Apple’s Website Drops ‘Late’ From ‘Late 2016’ MacBook Pro Model Names

Ever since the original MacBook Pro, Apple has identified the notebooks based on the time of year in which they were released.

• Early: January-April
• Mid: May-August
• Late: September-December

The first MacBook Pro with a Retina display, for example, has a “Mid 2012” model name because it was released in June of that year.

Apple continued this trend when it launched its latest MacBook Pro lineup in October. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, along with the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a standard row of function keys, were described as “late 2016” models on Apple’s website and support documentation.

Just recently, however, Apple’s website appears to have largely dropped the “late” portion of “late 2016” when referring to its latest MacBook Pro models, as spotted by Apple blog Pike’s Universum. Apple now simply identifies all of its latest MacBook Pros as “2016” models on its tech specs pages and elsewhere.

There are some exceptions to this rule, as the latest MacBook Pro models are still identified as “MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)” or “MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016)” under “About This Mac” on macOS Sierra. Apple also has a few support documents that still refer to a “late-2016 MacBook Pro” on its website.

Given that Apple only refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup once last year, it is reasonable to assume that “late” was an unnecessary descriptor; however, Apple still refers to its latest 12-inch MacBook as “Early 2016” despite there being no other updates to that notebook last year. The same applies to the “12-inch MacBook, Early 2015.”

Apple has also yet to remove “Mid” from its “Mid 2014” MacBook Pro, despite the fact that it was the only MacBook Pro model released in 2014, so this appears to be a clear deviation from the company’s traditional nomenclature. We’ve reached out to Apple for an explanation, and we’ll update this article if we hear back.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer’s Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
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Channel your inner Magneto with these 7 captivating ferrofluid gadgets

Ferrofluid is mesmerizing to behold. It has the fluid properties of a liquid and also the magnetic properties of a solid state of matter. The term itself is a portmanteau of “ferromagnetic” and “fluid.” This is because ferrofluid is made up of microscopic magnetic solids suspended in a liquid form.

More: 5 tech trends that will change the world in 2017

Ferrofluids were originally created by NASA to better control liquids (namely rocket fuel) in zero gravity. Combined with rocket fuel, ferrofluids can be easily controlled and directed towards a pump via a magnetic field. Of course, most of us non-spacefaring humans won’t be using the stuff to power a rocket anytime soon, but luckily we can still enjoy the material’s incredible properties via a multitude of spellbinding ferrofluid gadgets.

So without further ado, here are seven of the coolest ferrofluid gizmos that money can buy.

Ferrolic clock

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Most clocks are woefully utilitarian. They serve but one purpose: illustrating the passing moments of our fleeting existence. The Ferrolic clock, designed by Zelf Koelman, utilizes a ferrofluid screen to more aptly display these ephemeral moments.

The Thinker

Sometimes the slightest distraction is the best ways to get the ol’ cognitive cogs turning. This is where The Thinker by Inspired Designs comes into play. Unlike some of the bulkier ferrofluid desktop items out there, The Thinker uses a compact, elegant design that can be easily stored in a drawer rather than being perpetually displayed.

Ferrofluid lamp

The Ferrofluid Lamp is another product from Inspired Designs. The 450 milliliter tube uses a bulb similar to a lava lamp enabling the ferrofluid to rise and fall. The lamp also comes with magnets so you can manipulate the ferrofluid via magnetic field as well.

zKULL

The zKull is a product from Concept Zero. If at first glance you thought the zKull was oddly similar to Dan Aykroyd’s Crystal Skull Vodka bottles, you weren’t mistaken. For some reason, the company uses Crystal Skull Vodka bottles filled with water (not vodka — sorry) and ferrofluid. You can choose from black, blue, or gold colored ferrofluid. So metal…

RIZE Spinning Ferrofluid Display

The RIZE is another smaller ferrofluid gadget perfect for a desktop. A black screw is positioned in the middle of the glass display and acts as the magnetic conduit for the sculpture. Once the vial is placed on the magnetic base, the magnetic field causes the ferrofluid to spin around the groves of the screw. The Rize is available with gold, red, blue, or purple ferrofluid.

