by MacNN Staff
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj
Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket
The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94
Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa
SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If
Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm
Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
AlohaMacintosh Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: Mar 23, 2012
well...Apple...when you make your junk in China....and screw many Americans out of potential Jobs...you should expect this behavior....I'm sure there was a lot of complicity in this from more than one source.
bazaarsoft Fresh-Faced Recruit Joined: May 20, 2005
And the trolls are out already...
Flying Meat Senior User Joined: Jan 25, 2007
And they are backed 100% by our "use at your own risk" warranty. ;)
wrenchy Forum Regular Joined: Nov 03, 2009
Hahahaha!
Mr. Strat Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Jan 23, 2002
I have one of their docks and light-chasing cables (check their Web site). Both work great with no problems.
Arne_Saknussemm Forum Regular Joined: Apr 05, 2011
Hahahaha!
IMPOSSIBLE to say this better than dear wrenchy (missed you and of course all my downvotes!)
Ah Apple if it's products are as great as the fanboys say,
why does it has keep users locked down with devices just to extort more cash from them?
Would it not be enough to offer the best product there is, make it fully compliant with open standards, and package it on striking ID?
Guess Apple does not think so.
Same as the new Cube, oops sorry, the new Mac Mini on steroids, sorry again, the new Mac Pro (very unfitting suffix)...
Charles Martin Mac Elite Joined: Aug 04, 2001
Even China has (or should have) anti-counterfeiting laws. Oh, and Arne: so can you name me a product that is "fully compliant with open standards" and is also "the best product there is" that is sold entirely on the fact that its better-looking than the competitors?
Waiting ...
Arne_Saknussemm Forum Regular Joined: Apr 05, 2011
Hello chas_m;
Name a product that fully compliant with open standards... This certainly merits a long study; but right away I can imagine an iDevice I would love to see - and maybe even purchase ;)
Say an iPhone equipped with the EC required microUSB port so users could share chargers and cables, whilst avoiding creating yet more electronic waste with each product iteration. The convenience of using the same cable without carrying a dongle for your iPhone, camera, mouse, etc... would make packing for a presentation quite a lot less stressful. Not to say anything of the wealth of devices an OTG compliant port would bring.
Or how about user replaceable batteries, my early 1990's (back then) ground breaking Newton has them, so at some point Apple must have considered this to be an asset (actually a feature proudly mentioned on it's presentation). Besides adding a back cover they did not took away much from the look or feel of the device. And of course when they died you did not have to wait to get a new one factory installed. This brings up the issue of chargers, AC sockets on airports, and just tidying up your weekend travel bag; a dead battery come Saturday, no problem just swap it with a spare.
Full Bluetooth capabilities would be a nice addition as well. Wireless file transfers and eCard sending would not consume as much power as WiFi, and bring the iPhone to the same level as a good old 90's Palm Pilot.
Connectivity reminds me of how useful the infra red port on the Message Pad, as well as on most devices until a few years back was. You could send files without pairing or worrying too much about security due to the short range and directional nature of the IR ports. And it could double an TV remote in a pinch; now that was convenient. I hear some new devices like the very popular HTC One has it, so it must be coming back.
And how about removable storage... Of course there are well worn arguments both pro and against; but somehow it seems most arguments against it favor mostly the device's manufacturer rather than the user.
I only get to see iDevice users hunting for Apple cables, an outlet, or just amazed at how can any other smart phone can very easily transfer ring tones , contacts, or even photos with decade old Nokia candy bar phones; but I am sure a communications professional like yourself can fill up page after page with great ideas.
Charles Martin Mac Elite Joined: Aug 04, 2001
So in other words, you can't name a "best in class" product that is fully compliant with open standards that distinguishes itself on appearance/design alone.
Thought as much. Maybe someday you'll figure out why that is.
The Vicar Dedicated MacNNer Joined: Jul 01, 2009
This could be true, but frankly I'm taking this with a big ol' grain of salt until they start shipping products to prove it. Quite frankly, Chinese companies lie. A lot. And they aren't afraid to export products which just plain don't work. While this may be a huge crack in Apple's design, it may also be the first stage in a fraud which ends with thousands of people who bought cheap products advertised as unauthorized but working Lightning knockoffs but end up getting things which are nothing of the kind. (Go look at cheap iPad docks; you'll see that the really cheap ones almost exclusively have reviews which say either "this didn't work out of the box" or "the item I was shipped was not the one pictured".)