Apple Restricts iPhone 7 Reservations to Upgrade Program Members

Apple recently updated the confirmation email it sends to customers who reserve an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus to clarify that in-store reservations are now limited to iPhone Upgrade Program members in the United States.

Apple allows upgraders to reserve an iPhone through its iPhone Upgrade Program reservation system for pick up in store, but many customers were able to bypass the program and pay in full or with carrier financing instead upon arriving at their local Apple retail store.

Old wording:

Can I change to a different form of payment for the iPhone Upgrade Program?
Yes. You can also upgrade your iPhone to carrier financing or purchase it at full price. Ask a Specialist for more information.

New wording:

Can I change from the iPhone Upgrade Program to a different form of payment?
Yes. You must be currently enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program, so that you can upgrade your iPhone to carrier financing, or purchase at full price. Ask a Specialist for more information.

MacRumors reader DSTOFEL was one of many customers previously able to reserve an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus online and pay for it outright at an Apple Store without enrolling in the iPhone Upgrade Program:

I did this last Sunday and it went off without a hitch! I used the iPhone Upgrade Program reservation link to reserve my iPhone 7 at my local Apple Store. I was not a member of the iPhone Upgrade Program at the time and had no plan to join it. I showed up at the store, they had my phone and I just told them I wanted to purchase at full price. Not a problem!

But since the change in wording, it appears that Apple has already turned away some non-upgraders attempting to purchase an iPhone through the Upgrade Program reservation system without signing up for the program.

MacRumors reader vsp attempted to purchase an iPhone 7 for full price last night, for example, but an Apple retail employee allegedly would not let him:

I just tried this earlier today and wasn’t able to purchase one I reserved with a different carrier. According to the clerk, they received notice yesterday that some of the iPhones were reserved for people enrolled in the Upgrade Program and they couldn’t sell to me outright.

While many other MacRumors and Reddit users have faced the same situation since yesterday or so, some customers have still managed to reserve an iPhone and pay in full or with carrier financing. For that reason, your mileage may vary, and non-upgraders are recommended to call their local Apple retail store and request to speak with a manager before placing a reservation.

For its part, Apple’s reservation page has always noted that a 24-month installment loan through Citizens Bank, which finances the iPhone Upgrade Program, is required — this change just cements it. In other countries where the iPhone Upgrade Program does not exist, such as Canada, all customers are able to use Reserve and Pick Up regardless of their payment method of choice.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Reserve and Pickup, iPhone Upgrade Program, Apple retail
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Apple Music Chief Eddy Cue Receives $60 Million Stock Award

Apple senior vice president Eddy Cue, who oversees services like the iTunes Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Siri, iCloud, and Apple Maps, received nearly $60 million in company stock earlier this week, as scheduled, according to Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed electronically this week.

Specifically, Cue received 525,000 restricted stock units that vested on September 21 as scheduled, worth $59.6 million based on AAPL’s closing price of $113.55 on Wednesday. The shares represented the final 75% of 700,000 restricted stock units awarded to Cue in November 2011. The first 25% vested on September 21, 2014.

Cue was originally awarded 100,000 RSUs, but the compensation package became 700,000 RSUs when AAPL split 7-for-1 in June 2014.

256,305 shares were withheld by Apple to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements on vesting of RSUs. Cue gifted the remaining 268,695 shares that vested, worth approximately $20.2 million, to a family trust as he did when 350,000 of his RSUs, worth $36.1 million at the time, vested in August 2015.

Cue joined Apple in 1989 and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services by Apple CEO Tim Cook in September 2011.

Tags: Eddy Cue, RSUs
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Apple to Offer ‘Spoken Editions’ of Written News on iTunes

Apple is planning on turning news stories and articles from popular news sites into audio podcasts called “Spoken Editions,” reports TechCrunch. Spoken Editions will be short broadcasts that transform content from publishers into spoken word instead of written word, making it possible for customers to listen to their favorite news sites.

An early leak on iTunes suggests Apple has already teamed up with several publishers, including Wired, TIME, and Forbes, offering dedicated “Spoken Edition” sections on company iTunes pages.

