Apple Watch Series 2 Impressions: Iterative Design, but Ceramic Impresses and Fitness Shows Promise
Alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the Apple Watch Series 2 was a major hardware announcement at Apple’s media event in San Francisco yesterday. The company pivoted slightly from the Apple Watch’s original, fashion-focused unveiling, this time focusing on the internals of Series 2, and what it can do to push Apple forward in the fitness tracking category.
As journalists got hands-on time with Apple Watch Series 2 after yesterday’s event, a handful of impressions have surfaced online surrounding the new wearable device. Since most of its features are activity-focused (swimming, running, etc.), opinions on how the new Apple Watch functions under these conditions were left to speculation, but otherwise the resounding takeaway appeared to be that Apple has successfully innovated in areas where Series 1 lacked, despite the fact that extended battery and a slight design change would have been welcome.
Images via The Verge
Starting off with the most expensive Ceramic Apple Watch Edition, which runs for $1249 (38mm) and $1299 (42mm), Wareable noted that the ceramic finish “felt smooth and light to the touch” and was “more attractive in real life.” The case was also reflective of more light in comparison to aluminum and stainless steel, but given Series 2’s ultra-bright display, it doesn’t seem to be an issue. Ultimately, Wareable sees Series 2 as Apple’s next step “to be taken seriously in the fitness sphere.”
I strapped on the new Edition, which starts at a casual $1249. Apple claims ceramic is one of the toughest materials in the world, and it felt smooth and light to the touch. It’s more light-reflective than I expected, and looks more attractive in real life than from the presentation’s images, if you’re a fan of the gently rounded cube display and chunky straps.
While Series 2 doesn’t offer much for those longing for new designs, the under-the-hood changes are clear indications of Apple’s desire to be taken as seriously in the fitness sphere as Garmin and Polar, while retaining its minimalist design.
The Verge compared the thickness of Series 1 with Series 2, noting that Series 2 is about one millimeter thicker than Series 1, “though you really have to look closely.” The site also commented on the similar battery life of each Series — 18 hours, according to Apple — but retained any in-depth opinions on the new Apple Watch for a future review.
TechRadar gave one of the most detailed opinions on Series 2, commenting on the “simplicity” of the fitness-focused features in the device, which might also be its “greatest drawback.” The site gives an example of the Apple Watch miscalculating the user’s stroke during a swimming workout, and not being able to alter the data because the bare-bones workout app doesn’t offer such a feature. TechRadar feared that “if you can’t trust what you’re seeing, then you’ll come to disregard it as a training tool.”
The big question is whether these changes are enough – sure, the fitness credentials are good, and a solid upgrade, but these are the things we were hoping to see last time around, rather than having to wait two years for.
But then again, the smartwatch market is incredibly turbulent, and while Apple never disclosed sales figures of its first Watch, it was certainly the best-selling device of its kind by an absolute street. The Apple Watch Series 2 builds on that success, comes with water resistance and fitness smarts and a brighter, more useful screen – but it’s iterative again.
Focusing on one of the cheaper collections, SlashGear took a dive into the Apple Watch Nike+ Edition, which won’t launch until sometime in late October. The site called the Nike-branded Apple Watch “extremely similar” to the rest of the Sport collections, noting that “it’s relatively light on the wrist.” Still, given the short time in the Apple event showroom, the site is unsure whether or not the Nike branding, exclusive watch faces, and Siri commands will all be enough to pick this edition over other models.
Image via TechRadar
This version of the Apple Watch feels extremely similar to that of the rest of the series – especially since it’s nearly identical save the Nike branding on its back and the new set of straps. It’s relatively light on the wrist and the strap seems to fit well for a wide variety of wrists.
Whether or not this particular version of the watch will be worth buying over the standard Apple Watch, we can’t quite yet tell. We’ll have to give the whole lot a try before we can give any definitive answers.
