MacRumors Giveaway: Win an Imvio Camera Lens Kit for iPhone 6 or 6 Plus
For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Imvio to offer five MacRumors readers a chance to win a Imvio Camera Lens Kit for the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.
The Camera Lens Kit includes a shock absorbent case for the iPhone, a 170 degree fisheye lens, a 90 degree wide-angle lens, and a storage case to hold the lenses when they’re not in use. With the Imvio case on an iPhone, lenses are quickly interchangeable thanks to a simple screw-on fit.
With a wide-angle lens, it’s possible to get improved landscape photos that capture more of your surroundings, while the fisheye lens is ideal for fun, stylized photos. Each lens is crafted from aircraft grade aluminum with an anti-reflective and durability coating to prevent lens glare and scratches.
Imvio’s Camera Lens Kit is available from the Imvio website for $89.99 and comes in four different colors. MacRumors readers can get a 40 percent discount using the code MACRUMORS.
Five readers will also get the chance to win an Imvio Lens Kit for the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus through our giveaway. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter your email address. Your email address will not be given to any third party and will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners.
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 of age or older are eligible to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveawayhttp://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsThe contest will run from today (August 21) at 1:00 pm Pacific time through 1:00 pm Pacific time on August 28. The winners will be chosen randomly on August 28 and will be contacted by email. The winners have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address. The prizes will be shipped to the winners for free.
Dr. Dre Addresses Abuse Accusations With Apology, Apple Releases Supporting Statement
With the recent release of the movie Straight Outta Compton detailing Dr. Dre’s hip-hop group N.W.A, unsavory moments from Dre’s past were unearthed as critics questioned why the movie didn’t cover his abuse towards women. During the 1990s, Dr. Dre was accused of assaulting several women, including his girlfriend at the time Michel’le and television host Dee Barnes.
In response to the allegations, Dr. Dre has given a statement to The New York Times apologizing for his actions and saying he deeply regrets what he did in his youth.
“Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.”
He added: “I apologize to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”
Dr. Dre has been employed at Apple for the past year, following the company’s acquisition of Beats Electronics and Beats Music, created by both Dre and Jimmy Iovine. Apple also gave a statement to The New York Times, supporting Dr. Dre.
“Dre has apologized for the mistakes he’s made in the past and he’s said that he’s not the same person that he was 25 years ago. We believe his sincerity and after working with him for a year and a half, we have every reason to believe that he has changed.”
At Apple, Dr. Dre is working on Apple Music alongside Jimmy Iovine. Though he has no specific title, Dre has been involved with Beats 1 radio, hosting his own weekly show called “The Pharmacy” and has released two albums exclusively on Apple Music, including “Compton: A Soundtrack,” the official soundtrack of the Straight Outta Compton movie, and “The Chronic,” originally released in 1992.
Note: Due to the controversial nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
Questionable Rumor Points Towards Upcoming ‘Smart Bands’ For Apple Watch
Apple is working on next-generation Apple Watch bands that will be equipped with new health sensors, according to a questionable report from Czech site Letem Svetem Applem [Google Translate]. Citing an unnamed source, the site says Apple is planning on creating smart bands that include sensors for detecting blood oxygen levels, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
The bands are said to be able to plug into the diagnostic port on the Apple Watch, making them compatible with the current-generation device. Letem Svetem Applem suggests that all of the health monitoring functions above could not be built into the Apple Watch itself, a supposition that may not be accurate.
When the diagnostic port was first discovered ahead of the Apple Watch’s release, TechCrunch speculated it could be used for smart band accessories with additional sensors or external batteries, but there has thus far been no solid indication that Apple is working on such technology at this point in time.
It continues to be unclear what exactly the diagnostic port is capable of, but based on Apple Watch setups in retail stores and information discovered by third-party band makers, it looks like it’s able to be used to charge the Apple Watch and relay data.
There are a number of reasons that Apple might be hesitant to embed multiple sensors in bands, including price concerns and durability issues. Apple would also need to consolidate bands or embed sensors into every band type, something that could be difficult with bands made of widely varied materials.
Letem Svetem Applem has accurately shared information gathered from resellers and other third-party sources in the past, but it does not have a known track record for sharing highly sensitive rumors that could only be sourced from a well-positioned insider within Apple. Because the site does not have a reliable track record, this rumor should be viewed with some skepticism for the time being.