Wired, for example, will launch Spoken Editions for “Business,” “Science,” and its homepage. TIME has will offer a Spoken Edition called “The Brief.” Forbes, .Mic, Bustle, Playboy, OZY, and – yep – TechCrunch (which I discovered while browsing our iTunes page, of all things), will have Spoken Editions, it seems, as all popped up for a time on iTunes.

The links to all the publishers’ Spoken Editions have since been pulled, after our discovery and outreach.

Some digging by TechCrunch suggests many of the publishers’ Spoken Edition podcasts were created by SpokenLayer, a company that creates streaming audio and podcasts for media brands using text. SpokenLayer already works with a host of publishers like Forbes, Huffington Post, TIME, Reuters, and more, with audio recordings distributed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and other sources.

Spoken Editions will include audio ads, with revenue shared between the publisher and SpokenLayer, and the company makes an effort to make sure each brand sounds unique. “We make sure Wired sounds like Wired and any other publication sounds like those publications,” SpokenLayer CEO Will Mayo told TechCrunch.

Spoken Editions are set to launch soon, rolling out in early October.

Tags: iTunes, Spoken Editions
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Android Central 307: A burning need for Allo

In episode 307, Andrew, Jerry, and Daniel chat about Allo, Google’s smart, AI-powered messaging app. After so much hype, does it live up to our lofty expectations, and does Google capitalize on its ambitious bot strategy?

Plus, replacement Note 7s are here, and with it the “safe” green battery icon. But will it make a difference to Samsung’s battered reputation?

And the new Xperia X Compact is one of the best small phones on the market, but what’s with its $499 price? Come on, Sony.

Finally, Jerry walks us through the things to look for when buying a pair of Bluetooth headphones, which are getting a lot of press since the release of the iPhone 7.

Thanks to this week’s sponsor:

• Harrys: Use promo code AC to save $5 off your first purchase — start shaving smarter.

Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral307.mp3

Unlock your Chromebook using your Android phone with Smart Lock

While the idea that Android is the key to the future is debatable, it can easily be a key to your Chromebook.

Here is a cool Chromebook feature some of us didn’t know about: you can use the Smart Lock feature on your Android phone to enable Smart Lock on your Chromebook! Once set up, as long as your phone is in Bluetooth range, instead of needing to use your password to unlock your Chromebook you can click an icon to sign in via your phone’s credentials. The feature has been around for a while, but it’s really improved and even looks nice in a Google Material way.

A few caveats apply: your phone has to be fully booted, and both the phone and the Chromebook have to be connected to the internet so they can communicate through your Google account. If those two conditions are met, it works reliably and makes things more convenient. Of course, Smart Lock isn’t the most secure way to lock your Chromebook (or your phone) but offering something that’s fairly secure and easy to use is the best way to get folks to lock their devices.

Let’s see how to set it up.

• Make sure your Chromebook and your Android phone are turned on, signed into the same Google account, unlocked, connected to the internet, and that Bluetooth is enabled on both devices. If you haven’t set up Smart Lock for your Android phone, you’ll need to do that first. Any of the methods will work. (Also, make sure only one Chromebook and one phone are turned on in Bluetooth range of each.)
• Open your Chromebook’s settings and scroll down to the bottom. Click Show advanced settings. Scroll down about halfway and find Smart Lock for Chromebook, and click the Set up button.
• Your Chromebook will scan for available Bluetooth devices, and when it finds your Android phone you’ll see it listed with a button to use it. Go ahead and click it.
• On your phone, you’ll see a notification that it was found. Open the notification (nothing will appear) to allow the Chromebook and phone to pair with each other over Bluetooth. Then move back to the Chromebook as suggested.
• A few seconds later you’ll see that everything is setup and you’re ready to give it a try. Click the button to check it out, and your Chromebook is locked and you can click or tap anywhere on your account picture or click the lock icon to sign in.