As the September 16 launch date for Apple Watch Series 2 gets closer, we should begin seeing more detailed reviews and impressions of the device, particularly how Apple’s claims of a truly swimproof smartwatch hold up in daily use. In the meantime, check out even more initial impressions of Series 2 from the sites below:
– The Next Web
– ZDNet
– Wired
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Don’t Buy)
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Benchmark Suggests iPhone 7 Plus Has 3GB RAM
Based on what seems to be a legitimate Geekbench benchmark of the iPhone 7 Plus, it appears Apple’s larger-screened smartphone features 3GB RAM, as was rumored. In the list of details about the device, memory is listed as 2998MB, meaning it has 3GB RAM instead of 2GB RAM like the iPhone 6s Plus.
Prior to the announcement of the iPhone 7 Plus, rumors suggested it would have 3GB RAM because of the increased resource demands of the dual-camera system. The iPhone 7 features two 12-megapixel cameras, one that’s the same as the wide-angle camera on the iPhone 7 and one telephoto camera.
iPhone 7 Plus benchmark
When capturing a photo, images from both cameras are merged together via software so users can zoom in further, which is likely a system intensive process. Apple is also developing a depth-of-field effect that uses software and advanced machine learning techniques to highlight a person in a photograph while blurring the background, another process that’s likely to require additional RAM.
Rumors suggest the smaller 4.7-inch iPhone 7 continues to feature 2GB RAM, and an iPhone 7 benchmark from earlier this week offers potential confirmation.
iPhone 7 benchmark
The processor data on the iPhone 7 benchmark was off, which initially called into question its legitimacy, but Geekbench doesn’t yet accommodate the lower-power high-efficiency scores of the A10 Fusion chip, and Geekbench’s John Poole believes it’s possible there was a problem when calculating processor speed. If representative of an actual iPhone 7 device, the benchmark indicates 2GB RAM.
While the iPhone 7 also features an upgraded camera system, it does not require software processes for merging multiple images together, so higher amounts of RAM may not be necessary for optimal performance.
We won’t have concrete confirmation on the amount of RAM in the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus until launch day, when multiple sites are likely to begin teardowns to see just what’s inside.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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Belkin’s $40 Lightning Adapter Lets You Listen to Music and Charge Your iPhone 7 at the Same Time
Belkin today announced the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar for the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, an accessory that will allow iPhone 7 users to charge their iPhones and listen to music at the same time.
According to Belkin, the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar was developed “closely” with Apple, and it does indeed resemble Apple’s own iOS adapter accessories. The Lightning connector on the end of the RockStar plugs into the iPhone for passthrough charging (up to 12W), while additional Lightning ports on the device accommodate either the Lightning-based EarPods or headphones with a 3.5mm jack using Apple’s 3.5mm to Lightning adapter (included with the iPhone 7).
“We’re excited to offer the Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar to our customers, extending our family of RockStar multi-port products and creating an easy way for people to charge and listen on the go,” says Steve Malony, VP, GM Belkin.
Belkin’s Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar doesn’t seem to be a perfect solution to the charging while listening issue. The Lightning end needs to be plugged into the iPhone, while a Lighting cable needs to be plugged into one port for charging and Lightning headphones (or headphones with an adapter) need to be plugged into the other port, resulting in a mess of cables. Adding in the 3.5mm to Lightning adapter makes the situation even worse, with a total of two adapters and a Lightning cord plugged into the iPhone.
The Lightning Audio + Charge Rockstar supports 48 kHz 24-bit audio output and it’s able to work with a variety of cases, including the iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case. It is Made for iPhone certified.
Belkin plans to start selling the Lightning Audio + Charge Rockstar on October 10 for $39.95. It will be available from the Belkin website, the Apple online store, and Apple retail stores.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: Belkin
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Apple’s Phil Schiller Recommends Lightning Dock for Charging an iPhone 7 While Listening to Music
Apple’s new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus ship without a headphone jack, requiring customers to use either Bluetooth or Lightning-equipped headphones. Many customers who routinely charge their iPhones while also listening to music have been questioning whether that usage scenario will possible sans headphone jack, and as it turns out, Apple has a solution.
In an email to a customer, Apple SVP of marketing Phil Schiller says that while he prefers to use the wireless AirPods to listen to music, customers who want to listen to wired headphones while charging an iPhone 7 can use the Apple Lightning Dock, which has a built-in headphone jack.
