What to expect from Apple’s October 30 event: New MacBooks, iPads

If you weren’t satisfied with three iPhones and a new Apple Watch this year, Apple announced it’s hosting another hardware event on October 30th, sending out invites to a number of media outlets (including yours truly). For those not keeping score, this is Apple’s fourth event this year, following the iPad event in May, June’s WWDC 2018, and the iPhone reveal event in September.

What’s left for Apple to realistically announce on October 30? Quite a lot, as it turns out — we’re expecting to finally see some of the year’s hottest new Apple tech, including a new MacBook, an updated iPad Pro, and possibly even a new Mac Mini. Here’s what to expect from Apple’s October 30 event.

An updated MacBook Air

The MacBook Air is the oldest model of the MacBook currently sold by Apple, and it’s long filled a lower-cost slot that the MacBook 12 and MacBook Pro simply can’t fulfill. But while the Air’s staying power is clearly strong, it’s suffering from a loss of identity as the smallest and thinnest MacBook since regular MacBooks have gone on a serious diet. The design looks outdated for a 2018 laptop, the fifth-generation i5 is old, and the display is not great.

An updated MacBook Air is rumored to tackle a lot of the common issues with the current model, and would come with a Retina display, modern USB-C ports, and an eighth-generation Intel processor. Bezels would likely be slimmed down, and a larger display could be present as a result.

The MacBook Air has been the “affordable” MacBook for some time now, and we expect that to probably stay the same with an updated model — expect a price of $1,000 or lower.

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MacBook Air 2018 news

iPad Pro 2018

iPhones got a huge new style update with the iPhone X, and many are expecting to see a similar design update come to the new iPad Pro. Along with the usual bump in specs, prospective iPad buyers can expect to see a significant drop in bezels surrounding the screen, along with a removal of the iconic home button. While there’s a limit on how much bezels can reasonably be reduced on a tablet-sized device — since you need them to hold the device — there’s still room to reduce bezels, based on the slimmer iPad 9.7 2018.

The removal of the home button will mean the new iPad Pro would rely entirely on Face ID for bio-based unlocking, which previous rumors suggested would not work in landscape mode. Thankfully, the most recent rumors claim Face ID will work in any orientation, so it’ll work on the iPad Pro even when docked with a keyboard. A new Apple Pencil might be introduced alongside the iPad Pro too, so expect to see more features for Apple’s stylus if that does happen.

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iPad Pro 2018 news

Mac Mini

The Mac Mini is another of Apple’s lines that hasn’t seen an update for some time — in this case, Apple hasn’t released a new Mac Mini since 2014. For comparison, that’s the same year Apple launched the iPhone 6, so it’s clear that the Mac’s smallest brother is well due an update.

An updated Mac Mini would see a big specs bump to an eight-generation Intel processor, would probably replace outdated hard drives with smaller solid state drives, and would also probably see the inclusion of some more modern ports — USB-C anyone? While the Mac Mini was usually intended for people who need a small machine tucked out of the way, a new design may also be in the works.

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Mac Mini news

AirPods 2

You might feel it has barely been any time at all since the release of Apple’s AirPods, but you can be sure that Apple is working on an updated version to cash in on the success of the originals.

There are a lot of rumors circulating features that would be added to AirPods 2, and noise cancelling and water resistance seem to be at the top of the list. Being able to summon Siri with a hotword rather than tapping the earphones are just a few more features you may expect. Another claim holds Apple is working on getting some form of biometric functionality into its earphones — possibly a heart-rate sensor.

It’s not all about the earphones themselves too — a recent patent shows Apple is playing with the idea of adding a storage capacity to the Airpods case, and making them capable of storing music. That would certainly be a huge advantage — but don’t expect to see them yet. It’s far more likely we’ll see these in early 2019.

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AirPods 2 news

AirPower

AFP Contributor/Getty Images

Apple first introduced the AirPower charger last year when it revealed the iPhone X’s wireless charging abilities — but we’ve seen precious little else of Apple’s multi-device-charging pad since that initial reveal.

Unfortunately it seems that AirPower may have been a little too much, even for Apple. Mention of the AirPower charger has disappeared from Apple’s website, and rumors say that heat management was an enormous issue with the mat, as were communication issues with devices.

It’s entirely possible that this project is completely dead for the time being, so don’t hold out much hope that we’ll be seeing it at the October 30 event. Might it get an update? Maybe, but Apple will probably prefer to ignore that AirPower ever existed. Don’t bet on this appearing on stage.

