Apple’s new 9.7-inch iPad is its cheapest yet

Apple just simplified its tablet lineup in a big way. The company has introduced a new 9.7-inch iPad — not the Air 3, just… iPad. The new model will seem extremely familiar on the outside, but there are a bunch of notable under-the-hood upgrades. You’ll find a slightly older but still speedy A9 processor inside instead of the Air 2’s aging A8X, and Apple has doubled the capacities to give you either 32GB or 128GB (sorry, no 256GB option here). This new mid-size model also touts a brighter display, although it’s still sitting at a 2,048 x 1,536 resolution.

The cameras remain the same, for or better or worse, with an 8MP shooter on the back and a 1.2MP FaceTime cam at the front.

For most, the biggest deal may simply be the price. The upgraded iPad is available now at $329 for the 32GB version, and $459 for its 128GB model. That’s the lowest starting price yet for a mid-size iPad, and it’s clear that this is the new budget option. In fact, Apple has gone so far as to make the iPad mini 4 more expensive – it’s now available solely in a 128GB edition for $399, and there’s no iPad mini 2 to pick up the slack. Apple clearly feels that 9.7 inches represents its mainstream size going forward.

Source: Apple, BusinessWire

Hyperloop company begins building its first passenger pod

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has announced that construction will soon begin on its first passenger capsule. The pod is being built in partnership with Spanish engineering firm Carbures and is expected to be unveiled in early 2018. HTT says that the craft will be tested and tweaked at its Toulouse HQ, ready to run in the first “commercial” Hyperloop system that the company expects will be announced in the near future.

The announcement also reveals the specifications of the new travel capsule, which will be 30 meters long and 2.7 meters wide. Weighing 20 tons, the vessel is expected to carry between 28 and 40 passengers at a time. Finally, executives are boasting that the craft’s top speed is 760 miles an hour, bumping close to the sound barrier, which is 767 miles an hour.

It’s hard to make a direct comparison, since Hyperloop is closer to flying than the traditional passenger railway network. That said, a long-distance route like Amtrak’s Acela Express offers some sense of the difference in scale between the two technologies. A typical Acela Express carriage, for instance, has a capacity of 65, is 26 meters long and weighs around 63 tons.

Again, HTT is taking a different tack to its more well-heeled rival, Hyperloop One, which has begun building a track, rather than a capsule. Of course, plenty rests on HTT’s ability to translate its crowdsourced knowledge into reality, not to mention deliver on a complicated transportation platform. We’ll wait and see just how successful it is, but hopefully news of a commercial route won’t be too far away.

U.S. Bans Tablets and Laptops on Flights From Eight Middle Eastern Countries

The Department of Homeland of Security today announced new carry-on restrictions that prevent U.S.-bound passengers from eight Middle Eastern countries from carrying personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone in the passenger cabin.

The TSA order, which does not have a stated end date, covers laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, and handheld gaming devices larger than a smartphone. According to the “emergency amendment”, such forbidden devices must be stowed in checked baggage.

The list of Muslim-majority countries includes Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The nine airlines impacted by the order are Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Ethiad Airways.

If the airlines fail to implement the changes within 96 hours, the Federal Aviation Authority could revoke their clearance certificates, which would ban them from flying into U.S. airspace. No U.S. airline is affected by the ban because none currently operates direct flights to and from the above destinations.

U.S. Administration aides declined to comment on any new or specific threats, but said the government had made the decision based on evaluated intelligence suggesting some terrorist organizations have considered using consumer electronics as a way to hide explosives and smuggle them onto passenger planes. It’s not yet clear if or how this ruling relates to the Trump administration’s revised travel ban, which is currently being challenged by U.S. courts.

The full airport ban list announced by the Department of Homeland Security includes: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport (IST), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport (DXB), and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

(Via Associated Press.)

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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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