Category: Apple Insider

The production of iPhones has historically led to a reduction in air quality in four key Chinese cities: Zhengzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Chongqing. By tracking the air quality in these cities, analysts can gauge Apple’s production cycles.

“As of October 26th, air quality data from Zhengzhou, also known as ‘iPhone City,’ shows that industrial production levels have spiked higher recently, about a month later than historical seasonality, which we believe coincides with the ramp in iPhone 12 mass production,” Morgan Stanley analysts Katy Huberty wrote in a note seen by CNBC.

Apple typically announces its new iPhones in September, though it’s likely the coronavirus had slowed down the 2020 production cycle.

To grab the reduced $14.29 price, just check the 20% off coupon box on this Amazon product page and then enter 25% off promo code ZIPXB4W4 during checkout. The offer is set to expire on Oct. 31, but the coupon may end early after it reaches a set number of redemptions.

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running additional exclusive deals on hardware that will not only deliver the lowest Apple prices on many of the items, but also throw in bonus discounts on protection plans, software and more. Here are some of the offers:

Apple deals are hitting a fever pitch as retailers issue aggressive price drops on even brand-new hardware heading into Black Friday.

Save $40 instantly on Apple’s new iPad Air 4, with the 64GB Wi-Fi model dropping to $559 in the popular new green color, a record low at B&H Photo. Amazon started the price war on the brand-new iPad Air, but quickly sold out, with units back to MSRP.

According to B&H, inventory is coming soon and limited quantities are available at the discounted price so it’s best to secure your spot in line now. See how this deal stacks up to other retailers in our iPad Air 4 Price Guide.

If you’d prefer the tablet in Rose Gold, Walmart is also running a $40 off promo on the 64GB Wi-Fi Air.

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running additional exclusive deals on hardware that will not only deliver the lowest prices on many of the items, but also throw in bonus discounts on protection plans, software and more. Here are some of the offers:

In the trailer, viewers are introduced to some of the children who will be followed in the series. It also presents the premise — follow children during their first 2,000 days on the planet as they learn to talk, think, and love.

“Becoming You” shows how different our journeys can be while highlighting our shared humanity. The series showcases over 100 kids from across the world, from Nepal to Japan and Borneo. The series is set to premiere on November 13.

The series is narrated by Olivia Colman, produced by Wall to Wall Media, and is executive produced by Leanne Klein and Hamo Forsyth.

On October 21, Apple removed the App Store listing for its first-party “Remote” app, a tool that was first introduced as the iTunes Remote before being turned into a controller for the Apple TV. Apple’s removal of the app leaves users with the option of using the bundled Siri Remote for the Apple TV, or the software-based version for their iOS devices, integrated into Control Center.

A series of tweets posted following Apple’s delisting of the app by Alan Cannistraro, a former Apple engineer who originally worked on the app, explains the history of the tool within Apple from its first code written in 2016. According to Cannistraro, he started to write code before he was able to see the iPhone user interface, by using UI elements of his own creation.

Cannistraro was encouraged to go further with his initial efforts as Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs was “nervous the App Store wouldn’t be a hit, so he wanted Apple to have apps,” which Jobs explained to the developer on seeing his work. It was also the first production app to be used by the App Store team to trial the “upload flow” to the App Store, earning its place as the first app on it.

The shipped version was also a stripped-down variant of Cannistraro’s work, as the prototype also enabled the control to turn lights, televisions, and receivers on and off via an IR adaptor, as well as to save and resume a room’s state as a “Scene.” This may have been a precursor to HomeKit, Apple’s smarthome platform which also uses Scenes as a concept, but Cannistraro admits his pitch was a “larger idea around device communication that never got off the ground.”

A later prototype in 2009 was able to use the touchscreen of the iPhone to be a computer mouse, as well as a way to “interact with photos, applications (the original TouchBar) and screensavers” on a Mac, Cannistraro claims.

By 2010, Cannistraro once again sat with Jobs about a version of the Remote app, one that allowed for the control of the Apple TV using swipes. He claims Jobs said at the time “Our next Apple TV Remote should be this without a screen.”

Five years later, which Cannistraro attributed to Jobs’ death pausing “lots of stuff,” the Siri Remote was released, one that almost all Apple TV users are familiar with using, and employs the same control mechanic.

