MacRumors

Apple and the Maine Department of Education have offered to swap school iPads for MacBooks at no additional cost, after it emerged that students and teachers overwhelmingly favor the use of laptops in class.

According to a report in the Lewiston-Auburn Sun Journal, schools in Auburn and other districts in Maine are set to benefit from the "Refresh" swap, following surveys of students and teachers across grades 7 through 12, which revealed that 88.5 percent of teachers and 74 percent of students preferred laptops over iPads.

CITbyeByeiPadsP052016

An Edward Little High School senior works on her iPad during class (Image: Sun Journal)

iPads were perceived to have poor educational value in the classroom and were often used to play games in class, while laptops allowed students better opportunities for school work. The preference gap widened even more when it came to older students, who saw laptops as better devices for coding and programming tasks.

"The results are pretty darn clear," said Auburn School Department Technology Director Peter Robinson, who conducted the survey. "The findings made the decision for us." Robinson said that three years ago, after seeing success with iPads in primary grades, he thought iPads were absolutely the right choice, but now he realized iPads have shortcomings for older students.

One teacher wrote in the survey that iPads "provide no educational function in the classroom. Students use them as toys. Word processing is near to impossible. I applaud this change."

"The iPads are largely students' gaming devices," another teacher wrote, while one called their introduction into the classroom "a disaster".

As part of the state's "Refresh" swap offer, Auburn's iPads are being returned and 1,718 laptops will be delivered in the fall to Edward Little High School and Auburn Middle School.

The state "underestimated how different an iPad is from a laptop," said Maine Learning and Technology Initiative Director Mike Muir. "Student use of iPads could have been better if the Maine Department of Education encouraged more teacher training."

The offer applies to 7th and 8th-graders' computers, which are paid for by the state, and computers for high school students that some schools pay for as part of the Learning and Technology Initiative. The initiative allows up to $254 per student for a device and teacher training to help students get the most out of technology.

The cost of the new Apple laptop will be $217 per year per student for 2016-17, and $248 per year after that. In Farmington, Mt. Blue High School's technology manager Darcy Dunphy said the state's offer is "too good to refuse", because students would be getting new laptops while saving about $140,000 over four years.

"Three years ago the Apple laptop was $273 per student a year," which meant that to stay with the Apple laptop, schools would have had to pay more, Muir said. "People chose iPads. They were within what the state would fund."

Apple has been working on overhauling its iPad in Education program since 2015. With iOS 9.3, Apple introduced a number of new features that are specifically geared towards the education market. Outlined on a new Education Preview site, education-oriented features in the iOS 9 beta include shared iPads for students, a new classroom app, an Apple School Manager feature, and an improved Managed Apple IDs function.

In a curious twist on recent rumors about the upcoming iPhone 7, French language blog Nowhereelse.fr today posted a series of images purporting to show a prototype rear case for the next-gen iPhone featuring four separate speakers.

According to previous rumors, Apple could drop the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 and replace it with a second speaker that would potentially allow for the use of an additional audio amp provided by Cirrus Logic, which would also supply the noise-cancellation smart codec in an also-rumored Lightning-equipped headphone accessory.

iPhone-7-Prototype Italian
Other more recent rumors based on alleged leaked iPhone 7 blueprints have cast doubt on that claim, showing no second speaker in place of the missing headphone jack and suggesting Apple's evolving iPhone design will continue to have a single speaker setup.

Today's post by serial leaker Steven Hemmerstoffer has therefore thrown a curveball into the rumor mill, with some images apparently taken from a promotional video made by an Italian casemaker, which allegedly received a prototype iPhone 7 case in anticipation of the coming refresh in September.

iPhone-7-Prototype Italian 02
While the wider lens and lack of horizontal antenna lines are consistent with previous leaks, the appearance of four separate speaker grilles - two at the top and two along the bottom - is a new, albeit sketchy contender.

