Next-Generation iPhone Again Rumored to Adopt 7000 Series Aluminum
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a note to investors, a copy of which was obtained by Japanese blog Mac Otakara, in which he corroborates rumors that the next-generation iPhone will adopt 7000 Series aluminum as used in the Apple Watch Sport. Kuo also claimed that Apple will retain the same design as the iPhone 6, although the smartphone may have slightly different dimensions.
The report claims that the next-generation iPhone could be wider and taller by about 0.15mm to account for the stronger 7000 Series aluminum design, while the smartphone may also be about 0.2mm thicker due to the addition of Force Touch. The new dimensions are marginal enough that most iPhone 6 users are unlikely to notice much of a difference with the so-called “iPhone 6s” design.
Apple explains the properties of 7000 Series aluminum on its Apple Watch website:
“For Apple Watch Sport, we started with 7000 Series aluminum — the same used in competition bicycles. We altered it to create a new alloy that’s just as light, yet even more durable — it’s 60 percent stronger than most aluminum, and one-third the density of stainless steel. It has a bright, lustrous colour and a uniform structure free of defects and impurities. Each case is machined and polished, then blasted with microscopic zirconia beads to achieve a consistent, satin texture. A special anodizing process creates a hard, clear outer layer that helps protect against scratches and corrosion.”
Kuo reiterated that the next-generation iPhone will be available in a new Rose Gold color option, similar to the rose gold Apple Watch Edition, and also claimed that the existing gold color could be changed to look more like the yellow gold Apple Watch Edition. The existing space gray iPhone is also expected to look slightly more black, possibly in line with the space black Apple Watch.
Last month, Kuo shared a long list of predictions for the next-generation iPhone, including an A9 processor with 2GB of RAM, Force Touch, an improved 12-megapixel rear-facing camera, new Rose Gold color option, improved Touch ID recognition, gesture control support and more. Apple will likely retain 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screen sizes akin to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
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Motorola kicks off its UK summer sale with sweet deals on the Nexus 6 and Moto X
Motorola is offering some hefty discounts on the Nexus 6 and Moto X to kick off its UK summer sale. You can save a steep £166 on the Moto X and £80 on the Nexus 6, which converts to $261 and $126 USD.
During this sale, you can pick up a 16GB Moto X for £229 or £269 for the 32GB solution, or $360 and $423 USD, respectively. The Nexus 6 is discounted to £399 with 32GB of internal storage or £469 for the 64GB model. That converts to $627 or $737 USD, respectively.
The sale is running from June 17 to June 30, so there’s plenty of time to get your hands on one of these devices. And if you’re in the market for a Moto X, keep in mind that Motorola will be revealing a refresh for the device this summer.
source: Motorola
Come comment on this article: Motorola kicks off its UK summer sale with sweet deals on the Nexus 6 and Moto X
Possible Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 picture leaks
After Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun announced the launch date of the next Redmi Note device to be revealed on June 29th and released a screenshot of the device’s home screen, the yet-to-be released Redmi Note 2 has seen a design render leaked on Twitter. The images show the rear panel of the device, which now seems to opt for a circular fingerprint scanner located below the camera. In addition, another significant change that the image shows is the build material of the handset. Instead of the all-plastic design that its predecessor has, the Redmi Note 2 will now apparently sport a metal body along with two plastic strips on the top and bottom of the device which have been said to house the antennas.
The specs of the device have not been mentioned in the leak, but the device passed through China’s QCC and provided us with an idea of what the Redmi Note 2 should feature.
Potential Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 specs:
- 5.5-inch, Full HD (1920×1080) display
- MediaTek Helio X10 (MT6795) octa-core processor
- OS Android (5.0.2 or v5.1) with MIUI
- 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- 3000mAh battery
- 4G LTE network support
This leak confirms that the new device should be released on the market soon; however, just like any other leak, specs and design are subject to change.
Source: Leaksfly (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: Possible Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 picture leaks
California labor commission rules Uber drivers are employees
The California labor commission has ruled that an Uber driver qualifies as an employee, not a contractor, of the company. As a result Uber will have to reimburse a driver for expenses accumulated in the line of duty. That includes $256 in tolls and the IRS rate of $0.56 per mile for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes. But the total award of $4,152.20 is not what scares the company, that’s pocket change seeing as how it was recently valued at roughly $50 billion. No, the king of cars-for-hire is afraid of the broader implications. If their current network of over one million drivers suddenly became employees, running the business could get a lot more expensive. For one, companies need to pay social security, payroll and medicare taxes for their employees. And it could have implications for the expectation of health or retirement benefits and even leave Uber vulnerable to renewed pressure from taxi unions.
Of course, Uber is appealing the ruling and could keep this issue tied up in court for sometime. Plus, this ruling only applies in California for the time being, but it could be an omen of more trouble waiting on the horizon.
[image credit: AP Photo/Eric Risberg]
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Dan Levine (Twitter)
Source: Uber vs. Berwick (scribd)
Dropbox File Requests makes getting files from friends way easier
If you’ve ever tried to collect files from multiple people you know it can be a train wreck of emails with random subject lines and links to various online storage. Dropbox announced a simpler way to aggregate files from multiple people called File Requests. Dropbox users send out a link to a group of people and all their uploaded files (up to 2GB) end up in a single Dropbox folder with the sender’s first name in the file name. The senders don’t even need to be Dropbox users. The feature launches today for Pro (paid) and Basic (free) accounts. Business accounts will receive the new feature in a few weeks.
