iPhone

A research group has released its report on app use and purchasing for the first quarter of 2020 (1Q2020). It has concluded that the average amount of time spent on them per week increased by 20% year-on-year (YoY). In addition, app revenues increased 5% on both the App Store and Play Store.

Apple has filed patents that would allow a device's screen to respond to the user while immersed in water and that allow for rotation that adapts to a human face's orientation. These documents' images suggest that they are intended for mobile devices. Therefore, next-gen iPhones could come with these features.

Rumours about the iPhone SE 2 hit critical mass this morning, with multiple sightings of the upcoming US$349 smartphone contradicting previous claims that Apple plans to launch the device on April 14. In a separate leak, the colours, storage options and first-party cases have been revealed, too. The iPhone SE 2 may not be called the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9 after all, either.

Fortnite maker Epic Games has teamed with Star Wars director J.J. Abrams on a new mobile game for iOS and Android. Dubbed ‘Spyjinx’, the new game will pit players against each other in a multiplayer that mixes action-strategy with RPG character development.

Sony has unveiled the WH-CH710N completely wireless headphones. They are equipped with Automatic Artificial Intelligence Noise Canceling (AINC), which excludes ambient sounds in a way that adapts to the wearer's environment. They are also NFC-enabled for rapid pairing with a mobile device.

Sony has released the WF-XB700 earphones: TWS devices designed to incorporate this OEM's EXTRA BASS technology. They also have an IP4 rating against sweat and water-splashes and ergonomics that may help them stay in the user's ear. These new accessories will become available during April 2020.

Fitbit has unleashed its latest Charge 4 and 4 SE band-style wearables. These devices look much like their predecessors, but now pack advanced features such as on-board GPS. The OEM also claims that they are rated for up to 7 days' worth of battery life.

Looking forward to the launch of the OnePlus 8 series? Well, Apple may have other plans, as rumour has it that the company is planning to scuttle the release of the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro by announcing the iPhone SE 2 on the same day. Expected to start at US$349 and feature the A13 Bionic SoC, the iPhone SE 2 has possibly been spotted in iOS 13.4.5 beta code, too.

While the iPhone SE 2 may start at as low as US$349, Apple is still yet to confirm a launch date of its upcoming "budget" smartphone. Now, it has emerged that case inventory for the device, possibly to be sold as the iPhone 9, has started arriving at retailers like Best Buy ahead of an April 5 launch.

Fans of games like Pokemon GO or Ingress may find it harder to pursue this kind of augmented-reality (AR) gaming while self-isolating against the risk of Covid-19. However, their maker Niantic has announced that it will shortly introduce new updates that make them more compatible with playing while stuck at home.

A study conducted by a broadband internet research group has found that millennials are more likely to develop anxiety at the thought of a voice-call compared to boomers. 50% of the former group also reported getting their parents to make doctor's appointments over the phone for them. However, this aversion abates in those aged 35 or older.

Ready to ship next month, Apple is still considering whether it will release the iPhone SE 2 as planned. Earmarked for a mid-April release, the 4.7-inch handset will be cheaper than previous rumours suggested.

Following the lockdown of India owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Apple has ceased production in the country until at least April 14. With Foxconn and Wistron closing their production facilities, it seems unlikely that any upcoming hardware like the iPhone SE 2 will be released anytime soon.

In his latest research note, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has forecast that Apple will make a large-scale transition to ARM-based MacBooks and Macs in 2021. Previously Kuo had indicated 2021 would be when the first ARM-based Mac would ship, but wasn’t it still wasn’t clear that Apple would take baby steps or go the whole hog. At the time, we correctly speculated that there were good reasons for Apple to go hard on the ARM-based Mac transition and it looks as though the same rationale will drive the change.

Apple has long supported the ability for the Mac to be able to dual boot into Windows via Bootcamp. Now that it comes with native trackpad support, it opens up the intriguing possibility of dual booting into Windows 10 on ARM.

The Xiaomi sub-brand Black Shark has a new accessory: the FunCooler Pro. This, as it may sound, is a smartphone attachment with a fan intended to manage device temperatures while gaming. It has adjustable clamps, and may thus fit onto the backs of phones besides those of its own series.

