Apple

Apple has now unveiled the latest addition to its iPad lineup in the shape of the seventh-generation iPad. The new tablet has increased in size from its 2018 predecessor, growing from 9.7 inches to 10.2 inches. The device is currently available to pre-order and will start shipping on September 30. The cheapest model costs US$329.

The latest Apple keynote introduced the new iPhones and iPad, yet did not stop there. It also outlined the company's new gaming- and TV-streaming services in detail. They will both go live in November 2019, cost US$4.99 per month and have content ready to go.

Among a host of other revelations at the recent Apple Special Event, the Cupertino company also officially announced the Apple Watch Series 5. The latest iteration of the highly successful smartwatch features an Always-On Retina display and comes in a huge range of customizable options. Prices start from US$399 for the basic 40 mm space-gray aluminum case with sport band GPS-only model (requires iPhone connection).

The Apple U1 chip is new hardware that controls ultrawide band (UWB) energy transfers between devices. This enables compatible products to locate each other and exchange data in a way non-U1-enabled counterparts cannot. These new features are exclusive to the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max.

Earlier in the year, we learned that Samsung would offer up to US$600 off the price of a new Galaxy Note 10 phone - in exchange for the right used device, that is. Now, Apple is doing the same for its new line of iPhones. These new trade-in prices apply to all 3 new models, and can knock an 11 down to as little as $99.

The new A13 Bionic is still a hexa-core CPU chip, but, thanks to TSMC's latest 7 nm EUV manufacturing process, this SoC now integrates 8.5 billion transistors. It also features a new quad-core GPU plus an octa-core NPU, and all of its components are on average 20% faster and 30% less power-demanding compared to the previous version.

Apple and its market machine is in full spin mode following the launch of the iPhone 11 range along with the Watch Series 5 and 10.2-inch iPad. Yes, it is true these devices are new. However, I take exception to Apple labeling them as ‘all-new’ on its website. Not one of its new products is ‘all-new.’

According to a recently leaked image, the Apple iPhone 11 series will feature smartphones ranging from an entry-level US$749 device all the way up to an eye-watering US$1,299 top-end model. The picture shows that the top two SKUs will be available on September 20, and remarkably it also suggests the AirPower charging mat may have been brought back from the dead.

Huawei has taken to IFA to unveil new wireless earbuds alongside the Kirin 990 SoC. They are the latest in the Freebuds line of wearables, and are thus AirPod clones (in their looks at least). These 3rd-gen products have a dedicated dual-Bluetooth chipset of their own, "intelligent" noise cancellation and a unique charging case.

An image showing three Google Pixel 4 smartphones in different colors has seemingly leaked on Weibo. Unsurprisingly, both a black and white SKU are visible, but the choice for the third color has caused some eyebrows to be raised. It had already been leaked that Google was going with orange as one of the Pixel 4’s color options.

The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has finalized the specification for USB4. A few things are different this time around including the way the it named, as well as its support for another standard in the form of Thunderbolt 3.

An increasingly familiar name in tech rumor circles has posted on Twitter concerning the 2019 iPhones. This spec-heavy leak asserts that Apple will indeed stick with the screen sizes chosen by the company over the last few years for the 3 devices. It also indicates that the A13 SoC will support Wi-Fi 6, but not 3D Touch.

Apple has issued a recall of its second- and third-generation Watches in order to address a screen fault that may develop in these devices. The company is, therefore, offering a free replacement for this component. A customer can avail of it by bringing or sending an applicable Watch to Apple, or to one of its official service providers.

The AirDots Pro are Xiaomi devices that conform to the "toothbrush" form factor of truly-wireless earbuds. Chinese social media users have spotted what looks like their packaging, but with a new product name, in a photograph. The box suggests that these wearables have, if anything, become more Apple-esque than their predecessors.

In a surprising move, Apple announced yesterday that it will supply independent repair shops with iPhone spare parts. Undoubtedly, the decision will benefit consumers, who are currently tied into paying exorbitant prices for in-store Apple repairs.

Apple has issued invites to the press for its 2019 iPhone event. Dubbed “By innovation only” the new generation of iPhones will be officially unveiled on September 10 that the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus in Cupertino.

Despite the cards being stacked against it last quarter, Huawei managed to record an increase in smartphone sales of 16.5 percent for the quarter, while Samsung also saw a 3.8 percent bump. Apple, on the other hand, continued its downwards trend with a 13.8 percent decline in sales for the quarter.