As Hemmerstoffer himself notes, it doesn't seem viable for a speaker to sit so close to the camera module, unless the reorientation of the camera and LED flash holes from a horizontal alignment across the rear of the handset, to a vertical arrangement running down it, somehow allows for the possibility.

In addition, it's unclear what benefit four speakers would have in such a small profile over one or even two of them. Still, the alleged leak remains an unexpected and therefore interesting development in the continuing iPhone 7 rumor story.

iPhone-7-Prototype Italian 03
Other, more consistent industry mutterings and leaks suggest Apple's new iPhones will look similar to the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s series, featuring only minor tweaks to the design such as the horizontal antenna band removal, flush camera, and a thinner Lightning port, while the larger 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus model is thought to get exclusivity to a dual-lens camera system and Smart Connector.

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple CEO Tim Cook continued his week-long visit to India today by meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss manufacturing and retail opportunities, as well as launch a new state mobile app (via The Times of India).

During the meeting at the Prime Minister's official residence, Modi explained his Digital India initiative and asked Apple to support its key objectives of e-education, health, and increasing farmer's incomes. The PM also reportedly raised issues with Cook regarding cyber security and data encryption in India.

tim cook pm modi India

Apple CEO Tim Cook meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Image: PIB)

Cook took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the country's skilled younger generation and emphasized Apple's desire to tap into the talent of India's youth. Cook also commented on the potential for app development that exists in the country and highlighted the importance of the Map Development Centre that Apple is setting up in Hyderabad.

In addition, Cook helped launch an updated version of the Prime Minister's 'Narendra Modi Mobile App', which aims to offer a direct channel of communication with Indian citizens as part of a broader vision for participative governance.

The app contains a new feature called 'My Network', which is described as an online volunteering forum where app users can share views and ideas. Additionally, the app functions as a ministerial news service and logs the Prime Minister’s speeches, while users can also keep up with episodes of PM radio program 'Mann Ki Baat' and even write to the Prime Minister.

Modi took to Twitter to thank Cook for helping launch the updated app and urged followers on social media to get involved. Cook responded by thanking the PM and offered his best wishes for the app's success.



As part of the day, Cook also met Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Airtel, one of India's leading telecommunication companies which was the first to launch 4G in India and is set to offer the service countrywide.

The PM meeting is being reported as a high point for Cook's Indian visit and a strengthening of Apple's relationship with the country. In an interview with an Indian TV channel on Friday, Cook asserted that he was looking at India holistically and Apple was "here for the next thousand years".

Tag: India

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with well-known storage and memory company Lexar to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 64GB C20i JumpDrive, which is designed to increase the storage capacity of an iPhone or iPad and enable file transfers between Macs/PCs and iOS devices.

C20i_product_Image_wCable
The C20i JumpDrive is a tiny, pocket-sized dongle that's just a couple inches in length when folded shut, so it's perfect for travel and easy to carry all the time. There's a Lightning connector at one end to plug into an iPhone or iPad, and a USB 3.0 connector at the other end to plug into a PC or Mac, making it simple to move files between various devices. The two pieces are made from aluminum to match Apple's iOS devices, and there's a high-quality cable in between that feels like it'll hold up well to regular usage.

lexarunfolded
With storage capacities ranging from 16GB ($41.99) to 128GB ($136.99), the C20i JumpDrive can more than double the amount storage available on an iOS device. It's ideal for anyone who likes to have a lot of content like photos, videos, or music on hand, and invaluable for iPhone users with only 16 or 32GB of storage.

