Chinese Mobile Dealer Teases Possible ‘Red’ Color Option for iPhone 7

Chinese phone dealer and ecommerce site Taobao has posted a teasing picture to a Weibo account that suggests a red color option could be appearing imminently for the iPhone 7 and/or iPhone 7 Plus.

As spotted by French tech blog igen.fr, the image very clearly plays on the possibility, with red dots like marching ants outlining a blank handset among a throng of iPhone 7 Plus devices and the word “Ready?” underneath with the letters r, e, and d highlighted in red.

Japanese blog Mac Otakara has claimed Apple will host a March event to debut its new iPad Pro lineup, an iPhone SE with 128GB storage, new Apple Watch bands, and a red color option for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. While an event now looks unlikely, it’s possible the red color could appear alongside other new products when Apple’s online store comes back up within the next couple of hours.

(Thanks, Anna!)

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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Apple Debuts New 9.7-Inch iPad With A9 Chip to Replace iPad Air 2, Starting at $329

Apple today introduced a new lower cost 9.7-inch iPad that starts at $329 for the 32GB with Wi-Fi model and $459 for the 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model.

“iPad is the world’s most popular tablet. Customers love the large, 9.7-inch display for everything from watching TV and movies, to surfing the web, making FaceTime calls, and enjoying photos, and now it is even more affordable,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “New customers and anyone looking to upgrade will love this new iPad for use at home, in school, and for work, with its gorgeous Retina display, our powerful A9 chip, and access to the more than 1.3 million apps designed specifically for it.”

iPad is available to order beginning Friday, March 24, from Apple.com and starts delivering to customers and arriving next week in Apple Stores, through select carriers and Apple Authorized Resellers (prices may vary) in the US and more than 20 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Denmark, India, Mexico, Norway, Russia, Turkey and other countries and regions will follow in April. Brazil, Taiwan and other countries and regions will follow in May.
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Apple Announces iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition

Apple today announced a new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition on its online store, following a scheduled “maintenance” break this morning.

The new color option is described as a vibrant red aluminum finish in recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED), which Apple says give customers a way to contribute to the Global Fund and “bring the world a step closer to an AIDS-free generation”.

“Since we began working with (RED) 10 years ago, our customers have made a significant impact in fighting the spread of AIDS through the purchase of our products, from the original iPod nano (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition all the way to today’s lineup of Beats products and accessories for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The introduction of this special edition iPhone in a gorgeous red finish is our biggest (PRODUCT)RED offering to date in celebration of our partnership with (RED), and we can’t wait to get it into customers’ hands.”

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition will be available in 128GB and 256GB models starting at $749 and from Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers (prices may vary).

The special edition iPhone joins the current (PRODUCT)RED lineup, which is available to purchase year-round, including the full iPod line of products, Beats Solo 3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones, Beats Pill+ Portable Speaker, the iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case and a range of accessories for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.

The new red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus model will be available to order online worldwide and in stores beginning Friday, March 24.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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Swift Playgrounds Now Available in Five Additional Languages

Apple today announced that Swift Playgrounds is now available in five additional languages, including Simplified Chinese, Japanese, French, German, and Latin American Spanish.

Swift Playgrounds is an iPad app aimed at teaching both children and adults how to code through simple interactive coding exercises. It’s meant to make learning to code “easy and fun” for everyone.

Swift Playgrounds is free on the App Store.

Tag: Swift Playgrounds
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Apple Announces Video Creation iOS App ‘Clips’

Among announcements of a new 9.7-inch iPad and red iPhone 7, Apple today has unveiled a new first-party video creation app called “Clips.” According to the company, with Clips users will be able to “create expressive videos” with ease on both an iPhone and iPad.

The app lets users combine videos, images, and music into one seamless video that can then be shared through iMessages, and on other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Users will be able to create animated captions called “Live Titles,” and apply effects including comic book filters, speech bubbles, shapes and full-screen animated posters.

“Clips gives iPhone and iPad users a new way to express themselves through video, and it’s incredibly easy to use,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing. “The effects, filters and amazing new Live Titles we’ve designed for Clips let anyone make great-looking, easily sharable videos with just a few taps.”