Priced at $49 and available in colors to match each of the iPhones, the Lightning dock has both a USB input and a 3.5mm headphone jack built in, making it perfect for customers who want to charge and listen to music at the same time. Unfortunately, it’s an expensive solution compared to former method of using 3.5mm EarPods and a Lightning cable, which came free with the iPhone. Belkin also just announced a $40 Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar adapter designed to let users listen to Lightning headphones while charging, but it’s both bulky and pricy.
To ease the transition away from the 3.5mm headphone jack, Apple is providing customers with both a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter and a set of EarPods with a Lightning connector. Of course, when using these accessories, charging is not possible at the same time.
Apple’s ultimate goal seems to be to transition customers to wireless headphones like its recently announced AirPods. While on stage at yesterday’s event, Schiller explained that one of the reasons why Apple moved away from the headphone jack was to push wireless technology forward. The AirPods, which have been in development since the Apple Watch was conceived, feature a proprietary wireless W1 chip and up to 24 hours of battery life implemented through a charging case.
AirPods, priced at $159 and similar in design to EarPods, are entirely wireless with no cord connecting the two earpieces and feature technology like gesture recognition, voice isolation, and more. AirPods have been receiving largely favorable reviews, but $159 is a lot to pay for the ideal iPhone 7 music experience.
Apple executives have explained that the removal of the headphone jack took a lot of “courage,” but was necessary to free up valuable space and improve technology in the iPhone 7 and future iPhones.
(Thanks, Zaheen!)
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Phil Schiller, iPhone Lightning Dock
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5 things I learned traveling with the Honor 8
Travel lessons from a week with the Honor 8 at IFA.
If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll know that nothing taxes a phone like dragging it halfway across a continent, through airport security bins, onto planes and back again. So whenever I take a phone with me on a trip — as I did with the Galaxy S7 edge earlier this year — it’s fun to reflect on the lessons learned.
This time around my phone of choice was the Huawei-built Honor 8, and the venue was IFA 2016 in Berlin, Germany. Read on to find out how it fared.
1. Dual SIM is pretty neat
The European-spec Honor 8 is a dual-SIM device, using Huawei’s hybrid slot to take either one SIM and an SD card, or two SIMs (but not both at once). So when I took the phone to Berlin for IFA, I kept my regular UK SIM for calls and texts, and used a prepaid German SIM for data. The setup process was easy, and I didn’t notice any significant extra battery drain from using two networks at once.
It’s a handy way to sidestep the usual traveling smartphone nerd dilemma: use a local SIM and miss all your calls and texts, or pay over the odds by roaming on your home operator. The only compromise is that you can’t use an SD card at the same time.
2. Use a case
The Honor 8’s incredibly, ludicrously reflective glass back looks great, but one unfortunate side effect is extra fragility compared to metal phones. After just a couple of weeks of using the Honor 8 without a case, I’ve picked up countless hairline scratches on the back of the thing — even having handled it with care. The front and sides of my unit have so far escaped unscathed.
The other thing to watch out for is the “hockey puck” effect when it’s lying on a flat surface. We’ve seen it before — way back in the days of the Nexus 4, which was eventually modified with rubber nubs to stop it sliding about the place.
The solution to both issues is to use a case — in some markets Honor includes a transparent plastic case in the box; otherwise Amazon is your best bet. (There’s also a good thread on the AC forums with some other options.)
3. Epic battery life, and plenty of power-saving tricks
A little surprising for a phone with a standard-sized 3,000mAh battery — the Honor 8 sips power, sometimes racking up as much as 5 or 6 hours of screen-on time per charge. That’s an impressive achievement made more notable by the phone’s ample supply of battery-saving software tricks.
ROG power saving mode, which I enabled on a couple of longer days, downscales everything on the display to 720p resolution to save power. And you can also change power profiles to affect how the CPU speed ramps up — “Smart” for everyday use, which I stuck to, or “Performance” for gaming.
All these features combined to give me some of the best battery life I’ve seen from an Android phone this year.