It features USB 3.0 transfer speeds (95MB/s read and 20MB/s write) when transferring content from a Mac to the drive, and it doubles as standard Lightning cable for charging when plugged into both an iPhone and a Mac.

lexariphone
Media content like videos, photos, music can be played or viewed directly from the JumpDrive using the Lexar Mobile Manager app whenever the dongle is plugged into an iOS device. It supports a wide range of files, including MP3, AAC, WAVE, AIFF, M4A, AVI, MV4, MOV, MKV, and MP4. Videos and music in multiple formats played seamlessly from the JumpDrive in our tests.

lexarapp
Lexar's app is more full-featured than apps from competitors, and in addition to offering automatic photo and contact backup, it also includes options to link to Dropbox, YouTube, and Vimeo so all of your content is viewable in one location, plus there's a built-in voice recording feature. The app is organized in a logical way so it's easy to find content, and it's clear how much storage is available on both JumpDrive and the iOS device it's connected to.

Lexar normally charges $95 for the JumpDrive C20i on its website, but five MacRumors readers will win one for free. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize.

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.

The contest will run from today (May 20) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on May 27. The winners will be chosen randomly on May 27 and will be contacted by email. The winners have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

iphone_7_plus_rearChris Chang of Nomura Securities has issued a note to investors claiming that Sony may be running behind schedule in terms of supplying Apple with dual-lens camera modules for the next-generation 5.5-inch iPhone, which rumors suggest may be called the iPhone 7 Plus or iPhone Pro.

We think Sony may not be able to deliver its full share of dual cameras to Apple due to: (1) lower-than-expected yield, and (2) damage to its production facility from the April earthquake in Kumamoto.

Chang believes that Apple will instead turn to LG as its primary supplier of dual-lens camera modules for the larger-sized iPhone expected to launch in September.

Both investment bank Nomura Securities and research firm Citi Research believe all 5.5-inch iPhones will be equipped with dual-lens camera modules, rather than just one model, echoing comments made by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this month.

Kuo previously said that Apple had two 5.5-inch versions of the iPhone 7 Plus in development, including one with a single iSight rear-facing camera and another boasting a dual-lens camera module, but he has since recanted. Meanwhile, the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 is widely expected to retain a single-lens camera.

Nomura Securities also believes that Apple will include optical image stabilization (OIS) on both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone, whereas the feature has been exclusive to the larger iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s Plus over the past two generations.

Leaked images, components, and renders potentially offer a first look at Apple's dual-lens camera system, but rumors have been conflicting about the exact design.

The switch to dual-lens camera modules has been linked to Apple's acquisition of LinX Technology, which could lead to "DSLR-quality" photos on iPhones. LinX's multi-aperture cameras are also smaller sized than single-aperture cameras, meaning the iPhone 7 Plus could have a slightly less protruding camera lens.

LinX camera modules offer a number of other benefits, including 3D depth mapping, better color accuracy and uniformity, ultra HDR, low noise levels, higher resolution, low costs, zero shutter lag, and a compact design that allows for edge-to-edge displays. A recent video demo provides a good overview of dual-camera technology.

Apple recently patented a dual-camera system consisting of one standard wide-angle lens, similar to what is found in the latest iPhones, and a second telephoto lens capable of capturing zoomed-in video and photos. In a recent video, we visualized what the interface could look like on future iOS devices.


Dual-camera smartphones like the Huawei P9 and P9 Plus are expected to inspire "killer apps" from smartphone manufacturers and third-party developers.

Related Forum: iPhone

Amid a growing number of complaints over iOS 9.3.2 bricking some 9.7-inch iPad Pro models, Apple yesterday pulled the iOS 9.3.2 update. 9.7-inch iPad Pro users who have not installed iOS 9.3.2 no longer see the update, with iOS 9.3.1 now listed as the most current version of iOS 9 available for download.

Shortly after iOS 9.3.2 was released, MacRumors began receiving reports that the update was causing an "Error 56" message on some 9.7-inch iPad Pro devices. Not all iPad Pro users were affected, but those who were saw their devices rendered unusable. The error message instructed users to plug their devices into iTunes to restore, but restoring did not fix the problem, leaving the iPad Pros bricked.

brickedipad

An iPad Pro bricked after installing iOS 9.3.2. Image via Twitter.