Instantly, you’ll get an email to your Google account address that lets you know your account has a new device using the Smart Lock feature. If you use a recovery address (and you really should) that address will also get an email. This email tells you which account was used, and which two devices are set up to pass Smart Lock credentials to each other. There’s also a link there if you didn’t do this yourself and something fishy is afoot.

We’ll use device security when it’s this easy. That’s a win all around.

Smart Lock works with multiple Google accounts, too. As long as all the accounts are signed in on the same phone, your Chromebook can sign in using Smart Lock. For managed accounts (like Google Apps or Google Education accounts) the administrator might have to enable it, depending on the policies in effect.

The same inherent security issues with Smart Lock for your phone apply here. This isn’t nearly as safe as signing in manually each time you unlock your Chromebook’s screen. And if someone swipes your phone and your Chromebook, they have one more avenue to try and break into your account. If you ever lose your phone or your Chromebook, you should change your Google account password right away. While not bulletproof on the security front, Smart Lock is miles better than not locking your Chromebook at all. Since it’s this easy to set up and use, people like us will do it. That’s a win for security.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums

Netflix review: The leading light in home entertainment

Netflix needs no introduction. The company quickly gained momentum in the US with its DVD rental service that evolved into video streaming on demand, before spreading its wings to the UK in 2012.

So impressive has the rise of Netflix been, that it’s become a generic term, even a meme. For those who have Netflix, it’s one of the central aspects of daily entertainment. For anyone on the outside, it’s probably about deciding whether to commit, or how long you can resist. 

Let us walk you through the ins and outs of being a Netflix subscriber. 

Netflix review: Access everywhere

Netflix is the de facto feature of many connected devices. More than any other entertainment company, Netflix has pushed to get its service on every device and that’s part of its success over other services that offer streaming video on demand.

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Pick up a new set-top box and Netflix will often be emblazoned across its accompanying remote control as a quick-access portal into the app. Those devices that don’t offer Netflix from day one, such as Sky Q, are quickly pulled up on it.

For those in the UK, Netflix not being available on Sky Q is perhaps the biggest omission of that service, but there’s a good chance that your smart TV has it, your Blu-ray player might have it, your games console will have it, as will your PC, Apple TV, Roku, Android and iOS tablets and phones.

Ultimately, it’s hard to not have access to Netflix in the UK, which is one of the most appealing things about the service.

Netflix is also fully compatible with Chromecast – so even if you’re living in box-free bliss, you can connect Google’s HDMI dongle to your TV and watch on the big screen, controlling it from your phone, for very little hardware expense.

• Which is the best movie streaming service in the UK? Netflix vs Amazon Prime vs Now TV and more

Netflix review: The apps are smartly connected

One the other appealing things about Netflix is the consistency of the apps across all these different platforms. The visual presentation of Netflix is similar across them all so you pretty much know where you are at all times. 

Because you’re working within your own Netflix account – which can be split into different profiles for different members of the family – and one that syncs in the background, you’ll always find yourself presented with the last programmes you were watching, paused where you left off. That means pausing in one place and resuming elsewhere, like stopping watching on the big TV and resuming watching on a tablet in bed.

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It also means that if your partner or kids opens up Netflix, they can select their own profile, without having to skip around the content you were watching. 

Netflix also allows you sign into as many apps as you like, although you can only watch in as many places as you have a subscription for. There are three tiers: one screen (£5.99/month), two screens (£7.49/month), or four screens (£8.99/month).

All tiers offer the same content, but there’s a key difference on what you get for your money at the top level. The close proximity of levels two and three are a big hint at where Netflix wants to push people. 

Netflix 4K and HDR: The future, now

The big difference between those top Netflix subscriptions is 4K (ultra-HD resolution) and HDR (high dynamic range) content. This is where Netflix has perhaps made a much bigger impact on the market than you might initially perceive. 

Let’s rewind a little. When TV manufacturers started pushing “Full HD” or “1080p” televisions, there was very little content for them. There was no streaming, it was optical discs or broadcast television and only Blu-ray provided the content at that standard. TV manufacturers pushed Full HD as better, encouraging you to buy a new TV to be ready for the future. 

