Apple Watch came out on top in J.D. Power’s newest smartwatch satisfaction survey. The Apple device narrowly beat out the competition in overall points, but scored significantly higher in J.D. Power’s Power Circle Ratings, as shown in the chart.
News
Leaked iPhone 7 Plus Pics Show Mute Switch is Gone
Yesterday we saw a leaked photo of what looks to be the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, and today brings us the iPhone 7 Plus. The new photos look pretty much like what we’re expecting, but with a glaring omission: the physical mute switch is gone.
Pokémon GO isn't Stealing all Your Data
Pokémon GO is the game to play, and it’s so popular that Nintendo’s servers can’t keep up with demand. That led to loads of people signing up with their Google ID, promptly followed by loads of people freaking out thinking the game is accessing all of their email, contacts, and documents. The game isn’t really stealing all your data, and the developers said they’re fixing the error that granted Pokémon GO full access to your Google account.
Photo Shows iPhone 7 with Bigger Camera Lens
A new photo of what appears to be the next iPhone hit the internet on Monday showing what we’ve already heard from rumors, like a new camera and redesigned antenna lines. In fact, the biggest surprise in this shot is how clear the photo is.
Apple Settles Coverflow Patent Fight for $25M
A patent infringement fight against Apple over Coverflow technology that started in 2008 has finally come to an end with a US$25 million settlement. Apple agreed to pay the sum to Network-1 Technologies, far less than the $625 million originally awarded.
Apple Sued for Using Carousel Effect on Website
Apple has yet another patent infringement lawsuit to deal with, this time for the sliding carousel effect on the Apple.com home page. The case was filed by Samuel Lit who holds a 2008 patent describing the carousel effect—an effect that’s easy to find on scores of websites.
This is Why Gun-shaped iPhone Cases are a Bad Idea
A gun-shaped iPhone case is a bad idea in general, and doubly so when you take one to the airport. That’s the important life lesson one man learned when police stopped him in London Stansted Airport with what appeared to be a gun that turned out to be his smartphone.
Apple Launches iOS 10 and macOS Sierra Public Betas
Apple delivered on its promise of public betas for iOS 10 and macOS Sierra on Thursday. The betas were previously available only to developers, but now everyone can get in on the pre-release action.
Backdoor.MAC.Elanor Malware Access Mac Webcams, Steals Data, More
There’s a new Mac malware threat in the wild dubbed Backdoor.MAC.Elanor that’s particularly nasty because it lets attackers take control of your Mac’s camera, download data from your computer, and remotely run code. Mac users can fall victim to the threat by downloading what otherwise appears to be a legit app and has even shown up on some mainstream Mac software repositories.
3 Great iPhone Apps for Learning about Juno and Jupiter
NASA’s Juno probe spent five years traveling to Jupiter, and on July 4th it safely arrived and slid into orbit. That means we’ll have loads of new information about the gas giant soon, and thanks to our iPhones and iPads, we can stay on top of the latest discoveries. The Mac Observer put together a few apps for your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch so you can find out more about the mission, get the latest Juno news, and learn about Jupiter and the Juno probe, too.
Apple Adds Organ Donor Registry to iOS 10 Health App
Apple is making it easier to be an organ doner by adding the ability to register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor in iOS 10’s Health app, due to ship this fall. Apple teamed up with Donate Life America, which manages the National Donate Life Registry, to add the feature to iOS 10.
Happy July 4th!
In honor of Independence Day—a U.S. holiday—The Mac Observer is taking off Monday, July 4th. We will return on Tuesday, July 5th, with our usual Apple, Mac, iPad iPhone, and Apple Watch news. Enjoy the holiday!
Senator Warren: Apple, Amazon, Google Killing Competition
Apple, Amazon, and Google are abusing their market strength to block competition from smaller companies, according to Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). In a speech at the America’s Monopoly Problem on Wednesday, she said the three companies are using their size to “snuff out competition,” and she’s at least partly right.
Why I'll be Buying a New iPhone 7
Some say, the iPhone 7 will be a yawner. What’s forgotten is that our appetite for new (useful) toys and being state-of-the art always outweighs the cynicism of skeptics and critics. John’s going to have a new iPhone 7, and states why you should think seriously about one too. Ignore the voices that seek control.
Apple Patent Blocks Smartphone Recording, and it's Creepy
Musicians and other live performers could have a new way to stop attendees from using their smartphones to record video, photos, and audio at events thanks to a new patent from Apple. The iPhone and iPad maker was awarded a patent this week for a system that remotely disables recording with infrared signals. The system could be used in other ways, too, like blocking recording in secure facilities, or by governments to prevent free speech.
Apple Hit with $13B Lawsuit for Stealing the iPhone Concept
Thomas Ross says he invented and patented the idea of the iPhone in the early 1990s, so he’s suing to the tune of US$13 billion Apple for stealing his intellectual property. Never mind the fact that his patent was declared abandoned in 1995, he didn’t go after Apple when the MessagePad was a thing, and he isn’t suing other smartphone makers.
AAPL Third Quarter Earnings Report set for July 26
Apple’s third fiscal quarter earnings report is scheduled for Tuesday, July 26th. Investors will be watching the iPhone and iPad maker’s numbers closely after last quarter’s disappointing results, and the lack of new product announcements during Q3.
Google Brings Higher Resolution Satellite Imagery to Google Earth and Maps
Google announced Monday the rollout of new imagery for Google Earth, and by extension Google Maps. The company said it was incorporating a new cloud-free mosaic of Earth in Google Earth utilizing higher-resolution images from Landsat 8, a satellite deployed by the USGS and NASA in 2013.
Game Foul: Ford Dealership Steals Firewatch Art
No matter how hard our kindergarten teachers tried, some people never really wrapped their heads around the idea that stealing is bad. Take, for instance, the Quirk Ford dealership in Massachusetts and the Firewatch artwork it stole for a promotional event.
Google Ready to Try Apple's Tactics with New Smartphone
Google is reportedly working on a new smartphone to take on Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s phone De jour. Unlike its Nexus line, where partner companies are making the phones, Google plans to take complete control over this new line.
Apple gets its Rainbow on for SF Pride Parade
Apple helped celebrate the LGBTQ community over the weekend by marching in San Fransisco’s annual Pride parade. Company CEO Tim Cook’s photo on Twitter shows what looks like hundreds of Apple employees marching and waving rainbow flags—and wearing the special limited edition Apple Watch rainbow watch bands the company gave to participants.
6 Great Display Choices for Your MacBook Pro and Mac Pro
Apple is getting out of the stand-alone display market—at least for now—and says there are plenty of third-party alternatives to its now defunct Thunderbolt Display. Sorting out which display to buy can be a little intimidating, so The Mac Observer put together a list with some great 4K, 5K, and HD options to help make your shopping a little easier.
Apple Drops 2.81% in Broad Brexit Selloff
Shares of Apple Inc. shed 2.81% Friday in a broad market downturn sparked by Brits voting to leave the European Union, or Brexit for short. The selloff was part of a general panic among investors concerned about what Brexit will do to the global economy.
OS X: Using Policy Banner for Custom Login Screens
You may know that you can set a custom message on your Mac’s lock screen, so if someone takes or finds your computer, he’ll have an easy way to contact you. However, if you’re an administrator who manages multiple machines, there’s also a built-in way to add a policy banner, which’ll make anyone who logs in click an “Accept” button to continue.