Apple Reveals ‘iPhone 8’ and ‘iPhone 8 Plus’ With Glass Bodies and A11 Bionic Chip

Apple today officially announced the all-new “iPhone 8″ and ‘iPhone 8 Plus.” The iPhones are made from glass, combined with an aluminum frame design, and both come in three colors: Silver, Space Gray, and a new Gold finish

The backs of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are made from “the most durable glass ever in a smartphone,” according to Apple, and each one is color-matched to an aerospace-grade aluminum bezel. Both devices are splash, water, and dust resistant to IP67 standards.

The iPhone 8 measures in at 4.7 inches and the iPhone 8 Plus is 5.5 inches, like the past few models of iPhone, and they come with a new Retina HD display with True Tone technology. True Tone adjusts the white balance of the display to match the surrounding light so looking at the iPhone 8 provides a “more natural, paper-like” experience.

“iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are a new generation of iPhone that improve on everything we love about iPhone,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus have new glass and aluminum designs, new Retina HD displays and A11 Bionic — the smartest chip ever in a smartphone. Packed with more advanced cameras with Portrait mode and Portrait Lighting, and the highest quality video capture in a smartphone, iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus enable the freedom of wireless charging, all with AR optimization like no phone ever before.”

Apple said that the speakers have been redesigned and are as much as 25 percent louder and deliver deeper bass than the iPhone 7. All of the iPhone 8’s new technology is powered by the A11 Bionic chip, featuring a six-core CPU design with two performance cores and four efficiency cores. A11 Bionic integrates an Apple-designed GPU for “up to 30 percent faster” graphics performance than the A10.

All of these advancements will help boost app performance on the new iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, particularly including the new ARKit-fueled augmented reality experiences. The A11 Bionic chip handles world tracking, scene recognition, and the GPU enables graphics running at 60fps.

The iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are each getting a “more advanced” 12-megapixel rear camera, with a faster and larger sensor, new color filter, and deeper pixels. Each smartphone includes Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting, which introduces studio lighting effects to iPhone, letting users change the depth-of-field effect with five different lighting styles.

In terms of video, users can capture 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p, and slo-mo up to 240fps. Thanks to HEIF and HEVC in iOS 11, there will also be room for twice the photos and videos.

The glass backs of the iPhones enable wireless charging on inductive charging pads, and support the Qi ecosystem of accessories. Apple’s own mat is called the “AirPower mat” and it’ll launch sometime in 2018 with the ability and room to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously. Before that, users will be able to purchase mats from Mophie and Belkin to use iPhone 8 inductive charging.

The iPhone 8 will be available in 64GB ($699) and 256GB ($849), while the iPhone 8 Plus will be available in 64GB ($799) and 256GB ($949). Each device will be available to order starting Friday, September 15 and then launch September 22.

Upon launch, the iPhones will be available in the following territories: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, the US, and US Virgin Islands.

Tag: September 2017 event
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Apple Confirms iPhone Wireless Charging Accessories Coming from Mophie, Belkin, and More

Apple today revealed the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, all of which will support Qi wireless charging. Although Apple’s own wireless charging accessory won’t be coming out for a while, customers will be able to purchase charging pads from other accessory makers: Mophie, Belkin, Incipio, and more.

The iPhone’s charging is based on the Qi standard, so users will be able to charge their iPhones anywhere they can find a Qi charging pad.

Tag: September 2017 event
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Apple Announces 5.8-inch ‘iPhone X’ With Super Retina OLED Edge-to-Edge Display

Apple announced the iPhone X during its special event at Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, Cupertino, today. Apple CEO Tim Cook said the iPhone X was “the future of the smartphone” and will “set the path for technology for the next decade”.

“For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display. The iPhone X is the realization of that vision,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “With the introduction of iPhone ten years ago, we revolutionized the mobile phone with Multi-Touch. iPhone X marks a new era for iPhone — one in which the device disappears into the experience.”

The iPhone X, pronounced “ten”, features a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED edge-to-edge display with a 2436 x 1125 resolution and 458 pixels per inch, including HDR support in Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats, as well as True Tone technology.

