iPhone 6S might sport animated wallpapers like Apple Watch
Yet another feature that’s been on Android for years might be finally making its way to the iPhone: animated wallpapers! Specifically, Apple is reportedly planning to bring over the elegant “Motion” Apple Watch faces to the iPhone 6S, according to 9to5Mac. So far, those Apple Watch screens include things like swimming jellyfish, blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies that pop up when you check the time. For the iPhone 6S, sources say Apple is working on animated screens featuring koi fish swimming around a pond and moving smoke. The big difference between Apple’s approach and what we’ve seen on Android so far: It sounds like it’s focusing on just animating lock screens. That should add for a cool effect when you wake up your phone, but without eating up battery life like a moving wallpaper on your home screen.
While the sources say Apple might end up nixing the feature before the iPhone 6S launch, a purported iPhone 6S box also prominently showed a koi fish. So there’s a good chance it’s actually going to happen. If Apple does go down the animated wallpaper route, though, it’ll be interesting to see if it tries to justify keeping the feature only on the iPhone 6S. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, after all, should be powerful enough for this.
Additionally, 9to5Mac reports that the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will feature upgraded cameras, shifting from 8-megapixel sensors to 12 megapixels, plus flash on the front-facing camera. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus will also be the first iPhones to offer 4K video recording, the site says.
Source:
9to5Mac
Tags: apple, iPhone6S, wallpapers
Apple’s iPhone 6S and 6S Plus event takes off on September 9th
It’s that time of year again. Apple’s next iPhone event will take place on September 9th at 10AM PT, live at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. This is expected to be the unveiling of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, which are reported to have animated wallpapers, 4K video capabilities, upgraded 12-megapixel cameras and front-facing flash, among other new features. We may even see something about force-touch iPhones. The event invite is light on details, as usual, but features the tease, “Hey Siri, give us a hint.” So, of course, we asked Siri and have posted its responses below.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Handhelds, Peripherals, Apple
Tags: apple, iphone6s, iPhone6SPlus
‘iPhone 6s’ to Feature Apple Watch-Like Motion Wallpapers
A new feature of the upcoming “iPhone 6s” and “iPhone 6s Plus” will be a collection of improved animated wallpapers for the smartphones’ lock screen, according to a few sources speaking with 9to5Mac. The designs of the wallpapers will be similar to the “Motion” watch faces seen on the Apple Watch, with the suggested hint that each animation will dynamically change and animate every time the user wakes their phone to interact with it.
The new themes will range from fish in a koi pond to different color smoke clouds, the latter of which are suggested as becoming animated versions of the static backgrounds that got added in an iOS 9 beta update earlier in the month. The same sources do warn the feature could have been dropped at the last second, but a questionable leaked photo of a purported iPhone 6s Plus box — which does in fact showcase a koi pond-like fish image — could point to the feature’s inclusion in the new line of iPhones.
Apple introduced dynamic wallpapers in iOS 7, but the options were limited, with one theme stretching over seven different color choices. Today’s report suggests the company could be going into as deep and obsessive detail of capturing unique and interesting lock screen images as it did for the Apple Watch. Including a few in-depth photos and videos shared with us, news and rumors surrounding the next-generation of iPhone have begun pointing towards a September 9 media reveal for the devices, with a launch a week-and-a-half later on September 18.
Confirmed: Apple Retiring ‘One to One’ to Focus on Free Workshops
MacRumors recently learned that Apple’s One to One training program for Mac, iPhone and iPad may be coming to an end soon, and we can now confirm that Apple Stores are holding meetings with retail employees about phasing out the membership-based service, which has been available under its current name since May 2007. One to One members should be informed about the changes in the near future.
Apple is retiring One to One to focus on free public workshops such as Mac Basics, Personalize Your Mac, iPhone and iPad Basics, iCloud Basics and iPhone Photography. Group Training and Open Training will be discontinued immediately, while Personal Training will remain available for customers that recently purchased One to One until their membership expires, according to sources.
One to One costs $99 per year and provides customers that purchase a Mac with individualized tutoring sessions from Apple retail employees related to Getting Started With Your Mac, Getting Started With Your iPhone, Getting Started With Your iPad, iCloud, Mail Contacts & Calendars, iPhoto, GarageBand, iMovie, iTunes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, Motion and Logic Pro.