4. Huawei’s Quick Charge is weird
The Honor 8 supports 9V/2A quick charging, but it’s not your regular rebadged Qualcomm QuickCharge, as you might be used to from most other Android phone makers. For faster charging speeds you’ll need to use a Huawei Quick Charger like the one bundled in the box. And note that it’s still merely fast-er. The phone doesn’t juice up as quickly as devices using the latest Qualcomm standard, but it’s a nice bump over bog-standard 5V charging.
For what it’s worth, I’ve also noticed that Huawei’s Quick Charger can quick charge QuickCharge 2.0 phones just fine, even though the reverse isn’t true. (Other Qualcomm QuickCharge plugs won’t charge the Honor 8 at faster speeds.) Weird.
5. I can actually use an EMUI phone
EMUI hits a major milestone in terms of usability — and it’s only going to get better.
Huawei’s EMUI software layer has gotten a lot, lot better over the past twelve months. Some issues remain, like the annoying need to whitelist apps to allow them to run when the screen’s off, and its heavily customized notification shade that looks so much — well, like an iPhone’s — to the point where certain apps still have compatibility issues. (Ironically, one of those is none other than Apple Music.)
But using the Honor 8 has been a revelation. Enough of the jarring stuff we used to complain about has gone that I can now use a Huawei phone without hating it. That’s faint praise, but considering how broken things used to be, a significant milestone.
EMUI 5, powered by Android 7.0 Nougat is on the way. A leaked build is doing the rounds for the Huawei P9, and early impressions are promising. Notifications look the way they should. So does the recent apps menu. It feels more like an Android phone.
Until then, I can just about put up with EMUI 4.1’s lingering weirdness.
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- Honor 8 review
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Apple iOS 10 update now available… for beta users
You can now play with the final version of iOS 10, if you’re a public beta tester.
Apple has released the golden master build (GM) of iOS 10. A GM is typically the final build of a piece of software in the beta stages for developers. In terms of iOS, the GM build arrives shortly before the official release that’s delivered to consumers. Apple is pushing out the GM build two weeks after its seventh iOS 10 public beta and less than a week before the official release for consumers.
In other words: the iOS 10 golden master – if there are no critical bugs found – should be the same piece of software that most iPhone and iPad owners can begin downloading on 13 September. If you’d like to download the GM build now, you must be a beta tester in Apple’s beta testing programme. You’ll receive the iOS 10 golden master via an over-the-air update.
- Pocket-lint explained how to become an iOS 10 beta tester here
Interestingly, the iOS 10 GM update prompt under the Settings app in iOS does not have a “GM” or “beta” label, so it looks like beta testers are downloading the official release of iOS 10, which includes several new features and design changes, such as a new lock screen experience, improved Messages app, new emoji, a Home app, and redesigned Apple Music app, among other things.
- Pocket-lint detailed many of iOS 10’s new features here
During Apple’s Special Event on 7 September, the Cupertino, CA-based company said iOS 10 would officially release for iPhone and iPad owners two days before the launch of the new iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus.
- Apple will release iOS 10 update for iPhones and iPads on 13 September
- Apple made these wireless AirPods and Lightning EarPods for iPhone 7
- Apple Watch Nike Plus is designed to be your perfect running partner
- Finally! Apple shows off new Apple Watch Series 2 models
- Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are official
- How to watch iPhone 7 and 7 Plus launch
- Mario coming to iOS with Super Mario Run
- Pokemon Go is coming to Apple Watch by end of 2016
Will you buy the PlayStation 4 Pro?
The PlayStation 4 Neo Pro has finally been revealed, and it packs in an intriguing amount of power and features unforeseen in the console world. But given that it’s only been three years since the PS4’s original debut, is it really worth upgrading for the system’s existing owners? And with Microsoft’s Project Scorpio coming next year, which is even more powerful on paper, it might just be worth waiting a bit before pulling the trigger. Engadget’s editors have opinions:
Jessica Conditt, Senior Editor
I’m not buying a PS4 Pro because of two things — one that I have and one that I don’t have. Thing One: I have a PS4. Beyond that, I’m extremely happy with my PS4. It runs my games beautifully and streams all the terrible reality television I could ask for. The PS4 is my default living room console; I also own an Xbox One but my hands automatically reach for the DualShock 4 when I plop down on the couch. It simply isn’t time for me to upgrade yet and, honestly, this is entirely Sony’s fault. If they had made a crappier launch console, maybe I’d be interested in the PS4 Pro.