WoW Classic is finally available globally and, although it is supposed to recreate the state of the game after patch 1.12.1, this title comes with a few new bugs as well. However, WoW Classic is very popular right now and Blizzard had to open quite a few new Normal and PvP realms due to the unexpected popularity shown by gamers across the Oceanic, EU, and US regions.

The Liberate Air earphones are made from reclaimed silicone and have a bamboo finish. In addition, they have a charging case described as made from recycled aluminium, wood, cotton and plastic. These new House of Marley products are also reportedly superior in sound quality to the Apple AirPods.

Analysts say that the iPhone 11 models look very similar to last year's models, as Apple decided to keep the same screen sizes and notches. There are, however, new features like the Matrix co-processor, AI-assisted triple-cam setup on the back with ultra-wide-angle sensor, multi-angle Face ID, sturdier front and back glass layers and improved water resistance.

The alleged renders coming from Olixar show three leather cases with stylus cutouts. The stylus might be an exclusive feature of the iPhone Max variants, which could become the direct competitor for Samsung's future Galaxy Note phablets. Additionally, the leaked renders reveal that the upcoming iPhones still feature the notched screens.

In yet another episode that will go down in the list of embarrassments for Apple, its new-fangled titanium Apple Card credit card can apparently become permanently discolored if it makes contact with fabrics like leather and denim. Given that many users will keep the card in a leather wallet or even slip it into a jeans pocket, the revelation appears to beggar belief that it could be so impractical to carry.

The popular navigation aid Waze has had the ability to control the audio from several music streaming apps for some time. YouTube Music is the latest example of these. Users who subscribe to the Premium version of this service can take advantage of this new feature.

The first Vivaldi release after the summer break, labeled 2.7.1628.30, comes with no less than 63 bug fixes and four new features. These new features include fast access to User Profiles, an option that allows stopping (in advance) audio from playing, the ability to enable/disable the Flash plugin, as well as an improved status bar.

An oversight by Apple caused an old security bug to be reintroduced with iOS 12.4. While the bug had been patched in iOS 12.3, the exploit is present in the latest operating system from Apple and can be used for jailbreaking on compatible devices. On the flip side, the security hole presents new risks; the bug can be used by malicious parties to hack into an iPhone or iPad running 12.4.

A team from MIT CSAIL has developed a solution that can dramatically improve streaming video quality over Wi-Fi networks. Dubbed Minerva, it has been shown to reduce buffering by 50 percent and can even improve image fidelity in around 30 percent of cases.

In a new research note written for TF International Securities, the tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated that he now believes that Apple will switch to micro-LED for its sixth-generation Watch. In the meantime, the Series 5 will stick with OLED screens, albeit those from a new supplier. These devices may be launched alongside the iPhone "11" line later this season.

The tech world has largely been operating on the theory that the next generation of Apple smartphones will be called something along the lines of 'iPhone 11' for some time now. A French blog claims to have caught a leak from a casemaker that disseminates this in more detail. However, it is not for those without patience with modern-day product-name convolutions.

According to employees familiar with the practice, Facebook has been hiring outside contractors to listen to and transcribe user audio. While Facebook claims the transcriptions were done to improve the voice-to-text transcription features of its Messenger app, the company's data use policy makes no mention of humans listening to or transcribing audio.

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has told airlines that there are MacBook Pros out there that cannot be brought onto commercial flights. The notebooks in question are those that were recalled by Apple earlier this year for official battery replacements. The FAA believes that these components are a fire hazard.

Although the full launch remains scheduled for August 27, the WoW Classic servers will go live tomorrow. This is not another beta test, but a chance for those with an active subscription or game time on their WoW account to reserve their character names and select the realm where they want to play.

Casio has released the EDIFICE EQB1000D-1A, a new watch with a case only 8.9 milimeters (mm) thick. It is also one of the brand's connected devices, which means it can connect to a smartphone app. This allows it to keep time accurately in over 300 locations.

A Russian blog may have leaked more information on when Huawei's next line of flagships, the Mate 30s, will be released. This event will allegedly occur on September 30, 2019. Other news indicates that they will indeed run Android on their launch.

