Apple

Apple Introduces The ‘AirPods Max’ Over-Ear Headphones

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Apple continues to revolutionize its AirPods lineup with the introduction of the all-new AirPods Max. The new wireless headphones will now have the over-ear design with the functionality of its predecessors.

Standout features of the AirPods Max include Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode and spatial audio. The headphones are composed of a knit mesh that distributes weight evenly, thus reducing the pressure that the user would normally feel.

Another stand-out is the battery life of the AirPods Max as these headphones will be able to hold 20 hours of audio which can be applied to movie playback or talk time. A Smart Case is included with the device which will be able to preserve the battery by putting them in an ultralow power state. Consumers will have their choice of five distinct colors including the ever-popular “Space Gray,” “Silver,” “Sky Blue,” “Green” and “Pink.”

The all-new Apple AirPods Max headphones can now be ordered from Apple at a price of $549 USD and will release on December 15.

Apple Ordered to Pay $502M USD to VirnetX for Patent Violations

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According to reports, Apple has been ordered to pay $502.8 million USD to VirnetX, a Nevada-based internet security software company. The ongoing legal battle between the two companies has been going on for roughly 10 years in which VirnetX has been filing continuous suits against Apple for patent infringements, including FaceTime and iMessage.

Details of the lawsuit states that the Apple feature VPN on Demand violates VirtnetX’s patents that they originally developed for the CIA. VirtnetX originally asked for $700 million USD but was quickly countered by Apple’s claim that they only owed $113 million USD but the jury had the final say, ruling $502.8 million USD in royalties as the amount. Subsequently, Apple was also ordered to pay $450 million USD to VirnetX, stemming from a separate lawsuit.

Apple Takes The Crown As The World’s Most Valuable Company

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Apple is now the most valuable publicly-traded company in the world. The tech giant surpassed Saudi state oil giant Aramco at the close of Friday’s market per NBC News.

We’re conscious of the fact that these results stand in stark relief during a time of real economic adversity.

Tim Cook, Apple CEO

Apple shares closed up by 10.47 percent, resulting in a market valuation of $1.84 trillion. Subsequently, Saudi Aramco now stands at $1.76 trillion.

Apple boasted a bold third-quarter fiscal earning of $59.7 billion with a 4-for-1 stock split which brought shares up to over 44 percent this year. March saw the company at one of its lowest points due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but all that seems like an afterthought with its strong performance the last couple of months.

Apple Releases Colorful Powerbeats Pros To Celebrate “10 Days of FaZe”

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In honor of FaZe Clan‘s 10th anniversary, Apple Powerbeats Pro celebrates the occasion with “10 Days of FaZe.” As part of the celebration, there will be a new set of Powerbeats Pro earphones in an array of colors.

The collection will arrive in colors of Spring Yellow, Cloud Pink, Lava Red and Glacier Blue. This news follows up the release of the team’s red tiger camo BE@RBRICK and there will also be a giveaway-only limited FaZe Clan x Beats Clan Pill+.

These colorful earphones are expected to release on June 9.

Apple iOS 13.5 Details Including Face ID Updates And New COVID-19 Proximity Feature

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Almost anywhere you go nowadays, you see everyone wearing a face mask. Not seeing a full face seems to be the new normal… along with washing your hands 3,475 times a day. Apple, staying ahead of this debacle of 2020, has been working on an update that will make using the Face ID easier to use while wearing a mask.

This break-thru comes courtesy of it’s iOS 13.5 update. Apple plans to release the iOS 13.5 and iPad 13.5 GM to developers while the public can expect a release soon.

The way this update works is Face ID will recognize when someone is wearing a mask and will bypass that function in favor of the passcode screen. Users should keep in mind that the Face ID tool will not unlock the phone until they have removed their mask, thus making for a speedy process to access the passcode on their device. The feature will also work with any program requiring a password on your Apple device as well, including the App Store, App Books, iTunes etc.