Despite the removal of the Remote for Apple TV from the App Store, Apple still maintains the iTunes Remote app, which is used to manage the playback of media in Apple Music, iTunes, and the Apple TV app on a Mac or a PC.

Apple’s latest iPhone models started to arrive with consumers on Friday, so it wasn’t long after release that the first teardown videos of the devices started to surface. In the first fully-detailed disassembly of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, iFixit indicates there’s some changes in the design over the iPhone 11 generation, in order to add 5G functionality.

The initial stage of gaining access in the teardown hasn’t changed much for 2020, with the use of Pentalobe screwdrivers, suction cups, picks, and heat used to lever open the display. Rather than opening on the left-hand edge, a routine that has been in play since the iPhone 7, the iPhone 12 opens from the right-hand edge.

An initial glance at the insides of both non-Pro and Pro models simultaneously has no indications one is better than the other, until the removal of the camera shield. It seems that the two were constructed so alike that Apple uses a plastic spacer in the iPhone 12 where the third camera and LiDAR sensor would be located in the iPhone 12 Pro.

The iPhone 12 and Pro cameras, as well as a camera spacer [via iFixit]

Another change for 2020 is the flipping of positions for the SIM tray, logic board, and battery, which is thought to be due to the larger logic board housing Qualcomm’s 5G chips. The logic board includes the Apple A14 Bionic SoC layered with Micron memory, Samsung flash storage, Qualcomm’s 5G and LTE transceiver, Qualcomm’s 5G modem, Apple’s U1 chip and power management controller, and an Avago power amplifier and integrated duplexer.

To make 5G work properly, the smartphones were found to have mmWave antenna modules embedded in the side of the frame and on the back of the logic board.

For other components, it was found that Apple had changed how the speakers were held in place, with it using Phillips screws and bright orange rubber gaskets instead of adhesive, which may aid repairs. The MagSafe charging arrays use 18 magnets to align the coils in place with the charger, with the polarity of the magnets thought to “expand the effective placement of the phone” while still maintaining proper alignment.

A side-by-side component view of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro [via iFixit]

In summing up the new models, iFixit suggests Apple has made “some serious design compromises” to add 5G components, with the loss of elements like the L-shaped battery and the smaller logic board. Though not “death by a thousand cuts,” the concessions made by Apple makes the iPhones feel “the least inventive.”

iFixit gave the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 a “Repairability Score” of 6 out of 10. While display and battery replacements stay as a priority along with modular components inside and the use of screws, the continued use of glue and the increased waterproofing measures “complicate some repairs,” while a broken glass back replacement will requiring the removal of every component from the device.

Apple is said to be bidding on an upcoming James Bond flick, titled “No Time to Die,” hoping to bring the movie exclusively to Apple TV+.

Earlier this year, Apple purchased Tom Hanks’ World War II film, “Greyhound,” when it was apparent that a theater release would be impossible.

The Bond franchise is owned by MGM, and according to Binged, the company likely feels pressure to sell the film to the highest bidder. Many would-be theater releases have taken to releasing films on streaming platforms in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to Apple, Netflix is said to be in the running to purchase the upcoming Bond film.

Both new Xfinity Mobile customers and existing customers activating a new line are eligible for a $250 discount on Apple’s iPhone. For new customers, you must transfer your number within 30 days and the $250 discount will be applied as bill credits over 24 months of the device payment plan. Existing Xfinity Mobile customers upgrading or replacing a device will receive a $250 prepaid Visa Card.

With the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro hitting store shelves tomorrow, this is a great deal on the newly released 5G models. Other iPhone models are eligible for the savings too, though, including the budget-friendly iPhone SE and XR.

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running additional exclusive deals on Mac and iPad hardware that will not only deliver the lowest prices on many of the items, but also throw in bonus discounts on protection plans, software and more. Here are some of the offers:

The best iPad Pro deals on the 3rd Generation (Late 2018) models are thanks to B&H exclusive discounts that knock up to $420 off a variety of configs, including bundles that include AppleCare and/or a Magic Keyboard.

Prices start at $799 for the Verizon Unlocked tablets, which can be used on AT&T and T-Mobile networks as well. A physical SIM card may be needed, so check with your carrier to confirm compatibility.

