News tagged ‘Mac’
Apple to Terminate iTunes Music Downloads in 2-4 Years… Or Not?
According to the report that appeared online on Wednesday, Apple plans to terminate iTunes music downloads within the next 2-4 years. The reason for termination of digital music downloads most likely connected with weak music sales over the last couple of year and growing popularity of streaming music services like Apple Music in many countries. In fact, music industry experts claim that by 2020, the revenue from Apple Music may be 10 times larger than the revenue from iTunes music downloads.
Apple’s MacBook Market Share Falls 40% in Q1 2016
According to the latest report from TrendForce, Apple’s laptop sales have fallen more than 40% over the last couple of months. In the fourth quarter of 2015, Apple’s MacBook market share was equal to 9.7% and now it is estimated that the share accounts for 7.1%. Keeping in mind that total shipments fell in 2016, the decline made up 40.4%. In general, Apple went from the fifth place in the ranking of top laptop vendors to the sixth.
Apple Granted Patent for Enhanced iPad Smart Covers
Apple has been granted a patent for several advanced Smart Covers for the iPad that enhance the functionality of the tablet and allow user to perform a number of actions that make the usage of the device even easier. The Smart Covers described in the patent can serve as additional screens for displaying notifications and widgets that’s why they can become a new way of interaction between a user and the iPad.
Top 10 Stories of the Week
It is Sunday today, so looks like it’s high time I told you about the most interesting posts of the last seven days. Let’s not waste time and take a look at the articles worth your attention.
Here’s How iTunes 12.4 Will Look Like [Images]
According to the images that surfaced online earlier this week, iTunes 12.4 will feature some noticeable design changes and tweaks. The first change is a new dropdown menu for fast navigation to Music, TV Shows, Movies and other types of content. A persistent sidebar is another major change that will let users look for songs in their music library faster. Finally, there will be some changes for menus making them more intuitive and easy-to-use as well as minor enhancements for the built-in mini player.
iPhone 7 Plus Won’t Feature Smart Connector?
According to the latest report from a Japanese website Macotakara, Apple has changed its initial plans and won’t equip the iPhone 7 Plus (or Pro) with a Smart Connector. A funny thing about this rumor is that about a month ago, this same site, Macotakara, claimed all the rumors about the Smart Connector included in the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus were real and legitimate. It is up to you to decide whether to believe the latest report or not, but don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Another Former Google Car Expert Hired by Apple
Apple has hired a former Google engineer who was previously engaged in the development of electric car charging systems. According to the latest rumors, Kurt Adelberger, who left Google in 2015 and joined Apple shortly after, is now listed as one of the inventors of the "Mediator device for smart electric vehicle charging", a technology described in Google’s recent patent application. It is currently unclear whether Apple had known about Adelberger’s background before it offered him a job last year. Anyway, his experience will likely be used during the development of the widely-rumored Apple’s car codenamed “Project Titan”.
2015 MacBook vs. 2016 MacBook: Real World Usage Test
As it was already mentioned on our website, back in April Apple released an updated 12-inch MacBook with improved processor, SSD, battery and a new Rose Gold color option. Nearly a month after the release, AppleInsider reporters have decided to test the 2015 and 2016 models side by side and find out whether the new laptop is worth upgrading to for 2015 MacBook owners. The results of the test were rather surprising.
iOS and Mac App Store Experience Search Problems
A growing number of Reddit and Twitter users are reporting about major problems with iOS and Mac App Store that fail to search for popular apps and display correct search results. For example, many users see iPhone apps listed as iPad-only applications and vise versa.
iPhone Named 'Most Influential Gadget of All Time'
Apple’s iPhone has been recently named the 'Most Influential Gadget of All Time'. The handset topped the rating of the 50 most influential gadgets. According to what TIME reporters write, such title represents the value of the device and its contribution to the way modern portable devices like smartphones and tablets look and function. Aside from the iPhone, such Apple products like the iBook, iPad, iPod and the Macintosh were included in the ranking. These devices were spotted on 38th, 25th, 9th and 3rd places respectively.
Apple Lost Exclusive Rights for iPhone Trademark in China
Apple has lost its exclusive rights for the iPhone trademark in China. While the Cupertino-based tech giant is still the only electronic products manufacturer that can use the name “iPhone” for its smartphones, a local company called Xintong Tiandi Technology (XTT) has been officially granted the rights to utilize the word “iPhone” for various leather goods.
iPhone 7 to Feature Separate Headphone Jack… Or Not?
A new image showing something what appears to be a headphone jack module for the upcoming iPhone 7 has recently appeared on the Chinese social network Weibo. This piece of news contradicts the rumors suggesting that Apple was planning to get rid of the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack in the next-generation iPhone.
Apple Watch to Take 40% of High-End Smartwatch Market Share by 2020
According to the latest report from Business Insider, by 2020, the Apple Watch may occupy about 40% of the luxury smartwatch market. In other words, in four years, nearly the half of wearable devices sold across the globe and costing more than $350 may be Apple Watch units. The information comes from a reliable source, so I think we can rely on the figures we have just seen.
iPhone 7 to Have Larger Battery - Rumor
According to the latest report from an unknown user of the Chinese social network Weibo, the next generation iPhone called the iPhone 7 may feature a slightly better battery than the iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus. As noted by the user, the 4.7-inch iPhone 7 will get a 1735 mAh battery and the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus or iPhone 7 Pro will be equipped with 2810 mAh battery. In case you don't know, the current iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have 1715 mAh and 2750 mAh respectively. It is currently unknown how the better battery will affect the thickness of the devices, but rumors suggest that new handsets may become thinner than their predecessors.
Schematics for iPhone 7 Pro Appear Online - Rumor
According to the latest report from Macotakara, the schematics for the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Pro have been recently published in the latest issue of the local magazine called Mac Fan. As noted by the reporters, the upcoming handset will have the dimensions of 158.22 x 77.94 x 7.3mm and a dual rear camera. Apart from that, the device will lack the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.