MacRumors Giveaway: Win a Rain Design mBar pro or mBar pro+ Portable Laptop Stand

With several of our recent giveaways focusing on Apple’s new iPhone models that are launching today in the US and several other countries, today’s giveaway goes back to the Mac. Rain Design is kindly offering its portable aluminum stands for the MacBook and MacBook Pro to ten lucky winners.

Rain Design is offering 5 of each of its mBar pro and mBar pro+ folding aluminum laptop stands. The mBar pro (see our review) raises a laptop by 3 inches and the mBar pro+ elevates one by 5.5 inches. Both are made of anodized aluminum and come in silver and space gray to match Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Pro models. Both also come with a carrying sleeve.

The mBar pro retails for $54.90 and the mBar pro+ retails for $64.90.

To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter your email address. Email addresses provided will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and ship the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This contest will run from today (September 21) at 12:00 pm Pacific time through 12:00 pm Pacific time on September 28. The winners will be chosen randomly on or around September 28 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address. The prizes will be shipped to the winners for free.

Tag: Rain Design
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Apple Stores Experiencing ‘Global’ Issue With iPhone and Apple Watch Reservation Pickups

We’re hearing from a number of readers over the past hour or so that Apple’s retail stores are having problems completing in-store reservation pickups for the new iPhone and Apple Watch models. Multiple customers have been told there is a “global” issue affecting Apple’s systems and we’re hearing there are some long lines building up as customers wait for the issues to be resolved.

Pickup line at Manhattan Village store in Manhattan Beach, California
Some customers have reportedly been told to cancel their existing reservations and make walk-in purchases from available stock, while others are simply being told to wait things out while staff members discuss how to handle the situation.

We’ll update this post if we hear more about the situation, but if you have an upcoming pickup window, you might want to be prepared for some delays.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5, iPhone XSBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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A hot dog cooker could pull CO2 out of the air to help reverse climate change

Chemists working at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have demonstrated a new, energy-efficient method of pulling carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air. It could potentially be used to help fight back against the effects of climate change, which is partly the result of increased atmospheric CO2 concentration due to human activity. What magical, cutting-edge technology did the researchers use for their tech demo? An off-the-shelf air humidifier and a solar-powered hot dog cooker.

“First, we employed environmentally friendly amino acid sorbents, together with a household air humidifier to quickly absorb CO2 out of the air and convert it into carbonate ions,” Radu Custelcean, the ORNL chemist who conceived of the technique, told Digital Trends. “Second, we reacted the loaded sorbent with a simple guanidine compound (read: guanidines are naturally found in proteins and strongly bind negatively charged ions like carbonate), which stripped the carbonate ions from the sorbent solution and converted them into highly insoluble crystals. Finally, the carbonate crystals were gently heated with the solar oven to release the CO2, so it can be sent out for long-term geologic storage, and regenerate the guanidine.”

Currently, this technique has only been demonstrated in the lab, but it poses immense possibilities in the event that it can be scaled up and optimized. It could help address the problem of climate change by reducing the atmospheric CO2 concentration spat out by humans — and do so in a more efficient way than other methods.

“Scaling up should be feasible,” Custelcean continued. “Of course, we would not use a hot dog cooker at a million ton of CO2 scale, but the same principle could be translated at a much larger scale using standard parabolic-trough solar concentrators. At the same time, for the CO2 absorption step, one could use larger air-liquid contactors, such as those used in cooling towers.”

The next step for the project is for the researchers to find an industrial partner to work with. As Custelcean noted, to make an impact on climate change, the scale of CO2 removal would have to be in the order of 100 million tons a year. This would mean multiple such plants removing billions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere every year in order to have a hope of stabilizing the climate.

A paper describing the research was recently published in the journal Nature Energy.

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Apple Stores Delay Some iPhone XS and XS Max Pickup Orders Due to ‘Last Minute Logistical Issues’

Apple has emailed some customers who had an iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max scheduled for in-store pickup at an Apple Store today. The email says their orders “will not be ready for pickup” during their specified check-in time due to “last minute logistical issues,” according to several MacRumors readers.

As a fluid situation, it’s unclear how many customers are affected, how long orders may be delayed, or what the logistical issues are. We reached out to Apple for clarification, but didn’t receive any new information to share.

It’s certainly possible Apple may have enough in-store stock remaining later in the day to fulfill some or all of the delayed pickup orders.

