Apple knows that the new iPhones will sell out
Apple has traditionally opened iPhone pre-orders on a Friday and then reported on how many people laid down cash the following Monday. The company issues a press release saying that it’s seen unprecedented demand and that the latest device is the biggest selling iPhone ever. But that trend won’t continue into 2016 because, guys, it’s the iPhone, and it’s gonna sell out, no matter what.
The company told CNBC that it now knows, before taking a single order, that the iPhones 7 and 7 Plus will sell out. As such, revealing how many people pre-order the devices is “no longer a representative metric” for investors. Instead, the number of device sales will now be discussed only during the firm’s quarterly earnings releases.
In one way, this makes perfect sense, since the pre-order window is no longer the only time in which people buy new iPhones. As people are on contracts of varying lengths, the picture is no longer limited to the folks who’ve lined up to get a new device on the first day. After all, people are holding on to their devices for longer than the average two-year cycle, so there are people coming off the iPhone 5 who might choose to upgrade between now and the holidays.
JUST IN: Apple says it will not be releasing iPhone pre-order numbers as it traditionally has in the past. pic.twitter.com/kGXfPcUkKB
— CNBC Now (@CNBCnow) September 8, 2016
In addition, Apple can avoid any negative headlines and commentary should the quantity of pre-orders not reach the stellar heights of previous years. For instance, the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus sold around 10 million devices in its opening weekend, a blockbuster 48-hours for any company. But if the 7 and 7 Plus sold that many, it’d spur a legion of “Apple Sales Flatten” and “Apple is Doomed”-style headlines.
Source: CNBC (Twitter)
Sony’s petite Xperia X Compact hits the UK
Right about now has to be the worst possible time for a new smartphone to launch, what with Apple announcing a pair of new iPhones and all. Nevertheless, Sony’s Xperia X Compact is now available in the UK, just over a week after it debuted at this year’s IFA tech show alongside the new flagship Xperia XZ. As is typically the case with Sony smartphones, not all carriers and resellers are sold on the device. However, the 4.6-inch handset is available for free or for a nominal upfront payment on sub-£30 per month contracts at O2, EE, giffgaff, Carphone Warehouse and Mobiles.co.uk.
Amazon, Unlocked Mobiles and Clove don’t seem to be receiving stock until later this month; but, if it’s an unlocked Xperia X Compact you’re after, look no further than Carphone Warehouse, which will sell you one right now for £360 (almost £20 cheaper than anywhere else).
Apart from Apple’s return to the 4-inch form factor with the iPhone SE, Sony remains one of the only companies making decent smaller-screened devices. They aren’t severely downgraded models taking advantage of flagship branding either, though unlike last year’s Xperia Z5 Compact, the Xperia X this new, smaller model is based on was a mid-range device to begin with.
Still, you’re looking at a hexa-core Snapdragon 650 chip, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage tucked away behind that 4.6-inch, 720p display. You also get the same 23-megapixel camera with laser autofocus that Sony has equipped the flagship Xperia XZ with. In short, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re into smaller screens.
Periscope makes it harder to creep on your friends’ broadcasts
Periscope has rolled out a tiny update that alerts streamers when people they follow join their broadcast, taking all the fun out of secretly creeping on your friends’ digital lives. When streaming, the names and icons of people you follow will pop up on the left side of the video as soon as they start watching.
The company today tweeted a GIF of the new feature in action, though the update isn’t detailed in a blog post. Sometimes, all you really need is 140 characters (plus an emoji and a moving picture).
See who’s watching live! Now you can see when people you follow join your broadcast 👋 pic.twitter.com/Qf0zhbwYNt
— Periscope (@periscopeco) September 8, 2016
Source: @periscopeco
ICYMI: Finger speakers and sumo-bots and mini-silk screens
Today on In Case You Missed It: The SIGNL strap Kickstarter campaign wants to put a private phone speaker at the tip of your finger. Plus, Japan combines its two favorite past times — the graceful art of sumo and autonomous robots — into a kickass, white-knuckle sport.
And what is this, a silk screen for ants? Nope it’s a itty-bitty, teeny-weeny machine for printing fashionable designs on doll clothes. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.
Cricket Wireless matches Google with new $30 data plan
While the major American wireless providers have been changing up their price plans and generally shaking things up, low-cost carriers have been taking note. Cricket Wireless is joining the game by introducing a new data plan that gives you unlimited talk, text and 1GB of 4G data before dropping your speeds to 128 kbps.
The new plan will be available starting Sept 9, and goes head to head with Google’s Project Fi, which also offers an unlimited talk/text plan with 1GB. But Google’s service actually has a lot more features that make it even more valuable for the price, such as prioritizing WiFi connections to reduce data consumption and free data coverage in more than 120 countries.
The tech giant will also pay you back for unused bytes out of your monthly allowance so you only pay for what you use. For penny pinchers, this could mean plenty of savings. Those who prize network performance may also prefer Fi, which rides on T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular signals, while Cricket taps on AT&T’s network.
Cricket’s option, however, is available on far more phones that Fi is. While Google limits you to three Nexus phones for now, Cricket offers about two dozen handsets. Those who don’t want to be tied to a Nexus but still want to save money may really enjoy Cricket’s new plan.
Amazon’s new Fire HD 8 is its first tablet with Alexa
It’s September, and that means it’s time for fresh Amazon tablet hardware… only this year, software is the real star of the show. The internet retailer has introduced a new version of the Fire HD 8 that represents its first tablet (or really, mobile device) with Alexa voice control. You can use Amazon’s familiar assistant to play media, launch apps, deliver news and otherwise save you a load of screen taps. The feature will reach both the previous HD 8 and the HD 10 through an update in the “coming months,” so don’t feel pressure to toss out your old device if you’re only looking for Alexa support.
