longer battery life than the iPhone 6s Plus.

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The iPhone 7 Plus camera array is as expected, including two separate sensors, two lenses, and optical image stabilization on the wide-angle lens.

Meanwhile, the logic board contains Apple's A10 Fusion chip, 3GB of LPDDR4 RAM from Samsung, and Qualcomm's Snapdragon X12 LTE modem for international markets (iFixit purchased their iPhone from Japan). Flash storage is supplied by Toshiba, while audio chips are supplied by Cirrus Logic.

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Other interesting anecdotes include the continued use of pentalobe screws, rubber gaskets on the SIM tray and around the ring/silent switch for waterproofing, and confirmation that the pressure-sensitive Home button is still removable. Additional photos can be found on the iFixit website.

iFixit said it will start its iPhone 7 teardown following its iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch Series 2 teardowns.

Tags: iFixit, Teardown
Related Forum: iPhone
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iPhone 7 Plus, 128GB, and Black Models Prove Most Popular With Pre-Order Customers

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Slice Intelligence has shared new data that suggests the iPhone 7 Plus has outsold the iPhone 7 in the United States, marking the first time Plus-sized iPhones have proven more popular than 4.7-inch models, based on e-receipt data from nearly 32,000 customers who belong to the research firm's panel.

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The data shows that, in the first 48 hours of availability, 55 percent of customers ordered the iPhone 7 Plus, compared to 41 percent for the iPhone 6s Plus and 35 percent for the iPhone 6 Plus. The 5.5-inch model is a more attractive option this year given it has dual cameras, while the 4.7-inch model retains a single-lens camera.

55.9 percent of customers who pre-ordered an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus had previously purchased at least one iPhone between 2014 and now, according to Slice Intelligence. 34 percent of customers had not purchased any smartphone since 2014, while the remaining shoppers switched from Samsung, LG, and Motorola.

iphone-7-colors-popularity
Meanwhile, given the lack of Space Gray this year, Black has emerged as the new most popular iPhone color, accounting for 46 percent of pre-orders. Jet Black is also a popular choice, selected by 23 percent of customers, although limited supply of Jet Black models has pushed shipments of Jet Black models to November, likely leading many customers to choose Black, Gold, Rose Gold, or Silver instead.

Rose Gold models, first introduced on the iPhone 6s, represented 15 percent of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus pre-orders, while Gold and Silver models trailed behind with 9 percent and 8 percent of orders respectively.

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For the past three iPhone launches, over 60 percent of pre-orders over the first two days were on the middle storage option, according to Slice Intelligence. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus continue that trend, with 128GB proving most popular at 67 percent, followed by 32GB at 14 percent and the all-new 256GB tier at 19 percent.

Slice Intelligence tracks e-receipts from 4.2 million online shoppers in the U.S., allegedly the largest panel of its kind, that sign up for the company's value-added services such as Slice and Unroll.me. Slice, for example, is a free app for tracking packages, receipts, price drops, product recall alerts, and more.

Slice Intelligence has charts with more detailed information on its website.

Tag: Slice Intelligence
Related Forum: iPhone
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Best Buy Delays Some iPhone 7 Plus Orders, Offers $100 Promo Code as Compensation

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Some customers who pre-ordered an iPhone 7 or an iPhone 7 Plus from Best Buy are getting some bad news less than 24 hours before the official launch date, with Best Buy sending out delay notification emails this evening.

We've heard several reports from disappointed customers who are now seeing delayed shipments of their iPhone 7 Plus models that were originally scheduled to deliver on launch day, September 16. It is not clear if Best Buy has also delayed some iPhone 7 models.

bestbuydelayemail

According to the emails customers are receiving, they can now expect to receive their devices on October 7, a full three weeks after launch. As compensation for the delay, Best Buy is offering customers a free $100 promo code to be used on a future Best Buy purchase.

Yesterday, Best Buy also began notifying customers who pre-ordered the Apple Watch Series 2 that their devices would be delayed. Customers who originally had a delivery scheduled for 9/16 will not get their new watches until September 28.