Thing Two: I don’t have a 4K television. Sony claims that the PS4 Pro will benefit people without 4K TVs as well, smoothing out some games’ jagged edges, but the difference should be minimal and it’s simply not enough to lure me in. If I had a 4K TV, I might consider the Pro, but I probably wouldn’t jump on it on day one (see Thing One).
Nathan Ingraham, Senior Editor
While the PS4 Pro demos I tried at Sony’s event were pretty spectacular, I won’t be upgrading to the company’s newest console just yet. Mostly, that’s because I don’t have a 4K TV (or the time to devote to playing games as much as I’d like anymore). That said, there’s no doubt in my mind that Sony just stuck it to Microsoft, big-time. The direct competition to the PS4 Pro is Microsoft’s Project Scorpio, which still has no price point or release date. Comparing the PS4 Pro to the One S comes out strongly in Sony’s favor, and that’ll be a big deal over the holiday system (unless you’re a gamer who wants to play 4K Blu-rays, that is).
Nick Summers, Associate Editor
I won’t be buying a PlayStation 4 Pro. At least, not right now. It’s a marginal hardware upgrade, offering few benefits for people with 1080p TVs. Slightly prettier graphics? I’ll take them, sure, but not for another $400. You see, I never felt the PlayStation 4 was particularly underpowered. Video games like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End are gorgeous — and I find myself appreciating stylized graphics, like those found in Firewatch and Abzu, more and more these days.
I would rather wait and see how Microsoft’s Project Scorpio shakes out. By then, I’ll probably have a 4K TV, so I’ll be in a better position to benefit from the upgrade. With an extra $400 in my pocket, I’m also better positioned to buy a PSVR headset this fall, or even Nintendo’s mysterious NX console next March. If you don’t have a PlayStation 4 yet, or you’re desperate to own the best console graphics — then sure, buy this new box. But if you already own a PS4, I think there are smarter ways to spend your money. An Xbox One S, for instance, will give you access to Microsoft’s exclusives and a 4K Blu-ray player. Oh, and a product that looks sublime too.
Dan Cooper, Senior Editor
To my shame, I’m still rocking an Xbox 360 from 2008 that has remained unbroken for the better part of a decade. I’d always planned to join this console generation, but neither device seemed to be compelling enough to make the splash. Public opinion skewed heavily towards the PS4 immediately after that E3, which made me sad as I wanted to see Microsoft’s cloud-based vision for the future of video games. But since the PS4 seems to have “won” this generation, it’s probably the right time to make a splash.
That’s why I’m probably going to buy a PS4 Pro when it launches, since it’ll be the best hardware I can get at the time of launch. Add in the fact that it’ll work with PlayStation VR and I know that, should that become a hit in a few years time, I can access it right away. Admittedly, my freshly-bought HDTV won’t do much with the Pro’s newly-minted 4K processing power, but again — I’m prepared for the moment when those displays become affordable.
Of course, it might be a bit of a waste since all I’ll probably play are Rocket League and FIFA, but that’s never stopped me before.
Matt Brian, Managing Editor, Engadget UK
Am I going to buy a PlayStation 4 Pro? Yes. When it launches? Definitely not. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t the best console option — at least between Microsoft and Sony — for the foreseeable future.
I already own a PlayStation 4 and I’m on the hook for a PSVR headset. Put simply, I don’t want to be spending upwards of £700 in the space of a month. Given that my 5-year old LG plasma is on its way out and needs replacing, it makes sense to grab a new 4K set and then purchase a PS4 Pro to cater for my gaming needs and the endless amount of streaming I intend do between Netflix and Amazon. The lack of UHD Blu-ray support doesn’t phase me, I can’t remember the last time I watched a movie on a disc.
With Scorpio unlikely to launch until 2017, Sony really has clear waters ahead of it. VR and 4K gaming will only grow in popularity and Sony will have the console market largely to itself until Microsoft debuts the faster and more powerful Scorpio a few months later.
