Apple Preparing Diagnostic Tool in New iOS Update as iPhone 6s Battery Issue Expands
A few days after issuing a message on its Chinese website regarding the battery shutdown issue plaguing some iPhone 6s users, Apple today added a new message onto the site. The update reiterates on the cause of the issue — some batteries were exposed to “controlled ambient air” during manufacturing — while also expanding the scope of the affected range of customers facing the problem.
In the original message, Apple noted that “a small number” of iPhone 6s smartphones made in September and October of 2015 were facing unexpected shutdowns due to their prolonged exposure to controlled ambient air. Now, Apple said that it’s discovered a few customers “outside of the affected range” who have also been facing unexpected shutdowns of their iPhone 6s devices.
A small number of customers outside of the affected range have also reported an unexpected shutdown. Some of these shutdowns can occur under normal conditions in order for the iPhone to protect its electronics. In an effort to gather more information, we are including additional diagnostic capability in an iOS software update which will be available next week. This will allow us to gather information over the coming weeks which may potentially help us improve the algorithms used to manage battery performance and shutdown. If such improvements can be made, they will be delivered in future software updates.
As it continues to face new issues with the “small number” of affected customers, Apple is preparing an iOS update that it said will introduce an “additional diagnostic capability” so the company can gather information and improve its ability to manage the battery performance levels and untimely shutdowns. The update, presumably iOS 10.2, will be made available sometime next week, and Apple mentioned that if any improvements and solutions are discovered thanks to the diagnostic tool, “they will be delivered in future software updates.”
For those who think their iPhone 6s is affected, Apple launched a repair program last month offering free battery replacements for any iPhone 6s manufactured between September and October 2015 which are experiencing shutdowns. There’s also a new tool so customers can enter their iPhone’s serial number to see if it’s eligible for the replacement program.
Related Roundup: iPhone 6s
Buyer’s Guide: iPhone (Buy Now)
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Lenovo PHAB 2 debuts in India with 6.4-inch 720p display, 4050mAh battery
Lenovo kicked off sales of the Tango-enabled PHAB 2 Pro in the U.S. last month, and now the standard variant of the phone — without the Tango tech — has made its way to India for ₹11,999 ($180). The phone will be available exclusively on Flipkart starting December 9.
The highlight of the phone is a massive 6.4-inch display, but unlike the PHAB 2 Pro’s QHD panel, the standard PHAB 2 offers a paltry 720p panel with a pixel density of 227ppi. Other specs are in the form of a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8735 SoC, 3GB of RAM, microSD slot, 13MP camera at the back, 5MP front camera, LTE with VoLTE, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Audio Capture 5.1, and a 4050mAh battery.
On the software side of things, the phone runs Lenovo’s Vibe Pure UI on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. There isn’t anything about the PHAB 2 that particularly stands out, and you get phones with much better hardware for less. Even if you’re interested in the large screen for media consumption, Xiaomi’s Mi Max is a much better alternative.
The best TV shows to binge watch over Christmas
On-demand TV has become more and more popular over the past few years. For many, it’s now their default way to enjoy TV. Gone are the days of putting in a videotape and setting a timer, it’s now all about setting up series link or loading up a streaming app. With an extra long Christmas weekend to look forward to this year, there’s plenty of time to catch up on all those series you (and maybe the family) have been meaning to watch. Here’s what we think you should be streaming.
The Grand Tour – Amazon Prime Video
You either love them or hate them. If you’ve been waiting for Amazon’s version of Top Gear, then you’ll likely enjoy following Clarkson, Hammond and May as they take a variety of vehicles on a Grand Tour across the globe.
Black Mirror: Seasons One, Two and Three – Netflix
Charlie Brooker’s TV series has a new home on Netflix. Dark technological science fiction at its best. All three seasons are now on the streaming service but you really don’t need to watch them in order.
Goliath: Season One – Amazon Prime Video
If you like Ally McBeal and Boston Legal, then you’ll likely enjoy this Amazon Original drama from the creator of those shows. It is, as its name suggests, a David versus Goliath battle fought in America’s modern legal system. The series follows a down-and-out lawyer, played by Billy Bob Thornton, as he seeks redemption in a justice system weighted towards those with money and power.
