Shipping

Apple starts shipping 18-core iMac Pro configurations

If you ordered a more powerful iMac Pro model with Intel’s Xeon chip sporting as many as eighteen processing cores, you’ll be pleased to learn that your machine may be shipped sooner than expected. We haven’t been able to confirm whether or not 14-core iMac Pro models have shipped yet.

iPhone 7 is shipping out to various countries in preparation for launch

First iPhone 7 shipments are now going out worldwide in preparation for launch, according to a report Wednesday by Taiwanese trade publication DigiTimes. Apple’s supply chain is now loading up with first iPhone 7 shipments, sources entrenched in Apple’s supply chain told the publication.

Two days ago, iPhone manufacturer Foxconn reportedly shipped 371,000 units of the iPhone 7 to retailers and carriers in Italy, the Netherlands, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Apple Store app now offering same-day delivery on select products via Postmates

It appears that Apple has formed a partnership with Postmates to offer same-day order delivery via its Apple Store app. As noted by MacRumors, the app has begun showing a same-day delivery option for folks in the San Francisco Bay Area, and several folks have already taken advantage of it.

For those who aren’t familiar with Postmates, it’s a logistics company that runs a network of contracted couriers who deliver goods locally. It’s available in roughly 20 major cities around the United States, but it appears in-app ordering through Apple is currently limited to San Francisco, CA.

Apple TV shipping estimates slip to 1-2 weeks ahead of rumored WWDC refresh

Shipping estimates for the Apple TV slipped to 1-2 weeks on the US Apple Online Store today, further fueling rumors that Apple is getting ready to refresh the device. In March, BuzzFeed reported that the company is planning to unveil a new, slimmer set-top box at WWDC in June.

It’s worth noting that some users have reported that the device is showing “in stock” for them online today, but at Check Out many are still seeing later ship times. Regardless, the fluctuation in available stock is consistent with inventory behavior of past Apple products ahead of refreshes.

WSJ: slow Apple Watch rollout due to faulty Taptic Engine

Faulty Taptic Engines may be behind the extremely limited availability of the Apple Watch, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the publication says that after mass production of the Engines began in February, quality testing found some of them to be unreliable.

The component, which Apple uses in its Watch to produce the sensation of being tapped on the wrist, is made by two suppliers: AAC Technologies Holdings Inc. and Nidec Corp. Apparently some of AAC’s Taptic Engines were found to break down overtime, so Apple has moved a majority of its production over to Nidec.

Apple confirms it’s shipping Apple Watch orders ahead of schedule

Apple confirmed this afternoon that the reports are true, Apple Watches are shipping ahead of schedule. A spokesperson for the company told BuzzFeed that “[Apple] is happy to be updating many customers today with the news that their Apple Watch will arrive sooner than expected.”

Additionally, the spokesperson said Apple “is working to fill orders as quickly as possible based on the available supply and the order in which they were received,” and explained the company is aware that many customers are still facing long lead times, and it appreciates their patience.