Rhei clock

The Rhei clock is another solid ferrofluid clock. Like the Ferrolic clock, the Rhei uses a ferrofluid display and a series of internal magnets to display the time. While the Ferrolic has a rather clunky metal housing, the Rhei features a wooden back, clean lines, and rounded edges for a more low-profile, modern look.

Ferroflow

The Ferroflow is similar to The Rize, albeit on a much larger scale. The Ferroflow uses magnets inside of the stainless steel base and also on top of the glass display to activate the ferrofluid inside. You can also manually manipulate the fluid using Rize’s detachable neodymium magnet.

Research firm: When it comes to mobile payments, Apple Pay reigns supreme

Why it matters to you

While there are plenty of players in the mobile payments game, it looks as though Apple Pay is surging ahead of the competition.

If you’re making a digital payment, chances are you’re doing so by way of Apple Pay. Despite a highly competitive landscape, it looks as though the iEmpire reigns supreme when it comes to adoption in the U.S. According to new research from Boston Retail Partners (BRP), Apple Pay boasts the largest percentage of supporting U.S. merchants. As of today, 36 percent of sellers accept the mobile payment service, an increase of 20 points from last year.

This proportion is expected to grow, as 22 percent of retailers say they have plans to accept Apple Pay within the next year, while another 11 percent will aim to do so within the next one to three years.

Also popular is PayPal, which enjoys a 34-percent acceptance rate in the U.S. Coming in a surprising third-place finish (given how little we tend to hear about it), is Mastercard PayPass, which is accepted by a quarter of merchants. Android Pay certainly has its work cut out in terms of catching up to Apple Pay, with 24-percent acceptance, whereas the slightly newer Samsung Pay has 18-percent acceptance.

These percentages, however, are also expected to grow, as 18 percent of surveyed retailers had plans to add Android Pay within the next 12 months, with 11 percent planning to accept Samsung Pay in the same time period.

More: Apple accuses Australian banks of seeking a free ride in Apple Pay battle

“There are a multitude of mobile wallets and payment apps on the market today, and the arena keeps changing,” BRP said of its research. “In the past year, we have seen the demise of the merchant-backed CurrentC and rise of Walmart Pay. PayPal has been bumped out of its top spot in this year’s survey, with Apple Pay now being accepted at 36 percent of the retailers participating in the survey.”

And as the arena changes, so too are retailers’ plans. Only 11 percent say they are steadfastly refusing to accept mobile payments within their stores, whereas nearly a quarter of respondents say that they’ve already added the technology and that it is “working well.”

“One of the critical factors for any mobile payment success going forward is education. We have found repeatedly that not only are consumers unsure of how and when mobile payments can be used but, even more telling, associates are unsure,” BRP added. “For mobile payments or mobile wallets to succeed, there must be further education at the point of sale to ensure that a transaction using a mobile device is not longer or more complicated than traditional payments methods for either the customer or associate.”

Google Brain brings ‘zoom and enhance’ method one step closer to reality

Why it matters to you

You could soon be able to enhance your older photos to look good on a 4K display — just like in crime shows.

The concept of enhancing a pixelated image isn’t new — “zoom and enhance” is responsible for dozens of criminals being put behind bars in shows like Criminal Minds, but that kind of technology has so far evaded the real world. Well, the boffins over at Google Brain have come up with what may be the next best thing.

The new technology essentially uses a pair of neural networks, which are fed an 8 x 8-pixel image and are then able to create an approximation of what it thinks the original image would look like. The results? Well, they aren’t perfect, but they are pretty close.

More: Robotic skin: Researchers created a material twice as sensitive as human skin

To be clear, the neural networks don’t magically enhance the original image — rather, they use machine learning to figure out what they think the original could have looked like. So, using the example of a face, the generated image may not look exactly like the real person but instead, a fictional character that represents the computer’s best guess. In other words, law enforcement may not be able to use this technology to produce an image of a suspect using a blurry reflection from a photo of a number plate yet, but it may help the police get a pretty good guess at what a suspect may look like.