@MacRumors 8am Pickup delayed. 😭 Why @Apple ? pic.twitter.com/EB82B1QsXA

— Mateo Lanz (@matgod) September 21, 2018

There is some evidence to support last-minute logistical issues. Yesterday, some customers saw their order status updated to “Shipment to Hold” on Apple.com, while UPS indicated that some orders originally scheduled for Friday, September 21 delivery would be postponed until Monday, September 24.

For the most part, however, it seems iPhone deliveries are on schedule. MacRumors was informed that “Shipment to Hold” statuses were erroneous, while many UPS order delivery estimates have returned to Friday, September 21.

Still, it’s possible that some percentage of iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max shipments from China have not arrived to Apple Stores in time for today’s launch, but our guess is as good as anyone’s at this point. Apple apologizes in its email and says it is “working quickly to resolve the issue.”

Apple says it will alert customers via email as soon as their orders are ready for pickup:

Important update to your Apple pickup order

Thank you for your recent order with the Apple Store. We know you’re excited to pick up your new product.

Unfortunately, due to some last minute logistical issues, your order will not be ready for pickup during your check-in time.

As soon as your order is ready for pickup, we’ll let you know via email.

We apologize for the delay in getting your new product into your hands. We’re working quickly to resolve the issue.

Apple

Apple Stores and authorized resellers may still have the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 available to purchase in limited quantities for walk-in customers today, as an alternative solution. Online pre-orders can be returned to any Apple Store within 14 days of delivery.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
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Deals: Save on Certified Refurbished Apple Watch Series 3, 2017 MacBooks, Anker Chargers, and More

Best Buy’s one-day sale today is discounting a collection of Apple Watch Series 3 models (GPS + Cellular) that have been officially refurbished by Geek Squad. Prices for the aluminum models are as low as $299.25 in 38mm and $321.75 in 42mm, both hitting around $100 below the original prices of the smartwatches. You can check out the sale today by visiting Best Buy’s Daily Deals page.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Best Buy is also discounting a few configurations of Apple’s MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro from Mid 2017 in another sale. The newest 2018 MacBook Pro models are included in this sale, but for those models you’ll find better prices at Adorama, which has the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (2.3 GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for $1,599.00, down from $1,799.00 and the 15-inch MacBook pro with Touch Bar (2.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) for $2,099.00, down from $2,399.00

You can find a few of the MacBooks on sale at Best Buy below, and visit the company’s website for the full list. As a note, most of the prices for the 2017 models are being matched at B&H Photo.

• 13-inch MacBook Air, 1.8 GHz, 8GB RAM, 128GB HD – $899.99, down from $999.99 (matched at B&H)

• 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.3 GHz, 8GB RAM, 128GB HD – $1,199.99, down from $1,299.99 (matched at B&H)

• 13-inch MacBook Pro, 2.3 GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB HD – $1,399.99, down from $1,499.99 (matched at B&H)

• 12-inch Macbook, 1.3 GHz, 8GB RAM, 512GB HD – $1,499.99, down from $1,599.99 (matched at B&H)

Anker has a special Gold Box deal on Amazon today only, including up to 40 percent off wall chargers, car chargers, power banks, and more. There are also a few Anker discount codes that will be expiring over the weekend, which we’ve listed below:

• PowerPort Wireless 5 Pad – $14.39 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $15.99 (exp. 9/22)

• PowerPort Wireless 5 Stand – $15.74 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $17.49 (exp. 9/22)

• PowerPort Wireless 10 – $19.79 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $21.99 (exp. 9/22)

• 7.5W Fast Wireless Charger with QC Adapter – $41.39 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $45.99 (exp. 9/22)

• 7.5W Fast Wireless Charging Stand with QC Adapter – $44.99 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $49.99 (exp. 9/22)

• PowerPort Wireless 5 Pad and Stand – $35.99 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $39.99 (exp. 9/22)

• 5W Wireless Charger Charging Pad – $8.99 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $9.99 (exp. 9/22)

• 7.5W Fast Wireless Charging Stand – $26.99 with code 10WIRELESS, down from $29.99 (exp. 9/22)

• Zolo Liberty Total-Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds – $79.99 with code ZOLOPRO7, down from $98.95 (exp. 9/22)

Lastly, accessory company Choetech has a charging discount today, for a fast wireless stand charger that works with Apple’s iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, XS, XS Max, and upcoming XR. If you’re interested, head over to Amazon, add the charger to your cart, and enter the code MACHO524 at checkout to get the accessory for $9.99, down from $17.99.