That’s not to downplay the hardware itself. The tweaked HD 8 is a considerably better value between 50 percent more RAM (1.5GB), double the built-in expandable storage (16GB with a 32GB option) and a longer 12-hour battery life. You’ll still have to put up with a modest 1,280 x 800 display and a so-so 1.3GHz quad-core processor. However, you might not mind those when you see the price. Amazon will sell the new tablet from September 21st starting at $90/£90, with pre-orders opening up today. That’s much less than the $150 outgoing model, and inexpensive enough that it might tempt you to skip the entry-level Fire.
Source: Amazon
Australian airlines ban use of Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7
Australian airlines Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have told passengers not to power up or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on its planes. “We are requesting that passengers who own them do not switch on or charge them in flight,” Qantas told Reuters in a statement. The companies weren’t ordered to do so by aviation authorities in the nation, but did so on their own accord in light of Samsung Australia’s recall.
The ban may get a lot wider, as the FAA is reportedly considering its options. A spokesman told Gizmodo by email that “if the device is recalled by the manufacturer, airline crew and passengers will not be able to bring recalled batteries or electronics that contain recalled batteries in the cabin of an aircraft, or in carry-on and checked baggage.”
@latikambourke Qantas made announcement on flight today…no charging Samsung Note 7 on plane
— Dean Cabena (@dcabena77) September 6, 2016
Samsung has, of course, already recalled the device, but it didn’t do it the usual way. Instead of arranging it officially through the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), it’s doing the recall itself. Consumer Reports specifically called out Samsung for that move, and the CPSC is considering making it more official, according to Recode.
With the recall and the fact that Galaxy Note 7 sales were stopped just two weeks after it shipped, the ban won’t affect too many folks. However, there are still reportedly between 1 million and 2.5 million devices in the wild, and many people may wait to do the exchange.
It’s nice that airlines have blocked the phones use of their own accord, given the obvious potential for catastrophe. However, Samsung has obviously created a lot of confusion by going around official channels, so it may be time for authorities in the US and elsewhere to step in.
Source: Reuters, SMH
What happened at the iPhone event
If you’re still reeling from the loss of the headphone jack and need to catch up with all of today’s Apple news, Engadget’s own Michael Gorman breaks down the new iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2 introduced at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium this morning.
Click here to catch all the latest news from Apple’s “See You” event.
$35 Pokémon Go Plus accessory will go on sale September 16th
Pokémon Go players will have their choice of accessories soon, since the $35 Pokémon Go Plus accessory will be available September 16th “in most countries.” Earlier today the game’s makers reported over 500 million downloads and announced a way to play using the Apple Watch. Now, Niantic says this $35 device will make playing possible “without having to look at your screen all the time.” It links to your phone with Bluetooth Low Energy, letting players collect items from nearby Pokéstops or catch Pokémon with the press of a button.
It’s almost here! Pokémon GO Plus will be available in much of the world on Sept. 16: https://t.co/ZekOacenkl pic.twitter.com/vzeVQH6Ekt
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) September 8, 2016
The companion device was announced nearly a year ago along with the game, however it has been delayed in order to make it work better with the game. The big question is if adding on a $35 device that makes catching monsters (apparently) as easy as just pressing a button when it lights up will ruin the game for both casual and hardcore players. Despite those massive install numbers, the number of active players has clearly dropped since the hype peaked this summer. Now, we wait and see if adding dedicated hardware to the mix will keep players invested or drive them away just as weather in the US gets colder and gyms are harder to get to.
The Niantic Team:
As you pass by a PokéStop, Pokémon GO Plus will vibrate and light up and alert you to the location. You’ll even be able to collect new items just by clicking the Pokémon GO Plus. If there’s nearby Pokémon hiding in your area you’ll be alerted with lights and vibrations; catch the Pokémon with a button on Pokémon GO Plus and then continue on your way (later, you can check your Journal to see which Pokémon you’ve just caught).
Source: Pokémon Go Live, PokémonGo.com
DirecTV now streams many more channels on your phone
AT&T is pushing hard to get you streaming DirecTV on your smartphone. An update to the DirecTV iOS and Android apps mean you can now stream many more of the TV channels you can get at home. In The Verge’s testing, the only big exceptions were most local channels and a handful of sports channels like the NFL Network. Oh, and you now have an easy way to watch recorded shows — you can either download them to watch offline or stream them directly from your DVR.
The move isn’t completely surprising. DirecTV is gearing up to launch dedicated streaming services that won’t require a satellite subscription, and a large chunk of the provider’s existing selection will be available on mobile. It only makes sense to offer a similar mix to customers who do subscribe to satellite TV.
The update doesn’t come without some concerns. AT&T is also promising that DirecTV mobile streaming won’t count toward your data cap if you’re one of its wireless subscribers. While that’s good news if you like catching up on TV during your commute it’s also bound to raise eyebrows among net neutrality advocates. They’re concerned that exemptions like this may violate net neutrality by effectively punishing customers who prefer competing services.
AT&T tells us that it’s “not treating our services differently” than other data and is merely “saying thanks to customers” who use both services (you can read its full statement below). Other companies can do the same through the Sponsored Data program, the carrier says. However, there’s no denying it — this still means that you’ll have to limit your viewing for the majority of services that don’t participate in the program, like Hulu or Netflix, and won’t face that restriction with DirecTV.
“We are not treating our services differently from any other data. This feature is simply our way of saying thanks to customers that purchase both video and mobility services from AT&T. Other content providers can do the same thing through our sponsored data program.”
Via: The Verge (1), (2)
Source: App Store, AT&T
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