Users can record content directly within Clips, or add in video and photos from the Photo Album. Clips isn’t out just yet, but users will be able to get their hands on Apple’s new app beginning this April on iOS devices running iOS 10.3.

Tags: App Store, Clips
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iPad Mini 4 With 128GB of Storage Now Starts at $399, 32GB Model Discontinued

Apple today announced that the iPad mini 4 now offers more capacity for the same price. The tablet has not been updated beyond the price change.

Specifically, the 128GB model now starts at $399 for the Wi-Fi model and $529 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, while the 32GB model has been discontinued. The tablet remains available in Silver, Gold, and Space Gray.

Related Roundup: iPad mini 4 (2015)
Buyer’s Guide: iPad Mini (Caution)
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Apple to Offer iPhone SE in 32GB and 128GB Capacities

As part of a raft of new products and updates to hit its online store this morning, Apple has also announced it is doubling the available capacities of the iPhone SE.

The company’s smallest profile handset will soon be available in 32GB and 128GB models, replacing the current 16GB and 64GB models, with prices starting at $399.

The new capacity handsets will be available beginning Friday, according to Apple’s press release.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
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The Morning After: Tuesday, March 21st 2017

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Welcome to the Morning After, and the start of Adult Week here at Engadget. (We mean it in the grown-up sense, not the sexy one.) We also break down Samsung’s new, weirdly-named Siri competitor, and introduce the app the world deserves: a selfie rating service. Smile!

Grown-ups are talking.

Welcome to Engadget’s Adult Week

It’s time to become an independent and constructive member of society, and Engadget can give you some tips on how to do it. All week we’ll be bringing you stories about how to use technology to become a better grownup and navigate our tech-saturated world in a manner befitting a real deal adult. First up, is advice on how to do some good online.

A “biomarker” protein hangs out on cells where the virus hides from treatment.
HIV breakthrough may help scientists kill sleeping virus cells

AIDS patients must endure a lifetime of drugs because the virus conceals itself in the immune system and reactivates with a vengeance once the treatment stops. However, French scientists have discovered a marker that makes it possible to identify dormant, HIV-infected T-cells from healthy ones. That could lead to drugs that target those “reservoir cells,” eradicating the virus completely and curing the patient.

Bixby?
Samsung unveils its Siri competitor ahead of the Galaxy S8

It was only a matter of time until Samsung launched a full-fledged virtual assistant of its very own — “S Voice” just never quite cut it. Today the company unveiled Bixby, a new assistant that’ll debut with the Galaxy S8 on March 29th. Naturally, it’s meant to help Samsung differentiate itself from Apple’s Siri and Google’s Assistant. Bixby seems different on a conceptual level: It’s meant to serve as a new voice-based interface for controlling your apps, rather than just something that you can ask a few questions.

Rate our editors.
What the world needs now: an app that lets people rate your selfies.

59.8. That is Dan Cooper’s average score, as calculated by the swaths of people using a selfie-judging app called Spontana. He spent the past few days sharing pictures of himself on the service and receiving the unvarnished truth in response. Thankfully, he also got to deal judgements out.

The 4-day ban also covers some African carriers.
US temporarily bans most electronics on Middle Eastern airlines

The US just made traveling to certain parts of the world considerably more complicated, at least if you’re a technology fan. Middle Eastern and African airlines (including Royal Jordanian and Saudia) say the US has asked them to institute a 96-hour ban on carrying most electronics on flights to or from the US, starting on March 21st. You can sit down with your phone or any necessary medical devices, but cameras, laptops and other gadgets will have to go into your checked baggage. A US official speaking anonymously to the BBC says the device ban would affect nine airlines in 10 airports. It’s believed to be in response to intelligence reports hinting at threats.

Work smart, not hard.ARM ‘DynamIQ’ chips are ready for an all-AI future

Processor heads are familiar with the ARM tech that powers everything from mobile devices to game consoles, and the company just announced what’s next for its multicore processor designs. Called DynamIQ, it improves on existing designs by allowing for multiple CPU cores that are designed for specific purposes. It’s all done to work better with AI and machine learning, perfect for not only tomorrow’s smart phones, but also self-driving cars and servers.

