Belkin and Mophie offer wireless charging pads for the new iPhones

Now that Apple is suddenly a fan of wireless phone charging, iPhone-oriented charging pads are coming out of the woodwork: Belkin and Mophie have announced their own peripherals, the Boost Up and Wireless Charging Base. Both use Qi to top up your iPhone 8 or iPhone X minus wires, supplying up to 7.5W whether or not you have a case on your handset. The differences really come down to personal preference. The Belkin device (on the left) is larger and has an LED indicator to let you know when charging starts, while the Mophie model is more compact.

The Boost Up will arrive first, hitting stores (including Apple’s) on September 15th for $60. Wait until September 20th and you can get the Wireless Charging Base for a similar price.

As you might have surmised, you don’t need an iPhone to make use of these pads. Any Qi-compatible device that needs 7.5W or less of power should work, so you could plunk your Galaxy Note 8 on either of these if you want. Likewise, you don’t need these pads to recharge your iPhone — virtually any Qi pad should do. More than anything, these peripherals are about convenience for iPhone owners. You can walk out of the Apple Store with a wireless charger ready to go when you get home. Until Apple’s own AirPower technology hits store shelves, you probably won’t find a truly iPhone-optimized charging pad.

Via: Belkin, Mophie (PR Newswire)

Source: Apple (Belkin), (Mophie)

Some phones and laptops are vulnerable to ‘BlueBorne’ exploit

Armis security has identified a new vulnerability in computers and mobile devices that leaves them susceptible to attack via Bluetooth. The exploit, dubbed “BlueBorne,” doesn’t require user permission or to even pair with devices — it can simply connect over the air and access networks or install malware. Armis previously alerted most affected parties back in April, but as of today, it’s mostly Android devices that remain vulnerable to attack.

There are technically several distinct attack vectors spread across current mobile operating systems. As Armis noted in its BlueBorne info page, Apple’s iOS beyond version 9.3.5 are vulnerable, but that vector was ironed out in iOS 10. Microsoft released an update today to all Windows versions that closes the vulnerability, with details listed here. Google’s Android, however, is spread across so much hardware that the onus to update falls on third-party manufacturers, who might not patch out the vulnerability in time. For its part, Google released protective patches for Nougat (7.0) and Marshmallow (6.0) as part of its September security update.

“We have released security updates for these issues, and will continue working with other affected platforms across the industry to develop protections that help keep users safe,” a Google spokesperson told Engadget.

The other wildcard here: Linux-based devices. Armis informed Linux device operators of the vulnerability very late (last month, as opposed to back in April when it divulged to the other mobile OS providers). Accordingly, Armis wasn’t aware of patches for Linux operating systems, meaning anything running BlueZ are vulnerable to one of the vectors, while those with Linux version 3.3-rc1 can be attacked by another. This includes Samsung’s Gear S3 smartwatch, its smart TVs and family hub.

While using Bluetooth is a canny way to automatically infiltrate user devices without permission, it means BlueBorne is bound by the signal frequency’s short range, and only affects devices with Bluetooth turned on. But since the exploit is so different to the typical attack vector, users wouldn’t even be alerted if their device gets compromised, leading to a hypothetical nightmare scenario (detailed in the video below) wherein a user spreads the “infection” to vulnerable phones and tablets simply by walking in their vicinity.

Worried your device might be vulnerable? Check Armis’ page on the exploit along with the respective white paper (PDF) explaining BlueBorne in detail.

Via: The Verge

Source: Armis, US-CERT

The most important stuff from today’s iPhone event

This has been one busy day at Engadget. Today two of us found ourselves at Apple Park, the company’s new California headquarters, where it held its first keynote to unveil the iPhone X and a bunch of other stuff. After a two-hour, news-filled liveblog, V headed off to the demo area, where he got hands-on with the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple TV 4K. Meanwhile, I found a spot in front of one of Apple Park’s futuristic glass buildings to break down what the heck just happened. This is our first take, but it won’t be our last: Stay tuned to Engadget as we continue posting photos, videos and news analysis.

Follow all the latest news from Apple’s iPhone event here!

Apple Introduces Revamped $59 Siri Remote With More Prominent Menu Button

Alongside the new 4K Apple TV, Apple today quietly released a new, slightly redesigned Siri Remote to go along with it. Priced at $59, the updated remote features a new more prominent Menu button with a white circle around it.

Aside from the redesign to the Menu button, the new Apple TV Siri Remote appears to be identical to the previous-generation model. At $59, the remote is $20 cheaper than the previous-generation Siri Remote.

Ahead of the launch of the new Apple TV, there was code found in leaked golden master software that suggested the new remote would feature new haptic feedback capabilities, but there’s no mention of haptic feedback functionality in the description of the device.

The revamped Remote continues to ship with a Lightning to USB cable, and it is available with both the new 4K Apple TV and the existing fourth-generation Apple TV.

Apple is pricing the 4K Apple TV starting at $179 for a 32GB model. The fourth-generation Apple TV is available for $149.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
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AppleCare+ Priced at $199 for iPhone X, $149 for iPhone 8 Plus

Apple today introduced its new flagship device, the iPhone X, equipped with an edge-to-edge OLED display, a new facial recognition system, an A11 Bionic chip, and dozens of other improvements.