More of the latest sales can be found in our Deals Roundup, including 10 percent off any order you place with Pad & Quill.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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JackRabbot 2 is Stanford’s friendly new campus-roaming social robot

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Boasting a human-friendly appearance, with a two-fingered arm, squat body, and large cartoonish eyes, you could be forgiven for thinking that JackRabbot 2 is a character from some as-yet-unannounced sequel to Pixar’s WALL-E. In fact, it’s a real robot created by researchers at Stanford University — which was first shown off at an on-campus event this week.

The goal of the JackRabbot 2 project (known as “JR2” by its creators) is to build a robot that’s not just capable of navigating around the sprawling Stanford campus, but to build one that is also able to do so while surrounded by people. After all, if the future is going to see us live and work among robots (or vice versa), it’s important to figure out the rules of social engagement as soon as possible.

“JR2 focuses on being in human environments with humans,” Professor Silvio Savarese, associate professor of computer science, who leads the JackRabbot project, and Roberto Martín-Martín, postdoctoral scholar of Computer Science, told Digital Trends. “Previous technologies have focused on moving a robot from A to B. We focus on moving JR2 from A to B in a way that obeys human social conventions and etiquette. The robot respects personal space, groups of humans talking, and pays extra attention — even reducing the velocity if needed — when it is necessary to pass close to a person.”

As its name implies, JR2 is the second robot in the JackRabbot series. This one adds considerably more hardware to the mix, however — including two state-of-the-art GPUs, better sensors with 360-degree lidar, depth cameras on its head, microphones, and an arm. “JR2 can convey intentions to humans using its arm,” the researchers said. “But it can also interact with the environment, open doors and drawers, grab us a coffee, and bring it to us.”

It is also designed with more human interactivity in mind: for instance, communicating via arm gestures, smiling or frowning, and using lights, sounds, and a simplified voice.

In short, it sounds like the robot butler of our dreams, although the team notes that it is not quite consumer-ready yet. On a scale of 1 to 10, from fundamental research to consumer product, they rate JR2 as a 7.

“For example, in terms of mobility and social navigation, we are a bit higher, probably at 8,” they said. “When it comes to interacting physically with the environment with the arm we are a bit behind, probably at a 6. Interaction is difficult. We are working on these last two to three points to make mobile robots to be ready to deliver your products, guide you in airports, or assist you at home.”

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New iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max ‘Experience’ Website Puts ‘.Apple’ Top-Level Domain to Use

Apple has launched a new iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max “experience” micro-site that puts its “.apple” top-level domain to use, as discovered on Reddit.

As noted by 9to5Mac’s Benjamin Mayo, the address of the micro-site is simply experience.apple/iPhone, with Apple using its .apple top-level domain instead of .com. Apple acquired ownership of .apple in 2015, according to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, but has rarely used it.

The micro-site itself is basic, with 3D renders of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max that rotate as you tilt your actual iPhone. The page also allows customers to compare top-level features, screen sizes, and Space Gray, Gold, and Silver finishes. “Learn more” links lead back to Apple.com when tapped.

Apple is promoting the micro-site as part of its marketing campaign for the iPhone XS and iPhone XS across social media. To check it out, tap on this link from Safari or Chrome on a mobile device.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
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iFixit: iPhone XS and XS Max Have ‘Notched’ Batteries, XS Max Has Apple-Designed Power Management Chip

The repair experts at iFixit have shared teardowns of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, providing a look inside the latest models.

iPhone XS on left and iPhone XS Max on right via iFixit
While the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have improved IP68-rated water resistance, iFixit says it could not find any obvious evidence of increased waterproofing, with the SIM tray gasket and other seals looking more or less the same. Dutch repair website FixjeiPhone had found the iPhone XS was a bit harder to open.

After removing the displays, iFixit uncovered a few differences with the iPhone XS Max compared to the iPhone XS, including a resized Taptic Engine and an extended logic board, with one of the display connectors moved to the bottom. It appears the iPhone XS Max also has a slightly louder earpiece for phone calls.

The teardown corroborates that the iPhone XS has a new single-cell L-shaped battery, while the iPhone XS Max battery remains two cells. As uncovered in Chinese regulatory filings, the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have battery capacities of 2,658 mAh at 3.81V and 3,174 mAh at 3.80V respectively.

iPhone XS Max on left and iPhone XS on right via iFixit
Since the L-shaped batteries have six sides, rather than four like a rectangle, iFixit says Apple has “notched” the internal corners of the batteries in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max to prevent undue stress from thermal expansion.

“This dramatic shift opens up a lot of design possibilities, but the large notch is responsible for the decrease in capacity relative to the X,” its teardown email says. “Only time will tell how this new cell performs with age.”

