BGR and 9to5Mac claimed to have sources with "knowledge of Apple's marketing" who claim Apple is considering calling the large version of this years iPhone the iPhone Xs Max.
Reason? "iPhone Xs Plus" is a mouthful and difficult to say, but "iPhone Xs Max" is easier to pronounce. What?!! Maybe the team is on that "High" Sierra retreat again?
The 6.1-inch model has also been rumored to possibly get the name of iPhone Xc or iPhoneXr ("reality"? get real!)
Leaker Ben Geskin posted what he called iPhone Xc prototypes
look a lot like a current iPhone X with a single lens iSight camera
One image shows a dual SIM tray (might be a China only feature)
both China Telecom and China Mobile are teasing support for dual-SIM iPhone
Colors red., white, black, and rose gold (pink). Ming Chi-Kuo has mentioned gray, white, blue, red, and orange colors.
Bloomberg has reported production issues in attaching backlights to the LCD screen, so there could be supply shortages at launch. The "other" reason given is marking with Apple wanting to push the higher price OLED models, BS.
2018 iPhone models will retain the Lightning connector and remain bundled with a 5W power adapter, according to the latest from Ming-Chi Kuo
Predicted US pricing:
$600 to $700 for the 6.1-inch iPhone Xc
$800 to $900 for the iPhone Xs
$900 to $1,000 for the iPhone Xs Plus.
Possibly too optimistic, by about $100 per device to me.
If these are the prices then they should sell VERY well.
A leak from an Italian shipper's internal messaging system said to expect higher workloads on September 21st leading some to expect that will be the new iPhone's ship date.
USA Today ran a Survey monkey of 1,665 US adults to ask what iPhone features they most want
75 percent said longer battery life (what are these folks doing with their phones?)
66 percent said a shatter-proof glass screen (judging from people's phones I see this should be #1)
44 percent said expandable storage (totally understand, but re-affirms my thought for iPhone users, get the most storage you can afford).
39 percent charge and listen on headphones (37 percent headphone jack back)
29 percent USC-C connector
19 percent, make FaceID better
Only 10 percent of those surveyed said, "remove the notch"
Didn't see the survey, maybe they didn't ask, but no one said better cameras or camera features? I assume better CPU/GPU is just a given (better performance)?
Ming-Chi Kuo expected Fingerprint On Display technology to grow by 500 percent in 2019, but Apple won't be part of it
Apple seems happy with faceID and to let the Android makers figure it out.
Whole screen sensing
Plan to upgrade, check you eligibility now and settle up your accounts
Especially if you have an iPhone X, which didn't ship until November.
You need to be in Apple's program for at least 6 months before you're eligible to upgrade even with paying the difference.
US customers also typically will need to go through a credit check even if you're already in the program.
A look at this years iPad Pro
In a collaboration between OnLeaks and MySmartPrice has resulted in some 5K renders of what they think this years iPad Pros might look like
Equal thin bezels all the way around. No notch.
Squared off edges reminiscent of the iPhone SE (originally began with the 4), including the antenna lines
Smart connector on the back/bottom (would require all new Smart Keyboard)
Theory here is FaceID won't work in landscape, but iOS 12 code seems to indicate it will.
No headphone jack
Show something on the strange on the middle right side (looking like a button), but even they didn't know what that was for.
May come with USB-C connector instead of Lightning and a 18W USB-C charger
Kuo also claims that Apple will release a new lower-priced MacBook with TouchID (but no touchbar).
Not necessarily at the event this week.
Apple Watch
Guilherme Rambo did some analysis of the latest leaked watch fave images and watchOS 5 builds and thinks he's nailed the possible resolution of this years Series 4
He thinks the 42mm display will be 384×480. For comparison, the resolution on the current 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 is 312×390
would make hitting on screen buttons easier.
We already expect some faces with additional complications specifically designed for the "new" watch.
Mig-Chi Kuo added some new predictions:
New watch would support electrocardiography and all models have some form of ceramic back
Apple Watch remained the top device in the global wearables market last quarter according to the latest numbers from IDC.
They say Apple shipped 4.7 million devices in the second quarter grabbing a 17 percent share of the global market
Overall wearable shipments worldwide grew 5.5 percent from a year ago
They cite slowing interest in "basic" health trackers and the release of the LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 3 as helping Apple retain the top position.
Patents for artificially adjusting the brightness and colors of particular areas of an OLED display to prevent burn in
Some on Reddit speculating Apple might use the tech to give Apple Watch in "always on" minimal display for time
Fade in complications when you view would be a neat effect
Apple picks up more new video content
Apple was reportedly scoping the Toronto International Film Festival for new content for their upcoming video streaming service and looks like they picked up a couple items at least
The acquired the global rights to a feature-length documentary about the matriarch of an African elephant herd who leads them in a search for a new watering hole to be their home, called "The Elephant Queen"
It's directed by award-winning wildlife filmmakers Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble.
