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Stay up-to-date on the latest iPhone news and learn new tips and tricks with our comprehensive tutorials. From software updates to new features, we’ve got you covered.

Apple buys pricey production equipment for iPhone 8’s printed circuit board

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 14, 2017

Apple has puzzled industry watchers by investing tens of millions of dollars in production equipment for iPhone 8's rigid flexible printed circuit board, which connects chips with parts such as the display, camera and so forth, ET News reported Friday.

The company will use this component for iPhone 8's touch screen panel.

The reason the move has raised questions is because Apple lacks its own production plant to install the equipment and the fact that it contracted three different suppliers to build this crucial iPhone 8 component, including Interflex and Youngpoong Electronics.

According to a source, one of the three suppliers recently decided to back out for reasons unknown, prompting Apple to take matters into its own hands. The Cupertino technology giant is now leasing the equipment it bought to suppliers to ensure it gets the parts it needs.

Additionally, the company is seeking to find a new supplier in Taiwan.

Sources speculate the supplier likely backed out due to low profitability and Apple's exacting standards when it comes to production quality. The iPhone maker is expected to order a hundred million units of the rigid flexible printed circuit board for iPhone 8.

“To fill the loss, Apple is supporting the other two suppliers to beef up production,” said the source. Rigid flexible printed circuit boards are much more difficult to build than the conventional ones.

iPhone 8 mockup via iDropNews

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Facebook is testing in-app GIF creator

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 14, 2017

As first spotted by The Next Web, Facebook is testing an in-app GIF creator with a subset of users of its mainland mobile app for iOS. The feature is available through the app's built-in camera and allows users to quickly create animated GIFs for sharing with friends and family.

You can also post the GIF to a Story or save it to your device.

GIFs can be spiced up using Facebook's range of built-in camera effects. According to the publication, any GIFs created through this feature are short, lasting only a few seconds.

As I mentioned before, the feature is only available to certain users.

We'll let you know when the in-app GIF creator launches for everyone. Until then, let us know in the comments section if you're part of Facebook's limited test of this feature.

Just a month ago, the social network rolled out the ability for users to express themselves better by posting animated GIFs in comments.

Download Facebook at no charge from App Store.

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GIFRoll brings animated GIF support to iOS 10

Anthony Bouchard ∙ July 14, 2017

One of the critical shortcomings of iOS is how the Photos app doesn’t display animated GIFs as they’re meant to be seen. Instead, opening one reveals a still image, which is a single frame of the animated GIF you’re trying to view.

Users have requested animated GIF support for years, but Apple waited until iOS 11 (Fall of 2017) to finally implement it. On the other hand, if you plan on keeping your jailbreak after the release of iOS 11 this Fall, you can use a new free tweak called GIFRoll by iOS developer isklikas to enable animated GIF support in the Photos app ahead of time.

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DummyPass trumps over-shoulder peeping attempts on your passcode

Anthony Bouchard ∙ July 14, 2017

If you use a passcode to unlock your iPhone or iPad, then you know how important it is to keep other people from seeing the digits you tap on to get into your device.

Since people are inclined to pay more attention to the numbers you tap rather than the pattern of the buttons, a new free jailbreak tweak called DummyPass by iOS developer Wisy uses this concept to your advantage.

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Pocketdex app by Majd Alfhaily and Surenix complements Pokémon GO

Anthony Bouchard ∙ July 13, 2017

Although fewer people are as excited to play Pokémon GO today as when the game first launched last Summer, it still stands as one of the world’s most popular mobile games.

A new Pokémon GO companion app called Pocketdex is now available on the App Store, and was created with love by two prominent members of the jailbreak community: iOS developer Majd Alfhaily and graphic designer Surenix.

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ARKit demo: accurate room measurement in augmented reality

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 13, 2017

If the augmented reality (AR) tape measure app we recently featured has gotten you excited for the possibilities that Apple's ARKit framework brings to developers, you're wholeheartedly recommended to watch this video demonstration of an upcoming ARKit-driven app that will let you take precise room measurement by pointing your iPhone's camera at the corners.

The app will help generate 3D models and automatically calculate the footage for the user. It's a really cool-looking demo and I can't wait to try this app out when it releases.

Watch the demonstration video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw9MPZoPqCQ

The app was created by a company called Smart Pictures, which provides the Measurement Cloud system that enables dimensioning intelligence for the interior world.

Here's a recent ARKit-powered tape measure demo that set the Internet on fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7DYC_zbZCM

This level of precision is made possible by ARKit's accurate plane detection and reliable object tracking. On existing devices, the ARKit framework leverages data from on-board sensors and uses computer vision algorithms constantly analyzing live camera feed.

