News

Leaked molds offer size comparison between iPhone 8, iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2017

This weekend, leakster Benjamin Geskin published a batch of purported photos showcasing alleged manufacturing molds for Apple's upcoming 2017 iPhone refresh, offering a look at relative sizes of the OLED-based iPhone 8 model and the LCD-based iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus range.

First surfaced on Chinese social network Weibo, the images serve as yet another indication that iPhone 8 will probably be just a bit wider and slightly taller than the 4.7-inch iPhones.

That's because iPhone 8 should squeeze a 5.8-inch OLED screen with a 5.1-inch active display area into a chassis roughly the size of a 4.7-inch iPhone by embedding the selfie camera, the sensors and the Home button directly into the display assembly.

Other iPhone 8 features we can glean from the images include a vertically aligned dual-lens system with an LED flash and a noise-suppressing microphone built directly into the bulge, plus an elongated Power button on the right side that some folks think could double as a fingerprint sensor if Apple is unable to integrate Touch ID into the OLED display.

Touch ID is built into the display itself, according to Geskin.

Don't let the holes near the middle confuse you: they're probably manufacturing artifacts.

While the iPhone 7s family is expected to feature slightly updated design and maybe even a glass backside to help with wireless charging, it won't have a nearly full-screen front face like iPhone 8. In other words, iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus should retain their fairly large “chin” at the top and the bottom because, unlike with iPhone 8, their front camera, Home button and sensors won't be integrated underneath the LCD panel.

Please take this news nugget with some skepticism because iPhone shells are machined, not cast. For all we know, the molds pictured on these photographs could be (and probable are) made by a third-party for use in the production of iPhone cases rather than actual handsets.

Geskin also published photographs of third-party cases for Apple's upcoming 10.5-inch iPad Pro model and a next-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro, designed based on information obtained from a Foxconn source.

The purported cases suggest two things: 1) the 7.9-inch iPad mini lineup is indeed being discontinued, as previously rumored; and 2) 2017 iPads will relocate the microphones from the sides to the backside of the devices, like with the recently launched $329 9.7-inch iPad model.

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Claimed cases for 10.5″ and 12.9″ iPad Pro suggest rear microphone and stereo speakers

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 22, 2017

Cases for Apple's new 10.5-inch iPad Pro model and a next-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro are circulating the web today, showing rear microphone holes like on the recently unveiled $329 iPad model and cutouts for stereo speakers. Made by a third-party vendor, the design of these cases is based on information allegedly obtained from Apple's contract manufacturer Foxconn.

The current-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro features the microphone cutout on the right side of the device. The images depict four large cutouts for what appears to be stereo speakers, two at the top of the wooden case and two at the bottom of the device on both sides of the Lightning port.

The cases include cutouts for the 3.5mm headphone jack on both the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Published by leakster Benjamin Geskin, the photos also indicate that there may not be new iPad mini models this year.

According to BGR, the iPad mini lineup has just been “sized out of its own category,” prompting the Cupertino company to stop updating the device and phase it out gradually due to its constantly decreasing sales.

The 10.5-inch iPad model is expected to feature narrower side bezels so that the 10.5-inch display could be fitted inside a body roughly the size of the current 9.7-inch iPad models.

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This week’s top stories on iDB

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 17, 2018

Like every Sunday, we get to take a look at some of the most popular posts that were published on iDB during the week that just ended. Whether it is a news item, a new jailbreak tweak, a tutorial, or an app review, we sum it all up in one convenient place for you.

As always, if you like what you're reading, please feel free to spread the love by sharing our posts on your favorite social network.

We're usually hanging out a lot on Twitter and Facebook, more rarely on Google+.

Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of our new podcast, Let's Talk iOS:

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Want to support iDB? Visit our Deals Store and buy something from us.

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Check out breathtaking aerial views of Apple Park building lit up at night

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2017

Friday, drone pilot Duncan Sinfield posted his monthly Apple Park construction update showcasing breathtaking aerial views of the massive ring-shaped building lit up at night.

The mountain of dirt on Apple's new campus counties to shrink on a daily basis as contractors continually work on landscaping, planting mature trees around the site.

Solar arrays on the building's roof appear to be completely installed and light posts around the new campus are now active, too.

Aside from other impressive features and mind-boggling facts, the main building has nine entrances and sports a large café, basically an atrium-like space four stories high with a pair of huge glass doors that can be opened when it’s nice outside. The café was designed to hold 4,000 people at once, split between the vast ground floor and the balcony dining areas.

Here's Duncan's latest video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71ZK-NkluqQ

In order to be able to open and close the massive glass doors quietly, they hid the necessary mechanism underground. The glass doors weigh in at a whopping 440,000 pounds each.