The device uses touch-based gestures to interact with iOS 11 in lieu of a home button, and is powered by a next-generation A11 Bionic neural processor that handles world tracking and scene recognition, backed up by a GPU that enables graphics at 60 frames per second. The handset comprises a glass and stainless steel design, which features a front-facing camera with advanced facial recognition and authentication technology called Face ID.

The Face ID authentication process utilizes the 7-megapixel front-facing TrueDepth camera along with a dot projector, infrared camera, and flood illuminator, in order to accurately map and recognize the user’s face, so that it can be used to authenticate Apple Pay and gain access to secure apps. By combining these technologies, Apple claims that Face ID learns to recognize the user’s face under a variety of conditions, and can’t be fooled by photographs.

There’s also a redesigned, vertically aligned dual-lens TrueDepth 12-megapixel rear camera, featuring Quad-LED True Tone flash with dual optical image stabilization, while Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting on both the front and rear cameras offers dramatic studio lighting effects for creating portraits with a shallow depth-of-field effect in five different lighting styles.

Elsewhere, the iPhone X’s glass back supports wireless inductive charging that works with Qi-certified third-party charging devices, including pads offered by Mophie and Belkin. Apple also gave a sneak peek of AirPower, an Apple-designed wireless charging accessory coming in 2018, which offers an active charging area to simultaneously charge up to three devices, including Apple Watch Series 3 and a new optional wireless charging case for AirPods.

The iPhone X is fast-charge capable, while its surgical steel band is said to enhance its water and dust resistance at a microscopic level. The handset will be available in space gray and silver colors.

The iPhone X also supports new animated emoji, or “Animoji”, thanks to the phone’s new 3D sensing capability, enabling users to create custom 3D animated emoji based on facial expressions picked up by the camera. The new A11 Bionic chip is also tuned for augmented reality experiences made using Apple’s ARKit software framework.

The iPhone X comes in 64GB and 256GB storage capacities, costing $999 and $1149, respectively. The iPhone X will be available to pre-order from October 27 and will ship on November 3.

Related Roundups: iPhone 8, iPhone X
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Apple Seeds iOS 11 Golden Master to Developers Ahead of September 19 Public Launch

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of iOS 11 to developers. The golden master represents the final version of iOS 11 that will be released to the public, and it comes after a beta testing period that saw Apple release a record 10 betas.

Registered developers can download the iOS 11 golden master from the Apple Developer Center or over-the-air once the proper configuration profile has been installed.

iOS 11 is a major update to the operating system designed for the iPhone and the iPad. It introduces several new design changes like a customizable Control Center and a reimagined Lock screen that’s been merged with the Notification Center, along with smaller tweaks like bolder fonts, redesigned app icons for major apps, and a revamped App Store.

Peer-to-peer Apple Pay payments are coming in the Messages app, a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature is designed to help drivers stay focused on the road, and Siri has been enhanced with a new more natural voice, cross-device syncing, and the ability to learn more about each user’s habits.

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Photos includes new editing options for Live Photos, the Camera app offers optical image stabilization for Portrait Mode, Apple Music lets you follow friends, Maps features indoor mapping and lane guidance, and Notes has a new Document Scanner and handwriting recognition.

ARKit for developers brings a range of new augmented reality apps and games to iOS devices, and a new Core ML SDK lets developers build smarter apps. iOS 11 is also the biggest update ever for the iPad, with a new Dock that introduces much improved multitasking, a Files app for better managing files, improved Apple Pencil support, a revamped App Switcher, and a system-wide drag and drop feature.

iOS 11 will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 19, three days ahead of the official launch date of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

For more details on all of the new features included in iOS 11, make sure to check out our iOS 11 roundup.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Apple Unveils ‘AirPower’ Multi-Device Wireless Charging Accessory Coming Next Year

At its iPhone-centric event that saw the unveiling of the new iPhone X and iPhone 8 equipped with Qi wireless charging capabilities, Apple announced a new wireless charging accessory called “AirPower.”

