Steve Hemmerstoffer, known as @OnLeaks on Twitter, put together a fantastic video showing what looks like the best iPhone 8 mockup so far. The video has loads of details ands shows exactly how the glass front and back fit into the phone’s frame and even lets us see exactly where the SIM tray sits. The model is reportedly made from the 3D CAD files in the factory that’s building the iPhone 8 and was made using CNC machining. The end result is an iPhone that looks so real you expect to see alerts pop up on the screen. It’s four minutes of iPhone 8 awesomeness.
Parallels Toolbox Is a Misnamed and Hidden Mac Gem
I recently caught on to an app for macOS and Windows that takes the place of a good half-dozen other pieces of software. It’s been around for a while, but I’d overlooked it because of the name — Parallels Toolbox. I quite naturally assumed it related to running Windows in a virtual machine. I use VirtualBox for that. Boy, was I wrong! In fact, Parallels Toolbox is a one-stop app for quite a few great features. You can use it to take a screenshot, record a screen cast, or download your favorite video. That’s great for saving movies and other videos from YouTube or Facebook. Parallels Toolbox also gives you buttons to secure private files with a password, keep your computer from sleeping, or convert a video to a format you can view on your iOS device. It lives in your Mac’s menu bar, and is just a click away for all of those tools, and more. There’s a seven-day free trial, and then Parallels Toolbox is just US $9.99 per year. New tools are added frequently, so be sure to check it out and enjoy your all-in-one toolbox.
Amazon Prime Day 2017 Kicks Off Tuesday, July 11th
Amazon Prime Day, the company’s annual Black Friday-like sales event for Prime members that first launched in 2015, is coming soon. The company today announced that Prime Day 2017 is set for Tuesday, July 11, 2017, and that current Prime members can get an early start on shopping by logging on the previous night, Monday, July 10 at 9:00 p.m. EDT (6:00 p.m. PDT). Like the company’s Black Friday sales, Prime Day shoppers can expect a rotating series of deals throughout the day. Many of the products are clearance-like items that Amazon needs to move, but you’ll still occasionally find big savings on some cool stuff. If you’re not already a Prime member, you can sign up for the free trial which will give you access to the sale as well as all of the other Prime member benefits.
How to Install iOS 11 Public Beta on Your iPhone or iPad
iOS 11 public beta is available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch so anyone with a compatible device can install it and help track down bugs and broken features. Before you install it, however, you should have a good backup in case something goes wrong. Abhi Sirothia walks you through the process and shows you what it takes to get the public beta installed and running.
VR Apple Maps in iOS 11
Apple’s going big on augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) with iOS 11, and it appears those plans include the Apple Maps app. It was discovered this week that Maps locations which currently support “Flyover Tours” will now have a VR mode called just “Flyover” (minus the Tours). When accessed, the user sees the traditional Flyover view, but instead of the predefined tour video, the view responds to the user’s movement and the position of the iPhone. While currently providing a VR view, it appears that future plans call for AR too, as you’ll get a warning while using the app if there isn’t enough light for the camera. Check it out if you’re running the iOS 11 Beta.
An Augmented Reality Tape Measure Is Way Cooler Than It Sounds
Introduced at WWDC 2017 as part of iOS 11, Apple’s ARKit will provide the tools for developers to tap into the increasingly popular and important world of augmented reality. And now that the iOS 11 betas are in developers’ hands, we’re getting some amazing first looks at what AR on the iPhone and iPad will soon deliver. One of the coolest is AR Measure, a tape measuring app that is way cooler than it sounds. Check out the video demo, below.
Nintendo Bringing Back Retro Games with Mini SNES Classic
Nostalgic gamers rejoice, for Nintendo is bringing back its classic console as the mini Super NES Classic console system. It will come with 21 games like Super Mario World, F-ZERO, Final Fantasy III, Earthbound, Super Mario Kart, and Star Fox 2, which was previously unreleased. Nintendo will launch the mini SNES Classic Edition on September 29th for US$79.99. Just like the NES Classic, it will have an HDMI port so you can hook it up directly to your TV. Hopefully Nintendo learned its lesson when it released the NES Classic, which was hard to come by because of limited stock and was discontinued earlier this year. When September finally comes around, it wouldn’t be surprising if the SNES Classic is quickly sold out.
Former Apple Execs Discuss the Origins of the iPhone
As part of the iPhone’s 10th Anniversary this month, The Wall Street Journal has published a short video which looks at how this revolutionary device came to be. How the iPhone Was Born: Inside Stories of Missteps and Triumphs features interviews with three Apple employees key to the device’s development: Tony Fadell, Greg Christie, and Scott Forstall. Topics include how Apple originally envisioned the iPhone, the range of initial prototype designs, and what it was like to work under pressure from Steve Jobs.
How to Start a Campfire With a Plastic Sandwich Bag and Water
This video isn’t conventional computer tech. And yet’s immensely technical, invoking a principle of physics. Gotta love that. And so, if you’re camping, don’t have matches, can’t find a flinty rock and can’t get your campfire started for a cold night to come, here’s a really cool demo. What you need is some pulverized wood, a clear plastic sandwich bag, and some water from a nearby stream. Or your cooler. Sound impossible, Mr. MacGyver? Check it out.
AirVinyl Designs Skins for AirPods Case Video Review
AirVinyl Designs Skins are an easy an inexpensive way to customize your AirPods charging case, and Abhi Sirothia lets you know if they’re worth your time in this video review.