Since then, MacRumors has heard several reports suggesting Apple is replacing iPad Pros bricked by the update, with no other simpler fix readily available. Users who are affected should contact Apple Support for assistance.

Apple has said it is looking into the issue, but did not offer details on what was causing the problem. The iOS 9.3.2 update will remain unavailable on the iPad Pro until a fix is found.

Update: Apple told iMore it is working on a fix and plans to issue an update soon.

We're working on a fix for an issue impacting a small number of iPad units that are receiving an error when trying to update the software. We'll issue an update as quickly as possible.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: iOS 9

Uber has announced it is currently testing self-driving car technology with a view to completely remove the need for drivers from its ride-hailing service.

According to a statement by the company posted online yesterday, the initial testing phase is being conducted on the streets of Pittsburgh, using a hybrid Ford Fusion fitted with various sensors including radar, laser scanners and cameras.

Uber driverless
The test vehicle from Uber's Advanced Technologies Center (ATC) collects mapping data as it travels, while a trained driver monitors operations in the car at all times.

The driverless project is being carried out in partnership with Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University. Uber says it is pursuing the goal of inducting autonomous vehicles into its fleet by 2020.

Real-world testing is critical to our efforts to develop self-driving technology. Self-driving cars have the potential to save millions of lives and improve quality of life for people around the world.  1.3 million people die every year in car accidents — 94% of those accidents involve human error. In the future we believe this technology will mean less congestion, more affordable and accessible transportation, and far fewer lives lost in car accidents. These goals are at the heart of Uber’s mission to make transportation as reliable as running water — everywhere and for everyone.

Uber joins an accelerating industry race for the mainstream introduction of self-driving cars, with Tesla already developing the technology and multiple Chinese firms also making headway.

There have been indications suggesting Apple is exploring autonomous vehicles for its own car project, codenamed "Titan", but sources say the first car it releases will not be driverless, with that functionality perhaps coming at a later date.

Tag: Uber

Apple's global smartphone market share fell to 14.8 percent in the first quarter of 2016, down from 17.9 percent in the same period the previous year, despite a 3.9 percent growth in overall smartphone sales compared to Q1 2015, according to Gartner (via DigiTimes).

The number of smartphones delivered to end users in Q1 totalled 349 million globally, compared to 336 in the same period in 2015. Apple shipped 51.6 million iPhones to maintain its number two spot in the top five largest makers, while Samsung reached unit sales of 81.2 million to maintain its position as number one. The figures show Samsung extended its lead over Apple in the same period with a 23.2 percent market share, despite a slight decline from 24.1% in Q1 2015.

Gartner May 2016
Oppo had the best performance in the first quarter of 2016, moving into the number 4 position among the top-five smartphone vendors with unit sales growth of 145%. Like Huawei and Xiaomi, Oppo saw strong growth in China, taking share from the likes of Lenovo, Samsung and Yulong, Gartner indicated.

The overall growth in smartphone sales was put down to a demand for low-cost handsets in emerging markets and more affordable 4G promotion plans globally.

In a separate note disclosed by research firm IDC yesterday, more Google Chromebooks were sold in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2016 than Apple's entire Mac line.

Apple's Mac shipments are estimated to have been around 1.76 million in Q1 this year, according to an IDC analyst who spoke to The Verge, while combined estimates for Dell, HP, and Lenovo put the number of low-cost Chromebooks sold at 2 million in the same quarter.

IDC put the Chromebook's sales growth down to their appeal in the education sector, with wide uptake across K-12 schools in the United States. The milestone also comes at a time when Mac sales have held steady while PC shipments have seen an overall decline, making the news more of a concern for Microsoft as it tries to maintain its dominance in the low-cost laptop market.

The research firm also predicted a "modest rebound" over the coming months as buyers consider transitioning to Windows 10 and a continued increase Chromebook sales.

