Ben Heck’s Hack to the Future: Apple Watch Teardown
Ben’s future self delivers an Apple Watch for Ben to unbox and tear down this week in the “Hack to the Future” episode of The Ben Heck Show! Using a spudger and tweezers, Ben dissects the watch’s tiny screws and pieces to learn how they all work together to perform its different capabilities and discovers which parts take up the most real estate in the device. Watch the episode to see if Ben can save the future and visit the element14 community to view all episodes of The Ben Heck Show and interact with fellow viewers and engineers!
OS X El Capitan 10.11.1 Public Release Coming Soon With Fixes for Office 2016, Mail, and More
The upcoming OS X 10.11.1 El Capitan release, which is expected to be released in the very near future, will include a compatibility update for Microsoft Office 2016 to fix ongoing crashing issues, MacRumors has learned. Since OS X El Capitan was released in late September, some Office 2016 users have found the software to be nearly unusable due to frequent crashes or an inability to open the Office apps at all.
Microsoft informed customers it was aware of the problem nearly two weeks ago and said it was “actively working with Apple” on a fix, hinting the problem was on Apple’s end and wasn’t something Microsoft could fix alone.
Microsoft did update Office 2016 earlier this week, adding new features and security enhancements, but admitted it did not fix any El Capitan bugs in an accompanying support document. At that time, Microsoft said it was working with Apple to “ensure resolution with the next update of OS X 10.11 El Capitan.”
Apple’s most recent OS X 10.11.1 beta for developers and public beta testers was released Wednesday afternoon, with Apple asking developers to focus on Mail and Office 2016. The upcoming OS X 10.11.1 release will also fix several issues with Mail regarding missing server information and a bug that prevents the display of messages and mailboxes within the app. The update also includes dozens of new emoji from Unicode 7 and 8, including taco, burrito, cheese wedge, unicorn head, middle finger, popcorn, and more.
Office 2011 users were also experiencing issues with crashing and with a non-functional Outlook app, but Microsoft was able to fix those bugs with an Office 2011 update that was released on October 7.
Google Removes ‘OK Google’ Search Activation in Latest Chrome Update
Earlier this week, Google released Chrome 46 with a long list of bug fixes and feature improvements to improve memory and power usage, but unmentioned was the removal of “OK Google” voice-based search activation.
As noted by VentureBeat, it’s no longer possible to use the “OK Google” phrase to trigger a voice search, which has been a feature built into the Chrome browser since May of 2014. “OK Google” was removed from the Chrome browser on Windows, Mac, and Linux, but is still available on Chrome for mobile devices and Chromebooks.
Image via VentureBeat
Google removed the feature because it wasn’t heavily used, and its deletion should help save power and speed up browsing as the Chrome browser will no longer need to continually listen for voice commands.
“OK Google” search activation is just one of the lesser-used features that Google removed this week. Also being nixed is the notification center, which Google says “few users” visited on a regular basis. It will be removed with the next iteration of Chrome.
Apple TV 4 and iPad Pro Pre-Orders Begin at Select Authorized Resellers in Europe
Just weeks before the Apple TV 4 is expected to be released worldwide, select Apple Authorized Resellers in Europe have begun accepting pre-orders for the new set-top box. The Apple TV 4 is officially slated to launch in late October, but the majority of orders are unlikely to be fulfilled until November.
Electronics retailer Elgiganten, equivalent to Best Buy in the Nordic Region, is accepting Apple TV 4 pre-orders in Denmark and Norway with expected delivery in November. The 32GB and 64GB models are listed for 1,399 and 1,849 Danish kroner and 1,749 and 2,299 Norwegian kroner respectively.
German electronics retailer Cyberport has also listed the Apple TV 4 and iPad Pro for pre-order on its website. The authorized reseller lists the 32GB and 64GB Apple TV 4 for €179 and €239 respectively, which could be indicative of broader European pricing, although prices in other countries will likely vary depending on local taxes.
iPad Pro prices range from €899 to €1,229, compared to between $799 and $1,079 in the United States.
Cyberport advertises that the Apple TV 4 will be available from November 5, and lists the iPad Pro as not yet available. Apple has not provided a specific release date for either product beyond late October for the Apple TV 4 and November for the iPad Pro.
(Thanks, Rasmus and Maxime!)
iPhone 6s Launches in India and 6 Other Countries, Coming to Thailand October 30
After a large second launch wave earlier in October, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus today have expanded to seven new countries: India, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Montenegro, and South Africa. The launch follows the announcement of Apple’s partnership with India-based retail chain Croma, which will see the tech company test out a few store-within-a-store locations in the country starting in November. Until the Apple Shops open, customers can purchase a new iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus at any Apple Authorized Reseller or local carrier in India and other launch countries.
Thanks to all our customers in India who queued at midnight for the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus! pic.twitter.com/MxSkRk2BmP
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 16, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsTurkey was originally slated to see the iPhone 6s launch today as well, but Apple delayed the release by a week due to the recent terrorist bombings in the country. After today’s release, the next iPhone launch wave falls on October 23 in the following countries: Belarus, Guam, Moldova, Serbia, South Korea, Ukraine, and Turkey. Those in Thailand will be able to pre-order their devices on October 23, but the new smartphones won’t officially launch there until October 30.
iFixit Tears Down Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2
iFixit has published detailed teardowns of the new Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and Magic Trackpad 2, providing a closer look at the internal design and several matching components inside the trio of accessories.
