Apple Insider – Page 128

Posted on December 18, 2018 by — Leave a comment

iPhone XS & iPhone XS Smart Battery case leaks out in Apple marketing document

By William Gallagher
Tuesday, December 18, 2018, 03:55 am PT (06:55 am ET)

A merchandise guide produced for Apple retailers is showing the clearest evidence yet that Apple is readying a Smart Battery case for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

A merchandising guide intended for Apple retail employees features a range of iPhone cases including two with the distinctive hump of an extra battery. The guide was produced for Fall 2018 and contains no technical information surrounding wireless charging, and no other indication of the Smart Battery beyond thumbnail images listed as being for the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS.

The leaked document first reported by Appleosophy is one page from a guide for Stores about both what Apple merchandise is available and how best to display it all. Some 96 different iPhone cases are shown with the instruction that they should be displayed in store “left to right starting with neutrals, moving into cool, and then warm colors.”

Leaked merchandising page (Credit: Applosophy)

Leaked merchandising page (Credit: Appleosophy)

The two thumbnail images featuring a battery-style hump are both in neutral black. There does not appear to be a white Smart Battery accessory nor any for models but the XS ones.

The leaked image is from page 14 of a document called “Premium Accessory Merchandising Guidelines Fall 2018” specially in a section called “Overview Examples.” This suggests that the Smart Battery accessories were expected to be available at least approximately when the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max launched. It seems unlikely that they will now be added before Christmas and the New Year.

It’s previously been believed that Apple was to launch three such accessories, not just two. This was based on part numbers and icons found within watchOS 5.1.2.

An iPhone 6 with the original 2015 Apple Smart Battery Case

In 2015, Apple released a Smart Battery case for the iPhone 6s which extended the life of the phone up to 25 hours. When you’ve charged both case and phone together, the Smart Battery Case depletes first so that your iPhone remains fully charged for as long as possible.

This new leak appears to confirm that the new case will retain the 2015 model’s hump but positioned lower down the case. The original design’s shape was criticized for how it made putting the case on and taking it off an iPhone more difficult versus alternatives.

Posted on December 16, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Steve Jobs wanted ultra-optimized US manufacturing, Apple vets say

By Roger Fingas
Sunday, December 16, 2018, 03:50 pm PT (06:50 pm ET)

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs was, for a time, deadset on U.S.-based manufacturing of computers, an effort which collapsed after just eight years.

A factory in Milpitas, Calif., circa 1984.

Jobs had “deep convictions” about Japanese-style manufacturing, according to Randy Battat, who told the New York Times about his time as an electrical engineer at Apple and helping to launch early laptops. The company established U.S.-based Macintosh manufacturing in the early 1980s, beginning with a heavily automated factory in Fremont, Calif.

“The Japanese were heralded as wizards of manufacturing,” Battat explained. “The idea was to create a factory with just-in-time delivery of zero-defect parts. It wasn’t great for business.”

In fact the result was “really shameful” and slipshod, said Jean-Louis Gassee, a French office automation specialist who became president of Apple’s product division in 1988, well after Jobs’ departure. He blamed the issue at least in part on overall deficiencies in U.S. infrastructure.

“We don’t have a manufacturing culture,” Gassee complained, “meaning the substrate, the schooling, the apprentices, the subcontractors.”

President Donald Trump and others have urged companies like Apple to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. Decades of corporate offshoring have drained the country of its capabilities in that area however, and higher labor, safety, and environmental standards would likely increase Apple’s expenses and already high pricetags. The company has nevertheless done some U.S. manufacturing in the post-Jobs era, namely building the cylindrical Mac Pro in a factory in Austin.

Posted on December 15, 2018 by — Leave a comment

2 hours left: 10% off tech or 15% off everything else at eBay

By Christine McKee
Saturday, December 15, 2018, 03:01 pm PT (06:01 pm ET)

For two hours only, eBay is knocking 10% off already reduced prices on tech or 15% off everything else. With a max discount of $75 off, it’s a great time to snap up the lowest prices available on Apple’s latest iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and Apple Watch Series 4 right before Christmas.

10% off tech or 15% off everything else

With just two hours remaining before the deal expires, now is the time to take advantage of eBay’s latest coupon, which knocks 10% off tech and 15% off everything else. This offer includes Apple’s latest products, such as the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, HomePod, MacBook Pro, Beats headphones and even 2018 iPad Pros, with no minimum spend and a max discount of $75 off.

