Apple Insider – Page 81

Posted on April 29, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Last call: 2020 Mac mini for $749, 2020 MacBook Air $939, 16″ MacBook Pro $2,140

Exclusive

By Christine McKee
Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 01:11 pm PT (04:11 pm ET)

Coupon deals on Apple’s new MacBook Air, iPad Pro and Mac mini are about to end. Shop today for cash savings of up to $350 off the latest hardware before the April deals expire.

Apple 2020 MacBook Air and Mac mini deals with last chance badge

Last call for these Apple deals

Set to expire April 30, these coupon deals on Apple’s newest products are courtesy of Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama.

Mac mini systems start at $749, while MacBook Airs are on sale for as low as $939 with promo code APINSIDER. Every other 2020 MacBook Air and Mac mini config is eligible for a coupon discount as well with the same coupon code, so it’s worth checking the AppleInsider Apple Price Guide for additional deals on the specs of your choosing.

Those interested in the powerful 16-inch MacBook Pro can also grab bonus savings with the APINSIDER code using the Adorama pricing links in our 16-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide. With the coupon, prices start at $2,140, with discounts of up to $350 off.

2020 MacBook Air deals

2020 MacBook Air 2C (1.1GHz, 8GB, 256GB) Gray: $939* ($60 off)
2020 MacBook Air 2C (1.1GHz, 8GB, 256GB) Silver: $939* ($60 off)
2020 MacBook Air 2C (1.1GHz, 8GB, 256GB) Gold: $939* ($60 off)
2020 MacBook Air 4C (1.1GHz, 8GB, 512GB) Space Gray: $1,229* ($70 off)
2020 MacBook Air 4C (1.1GHz, 8GB, 512GB) Silver: $1,229* ($70 off)
2020 MacBook Air 4C (1.1GHz, 8GB, 512GB) Gold: $1,229* ($70 off)
*Price with coupon code APINSIDER using the activation instructions below. [Need help?]

2020 Mac mini coupon

2020 Mac mini (3.6GHz, 8GB, 256GB): $749* ($50 off)
*Price with coupon code APINSIDER using the instructions below.

2020 iPad Pro deals

2020 11″ iPad Pro (128GB, Wi-Fi): $775* ($25 off)
2020 12.9″ iPad Pro (128GB, Wi-Fi): $969* ($30 off)
*Price with discount code APINSIDER using the instructions below.

16″ MacBook Pro savings

16″ MacBook Pro 6C (2.6GHz, 16GB, 512GB, 5300M) Silver: $2,140* ($260 off)
16″ MacBook Pro 6C (2.6GHz, 16GB, 512GB, 5300M) Gray: $2,175* ($225 off)
16″ MacBook Pro 8C (2.3GHz, 16GB, 1TB, 5500M 4GB) Gray: $2,450* ($350 off)
*Price with savings code APINSIDER using the instructions below.

(*) How to apply the APINSIDER coupon

Make sure you’re using a browser with cookies enabled that isn’t in private mode.
Click on the price link to the desired configuration from this article or the Adorama price links in our Price Guides. You MUST click through our links in the same shopping session that you use our coupon. If you try to save a link for late, the coupon WON’T WORK. Once you click through a price link, you’ll see a price that’s higher than advertised (we’ll fix that in a moment).
Add the qualifying Apple product to your cart anyway, and when you’re done shopping, begin the checkout process.
Look for a link that says “Do you have a gift card or promo code?” next to the gift icon. Click that to bring up a coupon code field.
Enter the coupon code APINSIDER in the field and click apply. The discount should appear under “Promo Savings” above the order total.
That’s it.
As always, if you have any issues, you can reach out to us at [email protected] and we’ll try and help.

Additional Apple deals

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 AppleCare, Office 365 and more. These offers are as follows:

Interested in additional Apple hardware? See if there is a Mac, iPad or Apple Watch deal that will save you $100s by checking out prices.appleinsider.com.

Posted on April 28, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Apple-Google contact tracing project originated at Apple, developed ‘within weeks’

The Apple and Google contact tracing technology, which will roll out on May 1, was developed and launched by a handful of Apple employees in less than a month, according to a new report.

The contact tracing system, now known as exposure notification, will alert an iPhone or Android user if they’ve recently come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19

Contact tracing, a method to track the spread of a disease by monitoring who an infected person may have come into contact with, is typically painstaking. The Apple and Google system, now known by the more accurate “exposure notification” moniker, largely simplifies and automates this process using smartphones.