Samsung Rumored to One-Up Apple’s ‘iPad Pro’ With 18.4-Inch Android Tablet
Samsung may be working on an “iPad Pro” style tablet of its own, with a new report from SamMobile suggesting the company is currently in development for the tablet, codenamed “Tahoe,” on an Android 5.1 Lollipop-based operating system and with an 18.4-inch screen. Samsung would target the tablet to enterprise and educational environments, with a lesser focus on day-to-day personal usage than the company’s current line-up of Galaxy tablets.
The kid-centered nabi Big Tab 20-inch tablet
The rumored tablet — with the model number SM-T670 — will feature a TFT LCD screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The Lollipop system will be powered by an octa-core 64-bit 1.6GHz Exynos 7580 processor, include 2GB RAM along with 32GB internal storage, with the option to expand thanks to a microSD card slot that supports up to 128GB cards. According to SamMobile, the tablet will also measure 451.8 mm wide by 275.8 mm tall and be 11.9 mm thick.
Apple is rumored to be developing its own larger-screened tablet, the so-called iPad Pro, which is believed to include a 12.9-inch screen. If Samsung’s 18.4-inch “Tahoe” device does become available, it’d be one of the biggest tablet on the market, with a screen that’s about 10-inches tall by 17-inches wide, far larger than most standard laptops.
Mercedes-Benz Maker Remains Open to ‘Different Types’ of Collaboration With Apple
Amid rumors that Apple is working on a top-secret automotive project ranging from its own electric car to a CarPlay-related technology platform for vehicles, Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler AG remains open to “different types” of cooperation with Apple, reports Reuters.
“Many things are conceivable,” Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said in an interview with quarterly magazine Deutsche Unternehmerboerse published on Friday.
Silicon Valley is becoming increasingly important for automakers as vehicles become more deeply integrated with the latest technologies such as CarPlay and Android Auto, and companies such as Apple and Google could play an even bigger role as self-driving vehicles hit the streets over the next five-plus years.
“Google and Apple want to provide system software for cars and bring this entire ecosystem around Apple and Google into the vehicle,” Zetsche said. “That can be interesting for both sides.”
Last September, Apple hired former Mercedes-Benz R&D President and CEO Johann Jungwirth, who has over a decade of experience working on connected cars, autonomous driving, testing and regulatory affairs and more. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked at Daimler between October 1997 and September 2014 and is now Director of Mac Systems Engineering at Apple.
Apple Car rumors gained momentum in February when The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple has hundreds of employees, including former Tesla, Ford and GM engineers, working on an electric vehicle at a top-secret research lab possibly located in the Sunnyvale area. The rumored project, known internally as “Project Titan,” could be under testing at GoMentum Station, a former naval base in the Bay Area.
Apple Seeds OS X El Capitan Recovery Update
Apple has seeded an OS X El Capitan Recovery Update for Mac that includes improvements to OS X Recovery. The software update is recommended for all users running a pre-release version of OS X El Capitan and can be installed through the Mac App Store.
OS X Recovery is a feature on Mac that includes tools to reinstall OS X, repair your disk and restore from a Time Machine backup. The update supplements the seventh OS X El Capitan developer beta and fifth public beta released on Wednesday.
OS X El Capitan will be released in late 2015 as a free upgrade through the Mac App Store.
(Thanks, Nicky!)
Samsung wants to poach iPhone users by offering the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
As is the case most years in the modern smartphone era, Samsung is locked in a battle with Apple for supremacy – one thing is for sure, neither is willing to give an inch. To this end, Samsung has started a campaign called the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive which specifically targets iPhone users. Samsung’s offer allows an iPhone user to pay a dollar to “test drive” a recent Samsung device for 30 days – it would appear that the brand new Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ are available to test, as well as the slightly older, smaller S6 Edge as well. A “test drive” kit will include the phone, a SIM card, and a guide on how to get the whole thing started – unfortunately, this is available in the US only.
If at the end of the 30 days the iPhone user wishes to buy the Samsung device they were testing, Samsung says “there’s even more love in store for you” – we’re not exactly sure what that means, but we’re willing to believe it’s good. Now if you’re wondering if you can get in on this to score a Samsung device for 30 days, the website that hosts the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive only accepts iPhones when clicking the “Start Test Drive” button – if you aren’t on an iPhone, you’ll be politely greeted by the following message: “Due to the design of the program, we request that you enroll from your iPhone device to receive your Test Drive phone”. Bugger.
What do you think about the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Samsung Promotions via engadget
The post Samsung wants to poach iPhone users by offering the Samsung Ultimate Test Drive appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung plans to drag Apple to the Supreme Court, as the patent war continues
The long running patent battle between Apple and Samsung looks to be escalating one step further, as the Korean technology giant has applied to have its latest appeal heard at the US Supreme Court, following a rejection at the US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year.