As mentioned, two neural networks are involved in the process. The first is called a “conditioning network,” and it basically maps out the pixels of the 8 x 8-pixel image into a similar looking but higher resolution image. That image serves as the rough skeleton for the second neural network, or the “prior network,” which takes the image and adds more details by using other, already existing images that have similar pixel maps. The two networks then combine their images into one final image, which is pretty impressive.

It is likely we will see more and more tech related to image processing in the future — in fact, artificial intelligence is getting pretty good at generating images, and Google and Twitter have both put a lot of research into image enhancing. At this rate, maybe crime-show tech will one day become reality.

Google Brain brings ‘zoom and enhance’ method one step closer to reality

Why it matters to you

You could soon be able to enhance your older photos to look good on a 4K display — just like in crime shows.

The concept of enhancing a pixelated image isn’t new — “zoom and enhance” is responsible for dozens of criminals being put behind bars in shows like Criminal Minds, but that kind of technology has so far evaded the real world. Well, the boffins over at Google Brain have come up with what may be the next best thing.

The new technology essentially uses a pair of neural networks, which are fed an 8 x 8-pixel image and are then able to create an approximation of what it thinks the original image would look like. The results? Well, they aren’t perfect, but they are pretty close.

More: Robotic skin: Researchers created a material twice as sensitive as human skin

To be clear, the neural networks don’t magically enhance the original image — rather, they use machine learning to figure out what they think the original could have looked like. So, using the example of a face, the generated image may not look exactly like the real person but instead, a fictional character that represents the computer’s best guess. In other words, law enforcement may not be able to use this technology to produce an image of a suspect using a blurry reflection from a photo of a number plate yet, but it may help the police get a pretty good guess at what a suspect may look like.

As mentioned, two neural networks are involved in the process. The first is called a “conditioning network,” and it basically maps out the pixels of the 8 x 8-pixel image into a similar looking but higher resolution image. That image serves as the rough skeleton for the second neural network, or the “prior network,” which takes the image and adds more details by using other, already existing images that have similar pixel maps. The two networks then combine their images into one final image, which is pretty impressive.

It is likely we will see more and more tech related to image processing in the future — in fact, artificial intelligence is getting pretty good at generating images, and Google and Twitter have both put a lot of research into image enhancing. At this rate, maybe crime-show tech will one day become reality.

Google Brain brings ‘zoom and enhance’ method one step closer to reality

Why it matters to you

You could soon be able to enhance your older photos to look good on a 4K display — just like in crime shows.

The concept of enhancing a pixelated image isn’t new — “zoom and enhance” is responsible for dozens of criminals being put behind bars in shows like Criminal Minds, but that kind of technology has so far evaded the real world. Well, the boffins over at Google Brain have come up with what may be the next best thing.

The new technology essentially uses a pair of neural networks, which are fed an 8 x 8-pixel image and are then able to create an approximation of what it thinks the original image would look like. The results? Well, they aren’t perfect, but they are pretty close.

More: Robotic skin: Researchers created a material twice as sensitive as human skin

To be clear, the neural networks don’t magically enhance the original image — rather, they use machine learning to figure out what they think the original could have looked like. So, using the example of a face, the generated image may not look exactly like the real person but instead, a fictional character that represents the computer’s best guess. In other words, law enforcement may not be able to use this technology to produce an image of a suspect using a blurry reflection from a photo of a number plate yet, but it may help the police get a pretty good guess at what a suspect may look like.

As mentioned, two neural networks are involved in the process. The first is called a “conditioning network,” and it basically maps out the pixels of the 8 x 8-pixel image into a similar looking but higher resolution image. That image serves as the rough skeleton for the second neural network, or the “prior network,” which takes the image and adds more details by using other, already existing images that have similar pixel maps. The two networks then combine their images into one final image, which is pretty impressive.

It is likely we will see more and more tech related to image processing in the future — in fact, artificial intelligence is getting pretty good at generating images, and Google and Twitter have both put a lot of research into image enhancing. At this rate, maybe crime-show tech will one day become reality.

Moment has three new accessories to unlock the power of your iPhone 7 camera

Why it matters to you

Moment is known for its accessories that help turn your iPhone into a professional camera, and now it has a new suite of tools for you.