The failed AirPower project has been revived within Apple, according to tipster Jon Prosser, because the company is keen to push forward with a portless iPhone. Although not calling out the iPhone 12 Pro to get a portless design, it wouldn’t surprise to see Apple advance to a portless design sooner rather than later.

Most IP and Wi-Fi-connected home security cameras are designed to simply detect suspicious movement on a property. However, the Lumus may improve on such products from Reolink in that it also has a built-in spotlight. This augmentation is intended to deter potential intruders from the home.

Amazfit has announced that its iF Design Award for the innovative ZenBuds came in during the week of World Sleep Day this year (March 13, 2020). These TWS earbuds, appropriately enough, have been created in order to support improved nightly rest. They do so through an ultra-light and compact build, ANC and stress-busting features.

Apple is said to be working once again on its failed AirPower project. The tip comes from Jon Prosser who has been a fountain of hot Apple tips lately yesterday pointing to a 5G iPad Pro model he says will debut later this year.

The well-known power accessories brand Aukey has launched the Graphite Pro 15W, a wireless charger that has won a 2020 iF Design Award for its futuristic form-factor. It integrates vents, a fan and "aviation-grade aluminum" to keep it cool during use. This device has been released alongside a slimline new power bank.

Fitbit has thrown many of the normally pay-walled aspects of its ecosystem open to all users as they continue to cope with the ongoing pandemic. This offer comprises 90 days of its Premium package, which includes advanced sleep-tracking options and customized workouts for free. It is open to existing and new users of this platform.

The blog SvetApple has just published revised iPhone 12 renders that incorporate every leak and rumor concerning these upcoming new devices. They include the idea that they may come with the ground-breaking LiDAR functionality debuted in the 2020 iPad Pro. This makes their camera humps into more cohesive-looking squares.

Apple has updated its sales pages with a new drop-down menu in its Bag (checkout) page that allows a user to buy a maximum of only 2 given devices at a time. This applies to the iPhones that can be bought through this site, as well as the new iPad Pro.

The securities firm Wedbush has reportedly written to investors advising them that Apple will find its iPhone-derived takings reduced compared to earlier estimates. They may be down by as much as 14% in 2020, and by 10% in 2021. This is related to current events that may put some customers off buying new devices.

Apple has debuted a refreshed pair of Powerbeats for 2020. These new products look much the same as their predecessors, although they have comparably extended battery life and Audio Sharing. They are available from now for ~US$150.

With the new coronavirus forcing most of us to stay at home, we are all going to be looking for things to do to keep us entertained. Enter Korg and Moog, which have both made a couple of their popular synth apps available to download for free for a limited time.

Apple has announced that only developers from specific credible entities can publish apps pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic on the App Store. This is being done to curb the spread of misinformation and provide users access to reliable sources. Eligible developers can also chose to get their app approved faster than the conventional App Store approval process.

While Apple is said to have delayed the release of the iPhone SE 2, it has now emerged that the company is planning to release a Plus model alongside the regular 4.7-inch handset. Tipped to have a 5.5-inch, the iPhone SE 2 Plus or iPhone 9 Plus as it may be called, has been confirmed by leaked iOS 14 code. The iPhone SE 2 Max or iPhone 9 Max are likely candidates, too.

Some extraordinary Geekbench results for a supposed Apple A14 SoC have been posted on the Weibo social network. The apparent mixture of Geekbench 4 and 5 information reveals that the chip was clocked at 3,090 MHz and features 6 cores. The hexa-core processor amassed huge test scores: 1,658 points for the single-core benchmark and 4,612 points for the multi-core test.

Apple has announced that its WWDC event will not be live as usual this year. Instead, it will have an online format. This will include a "full program" of sessions and a keynote that will appeal to developers, consumers and other interested parties.

Asurion has published the results of research that show US residents may have checked their phones as often as every 10 minutes in 2019. Furthermore, over 40% of the study's respondents admitted to taking their mobile devices out in public places, bathrooms included. Findings such as these may remind us all to disinfect our electronics more often.

Slated for release this month, the iPhone SE 2 has apparently been postponed. June or Fall 2020 are now rumoured as likely release windows, but supply chain sources are reporting an indefinite delay for Apple's next budget smartphone. While the iPhone 12 series is supposedly delayed too because of production issues, Apple's recent performance in China may be the cause of the company postponing the release of the iPhone SE 2.