First Poster for Upcoming ‘Steve Jobs’ Film Debuts
With just over a month to go until the October 9 release of Danny Boyle’s “Steve Jobs” bio-pic, Universal yesterday released the first official poster for the movie. A simplistic one-sheet, the poster showcases a profile of Michael Fassbender’s Steve Jobs along with a brief list of the leading cast including Kate Winslet, Jeff Daniels, and Seth Rogen.
Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin bring you STEVE JOBS with Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet, Seth Rogen, & Jeff Daniels. pic.twitter.com/YPwkpBghPi
— Steve Jobs (@SteveJobsFilm) August 26, 2015
http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Over the summer, Universal began the movie’s advertising campaign after a year front-loaded with image leaks from the set and massive casting calls. The first official trailer was released in early July, and the movie was even chosen as the Centerpiece film to play at the New York Film Festival beginning in late September.
‘Workflow’ for iOS Gains Today Widget, Syncing Feature
Popular automation app Workflow is being updated today with two highly useful, much-desired features: a Notification Center widget and a new syncing feature that lets workflows be synced across several devices.
For those of you who are not familiar with Workflow, it’s an automation tool that lets users create a variety of workflows to accomplish tasks like creating GIFs from a series of photos, pulling images from a web page, translating an article, calculating a tip, and more. Users can create their own workflows or download them from the Workflow gallery and other third-party sites.
With the new Workflow Notification Center widget, workflows can be activated directly from the Today view, making it much quicker to access simple workflows that are frequently used. Not all workflows are suitable for use in the Notification Center depending on what they do, but there are dozens of pre-configured options that work well, and custom workflows are always available.
A few pre-made examples include workflows that provide directions to places like a nearby coffeeshop or home, automatically place calls, calculate tips, pull up images from websites, or play music. Some of the workflows will open the Workflow app when tapped, but others work directly within the Notification Center.
Along with a Notification Center widget, today’s Workflow update introduces Workflow Sync, a service that allows Workflow users to backup their workflows and sync them between multiple devices, such as an iPad and an iPhone. Prior to the release of the syncing feature, Workflow needed to be set up separately on each iOS device.
There are also several new actions included in the update that can be used to create new types of workflows. New options include Share with Transmit, Log Workout, Log Health Sample, Find Health Samples, Get Details of Health Samples, Get Current IP Address, Get Network Details, Continue Workflow in App, Calculate Statistics, Show in BlindSquare, and Get My Workflows.
Other actions, like Edit Image, Make PDF, Tweet, and Take Photo have been improved. Edit Image can now output high-resolution images, making PDFs is more reliable, there’s support for tweeting videos, and taking a photo no longer requires tapping the shutter. In all, 12 actions have been updated, with a full list available on the Workflow website.
Workflow is a universal app that can be downloaded from the App Store for $4.99. [Direct Link]
IDC Estimates Apple Watch Sales Totaled 3.6 Million in Second Quarter
The latest data from market research firm IDC estimates Apple Watch sales totaled 3.6 million worldwide in the second quarter of 2015, making it the second most popular wearable device during the three-month period ending June 30. Apple was within striking distance of market leader Fitbit, which sold an estimated 4.4 million fitness trackers in the second quarter.
IDC estimates that Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi trailed in third place with 3.1 million wearables shipped in the quarter, representing 17.1% market share. Garmin and Samsung rounded off the top with 700,000 (3.9%) and 600,000 (3.3%) wearables shipped respectively, while all other vendors accounted for a combined 5.7 million shipments and 31.5% market share.
Last month, Strategy Analytics estimated 4 million Apple Watch sales in the second quarter, so IDC’s estimate is within close range. Apple has not disclosed Apple Watch sales numbers since it launched in April, instead grouping the wrist-worn device with iPod, Apple TV and Beats Electronics accessories under an “Other Products” category in quarterly earnings reports.
Apple CEO Tim Cook vaguely mentioned that Apple Watch sales have “exceeded expectations” during an earnings call last month.
‘iPhone 6s’ Display Panel With Mystery Chip Is Slightly Heavier and Thicker Than iPhone 6 Version
Following our look at a partially functioning “iPhone 6s” built from parts earlier this week, we’re now getting some more details on the iPhone 6s display assembly itself. While the part has been seen in a few leaks over the past several weeks, a source has now provided us with some new information and high-quality photos of the part.