In 2015 and 2016 this position has been reversed, because companies like Netflix and Amazon have been pushing 4K and HDR content – in many cases before those TVs have found their way into homes. In this sense, Netflix hasn’t been meeting a content demand, it’s been pushing the adoption of higher-spec televisions by making sure that content is already there.

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The only catch is that you have to pay more for it, by opting for the top-tier £8.99 subscription, but just look at the prices and you’ll the difference is only £1.50/month.

Netflix wants you to watch this 4K ultra-high definition content, without price being a barrier. The same can’t quite be said of the emerging Ultra HD Blu-ray market.

• Best Ultra HD Blu-ray players: Spinning 4K discs

The 4K content that Netflix offers is really the crown jewels of the service. Most new Amazon Original content is appearing in 4K HDR, too, meaning those high-performance skills of that new TV you just bought can be set to task (assuming it has the 4K Netflix app; typically it will, but there are some exceptions to this – ones that ought to be corrected by software update in the future).

The detail from 4K is a noticeable bump over the Full HD offering, the only downside being that things can be a little grainy because there’s just so much resolution on display, which highlights the limitations of capture sometimes. 

Netflix’s move to adopt and offer HDR again repeats this position. More than sheer resolution, HDR has the advantage of widening the contrast and the colours for greater visual effect. Again, it gives you the opportunity to use your TV to maximum potential, where Blu-ray and broadcast currently doesn’t go. 

Netflix is also good at telling you what quality a programme is available in. Although this doesn’t apply to phones or tablets, when you open a programme on your TV, Netflix will report the quality it’s available in – Ultra HD 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision – for you to view. This is a great guide to know what to expect.

• What is HDR, what TVs support HDR, and what HDR content can I watch?

Netflix streaming: Variable bitrates and network demands

The downside of streaming 4K content is that there’s a lot of data needed to bring those wonderful visuals. Although this is compressed compared to the content you’ll find on a typical Blu-ray disc, there’s still a lot of data to move. Netflix says that an Ultra HD title uses about 7GB an hour – so you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a service provider (ISP) that can deliver the necessary services in your area.

Netflix uses a variable bitrate solution which changes the quality of what you’re watching based on a number of connection factors. Wrapped up in this method is the ability to start instantly watching with very little buffering. In the olden days, you’d have to wait for enough video to cache before you started watching. The modern approach, however, is to start in low quality and ramp it up once the stream is established.

Netflix’s system is reliable and works well. We’ve been using the service for a number of years and, generally speaking, it works better than rival systems from Amazon, Now TV or BBC iPlayer. You’ll notice that the opening scene of a movie or TV series is a bit blocky, before “clicking” into full sharpness at the maximum resolution moments later. Many TVs will give you information on what quality is playing via a press of the info button on the remote.

The experience, of course, is defined by your home setup: a wired connection is more stable than Wi-Fi, for example, although we’ve streamed 4K HDR content over Wi-Fi without issue. The further your TV is from your router, the greater the need for a wired connection to ensure you’re getting the best out of it.

Of course, you’ll also need the bandwidth to support it from your internet package, as well as the data allowance. Some ISPs are now offering Netflix as a bundle, with associated data allowance to accommodate its use without affecting your other daily use.

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You can govern the data use through your Netflix account. In the playback settings you can opt for low, medium or high video quality, and this is a universal setting that applies across your account. You can, however, also limit the streaming quality on mobile apps to ensure you don’t blow your mobile data limit. You can also opt to only watch on Wi-Fi only on the mobile Netflix app.

One of the biggest downsides to Netflix is that there’s no option to download content to take with you. This is now something that’s offered from the likes of BBC iPlayer, Amazon and Sky’s services, but Netflix is looking at streaming only as its solution. The disadvantage is that you can’t pre-load a phone or tablet with content when you’re flying, for example.

There’s potentially a legitimate reason for this: Netflix produces shows but doesn’t always maintain rights to their distribution via other mediums; House of Cards, for example, is released by Sony on physical DVD/Blu-ray – which also includes UltraViolet download capability which, we assume, would be a clash of contractual interests. Not that it helps the average Netflix consumer, though.