To snap up the deals, apply coupon code PICKUPSALE during checkout. The 10% discount is valid in the following categories: Cameras & Photo, Cell Phones & Accessories, Computers/Tablets & Networking, Consumer Electronics, Video Games & Consoles, while the 15% discount works in all other categories with the exception of warranties and protection plans, gift cards, coins, paper money, coupons and real estate. The offer is open to eBay members with a registered address in the United States, Canada, Latin America or the Caribbean. Coupon can be used once within a single transaction (or cart), while supplies last. Offer expires at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Dec. 15.

Up to $75 off the following:

Additional Apple Deals

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running a handful of additional exclusive promotions this month on Apple hardware that will not only deliver the lowest prices on many of the items, but also throw in discounts on AppleCare, software and accessories. These deals are as follows:

Posted on December 15, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Jailbreaking takes a hit as Cydia “app store” shutters

By Andrew O’Hara
Friday, December 14, 2018, 09:30 pm PT (12:30 am ET)

The end may be nigh for iOS jailbreaking as the Cydia Store officially shut down this week, depriving a once thriving community of an important app distribution platform.

Cydia App Store logo | Source: Technology News World

Creator Jay Saurik made the announcement in a Reddit thread on Thursday, confirming the demise of the jailbreaking community’s main app store.

At its peak, Cydia was able to support a small team devoted to its upkeep, but that time has long passed. Recently, Cydia has made next to nothing for Saurik, instead costing him thousands of dollars a month, not to mention his mental well-being.

“The reality is that I wanted to just shut down the Cydia Store entirely before the end of the year, and was considering moving the timetable up,” Saurik said on Reddit.

Saurik was already planning on shutting down Cydia, but a recent security flaw was discovered, potentially putting logged in users at risk. This caused prominent jailbreak developers such as Nullpixel and Andy Wiik to issue statements urging users to remove their PayPal info from their accounts.

“I think he made a good decision for his own health” Andy Wiik said to AppleInsider, adding he thinks the community will continue to live on.

While it is no longer possible to make purchases through Cydia, the repo itself will still be around, allowing users to download previous purchases or make purchases through third-parties.

Additional details will be forthcoming from Saurik with more details on what the future holds for Cydia as well as its rise and fall.

Posted on December 14, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Review: Kingston Bolt is an easy way to add extra storage to your iPhone or iPad

Kingston Bolt is a dual-purpose Lightning/USB drive that effortlessly allows you to store or backup photos and videos from a compatible iOS device.

Kingston Bolt flash drive

An all-too-common problem

Apple has taken some flak for its decision not to include much storage on entry level devices, often requiring users to make tough decisions on what to keep and what to delete.

Also a factor is the fact that many users don’t necessarily trust cloud storage with their precious photos, which means they need some form of physical backup for safe keeping. Manually backing up to your Mac is an option, but that requires proximity to a desktop which isn’t always convenient.

The situation has given rise to accessories like Bolt, which have started to crop up as users look to aftermarket storage alternatives.

Metal doohickey

Kingston Bolt Lightning and USB-A

Bolt is a minute, metal device with an Apple-certified Lightning connector on one end and a USB-A port on the other. Going from your computer to iPhone or iPad is easy — assuming your Mac or PC still has USB-A hanging around.

There’s no USB-C here, which means the new iPad Pros aren’t invited to play, and neither are the latest Macs (at least without an adapter).

The native app

When first plugged into your iPhone, an alert appears asking you to download the Bolt app. Unfortunately, iOS can’t handle drives directly, hence the third-party app requirement.

After launching the app, and making sure Bolt is connected, a pleasant-looking dashboard is presented, complete with a pair of graphs highlighting the amount of remaining storage on the local device and the connected Bolt.

Kingston gives you three actions to take: shooting footage straight to Bolt, moving files to Bolt or viewing the files on Bolt.

Moving photos and videos over is as easy as you would imagine; simply choose a folder or album and select the assets you would like to store on Bolt. You can then delete the local files or keep them as a backup.

Alternatively, you can film or shoot pictures directly to Bolt, cutting out the intermediate step of storing them — even temporarily — on your iPhone. This is a great feature, especially if you plan on shooting a ton of footage.

The downside of shooting directly to Bolt is that you are limited to 4K at 18fps, 1080p at 30fps, or 720p at 30fps. Natively, there are many better filming options.

Wanting more

Kingston Bolt

Using the Kingston Bolt app is easy and painless, but does highlight the needs within iOS for direct-interfacing with external storage. You can’t, for instance, access the Bolt’s storage directly from the Files app.

This shortcoming isn’t Kingston’s fault, who is trying to make the best of a bad situation. That said, the Bolt app is a well implemented solution working with iOS’s walled garden.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Where to buy

If you find yourself bumping against the storage limits of your iPhone and could use Kingston’s help, you can find the Bolt on Amazon starting at $34.99 for the 32GB version, with 64GB and 128GB capacities available.