“The only doors I know of in the world that size are on an airplane hangar,” said Nelli Diller, a managing director for Seele Group, a German company Apple contracted to create the largest, strongest pieces of curved glass in the world for its new corporate office.

Each of the 800 45-foot-tall panels of safety glass takes fourteen hours to create.

Seele had to expand capacity by working with its autoclave manufacturer to develop a much bigger cooker that could stack five panels at once. “The one we had was the biggest in the glass industry by far. This new one is just … giant,” said Diller.

Seele also built glass panels for Apple Stores.

Both Google Maps and Apple Maps offer three-dimensional views of Apple Park, although Google's 3D imagery appears to be a bit out of date.

For a video recap of the construction progress made on the 175-acre campus over the past year, check out a birds-eye video by videographer Matthew Roberts.

If you like these gorgeous aerial scenes of Apple Park lit up at night, be sure to check out Duncan's first nighttime footage of the new campus taken about a month ago.

Apple gave Wired a rare look inside the building with many previously unknown tidbits about the project and never-before-seen photographs of the meticulously designed interiors.

Apple began moving in first employees at the start of April, with about 500 new employees arriving every week thereafter. The iPhone maker expects to finish the move-in process, complete landscaping work and open the visitor center to the public by year-end.

Apple Park has a 100,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center for employees which includes a two-story yoga room, as well as access to medical and dental services.

“I’m a big believer in people staying active,” said Cook, who is something of a fitness buff himself. “It’s something that makes them feel better and more energetic. It’s all about the fixation on the customer, and the customers here are our people, our employees.”

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Apple publishes 4 new “How to shoot on iPhone 7” video tutorials

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 23, 2018

Apple on Friday added four new video tutorials to the “How to shoot on iPhone 7” series on its YouTube channel. The four new videos were designed to teach customers how to shoot with zoom on their iPhone 7 Plus, convert their photographs to black & white, as well as take a one-handed selfie and edit it on the phone.

How to shoot with zoom on iPhone 7 Plus

“Get closer with 2x optical zoom. Or use digital zoom to get up to 10x closer,” says Apple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsaA1s7oCKA

If you tend to use the zoom feature while shooting video on your iPhone 7 Plus, it may be a good idea to disable the automatic lens switching feature in camera settings to avoid any glitches that may occur when zooming in and out during video capture.

How to convert to black & white on iPhone 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQoEsUJpy_Q “The right filter and a bit of experimenting with light levels give you a dramatic black-and-white image,” says Apple.

How to shoot a one-handed selfie on iPhone 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4miX5CNATEI

“The quick-draw selfie in three easy steps.”

How to edit a selfie on iPhone 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUxahFzjGS4

“Use cropping and auto-enhance to create an even better selfie for sharing,” says Apple.

If you'd like, feel free to explore additional photography tips and techniques at Apple's website.

The clips join Apple's seven video tutorials on using iPhone 7's camera, published last week.

Our own iPhone Photography series is a valuable resource of free tips, tricks and advanced photography techniques, whether you are an experienced photographer or a beginner.

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iOS 11 concept imagines new productivity features for iPad

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2017

Apple is going to preview iOS 11 along with other OS updates at its annual developers conference next month and we fully expect the mobile operating system to include advances that should make the Apple tablet a better laptop replacement than it currently is.

In the meantime, Federico Viticci and Sam Beckett of MacStories have put together an incredibly detailed concept of iPad-specific features that could be part of iOS 11, including the Finder, a new Shelf feature, drag-and-drop available system-wide and other perks.

With the Shelf feature, you would be able to clip pretty much anything with a simple drag-and-drop gesture. Sitting above apps both in full-screen or Split View mode, it would reveal itself automatically when you're dragging an item towards the top of the screen.

The Shelf would display your previously saved items as thumbnail previews and you'd be able to drop an item on top of another item to create a folder in the Shelf.

“The idea behind the Shelf is to make it as effortless as possible to hold something for later without the cognitive load of deciding which app or extension should receive it right away.”

The Shelf would be paginated and local to each iPad.

You'd be permitted to drop almost anything in it: from text selections and images to phone numbers and even songs. Tapping an item in the Shelf would pull up a custom Quick Look preview with additional information and actions relevant to the selected item.

And here's the concept video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyFUDQ5LLZw

Next up: file management.

As you know, Apple currently offers the iCloud Drive app for browsing your iCloud files.

MacStories has envisioned a Finder for iOS because the argument that iPad doesn't need to expose its filesystem to the user “lost its validity when Apple introduced document providers in iOS 8 and the iCloud Drive app in iOS 9.”