AR-assisted navigation is one of the most interesting - and possibly useful - aspects of the Google Maps app to be unveiled in recent years. Unfortunately, it was also introduced as a Pixel exclusive. Now, however, it may be available on a wider varieity of phones soon.

The market for accessories such as screen protectors, cases and power banks in the US is now projected to attain a value of US$74.43 billion in 7 years. Headphones took the biggest piece (nearly 25%) of this space last year, and may maintain this share until 2026. However, the VR/AR headset sector is thought to be capable of the greatest growth into the next decade.

LG has allegedly patented a next-generation phone design in which the device in question has 3 separate segments that fold into a more conventional brick-like form factor. This is not completely unheard of; however, this patent also apparently covers a complete lack of ports for charging or other uses.

Many people have gotten used to summoning a ride in a paid driver's car from their phone. A new analysis of this market indicates that such services (known collectively as "shared mobility") now challenge the traditional industries behind vehicle use and ownership. It also suggest that autonomous cars may be the way forward for the ride-hailing business of the future.

Previously rumored to release some time in 2020, the foldable iPhones may not even be the first foldable devices to be released by Apple. According to a new UBS market analysis, Apple may first release folding iPads in 2021, and iPhones could follow shortly after, but loyal Apple customers should be prepared for prices in excess of US$1,000.

World of Tanks 1.6 comes with four new British light tanks, reworked Personal Missions (about 40 of those leading to the Object 279), an improved interface for interacting with decals — alongside new decals and fonts, as well as the removal of friendly fire and ramming damage. Friendly kills are now possible — by pushing allies off cliffs or flipping them upside down.

US$152.1 billion will be spent on gaming software this year, according to the latest research. This work also indicates that the console sector of the relevant market will grow by the most in 2019. However, the sector for mobile apps will remain the largest.

More social media users buy from brands they follow on Facebook compared to 7 other social networks studied, according to a new report. This is because social media has increased the ability of companies to reach out to consumers, and vice versa. Facebook is likely to be the most successful medium as it is the biggest and promotes brand-recognition most effectively.

iOS 13 will bring a few new features to iPhones upon its release later this year, several of which are focused on protecting user privacy. One such update will block background processes from collecting user data, something that several messaging apps like WhatsApp Facebook Messenger apparently rely on for receiving VoIP calls.

According to reports from China, Apple will start mass-producing displays with an in-screen Touch ID sensor that will complement Face ID in anticipation of their inclusion in the 2021 iPhone series. The upcoming displays will likely have a custom Qualcomm ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which will have a larger recognition area than comparable sensors found in current flagships like the Mate 20 Pro, P30 Pro and Galaxy S10 series.

The market for in-app advertisements worldwide is now projected to be worth approximately US$226 billion in 6 years, according to the latest research. Of these, ads on Android are thought to be capable of the highest growth. In addition, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) sector is thought to exhibit the most growth between 2019 and 2025.

The 5G tech market is now thought to be capable of hitting US$667.9 billion by the middle of the next decade. This is particularly impressive as it is also projected to accrue only $5.54 billion by 2020. This growth may be driven by a demand for streaming and for improved connectivity among industrial buyers.

Apple has suspended a controversial Siri grading program that allowed contractors to listen to recordings of customers using the voice recognition software. The purportedly privacy focused company was caught out by a whistleblower who revealed details of the program that raised serious user privacy concerns.

Although most Apple MacBook Pro-related rumors we keep hearing these days involve a 16-inch model, the model A2159 that was recently spotted on the website of the FCC seems to be an update 13-inch model. Since Apple still has to update the 13-inch MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar, this is what the aforementioned model could be.

GoPro has announced that it will refresh the companion app for its action-cameras. The updates will integrate Quik editing features directly into said app. This will enable the user to apply filters and convert footage into stories. This upgrade should also improve the GoPro app's UI in the future.

The OPPO sub-brand Realme's volume of smartphone shipments worldwide has increased from approximately 500,000 in the 2nd quarter of 2018 (2Q2018) to about 4.7 million in 2Q2019. In other words, this has grown 8.48 times year-on-year (YoY). Its parent company also remains in the top 5 OEMs worldwide, although Samsung still remains supreme.

The UltraFine 5K monitor by LG is typically marketed as an ideal companion screen for Macs or MacBooks. However, it mysteriously vanished from Apple's website not long ago. Now, it is back as a new model for this year.