The teardown experts first pried through the Magic Keyboard’s adhesive to uncover its logic board, rechargeable 793 mAh lithium-ion battery, Lightning connector cable and honeycomb-shaped spacer layer. iFixit also removed the keycaps to reveal Apple’s new scissor mechanism.
The Magic Keyboard logic board contains a Broadcom Bluetooth transceiver, ST Microelectronics microcontroller, NXP charging IC and Texas Instruments battery charger:
The new Magic Keyboard earned a low repairability score of 3 out of 10, with ten being the easiest to repair, due to the excessive use of strong adhesive and difficulty of opening the keyboard without damaging internal components.
iFixit then removed the adhesive feet on the Magic Mouse 2 and separated the lower casing from the mouse, revealing the mouse’s midframe. Popping four plastic clips led to a 1,986 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
The Magic Mouse 2 also has a capacitative touch-sensing array, tiny switch for clicking and a logic board with similar chips as the Magic Keyboard:
iFixit also tore down the Magic Trackpad 2, prying through its adhesive to reveal its Taptic Engine for Force Touch, 2,024 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Lightning connector cable, touchpad, strain gauges and logic board with six chips:
Magic Trackpad 2 also received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10.
iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pass FCC, Smart Keyboard Limited to U.S. Layout at Launch
Apple received final approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on October 15 for the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil ahead of their November launch. FCC regulatory documents show that Apple filed applications for both LTE and Wi-Fi models of the upcoming 12.9-inch tablet, as noted by G4Games.
There are still at least two weeks remaining until the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil are released, but FCC approval is typically one of the final requirements leading up to a new product launch. The new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, for example, received FCC approval in August leading up to their release this week.
On a related note, Apple also recently added fine print on its German website that indicates the Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro will only be available with a U.S. English layout at launch, as spotted by iFun.de. The accessory is not to be confused with the new Magic Keyboard, which will be available in over a dozen languages.
iPad Pro will come in Silver, Space Gray and Gold, starting at $799 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model. A 128GB Wi-Fi only model will also be available for $949, and a Wi-Fi + LTE 128GB model will retail for $1,079. Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard will retail for $99 and $169 respectively as standalone accessories.
iPad Pro and Apple Pencil Pass FCC, Smart Keyboard Limited to U.S. Layout at Launch
Apple received final approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on October 15 for the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil ahead of their November launch. FCC regulatory documents show that Apple filed applications for both LTE and Wi-Fi models of the upcoming 12.9-inch tablet, as noted by G4Games.
There are still at least two weeks remaining until the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil are released, but FCC approval is typically one of the final requirements leading up to a new product launch. The new Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse 2, for example, received FCC approval in August leading up to their release this week.
On a related note, Apple also recently added fine print on its German website that indicates the Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro will only be available with a U.S. English layout at launch, as spotted by iFun.de. The accessory is not to be confused with the new Magic Keyboard, which will be available in over a dozen languages.
iPad Pro will come in Silver, Space Gray and Gold, starting at $799 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model. A 128GB Wi-Fi only model will also be available for $949, and a Wi-Fi + LTE 128GB model will retail for $1,079. Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard will retail for $99 and $169 respectively as standalone accessories.
Apple Shares New iPhone 6s Ad Focused on 3D Touch
Apple today released a new iPhone 6s advertisement focusing on the 3D Touch feature of the device. In the 30 second spot, several 3D Touch gestures are shown off in apps like Safari and Messages, while a voiceover explains how Peek and Pop work in an approachable, humorous way.
The video covers using Peek gestures to check flight tracking from a flight number, previewing a post in Instagram, checking a map for a restaurant in the Messages app, previewing a link in the Mail app, previewing songs in the Music app, and more.
This is iPhone 6s. Not much has changed, except it feels different. Now you press lightly to peek and deeper to pop. It changes how easily you can peek a flight, check a post, search for dinner – ooh, you guys are going to love that place. You can find a getaway easier – Yeah, go there. And find music easier – wait, are you listening to your own song? So pretty much everything you do feels different and that’s what’s changed.
The video ends with the tagline Apple’s been using for the iPhone 6s: “The only thing that’s changed is everything.”
Aside from videos that debuted on the day the iPhone 6s was released, the new 3D Touch video is the first iPhone 6s ad spot that Apple has introduced so far. In addition to being uploaded to YouTube, the video has also been added to Apple’s website alongside the two other iPhone 6s videos that are available.
Apple updates iWork productivity apps for OS X, iOS and the web
Now that OS X El Capitan and iOS 9 are available to everyone, Apple’s updating its iWork productivity suite to take advantage of certain new features. The refreshed Keynote, Numbers and Pages apps come with support for 3D Touch and Force Touch, as well as Slide Over, Split View and Picture-in-Picture modes. But keep in mind some of these will only work if you have compatible hardware, including the iPhone 6s or 6s Plus and the ultra-thin MacBook — either way, you’ll need to have the latest versions of iOS and OS X installed. In addition to this, you can also preview shared Keynote, Numbers and Pages documents on iOS and Android browsers, while iWork ’08 and ’06 users get the ability to start opening and editing files. Lastly, Apple says iWork for iCloud is officially out of beta and there are “many new features” on the service, such as support for 10 extra languages and a way to comment on docs.
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