Netflix review: Content is king

As good as the Netflix service itself is, it’s content that’s king.

It’s here that you really have to make a decision. In the past, Netflix was about a collection of movies to watch. They were typically older – the sort of thing you’d sit back and watch, with only a handful of premium new releases.

The content makeup of Netflix has evolved greatly over the years, with the service now focusing on offering much more by the way of TV series (or “box sets” if you want to go by that term). One of the big hits of the past was offering Breaking Bad in its entirety (and in 4K), as it makes more sense to subscribe to Netflix than it does to run out and buy a physical boxset.

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There’s also a lot of content from known producers that find its way into Netflix: Luther and Peaky Blinders, for example, broadcast on British TV before moving into Netflix. Although these help give the service depth, rather than drawing you in to see something you can’t get elsewhere.

Aside from moving to offer more TV, the greatest move has been exclusive Netflix Originals programming. House of Cards, arguably, was the big hitter that really brought this home, along with Emmy Awards, but the focus on Netflix Originals has seen Netflix become essential viewing, and arguably, these are the best titles on offer.

Things don’t stay in Netflix forever though, it isn’t an ever-expanding catalogue of titles. Not only is it worth keeping your eyes on new additions, it’s also worth seeing what’s leaving Netflix, to make sure you don’t miss that movie you’ve so far not found time for.

Netflix also has a relative weakness when it comes to blockbuster movies. Although you still have a wide selection of films, Netflix has no method for getting access to the very latest titles, unlike Amazon, which will let you rent the latest movie for a fee through the same service as you might subscribe too. Although Netflix is clearer – you pay your money, you watch what you find – Amazon notable offers access to more on a pay-per-view system.

And let’s not forget, Amazon has its own original programming too, which isn’t available on Netflix: The Man In High Castle, Transparent, Mozart in the Jungle and many more. Which might mean you’ll not only want that £8.99/month Netflix subscription (if you’re all about 4K), but Amazon Prime Instant Video for an additional £5.99/month too.

Verdict

The question of whether you should subscribe to Netflix offers an easy answer: it’s unquestionably a yes.

Netflix has made itself an entertainment essential, providing access from all quarters, along with easy navigation and great features like multiple accounts and syncing – so it’s easy to pause and resume no matter the device you’re using – as well as series autoplay for ultimate binge watching comfort.

Chromecast support, as well as Dial support (an alternative casting platform offered by Netflix), means it’s very easy to get Netflix on your TV, with a huge outlay on another box to offer it.

The best Netflix offering is through those 4K-capable apps, on the Xbox One S, YouView 4K box or through native smart TV apps (where applicable). This is where Netflix really cements itself: it provides you with rich ultra-high definition 4K content in glorious HDR, meaning you can really get the best from your TV.

Netflix is synonymous with entertainment in 2016. If you don’t Netflix and chill, you’re missing out.

Google might launch a new ‘Google Wi-Fi’ router at October event

Google’s a couple weeks away from announcing new hardware, including a home router product, according to a new report.

Android Police claimed the Mountain View, CA-based company has developed something called Google Wi-Fi. Consumers can reportedly expect this Wi-Fi device to be unveiled on 4 October during Google’s #MadebyGoogle event, where Google is also expected to introduce two flagship phones under the brand “Pixel”, rather than Nexus, though they’re still designed to showcase Android.

Google Wi-Fi will apparently be able to link up with multiple units, allowing it to form a mesh network of sorts, kind of like Eero. The device will cost $129, and it’s not yet clear if it will be related to the company’s existing OnHub router range or something different. Android Police suggested it will be similar to OnHub in that it offers smart features and a better range than most routers.

Keep in mind OnHub routers are made by other companies, and Google is marketing its October event under the “Made by Google” tagline, which suggests everything we see at the show will be Google-branded and maybe even Google-made. Other things expected to be unveiled on 4 October include the Google Home speaker and a 4K-capable Chromecast dubbed Chromecast Ultra.

You can read more about all those devices from Pocket-lint’s roundup.