Brittany Vincent, Contributor
I had already decided I wouldn’t be purchasing a PlayStation 4 Pro at launch far before I ever saw what Sony had to offer at its PlayStation event. It’s $400. Do you know how many Kylie Lip Kits I can buy with that money?
I’m a collector, and since I own nearly every console from every generation (lacking a 64DD, sadly) every instinct within me is screaming for a PS4 Pro for the sake of completeness, but I don’t think it’s actually necessary. I’m not concerned so much with HD gaming nor 4K as a general rule because I’m not in the market to purchase a new TV any time soon. But I am looking to outfit my gaming setup with PlayStation VR specifically for Rez Infinite, and that’ll likely be the excuse I need to drop the cash on a PS4 Pro at some point.
Plus, with Microsoft’s Project Scorpio on the horizon, any extra cash I can scare up will end up being a boon for my eventual entertainment center upgrade. Stacking games on top of each other and stepping over piles in the floor isn’t working out for me anymore, and I’ll need to finally make the jump to 2016 and improve that entire situation. That means a better TV and all. Then it might finally be time to make the investment.
Devindra Hardawar, Senior Editor
As someone who’s drifted towards PC gaming over the past few years, I’m looking forward to having a console that can push out more pixels. But while I’m intrigued by the PlayStation 4 Pro (check out my impressions here), I won’t be buying one at launch. Mostly, that’s because I haven’t upgraded to a 4K, HDR-ready TV yet. And, quite honestly, I also haven’t used my PlayStation 4 much. When I want to play console games with friends, I power up my Xbox One. And when I want to be engrossed in AAA games with the best graphics possible, I head to my PC.
Given that it’s only been three years since the PlayStation 4 launched, the Pro doesn’t seem like a worthy upgrade just yet. But if you’ve been holding out on this console generation, it’s clearly the smart choice this holiday season, especially if you want to dabble with PlayStation VR. Sure, I’m also looking forward to Microsoft’s Project Scorpio, but it’s hard to get too excited about something that’s so far off.
My biggest disappointment with the PlayStation 4 Pro? It doesn’t have a 4K Blu-ray drive, which would make it a far more practical purchase. Curiously, that’s something the Xbox One S does include. Sony reps say that the company is focusing on 4K streaming, but that argument is surprising when you consider that Sony is one of the big 4K Blu-ray backers. I’ve argued that 4K Blu-ray was dead from the start because of streaming, and it’s hard to deny that’s the case when the format’s creator can’t even get behind it.
The iPhone 7’s best new feature is water resistance
Once again, Apple has dropped a new phone with a whole array of improvements that make it a must-buy. But the iPhone maker buried the lead with its launch by barely touching on the next-gen phones’ actual best feature: water resistance.
I know it’s going to be difficult to justify this. but hear me out. The iPhone 7’s water resistance is awesome because it not only solves an age-old problem for a whole lot of people, but could mean a better future for everyone.
A lot of people will point to the new dual camera (which by the way is only on the pricier Plus) or iOS 10 as better choices. But a lack of emoji, inadequate 3DTouch integration or poorly taken picture hasn’t actually ruined someone’s day or cost anyone money. Those are nice things to have, but not absolutely necessary.
On the other hand, water damage is such a big problem it’s spawned a whole subculture of people that find unique ways to fix wet phones. A 2012 study by device warranty provider SquareTrade found that water damage was the second leading cause of destroyed phones, just behind drops.
While the iPhone 7 probably still isn’t rugged enough to survive a fall down the stairs, its ability to withstand some splashes, specifically up to 1 meter (3.2 feet) of water, will bring some of us klutzes peace of mind. Because let’s be real — who doesn’t bring their phone into the bathroom to while away some throne time?
The water resistance has some other outside-the-loo benefits as well, protecting the new phones from accidental spills at the dinner table or drops into puddles. Plus, built-in water protection means we can say goodbye to bulky waterproof cases that jut out of our pockets. But Apple could also stand to gain.
Pictured above: The water-resistant Galaxy S7 Active.