All of those high-end components don’t come cheap, with pricing on the device starting at $999 for the 64GB version. As it turns out, AppleCare+ for the iPhone X will also be more expensive, at $199.

That’s a $70 premium over AppleCare+ for the 8, which is priced at $129, the same price as AppleCare+ for the iPhone 7. AppleCare+ for the iPhone 8 Plus will cost $149, with Apple raising the AppleCare+ pricing for all of its Plus models by $20. Prior to today, AppleCare+ for larger-screened devices was $129, but with the new price change, AppleCare+ for iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 6s Plus costs $149.

AppleCare+ for iPhone X will extend warranty coverage of the device to two years from the original date of purchase, and it will cover two incidents of accidental damage. Apple will charge $29 to replace a damaged screen, or $99 for any other damage. These fees, interestingly, have not gone up in price.

AppleCare+ will need to be purchased alongside the new iPhone X or within 60 days. Coverage includes the iPhone itself, the battery, and the included earphones and accessories.

The new iPhone X will be available for pre-order on October 27, with the device seeing an official release on November 3.

Tag: AppleCare
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iPhone X Comes Only in Space Gray and Silver With No Sign of Gold

Apple today at the Steve Jobs Theater introduced the iPhone X, and said the high-end smartphone will be available in Space Gray and Silver, despite multiple rumors recently about a so-called “Blush Gold” colorway.

For perspective, the less expensive iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will be available in an all-new gold finish, and beyond the plastic iPhone 5c, every model since the iPhone 5s has been available in at least one shade of gold.

Yesterday, well-connected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple may be encountering some production issues with the gold iPhone X, which could explain why Space Gray and Silver will be the only colors at launch.

Due to component supply constraints, we estimate current production of the OLED iPhone at less than 10k units per day, which means the model will remain in severe short supply for a while. Furthermore, we estimate that the gold version of the OLED iPhone will encounter some production problems and will initially be available only in extremely low volume. There is even a chance that the gold version will go on sale at a later date than the other versions. However, we believe these shipment delays will have a limited impact on the shares of Apple and its supply chain members.

Kuo predicted that the gold iPhone X would either be available in “extremely low volume” or go on sale at a later date, but it’s unclear at this point if Apple will introduce a gold model to the iPhone X lineup in the future.

Apple has introduced new colors for already-released iPhone models in the past, like the (PRODUCT)RED special edition iPhone 7, so it’s certainly a possibility the iPhone X could eventually come in gold.

iPhone X can be ordered starting Friday, October 27, with in-store availability starting Friday, November 3.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
Tag: September 2017 event
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Apple’s Clips App to Offer 360-Degree ‘Selfie Scenes’ on iPhone X

Apple’s iPhone X will enable new features in its standalone Clips app, according to the iPhone X section on Apple’s website describing all of the new features found in the device. A mention of the new feature has also been added to the Clips webpage.

When using Clips with an iPhone X, there’s a new “Selfie Scenes” feature that will use the TrueDepth front-facing camera on the device to immerse users in a selection of 360-degree animated landscapes.

Selfie Scenes on iPhone X make Clips even more fun, using the TrueDepth camera to immerse you in beautifully animated landscapes, movie sets, and abstract art. Each scene is a full 360° experience, so any way you move iPhone X, the scene moves with it.

Apple says the new Selfie Scenes feature will be coming to Clips in November, which is when the iPhone X will be available.

iPhone X’s 3D front-facing camera will also enable new functionality in a range of third-party apps, like Snapchat. On stage, Apple’s Craig Federighi showed off new Snapchat filters, which look much more realistic on the iPhone X.

Tag: Clips
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Apple Watch Series 3: Skepticism Surrounds Usefulness of LTE, but Performance Improvements Welcome

While the focus and discussion following today’s Apple event remains largely on the iPhone X, the company also announced the Apple Watch Series 3, which packs cellular connectivity into the same form factor of Apple’s wearable device that we’ve seen since the first generation.

First impressions for the device have now been released, and The Verge pointed out that the Apple Watch Series 3 will be very familiar to any previous Apple Watch wearers, explaining that you can only really notice its slightly thicker case when comparing the Series 3 to the Series 2 from each side. The only other differentiating factor is the red dot on the Digital Crown of the LTE models.

Image via The Verge
Apple claimed that the LTE Apple Watch Series 3 will last as long as previous versions of the smartwatch (about 18 hours, though most users get more out of it), but The Verge remained skeptical about that statistic ahead of an official test and review. For now, the site said the updated Apple Watch still doesn’t feel like a game-changer, but those on older generations will likely find a lot of reasons to upgrade.

And the even bigger question: will having a smartwatch with LTE really change things? Apple is not the first to make an LTE-equipped smartwatch; Samsung and LG have done it before. It will certainly be useful for very specific things — not having to carry a phone on a long hike and still having LTE for emergency situations, or streaming new music from the watch when you’re out and about and are tired of your locally stored stuff. And hey: Apple even showed a woman surfing while wearing a cellular-equipped Apple Watch.