Filed under: Storage, Internet, Software
Source: Dropbox
See the ISS like never before in these 4K videos
We’re sure a time will come when watching something in 4K won’t seem special. Now isn’t that time. Astronaut Terry W. Virts is tweeting links to videos shot in Ultra HD during his time on the International Space Station, and predictably it’s mesmerizing. NASA started uploading videos in the higher resolution to YouTube a few days ago, with a 20 second tease at 60 fps, before publishing a far more satisfying (but regular frame rate) four-minute follow up. The agency claims the extra detail in the videos will “provide new insight into the vast array of experiments taking place every day.” But, it also humble-boasts that these are possibly some of the “most breathtaking” views of our planet, and the ISS (and a floating taco) yet. This comes not long after we were equally dazzled with GoPro footage of a bonefide spacewalk. Whatever NASA’s video strategy is for the ISS (it hints there’s more to come), we’re liking it so far.
Here are some samples from the 4K Ultra High-Definition (UHD) video camera I used during my mission. Enjoy! https://t.co/D55pzm1WOo
– Terry W. Virts (@AstroTerry) June 15, 2015
‘Pro Evolution Soccer 2016’ is actually worth playing over ‘FIFA’
I grew up with Winning Eleven, the franchise that Konami morphed into what we now know as Pro Evolution Soccer in North America. These days, I find myself playing EA Sports’ FIFA, a choice I suspect is echoed by millions of football fans worldwide. During the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 era, though, Konami’s title was hands-down the far superior product, thanks to better game mechanics and, in general, being more fun. Unfortunately, Pro Evolution Soccer couldn’t keep up with EA’s perpetual resources, starting with the exclusive licensing deals for major leagues from across the world. But while Pro Evolution Soccer 2016, out September 15th in North America, still won’t let me play as Chelsea (it’s called London FC), the refined gameplay and improved graphics could be enough to make me pick it over FIFA — and I haven’t felt that way in years.
I played it for the first time at E3 2015 and came away feeling it exceeded expectations. Namely, I was impressed by the smoother gameplay and better-looking, crisper graphics in comparison to PES 2015. Konami emphasizes that the main focus for this year’s release was on soccer, not licenses. “It’s always about the gameplay,” a company spokesperson says about the upcoming release. There’s more freedom for creativity when controlling your team, for example, making it easier for you to accomplish more dribbles with players who have that as a skill set — like cover boy Neymar. Celebrations have been enhanced too, so you can expect to celebrate in fashion when you score; Francesco Totti’s signature “selfie” is now a possibility.
Even though Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 is powered by the same Fox Engine as its predecessor, you can notice both visual and under-the-hood upgrades right as you kick off. Players’ movements feel less stiff than they did before; cleats also deteriorate as the match goes on, another detail that makes the experience that much more enjoyable. And since Konami extended its partnership with UEFA, that means you’ll still have access to the official Champions League mode. There’s no doubt FIFA continues to be the best series for football buffs, but Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 definitely narrows the gap between the two.
Check here for everything happening at E3 2015!
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Konami
Dear Veronica: Should you hold off on solar, pre-Powerwall?
Unfortunately, we can’t always make people interact with us in the methods of our choosing (see Episode 1 and parents refusing to text). This week our communication conundrum comes by way of Facebook aversion, and I can certainly relate: the easiest way for me to never attend your event is to invite me on Facebook. Sorry.
Plus, we learn more about when you can get your paws on Powerwall from Tesla, and how moist is too moist for a PC? Can we please never say the word “moist” ever again? Ugh, now I’m just making it worse. There have actually been studies about why we have such word aversion to “moist,” which you can learn about here. I’m all about educating, after all.
Finally, here’s our Emoji Poll below, where you can help Vincent decide if he’s in a doomed relationship or not! Don’t forget to send in your questions using the hashtag #DearVeronica in the places you Internet. See you next week!
Can Star Wars and Star Trek find true love together?
Filed under: Facebook
E3 2015 demo: command thousands of units into battle in the impressive Dawn of Titans
Zynga used to be considered “the next big thing” in gaming, but the company missed the mobile wave and its fortunes took a downturn when people grew bored of Farmville and the countless clones it spawned.
But Zynga is not out yet, and under the command of returning CEO Mark Pincus, the company is shifting from its casual gaming roots towards more serious stuff. To help with this, Zynga bought game studio Natural Motion (of CSR Racing fame) for north of $500 million in 2014, and yesterday at E3, we got to see the studio’s next game, Dawn of Titans.
Dawn of Titans is an action strategy game that resembles the PC series Total War, in that it gives players control over armies counting thousands of units. The game, coming to Android and iOS, impresses through its massive battles rendered in real time. According to Natural Motion CEO Torsten Reil, that’s possible thanks to the Echo engine, which can deliver “console-grade” 3D graphics within the constraints of a mobile platform.
Now “console-grade” is a bold and subjective claim, but the truth is we were very impressed with the demo we were shown (running on a iPad, but the experience should be similar on Android tablet). The animations were fluid, the effects were impressive, and the simple interface made it easy to unleash the wrath of a titan, hydra, or some other mythological beast upon enemy soldiers.
Dawn of Titans is not just about massive battles. The game has a strong social component, as it allows players to team up in alliances and tackle AI opponents or other players. You can even create and customize your own beautifully-rendered kingdoms, making Clash of Clans and other similar games look downward primitive in comparison.
This has been just a preview of Dawn of Titans, which is expected to land on Android and iOS later this year. Stay tuned with Android Authority for more mobile gaming coverage from E3 2015!
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