Supplies of the iPhone 7 Plus and the Jet Black iPhone 7 are highly constrained, leading Apple to announce that no iPhone 7 Plus models and no Jet Black iPhone 7 models will be available for walk-in purchases tomorrow, with stock having been fully depleted during pre-orders.


Apple recommends customers instead place orders for the iPhone 7 Plus online, where many models list shipping estimates of two to three weeks, and up to November in the case of the Jet Black iPhone 7 Plus. Apple Stores are expected to have some iPhone 7 stock available for walk-in customers, and carrier stores may also have very limited quantities of the iPhone 7 Plus.

Tag: Best Buy
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Apple's First Walk-In Customers Leave With iPhone 7 Instead of iPhone 7 Plus, But Get Free $100 Gift Cards

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Five students from Sydney, Australia, namely Bishoy Behman, Mazen Kourouche, Marcus Barsoum, Matthew Alvarez, and Paul Behman, were the first customers in the world to walk out of an Apple retail store with an all-new iPhone today, although without the specific model they had been hoping for.

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The students had been taking turns waiting since Wednesday morning local time for the chance to purchase an iPhone 7 Plus in Jet Black, but Apple later announced that no iPhone 7 Plus models in any color, or iPhone 7 models in Jet Black, will be available on launch day for walk-in customers.

The students were disappointed, but ultimately walked away with two iPhone 7 models each and $100 Apple gift cards provided by the store. Some customers who lined up elsewhere were provided with Apple gift cards of lesser value, but others received nothing, suggesting it was not a companywide initiative.

Despite rainy and windy conditions, and the lack of iPhone 7 Plus availability, the video below shows that hundreds of customers still showed up at the flagship Apple Sydney location for the launch today.


Just a few hours earlier, the first iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus pre-order deliveries began in New Zealand, and orders are now beginning in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore. The first-wave launch will continue through to Alaska and Hawaii as the date reaches September 16 across the world.

Apple has not indicated when stores will receive more iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus shipments, but in-store reservations will resume on September 17 at 8:00 a.m. local time in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Hong Kong, and on September 17 at 6:00 a.m. local time in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the U.K.

Tag: Apple Store
Related Forum: iPhone
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Apple's Augmented Reality Team Gains Hires From Oculus, Magic Leap

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Just a day after Apple CEO Tim Cook shared his views on augmented reality in an interview with Good Morning America, Business Insider has unearthed two recent hires Apple poached from companies with expertise in augmented and virtual reality.

Zeyu Li, who served as a principal computer vision engineer at Magic Leap, is now working at Apple as a "Senior Computer Vision Algorithm Engineer." Magic Leap, for those unfamiliar, is a startup developing a head-mounted display similar to the HoloLens from Microsoft, designed to project virtual objects into the real world.

Yury Petrov, a former research scientist at Facebook-owned Oculus, is now serving as a "research scientist" at Apple. According to his LinkedIn profile, Petrov studied virtual reality experiences, prototyped optics, and developed computer simulation software. Despite his vague title, given his expertise, it's reasonable to imagine he's working on similar projects at Apple.

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Psychophysical and physiological studies of visual and multisensory experience of virtual reality (VR) including user experience factors in head-mounted displays (HMD). Determined perceptual constraints on HMD hardware parameters. Research and development of novel optical systems for HMD. Prototyped optics of superior quality. Developed a popular Matlab library for computer simulations in optics (Optometrika). Research and development of new types of VR controllers. Prototyped controllers significantly increasing user enjoyment of VR. Research and development of 3D audio stimulation for VR.

Rumors have suggested Apple has a dedicated team exploring augmented and virtual reality and how the emerging technologies could be used in future Apple products. Apple has been building up its team over the course of the last several months through new hires and acquisitions of companies like Metaio, Flyby Media, and Faceshift.

Apple is said to be working on developing several prototype VR/AR headsets, and Apple CEO Tim Cook has spoken about augmented reality several times over the course of the last few months.

In July, Cook said Apple is "high on AR in the long run" and said Apple continues to "invest a lot in this." Earlier this week, he said that he believes augmented reality, rather than virtual reality, is "the larger of the two" because it allows people to "be very present" while using the technology.