According to a new report from CNBC, the idea originated in mid-March from a small team at Apple who was brainstorming ways to help curb the coronavirus. At the time, those staffers knew that smartphones could be key to loosening stay-at-home restrictions.

Notably, the speed of the project was “highly unusual” for Apple, the result of team members working to come up with a solution in time to help mitigate the rapid spread of COVID-19. Within a “few weeks,” there were dozen of Apple employees working on the tech, codenamed “Bubble,” with support from software chief Craig Federighi and chief operating officer Jeff Williams, the de facto head of healthcare.

Some of the early members of the “Bubble” team included employees from Apple’s health care division, its location services group and various software experts. Eventually, it expanded to include two of Apple’s in-house cryptography experts, as well as other team members who volunteered their time.

Initial solutions developed by that team included a Bluetooth-based system that was strictly opt-in, sent anonymous alerts to nearby devices, and stored information in a decentralized manner. Those are all features of the finished exposure notification system.

Another important factor was getting the automated contact tracing to work in the background on iOS, something that hasn’t been possible with current security restrictions. Contact tracing endeavors already existed in places like Singapore but were severely hampered because they required an phone to remain unlocked and an app to be open to work.

Google, which was working on its own system under the codename “Apollo,” reportedly got on board by the end of March when Android VP Dave Burke got in touch with Apple about the project.

Since the two companies couldn’t publicly announce they were working together without the greenlight from their chief executives, Apple CEO Tim Cook met virtually with Google CEO Sundar Pichai to give their final seal of approval for the project.

The Apple and Google exposure notification system is set to be released on May 1, and the system-level API will support the iPhone 6s and later. Because of Google’s involvement, the system will also work across iPhones and Android devices.

While it’s ultimately up to public health organizations to develop the apps that will take advantage of the API, some countries have decided to go their own route. The UK, for example, won’t use the API and instead will rely on a centralized contact tracing database.

Posted on April 27, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Verizon, Comcast to extend coronavirus customer aid through June

By Mike Peterson
Monday, April 27, 2020, 01:55 pm PT (04:55 pm ET)

Verizon and Comcast are both promising not to cancel service or charge late fees through June 30 as part of individual commitments to customers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless firm, said on Monday that it won't termiante service or charge late fees due to coronavirus through June 30.

Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless firm, said on Monday that it won’t terminate service or charge late fees due to coronavirus through June 30.

In March, the Federal Communications Commission said that several major internet service providers and telecom firms had pledged not to terminate service for 60 days, concessions made to help ease financial burdens exacerbated by the coronavirus.

With that deadline creeping up in May, Verizon and Comcast on Monday said that they will continue to avoid cutting service or charging late fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reports.

In addition to its commitment, Comcast said it is opening Wi-Fi hotspots and plans to extend unlimited data to all customers at no additional charge.

Cox Communications is also extending previously announced concessions, which include a promise not to cancel service and to waive late fees through June 30. Like Comcast, Cox is providing free access to its network of Wi-Fi hotspots.

More than 700 companies have agreed to the voluntary measures, and more U.S. telecom and internet service providers are expected to announce extensions of their own commitments. Last week, a coalition of 24 state attorneys general asked carriers for extensions through Aug. 11.

It should be noted that some service providers require direct notification from customers before enacting the coronavirus exemptions.

Posted on April 26, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Grab up to a 10% cash bonus when you trade in a used iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac

Whether you purchased an iPhone SE or need to free up cash for monthly expenses (or even a Mother’s Day gift), your used Apple electronics can be traded in for top dollar. Find out where to secure the best cash bonus alongside competitive trade-in values when you sell your used iPhone, Mac, iPad or Apple Watch.

Apple iPhone trade in bonus coupon also includes Macs and iPads

Apple trade-in deals

Popular buyback retailers like Decluttr, BuyBackWorld and Gazelle are all offering AppleInsider readers exclusive trade-in bonuses on Apple hardware. In the case of Decluttr, users can net an additional 10% on phone trades specifically with promo code INSIDER10. Or grab a 6% bonus on other trades with code INSIDER6.