ARKit-driven apps should be even better on iPhone 8 because Apple's OLED iPhone is said to feature a dedicated 3D laser sensor on both its front and back for even better augmented reality features and faster, more precise autofocus.

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iPhone 8 to use rear 3D sensor for better AR & autofocus, haptic feedback on side buttons

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 13, 2017

Fast Company is out with a new report that basically reiterates what Barclays and KGI Securities said before: that Apple's OLED iPhone will actually feature two 3D sensors, one on the front and the other out the back. In addition, the device could feature completely waterproof buttons on its side that respond with haptic feedback.

According to the publication's sources, the rear 3D sensor will help iPhone 8 provide improved camera autofocus and enhanced augmented reality features, likely stemming from even more accurate object tracking and better depth detection in ARKit-powered apps.

Like the front-facing 3D sensor, the rear one is said to use a vertical-cavity surface-emitting (VSCEL) laser system that also includes a lens, a detector sensor and a dedicated chip. The VCSEL system would map objects in 3D by calculating the distance the light travels from the laser to the target and back to the sensor, using so-called time-of-flight measurement.

Suppliers Lumentum, Finisar and II-VI will reportedly be providing the VCSEL lasers for the device. STMicro, Infineon or AMS should provide the time-of-flight sensor. Apple could buy the whole modular system from either LG Innotek, STMicro, AMS or Foxconn, added the source.

The system costs about $2 per phone, as per the publication.

The laser-based sensor will also enable a faster and more accurate autofocus than the phase detection autofocus used on current iPhones. That's because the dedicated rear 3D sensor will determine precise object depth by measuring the time it takes the laser light beams to bounce off objects and return to the sensor.

This will let iPhone 8 focus the camera lens on the desired object in milliseconds. Laser autofocus systems are already used in phones from Google, Huawei, OnePlus and Asus.

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Second public beta for iOS 11 is out now

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2017

Apple on Wednesday released iOS 11 public beta 2, which has the same features as a third developer-only beta that was seeded to developers two days ago.

Before it can be installed on your device, you must sign in with your Apple ID at beta.apple.com in order to enroll your iOS device to access the latest public beta of iOS 11.

Next, from your iOS device visit beta.apple.com/profile to download the configuration profile.

Follow the onscreen instructions to allow installation of the profile, which will permit your iOS device to automatically receive over-the-air public beta software updates.

Lastly, go to Settings → General → Software Update to install the public beta.

Screenshot via Joey Antonini

You're wholeheartedly recommended to perform a full iCloud or iTunes backup of the device before installing any beta software. Do not install the iOS 11 public beta on your daily driver.

Here's our overview of the changes in the iOS 11 public beta 2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bixdLWqPIvA

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For the complete list of all the changes in iOS 11 public beta 2 and developer-only iOS 11 beta 3 (which, again, have the same features), check out our previous article.

iOS betas are typically riddled with bugs and various issues until a Gold Master candidate is released ahead of public launch. You've been warned—performance issues, crashes, battery drain and various other problems and hiccups are a commonplace with iOS betas.

Apple typically optimizes iOS for speed and power consumption close to launch.

To report any issues and bugs to Apple, use the included Feedback Assistant app. The iOS 11 software update will release to everyone this fall.

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Apple unveils 2017 Back to School deals: free Beats with select iPad Pro & Mac purchases

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 12, 2017

Apple on Wednesday announced its 2017 Back to School promotion for customers in the United States and Canada. Students, teachers and university staff members will get a free Beats Solo3 wireless headphones when they purchase an eligible Mac with education pricing, including the MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and Mac Pro models.

If you opt for a 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Apple will treat you to a free BeatsX wireless earphones or you can pay $50 extra to get a Powerbeats3 in-ear headphones or $150 extra for the Solo3 on-ear wireless headphones.

The Solo3 headphones are a great choice because they contain Apple's W1 chip for more reliable connections, better sound quality and longer battery life compared to Solo2.

The 2017 Back to School deals area available to students enrolled in college, parents, teachers and faculty members. Verification is required at checkout.

Apple also recommends Back to School accessories such as AirPods, Apple TV and more.

Plus, students can take advantage of existing Apple Music deal with a monthly subscription available to eligible students half price at just five bucks per month, or sixty bucks per year.

The Back to School promotion for customers in Australia, New Zealand and Japan went live back in January. It offered an Apple Store credit in exchange for a qualified iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook/Air/Pro or iPad Pro purchase made from February 7 to March 16.

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