Tags: Gartner, IDC

Apple CEO Tim Cook and Lisa P. Jackson, vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, are currently in India on a multi-day trip meeting various business leaders, politicians, developers and more. Yesterday, Cook visited the famous Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai before proceeding to a series of meetings. Meanwhile, Jackson made her way to the Indian state of Rajasthan to meet the "Solar Mamas" at The Barefoot College.

timcookcricket
The Barefoot College trains rural women to assemble and manufacture solar lamps, earning the nickname "Solar Mamas", according to Yahoo India. The College connects rural communities to solar power and water. The college also uses iPads to teach the women, with Apple India having donated 20 iPads and 10 Macs earlier this year, reports The Better India.


Cook went to his first cricket game, a match from the country's Indian Premier League (IPL). Cook was interviewed on the sideline alongside IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, with Shukla noting that the league, from professional to junior levels, uses iPads to organize matches. After noting how excited he was to be at his first cricket match, Cook once again called India "a great marketplace," saying that he's optimistic for the future of the country because of how talented its people are.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukj Khan invited Cook to a private dinner at his home, which was attended by other big Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai and filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, according to The India Times. Before the dinner, Cook was escorted around the movie sets of the upcoming Raaz 4 by Mukesh Bhatt, president of India's Film and TV Producers Guild. Bhatt said Cook was "keen to see how Apple could partner with the [Indian film industry]."


Cook's five-day India trip is set to wrap up shortly after he meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Cook's conversation with Modi may include several subjects, including Apple's recent announcement of a maps development center in Hyderabad, plans to establish an iOS app and design accelerator in the country and the Indian government's decision to approve single-branded Apple Stores.

India has increasingly become important to Apple's business, with the company's revenue growing 56 percent in the last quarter and passing the $1 billion mark for the first time.

Apple has posted a series of job listings today and earlier in May for retail positions in Brooklyn, confirming that the company plans to open its first store in New York City's most populous borough in the near future.

Apple's jobs website lists typical retail store positions, including Creatives, Experts, Geniuses, Specialists, Business Leaders, and management, while recent LinkedIn postings seek a Retail Manager and Senior Manager specifically in Brooklyn.

Apple-retail-listings-Brooklyn
Brooklyn's population is estimated to be over 2.6 million, which as a city would be the fourth largest in the U.S. behind the rest of New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, yet there remains no official Apple Store in the borough.

Rumors point towards Apple opening a retail store in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn in the second half of 2016. Apple reportedly signed a long-term lease for a 20,000-square-foot space at 247 Bedford Avenue, at the corner of North 3rd Street, and construction has been ongoing since 2015.

brooklyn-apple-store

247 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn undergoing renovations

Apple has opened six retail stores in the neighboring borough of Manhattan, including Fifth Avenue, Grand Central, SoHo, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and West 14th Street locations, alongside one store in both Queens and Staten Island.

Apple is also expected to open a retail store inside the Westfield shopping complex at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan later this year.

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the grand openings of Apple's first two retail stores in Tysons Corner, Virginia and Glendale, California, and the company marked the occasion by inviting media for a preview of its new flagship Union Square location opening in downtown San Francisco on Saturday.

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts outlined all of the new features of that store, some of which will be adopted at other locations worldwide.

- The Avenue: Interactive themed “windows” showcasing Apple products and services, alongside a curated selection of “Only at Apple” third-party accessories. New “Creative Pros” will be available to offer “advice and expertise” about each of the displays.

- Genius Grove: A section at the center of the store designated for customers to receive support side-by-side with Geniuses under the canopy of local trees. This area is able to accommodate more customers than a traditional Genius Bar commonly found in other stores.

- The Forum: Apple describes this area as a “vibrant gathering place” next to the large 6K Video Wall, where “Today at Apple” sessions and other daily and monthly events will be hosted related to education, creative arts, music, games, and more.