Trying to avert the #YouTubeIsOverParty
YouTube apologizes for ‘Restricted Mode’ blocking LGBTQ+ content

Over the last few days, YouTubers caught on to the fact that a screen to block mature content from school computers and the like was going too far. Restricted Mode made a habit of blocking anything with a hint of LGBTQ+ content, even if it was completely innocent. Now, the company has unblocked some content, and VP Johanna Wright says that “We’re sorry and we’re going to fix it.”

But wait, there’s more…

• What’s on TV: ‘Mass Effect: Andromeda,’ Dave Chappelle and Formula 1
• Comcast’s latest all-you-can-watch event includes free Netflix
• Trump’s quiet war on data begins
• Tiny liquid battery cools chips while powering them
• Guess’ Android Wear smartwatch is classically styled

New Apple Product Expectations See AAPL and Supplier Shares Surge to Record Highs

Shares in Apple supplier Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) hit an all-time high on Tuesday, coming on the back of record spikes in Apple’s share price over the last few trading days.

TSMC share price rose to 195 New Taiwan Dollars, up NT$3.5 or 1.83 percent on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, breaking a previous record set in October 2016.

Shares in other Apple parts suppliers in Asia also rallied on Tuesday, reported Nikkei Asian Review. Shares in optical lens manufacturer Largan Precision hit an all-time high and contract electronics maker Pegatron reached the highest level since last year. At one point, Foxconn reached NT$91.80, its highest level since 2016.

The rallies came as Apple’s own share price hit another all-time high on Monday, reaching $141.46 at the end of trading, following indications that the company could make new product announcements on Tuesday. Rumors suggest Apple is planning updated 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, a 128GB iPhone SE, a red color option for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, and new Apple Watch bands.

The gains have also been fed by speculation surrounding Apple’s “iPhone 8”, which is expected to launch in the fall, but could conceivably appear earlier. Several financial analysts have raised their price targets for Apple’s stock to between $150 and $185, according to research notes obtained by MacRumors.

TSMC is also thought to be considering moving some of its chip manufacturing into the United States, according to sources, with a decision said to be coming specifically in the “first half of 2018”, with upwards of $16 billion potentially being invested in getting the American plant up and running.

Tags: TSMC, AAPL
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Facial recognition tech takes on Beijing’s toilet-paper thieves

Why it matters to you

It may seem like an extreme solution for such a problem, but if you ever happen to be in Beijing in need of a handful of toilet paper when it really matters, you’ll be thankful for it.

Beijing has a toilet-paper problem and it’s turning to facial recognition to tackle it.

Anyone visiting a restroom at the capital city’s Temple of Heaven Park will now have their face scanned by a machine in a bid to prevent locals stealing the paper for use at home, the NY Times reported.

Toilet-paper theft has apparently become a serious issue in the city, with some tourists alarmed to discover dispensers empty of paper just when they need it most.

The high-tech machine, one of several set up around the popular tourist site this week, works by first grabbing a scan of your face via a built-in camera. Once it’s satisfied you’re not the same person who requested paper a moment earlier, it’ll dispense a strip of paper two feet long (about 60 cm). If you require more, you’ll need to wait a full nine minutes before you can use the machine again. Whether the new system leads to the more determined thieves donning masks or trying other forms of disguise in a bid to trick the technology into dispensing extra paper remains to be seen.

China Review Studio

The marketing director of the company that created the machine told the Times that his engineers had “brainstormed many options” for the design, including “fingerprints, infrared and facial recognition.” He said they settled with facial recognition because “it’s the most hygienic way.’’

More: New York City to fight terrorism with a facial recognition system

Many public restrooms in China’s cities have a single paper dispenser in a common area for everyone to use, but constant thieving has led some restroom operators to stop offering paper altogether.

The Temple of Heaven Park operator suggested the perpetrators are locals rather than tourists, with some slipping into the restroom on their way home from an early-morning tai chi session.

The new machines are part of a trial to see if facial recognition technology can help to prevent thieves from nabbing the paper. If successful, they’ll be set up inside other public facilities in the city, a move that should prove a huge relief — in every possible way — to restroom visitors desperate to answer the call of nature.