The providers above offer a variety of payment methods to choose from, such as check or direct deposit, so you aren’t limited in how you can use the money. However, if you’re looking to upgrade your Apple device and want to take advantage of deals when buying a new gadget, B&H Photo has partnered with Phobio to issue B&H gift cards for Apple trade-ins.

Here’s a rundown of the trade-in offers:

iPhone trade in deals

Apple trade in offers deliver bonuses on iPhones

The iPhone trade in values below include bonus cash savings available exclusively to AppleInsider readers. For even more models, including third-party phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20, be sure to visit the respective buyback provider’s site to enter your particular make, model and condition.

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $809 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $740 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $631 at Gazelle

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $778 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $670 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $620 at Gazelle

iPhone 11

iPhone XS Max

iPhone XS Max: Up to $540 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone XS Max: Up to $506 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone XS Max: Up to $413 at Gazelle
iPhone XS Max: Up to $395 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

iPhone XS

iPhone XS: Up to $485 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone XS: Up to $411 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone XS: Up to $350 at Gazelle
iPhone XS: Up to $350 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

iPhone XR

iPhone XR: Up to $420 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone XR: Up to $380 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone XR: Up to $344 at Gazelle
iPhone XR: Up to $295 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

iPhone X

iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $305 at BuyBackWorld with coupon code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $270 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $188 at Gazelle
iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $180 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

iPhone 8

iPhone 8: Up to $235 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone 8: Up to $198 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone 8: Up to $160 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider
iPhone 8: Up to $156 at Gazelle

iPhone 7 Plus

iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $250 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $184 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $135 at Gazelle
iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $120 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

iPhone 7

iPhone 7: Up to $155 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER10
iPhone 7: Up to $125 at Decluttr with code INSIDER10
iPhone 7: Up to $115 at Gazelle
iPhone 7: Up to $100 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

Find dozens more smartphone models at Decluttr, BuyBackWorld, Gazelle and MyPhones Unlimited.

iPad trade in values

Apple trade in bonuses apply to iPads

Along with iPhones, iPads qualify for a 6% cash bonus at Declutter with promo code INSIDER6, or a $20 bonus at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider.

Apple iPad trade-ins valued at $200 or more also qualify for a $20 bonus at Gazelle and BuyBackWorld (the latter requires promo code APPLEINSIDER20).

10.2-inch iPad (7th Generation)

2019 iPad: Up to $272 at BuyBackWorld with coupon code APPLEINSIDER20
2019 iPad: Up to $174 at Gazelle
2019 iPad: Up to $170 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

9.7-inch iPad (6th Generation)

2018 iPad: Up to $185 at Decluttr with code INSIDER6
2018 iPad: Up to $155 at BuyBackWorld with coupon code APPLEINSIDER20
2018 iPad: Up to $135 at Gazelle
2018 iPad: Up to $130 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider

10.5-inch iPad Pro

10.5″ iPad Pro: Up to $329 at Decluttr with code INSIDER6
10.5″ iPad Pro: Up to $315 at BuyBackWorld with coupon code APPLEINSIDER20
10.5″ iPad Pro: Up to $270 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider
10.5″ iPad Pro: Up to $252 at Gazelle

12.9-inch iPad Pro

12.9″ iPad Pro: Up to $756 at Decluttr with promo code INSIDER6
12.9″ iPad Pro: Up to $730 at BuyBackWorld with code APPLEINSIDER20
12.9″ iPad Pro: Up to $520 at MyPhones Unlimited with code appleinsider
12.9″ iPad Pro: Up to $518 at Gazelle

Find many more iPad models at Decluttr, BuyBackWorld, Gazelle and MyPhones Unlimited.

Mac, Apple Watch trade-in bonuses & more

Many more Apple trade ins qualify for bonus cash

Cell phones and tablets aren’t the only electroncis you can sell for cash. If you have an Apple Watch Series 5, for instance, selling your Series 1, 2, 3 or 4 Apple Watch has never been easier. Simply lock in a price today and mail in your used device using the pre-paid shipping label from the buyback provider of your choice.

Gift cards, Magic keyboards, and even LEGO bricks can all be traded in easily. Simply lock in a quote, ship the goods for free and get paid in cash at these top providers:

Additional Apple deals

AppleInsider and Apple authorized resellers are also running additional exclusive savings on hardware that will not only deliver the lowest prices on many of the items, but also throw in bonus discounts on AppleCare, Office 365 and more. These offers are as follows:

Interested in additional Apple hardware? See if there is a Mac, iPad or Apple Watch deal that will save you $100s by checking out prices.appleinsider.com.