Before the festival Apple also reportedly secured the rights to the next animated film from Cartoon Saloon and Melusine Productions called "Wolfwalkers"
It's the story of a young girl named Robyn who father is a wolf hunter who brings her to Ireland during a time of superstition and magic. She befriends a wild girl and is transformed into the very thing her father is there to hunt.
The film is directed by two-time Oscar nominee Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart
Cartoon Saloon is the same studio responsible for a bunch of award winning and oscar nominated films, Secret of the Kells, Song of the Sea, and The Breadwinner
Proposed laws in the EU could require streaming services to produce 30 percent of their original on-demand programming in Europe.
Services, including Apple's new service, would be required fund content produced in Europe, either by paying to produce their own content in Europe, acquiring existing series from regional producers, or by contributing to national film funds.
The proposed regulation need a vote in December before it goes into effect, but man in charge of the European Commission's department that regulates communications networks, content, and technology called the vote a "formality"
Apple also seems to be trying to newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal to sign on to it's recently acquired "Texture" publication subscription service
Not clear if Apple want's then to be part of the $9.99/mo service or it they would come in as an "add-on"
Katy Huberty from Morgan Stanley predicts that Apple's video business could be a big hit
Content focus on quality vs quantity
Thinks Apple could offer at a lower price $7.99/mo. (maybe a combine Music, Video, Magazine service for $12.99/mo)
reach 50M paid subscribers by 2025 (Netflix currently has 124M)
Think Apple could grow it from a $500M business in 2019 to a 4.6B business by 2025. Combined with Apple's music service two together could bring in $22B by 2025.
Mac apps caught uploading browser history
A trio of apps were discovered on the Mac App store that were grabbing users entire browser history and uploading it to servers in China.
Adware Doctor was the first to be discovered
Ironically it purpose was to protect your browser from adware by removing browser extensions, cookies, and caches.
It was also the first ranked app in the "Utilities" category and 4th overall for paid apps on the Mac App Store.
The abuses were uncovered a security researcher who goes by Privacy 1st on Twitter and also worked on by Patrick Wardle at MalwareBytes
The other apps were being distributed by "Tend Micro, Inc" and called Dr. Cleaner and Dr. Antivirus.
Irony is that TredMicro is a "legit" security company
They have yet to comment publicly on the incident only issuing this statement: "We take this situation seriously and are diligently digging into this before sharing additional details. We take data privacy very seriously and will do anything necessary to ensure our customers are protected."
The behavior of was similar to bad behavior MalewareBytes discovered previously in another Trend Micro app called "Open Any Files". It was
These are legit apps with developer accounts and would not get caught by Gatekeeper
In MacOS Mojave there will be additional protections for sensitive files, like your browser history and email database, so this kind of abuse should be less likely.
As John Gruber [pointed out](https://daringfireball.net/2018/09/mac_app_store_malware), specifically with Adware Doctor, the bigger concern is HOW did this app get so popular and how did it not get noticed by Apple's app reviewers
The developer of Adware Doctor originally called his app, "Adware Medic", which was the name of the app that eventually became Malwarebytes. They pointed the abuse out to Apple and they removed the app, but the developer renamed it.
MalewareBytes has said they've been reporting these apps to Apple for "years", but they react slowly, if at all, to remove these apps.
These three apps have been pulled from the Mac app Store. Not clear if Apple has activated the "kill" switch. If you have these apps you will want to remove them, but unfortunately your data has already likely been uploaded.
Still you think that behavior would red flag the developer in the review process and subject him to tighter scrutiny in the review process?
Also, in 2016 there were reports suggesting his review may be fake.
Point is Apple has a app store abuse problem, especially when it comes to app reviews, at least for the top 10 (maybe top 100) apps in each category they should be looking more deeply at those apps.
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
The "Fall"ing upgrade cycle
I brought this up on the last show and asked for your thoughts on this years iPhone/iPad/AppleWatch upgrades
There was definitely a trend among "serial" upgraders that things may be slowing down.
James said, "I have owned every iPhone every year since the original iPhone with the exception of the iPhone 3GS." and "When I look at it, my iPhone X has a 6-core chip and it has 256 GB of storage. Like you are saying Adam, I don’t feel compelled to upgrade this year. I love my iPhone X and feel good about owning it for another year despite the spec bump coming on September 12th."
Hamish emailed me and said, "I own a iPhone X just as you do and am not planning to update for the first time in 4 years due to lack of innovation." But also mentioned, "As far as the watch goes, I have the first gen before the series 0 so I will and must upgrade to get any of the new features. Plus, my battery only goes about 12 hours and is very slow esp the workout app."
