According to DigiTimes Apple could release a new entry level Kaby Lake based MacBook in September priced around $1200.00
The piece claims Apple originally wanted a design based around a new 10nm Intel CPU, but had to adopt kaby Lake due to ongoing delays from Intel
I still think this will be the merging of the Macbook Air and MacBook lines.
What happens to a sub-$1000 notebook offering?
Bloomberg also has reported about a new low-cost MacBook. 13-inch Retina display with a MacBook Air style look with thinner bezels.
The reports also claim:
Apple's AirPower charger will be priced between $160-190 USD
New "pro" Mac mini
Coming from a Bloomberg report
Focused at "app developers, those running home media centers, and server farm managers"
They mention new storage and processor options, but don't discuss what they are or pricing
The Mac mini server, at $999.00 USD was popular because it allowed for two 1TB drives.
It's not mentioned in the piece, but I'd also assume the low cost version would get some spec bumps as well since it's not been updated in four years.
Could be fewer Apple Watch models this year
This past week Apple filed a registration for six new Apple Watch models with the Eurasian economic database.
The filings are legally required for any encrypted devices sold in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.
Sparked some theories because currently with the Series 3 there are 8 models.
The most popular conclusion is that Apple may get rid of the pricier ceramic versions.
I think it's just as good a possibility that they would merge the wi-fi and cellular versions into a single model at the lower price point.
Simplifies the line up and offers carriers an upsell opportunity.
Ming Chi Kuo has said this years models would have a slight design tweak
Larger screens with less bezel. About 15 percent larger while keeping the same physical sizes.
He's also said the new models would have longer battery life and improved health monitoring capabilities.
Other rumored features
Switch to "haptic" side buttons and digital crown button for better water resistance
MicroLED technology in the display. Not likely due to high production costs (4-6 times higher then OLED)
Support for the Qi standard
More storage? Last year 8GB Wi-Fi and 16GB LTE
I'm still rocking a Series 2 and not sure what it's take to get me to upgrade.
Possible health improvements: improved heart-rate monitoring, improved health-tracking options, UV sun exposure tracking.
Many want to see non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and it's something that supposedly Apple and others are working on, but likely still years from showing up in an Apple Watch.
New material could mean faster iPhone charging
And it's not really new as much as it is a different and "pure" one.
A piece from the China Times claims Apple is planning to to change the material used for the wireless charging coil in at least one of it's 2018 iPhone models.
Currently the coils are made from ferrite polymer composite (FPC) which is a mixture of iron, at least one other metal, and plastic.
The "new" coil would be simply coper wire which is a bit thicker but has less resistance allowing for higher charging rates.
Copper coils also have the advantage of generating less heat while charging.
Apple current technology is capped at 7.5W. Today's fastest speeds can, in theory, double that rate, but more commonly we see "rapid" chargers at about 10W. Apple's included wall charger is 5W, but today an iPhone X with 18W USB-C charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable is the fastest you can get.
In tests done by Mac Rumors charging rates from 0 after 60 minutes
46 percent with a 7.5W wireless charger
72 percent with the 12W wired Apple iPad charger
79 percent with a USB-C 18W charger
For iPhones this year there are not many new rumors
Three phones in this years line up expected to adopt the iPhone X design and feature set
5.8-inch and 6.5-inch OLED models, a "lower" priced 6.1-inch LCD model (aluminum frame vs. steel).
TrueDepth camera system, FaceID, edge-to-edge display, no home button
New processors (A12) and upgraded camera systems (don't know specs).
A Bloomberg piece says some internally at Apple are referring to it as a "S-series" launch.
Some saying Apple toyed with calling them the iPhone Xs models?
Also dropping the "Plus"
I think iPhone, iPhone X, and iPhone X Plus makes the most sense. Or just "iPhone" with three configuration options.
One new bit of info is that the LCD model may also be available in a variety of colors.
Does that mean anything for the future of the SE line?
Apple has been trying to increase the ASP of iPhones since sales have begun to slow.
Ming Chi-Kuo thinks there could be a "slight" delay with the release of the 6.1-inch model due to production issue
October vs September when the updated 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch models are expected.
He think the LCD model will be Apple's top seller accounting for 50 to 50 percent of sales in the back half of the year and 65 to 70 percent in 2019.
Also said this years models wouldn't include Apple Pencil support due to the lack of a "good user experience".
A Barclay's analyst thinks Apple could drop 3D touch from all the models
There's been speculation from the beginning that the LCD model might not have it.
I doubt Apple would drop it all together.
iPads are also rumored
New reduced bezel designs in almost 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes.
No home buttons, FaceID, and TrueDepth cameras.
Updated processors, cameras, the usual stuff.