Moment needs your help again.

The company, known best for its iPhone camera-supplementing accessories, has returned to where it all began to raise funds for its latest products. Now on Kickstarter, Moment is debuting a new battery photo case, a photo case (really just like the battery case but without the battery), and a cinema wide lens for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

“We believe that the future of photography is in your pocket,” the Moment team notes in its latest campaign. “The best camera is the one you have with you, and that camera is your phone. At Moment, we want to make your phone work more like a camera.”

More: BlackMagic turns focus to live-streaming in latest cameras and production gear

With the battery power case, Moment is offering a new kind of protection that promises to bring power and photography together. The iPhone 7 Plus Case comes complete with a 3,500mAh battery, while the iPhone 7 case carries a 2,500mAh battery. Because these are each larger than your iPhone’s own batteries, you’ll get a more than 100 percent recharge on your phone, so feel free to shoot all day. Moreover, you can control whether or not your case is charging your phone using the Moment app.

The app also allows you to shoot with your phone more as you would with a real camera. Just half-press the shutter button to lock the subject, then press down fully in order to shoot either photo or video. If you hold down for a longer period of time, you’ll find yourself in burst mode. Shooting with a button can be faster than tapping the screen, especially if your subject is moving. And when you’re shooting with one hand, it’s always awkward trying to hold onto the phone and touch the screen at once.

Using the Moment App, you can half-press the shutter button to lock the subject and full press to shoot (photo or video). In the Apple camera app you can full press to shoot. And in both apps, pressing and holding unlocks burst mode. Promising a shutter button 75 percent faster than the one included in the previous case, this new product claims to be a huge upgrade over even your last Moment case.

Then, there’s the new and improved Moments lens, which is said to be stronger and more reliable than before. “Slightly larger, we now have enough room to make an interface that clicks into place,” the Moment team noted. “Not only is it easier to mount a Moment lens, but for the first time you can put our glass over the wide or tele lens on the iPhone 7 Plus.”

At this point, you can get the Photo Case, the thin, lens mountable case for photo enthusiasts for just $20, while $69 will get you the Battery Photo Case. You can get these accessories with the Moment Lens starting at $99.

Swifter, stronger, smarter: Quickblade’s new paddle improves your SUP skills

Why it matters to you

The Smart Paddle claims it helps stand-up paddlers to pick up the sport in a quarter of the time it would normally take.

Stand-up paddleboarding — aka SUP — is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, drawing in millions of people on an annual basis. If a recent report is to be believed, it doesn’t look like that popularity is going to wane anytime soon, with growth is projected to continue beyond 2020. As with any relatively new sport, SUP continues to evolve rapidly, with new gear helping to make it easier and more accessible than ever before. That means better boards, improved paddling techniques, and, of course, more efficient paddles too, including a newly announced option that promises to be the industry’s first smart paddle.

At the 2017 Surf Expo — held in Orlando, Florida in January — Quickblade revealed the Smart Paddle, a new oar that comes equipped with a host of impressive technology. Using a variety of sensors and tracking features created by an Israeli startup called Motionize, this paddle will have the ability to collect a wide variety of data and metrics that can be used to provide real-time feedback and virtual coaching.

Roei Yellin, the vice president of marketing at Motionize, tells Digital Trends “The smart paddle offers features that help paddlers paddle while staying much more balanced between strokes.” That, combined with feedback on their performance leads to improved confidence and the ability to pick up the sport at a faster rate. How much faster? Yellen says, “The smart paddle will help novice paddlers become more proficient in a quarter of the time it would take them to figure it out on their own.”

More: Osprey’s GearKit duffel bags are your mobile base camp

We first took a look at Motionize’s technology when we covered the company’s innovative device, which could be added to any SUP paddle. But this collaboration with Quickblade integrates the technology directly into the Smart Paddle itself, eliminating the need for an add-on altogether. The sensor, which connects to a smartphone via Bluetooth, is able to track the entry angle of the paddle blade, the rhythm of a paddler’s strokes, stroke efficiency, and more. It can also keep track of calories burned, as well as speed and distance traveled, with the paddler’s course being plotted on a map. That data is then analyzed by a special app for iOS and Android that can provide real-time feedback with tips on how to improve paddling technique.

