Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus Pre-Order Shipping Estimates Slip to 3-4 Weeks
Approximately four hours after Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple Store shipping estimates for new orders of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus have now slipped beyond their original September 19 delivery date in the United States.
The larger 5.5-inch model now shows an estimated ship time of 3-4 weeks, pushing online availability of the handset into October. Customers still may be able to secure select configurations for launch day in-store pickup, but availability varies based on geographic location.
Those who attempted to pre-order the iPhone 6 at Apple’s after 12:01 AM PST experienced a number of problems, including frequent crashes and errors with Apple’s own Apple Store app on both the iPhone and iPad. Apple’s own online store also did not go up until more than an hour after the target Midnight start time.
Customers may still be to purchase launch-day iPhone 6 Plus units by going to an Apple Retail Store on September 19. The phone will also be available through carrier stores and select third-party retail outlets, although supplies at those locations are usually more limited than at Apple’s own stores.
Last year it took around four hours for pre-orders of the iPhone 5s to sell out, as all gold iPhone 5s models saw their shipping estimates slip to October. In 2012, it took all of one hour for pre-orders of the iPhone 5 to sell out.
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Fashions fade, but Acer’s selfie sombrero is forever
Once the Earth has burned and all that remains is humanity’s high score floating on the arcade cabinet of the universe, aliens will wonder what the 2010-2020 generation contributed to culture. Googly-eyed academics will scrub through countless Twitter posts, news programs and songs to reveal that, for some reason, we were all obsessed with documenting our own faces with relentless abandon. Acer’s contribution to our mutually assured destruction vanity is to team up with fashion designer Christian Cowan-Sanluis, who adapted his trademark pink glitter suit and visor hat into something more selfie-appropriate.
The fashionable headwear now accommodates an Acer Iconia A-1 840 tablet, while the static drop-down visor has been ditched in favor of a sombrero peak that spins all the way around your head. Of course, this is nothing more than some attention grabbing for London Fashion Week, and it doesn’t hurt for a traditional PC maker like Acer to borrow some much-needed glamor. The company is even allowing ordinary (okay, not that ordinary) members of the public to try on the Selfie-Hat if they make an appointment through the company’s service. Except there’s no details on who to speak to in order to get such an appointment, so presumably if you don’t know already, you’re clearly not fash enough, dahling, to warrant a go. At the same time, Cowan-Sanluis has also knocked up ten tablet cases that resemble the original, clad in the designer’s now trademark sparkly pink. Meanwhile, a gargantuan snot beast from the planet Piscium B will read this story in horror, exclaiming that “most of them aren’t even that good looking!”
Filed under: Cameras, Tablets, Acer
Via: Pocket-lint
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HTC’s next device could be an action camera
It’s been a testy couple of weeks for HTC. It’s had new phones, plus rumors of a canceled wearable, a new tablet and a fragile deal with Amazon. What’s a company to do? If reports are true, the answer is “release a camera.” More specifically, a rugged GoPro-like device. Bloomberg’s sources suggest the forthcoming action cam would be tube-shaped (so more like Contour’s design), have a 16-megapixel sensor and an ultra-wide lens (though no specifics). The camera also reportedly has both Bluetooth and WiFi. WiFi isn’t uncommon in helmet cameras, letting you control it with apps and accessories, but Bluetooth suggests a closer relationship with a phone. More likely meaning it could be a standalone device, and one that’s tightly integrated with an HTC handset — much like Sony’s QX line of lens cameras. As luck would have it, HTC’s hosting an event in October, so whatever it is, we shouldn’t have to wait too long.
Filed under: Cellphones, Cameras, Mobile, HTC
Source: Bloomberg
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Apple Now Taking Pre-Orders for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Through U.S. Online Store
Three hours after it began taking pre-orders via the Apple Store app, Apple has now begun taking pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus through its official U.S. online store. Currently, all iPhone 6 models are showing a delivery date of September 19, while all iPhone 6 Plus models are estimated to ship in 7-10 business days.
Apple’s online store comes online once again as many users experienced technical problems while attempting to pre-order both models on the Apple Store app. Several U.S. carriers including AT&T and Verizon have also been experiencing problems with pre-orders, with both of their respective sites crashing for many users. Those interested in buying an iPhone 6 or 6 Plus directly from Apple’s website should likely do so right away, as supplies are sure to run out within the next few hours.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will be available in stores beginning next Friday, September 19. The smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is offered in 16, 64, and 128 GB capacities for $199, 299, and $399, respectively, with a two-year contract. Contract-free pricing for the device also begins at $649. Meanwhile, the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus is available in 16, 64, and 128 GB storage capacities for $299, $399 and $499, respectively, with a two-year contract. Contract free pricing for the larger device begins at $749.