Moving on to the logic board, there is a new Apple-branded power management chip in the iPhone XS Max. Reports had suggested Apple would start using its own power management chip in at least a portion of its 2018 iPhones, as it gradually reduces its dependance on Dialog Semiconductor.

Apple-designed power management chip labeled in green via iFixit
The teardown does not indicate whether the gigabit-class LTE modems in the latest iPhones are supplied by Intel and/or Qualcomm.

iFixit confirms the wide-angle sensor size has been increased by 32 percent in the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Pixel size has also been bumped, providing better low-light performance and contributing to the new “Smart HDR” feature.

iFixit gives the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max an overall repairability score of 6/10, with 10 being a perfect score. The repair experts say display and battery repairs remain a priority in the iPhone’s design, but the all-glass design means the entire chassis must be replaced if the back glass cracks.

Related Roundup: iPhone XSTags: iFixit, teardown
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Apple and Tim Cook Celebrate iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4 Launch Day

As customers around the world begin getting their hands on the brand new iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch Series 4, Apple and CEO Tim Cook today shared images from the September 21 launch.

Cook started the morning by tweeting four images of customers in Apple’s retail stores interacting with the Apple Watch Series 4 and iPhone XS, saying that he’s thrilled for users to finally be able to try out the devices on their own.

Thrilled to get these new Apple products into the hands (and onto the wrists) of so many customers around the world. Can’t wait to hear what you think! pic.twitter.com/GHpaDFgqeO

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 21, 2018

Apple Stores globally open at 8:00 a.m. local time to allow customers to pick up their reserved devices and make walk-in purchases, and Apple posted pictures of customers at Apple Stores in Singapore, Japan, and Sydney.

Apple Orchard Road, Singapore
The images shared by Apple depict a line of hundreds of people waiting outside Apple Orchard Road in Singapore, and a few show customers inside once the store opened, with their new iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 devices in hand.

Apple Orchard Road, Singapore
Apple Kyoto in Japan was busy as well, with many customers seen trying on the Apple Watch Series 4 in numerous styles.

Apple Kyoto, Japan
In Sydney, Australia, Apple shared a glimpse into the pre-launch preparations performed by employees in the store ahead of customers’ arrival.

Apple Sydney
As usual, customers in New Zealand and Australia were the first to receive their iPhone XS, XS Max, and Apple Watch pre-orders due to the time zone differences. As the day moves on, United States users waiting outside Apple Stores will be able to begin purchasing the new devices at 8:00 a.m. local time, and deliveries will occur throughout the day.

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Huawei’s not-so-subtly trolling the iPhone launch today

September 21 is iPhone XS day, but it’s not only Apple that’s out pushing its products into the hands of eager smartphone buyers. Huawei, the world’s second-largest smartphone manufacturer, has a new phone coming in the next few weeks and wants to remind prospective iPhone buyers what they could be missing out on. (Hint: It’s the Mate 20 Pro) It’s doing so in a not-so-subtle, but rather amusing, way.

On its official U.K. mobile Twitter account, the company posted a picture of a large, Huawei-branded van parked outside the Apple Store on Regent Street in London Friday morning. It’s called the “Huawei Ju%ce Van,” and it’s a mobile phone recharging station, and a place for anyone passing the Apple Store to grab a “brain-boosting drink.” The Twitter post finishes with the words, “A #HigherIntelligence is coming,” which is a reference to the Mate 20 Pro’s launch on October 16.

If that wasn’t enough, in Singapore Huawei spent the night before the iPhone XS launch handing out smartphone power banks — approximately 200 of them, according to a local source — to those patiently waiting in the Orchard Road Apple Store queue. The 10,000mAh pack included a friendly note from Huawei too, saying, “Here’s a power bank. You’ll need it. Courtesy of Huawei.”

Mothership.sg

Huawei hasn’t been hiding its disdain for Apple’s new iPhone models since they launched. Through the Huawei Mobile Twitter account, the firm has posted several short videos, insinuating Apple’s new phones are the same as the old ones, and thanking Apple for letting Huawei be “the real hero of the year.” In July, Huawei overtook Apple to become the second-largest smartphone seller in the world, and clearly feels it has earned the right to send a few well-aimed jabs in Apple’s direction.

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro will launch at an event in London on October 16. It will be powered by the new Kirin 980 processor, and it’s in relation to this that Apple got one over on Huawei. The Kirin 980 will become the second mobile chip manufactured using a 7nm process to be made available. Apple’s new A12 Bionic, inside the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, will be the first, despite being announced after Huawei’s chip. These things always go both ways.

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