iPhone 8 With Longer Battery Life Said to Entice Those With Older iPhones to Upgrade

Apple’s rumored iPhone with an edge-to-edge OLED display will have longer battery life, which will drive customers with older iPhone models to upgrade at an accelerated rate, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty.

Huberty also expects the high-end iPhone to have a significant form factor change with wireless charging, 3D sensors, and more advanced AI software capabilities, which are all features that have been previously rumored.

An excerpt from Huberty’s research note obtained by MacRumors:

In addition to more modest updates to current iPhone SKUs, we expect Apple to launch a higher priced device with AMOLED display that allows for a curved form factor and longer battery life, wireless charging technology, 3D sensors, and more advanced AI software capabilities. While we see accelerated upgrades for Apple’s highest end users in all regions, our work suggests China users are especially sensitive to new technology and form factor changes.

Her research note said a larger base of customers that own at least a two year old iPhone, particularly in China, has resulted in “pent-up demand” for the significantly redesigned “iPhone 8,” and this “supercycle” will help drive sales growth alongside modestly updated 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models. Morgan Stanley raised its Apple stock price target to $154 accordingly.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the “iPhone 8” will have a stacked logic board design that provides room for a larger 2,700 mAh L-shaped battery. As such, while the “iPhone 8” is expected to have a 4.7-inch form factor, Kuo said it will have comparable battery life to a 5.5-inch Plus model. For comparison, iPhone 7 has a 1,960 mAh battery and iPhone 7 Plus has a 2,900 mAh battery.

Apple Adds 2016 MacBook Pro Without Touch Bar to Refurbished Store

Apple recently updated its online store for refurbished products to add the 13-inch 2016 MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar, which was originally released in October of 2016.

There are a limited number of models available for purchase with various processor, storage, RAM configurations. Prices are discounted by up to $390, with Apple offering 12 to 16 percent off depending on a machine’s configuration.

Only higher-end models with upgraded processors, RAM, and storage are available at the current time, but earlier today, at least one lower-end machine was available for purchase. Apple’s refurbished stock fluctuates often, so if you’re hoping to get a specific configuration, it’s best to keep a close eye on the refurbished store.

13 and 15-inch 2016 MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar are not currently available from Apple’s refurbished site, but could be added soon based on the availability of the non-Touch Bar model.

All of Apple’s refurbished products go through a rigorous refurbishment process before being offered for sale, which includes inspection, repairs, cleaning, and repackaging. Refurbished Macs come with a one-year warranty that can be extended with an AppleCare purchase. For more tips on purchasing a refurbished product, make sure to check out our dedicated guide.

Wallpapers of the week: space

Another Sunday, means another day for Wallpapers of the Week. One of our top categories is space or nature images that include the expanse of space or the sky. This week, we once more celebrate nature with a set of space and galaxy images for your iPhone.

Space wallpapers

Download: iPhone

Download: iPhone

Download: iPhone

Download: iPhone

Download: iPhone

 

Review: Twelve South’s MagicBridge is a beautiful way to join Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2

Twelve South is known for making some of the best Apple accessories available and this past week I’ve been using their new MagicBridge which joins Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2together. Read on for a hands-on review.

 

Since 2011 I’ve been using MagicBridge’s predecessor, MagicWandand I’m happy to say MagicBridge is a slick improvement in a few different ways.

I really enjoy the updated trackpad on the 2016 MacBook Pro with its large size and Force Click feature. I also love the feel of the new keyboard, so I decided to invest in the Magic Trackpad 2 and Magic Keyboard for my desktop setup.

Since I was used to the clean design and useful function of MagicWand I was glad to get my hands on MagicBridge to provide organization and a clean look and feel to my desk. Let’s dive into the details!

In the box

It’s no surprise that MagicBridge comes in clean and simple packaging like the rest of Twelve South’s products. Inside is MagicBridge along with a paperboard insert that has a keyboard image on one side and instructions on the other. A few Twelve South stickers are also included.

Build and materials

Twelve South uses precision crafted polycarbonate as their material of choice as it doesn’t hinder Bluetooth signals and is very lightweight. Before I used MagicBridge I thought I might want a silver finish, but the matte white finish (only option available) looks great in use as it blends in nicely with the all white trackpad and white keys of the keyboard.

The other aspects of MagicBridge’s design and build are what set it apart for other similar products on the market. You’ll notice in the photo above there is a gray riser, this slides to either side allowing you to place your trackpad on the right or left and keep both accessories at the proper height. Another well designed aspect is the silicone pads on the interior of the accessory. You’ll also find silicone feet on the bottom for a non-slip grip.

The last couple simple and useful features are a grill on the rear that allows access to the Lightning charging ports and power switches and circular cutouts to push the keyboard and trackpad up from the bottom if you’d like to remove them.

