Apple’s iPhone 8 will reportedly include an iPad Pro-like smart connector that may be the link up for augmented reality and virtual reality headsets. The report is tenuous, but the idea that Apple is ready to introduce its augmented reality platform this fall is interesting.
Jeff Gamet
Jeff Gamet is the Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and co-host of the Apple Context Machine podcast. He is the author of “The Designer’s Guide to Mac OS X” from Peachpit Press, and writes for several design-related publications. Jeff has presented at events such as Macworld Expo, the RSA Conference, and the Mac Computer Expo. In all his spare time, he also hosts TMO’s Daily Observations podcast, co-hosts The iOS Show podcast, and makes guest appearances on several other shows, too. Jeff dreams in HD.
Articles by Jeff Gamet
Facebook, Apple, and Augmented Reality - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-19
Facebook just announced its augmented reality platform and Apple has already said it’s very interested in AR. Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to look at Facebook’s augmented reality plans, what Apple may be working on, and how apps today are preparing us for an augmented reality future.
Apple's Pro iMac to Compete with Microsoft Surface Studio
We know Apple has an iMac with pro features planned for later this year, and a new report says it’ll be designed to compete with Microsoft’s Surface Studio all-in-one PC. Apple also has updates for its current models coming, most likely in the second half of the year.
What We Want in Apple's Pro iMac - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-18
Apple says an iMac with pro features is coming later this year, but didn’t elaborate on exactly what that entails. Jeff Butts and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to talk about what they’d like to see in the new model. Spoiler: they were able to distill that down to two words.
Apple Settles Unwired Planet's Patent Infringement Case Hours Before Trial
Unwired Planet’s patent infringement lawsuit against Apple is finally over because the two companies reached an undisclosed settlement just a day before they were scheduled to go to trial. The agreement most likely includes Apple writing a big check, and the patent holding company agreeing to leave the iPhone and Mac maker alone.
Bloomberg Backs Up iPhone 8 Big Screen Design Reports
Another report is out saying the iPhone 8 will sport an almost bezel-free display, and this time it’s from Bloomberg. This one backs up what we’ve already heard: A bigger display in an iPhone 7-size body, curved glass edges, OLED, and no physical Home button.
Logitech POP Smart Button Gets HomeKit Support
Logitech’s POP Smart Button is getting HomeKit support, and its POP Smart Button Kit will be available in Apple’s retail stores. The button supports a wide range of devices, so you can use it to control non-HomeKit gear, too.
Project Titan on Open Roads, Predicting Tech Companies Demise - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-17
We know Project Titan isn’t dead because Apple has a permit to test self driving cars on public roads in California. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about the status of Apple’s car plans, plus John wants us to pick a tech company to be gone in 50 years.
Al Gore, Lisa Jackson Discussing Climate at San Francisco Apple Store on April 19
Former Vice President Al Gore and Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson are teaming up for a climate-focused discussion at Apple’s Union Square store in San Francisco on Wednesday, April 19th. The two will talk about climate optimism, Earth Day initiatives, and more. The event is free, but you need to RSVP to attend. Their discussion starts at 7PM pacific time and odds are it’ll fill up quickly. If you want to attend, head over to Apple’s website and RSVP now.
Apple Gets Permit to Test Self Driving Cars on California Roads
Apple now has a permit to test drive autonomous vehicles on public roads in California, which is a pretty clear sign the company is still doing something with its not so secret car project dubbed Titan.
Woz Says Apple Will Still be Here in 2075
Apple will still be here in 2075, according to company co-founder Steve Wozniak, and Google and Facebook will be alive and kicking, too. Woz made his prediction over the weekend ahead this year’s Silicon Valley Comicon and its “The Future of Humanity: Where Will We Be in 2075” theme.
Apple and Robots, Latest iPhone 8 Leak - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-14
Robots are finding their way into our homes, and John Martellaro thinks Apple needs to set the bar for quality and security. John, along with Bryan Chaffin join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on Apple’s place in the personal robot market, plus they look at today’s iPhone 8 leak showing the Touch ID sensor embedded in the display.