- The Plaza: Apple has connected its Union Square store with the surrounding community with The Plaza, an outdoor area open 24/7 and featuring a 50-foot green wall, public Wi-Fi, seating for 200 people, and a fountain created by sculpture artists Ruth Asawa. Apple says the space will feature live acoustic performances.

- The Boardroom: A room with tables and chairs at the back of the store where Apple’s Business Team can offer hands-on advice and training to entrepreneurs, developers, and other small and medium business customers.

Keep track of Apple's retail store developments by reading our Apple Stores roundup.

Earlier this month, Tweetbot for iOS was updated with a new "Topics" feature designed to link multiple related tweets together in a cohesive way, and now the Tweetbot app for Mac has been updated with the same feature.

Topics are built around the Twitter feature that links conversations. Tweets composed as a topic in Tweetbot are linked together via Twitter's conversation threading mechanism and use the same hashtag, so "Tweetstorms" or tweets surrounding a single topic connected.

tweetbotmactopics
Linking multiple tweets together is often desirable in situations where a single tweet doesn't suffice, such as a lengthy rant or live event coverage.

This release introduces Topics. A Topic is a way to let you quickly Tweet a group of related Tweets without having to manually reply to yourself and/or manually add the same hashtags over and over again. They are really great for rapid fire live Tweeting events.

You can access Topics by tapping the gear menu in the New Tweet screen. They are also stored in and require iCloud, so you can start a topic on your iPhone and easily continue it on your iPad and Mac.

Today's Tweetbot update also includes support for Collections, a way to save tweets linked together as a topic, and there are a number of feature improvements and bug fixes.

- Collections Support
- Improved Quote Preview in Compose Window
- Removed play/pause button from video playback. Clicking on the video will toggle play/pause.
- Fixed an issue where incoming DM's would play a sound even when notification center was set to 'Do not Disturb'.
- If you mute someone you don't follow, it now automatically mutes searches, mentions and lists.
- Fixed an issue with using the left-arrow key when in the timeline search field.
- Fixed an issue with tab jumping too many columns.
- Fixed an issue where you could drag additional images or video into a tweet that already had the max number of attachments.
- Fixed an issue where videos would fail to upload.
- Fixed an issue where .mov files could not be added as video.
- Fixed an issue where the progress spinner wouldn't disappear after loading.
- Fixed an issue where text could be cut off at the bottom after adding an image in the compose window.

Tweetbot for Mac can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $9.99. [Direct Link]

iPhone 6 Touch IDUnlocking an iPhone via Touch ID in lieu of a passcode makes it much easier to maintain security while preserving convenience, and Touch ID's ease of use has left many Mac users wondering when a similar feature might be introduced for Apple's desktop and notebook machines.

There has been speculation Apple might introduce dedicated Touch ID fingerprint scanning hardware for the Mac, but as it turns out, Apple is working on a simpler way to allow a Touch ID to unlock a Mac, and it's a feature that could be included in OS X 10.12.

Apple engineers are designing an auto unlock function that would allow an iPhone to unlock a Mac when in close proximity, alleviating the need to enter a password on a password-protected Mac.

The feature, which uses Bluetooth LE frameworks, will presumably work similarly to the automatic unlocking function on the Apple Watch, which allows an unlocked iPhone to bypass the passcode restriction on a connected Apple Watch. In this scenario, an iPhone's Touch ID button would likely be used as a verification method for simpler logins.

It's also possible that a connection with an Apple Watch could be used to unlock the Mac even when an iPhone isn't present, making the process even simpler. This concept has already been demonstrated through the Knock app for the iPhone and Apple Watch, using a Bluetooth connection to unlock a Mac instead of a password. Knock requires an iOS app and a Mac app to work, but an Apple-designed feature will undoubtedly be simpler.


The unlocking feature would likely work hand-in-hand with Apple Pay support for web browsers, also rumored to be coming soon. Remote Touch ID authentication from the iPhone or Apple Watch may be used to confirm purchases made via Siri on the Mac.