Unlike Finder for macOS, its iOS counterpart would not expose system information beyond the actual files. You'd be able to browse your files in column and grid views, shared items via iCloud with full permission controls, apply tags, use the Versions feature and even take advantage of Siri integration to search across your files.

“All the pieces of the current system—iCloud Drive, the document picker and document providers—should be unified into a single Finder app and system-wide layer available everywhere,” said MacStories.

Instead of having files stored within app-specific folders on iCloud Drive, users would be able to create files in a top-level iCloud Drive view.

As a bonus, rather than list a bunch of installed document provider extensions in a popup, you'd get a full-blown Finder dialog to open files from any folder or app.

MacStories notes:

With a new set of APIs and user permissions, iOS 11 could allow apps to more easily open each other's documents in complex (but intuitive) workflows that aren't possible today.

And, obviously, automation could play a role in this down the road, opening the door to ideas such as folder-monitoring utilities and file automation either via Workflow or Hazel-like apps.

Finder for iOS would integrate with other features that MacStories has envisioned, such as the Shelf and system-wide drag-and-drop, but without the complexity of macOS.

But wouldn't drag-and-drop clash with iOS's standard gestures?

In a word, no. As MacStories explains:

Because drag-and-drop would be fully multitouch-enabled, it wouldn't block the iOS interface: another finger could be used to navigate in a different "drop area" of an app, or a user could keep dragging until the Split View app picker is shown and drop an item onto an app's icon, opening a contextual action menu.

App Store could be redesigned around Apple Music-inspired redesign, as show below.

Apple could even bring aspects of the watchOS interface to iOS and move beyond the static, inexpressive nature of its interface. “Touch-down states for icons and buttons would add useful context to iOS toolbar icons and menus as well,” reads the article.

A better Split View implementation is one of my favorite concepts proposed by MacStories for iOS 11. In addition to supporting drag-and-drop between the apps in Split View mode, you'd gain the ability to quickly select an app for Split View by choosing it from a Home screen like view complete with Spotlight integration for surfacing Split View-enabled apps.

Be sure to visit the MacStories concept for additional high-resolution mockups and detailed descriptions of other proposed enhancements, such as improvements to Notes and Control Center, better extension support in Safari and more.

Feel free to let us know your thoughts on this concept by posting a comment below.

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iPhone hacked by jailbreak developer to interact with NFC devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ May 19, 2017

iPhones have come equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology since the iPhone 6 launched in 2014. NFC's primary use in the iPhone is for Apple Pay and allows contactless payments via supported merchants at the point of sale.

On the other hand, well-known jailbreak developer Elias Limneos was tinkering with iPhone NFC on his spare time and managed to hack it to work in ways that are typically locked off by Apple out of the box.

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Stevie Wonder performed at Apple’s headquarters to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2017

Marking one of Apple's traditional “Beer Bash” celebrations, multi-platinum Grammy-winning artist Stevie Wonder performed this week at Apple's Cupertino headquarters at One Infinite Loop.

The corporate event for company employees was organized in recognition of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, a global initiative focused on digital access and inclusion of people with different disabilities.

Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted out an image of himself and Wonder hugging onstage as a thank you to the artist. “Thank you to the incomparable Stevie Wonder for lifting hearts and celebrating accessibility with us,” reads the tweet.

Prior “Beer Bash” celebrations at Apple's headquarters included performances by Maroon 5, One Republic, Darius Rucker and other music artists.

https://twitter.com/cookiecrook/status/865371872723992576

“There's nothing on iPhone or iPad that you can do that I can't do,“ Wonder, an Apple fan, said in 2011 commenting on the assistive technologies built into iOS and macOS.

The artist sang in Apple's “Someday at Christmas” 2015 holiday commercial.

Wonder is blind so having him perform on Global Accessibility Awareness Day is fitting.

Apple celebrated Global Accessibility Awareness Day with a series of inspiring videos highlighting assistive technologies built into its platforms, the accessibility-focused “Today at Apple” sessions at Apple Stores, an App Store section highlighting some of the best apps for people with disabilities and three Tim Cook interviews with accessibility activists.

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Surface Pro 5 images leak ahead of Microsoft’s May 23 event in Shanghai

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2017

Yesterday, prolific leakster Evan Blass posted a bunch of purported press shots of Microsoft's unreleased Surface Pro 5 tablet/notebook hybrid. The company's upcoming Windows 10 device should be re-christened as “Surface Pro”.

The software giant is expected to unveil it on Tuesday, according to Blass.

Microsoft said earlier that it would “show the world what’s next” at its event on Tuesday, May 23, in Shanghai. A successor to the company's Surface Book notebook is not expected to debut at the press event, according to a source familiar with Microsoft’s plans.