Posted on April 25, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Apple Card outage stopping customers from paying bills [u]

By Malcolm Owen
Saturday, April 25, 2020, 09:00 am PT (12:00 pm ET)

An Apple Pay outage on Saturday is affecting a number of users of Apple Card, preventing some from being able to pay their bill or perform other functions, with Apple working to fix the issue.

According to the Apple System Status page, an issue was raised for Apple Pay, the company’s mobile payments platform, directly affecting customers of Apple Card. The issue, which is listed as commencing at 1:45pm BST (8:45am Eastern) has affected “some users” of the service, stopping them from conducting a number of important tasks surrounding the card.

The status page update, spotted by 9to5Mac, explains some users “may not be able to pay their Apple Card bill.” Other affected features include the ability to lock and unlock their physical card, being able to request a new or replacement physical card, or to request a new card number.

It is unclear how long it will take for Apple to fix the problem, nor exactly how many people are affected. It also doesn’t seem to have impacted other Apple Pay users, with the problem restricted to just Apple Card functions.

Given the usual timescales for downtime events, it is probable Apple will fix the issue within a few hours of being raised.

Update: An update at 5:11pm BST (12:11pm Eastern) on the System Status page shows the issue was resolved.

Posted on April 24, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Compared: iPhone SE versus iPhone XR versus iPhone 11

With a new iPhone SE occupying Apple’s entry-level price tier, the question of which budget-friendly iPhone to buy has gotten a bit harder. We’re here to help.

Apple’s trio of cheaper iPhones all have differences and similarities that may sway your decision.

The second-generation iPhone SE packs a lot of device into a $399 price tag, but it’s still missing some of the key flagship features users have come to expect from modern Apple handsets.

Though it still retains some years-old design elements, like a Home button and significant bezels, the new iPhone SE offers some extremely competitive specifications for the price, especially when compared to the other cheaper device in Apple’s lineup.

Let’s take a closer look at how the iPhone SE, iPhone XR and iPhone 11 stack up.

	iPhone SE (second-generation)	iPhone XR	iPhone 11
Price	$399	$449	$699
Dimensions (inches)	5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29	5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33	5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33
Weight (ounces)	5.22	5.84	5.84
Processor	A13 Bionic	A12 Bionic	A13 Bionic
RAM	3GB	3GB	4GB
Storage	64GB, 128GB, 256GB	64GB, 256GB, 512GB	64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Display type	4.7-inch Retina HD	6.1-inch Liquid Retina	6.1-inch Liquid Retina
Resolution	1,334 x 750 at 326ppi	1,792 x 828 at 326ppi	1,792 x 828 at 326ppi
True Tone	Yes	Yes	Yes
Biometrics	TouchID	Face ID	Face ID
Connectivity	Gigabit-class LTE Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6	Gigabit-class LTE Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 5	Gigabit-class LTE Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6
Rear Cameras	Single-lens 12MP Wide camera	Single-lens 12MP Wide camera	Dual-lens 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide Cameras Night Mode Bright True Tone Flash
Front Cameras	7MP FaceTime HD Camera	7MP TrueDepth Camera	12MP TrueDepth Camera
Battery Size	Video playback up to 13 hours	Video playback up to 17 hours	Video playback up to 17 hours
Colors	Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED	Blue, White, Black, Yellow, Coral, (PRODUCT)RED	Purple, Yellow, Green, Black, White and (PRODUCT)RED

Basic overview of the iPhone SE, iPhone XR and iPhone 11

Apple’s new iPhone SE (let), iPhone XR (center), and iPhone 11 (right)

The iPhone SE may seem like the biggest outlier here, but it has similarities to both the iPhone XR and the iPhone SE, depending on the exact specification.

For example, the overall footprint of the iPhone XR and the iPhone 11 are very similar, with virtually no differences in dimensions or weight. The iPhone SE has a vastly different form factor than current iPhones, with a 4.7-inch display, relatively large bezels and a Home button.

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Both the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11 pack an A13 Bionic chipset, meaning that their performance is going to outpace the older and slower A12 Bionic in the iPhone XR. It’s a similar story for connectivity, with the iPhone SE and iPhone 11 featuring support for Wi-Fi 6. The trio do feature the same Bluetooth specification and 4G LTE support, however.