Posted on December 13, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Apple to build $1B campus in Austin, increase employment nationwide

Alongside the Texas campus, the company plans new or expanded sites in Seattle, Pittsburgh, Colorado and more over the next three years.

Workers at Apple’s Reno, Nevada data center

Apple is spending $1 billion to build a new campus for engineering, research and customer support in Austin and is doing so as part of U.S.-wide expansion plans. The new 133-acre campus will initially house 5,000 new staff and together with Austin’s existing 6,200 Apple employees is expected to make the company the largest private employer in the city.

“Talent, creativity and tomorrow’s breakthrough ideas aren’t limited by region or zip code,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “Apple is proud to bring new investment to cities across the United States and significantly deep our quarter-century partnership with the city and people of Austin. And with this new expansion, we’re redoubling our commitment to cultivating the high-tech sector and workforce nationwide.”

The new Austin campus, situated a mile from the current one, will continue Apple’s policy of being powered by 100 percent renewable energy. In addition to a building ultimately able to house 15,000 people, the site will also feature 50 acres of preserved open space.

Alongside the Austin campus, Apple announced that over the next three years it is planning to enlarge workforces in Seattle, San Diego and Culver City to over 1,000 employees each. It’s also intending to expand existing facilities in Boulder, Colo., as well as Boston, New York, Pittsburgh and Portland, Ore.

Apple’s projected US employment by 2022 (Credit: Apple)

Apple currently employs 90,000 people across all 50 states, including 6,000 who have been added this year. This year’s new hires are part of a five-year plan to add 20,000 jobs in America and contribute $350 billion to the economy.

These figures are to do with direct spending by Apple but the company claims that its work is also enabling a much wider indirect impact on American employment. In all, Apple says it is responsible for the creation and support of two million jobs in the U.S. including employees at some 9,000 supply firms and 1.5 million jobs related to the App Store.

“Apple is among the world’s most innovative companies and an avid creator of jobs in Texas and across the country,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbot. “Their decision to expand operations in our state is a testament to the high-quality workforce and unmatched economic environment that Texas offers.”

Apple also announced plans to invest $10 billion in data centers across the U.S. in a program due to take five years. Presently the existing data centers in North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada are being expanded while a new one is being planned for Waukee, Iowa.

Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.

Posted on December 12, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Flash deal: Apple’s HomePod on sale for $249 ($100 off) while supplies last

By Christine McKee
Tuesday, December 11, 2018, 09:01 pm PT (12:01 am ET)

After originally selling out within four hours, B&H has brought back the incredibly popular $249 deal on Apple’s HomePod with free expedited delivery. What’s more, B&H will not collect sales tax in many states. Supplies are limited, so grab this deal while you can.

$100 off Apple HomePods

Apple HomePod in White: $249* @B&H ($100 off)
Apple HomePod in Space Gray: $249* @B&H ($100 off)
*B&H will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside these states.

Apple authorized reseller B&H Photo is back at it with a holiday discount that delivers triple digit savings on Apple’s HomePod. Now $249 after a $100 instant rebate, this deal offers shoppers the lowest price available on the smart speaker. In addition to the cash rebate, you can also take advantage of additional perks, such as no tax collected on orders shipped outside AL, HI, IL, IN, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NY, ND, OK, VT, WA and WI. Expedited shipping is also free within the contiguous U.S., putting this in your hands the quickest and for the lowest price.

Supplies are limited with B&H’s previous $249 HomePod deal selling out shortly after going live.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEAShPtpVXM&w=560&h=315]

Additional Apple Deals

Posted on December 11, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Apple Pay launches in Germany with support for 15 banks and services

Making good on promises to take Apple Pay live in Germany before year’s end, Apple on Tuesday activated services of its mobile payments solution in the region with support for 15 financial institutions including Comdirect and Deutsche Bank.

Apple Pay Germany.

Apple Pay partners pushed out notifications early Tuesday morning, notifying customers that their credit cards are now ready to register within the Wallet app, according to local reports posted to Twitter and other social media outlets.

Initial support is provided by Comdirect, Deutsche Bank, Fidor Bank, Hanseatic Bank, HypoVereinsbank and prepaid service Edenred. Mobile banking services Boon, Bunq, N26, o2, Square and VIMpay also offer integration, as do credit card companies American Express, MasterCard and Visa.

Apple Pay is accepted at a number of retailers in Germany including Aldi, Avia, Berhska, Cigo, Ditsch, dm, Galeria Kaufhof, HEM, Kaufland, Lidl, Netto, Real and more.

