Thanks to secrets discovered in Apple’s own firmware, we already know a lot about the iPhone 8. Now an apparent X-ray of the device has all but confirmed even more of its hottest features ahead of its official debut this fall.
What to expect from Apple’s Q3 2017 earnings
Apple is set to unveil its latest earnings report on Tuesday, and Wall Street analysts predict it will probably be the most boring earnings call of 2017.
This will likely be Apple’s last public announcement before it unveils the next generation of iPhones. Apple CEO Tim Cook might drop some hints on what to expect, and when, as investors look forward to Apple’s next big blockbuster quarter. As usual, Cult of Mac will be here liveblogging the entire event with all the analysis and wit we can muster.
Watch for these five things during the call:
Limited-edition iPhone lens kit packs sharp-shooting tools
If you’re an iPhone photographer with olloclip lenses, you’re pretty serious about your mobile image captures.
olloclip and big-name accessories brand Incase partnered with you in mind for a limited-edition Filmer’s Kit that became available today at Apple stores worldwide.
Apple cuts iPhone, iPad prices in India following tax reforms
Apple has cut iPhone, iPad, and Mac prices in India this week following sales tax reforms.
Shoppers can now save up to 7.5 percent on the latest iOS devices, but the discounts aren’t quite as generous on Apple Watch or Macs.
iPhone 7 finally loses in speed test against Android rival
Thanks to Apple’s engineering magic, the iPhone has long outpaced its Android-powered rivals.
In real-world speed tests, the iPhone can blaze past high-end competitors from the likes of Google, Samsung and LG, despite slower processors and less RAM. But not anymore. We finally have an Android device that packs more power than the iPhone 7 — and that’s the OnePlus 5.
Virgin Mobile innovates by going iPhone-only
In an effort to regain relevancy in the ridiculously competitive mobile network space, Virgin Mobile CEO Richard Branson revealed today that his company is going all-in on iPhone.
Virgin Mobile is set to become the first-ever iPhone-only carrier and to kick things off the company is offering a deal for Apple fans that just might convince them to switch from one of the major networks.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus still rule the roost in U.S. sales
Excitement for the forthcoming iPhone 8 may be continuing to build, but the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are still holding strong in the sales department.
According to new figures released by Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, the two current generation iPhone models were the top two smartphones in the U.S., in terms of sales, for the three months ending in May.
Consumer Reports picks Galaxy S8 over iPhone 7, everything else
Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have been rated the best smartphones available by Consumer Reports.
Both devices outranked their rivals — including the iPhone 7 — in design, battery life, and camera performance. However, they aren’t considered perfect, with testers noting that they are difficult to operate with one hand, and their fingerprint scanners are awkwardly-placed.
This case adds more lenses to the iPhone 7 Plus
Maybe the iPhone 8 will be great. But a product called SHIFTCAM has six reasons why you should keep or maybe upgrade to the iPhone 7 Plus.
The SHIFTCAM is a protective case for the 7 Plus that claims it is the first to feature a 6-in-1 dual lens, greatly expanding the view of the 7 Plus’s wide angle and telephoto lenses.
DJI goes tiny with new easy-to-fly Spark drone
The drone geniuses at DJI are making it easier than ever to get into aerial photography with the unveiling of the company’s smallest drone ever called Spark.
DJI unveiled the new Spark drone at an event in NYC this morning where the tiny flying camera impressed watchers with some innovative new features like the ability to be controlled without using a remote.
Watch it in action:
America’s favorite iPhone will surprise you
Despite the demand for larger, sharper smartphone displays, iPhone SE has beaten out all other smartphones to top the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).
Just two of Apple’s devices placed in the top five, and with a score of 87 out of 100, iPhone SE took the number one spot ahead of iPhone 7 Plus and the Galaxy S7 series.
Apple launches new ‘Switch to iPhone’ ads and website
Apple is turning up the heat on Android with a fresh redesign of its website that teaches smartphone customers how to transition to iPhone.
The new site makes it super-easy for Android users to make the change to iOS by promoting one of Apple’s only Android apps: Move to iOS.
Trade-up to the iPhone 7 and capture all of your trips this summer in perfect clarity
Summer is finally upon us and staying up to date with the latest devices is essential for vacation season. With long awaited trips rapidly approaching, having a great camera to document all your adventures is paramount. Do yourself a favor this summer, sell your old device, and upgrade to a new iPhone 7 or 7 Plus just in time for that beach trip!
iPhone 7 Plus goes to the barber shop in new Apple ad
Apple is continuing to push Portrait Mode in its newest ad for the iPhone 7 Plus that takes place in a barber shop of all place.