Trollhunters – Netflix
One for the kids. This Netflix Original from Dreamworks Animation will come into its own on the frosty mornings over the festive holiday. Follow teen Jim Lake Jr. as he stumbles upon a mystical amulet on his way to school one morning and inadvertently discovers an extraordinary secret civilization of mighty trolls living beneath his small town. It’ll be available for streaming from December 23rd.
Chasing Cameron – Netflix
In the interest of offering something for everyone, how about a reality TV series for teens? Chasing Cameron follows the international social media phenomenon that is Cameron Dallas as he attempts to take his career to the next level with his close friends in tow. Embarking on an international tour that takes them across Europe and down to Australia, the series explores the contrast between the selfies and snap stories of the group’s public online profiles and their personal lives, in a unique insight into the world of digital celebdom. Available from December 27th.
Stranger Things – Netflix
Fed up with everyone talking about this hit sci-fi series? Now is the time to play catch up. When a group of kids set out to find out what has happened to their missing friend, they stumble upon a mystery which involves secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and a mysterious girl. With a back drop of 1980s nostalgia and Winona Ryder starring, once you’ve started there will be no stopping you.
Westworld – Now TV
Watch the new HBO series that has everybody talking. Sir Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton and Jeffrey Wright star.
Fleabag – BBC iPlayer
As the back to work blues set in, sneak in a day in front of the TV and grab the box set of this unexpected BBC3 hit comedy, written by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Fleabag is broke and unlucky in love and constantly battling with an almost innate need to be self-destructive. She’s very funny, though, so you’ll quickly grow to love her (but then despair at her).
Master of None – Netflix
It was about time Indian-American comedian Aziz Ansari got his own (proper) TV series. This award-winning TV series follows the personal and professional life of Dev (Ansari), a 30-something actor in New York who is tries to piece together his life, relationships and do the right thing for his family. Laugh out loud funny, Master of None should not be left unwatched.
Divorce – Now TV
Tragedy and comedy are never far apart, as is brilliantly demonstrated in this landmark US series that is being billed as Sarah Jessica Parker’s next Sex in the City. SJP plays Frances who is going through a painfully realistic divorce and humour is what she draws on to get her through it. If you never got to see the series when it played out on Sky, it’s not too late to catch up with this box set version from Now TV.
Peaky Blinders: Seasons One and Two – Netflix
Set in Birmingham just after the First World War, Peaky Blinders follows the Shelbys, a gangster family who run an illegal bookies and are famed for blinding people who cross them with razor blades in their flat caps. Macarbre stuff. Cillian Murphy plays gang boss Tommy Shelby, a man you’ll love to hate.
Planet Earth II – BBC iPlayer
Nature. BBC Documentary. Sir David Attenborough. ‘Nuff said.
Catastrophe: Seasons One and Two – Amazon Prime Video
A comedy that you’ll be able to breeze through in one sitting as both seasons host six half-hour episodes (a third is currently in development). Watch Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney as they do all the wrong things trying to fall in love in London.
Other notable mentions:
Jessica Jones / Daredevil / Luke Cage – Netflix
Transparent – Amazon Prime Video
BoJack Horseman – Netflix
House of Cards – Netflix
The Morning After: Tuesday December 6, 2016
Hey there, it’s the Morning After! Oculus Touch has two pretty good reasons to stay inside this winter, and Amazon is killing checkout lines.
Is this the future of retail?
Amazon premieres the “Just Walk Out Shopping experience”
Amazon already has internet shopping boiled down to a single click or voice command, so what’s next? Apparently, a grocery store. It’s opened an employees-only shopping location in Seattle that uses ” computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning” to track what people take. There’s no check-out lane here — just take your stuff and go, while Amazon bills your account and emails a receipt. The store will open to the public in early 2017, and if things go well, we assume it won’t be the last one.
Are we dreaming or is “The Last Guardian” finally here?