When it comes to cameras, the iPhone SE and iPhone XR are fairly evenly stacked, with a similar single-lens rear camera. The iPhone 11 has the best camera setup with a dual-lens system that includes an ultra-wide-angle lens and next-generation Smart HDR.

The TrueDepth Camera in the edge-to-edge iPhones offers some competitive advantages and access to features like Face ID.

None of the displays here are OLED-based. While the two edge-to-edge displays use Apple’s Liquid Retina LCD technology, they all have the same pixel density. The only difference is the iPhone SE’s resolution, which is lower due mainly to its smaller screen.

The biometrics are different, of course, with the new iPhone SE retaining a Home button and Touch ID. All three devices sport dual-SIM capabilities thanks to Apple’s embedded eSIM, as well as support for Qi wireless charging.

Which of the trio you should buy

The 2020 iPhone SE mixes in features from both the iPhone XR and iPhone 11, all at a more affordable price.

As mentioned earlier, the iPhone SE has quite a few flagship-like features hidden underneath its older iPhone form factor. It’s going to be an extremely attractive choice for the price, compared to both mid-range iPhones as well as Android devices.

It could also act as a good stepping stone to a modern iPhone for users who have held onto their old devices for some time. It’s a familiar form factor, despite having some of the latest updates inside of it. Fans of the 4.7-inch, or those avoiding the newer designs, may want to give it a hard look.

The iPhone XR occupies a slot somewhere in the middle, though it actually has the slowest processor and several other features that lag about a year behind its 2020 stablemates.

While it’s going to offer a similar experience to the iPhone 11, its hardware and internals are slightly older. It’s probably best for users who want the cheapest way to get Face ID and an edge-to-edge display.

Apple’s iPhone 11 is representative of the company’s current flagship. It’s essentially the whole package, with the best cameras, and is the best phone out of the bunch —but at a cost premium.

Even though it’s missing a few features compared to the iPhone 11 Pro models. It is, of course, the most expensive. And a $700 price isn’t exactly friendly to every budget.

Posted on April 23, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Tim Cook appears on BBC’s ‘The Big Night In’ to support coronavirus relief

By William Gallagher
Thursday, April 23, 2020, 01:10 pm PT (04:10 pm ET)

Tim Cook has appeared on British television’s BBC1 in aid of COVID-19 relief efforts, and announced that Apple will waive iTunes store fees on a charity single while praising the “strength and good humor” of Britons.

Tim Cook appearing on BBC1’s “The Big Night In” charity telethon

Apple CEO Tim Cook has appeared on BBC1 television in the UK, during a charity telethon which is raising money to help with people struggling under the impact of the coronavirus. “The Big Night In” is a three-hour broadcast featuring British actors, comedians, and musicians, and included a special group performance of a charity single.

The Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” was covered by almost 30 artists, ranging from Paloma Faith and Rita Ora, to Ellie Goulding and Chris Martin, all recorded in their homes. Immediately following the song, Tim Cook appeared on screen from Cupertino to address the audience.

“Tonight I’m proud to announce that Apple will be waiving all royalties on the amazing single you just heard,” he said. “We’re also making a significant donation of our own to The Big Night In and helping our customers across the UK join in by contributing from their devices.”

“We’re deeply inspired not only by the strength and good humor of the British people,” he continued, “but also your empathy for one another and the neighbors beyond your shores. From our Apple family to yours, thank you for your generosity and your courage. Stay safe and stay well.”

BBC1’s “The Big Night In” is the channel’s first-ever joint charity telethon, bringing together the UK’s regular “Comic Relief” and “Children in Need” fundraising appeals.

As well as contributions from performers and news reports about charity efforts, the show also reunited popular UK casts including ten Doctors from “Doctor Who.” Selected excerpts from the show are currently being added to the BBC’s YouTube channel.

Posted on April 22, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Compared: Magic Keyboard versus Brydge Pro+ for iPad Pro

Apple’s Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro with a floating design, backlit keyboard, and glass multi-touch trackpad is now available. We compare it to the new Brydge Pro+ to see which device wins out in features and quality.