The new ad was shared on Apple’s YouTube channel today promoting the Portrait Mode feature that is powered by the dual-lens camera on the iPhone 7 Plus. Apple’s fun new ad shows how Portrait Mode makes the ordinary look extraordinary by advanced tech to blur the background, making subjects pop more than ever.
Enjoy the funky new video:
Apple drops more iPhone 7 photography tip videos
Did you know that you can shoot video and take still photos on your iPhone at the same time?
If not, you definitely need to watch Apple’s latest series of iPhone 7 videos that offer tips on how to capture amazing photos with the camera that’s always with you. Apple posted four more videos today that go with the other photography tutorials that came out yesterday. Now you can learn more about selfies, better angles, golden hour and more.
Watch all four new videos:
Trouble in China, iPhone slump and other Apple earnings surprises
Apple’s Q2 earnings report for 2017 just barely beat Wall Street’s expectations when the numbers were revealed this afternoon, but there are plenty of reasons to still be optimistic about AAPL.
During the company’s call with investors today, Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri discussed some of the struggles the company experienced last quarter, from slumping iPhone sales to economic headwinds in China.
Here are the biggest takeaways:
Apple beats expectations in Q2 2017 earnings report
Apple just posted its earnings for Q2 2017 and while the numbers aren’t as monstrous as last quarter’s, there’s a lot to love in the new report.
With revenues hitting $52.9 billion, Apple returned to growth for the second straight quarter with $11 billion in profit. iPhone sales were down year-over-year, but Apple CEO Tim Cook says demand for the iPhone 7 Plus is still high.
AirPods get highest-ever satisfaction score for a first-year Apple product
AirPods are the most beloved product Apple has launched in years, based on a new survey that found an astonishing percentage of AirPod owners are extremely satisfied.
Apple’s new Portrait Mode ad puts love in focus
Apple’s new iPhone 7 Plus ad will make you fall in love with falling in love.
The new minute-long ad showcases Portrait mode on the iPhone 7 Plus but it’s really about a couple’s romantic stroll through the city while “Sing to Me” by Walter Martin and Karen O plays through the background.
Check it out:
iPhone growth stalls as Chinese smartphones surge
Growth in the smartphone industry isn’t dead yet, according to the latest report from the International Data Corporation which found smartphone shipments grew more than expected last quarter.
IDC predicted shipments would rise 3.6%, but the industry actually saw 4.3% growth in Q1 2017. Unfortunately for Apple, most of the increase in shipments were triggered by a couple of Chinese companies.
You decide if iPhone 7 Plus beats rival mobile cameras
You love your iPhone 7 Plus and find the beautiful pictures you make with the camera is money well spent. But you may not have the best smartphone camera in your hands.
Before you get all defensive, put the rods and cones in your eyes to the test. Be willing to set aside your lifelong devotion to Apple and submit to a blind test of pictures from five smartphones with the best-rated cameras.
iOS 10 bug lets you freeze any iPhone with 3 taps
A newly discovered bug in iOS 10 is wreaking havoc on iPhone owners by making Control Center more unstable than ever.
With just three taps, the bug allows anyone to crash an iPhone in seconds. Once the trick is executed, the only way to unfreeze an affected iPhone is with a hard reboot.
Here’s how to do the dirty:
Galaxy S8 review roundup: Samsung just schooled the iPhone
The first reviews of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have dropped a day ahead of their official launch in many markets, and there’s one thing to take away from them: Samsung just knocked it out of the park with its best smartphones to date.
Despite the problems the company encountered with the Galaxy Note 7 last fall, it has managed to produce two new devices that don’t disappoint. From gorgeous design and impressive cameras to the best display on the market, the Galaxy S8 series has it all.
It might not perfect, but the changes and improvements Samsung has made show Apple what a smartphone should be in 2017, and make it even more difficult for the iPhone to catch up.
Here’s our review roundup.
Galaxy Note 8’s dual-lens camera will be ‘much better’ than iPhone’s
Samsung isn’t giving up on its Galaxy Note lineup following last year’s exploding battery fiasco. According to one reliable analyst, a Galaxy Note 8 is coming with a dual-lens camera that will be “much better than that of the iPhone 7 Plus.”
iPhone 8 could be last to include headphone jack adapter
Apple’s mission to kill the use of headphone jacks on the iPhone may be completed by 2018, according to a new report from Barclays.
In a note to investors today, the research bank says the three new iPhone models Apple introduces this year will all come with a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, but this could be the last time buyers get a free dongle.