But I’m also not convinced yet that this is a total game-changer — not yet. It’s still in a relationship with iPhone. It just happens to be a more powerful, capable, more independent gadget when iPhone is not around.

Engadget noted that while the design of the Apple Watch Series 3 isn’t “much to write home about” when looking for differences between it and earlier models, Apple’s decision to retain support for older bands is still a welcome move. After trying it on, Engadget said the Series 3 version felt essentially the same to the Apple Watch Series 2, but the site explained that this is “a huge testament to [Apple] Watch’s design team.

Image via Engadget

That the Apple Watch Series 3 doesn’t feel different from the Series 2 I wear almost everyday is a huge testament to Watch’s design team. Apple says the actually difference in depth amounts to two sheets of paper, and, while I didn’t have any spare sheets to test against, most people will never notice the difference. That’s saying something considering just what’s inside: there’s an LTE radio and an embedded SIM, and the screen itself acts as an antenna. Unfortunately, none of the Apple Watches I tested were actually provisioned on a cellular network, so no test calls went through.

Engadget also pointed out a “pretty noticeable” increase in performance compared to Series 2, although it isn’t as “pronounced” as the jump from the first generation to Series 2. Of course, some of the more notable changes to Series 3 — like hearing Siri speak or streaming Apple Music — will have to wait for official reviews once the device launches on September 22.

There’s a pretty noticeable step up in performance too, thanks to the S3 chipset ticking away inside. The change doesn’t seem quite as pronounced as the leap from the Series 1 to the Series 2, but I didn’t notice any lag or stuttering on Apple’s pre-release units.

All told, the Series 3 packs some handy upgrades and should serve as the starting point for people new to the Apple Watch. I’m curious to see how many people will actually embrace the wireless version, which costs $70 extra than the non-LTE model. Apple’s vision of wearables is one where people don’t have to worry about carrying their phones with them 24/7, but honestly, I think a lot of people like things the way they are.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is available in a Wi-Fi only model starting at $329, and a Wi-Fi + Cellular model starting at $399. Apple today also unveiled new bands and cases for the device, including a new Sport Loop and new Gray Ceramic case.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 3, watchOS 4
Tag: September 2017 event
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Don’t Buy)
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Apple Retires (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus Models

With the introduction of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, Apple has quietly discontinued its (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models. Apple’s (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were first introduced in March of 2017, six months after the debut of the iPhone 7.

The two devices were released in celebration of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED), with proceeds provided to the Global Fund to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Though the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have been discontinued, Apple is still selling the devices in Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Matte Black, and Jet Black. Pricing on the iPhone 7 now starts at $549 for the 32GB model, while pricing starts at $669 for the 32GB iPhone 7 Plus.

Apple is offering the two devices in 32 and 128GB configurations, with the 256GB models having been discontinued alongside all (PRODUCT)RED devices.

While Apple is no longer offering a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone, the company continues to sell many (PRODUCT)RED accessories, including several that were introduced today. There are new 38mm and 42mm Ruby (PRODUCT)RED Apple Watch Classic Buckle bands for $149, and Apple has also introduced a new (PRODUCT)RED Leather Sleeve for the iPad Pro priced at $129, and a new (PRODUCT)RED Apple Pencil Case priced at $29.

A portion of the sales from Apple’s entire (PRODUCT)RED accessory lineup is donated to the Global Fund, a charity that funds AIDS-related programs in Africa.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tag: (PRODUCT)RED
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iPhone X and iPhone 8 Feature IP67 Water Resistance Rating, Same as iPhone 7

Apple’s iPhone X features an IP67 water resistance rating, which is identical to the water resistance rating of the iPhone 7, according to Apple’s iPhone X features page. With an IP67 water resistance rating, the iPhone X is splash, water, and dust resistant.

IP67 is two numbers, one that refers to the dust resistance rating and one that refers to water resistance. IP6x is the highest dust resistance rating, so the iPhone X is fully protected against dust.

IPx7, the water resistance rating, means the iPhone X can withstand immersion in water up to one meter (3.3 feet) for 30 minutes, tested in laboratory conditions. IPx7 is the second-highest rating, below IPx8, which indicates an ability to withstand long periods of submersion under pressure.

Apple’s iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are also rated as IP67 water and dust resistant. With all of its devices, Apple warns that while they are water and dust resistant, those are not permanent conditions and resistance could decrease as a result of normal wear.

Because Apple does not cover any kind of water damage to iOS devices, it’s best to continue to use caution when exposing a water resistant iPhone to liquids, avoiding contact whenever possible.

There were rumors suggesting Apple’s new iPhones might feature an IP68 water resistance rating to match the Samsung Galaxy devices, but that particular rumor did not turn out to be true.

As for the Apple Watch Series 3, it too has identical water resistance ratings to the Apple Watch Series 2. According to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 3 has a water resistance of rating of 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is suitable for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or an ocean, but it should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities that involve exposure to deep water or high-velocity water, including a shower.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
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