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Report Claims Apple Launching New 27-Inch 5K Display Later This Year [Mac Blog]
Apple may launch a new ultra-high definition 27-inch monitor later this year, according to LCD market research firm WitsView (via Digitimes). The firm claims that the display will boast a 5120 x 2880 resolution, which would be significantly higher than the 2560 x 1440 resolution found on the current Apple Thunderbolt Display
However, it is unknown as to how exactly Apple would power such a high resolution display with the current DisplayPort 1.2 standard used in Thunderbolt 2. A number of Apple’s computers including the Mac Pro (late 2013), 27-inch iMac (late 2013), and Retina MacBook Pro (late 2013 and mid 2014) are able to power 4K displays with one Thunderbolt port, but can only do so at designated refresh rates.
It is more likely that Apple would release a new monitor with a “Cinema 4K” resolution of 4096 x 2160, which is the maximum supported resolution by the DisplayPort 1.2 standard. Such a monitor would also be able to take advantage of the 20 Gbps data transfer rate of Thunderbolt 2 to stabilize performance at a high resolution.
An 27-inch 5K ultra high-definition monitor from Apple would also come after Dell’s 5K display, which was announced last month and boast a 5120 x 2880 resolution at 218 pixels per inch. It is also unknown as to what technology Dell with use to power the monitor, although AnandTech speculates that the company may use Multi-Stream Transport (MST) to stitch together two 2560 x 2880 panels in order to provide 5120 pixels horizontally.
Apple’s Thunderbolt Display debuted nearly three years ago, although it is hard to predict when the company will unveil a new monitor based the erratic upgrade cycle of past displays. In addition to a higher-resolution screen, a new Apple display would also likely feature an iMac-like design and USB 3.0.
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MIT Media Labs’ next hackathon wants to make breast pumps suck less
MIT’s Media Lab plans to fix the breastpump. In fact, its fall 2014 hackthon is dedicated to this very aim. Breast pumps are time-consuming, noisy and often painful — and as the organizers put it (rather TechCrunch-ly): “this is a space that is ripe for further innovation.” There’s already several problems set to be tackled: the hardened cones that cup over the breasts, the litany of parts, tubes and bottles, as well as a lack of metrics: existing pumps don’t offer any information on how much milk is collected, or when. Over at Quartz, they’ve added their own ideas for the to-do list, including ensuring a closed-system that won’t be ruined by water, milk and the inevitable mold, as well as a pumping system that’s generally more discrete. It’s in fact the second breast pump hackathon, but this sequel will encompass 60-80 engineers, designers and breastfeeding experts — registration is open.
Via: Quartz
Source: MIT Media Labs
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Sega’s created the projection-mapped kids’ sandbox of the future
If grown-ups can have flashier, fancier toys as the years go by, so can kids. Sega’s latest games machine is set to appear in arcades as well as in the waiting rooms of car dealerships and real estate offices. It’s not any kind of video game, though — it’s an interactive sandbox that projects images based on what players are building with its non-sticky sand. Sega calls it “Eederu Sunaba” or Picture Appears! Sandbox (a loose translation, but hey), and it’s equipped with sensors that can determine the height differences on the surface of the sand, along with a projector to make the magic happen. If a kid (or an adult — no judgment here) piles up sand to make a hill, the projector beams an image that makes it look like it’s covered in grass, or even in snow if the hill’s tall enough to be a mountain.
Trenches, on the other hand, are filled with digital water, complete with swimming schools of fish, though the system can also project insects like ladybugs and butterflies instead. These virtual organisms can even detect if you’re trying to touch (or squish) them. Definitely beats trying to craft a sandcastle in the playground and coming up with something that looks like a mound of dirt, doesn’t it? If you don’t live in Japan, you can ask those University of West Bohemia students how they created their Kinect sandbox (that’s very similar to this one) back in 2011. Or, you can just watch the video below and live vicariously through those happy Japanese kids.
[Image credit: Nikkei Technology/Sega]
Filed under: Misc
Via: Nikkei Technology, Japan Trends
Source: Sega
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iPhone 6 and 6 Plus preorders are live in the UK
Even if you have been living under a rock for the past few days, chances are that rock will’ve told you about the new iPhones in town. We imagine there are more than a fair few of you chomping at the bit for them, too, so it’s our duty to remind you that preorder day has arrived. And, assuming the new handsets will be relatively popular, you’ll want to consider your options if you’re determined to get in on the first batch. Whether it’s the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 or the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus you’re after, basically every store and carrier under Sol is ready to supply you with one right now — or give you an IOU for September 19th, at least. If you want to keep it simple and buy a phone outright, you might want to head straight to Apple’s online store and stake your claim (you can also reserve one for in-store pick-up here). If you prefer your carrier alliances, however, then of course you’ve got your pick of the big four.