Designed as a simple oval-shaped white charging mat, AirPower is able to charge the iPhone X and the iPhone 8 inductively. It also works with the Apple Watch Series 3 models and a new AirPods charging case that was briefly mentioned during the keynote.

The new AirPods charging case is identical to the current case, with the exception of a new indicator light located on the outside of the body and the wireless charging capabilities.

In addition to being able to charge through Apple’s AirPower charging mat, the new iPhone X and the iPhone 8 will also be able to charge using Qi-based charging accessories. Apple will partner with companies like Mophie and Belkin to create iPhone-specific accessories, but all Qi chargers should work as event videos showed the iPhone charging in cafes and other locations.

According to Apple, its AirPower charging mat uses a new kind of charging standard that is able to support multiple devices at once, so it won’t be immediately available.

Apple plans to ship the AirPower in 2018, but a more specific launch date hasn’t been announced. Pricing is alwo unknown at this time.

Tags: wireless charging, Qi, AirPower
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Apple Seeds tvOS 11 Golden Master to Developers

Apple today seeded the golden master (GM) version of tvOS 11 to developers following a beta testing period that saw the company release 10 tvOS 11 betas. The golden master represents the final version of tvOS 11 that will be released to the public on Tuesday, September 19.

Registered developers can download the tvOS 11 update by connecting the Apple TV to a computer with a USB-C cable and installing a beta profile using iTunes. Once the profile is in place, new beta updates are available over the air.

tvOS 11 is a modest update that has not received a lot of attention from Apple. It brings automatic switching between light/dark mode based on local time, Home screen syncing options that keep multiple Apple TVs in a household in sync, new background modes and notification support, Focus API improvements, custom sound support, network-based pairing and development support, improvements to Mobile Device Management, and other small changes.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
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Apple Introduces New Second-Generation AirPods Case With Wireless Charging Support

At today’s iPhone-centric event, Apple briefly introduced a new second-generation AirPods case that features support for wireless charging.

The AirPods Case is physically identical to the current-generation AirPods Case, with the exception of a charging indicator light located on the outside of the case instead of the inside.

Apple’s new AirPods Case will work with the company’s upcoming “AirPower” wireless charging mat, which will be able to charge the AirPods, the Apple Watch Series 3, and the iPhone X or iPhone 8 simultaneously.

Apple does not yet appear to be offering the new AirPods Case either on a standalone basis or in a set with AirPods. It may be coming at a later date, as the AirPower charging accessory is not expected to ship until 2018.

Tag: AirPods
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macOS High Sierra Will Be Released on September 25

macOS High Sierra, the new version of the macOS operating systems for Macs, will be released to the public on Monday, September 25, according to Apple’s macOS High Sierra website.

That’s nearly a week after the iOS 11 and watchOS 4 release date, with those software updates coming on Tuesday, September 19. It is not unusual for the Mac operating system to be released after new watchOS and iOS operating system updates.

macOS High Sierra builds on features first introduced in the macOS Sierra update in 2016, focusing primarily on new storage, video, and graphics technology. The update brings a new Apple File System (APFS), High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC), new HEIF image encoding, and an updated version of Metal with support for VR and external GPUs.

Multiple apps have been updated with new capabilities in macOS High Sierra. Photos features a new sidebar to make it easier to access editing tools and albums, and there are new filters and editing options like Curves and Selective Color.

Safari is gaining speed enhancements, an option to prevent autoplay videos, and a privacy feature aimed at cutting down on cross-site data tracking. Siri in macOS High Sierra has a new, more natural voice, and Spotlight offers flight status information. iCloud, FaceTime, Notes, and Mail also include useful new features.

macOS High Sierra will run on all machines that are capable of running macOS Sierra, the current Mac operating system.

For a complete overview of changes coming in macOS High Sierra, make sure to check out our macOS High Sierra roundup.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
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Apple Launches New urBeats3 Earphones, New Colors for BeatsX

Apple today quietly introduced new urBeats3 Earphones that come equipped with a Lightning connector, allowing them to work with Apple devices that don’t have a headphone jack – the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, plus the existing iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

Apple is also offering a model that has a traditional 3.5mm plug that works with iPads and other Apple devices that continue to offer a headphone jack.