In use

Like I mentioned earlier I decided to spring for the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 as I first came to enjoy the key feel, Force Click, and size on the 2016 MacBook Pro. The other aspect that made it worth the money for me to upgrade these accessories was the built-in rechargeable batteries via Lightning.

My batteries on the previous generation Magic Trackpad and Apple wireless keyboard would usually go out in the middle of use as I didn’t make it a habit to power up my rechargeable AAs overnight. Although the MagicWand provided nice function and a minimal design, no matter your setup you’d have one battery door covered and one power button covered and need to remove your keyboard or trackpad for access.

MagicBridge’s rear grill is one of my favorite features as it retains the seamless experience of the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2s Lightning charging while remaining in place.

There’s not too much else to say about day-to-day use. It’s sleek, beautiful, functional and does its job well. I really enjoy being able to join my keyboard and trackpad into one unit, especially when I use it on my lap or use when I AirPlay my Mac to the TV.

Even without the times I use the keyboard and trackpad off my desk I still find MagicBridge worth $34.99 as it brings a polished look and feel to my setup. Also, I’ll likely use it for 4+ years.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a way to simplify and organize your Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 setup while keeping Apple’s design aesthetic, I think MagicBridge is the best choice on the market. With a well thought out design, option for trackpad on the left or right, rear grill, and ease of use, it’s definitely worth picking up. You can buy MagicBridge on Amazon.

iPhone 8 Said to Have 3GB of RAM and 64GB/256GB Storage Options

The widely rumored 5.8-inch iPhone with an edge-to-edge OLED display will match the iPhone 7 Plus with 3GB of RAM and come in two storage options, 64GB and 256GB, according to Chinese research firm TrendForce.

The report, which outlines several already-rumored features, added that the so-called “iPhone 8” will not have a fully curved display due to production and drop test issues with 3D glass. Instead, the high-end device will adopt the same slightly curved 2.5D cover glass used since the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014.

TrendForce said Apple will remove the Home button on the iPhone, as widely rumored, and integrate the related functions into the display. If that fact is accurate, it suggests rumored 3D facial recognition capabilities could supplement rather than fully replace Touch ID, which could be embedded into the display.

TrendForce itself expects the “iPhone 8” to incorporate 3D sensing technology that can be used for facial recognition and augmented reality features.

The research note said the 5.8-inch iPhone will be accompanied by updated 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models with LCD displays. The 5.5-inch model will allegedly have the same 3GB of RAM as the iPhone 7 Plus, while the 4.7-inch model is said to have 2GB of RAM. Both models are expected to include up to 256GB of storage.

Rumors are generally shaping up to suggest the 5.8-inch iPhone with an OLED display will be a significant upgrade, but the model could cost upwards of $1,000 in the United States. Meanwhile, the new 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models are expected to be iterative but less expensive upgrades to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Last year, TrendForce accurately predicted the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus would be available in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage capacities.

Analyst rumor: iPhone 8 ‘function area’ to replace home button

While we’re still months away from finding out exactly what’s what with any new iPhone, the rumor mill is already running at full tilt. Following up on earlier reports of a 5.8-inch edgeless OLED screened device arriving as the “iPhone 8,” well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is telling investors more about what its home button-less front screen could be like.The analyst notes that this presumed OLED iPhone with its $1,000+ pricetag will be similar in size to the current 4.7-inch iPhone. However, instead of the home button, it will include a “function area” that can also display controls for video or games.

That would keep it matched in style with the recently-released MacBook Pros and their OLED TouchBar, and, the analyst says, reduce the screen size used for everything else to about 5.15-inches. Last year the New York Times reported that the next iPhone would ditch the home button for virtual buttons built into the screen, and this rumor explains how all that could work. Losing the home button could indicate a lack of TouchID, which could be replaced by a fingerprint reader embedded in the display itself, or other biometric technology like face recognition.

Minimalist ice landscape wallpapers

While the southern states are experiencing unusually warm winter months, the north is still getting slammed by snow storms. Whether you are wishing for snow, wishing you weren’t shoveling snow, or just wishing to enjoy the beauty of a white washed landscape, these minimalist icy wallpapers will promote the season.

Part of our Wallpapers of the Week section, this new cold collection is perfect for a Lock or Home screen.

Ice landscapes

Download: Apple Watch; iPhone; iPad; 5K desktop

 

Hands-on with Elago’s $15 Macintosh-inspired W3 Apple Watch Stand

Since the Apple Watch was first unveiled, accessory makers flooded the market with third-party add-ons. From watch bands to docks, the options are nearly endless, yet Elago has managed to standout from the competition with its W3 Stand that looks like a vintage Macintosh 128K.