A bit of exciting news to go along with the update is Apple’s COVID-19 exposure notification API. The way this works is when two people are in close range of each other, their Bluetooth will detect it and send an anonymous identifier. Another important note is if an individual is diagnosed with COVID-19, their device will create a list of everybody that they’ve been in contact with and send it to the cloud. The second individual’s phone will receive a list of everyone that has tested positive in their area and will be prompted to contact health professionals if a match occurs.

Check back as new details develop.

Physical Render Of Apple’s iPhone 12 Design

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Popular YouTube channel EverythingApplePro made a video showing a 3D-printed rendering of the iPhone 12. The video spotlights the physical specs and performance capabilities of the upcoming smartphone based off of leaked schematics.

The iPhone 12 will reportedly take on a design similar to the shape of the latest iPad Pro, displaying a more sleek aesthetic equipped with flat metal frame and flat display. There will also be a large 6.7 inch display and LiDAR scanner that was seen on the iPad Pro.

These schematics are rumored to be only 70% complete according to EverythingApplePro. Check out the video above of the Apple iPhone 12 design.

Apple’s MacBook Pro Update Saves Battery Life

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Users will now be able to get more out of their MacBook Pro’s battery life with Apple’s new update.

With the macOS 10.15.5 update, the revamp will include a “Battery Health Management” tool which is designed to “improve your battery’s lifespan by reducing the rate at which it chemically ages.” This new installment will follow the “Pro Mode” macOS feature that the company introduced in January.

This new feature piggy-backed off of earlier iOS updates like iOS 13’s optimized charging. The new tool will be able to keep up with a battery’s temperature history as well as charging patterns. In doing so, the system will see the best way to charge the battery and reduce maximum charge usage. With all the capabilities of the update, the user will still be able to turn off the moderator if they need a full charge.

Apple Unveils New Second Generation iPhone SE

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Apple has just unveiled a $399 USD second generation model iPhone SE. The new iPhone SE’s design is reminiscent of the iPhone 8 and is equipped with a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, Touch ID with home button and thick bezels. One important note is that this model will have Apple’s new A13 Bionic processor, last seen on the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro.

The SE is composed of aluminum and glass and will feature wireless charging via Qi wireless charge. The rear camera features Smart HDR capabilities while the front utilizes Portrait Mode. The iPhone SE will also be able to shoot 4K video at 60fps and encompass all camera functions such as slo-mo, time-lapse, and cinematic video stabilization.

Preordering for the new iPhone SE starts Friday April 17 in black, white, and Product(RED) for $399 USD at Apple’s online store.

2020 Apple iPhone To Get A Redesign

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Apple will now be adding 5G to its iPhone lineup. According to Bloomberg, there will be four additional models to receive the upgrade plus a new design.

This year’s successors to the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max will be joined by two lower-end models to replace the iPhone 11. At least the two high-end devices will have flat stainless steel edges instead of the current curved design as well as more sharply rounded corners like the iPad Pro introduced in 2018. Reminiscent of the ‌iPhone‌ 5 design, the new handsets will have flat screens rather than the sloping edges on current models, said the people asking not to be identified because the plans aren’t public.

Bloomberg

Apple’s upcoming smartphone will look similar to the iPad Pro and will feature flat steel edges and a flat screen reminiscent of the iPhone 5. The bezels however, will be smaller and the camera will be similar to the current iPad’s camera.

The upcoming iPhone 12 will also feature the iPad Pro’s new 3D LIDAR system for an improved AR experience. Also of note is the Pro models will have three rear cameras while the others will remain at two.

Check back for more info.

Is Apple Releasing Over-the-Ear Headphones In June 2020?

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According to Jon Prosser, who also leaked that a 14-inch MacBook pro is dropping in May 2020, we will soon see over-the-ear headphones from Apple as well. Prosser took to Twitter to announce the findings which one can assume that, if this is true, then it may be the end of the Beats headphones line.

Apple acquired Beats back in 2014 from Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine for a staggering $3 billion USD. The tech company has since been offering Beats products to employees for 40% off to clear inventory, further advancing their Apple/AirPods product line.

Prosser further states that the over-the-ear headphones, codenamed B515, will be compared to the Bose 700 and will launch with a price point of $350 USD during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in June.