In addition to the new hires, developer Steven Troughton-Smith recently discovered Apple has included references to a "HeadMountedDisplayRenderingTechnique" in SceneKit code since iOS 9, perhaps already laying the groundwork for future products.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro
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Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 13 With Bug Fixes and Feature Tweaks

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safaripreviewiconApple today released another update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

Safari Technology Preview release 13 includes bug fixes and updates for Fetch API, Custom Elements, JavaScript, Web APIs, Web Inspector, CSS, Rendering, and Plugins.

As of release 8, Safari Technology Preview has supported Apple Pay in the web browser, a feature set to launch as part of macOS Sierra.

The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Versions are available for developers running both macOS Sierra and OS X El Capitan. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple's goal with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can be run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Tag: Safari Technology Preview
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First iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Pre-Order Customers in New Zealand Begin Receiving Shipments

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With time zone differences, Apple customers in Australia and New Zealand are always the first to get their new devices when orders begin shipping out.

It's just about 9:00 a.m. in New Zealand, so customers who pre-ordered an iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, or Apple Watch Series 2 are beginning to receive their shipments and have begun sharing photos of their devices on social networks like Instagram and Twitter. Deliveries will begin soon in Australia.

iphone7newzealand

Image via Instagram user Hamad960

As September 16 hits around the world, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, US Virgin Islands and the US.

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Image via Instagram user 0anna0banana0

Retail stores in those countries will be opening at 8:00 a.m. local time letting customers pick up reserved devices and purchase new phones via walk-in. Customers who did not pre-order will have a limited selection of iPhones for walk-in purchases, as Apple has said there are no iPhone 7 Plus models and no Jet Black iPhone 7 models available at all.


Customers who planned to wait in line to obtain an iPhone 7 Plus or a Jet Black iPhone 7 should instead order online. Delivery estimates for those devices range into November based on color and configuration.

In the United States, the first iPhone 7 deliveries will begin starting at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time, with the first deliveries occurring on the east coast.

Related Forum: iPhone
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Messages in iOS 10: How to Send Handwritten Notes

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The Messages app in iOS 10 has been entirely overhauled, adding a slew of new capabilities that make it more fun to keep in touch with friends and family. One of the more personal touches added to Messages is a new handwriting feature, which allows users to send handwritten messages to their loved ones.

Using the handwriting feature is simple, but it's also a bit hidden on the iPhone, because the button to activate it won't show up unless you're in landscape mode. Here's how to do it:

  1. On an iPhone, turn it to landscape mode. On the iPad, you can use handwriting in landscape or portrait mode.

    handwrittennote

  2. Tap the handwriting squiggle to the right of the return key on the iPhone or to the right of the number key on the iPad. On the iPhone 6 and 6s, the handwriting screen will pop up automatically.
  3. Use a finger to write whatever you would like to say on the screen. Once you reach the end of the screen, press the arrow if you would like to keep writing. Go back to the beginning by using a two finger swipe.

    handwrittenote2

  4. Alternatively, tap one of the pre-written options below, which include phrases like "thank you," "happy birthday," and "I'm sorry."
  5. When finished, tap "Done" to return to the standard keyboard. Your handwritten message will be available as an image to send in the message compose box.

    handwrittennote3

After you send your handwritten message to someone, it will display as a neat little animation that lets the person on the other end watch as you write each letter. Handwritten messages need to be viewed within the Messages app and notifications for them will simply read "Handwritten Message."

handwrittenmessagenotification
Message length is limited to two screens on the iPhone or iPad, so the handwriting feature is primarily designed for short phrases meant to complement longer text messages, but it's a simple addition that adds a sweet personal touch to your conversations. As a bonus, it can also be used to send little drawings, much like Digital Touch.

Related Forum: iOS 10
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Regulatory Filings May Point to Apple Partnership With Wireless Charging Firm Energous

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Apple may be working with Energous on a wireless charging project according to regulatory filings discovered by VentureBeat. Energous certification documents dating back to 2014 features a mysterious "Apple compliance testing" listing, which could hint at a partnership.