Display assemblies from iPhone 6 (left) and iPhone 6s (right)
Numerous rumors have pointed toward the iPhone 6s including support for Force Touch, which will allow the device to sense how hard the user is pressing on the screen and present different interface options or functionality based on the amount of pressure. We’ve yet to see confirmation that such functionality is present in these display assemblies that have been circulating, but there are some tantalizing differences from the corresponding iPhone 6 part.
Top portion of iPhone 6s display assembly with unknown chip
The first is a small rectangular chip visible on the rear of the display. It has been seen in all leaked parts seen so far, and its function remains unconfirmed, but our source suspects it is indeed related to Force Touch. The chip is visible due to a cutout in the metal shielding behind the display.
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‘Lara Croft GO’ Launches Today on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone
The anticipated mobile game “Lara Croft GO” launches today on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone devices. Announced by Square Enix during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June, the game takes the themes and characters of the Tomb Raider games and merges them with a more stylized look and turn-based controls of the “GO” series, which the company is calling a “celebration of our iconic franchises.”
The second game in the “GO” series of games created by Square Enix’s Montréal studio, Lara Croft GO follows in the footsteps of Hitman GO with a simplified approach to player movement that brings a board game-like feel to each player and enemy move.
Hitman GO saw players attempt to puzzle out the order in which to eliminate or avoid various guards to complete a level, or what the studio refers to as distilling the series down to the “Essence of Assassination.” Now, Lara Croft GO presents users with the same move and counter-move structure of the previous game, but with a new Tomb Raider setting, new enemies, and over 75 puzzles to solve in the whole game, with a shifting focus on the “Essence of Adventure.”
Lara Croft GO is a turn based puzzle-adventure set in a long-forgotten world. Explore the ruins of an ancient civilization, discover well-kept secrets and face deadly challenges as you uncover the myth of the Queen of Venom.
• Experience lush visuals and a captivating soundtrack
• Navigate using simple swipe-to-move controls
• Fight menacing enemies, overcome dangerous obstacles and escape deadly traps
• Solve more than 75 puzzles split into 5 chapters
• Collect ancient relics and unlock new outfits for LaraFollowing the award-winning Hitman GO, Square Enix Montréal brings yet another beloved franchise to mobile with this unique take on the iconic heroine’s adventures.
Lara Croft GO [Direct Link] is available for download on the App Store for $4.99. Notably, in apparent tandem with the new game’s launch, Hitman GO [Direct Link] is discounted currently at $0.99.
Obi Worldphone SF1 and SJ1.5 launched by former Apple CEO – super unique and affordable
Any sub-$200 smartphone worth its salt must come from a Chinese company, right? Former Apple CEO John Sculley is trying to change that perspective by co-founding Obi, a Silicon Valley-based company that has just announced a couple devices that will definitely turn heads and keep wallets healthy. These new handsets are the Obi Worldphone SF1 and SJ1.5.
The phones, which seem to be named after Bay Area cities San Francisco and San Jose, are outstanding. Not only because they are priced at $199 and $129, relatively, but also because they happen to look very unique. I happen to think they are gorgeous, but that is a very subjective matter. At the very least we can all agree that the design is definitely different.
And while Obi is definitely being generous on the price, the company is not skimping out on hardware. The Obi Worldphone SF1 comes with a 5-inch 1080p display, Android 5.0.2, a 1.5 GHz octa-coreQualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, an Adreno 405 GPU, 2-3 GB of RAM, 16-32 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, a 13 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front shooter, dual SIM capabilities and a generous 3000 mAh battery. For $200, that sounds like a steal!
Now, what can we expect from the even cheaper Obi Worldphone SJ1.5? The $129 device is not too shabby, either! It has a 5-inch 720p display, Android 5.1 Lollipop, a 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6580 processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, an 8 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front-facing shooter, dual SIM capabilities and also a 3000 mAh battery.
If you are not impressed by those prices and specs coming from a US-based company, I don’t what anyone can do to grab your attention. Thinking of buying it? Here is where things get a bit tricky, at least for us USA residents. Though the company is American, there is no mention of a USA release! It’s obvious these phones are meant for emerging markets, and those are the areas Obi seems to be focusing on.
Both smartphones have an initial launch set in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Pakistan, Turkey and India. I mean, the phones are named after California cities; we have to get some love, right? We will have to wait and see. For now, just keep it tuned to this company. I can see it going big pretty soon!
Would you buy one of these?
AIVAnet 