With their IP67 rating, the iPhone 7s are just slightly less water-friendly than rival Samsung’s latest Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge (both rated IP68). The Korean company’s handsets can survive for up to 30 minutes under up to 1.5 meters of water. That’s one aspect in which Samsung has been ahead of Apple for three years now (water resistance made its way to the Galaxy S line on the S4 Active).
Other companies, such as Sony and Motorola, have already acknowledged the importance of the feature, and have implemented it in their flagships for years now. But even though more than a handful of companies have made watertight smartphones, the rest of the industry hasn’t followed suit. And here’s where Apple joining the fray could mean good things for everyone.
The Cupertino company has long pioneered features that are now ubiquitous, such as apps, fingerprint sensors and a home button. But when Apple follows its rivals on something, as it did on NFC implementation for mobile payments and, now, water resistance, the rest of the industry tends to jump wholeheartedly on the bandwagon. This could mean a future where a watertight phone is the norm rather than the exception.
iPhone 7 Models From AT&T and T-Mobile Do Not Support CDMA Networks
Choosing which iPhone model to purchase this year should be more carefully considered, as both AT&T and T-Mobile models of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus do not support CDMA networks such as Verizon and Sprint in the United States. Apple confirmed the matter in fine print in the iPhone 7 tech specs and on its LTE page.
A customer that purchases an iPhone 7 from Apple’s website and selects AT&T as their carrier, for example, would be unable to later use the smartphone on Verizon, Sprint, or any other CDMA network, even if the device is unlocked. By comparison, all iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models worked on both GSM and CDMA networks.
A customer that purchases an iPhone 7 from Apple’s website and selects Verizon as their carrier, on the other hand, would also be able to use the smartphone on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, or any other GSM or CDMA network. This essentially means iPhone 7 models from Verizon or Sprint are closer to being a true “world-phone.”
It was previously reported that Apple would switch to Intel modems for select iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models, including AT&T models, and Intel modems do not support the CDMA standard in the United States. That is likely the reason why AT&T and T-Mobile models are limited to GSM networks.
Only Verizon and Sprint models support both GSM and CDMA networks
The same report said Qualcomm would supply modems for the remaining iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus units, including Verizon and Chinese models, and this appears to be the case. Qualcomm modems support both the GSM and CDMA standard, which explains why the iPhone 7 from Verizon and Sprint will work on all carriers.
Qualcomm, which holds patents for WCDMA and CDMA2000 standards, is the main CDMA modem supplier in the United States. The company developed the first CDMA-based cellular base station in 1990, and since then it has licensed its technology to companies like Apple in return for royalty payments.
Until this year, Qualcomm was Apple’s exclusive supplier of modems for LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, which explains why the iPhone 6s and previous generations supported both GSM and CDMA networks regardless of carrier. But with Intel entering the mix, choosing which iPhone to purchase is now more meaningful.
All iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models supported both GSM and CDMA networks
The lack of CDMA support in iPhones with Intel modems may be short lived, fortunately, as Intel acquired CDMA assets from VIA Telecom in 2015. It is believed that this acquisition could pave the way for Intel to release its first LTE modem with both GSM and CDMA support as early as 2017 or 2018.
Ultimately, the most obvious choice should be to purchase a Verizon or Sprint model, even if you are an AT&T or T-Mobile customer, especially when considering resale value. However, some customers may have difficulty purchasing from another carrier, depending on their current status with their existing carrier.
Apple should also release an unlocked SIM-free model in the U.S., likely based on the Verizon/Sprint model, in a few weeks based on past launches.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Intel, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Qualcomm
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Nexus 7 (2016): What’s the story so far?
The original Nexus 7, released in 2012 and updated in 2013, has always been one of our favourite Nexus devices. It was that convenient smaller tablet, a pure-Android almost pocketable tablet for fun and frivolity.
The Nexus programme has flung out a range of tablets, the pixel-popping Nexus 10, the 4:3 Nexus 9 and that hybrid Pixel C, a tablet that wants to be your workmate.
There have been some gems in there, some breakthroughs, but there’s definitely a gap in the pure Android small tablet market. So when rumours appeared suggesting a new Nexus 7, we allowed ourselves to get a little bit excited.
Here’s the story on the next Nexus 7 so far.