Swiss luxury watch maker Tag Heuer has launched its third-generation Connected smartwatch. The most notable change, in addition to a more refined design, is a switch from an Intel chipset to Qualcomm’s 2018 Snapdragon Wear 3100 SoC.

The iPhone SE 2 may almost be upon us, if past rumours are to be believed. The device, which may be sold as the iPhone 9 or simply the iPhone, is said to combine the hardware of the current iPhone 11 series with the design of the iPhone 8. Now, the upcoming "budget" handset has been spotted in leaked iOS 14 code, all but confirming that the device exists.

Casio has released analog watches that can use Bluetooth before. However, it claims that the most recent models with this feature are updated in that they stay connected to a phone on a more consistent basis. These new EDIFICE variants do so in order to maintain their accuracy regardless of where they are.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, widely regarded as one of the best games of all time, is now available on iOS and Android. The port retains the same beautiful pixel art as the PSX original. While gamers can use an on-screen virtual gamepad, the title also supports Bluetooth controllers.

The iPhone SE 2, iPhone 9 or iPhone (2020), whatever it ends up being called, has apparently reached the final stage of its development. Mass production may have been underway since the middle of last month, and now it is claimed that the device has entered the final phase of verification. The spiritual successor to the iPhone SE is still expected to launch at the end of this month.

If you would like to imagine how a Galaxy Z Flip paired with iOS could look, then you should have a look here. While a foldable iPhone is probably a long way off yet, an iPhone Flip, or an iPhone 12 Flip, is already a reality. Digitally at least, anyway.

Casio has announced the release of titanium-cased versions of its PRO TREK outdoor watch line-up. They are also Bluetooth devices that feature Smartphone Link, which allows them to connect to the wearer's mobile device. This allows the user to view information such as steps taken, route logs or altitude.

Wireless charging is mainly relevant to smartphones and other similar portable electronics at present. However, a new analysis indicates that its market will benefit more and more from its application to electric vehicles. This may drive its value up to as much as US$71.21 billion by 2025.

The Amps Air + are the latest TWS earbuds from SOL REPUBLIC. They are the brand's first such product with active noise cancellation (ANC). These new Amps also now feature a slimmer case with USB type C charging, which can deliver 2 hours of play-time in exchange for 15 minutes of being plugged in.

Kami - YI Technology's new home-security brand - has released its new Wire-Free Outdoor Camera. As it lacks the need for connectivity hubs and has batteries that can be recharged in a USB-powered holder, it can be installed anywhere the user wants. It has a 165-degree wide-angle camera that supports FHD video at 20 frames per second (fps).

The latest headphone and earphone market research projects that this compound device category will "generate revenues of over US$45 Billion" between now and 2025. This growth is thought to be driven by several factors, which include the rise of the TWS earbud, the demand for "smart" features, as well as noise isolation, in this category.

A new video of an iPhone claimed to run iOS 14 shows off a new grid-style multitasking view similar to the one running on iPadOS. Ben Geskin, the tipster behind this video, claims that this multitasking view is one of four options that will be available on iOS 14.

WhatsApp sets a lot of store by the privacy in messaging it supposedly offers. However, allegations that links that invite new users to private groups are searchable online have recently emerged. This is due to the fact Google has indexed them, meaning appropriate terms can bring them up.

Time-of-flight (or TOF) sensors became a hallmark of flagship phones as of 2018. They may enhance 3D perception in these devices for photography or even biometrics purposes. However, they are also now projected to become important in other forms of consumer electronics, autonomous cars and robotics. This may drive their market's value up to US$6.9 billion in 5 years.

Apparently, Apple's next budget smartphone, rumoured to start at US$399, will not be called the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9. Instead, a new leak has pointed to Apple marketing the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE by a completely different name. The company's iPad range may give a hint what the name will be, too. The mass-production date for the device may have been missed though because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

While some OEMs continue to push the boundaries of design, Apple seems content with recycling those that it first released over five years ago. A lot has been spoken about of the iPhone SE 2, potentially called the iPhone 9, and a video purporting to be a hands-on of the device has appeared online. Convinced? Neither are we.