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AirPower news

Editors’ Recommendations

• What to expect from Apple’s September 12 ‘Gather Round’ event
• Is Apple planning an all-Mac keynote later this fall?
• Refreshed MacBook Air and iPad Pro are absent from Apple’s website leak
• Apple could announce a new MacBook this week. Here’s what we want to see
• Here’s everything we know about Apple’s AirPower wireless charging mat

The Pixel’s Night Sight mode is currently available (but hidden)

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Pixel range has always had some of the best smartphone cameras in the world, and Google promised to add to its impressive arsenal with additional features like Night Sight — a low-light mode that uses A.I. and the Pixel’s super-fast HDR processing to dramatically boost photos taken in low light. It seems Google’s almost ready to release the feature, too, as the latest update to Google Camera contains a fully functional version of the mode.

But don’t run off to find a dark enough spot to test it out just yet — it’s not currently enabled, and you’ll need to do some jiggery-pokery in the camera app’s code before you can access it for yourself. Thankfully, someone’s already done the hard work. If you’re really looking forward to testing out the results of Google’s newest mode, then you can download the modified APK and test it out for yourself by sideloading it onto any Pixel phone.

Since this isn’t an official app, you take on the installing of this app at your own risk. It will also install as a separate app, so make sure you launch the right one if you do take the plunge. Since this isn’t the final release, it’s also likely Google is putting the final touches on the Night Sight mode — so it’s possible the actual release will be even better than the example pictures taken with this sideloaded app.

We haven’t had a chance to test out the app for ourselves just yet — we need to wait for it to get dark, folks — but we’ll be sending one unlucky soul out into the cold dark as soon as it’s feasibly possible. Until then, XDA Developers has released some comparison shots that show off just how good the mode seems to be. While some images taken with a strong background light come out slightly overexposed, the majority of the images show off some utterly amazing transformations.

Not rocking a Pixel phone? Unfortunately this APK will only work with the Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and the Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL. But since it’s software-based it’s possible someone will adapt an APK to suit your phone soon.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google Pixel 3 XL review
• Google Pixel 3 review
• The best smartphones of 2018
• The news is stressful, but easier on the eyes with new Google News dark theme
• Here’s everything Google announced at its October 9 event

A canceled education order is increasing hopes for new Macbook model

With Apple’s October 30 event fast approaching, rumors continue to surface about new Macs and iPad models. In the latest, a canceled education order is stoking hopes for a new MacBook model, as originally noted by 9to5Mac.

Though hard to verify, an email sent by Apple to an education customer revealed that an order with MacBook Air, iPad, and Apple Pencil is delayed and now shipping on October 30, with the time subject to change. That falls on the same day as the Apple event and it could be likely that the education order is being delayed just in favor of a new version of the MacBook instead.

The education customer originally ordered a 256GB 13-inch MacBook Air, which is a model that many expect to be phased out for a similar to the 12-inch MacBook. There also remains the possibility that this same model is out of stock, or Apple is just swapping out orders for a MacBook with newer specs and at a new price.

Previous rumors have indicated that the new MacBook Air replacement model could come in at a costly $1,200. Currently, the highest-end MacBook Air comes in at the same price, but some have also talked about the price dropping to $999.

With the current top-range MacBook Air model sporting aging fifth-generation processors, it will also be interesting to see if a change to newer Intel chipsets will be taken into account for that price. Apple is apparently also considering transitioning away from Intel processors in favor of a custom A-series ARM-based chipset, but that is a while away by 2020.

As for other products expected at the October 30 event, there are hopes for an iPad Pro 2018 with smaller bezels, a specs bump for the Mac Mini, and also AirPods 2. And though a big wild shot, it could be possible that there might be mention of the AirPower charger, too.

The October 30 event would be Apple’s fourth of the year, coming after an iPad event, the Worldwide Developers Conference, and the most recent iPhone reveal. Considering recent device reveals from Google and Microsoft, the fall season is definitely a good time to be a fan of tech.

Editors’ Recommendations

• What to expect from Apple’s October 30 event: New MacBooks, iPads
• Apple’s new MacBook Air with Intel’s 8th-gen processors expected this year
• What’s the skinny? Apple may launch a new MacBook with ultrathin design soon
• Everything you need to know about the 2018 MacBook
• What to expect from Apple’s September 12 ‘Gather Round’ event

The best heavy duty cases for the Moto G6

The Moto G6 is a great phone for anyone on a budget. It’s got the premium look with Motorola opting for a glass back on this phone, but the phone price is affordable around $300. For that reason alone you might be more inclined to buy a heavy duty case to keep your phone safe from harm, but especially if your work requires you to use your phone in situations where you might drop your phone on concrete or other harsh surfaces. You can get a great case from Cimo for just $6, or spend a bit more on a reliable option like the Spigen Rugged Armor.

Always reliable

Spigen Rugged Armor Case

Spigen’s Rugged Armor case is my go-to case style for any new phone, so we’ll definitely recommend it here for the Moto G6. It’s got that carbon fiber finish at the top and bottom with a matte finish elsewhere, along with Spigen’s air cushion technology in the corners to help absorb impacts.