Others of you are REALLY ready to upgrade, but it tended to be those with older devices already
iPhone 6 or 7s and Apple Watch Series 0
Apple might suffer a bit too from making things too backward compatible. Ian wrote to say, "I’m on an iPhone 6 Plus! Since Apple announced iOS 12 would run on my device and their supposed improvements for older devices I’m genuinely thinking I’ll hold on to this another year! It’s still working great (even on original battery)."
More on Apple Watch usage
Lots of love in the community for Apple Watch.
Gene brought up a theory I had been contemplating as well. Could Apple watch (or another wearable type device) eventually take over our smartphones?
He brings up the distraction of small screens asa big factor
I think he's right and it's easy to say, have more self control, but that's easier said then done.
With a cellular Apple Watch it's already possible to replace a number of tasks you would do with an iPhone and still stay connected.
Messages, email, calendar, weather, phone calls (with a headset or AirPods), music, etc.
I think definitely and I also thing it probably won't be a single device, but possibly a series of smaller connected (wirelessly) devices.
The advantages of tech like AR, wearables, etc. would be they can start to become less intrusive and more additive to our interactions with each other
A phone screen or app tends to suck you into it. You look down to check a message and it takes you out of your current moment and puts you into a different one. We lose focus
Phones get in the way, but technology that can enhance your human abilities unobtrusively? Amazing.
AI would also need to play a big role in the filtering of information related to the activity, tasks, and people you're interacting with.
This is possibly data that could be informed from technology like Apple's new ScreenTime.
You could pre-define some of this based on work ours, family time, vacation, etc. and the AI could "tune" the apps and data that get filter to your devices and displays.
Watches are also now considerably cheaper then iPhones by comparison.
The biggest challenge at the moment is battery life, but that could change in the future.
Quick comment about Messages in the Cloud and Apple Watch because a few people have emailed me to say it's not working.
Feature that works more like your iMAP email. If you delete a message, photo, or conversation on one device, it’s removed from all of your devices.
Messages in the Cloud currently only works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Also green bubble SMS or MMS messages don't sync on ANY devices.
No signs that it is watchOS 5 either.
To enable it on iOS:
1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap [your name].
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Turn on Messages.
On Mac:
1. Open Messages.
2. In the menu bar, choose Messages > Preferences.
3. Click iMessage.
4. Select the checkbox next to Enable Messages in iCloud.
Apple Music content fixes
A while back I talked about this on the Maccast based on a 9to5 Mac comment piece by Benjamin Mayo
The issue was the service was treating all albums equally, complications, eps, live, etc.
The trouble being if you asked for a track or album, via Siri, say you could get a live version vs the album version which is likely what most people want.
Apple fixed that this week. Now on the artist page you'll see sections for Albums, Music Videos, Singles & EPs, Live Albums, Compilations. Also Artist Playlists and "Appears On".
Much better.
How do you use the force?
I have discussed my general lack of excitement about Force Touch as a technology.
Recently we've heard rumors that the LCD iPhone might not even support it and I've kind felt like it wouldn't really be missed all that much.
I feel like it's got some fundamental issues with the primary one being discoverability
Even if you do know about it how it's implemented in ANY app and what it does is not very standardized.
The generally way to "discover" it is just randomly force press on things to see what happens.
Some could argue it's a "power user" feature and I get that. like keyboard shortcuts.
Steve wrote in to share one feature of ForceTouch that he likes and finds useful.
A quick way to see which apps in folder have which number of notifications
The red number that appears on the corner of some apps icons typically to indicate a number of "unread" messages.
When your apps are in a folder that number get aggregated, so you don't know the individual number for each app.
Force press on the folder icon and it will list out each app and show it's individual icon and number.
Handy, but to my point, no less taps really then just single tapping to open the folder and seeing each icon (unless there are multiple pages of icons)
Still this is a great tip and got me thinking. We should all share tips on how we use the force. Maccast Jedi training and we padawns and become Force Touch Jedi masters.
So what is your best use/tip for Force Touch?
I would have to say for me the two places I use it most are in previewing an attachment in an email and force pressing as swiping up on an image to save it.
He and his family are raising money for St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Their son Josiah was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer in 2009 at just six months old. And St. Jude's was there to provide the best science and medicine available.
Josiah is now 10 and the cancer has not returned. To make the 10 years Stephen want's top raise $20K this month. $2k for each year of Josiah's life.
If you are able to donate any small amount, or a large one, it would be greatly appreciated. If not, totally understandable, but maybe you could spread the word about the campaign on social media or to your friends and family. Or just send Stephen a note of support on Twitter.
Basically cancer sucks and it deserves to be eradicated from this earth.
The site to donate is http://heroes.stjude.org/hackett. looks like they are well on their way to reaching the goal and I'm hoping the Maccast community can help.