No update to the iPad mini, but Apple will keep the iPad mini 4 in the line up. (last update Sept. 2015)
Speculation is swirling around what day Apple will hold it's Fall event
Typically it falls on the second week of September, so we should be getting close to seeing an invite go out.
Many are guessing at Wednesday September 12th., but last year it was also the 12th and that was a Tuesday.
September 11th would not be used and Thursday is an odd day for a launch. They delayed a day in 2012 for the same reason.
The 4th would be too soon, plus it's the day after Labor Day.
A German site claims pre-orders would start September 14th.
Add to all of this the ever increasing rate of iOS 12 beta updates and signs point to SOON
More Apple video series news
New York Times reports that Apple received the rights to "Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change", a novelistic article written by Nathaniel Rich for New York Times Magazine
The piece took up an entire issue and covered how, from 1979 to 1989, a small group of American scientists, activists and politicians tried to save the world from the ravages of climate change before it was too late.
The article was based on more than 18 months of reporting and over 100 interviews.
Apple's has placed the order for the "Foundation" TV series based on the Issac Asimov novels
Apple won the development bid for the series back in April
It's being produced by Skydance Television and David S. Goyer and Josh Friedman are serving as executive producers and show runners
Goyer has worked on projects like The Dark Knight, Batman Begins, Ghost Rider, Blade and the SyFy Channel Krypton series
Friedman is know for Avatar 2, the War of the Worlds remake and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The piece seems to imply they have confirmation from Apple will launch it's streaming service in 2019. Could just be bad writing?
"Apple has said it will start streaming its television offerings next year"
Apple carrier promo bring 200GB iCloud storage
This showed up in a Reddit post.
Offer is for new iCloud customers in the US who sign up customers who sign up with the $2.99 200GB iCloud storage plan.
If you're with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon you can get your first two month's free.
After that you'll be charged unless you automatically cancel.
When I read this piece i was going to bag on Apple for the paltry amount of Free storage they provide, but then I compared the competition
iCloud is 5GB for Free. $2.99/mo 200GB, $9.99/mo. 2TB
Dropbox 2GB Free (up to 16GB with referrals). $10 1TB, and $19.99 2TB
Google Drive, 15GB Free, 100GB $1.99/mo. 200GB $2.99/mo.2TB $9.99/mo. and 10TB $99/mo.
That said, Apple's storage is a bit different because to use iCloud backup, or Photos, Desktop sync etc.
The minimum storage on an iPhone is now 32GB, so almost out of the box you can't even use iCloud backup without leveling up.
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I received an email from Donna about an issue she experienced in her vehicle while using an inexpensive USB car charger adapter.
You can get these anywhere these days for a couple bucks.
The one she was using actually doubles as a wall charger
A little background, the trouble she ran into has to do with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which is federally mandated in all US vehicles made after 2009.
A reed switch in the tire broadcasts a signal to the system after you reach a certain speed. It happens from each tire every 30 seconds or so.
If the signal is interrupted it will throw a fault code and trip your TPMS light.
The system is susceptible to RF interference which cheap chargers or power inverters can cause it because they often lack proper RF shielding.
So, as usual, be really careful when building these cheap throw-away kinds of products. They're often cheap for a reason.
Comes with trip logging, business tagging, fill-up logging
Has built in GPS and unlimited 3G syncing (no extra contract)
You can set up crash alerts
And lets you get the engine light diagnostic codes
USD $129.00
Two-factor concerns
Susan wrote in to ask about using two-factor authentication on her iCloud account.
She's actually been afraid to use it because of the scenario where she might not have access to a "trusted" device.
So the scenario is, left phone on a plane. Don't have any other trusted device (Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.) and the only trusted phone number on the account is the iPhone.
Good if for some reason the notification isn't coming up.
On iOS:
Settings > [your name]
Tap Password & Security > Get Verification Code.
On a Mac:
System Preferences > iCloud
Click Account Details
Click Security > Get Verification Code.
You can add trusted phone numbers to your account
Alternate numbers like home or office
Numbers fro trusted friends or family members
In your browser go to the [Apple ID](go to appleid.apple.com) site and log into your account
In the Security section next to "Trusted phone numbers" click "Edit"
Click the "Add a Trusted Phone Number…" link.
Enter the number to add and choose to verify with a Text message or a phone call.
I recommend adding a Free Google Voice number or Skype In Number
Enter the six digit number provided and click "Verify"
Click "Done"
As a final final last ditch effort Apple has a verification process you can go through if you cannot access ANY trusted device or ANY trusted phone number, but it will take several days to process (as a security measure).
If you are not using 2-factor authentication everywhere that allows you to use it, please activate it. It is a small "hassle" but give you much better security. It's worth it.
Consider using the authenticator built into 1Password if you're a 1Password user. It's amazing and you don't need an "extra" app.