$11 at Amazon

Sleek and convenient

Encased Slimline Series w/ Belt Clip Holster

Encased offers a well-designed case for the Moto G6 that pairs heavy-duty protection with a streamlined design. There’s a metal kickstand in the back and the case comes with a belt clip holster so your phone is always accessible.

$14 at Amazon

360-degree protection

Poetic Revolution Full-Body Heavy Duty Case

This two-piece case combines rugged polycarbonate with shock-absorbing TPU to offer 360-degree protection including a built-in screen protector. The design includes dust flaps covering the ports to prevent dirt and pocket lint from getting into your phone, while the exterior of the case is covered in accents that help with grip and give it a unique look.

$17 at Amazon

Handy belt clip included

NageBee Heavy Duty Case w/ Belt Clip Holster

Often the added bulk of a heavy duty case makes it hard to carry the phone in your pocket, which is why you sometimes see rugged cases paired with a belt clip holster. This case combines a TPU inner sleeve with a rugged polycarbonate shell that features a pop-out kickstand for hands-free media viewing. Also available in black.

$10 at Retailer

Classic style

Cimo Carbon Armor Case

No need to spend a lot on a case, as Cimo has you covered with its $6 Carbon Armor case. This dual-layer case features a rugged outer shell combined with a silicone sleeve that features a carbon fiber finish along the top and bottom of the case. Available in three color styles

$6 at Amazon

Grippy design!

OEAGO Shockproof Defender Case

This $8 case from OEAGO is basically a triple-layer case that offers you excellent protection for your G6. It starts with a robust TPU sleeve, which is wrapped by a polycarbonate shell, which is then plated with another layer of TPU complete with a grippy texture to ensure your phone doesn’t slip off the table or out of your hand.

$8 at Amazon

Keep the glass on your Moto G6 protected with a heavy duty case. You can’t go wrong with any of these options, but if I had to trust my glass with one case, it would be the Spigen Rugged Armor case. It’s a one-piece case that’s easy to put on or take off and protects well while maintaining a sleek design.

Read more books with this discount on Scribd subscriptions

If you love to read but find it tough to make time for it these days, you might want to check out Scribd. This premium subscription service offers millions of ebooks and audiobooks and magazines that you can access across all your devices and through a web browser on your computer.

Save 21% on a 1-year subscription to Scribd! Learn More

A Scribd membership grants you unlimited access to the huge library of books and audiobooks, including the latest releases from the big five publishers and the latest issues of popular magazines. You’ll have access to all your favorite content across all your devices using the iOS or Google Play.

With Scribd, you’ll get to download and read or listen to the most popular releases or dive into classic titles that you may have never read before. A monthly subscription would typically cost you $9 a month, or $108 for a full year, but thanks to Android Central Digital Offers you’ll pay just $85 and save 21%! If you’d rather not pay that much, there’s a six-month subscription available, too, for just $45

Pay just $85 for a 1-year subscription to Scribd! Learn More

So what are you waiting for? This deal won’t last long, and there are hundreds of thousands of books waiting to be read!

Microsoft To-Do picks up ‘Planned’ smart list on Android

Keep a handle on your upcoming tasks with To-Do’s latest smart list.

Microsoft To-Do has been gradually rolling out its new “Planned” smart list feature across platforms, and Android is the latest on deck. The feature offers a quick overview of your tasks for the upcoming week, and it’s rolling out now with the latest update to To-Do for Android (via OnMSFT).

The “Planned” list sits alongside your “My Day” and “Important” tabs within the To-Do menu. Tapping into it will show you what tasks you have coming up for the next five days, along with some that are even further out.

This update also introduces multiple widget support, along with improvements to the dark theme. Here’s a look at the full release notes:

• The Planned smart list is now available on Android! Just open Planned for an overview of your scheduled tasks for today, tomorrow, the next 5 days and beyond.
• Dark theme is now more consistent across the app with support in search results and the widget!
• We’ve also added multiple widget support.

To check out all of what’s new, you can grab the latest update to Microsoft To-Do for Android on Google Play now.

See at Microsoft

Keep your gear safe with Belkin’s 12-outlet surge protector for $13

Worry no longer.

The Belkin 12-outlet advanced power strip surge protector is down to $13.20 at Amazon today. This surge protector regularly sells for $25 on average and has never dropped this low in price until today. Earlier this year it was selling for as much as $33.

Belkin’s power strip has a 4,000 Joule energy rating and can protect a home office or professional workstation. The unique design includes several outlets at right angles to others and spaced out so you can find space for everything, even the larger plugs.