Nexus 7 (2016): Huawei steps up
In the early days of the Nexus/Pixel smartphone rumour cycle, there was one odd detail that stood out.
While everyone was talking about HTC making the next Google smartphones, a throwaway line from Charlene Munilall, general manager of Huawei’s consumer business in South Africa, put Huawei in the frame.
“We’re doing the Nexus again this year, by the way,” said Munilall. That expression was originally thought to refer to a repeat of the Nexus 6P, but might have actually been about a new Nexus 7 tablet.
That line of thought came back into focus, following a tweet from leaker extraordinaire, Evan Blass.
Google’s Huawei-built 7-inch tablet, with 4GB RAM, on track for release before the end of the year.
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 5, 2016
The @evleaks account has often proved to be entirely accurate, adding real weight to this rumour of a new Huawei-built Nexus tablet.
Nexus 7 (2016): What will it be called?
That’s a good question. Huawei filed a trademark on the name Nexus 7P, in April 2016. Reported by Phandroid, it very obviously ties the a new larger device into the Nexus 6P smartphone that the company produced in 2015 – which was a great Nexus Phone.
So the Nexus 7P logically sits in the frame, but with a huge amount of debate ranging around the names of the next Google smartphones – currently thought to be the Pixel and Pixel XL, there’s a chance that the Nexus brand will be entirely dropped.
So that might leave us with Pixel 7 or Pixel 7P. Currently we don’t know, based on the small number of leaks we’ve seen so far.
- Google Nexus vs Google Pixel: What’s the difference?
Nexus 7 (2016): Hardware and specs
We’ve already seen that the new Huawei device might come with 4GB of RAM from Evan Blass, a good start.
Beyond that, a set of specifications has surfaced on Huawei Blog. The readout of these runs down as follows: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB RAM, 64GB of internal storage.
That makes for a tablet that’s fully-loaded, potentially offering the same sort of power as a flagship smartphone.
There’s no mention of battery capacity, or of the connection type. However, with Google switching to USB Type-C on the Pixel C, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, it would be irregular for a new Nexus 7 to use anything else.
That would also suggest Quick Charge 3.0 support, but we have no indication of the battery capacity. We’d hope for something like 5100mAh, like the recently announced Huawei MediaPad M3.
One thing not mentioned so far is a fingerprint scanner. That’s been a feature of recent Nexus devices, but we have no idea how Google would implement that on a new Tablet – the Pixel C, famously, didn’t have one.
Pocket-lint
Nexus 7 (2016): Display
The same source at Huawei Blog suggests a 7-inch device with a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution. That’s sounds pretty convincing, although that’s a straight down the line 16:9 aspect. While that’s great on a smartphone we can’t help feeling that the slightly taller 2560 x 1600 might be used instead as it’s slightly better for tablets.
We have no evidence for this, however.
Nexus 7 (2016): Cameras
Cameras don’t matter much on a tablet – we refuse to accept that it’s socially acceptable to take your tablet to the zoo or theatre and snap photos with it – but there’s the suggestion that there will be a 13-megapixel camera on the rear.
The front camera is more useful, as this is your key to video chats and so on and we’re sure it will be 8-megapixels, because that’s what Huawei tends to use on its devices.
Nexus 7 (2016): Release date
The current thinking is that Google is planning a mega dump on 4 October where it will unleash a collection of devices – the Pixel, Pixel XL, 4K Chromecast and Daydream VR.
So far there’s been little mention of a new tablet, but it may well fall into the same event. Other than that, the only timeframe we have is before the end of 2016.
Nexus 7 (2016): Conclusions
The emergence of a new Nexus 7 on the rumour scene is relatively recent. There’s long been talk of the fun that Google and Huawei had on the Nexus 6P and a belief that new device was in the works from the pair.
The core specs rumoured so far look entirely typical, but there’s still a question mark over what this device might be called and whether it’s going to be bundled in with the rest of Google’s end of year launches.
One thing is certain though: with a tablet market that’s got a little boring, it would be nice to have a small format Android tablet to shake things up and rival the iPad mini.
We will continue to update as we learn more.
AIVAnet 