According to VentureBeat, this is proof Apple is considering using Energous' WattUp wireless charging technology in one of its devices, but it should be noted that this listing isn't concrete proof of a relationship - it could also be a reference to MFi testing for an iPhone case or other WattUp iPhone accessory.

The conclusion here is obvious: the WattUp reference design would only undergo compliance testing at Apple if Apple is evaluating its use in one of its portable devices. And the fact that Energous names the company so nonchalantly and unambiguously seems to be suggestive of a well-formed relationship between the two.

While there continues to be no undeniable proof that Energous is working with Apple, there have been other hints. Energous has claimed it is working with "one of the top five consumer electronics companies," it has relationships with Apple manufacturers TSMC and Foxconn, and both are members of ANSI.

Energous also happens to be the only company that has a long-distance RF-based wireless charging system (WattUp) that's nearly ready to launch in consumer products. According to rumors, Apple is working on an extended range wireless charging solution, which would allow the iPhone to be charged at a distance without the need to be placed on a mat or other charging base. WattUp transmitters can charge devices located up to 15 feet away.

Apple is said to be planning to introduce wireless charging in the 2017 iPhone and may be working to overcome obstacles like the loss of power transfer efficiency that occurs when the distance between the transmitter and the receiver increases.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, "Wireless is the future." Given the recent removal of the headphone jack and the need for the Lightning port to serve multiple functions, wireless charging is a logical next step.

Over the course of the last several months, Apple has been hiring engineers with expertise in wireless charging and it's rumored to be seeking a supplier for wireless charging chips, suggesting there are plans in motion for the next-generation iPhone.

Read more on a possible partnership between Energous and WattUp.

Tags: Energous, WattUp
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Apple Releases Second Golden Master of macOS Sierra for Developers

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Apple today released an updated golden master (GM) version of macOS Sierra to developers, a week and a day after releasing the first golden master following its September 7 event. The golden master represents the final version of macOS Sierra that will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 20.

The golden master update can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center at this time, and it is not clear if it will be available through the Mac App Store. The new GM seed is build 16A323, while the build released last week was 16A320.

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macOS Sierra is a major update that brings Siri to the Mac for the first time, allowing users to conduct voice searches to quickly find files, look up information, and more. New Continuity features offer an "Auto Unlock" option for unlocking a Mac with an Apple Watch and a "Universal Clipboard" for copying text on one Apple device and pasting it on another.

Deeper iCloud integration allows files stored on the desktop or the Documents folder of a Mac to be accessed on all of a user's devices, and Photos features deep learning algorithms for improved facial, object, and scene recognition. There's also a Memories feature for displaying photo collections, and Messages has rich links, bigger emoji, and "Tapback" response options.

Apple Pay is coming to the web in macOS Sierra, with payments authenticated through an iPhone or Apple Watch, and new features like multiple tabs, Picture in Picture multitasking, optimized storage, and revamped emoji are also available.

macOS Sierra will be officially released to the public on September 20 and it will be available for free to all users with a compatible Mac. For full details on all of the new features included in the update, make sure to check out our macOS Sierra roundup.

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T-Mobile Tells Customers Not to Install iOS 10 on iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and SE [Update: Fixed]

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T-Mobile CEO John Legere says T-Mobile customers who own an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or iPhone SE should not install Apple's iOS 10 update, released on Tuesday. According to Legere, iOS 10 is causing those three iPhone models to lose connection to the T-Mobile network.

iphone-6s-colors
Legere's comments come following customer complaints that started circulating following T-Mobile's latest carrier update, 25.1. It was initially believed the problem was the carrier update on T-Mobile's end, but Legere says that's not the case.

Apple is working to resolve the problem, but in the meantime, customers should avoid the update. T-Mobile has offered a fix for those who have already updated to iOS 10 and are experiencing connectivity issues -- restart. According to the company, the only way to resume connectivity is to restart the iPhone each time that it loses connection.

Apple is expected to have a fix ready in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Update: According to T-Mobile, Apple has fixed the issue for customers who were experiencing disconnects.


A T-Mobile Support document instructs users to go to Settings --> General --> About to install a new carrier update, 25.2.

Tag: T-Mobile
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