PDFpen 9 Loads Up with New PDF Editing and Export Features
Smile PDFpen 9 and PDFpen Pro 9 for the Mac are out, and are loaded with more than 100 new features. The new versions improve annotations, and table of contents editing; export to JPG, PNG, 1-bit TIFF, and flattened PDF, plus exporting to several resolutions; can make and open links in other files, and supports forms with calculations; improves font smoothing, and more. PDFpen Pro is my go-to PDF editing app and it’s much easier to use than Adobe Acrobat. PDFpen 9 costs US$74.95 and PDFpen Pro 9 is $124.95. The upgrades for both cost $30 and are free if you purchased after January 1st, 2017. You can download demo versions at the Smile website.
New Images Show iPhone 8 with Touch ID in the Display
Apple reportedly has two iPhone 8 designs in the works: one with the Touch ID sensor on the back, and the other with it embedded in the display glass. Yesterday’s leak showed the backside Touch ID sensor, and today we get to see what the version with the sensor in the display looks like.
Apple Ready to Team with Foxconn for Toshiba Memory Business Bid
Apple is reportedly interested in bidding on Toshiba’s NAND flash memory business, and is looking into teaming up with Foxconn to make it happen. Apple is looking to invest several billion dollars in the company for at least a 20% stake that it would share with Foxconn.
Developers: Get Ready for iTunes Connect Down Time on April 22
Apple has scheduled iTunes Connect down time starting at 7AM pacific time on April 22nd that could last up to eight hours. That means anything developers need to do in iTunes Connect and related services need to be handled before the morning of the 22nd.
Leaked iPhone 8 Schematic, Apple's Diabetes Blood Sensor - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-13
If the schematic that leaked today is real, Apple is putting the Touch ID sensor on the back of the iPhone 8. Dave Hamilton and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to offer up their thoughts on rear-facing smartphone fingerprint sensors, plus they look at a report claiming Apple designed a blood glucose sensor that doesn’t require a finger prick.
First iPhone 8 Schematics Finally Leak, Maybe
The first of what claims to be an actual iPhone 8 schematic hit the web on Thursday showing a super-slim bezel for the display, and a Touch ID sensor on the back of the phone. Assuming the rendering is legit, the iPhone 8 will look a lot like Samsung’s Galaxy S8 smartphone.
Apple has a Secret Team Designing Diabetes Monitoring Sensors
Apple has a secret team working on non-invasive sensors to track blood glucose levels for diabetes patients. If the iPhone and Apple Watch maker is successful, it won’t be necessary to pierce the skin to get accurate blood sugar readings any more—something no other company has been able to figure out.
Apple's Swatch Lawsuit, NVIDIA's New macOS Drivers - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-12
It’s trademark lawsuit time again because Apple thinks Swatch’s “Tick Different” campaign is too similar to “Think Different.” Jeff Butts and Kelly Guimont join Jeff Gamet to talk about Apple’s latest trademark fight, plus they dive into NVIDIA’s new macOS video card drivers and the hackintosh scene.
Blackberry Scores $814M Win for Qualcomm Overcharging Patent Royalties
Qualcomm has agreed to pay Blackberry US$814.9 million for overcharging patent royalties. Blackberry entered into arbitration with Qualcomm over claims it was being forced to pay too much to use the company’s patent protected technologies in its smartphones, which sounds exactly like Apple’s current lawsuit against Qualcomm.
No, Apple Isn't Dropping iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c Support in iOS 10.3.2
There’s a report making the rounds claiming Apple is dropping support for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5c in iOS 10.3.2, and they’re wrong. Apple hasn’t ever cut device support with a minor point update, and that holds true for iOS 10.3.2.
NVIDIA's Pascal Drivers for macOS Available, but Still Beta
NVIDIA made Mac users happy on Tuesday when it released a macOS-compatible version of its Pascal graphics processors. The company promised they were coming, and while still in beta, they let Mac owners get a taste of the company’s more powerful GPU offering.
Apple Music Nails It, Dumping Dialog Semiconductor - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-11
Bryan Chaffin says Apple pretty much nailed it with Apple Music. Bryan and Jeff Butts join Jeff Gamet to look at Apple’s streaming music service, plus they dive into the company’s tactics to bring more chip design in house.