The release arrives four months after Apple officially announced plans to deliver Apple Pay to Germany, and one day after a report citing banking industry sources said the service would launch sometime this week. Rumors surrounding a German release have circulated for months, but a firm launch timeline remained elusive until last month when Apple updated its regional Apple Pay website to read “coming soon.”

Apple’s German language website has not been refreshed to reflect the new availability, but that is expected to change as the service continues to roll out over the coming hours.

Germany’s relatively late adoption is thought to be a result of pushback from local banks; As with other major market introductions, like Australia, fees were a bone of contention for Germany’s financial institutions.

Prior to Germany, Apple debuted the first-party payments solution in Belgium and Kazakhstan in late November.

Apple Pay launched domestically in 2014 with support for a handful of banks and integrations with major credit card companies. The product has since expanded to a number of countries around the world, including major markets like Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Russia and the U.K. With today’s availability, Apple’s payments service is available to iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac users in 33 territories.

Posted on December 10, 2018 by — Leave a comment

24 hours only: Apple’s 2017 12.9″ iPad Pro (512GB, WiFi) on sale for $799 ($350 off) for Green Monday

By Christine McKee
Sunday, December 09, 2018, 09:40 pm PT (12:40 am ET)

While supplies last on Green Monday, B&H Photo is slashing the price of Apple’s Mid 2017 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 512GB of space and Wi-Fi functionality. Priced at just $799 after a $350 instant discount with free expedited shipping and no tax in many states, this is the lowest price available for the spacious model during the special DealZone event.

2017 12.9″ iPad Pros for $799

512GB 2017 12.9″ iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) Space Gray: $799* ($350 off)
512GB 2017 12.9″ iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) Silver: $799* ($350 off)
512GB 2017 12.9″ iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) Gold: $799* ($350 off)
*B&H will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside these states.

For one day only, Apple’s 2017 12.9-inch iPad Pro (512GB, Wi-Fi Only) is on sale for $799 in your choice of Silver, Space Gray or Gold thanks to a special Green Monday DealZone discount. At $350 off, this is the lowest price available from an Apple authorized reseller with many retailers completely sold out. What’s more, B&H is throwing in free expedited shipping within the contiguous U.S. for delivery by Christmas. B&H also will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside AL, HI, IL, IN, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NY, ND, OK, VT, WA and WI. For many shoppers, this can equate to another $65 in savings on top of B&H’s instant rebate.

To take advantage of the special offer, simply select your desired finish through this DealZone link now through 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 10, or while supplies last. And for even more flash deals, be sure to check out our Green Monday deal roundup.

Add AppleCare

You can easily tack on an AppleCare extended protection plan to these 12.9-inch iPad Pros for $129 by selecting the AppleCare option in your cart.

2017 12.9-inch iPad Pro accessories

Additional Apple Deals

Posted on December 9, 2018 by — Leave a comment

Green Monday deal: Apple’s high-end 1TB 2018 15″ MacBook Pro for $2,899 ($300 off)

Exclusive

By Christine McKee
Saturday, December 08, 2018, 09:28 pm PT (12:28 am ET)

Exclusively for AI readers, B&H Photo is taking $300 off Apple’s high-end Mid 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro. Pick up the 1TB model with an upgraded processor and top-of-the-line graphics for $2,899. Plus, take advantage of free expedited shipping and no tax collected in many states.

Apple 2018 15 inch MacBook Pro Green Monday

$300 off loaded 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro

2018 15″ MacBook Pro (2.6GHz 16GB 1TB Radeon 560X) Space Gray: $2,899* ($300 off)
*B&H will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside these states.

For three days only, B&H Photo is knocking $300 off a very popular Mid 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro exclusively for AppleInsider readers. Priced at $2,899 with this special link, the loaded model features an upgraded 2.6GHz six-core processor, 16GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage. The Space Gray system also features top-of-the-line Radeon Pro 560X graphics with 4GB GDDR5. This deal is the lowest price by at least $250, according to our 15-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide.

In addition to free expedited shipping for delivery by Christmas, B&H will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside AL, HI, IL, IN, KY, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, NC, NJ, NY, ND, OK, VT, WA and WI. For many shoppers, this can equate to $555 in savings compared to shopping at Apple.

To activate the limited-time offer, please follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Instructions: To redeem the discount, simply click through this exclusive pricing link using AppleInsider’s desktop site and look for the advertised offer.

Please note: This deal cannot be activated through the B&H and AppleInsider apps at this time. If you still cannot see the exclusive price using the desktop site, all is not lost! Need help? Send us a note at deals@appleinsider.com and we will do our best to assist.

Add AppleCare

You can easily tack on an AppleCare extended protection plan to this 15″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for $379 by selecting the AppleCare option immediately after you press the “Add to Cart” button on B&H’s website.