Magic Keyboard (left) and Brydge Pro+ (right)

Brydge Pro+ and Magic Keyboard similarities

Both of these premium-quality accessories fit the same models of iPad Pro. There are versions for both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes of the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros. With the Logitech Combo Touch only available for older iPads at the moment, these are the only true options that users have if they want a keyboard and trackpad combo.

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Each of them sport fantastic build quality, with Brydge being made up of aluminum with a glass trackpad while the Magic Keyboard has a vinyl exterior with metal hinges and a glass trackpad of its own. Both manufactures can also push firmware updates to these devices, making sure they stay up to date and compatible with the latest iPadOS updates.

There are full backlit keyboards on each, an adjustable hinge to set your preferred viewing angle, and protection for the display of your iPad.

From there, these two excellent productivity tools begin to diverge.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard

Apple’s own Magic Keyboard sets the bar in terms of what an iPad Pro keyboard should be. Rather than rely on Bluetooth, Apple uses the Smart Connector which means you never have to charge the keyboard. As long as your iPad Pro has power, so does your Magic Keyboard. An additional USB-C port on the hinge makes this even easier to manage.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

To connect your iPad, just bring it near and the magnets do the rest. They pull the iPad into place and hold onto it well. As we adjusted it, it never misaligned or came free errantly.

The keyboard itself has a great amount of key travel with very solid keys. There is a small amount of key wiggle compared to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, but not much at all. Brydge has a higher degree of wiggle to the keys, often with us having the occasional keystroke not register.

The backlight is near perfect, with almost no light leak around the keys. Brydge has quite a lot of backlight leaking around the keys which can be distracting, especially depending on your viewing angle.

Magic Keyboard trackpad (right) versus Brydge Pro+ trackpad (left)

To no surprise, Apple nailed the trackpad as well. It is decently sized, though can feel cramped if you are used to the larger ones on a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. It supports multi-touch gestures for going to the home screen, accessing the app switcher, and moving between apps. Not to mention two-finger swipes to go back inside of apps, two fingers for scrolling, and pinching for Maps and Photos.

Apple also managed to enable clicks around the entire trackpad surface. Brydge uses a diving board style trackpad which means the far end is fixed, allowing the rest to flex and click. This hurts the user experience when you try to press down and it simply doesn’t let you.

Brydge Pro+

The Brydge Pro+ keyboard has a full row of function keys above your standard keys. These make it easy to control media, lock the iPad, adjust volume, and even control brightness.

Apple decided not to include these function keys, which is disappointing. It makes manually adjusting the keyboard backlight on Apple’s offering much harder, requiring users to dig into settings.

A Control Center toggle for this could go a long way. Apple’s keyboard does adjust automatically based on the room’s ambient light, but if you do want to adjust it on your own it isn’t as simple as it could be.

Brydge Pro+ also has a far better angle variance. Brydge Pro+ can go from 0 degrees while closed to 180 degrees when fully opened. Magic Keyboard restricts movement to only around 125 degrees. If you want it to go further back, you’re out of luck.

Brydge Pro+

The trackpad on Brydge Pro+ is bigger than the Magic Keyboard, which would be better if it supported all the gestures that the Magic Keyboard supports. But, in our testing, we’re seeing some lag between user input, and the movement of the pointer on the iPad screen. This isn’t great.

The Brydge Pro+ is much more affordable than the Magic Keyboard. It still maintains a premium price tag, but at $199 for the 11-inch, it comes in at a hundred dollars less than Apple’s offering.

Which should I buy?

If money is no object, then go with the Magic Keyboard. It has a better design, keyboard, and trackpad. The physical Smart Connector reduces any lag, of which can be a frustrating problem with Brydge’s trackpad.

	Brydge	Magic Keyboard
iPad support	2018 and 2020 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros	2018 and 2020 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros
Material	Aluminum	Metal and vinyl
Function keys	Yes	No
Backlit keys	Yes, adjust through function keys	Yes, adjusted automatically
USB-C Port	USB-C input for charging keyboard	Additional USB-C for charging iPad Pro
Connectivity	Bluetooth	Smart Connector
Supported angles	0 to 180 degrees	0 to 125 degrees
Price	$199 and $229	$299 and $349

However, if you are willing to compromise and still want an excellent keyboard with a functional trackpad, Brydge can save you some cash while still delivering a quality typing experience.

Where to buy

The brand new Brydge Pro+ is set to begin shipping at the end of April, running $199 for the 11-inch and $229 for the 12.9-inch model.

