The next model of Apple’s popular AirPods has surpassed another milestone on its way to release. As noted by MySmartPrice, the wireless earbuds have received certification from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), essentially giving them the green light to move forward.
iOS 10 included a CallKit framework that brought a system-wide way for customers to use specialized apps on their iPhone, like Hiya and TrueCaller, that automatically identify and block nuisance calls before the phone even rings. With iOS 12, Apple started allowing developers to write new types of call-blocking extensions that gather information from the user before deciding whether to report or block the number.
The rumored 6.1-inch next-gen iPhone with dual-SIM feature may be exclusive to China, according to Taiwan’s Economic Daily News. Citing sources within Foxconn, the outlet reports that the rumored model is “regarded as a unique model” to the mainland market.
Apple this afternoon disclosed its [fiscal] Q3 2018 earnings report, offering a look at its performance over the past 3 months. During the period, the company beat both its own and Wall Street’s expectations by selling 41.3M iPhones and earning $53.3B in revenue. Here’s a full breakdown of the numbers.
Microsoft is working on a foldable, ‘pocketable,’ dual-screen Surface device, reports The Verge. The company has long been rumored to be working on such a tablet, codenamed Andromeda, but internal documents recently obtained by the outlet offer new details on the secret project.
Apple is getting into children’s programming, reports Variety. The outlet says that the company has inked a multi-series deal with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind “Sesame Street” that has won countless awards over its 50-year history.
Apple has picked up another high profile engineer for its self-driving car project. The Information reports that the company has hired Jaime Waydo, an autonomous vehicle expert who previously worked at NASA, and was more recently a senior engineer at Google’s Waymo division.
Apple on Friday announced that it has reached a content deal with renowned actress, talk show host and producer Oprah Winfrey. The partnership will produce original programming, with Winfrey expected to contribute both on and off camera.
Apple is looking to get into the feature film business, reports Bloomberg. The outlet says the iPhone maker is nearing a deal with the Ireland-based Cartoon Saloon, an Oscar-nominated animation studio, for the rights to an upcoming animated movie.
Apple is currently working on a headset with dual 8K displays that will be capable of both virtual and augmented reality, reports CNET. The outlet says the device, codenamed T288, will be wireless—meaning it won’t require a tether to a Mac or iPhone—and it’s slated to launch in 2020.
Apple Music has surpassed 40 million paid subscribers, according to Apple content director Steven Huon. That’s up at least 2 million from the latest number shared on March 12 by SVP Eddy Cue, during his SXSW conference.
Apple has hired Google’s chief of search and artificial intelligence John Giannandrea, reports The New York Times. The outlet has obtained an internal email from Tim Cook, who tells employees “John shares our commitment to privacy and our thoughtful approach as we make computers even smarter and more personal.”