It’s basically a talking paddle. It’s like having an onboard coach with you on the water,” Yellen said

The Smart Paddle is expected to go on sale in March at a price ranging from $299 to $559, depending on the specific model. Yellen said that essentially any of the Quickblade paddles can be turned into a smart paddle for an additional $30. That means no matter what your specific needs are, you can take advantage of the Motionize technology to improve your SUP skills.

Uber Flat: Ridesharing service offers rides in NYC for cheap fees

Why it matters to you

With Uber’s new flat-fare offer, rides in New York City become much more cost-conscious.

The next subscription service you get may help you around New York City a bit easier. As part of its UberPlus program, Uber has slowly begun rolling out new subscription package — Uber Flat –where anyone in New York City can get a ride for a flat fare of under $6.

The new flat-fare packages set UberPool and Uber X rides at $3 and $6, respectively. You can choose from three packages that offer 10, 20, and 40 ride limits. Purchasing a package requires an upfront, one-time subscription payment ranging between $5 to $20. Each account can only buy one package.

More: Uber’s newest hire aims to help the company make flying vehicles a reality

The flat-fare price will be applied once you request an UberPool or Uber X ride and will be reflected in your purchase. These rides last for 30 days after the purchase of the package and cover the five boroughs.

Before you start zipping across the Bruckner Expressway into Manhattan every day, the flat fares have limits beyond just ride count. Subscribers will be charged the flat fare fee for rides up to $30 in value. You will be charged anything exceeding that $30 limit in addition to the flat fare. An Uber X from deep in the North Bronx to Williamsburg, Brooklyn during a weekday afternoon would be under $30 with the new flat fare, as opposed to more than $50.

Uber first brought flat-fare pricing to NYC in October when New Yorkers could get unlimited rides in Manhattan for $100. This current pricing plan is more in line with similar tests Uber did in other cities last year. San Francisco, Miami, San Diego, Boston, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., each had flat-fare programs last September. By comparison, the NYC offer is the most affordable as it offers the cheapest upfront price.

You can purchase one of the flat fare packages here.

The Quartz will be ZTE’s first Android Wear watch, and it was just leaked online

Why it matters to you

If you’re looking for an Android Wear watch with cellular connectivity, the ZTE Quartz could be the device for you.

It looks like ZTE is looking to enter the Android Wear smartwatch fray. While some manufacturers are prepping their third-generation smartwatch, ZTE is reportedly set to launch its first running Android Wear — and the device may show up within a few months.

According to a report from VentureBeat written by well known leaker Evan Blass, the new ZTE watch will be called the ZTE Quartz, and it was recently spotted getting its Bluetooth certification with the model number ZW10. The news isn’t all that surprising — we heard that ZTE would launch a smartwatch this year from ZTE USA CEO Lixin Cheng last month.

More: ZTE Axon 7 mini review

So what will the new watch look like? VentureBeat has also managed to get its hands on ZTE Quartz promotional materials, showing a device that could be mistaken for a classy-looking non-smartwatch.

The device could also offer a little more functionality than most other smartwatches — according to Bluetooth SIG, the device will offer 3G cellular connectivity to complement its Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning that it won’t necessarily need to be connected to your smartphone all the time to get things like notifications.

We don’t really know all that much else about the new watch, but it’s likely that the device will feature Android Wear 2.0, the updated version of Android Wear that is set to launch February 8. While we don’t know for sure that the device will launch at Mobilr World Congress at the end of the month, it certainly wouldn’t be surprising.

This isn’t ZTE’s first attempt at a smartwatch — just its first attempt at an Android Wear smartwatch. At MWC 2016, the company showed off the Venus 1 and Venus 2 smartwatches, but those devices were mainly fitness trackers and didn’t really offer a fully-fledged operating system.

As VentureBeat notes, ZTE actually already has a device called the Quartz — which is a 5.5-inch smartphone with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.