Samsung is looking to have the amount of damages that it has to pay out to Apple further reduced, or preferably completely thrown out. Originally, Samsung had been ordered to pay Apple $1.05 billion in damages after being found to have infringed on a number of Apple’s smartphone patents. This amount has already been reduced by a few hundred million, after Judge Lucy Koh agreed with Samsung that the jury had made some calculation errors.
Samsung has seen some further overall reductions in the total amount that it has to pay to Apple, after both sides have won numerous smaller cases and appeals. Samsung has around $548 million still left to pay from the first trial. The Korean tech company recently asked the US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals to bring in additional judges to relook at the case, but this was denied, leaving the Supreme Court is Samsung’s only remaining option
See also: Silicon Valley giants side with Samsung in a dispute with Apple
Following the most recent decision, a large number of technology companies came out in support of a rehearing for Samsung. While these squabbles may seem petty from the outside, the nature of Apple’s patents and the case could have far reaching implications for other innovative technology companies in the US and around the world. Silicon Valley giants, such as Facebook and Google, are likely to urge the court to re-examine the case, as they are worried about the suit setting precedents.
Samsung filed papers to have its case heard on Wednesday, but the court will have until the end of next June to decide if it wants to become involved in the dispute. Until then, Apple will just have to wait to see if it is entitled to any further monies.
Samsung offers iPhone owners a test drive of their flagship devices
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push();
Channeling T-Mobile’s popular Test Drive program, Samsung is coming out with one of their own. Under T-Mobile’s version you can request an iPhone to see if their network works for you but under Samsung’s new promotion iPhone users can rent one of Samsung’s flagship devices for a month with no obligation to buy. The cost is only a dollar for the month of use and you can select from the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge or Galaxy Note 5. It’s open to all 4 major carriers but some devices aren’t available yet. A colleague tried to sign up to get a Note 5, and presumably because it hasn’t been widely released, it’s not available under this new program yet.
This is another ploy to move Apple users into the Samsung category by the South Korean giant. The redesigned Galaxy S and Note lines have been widely criticized for leaving behind features that made them popular (removable battery, micro sd card slot) but the strategy has been clear so far. Build a better and higher end version of the iPhone for Android users who want Apple like quality without giving up the OS they love and tempt iPhone users to switch sides. With a glass back and 7000 series aluminum casing, it’s hard to argue that the newest releases from Samsung aren’t the most beautiful Android phones on the market.
If you’re interested in the promotion head over to SamsungPromotions.com from your iPhone to look around and sign up. If you try to sign up on anything but an iDevice it’ll kindly ask you to switch over to your iPhone. The program will run for 30 days and cost your $1 for the use of the phone. You’ll have a few days to return it with a return label provided by Samsung or you can keep the device and pay full price for it. Samsung promises “some love” for those who go on to buy a Samsung device after the test drive but what that is hasn’t been disclosed. In the fine print Samsung makes you agree to only renting one device at a time and once you rent that device, it cant be rented again so my dreams of paying $12 a year for flagship Samsung device are unfortunately dashed. You must provide a valid credit card to Samsung to sign up for the program and if you damage the device you’ll be charged $100.
What do you think about Samsung’s plan? Will it really be enough to cut into Apple’s sales?
Source: Samsung Ultimate Test Drive
The post Samsung offers iPhone owners a test drive of their flagship devices appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung’s next big thing is a free trial program for iPhone owners
You know Samsung isn’t afraid to taunt Apple with ads. But now, in the name of marketing, the South Korean company is introducing a program that aims to lure users away from the iPhone. With Ultimate Test Drive, Samsung’s giving owners of Apple’s smartphone the chance to try its new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, at no cost and for 30 days. Samsung says the devices will include a data plan and be compatible with any US carrier, though right now it’s unclear what customers are expected to use as collateral. “We want to give people the chance to try out Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphones firsthand without any obligation through our Ultimate Test Drive,” says Elizabeth Solomon, vice president of marketing at Samsung.
If you recall, T-Mobile offers a similar option for the iPhone 5s, letting customers try the device free of charge for a week. We’re trying to find out more details about how exactly Samsung’s Ultimate Test Drive works, so we’ll let you know as soon as that info comes in.
Update: You can learn all about the program right here.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung
Source:
Samsung
Tags: Apple, GalaxyNote5, galaxys6edge+, GalaxyS6EdgePlus, iPhone, mobilepostcross, Note5, s6edgeplus, Samsung, UltimateTestDrive
AIVAnet 