EE, for starters, will sell you a 16GB iPhone 6 or 6 Plus on contracts of £51 and £64 per month, respectively, when you lay down £30 up-front. Need more storage? Well, everything then hops on the £64 per month tariff, with only the 64GB 6 Plus demanding a higher down-payment of £50. That’s also how much you’ll need in-wallet to reserve a 128GB iPhone 6, with the Plus requiring a one-off £150 at that storage capacity.
Vodafone’s got the 16GB iPhone 6 on 4G contracts from £43.50 per month with a £99 upfront payment, which goes up to £48.50 per month and £129, respectively, if you need 64GB. The 128GB model is the same contract price, but £209 upfront. For the iPhone 6 Plus, the cheapest 4G contract available is £48.50 per month, will the one-off payment increasing with storage size: £99 for 16GB, £179 for 64GB, and £259 for 128GB. There are also a bunch of options available on Voda’s 3G-only plans, if you’re not that bothered about high-speed mobile internet.
O2’s site is down currently.
Three’s skipping out on the morning madness, and will instead be putting its pre-order page live this afternoon.
The cheapest 4G option Carphone Warehouse has to offer is the 16GB iPhone 6 for £38.50 per month and a £50 upfront. Increasing the storage capacity only bumps up the amount you need to pay outright, with 64- and 128-gig models needing £130 and £210 upfront, respectively. The iPhone 6 Plus is also available for £38.50 per month, and a down-payment of £130 for the 16GB model and £210 for 64GB. The contract price goes up slightly to £43.50 if you want 128GB, in addition to a £200 upfront. (All these are Vodafone contracts, FYI).
We’ll be updating this report as more info comes in.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
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DARPA is funding the development of a soft, fabric-based exoskeleton
When someone says “exoskeleton,” it’s easy to imagine a clunky contraption made of metal, like the one we typically see in the news courtesy of various research groups, or in movies like Edge of Tomorrow. The exoskeleton that Harvard’s Wyss Institute is developing, though, doesn’t look like it was torn off a robot: it’s called the Soft Exosuit, and as its name implies, it’s lightweight and made of fabric. Wyss has actually been working on the Soft Exosuit for years, but now DARPA has granted it a $2.9 million funding under its Warrior Web program to further its development. Its current iteration is really more like smart clothing that can be worn like pants, designed to mimic how leg muscles and tendons move and to support the users’ joints as they walk. That’s made possible thanks to the strategically placed straps around the legs that contain flexible sensors — all controlled by a low-power microprocessor.
DARPA’s Warrior Web program seeks new technologies to prevent injuries in soldiers, so it’s safe to say that the Soft Exosuit will be used by the military when it’s ready. Its creators believe that it could also be used by healthy, ordinary people, though, to lengthen the distance they can travel by foot without being consumed by fatigue. Of course, the team also plans to collaborate with clinical partners in order to develop a medical version for patients with limited mobility. Now we’re just waiting for the Wyss researchers to team up with the TitanArm inventors at UPenn for the ultimate full-body suit.
Filed under: Robots, Wearables, Science
Via: The Verge
Source: Wyss Institute, Harvard Biodesign Lab
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iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Now Available for Pre-Order
Apple has begun accepting online pre-orders for the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus in several different countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the UK.
Several U.S. carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are also accepting pre-orders for the devices. Multiple retail stores like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart will be accepting iPhone 6 and 6 Plus pre-orders when the stores open in the morning, at varying times.
Thus far, there have been few reports on available supply, but it’s typically best to make an order right away if possible because in past years, pre-orders have sold out within mere minutes. iPhone 6 Plus supplies appear constrained, as AT&T and Verizon have shipping estimates of 14 to 21 days on several models.
In the United States, Apple is offering the iPhone 6 in 16, 64, and 128 GB capacities for $199, $299, and $399, respectively, with a two-year contract. Contract-free pricing begins at $649. Apple’s higher-priced iPhone 6 Plus is available in 16, 64, and 128 GB capacities for $299, $399, and $499, respectively, with a two-year contract. Contract-free pricing on that device begins at $749.
The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus will be available in stores beginning on Friday, September 19, and the first crop of orders should arrive on that day. Apple is also allowing in-store pickup for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus pre-orders this year.
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