If your gear is connected properly and gets hurt by a power surge, Belkin covers it with a $250,000 Connected Equipment Warranty along with the regular lifetime warranty for the device. Users give it 4.4 stars based on 435 reviews.

See at Amazon

Keep your PlayStation 4 Pro quiet with these tips

Best answer: Your PlayStation 4 Pro may get loud due to the fans needing to work harder to dissipate heat. Repositioning and cleaning your PS4 Pro with a can of compressed air is the first thing you should do when you notice it happening.

Amazon: Dust-Off Disposable Compressed Gas Guster ($14)

Keep your PS4 Pro clean and comfortable

The most common cause of noise in many consumer electronics is due to a spinning fan, and that’s no less true when talking about the PS4 Pro. Fans work to help move heat away from the PS4 Pro’s internal components, as overheating could lead to hardware failures.

As such, it’s important to keep your PS4 Pro as clean as you can. Be sure to give its external a good wipe down at regular intervals, and for the hard-to-reach areas — such as the cooling vents and inside the disc tray — you can use compressed air to ensure all its airways are unblocked.

Another measure you can take is to ensure your PS4 Pro has as much breathing room as possible. Try and position your console in such a way that there are a few inches of space on all sides. If the console is too close to a wall or door, the heat can blow back onto itself and make the console hotter, which causes the fans to spin up more.

What else can cause the PS4 Pro to get loud?

One less common cause of loudness in the PS4 Pro is the disc drive. This is typically only an issue during your initial game install, as the PS4 is designed to install all game data to your hard drive so as to limit the wear and tear on the disc drive. As such, you’ll most likely only hear noise from it when you’re in the process of installing a game.

There are times when the PS4 Pro’s disc drive will spin up after installation, namely when you first insert the disc and boot your game up. This is because the PS4 needs to read the disc to verify that the game you’re trying to play is actually inserted in the console. This should subside within a few minutes.

What if the noise doesn’t improve?

If the fans continue to roar after cleaning and moving your PS4, or if the disc drive is spinning outside of the scenarios discussed above, it may be a mechanical failure that requires further attention. We’d advise contacting Sony’s PlayStation division in that situation.

Sony can help you troubleshoot your PS4 Pro’s issues, and if they can’t then they can initiate a warranty or repair process to help get you situated.

It’s worth noting that a loud PS4 Pro doesn’t necessarily mean anything is gravely wrong with the console. It could very well work just fine. But if you want peace of mind or just can’t stand the noise, call Sony. You can get started with that right here.

Our pick

Dust-Off Disposable Compressed Gas Guster

$14 at Amazon

Blow air in, get dust out.

Compressed air is affordable, safe, and simple to use. And you get two in this convenient package.

The $120 Lutron Caseta smart lighting starter kit is easy to setup and use

Everything you need in one kit.

The Lutron Caseta wireless smart lighting dimmer switch starter kit is down to $119.90 on Amazon. This kit normally sells for around $160 and hasn’t dropped from that price since July. This is a match for the lowest we’ve ever seen, and it’s neither a price that happens often nor one that lasts very long.

The starter kit comes with two dimmer switches, two Pico remote controls, and the Lutron Caseta smart bridge. The bridge is the hub for all your Lutron devices. Once you’ve connected the switches to the hub, you can then add the hub to your smart home ecosystem (Amazon, Google, Apple), and control it with your voice.

The kit is easy to set up, and once you do you can use the remote controls to access the lights from inside the house or the free Lutron app to control them from anywhere. They can also be tuned to automatically adjust to the seasons or Daylight Savings Time, and the Smart Away feature helps make it look like someone is still home when you’re traveling. Each dimmer switch can control up to 17 bulbs. The kit has 4.5 stars based on 224 reviews.

See on Amazon

HTC Exodus blockchain phone available for pre-order — if you have crypto

You’ll need to pay for the phone using either Bitcoin or Ethereum.

A little over five months since the phone was first announced, HTC is now opening pre-orders for the Exodus — it’s mysterious new smartphone that’s powered by blockchain.

Per a press release that went out today, HTC describes the Exodus as follows:

The EXODUS 1 provides the premium performance and quality of design expected from HTC’s flagship device lineup and combines it with the blockchain technology and software necessary to create a smartphone experience fit for a modern user and the new internet age.

The back of the phone looks a lot like the HTC U12 from earlier in the year, featuring dual rear cameras, a fingerprint sensor, and a transparent back that showcases some of the phone’s internals.

Pre-orders are available through HTC’s Early Access Program, and if you want to pick up an Exodus for yourself, it’ll cost you either 0.15 BTC or 4.78 ETH. In the true spirit of the blockchain, you can only purchase the Exodus using either Bitcoin or Ethereum. In USD, that comes out to around $950.

Shipments are expected go out sometime in December.

See at HTC