The Redmond company hasn't updated its flagship Surface Pro 4 for a year and a half.

If the leaked press photographs are anything to go by, the next Surface Pro will feature some new pen and keyboard colors. Presumably, it would run faster chips and feature other refreshed internals. It's interesting that the device shown on the leaked shots does not appear to have a USB-C port.

The recently unveiled Surface Laptop also has no USB-C port.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdg7P_kTb-c

The current-generation Surface Pro 4 released as a modest update to its predecessor.

Surface Pro 4 includes a stylus and a detachable keyboard. The device is powered by an Intel chip, allowing it to transform from a tablet to a full-on computer capable of running Windows, Office and other real desktop applications.

Microsoft has seen modest success with the Surface lineup.

Across nearly five years, Microsoft has sold only about 14-17 million Surface hybrids in total.

However, Surface revenue has shrunk by $52 million since its quarterly launch peak in 2015. Since its debut, Surface revenues have barely hovered around $1 billion quarterly.

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Facebook signs video deals with Electronic Sports League and Major League Baseball

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Facebook has signed major deals with Electronic Sports League (ESL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), bringing fans of eSports and baseball both live and on-demand content in its ongoing streaming video push.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the social network is paying professional video game teams and others in the eSports industry to broadcast on its service.

Earlier this year, Facebook signed contracts with five teams to publish live and on-demand video of players practicing or competing in such games as StarCraft II, Counter-Strike, League of Legends and Overwatch.

ESL said in a blog post announcing the deal that its official Facebook page will soon stream all IEM and ESL One events in up to six different languages along with select national championship and online leagues. Viewers will be able to post comments, highlight up and coming players and more via an exclusive new weekly show on Facebook.

In addition to the 30 hours of weekly Rank S streaming, there'll be a weekly 30-minute hosted by Mark “Boq” Wilson, focused on Rank S and the current happenings in ESEA and CS:GO.

These broadcasts will start next month with Rank S matches.

Down the line, they'll host video interviews with the famous players, competition commentary and more. ESL broadcasts competitions on Twitch and YouTube, too.

You can find the ESEA announcement on their website.

As mentioned earlier, Facebook also cut a major deal with MLB that will result in 20 live-streamed Friday night MLB games via MLB's Facebook page during the 2017 season. US-based Facebook users will be able to stream the games for free. The first game is scheduled to broadcast tonight, Friday, May 19, with the Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds facing off.

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Apple boosts production of 10.5″ iPad Pro ahead of rumored WWDC reveal

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 23, 2018

Apple has boosted production of a rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro model ahead of the tablet's supposed reveal at the company's annual pilgrimage for developers next month, Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes said Friday.

The device's monthly shipment volume is now expected to grow to 600,000 units in July, up from around 500,000 units currently. The Cupertino company is hoping to achieve annual shipments of the new tablet in excess of five million units in 2017.

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro model reportedly entered mass production in March-April.

Watchers expect demand for the recently launched $329 iPad model “to pick up strongly” starting at the end of the quarter, reaching its peak in the next quarter when the device's monthly shipments could pass four million units in June and July, the market watchers noted.

As for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro model, Apple is expected to update its highest-resolution iOS device at some point this year, with some supply chain sources saying a second-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro model could enter mass production in June.

“Sources from the upstream supply chain noted that Apple's inexpensive 9.7-inch iPad is expected to accelerate Apple's pace on phasing out the iPad mini 4 from the market,” as was rumored earlier this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knJNtkRyO9E

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Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo gave the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model 70-30 odds of being announced at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month.

In a recent note to clients, Kuo wrote that Apple’s engineers were able to squeeze a 10.5-inch display into a form factor similar to the existing 9.7-inch iPad models due to the narrower side bezels on the upcoming tablet.

“The newly designed 10.5-inch iPad Pro will have a similar form factor to the 9.7-inch model, but will feature a larger display thanks to narrow bezels,” said the analyst.

Kuo believes that the overhauled design of the device should help improve the user experience and boost traction in the corporate and commercial sectors.

Apple has reportedly commissioned Foxconn to assemble the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model.

General Interface Solution will be the sole supplier of touch panels for the device.

The same supplier provides 3D Touch components for existing iPhones and is said to have landed orders for the three times pricier 3D Touch parts for the OLED-based iPhone 8 model.

KGI forecast 10.5-inch iPad Pro shipments of five to six million units in fiscal 2017, accounting for fifteen percent of total fiscal 2017 iPad shipments.

Image: 9.7-inch iPad Pro with a 10.5-inch piece of paper overlaid via Dan Provost.

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