What to watch, stream and play this week
It’s a big week for gamers, as Team Ico’s long-awaited game is finally arriving on PS4, while Dead Rising 4 and Gigantic hit Xbox One and PC. Mythbusters fans should prepare for the first season of White Rabbit Project on Netflix Friday, and The Walking Dead wraps up for 2016 on Sunday night.
Moar emojis
Android 7.1.1 is bringing some Pixel features to other phones
The latest version of Android is rolling out to some Nexus and Pixel devices, and it comes with some new features. Of course, there’s an expanded set of emoji, a new image keyboard with GIF search for messaging apps and the previously Pixel-exclusive app shortcut feature.
Connected carjacking
Police got BMW to remotely lock a luxury sedan while the thief was inside
In Seattle, someone stole a BMW 550i after the keys were left in it, but they didn’t make a clean getaway. BMW helped police track the vehicle down in an alley, then lock the doors remotely as the thief slept inside the car.
Reach out and touch faith
Review: Oculus Touch
It’s taken nine months, but Oculus finally has motion controls that make its VR truly immersive. Devindra Hardawar was quite impressed by these controllers, calling them “great gamepads” that are “exactly what Rift owners need.” Their downsides include a lack of rechargeable battery and failure to enable true room-scale VR — unless you invest further. Maybe next time?
It’s like Latitude but different
Google launches “Trusted Contacts” location sharing app
Google’s new “personal safety” app for Android (coming soon to iOS) may test the boundaries of trust and privacy. Trusted Contacts is obviously just for people who you don’t mind giving access to your location, and it works both ways.
The contacts you enable can see if you’re active, and if necessary, request to see where you are. If everything is fine, you’ll see the notification and deny it, but if not, it will automatically share where you are (or your last known location) after a brief delay. Alternatively, you can share your location to contacts you choose, and it will keep broadcasting where you are until disabled.
Did they miss the Westworld season finale?DeepMind Lab and OpenAI’s Universe give scientists a way to test their AI “agents.”
Alphabet (parent company of Google, remember?) released the code of its DeepMind Lab on Github, providing a 3D game-like platform useful for AI research. At the same time, the Elon Musk-backed OpenAI team opened its Universe platform to the public, where researchers can let AI roam across browser tasks, Flash games and GTA V.
But wait, there’s more…
- VW’s “Moia” aims for on-demand self-driving cars
- Holiday Gift Guide 2016: The Workaholic
- Uber creates an AI lab to help fuel its self-driving dreams
Nintendo classic ‘Excitebike 64’ skids its way onto Wii U
Wii U owners, it’s time to charge your GamePad — Excitebike 64 is zooming its way onto the Virtual Console this week. Costing $10 (£9), the game arrives on Wii U this Thursday alongside Wario’s stylish Wii adventure, Wario Land: Shake It.
Released in 2000, this classic N64 motocross racer ushered Nintendo’s Excite series into the 3D era, offering an addictive combination of fun mechanics and depth. Featuring a 20-course season mode, a track editor and even a procedurally generated endless ride mode, this was a game that was ahead of its time.
With third parties all but abandoning the system, and Nintendo’s output drying up ahead of the launch of its next console, Wii U owners could do far worse than this racing classic.
Frustratingly, the Kyoto giant is still remaining tight-lipped about how its recently unveiled account system will work, leaving the fate of digital purchases looking uncertain. After forcing consumers to repurchase the same Wii Virtual Console games on Wii U, let’s hope that the new Nintendo Network ID account system will carry over Virtual Console purchases to the Switch.
Source: Nintendo e Shop
Contact lens-based tech could lead to better EV power source
A team of scientists from the UK have developed a material made of polymers that could become the answer to humanity’s battery woes. It could apparently lead to supercapacitors — battery alternatives that can charge really quickly — up to 10,000 times more powerful than usual. Thus, if an electric vehicle uses the material, it can theoretically travel farther than current EVs. It can even go from empty to fully charged in a matter of minutes instead of six hours or so. Imagine what it can do for smaller devices. You could plug in a smartphone that uses it as a power source and literally watch its battery indicator fill up in a few seconds.