Features planned for OS X 10.12 are not yet set in stone, so there is a chance that the unlocking function could be shelved until a later date if work is not completed in time.

Because OS X 10.11 El Capitan focused heavily on internal updates and optimizations, Apple appears to be aiming to debut new features in OS X 10.12. Along with the unlocking feature, Apple is also working on integrating Siri into the Mac and we may see improvements to Photos and iTunes.

Details on Siri for Mac and the prospective design of the dock and menu bar icons can be seen in a post we shared yesterday.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2025

iphone_4s_2015Apple plans to adopt a glass body for at least one iPhone model set to debut in 2017, reports Nikkei, citing a statement from Catcher Technology CEO Allen Horng. Catcher Technology is one of Apple's main suppliers for the casing of the iPhone.

According to Horng, Apple is planning to use glass for the casing of the 2017 iPhone to differentiate itself from the multitude of aluminum-bodied smartphones on the market.

"As far as I know, only one [iPhone] model will adopt glass casing next year," Horng told reporters after the annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. "I don't think this move will have an impact on Catcher's revenue as glass casing still needs a durable metal frame which requires advanced processing technology and would not be cheaper than the current model."

Horng does not expect Apple's transition to glass to impact Catcher's business because Apple will still be using a metal frame for the device. Horng says there will be no Apple iPhone using a glass-only casing without a metal frame in 2017.

The information sourced from Catcher Technology aligns with predictions from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has also said Apple will use a glass-backed design for the 2017 iPhone. Kuo has also indicated that a glass body may only be present in some of the devices planned for 2017, suggesting Apple may release a mix of glass-bodied and aluminum-bodied devices if more than one iPhone is planned.

The 2017 iPhone is rumored to be a radical upgrade to the iPhone, so it is not clear if Apple will stick with its 4.7 and 5.5-inch screen sizes, introduce new screen sizes, or consolidate down to a single iPhone once again. From Kuo:

In 2017, the ratio of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will likely drop significantly from current 100% to 40% or less. In addition to reiterating our view from the March 25 report, we believe the share of new iPhone models using aluminum casing will significantly fall from the current 100% to 40% or less.

Apple last used glass for the body of the iPhone 4s in 2011, with devices since the iPhone 5 in 2012 featuring aluminum bodies. In 2017, Apple may pair the iPhone's glass body with an edge-to-edge OLED display that includes a Touch ID sensor embedded into the glass, doing away with the home button for a sleek, all-glass look.

Because of the major changes rumored for the 2017 iPhone, there is speculation that Apple will name the device the "iPhone 8" rather than the "iPhone 7s" to denote its status as a significant upgrade.

Related Forum: iPhone

Apple today invited journalists to San Francisco to preview its new Union Square store, set to open this weekend. Dozens of images are being shared on Twitter and other social networks, giving us our first glimpse at the revamped store that's been under construction for more than two years.

As it shows off the new location to journalists, Apple has also published a press release outlining all of the new features in the store.

"Fifteen years ago today Apple opened its first two stores and we're thrilled to mark the occasion with the opening of Apple Union Square in San Francisco," said Angela Ahrendts, Apple's senior vice president of Retail and Online Stores. "We are not just evolving our store design, but its purpose and greater role in the community as we educate and entertain visitors and serve our network of local entrepreneurs."

sfapplestore

Inside the new Apple Store, via Shara Tibken

The store features a next-generation design that's been adopted by other retail locations in Brussels and Memphis, with wide, open spaces, high ceilings, enormous windows, redesigned product display areas, and a 6K video screen that spans most of one wall. Unique to San Francisco is a set of massive 42-foot tall glass doors that slide open 40 feet to leave the front of the store open to the street.

➜ Click here to read rest of article...

OWC announced today that it has released new software drivers that expand Boot Camp support to its entire SSD lineup.