The Magic Keyboard for Apple’s new iPad Pro is available to purchase from Adorama, Amazon and B&H Photo. The 11-inch version costs $299, while the 12.9-inch version retails for $349.

Posted on April 21, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Apple’s iPad dominated tablet sales revenue across all of 2019

By Malcolm Owen
Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 12:06 pm PT (03:06 pm ET)

Apple’s share of the global tablet market increased in 2019, according to Strategy Analytics, with the iPad securing 44% of sales revenue for across the entire year based on the sales of application processors alone.

The iPad and iPad Pro have been extremely popular tablets for quite some time, with Apple’s tablets repeatedly being touted as the most popular by a number of research firms and analysts. In the latest report discussing the global tablet market, Apple’s products are said to have increased market share in a slowly growing global market.

In Strategy Analytics’ report into the application processor market for tablets, the firm refers to the system-on-chip or processor vendor, rather than the final tablet producer. In effect, the comparison is pitting Apple’s A-series chips against those produced by Intel, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung.

While the chips produced by rivals are typically either sold to a variety of different tablet vendors, or in the case of Samsung, used in its own products as well as by others, Apple does not offer its A-series chips for use by other manufacturers. In effect, the results can potentially skew in favor of Apple’s opponents, as a Qualcomm chip may be used by multiple vendors instead of just one, as is the case for Apple.

Strategy Analytics claims the Applications Processor market as a whole grew 2% year-on-year in 2019, hitting a total value of $1.9 billion for the period. Of that total, Apple accounts for 44% across all of 2019, an increase from the previous year, though in the fourth quarter of 2019, Apple’s revenue share was even higher at 47%.

By comparison, Qualcomm and Intel each secured 16% of the annual market share. MediaTek and Samsung make up the rest of the top five chip vendors on the list.

While this approach focuses on the value of chips being produced and used in devices, it does not take into account the quantity of chips produced.

“The tablet shipment decline trend continues to be a challenge to tablet AP vendors, even as average selling prices show strength,” commented Strategy Analytics associate director Sravan Kundojjala.

Posted on April 20, 2020 by sick skills — Leave a comment

Apple working with ‘American Idol’ to use iPhones to finish the season

By Amber Neely
Monday, April 20, 2020, 01:06 pm PT (04:06 pm ET)

ABC and FremantleMedia are bringing American Idol back to TV with a new twist —the contestants will film themselves at home using the latest iPhones.

American Idol, like many other shows, was shut down when the ongoing pandemic forced social distancing. The audience-centric, live show had initially planned to delay the show until social distancing restrictions had been lifted, but found that the idea didn’t feel right. That’s when the show decided to get creative.

American Idol show-runner Trish Kinane, who is also the president of Entertainment Programming for FremantleMedia, had to come up with a clever solution to working around lockdown restrictions.

Kinane and a team of nearly 45 people have been figuring out how to host the show remotely. The solution involves sending contestants lighting equipment, wardrobe, and the latest iPhone —presumably an iPhone 11 Pro Max. The contestants will be required to film themselves.

The American Idol band has been recording tracks remotely to provide to the Idols. Producers have checked on contestants’ Internet, and each contestant has scouted out a remote filming location.

“These are kids who are really used to iPhone technology, they are really familiar with it and use it every day. In the end, we decided rather than send them some complicated camera that you really need a camera operator to use, we would go with the the technology that they’re familiar with,” Kinane told Deadline.

“These top of the range iPhones are amazing. It wouldn’t surprise me if we were using iPhones in the studio in the future,” she added.

ABC’s Senior Vice President said that ABC was now working with Apple to continue the show.

“We are blessed to live in a day and age where we have technology, even if this had happened five years ago, I don’t know if it would be possible,” he said. “There is a real can-do spirit here that is exciting and exhausting, it’s been fun to figure it out.”

The judges, which includes Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, will also be filming remotely. Ryan Seacrest, the show’s host, will act as an anchor point for the show.

Seacrest had been given an “American Idol” desk as a present after the show had come to an end on Fox and will be using it to host the show from his home.

“We need a home base to come back to. You don’t want it to be chaotic. Ryan is home base, everything goes through him for the live shows,” Kinane said. “Ryan is going to behind an American Idol desk to host the show. It’s been packed up for three and a half years but now its moment has come.”