Smarter Coffee Brews How You Want, When You Want
There are smart coffee makers, and then there’s Smarter Coffee. This coffee maker is so smart it can start brewing when you round the bend home from your morning jog. With the explosion in app-enabled appliances and smart home technology, it’s not too surprising. With Smarter Coffee, you can use the app or start brewing with a command to Alexa. That’s not all, though — the coffee maker has a built-in bean grinder. It will grind your beans to the perfect consistence, then brew your coffee just the way you like it. Connect Smarter Coffee to a fitness tracker. The coffee maker will start brewing when you near home after your jog or evening commute. Finally, the coffee maker tells you, through the app, how much water is in the reservoir. If you want to set it to brew eight cups of coffee, you’ll know right away if you need to add more water.
Off the Tracks: A Final Cut Pro X Documentary
Are you a fan of Apple’s Final Cut Pro? Or curious about the controversial history of the Final Cut Pro X update? Check out Off the Tracks, a Final Cut Pro X documentary that just hit its crowdfunding goal on Kickstarter. The documentary features interviews with key industry figures and filmmakers, including Randy Ubillos, the creator of Final Cut Pro and iMovie. The documentary won’t be completed until early next year, but you can reserve an early copy for a pledge of $25.
Chicago's New Apple Store Lets You Get Your MacBook Fixed Inside a MacBook
If there’s one thing about Apple Stores that everyone can agree on, it’s that they certainly stand out, and it looks like Apple isn’t aiming to change that reputation any time soon. The company’s upcoming flagship store in Chicago is being constructed with glass walls all around and a carbon fiber roof. But this week, the construction crew deviated from the original design plans and added a white Apple Logo to the center of the roof, making the store look like a giant MacBook. Check out the video of the store’s construction from DNAinfo.
The Secret History of the iPhone Isn't So Secret Anymore
The highly anticipated and controversial new book about the development of the iPhone, The One Device: The Secret History of the iPhone, is now available. Initial reviews reveal that the book isn’t the “complete” history of the iPhone that most were expecting, but that it does provide a number of new stories and insights about the inner workings of Apple and the relationships between the company’s executives and its partners during this crucial time in Apple’s history. Early press excerpts from the book caused some controversy, and its release was timed perfectly with last night’s interview with ex-iOS chief Scott Forstall. Check it out now at Amazon, or download the Kindle or iBooks versions to start reading right away.
Chuck Joiner Interviews Bryan Chaffin on the Road to Macstock
Chuck Joiner interviewed me for his “On the Road to Macstock” series. I am speaking—as are Jeff Gamet and Dave Hamilton—at Macstock 2017, and Chuck asked me for a preview of my presentation. As Chuck put it, “Bryan Chaffin of The Mac Observer gives us a taste of the kind of timely analysis of events that he will deliver to the audience in Woodstock IL in July. This time, Bryan provides his thoughts on Project Titan, Apple’s automotive project, and what Tim Cook’s comments really mean. Bryan has a reputation for strong opinions, and this conversation is no exception.” Seems about right.
John Kheit's Unboxing and Hands On with Apple's New iPad Pro 12.9-Inch
John Kheit just got himself a shiny, new iPad Pro 12.9-inch. He unboxes a maxed out 512GB cellular model, and offers his initial impressions. Highlights include the 120Hz refresh rates and the Touch ID button.
TMO WWDC 2017 Interview with Greg Scown
In this TMO video interview, Jeff Gamet Interviews Smile Software’s Greg Scown at WWDC 2017 and AltConf about Apple’s iOS 11 announcements, how developers respond to new operating system features, and more.
TMO WWDC 2017 Interview with Sal Soghoian
In this TMO video interview, Jeff Gamet talks with Sal Soghoian at WWDC 2017 and AltConf about Mac and iOS automation.
TMO WWDC 2017 Interview with Scholarship Winner Isabel Lee
In this TMO interview video, Jeff Gamet interviews WWDC scholarship winner Isabel Lee on applying for the scholarship, coding, and her experience at this year’s conference.
TMO WWDC 2017 Interview with Ken Aspeslagh of Ecamm
In this TMO interview video, Jeff Gamet talks with Ecamm co-founder Ken Aspeslagh about WWDC 2017, AltConf, and his new Ecamm Live app.
TMO WWDC 2017 Interview with Grey Osten from App Camp for Girls
In this TMO interview video, Jeff Gamet talks with App Camp for Girls co-founder Grey Osten at WWDC 2017 about teaching girls to code.
WWDC and AltConf Interview: Ish
Jeff Gamet caught up with indy iOS app developer Ish at AltConf outside of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in San Jose. They talked about his new Boomerang language translation app, teaching other developers, his appearance in the documentary App: The Human Story, and more. Ish has a blog and is on Twitter, too.
Apple's WWDC 2017 Keynote is Now Available for Streaming
Apple’s WWDC 2017 Keynote video is already available to be streamed. This is the best WWDC keynote in years.
Watch Apple's APPOCALYPSE Video - It's Funny Stuff
Apple showed a fun video called APPOCALYPSE during Monday’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) keynote. It takes an absurdist look at what would happen if Apple’s App Store servers went down. It’s fun and funny, and it paid homage to developers with the tagline, “Keep making apps. The world is depending on you.” Check it out.