The team from the University of Surrey and Augmented Optics Ltd. applied the principles used to make soft contact lenses to create the material. In fact, the person who conjured up the technique to create soft lenses 40 years ago was one of the people behind this project. The material was designed to replace the electrolyte supercapacitors use, because while the devices can gulp electricity quickly, they’re typically not as dense (i.e., they don’t hold as much energy) as batteries. It also has other potential applications, as Dr. Ian Hamerton from the University of Bristol explained:
“While this research has potentially opened the route to very high density supercapacitors, these *polymers have many other possible uses in which tough, flexible conducting materials are desirable, including bioelectronics, sensors, wearable electronics, and advanced optics. We believe that this is an extremely exciting and potentially game changing development.”
*the materials are based on large organic molecules composed of many repeated sub-units and bonded together to form a 3-dimensional network.
Augmented Optics Ltd. already set up a company called SuperCapacitor Materials Ltd. with the intention of building a full scale prototype next year, so you might see the new technology in action much sooner than you think.
Source: SuperCapacitor Materials
Netflix Becomes Top Grossing iOS App in the U.S. for the First Time
Netflix yesterday briefly became the number one top-grossing iOS app in the U.S. for the first time, holding at bay the likes of Spotify and Candy Crush Saga for most of Monday.
The app also occupied the coveted top spot on iPhone in India, Mexico, and Colombia yesterday, as noted by app tracking company SensorTower, which offered a timeline leading up to the achievement in a blog post.
Image via SensorTower.
The accomplishment comes approximately one year after Netflix introduced the ability for users to pay the monthly subscription fee as an in-app purchase. Over that time, its weekly net revenue has grown from less than $50,000 to nearly $2.9 million. In November, it was the No. 7 grossing iOS app overall in the U.S.
Apple takes a 30 percent cut of all in-app fees, but last month announced it was lowering the amount to 15 percent for subscription-based streaming video apps like Netflix and Hulu. Apple will soon extend the 15 percent rate to all subscription video services that are integrated with the company’s upcoming TV app.
Last week, Netflix added the ability to download select programs via its mobile apps for offline viewing.
Tags: App Store, Netflix
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What’s Apple’s Take on Cryptocurrencies?
“Apple MacBook” (CC BY 2.0) by pestoverde
Apple’s App Store is something of a walled garden. Developing for the platform requires expertise in leaping through hoops as well as skills like coding and UI/UX design.
Developers targeting the iPhone or iPad need a Mac of some description, as Apple’s Xcode development environment doesn’t run on anything else. Then, there’s the thorny issue of the company’s review criteria, which touches on everything from an app’s appearance to the presence (or not) or privacy policies.
It’s perhaps no surprise then that cryptocurrencies, a legitimate but embryonic type of money, have only just managed to turn Apple’s head. As of 2016, there are just six (of 641 total) cryptocurrencies allowed on the App Store, available for use in any app that supports them. These are Bitcoin, The DAO, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Ripple.
Considering that Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple and a major shareholder to this day, worked for a blockchain-based tech firm in 2015, Apple’s omission of even popular cryptocurrencies like Monero and Dash seems a little odd. The current six (above) aren’t even the top six by overall market value (Dogecoin is 11th, for example).
Immediate Transactions
It’s an unfortunate state of affairs for fans of cryptocurrency as the vast majority of them have comparable benefits to Bitcoin, the progenitor of the entire movement. Transactions made in the likes of Litecoin and Dogecoin are immediate and offer consumers the extra privacy and security that a currency based on Bitcoin technology has by default.
As a consequence of the above, Bitcoin in particular has an entire part of the internet dedicated to its use. Some websites in the iGaming niche, a type of company that offers online and mobile casino, have abandoned fiat currencies altogether in favor of a Bitcoin-only environment. Vegas Casino, for example, even provides its welcome bonuses (1000 mBTC) in Bitcoin.
Vegas Casino has built a Bitcoin ‘faucet’ into its site, which allows visitors to receive small amounts of cryptocurrency – known as a ‘satoshi’ in the case of Bitcoin – for the completion of easy tasks like filling in Captcha forms (click here to visit the site). It’s a great way to get started with Bitcoin.