Considering the Late 2018 iPad Pro sports a remarkably similar design to the 2020 iPad Pro and offers Magic Keyboard support just like the latest models, these closeout deals offer substantial savings on well equipped devices that are great for students and business professionals. Check out our detailed feature comparison pitting the 2020 iPad Pro vs the 2018 iPad Pro.

Shoppers can also enjoy a number of perks when shopping at B&H Photo, with free expedited shipping on the 12.9-inch iPad Pros within the contiguous U.S. Those looking to finance the purchase can also apply for the B&H Financing Card to take advantage of no interest financing when paid in full within 12 months. Or if you’re willing to pay the balance off in full right away, check out the B&H Payboo Card to see if your zip code qualifies to save the tax. The Payboo option can save you anywhere from $63 to $110 on average in addition to the iPad Pro markdowns themselves.

To shop the entire sale, head over to B&H. We’ve also included our top deal picks below.

Standalone 12.9-inch iPad Pros

• 64GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Space Gray: $799 ($350 off)
• 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Space Gray: $949 ($350 off)

Bundle savings

• 64GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Space Gray + AppleCare: $928 ($350 off)
• 64GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Space Gray + Magic Keyboard: $1,128 ($370 off)
• 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Space Gray + AppleCare: $1,078 ($350 off)
• 256GB 12.9″ iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Silver + Magic Keyboard: $1,229 ($420 off)
• 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Late 2018, Wi-Fi + LTE) Space Gray + Magic Keyboard & AppleCare: $1,377 ($400 off)

Plus dozens more deals in our iPad Price Guide.

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running additional exclusive deals on hardware that will not only deliver the lowest prices on many of the items, but also throw in bonus discounts on protection plans, software and more. Here are some of the offers:

If you found this article because you Googled the phrase, “how to charge AirPods without case,” then you are far, far from alone — but someone’s lied to you. Whoever has told you that you can do this, no matter how convincing they were, it’s a lie.

We got some popcorn and had a quite good time watching some YouTube videos that purported to show you how to charge AirPods or AirPods Pro like this. You can watch for quite some time thinking that this is a gag, and that they’re going to confess any moment now, but invariably it is actually brazen deceit.

They’re trying to get you to do something you really shouldn’t. And the video having sixty comments saying it works brilliantly is only evidence that you can hire bots to say anything.

The most common thing we’ve seen is that you can charge without a case by — wait for this — downloading a certain app and using it to illegally download other apps. Don’t do this.

Such instructions are always stridently insistent that it only works if you then, for instance, play two games you’ve downloaded. Call us cynical, but we have physics on our side, and they don’t even have alchemy.

Let us be unmistakably plain. It is impossible for a consumer to charge an AirPod without a charging case.

There are, though, two ways to charge your AirPod case — and if you allow us a little stretch — there are also two ways of charging AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Every pair of AirPod sold comes with a charging case, and there are two types of those. Both types can be charged by plugging a cable into their Lightning connector.

You might use a USB-C cable, you might use a regular USB-A one, but whatever it plugs into at the power end, it connects with Lightning on the AirPods case.

The other way of charging an AirPods case is wirelessly. You have to have an Apple Wireless Charging Case, which you do get by default with the AirPods Pro. It’s an option for the regular AirPods.

Then you also need a Qi charger to place them on. A flat one is best, rather than a vertical one that is usually used for charging a phone. That’s because typically a phone vertical one is at a slight angle with a shelf for the phone to sit on, and this arrangement puts the phone right next to the charging plate.

An AirPods charging case will sit on the Qi charger’s shelf, but the small size of the case means that it is unlikely to be positioned atop the charging plate.

You’ve as much chance charging with this song than with some of the ideas we’ve heard.

The way to charge your AirPods, the actual earbuds themselves, is to place them in the charging case. That’s it, accept no substitutes.

Except, if you’re running out of battery charge, it is possible — only possible, not remotely certain — that an Apple Store will let you charge up using one of their cases. In the past, we’ve sat in Apple Stores charging up our iPhones and wondering how salespeople aren’t wafting iPads under our noses.

Of course, finding an open Apple Store worldwide can be a challenge, more so in the US. Your chances are even lower now than they will be when things return to normal.

We didn’t say it was a great option. But it is an option, and that is more than you can say for any claim that you can charge without a charging case.