Apple says the urBeats3 wired earphones feature a “fine-tuned acoustic design” for an “exceptional listening experience.” They ship with a variety of eartip options for a customized fit, and include secure-fit wingtips for a comfortable, secure fit when working out.

The urBeats3 earphones with a Lightning connector are available in Silver, Gold, and Black to match the new Gold, Silver, and Space Gray iPhone models. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus come in Gold, Silver, and Space Gray, while the iPhone X comes in Silver and Space Gray.

The urBeats3 earphones with 3.5mm jack are available in Gray, White, Blue, and Black. Both models are priced at $99.95, and will be available for purchase this fall.

In addition to new urBeats3 earphones, Apple has also introduced new colors for its wireless W1-equipped BeatsX headphones. The BeatsX headphones are available in Silver and Matte Gold to match the iPhone 8 colors.

BeatsX are priced at $149.95 and will ship out in three to five business days for orders placed today.

Tags: Beats, urBeats, BeatsX
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Apple Releases New Accessories and Cases for iPhone 8 and iPhone X

Following Apple’s Tuesday event that saw the debut of the new iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, Apple has introduced a range of new wireless accessories and cases in a selection of new colors.

There’s a new Leather Folio case specifically designed for the iPhone X, with a front cover that protects the display of the device when not in use. The Leather Folio case is priced at $99 and comes in Cosmos Blue, Taupe, Black, and Berry. Because the iPhone X will not be shipping out to customers until November, the Leather Folio case is not yet available for purchase.

Along with the Folio Case, Apple has introduced new standard Silicone and Leather cases for the iPhone X, the iPhone 8, and the iPhone 8 Plus. Because the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are nearly identical in size and shape to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, these new cases also fit Apple’s existing devices.

The iPhone X Silicone Case is priced at $39 and comes in Blue Cobalt, Rose Red, Ultra Violet, Dark Olive, White, Pink Sand, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

The iPhone X Leather Case is priced at $49 and comes in Cosmos Blue, Pink Fuchsia, Dark Aubergine, Charcoal Gray, Taupe, Saddle Brown, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus Silicone Cases are priced at $35 and $39, respectively, and come in Blue Cobalt, Rose Red, Ultra Violet, Dark Olive, White, Pink Sand, Midnight Blue, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus Leather Cases are priced at $45 and $49, respectively, and come in Cosmos Blue, Pink Fuchsia, Dark Aubergine, Charcoal Gray, Taupe, Saddle Brown, Black, Midnight Blue, and (PRODUCT)RED.

There are two Qi wireless chargers built for the iPhone X and the iPhone 8, designed by Mophie and Belkin. Both are simple charging pads that plug into the wall and then charge the iPhone X/iPhone 8 inductively. Belkin’s solution (on the left in the image below) is priced at $59.95 and comes in white. Mophie’s charging base comes in black and is also priced at $59.95. Neither charging base is available as of yet and there’s no release date available.

The $49 iPhone Lightning Dock, which will work with both the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X in lieu of wireless charging, is available in a new shade of gold that matches the new gold color available for the iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus. Black, Silver, Space Gray, and Rose Gold continue to be available as well. The new dock is available today.

Though there were no iPad updates today, Apple has introduced accessories for the device in a range of new colors. There’s a new (PRODUCT)RED Leather Sleeve priced at $129, and a new (PRODUCT)RED Apple Pencil Case priced at $29.

Smart Covers for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro models are available in new colors as well. Silicone Smart Covers now come in Blue Cobalt, Rose Red, Ultra Violet, and (PRODUCT)RED while Leather Smart Covers come in Pink Fuchsia and (PRODUCT)RED.

Most of the new iPhone and iPad cases are available for delivery this week, with the exception of the cases designed for the iPhone X. Those are unlikely to be available until November, when the iPhone X launches.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone X
Buyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Buy Now)
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