The App Store” (CC BY 2.0) by PhotoAtelier
Digital Wallets
Returning to Apple, the Cupertino firm’s cautious stance on cryptocurrencies (and everything else) hasn’t really stopped the likes of Bitcoin finding an audience on iOS devices, and there are several digital wallet apps on the App Store. It’s worth noting that the presence of said apps is only a recent development (2014).
Breadwallet, for example, is arguably the most popular option available, largely because it omits middlemen and connects directly to the Bitcoin network. There’s also Airbitz and Mycelium, “the best, not the fanciest”, to quote the latter’s homepage. Wallets, like cryptocurrencies, ultimately have their own nuances and features that determine their audience.
As a final point, the rationale behind Apple’s slow uptake of cryptocurrencies is difficult to pin down. A couple of years ago, the company might have considered digital wallets in particular as competitors for its Apple Pay platform (before its launch). There’s also the fact that cryptocurrencies are unregulated, which means that they don’t play nice with Apple’s overly strict approach to third-party involvement with the App Store.
However, it may simply be that Apple was waiting for another company to take the plunge; after all, Microsoft, the firm’s biggest competitor, didn’t begin accepting Bitcoin until 2014, the same year Apple began to warm to the currency.
Nougat update rolling out to unlocked HTC One M9, coming to carrier variants early next year
Unlocked HTC One M9 is now receiving the Nougat update.
HTC has announced that it is rolling out the Nougat update to the unlocked HTC One M9 starting today. The company also stated that carrier variants of the phone will pick up the update early next year.
Android Nougat will begin rolling out to the unlocked #HTCOneM9 starting late this evening. Carrier variants to follow early next year. pic.twitter.com/O5YP1l2Mdp
— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) December 5, 2016
HTC already commenced the Nougat rollout for this year’s HTC 10, starting with the unlocked model. European variants of the HTC 10 are slated to pick up the update shortly, and carrier variants are also likely to get updated in the coming weeks. No word as of now regarding the HTC One A9, but we should hear more soon.
Samsung Galaxy S8 could be first Samsung phone with dual speakers
Samsung only acquired audio technology expert Harman for $8 billion last month, but fingers are already pointing to Harman branded speakers for the Galaxy S8. Fone Arena has cited sources as saying the next Galaxy will have double the number of speakers as the Galaxy S7, which will put it on a level playing field with the Apple iPhone 7, which has also just received dual stereo speakers for the first time.
- Samsung acquires Harman for $8 billion
It seems it could be another case of where Apple goes, Samsung follows. It would be a wise move from Samsung, since Harman owns several companies including JBL, AKG, Harman Kardon, proving it knows what it’s talking about when it comes to audio.
It’s not clear if the Galaxy S8 will sport front-facing stereo speakers like HTC smartphones and their BoomSound technology, or dual speakers on the bottom of the device.
We’ve been impressed by HTC’s audio prowess in the past, so we will of course be intrigued to see what Samsung can come up with.
While this rumour should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially since Samsung it bought Harman for its in-car technology expertise, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some of its audio technology find its way into Samsung’s flagship device.
It’s also likely that Samsung will want to make the best phone possible following the failure that was the Galaxy Note 7.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to be launched at or around Mobile World Congress in February 2017 and should come in two variant, one with a 5.7-inch display and one with a 6.2-inch bezel-less OLED display. Rumours are also pointing to either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 processor or Samsung’s own Exynos 8895. However, Qualcomm has recently introduced the Snapdragon 835 processor, so there’s a chance Samsung will want to install the very latest chip to the S8.
- Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge: What’s the story so far
- The Samsung Galaxy S8 could give you super sharp selfies
- Amazing leak claims Samsung Galaxy S8 models will both have edge display, with larger screen sizes
With all the rumours flying around right now, the Galaxy S8 is shaping up to be one hell of a device, our only hope is that the majority of them are true. The good news is there is just over 2 months to wait.
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