OWC-SSD-Mac
The "Dual Boot Enablers" are available as free downloads on OWC's website for multiple previously unsupported SSDs, including the OWC Aura SSD for Mid-2013 and later MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro models, OWC Aura SSD for the 2013 or newer Mac Pro, and the Mercury Accelsior S and Mercury Accelsior E2.

Boot Camp enables Mac users to partition their SSDs or hard drives and install Windows directly on the machine, allowing for OS X and Windows to be run side by side. It differs from virtualization software like Parallels and VMware Fusion, which allow Windows to run within OS X itself as essentially a desktop app.

OWC's Dual Boot Enabler can be installed on Macs running OS X 10.6.8 or later.

Tags: Boot Camp, OWC

Chime Banking, a smartphone-based banking company, announced today that it now supports Apple Pay in the U.S. for both in-store and in-app payments.

Chime Visa debit cards can be added to Apple Pay by tapping the "Add Credit or Debit Card" option in the Wallet app on iOS 8.1 or later on compatible iPhones.

Apple-Pay-Chime-Bank
Chime Banking is an app that provides over 120,000 customers with FDIC-insured spending and savings accounts that are managed entirely from a smartphone.

The benefits of creating a Chime Banking account include no minimum or monthly fees, no overdrafts, personalized rewards, savings mechanisms, two-factor authentication, and no-fee ATM access at over 24,000 MoneyPass locations.

Chime Banking has no physical locations, so direct deposits and bills can be set up or paid using your Chime card number, by providing your routing and account number to the payee, or by mailing a check from the app.

Chime Banking is free on the App Store [Direct Link] for iPhone and Apple Watch.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay

Today marks 15 years since the first two Apple retail stores opened on May 19, 2001 in Tysons Corner, Virginia and Glendale, California. The locations welcomed over 7,700 people and combined to sell $599,000 worth of merchandise during their first two-day weekend. Apple opened 25 more stores by year's end.

The retail initiative was spearheaded by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who recognized the need for a better customer experience than provided by third-party retailers such as Circuit City. Jobs was helped by a retail team led by former Target vice president of merchandising Ron Johnson and Gap CEO Millard Drexler.

Steve Jobs introduces the Apple Store in Tysons Corner, Virginia

While some critics believed that Apple retail stores would be a resounding failure, especially given the dot-com collapse, the concept proved to be highly profitable and successful. Apple Stores now attract over 1 million customers worldwide per day and often generate the highest sales-per-square-foot of any U.S. retailer.

The first Apple Store outside of the U.S. opened on November 30, 2003 in Tokyo, Japan, and the company now operates over 475 stores in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.

marseille_hero

Apple's latest retail store opened in Marseille, France on May 14

Under the leadership of Angela Ahrendts, Apple has been aggressively expanding its retail footprint in China, its second largest market by revenue, while opening and renovating several stores in Brussels, Cupertino, Dubai, London, Memphis, and other cities with Jony Ive-inspired next-generation designs since 2015.
Read our Apple Stores roundup to learn more and keep track of new, renovated, upcoming, and rumored stores around the world.

Yahoo has introduced a new version of its Mail app for iOS with a handful of features migrated from its desktop interface, including support for inline URL previews.

The new Link Preview feature works by converting a web address typed into a message into a visual snapshot of the linked content, so recipients can see what's on the other side of the link before choosing to click it. The 'preview card' can be created inline with the message text or users can opt to append it at the bottom of the message.

yahoo-mail
In addition, the update to Yahoo Mail brings stationery themes to mobile users, enabling one-click email personalization for custom greetings or special occasions like birthdays. The app also gets system share support with a Yahoo Mail Share Sheet button for sending files and media from other apps straight to a new message compose window.

The update comes less than a month since Yahoo added the ability to include files from Google Drive and use Tumblr GIFs in the client app, as the company attempts to catch up with feature-rich mail services such as Gmail.

Yahoo Mail is a free download from the App Store for iPhone and iPad. [Direct Link]