By leveraging Nightstand Mode on your Apple Watch, Elago is bringing back memories of the iconic Mac. And at $15, it’s affordable too…

Design

I’m just going to get right to it, for an Apple aficionado, this is about as good as it gets. Elago has done an excellent job of blending throwback design cues with modern day functionality.

The W3 is made from scratch-free silicone which provides an extra smooth texture which is ideal for docking your Apple Watch at the end of the day. This is a wise choice on Elago’s part, as the display slides between two pieces of material but the glass is not threatened to be damaged.

The vintage looks are spot-on. There is a small diskette drive on the front and Nighstand Mode’s green coloring matches the 1984 look perfectly. Elago offers both white and black versions of the W3 dock, so you can mix as needed. The white version certainly matches the vintage look and feel but its counterpart certainly looks sleek on a nightstand, as well.

Video

Roundup: A Look at Various iPhone 8 Concepts and Mockups – Mac Rumors

With rumors suggesting the 2017 iPhone 8 is going to introduce some of the most radical design changes we’ve seen to the iPhone since 2014, a number of artists have been making conceptual mockups based on current rumors floating around.

Many of the mockups imagine fanciful ideas that Apple is unlikely to implement, but they also adopt the edge-to-edge display with built-in Home button, OLED screen, wireless charging, and glass body ideas that are being bandied about, giving an interesting look at how iPhone 8 rumors are being interpreted.

The first conceptual design was created by Thadeu Brandão and has been getting a lot of attention over the last couple of days. The mockup features an iPhone with a larger edge-to-edge display, dual cameras, and a glass front and back surrounded by an aluminum frame, and a physical home button built into the screen at the bottom of the device, which we are not expecting for the iPhone 8.

It has an Android-style home bar or “Touch Bar” with controls that change contextually based on the app, an inclusion that is not rumored for the device at this time. Brandão has also shared several iPhone 8 mockups on his website, showing off his design in more detail.

A concept created by Veniamin Geskin and Ran Avni imagines several iterations of the iPhone 8, with a display that extends to the edges of the screen but leaves top and bottom bezels, and another that curves down the edges of the device. Apple Watch-style inductive charging is pictured, as is a variation with a top bezel and no bottom bezel.

An iPhone 8 concept created by iDrop News is fairly true to the rumors we’ve heard so far, featuring an ultra thin device with a bezel-free OLED display, an all-white glass body, no Home button, and iris scanning technology.

Imran Taylor’s iPhone 8 mockup, created alongside ConceptsiPhone, imagines a ceramic body (unlikely due to cost), a 5.8-inch curved OLED display, a touch sensitive lower bezel, and wireless charging through a Smart Connector. It includes thick bezels at the top and bottom along with a Touch ID Home button, two features that don’t quite align with the rumors we’re hearing right now.

Swiss site Handy Abovergleich imagines a bubbly iPhone 8 with more rounded edges and a glass body sandwiched between an aluminum frame. A Touch ID Home button is under the display and is accompanied by an Android-style home bar, an iris scanner is built in, and Apple Pencil support is included. It also features USB-C instead of Lightning, a change Apple probably isn’t going to make.

The last concept comes from designer Moe Slah, and has an interesting look at how some apps could potentially look on a device that has an edge-to-edge display.

Apple is expected to introduce the redesigned iPhone 8 in September, its usual timeframe for introducing new devices. Up to three models may debut, including the flagship ~5-inch OLED device with an edge-to-edge display that’s pictured in all of the mockups and standard 4.7 and 5.5-inch models that may have a design closer to the iPhone 7.

iPhone 7 Plus is Most Popular ‘Plus’ Model Apple Has Released

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus, released in September of 2016 alongside the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7, is the most popular “Plus” model Apple has released, outselling the 2014 iPhone 6 Plus and the 2015 iPhone 6s Plus.

Apple’s Plus lineup has always had differentiating factors compared to the smaller iPhones Apple offers, but in the iPhone 7 Plus, the dual camera appears to have been particularly popular with customers. The iPhone 7 Plus features both a standard wide-angle lens and a 56mm telephoto lens, which can be used to improve photos.

It also features a “Portrait” mode that’s used with the 56mm lens to create high-quality DSLR-style images with blurred backgrounds to highlight subjects, a unique function that may have drawn more interest.

Customers may also be getting used to the larger form factor in general. In 2014, with the switch to the 4.7 and 5.5-inch sizes, going from the 4-inch iPhone 5 line to the 5.5-inch size was a huge jump, but with two years to adjust to the new display sizes, it’s not such a leap.

Cook said that Apple had underestimated demand for the iPhone 7 Plus, leading to supply and demand issues with the device that impacted sales. Despite that, Apple saw record iPhone sales during the quarter, selling a total of 78.3 million iPhones.